Variety (November 1908)

VARIETY 23 CORRESPONDENCE Unlets otherwise noted, the following re- ports are for the current week: GHIGAGO By FRANK WIRSBEB O, VARIETY'S Chicago OSlce, Chicago Opara House Block. OLYMPIC MUSIC HALL (John J. Murdoch).— The inaugural bill Is headed by the "Bight Palace Olrls." They hare a number of Tory pretty en- semble dance*. The act la one of the beat of Its kind seen here. Elsie Harvey, pretty as erer, did Tery well with the two boys In dancing. Martlnettl and Sylvester furnished much comedy with their acrobatics and bumps. "Shorty" pro- Tided twenty minutes of lsugbter. Hymen Meyer made a bigger bit with his piano manipulations and conversation than at the Majestic several weeka ago. Mile. De Dlo introduced her spectacu- lar dances with pretty and novel directs. Chas. and Fannie Van won on the merits. "Stage Struck Kids," six boys and one girl, replaced the Klrk- smlth 8lsters. The "kid" act needa considerable rehearsing. The best thing now Is the dancing at the finish. MAJESTIC (Lyman B. Glover, mgr.).—"The Naked Truth," with Phyllis Rsnkln and Harry Davenport, headlines. Until the "naked truth" Is exposed there Is nothing out of the ordinary In It. Victor Nlblo and his parrots offered a chal- lenge to the audience. The program says he will wager $0,000 the birds speak when commanded. If this Is true his conversation with them Is re- markable. Some were Inclined to regard Nlblo as a clever ventriloquist. • Mario Trio showed a aeries of clever acrobatic feata. Clifford and Burke created much laughter. "A Modern Poca- hontas," an Indian playlet with real Indians, written to exploit the talenta of Emma Ralney, an Indian actress, had Its first showing here. It Is a dramatic affair with no comedy, it tells the story of a cavalry officer's love for an Indian girl and the Big Chief's strenuons objection. There are Indian dances and ceremonies, pictur- esque of the Shoshone tribe. Eleanor Falke Is dainty and artistic ss ever. Her repertoire of songs Is very good. She sang five and the audience wanted more. One of the best things In the locsl houses Is "A Trial Marriage," presented by Henry Kesne and Briscoe. It Is a consistent farce with highly amusing situations snd some of the bright- est dialog heard In similar offerings. Miss Bris- coe is an exceptionally clever actreas. Hathaway and Slegel are good dancers. The singing might be left out. Polk and Carmen Sifters are expert banjolats. The act replaced the Fernanda May Duo, who were programed. Joe Brennsn has good enough voice to succeed with songs. His talk la too old. Mlett'a Dogs opened. 8TAR AND GARTER (U. J. Herrmann, mgr.). —There is every reason to commend "The Bowery Burlesquers." One of the features Is the satir- ical development of a theme In a two-act melange called "Too Much Isaacs." The title la evident- ly derived from the fact that two Hebrews of that name are centered in the action. "Too Much O'Shaughnessey"* would be more appropriate. Judging from the numerous mention of thst name. It Is a mild story with a congruous suc- cession of decidedly amusing situations constructed slong conventional lines. It serves particularly Ben Jansen, the principal comedian, who carries the comedy burden with apparent ease and in- telligence, and manages to enthuse with his sbllity as a comedian and talent as a musician. The progrsm nsmes the contributors to the piece, snd John Raines Is mentioned ss the writer of the book, with lyrics by Henry S. Creamer; music by Wm. H. Vodery; numbers staged by Ed. Rogers. The company is one of the most capable aeen In burlesque. Jansen has his brother cast for a counterpart Hebrew character and he does very well considering the short time he has been on the stsge. He follows all the former's man- nerisms even to the make-up. One of the most diverting arrangements is the piano playing section with Ben Jansen, Eddie Fitzgerald and Jack Qulnn. Jansen Is a thorough musician and thf> effort, which lasted about twenty-five minutes, scored. The second act shows a very pretty set- ting with fire flies effects. It is rural in atmos- phere. Lillian Held and Norma Bell are the two principal women. Miss Held Is magnetic, and her dreases are magnlflclent. She appears In a dlf- ARTISTS, when In PITTSBURG, PA., stop at Jungblui's New Terminal Hotel, Fernet lino If Three Blocks from ALL Theatres. and a ST. REGIS Table at Chads' Prices. "That's all." ;e, $8 to $IO F»EF* WEEK THE HOME OF THE PROFESSION. AJfD WHITE RATS IH PITTSBURG. MO OTTAWA, ONT. CECIL Home* \A/hlte> Reatss and Profession The finest Hotel in Canada—bar none. Amerioan and European. Absolutely new. NEXT DOOE TO BENNETT'S and THREE BLOCKS TO OTHER THEATRES. SPECIAL BATES TO ARTISTS. WALTER B. WALBY, Prop. FURNISHED FLATS 4-5 Rooma and Bath H ot Water, ate., 90 to $11.00 par Weak. 606 Ith AVE., BEAR S6th ST. 754 6th AYE., BEAR 46th ST. 766 6th AVE., BEAR 47th ST. One Bloek to Times 8q. BEW TORE CUTS. Rational Rotel EUROPEAN PLAN. 8. E. Cor. Van Boron and Wabaah Ave. In Vicinity af all Theatres. THEATRICAL HEADQUARTERS. D. A. DOOLET, Prop. WHEN IN DETROIT STOP AT AMERICAN PLAN, tfl.66 TO 6400. EUROPEAN PLAN, 11.00 TO 66.60. BeTeral rooma with private bath all rooms here hat and oold running water. SPECIAL RATES TO THE PROFESSION. Looated on Oonrreaa street near Woodward avenue—only ftve minutes walk to all theatres. LIBERALLY PATRONIZED BY WHITE RATS. ■1ST PLACt TO STOP AT NEW YORK CITY "66 THE ST. KILOS 163 WEST 34th SHEET Tarnished Roams only. Baths' Telephon< Eleetrlo Light ('Phone 6446—61th St.) table. NEWLY FURNISHED ROOMS Bear Timea Square, Broadway, Baw York. 646 WEST 43d STREET. MRS. FAUST. Florenz House (Mrs. P. Florens, Prop.) The Home of the Profession, 170 West 47th Street, Bear Broadway Bow York First-class Rooms snd Board. Reasonable Terms. CooTeolent to all Principal Theatre*. 'Phone. 8011 Brysrt. London Bargeman V. A. F.'s ARTISTS' BAOOAOE AND PROPS Carted direct or stored at the lowest rates. TRAINS MET DAY OR BIGHT. Wires allowed for. A BRITT AIB 6 Colonnade News.' RUSSELL SQUARE, LONDON fcrent garment every time appearing on the stage, singing most pleasantly and has an ad- mirable presence. Miss Held with Fred Russell in the olio, proved one of the best singing and dancing acts seen. Miss Boll has a good voice and acted capably. Edna (Jreen Is active and made herself agreeably conspicuous. Josle Kine played a character part with discretion. She Is a comedienne. Eddie Fitzgerald upheld the Irish type, giving It naturalism. Eddie Con- vey did well in "straight." changing to a tra- ditional .Spanish officer. A better and more ef- ficient army of choristers has not been seen. The numbers are splendidly arranged and resplend- ently embellished with very prettily designed costumes. They are not gaudy. The music Is original and In InHtancrs catchy. The Nazarros gave an exhibition of dextrous gymnastic feats. The act Is similar to the Pantzer Troupe, and was greatly appreciated. The show Is better thlr* season than any previous year. EMPIRE (I. H. Herk. mgr.).—"Uncle Sam's nelles" is another new attraction on the West- ern Burlesque Wheel. "Americans Abroad" Is the disconnected opening piece, containing reeur- rected Incidents of the tried and familiar sort which require no Introduction to the burlesque goers. "The Disputed Check." an alleged farce of considerable duration. Is .given after tho olio. The material Ims served so often It now remains a question who Is to be given credit for having the best memory. There is a doleful scarcity of proper burlesque material, or the producers are of the opinion that any Jumble will do In this Improved sen son. Licentiousness Is absolutely a violation, and why shows are permitted to inject intentional suggestive matter the staunch advocates of expurgated burlesque who pay admission cannot apprehend. If a comedian cannot produce laughter with clean material and resorts to suggestlvencss the short- coming should be attended to without delay. The olio and musical numbers are about all that merited recognition. Richard Bros, are fairly good dancers. The Van Cooks gave their novel musical act which was appreciated. George Scnnlon and pearl Stevens did well with a atriog of conversation and songs, and Gracey When in ST. PAUL Stop at THE DARTMOUTH HOTEL (Cor. Exchange and St. Peter Sta.) European and Amerioan Plan. BRIDGE SQUARE HOTEL (Corner 8d and Wabasha Sta.) EUROPEAN PLAN. Spe>claU Kataa to tl*e> Profession Telephone 8544 Buahwiok. FURNISHED ROOMS DETACHED HOUSE. LARGE LIGHT BOOMS. ALL CONVENIENCES. EXCELLENT TABLE BOARD. 646 LEXINGTON AVE. Noar Broadway and Ralph Avenue, (Also near Empire Theatre.) BROOKLYN. N. Y« Mrs. Seinsoth. CHARGES REASONABLE. Burnett presented "A Royal Janitor." George Hers is an adept bag puncher. The show la well equipped with ordinary costumes, neither lavish nor attractive. It is a. burlesque show of the conventional sort only, the several principals doing what they can under the circumstances, arduous as it may seem, especially with the lat- itude and privileges. EUSON'S (Sid J. Euson, mgr.).—Irwin's "Ma- Jestlcs." FOLLY (John A. Fennessey, mgr.).—"Colonial Belles." HAYMARKET (W. V. Newklrk. mgr.).—Frank Nelson and Co., Merlan'a Canines, Car lot ta. Bowers, Walters and Crooker, Harry Richards and Co., Mitchell and Cain, Mrs. Dan McAvoy, Dean and Price, Borden and Zeno, Joe Carsa. STAR (Tom Carmody, mgr.).—Von Mltsel and Maynard, Rlva Larsen Troupe, The Hlracborns, Leo FUUer, Harrison Bros., Van Bergen and Kresky, Young Buffalo and Co., Joe Nlemeyer, Gladatone Sisters. NORTH AVENUE.—Three Raymonds, Sawyer and DeLina, Two Casettas, Leon and Bertie Al- len, The Demonlos, The McCarvers, Bnrch, Rlcbey and Co. SCHINDLER'8.—American Zouaves, The Sbar- rocks, Hsydn aqd Haydn, Masquerla Slaters, Harry Sheldon and Co. COLUMBIA.—Taalerbs Troupe, Jim Rutherford and Co., Cora Youngblood, Corson Sextet, Al H. Delton, Llndstrqm and Anderson, Evelyn Bird. Prof. F. L. Hlgglns. THALIA. — Traveaty Comedy Four, The Brownies, Venetian Musical Four, May Ogden. PEKIN.—Bruno Kramer Trio, Wangdoodle Quartet, Stelnert-Tbomas Trio. Billy Earthquake, Qulnn Trio, Wllllama and Stevens. LYCEUM.—Loralne Buchanan and Co., Bobby Watson Benton and McKenxle, Mack Sisters. VIRGINIA.—Colonial Trio, Stevens snd Wash- burn, Zlegler Trio, Jeanette Spencer. CRYSTAL.—Ed. Dnnkhorst snd Co., Sea moo and Mills, Cosy 8mlth and "Picks," Harriet Ho*- mer, Mexico Trio. GEM.—8tone an' Stone. May Addison, Bland snd Jones, Florence Daniels. PALAIS ROYAL.—JuggMng Jalvana. Sol Berna, Hanion and Walsh, Matthews snd Mat- thews, Leslie Joyce. IOLA.—Monsulls snd Russell, Stlth and Stltb. Brown Family, Toney and Toney, Kramer and Wlllard, Mile. Fays, Leopards. GRAND (Chicago Heights).—Murray's Dogs. Howe and Howe, Elmore and Bartlett, The Iluehl- ners, Mabel Vivian. The La 8alle Theatre, with its continuation of "Glrl"-tltled productions, has become a sort of educational edifice for the young theatre-goers of Cblcsgo. The "Girl" plays have met with singu- lar success, snd it Is convincingly evident thst a majority of the audience frequenting the play- house arc students of Beatrice Fairfax or her ardeut Inquisitors. Those who pursue light musical entertainment with Just enough plot to Involve unromantic love making and uuceremonr lous connubial sentiments of the "Ia'I'h get mar- ried, Kid," sort will And In "A Girl at the Helm" a positive stimulating recipe for love- moroseness and faint heart. It teaches the elo- quence of boldness and dennnee In a traditional way. Cecil I/'iui ran cure the most obstinate affliction of faint heart and teach the art of love making w,ili"nt the least meekness during one perfoniwiiifr. The story of the play (book by Robert I'.. Smith, score by Raymond Hub- Whcn answering advertisements kindly mention Variety.