The Billboard 1912-02-24: Vol 24 Iss 8 (1912-02-24)

14 The Billboard FEBRUARY 24, 1912. CHICAGO VAUDEVILLE AND BURLESQUE ——$__—_ —— Majestic | Wilson Avenue The Lincoln Star and Garter Chicago, Ill.. Feb, 14 (Special to The BillChicago, Ill., Feb. 12 (Special to The BillChicago, Feb. 16 (Special to The Billboard). | Chicago, Feb. 18 (Special to The Billboard). board).—The deadly Eva Tanguay fever holds | board).—Though the bill at the Wilson for | —Business at the new Lincoln Theatre still —Some hot water and a can of Old Dutch all Chicago in ics grasp this week. Quarantine | the first half of the week is headlined by | continues on the up-bill route. reigns all over the city, and the victims swarm over to the big Majestic hospital that they may be given the only possible relief and receive the anti-toxin from the cause of the ailment, the inimitable Eva. She administers treatment by the electric process, She shocks them a litthe at first, but the wonderful magnetism of her personality soon brings a feeling of semi-cure. {in a great many instances, the sufferers were not completely cured after the first visit, and were obliged to take a second, and in some eases a third, treatment from the magnetic speialist. Consequently the ‘‘House Sold Out’’ sign hag been working overtime ever since the opening performance on Monday afternoon, Eva Tanguay has turned her marvelous conceit to a Gnancial advantages. She sings a number of songs, all with that one meaning: ‘*They’re erazy about me."’ The show is opened by Mile, DeFalliere’s Dogs, a troupe of wonderfully trained black and tans. The offering is reviewed under the heading of Acts New to Chicago. World and Kingston were billed to appear in spot two, but owing to the early position in the bill, they closed. The Keene Trio, three young women who sing well and make a very good impression, replaced them. These girls had little difficulty in proving one of the really big hits of the bill. They open with Twllight, singing the number in harmony, and firmly establishing themselves with the audience. One of the ladies then renders as a solo, Mine, and scores big. That Carolina Rag is sung in harmony, followed by another solo, The Garden of My Heart. Mammy’s Shuffiin’ Dance is then rendered. The soprano of the act renders a high-class Spanish. song, called Barcelona. which proved a hit, and was obliged to repeat the ehorus twice, The act is closed by the trio singing a catch march song, called I'll Be With You Honey in Honeysuckle Time. The girls responded to two encores and took several bows on their efforts. They have appeared in some of the smaller houses about Chicago, and have always been successful, but their big success at the Majestic this week, will probably launch them on more important time. Lynch and Zeller, the Bang, Bang Boys, appear in Spot No, 3, and offer an excellent club juggling act. They work fast and pull each new feat with ease and foot-sure precision. Their offering is reviewed under New Acts. Milton and Dolly Nobles appear in a screaming comedy playlet, called Why Walker Rebelled. The offering proved the laugh hit of the bill, and is worthof every ripple ef applause accorded it by the good humored audlence. This offering is also reviewed under New Acts. “The Kentucky Belles,"" the Nichols Sisters. held the stage for seventeen minutes with their laugh-provoking songs and sayings. These two artists of the burnt cork are positively without equal in their chosen line. They have a line of great material in songs and witty sayings. They control a long line of delicious dialect, truly reminding one of the old-time Southern darkey woman. Their laugh is perfec tien. and the genuine darkey ring in their volces, a real treat and artistic triumph. The girls responded to two encores and took a half doven bows, The Four Fords, Mabel, Dora, Edwin Max, offer their beautiful scenic dancing The first scene is a winter setting, and greeted in a storm of applause. The stage setting for every dance is elaborately rich and beautiful, and greatly enhances the offering. This qnartet is undoubtedly at the head of their class, and their act is worthy of the headline position of the very biggest bills. The classic Grecian dane by the Misses Ford proved the big applause winner of the offering. The woodland stage setting is very pleasing and natural. Conceit personified, Miss Eva Tanguay .ppears next to closing, and as usual proved a riot. She sings all her old standard songs and a few new ones. Miss Tanguay is proving the best box offiee at‘raction of the season, and wil! be held over for a second week. The show is closed by Mosher, Mosher, in a novelty ercle act, good In every war. diffienlit stunts are celved. and act. was Hayes and which made Some new and extremely introduced and well re CURRENT VAUDEVILLE—CHICAGO, Majestic Theatre—Eva Tanguay, second week: Edgar Atchison Ely, Caesar Rivoli, Six Brown Brothers, Cadets de Gascogne. The Kitimura Japs, Pauli Barnes, Hinton and Wooton. Kedzie Avenue Theatre—Three Bounding Gordons, Prince and Deeric, Vernon and Company, Tossing Austins. Last half—Chester’s Canine De Lexe. Maddern and Fitzpatrick, Donahue and Stewart, Williams and Sterling and The Vander Koors. Wilson Avenue Theatre—Gene Greene, Fur der Sisters. John A. West and @ompany, Corporal Wiggins anf Company. Last half—Gene Greene, Dan Mason and Company, Howard's Bears. Finn and Ford and Jack Taylor. Plaza Theatre—Warren and Francis. Nadel! and Kane. Dan Mason and Company. Lawrence Johnson, Grnber’s Animals. Last half—Musical Brittons, Victor'a Five, Sun's Imperial Min. strels, Tom Powel! and Gruber’s Animals. Casino Theatre—The Zeraldas, Lemnuels and Lemnels, Kingsburg and Munson, Eddie Foyer. Four Raltes Brothers. Last half—Joe La Fleur Morrisy and Rich, Mezzonaye Trio, Lawrence Johnson and Keno, Welch and Melrose. Willard Theatre—Joseph Howard and Mable McCane. McKee Rankin and Company, Howard's Bears, Finn and Ford, Jack Taylor. Tast half —Joe Howard and Mable McCane, McKee Ran kin and Company. Farber Sisters. John A. West and Company, Corporal Bert Wiggins and Company. Gaiety Theatre, South Chiecsrco—Maddern and Fitzpatrick. Davis and Walker, Keith and Kernan, Williams and Sterling, John Zimmer. (Continned on page 50.) Moore’s Lads and Lassies, a big’ ‘‘kid’’ act, the honors were carried off by Elina Gardiner, a child impersonator, who carried the house by s.orm, and proved one of the biggest hits seen at the Wilson this season. Miss Gardiner is a Chicago girl, and is well known in the concert field. She has been in vaudeville a little less than a year, but will undoubtedly be heard from some day in the near future on some of the biggest and best time. Another ac: of note appearing in this bill is the Clark Trio singers and instrumentalists, who appeared with great success at the Majestic Theatre a short time ago. Manager Licalzi is providing his patrons with the very best shows ob-ainable, and the result is capacity houses at almost every performance. The bill for the first half is opened by the Three Astellas, in a splendid comedy knockabout acrobatic offering. The boys work fast and offer some new and clever stunts. An abundance of clean and pleasing comedy is introduced in the at, which keeps the audience in cons‘ant good humor. Considering pos'‘tion on the bill, the boys did very well and took several bows on their efforts, Elina Gardiner, in mimicry and comedy, appeared in Spot No. 2. Miss Gardiner came as 2 pleasant surprise to all. She is a hit from the moment she first steps on the stage. Her ofier'ng is reviewed under the heading of New Acts. Allen and White, two boys who appeared last season with Lew Dockstader’s Minstrels, appear in a novelty whistling offering. The boys have been meeting with great success all over Chicago in the W. V. M. A. houses. They proved a big hit at the Monday night performance, and responded to several encores. The Clark Trio, a gentleman and two ladies, singers and ‘ns‘rumentalists. offered their highclass musical at and received hearty commendation. The act has appeared all over the Orpheum Circuit for the past three seasons, and has been one of the standard acts on that time. A fourth artist will be added to the act after this week, thus making a quartet. This artist. it is said, is one of vandeville’s most talented sopranos, and with the present established reputation which the act enjoys. it is gving to require a real artist to make any marked improvement in the offering. They responded to two encores at the Wilson, where the aud‘ence are notoriously fond of acts of this class. The show is closed by Menlo E. Moore’s Lads and Lassies featuring a dainty littl singing comedienne, who bears the name of Dixie Harris. Miss Harris is the lI'fe of the entire offering. although one of the boys has a good vole and stage presence. The others of the company are not extraordinarily elever. The songs are pretty and well rendered. The J. H Aufderheide Company’s Bear Cat Dance is the only specialty song which really made a bit. The chorus was repeated several times before the audience would allow the next number to go on. A very pretty. althouch careless!y worked, finish is introduced in the act. It is a swinging song with real swing to the melody. The girls sit In the big rope swings. which are prettily trimmed with colored lichts. and the effect would be very pleasing !f some of the over-impartant boys in the act would ‘kia’ each other a little less, and affect a more professional bearing. The act pleased. and with the help of a het flatiron may he smoothed out into an ideal offering of its kind. VIRGINIA THEATRE. Chicago, Feb. 18 (Special to The Billboard). —A well-balanced bill holds the boards at the Virginia for the last half and business con tinnes big. This house enfors a peenliar pat ronage which Is composed mostly of transients, but the majority of those transients are faith ful patrons of the house and seldom miss a now show in the theatre. A great many foreicners make up the andience, and for that reason it is difficult at times for some really good acts tr make good. Thongh they are not always an plarded as much as they deserve, they are generelly appreciated, and Frank Q. Dovle, who books the house, is placing some excellent acts. The show for the last half is opened br Rosey, a gentleman who offers an exceptional'y clever unicycle act. He was handicanned. how ever, bry the smallness of the stage at the Vir ginia and tok severa) bad falls. Most of his feats ar® origina! an’ clever, thonch a few hove been seen before. His act would be improved were the time ent ahont five minutes, as it really grows tiresome after ten minntes, Oscar Theabald, the newsboy singer. appears featuring Down In Melody Lane. He has a pleasing voice avd goed enunciation, but makes a very unprofessional appearance wearing glasses, Mile, Sodini comes from the wings smoking 2a e‘garette and trying to look and act like a Spanish or Cuban girl. She was not over successful in her attemnt, but proved a big comedy hit through the extreme ridiculousness of her offering. She sings Glow Worm in some sort of foreign lancuage that sounds like a cross between Spanish and low Dutch. The lich? an planse following her offering was perfectly justifiable. The La Tours apnear in a pleasing comedy juggling offering. They work slowly but this gave their comedy a chance to ‘‘soak in’’ on a not-too-bricht audience. Their soap-bubhble ing giing is a feature worthy of special mention. and proved a big hit with their andience. At times the comedy of the gentleman is overdone and should be ent down a trifle in order to make the act worthy of a position in the class where !t really be'ongs. Lane and Hamilton, lady and gentleman patter artists and comedians, appear next te closing. If the lady of the act would smile once in a while, Instead of weartne a continnons frown, the act would be brichtened considerably. She fs really a very pretty girl and there is no necessity for the facial exnression, as she ie not plar'ng the part of an anxious mother who is wondering where her boy is. The gen tleman of the act plays the part of a German (Continued on page 50.) At present it is enjoying the best business of any family theatre on the North Side. The W. V.:M. A. is placing the very highest class of attractions, which are appreciated by the faithful patrons of the house. Every thought for the convenience and comfort of the patrons has been put into force by Manager Price. A large waiting room is loca‘ed in the basement of the building, where patrons who come early for the second performance enjoy large easy chairs and current magazines and newspapers. The orchestra of the house is one of the best in the city, and even the chronic grouches in the profession can find no cause for complaint. The show for the first half of the week is opened by the Mezzonotte Trio, a lady and two gentlemen, who from all appearances are natives of sunny Italy. Their instrumental renditions are well put over, but it is their singing that really ‘‘makes’’ the act. In their vocal numbers they have chosen the high-class variety of songs and sing them as only artists from the land of sunny skies can. They were well liked by the Lincoln audience, who demanded two encores of the artists. Eddie Barto and Florence Clark offer an eccentric singing and dancing act and score well. At times they seem a tritle careless; they are clever, that is true, but their offering would be far more pleasing were they not so sure about it. The little comedy introduced is clean and bright and is nicely handled by the two artists. The Byrne-Golson Players present their big comedy success, Uncle Seth's Visit. Billy Byrne, in his clean and inoffensive female impersonation, is a small riot that takes the audience completely by surprise when he removes the wig from a very mannish head. His voice is phenomenal and greaty enhances the ultimate success of one of the best playletse of ite kind ever seen about Chicago. The American Newsboys’ Quartette (the originals) appear in spot four and prove one of the biggest hits of the bill in their splendid harmony singing and comedy. hey have improved somewhat since they last appeared here a couple of months ago. Their big song hits are I'm Going Back to My Old Girl, and Honey Man, both of which are published by Leo Feist. This quartette is to be congratulated on its constant success, owing to the fact that it has had a score of imitators to ‘‘buck” in the last three years. There has been every kind of a “‘newsboys’'’ quartette imaginable. Chicago, New York, Boston, Greater, and any number of others, but none have been successful in convincing the managers and public of the genuineness. It seems now that the public is edueated to such a high standard that when they see or hear ‘‘pirates’’ the fate of those unfair artists is very quickly sealed. The Four Rezals close the show in a marvelous “‘strong’’ act, and proved a very big hit. They do ‘‘strong arm"’ stunts to a finish, and a feats of strength won the admiration of all. CENTURY THEATRE. Chicago, Feb. 16 (Special to The Billboard). —The Century, the only important independent house sin Chicago, offers another big feature bill the first half of the week. Talford and Besslo, two young girls, submit an act which proved one of the biggest hits seen in any family theatre in Chicago this season. Both play the parts of waifs, and have a# clever conceptfon of the characters. One plays a boy and does it to such perfection that the audience have never a suspicion that she is not what Seems until at the close of the act she removes her cap and shakes her head, revealing about two feet of bright chestnut colored hair. The impersonation is clean and about as clever as has ever been my good fortune to . Their voices are sweet and clear, harmonizing with a very pleasing effect. The show is opened by Musical Dodd, in a comedy novelty musieal act. The artist scored a big hit on his bell renditions and other novel musi: al effects. Charlotte Willard, a young lady with a fine voice and who is a permanent fixture at the Century, appears second and sings one {llustrated and one spot song. She scored well on pean numbers and responded to an encore on each. Don (Biliken) Barclay appears in thi a sition and proved the laugh hit of the bint. Mr. Barclay has some good material in songs and new and original stories and puts them acrons very well. He might, however, improve his make-up and costumes as he seems a little careless in these particulars. Talford and Besslo, formerly mentioned in this article, appeared fourth and had little or no difficulty in proving one of the most subStantial hits of the bill. It is really surprising how agents who are always claiming to be looking for good and new material could pass up such an act as this, for without the least shadow of doubt it could more than make good on any bill, and in the most important spot. It is an offering which demands public approval and commendation. Both girls are clever actresses as well as singers and were given a storm of applause for their efforts. Claud Ranf offers a real novelty in a wire act called Luncheon a la ire. He performs some difficult feats on a slack wire and does them well, but his offering would be greatly improved were he to put a little more life into his work and shorten the time of the act. The show is closed by ‘‘Mike,"’ the wrestling bear. The act is put on under the same principle as that of the unridable mule, and was the means of creating a number of good laughs at the expense of the half dozen youths who thonght they could vin the big fellow’s shoulders to the mat. After the regular performance the amateurs came on and gave the audience a good solid laugh which lasted a trifle over an hour. The prize was won by Chicago Slim, a young man who sang songs and danced in a manner that would really make a great many who “think” they are professionals look like the proverbial “thirty cents.’’ Cleanser would be a great benefit to the first wd of the show offered at the Star and Garter heatre this week. This part of the show is called The Root of All Evil, and is very smutty in spots. As a rule, the shows appearing in this house are notably clean and of a class which no man would be ashamed to have his mother, wife or sister see, but this offering is scarcely up to that standard. However, the entire show is not to be censured. There are parts of it which are above reproach from the most fastidious. I do not wish the foregoing statement to be misconstrued, the show is not as coarse as some of the old-t?fme burlesque offerings, but considering the wonderful uplift of censured burlesque in the last two years, it is far below the standard of most attractions appearing on the wheel. In staging, talent, music and production, The Queens of the Jardin de Paris is a very leasing attraction. The two comedians, who Cea the organization, are exceptionally wel! fitted for their parts, and keep the sbow brist ling with a good variety of comedy, except at times when they strive to cater to the low brows and pull away from the possible refined comedy which would be more suited to their respective talents. Harry Koler and Al. K. Hall are responsible for the leads of the production and are ideal as a team of fun-makers, Miss Grace DuBois hag an important part and is strictly up-to-the-minute in everything she does, She is a talented singer and dancer and receives excellent support in her song renditions. Miss Rose De Mar is a charming and clever lit tle soubrette who is on the go to such an extent as to remind one of a person afflicted with St. Vitus dance. She leads a number called Ragtime Minstrel Man, which without a doubt, is one of the most brazen steals ever known in the popular music world. It is Alexander's Ragtime Band from vamp to finish and not only the. words, but the melody also has been rehashed from that popular hit of Ted Snyder's. Here is a little incident connected with this number which is positively true, and will actually show what a great piece of piracy the number represents. A lady and gentleman sat beside me, and when the girls rendered the number, the Jady turned to her escort and said: “Gee. I've heard lots of parodies on Alexander's Band, but this ig the worst I’ve ever listened to. Why they even get off the tune in some places.’ However, this is not the first time anything like this hag happened. About two years ago Gus Edwards gave the profession a big act maker in By the Light of the Silvery Moon, and a short time afterward, On Mobile Bay was quoted as one of the b'geest sellers on the popular music counters. your fingers and guess the answer. Now I'll stop “panning” pirate composers and go on with my original subject. The olfo of The Queens of the Jardin de Paris is a welcome surprise throughout. It is opened by the Diamond Tire Team, Sig and Edith Franz, who are billed as the world’s greatest unicyclists. Whether they are the greatest, is a matter of personal opinion, but one thing is certain, they are truly great. Their offering proved @ big hit and received hearty support throughout. Following the cyclists, Grace Du Bois, a diminutive battery of magnetism, sings several rag songs. She's “‘raggy’’ In every particular excepting some very stunning costumes. She proved one of the biggest hits of the olfo and responded to several encores. The hit of the entire bill was scored by that popular and clever artiste, Toots Paka, assisted by her Hawaiian singers and instrumentalists, in the Hula-Hula Dance. It is a wonderful offering and a great credit to the house in which it appears. The olio is closed by Al, K. Hall, the tal! slim fellow, in witticisms and comedy. Mr. Hall's offering was also well received and proved an immense hit. Considering the olio as a whole it is one of the best seen in the house this season. The production staged In two el aborate scenes, the first is DPuval’s Electric Life Retreat, and the second, the Grand Opera House; Paris. Conspicnons In the company are | Harry Koler, Al, K, Hall, Harry Tyler, Harry K. Morton, Joel P. Corin, Sig. Franz, Grace DuRois, Mae Melbane, Rosalie Reading, Rose DeMar and Margie Catlin. Manager Dick Rider of the Star and Garter, reports business fully up to last week's record, which was one of the best of the current year, EMPIRE THEATRE. Chicago, Feb. 17 (Special to The Billboard). —The attraction at the Empire Theatre this week is The Ducklings, a b'g burlesque produc. tion, greatly resembling an up-to-date musical comedy. The production has been well staged and costumed gorgeously with stunnimg and elaborate gowns, The first part of the show is called Two Janitors, and a ood dash of comedy is furnished by Messrs. Kennedy, Vaughn, Eddie and Doyle. Mr. Boyle, who plays the part of one of the janitors, is responsible for the farce, which is well written. Madge Hughes is conspicuous in some of the best musica] numbers and is a credit to her company. The chorus !s well trained and goodlooking and do very well in their support of the principals of the company, te Se The olio is also pleasing, and each number scored big. It is opened by Margie Bennett and her six Eagle Rocks in a very clever and pleasing offering. Charles Vaughn appears next in a revival of Sllustrated songs and got by very well. The Young Brothers score heavily io an excellent grotesque novelty acrobatic offering. The ollo is closed by Reatrice Harlow, who proved one of the big hits of the bill. The second part of the show 1s called The High-Life Girls at Reniah Resch. Mr. Rorle is also responsible for the writing of this clever burletta. Those prominent in the cast of the Ducklings are Charles H. Bovle, James H. Eddie, Jake Young, Charles Vaughn, Louls Kennedy, Reatrice Harlow, Tony Kennedy and Madge Hughes,