New York Clipper (Apr 1923)

April 25. 1923 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 9 PALACE This show will probably remain the high spot in Eddy Darling's teokiDK career for many weeks to come, for there is no "volnerable heel" in any spot, more than half of the acts stopping the show cold, and all of them of a type that make a gen- eral appeal to the patrons. An artistic team of equilibrists, R. & W. Roberts, opened a powerful first half, with a skillful exhibition of hand balancing, con- tortion and other stunts along similar lines. In the second spot, Dave Roth offe'-ed a versatile routine, including a pianologue, a bit of song and some dancing. His closing dance with a dummy, apparently, went over big and for an encore he took a bow with a real live girl. Orchestra entertainment as exemplified by the S. S. Leviathan Orchestra, leaves little to be desired, and absolutely no room for improvement. The fourteen musicians form a world beating combination from every conceivable angle. Both the brass and saxophone sections are composed of musicians who arc masters of their instru- ments, and the orchestra on the whole is unusually versatile, carrying a quartet capable of putting songs over, and Mort Downey, a lyric tenor of charming voice, who almost stopped the act with his rendi- tion of "My Wonderful One." Other se- lections by the orchestra included "Flower of Araby' and "Running Wild," and a corking version of the Gallagher and Shean song. The United States Shipping Board presents the orchestra, incidentally, using it to good advantage for propaganda in favor of American vessels. The boys have a clean cut appearance and are clad in im- maculate white flannel, navy garb. Their salute after each selection, however, seems out of place, for the band is not in either military or naval service. The staging by R. H. Bumside is a novelty in itself and enough to put an act over. William Hallen and Mabel Russell in "The Service Station," drew gales of laughter from the audience, proving the former to be a comedian of outstanding merit Hallen has old stories as well as new; but in his case the point of the joke was not always the high spot, but his real funny way of putting them over, getting laughs while the story was en-routc. The grand old veteran minstrel, Eddie Leonard, in "The Minstrel's Delight," as- sisted by Steward and Olive, closing the first half, kept up the good work of stop- ping the show, registering one ot the trium- phant hits of his vaudeville career. There is a sentiment and a feeling on the part of the audience toward Eddie Leonard that is rare and existing but for few stage fa- vorites. As usual his singing and dancing proved to be in a class by itself, and Stewart and Olive rendered capable as- sistance. Emilie Lea with Clarence Rock and Sam Kaufman, opened the second half in "Re- hearsing for Vaudeville" a vehicle which gives a dancing act, a bit of song, comedy and piano solo. Miss Lea, as it happens, is a rare combination of dancer and singer with a beautiful voice and all of her efforts, singing or dancing were cute and pleasing. Her variety of high kicks, par- ticularly the side kick is still something for the patrons to marvel at and gives the act the necessary punch. Lillian Shaw, revealed a brand of Comedy that knocked 'em dead, especially the bride and after marriage bits which held no end of fun for the womenfolk. Which does not mean that the rest of the house didn't laugh. Miss Shaw is a comedienne of no mean proportions but should refrain from over-doing her Yiddish remarks. Wellington Cross, assisted by a cast of four, offered the playlet "Wives," a satire that is clever and equally well done, carry- ing laughs and a theory as well, the action bemg pleasing throughout. Van and Schenck, dosed the show, with their well known delivery of popular songs, holding them well though it was late. M. H. S. VAUDEVILLE REVIEWS ALHAMBRA This week the Alhambra has a fine bill from the first act to the last. Each act is different in style from the other, a real variety bill with entertainment value of the highest. Unquestionably, Marion Harris walked away with first honors on Mon- day, although the rest were not far be- hind, Cadie and Gy^, Harry Bums & Co., and Elsa Ryan gomg strong. Joe and Willie Hale, two jugglers of more than ordinary ability and possessed of fine showmanship, opened the ceremonies, proving an opening act of unusual ability. Jess Block and Francine Dunlop, follow- ing, have as cleverly written an act as has been heard in these parts in some time. The act is carried through to the finish, the title, "Broke," giving the idea about which it is written. Both Block and Miss Dunlop are good performers, the latter haying an excellent personality and Block doin^ some great acrobatic dancing as well as smging agreeably. An unusual feature of the program was the billing of Meehan's Canmes in third position. After seeing die act it can readily be understood why the position is war- ranted. The finish of the act is remark- ably successful in that the idea of a con- test is conveyed to the audience^ the folks out front cheering and applauding the fine jumping of two of the animals, in fact, pickmg their favorites and yelling for them. The animals are intelligent and jockey for bows like old performers. Harry Bums and Company, presenting their familiar vehicle, "I Think You Touch," are old favorites at this house and went big. Their offering has been changed for the better since last seen by this re- viewer and is now one fine succession of laughs all the way through. Maryon Vadie and Ota Gygi have an unusually artistic act. Miss Vadi is a charming little dancer, whose toe work is delightful. Gygi is a violinist par ex- cellence. The four girls used for the aesthetic dancing. The Portia Mansfield Dancers, are beautiful creatures admirably instructed. Of their routines the Rhytlvnic Games number is^the outstanding feature, a thing of exquisite beauty to delight any beholder. Opening intermission, Herbert Clifton, the female impersonator with the extensive wardrobe, went over in good style, his act having speeded up considerably since it first opened, and his burlesquing came more naturally. Elsa Ryan, assisted by Rodncv Ranous, appeared in a sketch by Dion Titheradge that owes its success to the remarkable personality of Miss Ryan. The idea is not strikingly original but the little lady fills it with such charm and individuality that it appears not only plausible but real. The actress has hit upon the trick of re- peating and faltering in her lines in order to give the impression of saying the words for the first time, the result being strikingly effective. Her ad-libbing was a feature and her st^port is good. Manoh Harris is another young lady who simply exudes personality. Following a short opening which mentions her phono- graph record work she goes' through a repertoire of numbers and renders each one in a manner all her own. She stojtped the show cold and had them begging ner for "just one more." Naturally her songs run more to the blues type, her repertoire consisting of "Who Cares," "You Got to See Mamma," "I Gave You Up," "St. Louis Blues," "Aggravatin' Papa." and several other numbers of like quality. J. Russell Robinson, at the piano, fills in with several of his own compositions while Miss Harris is changing. Fridtdn, Jr., and Rhoda closed the long bill with a difficult and well executed danc- ing act. C. C COLONIAL Harold Lloyd in "Safety Last" is pull- ing them into the Colonial during the cur- rent week. Lloyd and this film replace three acts in the vaudeville layout, which consists of six acts. The matinee on Mon- day was good, in fact bigger than the opening performance of last week's, which had Pat Rooney to draw them. Sultan, a trained pony, introduced by an attractive youn^ lady who put him through his routine, opened the show. The girl is a good show-woman, and puts every liRle bit over to big results. T^e animal gave an exhibition of stunt-; in arithmetic and a few comedy bits which held interest and drew very good applause at the finish. Montana, a wizard of the banjo, wowed them on number two. His appearance is great, being outfitted from head to foot in white, even to the boots, hat, and the pearl-handled revolver at his hip. His repertoire ranges from a march number, to popular published and old Dixie soogs. The "Three O'Qock In the Moming" number, which included an exhibition in four part harmony and double picking, and also giving the impression that two banjos were being played was excellently done. Thomas J. Ryan, of the old-time Ryan and Kelly and Ryan Ritchfield cooAina- tions, is offering a playlet by Edgar Allan Woolf, called "Ahead of the Times," in which Ryan is assisted by Hazel Flint and Ralph Bond. Ryan appears as a "Jiggs" character, who is living with his daughter, the latter, a young widow. He refuses to allow any of the servants to wait on him, but insists upon her doing so. When she tells him that she is going to marry again and wants to send him off to the old men's home, and tells him that he has not kept up with the times, he decides to show her that he is not as reactionary as she thinks. He arranges with the chauffeur to tele- phone him in a woman's voice, and pre- tend that he has been hitting the high spots ivith wild women. This brmgs her around and she says she won't ma rr y and will continue to live with him. The offering isn't quite worthy of Edgar Allan Woolf. but may serve Ryan as a vehicle, for it is his dance bits at the finish which put it over. Bill Robinson switched spots with Mae West for the matinee and caused a riot with his dance work. Robinson is one of the best colored performers we've seen in vaudeville for years. Personality, show- manship, a neat dancer, and a style of de- livery that can't miss. Mae West and Harry Richman also stopped the show. Miss West didn't do quite as well as far as getting laughs are concerned as she has done when they did the act before. This may be due to the fact that they hadn't done the act in so long, for she had developed into a dandy performer. Richman is class from start to finish, both from appearance and ability viewpoints. His piano work, even though most of it is accompaniment makes an audience cry for more, and his singing is sure-fire. He's an artist in everything he does. Felix Ferdinando and His Havana Or- chestra closed the show. The organization consists of twelve men, and uses two pianos. It has great possibilities, but the repertoire needs re-routing. Bows should also be taken with the regular stage lights on, and not the colored ones. Bill Robin- son did a dance at the finish and tied things up. The last half consisted of Harold Uoyd in "Safety Last." G. J. H. BUD SNYDER FOR ENGLAND Bud Snyder, tramp cyclist has been booked for an eight week tour of the Moss Grcuit of English theatres beginning i/Uiy 23. He will sail for England on May 9. RIVERSIDE An eight act bill which combined evenr department of entertainment and which was sufficiently variegated to offer a wealth of entertainment held sway at the Riverside last Monday afternoon. The balmy weather was undoubtedly felt at the box ofiSce, the show having played to the slimmest Monday matinee assembla^ of the season. Valentine and Bell started proceedings with a combination of clever cycling and gymnasts. The man does some remark-' ably^ clever stmts on the cycle, while his feminine partner holds up her end of the task with some tattling good gymnastics and does some clever leaps in which she lands squarely upon the shoulders of her partner who is constantly in motion, thus making the feat a greater thriller. Lauretta Rhodes and Rnth Watson of- fered a song cycle which was captioned "A Musical Menu" and gave them ample opporttmity to display their voices in the songs thef like best to sing. They work in. one with a piano and each alternates with the other as either singer or accom- panist The brunette opens the act with "Bnrs- ing Sands," to be followed by her partner in a medley which contrasts the classics with the more modem numbers. The bnmette returns for "Dear Little Lady of Yesterday," which provides a great set-tip for her partner's ensuing potpourri of old fashioned songs. The girls got over nicely in this early spot and can tmdoohtedly duplicate their Riverside hit elsewhere. Enest Anderson and Rnth Wataon of- fered a novel scenic comedietta by Paul Gerard Smith, entitled "The Dizzy Heights." The action is laid atop the snow-dad Alps. A fresh air fiend has de- cided upon this locale for his honeymoon, mach to the discomfort of his newly ac- quired sponse. Her timidity and home- sickness for Freeport furnishes the basis for the comedy which is handled in Smith's best style. The players give a tcit apt delineation of their roles and the feature will,score anywhere. Rome and Gaut duplicated their previous successes in their familiar mixture of songs, dances and downing. The ex- tremity of the statue of the partners in it- self proves a great asset for comedy and the boys never muff an opportunity to make the most of it Valerie Ber^ere and Companjr dosed the first section m her serio-comic tragedy, "O Joy San," which is portrayed in the picturesque surroundings of Japan. It is practically the "Madam Butterfly" formu- la dressed anew and gives Miss Bergere perhaps the best role she has ever had as the little Japanese from which the piece gets its title. Miss Bergere gives an excellent inter- pretation of the little Jap. The role is a most exacting one in that it blends subtle humor with heavy emoti^al acting. Never- theless Miss Bergere measured up to the task most promisingly and earned many rounds of applause. Violet Bamey is per- fection in her character. Walter and Emily Walters opened the second section and got over niceljr in their novel ventriloquial offering, featuring "The Baby's Cry," a reproduction of a whining babe which is renarkably well done by Miss Walters. The Marion Morgan Dancers proved themselves worthy of stellar position on the bill in their delectable dance drana, "Helen Of Troy," which is divided into a prolof^ue and three scenes and has been conceived and staged by Miss Morgan. The ballet brings to the fore some partic- ularly finished exponents of the terp- sichorean art headed by Josephine McLean and Oiarles Haverlm. The costuming and lighting was in remarkably good taste and the dancing was indeed a treat for those present At Herman dosed the show with his familiar expose of the previous acts and a number of songs. E. J. B.