Variety (December 1907)

VARIETY 49 Cobb's Comer SATURDAY. DEC. 14, 1907. No. 94. A Weekly Word with WILL the Wordwrlght. (OBB & EDWARDS' LATEST, VOW BEING BUNG ST MAY IRWIN " Tie Penh Tint Tastes the Sweetest Hangs the Honest on tie Tree." WILL D. COBB Wordwrlght, 1612 Broadway, NEW YORE. Hart were the only holdovers and furnished about fifteen minutes of solid laughter with their bur- lesque. Alexandra and Bertie opened with a ahowy balancing ladder act which pleased and the equestrian act by Cottrell and Powell gave the bill a strong closing number. Jay W. Winton. the ventriloquist, was well received. Much of bis talk was Interspersed with side remarks relat- ing to the "setting usually given his act," and to the points which "generally get applause," some- thing the ordinary vaudeville patron is not in- terested in, especially if the act Is pleasing. KEITH'S (II. T. Jordan, mgr.).—This week's till) looked better on paper than it did on the stage, though a shifting of acts and an extra one added helped some. There were several acts new here. William H. Thompson presented for the first time here, "For Love's Sweet Sake," a dramatic playlet by Clay M. Greene. It offered real novelty in the absence of a woman in the sketch and proved most enjoyable entertainment. W. H. Ma cart made his first appearance here in vaudeville with a monologue. Tie has a good routine of talk, not all of which is new, which be delivers creditably. He sang throe songs, which formed the weakest portion of his act. This style of entertainment is new to Macart and with a little more' time to weld it into proper shape and a couple of good songs, he should do nicely. Hlbbert and Warren were also new here, making one of the big laughing hits of the bill with their music and dancing. Lillian Shaw,' recently here with "The Girl Hangers," is back In vaudeville with a number of songs as her chief bid for favor and made good with them. The majority of her songs were new here. One of them, "Has Anybody Seen My Husband?" which follows closely on the lines of "Henry Brown." as sung by Katie Barry, scored. Miss Shaw was well liked. The "Rain Dears." headed by Louise .Montrose, made their reappear- ance. It Is much the snme as on its previous visit. The juggling of the Five Periscoffls, which resembles the act of the Agoust Family, pleased. Watson and Little provided a neat singing act. Miss Little has a pleasing voice and makes an attractive appearance, while her partner depends mainly upon yodllng. Thompson's Elephants fur- nished one of the best trained animal acts seen here in a long time. The Lahakans made good in their comedy acrobatics, assisted by a cleverly trained dog. Willie Weston missed the first show on Monday owing to illness, but added bis share later with imitations of stage celebrities. A neatly dressed "sister act" was shown by the I'on ley Sisters. One of the early acts, Lyons and I'arkes. made a distinct bit. Both are young boys, one playing a harp and the other singing and dancing. The latter has a good voice and uses it with excellent results. Hagnn and West- cot t made the best of their position on the bill and Ellen Richards entertained in a mild way. Loro and Payne, comedy acrobats, familiar here, were added to the bill on Tuesday. TROCADBRO (Fred Wlllson. mgr.).—The "Twentieth Century Maids" had their third show- ing this season here, the "Lady Birds" ns originally scheduled helng shifted. Several changes have been made in the "Maids." the comedy being quickened throughout. Pauline Moran retimed to the cast after a severe Illness. Fern Melrose has replaced Emma Wood as lead- ing female, strengthening the singing quality of the show. Miss Wood has taken up her residence in Philadelphia, having quit the stage, for the present at least. Carlton, of Carlton and Terre. Is now doing sn Irish character part Instead of a Gerruan. which Is also an Improvement. Carfton was taken 111 on Tuesday and was forced to quit. Billy Noble Is responsible for the majority of the laughs In the show, handling the blackface part In clever style. CASINO (Ellas & Koenlg. nigra.).— The "Trans- Atlantlcs" furnished the week's bill. Mabel Leslie has replaced Dolores De Graffe. who closed. Georgia De Graffe remains with the show. Frank Kllllan has Joined the trio replacing Eddie Nugent: * OAYETY (C. L. Walter, mgr.).—Al Reeves' "Beanty Show" Is again In town and doing good business here this week. The show remains about the same as when seen at the Casino. BIJOU (Lewis H. Baker, mgr.).—The "Tiger Lilies." little changed from when seen at the Trocadero, was the attraction here. Two Kings and a Queen Win NOTES.—George Evans is playing his ninth week In this city in a year. He has fifteen weeks more of K. & E. time to play.—There seems to be a disposition to "clean op" the shows coming to the Gayety now.—The "Girl in Blue" was booked for the Reeves show this week, but she was cut out.—Jack Springer had some fun with Mark Bennett last week.—Bennett was "hired" to give his Hammerstein impersonation at a club and banted around for two boors In a cab with his make-up on for the place, before he finally tumbled.—Leo Donnelly, the Philadelphia news- paperman who tried out his monologue on a Pottsville, Pa., audience, Is willing to swear that snch a thing as "advanced vaudeville" has never even started in the coal regions.—William H. Thompson, the veteran actor, who Is playing at Keith's this week, engaged rooms at the Jeffer- son Hospital for the week and was under the care of a physician dqrlng his stay here. He played out the full week, giving an excellent performance despite bis Illness. It Is expected the treatment received while here will prove beneficial. possibilities of securing good engagements here. To avoid much unnecessary correspondence I may state that if acts care to exploit the country at their own expense, they should, providing they have the ability, secure a reasonable amount of work at a fairly decent figure. Rlckards is the only man who imports his acts, and be gives them top money in nesrly every case, but outside of him there are no others, Just yet. who can bring acts over. At the same time, managers are only too eager to snap np novelties. The Ghas. K. Harris Couriar Devoted to the interests of Songs and Singers. Address all communications to OKAS. K. HARRIS. tl W. tilt St., V. T. (Meyer Oohsa, Mgr.) Vol. 9. New York, Dec. 14, 1907. No. 2. AUSTRALIAN NOTES By MARTIN C. BRBNNAN. TIVOLI, Sydney.—Seely and West, eccentrl musicians, made their reappearance after severs years' absence, and with a variety of new busine scored emphatic hit. Attached to their ret Inn is Madame Rhodesia, a Juggler, with Fitzgerald's Circus five years ago. We have had a surfeit of Jugglers lately, every vaudeville house In Aus- tralia running one and even two turns on the same bill. Under these circumstances the only novelty that there Id about Rhodesia as a Jug- gler Is her sex. "The Molasso Quartet" of dancers are a big feature, as are Hayman and Franklin, who last week introduced "The Piano Tuner," but are now working in 'A Suit for Divorce." Tills clever couple leaves for Mel- bourne on Friday. Fred Bluett, comedian, has been the hit of the bill this week and Rochfort and Hart, duettlsts. are also doing well. Com- pleting are Stella Ranger. George Bentley, Art Slavin, Ernest Pitcher, Marjory Bray, Jar-vis and Campbell, Jugglers, with good business, but don't know how to work It; the Bioscope and a host of Juvenile performers more or less entertaining. NATIONAL AMPHITHEATRE.—The new com pany has settled down to hard work. Crowded houses nightly testify to the value of the goods served up. This week sees Vesey, a clever ven- triloquist, as top-liner, closely followed by Kava- nagh, a boy Juggler, who creates a good Impres- sion. Ward Lear, comedian and mimic, is good, and the same may be eatri of the Banvards and Frank Yorke. Also on the bill are Dick Stead, Scott Brothers, Antonio's Dogs and Monkeys. Maggie Eraser, and Bob Scott and Kitty Beres- ford, a clever sketch team with ambitions and originality. WONDERLAND CITY.—This seaside resort at Bondl is now in full swing. When the hot season gets going, immense business should be done, as the attractions are multitudtnous. Captain Me* I .coil's "Wild West" Is the main outdoor feature, though "The Rivers of the World" Is proving a big draw. Vaudeville Is going well In the theatre. NEWCASTLE.—At the King's Theatre Dix ami Baker are providing an excellent bill. Frank King, descriptive vocalist. Is about the best of the bunch. Denis Carney, comedian, is another big favorite: Laura Diamond, Golden Duo, Percy Denton, Brlghtie Smith, and the Klnodrome. OPERA HOUSE, Melbourne.—Price and Revost. the "copy" act, made their appearance In the southern capital last week. La Sylphe. dancer, another strong attraction. Juggling Geraldos, Five Whlteleys. and others complete. GAIETY, Melbourne.—Brennun's National En tertalners made their Initial appearance last week before a crowded house, and the great majority of acts hit the audience very bard, encores being repeatedly demanded. Next week Is "Cup Week." the greatest event of the year, being run on Tuesday. Melbourne Is full of visitors. BRISBANE.—Holland's Entertainers are doing good business. Clarence Tlsdale, tenor, top liner, on the program are Con Morenl. Alma Lyndon. Eileen O'Neill. Claude Sullivan and several others of no great individuality. At Broken Hill Sayers and Cremar are going big licks with their various enterprises. Ade- laide has a very strong company at the Tlvoll. Including Chat. Pope, coon comedian; Harry Mar shall, female Impersonator; Chas. Nay lor, yodel ler. and Lieutenant McDonald, sharpshooter. The A. V. A. is gradually enrolling the vaude- ville artists on Its l>ook, very few reputable turns being outside their ken. The Sunday night con- certs are proving a great success, the rooms be- ing uncomfortably crowded each week. La-<t evening your representative had the honor of being chairman, a position greatly appreciated. Piracy Is still rife among the pros. here. One prominent comedian has a glaring advertIsement in a weekly stating that a fellow pro. has "sneaked" ills best song, but "as he (the 'ptneher') don't know how to work it properly, will he please come up and be put through It a few times?" Nasty, eh? That's only one of many such ads. Wlrth Brothers' new show. "Olympla." wa^ officially opened last week, the Lord Mayor and many important public personages l»elng present. The function was highly successful and the per formance one of the best ever seen down south. Harry Rlckards is sending over some splendid talent from England. He Is expected hack In De- cember. Ted Sllvenl wishes to hear from his brother. In the team of Potter and HartweM. working over your side. Sllvenl is the secretary of the A. V. A. here. Broken Hill Is a rough-and ready show town and some Individuals there are Inclined to be sarcastic. A prominent pro. being asked for an opinion of the audiences on the Hill said: "Gee! they're deadly; those in the dress circle should be In the pit; those in the pit ought to be In gaol, and some of 'em want hanging." Evidently the pro. must have had a bad time. Several Inquiries have reached one as to the BALTIMORE. MD. MARYLAND (F. C. Schanberger, mgr. Mon day rehearsal 10).—The Murry Sisters and the Four Fords are euslly the hits of the bill at the Maryland this week. The headllner, John T. Kelly and Company in "A Game of Con," very good; James and Jennie Jee did good work on the wire; Roberts' animals open the bill and please; Stuart Barnes has some new talk, not as good as last season; Gennaro's Band, In pretty costumes, scored heavily. GAYETY (W. L. Ballauf, mgr.).—The Behman Show Is the best seen In Baltimore for some time. Pete Curley. James C. Morton and Frank Moore are the comedJaaaV « nd * ee P things lively. Molly Will lamsft^j . dainty little lassie of unusual ability. >use with her at all times. "The Pass j" was the opening piece, and "Hey He" Is the closing piece. The olio: >thers, Ellls-rNolan Troupe; the extra IT Mark Bennett and the Zoua'v**.—i— MONUMENTAL (Sam M. Dawson, mgr.).—'fA Thief In the Night" and "The Hotel Thespian" are the pieces used by "The New Century (JIris." Tom Barrett is a comedian of no mean quality, and bandies his part nicely besides. JOHNNY MEYERS Have you heard Chas. K. Harris' New Baby song " There's Another Picture In My Mamma's Frame" Write or call for it at once. Slides now ready for this beautiful baby song; every slide a hit with any audience. The best baby song since "ALWAYS IN THE WAY." Slides $5.00 per set Write at once. BEAUMONT, TEX. LYRIC (Frank Furlong. mgr. L—Week 2: Wills and Barrow, good; Kittle Walsh, fair: I. W. Connor, good; The Juggling Thorns, good. MAJESTIC (Percy Cox, mgr.).—The Hcnauxs. good; Holt and Hillrad, fair; Nan Hatpin, good. G. B. W. BINOHAMTON, N. T. ARMORY (Ed. Hart, mgr. Monday rehearsal). Strong bill. Ameta, In mirror dances, very good; Harry and Ethelyn Kratons, their clever hoop act, "Hoopland," extremely good; Phil and Nettie Peters, comedy entertainers, received ap- plause; Kramer ami Bellclaire, strong men and well developed athletes, received their share of appreciation; Joe Denting kept the bouse in an uproar; Ethel MacDonough. "The Girl Behind tbe Drum." pretty and lively girl; Harry Tate's English Comedy Company in "Motoring," one continual round of laughter. -NOTE.—Tbe Armory Theatre has discontinued their Sunday Sacred Concerts owln-; to the latest "lid on" order. "JAP" JOGGERST.