Variety (September 1907)

VARIETY 11 at re this week for the first time "by ar- rangement with the Palace Theatre, Lon- don." The picture shows the field at Ep- som DuwnB in England, where the race was run, from early morning to the win- ner crossing the finishing line. . It is an interesting subject for Americans who have heard but have not seen England's famous race track. The immense field, with its swarm of humanity, affords an excellent idea of the bigness of the course, hut the race itself is not distinct. The in- cidental scenes leading up to the main event were more appreciated, and the ap- pearance of Richard Croker in an open barouche attested to his lasting popular- ity by the solid round of applause the fleeting picture received. "The Derby Kace" is given as an act in the New York bill, and stood the ordeal finely. The •'Made in England" stamp was sufficient. Sime. Alexander and Goines. Songs and Dances, ax Mins.; One. Twenty-third Street. The act is playing two houses this week, appearing also at the Fifty-eighth Street. They were substituted in the Twenty-third Street bill for the "Gotham Comedy Girls," one of whom was taken sick at the last minute. The comedian of the pair ranks well up toward the top of colored eccentric comedians. There is lit- tle talk in the act, an arrangement that comes as a distinct relief in acts of this sort. What dialogue there is is delivered with an agreeable style of humor. The comedian contributes one of the best nov- elty dances that has been seen about the local houses. The steps are novel, and the performance of imitating an old negro, a retired waiter with bad feet, in a char- acteristic dance, was a splendid bit of comedy. The straight man has a good voice and worked to his partner in good style. The offering scored a solid hit at the Twenty-third Street. Rush. Lucille Mulhall and Company (4). "Wild West." 28 Mins.; Full Stage. Alhambra. Though this is Lucille Mulhall's in- itial appearance on a New York vaude- ville stage, it is not her first showing in the city. When appearing as a part of the Wild West show at the Madison Square Garden some time ago, Miss Mul- hall attracted favorable notice, and she is causing a repetition of that opinion at the Alhambra this week. On the stage is a miniature Wild West exhibition, em- bracing the main points, even to "broncho busting," and that, now the closing fea- ture of the act, is hardly worth the time and trouble entailed in fencing off the stage to avoid the audience becoming ap- prehensive of danger of accident to the horses or rider. Miss Mulhall takes upon herself the main work. Of youthful looks and an easy stage bearing, combined with a natural grace, she becomes popular im- mediately. There is a Western atmos- phere prevailing, and the stage hands dressed in cowboy garb heighten this effect. The act drags a bit in the center, and a few minutes could be taken out. Miss Mulhall has an offering which will please wherever shown. Lina Pantzer and Company (3). "20 Minutes in a Toy Shop" (Comedy). 22 Mins.; Three (Interior). Pastor's. After Miss lantzcr obtained the idea of a toy shop, far from new, for her pres- ent act, she seems to have stopped stock still, according to the layout at Pastor's this week, where the act is shown for the first time in the city. There is no special setting, not even a drop; nothing 1 to denote a toy store excepting a few children's playthings scattered on a counter, and from which a boy, presum- ahly intended for the comedian, attempts to extract fun. Miss Pantzer becomes a "doll" twice, and there is another young woman who doubly attempts the mechan- ical feat, but neither helps the proceedings, any more than does the young girl who ' h the clerk ot the store. Miss Pantzer on the tight wire with a kinetoscope effect , marks the finish of what is a draggy, ragged, poorly constructed sketch which must be rebuilt almost entirely to at- tract any notice. Sime. The Maharenkos. Singing and Dancing. 13 Mins.; One. Hammerstein's. This pair are as hard to classify and pass judgment upon as their name is to pronounce. The best the program writer could do with them was "Russian Gypsy singing and dancing duo." The man wore Russian leather boots, but the rest of the costume was native to nothing so much as the fancy dress ball. The language they sang in was just as clear to the understanding of the 42d street audience. The woman is a very, very attractive per-' son in appearance and bearing. Also she has a sweet voice and engaging mannersl but her attempts at dancing were not conspicuously successful. More skill in this particular is what she needs. The man is only vaguely present except when he siug-i a sentimental popular song with an accent and then he is not quite as vaguely present as might be desired. They were fairlv well received ill the No. 1 ■ position. Hush. Devlin and Ellwood. "The Girl From Yonkers" (Comedy). 17 Mins.; Three (Interior). Pastor's. Fred J. Ilea man wrote 'The Girl From Yonkers," and lie has turned out a fairly good piece of work, with a bright line bearing on a situation here and there cropping out, .lames S, Devlin and Mae Rllwood play the only characters, one a female "Haflles." while Mr. Devlin is a "wise city boy.* but not nearly as breezy as he should be. The girl prowling around at nijjht in a mask, and with one of the new electric bull's-eye lights, drops in the apartments of Augustave Butler (Mr. Devlin) who has just stepped out. While searching for valuables, she hears him returning, and secreting mask, cloak and light, drops into a chair, asleep. He dis- covers the intruder upon turning on the lights, when she feigns innocence, accus- ing him of entering her apartment. In the solution of the situation she admits licr mistake, saying her rooms are on the floor above. In the conversation follow- ing, during which he makes love to her. proclaiming the girl the 'ideal" his mother has in mind for his wife, the young woman relieves the "wise boy" of his personal possessions, from fountaiu pen to watch. Bidding her good-bye, one by one he learns his valuables are gone until it at last dawns upon the "fellow about town" that he has been robbed by his mother's ideal. Upon the curtain ** arising for a "call," he clinches this be- lief by finding the mask and cloak. The finish is rather the weak point, and the applause must be carried over the stretch from the thief's exit until the curtain, a dangerous experiment. There is a great deal of merit to the sketch, and it is capable of more fun than it at present delivers. Miss Ellwood is a pretty wo- man, capably taking care of her part. Mr. Devlin is the one who should be looked after, besides the finale. There is a refreshing side to the story which should bring desirable time. Sime. Gilbert and Gear. Parodies and Talk. One. Pastor's, Both Gilbert and Gear are young. Gear at one time was of a team called Cooper and Gear. The present act has parodies and talk. Both are amateurish and young, and one cannot help but repeat the "young," for it is plainly on view, both in the make-up and actions. A long, long trip on a Missouri circuit would do them a world of good. Sime. Torcat. 12 Mins.; (Three). One Hundred and Twenty-fifth Street. Although Torcat has been playing in this country for some time, this is his first Metropolitan showing. He is a French importation, and is showing a novelty act, for the most part new to this country. The easily amused will find plenty to laugh at in the offering. The man makes several changes rapidly and handles his peculiar figures skillfully. Two trained roosters are used but are not im- portant. Torcat opened the show, passing through easily. OUT or TOWN. Newhouse and Carroll. Parallel Bars. 14 Mins.; Full Stage (Special Set). Forrest, Philadelphia. One of the few importations showing something novel. It is called "An In- terrupted Angling Party." suiting very well the opening ami the setting, which represents a wooded spot where the sport ot fishing gives way to a novelty in the shape of an act on the parallel bars. While these bars are among the most prominent in gymnasiums and in gymnastic enter- tainments, affording ample opportunity for showy work by skilled athletes, the writer cannot call to mind wherein a single act with these bars featured has been shown on the vaudeville stage. New- house and Carroll, a man and a woman, go through a routine of cleverly executed and showy tricks of hand-balancing and fancy turns and cut-offs, most familiar to gymnasium experts. The man also attempts some comedy of light texture which is not needed to help the act. The team has a distinct novelty and should have no trouble in finding good spots in the make-up of first-class shows. George At. Young. Geo. T. Watson and Florence Little. "A Matrimonial Bargain" (Comedy). 18 Mins.; Interior (Parlor). Keith's, Boston. This is a novel idea for a musical act, full of life, fun and good singing. Mr. Watson wears a military uniform. He lias spent a day shopping with his wife, and has forgotten to bring home the baby. The talk is rapid fire, filled with good "gags," and both sing unusually well. Mr. Watson does an exceptional "yodle." tiniest L. Waitt. Eugene Justin. Ills. Songs. Orpheum, Springfield, 111. Mr. .lustiu made his first appearance on any stage at the Orpheum Tuesday eve- ning. The young man has a tine voice which completely tilled the little theatre. His songs were well chosen and won mucli applause at every performance. He should be able to secure good time. C. F. Korrtd. Murphy and Vidocq. "Watch the Key" (Comedy). 16 Mins.; Full Stage; Close in One. Grand, Marion, Ind. (Week Sept. 2). Singing, dancing and rapid fire talk make up the foundation of the offering of this newly formed partnership. The ma- terial is neatly put together in such man- ner as to make for smooth running en- tertainment. Mr. Vidocq was formerly of Haines and Vidocq, and with his new partner, works with ease and certainty. L. O. Wetzel. KEEPS "TAB" BY INDICATORS. From all over the country come reports giving the clue to the accurate information in the possession of the United Booking Offices each day as to the attendance at the opposition vaudeville theatres. At the United otlices you can be informed to a man what the attendance at any house on the Klaw & Erlanger circuit at any per- formance is or was. The information is obtained by emmis- saries of the United ticking up the at- tendance by "indicators," such as are used for quick counting purposes. Each per- son is a i4 click," and the total gives the whole. Orchestra, balcony and gallery are separately accounted for. HOMAN'S NEW ACT. On October IK) at the Garrick, W. L. Dockstader's Wilmington (Del.) Theatre, George lloman.s, the agent and producer, will present his latest act called "On the Skyline" including twelve people in the company. It is a comedy sketch, with a majority of girls among the members liiking part.* MORRIS TO BOOK FOR PARK. The Park Theatre, Johnstown, I'a., has signed a contract to accept its booking* through the ofiice of William Morris-. Higgs and Iirennan have separated. Hen Hifgs will join another partner in a few weeks. At present they are with the "New- Century Girls." Henry Dalton, of Three Daltons, with the "Jolly Grass Widows." was married in Milwaukee on July 3d. It was not made known until last week.