New York Clipper (Apr 1923)

10 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER April 11, 1923 EIGHTY-FIRST STREET The idea of "Nationality Wedc^ is faiA- {uUy reflected here from the dressioj; of the lobby and theatre proper to those appeariog on the bilL For Manager Edward Lewis, who is a stickler for dotn^ things right, has incorporated representatives oi all na- tions in the six-act bill. "Hunting Big (^me in Africa." being the film attraction for the wedc, Lewis has dispensed witb the nsaal prelude. Upon entering the theatre patrons beheld the ushers garbed in costumes representing the various nations. A special orchestra- tion, "The March of the Nations," was utilized for an overture and to borrow from the vernacular of the bucolic reporter, "A good time was had by alL" Japan was ably represented in the opener by Prof. Nakae and Company, jin-jttsn ex- pert who gave a graphic demonstration tending to prove that science couM be made ever bmte force. His first im- pression is an encounter with a bulbar, who is twice his size and build and, despite the brute force advanced by the burglar, he is readily snbdued and thrown from the window of the bouse. ' Later lie emers a contest with one and .then two men and overpowers both. Harry Fauli and Mary <joss held down aecoiid spot nicdy with a happy combina- tion of comedy and songs, caiwoned "The Co-Weds." Both came on in wedding at- tire. During the unraveling of the plot it develops that both are collegiates being initiated irto a new "frat" However, neither loses any time in winning tte other and, since they are dressed for the occasion, a marriage is inevitable. The Runaway Four, a comedy <^uartette of deUgfatfnl vagabonds,'followed with their pot-ponri of dancing and^ tumbling. They come on as hoboes and go into a dance con- test, witii each trying to outdo the other. They change to sailor outfits and return for more (downing and fast stepping. The little expressionless member is a bom clown and provides a comedy ponch that cannot TKM anywhere. His antics Icept the mob in roars when Uie boys were not putting over some fast stepping. MoDie Fuller, survivor of the famous team of Hallen and Fuller, and who has lost her sight, was warmly welcomed bade to the "varieties" in Blandie MerrilPs made- to-oider vehicle, "Twilight" The act is based upon a foundation of reminiscences, has c o m edy element and packs a heart wal- lop that cannot escape those who remem- hmd the famous team of which Miss Ful- ler was a member. The story reveals the actress resting at an tip-State farm. The penurious landlady is steptical about ever getting the eight weeks' back board Mollie owes. MolHe has £aith that her friends on Broadway have not forsaken her, that they will find her and pay the bill. Her faith is rewarded by the appearance of a pseudo. Bert Savoy, who drops out of an aeroplane and mto Mollies oottaee. He tells her the latest "dirt" about Margie and tells MolIie Zieg- feld wants her for the "Follies." The im- mession of Bert Savoy is cleverly done by Edward Graham, while Harriet Mariotte dos well in a May Vokes interpretation of a rustic landlady. Tom Patricola, assisted by Hametta Towne, again demonstrated his ability as a show stopper. Tom works like.a trojan and Hatrietta Ls a cute little trick who can shake a wicked limb in a likeable way. Col- lectively they are a great combination. But Tom has it on most of the dancing boys, in that he Js a comedian as well and when he is not wowincr them with a lively dance, he has them roarine at his clown stuff. DonaM Kerr and EflRe Weston closed the show and revealed some remarkable step-- pinK. Thev had a ton«h spot to follow Patricola. but measured up to the emer- gencv brtter ftan anvone_ we know_ could have.. Theirs is a production art which in- corporates in manners .of dancing. E. J. B. BROADWAY This was All Nationality Week at the Broadway and before each act the or- chestra played the appropriate national anthem. The bill was well balanced and without any uncomfortable stage waits or other petty annoyances. This is the kind of bill that makes pleased patrons. The first act was the Australian Wood- choppers. It opens with the announcer singing "Thafs How I Believe In You," with lyrics appropriate to the act He has a way of changing the tempo every other line so that the orchestra leader has to be a mind reader to follow him. The boys then do their stunts of sawing, axe throw- ing and woodchbpping and go. over ex- ceptionally well for an act of this kind, due, more than anything else, to the show- manship they use. The Chung Hwa three, as the name would imply, is a Chinese Trio. They open with the announcement that they are going to sing a song and would like the audience to join in the chorus. They then render a Chinese number, and. go, without much waste of time into a fine routine of popular songs. All three have good voices and they harmonize unusually welL Of course they are a bit shy on their pro- mmdation but they make up for this in quality. The incongruity of their Scotch finish is good for a laugh. Charles Moiati and Company succeeded in making the audience like their act At the start the folks out front- began to settle back as if to say, "Just another one of those acts," but when the comedy once started ^ey forgot all about that and gave the pair the applause they deserved. Morati does just enough singing to show off his excellent voice and make the audience wish he would do some more. Wm. Edmunds and Company have a likable, laughable little skit Edmunds, as the proprietor of a shoe shop, is en- amoured of the leading lady of the theatre next door. He plans to take her to dinner at his cousin's Italian restaurant and when she says she will go, gets himself all dolled up in a Louis Guttenberg with the price tag still on. She breaks the date because she has to meet her husband and the Wop bootmaker then wishes he had charged her for the shoes he fixed for her. The act is logical and contains some little philosophy that gets over. Edmunds plays the char- acter sensibly and without too much of the dialect Hall, Ermine and Brice.have a good act. They open with a scene representing Broadway that gets a hand. The man does a dance that is 'good. The real hit of the act, though, is the great work the man does on the unicyde. He handles this thing as if he was bom on it, sin^g a song and making the cycle dance with as much ease as if he was on his feet. -The young lady pianist renders two numbers with line feeling and technique. Her selec- tions are "Riggoletto" and the left-handed aria from "Loda." The act. .goes over fine. Ruth Roye, next to closing, was the hit of the bill. This little performer has a personality all her own and a following all her own too. She sings all published numbers and makes them sound like some- thing new, doing best with "Lovin* Sam" and "I Love Me." She could have stayed on' all afternoon as this crowd couldn't seem to get enough of her. Little Yoshi closed the show with a fine acrobatic offering. Wanlca. and Donovan and Lee were also on the bill at the Broadway but not re- viewed at this show. C C PALACE (Cbicaco) There arc several treats on the bill this week, headed by Fanny Brice, who is being held over for a second week by popular demand. Others include Will Mahoney and Al Herman. Yost and Glady open with an offering of clay-modeling, which shows some very 'good work in that line. Their French chatter doesn't help the act at all, and could be eliminated to advantage. Ray and Edna Tracy entertained in the deuce spot with a. piano and dance offer- ing. Miss Tracy plays exceptionally well and ,Ray's dance work had enough com- edy in it to put the dance over with many laughs to its credit Howard Langfbrd and Ina Frederick are back again at this house in their same offering, "Shopping," the scene, of which is laid in a lingerie shop. Al- though the act has been seen many times before, it still is so well handled.that it scores nicely. The first big hit of the .show' was rung up by Will Mahoney, his nut comedy going over so big that the audience couldn't get enough of it The "I Love Me" verses were a scream, and his bur- lesque Russian dance, with some really sensational work, brought the house down. Bobby McLean, assisted by Edna Blue, James Burke and Jim Waters did some marvelous work in their ice-skating of- fering. Although Fanny Brice introduced but two new numbers from her last week's repertoire; the audience could never tire of this wonderful artiste. A local orchestra, headed by Veme Buck, billed as the "Merry Garden Or- chestra" followed, and despite the difficult spot following Miss Brice, found it easy going. This was due to good music, good musicians, and a well-selected repertoire, in addition to isome very .good dance work by Buck himself. Miss Brice did a comedy dance with the act, and then brought on Al Herman, who led the or- chestra and also did a dance with Miss Brice which was a riot. In his single, Herman is using practically the same ma- terial he gave when last seen here. A plant in a box assists with song num- bers. The Flying Henrys closed the show, holding every one in despite the late hour. R. E. R. ACTS AND FILMS AT LYRIC Chicago, April 7.—The Lyric Theatre at Ludington, Mich., has adopted a policy of vaudeville and pictures for Friday and Saturday of each week and opened with the Five Cranes, Kodah and Company and Phesay and Powell. STATE.LAKE (CUcmgo) An evenly balanced bill is being played here this week, with Henry Santrey and Band, and Maragaret Young splitting headline honors. Ward and Dooley open the bill with an entertaining rope-spinning and comedy offering. Ward does a very good take- off on Will Rogers and Fred Stone with lariat and dancing stimts. Frank Whit- man held the second spot with a very good novelty violin routine. His Rus- sian' dance, while playing the violin made a great finish and almost stopped the show. Billy Dale and Company offered a com- edy playlet that had a great many laughs attached to it and incidentally, many lines which need blue-pencilling. A boy and girl give good assistance to Dale. Harry and Anna Seymour scored their usual big hit were followed by Harry Santrey and his band who kept up the fast pace set by the Seymours. Margaret Young was the big favorite with her songs and comedy, getting laughs and applause galore with her songs and character numbers. "Louisville Lou" was introduced as a new number and scored heavily. Ethel Parker and Ed Allen proved a very good closer with their songs and dances. Swift and Kelly and John David- son and Company were not on during, this performance. ft. E. K. MAJESTIC (Chicago) The Florenis opened tiie Majestic show with acrobatic posing on a pedestal. The act was nicely presented and went over well. Irene Trevette followed with a series of songs r'.-ndcred in a pleasing voice and charming manner and with words suffi- ciently distinct to be understood. Holliday and WiUette presented a talk- ing routine with singing spots called "De- tailed," which provided laughter, though a little classy for popular prices. Jimmy Russell and Company were seen in the Harry Langdon act, "Johnny's New Car," and obtained much laughter - for comedy which is sure-fire, being travesty of automobiling. Russell is quite as good as his predecessor in the act Alexandria, who pretends to be a' boob stage hand before essaying xylophone play- ing with an assistant, gets some good laughs with hiS'Snrkwardness. Henry Cataland and Company are seen . in a revue which is well staged in line with all Roger Murrell opening. Cataland is a pleasing entertainer and is assisted by three clever girl dancers and a singer. Spencer and Williams made a big laugh- ing success next to closing and proved sure- fire for this audience. Jack Chapman and band from the Drake Hotel closed the bill nicely, though this band has little to recommend it for vaude- ville. It makes good on its ability to play straight jazz numbers. R. E. R. ' CRESCENT MGRS. HEARING APRIL 27 Three officials of the Shubert-Crescent Theatre, Brooklyn, were arraigned in the Adams Street Court last week on a charge of violating the Sunday amusement law. The complainant was an operative of a detective agency that had been retained by the Lord's Day Alliance. The defendants were Albert Goldberg, superintendent of the theatre; William Cohen, stage mai\- ager, and Sam Tauber, manager. They were arraigned on summonses as a result of a performance alleged to have been given on March 25. They were pa- roled for a hearing on April 27. According to the complaint "George Teasel's Troubles," the unit show that had been the current attraction during the week of March 19, gave iu regular per- formance on Sunday evening, which the Alliance contend was a -violation of the code. TANGUAY BREAKS RECORD Chicago, April 7.—Eva Tan'guay broke all records at the Chateau theater here on Monday April 2, after having broken all Sunday records the day previous. The Sunday record was hard to break inas- much as several shows.there this season have apparently done every cent possible, but Harry Beaumont and the Chateau force managed to squeeze a few more people in. "GOLDEN THRILL" FOR VAUDE. Mindlin and Goldreyer have purchased "The Golden Thrill," a one-act sketch by Morris Abel Beer, which they -will pre- sent on the Keith 'Vaudeville Circuit next month. Casting of the four characters 'will begin this week with Clarence Derwent staging the act OLCOTT SHOW IN BALTIMORE □launcey Olcott under the manage- ment -of the Selwyns is ai^in on the stage and opened on Monday night in Baltimore in Rachel Crothcrs' "The Heart of Paddy Whack." NEWHOFF & PHELPS BOOKED Newhoff and Phelps have been booked for a tour of the Loew Circuit opening at the Gates Theatre, Brooklyn, on April 30.