Variety (Apr 1907)

i6 VARIETY A RURAL BALLAD HIT it Don't Leave the Old Folks, Jennie'' THE KIND THE AUDIENCE ENJOYS HEARING LEO FEIST, Publisher Ijancaster. illustrated bullatllst, completed the program. LYCEUM (\v. ii. Weber, mgr.). Week I: A rapidly Increasing patronage, gradually reaching capacity, testifies to the management's good judg incut In substituting a vaudeville olio in the place of the condensed dramas. In this section of the bill The Musiciil Spraguellos loom up the Htrongcst. The excellence of their Instruments 1m noticeable, and their rendering of well-selected numbers good. '1'ie male member la well adapted u> blackface 'jomedy, which he dOM not use to the extent his ability in this line would Justify. Walter Terry, talking comedian, delivers his goods in a somewhat Bobby Uaylor fashion. The assortment is rather shopworn and the pathetic recitation with whlc^ be closes seemed out of place. Something humor- ous would tit better. Housell, gymnast, and Charles Browning, balladlst, finished the olio. The Golden Gate Quartet showed at the opening per- formances, but were closed enrly In the week. The old reliable Dutch Justice se red as the foundation for a fair burlesque offering. As the new Judge Herb Bell was in Ids element and Bernard gave a laugh-winning conception of the Lawyer Bauin. Some good chorus numbers are introduced, but sandwiched in without reason for their appearance. EMPIRE (Win. Weston, mgr.).-Week 1: The James Post company made a bid for public favor with a musical farce "The Village Maker," that afforded equal opportunity for Post In the comedy role, and Conlon, Carter and Ives in the supporting characters. The usual musical numbers were intro- duced. In the olio James Devlin nappeais after a two years' absence. As a ventriloquist he took well, but it Is as a mimic that he shines brightest. Weaver and lumbert, travesty artists; The Berts- steins, dancers, and Esco Ives, illustrated balladlst, complete the bill. MISSION (E. Fried, mgr.).—Week 1: The Chas. Oro company produced a farce comedy effort. "Brought Back to Life." "Mrs. Clancy's Washday" was the Bothwell Browne "Gaiety Girls" offering. NOTES.—Dick Mack, after waiting to meet his brother, of the team of Ferguson and Mack, wiiom he had not seen for several years, left for Los Angeles to open on the Sullivan Considiue Circuit.— Mr. and Mrs. Bernard retire from the Lyceum Stock, to spend the warm weather at their country home In the northern part of the State. Chas. Oro and company will replace them at the Lyceum. A new farce comedy company will l»e formed to fill Notice to Managers and Artists The one act farce oomedy, "A STRIKING RE- SEMBLANCE," written by Ed Welch of the Two Welohs, was purchased by FRANK MURPHY of Murphy and Magee, in 1886. Copyrighted and protected by law. It will be produced with Will- iams' "IMPERIALS" next season. Orpheum Theatre OMAHA, NE5. "There is a lot of good things at the Orpheum this week and in fact nearly every number on the program is deserving of favorable comment, but FRANK BYRON as the "dude detective" just about takes the cake, the pie and the whole bakery as a funny man. HE IS THE MOST ORIGINAL, UNIQUE AND AB8URD COMEDIAN .nat has fooled away a half an hour on the Orpheum stage this season. Byron really doesn't di very much except to look silly, talk silly and act silly, but his audience is in an uproar all the time. His song about being a hero is great. That's the one word to express If. MI88 LANG- DON, his partner, wears a stunning gown." — World-Herald. April 8. ibe void left In the Mis-Ion by the departure of ihe oros. Mr. and Mrs. Jack Gordon's new act, A V, 0, 1>. Baron." received Its Initial trial at the Novelty, Vallejo. and froiu all reports proved successful.—Pop Furst, the originator of the con Urinous theatres on the Coast, made another try at the Park. Alameda. A week was sufficient to sat- isfy him. Fred Ijincasler. who. It was reported, would double with Dick Mack In play dates, still leinaius in Stork ut the Wigwam. Tony l.ul>elski and Sam Harris, of the Wigwam, have isiuglit con- trol. Ihk Interest In three of Henry Luttelski's Colorado houses, names not given. BOSTON By ERNEST L. WAITT. Variety Office. 27SA Tremout St. It will be another week before Manager MeCarty ■ •I the Host on Theatre will know Just where he is at regarding plans for turning his house iuto a vaudeville theatre next season. It will require BOOM time to redecorate und li\ up the big bouse, (oit there is every indication tli.it on or before Labor Day vaudeville will be in full swing there. Vesta Victoria has a rival for first place this week at Keith's, in Harry Tighe and his col- legians -"Those Happy College Days," written by c. II. trailer. This farce Is easily the best thing of Its kind that Keith has given us In years. It is out of the ordinary, has plenty of laughs and moves with snap ami vim. Miss Victoria, of course, is "the goods." She has recovered from her cold and goes even better than last week. TWO other acts are near the top of the list—Fred l/cnox and his company in a George Ade sketch, "On His Uppers." well played and goe* well, and Mary Norman, who depicts the various types of American girls. The one representing the Boston girl received u good hand. Lillian Ashley does a chllil impersonation that deserves and gets encores, other acts on the bill are William La Belle, eccen- tric juggler; Kelly and Kent, who have a good line of talk, but deliver It in too stagey a fashion: Wilton Brothers, the very best bar act ever seen here, this team deserve good position everywhere, for their act Is clean and is one of the few such acts that women like. Inman, the contortionist: Seymour's comedy dogs; the Three Dumonds, one of whom Is very suggestive of Anna Held; the Valveno Brothers, gymnasts; Burt and Bertha Grant, ragtltners. George Evans beads at the Orpheum, with much the same line of talk that he gave recently at Keith's. He goes well, as lie always does here. 'Hie Eight Vassar Girls, well known here, wear well, and Jessica Cree with her whistling, ami Mile. Monette, the violinist, get a great reception. A novelty In Boston Is Chlnko, the yonthful Eu- ropean juggler. In Eton Jacket and top hat. He h*>ks like a boy of 1ft, bnt does a fine act. Minnie Kaufman appears alone on a bicycle and takes with the crowd. Here Is an act showing the value of personality beside dexterity. She has both. Clarice Vance returns with her Southern songs, which are particularly pleasing. Every word Is easily heard, so perfect Is her enunciation. Thou- sands of artists might learn a good and much needed lefson In this valuable adjunct from hear- ing Miss Vance. The Haywards-Conroy company in "The King of Blackwells" are the feature of the first part, their two-scene sketch being very funny and well produced. Oallando, the clay moulder: Mr. and Mrs. Mark Murphy In "The Coal Strike," and Raymond and Caverly in "grand opera." complete the bill. Business at the Or- pheum is picking up slowly but snrelv. George P. Alexander and the "Star Show Girls" are the whole thing at the Howard this week. George is a great favorite in Boston. So are the Show Girls, who put on "Dopey Dan" and a good olio. The Howard's own vaudeville show Is par- ticularly good this week. It Includes Ruth Gar- nold and May Madcap, two bright steppers who can sing well; Burke and Dempsey In a talkfest: the Madison Brothers, who put on the gloves; Kittle Stevens, character dancer, who gets the crowd going while she changes her clothes seven times during her act of eleven minutes; Denton and Scott, wizards with the tongue; Benette In his mid-air stunts; George Foster, a blackface singer, and Wm. H. M. Smith In a lively skit. The "Champagne Girls" are booked for next week. Business Is excellent, with lots of stand-ups. Bob Manchester's "Crackerjacks." headed by Bob Van Osten. whose duck nose Is as familiar In town as Is Governor Guild's chest, are at the Palace this week. They are putting on "The Society Whirl In Cnpldsvllle" and "Nature in Marble Halls." with an olio comprising Ruby Le- onl. a shapelv singer: Delia Fay telle, who warbles Well; Walsh and Maltland, comlqnes; Eckel and Warner. German comedians, and the Millard Brothers, with their dog, in a really clever bicycle stunt. Charlie Waldron nlso elves his patrons their money's worjh this week In his own olio, which Includes Baker and Mack, acrobats; Leonard and Tester, comedians; Kit Carson, the shoot 1st: the Emerald Comedy Four, and J. W\ McCann. il- lustrated songs. A constant patron of the Palace was overheard to say this week that the shows since the first of March have been better than ever before. He was not far wrong. "Rod Raven Cadets" are the candy at the Co- lumbia this week, being the chief feature of the "Hleh School Girls" company. They do a re- markably smooth gun drill to great applause. Lllla Brennan heads the singers, nnd Hilda Carle the "Ravens." Kennedy. Evans and Kennedv in "Wall Street"; Wlllard and Hughes in a clever character sketch, and Howard and I<ewls In a song and talking skit, make up the olio. The entire company creates a very good Impression In the two farces. "Mixtures" and "Cnpld In the Philippines." Wrestling on Tuesday nights and the Amateurs on Friday night have done much toward increasing the box office receipts at this house. Belle Wilton. Anna Arllne. Ernest Shaw, Fred Reed and Curtis Jones are the ringleaders in a carnival of fun at the Lyceum, heading the "Van- Itv Fair" show In "On the Fall River Line" and "Our Georgia Rose." Hie olio Is the best part of the hill, however. Miss Arllne wakes 'em up with n really good singing turn; Belle Wilton and Jessie Sharp do a flower act; Smith and Baker hate n ri.pld fire comedy act: while The Wang- doodle Four, colored, have n clean and finished set. Bamold's dogs and monkeys do a lot of novel things. The show In Its entirety is good, much better than many this house has put on this season. The Swedish Symphony orchestra Is still the feature In Austin & Stone's curio hall. Most of the bill is "hold-over," Including Fielding, the man tish: the S'uakerliios and Topp's band. In the theatre the features are George Whalen, Bert Shader. Haley and llartv. ami the l.emotiella Trio In pantomime. ••The Minstrel Maids" have some new ideas tills week. The Theatre Premiere enters upon the second week of Its existence with an excellent dlcutelle already established, and business good all day long. "Daniel Boone" is the popular film this week, with "The Tramp's Dream" a close second. The managers have got to make a change, how- ever. In their women singers if tiie.v wish to at- tract people, for at least one of them Is almost unbearable with her sloppy enunciation and her affectation. "Th< Attack On The Agent*'? :>» Irish eviction scene, is high card at the Theatre Combine, fol- lowed by "The Lucky Necklace" and "The Hand of the Artist." the latter a genuine novelty In moving pictures. The Lyric makes a great lilt with Its trick pic- tures. This week they put up "Bobby's Ma I loon," "The Spy." "Taking Pictures" and the Animals In Central Park" are others. The Lyric changes Its pictures every three days, which seems to be a good move, for business Is excellent here. Wnx figures are Incoming popular here in Bos- ton. It seems, for the Eden Musee Is drawing a bigger business each week. The ladies' reception room Is a good feature. PHILADELPHIA. By GEORGE M. YOUNG. KEITH'S (11. T. Jordan, mgr. Monday re hearsal 9).—With few exceptions the new ofTcr lugs In this week's bill are confined to the un- important acts, and while the bill almost in its entirety la familiar there Is plenty of tone to it aud quite up to the standard. Marie Dressier, buxom aud buoyant as when she was first seen in vaudeville here, appeared after an •■forced Mb seme. The attack of sore throat did not affect her vocal chords or any extent, Judging by the chances she took In several songs. Her entire act went with one wild hurrah. John C. Rice and Sally Cohen ran a close second in popularity and Miss Cohen was on even terms so far as floral presents were concerned at the opening show. Tim McMahon played a repeater with his "Mln- stiel Maids," ami the little misses received their share of the honors. The girls work together and sing well. Several of the "Maids" live here and the "local color" added to the success. McMahon and Chapelle followed the act and got away with ■ mixture of quiet "gagging" and dancing In fine style. For three shows Sydney Grant was work- ing two ends of the bill. He appeared In his usual style of monologue, with a new suit added to the act. He has cut out some singing, probably because he tried It earlier in helping out Zay Hol- land from the first entrance. Miss Holland needed no help to make good for she can sing well enough alone and plays the violin well also. Mr. Grant also acted as manager, and as property man In the doll number. As the former he attempted to dictate when Miss Holland should appear, with the result that she failed to appear at all after Tuesday. Rafayette'8 acrobatic dogs, seen for the first time, received deserved recognition, and Del- more and Oneida In their perch act repeated. The woman is a good performer for one so heavy and the understander earns his share of the honors. The Pekln Zouaves closed the bill with their drilling and wall scaling, which met with ap- proval. There was not much merit to the early numbers, Hodges and Lauohmere being the best of the lot. Bon Morse was new, offering a comedy cycling act, which was ordinary, while Harrington and Lester In a musical specialty, and the Slddon Brothers, both new, were hardly that. Gardner and Maddern offered a worn-out subject, "Too Many Darlings," and made It worse bv poor ren- dition. TROCADERO (Fred. Wlllson. mgr.).—Slapstick comedy of the trashiest variety predominates In the bill offered by the companv under the title of "Pat White and His Gaiety Girls." This com- pany, or at least most of It. played an engage- ment here earlier in the season under the name of the "London Gaiety Girls," with Cliff Grant as principal comedian. Pat White now assumes the responsibility of IsMng the chief entertainer ami loses whatever credit that might be due him by indulging In rough-house tactics. Brent] ami water appear to be the principal assets to White's stock in trade and at times Rene Washburn would be more appropriately costumed In a rain coat than In her stage costume. It Is difficult to say which Is the more tiresome. "Casey's Vacation" or "Skid-Do-Do-O." the last Is more appropriately named. There are bnt few even fair looking irirls In the chorus and most of them add to the lack of attractiveness by poor make-up and care- lessness In dressing. One chubby-faced girl had cnouch cosmetic on her eyes to have supplied the entire company. Probably some of It could not find room on her face for her partner in the pink tlress had a large blotch on her garment. The chorus was poorly drilled. What merit there Is to the show belongs to the olio numbers. Amos miens with some fair juggling, using tricks which have long since been discarded by others of his class. The Velde Trio has what might be a good act If pioperly dressed and arranged. Oiu of the women Is a good contortionist. Oscar T^ewis and Sam Green retain most all of their familiar offering. Lewis still working from the audience. Rene Washburn and Belle Austin do pretty well with a "sister act." The Three Deltons have first rate acrobatics, and the Musical Bells close with their strong number. These men play un- usually well on the string chimes. CASINO (Ellas and Koenlg. mgrs.).—Changed but little from Its make-up during an earlier visit to this city this season. Charles H. Waldron's "Trocadero Burlesquers" enjoyed a good week's business here and pleased the patrons with "The Misfit Family" and "Fun at Hotel Astorbllt." Neither Is" overburdened with new material and there Is ample of the slapstick comedy, especially in the closing number in which bundles are thrown about In reckless fashion. The show Is well sup- plied with comedians, Al Patterson. West and EVERYBODY SAYS IT! SAYS WHAT? WHY "I'M SURPRISED" Now We Want You to "SING" it. Using Bert J. Woods' Big Instantaneous Hit. AND, BY THE WAY, The PEE WEES Kenneth J. Casey and Baby Bethel aie certainly getting the big noise with that great, little flirtation song, "I'd Like to Hope With You'' H. J. WOOD CO 48 W. 28th St. Is the House With the Goods. • Williams antl two or three others laboring Indus triously to please. Anna Hill and Mue Tayha have the principal roles ami there is a lively chorus to help out. Mae Taylor, Stlrk and Lou dan, West and Williams, the Musical Cralgs and the Wilsons make up the olio. BIJOU (W. V. Jennings, mgr.).—Campbell's "Nightingales" are back again and the show is weaker than ever. Bichle Craig is out of the cast and what Is left of the two burlesques "Hello" and "College Life" is given In a slip shod careless manner without any merit at all. Those who have been intrusted with the lines and numbers ren dered by former members of the company did not appear to know what to say or sing aud did not seem to care. Camille Roberts, Barlow and Dar- ling, Yorke Comedy Four and Corbley and Conley now make up the olio. LYCEUM tJ. G. JermiKi. mgr.).—"The World Beaters" presented "Caught at Last" and "Ihe Isle of Kubberuecks" whlcb were seen at the Casino earlier In the season. Bohaimon ami Corey. Sylvan O'Neil, Niblo and Spencer, Warren antl Brockwav antl the Five Romauos appear in the tdlo. NOnDB.—Frank Howe, Jr., and Charles Elias are l»oth considering a venture into amusement en- terprises at Atlantic City. Negotiations have not yet lK*en closed.—Vlnle Hensbaw and Georgia i'lanelolll. recently with Pat Rellly's show, ap- Iteared In "Women Who Dare," a melodrama of pronounced type. The former burles«pjers were well received. CINCINNATI. By HARRY HESS. STANDARD (Charles B. Arnold, mgr.).—"Casino Girls" "Will 1 Wigle" is the opener, of which Std and Nat Fields are the authors, who also have what purports to be the comedy lines, but the real comedian of the show is Frank Harcourt. Carrie Seltz, a charming young woman, led the females with considerable Vigor. The closing burlesque "Flddle-Dum-Dum," consisted of a lot of non sense that was lacking in originality . The chorus has fifteen good-looking girls who are excellent --timers. The alio Is Sue Fisher, baritone, good voice; Stewart and Raymond, excellent musical act; Bowman Brothers, good; Belle Hathaway's monkeys and baboons have one of the best animal acts of its kind. COLUMBIA (II. M. Zlegler, mgr. Sunday re hearsal 10:.'K».—But few bills offered this season excel this week's show. Howe and Kdwards open in • 'The Arrival of Mr. Donley," which Is rained by a lot of useless chatter. Flo Adler has the us sistanee of I young boy who plays the violin ami sings exceedingly well. Dixon and Fields, Ger- man comedians, above the average; Ollle fields antl Brother, hoop rollers, usual turn and a win ner; Gardner Crane and company are seen here for first time In "Everybody's Up"; Kelly and Vi<> lette, local favorites, better than ever; The Mo- ney s, swimmers, real novelty. The " Nom de Plume " King Robert A. Keiser COMPOSER 01* Mabel McKinleys GREAT SUCCE88ES. "Finelli" and "Golden Rod Watch magaxlnes for my article, "Composers* Who Are Not, or, Living Lies." 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