Variety (April 1919)

■■■ m -' - -,v„ " ^l^T*™^*TT7r- ■ ■ ; . ■- .•..•;:.-:■ :■■-■-.*•■■ -.-■'--■ ?. -•!•-.•••..-■ ■ ■_.■ ... . SHOW REVIEWS I11K- IP- MIST: ss LI - f|! It;.- « muslo score helps the speed. He bad tbe bcuee with him all the time, and on making some Blight Blip eomebody in tbe audience , called. "It might have been worse, Frank." I For the second encore he announced that he would perform the world'a greatest balancing feat In getting two bottles to stand mouth to mouth upright. Ward .and Cullcn were also compelled to respond with an extra inning. Theirs Is neat, showman-like piano act. One line In tne patter of a "Dixie" song ancnt "canned peach" should go out. "Love and Kisses" advertised nine people, carrying but seven in reality. Since last seen, two weeks ago, one chorus girl Is miss- ing. Tbe entire thing Is framed around three popular numbers, special material being evi- dent only In a "wished" number, which scored between the two male principals' handling. Gags fairly ancient. Small time "flash" at best. Nixon and Sans opened after Intermission In blackface and "highbrow gal" make-up, and pieased with a fast ten-minute song and dance act Ed Lynch'a comedy sketch. "My Liberty Bond" (not patriotic propaganda as tbe title might suggest), came in for his share of approval. He is ably assisted by a man arid woman. Lane and Plant, men, song and oosaflre, would bave stopped the show bad time permitted, the bill running late. Tbe "straight's" solo got an extra encore. Not to be outdone, tbe stout chap of tbe turn was also accorded applause sufficient to warrant the repeat of a prohibition song. Tbe Arnolds, the fourth "dumb" act on the bill, closed with a balancing routine. Chaplin's reissue closed the show after eleven. HARLEM 0. H. A very interesting show graced the Har- lem boards of tbe west side for tbe first belt, and especially bo Monday night wuen the section of six try-out turns of professionals ' formed an important feature. Monday's bill was interesting because of tbe. presence of two feminine singles who have been in retirement for 6ome time. - Tbey are Vlnle Daly and Kate Rooney. Several novel- ties also helped liven the bill. Tbe try-outs were run In succession, Sol Levoy getting bis night show oft at 8.10, with tbe regular bill following immediately, and starting around 0.30. On tbe east side of 125th street Bob O'Donnell mixes up his new turns with tbe "regulars" on try-out day (Friday). Shields and Howard, Mayme and Dayse Remington, Daas and Dazle, Tomakl Dud and Arthur Stone made up tbe first section, all under New Acts. Whltehouse and Murray With animated songs slipped Into the pro- ceedings and went over nicely, starting oft with "On a Little Farm In Normandle" and ending with that love of a melody, "Mammy o' Mine," tbe sborus of which was sung lustily by tbe bouse, Kate Rooney, with. & sbow of pep and neatly gowned in a brown tailor made, followed to the Introduction ot "Rosie O'Orady." Tbey liked her quips and stories of Emerald tinge and her several songs as well. She encored with "Look What Me Boy Got In France." The same number was offered by one of the early try-onts, but so poorly that Miss Rooney's version sounded new. - Burt and Paige Dale with a singing and dance act were seventh, actually tbe opening turn of tbe regular show. Tbe girl Is pretty d possesses a lithe grace. She looked splen- .id at first with a ralnbow-hued frock, but her others were not so good nor was tbe rou- tine. Powers and Wallace followed with a bit (New Acts). "Framed," a ventrlloqulstlc novelty, was ninth (New Acts) and Vlnle Daly scored in tbe next spot (New Acts). Bert and Harry Gordon, next to closing, easily cleaned up a laugbing bit, while Gtubers' exceptional animal turn closed. Ibee. m. ■:.!\ i IS ■JEW It... i im. ■ at., -v. i iru- r ■ *f ■"■'}.' .mm r\f.\yW §?.:.,'- . swsj ■;=.■.«'. AUDUBON. Monday night the Audubon showed a decided Increase In patronage perhaps through the recent run ot shows, wblcb In addition to tbe one the first \half of tbe current week Is enough to regain the standing of the house followers. It was the usual six-turn affair, but held a couple of excellent numbers, besides framed to derlvo the most from tbe running. '" Nathan o Bros, and Cook and Oatman, No. 1 and 2 resepectively (New Acts). Cameron demons and Co. in their familiar skit secured continuous laugbing results, closing tbe first portion nicely. Following was a Chaplin re- issue, "One A. M.," with a pictorial weekly also shown. , Betty Bond was compelled to follow this. but further hindered herself with an opening kid number relating a conversation supposedly overheard by an "Innocent Kid." It turned out rather blue, likewise a couple of tier other numbers, tbe entire affair taking the edge off of her otherwise acceptable offering. New material has undoubtedly been added, for the numbers appear to be lacking In some respect, although It might also be a matter of Miss Bond's delivery. Donovan and Leo were In tbe next-to-closing position securing their usual returns, with McManus, Dlnus and DeWoIf closing (New Act). HAMILTON. With the usual capacity attendance, the show In general offered a very pleasant evening's entertainment Monday, although Houtton and Sully (substituting for Ward and Pryor In No. 5 spot) appeared to be somewhat of a disap- pointment. They failed to hold the position for good returns. The Semi-Weekly News was sblfted from splitting the show to closing, pre- ceding tbe dancing contest, which arrangement pleased. George and Llllle Garden, billed as Xylo-Phlcsds, opened tbe show and lived up to their billing. McCormack and Mellon, two boys, followed with songs and eccentric dances, hold- ing down tbe No. 2 spot to good results. In real summer attire, even as far as displaying straw hats, the boys execute some very clever dancing and were well received. Charles Mack and Co., In a comedy sketch, carrying two elder- ly men and a young girl, scored sufficient laughs. Went over to good results for small time. Nora Norrlne, a dainty miss, was next with songs, making three changes in costume. She has a good small time single. Tbe Asabl Troupe, tour men and one woman, closed the show, keeping them all seated. LAST HALF SHOWS. (March 27-30.) FIFTH AVENUE. A better-balanced bill than customary at the Fifth Avenue the last half. A good break by good luck, since there was quite some newness on the program. The Four Roses (New Acts) opened, giving tbe sbow a short but speedy start. Frank Mullane came No. 2, with Irish and Yiddish stories and songs, getting ail be could out of the spot, Mr. Muliane Is singing tbe "Wild Women" bong that has tbe lines about girls being bard to win without liquor In them, and asking as a dual line how girls, when they can not drink, may bo expected "to listen to reason." It's a broad lyric and rather sur- prising regular vaudeville will stand for It Maybe regular vaudeville is out for the money nowadays in preference to everything else. If that be so what a pity it was to pan Hammersteln in the good old days for what that bouse stood for. "Crosby's Corners" had no trouble In the No. 3 positiob. Felix Rush is billed with the turn. There Is a new ballad, "I'll Make You Glad," by the tenor, and it got over easily. The act runs about tbe same, The old gravy gets them. Dolly Kay (New Acts) bad somewhat the worst of it, following Mul- lane with a similar line of popular songs, but Miss Kay satisfied that audience. An- other new turn, of much more class, and the class of the entire program as far as that went, was Langford and Fredericks (New Acts). Lieut. Charlie Winston, with a war monolog (New Acts), came next; then the Fnrrell-Taylor Co., of four people, who got the hit or the bill with their old act It just shows, a girl harplste looks very nice, but . doesn't understand bow to make up her mouth, nor does the new blonde woman who sings in prima donna fashion. The blackface men did tbe clean-up, and as the hokum season has been on for some time now, there is no reason why this turn shouldn't do tbe same any- where. The act seems to have a -prize in tbe harplste. Perhaps no one in tbe act has noticed this girl Is playing popular music on the harp. She's the nearest to a rag harpist vaudeville, or any other field, has seen. As much as possible should be made out ot It. Ragging on the harp I And so many can not even get away with a minor accompaniment on that Instrument. Tbe girl has tbe right idea. She should bear down on It heavily. Tbe act got away big with its encore in "Cbu Chin Chow" fashion to tbe song and tune of "Hindustan." That's some song. After Hoey and Lee, Charles and Anna Glocker closed the show. Mabel Burke opened it with an ill. song. 8ime. 125TH~STREET. The snow storm of last Friday afternoon hadn't developed into a gale at matinee time, the premiere of the flakes In this man's town being to the benefit of the box office, and tbe crowd was in early downstairs. Looked like many youngsters were missing from the bal- cony, however. There was a 12-act show, six turns being on tbe regular bill and six of tbe seven try- outs putting in an appearance. Tbe Geralds were No. 2, entirely too early for so sure- scoring a turn. They awoke tbe "canaries" earlier than any turn playing the house for some time. At night tbe turn was moved down to the middle of tbe show. Marie and Co., in "The Immigrant," roused the Harlemites soon, latter showing in fifth spot. Tbe pair In immigrant garb brought back recollections to many present, and the real wop talk was understood by at least halt the house. The pair's voices, especially the woman's, made things all the easier, but the high scoring was never in doubt. Bell and Caron, closing the sbow, did well, Caron displaying acrobatic cleverness as for- merly, lie has an excellent bit ot comedy business at the start. Miss Bell Is supposed to slap his face, whereupon he takes out a piece of chalk and marks a wound stripe on his arm. . Jimmy Hussey and William Worsley were next to closing, they, too, being assuredly a hit. Hussey's parodies seemed to please the East Side bunch as much as anywhere else. Fred Ardath showed one of his acts on 10th, "The Mormons." Without the several "types" the turn would be Impossible. Hallen and Hunter, on Just ahead, did nicely with their comedy and violin turn. The group of new acts held several that aro promising. They wore Ryan and O'Nell, Foster and Hlnes, Seven Jolly Jesters, Charles Dingle and Co., Evans, Miller nnd Nolan and George Everett. All are covered In New ActB this week, except Everett, who opened the show. Ibee. AMERICAN ROOF. Thursday night an almost capacity house. Cooper and Rlcardo and the XL 3. S. Carols Trio, the bit honors, with the Gobs going the other turn one better. The sailors bave been working the small time for the past several weeks and It will not be long before their three months period Is up In wblcb to wear their uniforms. Even without them, thiy will make an acceptable small time feature. Following the two reel comedy, Paula opened with some work on tbe trapeze. Lang and Shaw, two men in Tuxedos, got tbe house In the second spot with well selected numbers. Lane and Harper also came In for approval with a clever little turn. Tbe man's "Alco- holic Blues" scored individually. Cooper and Rlcardo had their Inning with the "nut" comedy of the young woman. Richard the Great the monk, closed tbe first bait nleely. A man and woman assist In the turn. Cortes and Murray opened after Intermis- sion with their work on tbe harp and violin. After a session of "heavy" stuff, they con- descended, as It were, to render "Smiles," which saved them from leaving cold. The fe* male harpist makes a nice appearance, as does tbe man, but a better mixing and in- terpolation of modern popular stuff would do wonders for the act William Orew's comedy business sketch "Pork and Beans" got across. During tbe course of the Carol a Trio's session, the comedian of the act pulled a nifty remark that after 18 months In tbe service he returns only to find that he still must follow the regulation "chow," pork anu beans, tbe title of tbe preceding sketch. That same cbap also took a rap at tbe theatrical critics who denounce tbe method of going from the comic to tbe serious, in stating that in spite of them, he will render Robert'W. Ser- vice's poem, "The Quitter," which he did and got applause for it. Delano and Pike, had they speeded up the first h«lf of their turn, would bave held them all In. The slouchy dancing and combination clog and juggling bit at tbe beginning, caused a few walk out?, but tbe main portion of tbe bouse that remained came across with applause and approval that served as sufficient balm to anybody. The handstand stunts, towards the end, is the big part of tbe act and they scored on tbe merits ot It. Current Events, news reel, closed the show. — HARLEM O.H. - Nothing but the bad weather-caused tbe light attendance Thursday night. It was a small show compared to others lately at tbe house. Six turns, a special film of the 27th Division parade, an illustrated song, showing a couple of Witmark numbers, "You Are A Wonderful Mother" and "Have A Smile," besides a special gift night comprised the program. LaVeen and Cross opened with their comedy pantomime turn, followed by Otto *nd Sheridan (New Acts). The Lander Bros, marked up as a good score with their humorous talk, having a couple of passe gags, but "Secured for them continuous laughing re- sults. A recitation by the comic gave tbe au- ditors ■ much to enthuse over, and sent the boys off right Following the picture and other features, came Arthur Strange and Co., (New Acts) with Rita Boland holding the next to closing position. Miss Boland has changed her rep- ertoire somewhat, but continues her imperson- ation. 'It brought her the applause hit ot the evening. The Boyarr Troupe of Russian Dancers closed tbe evening performance. It is a con- ventional dancing turn, the principals giving more attention in attempting to secure ap- plause for their individual dances, than their work. JEFFERSON. Sherman and Rose started the sbow. Their dancing held tbe most Interest. The Young Sisters did much better with the closing period of tbelr turn than any of the other sections. Tbey look pretty good and sbow teamwork. One girl sang a song written since the edict went forth—the nation's going dry. Eckboff and Gordon failed to measure the size of the Jefferson evidently, as tbelr talk was lost soon after bitting tbe first few rows. On tbelr music they got along well. Char- lotte Leslay and Thomson and King (New Acts). Not only did Carmen's Minstrels make a flash, but dished up the very best sort of amusement. Miss Carman, Interlocutor, makes a stunning appearance, and handles tbe centre with rare skill., The gags got over, the danc- ing by Weiss and Qulgley was applauded, and tbe combined vocal harmony by the four blackfaced chaps was good for several encores. Wltklns and Wilkens foozled around before they got Into the dancing part of their turn, which holds It up. The Phylliss Family closed, with a circus exhibition of trained horse work that pleased. audWon. It was somewhat of a peculiarly arranged bill, last half, due to the patrons requesting the third appearance ot Julia Kelety within six weeks. She received a tremendous ovation at first sight Ben Beyer opened the show, demonstrating the art of bicycle riding and at :0the same time was very amusing with some comical actions. " Following a slight delay of about three minutes, Donovan and Murray were next, two men In evening dress, with the usual popular songs. One ot tbe partners at the piano, the taller one. sang effectively several ballads. The two should harmonize more as It Is their best asset. Grade Emmett and Co., In a comedy sketch was responsible for constant giggles Her rough character attitude Is convincing enough to prove a winner. Miss Emmett can entertain In the comedy line. Following the picture. Graves and Sidney (New Acts) appeared, but did not bold, followed by MIsb Kelety. A tall and sbapely French woman, she hns a personality that grips. High class ballads and operatic selections with "Madclon" in tbe English and French language did tbe trick for her. Some of the talk could be dropped. PICKING SONGS FOR SOLDIERS. The morale branch of the General Staff of the U. S. Army is cooperating with the Music Publishers' Protective Association in a general effort to eradicate the publication of popular songs that may have a tendency to in- fluence the discharged soldier or sailor from returning to his home, fearing the glamour of the big cities will im- bue the men with a false idea of fu- ture possibilities in the metropolitan cities. Captain W. Herbert Adams, of the Morale Branch, held a conference with 'Maurice Goodman, of the M. P. P. A., last week and the latter decided to bring the matter before the association. Songs tending to hasten the soldier's return home will be strongly advoc- ated and the other brand abolished as far as possible. A letter addressed to Mr. Goodman by E. L. -Munson, Brigadier General of the General Staff, follows: WAR DEPARTMENT. OFFICE OF CHIEF OF STAFF. Washington, March 31, 1019. Maurice Goodman, Esq., Attorney fox the Music Publishers' Protective Association, Palace Theatre Building, Broadway and 47th Street, New York City. My Dear Sir: The Morale Branch of the General Staff wishes to express its appre- ciation of the courtesy shown by you to Cap- tain W. Herbert Adams on last Monday in New York City when he called to discuss the mat- tei of obtaining the co-operation of music publishers in meeting certain problems now confronting the Government of the United States. Owing to the fact of the wide popu- larity enjoyed through the distribution of a successful song, it is felt that, like moving pictures and the theatre, the music publishing industry is a medium through which a vast number of people throughout the country can be reached, and ideas and methods thus con- veyed to tbem in a form that will carry im- mense weight At the present time, with the return of so many young men from military life nnd their entering once more into civilian life, the ques- tion of obtaining employment for them' Ip a matter of paramount importance, and efforts are being made to have discharged soldiers leave the large cities, which naturally are proving attractive to them after their months of military work, and return to their home environment, end especially to the farm where labor is so needed. Upon these points the Government of the United States is laying special stress at the present time, and Is mak- ing efforts in every direction to appeal to such discharged soldiers, and also civilians, to ae- . ccmpllsh this end. It is felt, therefore, that any Ideas expressed to such men that would tend to deter them from such a course, or take any opposite view, sbould be most heartily discouraged at the present time. To offset that tendency tbe song publishing Industry can accomplish a great work.. Any songs that might hold such viewpoint up to ridicule or that might In any way lead tbe man away from thoughts of • returning to the farm or other home environment, and thus pre- vent It from assuming Its normal condition, should be avoided, and in r'l such songs a positive Incentive should be Introduced that would forestall any such tendency. In addition to the problem mentioned -above, the War Department Is endeavoring tb instill Into both enlisted and discharged soldiers principles that should be observed by tbem during the present demobilization and recon- struction period. In that regnrd we are taking the liberty of sending you under separate cover certain posters that have been gotten out by the Morale Branch of the General Staff, which will give you an Idea of what matters we are trying to cover, and which might be able to suggest subjects that could be expressed through songs. Some of these points are as follows: 1. Tbe strict discipline of the soldier until discharged. 2. Tbe desire for an honorable discharge. 3. The fighting spirit that the soldier has carried with him in military life and which should be continued by him In clvllan life. 4. Respect for the uniform and pride In the fact that the man has proved his prowess and character as a member of the fighting forces of the country. B. The avoidance of Invidious distinctions between those who have bad the good fortune to fight on foreign soil nnd those who were rompclled, for the sake of carrying on equally Important war work, to remain in this country. C. The mutual obligations of tbe man to his community and that of the community to the man upon his return from the service. Your offer made to Captain Adams to pre- sent the mattM- to the music publishers at their forthcoming meeting In April Is a very kind one, and we are looking forward to re- ceiving assurance ot their co-operation. Thanking you for your interest in thus aid- ing the War Department. I am Very sincerely yours, E. L. Hunson, Brigadier General, General Staff, Chief, Morale Branch. /.;.., /.) _"•--, • -