The Billboard 1918-02-16: Vol 30 Iss 7 (1918-02-16)

‘The Billboard FEBRUARY 16, 1918 Keith’s, Cincinnati (Reviewed Sunday Evening, February 10) A wealth of novelty is contained in the bill Manager Ned Hastings is putting on this week. 3t could hardly be called a high-class bill, but its very difference is a treat. Little Billy took the headline honors, while Medlin, Watts and Townes and Beaumont and Arnold share second place. No. 1—Pictures. No. 2—La Graciosa is the graduated form of posing act, aided by the stereopticon. Chas. E. Burrell’s work with the light is especially commendable. The act is a gigantic affair, opening in one and working in half steps to full stage, showing a carload of ecenery, and then going into the posing, at which the lady Is very good. Twelve minutes to a nice reception. No. 3—A rather quaint offering is that of Gertrude Holmes and Robert Buchanan in their dainty rendition of the old folk songs that are gone, but not forgotten. They work for twelve minutes in one to excellent advantage, carrying off two bows. A later position on the bill would improve their reception, No, 4—Things had been moving pretty slow up to this point, so when Bertee Beaumont and Jack Arnold busted in on the audience's gentle reverie with their sassy little bit, The Sergeanteene, it was relished, even the old jokes sliding down like greased lightning. It's a nifty little novelty they have—while it burlesques a recruiting office it makes you laugh with them, not at them. It was a hit and took four bows, Sixteen minutes, in full, closing in one. N», 5—Shoes, Bayonne Whipple and Walter Huston’s subject, from the Shoeshop of Life, gives this clever couple a wide range for their comedy lines, pointed expressions and philosophy. It is a big act, with a lot of scenery and special music. ‘Nineteen minutes, in full. No, 6—Again as things were becoming placid, Medlin, Watts and Townes jumped in with all six feet and made short work of everything that looked like seriousness. George Watts especially billea all the gloom germs, and Matty Medlin and Sid Townes harmonized with their voices to beat the band. It was fast stuff all the way thru and took the only encore on the bill, which Watts said he would give them the next day. Thirteen minutes, in one; four bows and a promise. No, 7--Countess Leonardi’s little opera company was very much appreciated, but just why it is billed The Futuristic Revue is hard to discern. Every one of the company is excellent, but like the Irishman’s whisky, some are better than others, and we tuke our hat off to the Countess as a violinist and to Mme. C, Zagaschi. The balance of the company includes Mlle. E. DeDreux, Mlle. E. Navarry, L. Castiglio, L. Modena, 0, Valiante, R. Anselmi, M. Luiba ang D. Weidinger. Open with prelude in one, work in two and one, alternately, with beautiful special drops. Twenty-five minutes. No. &—Little Billy took the ere of the ladies immediately, but he had to prove his merit with the male section, which be did before he wound up his allotted fifteen minutes. Little Billy is a clever little artist and put his dog poem over with a touch of pathos that counted. Billy is a headliner without a doubt, Four bows and be could have had more. Special drops, in one and two. No. 9—The Miniature Revue. is another novelty that reflects much credit on its unprogrammed sponsors, It shows a miniature theater, with audience ang actors-on-a-string. While this type of show has been done before. there is a fine shading between the good and the bad, and that fine shading is readily appreciated in this novelty. It holds the audience until the last of its nine minutes. In full.—JED. Columbia, St. Louis (Reviewed Monday Matinee, February 11) St. Louis, Mo., Feb. 11.—Both a full house and a full bill were on hand this week for the Monday matinee show. It is an excellent show, full of good entertainment, which pleased from end to end. Trixie Friganza headbines, and is the hit. No. 1—Orpheum Travel Weekly. teen minutes, No. 2—The Five Nelsons, hoop jugglers and rollers, have a very pretty and skillful act, which pleased. Excellent stage equipment. Ten minutes, in full stage; one bow. No. 3—Homer Dickinson and Gracie Deagon, in a novelty chatter and song offering, worked up to a strong finish. Their work is clever, Runs fif their material good and they put it over with a punch that captured the house. Twenty minutes, in one and two; three bows, No, 4—Constance Crawley, in the sketch, The Actress and Critic. It is a splendid act and gives much opportunity for dramatic work, which Miss Crawley takes full advantage of. The lines are interesting, and held the house to the finish. Twenty-five minutes, in full stage; two calls. No. 5—Walter Brower, the jolly jester, is a riot of laughter, and a hit from start. Whether it is the light or the more sublime, he holds his audience—his work is deliberate, and has punch in every expression, Fifteen minutes, in one; three bows. No. 6—Pat Rooney and Marion Bent, with their song and dance act, pleased easily. They have the usual line, altho it is arranged differently, and it was new enough to keep the audience laughing continually. Their finish is Strong and grabbed a lot of applause. Twenty minutes, in two and one; two bows. No. T7—Jack Lavier, the flying monologist, made a hit with the effective manner in which he presented his stuff. Ten minutes, in full; two bows. No. 8—Trixie Friganza, in songs and sayings, is a hit from the start. Her closing is a scream and delighted the house. The Ten Eyeck and Weily dancers are a splendid additien to the number, and please every moment. The act was both the headliner and the Lit of the bill. Thirty minutes, in one and full: seven bows. No, 9—The Bert Hughes Comvanv, European novelty cyclists, play basket ball on wheels, which proved to be an excellent diversion and added to the interest thus aroused a good, strong finish, completing a good bill fittingly. Seven minutes, in full stage; one bow.—WILL. eShow your patriotiem by contributing to the American Red Cross Fund, Caste and Old John Reagan, in which Mr. Maude made many successful appearances abroad, but which have not yet been presented in this country. “REHEARSING” BILL Boston, Feb. 10.—If the legislature enacts a bill filed with it by Representative Lawrence F. Quigley of Chelsea, a woman employed as an actress shall not be required to rehearse more than eight hours in any twenty-four; to rehearse continuously more than four hours at a time; to rehearse more than two hours in a day when she takes part in two public performances, GUS HILL IN CINCINNATI Gus Hill, the well-known theatrical manager, who is financially interested in the International Circuit, the Columbla Amusement Co, and many theaters thruout the country, came to Cincinnati last Sunday to look over his minstrel show, Gus Hill's Big Minstrels, which opened a week's engagement Sunday night at the Lyric Theater. WANTS OLD WARDROBE Sergeant E. V. Balger of Battery C, Regiment 822, F. A., N. A., Camp Sherman, Ohio, known professionally as Charley Vermont, would appreciate old wardrobe, minstrel preferred, so that he can put on some acts at the cantonment. Paul and Pauline Vaudevile Oddity Direction: Ze LEW. CANTOR PAUL PEDRINI’S BABOONS PASTIMES ON A BATTLESHIP SKIPPERS, SCH ALMAN BROS. Vermont, previous to joining the colors, was with Al G. Field’s minstrels. PRIMROSE BENSON DESTITUTE Chicago, Feb. 9.—Primrose Benson, who was well known to the vaudeville and legitimate stage of a few years ago, is destitute and confined with locomotor ataxia in her Chicago home, 723 W. Madison street. Her aged mother (Aggie La Varnie), who formerly lived with her, is now Peo ooee: THIS MAKES ASSURANCE DOUBLY SURE DIRECTOR GENERAL OF RAILROADS, Interstate Commerce Building, My Dear Congressman: With reference to your letter of the 23d instant addressed to the Director General of Railroads regarding the general policy of the Director General toward the conduct of State exhibits from one fair to ariother, I am authorized by the Director Gencral to advise you and all others concerned that in his judgment it will be entirely proper for the managers of these various State fairs to proceed with the plans for the holding of their fairs this year. The Director General does not intend or desire to interfere with the pursuits or pleasures of the people of the country, and shipments of live stock and of other exhibits to the various State fairs will be made as promptly and speedily as possible, always, of course, provided such shipments do not interfere with the transportation of troops or of supplies for the Army and Navy. Hon. Jouett Shouse, U. S. House of Representatives. 0244444446.4 6.646666 6 tst>t>tp 44444444 i i i i i Washington, February 1, 1918. fairs and the shipment of live stock Cordially yours, OSCAR A. PEICE, Private Secretary. i i MORGAN WALLACE Will Produce Gee Whiz Sioux City, Ia., Feb. 9.—Morgan Wallace will soon produce with his stock company at the Grand Theater a new comedy by Fred V. Greene, Jr., entitled Gee Whiz. It is a dramatization of Ralph E. Mooney’s story, Something Is Going To Happen. CORT BOX-OFFICE ROBBED Chicago, Feb. 9.—The box-office of the Cort Theater was robbed last Tuesday night, most of the proceeds of the performance having been taken. The management made extraordinary efforts to keep the matter secret, as it was believed that some attache of the theater might have had something to do with the theft and detectives were called in to “‘spot’’ the staff. ELLEN TERRY BOYLE TO WED Columbus, O., Feb. 9.—Miss Ellen Terry Boyle, a Columbus girl, who has a part in the musical comedy, The Reckless Eve, at Keith’s, has announced that she is engaged to a young army officer, Lieut. Deger, who is now stationed at Camp Sherman. BARNEY FAGIN ILL New York, Feb. 9.—Barney Fagin, famous as a minstrel man and dancer, is ill, tho not seriously, at Knickerbocker, Hospital. Mr. Fagin recently has been ap i ing at Healy’s. MAUDE’S TWO NEW PLAYS Los Angeles, Feb. 9.—Oyril Maude, who is playing Grumpy down the Pacific Coast, onnounces that he will produce two-mew plays tn | Los Angeles, The promised productions are at the Cook County Hospital bedridden with poeumonia, Both are in great want and would appreciate hearing from their friends. NO CABARETS IN PATERSON Paterson, N. J., Feb. 9.—The cabaret form of entertainment, which has been offered in this city for the last ten years, has been discontinued. The decision to stop offering such entertainment in this city was the joint volunteer action on the part of the owners or proprietors, VAUDEVILLE NOTES J. C. Nugent, the actor-author, who ds just beginning another vaudeville tour in his playlet, The Squarer, has completed a play, The Cynic, which he expects to offer early next season, Mr. Nugent has written numerous vaudeville playlets and claims to be the originator of the two-people sketch. His writings have always had a cynic touch, so, if the title of his new play means anything he is treading on familiar ground. Faith Haas, sister of Manager Jay Haas of the Orpheum, Seattle, left the Puget Sound metropolis Saturday, February 2, for New York City, golmg via California. Mis Haas will take vocal instructions under the supervision of her aunt, who is principal soloist in one of the largest Jewish synagogs in the United States, Her mother, Mrs. Ida L. Haas, accompanied her on the trip. Frank Stanley of Stanley and Gould is making a tour of the Pacific Coast for the first time since playing Westward over the old Sullivan & Considine Circuit in 1915. He re-entered vaudeville only recently, after playing with burlesque organizations for two or three seasons, C. EB, Heath, Ted Ulimark ‘and Roy Ross have formed’ a trio and are playing the Fisher Circuit in the Northwest. —— _— -— MAKE YOUR ANG aN SEND US YOUR BES® PHOTO witH.$4.75 AND RECEIVE A PERFECT CUT °¥ YOURSELF TO USE FOR LETTERHEADS~PROGRAMS ETC. QUICK: DELIVERY FREUD ENGRAVING CO. 61 BEEKMAN ST. NEW YORK JACK WYATT HIS SCOTCH LADS AND LASSIES The best in the kilts. If you don’t believe it ask Arthur Girard, of eles. BOO FOBBVER. . Direction FRANK EVANS. 35c Pays for FUNNYBONE’ NO. 6, containing an unusually choice selection of sure-fire mono logues, sketches, parodies, gags, minstre! first-parts, or $1.50 for complete set of FUNNYRBONE (6 ene single back ts sues, 25¢ each. PUBLISHING CO., 1052 Third Avenue, New York. JACK STONE WRITES Wants Show Material for Ship Program New York, Feb. 9.—Jack Stone writes the following interesting letter and asks The Billboard readers to help bim with show material for programs he is arranging for his mates on board the U. S. 8. Old Colony: On board U. 8. 8. Old Colony, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Jan, 23, 1018. The Billboard Publishing Company, New York, N. Y.: Gentlemen—I thought you would be interested in getting a word from one of the profession now in the service of Uncle Sam. You folks back in the States no doubt have Tead about the Halifax explosion, but can never conceive the dwful disaster it was by reading about it. After the explosion we found it hart to get a copy of dear old Billyboy, but get them now, altho a week or two late. This ship was slightly damaged in the exPlosion and is now undergoing repairs, ‘On board we run an entertainment every week for the boys, that is, another past member of the profession (no, he was not a White Rat just because d@ xay past member) and myself. If by chance you could find room enongh to publish this in (Rillyboy some of my dear friends in “show worldom’’ may see fit to send on any “extras’’ that they may have, such as sidewalk conversations, parodies and monologs, in fact anything that would go good with the boys. We find it hard to give them something different or new every week, and hope that thru your much-read paper some of the profession would come thru and do their bit this way if nothing more. Trusting you will see fit to publish this <o that it can be read by many, and which: will, 1° doubt, bring results, I am, Admiringly yours, A. J. McLELLAN (“Jack Stone’’). IDKEI COUPON AND STRIP There Is but One BEST—Those Made by WELDON, WILLIAMS & LICK FORT SMITH, ARKANSAS