Variety (August 1911)

14 VARIETY NEW ACTS NEXT WEEK Initial Presentation, First Appearance or Reappearance In or Around New York "The Apple of Parte," Hammersteln's. Ollie Young and April, Hammerstein's. Porter J. White and Co. (New Act), Fifth Avenue. Joe Fanton and Bro., Fifth Avenue. Tim Cronin, Fifth Avenue. ( Jarvte and Harris, Henderson's. Pendelton Sisters, Henderson's. Meheen's Dogs, Henderson's. "Hello Paris.*' Musical Comedy. 60 Mins.; Full Stage (Special Set- ting.) Folies Bergere. With a new book by William Le Baron, new comedy by Nita Allen and James J. Morton, "Hello Paris" be- came a new show at the Folies Monday evening. The Harris-Lasky produc- tion needed something, and received it. From a slow moving tiresome and list- less piece of stage entertainment, "Hello Paris" is now a lively bit of playing, with the numbers serving as the ginger in the background to the very relishable fun served up by Mr. Morton and Miss Allen. In the re- written "Paris," the story has been all changed about. Will Archie and Julia Ralph are absent from the cast. Zeke Cplvan has been added, playing a slangy fellow for a few moments. "The Siberian Whirl," the hit of the first week, is still holdtng its place on the successful list, danced by Harry Pilcer and Minerva Coverdale. In the faster entertainment the revision has brought about, this bit of "Apache" work doesn't seem as big, but it is still a vivid bit of whirling, described by Mr. Morton as something that should be called a "Hell Galop" instead. Miss Allen did extremely well. Her num- ber, "That Aeroplane Rag" made a dis- tinct score) and she brought laughter continually by eccentric comicalities. During the performance, Miss Allen employed for laughs, "You can't in- sult me, I have been insulted by ex- perts," and "All dressed up with no place to go." These lines are in "The Girl of My Dreams," at the Criterion. Miss Allen claims that when playing the eccentric female role in that show she interpolated these remarks, but when leaving could not remove them, the management holding onto the quips for Alice Hills, her successor. Mr. Morton Just walked through the show, playing naturally, and once again became a waiter, his first wait- ing job in a production since up at the Circle some years ago. Jim is a tower of strength to "Hello Paris." The numbers have been held down nicely, with but a couple of dancing ones to recall the familiar Wayburn steps. "Hello Paris," as it is now reg- ulated, could become a dandy turn, somewhat lengthy, for vaudeville al- though the new show causes one to forget the passing of time. It Is a strong illustration of the foolishness of first presenting anything in New York. Had "Hello Paris" gone out for a week before shown at the Folies, the show now given would likely have been the first one seen there, with a different tale for the box office to tell the Cabaret. him. Cocci*-Amato and Co. (6) "The Apple of Paris" (Pantomime). 16 Mine.; Three (Interior) (18); One (Black Curtain) (1); Full (Exte- rior) (2). Henderson's. When it comes to the art of pan- tomiming the Coccia-Amato combina- tion is one to be reckoned with. In their newest dancing offering a dra- matic pantomime in two scenes, writ- ten and produced by Aurelio Coccla, with Minni Amato in the principal role, they are putting over a legitimate suc- cess. Odetto (Amato) is an adven- turess who carries on what first ap- pears to be a harmless flirtation with Pierrot (Coccla), but which ends in real tragedy when the man receives a mortal sword thrust by Odetta dur- ing a duel between her and Plerette (Ines Palange). The first scene takes place in Odette's boudoir on her birth- day, the second (duel) in her garden. During the change, Coccla does some splendid pantomime work before a black curtain. A. Ranghellia as the baron, Odette's protector, and Lina Costa as Llane, have minor roles ac- ceptably filled. The rest of the com- pany form the guests with Marcel Dan- ty doing a servant. Coccla in white- face as a buffoon acquits himself in fine style. He Is a master in pantomiming. It is the first time Coccla has played in chalk. He and Amato put over their dance in the first scene with the de- sired results. The beautiful blond dancer is an animated piece of femin- inity throughout and puts a lot of life into her work. The opening might be stimulated by shortening the pantomime leading to the "bit" be- tween the leads. At such a birthday party as in progress with the wine flowing freely there should be a snap- pier more livelier getaway. The duel scene puts a novel ending to the act. Ines Palange made a pleasing Impres- sion with her looks and acting. Eu- gene Salzer had charge of an aug- mented orchestra which played Daniel Dore's Parisian music. This is the first week of the new production. Mark. Young Alabama and Go. (9). Dances. 0 Mins.; (Full Stage). Folies Bergere. Leaving the "Top O' Th' World" or "Folies Bergere Dancers," Young Ala- bama has taken his girl assistant in the "Grizzly" number, and with an- other young man, formed a three-act, nearly all dancing. The exception is where Alabama sings for a moment. He should not sing at all. The former "Dallas Dip," danced by Alabama and the girl, Is repeated, with the young people dressed in civilian clothes, much preferable to the Bowery make up they before affected for this. The bet- ter music Alabama can procure for this dance, the better he will dance It. The girl is concerned in all three dances. For the first, the "Dallas Dip" music is taken to waltz time, the second young fellow dancing from a slow Spanish into a fast whirling finish. It is very good, and looks pretty. After the "rag" dancing by Alabama and the same girl, all three people get in a line, close formation, with the girl in the center, for a waltz. It made a good ending to a very neat dancing act, one that could step right into the big bills, about "No. 3," or opening after intermission. If young Mr. Alabama is sensible, he will select a new name for himself, not "Young Alabama" nor "The Alabama Kid," but some regular civilized title. Bime. Martin Howard. Dances. 6 Mins.; Three (Exterior). Combining grace with familiarity of some of the dances of the nation, Mr. Howard is winning recognition in the "pop" houses. He is light on his feet and does the sailor's hornpipe, High- land sword dance and the Irish reel, costumed accordingly, quite well. Mr. Howard should have no trouble in filling in on any of the "small time" bills. Mark. Helen Davis. Dancer. 0 Mins.; One. Watching Helen Davis, dressed in knickers and wearing a smile that dis- closed a gold tooth and at the same time dancing (very difficult), one could imagine himself in an English music hall, where acts of this kind are placed on the bill to chase the King's subjects to the bars. Helen is taking a long chance appearing ail alone in a very simple dancing act. Jess. Lilian Graham Songs and Dances. 7 Mins.; One (5); Two (2). Fifth Avenue (Aug. 20). In "The Red Rose," Lilian Graham did a little toe dance. For some rea- son, perhaps because the dance oppor- tunity was taken away from her in the Valeska Suratt show, Miss Graham left the troupe. Sunday night she made the mistake of appearing In vaudeville, singing two songs and dancing twice. One was a repetition of the little toe dance Miss Graham did in "The Red Rose." It isn't really the girl's fault. Whoever advised her to chance vaudeville is the one to be censured. Miss Graham has all to learn, beyond the few steps on the toes she knows. It is hardly likely Lilian could succeed on the "small time," although a round of those houses might teach her a great deal that she should know. If this Lilian ever does return to vaudeville, it would be most advisable for her to choose another name. That "Lillian Graham" is well known now in police and show circles, and this Miss Gra- ham, who never shot a man in the leg or anywhere else, merely becomes a mark for the managers who might listen to the benefit of a well adver- tised title. But Miss Graham looks like a nice little girl, and if the report that she has a nice home is true, there is no better place for her to play a permanent engagement. Sim-*. NEW SHOWS NEXT WEEK Initial Praaaatatlon of Legitimate Attractlona In Now York Thoatroa "Maggie Pepper" (Rose Stahl) (Aug. 31), Harris. "The Siren" (Donald Brian), Knicker- bocker. Charles Leonard Fletcher Players (4). "Get-Away-Qultk-Dugan" (Comedy Drama). 23 Mins.; Four (Office: Special Set). Fifth Avenue (Aug. 20). Every week or so now some "Charles Leonard Fletcher Players" are bobbing up. Four were at the Fifth Avenue Sunday evening, "try- ing out" In a home made sketch. It was about a crook, so Wise in his pro- fession he wore gloves when opening a safe by the proper combination to prevent "headquarters" getting his thumb mark. As a little piece of valu- able Information for regular crooks, this was going some. There's a fly crook named Dugan, who changes dis- guises in view of the audience. Dugan rented an office next door to the chief of detectives, who had, as an aide, a German cop In uniform. Mrs. Van Rensselaer or some other high toned bug had lost a job lot of jewelry, stol- en from her, but recovered by the chief and placed in his office safe. The author of the home made sketch wrote that Dugan should have an office next door, that the chief and his assistant should vacate, then have Dugan come in rob the safe, give the jewels to a confederate, have the confederate se- cure $16,000 on them from Fence Mother Hennessy, have the detective and the cop return (one at a time), Impersonate both to the perplexity of the other, have the confederate squeal upon him, get the $16,000 In cash, and eventually also secure the diamonds again, then tie up the chief, the assis- tant and the confederate In a knot, with ropes and handcuffs—and have the audience believe it. The sketch took a turn for farclal comedy toward the end that did rather well, but even then the silliness of the story ruined It- Bime. Switzer and Delaney. Rathskeller Duo. 11 Mins.; One. One of the boys does nearly a!l the singing, offering "Sweet Italian Love," "That Kasatsky Dance" and "Dat Lovin' Man." The piano man does that "hero, not me" bit, fairly well received. The singer has a strong voice, and works hard to please. The boys could improve by getting a new song arrangement and sporting some new suits of similar material. The sameness of the songs holds the act back. Mark. Duffy and Edwards. Comedy Bar. As an opening turn on the small time, Duffy and Edwards, in a comedy bar act, make a desirable number, with fast, though not unusual work. Bime. Polk and Polk. Equilibrists. H Mins.; Interior. American. Two men get over a good exhibition of balancing and ground work, finish- ing with some spring-board tricks that look new and from which they get decent results. The act will make a good opener for the big time. Jlw.