Variety (March 1919)

I'P^i^^S^sP^^i^i^f^^^^ m BUowmW^^^^^ Ife m tonnance, elgtit bdya pitylor Jftsi, and lt#lB reported thoy are also booked abroad. . Tbejr sbould do well over there, better than they 'yrlU do on the stage over here. - ".-Page Bill QuBld—Hello, Bill—Take out your penoll-^Mastoralngeis, 10 men; Kramer 'and Morton, two men; Jazarlmba Band, eight men—Ob, you Bill! Stme. AMERICAN ROOF, vTBe IlooC show the first half of the week never did get started, although It mudo ro- ' peate4 attempts all to no reaafts. There were 80 many tuults, It would prove of little in- terest to relate them, but the entire affair looked as though a show bad to be played, and the ToBultB—everything and anything were used to round out the regular nine-act pro- gram. 'The books in the office probably show a ' amallexpendlturo, but since nothing in the line of big money Is necessary to draw them into the American right now, from a money stand- point, such bookings can continue, but hardly ittdeflnitely. BusincBa was big Monday nigbt, with standees visible. in the rear. A late overflow arrived around the second act, but previous to that there were enough present to call it a good evening's business. Janet of France was the headllner and given'' th^ spot before intermission. Janet of France is^about tbe only thing that can possibly be credited to the turn, for'it Is nothing more than the turn played for a few weeks in the bigger bouses by the same woman witb Con Conrad. Freddie Clinton has replaced ,blm, and while Clinton carries bis portion well enough, the woman with a boresome French accent hardly comes up to expectations, and consequently her failure to do so is of much hindrance to the specialty. The Loew Cir- cuit, It It wishes to continue the turn over its tlme,-would be saving much comment by giving the act less prominence. Morley and McCarthy. Slaters appeared in the previous spot, doing exceedingly well with Ringing turn that could stand much attention In tbe wardrobe department. The girls show to better advantage than their appearance, and ' tor the smaller houses will prove acceptable. ' Tbe Toshi Duo (New Acts) opened, followed by Klmbell and Kenneth (New Acta), witb Bports in tbe Alps doing a rather hurried turn in tbo next position. The turn was compelled to work without its special scenery (on the roof), which, of course, was a disadvantage, but the position for such a turn was a poor sclnction. It sort of stopped proceedings for the time being, making it necessary tor tbe running to regain itself after their exit. Fur- ther down on tbe program would have been much better. After Intermission Came Jewett and Elgin, Minnie Stanley and Co, and Joe Darcey (New Acts), with ThIeSBon's Dogs closing. The dog act was fortunate in having the majority re- main seated through wanting to witness the sbowing of tbe latest Arbuckle comedy, for hardly would the same number have atayed through auch a program ordinarily. y- :^; HARLEM~0. H. ''•The Harlem people are apparently getting' wise to the try-out syfltem now In vogue at Keith's Harlem Opera House, for Monday night ' tbo house was packed from stage to back wall, altbougb it Is possible the Alamo "Jazz" band with Irving Oluck helped the draw, fdr that organization Is one of the best known and most popular In the section. ThoV held a late Hpot and stopped proceedings during their stay, exiting after being presented with a monster horseshoe of Oowers, sent them by their asso- ciates In the cabaret. 'The show opened with Drawee, a juggler, who Is aided by a rather well trained collie dog, the latter showing more ability than the principal himself. A cat Is olso Introduced and helps'to some extent, but it best the act is only capable of opening the smallest. It paascd quietly. Warren and De Stacey look like amateurs. . One was dressed in tbo uniform of an army captain, the comedian aiming at Italian char- acter work. The turn is talky, with but a few laughs, and the "straight" man's solo regis- tered a decided "flop." He forgot his lines, and slnco' be can sing no better than "feed" his ^Ide, the act looks useless for any style of time. Godfrey and Henderson have a skit with a prolog'that might have carried possibilities, but has been poorly constructed,- The cmple seem capable enough had they the proper ma- tfirlal, but this aklt wilt get them little ot nothing. The Nelson Duo have an old-style act that Is passed for present day vaudeville. Tbe ward- robe Is attractive and the pair look like former vaudeville favorites, but this typo of act has seen Its heyday In vnudnvllle and carries little promise for future value. The woman has a good voice and the man stands up well, but the act baa no strength whatever, and at the Har- lem house It failed to register ut all. Tbe 111. Bon^B was from the house of Ollbort & FrieJland, the ballad, "I Found You," bring- ing several encores. The regular show was closed by Rlcholow and Fern witb their club Juggling specialty, the Monday evening per- formance being conspicuous because of the many fnlsses recorded by the pair. Under the New Act department will be found a review of the others, including Jerome and Herbert, Gray a)id Jackson, DuPreo and 'Wilson, Alamo Hand, Yen Wnah and Townsend and Wilbur Co. W}fnn. keeney'sTbrooklyn. The most amazing pnrt of tbe show at Keeney's, Brooklyn, the first half ot the week was the buBiness. Tbe show on viow the foro- pnrt of this week does well in spots, there be- lier several turns that wore well received Mon- d. y night. The feature flint wag "Mrs. Wlggs ot the Cabbage Patch," with Marguerite Clark. Mies Clark's name is olways a draw In Brooklyn. The mammoth playhouse was not only packed but there were standees. It wasn't a show that anyone would rave about. The whole sliow gave aattafactlon, but token Individually some ot.the turns sufferM. McGee and Anita opened, giving the bill a quiet start. The turn shows merit, but noth- ing out of tbe ordinary. Friacb and Qroes- man (New Acts) appeared second, while tbe third turn to show was Forrest's JDogs (New Acts). Oliff Carter was the name Billy Blllott went by for the Keeney date. Blliott knocked down a few laughs with bla talk, but bia best score was registered when singing. Elliott has several Jokes that need the quick aUcntlon of the dissecting table. One didn't blame Elliot for getting as close- to bia audience as possible when doing bis mono- logistic part, for tn^t house of Keeney's is large enough to bouae tbe biggest band of entertainers In captivity. The S. Miller Kent Co, la a listless buncb, with Mr. Kent trying hard Individually to make the act and supporting company stand un on his level. A alight semblance to gun- play, witb an anticipated surprise finish, buoyed up tbe audience, but nothing bap- Pened. Babe LaTour and Sid Gold do not appsar to have made much improvement since they first framed tbe preeent act. Perhaps the disin- clination to discard certain bits and endeavor to use something else has prevented the act from climbing, but at Keeney's tbe turn would have done a real flop bad it .not been for Miss LaTour'B change to the abbreviated attire and the dancing finish. Sid Gold followed Billy Elliott with a bal- lad, and tbat was a tough twist of vaudeville fate.- Gold atru eled manfully and did fairly well at that, but what chance be might have had was lost in the colored spot used. When he hit tbe dancing routine the returns were much better. Natalie and Ferrare closed with a dancing turn that held Interest. -Farts of this act needs speeding up. The act car- ries special drops that were not as effective as expected, and the electrical, objective strlved for at the opening seemed out of stride. Tbo lights did not bring out the effect desired. Keeney's is doing a remarkable business. In foct all of the Brooklyn houses are reported doing Al returns. What is all tbe more re- markable about big business at either Keeney's or Loew's Met is tbat either bouse would swallow up two ot any ot the smaller New York tbeatree. afarfc. JEFFERSON. Carnival week at the Jefferson, with 10 acts ■ for each half, which accounted for ,,tbe large congregation Monday night. With every act registering individually, tbe honors were equally divided between Howard and Lewis and BornardI, the latter really bringing home, the bacon when be executes the changes in such rapid fashion behind a transparancy. With all the pictures bunched at tbe start, the vaudeville was not Interrupted, therefore the big bill was arranged to Its very best advantage. Duhns and Jose, a dancing team, opened the show and were well appreciated, especially their'second offering which has the girl In one of thoso I. O. U. costumes. The act closes with typical dances registering solid. Manning and Hall were In the No. 2 spor, going through comedy talk, and Bongs. Following tbo open- ing comedy talk, eoch did a song, followed by the girl sitting on the man's lap, causing nn outburst of laughter, on account of her exceptionally large physical , proportions. Kelly and Corblln were next in a sketch en- titled "The Lawyer and Section Boss." Al- though thfl space provided on the side signs proved sufficient to properly bill the act caus- ing the ward lawyer to bo omitted. It was easily seen tbat something was missing In the title. The play Is founded on an ac- cident. The lawyer representing the company, summons, the section boss, who appears aa a typical Irish laborer, with a red flag in bis hand. Questioning the laborer offers good comedy for 12 minutes, although there is room for improvemont. Dorothy Brenner took tbe audience by atorm. Her appearanco pleased the galleryltcB. Miss Brenner makes three changes of costume, each for the number, Tbe second, as a wealthy widow, was enough to bring some of the boys in the gallery around back stage. Her last and most pleasing cbnng'e was an impersona- tion of a young girl, accompanied by talk that she was leaving home. Her exit left room for Belts Seals to open Immediately. Not only does the act consist of a quartet of seals, but a rooster and a monkey also. The monkey caused a convulsion of laughter upon his refusal to perform. His trainer was continually culling him for misbeheavior. "The turn closed to good result. Howard and Lewis, straight and comedian, followed the seals and kept the audience In excellent humor throughout. There is not a dull moment, with Jokes right up to date. In fact many of them were offered too fast, going over the heads of many. The line "Do You Like Me" very frequently interrupting the routine, but scoring each time, could be the title of the act. These boys have a very good act and are worthy of better time. A musical turn was next, Al Carp, violinist. Mr. Carp (formerly McClaud and Carp) JUBt rags the old violin, receiving solid applause upon his exit. BernardI was next on the side signs. Entering from the rear ot tbe stage, through a cabaret scene, he announces that be will execute seven of the most rapid changes In coRtume Imaginable, which he does and re- gisters applause from all over the house. Next to closing, Hank Brown and Ida Gun- Iher head the boards for 20 minutes, offering more comedy, but tbe more the comedy the better for that crowd. T^ey had an easy time to please. The 4 Earls on tbe flying trapeze closed tho show and held them seated. .'. ' AUDUBON. A program lacking speed, novelty, comedy and anything really worth while ahown to a crowded theatre Monday nIgbt. An old Mack Bennett picture failed, when It came to getting laughs, and a long drawn oat overture by tbe archestra started things slowly. The Alexander Brothers and Evelyn and Anna Chandler were the chief applause win- ners. Tbe Alexander Brothora, assisted by Evelyn, with their ball bouncing act opebed and had things their own sweet way. The act Is attractively staged and nicely worked out to routine, with the stouter of the two brothers winning several laughs with odd bits. The comedy by> the other brother fell flat, perhaps as he has discarded his clown make-up. The siBter did nicely and smiled sweetly. Charles Olllen at the piano and Ed Mulcaby showing a good baritone voice start the act with a song about Roosevelt and flnlab wi^i a Prohibition number. In between is a lengthy piano solo by Oillen and an Impression ot John McCormack by Mulcaby. The act runs to popular songs, bul the need la for songs more up-to-date and a good finishing number, ■ The men have talent and appearance, and a change about ot the routliie used would be beneflclal. Anderson and Burt offered their old-tashloned comedy playlet in wbich the biscuit Is promi- nently used to win laughs. The act Is nlcelx handled by both and won favors more on the acting than on tbe story. A tag line in which "hell" was used brougbt tbe laugha up to a good climax, A Dnlversal EWents picture divided the abow, and then Miss Chandler, assiated by a pianists entertained with several songs, Tbe act was sot In full stage and the pianist takes palna to properly Introduce Miss Chandler, after which she Bings about having a great deal ot luck, but It Is mostly bard. This song and pieces of .business took Up too much time. A "Smile" song with extemporaneous ohoruses won favor, and a double song was marred by tbe work of the accompanist, A comedy song about a "Cave Man" was placed In tbe right spot, and then a new song written by the pianist completed tbe act. Miss Chandler Is in need ot songs with more pep and punch, Warren and 'Templetop in the next to closing spot found the going rough at the.start with chatter concerning "Paradoxes," which wis over tbe heads of some of the audience, A ukelflle and mandolin number was nicely handled, and tbe Indian song and dance showed that the bovs badvAblllty and could do much more If they triad. The act closed with an eccentric dance by both. Tbe Parker Brothers did hand balancing In the closing spot and look more like father and ^eon than brothers, Tbe routine of balancing feats Is handled In a showmanlike way without the usual stalling, and the flnlshlng trick of leaping over tbe piano by the top mounter into tho hands of the undorstander was splendidly done. A Theda Bara picture, entitled "When Men Desire," concerning an Inconsistent story ot a female spy In Germany, her experiences at the oands of the German officers and her aubaequent es- cape by an airplane, which brought laugba tor Its rldloulousneas aa a climax to a slow mov- ing feature. 12STH STREET. A novel bill witb plenty of speed and a good flash tbe first half. The audience was only too ready to laugh, and this, coupled with an attractive program, worked out a corking good entertainment. Elsie Mains and her Black and White Melody Boys were tbe big flash, which closed the show and left everyone happy. A picture opened. Norman Talma occupied full stage wtttk- a contortion specialty, accomplished on a billiard table. Talma has a good routine of teats, but his appearance Is marred by an ugly blond wig and his lack of sbowmanablp apoils' any results he might achieve. His few attempts at comedy would bring bigger laughs if handled with Just a.daab ot speed. Miller and Bradford had things going nicely with a dandy routine of songs and dances. Miss Bradford la a cute little comedienne with a splendid idea ot dancing, and Lou Miller sings in bis best style, Galvln, Wilson and Qalvin (New Acts) fol- lowed with "At the Fire House." Ben Smith appeared In blackface, dressed in white, *and sang several songs in a winning style. His talk could be speeded and the sure flre popular ballad at the flnlab let him off to big apolauae. Hnckett and Delmar (New Acta) offered "Artistic Fantasies,' a flaehlly set singing and dancing turn. Grlndell and Eetber won the big laughing honors with nut comedy. The man Is eccen- trically dress d and the woman Is a capable feeder. In the next to closing spot Orlndell and Esther proved valuable. VICTORIA. Nothing much can be said tor the vaude- ville at Loew's Victoria the first bait ot this week. Altbougb tbe house was pretty well filled two feature pictures held more attention and were more appreciated than tbe acts, with the exception of Elsie White In the No. 4 spot. Hall and Gullda, man and woman dancing team, opened the show, offering dances of all description, but failed to score.' The Sootch number offered bv the man claimed a little applause. Notwithstanding tbat an exquisite house drop greatly aided them, they lack the punch to please. Mack and Paglla, Italian comedian and straight, followed and were re- warded the aame way. The oouple looked a bit timid during their preliminary work, but have not tbo necessary material to put them 5'?.^ AUhough the comedian knows how t:; deliver, then Is not a sure flre Joke in all hla routine. After the Arbuckle comedy picture. "Love," which really gained the laugha of the evening, came tbe Werner Amoroua Trio. Quite a surprise was banded to tbe crowd when ■"?.?. "'^ the men revealed hla correct aex, but still, due to his long hair, aome were not thoroughly convinced. The nut comedian should limit his toollshments to a certain S- tent, as too much was given tor enjoyment. pillows, but somehow or other they tailed to land real applause. »„^® M,7". ^'^'^ '^^^^%i ''o'ne 'even dialeof Hill's CIrcuB, consisting of four doga, five S2?M®*„»?^ °Ji® monkey. Is only fitted for pop vaudeville. One of the poniea. Jet black In h»'^'"'^?''.PS""..'?,»!«"""•■« the act, and baa, ♦h!"«:?»'"L''*^"**,..If""<''" The conclusion of JSmn. L""."!^ * mtlo comedy when several at- tempt to ride a bucking mule, but tho audience M,"rl'l?i„?, """""aJ walkout." The second ^- Vih*.. ^u}^" "' t'?® evening closed the show. wb1?h^s*c^erralg'b\ «"" °°'"«':',''« «'"«•" »».r S.?^''^ *''.*'''5 capacity on the lower floor. «?i»5??°"^ '■ '»'«■'.'>«» the two remaining galleries are usually devoid of populace. Tuea- hoJae^'^ no exception In Fox's l^tU street «„Ii'f,« K*" Jean Trottpe, acrobatic, seven, opened the vaudeville. A tandem somersault wnien a member of the company announced Th^n "tr*";,?'"'? ^>"'°y »e«-'""»tlc trou??excp« tbifl. Is the feature trick. The CMitlnuous repetition ot the incidental "blues" music growa monotonous, it would be wise to rearfange toe orclvestra score. Edah Delbrldgo Trio, two Si^,^,-i°^^K*'""'»?','" evening clothes, sang ?hw*' numbers, "Singapore" got them aome- tblng. They accepted an encore. "A Regular S"» Mn'l^f,?; *"•» i"*"" P.«°P'e' Pleased^ It n %^l''^f ■"'?'* ""P**"/ ^^^^- The young man in the piece is a bard, snappy wofker. >^ oJ:?' ®™™y 8 Pets resumed tho vaudeville section after the Current BvenU pictorial ex- JiL^''^*"*- ..w^'*® Collette Sisters were appre- JH^of'^ii" "'""^h "MlB-Portune" was*^ the title of the aecond sketch on the bill. The piece carries three men and one woman. It opens In "three," special interior, parlor set, A rich man refuses to forgive a former busi- ness associate who was driven to stealth by h^!ir'iV°2' A'dream. In which he pictures himself bereft ot his all, w|fe and fortune Included nobody willing to "give him a chance" bends bis course in life to bo charitably in- *"« ?• «"P°° , "'"''^'"B '•'<"» the fantasy. =„„♦** Oarr cleaned up In the next to closing spot Opening with a parody, he releases his Chatter and close swtlh a "mother" poem. He,. n^S l^r^mJ" take an encore. Count Porrone f^f Trlx Oliver with their piano act. Ih which the Count renders three numbers, Miss Oliver accompanying him on the piano, besides de- livering one vocal effort, closed the vaudeville. Come Again Smith," feature film, dosed. UST HALF SHOWS. Fob. 27-28, March 1. 125TH STREET... ■ wJi?^™ Friday afternoon entertainments up Harlem way recall tho time when Broadway used to advertise 10 acts and come near show^ L„?.'^"^°li?'.^*''- ''■''ey did actually sport IB S2„»i'°f',.f'"'^'"' »* ">« '2Cth Street The usual eight new acts appeared added to which were seven turns of the regular bill (Increased one net) which also held one or two new acts. As usual tho ropes Were up early and over capacity was present throughout 'the three- hour entertainment. Henry Stafford and Co, In "The Bishop of Wlndemere," had the bishop 20 years too young In appearance, and used language away over the heads of the audience. Somehow the turn appears possible of reconstruction. Cut exactly In half and dialog tonod to sometblnK near ordinary usage It might hw. Among the other new showings wore Patfl Pool (New Acts), Felice and Craig (New Acta). ?Vol^ Ay/LI 5?.™. ^'^^^ Acts)? ''(Jypsanla': (New Acts), Fitzsimmons and Norman (New Acts) and Wood and Dod (New AcU). One other showing was also present but proved Im- possible. . ^1?. ''^e ™"J°'' portion ot tbe show (regu- t*'" ?"'l appeared It went over with a bang. Jessie Standish, on ninth, a perfect spot tor her after much gab, and she easily went over "i ^" .?.'*• «Y«l'je'» "JazarJmba" Band suo- ceded Miss Standish with the afternoon's beat score, almost stopping the abow (New Acts). Richard the Great," the entertaining toonk, waa down twelfth, and fitted well there. Rich- ard s '"bird" was In evidence, and had the monk been on before aby of tbe weak try-outs {L-w'iL?SJ?^*'■''! '*'^21 * «"e to repant It. Newbot and Phelps showed to advantage In the next offering, though passing up their Ohlnese finish number. ' Next to closing were Anthony and Roagers. both doing wop stuff, and great tnvorlet In the house. All "little Italy" giggled over tbelr "I thank you too much." But the turn v»'b cut short several minutes, one member of the teflm becoming suddenly II! and leaving the ktage. Hl8 partner explained, but the house thought that was a new part of the routine unMl the lights went out and the cards for the final turn were put up, Moore and White, on fourth • did acceptably. The show was opened by Weat and Edwards, a musical turn, jbee, AMERICAN. A rapidly moving and rather pleaetng show at the American Roof tbe second half of labt week, which gave good Battafactlon Krldav night. It opened with the latest Mack Uonnett comedy, "Bast Lynne with Variations," and %