Variety (January 1913)

VARIETY 27 PHILADELPHIA By •BOIOI M. TOUR*. KEITH'S (H. T. Jordan, mgr. ; agent. U. It. O.).—Having to follow "A Romance of ihe Underworld" over the vaudeville route la the heaviest handicap Taylor Granville's crook" sketch. "The System" will have to work against. Where the "Underworld" sketch has not been seen, "The System" ought to hit the general run of vaudeville patrons in a favorable light. It's a good enough sketch of ita kind, but its principal fault is overplaying and exaggeration. Even the best lines brought no applause, strong situations missed lire, and when "The Eel" and "Ooldle" held the stage for the final picture, the stampede for the exit started. This la not unusual with Monday audiences here—the toughest of the week—but "The System" should have held them.' It didn't and there is a reason. One thing is made certain with the appearance of Hughey Jennings on the stage, the Detroit manager Is the best talker and the worst einger of any of the ball play- ers who have eased their way Into vaude- ville on baseball reputation. Up to the time liughey tried his vocal stunt with Ben Smith, he was hitting above Ty CobtLs best average, but he turned it off nicely and left a good impression behind. Smith put a couple of songs over and Hughey passed with his reci- tation and a little baseball talk. He was warmly welcomed, too, so his average Is a little better than .500. The dashing style of May Wirtb boosted the equestrian act of the Wirth Family. The girl is a wonder on a horse and her work pulled down big reward. Hilly McDermott was the laughing hit of the bill. This fellow works so closely along the lines of Nat Wills that there wu an audible murmur of recognition buzzing when he en- tered. McDermott has an excellent voice and knows how to use it to advantage. Nat Wills' "Beware" song and Elfle Fay's Sousa burlesque brought McDerniott's his best re- turns and his burlesque medley eong was a good finishing bit. He's not original, but he's funny. "The Opera Singer" with Homer Llnd and Co. was a very well liked sketch. There is no change in its routine since last seen. Three single acts in a row started the *diow off nicely. Adonis and his dog fur- nished the usual showy opening. Laura Buck- ley offered a series of character "types," pleasing mildly, and Frank Hartley, a Jug- gler, with one or two new tricks, met with warm favor. Hartley has a couple of dandy little tricks which appear new. The early portion of his act can stand building up, but tie finishes strong. BIJOU (Joseph Dougherty, mgr.; agent, U. P.. ().). Good average bill. Hou«e filled Mon- day evening first show. Olympic Trio, showy act on the parallel bars. So few acts of this kind seen stands out as something novel and boys are clever at the work. Opened show here, could have held down better spot. Van and Mack got by lightly with a singing and talking act. ,Talk needs improving Weak old man" ga* used by Frank Tinney, only fresh one. Italian Troubadours, instru- mental and winging. Three men with good voices, handle their numbers well and won plenty of favor. Little more of the Ameri- can songs would nelp the net. Irene Hobson and Co. offered a sketch of ordinary merit. Comedy got over in good shape. Woman with a shock of Leslie Carter hair works hard. Small time sketch of ^he fair class. Hart, Hyland and Patterson, three boys who have been familiar entertainers In the local cafes where they have a big following. Good voices, neat appearance. Need vaudeville ex- perience to stamp out style of work which places them In a class of acts which have been pretty well worked out. One good Irish ballad, or yodllng, number which Hart does so well would improve the act. Boys should be liked on the small time for their singing. Spisscll Brothers closed the bill In good shape with their lively comedy acrobatics. VICTORIA (Jay Mnstabaum, mgr.; booked direct). -Well balanced bill, holding up to an even average of entertainment all tne way. Ruth Wright, single singer, had the opening spot, getting along very well. Has string voice. Needs more ginger to make her songs go. Very good looking head and hand balancing act shown by the Dalley Brothers. Some time wasted on poor at- tempts to Inject comedy. Act does not need it, can stand on merit of straight work. Krene and Henrietta Is a newly formed "sis- ter team." Former tried out os a single here not long ogo. Present act needs plenty of work. (ilrls need speed and life. Erene makes a capital boy. Act not yet In shape to give final answer as to its future. Young and Price, colored team, also new. Boy good dancer and acrobat, probably worked in a ■pick" act. Oirl has fair voice and puts songs over well. Will Impreve with work. Plelot and Schofleld, juguling and comedy. (i'rl Is a wonder, working under the most severe handicap, gets a song over and handles eomedy for steady laughs through quiet and legitimate efforts. Fellow a good juggler and with the girl's aid has framed up a very nice act of its kind. A few of the "small time" girls who think it is the conditions which keep them from going ahead should watch this girl, a cripple, and then keep • inlet. The fast stepping of the Three Lublns runs their act out to a dandy finish. Good ringing and talking act for the small time houses. The Edisons did very well with a comedy acrobatic turn. Mel Eastman, single, working straight with a lively opening, good ■tyle and delivery, sending his talk over with plenty of snap. Excellent singing voice. Makes a useful single number. The Sailor Boy's Band, sixteen In the act, special set- ting representing band de« k of cruiser. Boys dressed as sailors give usual concert. Act Is fluiwy for small houses and was liberally re- warded, is new and will do better. PALACE (E. L. Perry, mgr.; booked di- rect).- Bill up to the usual average, pleased a crowded house Tuesday evening. Jack Rich, in blackface, did lightly with talk and 4UJ0* ZEHTHO °Hiidaz GOING ABROAD. WATCH US! 5 Musical McLarens Playod ovorywhtra Booked to open at Direction, htro and mado food , IUSG0W, FEB. 17 PANTAGES CIRCUIT—BOOKED SOLID BILLY ■OSE Lloyd and Black THOSE CLASSY ENTERTAINERS Doing Well, Thank You. LOUIS PINCUS, ... Personal Representative pulled out nicely with his dancing. Needs some new gags. Sweet Sixteen Girls, four good looking, well dressed girls with pleas- ing voices. Get their songs over In winning fashion. A nice looking singing turn for the small time. The Maglnleys were liked for their familiar routine of aerial work. Mor- ton and Lusso, youngsters, local act. Both have good voices. Poor Idea of dressing for the opening. Will do nicely as a "kid" act and should be presented as "cutely" as pos- sible. Value of the offering Is that they are "kiddies" with more than usual vocal ability. Miller and Russell were well received with their "lunatic." sketch. Comedy, singing and talking well blended and handled well. Fitz- gerald and O'Dell, tramp act of the Smith and Cook tyne, dressed In white. Sing and talk. Well liked. Duffln-Redcay Troupe, the big type act. Very good act for this house and held the position down In fine style. Plenty of applause at the finish of the act. BROAD (Nixon & Zimmerman, mgrs.).— "The Governor's Lady" opened to big busi- ness. Piece originally presented here last season. Promises to repeat firm impression. Cast practically same as original. Well liked. FORREST (Nixon & Zimmerman, mgrs.).— Raymond Hitchcock In "Red Widow." Re- turn engagement. House three-quarters filled Monday night. Comedian strong locally. CHESTNUT STREET O. H. (Zimmerman & Nixon, mgrs.).—Otis Skinner In "Kismet." Drawing splendid business In second week. Will do well through four week's stay. At- tracting high class natronnge. Star and piece fixed firmly in approval. ADELPHI (L. Blumberg, mgr.; Shuberts.) "Bought and Paid For" still doing fine business In fourth week. Play hit here. LYRIC (L. Blumberg, mgr.; Shuberts).— "Everywoman" second week. Good business. Return engagement. WALNTT (Samuel Johns, mgr). William Farnum In "The Littlest Rebel." Business holding up well with prices reduced to one dollar for lower floor. Second week. May go two more weeks. GRAND O. H. (W. Dnyton Wegcfarth, mgr.; S. & ID. "The Confession" by James Hnl- leck Reld. Strong drama of religious sig- nificance and abounds in thrilling situations. Presented by satisfactory compnny and open- ed well. Received favorable comment. Feb. It, Otis Skinner, assisted by an array I " Hello George." Claeetett Dancing Act In Vaudeville and " None Better, None to Equal" Moved from "No 4" to "No. 8" at Newark thls>eek. Fifth Avenue next week (Feb. 3) Harvey-DeVora Trio BOOKED SOLID UNTIL JUNE This Week (Jan. 27) Palace, Chicago Direction, EDW. S. KELLER Western-Rep., JAMES McKOWEN of artists, will Rive a benefit performance for the Charlotte Cushman Club. Feb. :t will mark the return of the Phila- delphia-Chicago Grand Opera Co. to this city. "Lucia" will be given with Mme. Tetrazzini In the title role. BOSTON BY J. UOOLTt. 80 Bummer Street. KEITHS (Harry E. Oustln. mgr. ; agent, U. B. O.).—Fine bill with "The Drums of Oude" as headliner. Frank North & Co., big scream ; Cross & Josephine, good ; Smith, Voelk & Cronln, good rathskeller act; Four Onettl Sisters, good; Helm Children, scored; Gee Jays, pleased; Stuart & Keeley, pleased; Annie Onrl, opened well. Pictures. HOLLIS (Charles J. Rich, res. mgr.; K. & E.).—"The High Road." with Mrs. Flske. Business big. Last week. Next week, Blllle Burke In "Mind the Paint Girl." PARK (Charles J. Rich. res. mgr.; K. & E.). —"The Woman." Business growing all the time. COLONIAL (Charlos J. Rich. res. mgr.; K. & E.).—"Zlegfeld's Follies." Chlng Ling Foo and troupe added this week. Business capac- ity. Only musical show In town for past two weeks SHUBERT (E. D. Smith, res. mgr.; Bbu- bert).—Robert B. Mantell In Shakespearian rep. Here for two weeks. Big opening. MAJESTIC (E. D. Smith, res. mgr.; Shu- bert).—"Bunty Pulls the Strings." Turning them away. BOSTON (Al. Loverlng, mgr.; K. ft B.).— "The Garden of \llah." Can stay a long time. Bu«lness big. TREMONT (John B. Schoffel, mgr.; K. ft E.).—"Milestones" doing fairly well. Third PLYMOUTH (Fred Wright, mgr.; Llebler's) —"Disraoll," with George Arllss. Last of 17 weeks' run. Hasn't worn out welcome. BOSTON OPERA HOUSE (Henry Russell, managing director).- Grand Opera. CASTLE SQUARE (John Craig, mgr.).— Stock : "Believe Me Xantlppe." Bald to be a big And. New York men here to look It over for Metropolitan production. ST. JAMES (M. H. Gulcslan, mgr.).—Stock: "Three of Us." GAIETY (George T. Batchellor, mgr.).— Burlesque: "Beauty, Youth and Folly." HOWARD (C. Lothrop. mgr.).—Burlesque and vaudeville: "Girls from Missouri." GRAND O. H. (C. I^throp, mgr.). Bur- loHque : "Dandy Girls." CASINO (Charles Waldron, mgr.).-Bur- lesque : "Merry Whirl." The Scenic, formerly Park. Waltham, was nearly destroyed by fire Monday morning. Damage estimated at $(t,(MX). M .lennlng*. of Boston, who runs a string of small houses, owns the building. Jose Rubens of France, a member of the "Garden of Allah" company, now playing In Boston, made application early this week In the local circuit court for admittance as n citizen of the United States. Ho Is now a member of the bar. A bill requiring a force of firemen at every theatre In Boston wns heard at the State House this week. It was, opposed by Judge Braekett, Fire Commissioner Cole, and Assist- ant Corporation Counsel Berlin. They «laheed the ihentres were properly cared for at pres- ent by a trained crew of theatre employees. The bill filed at the State Houso by Mayor Fitzgerald requiring the abatement of taxes for the Boston Opera House was defeated In committee. "Zlegfeld's Follies" engagement has been extended until Feb. l. r >. Chlng Ling Foo and his troupe opened with the show Monday night. It Is fourteen yenrs since the Chinese magician appeared In this city. Mayor John F. Hurley, of Salem, "the fel- low with the high sMk hat." made a cam- paign pledge during the recent, campaign, that he would allow shows on Sunday afternoon and evenings If elected. ]lo tried to keep his word after election. Ministers and re- formers made an awful howl. Then City Solicitor Sullivan ruled that the mayor could only supervise the licenses, and that the grant- ing of them remained with the city council. Mayor Hurley's efforts to lift the lid have fulled up to date. The performance of "The Jewels of the Ma- donna" at the |!nston Opera House last Satur- day matinee broke all house records by $li(W). Julia Could of hanvers, who lays claim to being responsible lor the removal of "Ninety and Vine" from the American stage, and Rev Dr. Leopold A. Xies, a local minister, ap- peared before the Committee on Legal Af fairs at the State House Tuesday with a re- f|iie' f that the word "sacrilegious'' be added to the words "obscene or Immoral" as a reason to suspend licenHes for theatrical exhibitions or shows They want the police commissioner and the mayor to have the right to suspend th»» llcen-cs If in their opinion the productions are - i< rlleglous. Mayor Kit/gcrahl has already ruled that Salome.' as plaved by Mary Car den, \s;is not what it .-hould \>< . and rul'd It out Now Miss Could want ih. tidlowin;; plays pla< ed In the --aiiic ■ .itcnrv ".bdin the Hapti«t • -The Lv.i ni'.Ji ' I t • • - Prodigal Son." and "The S.imani.ni \\'<>• i■.in The I'.n.i |-i| or' S <li c • n: ■ ri< lie-t town in Hie u ■.i <■ permit tor the < i. . •; ■<• hou-e within «' • " llern'-e w;i< l'i In ' '■! ■ > line, who W ;i " ' ' ' ' • i ' that hould . ., i < I" "<"• \ tern appeared in :'i»o it'o-: mi|, : II' ( ' lie n 11 !'u ■ d n \ 'IS' |l|l i u iv •i-ue ftie ..f I'Tnuk lime") ■■ •' mluiu- When answering advertisement* kindly mention VARIETY.