The Billboard 1913-03-01: Vol 25 Iss 9 (1913-03-01)

a ’ i af a a4, \ “t) tes Ge Wi yo ar’ ye = — 7 oe Pe ~ a 2 geen abe a= ae ~ > so = + 2 8 TY See ot an TR Rae —s ee © wes ~~ —~— a 12 The Billboard MARCH 1, 1913. VAUDEVIL NEWS OF Palace Music Hall Address, 127 North Clark Stret; Chas. Kohli, Majestic } | Wilson Avenue Lincoln Address, West Monroe Street, between State Address, Wilson and Evanston Avenues; M. Addr Lincoln and .% Jr., President; Mort H. Singer, Manager; Martin | and Dearborn; Lyman B. Glover, Manager; | Licaizi, Manager; Edward Hayman, Beoking Moutirn. Mancenr: eh yg 8 Beck, Booking Representativ; 1 1-piece Orchestra, | Martin Beck, Booking Representativ; Bookt Representativ; Bookt thru Western Vaudeville Representativ; Bookt thru Theatre Booking eck, Booking thru the U. B. O.; tt-plece Orchestra; Charlies | Managers’ Asseciation: 5-plece Orchestra; Geo. Cerporation; 5-piece Orchestra, Billy Mayer, DiEugene Wayne, Musical Director; Rehearsal, Fisher, Leader; Rehearsal, 9:30 A. M.. Mon| Steinhaus, Director; Rehearsal, 11 A. M., Monrector; Rehearsals, ti A. M., Meo day’ and 9:30 A. M., Monday; Phil Howard, Carpenter. day; Stage Manager, Abe Jacobs. |] @ay and Thursday; Wm. Stuart, Stage Mgr. Thursday; J. K. Jeffries, Stage Manager. Chicago, Feb, 19 (Special to The Billboard). Chicago, Feb. 19 (Special to The Billboard). Chicago, Feb. 19 (Speclai to The Billboard). Chicago, Feb. 17 (Special to The Billboard). —The Clark Street playhouse took great pains There are 80 many exceptional features in Thrills, laughs, more laughs and pieasing |—Generally speaking, the offering at the Linto offer a bill of strong competitiv value the this week's bill at the Majestic, that it would | music, clever entertainment and a bunch of | coln Theater this week is a representativ one current week because of the unusual merit con| require both these pages to say all the good | laughs. That was the program at the Wilson | thanks to the timely appearance of Ed. Lateli tained in the performance at tbe Majestic The| things we would like about them. Avenue Theater it the first show on Tuesday | with his musical numbers and incidental humor, eter. The master mind of Thomas A. Edison has at | ¢Yening February 18 Five very pleasing anJd | not to forget, the sketch termed The Cheap It is not often that a quintet of stars are/ joer perfected the talking moving picture. He | entertaining acts were assemowd, where comSkate. grouped in cousecutiv order on the Saiue La has called it the kinetofone, and marvel] | bined efforts filled out a very delightful our The audiente was an appreciativ one, and gram as is the case at the Dalace this week, | is hardiy an adequate word in the description, | #2 a half of entertainment. Mr L[«atzi, in | evidenced enthusiasm in some instances whicb where May ‘Lully, Martinetti and Sylvester, Ray | githo the talking properties have not been as | fering this array of talent, hag sueeceded tw was, indeed, of high degree. Cox, Toots aka and Nat Wilis follow 0€) yer quite perfected to the letter. As a vaude| 4ppealing to every taste of the os The Great Asahi, assisted by the Asabi Quinupon.the other in rapid succession, i. vil innovation they well serve their purpose | * eker of the North Side, and in turn is tette with their feats of magic and mystery, In spite of the illustrious ability offered, ~= for the audience seemed speilbound at the | Senerously rewarded by a nacroaaze that causes | held the audfence interested during their act electric lights gave the major portion of their magnitude Edison, his latest synkinetofone. connection that synmotion pictures have effulgence to Thomas A. chrovetic invention, the Let it be said in this chronized grafafones aud long been presented privately in the United States. Several American coucerns, some years eince, felt that they had discovered the secret on which hinged the success of this invention. Then too, a number of British concerns, enthused by a fair degree of accuracy in their synchronized devices and film action, sent demonstrators to these shores in the hope of conviucing the American public that they had solved the longsought scientific problem. Unfortunately their boasts were unfounded and ! it remained for American brains to present the kinetofone to the whole world. As it stands at the present time no more perfection of the synchronization itself could possibly be secured. That part is perfect. The weak point lies in the value of tone, both oral and musical, as this is too subdued and weak for solute realism. we casera with the bill, however, and return to this Edison miracle later, we will note: VISION D’ ARTS—Artistic novelty; one lady posing; one gentleman operator; + age nine-act show; time, eight minutes, in full; appearance, artistic, pleasing; reception, good. This offering is an ideal opener for big-time shows, insomuch as the late-comers do not interrupt or disparage the performance of the act. While the idea is not new to Chicago nor to this house, the offering was well liked by the Palace audience, The act embodies the same ideas as those contained in the offerings of Simone De Beyrl and Gaby. The electric effects are light from start to finish. generous applause. EREDITH SISTERS—Sister team; singing me second in nine-act show; time, 17 minutes in one; appearance, good; four costume changes; reception, fair. vivid and a visual deThe act received This act is a standard variety offering. and has beer seen in many of the better cass houses. It appears to two with a harem scene, wherein the girls appear in appropriate costume, and closes in one with a national alr. _ aia Their Chinese characterization pleased. ) that the Meredith Sis How ever, we would suggest ! ters visit some of the music publishers and brighten up their act with some more modern publications. There is room for improvement In several spots of this act. In its present condition the act might find it difficult to get by in a later spot. MAY TULLY & CO.—Two ladies and two gentlemen; comedy sketch; third in nine-act show; time, 22 minutes, in full; appearance, very good; reception, enthusiastic, two curtain calls. Miss Tully is ever the same finisht dispenser of slang that she always has been. Therefore, in her sketch, The Battle Cry of Freedom, especially designed by Bozeman Bulger and herself for her especial needs, she looms up pre-eminent. This Reno (Nevada) sketch has been seen in Chicago on several! previous occasions and therefor there is nothing new about it at this point. Changes in the cast are the only differences existing between the act, as it is and as it was. Unfortunately these changes have not resulted in any great improvement, for it must be feared that Frances Carson does not take care of her duties as capably and naturally as her predecessor. May Tully, however, is supreme, and so dominant is her personality, that the sketch suffers but little. THE KINETOFONE—Motion picture novelty; fourth in nine-act show; time, 12 minutes; reception, excellent. Too much can not be said in praise and admiration of the Edison kinetofone. However, this subject bas been fully covered both in the introduction to this review, and in the criticism of the Majestic bill; wherefore. we shall engage our attention on the following act, Bump the Bumps. MARTINETTI & SYLVESTER—Two male acrobats; one straight, one comedian; fifth in nine-act show; time, nine minutes, in full; appearance, excellent; reception, riotous, two encores, three bows, one curtain call. Martinetti & Sylvester one of the most ‘‘furorious’’ acrobatic novelties on the vaudevil stage of today The reason Is very obvious, Both of the boys are finisht artists in their line, and succeed in tangling their bodies, unquestionably have twisting their bones, well nigh breaking their necks in an act of climatic arrangement, that forces even the most blase to tears of joy. The straight man performs every one of his duties with a quiet, finisht manner which shows that he Well knows his ability. The clown has the same mien to his work, but succeeds in advancing the most delightful form of pantomime comedy. His bear-like prance has by this time (Continued on page 52). in one with a popular number, goes | of the wizard’s latest invention. ‘the big audience at the Monday afternoon performance seemid to be somewhat pessimistic before the pictures were shown, and many subdued whispers from the wise ones led us to beiieve that the proposition might be a fliver. However, when in spot six, the kinetofone was exhibited to the pubiic in Chicago for the first time, the pessimists were rapidiy converted into the most optimistic optimists. The kinetofone embraces so many different fields and so many possibilities, that without a doubt, it is one of the most important inventions perfected in recent years in connection with moving pictures. As fervently and sincerely as many a Russian soldier bas raised his drachm of vodka to propose a toast to the fair Olga Petrova, so did we applaud and appreciate ber, when she returned to the Majestic this week after an absence of nearly a year. Miss Petrova played the Palace here last season, and to say that at the time she was a sensation, would be putting it mildly. Like Eva Tanguay, Olga Petrova is in a class alone. There is po one like her and the cleverest and most versatil impersonators shudder when they think of attempting to imitate her. Her extensiv vocal range is the wonuer of the American vaudevil stage, and her charming personality wins the hearts and entire audience. This week's bill is pleasing insomuch, is a strong feature from the The acts appearing “hands"’ of ber as it very beginning. in spots one, two and three more than make gova, and with Mar shall P. Wilder, who we shall call ‘‘the Mark Twain of vaudevil’’ in spot four, the early half of the bill is just as strong as the latter. Miss Percy Haswell & Co. appear in a late spot in the latter half of the bill, and assisted by Regan Hugheston, a clever young Irish legit, of some local fame, scores one of the heaviest hits of the bill. Miss Haswell, of course, is featured, but from the reviewer's standpoint, her lading man is a far better acwr. Mr. Hugheston might star in any Broadway production, if given the opportunity, and after the opening night, he would awaken to find his name well towards the top of the list of America’s great est actors. However, we do not mean to inter that Miss Haswell is a ‘‘fill-in.”’ Far from that. She} is a wonderful type, and delightful in her cenception of Master Savage. With the aforementioned acts, all worthy or the head-line position in any bill, and the acts. which surround them, this week's show at the Majestic is one of the best that the New Year has afforded. Following is a complete review of the acts, in the order in which they appeared on Monday afternoon, February 17: THE GYPSY QUEEN—Musical novelty; one lady; one gentleman; opening nine-act show; time, eleven minutes, in two; appearance, good costume, pleasing; reception, excellent, consid ering position in bill. This dainty and novel musical offering is away from the beaten track of musical acts, and would succeed very well in a later spot on the bill. Miss Irene Bercseny, the cymbal! virtuoso, is assisted by the violin soloist, Tosca. This cymba] instrument resembles a grand piano built in miniature, but instead of being played from a keyboard, is operated very much like a xylofone. Its soft, mellow notes are greatly enhanced by the violin obligatos, which are executed in a masterly fashion by Tosca. The lady of the act appears in a stunning evening gown, and toe gentleman is attired in eccentric costume, which must be the tribal dress of the gypsy. However, we shall not stand as an authority on this, as we have never seen anything like it before; Dut at any rate, it is novel, and conforms very well with the style of the offering. ETHEL McDONOUGH—Singing comedienne; second in nine-act show; time, twelve minutes, in one; appearance and costumes, pleasing; make-up, bad; reception, very good. Miss McDonough insists upon continuing with her vocal offering, and while she gets away with it very well as far as her audience is concerned, we should like her better as the Divine Myrma. Miss McDonough is a young woman of very pleasing appearance, which she hampers somewhat, with the too liberal application of black about the eyes. She sings with a decided effort, and one would think that immediately before appearing on the stage, she had been going thru rigorous gymnastics. Down in Dear Her songs, Kentucky Days, Old New Orleans, Chimpanzee and Take Me Back to the Swanee Shore are al! well fitted to her individual style and personality. Chimpanzee is a revival of the old monkey sone idea. for which the Frenk Clark Music Company of Chicago, is responsible, and is one < the best things in Miss McDonough’s offerng. (Continued on page 52). the box-office barometer to rise to a very gratifying height. The closing number «nt tbe entire audience home thoroly convinct that they had viewed a show that would long remain iu their memory. LES SILVAS—Ladder balancers; gentleman, boy and girl; first in five-act show; iime, twelve ~~ oe in full; appearance. good; received, go Chis act billed itself as the *‘Portugues? Firemen,"’ the main feature of which was balancing on an unsupported lad4_r. It served severa) thrills and feats of a diring nature, It was a well-chosen opening act, offering the proper suit of entertainment to the opening of «4 +p'en tia bill, Its meritorius points were well rewarded with applause. The lhicat-to-herd balaneing at the top of an unsudperts. ladder seemed exceptionally daring to the audience, The natty costumes lent an alded attractivness to the appearances, which receives ita reaet.cness from the fire trappings with which it made its entrance. FRANK ELMORE—Song and monolog, sreccnd in five-act show; ten minutes, in one; appearance very good; received, very well. Well-selected songs and appropriately chosen humor filled out ten minutes ef imusement furnish by Frank Elmore, fr. Elmore pre sents his material In a very convincing manner that puts it over the footlights im a forceful way and reaps for its author many rounds of applause. His dialog was velivered very well and contained a good deal cof humor. ECKERT AND BERG—One gentleman ana one lady; operatic sketch; third in five-act shew; time, twenty-two minutes, in iull: special seen. ery; appearance, very good; received, excellently. This Oriental vaudevi! operetta, to which has been given the name of Blossoms, te presented in two scenes, the first of which represents a wooded park and the second a Japanese villa Mr. Eckert rendered his songs In a splendid tenor, while Miss Berg’s soprano volce warbled over the footiights in a clear bell-like manner. She has splendid control of her vvoeal organs and they are shown to great advantage in tbis offering. Mr, Eckert’s renditions on the plane were highly entertaining. His varioas iImita tions of stringed instrumentg were perfectly given. This act is one of a highly entertaining character and was well worthy «f the profuse applause given it. REIF BROTHERS—Two gentlemen; singers and dancers; fourth in five-act show; ten minutes, in one; appeaTance very good; reception, excellent. The dancing of this duo was the main feature of their act Some clever foot work was done into which much comedy wag injected. Thetr get-away is very neatly and appropriately ar ranged, and is the cause of a numper of well deserved bows. The medley sung by these two during which they danced, was appreciated. WINDECKER THE GREAT—Fourteen gentlemen; travesty band; closing five-act show: fifteen minutes, in full; appearance, good; reception, excellent; one encore, Windecker_ in bis impersonations of the various famous band leaders, has given to vaudevil a very humorous act that serves to put an andi ence in good humor and acts well as a closing number on the bill. His finish, in which he, as Creatore, directs with such rapidity until his cymbal man falls dead, is received with much amusement and compels this clever enter tainer to give an encore. “PAN’’ HIPPODROME FOR MINNEAPOLIS. Chicago, Feb. 22 (Special to The Billboard). —The Pantages circuit of theaters will be more firmly intrencht in the middle west next season than ever before. There will be theaters in De troit, Chicago, Minneapolis, In addition to the present bookings which Include St. Louis, Loutsville and Davenport. Theodore Hays, of Minneapolis, was in Chi cago a few hours yesterday in consultation with J. C. Matthews regarding the Hippodrome in that city, which is expected to open in June. That house will play the Pantages shows Intact and in addition will present hipnedrome features. The seating capacity will be 3,800, The new Pantages house in Detroit will open in September and will be well located in the heart of the city. The new Linden Theater in Chicago will open August 1. In addition the new Pantages theater in Winnipeg will be ready next season. W. B. Law rence will manage this house Alexander Pantages is president of the company that will on erate the theater The new Pantages theater in Edmonton, Alta.. Can., is expected to open April 1. There was a fire next door to it and consequently some uneasiness lest the steel work had warped, but latest reports bring assurance that there will be no delay In the opening date on thie account. and received due applause. Review of the five acts in their origina) order of appearance on the evening of February 17, is given below: FREVOLI—Shadowgrafs; ene gentleman; opening five-act show; time, twelve minutes in one; appearance, good; reception, fair. This act depicted shadows or silhouttes formed with the aid of an apparatus for this purpose, assisted by the characteristic manipulation of Frevoli’s bands. A rabbit, a dog, a fox, a horse, and other animais were very cleverly reproduced, but Frevoli'’s attempts to {)lustrate more comprebensiv subjects, particularly Mutt and Jeff, the boy taking his first smoke and the result thereof, succeeded in provoking hearty laughter on the more juvenile part of the audience The latter mentioned subject was not in good taste, while the Bud Fisher creation more than fulfilled its purpose. The idea seemed to impress the audience as being something quite novel and unique, and Frevoli took one bow before retiring. HAGER & SULLIVAN—Delineators of song characterizations; two gentlemen; second in five-act show; time, eight minutes, in one; apPearance, good; reception, fair. These gentlemen style themselves Dynamic Delineators of Song Characterizations, and a}tho .wey divested themselves of a fund of ambition, their contribution at this week's show hardly warrants such florid qualincations. Their songs, That Orchestra Rag, and When We Were Kids, seemed new and pleasing to the audience, but their rendition suggested the need of further practice and the exertion of an effort in the direction of suitable gesticulation. Their gestures were of the hackneyea type and appeared amateurish, lacking the quality of originality. The gentleman, presiding at the plano as accompanist, insisted upon prompting nis partner with a view to injecting added stimulus to the act, but plain as this proffered assistance was to the audience, it evidently did not reach the gentleman for whom it was intended. Take our advice now, and let your partner help you out. Despite this, Hager and Sullivan were not permitted to retire without an encore and took one bow. C...S. BURKHART & CO.—Dramatic playlet; three gentlemen; third in five-act show; time, twenty minutes, in one; full stage; appearance, good; reception, good, The scene of this little playlet is laid at the noon hour in front of a partially constructed building, and the characters consist of an Irisb bricklayer, an Italian laborer, together witb a foreman. The Italian character is very cleverly delineated, and does its huge portion in putting across the little sketch which is entitled The Cheap Skate. The plot is centered about the Italian character, who seems not inclined to ‘‘mix’’ with the other men ‘‘on the job’’ and prove his generosity by buying. He engenders dislike for this indisposition to be one of the fellows and cone the name of The Chean Skate; hence the title. During the action of the sketch, it develops that the Italian retains a very good reason for his apparent closeness and explains in order to defend his position, what he has to contend with in caring for an invalid wife and a little girl. His fellow workers fee) guilty at this confession and show a decided willingness to receive him into their friendship and aid him if necessary in his dilemma. The performers responsible for the Irish character and the foreman took able care of the parts entrusted them. This was a act, and well earned its ovation. ED, LATELL—Musical dian; one gentleman; fourth in five-act show; time, nineteen minutes, in one; appearance. good; reception, good; two encores; two bows. Ed. Late!] proves the real attraction in this bill, and while his offering embodies no new departure from the musical comedy item, Mr. Latte] bas a certain ori inality and a manner which pleases his andience. He fille in the vacancies between bis musical numbers with original humor which takes well. Lattel performs on a musica! bell contrivance with some skill, at the same time, pulling off little stunts with a cap. whten he repeatedly tries to keep upon his head, and proceeds on his instrument without detriment to bis composition. THE GREAT ASAHI—Feats of magic and acrobatic stunts; five gentlemen and one lady; last in five-act show; appearance. goed; time, seventeen minutes. in one, full stage; reception, good; half dozen bows. This act embodied nothing strikingly new in the magic or acrobatic line, tho their efforts more certainly directed to an appreciativ aulence. (Continued on page 52)