The Billboard 1925-01-03: Vol 37 Iss 1 (1925-01-03)

@Nee@e: Oat JANUARY 3, 1923 New Turns and Returns (Continued from page 21) hich the girl makes her exit Another is the disappearing bowl], which Lester causes to vank h by dropping a eloth ver it. The illusion is quite legittntil the girl walks off showing the w exposure mate U pnd receptacle attached to a tray to the aujen ~_ r a finish Lester does a tight-rope stunt Without a balancing fan he place> a cha on the slack wire upon which he rests with apparent comfort. With the fa cane he raises another chair, a aol and a dummy to his level. Glass iars of water and what looks like wine are then placed upon the table. With : nanicd ventriloquism Lester, supposedly confronted by a revenue officer, proceeds to change the contraband stuff into water. Lester works hard and fast in t ourse of his many tricks, and all to good results. G. B. Johnny Hudgins and Club Alabam Orchestra Reviewed Wednesdcy matinee, December 24, at Loew's State Theater, New York. Style—Jazz band tvith dancing feature. Setting—Full_ stage. Time— Twenty-five minutes, Sam Wooding'’s Club Alabam Orchesra is far and away the hottest and jazziest combination of colored musicians the writer hasq@een in many a day. With Johnny Hudgins, dancer extraordinaire, as the feature attraction, the act possesses all the elements of real solid entertainment T) band starts the proceedings with a bras interpretation of Limehouse Blues, the number being repeated several times, but with varying tempo. Quite effective is the lively staccato movement which brings om Hudgins and his own cornet player. Garbed in comedy evening clothes. high hat and over-size shoes, Hudgins gives the impression of dancing on a glazed floor, at the same time glued to one spot. He does a one-foot slide, forward and backward, to a big hand. The band then renders Dance, Jenny, Dance, to the fast, nifty winging of the banjo player, some neat and faucy work on the drums and the plaintive sounds of the clarinet. Hudgins enters with a battered straw kelly and with an imaginary partner he does a comedy waltz. Quite novel is his silent rendering of a patter song, during which the only sounds are heard from the talking and laughing cornet. A hokum Egyptian dance is anmher laughing hit. as well as the Iiman porter number. Among other things Hudgins is a first-rate pantomimist Quite remarkable is the uniform playing of the orchestra without the aid of a conductor. At least that is the effect Sam Wooding’s outfit leaves behind. . Carlisle and La Mal Peviewed Wednesday matinee, December 24, at Loew’s State Theater, New York. Style—Song and chatter. Setting—In two. Time—Fifteen minutes. Carlisle and La Mal present a comedy skit replete with repartee that is bright and humorous. Most of the lauchs, and there is cause for quite a number, are chiefly due to the efforts of the woman in the act. The scene opens in a summer training camp of a champion — oarsman. Strangely enough the varsity stroke is attempting to conquer the first lessons on the saxophone when he ts confronted by a lady reporter, who proceeds to interview him. She huris a bunch of nifty questions, personal in their character, that would justly lead anyone to Show the lady the door, and that without any display of galjantry. To the question, “Do you know Poe’s Raven?”, the answer, “What's he mad about?”, was wholly unexpected, for up to this point the comedy was good While the champ ts changing to his rowing trunks the woman Sings a number which is a conglomeration of popular airs and oneratic selections. Having secured a photograph she departs while the man goes back to the intricacies of the saxophone. G. B. William ‘Courtleigh In “THE GOOD PROVIDER" By Elaine Sterne Staged by Edwin Burke CAST OF CHARACTERS Merrill (the Daughter)...... Taree devs attire tttets Miriam Hicks James (the Butler) ....Willlam Friend Dixie Clifford Winston (a Friend of Einieed cua, ...James Neill,’ Jr. Samuel Merrill (the Father)...... 12° hos eesseseewces William Courtleigh Lucia Merrill (the Mother)........ » -Secetteseehees Constance Beaumar Scene: Library of the Merrill Home Time: About Seven o’Clock of a Winter Evening Rewewed Monday matinee, at the Palace Theater, Nao York, Style—Dramatic plaulet, Settina—Interior, full stage. Time—Twenty-three minutes. t) This playlet was se« Inst gsenson on Ie Orpheum Time asgdone by Elliot JeXter and {ft appears that the vehicle 's intended as a “name” attraction. How ver. it provides fairly good entertainment, from a sentimental point of view, ane While tt Ay need a name for the Ne tin S the eketch no doubt with d do just well at smaller houses vid ‘out a legitiMmate star to carry It. Proded, of course, that It is well acted. 4) athe) CA ee The Billboard In the playlet Courtleigh is head of an ungrateful family, for whom he has generously provided He comes to the realization one evening while they are all out that it is his J0th birthday and the family hasn't even thought of it, or honored him by taking dinner at home. The butler, played by William Friend, is the medium thru which Mr. Merrill (Courtleigh) learns that it is his birthday. Subsequently Mr. Merrill passes thru a period of illusion and pretends that his family is at table with him. The butler is horrified and fears for his master’s mind. Unknown to Merrill he calls up the rest of the family and they arrive in time to really have dinner with the -one whom they had regarded merely as a good provider. William Friend as the butler does a fine bit ‘of characterization. Courtleigh’s role is more or less limited as to dramatic fare, and for a time it appeared as tho the big part was that of the butler. No small measure of the playlet’s success is due to Friend's excellent work. of the cast was adequate me Pay H. S. George Hanneford Reviewed Thursday ber 25, ct Proctor’s 58th Street Theater. Style—Equestrian, Se ting—Full stage. Time—T wenty-five minutes, George Hanneford’s work in this circus ring and equestrian act bears such evening, Decem The rest” wheel tiny racing car, loops the loop inside the circle until he has his audience almost at the point of dizziness, and concludes the work when a part of the circle collapses and car and driver are hurled into a convenient basket. After viewing the performance one can only agree that the device has been fittingly named. The trials thus far, having resulted in no mishap, proved so interesting and unusually spectacular as to attract a number of bidders for the stunt as a headline act for some of America’s leading vaudeville cir¢uits. The tiny car must travel at least 25 miles an hour in order to loop the loop. It makes one revolution in 11-5 seconds, the inside diameter of the track being 18 feet. Vhen the driver is ready to stop he manipulates a lever on the racing car, which permits a part of the circular track to collapse, the car and driver being hurled thru this open space to the basket. he arrow shows the point where the track breaks, permitting the car to leave the track and traveling in the opposite direction to which the arrow peints. The basket ts placed out of sight of the auditors and gives them the impression that the driver and car is hurled into space. When starting the racing car the cire cular track rolls in the opposite direction , to the car, this being caused by the weight of the car going up the curve, but before the driver leaves it the track is locked. THE SQUIRREL CAGE —= Just another step in the search for thrilling novelties. This remarkable photograph, taken by instantaneous flash, shows the racing car and driver at the top of the Squirrel Cage (described elsewhere on this page). equipped with a 15-horse-power motot, The car is marked resemblance to that of his brother, the famed “Poodles” Hanneford, that fine comb and microscope would be necessary to detect a difference. Brother George does everything in exactly the manner of the better known “Poodles,” even to the strange guttural sounds that come with his ludicrous falls. The red wig is there, also the eccentric clothes and the bump on the leg. Hanneford werks with four people and uses five horses. The act suffers when compared with its original circus presentation, as the stage does not permit of the required space for the horses to pace the circle, nor for the actors to go thru their various stunts. Because of this handicap both horses and performers seem to be more or less in each other’s way. The -production, however, is good entertainment. G. B Squirrel Cage Thrills The Squirrel Cage is the name applied to the latest device for producing auto Produces Automotive motive thrills—a huge circular track built of steel and revolving within another track on ball bearings. Unlike ordinary tracks, this one lies not flat on the ground but stands upright in the air. That's where the thrills come in. The thrill artiste, seated in a foure New Houses for Belmont New York, Dec. 29.—Frank Belmont, of the Walter J. Plimmer Agency, has added the following houses to his books: McKinley Square, Mt. Morris and Frigazy theaters, New York; Cooper’s Theater, Long Island City, L. I.; Broadway Theater, Astoria, L. I.; Rivoli Theater, West New York, N. J.; Park Theater, Nutley, N. J.; Lodi Theater, Lodi, N. J.; Graad Theater, Kearney, N. J.; Arlington Theater, Arlington, N. J., and the Auditorium Theater, Haverstraw, N. Y. Florice Claire in New Act New York, Dec. 29.—Florice Claire and the Charleston Five, the latter a band contingent, opened the first half last week at the Greenpoint Theater, Brooklyn, to break in, the offering being a new one. The act will be seen in New York houses.in a few weeks. Yates Producing New Revue New York, Dec. 29.—Johnny Muldoon and Pearl Franklin, formerly with George Cohan's musical, The Rise of Rosie O'Reilly, and Saranoff, violinist, are to be featured in a new revue in three scenes, now in preparation by Irving Yates. Theodore Kahn is making the scenery for the production. 23 Tieman Band in East New York, Dec. 29.—Tad Tieman’s Collegians, a band of eight pieces, augmented with “Pinky” Dees and Elton Helfrich, specialty performers, recently opened on the Keith Time in the East, making their first appearance in this territory. The offering hai's from Cincinnati and Ras worked in vaudeville in the South and Middle West for more than a year. Rhoder and Brochelle Back New York, Dec. 29.—The team of Rhoder and Brochelle, which does a musical, dancing and comedy act, is back in New York after having completed a tour of the Loew Circuit. A return engagement for the act is pending, it is reported. Burns and Kissen Return New York, Dec. 27.—Burns and Kissen returned to vaudeville this week, appearing at Proctor’s Twenty-Third Street the first half. They are doing their two acts, the first called Stromberry Pie, and the second, Barbarism, the latter being a burlesque on The Barber of Seville. Snowbound, Cancel Date New York, Dec. 29.—William Meehan and his dogs were unable to open in New York last week for Dan Simmons, who books the Moss houses, due to being snowbound at Meehan’s home, ‘Melrose, N. Y., where a terrific snow ‘and sleet storm raged. Three Golfers Return New York, Dec. 29.—The Three Golfers, who present Putting a Comedy Novelty Over, returned to the Keith Time this week at the State Theater, Washington, Pa. Louis Spielman books the act. 4oDaus S rj = 3 oa e Mi Y) SS — “SturdiBag” Reg. U. S. Pat, Office Built to fast a life-time. Choice outer surface of hide— not >, — leather. Beauful natu “grain.” Tough and suppie, Hand «sewed lock-stitched frame. Always holds shape. Handles CAN'T pull loose, SOLID brass locks, catcl#es and feet. IT ocomy pocket for papers; four other fnoisture-proof pockets, WASHABLE lining. Length, 18 inches Oversize (20 inches over-all) —your shirts He flat. Light in weight. Two handsome colors: ar Mahogany Brown, or Deep Fich Black. No wonder purchasers say it's worth much $1475 more than our low introductory price of Order today, enclosing $5, and pay postman balance when he delivers bag. Use bag 10 days, Thea, if ycu are not delighted with your bargain eend it back. We'll refund every cent. Others Say: “Best I ever saw for the money." “Shows no sign of wear after 6 months." fect satisfaction on an 8,000-mile trip.” ““C arried it a year and like it better than ever.” “$6 under anything like it.” (Names on request.) FREE GOLD-PLATED AUTCSTROP SAFETY RAZOR OUTFIT if your coupon its mailed before February 1. And the I’azor Set is yours whether you keep the “SturdiBag’’ or not. Direct Method Co., 200 Liberty Street, Warren, Pa. Mail this Coupon Today -—= DIRECT METHOD CO., WARREN, PA. Enclosed find $5. Send “SturdiBag’’ by prepaid parcel post, with FREE AutoStrop Outfit. I'l pay stman $9.75 on receipt of bag. Unless delighted, I'll return bag in 10 days at your expense, ang you will refund my $14.75 at once. Which color? .. Mahogany Brown —. Deef Black Nome... ahDonasnns Street Address. ancisememenate — a Cty and State__._._..— — --———— M25_| WANTED Acts, Tabs., Road Shows and clean Freak VaudeVille. Send in your open time and photos. WM. J. BATTYE, Suite 293, 209 EH Federal Street, Youngstown, Obio. ? WILL BUY ASBESTOS CURTAIN Hea bocks and Shives and . Foot!ight_ and Border lights. a's. STRAND THEATRE, Ni arcer s ate full pastic agata Falls, New York. ACTS written to order H. P. HALBRAN, 530 First Avenue, Olean, N. Y¥. Eure omg ue. a { ' : ; ' : :