Variety (July 1912)

VARIETY 17 New Acts in M Pop M Houses Murray, Love and Campbell. Songs and Dances. 12 Mlns.; One. American Roof. Two girls and a boy, with the young women possessing what little class the act holds. The billing men- tions comedy, noticeably missed. The two girls pass more on looks than anything they do. While the young man dances, he doesn't dress as well as his companions, especially at the opening when the girls look their best, and he his worst. One of the young women has a neatly gotten up bath- ing suit and appears alone with it, but can not hold herself up even for a brief spell as a single. There is a sailor's number to close, remindful of the Jimmy Powers thing in "Ha- vana." The act will do nicely on the small time. The young man can im- prove it greatly by gathering in another suit of clothes to replace the black clothes worn at the opening; also the straw hat. Badly placed at the American, following a large en- semble number full of songs and dances, the trio did very well. Simc- Barrett and Dunn. Singing, Dancing, Cross-fire. 10 Mins.; One. It's been many a day—yea, many a year—since metropolitan vaudeville has been regaled with a genuine, old- fashioned posing clog act. Barrett and Dunn are a couple of old-timers, one an Irish straight, the other with red "Galway" whiskers who kids as in the olden days and sings "She's as pretty" (a few steps and a pose); "as a picture" (same), &c. The act 's so old that to the big small time au- diences, who are made up almost en- tirely of a newer generation of the- atre-goers, it is brand new and quite original. They go well. Jolo. Margie Bennett and Co. (6). Songs and Dances. 11 Mins.; One and Two. Margie Bennett has a "pick act," varying only from the usual turn of this sort through having six colored boys and girls behind her. There are three of each sex in the colored squad. At the finale one of the boys scored the hit of the act with his dancing. Miss Bennett does even less than lead- ers of "pick acts" are expected to do. The speed of the turn, which is fairly well dressed, and the number of peo- ple make it desirable for the small time, at a price. Sime. Ifarcourt and Leslie. Comedy Skit. 11 Mins.; One. Man and woman in a good big small time skit, starting ofT with a plot which becomes lost in transit. Woman does the feeding to man's ec- centric comedy, which is along the lines, both in makeup and work, made familiar by Billy Van. After plot is lost, they do some good trav- esty work. For finish girl changes to neat boy, singing "Beautiful Doll," with man in burlesque, female attire. Jolo. Will Davis. Monolog and Songs. 17 Mins.; One. The highest sort of commendation 13 due Will Davis for offering an orig- inal opening for a monologistic act. After his card is shown the music plays his introduction three or four times and no one appears. The stage manager then appears and asks: "I* there a doctor in the audience? An accident has occurred behind the scenes." A well-dressed man with a pointed beard arises from an or- chestra seat in answer to the call and is asked to step on the stage. He does so and is told to wait a moment. While standing'there, with the audi- ence in suspense, he fidgets with his hat and cane, acting just as a person not familiar with the rostrum, to the huge delight of the house. Up to this moment the Idea is altogether unique. Then he gets away from the character by singing a song, following it with seme stories and finally another song. The material is not at all in keeping vth the character; he does not plant it properly and takes unusual liberties lu a personal way with his audience. V'b deplorable that such an idea is net properly worked out, as the man has a "medical air" about him that Bhould be utilized. In its present shape it is a purely big small time act. Join. Maud Kimball and Co. (1). Farcical Sketch. 18 Mins.; Interior. From the stilted speeches and such ejaculations as "Gad, madam," the sketch bears the earmarks of an En- glish playlet of ancient vintage. Sketch is not any too well played, cither. Small time act. Jolo. Times Square Quartet. Singing. 10 Mins.; One. Neatly attired in simple sack suits and straw hats the men appear stiff and amateurish. Not especially good singers. Small time act. Jolo. Martini and Troise. Singing, Dancing, Talk. 12 Mins.; One (Special Drop). Drop discloses exterior of saloon in cheap neighborhood. A pair of street musicians, man and woman ("wops") are thrown out. Man starts in a ti- rade of abuse to woman in approved "wop" dialect. She finally escapes and he sings a wop song. She plays a small piano-accordeon and he a gui- tar, which scores strongly. For an encore they dance folded in each others' arms, playing their instru- ments held on the backs of the other. This is a "riot." Man characterizes well and woman makes up for it with her instrumentation. Very desirable big small timers. Jolo. Conrad and Reed. Songs, Talk, Dancing, Piano, Violin. 10 Mins.; One. A more or less consistent excuse for (.he introduction of piano and violin specialty on the "street," done by a clever pair of men, one straight, the other "wop." Both sustain their characters well. A sure-fire big small timo offering and probably a good number for the two-a-day. Jolo. Rose Gordon and Co. (2). Musical Comedy Sketch.' IS Mins.; Full Stage (Special Set). Scene shows exterior of girl's home, with set cottage. Bashful man In love with the girl, asks his chum to propose for him. Chum does so, and it is disclosed to the girl and the bashful man whom she has accepted, thiu the chum is in love with her and has sacrificed himself for his friend. 1'uring the action there are a couple of production numbers. Nothing start- ling about the story, its working out or the people Interpreting it. But with the scenery, etc., it is flashy enough to make an effective early act on a small big time program. Jolo. Bob Hooper. Monologist. 14 Mins.; One. Six-footer in frock coat and silk hat. Opens with _ old-fashioned "laughing" song. After wrestling fe- rociously with that he tells a number of such up-to-date stories as "Let mo see your underwear." His finish is a dramatic recitation entitled "De- serted" with "My Country 'Tis of Thee" for incidental music. It has the "flag" finish lashed down tight. A small timer. Jolo. Lowe and Devere. Singing and Dancing. 1ft Mins.; One. Singing and mostly very good danc- ing of many styles, by two men. Ec- centric stepping comes in for plentiful applause. Good big small timers. Jolo. Mona. Violinlste. 7 Mins.; One. American Roof. Someone is plucking too many vio- linistes before they are ripe for the stage. Mona is another one, after the Yvette style. The only thing she has been well taught to do Is to take bows. Sime SOUTH AMERICAN INVASION. At various times during the past three years the rumor has circulated that American vaudeville managers were contemplating circuits in differ- ent parts of the world. The last field set upon Is South America. There seems to be more foundation for this story than in the other instances. At present the amusements offered in the South American countries are very limited. The variety performances are not unlike those given here in the early days when women would not think of entering a variety theatre. "Girl acts" are what the management desires mostly. The attractive part of the proposi- tion lies in the fact that it will not require a great amount in the initial investment to start the thing agoing It is understood two of New York's biggest legitimate producers together with one of the big vaudeville agents have Interested themselves In fix 1 South American proposition and a def- inite statement may be given out in the course of the next fortnight re- garding it. out or TOWN Florence Roberts and Co. (4). "The Woman Intervenes*' (Dramatic). 24 Mins.; (Interior, Parlor). Orpheum, Los Angeles. A very creditable product by J. Hartley Manners, and appears to fit Miss Roberts like the proverbial glove. Taere is little comedy in the piece to amuse the seeker for the lighter ma- terial of entertainment, but the story is so full of the real heart interest tbat grips with each pulsation that those who have a sense of apprecia- tion of the finer sort of things are inclined to be led away quite com- pletely from their search for humor and unconsciously follow Instead the steel-like thread of a narrative that the dramatist has so powerfully and ingeniously woven. The basic prin- ciples of the plot are the unlawful attachment of a middle-aged bachelor for the wife of a Colonel Brent, a re- ciprocal feeling on her part that is supposed to have reached danger- ously near the compromising point, and the advent at the psychological moment of "the intervening woman," Mhose interference has the effect ol pacifying a jealous husband and ulti- mately preventing a shooting tragedy by the employment of skillful tact and diplomacy. The theme is a deli- cate one, and if not altogether origi- nal, is treated masterly and appeari delightfully novel. Miss Roberts it tho "woman who Intervenes" and hei interpretation of the part is a fins etrong specimen of histrlonism. He. support is excellent. As seen here al the "try-out" performance, "Th4 Woman Intervenes" is a classier v* hide in every respect than "Th< Miracle." Bebo. Itouise George. Singing. 10 Mins.; One. !'antages, Los Angeles. Another Pasadena product un- earthed by Alex Pantages and utilize 1 for a box office magnet on account of her local following. Moderately well gowned and the possessor of a fairly grod soprano voice, the young woman managed to pass with the aid of an interested and kindly sympathetic au- dience. While the rough edges are v earing off she will be wise to limit her vodeville perambulations to tho confines of southern California. Hebo. Ilonitu and Lew Hciirn will not l»»> in the cast of "Tho Cabaret C.irl." HAUENRECK'S MENAGERIE. Paris, July 9. Willy Hagenbeck's menagerie is do- ing tremendous business in (or rather just outside the walls of) Paris, at the Porte des Ternes-a stone throw from Luna Park. The circus has a capacity of r>,000. with seats from 1 fr. (19 cents) to 10 frs. ($1.93). Willy Is with the show, Herr Strauss being in charge of "the front of the house." Willy Peters has re- turned after five years' absence, hav- ing taken the place of Carl Feld- rnann, who was terribly mauled by a lion at Versailles last month. August Moelker, In two different acts with lions and tigers, Is franti- cally applauded. I lank Tannehill, Charles Bradley and Hert Cluck man returned to New York Tuesday, after a trip abroad.