Variety (January 1914)

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VARIETY 23 HAMMERSTUN'S (Estimated Cost off Show, $5,500.) Once more you've "got to hand it to" Willie Hammerstein for an exhibi- tion of showmanship. For the current week he found himself confronted by not only the usual opposition but the annual engagement of Harry Lauder, which is nothing to be sneered at. On top of all this there was not a big headline feature to be found to top the Hammerstein bill. So Willie advertised and- secured a 22-act program, to com- mence at 7.45 and run through until midnight without an intermission. As a result, by 8 o'clock Monday eve- ning the house was about half full and by 8.30 every seat was occupied. Be- fore nine the fireman ordered the ad- mission sale stopped. It was a rather smooth-running bill of mostly standard acts, the main criti- cism or objection to be found being the dearth of female singles and the ab- sence of anything bordering on "spice." In the audience there was a noticeable absence of the Monday night regulars and judging by the way the familiar quips of the well known comedians went it indicated the presence of an unsophisticated attendance. With the exception of Rice and Co- hen, with their comedy playlet, impos- sible of curtailment, every act was com- pelled to cut several minutes to save time. No encores were permitted, songs and talk were cut out and the show jammed through in jigstep time. If, however, Willie Hammerstein, when presenting so lengthy a bill, would fol- low the example of the London music halls and chop some of the turns to two, three and four minutes, he would provide an entertainment that should prove a sensation in New York. He could then ring up about 8 o'clock and ring down around 11.30, which would not be such a strain on those in search of amusement. Quinn and Quinn, "Wanda" (New Acts). Ralph, Bayhl, Mellen and Co., with a combination weight-lifting, acro- batic dancing, vocal and comedy act, have a novelty for the big time, which is much improved since shown in the small houses a year ago, probably due to cutting eight minutes. The illus- trated song consumed a couple of min- utes and during its progress the card for the next number was already ex- posed. This is the final week of the slide singing at Hammerstein's, which no one but the publishers will regret. Harry Breen cut five minutes, inform- ing the audience he had an engage- ment to attend a prize fight. He has a new song set to a medley of popular ditties. Haviland and Thornton, with their travesty, lopped off four minutes and got the "meat" out of their pre- sentment. Cooper and Robinson ex- cised three minutes and could have dis- pensed with three more without objec- tion. Madden and Fitzpatrick exhibited their little comedy, "The Wanderer," minus Fitz's "philosophizing" song, which saved three minutes. Herman Timberg, fresh from his lamented star- ring tour, did nine minutes, saving not less than three. Florence Tempest did 19 minutes, using but one boy's cos- tume and not having the back drop fall, a considerable saving of time. Charley Case, with a new opening song, re- mained on 11 minutes, with excellent results. Trovato, who generally consumes from 25 to 40 minutes, scored well in 16. He used a "plant" in a box to sing to one of his fiddling numbers. Even Seldom's "Poems in Marble" quick- ened their excellent poses from seven to six minutes. Melville and Higgins did finely, also chopping a couple of minutes. A finish other than a song exit is respectfully suggested; also the elimination of the "watermelon—ears wet" joke. Jack E. Gardner opened with a comedy song, "He Ran Up- stairs" (Harry Puck, who was present, requested a mention of the song in this review). Gardner followed it with "That English Rag," used by Wilkie Bard, concluding with a brief recita- tion. He got away nicely in eight min- utes, saving a valuable five minutes at that hour. Beaumonte and Arnold se- cured big applause occupying 16 min- utes that should have been chopped a trifle more. Willy Zimmermann did 17 minutes of representations of famous band leaders, which could easily have been chopped to 10 and not interfere with its value. Cabaret Trio, nine minutes. A film of the famous "Mona Liza" painting con- sumed one minute. The showing in picture form of an inanimate object seems rather silly. Revolving Collins finished at 11.52, after which but one reel of "The Lure of Paris" features film was shown, the story being told by Loney Haskell. Jolo. PALACE Although there are only nine acts on this week's bill the show ends after 11 bells. This is due to the Louis Mann sketch running 42 minutes, entirely too long. A magical act consumed nearly 25 minutes while the featured dancing act, Roshanara (New Acts), lasted almost a half hour. There wasn't much time for the others. The bill has considerable diversity and a world of dancing, too much dancing to suit the crowd Monday night, as was evidenced when Roshan- ara appeared. The best she got was some flowers over the footlights. The Stewart Sisters and Escorts opened. There has not been much change. The sisters need a stronger closing arrangement. Those boys looked as though they had gotten the wrong dress suits. Freeman and Dun- ham are using a Brighton Beach race track drop, but don't get anywhere with their talk about the ponies. Un- less they get some patter that reaches somewhere they should omit all con- versation. The boys arc still using their former number, "Don't You Wish You Were Back Home Again?'' and get a lot out of it. Since their graduation from the cabarets Freeman and Dun- ham have made some improvements in their harmony. Joseph Cole and Gertrude Dcnahy have rearranged their stepping sched- ule, and in addition to closing with the old reliable "Tommy," in which they do their best work, tliey also offer the "Tango Argentine" and the "Viennese Waltz." The girl worked her head off Monday night. Jack Norworth sang a little, kidded a little and showed a regular potpourri of pictures. The LeRoy, Talma and Herr Bosco outfit let loose a lot of noise with their magic. The trio string their act out considerably. The woman's palming of the coins is the neatest thing. After intermission Duffy and Lorenz scored a hit. Louis Mann and Co. pleased, but a lot of the folks stirred uneasily in their seats and heaved a sigh of relief when the 42 minutes were up. The piece runs several channels, jumping from the ridiculous into the pathetic so quickly one was glad when Will Rogers hove into view with his inimitable fun- making with the lariat. Rogers was forced to do most of his lasso whirling in "one" but he went over big. Roshan- ara closed with her classic dances. Mark. COLONIAL Too much show at the Colonial this week, but a good show none the less. Neil Kenyon alone (New Acts) gave sufficient entertainment to hold up a full variety program. Kenyon looks as though he could stand repeating easily, and might have been held over at the Colonial unless he is to be sent out to oppose Harry Lauder. It wouldn't be a wise move. Kenyon is worth something by himself. It would seem poor judgment to waste him on the first trip against an established attrac- tion over here, such as Lauder is. The program ran until 11.30, and more the pity, since Mr. Kenyon had to cut one song. He played to nearly capacity Tuesday evening, and should prove a draw. Another entertaining item is "Clown- land" (New Acts), a production with 16 people. The arrangement of the bill, however, was not of the best. Joe Howard and Mabel McCanc, opening after intermission, threw a great deal of singing in the spot just ahead of the star, while Ed. Vinton and "Buster" who followed Kenyon, grew very draggy in what might appear a much livelier turn farther up. "Buster" is well trained, has several "routines" not used by other animals, but Mr. Vinton has no good reason to tell an un- sophisticated audience that "educated dogs" work by "animal trickery," no more reason in fact than lie has to wear a black bow with evening dress. Howard and McCane carry much of the old Joe Howard vaudeville acts, with Miss McCane making many changes of costumes at the finishing encores, as other acts have done be- fore them, some of which arc now on small time. Many of the Howard songs arc on the program. "Requests" arc made by the house for what may be wanted and they get it, if it's the next in the music roll. This portion of the turn was dragged out, but earlici it had moved along brightly. The name of Joe Howard seems to be associated with pleasantries that the audience ex- pects, giving full reward. The closer for the show was the Four Harveys', on the wire, with a third girl acting as attendant. The wire walkers of the feminine ilk Cthrre arc two) dress in tights, somewhat strange now in turns where I'rcmh soubret skirts have been considered the thing of late years. It is not un- attractive, however, and the girls look well, besides being fast and lively on the wire. The two boys do good work, but defer to the young women, and the turn leaves a good impression. The Three Mori Brothers' opened. Harris, Boland and Holtz, a three- cabaret turn with a girl in it were next, carded as The Elsie Janis Trio, which was the best thing about the turn. It can stand a great deal of touching up, not ranking very high now. Fisher and Green did well in their "R & P" skit, "The Partners," gaining laughs throughout but getting little at the finale. This has probably been noted, but should be corrected at any cost. Claude Golden is working peculiarly for a card palmer, entering from the orchestra with a "straight man" to. open the turn. The "straight" should tone down. He carries his rough work with Golden right to the house. It's rot a bad arrangement, but places Golden awkwardly and keeps him there. He did very well nevertheless. Sime. HAMILTON The night following New Year'* when Inter- est In the theatreB might reasonably be sup- posed to be at low ebb, Mobs ft Brill'* Hamil- ton held close to capacity. From which one might suppose the policy of Ave aotfl and a multiple reel picture feature furnish the Washington Heights neighborhood satisfactory entertainment. The movie feature wan the Italia produc- tion, "A Leap In Despair." In four reels. This and a recent comedy, "A Dip In the Btiney" (Scllg) were the pictures, while fire acts filled out two hours. The four-reeler took up an even half or this time. It Is a roughly put together story, with only enough material to spread out over 1,000 feet. Made Into four times that length, It permitted attention to wander. The vaudeville features made acceptable light entertainment Three Lester Brothers opened with the familiar sort of comedy acro- batic knockabout. Two of the men make up In chalk and the third, the straight tumbler, Is dressed In red tights a la Mephlstopheles. Devoy Faber and Co. have a new sketch. "Their Secret" (New Acts) and then came the Ttnlla movie feature. Irwin-McCarty are neat singing and talking man and woman, the lat- ter verv pretty. She does a graceful dance at the finish and wears a pretty dancing frock of light blue. Duquesne Comedy Four made agreeable har- mony and won loughs by the funnlments of a "Patsy" comedian. Peloubet and Lee. pro- grammed, did not appear. In their place were Rudolph Douce nnd Co.. a curious combina- tion of acrobatics, singing and heavy weight equilibrium The feature of the turn Is the feat by the henvywelght Juggler of supporting on his feet a small house occupied by six people. The turn Is nicely dressed and some of the acrobatics by a young tumbler were In- teresting. The combination made a capital "flash." Mile. Oberltn nnd Tier Girls were the fea- ture and cloned the show (New Acts). Rush. 14TH STREET. The hoys and girls swelled the attendance of the llth Street theatre during the holidays. The younger generation were much In evi- dence the lntter part of last week as they got a lot of enjoyment out of the bill. The show wan not one that would have 'em repeating, yet the management runs enough pictures be- sides to mnko un for nil shortcomings with the vaudeville. The biggest festure Is Jack Drlsenll nnd the Moeller pipe organ. Walter Perclvnl and Co. were there as "Martin Tonhey nnd Co.' In "Somehodv's Coming to Our House." Light, farcical skit which did well considering the house end au- dience. PhnHnl Armond nnd his Impersona- tions were enjoyed He jrnvc those of the most familiar red fire type. BeBt suited for the small timers "The Allaire Troupe" of Scottish singers and nolsemnkers proved to be the Klncald Troupe. The comedy nntlcs of the tall woman sepmed to lie funny to tin llth Streeters. FIsewhere her work would |ar. The troupe laeliH clnsa. The Three Hunters (New Acts) enured pnni" laughter The Six .Inpnnese Polls plc!t«ed with the hnlnnelng work of th* women. There'were only four women nnd two men. two of the "dolls" helng strangely mlss- Ing. The mM'-.t doe; a lot of unfunny fctuff. He t-'hould work un some orlglnnl matter The women are showing ^toutneKs which force their work along a flower channel. Men Mendrlx and i'o 'mind an unsympn- ♦ h tic andl'tee n i Ifendrlx'y >--tvle of funrnak- Irt" and -dnglru' didn't pecm to strike snv hap- :>v medium Heniriv duc-i a "serious" Swed- ish tvne In the y* old native makeup. His eoin;>mv emhrices :: " op" who uses slang. M«rk If you don't ad vert Is*. In VAMKTV. don't advertise at all.