Variety (June 1907)

VARIETY 13 CORRESPONDENCE Unless otherwise noted, the following reports are for the current week. ' GIIICAGO By FRANK WEISBERG. VARIETY'S Chicago Office. Chicago Opera House Block. (Phone Main 4380.) MAJESTIC (Lyman B. Glover, mgr. for Kohl k. Castle. Monday rehearsal 0.—Plenty of com- edy is provided this week, Edwin Stevens and company in "An Evening with Dickens" occupy foremost place and give a very entertaining per- formance. Bessie Wynn, the wlusome, scored with her songs and McWaters and Tyson dupli- cated their previous success. They are clever and talented. Cameron and Flanagan presented their highly diverting comedy sketch, which seems to Improve steadily and were repeatedly applauded. Lillian Shaw introduced a number of clever Imitations and achieved a well earned hit, also Jessie Oouthoui, who has one of the best "single" sketches seen in vaudeville. The bill Includes Clara Beasy's Cats, Linton and Lawrence, Warren and Blsnchard, Callahan and St. George, Mr. and Mrs. Colby Co., Reno and Axora. OLYMPIC (Abe Jacobs, mgr. for Kohl ft Castle. Monday rehearsal 9).—"The Dancing Daisies," May Howard and Co., including Warren H. Locke, Murrpy J. Simons and Leo Kendall in a frisky episode from one of Weber aud Fields' shows: Julius Tannen, N\ esson, Walters and Wesson. James Harrlgan, LaMaze Brothers, Horton and La Trlska, Four Llncolns, Burnett and Weyerson, Pete Baker. Ed. Moon. Belle Veola. SID J. EUSON (Sid J. Euson, mgr.).—Sev- eral changes have been made in the personnel of the stock company, which entered on its third successful week with Frank Finney's farces, "Lilies and Lobsters" and the "Doings of Mr. Dooley," both staged with special scenery, new and pretty costumes. There are eight complete changes. The numbers put on by Aurelio Coccla show skill and originality. Mr. Finney and Minnie Amato have the two principal parts. Ed. Morris, recently with Al. Reeves, Joined the con- tingent of merry makers, and Lizzie B. Raymond, who appeared in the olio Inst week, Is prominent in both pieces. In the olio are Llndstrom and Anderson. Dellollls and Valon and Mile. Veda. The show is the best given by any stock organ- ization seen In Chicago so far, and excels many road attractions In splendor and completeness. EMPIRE (William Singer, mgr.).—"The Brigadiers" returned, giving the same meri- torious performance seen at the Folly a number of weeks ago.' The company Is unchanged. FOLLY (John A. Fennessy, mgr.).—The "Fay Foster" show moved over from the Empire and opened to the usual good business for the second time this season. TROCADERO (I. M. Welngarden, mgr.).— "Our Stock Company" is the way Mr. Weln- garden heralds his summer organization which opened Sunday to a packed house. Preparations have been active for some time, and while there is still room for improvements the company se- lected and rehearsed in a few days, gave a smooth first performance, considering. The cus- tomary first part has been abolished, the olio taking its place. The burlesque evidently Is not Intended to reveal a departure from the familiar brand of entertainment we have been accustomed to seeing since Welier and Field's prolific series of musical concoctions became scattered broad- cast. The melange is called "On Board Ship," and the action occurs on the deck of a steamer. The opening discloses twenty animated girls In effective ensemble and sandwiched between the mUBical numbers are the comedians in ludi- crously fuuny episodes and incidents. The "drinking" scene is revived and would have been more effective with more composure and utilization of manuscript "business." "The "navy" scene from "Nordland" provoked mucn laughter, as did the "Salvation Army" number with risque transmissions. There were no apparent dispo- sition to create or Improvise unpalatable matter, although the spectators evidently expected to encounter an abundance of It during the per- formance which was unusually precise and brisk. The large audience laughed, applauded and showed evident appreciation. The girls, all sizes, shapes and features. have been well trained and the numbers arranged by Sol Fields were given with dash and spontaneity. Nat Fields, burly and ever-ready with his Impulsive uncouth humor, was In the midst of the sur- roundings. He has an acute faculty for Im- provising and brought much laughter'. Murray J. Simons in a Hebrew part made the most of It and was conspicuous In the handling of the com- edy. His make np is unusually clean cut for lmrlesque and has a legitimate aspect when he •loos not resort to crude drollery. Pete Curley Is one of the best Irish comedians In burlesque, but he had limited scope and was not alloted sufficient material Sunday night to give his con- ception the deserved prominence, depending on "ad lib" patter. Sol Fields, unassuming and tranquil, figured well and bore a meditative coun- tenance, probably due to the cumbersome task of staging a half dozen numbers In three days. Leo Kendall In "straight" betrayed unfamlliar- ity with the lines or seemed to be in repose when he should have been active. Ills invariable tra- dition is German character and It will probably require a few days more before he will thor- oughly realize the feasibility of activity and dash most essential In a "straight" part. Bessie Iconise Ring Is short ami plump and has no vocal power, although her voice might have had range once upon a time. A chorus girl in a dim shrill voice rendered "Moonl»eams." backed up by the chorus, and Connie Warde displayed vivacity In a number. A few changes will be made In the female principals next week and the organ- ization strengthened vocally. The feature of the TO CORRESPONDENTS Kindly have all correspondence reach this office hereafter not later than Wednesday. Where impossible to make mailing con- nection for that day with current week's report, matter will be for the preceding week. show Is a spectacular "living picture," entitled "The Deluge," reproduced and devised from a painting by Mr. Welngarden. The picture shows a rocky avalanche upon which are scattered a bevy of girls in union fleshllngs, victims of the deluge. They have l»een swept across the moun- tain, over which runs a stream of water, while the rain pours down upon the unfortunates In eternal slumber. The electrical and scenic ef- fects, with the thrilling music, added gloom to the intensely calamitous portrayal and made a very good Impression. In the olio appeared The Larneses, gymnasia; Campbell and Copeland, black face comedians; Leo and Sulky, sketch, and Wheler and Rosey, trick bicyclists. NOTES.—Dave Ferguson, Abe Reynolds and Yale and Rogers are included in the stock com- pany which I. H. Herk Is organizing for the summer season. Mr. Herk and most of the people engaged are In Chicago rehearsing. The opening date is set for June 9 at the Star. Milwaukee.— Murray Simons and I^eo Kendall of the Trocadero theatre stock company are supporting May How- ard in her sketch at the Olympic Theatre this week. Simons and Kendall appear at both theatres twice a day.—Louie Dacre, Great Oar- roll, Glole Eller, Harry Cooper and all the girls have been re-engaged with the Fay Foster com- pany for next season. The only new member Is Will Mclntyre. Julius Meyers will continue as road manager for Mr. Oppenhelmer and L. F. Johns, musical director, is also retained.—John Burke, of the Burke Brothers, will be at the head of the "Number 2" stock company which Joe Oppenhelmer is organizing In Chicago for this summer. S/\N PRfANGISGO By W. ALFRED WILSON. VARIETY'S San Francisco Office, 1111 Van Ness Ave. (Room 112). ORPHEUM (Martin Beck. gen. mgr.).— Week 19: Paplnta shared with Valerie Bergere the prominent place on the Orpheum billing though not in the public's estimation. Her spectacular dance has been seen here several times, and this reappearance brought nothing new. Paplnta is evidently resting on her laurels, a poor policy in these ever moving days of vaudeville. Miss Bergere stood out as the feature with her "Morning After the Play." This playlet allows Miss Bergere full scope for her talents, and while the critics of the dallies were Inclined to condemn It on the score of broadness, the house accepted an "art for arts sake" view and the protest of the prudish never got beyond the local room. Carroll and Baker were emphatically out of place on the same bill with Mathews and Ashley, and their attempt at Hebrew comedy fell flat in the face of com- parison with the finished work of a "Smash Up in Chinatown." Tlieir dancing was appreciated, and toward the end of the week they bad the good judgment to confine themselves to this alone. The Royal Musical Five were excellent. In their last week were Ethel MacDonough, Mathews and Ashley, Kramer and Bellclaire aud Volta the electric marvel. NATIONAL (S. Grauman, mgr.).—Week 20: The Fremont Zouaves, strong feature that closed a bill of well assorted acts. Their manouvers were executed with true military precision and some of the more stirring numbers with Old Glory as a back ground served to rouse the house to shouting point. Rawls and Von Kauf- man with their familiar melange of comedy under the title of "Mush," reappeared, and showed evidence of Improvement since their last visit. Bawls' adaptability to blackface is undeniable ami the farce la a well suited vehicle for his talents. Lavlne and Leonard with a burlesque automobile act won a round of laughter. Chaney and Willter were chosen to start proceedings and suffered from this position. They present a natty stage appearance, possess good voices and dance fMlrly well. The Cox Family proved a clever quartet of juveniles. J. Bernard Dyllyn and the Flying Martins, a crack pair of flying trapeze workers, completed the program. WIGWAM (Sam Harris, mgr.).—Week 20: Gus Williams heavily featured made his first appearance here In twelve years and scored heav- ily with his quaint German humor. "Tangled Relations," offered by the Robert Whittler and company, had a plot that has worked overtime In this territory. Whittler himself assumes too tragic a demeanor for farce purposes. His sup- port was excellent, especially the character man who carried the blackface comedy. Shulle and Cole have a singing and dancing act that took well. Founda, Dell and Founda. a club juggling trio; Miss Wallace, coon shouter, and the Loretta Twins on the horizontal bars completed the bill. GLOBE (W. R. Dalley, mgr.).—The monster southslde house offered Archie Boyd and com- pany In a one ict comedy drama entitled "After Many Years." The Flying Valenteens, F.dmonds, Emerson and Edmonds. Le del, Emily Nice, The Two Castettas, and .las. A. Hennessey. EMPIRE (Win. Weston, mgr.).—Week 20: Woodward, the juggler, opened the olio. His manipulation of the tamborincs was a taking feature; Audre. self styled "the great," pre- sented a batch of passable legerdemain; Le Malre and Le Malre, Hebrew comedians, won approval with sone good parodies; The James Post offering, "Two Bold, Bad Men," was not up to the usual standard of the Post productions, not allowing the producer full scope for his comedy efforts, which had been the big draw- ing card at this louse. Al. Hallet had his op- portunity, however, and made the most of It. LYCEUM (W. II. Weber, mgr.).—Week 20: The vaudeville olio consisted of Flo Patterson, coon shouter; Homer Oldfield, banjolst and salvail card manipulator. The Jack Golden company present a laugh winning playlet uuder the title "A Mexican German." Some good musical num- bers were Introduced by the chorus. NOTES.— The Western States Vaudeville Asso- ciation have secured the Yosemite Theatre, Stockton, Cal. (formerly a repertoire house), for vaudeville, opening 27 with a heavy priced bill. The Sullivan Consldlne people have sent an extra strong aggregation In opposition and this town will have the vaudeville treat of its history. BOSTON By ERNEST L. WAITT. Variety Office, 278A Tremont St. Keith put up a very strong bill this week, with Will Cressy and Blanche Dayne as headliuers iu Cressy'8 "Wyoming Whoop." Business at night was very good, but in the afternoon it dropped off considerably. The Cressy sketch made good from the very start, even though he seemed to be trying to hurry It through and Miss Dayne pitched her voice so high that many of her words were lost in the clouds. Kingsley Benedict in "The Futurity Winner" held second place. The piece goes much better now than it did when at the Orpheum earlier in the year. La Belle Blanche, Impersonator, has a good act but does not read her lines well in Introducing her characters. Pat Rooney and Marlon Bent in their song and dance sketch "The Fresh Bell- boy" arc merely Interesting until they begin to dance. Then they have every one with them and get encores. The pantomime act of the Zazoll- Vernon company Is cleverly done and gets a good laugh. Bobby North's Hebrew monologue goes well, especially when he sinks his operatic parodies, and Emlle Subers, in blackface, has a good singing act. The two Albert.vs. hand balancers; the Two Asbers, buck and wing dancers; Toledo and Price, contortion- ists; Eugene Joly, cornetlst; Harry and Kate Jackson In "His Day Off" (a clever farce), and Kelso and Leighton in a comedy act complete the bill. Charles Guyer and Ida Crisp! in their ec- centric dancing act head the Orpheum bill this week and they have a strong competitor for first place In the act of Is telle Wordette and Jules Kissel in "A Honeymoon in the Cats- kills." The act of the dog In this latter piece is worth commenting upon, if only for the fact that he knows just when to get up. Holcombe, Curtis and company put on their foolish but laugh getting "Alphabet Class." They all have go-xl voices. Mullen and Cotelll, comedy acro- bats, arc fast and funny, and Mayme Remington aud her Picks make their usual hit. The Mel- rose troupe of acrobats put up a poor act this week, for they all seemed tired or out of prac- tice and got ve.-y small applause. Frank Ortli and Harry Fern In their "Sign the Book" are fnmillnr here, but they still do snappy work and are better than the acts usually put to "chise the house In." Netta Vesta, in good voice and with all her magnetism with her, got a good reception that she deserved, but C. Arthur Brown, billed as "a royal entertainer," would do well to tone down some of his stories whei he plays In Boston bouses. There are rumors to the effect that the Or- pheum may close during July, but nothing definite las as yet been settled. Ben Beuton (Rob Uof) again heads the How- ard's bill this week, with his carnival of fist fighters, the setting being a gymnasium aud the participants being Matty Baldwin, Joe Lannon, Jimmy Brlggs, Young Saxe, Young Sidney, Young Myers and Young Dennis, Kid Goodman and Kid McDonald, Jack Sheehan and Steve Mahoney. The Howard Burlesquers, under Vlo- lette Mascot, run second, tlieir minstrel turn being a great drawing card. George B. Alex- ander leads them off. ilie olio Is unusually strong for a summer bill. The Three licarrls, comedy aerobatB, start the ball with a very clever act. Gertie LeClalr and her Picks fol- low with a good singing and dancing act, then comes Tom Hefron and his friend "Crutch" with a new style dance. Ltwla and Thompson, talk slingers; the Williams Duo iu a musical act; the Slddons Brothers in a half hour of good comedy, staging and dancing, ami The Lip- ptaeotta in a very < lever stunt complete the list. The show ends with George B. Alex- ander and company In "Dr. Dlppy's Dipso- maniacs" and the Howard Burlesquers In a musical carnival called "Glad Tidings." Busi- ness is only fair. This is the last week of the season at the Columbia, and the Utopians have the call. It Is, in many respects, the l>est bill of the season aud moves with much snap. Harry and Julia Seyons lr. "The Census Taker." I,arry Smith and Mamie Champion In a comedy sketch; .lames Hughes and James Hazeltnn, In a travesty act; Sa«li<! Heusted, singing comedienne, the Hill Brothers, cyclists, and Clay Smith aud Eddie Convey in a talkfest make up tjie olio, and the burlettas are "Seeing Chinatown" and "The Art of Making Love." One feature of tills com- pany was the comedy strength of the women In It. Business good. Charlie Waldron's Burlesquers 'at the Palace, headed by T. F. Thomas In his two-act piece, "A Senator for an Hour," drew fair houses this week. The olio was good, consisting of Fulton and Larkln, Irish comedians; Bellmar and Pratt, Comedy acrobats; Fostell and Emmett, musical artists; J. W. Herringtoii, mimic; James Max well, illustrated songs; Elliot and Neff, iu a sketch; Grace Toledo, singer: C. W. Williams, ventriloquist, and Ernie and Honeger, monopede acrobats. The bill for next week Is called "The Adam less Eden Burlesquers.*' Colored talent holds high card at Austin & Stone's Museum this week, the "Down In Mobile" troupe being featured in the curio hall. Their hinging and darning is very good. Beside the Minstrel Maids iu the theatre, there are John Brown, monologue; Arthur West In picture songs; Coppinger and White in Irish comedy, aud Moyan and West in German comedy. Circus week Is being made use of by the mo- tion picture houses this week. The Lyric puts oil u uew bill, the Theatre Comlque leads with "The Derby Winner," the Hub with May White ami her Illustrated songs, aud the Theatre Premier with some new films. Charles Miller, now leading man In a local stock company, is booked as one of the head- liners for the opening week of the Tremont Theatre as a Klaw & Erlauger vaudeville house. He will use his sketch of the burglar, tried our last year at Keith's here. Wilmer Walter, who has signed to play the title role In "Ben Hur" uext season, Is to take a short excursion in vaudeville in a dramatic plnylet. "A Bit of Human Nature," written especially for him by Ernest L. Waltt, dramatic editor of The Boston American. PHILADELPHIA. By GEORGE M. YOUNG. KEITH'S (H. T. Jordau, mgr. Monday re- hearsal 9).—Stella May hew, Grlgolettl'a 'Flying Ballet" aud Lalla Selblul furnished uew acts fea- turing tlie week's bill which proved quite a capi- tal entertainment. The "Flying Ballet," a rather pretentious offering for vaudeville, was the big minuter, the effectiveness of which was" appreci- ably augmented by a piofuslou of doves, liberated from the gallery aud perching upon the shoulders of the aerial dancers. The "fiylug ballet" was seen here In "The Beauty aud the Beast," the evolutions being practically the same. The only tiling lacking is the stage dresslug, which was severely plain. The oct made a strong impression. Stella Mayhew, buxom and good natured, proved a genuine laughing success. With her liberal supply of good humor, three good songs which she slugs with catching effect aud a true flavor of unctions comedy, the former star of "Coming Through the Rye" easily won her way into the favor of the audience. Her act waa a trifle ahort, hut afforded the opportunity for exit iu the midst of liberal applause. Lalla Selblnl, minus the brevity of costume which made her a seusation on the Victoria Roof Garden last Summer, submitted a varied act which Included juggling, dancing, singing aud bicycle riding, all of which waa given fair treatmeut. No little success of the act was at tiihu table to the efforts of the midget who as- sists, and suggests that he be put to more use. "That" Quartet sang as before in capital fashion. They used practically the same repertoire of suiigs which is about the ouly point for fault- finding. No quartet equalling it as a singing uuuiher has been beard here aud each of the men contributed a solo with pleasing results. Elsie I- aye, assisted by Blssett ami Miller, offered an attractive dancing act. Miss Faye looks well and puts all the lite into the act. A severe cold hampered her singing. There Is too much of t/ie wooden shoe dancing by the boys. The Intro- duction of some soft-shoe dancing in at least one of the three numbers would help considerably. Miss Faye does a clever bit in her "drummer" song. The audience liked her very much. The hour Huntings repeated their "The Fool House" sketch which is about as foolish as the title, but It teems with good comedy aud clever danc- ing, scoring an undoubted hit. Vernon, the ven- triloquist, pleased with an act unchanged from ills former visits. Dora Konca, the violinist, who appeared here formerly with the Zlngari Troupe, tried It alone. She played several selec- tions with skill, l.acli of the last three named acts showed a girl In red dress, the three looking like a display uf railroad danger signals. The audience us usual laughed itself tired over "From Za/.a to Uncle Tom," repeated by W. II. Murphy, Blanche Nichols and company. This is one of the few sketches which withstand the handicap of repetition. Wise aud Milton pleased with a singing act; Tilly Whltuey had a good early number witli piano and songs. The Bedouin Arab Troupe repeated their usuul success with their whirlwind acrobatics, the J-a Belles offered a routine of familiar Juggling and DeVoe aud Miller opened with a comedy acrobatic specialty. So tar as can be learned, next week's bill will Include "The Futurity Winner," "Six English Hockcrs," Ryau and Richfield, Senile and Violet Allen, Lewis and Ityan, Jack Norworth, Cogau and Bancroft, Sophie Akounlne, Mr. aud Mrs. Jimmy Barry ami the Zlngari Troupe. CHESTNUT STREET OPERA HOUSE (Klaw &, F.rlungcr, Uigrs. Monday rehearsals b).—The bill offered three acts that were new here and the balance of the bill included two holdovers from last week and several tamilar acts which, as u Whole, were readily appreciated hy crowded houses. "The Gibson Girls," the feature uum- ber, ami Mason ami Bart will be found under New Acts. M ride Hall Macy and Company, in- cluding Carlton Ma<y am] Jessie Dodd,' pre- sented for the first time here a delightfully funny ■ketch, "The Magpie ami the Jay." A clever compound of Bowery slang and rural simplicity, the act was entertaining and pleased immensely. Miss Macy depleted the Bowery Maid cleverly, while Carlton Macy proved an excellent support ami In the sentimental finish the two brought the sjvcti h to a legitimate ending which was worthy of the Warm recognition it received. Miss Dodd was good in a rural character, Victor Moore and Kinma l.llllctield repeated 'Change Your Act." What feu changes have hecn made are for the better and the act was u < big hit. 'lite principals had the assistance of a young man who * 1 i• t remarkably well as "props," while one or two of tie house attaches worked iu to good effect. on Moudaj afternoon Billy s. Clifford and Tommy iFBrien slao played "straight" Moore. Miss Llttlefield Is now doing a fancy dance Instead of her former nuiii- her. flill) > Clifford, last seen here In the ".lolly I: ' ." with his stories and songs, lie pel ;..• duda makeup aud dance.