The Billboard 1912-02-17: Vol 24 Iss 7 (1912-02-17)

‘ ' FEBRUARY 17, 1912. The Billboard —_ LESQUE WEEK IN CHICAGO Century Plaza Star and Garter Empire Chicago, Feb. 7 (Special to The Biliboard).— Ov: on West Madison and Loomis Streets there i. a big vaudeville bouse that packs them in with a different show every might. Bruce Godshaw is the manager of the bouse and it is wrough bis clever and original ideas that the west siders have been given this vaudeville inporation. The Century is booked independent, and this has been the meats of several really deserving acts “getting in’ right. Some of the acts bave tried every agent in Chicago, but bave been unsuccessful, However, were they fortunate enough to bear of Mr, Godshaw’'s plan, and could show him that they rea'ly bad the goods to deliver, they found no ditticulty in getting bookings. It is « great idea and a great convenience for the unknewn performer, On Monday, February 5, fifteen acts went on at the Century and of that number twelve were b okea by various Chicago agents who have found that at times some good material is obtainable at the Century. The 7 now on Tuesday night was opened by Frank Parrish, the musical barrel Jamper. Mr. Parrish introduces clog dancing and barrel jumping at the same time and gets his stuff over the apron with pleas. ng results. He plays a concertina and dances to his own accompaniment. The act pleased and the artist responded te an encere and took three bows, Charlotte Willard, a young lady with a wonderful voice, appears in Spot 2 and sings a couple of popular songs. The young lady pays too much attention to her voice and too little attention to her enunciation, With a bit of rehearsal in this respect she may some day develop into a clever artist, for without a doubt she is gifted with a phenomenal contralto voice. Tabor and Green, a duo colored boys, appear in an attempted rathskeller act. One makes an attempt at piano playing, and the other attempts to sing, The result of both attempts is pitiful. The pianist Is an expert in bitting the “biue ones’ and the singer tries to hit notes about two tones above his possible range. When he tries to go up and zoe watch the expression on his face it actually makes your throat ache. You've felt that way, haven't you?—and the harmony,—help! it is torture to listen to it. Whether or mot the two artists are amateurs, the audience seemed to accept them as such, and the result would have put the Cherry Sisters to shame in their palmiest days. The Maid of Mystery, Lilliag Doone, appears sext, in one of those mental telepathic offerings. It is the usual run of stuff, but cleverly put over and makes good. All you geographic experts, hark to this. Did you ever know that the west side of Chieago was In England? Well, it is, and if you don’t believe it I can prove it to you. In the t next to clusing position, Edith Rose, dainty Boglian singer and dancer, comes to us with a cey smile and “‘biue’’ voice. Of course this is not authentic, but is my conclusion; possibly Miss Rose may be a graduate of some corres ence sc of dramatic art, for at least in dancing, one would think that she learned the “art’’ from a chart. She gets her feet up but sevrms sfraid to put them down. The young lady made a very dignified and quiet exit. The show is closed by Moma Liza and Pal, In an intensely interesting playlet of Western life, Morning Star. The offering is reviewed under the heading of New Acts, WHY CARR DID NOT APPEAR. Chicago, IN., Feb. 9 (Special to The Billboard).—There were a dozen different stories afloat on the Rialto this week giving the vations reasons why Nat Carr, the popniar Hebrew comedian, did not appear at the Wilson Avenue Theatre after be had been billed like a circus on the city and elevated road platforms all over the North Side. The real facts of the case were learned by The Rilthoard representative this afternoon. Mr. Carr had signed contracts for the Sullivan-Considine Time beginning at Columbus, O.. on March 24. Chris. Brown learned of this and ftaasmuch as it would be a breach of the S. & C. policy, wherein no act is permitted to appear in a competitlon house within six months of contract date, he advised Mr. Carr to cancel the Wilson date. Fortunately Mr. Carr Is a close friend of Aaron Jones, of Jones, Linick & Schaefer, who control the Wilsen Theatre. Mr. Carr presented the ease to Mr. Jones and that gentleman was kind enongh to release the comedian even after a large amount of money had been spent by a J., a & 8. Oo. In billing him. The only peurr was the Jones, lek and Schaefer Company ’ JACK TAYLOR RE-ENGAGED. Chicago, TM., Feb, 9 (Special to The Rittard).—Jack Taylor, the young comedy trickster who “made himse!f’’ over night tn ChiCaro at the Willard and Wilson Arenne Thea tres late last fall, has been re-engaged by the _ M M. A. and will appear as a feature atection at these two houses beginning February 19. Prior to bis first engagement at these two honses last fall, Mr. Taylor was seen In on of the emailer family honses In and abont cago, Dnt tmmediately follewing the engage=~ he wus sent over the Pantages Time by bie Poi atthews as a feature attraction, When te ‘otages tonr was concluded late In De_ r. Mr. Taylor went to visit his parents firs: Lanapotis, and returning to Chieago the om the year entered the University of Chi sono where he ts now stodving x Tavlor Is but ' years of age and will continne as a = ' at the Chieago University following his u date at these two ble honses, ; TN Orpheum Theatre at Fort Willtam, Can., . vl owned by the Allard Rrothere of Chi a ‘nd seating 1.500 peonte, opened for the ri von Monday night. with a <ix-act ran 4 he l, plaving fall weeks with two shows ® seale of admixsion of from ten to centa t This theatre and the new one rs ! pe Wis.. owned by the aame firm, ts be : by Coney Holmes of the W vaca p. he a bie relief to acts coiling to ani! ee a the Pantages Time, ax it will break ‘mp to Calgary tm either direction. Chicago, Feb. 19 (Special to The Billboard). —The Vlaza Theatre, the Chicago Interstate Circuit house, located on North Avenue near Lincoln Park, has originated a novel form of box office magnetism. Beginning next Tuesday and Friday evening, those patrons who desire, may stuy after the performance and dance on the stage, the music being furnished by the house orchestra. There will be no extra charge en these nights, and the idea is expected to prove a big winner. Instead of the regular vaudeville bill «f five acts, Rube Welch and Kitty Francis, supported by a big company, offers a condensed version of The Happiest Night of His Life, which tis called A Royal Reception. The piece runs an hour and a half and is staged in three scenes. It is a pleasing diminutive musical comedy, which is cleveriy and successfully staged. Scene 1 shows the garden of Harry Jelliman’s residence and is set in full stage. Scene 2 portrays a corridor of Mrs. O’Malley’s house and scene 3 the reception room at Mrs. O’Mailey’s. Rube Welch plays the part of Dick Brennan, a race track tout. Miss Francis is a contiypuous riot of fun and laughter in her conception of the jovial Mrs. O'Malley. The part of Harry Jelliman, a rich oid philanthropist, is well played by J. D. Elsden, Tom Dawson, his nephew, by W. H. Thompson. Popsy, his servant, by Katherine Dyer (giver her credit, she doesn’t spell it K-a-t-b-r-y-n), Minnie Randolph is played by Leola West, a sweet and charming young woman with a world of expression and a sympathetic soprano voice. William, a butler, is played by Sydney Carl, and the part of Jane, Mrs. O’Malley’s daughter, by May Coyle. The chorus is composed of the Misses Marjorie Rogers, Leslie Wilson, Mabel Ward, Astrid Rhodes, Lillian Stanten, Nora Henry, Fannie Mason, Mansfield, Katherine (again) Byron, Queenie Lauers, Bernetto Londo and Emily Burdette. The following songs were introduced: Oh, What a Beautiful Morning, by Tom; We Are Widows, by Miss Randolph and Widows; Minstrels, by Popsy and girls; Jane, by Tom and Jane, and Finzle. The offering pleased the Plaza audience and was a success from start to finish. E. 0. BLACKBURN. Chicago, Ill., Feb. 8 (Special to The Billboard).—Though business in the big loop bouses has been bad (his week, the Star and Garter, over at Madison and Halstead S.reets, made a record for this year. of Bobemla is the big box office maguet and is doing its work nobly. Manager E. Dick Rider reports very good business for the past two weeks, and is putting op extra added attractions in order to maintain the swelling of the box office receipts. Yorke and Adams, those famous Hebrew character comedians, are appearing as the extra added attraction this week. Next week, when The Queens of the Jardin de Paris comes over to the West Side house, Toots Paka and her Hawaiians will appear as the extra attraction, and without doubt the famous Hula-Hula dane will pull the patrons of this house just as strong as did the laugh-making fame of Yorke and Adams, The Queen of Bohemia is a beautiful production, resplendant in a perfect dazzle of s-unning costumes and pretty, clever girls. There is .omedy galore throughout the entire production, and songs of the very latest and most melodious varie.y, which were put over by singers with voices of real artistic quality. The specialties are introduced throughout the performance instead of being put on in an olio. The Countess Rossi and Stephen J. Paul appeared in a pleasing specialty early in the performance; ‘hen toward the close of the first part of the show, Mr. Will J. Ward, gave about ten or twelve minutes of pianologue and singing, proving one of the big hits of the show. The cast includes: Mr. Ralph Trevoor. Mr, Sam Sidman, Mr. Joe Doner, Countess Rossi, George M. Hayes, Will J. Ward, Stephen J. Paul, Arthur Green, William Watson, George F. Hayes, Kathleen Kay, Cleo Lewis and the Twin Sisters Clark. The company is supported an exceptionally good looking and clever chorus of earnest workers, Mr. S. S. Hutchinson, president of the Amerfean Film Company of Chicago, recently purchased from the Park-Greble Investment Company a piece of property on Mt. Nebo, Cal., on which he intends to build a fine home next summer. . EDITOR, THE BILLBOARD, improv: My Dear Sir:—Just a line to congratulate you and The" Billboard on the appearance of your vaudeville edited vaudeville pages in the country, an h your ¥ formulating novel ideas will no doubt, prove a big hit with your readers. ARTHUR H. McKECHNIE, General yen, Se Exclusive Press Western Vaudeville Managers Association. Chicago, Ill., February 8, 1912. . I think it is now one’of the best with your well-known / licy and epresentatives, ACTS NEW TO CHICAGO, MONA LIZA AND PAL, Dramatic Playlet. Century Theatre, Chicago; full stage; special scenic effecis; time, 14 minut 8. I am going to begin my criticism and re view of this act with a gentle knock. There is not enough to It. The story is fascinating, the scenic effects wonderfully realistic, the acting splendid, and the climax superb. But —we wanted more of it. Mona Liza plays the part of an Indian girl who has been wrong: d by a white father, who deceived her mother by a false marriage. Her “pal” is a big drawling Westerner, who ts a son of the same man who deceived the Indian girl’s mother. Indian girl, feels this wrong deeply and has de termined to avenge it. TIlowever, after a talk with the bie white man, she decides that he really is ‘“‘white,’’ and after having the drop on him, returns his from him. The white man starts away, and as Wanda turns her back to him, he fires at ber, attempting to kill her. The stage setting, real istic in its depiction of a Western mountain canyon, Is beautiful. as she aims her revolver at the white man, a bolt of lightnine flashes across the stage, and strikes him dead. It is a very spectacular climax and occurs at exactly the right moment, This climax is also used by Miss Blanche Walsh In her vandeville offering, called The Thunder Gods. Mona Liza is great in her conception the part of the Westerner {is ideal for the character he has chosen. worthe of the headline position on a far more Imnortant bill, NANA, ASSISTED BY M. ALEXIS, Classic snd Fancy Daneers. Matestic, Chicago; third in eight-act show; time, 7 minutes, in full stage. Nana, assisted by M_ Alexis, appears in just the kind of an act which any antience will com mend, provided it is not overdone, Evidently Nana is wise to this fact, for she has cnt the time of the act to sever minutes. Tlowever, In those seven minntes, there is a lot of hard work done by these two artists, Their dances are of the whirl-wind variety and all very clever. They work well together and score on each of the artistic dances. Each puts on a so'o dance with gratifying result. They were heartily apnlanded by the thoroughly pleased Majestic audience. AL AND FANNY STEADMAN. Entertainers. Majestic, Chieage: time, 17 minutes, In one: second In elght-act show, This act starts off well and ends well, but ft fs Wl in the middie. The tliness Is caused by a costume worn by Miss Steadman. She crosses the breach of decency when she exhibita more of her person than the average high-school girl would care to see, especiall were she accompanied by one of the ‘‘frat’’ boys, Miss Steadman ts a beantiful girl, an?’ talented. She is sweet and girlish in of the Indian girl, and the gentleman who plays | her pretty littlé@ stage dresses, but she contaminates the entire atmosphere of the act by this one unwise appearance. She is on the stage less than two minutes while in this | costume; therefore she can easily afford to discard it. Mr. Steadman is pleasing in his Wanda, the | gun which she had taken | | | | } | | | light comedy and plays the piano very well. The duo is nicely matched and work in perfect harmony. They close well, and responded to an encore and several bows. With this one objectienable feature eliminated, the act will be greatly improved, and one worthy of a spot on the most pretentious bills, JOSEPH E. HOWARD AND MABEL McCANE Comedy, Singing and Talking. Majestic, Chicago; seventh in eight-act show. Time, 25 minutes, in one, to full stage. These two clever musical comedy stars proved a big hit at the Majestic at the afternoon per formance on Monday. They sing songs which were written and made famous by Mr, Howard in Chicago. The act opens in one, with \r. He ward singing his Love and Politics hit, Chi eago. He then goes to full stage and igs joined A storm comes up and |>¥ Miss McCane fm a litile parlor skit. Th have a light vehicle for which greatly enhances the general effect of the offering. They responded to three encores and took a number of bows. JACK ROSE. Fntertainer. Wilson Avenue Theatre, Chicago. Second in five-act show. Time, 12 minutes, in one, their song numbers Jack Rose is an entertainer of rare ability. This act is really | Fe opens his act singing. Follow the Car Tracks. an alcoholic number which goes over big. His second effort proved a big comedy hit. Yi-disha Love went big when rendered by cis clever entertainer. His closing number is the one best bet of his act. He sings Heaven Will Protect the Working Girl, the song which Marie Dressler and Grace Cameron use to such great advantage. Every line is a langh, and when he reaches the line, ‘“‘Heaven Will Protect the Working Girl.’* at the’ end of the chorus, a slide is reflected on the screen besring in large letters, all the way across the drop, the word “Heaven”, with stars and crescents on either end of the word. When this is flashed on the drop, Mr. Rose turns his back to the andience. and raising his hands toward the ‘Fleavea.”’ sings the line. This plece of business might die in anv one else’s hands, but Mr. Rose makes a great hit with It, espectally at the last part of the last chorus when the operator appacentiy forgets and Mr. Rose calls several times, Tleaven. Heaven, IHeaven, come on with Tleaven.”” Tt is a great close and sends biin away a big bit. THE BROOKLYN HARMONY FOUR, Warmonr Stncers. Wilsen Avenne Theatre, (hi cago. Fourth in five-act show, Time, 14 minntes, in one, These four boys make a pleasing appearance and sing fxirly well. At times their harmonr is close and true. Roth tenors are very clever and have strong volces, but the basses might un Chi:ago, Ill., Feb. 9 (Special to The Billard).—Another big comedy offering came to | the Empire this week when that popular come| dian, Sam Rice, and his Daffydills arrived to Max Spiegel’s The Queen | do a seven days’ senten.e fur Manager Herk, Besides Sam Rice, we have some other well known artists in the burlesque world with the show. Lulu Beeson is on the job from s‘art to. finish, and had very little trouble in keepisg up her end of the entertainment. She still dances in that old inimitable way, and still puts on the song numbers ag only Luln Beeson can. Blanche Carter and Joe Wolf deserve special mention for their splendid work, The first part of the show ‘s alled Furnished. Rooms. It is a pleasing and clever little farce comedy. and gets over very big. The song numbers introduced are bright and new, and put on in clever style. There is a laugh in every line, and every possible comedy situation is made che most of. The second half depicts the deck of a ocean liner, and brings out a very pleasing effe.t. The song numbers of this part of the show are also of the A-1 var‘ety, and each number received hearty commendation on the part of the audience. Prominent in the cast are: Sam Rice, Lulu Beeson, Allen Carter, Harry Keeler, Joe Wolf, Jack Wilson, Jessie Watson, Blanche Carter, Frank Grace, Chris, Wetzed and a clever chorus of sixteen pretty girls. prove the act by putting more life into the act. They are not stricily original in all their work, and to those who are posted, this fact is detrimental to the success of the act. However, the Wilson audience did not seem to care waose material they were using as long ag they sang, and resultantly were generous in their applause and commendation of the offering. There is also room for improvement in the comedy of the act. The comedian is fairly clever but is handicapped by a great deal of secondhand material. The act is well suited to ths class of house and can make good on any bil! in family theatres. VAUDEVILLE CHATTER. “a The Ahlbergs, who are playing the W. V. M. A. Time. are lanning to make a visit to their home in New land at the close of the ent season, but will return in time to take up their regular routing in the fall. H. M. Miller of the Western Vandeville Managers’ Association has sold hig theatre, The Hamilton, at 68th and Halsted Streets, to Ike Bergerson, who will change the policy of the theatre from vaudeville and pictures to am —— picture house, ‘ 2l'zabeth Otto. that plano girl. ts playing Butterfield Circuit to great success of .-. It has been decided by the Interstate Circu that the Plaza here will split with East St. Louls, acts play'ng each house the first four days of the week, opening on Sunday, other the last three. iteoietoss Gertrude Dion Magill & Co. In Oh, You Stev who recently returned to Chicago after a tour the Pantages Circuit, are now playing the Hamburger theatres in Chicago. Rudolph and Daree, recently reached Chicago after a tour of the Pantages Circuit, are playing the Ifamburger houses and are new at the President. Hillir, The Talkative ickster, {s in Chie: die West for J. ©. after playing in the Matthews. He is due In New York April 1. The Seven Russells are at the Elifs Theatre the last half of this week and have other con tracts from the New York and Western Agency. Starting this week the Erle and Republic Theatres will play vaudeville on Saturdays and Sundays. NOTES OF THE ROAD. Miss Mable Mal‘land of the theatrical team of Welsh and Maitland, has added her name to the list of theatrical property holders at La Mesa, Cal. During her engagement at San Diego, Cal.. she purchased, throngh Woodruff Cross Realty Company. twelve or thirteen lots. on which she intends to build a modern bungalow and make her permanent home here when ghe is not touring the country. Bill Farmer, the Runhe, who claims to ferent from all others, has bere, Sueeiee his farm In Texas all winter, but will be back in the show business, commencing February 10. Jos. Lancelot, premier novelty bag-puncher, has added a few more of his original tricks to his comedy act, such as playing baritone while working three bags at the same time. Hal Johnson and Company (Dale Deverean Jr. ane ee Rowland) are meeting with om cess in elr new comedy sketch, with music, The Chap In the Petticoats. Frank Ellet Sr., Grand Raptds, Mich., sent his two baby sons a handsome bar for practice, They are with their mother, Mrs. Frankle Silvini Eliet, at Pittsburg, Ethyle MeDonald. the Scotch Lassie, who ts being featured with The Toy Maker’s Dream, expects to spend the month of March at her home In Superior, Wis, Mr. Frank Kirk. billed as the Musical Tramp, . necting with great snecess over the W. V. mm A. me, and is booked untill August b Mr. Thos. Burchill. Bis , Emmet W. Reach, formerly manager of the Casino Theatre Luray, Va., is now connected with the Radcliffe Attractions, Inc., of Wash{ngton, D. C The Chick-A-Dees opened at the Lyceum Theatre, Meadville, Pa.. for a six weeks’ engagement on the Sun Circult and are meeting with usual success. Tom Kyle and Co, still continue to get the laughs from thelr comedy sketch, The Doctored Witow, which Is now touring the Pantages Cir cult, Frank and Edith Long have joined hends with Warren B. Long, their father. The trio will be Known as The Three Longs in Minstrel Land. Pee ges a — oe NE fs SGI ALOIS, RS fn Ms corner lat EN RL AME Ew ae SRK Se Tad ee eo Pap Nays STE Fe alee FO MPT ERO 20 See