Variety (August 1913)

VARIETY V NEWS OF THE CABARETS Lynnheld, Mass., Aug. 27. A club house with $100,000 in its treasury with "Hap" Ward, the come- dian as president of the organization tnd Harry Vokes, his old time partner fts vice president is now looked upon as a reality and will be ready October 1. Theatrically, the most fortunate part of the affair is that Lucy Daly, the wife of "Hap" whose right name inci- dentally is John T. O'Donnell, will re- turn to the stage this fall. The estate which is known as Wardhurst consists of 12 acres close to Suntaug Lake and the dining room when remodelled will accommodate 750 persons. James R. McAleer, president of the Boston AMERICAN. There is nothing unusually big about the American show this week, none of the individual numbers running above small-time average, the bill collectively totaling a fairly good performance, but ore hardly up to the American stand- aid. Al Herman is headlined for the full week and justified the honor with a wt-ll earned hit. Herman's routine is reminiscent of a number of other black- face singles and could not quite weath- er the test of originality, probably carelessness on Herman's part, for he can deliver a number with the best and carry in addition a likeable person- ality, which suggests that he consult a i atter specialist for a new routine. He had t^i show all to himself Tues- day evening. Manley and Walsh have also over- looked the necessity of an original routine and did the next best thing, selected a line of talk that has already been tried and found satisfactory. Their singing, particularly that by the come- dian, brought them over, but in justice to the cause of originality they should adopt a modern routine of chatter, even though it cost a few dollars. The La Vine-Cimeron Trio with nov- el acrobatics held down a conspicuous spot to advantage. The woman's work, in contrast to the usual thing in acrobatic doubles or trios, is quite as important a feature in this turn as the efforts of her two partners. Although rot in its infancy, the act still looks good for a few more seasons. The Falcon Trio, ring manipulators of the usual small time style, closed the performance. Gallando opened it. Hallen and Fuller. Eddie Foyer. Bige- Irw. Campbell and Raydn. and Geo. Randall and Co., New Acts. Wpn*. American ball club and A. L. Wilbur, owner of several houses in Boston, are back of the proposition and theat- rical folk will be catered to. Ward and Vokes both contend that they are definitely retired from the stage. Atlantic City, Aug. 27. The cabaret at the Rudolph was discontinued Saturday last. The or- chestra under Leo Kohles is retained with dancing as the feature. The or- chestra at Barnay's is making a big hit under Tom Kelly and Al Houser, dancing here is also the biggest fea- ture. Walter Davidson and his crack orchestra finish at the Islesworth Monday. The hits of the Old Vienna entertainment are Laura Evans, Har- ry Hawkins and Fred Ritcher. They will be retained with others for some time. But at the other place the end of this week will see a curtailment in the cafe amusement line. However, the Jackson (with the Three Kuhns), the Old Vienna and Barnay's will re- tain their full cabarets. Barnay will attempt to make his place the popular place during the winter, featuring danc- ing. The Cabarets of New York are wait- ing for a definite decision that will fix their closing hour status so that the restaurant men will know what to do. Notwithstanding that Magistrate Deuel decided last week drinks order- ed before one could be consumed after that hour, none of the Cabs about have ventured to follow his opinion, not wanting a police clash. The Grand Jury passed up the Healy-Tnspector Dwyer matter, but the cops were to have been placed on examination yes- terday for their activity against the patrons of that restaurant. Saturday night is becoming the big evening in the dancing Cabarets. Tt must affect theatre business. Just why Saturday evening should be selected can not be fathomed, for the dancing floors are crowded. One experience should be enough for those who may go dancing when they please, but still the Cabarets overflow on the night be- fore Sunday. A waiter in r\n uptown road house when asked where the mob came from on a Saturday replied it was mostly composed of chauffeurs joy rid- inpr. but while the crowd in this par- ticular place fitted that description, it doesn't hold true for other resorts. Lorber's restaurant, Broadway's small time swell feedery near 40th street, is doing a turnaway supper business without a Cabaret. Lorber was known (and may be yet) as "the Delmonico cf Grand Street." He serves "kosher" food. In moving uptown Lorber rent- ed a store space, leaving but small standing or seating room in the res- taurant. Around seven o'clock at night there is a line extending out to the street, waiting their turn to be seated. Either Lorber gives a lot of food for little money or what he does give is very good. "Potash & Perl- mutter" doesn't draw a larger crowd than Lorber's. Which reminds of a remark made at Hammerstein's the ether evening, on the Roof. A couple of men in a box didn't think much of the show. They panned everything that came in sight. Finally a "single singer" (man) appeared. One of the box holders looked him over after hearing the first song, turned around to his neighbor and with his legs crossed as though anything could happen, he asked "Well, who is this one? Pot- ash or Perlmutter?" (Tommy Gray may make an awful noise about this.) HAL8EY FOR PROGRESSIVE? Now that the Halsey theatre, Brook- lyn, has lost its chance to become a Stair & Havlin spoke, through the legitimate popular priced circuit tack- ing to the Gaiety in the Borough across the Bridge, the Halsey may be- come a Progressive Burlesque Wheel house, it is said. Playing pop vaudeville since open- ing and becoming dissatisfied with the crowded condition of its neighborhood n that entertainment, the Halsey has been casting about. It's either bur- lesque, stock or stick to the old policy. If terms can be agreed upon the Progressive will get it according to the latest report. There is no Brooklyn theatre on the "opposition" burlesque wheel, although the Progressive has two stands in New York City. Martin Brown did not leave "The Follies" Saturday, although his dancing partner, Rose Dolly, did. Mr. Brown says his contract is for the entire run of the "Follies," so there 1 Mrs. Helen Avery Hardy, after two years of office duty in the Paul Scott Agency, has resigned to take a needed rest. STAR A GARTER UNFAIR. Chicago, Aug. 27. The Star and Garter, the Columbia burlesque house, is having difficulty with the billposters' union, and has been declared unfair. The billposters insist the theatre use three men. The house employs one. Signs have been posted by the bill- posters to the effect that the house is unfair and the Haymarket (Progres- sive) has been using the boards to tell the people that the Haymarket is not on the unfair list. The marriage is announced of Mamie Fleming and Lloyd M. Neidner at Providence some time ago. CORRESPONDENCE Unless aiherwite noted, the followinf reports are for the qnrrtnt week. mnt ti£ auh * CHICAGO In Chars* -~~"^^~^~ — "~— VARIETY'S CHICAGO OFFICE! MAJESTIC TBKATRL BUILDING MAJR8T1C (Lyman B. Glover, mgr.: agent. Orpheum).—After several switches had been made In the program, the bill for the week finally simmered down to a rather humdrum affair. Florence Holbrook had been head- lined, but during the week some time Bertha Kallsch waa switched to the position of honor. Walter I*awrence and Frances Cameron were put over until next week, and their place was filled by Arthur Aldrldge, a grand opera singer. Mme. Kallsch was seen In "A Light from St. Agnes." a lugubrious sketch In which she has appeared before In Chicago In recent months. The offering was received well on Monday afternoon by an audience In which women predominated. The star was recalled for numerous bows. George Lyons and Dob Tosco, who followed In their act. "The Harp- ist and the 8lnger." had a hard spot, but they went over with a rush. They have some sprightly stuff and they worked hard with the result that they grabbed a big share of the applause In this bill. Imhoff. Conn and Co- rlnne. seen In a sort of tabloid burlesque, show called "Burgeon Louder, U. B. A.." won the laughing honors of the entertainment. The offering Is a little coarse In spot*, but It served to relieve the tedium of the quiet show, and the players were rewarded with consider- able applause. Belle Adair, a pretty young woman, offered songs In no unususl way. Her voice Is not above the average, but she has a winning manner, which helps hen a lot. Jed and Ethel Dooley, a versatile pair, ap- peared In "D." place and they walked away with a nice neat little hit. They sing, dance, ride bicycles and throw ropes, and they do all these things fairly well. Arthur Aldrldge, who had the spot before the headline, sang some semi-classic songs, displaying a well cultivated voice. He lacks fire and ginger, but has technique to burn. Clifford Walker, with an English manner and style, was on for a mtiHlcal monolog. He was very polite at all times, but did not do much to arouse the audience out of Its placidity. Robert Everest and his monkey hippodrome had the honor of opening the program. This act elicited many squeals of delight from the youngsters present, and afforded some little amusement to the grownups. The Casting Four closed. They have aome neat circus feats, and a good share of the audience remained to witness their feats of agility and daring. One of the disagreeable features of the bill was the pow- der smoke that pervaded the place after the Imhoff act. This not only caused much coughing all over the house, but It played WARD SISTERS OFFER THE EUROPEAN SENSATION The Great La Dolla First time In this country. NOW playing American roof. We have no agent. IF YOU DONT ADVERTISE IN 1 $REH DON'T ADVERTISE AT ALL