New York Clipper (Feb 1923)

February 7, 1923 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 19 ONE CHICAGO THEATRE FOR COLUMBIA STAR AND GARTER ONLY HOUSE Chicago will have only one burlesque theatre on the Columbia Circuit next sea- son. With the sale of the Columbia The- atre there to A. H. Woods, the Columbia people decided that they would not have any theatre in the Loop to fill its place and that the Star and Garter Theatre, which is located on West Madison street, one mile from the Columbia, is to be the permanent home for their traveling" at- tractions. This season they had shows playing the Empress Theatre, at 63rd street and Hal- sted street, on the South Side. It is said that next season this house will be dropped from the circuit, and no other house in that part of the city will take its place. Business at the Empress this season did not come up to expectations, with the matinee business being very poor. Prior to this season the Empress played vaude- ville shows, for several years, that were booked out of the Western Vaudeville Managers' Association office. The Columbia people will carry on an extensive publicity campaign late this Summer throughout Chicago which will call the attention of the people to the fact that the only Columbia Amusement attrac- tions to be seen in that city can be seen at the Star and Garter Theatre. It is also likely that they will add to tlieir theatres in Cleveland and Detroit. They have one house in each of these cities and the business of the past season has led the directors to ibelieve that an- other house in these cities would be a profitable venture next season. MUTUAL DROPS SO. BETHLEHEM The Grand Opera House, South Bethle- hem, Pa., after one week's trial has been dropped ^from the Mutual Burlesque Cir- cuit with the result that shows will have one week open between Scranton and Phil- adelphia. The reason given by Al.. Singer of the Mutual Circuit for the wi^drawal of the shows from the Grand is that the theatre was not in proper shape and that the heating system was not functioning sufficiently to heat the house. "Smiles and Kisses" was the attraction which played the Grand the week of January. 22nd. The Mutual officials had intended in case the Bethlehem house was a success to have the house split the week with the Majestic Theatre. Wilkes-Barre. But on account of the dropping of the South Bethlehem house the Majestic will continue to play shows for the full week. Managers of shows which will be com- pelled to take the week layoff on the circuit will be permitted to book their attractions on the one-night stands in Pennsylvania which do not now play burlesque attrac- tions. HELEN TARR WITH "FOLLYTOWN" Helen Tarr,' who was prima donna with Sam Howe's show on the Columbia Cir- cuit, has been engaged for the same role with J. E. Cooper's "Follj-toivn." She •will join the company next Monday at the Gaiety Theatre, Washington, when she -will take the place of Dolly RayReld. REEB SIGNS FOR NEXT YEAR Fred Reeb, with the J. Herbert Mack show. "Maids of .America," on the Colum- bia Orcuit, has not left the show as pub- lished but remains with it and has signed as principal cotnedian-for next - season. BURLESQUE CLUB MEETS A meeting of the Burlesque Qub was held at the Club Rooms, Sunday afternoon, 'February 4. Sam Lewis was selected as temporary chainnan. Glowing tribute was paid the late President James E. Cooper by Messrs. Keet and Franklyn. The chair- man appointed additional members of the Entertainment Committee and a special meeting for all club members is called for next Sunday afternoon, Februarj- 11. Bobby Clark was nominated by the chair to fin the vacancy on the Board of Direc- tors. A special drive for securing new mernbers was imanimously decided upon and is to commence at once: The usual Bohemian Night was dispensed with on Sunday, out of respect to Blucfa Coopers' memory. REGULATING THE CHORUS Nat Mortan, who has been appointed by Sam A. Scribncr to work out the scheme of tabulating the chorus ^rls, is busily perfecting the method, whidi will check those chorusers who are averse to travel. The plan will make it difficult for a girl to secure engagements only with companies while playing in and aratmd New York, and, at the same time, will enable managers to readily fill the places of those who will quit, when the shows are about to go West. Mr. Mortan is delegated to keep tabs on all the girls and keep on hand an available supply, at a regular salary, and booking fee, with a forfeiture clause, if the girl does not stay for four full weeks. TRIBUTE TO COOPER A host of friends paid their last resi>ects to James E. Cooper at the services held in Masonic Hall, Wednesday, January 3\. The large renaissance room was crowded by his fellow masons and friends. Chairles J. Wiley, master of Pacific Lodge, assisted by. Chaplain Woodward read the service and the Pacific Vocal Quartet sang. Many members of the Burlesque and other branches of the profession were present, .among them; many who have been intim- ately associated with the genial Bludh in a business and social way. Many mourners accompanied the body to Woodlawn Cem- etery. "JINGLE BELLS" NEW TITLE ' Peck and Kolb have rctitled their attrac- tion "Jazz Babies," "Jingle Bells," and the new attraction with a new book, new scenery and new wardrolx: is making a second lap over the Mutual Burlesque Cir- cuit, starting at the Star Theatre, Brook- lyn, this week. Matt B. Kolb staged the new .production and cast for the leading roles Babette, Scotty Friodell, Ernie Mack, Rose Allen and Irene Perry. John Kane has been appointed company manager. TWO NIGHT SHOWS OF •TX>LLIES'' Barney Gerard's "Follies of the Day" was compelled to give two performances at the Orphcum Theatre, Paterson, last Saturday night. Business for the attrac- tion was so .good all. week that by Thurs- day the theatre was sold out for the Sat- urday night performance with the result that an extra show vras added for that evening be^nning at 10:30 P. M. The show grossed over $10,000 on the week. BURKHART TRIO SIGNS The Burkhart Trio, a musical act has been signed as an added feature with Ed. Daley's "Broadway Brevities," playing the Columbia Circuit. They will join the show on tour this week. BROWNE WITH "BREVmES" CO. W. N. Browne left on Sunday night for Providence, ahead of the Broadway Brev- ities Co. He j«ned tfmt ooiDpany three days after he closed with GrecnTncb v illage Revue. . BRIDGEPORT OUT OF MUTUAL WHEEL PARK THEATRE CLOSES The management of the Park Theatre, Bridgeport, decided to close the house on Saturday, February 3, with the engage- ment of the "Georgia Peaches." "Smdes and Kisses," which was scheduled for Bridgeport, according to the route, is lay- ing off. The week may be filled in before long. The route will be closed up. bring- ing the shows from Fall River, Mass., to the Olympic, New York. Business has been far from satisfactory of late in Bridgeport, which dty-had been enjoying remarkable prosperity, and a mushroom growth, during the war activi- ties, but for some time the shops have been operating on part time schedule, cut- ting down the income of the theatregoing population very materially. There are- other changes projected for the Mutual Circuit, commenang with next week's bookings, and some revisions will be made in shows and in theatres. ' The "Town Follies" will have an open week, from February 12 to 17. owing to the elimination of the Bethlehem house. "Miss New York, Jr.," will jump from Albany to Philadelphia, February 12. The "French Models," "The Sweet Bay- Bees," "Jingle Bells" and "Jersey LiUes" are new titles used by some of the shows, starting this week and next CHANGES IN MUTUAL CASTS Quite a number of changes in various Mutual Circuit casts went into effect this week. Louis Rcdelsheimcr has_ booked Ernie Mack to replace Art Snow in "Jingle Bells"; Jimmy Leonard and Rose Gordon to respectively succeed George Clayton and Marion McPherson in "The French Mod- els"; Fannie Vcddar to replace Bonnie Lloyd with "The Town Follies"; Mack and Bernard, and Frank Anderson to take the places of A. J. Stem, Bessie Rosa and Jack Slater with "The Girls From the Follies," and Wenn Miller to succeed Jack Kane with "The Girls From Reno." BIG RECEIPTS FOR "FLAPPERS" Rube Bernstein's "Flappers" played the Orpheum, Paterson, N. J., to $6,500 gross, receiving for his share $3,900. Rube claimed he made over $1,500. Dave Marion's own show played the Orpheum, Paterson, to $6,848 and made over $1,500. Bill claims any show that hits them on the nose on Monday, at Paterson, does business. Bn.MF. RENAUD ILL Billie Renaud, a chorister with Harry Hasting's "Knick Knacks," while playing Miner's Bronx Tlieatre last week was stricken with an attack of influenza, and confined to her hotel.- It is- expected she will be missing from the cast for four weeks. FANNIE VEDDER WITH 'TOLLIES" Fanny Vedder joined the "Town Follies" Company at Wilkes-Barre, Pa., replacing Bonnie Lloyd, and is reported to be making good in the soubrette role. HELEN GOULD WITH REID SHOW Helen Grould jomed Jack Reid's "Record Breakers." Beatty Weber closed -with the show in Baltimore. HART WITH "KUDDLIN' KfTTENS" .James Raymond straight man with the ''Kuddlin' Kittens" has been succeeded by EdHart..'; "BIG JAMBOREE," WITH LEW KELLY, IS CORKINC SHOW **Frof. Dope** 18 in town. In this well known cbaracler. Lew Kcllr appean at the Columbia as an added feature with "The Big Jamboree" Company. He has added a number of new lioes to bis rsvings and retains **Roger" as bis imaginary canine companion. In his rari- ous makeupc, including the full dress suit at the finish, he glidss on and oS for the many telling scenes, with the other principals. With Prankie Huntes he has a number of extreme- ly funny scenes, and needless to say, Frankie is right there, when working them up is re- quired. A topical song with Charles Wesson working the responses was a big hiL The Ford and Cadiltac story is retained as a punch. Frank Uuntsr was a veritable fun minei starting in white face as Tonj', the cop. In the park scene, the spanking of the baby in the carriage and hit fllrtslion bit with the mother was a big scream. The business with the toy balloons, following a number in which thz chorus girls scatter the colored bubble* among the auditors, was a riot. When the balloons were returned to the stage. Hunter, dressed in a loose fitting nut, attempted to gather than, first in his arms, then in a bas- ket and finally disi»o«cd of them with ladlcnms effect, by crowding them into various por- tions of his wardrobe. In the chef scene, which starts by the King calling for a new dtsb. Hunter ctwked up a dslectable chicken a la King, se r red in the form of a little chorus girl on a platter, which was manipulated by an inTisable crane, dis- guii«d as one of five gigantic figures represent- ing chefs. Then as the colored detective, and finally as the colored maid, who serves the booze ' pellets by mistake, he created more laughter. Incidentally he also showed bis ac* complishment in the way of acrohatic and other dancing steps with comedy ..trimmings A set- to with a . decrepit nrabr^Da ' was another one of his comedy gems. Bob Nugent appeared as Box Car Benny, heavy in voice snd makcnp, .but fitting in nicely in.number of comedy.scosa, and adding bis full quota to the laugh residt. Wm. P. Hurphy qualified as an excellent character actor, as the policonan, the King, which part was exceptionally well acted, and as the Society entertainer. He dresed the latter role precisely and is a vslti^ble member of the cast. Chartis Wcasoi in the Juvenile role stfed* sang and 'danced, folly'up. to. bU .requirements ' bf the standard Tor this'^ow. Tereu Adams, the priilia -donna, was handi- capped by having lost bo- voice almost com- pletely due to a heavy' cold, and gave but an inkling of her vocal prowess in a blues num- ber sung in low voice. She bad to depend upon .the chorus to sing the various numbers, 'of which there were quite a few scheduled, and the girls did weU. Miss Adams made up for her temporary shortcomings by htrr stunning looks, and the cold did not prevent her from showing .some high kicking and steps not tuoal- ly contributed by a prima donna. . Virginia Ware contributed excellent wsrk in her different scenes, notably the one showing the effect of a liberal supply of boote pellets, taken as tea. Her specialty with Franlde Htm- ter was really effective and in leading of the pajanu number she stood out prominently as a singer and dancer. Alice Edwards was right in Une with her "Hot Lips*' nombo- and with Charles Wesson, in a fine acrobatic and grotesque dancing selec- tions, of which the atidience could not get enough. She looked particularly well in black tights. Gladys Stockton is a gingery soubrette and her main contrihutiotxs were Kvcral Jasz num- bers, put over in lively style. For her spe- cialty she used a tight fitting sldrt, which set off ber trim little figure, and injected plenty of comedy into her work, keeping well op with the rest of this speedy organization. A funny scene was caused by the aversion of one of the ladies to the name of a rose, and she choked every one in sight at hearing the name of this flower. The scenic effects were very pretty, notably that of the second acc showing a fine interior with a handsome staircass. which is used ef- fectivdy for a number of entrances and eziti by principals and chonu. The pajama nozn* ber was one of these fine groupings. Richly embroidered drops were nsed in connection with all the scenes. The CDftumcs of - the principals tneloded er» atjons of the latest designs and richest in» terial. Uiss Adams* wardrobe was one fine ~ gown after another, and. the others in* thor* ongh keeping. The chorus appeared neatly dressed, with hot tittle covering for the toifcr limbs* and the'effect ti> this Inrtaoi'ctf Was - pldas- inz.. • • •'• .** ji. •■- • ". V