Variety (January 1909)

VARIETY 29 I If I S l^l Harry Von Tilzer's Year i>; .irnl ; HIGHLAND MARY HARRY VON TILZER MUS PUI.CO, "Htppy'i Million," real good act, with plenty of novelty, went big. Mack and Marcus, In "Evolu- tion," lightning cartoon act. Well received. Cllvette, well liked, and Fonda, Dell and Fonda, with a swift routine of club Juggling, gave the ■now a good start. Business excellent. NOTES.—Geo. Devoy and the Dayton Sisters have just returned from a tour of the 8ulllvan tnd Consldlne Circuit and are now playing the Colorado end of the circuit.—Lillian Wright and the Gordon Boys replaced the Whitman Sisters at the Crystal, the latter retiring from the bill on Friday.—The local tLcatres are all doing big busi- ness. The Crystal showed to 24,000 people New Year's week and all the other theatres fared as well.—Mile. Fregolia has received offers for a European tour, but has not yet accepted.—S. and C. are .placing their attractions at the Opera House, Pueblo, Colo., in opposition to the Western States Earl Theatre.—Frank Milton and the De I/>ng Sisters have signed with the Sells-Floto mows for next season. —James J. Corbett's an- nouncement that he would fight Jack Johnson baa given him more space in the local papers than be ever bad in his best fighting days and has caused so much comment here that the advance sale for his engagement at the Tabor has broken all rec- ords. It Is regarded as one of the best pieces of press work done out here in years. BOSTON By ERNEST L. WAITT. VARIETY Office, 69 Summer Street. ORI'HEUM.—Harry Lauder's return drew big houses, but not quite so big as on bis first visit. Ed. Foster and bis dog are clever; Smlrl and Ressner, acrobats, unusual; Quaker City Four, good; W. S. Harvey, juggler, goes strong; Ada- mlnl and Taylor, particularly good musical act; Maude Morris, mighty good; Mile. Louise and Monkeys, held over. Lauder remains another week. KEITH'S.—"The Naked Truth," making good; Ryand and Richfield, good; Fred Sosman, humor- ist, with humor; Joe and Sadie Rrltton, new dance steps; Lisle, I-elgb and Co., In poor sketch; Kelly and Ashhy, tumblers; El Cota, xylopboue; Beverly and Van Dyck, musicians; Kremka Bros., acro- bats, all good; Smith and Campbell also ran. PHILADELPHIA By GEORGE M. TOXTNG. KEITH'S (II. T. Jordan, ragr.).— The bill runs to music thiH week and there is good, bad and worse in the melange. There is even too much of It, one number working against another, making It a difficult task for any to secure the best re- sults. There Is also plenty of class to the show, k departure from the offerings of the past month or so, and this was appreciated by a well filled bouse on Monday, the show generally being well received. Zelle I>e Lussan, the operatic prima donna, was given the headline position and was well liked by those who apreclate the diva as a THIS IB Harry Von Tilzer's tear ■>r\£ iu;c iif ihi' • ■j'-nri. DON'T TAKE ME HOME ■A ' '..!<■■ I rn^'■ t * inch hit that pulili'ili' 1 *!. If vim .in- tra VlTM'S S ,■!■. t. "HIGHLAND MARY" HARRY YON TILZER MUS. PUB. CO- . . , W .i ;i>] St net, Nt ^ Y.ii k. vaudeville feature. The sketch, "A Night With the Poets," scored one of the big hita of the bill. A real novelty In the dancing line was offered by the Lulu BeeaoD Trio. The pretty stage setting and well staged number at the opening gives the act an excellent start and the pace was kept up to the finish, Miss Beeson's dancing being a feat- ure. Carson and Wlllard departed from the beaten path and put over a new line of talk, which struck home In solid Btyle. The title of "The Dutch in Egypt" has very little to do with the specialty aside from explaining the appear- ance of a drop. The act was brand new here and went through in fine shape. The Fadettes changed their program for their second week and a marked Improvement was noticed all round. Hugh Lloyd, heralded as a world's bounding rope wonder, made his first appearance. Lloyd Is a good rope walker without being a wonder. Nearly all bis tricks have been shown before. Cooper and Robinson scored their usual solid hit. The Labakaoa and the cleverly trained dog "Jolly" were warmly received. Poster and Foster won their part of the honors lu the musical festival, the singing and plano-playlng being responsible for a goodly share. "The Four Comrades" got through nicely with a routine of comedy acro- batics and a lot of noise. Duff and Walsh were well liked for a neat dancing act. The boys show steady improvement. Sophie Everett and Co. pleased with a sketch, "A House Warming," of fair merit. The Kaufman Brothers, in burlesque singing and dancing, and Sid Baxter, a cyclist, appeared. TROCADERO (Charles Cromwell, mgr.).—A good, wholesome, clean, lively show la given by the "Strolling Players." It Is an M. M. ThieM show, though his name is not mentioned on the program. Whoever had the making over of the show accomplished something in putting together an entertainment that should please any kind of an audience. The first part is called "A Stolen Review," well named from the fact that it is simply "Wine, Woman and Song" over again, though considerable of the material has been changed and up-to-date matter replacing the original talk and business at numerous stages of the piece. Sam Llebert is the principal comedian and Is one of the most earnest workers seen along here for some time. Following bis Introduction with an Italian song, was one of the bits of the Bhow, be appeared as David Warfleld, mingling with the others, impersonating prominent the- atrical folk, the action, business and comedy being much of the same order as followed in the original "Wine, Woman and Song" piece, when Alexander Carr did the Warfleld stunt. Sam Hearn helps along in the comedy line In a rube sheriff role, and incidentally Introduces a violin specialty, which was very well received. Frank Bright is "Robert Mantell"; Frank Campbell the Keith- Proctor, programed as "Sullivan and Con- sldlne"; Al Thorson, the "Cbauncy Olcott"; Sam Fendell, "Caruso," and Eddie Barto, "George M. Cohan." After Uebcr* and Hearn, little Eddie keeps right in the limelight, handling his talk and number in excellent style and has developed Into a very useful young comedian in this show, for he appears twice in the olio and gets away with a goodly share of the honors in the burlesque. Kathryn Pearl appeared twice in the first part, but only prominently In the "OibBon Girl" num- ber, which she handles acceptably. Janette Woods, as "Blanche Bates"; Margie Conboy, as "Maude Adams"; Elizabeth Adams as "Ger- trude Hoffman," and Beatrice Fern, as "Fay Templeton" were also listed among the women principals, adding more or less to the action of the piece. Sadie La Mar gains a little promin- ence for some toe dancing of only fair merit. There is very little time given over to talk and what little latitude Is given the comedians in this line in so well done that the double-quick pace Bet at the start continues with but slight Interruption. The chorus is divided into show girls and "ponies," and it Is the best equipped bunch seen for some weeks. The "ponies" are a lively lot and from the way their work was re- ceived on Tuesday afternoon by a wcll-fllled bouse suggested that they would have been welcomed had they been on twice as many times. The show is strong vocally, the "Church City Quar- tet" showing to much better advantage in the choruses than In their specialty, where they have the handicap of being billed as the "best singing four extant"—whatever that means—against them. The "Strolling Players" is the best Empire Cir- cuit show seen here In some time and it is not far from being worth classing among the very best seen here this season on either Wheel. No little credit is due Alex. I). Gorman, the manager, who is giving the show the attention which many of them need. CASINO (Ellas & Koenlg, mgrs.).— "Jersey Lilies." BIJOU (Sam Dawson, mgr.).—"The Travelers." GAYBTY (Ed. Shayne, mgr.).—"Reilly & Wood's Big Show.' NOTES.—Three thousand persons who attended the big Shriners' Night at I.u Lu Temple were entertained by an excellent program, the feature of which was supplied by members of the "Night Owls." The show folks made such a big bit that the Shriners arranged a big night at the Casino Saturday night. I^oule Epstein was so well pleased with the whole affair that he forgot the loss of his gold watch and diamond fob and for- gave those who perpetrated the Joke on him. Epstein had eleven detectives on the scent, almost caused Charley Robinson to spend time In Jail, to say nothing of losing several pounds In weight from worrying and Louis cannot stand to lose much weight either. ATLANTIC CITY, N. J. YOUNG'S PIER (Ben Harris, mgr.).—Zcno. Gordon and Zeno, great casting act; George A. Beane and Co., "A Woman's Way." a laugh, Herbert and Willing, blackface comedians, good; James E. McDuff. mimic, clever; Roscoe and Sims, comedy musicians, good; Tanna. juggler, good; Jack and Bertha Rich, s. and d.. good. SAVOY (Harry Brown, mgr.).—Madame Otena and Master Evans. Japanese Illusions, clever; Clem Magee. Irish comedian, good; Fred Rlrhter, baritone, well liked. J. B. PULASKI. ATLANTA, OA. ORPUEUM (V. Whlttaker, mgr.).—The Vaggts, bag punchers, opened nicely; Al Lawrence, mimic, good; Gilroy, Haynes and Montgomery, laughing bit; Londe and Til ley, equilibrists, none better seen here; Four Masous and Corrine Francis, In "A Country School," went big; The Adelmgnns, musical, scored, Russell Bros., good closing num- ber, much laughter. BRIX. BALTIMORE, MS. MARYLAND (F. C. Scbanberger, mgr. Mon- day rehearsal 10).—Walter C. Kelly, always funny, easily the hit of a very good bill; Tus- cany Troubadours, bits from grand opera, a very close second; Clifford and Burke, new and amus- ing talk; Arthur McWatters and Grace Tyson, imitations above the ordinary; Florence Gale and Co., "The Girl Who Dared," excellent sketch nicely done; Myers and Rosa are skilled in the use of the lariat, well received; Captain Winston's Sea IJons show wonderful training, warmly ap- plauded. NEW MONUMENTAL (Moutague Jacobs, mgr.).—"Dreamlands." Dave Marlon's work Is better than ever and one of the beat shows seen on this Wheel. GAYBTY (W. L. Ballauf, Jr., mgr.).—Chas. Robinson's "Night Owls" are drawing good business. VICTORIA (Pearcc and Sheck, mgrs.).—A good bill this week, including Delresalo Troupe, acrobats; The Musical Simpsons; Regal Trio, comedy sketch; Ada Adairin, songs; The Berkes, s. and d.; Frank Jones, comedy skit; Alvin and Kenny, pre- sent novelty. JOHNNY MEYER8. BISMARCK, V. D. BIJOU (E. H. L. Vesper man, mgr.).—Week 4: Excellent bill, Including Tippel and Kliment, com- edy muBlcal, big hit; Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Dun- bar in "A Pair of Jacks," good laugh; m. p. GEM (M. J. Wells, mgr.L—Week 3: Georgie Ab- bott, good; Dancing Asbwells, fair; The Harts, comedy sketch, ordinary; m. p. DOC. BRISTOL, TENN. FAIRYLAND (Meaney & Courtney, mgrs.).— Week 4: Gilbert Saroney, fine; Marvelous Mai- corns, globe, excellent; HI. songs and m. p. NOTE.—JameB A. Cross is preparing to erect a summer theatre here for light comedy and vaude- ville. R. BROCKTON, MASS. HATHAWAY'S (Miss B. Guerney, res. mgr.).— B. F. Hawley ft Co., "The Bandit," very good; The Doherty Sisters, s: and d., better than the ordinary; Carletta the Contortionist, marvelous; The Three Welch Brothers, comedy acrobats, good; The Two Jagos, a. and d.; Adams and <;oubl, German comedians, pleased; Madame Flower in HI. songs, fine. SHEEDY'S (W. T. Bulllvant, mgr,).—The Astrella Sisters, Joe Duval and Co., a. and d. sketch, excellent; The Magln- leys, aerlallsts, much applause; Louise B. Miller and Co., "An Elk's Reception," pleased, as did Mrs. Fanny Hatch Thayer, vocalist. NBW ?RPHEUM (F. U. Bishop, mgr.).—The Havlland hornton Co., in "The Mighty Dollar," dealing with John D. Rockefeller, went big; Brmlne Louvet, contralto and reader, • making her pro- fessional debut, shows much talent; Wllber Amos, comedy juggler, clever; The McLaln Sisters, s. and d., ordinary. NOTB8.—W. F. Burrell, leader of the orchestra at Sheedy's, died auddenly of heart failure, Sunday, 3d. H. A. BARTLETT. BUFFALO, N. T. SHEA'S (M. Shea, mgr. Monday rehearsal 10). —Henrietta Croaman, in "Peggy O'Connor," as- sisted by J. A. Melsen, Geo. Spenser, Ashley Miller, Royal Tracy and Owen Meecb, good; Laddie Cliff, English comedian, excellent; Wills Holt Wakefield, good feature; Edna Luby, good; Kelo- niurl Japanese Troupe, fine; Brown, Harris and Brown, great; Redpath's Napanees, laughable; Herr Grau's Bphoons are wonderfully trained. GARDEN (Chas. E. White, local mgr.).—Sam Scribner's Big 8bow, featuring Bedlni, and Arthur, to good business. LAFAYETTE (Chas. M. Uaggs, local mgr.).—Miner's "Americans," with extra wrestling tournament. DICKSON. CINCINNATI, 0. COLUMBIA (II. M. Ziegler, mgr. Sunday re- hearsal 10).—Bernard and Seeley open In one of the best acts on the bill, a big bit. Fentelle and Carr in "Out Ix>ud Junction," very good. Violet Black in 'In the Subway." full of fnn. Dolesch and Zillbauer, good; Mabel Sinclair, ventriloquist, very clever. Dan Burke and his "Dancing Girls," excellent. Hig City Quartet, fine singing, but selections failed to please. Sandor's Animals shared honors with Bernard as the bits. PEOPLE'S (James E. Fennessey, mgr.).—"Sam Devere Burlesquers," "What Happened East." the opening, and "What Happened West," is the closing burlesque, but the audience was satisfied It never "happened" at all. Dick Brown, John Bragg and Sam J. Adams are the comedians, all extremely clever and they are entitled to a great deal of credit for what good work they get out of poor material. STANDARD (Frank J. Clements, bouse agent). —"Harry Bryant's Burlesquers." Show not up to expectations. AUDITORIUM (Mr. Canfleld. mgr. Sunday re hearsal 11).—Geraldlne. McCann and Co. in "School Days," big hit; Four Harrises, dancers, extremely clever; Al. Wilson, minstrel, very clever: Olivette, foot worker, closed. ROBINSON'S (Coney Holmes, mgr. Monday re- hearsal 11).—Frank Melvin, circus act. fine; Mas- qrla Trio, dancer*, fine; Levlne and Irvine, acro- bats, good; Lyceum Comedy Four, good. CLEVELAND, 0. KEITH'S (H. A. Daniels, mgr.).—"Night In a London Music Hall"; Delniore and I*e, athletes; Jennings and Renfrew. Broadway hits: Miss Irene Franklin, assisted by Bert Green: Valerie Ber- gere and Co., offering "Blllle's First I-ove"; July and PnkH. s. and d. artists; Onlow Trio, wire sensation; Nlblo's Talking Birds. - — EMPIRE i Ceo. Clicnct. nigr.K Ruby 1-eonl and Billy Hart, with the "Crack« rjacks." and a good bill Is offered. STAR (Dr.-w A- Cnmplwdl, mgrs.). — "Kentuckv Belles" Is the attraction. WALTER D. HOLCOMB COLUMBUS, 0. KEITH'S (W. W. Prosser, mgr.).—Cartel le Bros., roller skaters, received with much laughter; Annie and Bffle Conley, "song stories," pleasing; Preston Kendall, In tabloid version of "The Devil," clever; James F. MscDonald, scored with good songs, ordinary stories; Hassan Ben All Troupe, acrobats, hit of the bill; Wynne and Lewis, good; "Buster Brown," with Louis Merkel as "BuBter" and Edwin Lamar ps "Tlge," amus- ing. Gsyety (A. L. Wiswell, mgr.).—Al. Reeves' "Beauty Show" offered an entertaining show. LITTLE CHARLBY. DALLAS, TEX. MAJESTIC (Interstate Amusement Co., owners; T. P. Flnnegan, local mgr.).—Perrln Somers and Tillle Storke, in the comedy playlet, "Jackson's Honeymoon," very good; Askeland, the Norwegian violinist, pleased highly; Del more and Dan ell, blackface comedy and songs, clever; The Great Martynne; Eva Jacobeon, singer of rare talent, took well; Dickinson and Bronston, singers, made bit; Clemenso Brothers, eccentric muslcsl set, very funny. M. 8. FIFB. DAYTON, 0. LYRIC (Max Hurtlg, mgr.).—Ferrell Brothers, comedy cyclists, good; Sam Stern, singing comed- ian, well liked; Eva Wescott and Co., in a novel offering, clever; The Dellaven Sextet, in the danc- ing operetta, "The Understudy," headline, very good; The American Newsboy Quartet, hit; Mc- Nlsb and Penfold, pleasing; The Morton-Jewell Troupe, spectacular Jugglers, good. AUDI- TORIUM (B. G. Wheeler, mgr.).—The Sidney Toledo Co., comedy sketch, good; Lawrence snd Arnsman, s. and d., very good; Tolly and Wynn, hit; Jo. Benardo and Clara Kuns singing with 111. songs, big applause. R. W. MYERS. DEB MOINES, IA. MAJESTIC (Fred Buchanan).—Homer Ltnd, operatic playlet, pleasing; Sue Smith, character songs, delightful; Howard and Howard, come- dians, hearty reception; Gehan and Spencer, dan- cing, remarkable; Four Dunbars, aerial, thrilling; The Colbys, pleasant novelty; Winifred Douglas and Moscroas Sisters, diverting. EMPIRE (M. J. Karger, mgr.).—"Frolicsome Lambs," frolic from start to finish. UNIQUE (Getchell A Ell>ert, mgrs.).—Bruce. Carter and Colvert, travesty, well received; Steele and McMastera, comedy skaters and acrobats; Hoyden Family, wire, well liked; Demonde and Densinore, sing- ing, applauded. JAMBS. DETROIT. TEMPLE (J. H. Moore, mgr.). --I/eo. IHtrlch stein and Co., well received; Lauihertl, clever; Adelaide and her "Dainty Dancers," pleased; Hounding Cordons, very good; Marcella, pleasing; Cook a'id Stevens, pleased; Itae and Broche. very funny. MAJESTIC (Casino Co.).—Florence Stanley and Co., Stemhart-Thomas Trio, Smith and When answering advertisements kindly mention Variety.