Variety (January 1914)

24 VARIETY FIFTH AVENUE. The biggest audience the Fifth Ave- nue has shown in many weeks was present Monday night to sit through the best bill the Proctor establishment has offered this season. Probably the three-star combination of Anna Held's Daughter, "The Porch Party" and Belle Baker was the 'draw." Judged purely on the showing of applause earned, Miss Baker was the attraction. She sang live songs, and the audience declined to let her go until she had made a little cur- tain speech. The demonstration lasted nearly a minute. Every bit was earned legitimately. Miss Baker has an un- commonly catchy series of character numbers and gets them over with a certainty and directness which is high- 1> unusual in women singles. An item in her system well worth considering is that she goes from one number to another with scarcely a pause. There is no "overture" between numbers to give her time for a change of costume. How she manages her quick shifts of dress is a mystery, but her system makes for speed and inter- est. It would be interesting tcr see how her "Wop" number, "It's Seven O'Clock, Get Up," would go as the finale. As the second of her rcper- loire it developed a whale of a hit. The encore song put the finishing touch on a capital specialty. The whole bill delivers splendid en- tertainment. Besides its features, there arc half a dozen standard numbers, and the average is exceedingly high. As a sample, Mine. Mary's Greatest Show on Earth (New Acts) which held the "No. 3" spot put over a hit that would have been valuable as a minor feature of an ordinary bill, and from that moment the show continued to mount to a climax in the Belle Baker turn, next to closing. The selection and arrangement of the show was most happy. The other bookers might study it as a model of sustained entertain- ment, catching interest at the outset and holding it to a climax. The Great Ringling opened at 7.50, with his athletic turn. Mr. and Mrs. Pasquale Mario followed, both acts being injured by their early showing in a house where the performance usu- ally begins at 8.15. Clifford and Doug- las, "No. 4." did nicely with their cross-fire talk, singing and dancing, the eccentric stepping of the man earning the most attention. Marie and Billy Hart fell into a good spot, found the audience in high humor and put over their familiar fun- niments to splendid effect. Lee Barth took the show up in spirited style, and with his really amusing dialect stories carried it along for 15 minutes or so. Anna Held's Daughter did ex- tremely well with her "girl act." She is gaining confidence and working with a certain self-assurance that wins her a friendly hearing. Ball and West were a substantial hit in their clever specialty, in spite of the fact that they were called upon to follow some very fast entertainment with the quiet humor of the old soldier characterization. Then came "The Porch Party" (New Acts) and Conway and Leland, monopedc gymnasts, clos- ing. Rush. CORRESPONDENCE Uolett Otherwiig ntted, the following report! ■» for the current wttk. J0 "" feATS"— CHICAGO In Chars* ——-^—««^—— VARIETY'S CHICAGO OFFICE: MAJESTIC THEATRE BUILDING PALACE (Harry Singer, mgr.; agent, U. B. O.).—Valeska Suratt Is giving Chicago its Initial peek at "Diamonds and Crepe" this week, not to mention her gorgeous wardrobe, company and skit, one of the most novel ever Introduced hereabouts by an Invader from the other section of show business. The dancing couple (Dancing Hlgglns) deserve mention for their speedy work, but after figuring the wholo thing out. It's simply Suratt and her clothes. She "hogged" the evening's honors and well deserved to. The bill comes pretty near being up to perfection, still a full stage act to replace Carl McCullough would have built It up much better. McCullough Is hack- sliding, noticeably so In bis delivery and ma- terial, the one remaining asset of value be- ing his appearance. His dialectical efforts carry an amateurish brand that killed that particular part of his bit In which they were featured, in fact Carl was a disappointment. Otherwise the show ran through with surpris- ing smoothness from curtain to curtain. Went- wortb. Vesta and Teddy opened to a splendid reception, giving things a nifty start that slightly slackened up with the appearance of Lorraine and Burke. This couple of fashion plates displayed clothes aplenty, a change for every entrance, each showing careful judgment. A better position might have been offered the team, for once started they in- creased the action right up to a whirlwind finish, one of the hits of the show. Dolan and Lenharr were their usual selves (not for- getting Hugh Mack) in "The Wire Tapper." a comedy vehicle with some good complications and better laughs. Josephine Dunfee shared applause with Suratt, her rendition of a reper- toire of classics and ballads seeming to suit the housefull to the letter. She, too. came to the front with an exhibition of clothes. Hoey and Lee held the next to closing spot to fine results, while Collins and Hart monopolized the laughs nt the tail end. A good show. WYNN MAJESTIC (Lyman B. Glover, mgr.; agents, Orpheum). — Several high sounding names marked the bill, but most of the principal acts, and almost all of any consequence had been seen at the Palace earlier In the season and under more favorable circumstances. Two names were given prominence In the billing, those of Saharet, the dancer, and Olga Pe- trova, who is hard to describe and designate. Saharet, who had been divorced from her Chicago husband since at the Palace, did not make the hit she thought she ought to and in a fit of petulance, cast her castanets on the floor and flouted out. All Bhe got for her pains was mild applause and she took two bows. Son or J. Florldo assisted her and her terpshlchorean efforts. Petrova followed with her usual Impersonations, and in next to clos- ing spot made a good impression. She re- cited the big scene from "The Shulamlte" and cried near—real tears. Lester, the ventrilo- quist, was the real hit of the bill Monday afternoon, and he had the saving grace of offering some brand new stuff, at least to Chicago, and he got over in real style. He preceded the headline attraction. Valerie nergcre and her company presented "A Bow- ery Camllle" with considerable strength and spirit. The act Is well written and It affords Miss Dergere ample opportunity for emotional work of a certain comic sort which fits her style admirably. She received quite an ova- tion. Minnie Allen, who was seen In Chicago but a short while since, sang and Impersonated and did her little tricks of magic In "E" spot. She had nothing especially new to offer, but passed. Shlrll Rives and company in a melodrama called "The Sr>ng of the Heart" were In "D" spot. These players shouted their lines, and were so loud and boisterous they nearly deafened the audlenre. Miss Rives dis- played some handsome gowns and there was much action in the piece. It was not an un- qualified success. Carl Rosinl, assisted by Mile. Margaret, opened the show with their Illusion act. fair of Its kind. Maurice Burk- hart and Elmore White, on second, had things all their own way while they held the lime- light for some stirring songs which they put over with much vigor and spirit. They have a pleasing style. Nick's Roller Skating Girls, six in number, attired In vivid red costumes, closed the show nicely. They are graceful, agile and have some new tricks with skates. Tbey succeeded In holding the audience falrlv well. The show was not keyed to a high pitch, and moved slowly nearly all the way through. The audience was singularly cold and apathetic, although of sizable propor- tions. REED. COLONIAL (George Harrison, mgr.; .1. L. & S.).— Things ran rather smoothly Monday night and the audience that filled the audi- torium from top to bottom took verv klndlv to the theatrical fare presented. "The Win- ning Miss," a musical comedy that once held forth at the American Music Hall In other days, and has since been reduced to tabloid form and has been out through the country under the management of Boyle Woolfolk. had top notch position. The little comedy in Its condensed form is much better than It was when first seen here and Is well acted by a sprightly company. It has been given a prettv stage setting. James J. Duffy. In monolog and song, got considerable applause. He has some stuff that Is new and has an Ingratiating style. The Tasmanlan-Van Dlemnn troupe of girl acrobats, seen at McVlcker's some time ago, did not find it hard to get anplause and their spectacular act went well. Six Cecellan Maids, who offer a musical act with Instru- mental and vocal numbers, play their several stringed instruments much better than they sing. They came very near to halting the show, however, with their pleasing stvle and their demure demeanor. Ellsworth & Snow, a man and woman ventriloquist act. were a novelty, to say the least. With ttulr two dummies they made considerable fun. The Champion Richardson company gave a spirited exposition of a western sketch called "The Girl, the Man and the Stranger." The sketch Is melodramatic to a degree and Impossible as to situations, but It has plentv of action and gained close attention. The Mueller Brothers. In a slnglnar stunt, went well In next to closing spot. They offered some good harmonizing and they have style and man- ner. They, with "The Winning Miss." were In for the full week. The Tyler and St. Clair Trio of xylophone players were warmly re- ceived. They played well, displaying technique and deftness and passed nicely. Some good films were shown to add to the varletv. REED. AMERICAN MUSIC HALL (Sum P. Oerson. mgr.).—Joseph Santley In "When Dreams Come True." prosperous engagement. BLACfKSTONE (Augustus Pltou. mgr.) — "Fanny's First Play," fair returns second week. COHAN'8 (Harry Ridings, mgr.) —"Nearly Married" opened Sunday night. CORT (U. J. Hermann, mgr.).—"Help Wanted" has caught the fancv of the town. FINE ARTS Albert Perry, mgr.).—Rep. company In short plays. GARRICK (John J. Garrlty. mgr.).—Al Jol- son In "The Honeymoon Express," opened Sundav night. HOWARD'S (Frank O. Peers, mgr.).— The Traffic" playing to big business. ILLINOIS (Will . Davis, mgr.).—"Follies" packing them. LA SALLE (Harry Askln. mgr.).—"Sep- tember Morn" proving a magnet. OLYMPIC (George C. Warren, mgr.).—"A Modern Girl" opened Sunday. POWERS' (Harry J. Powers, mgr.).—David Warflcld opened Monday night. PRINCESS (Frank Phelps, mgr.).—William Hodge In "The Road to Happiness." STUDEBAKER (Sam Lederer, mgr.).— Richard Carle and Hattle Williams In "The Doll Girl." GLOBE (E. H. Browne, mgr.) .—Winter cir- cus, fair business. IMPERIAL (Kllmt & Gazzolo, mgr.).—"The Conspiracy." NATIONAL (John Barrett, mgr.).—"A Fool There Was." VICTORIA (Howard Brolaskl, mgr.).—"The Littlest Rebel." Bradley and Tumulty have Joined in a new act. Thomas Namack is looking after the pub- licity for "The Doll Girl" at the Studebaker. Of course Gunboat Smith fell for vaudeville Alex Pantages has him signed for the coast circuit. Belln Haynes, a picture manufacturer of this city, and Helen Kimmicks were married in Kenosha, Wis., Saturday night. Coney Holmes and family left town last Monday for Philadelphia where Holmes will endeavor to establish a U. B. O. branch Harry Beresford opened Sunday night at the Imperial In "The Conspiracy." Frank Perley is manager and T. J. Buckley Is in advance. * Joseph Dillon, well known along the Chi- cago Rialto, is In town doing the press work for "The Honeymoon Express" at the Garrick Norlne Coffey, known as the "Broadway Singing Girl." at the Hotel Planters cabaret for six months, appeared last week at Mc Vicker's. The members of the Chicago Theatrical Pro tectlve Union, Local No. 2, will give their annual ball In the Coliseum Annex, Thurs- day, Feb. 19. May Vokes was unable to act in "When Dreams Come True" at the American last week, and Marguerite Wolf, her understudy, took the part. Feb. 9 is the date selected for the opening of Harry Sodini's new Family theatre at Clin- ton, the attractions for which will be sup- plied by E. J. Cox. George Hall, who tells stories, walked out at the Great Northern Hippodrome Monday morning because be did not like his spot. He was on second. House wreckers have demolished the east- ern end of the Morrison hotel, which included tho Boston picture theatre. A new hotel Is to be built on the site. The time formerly booked In the W. V. M. A. by Coney Holmes will be handled here- after by Tom Burchill and Eddie Shayne, the houses being divided between both booker*. It Is now announced "September Morn" Is such a success at the La Salle, that Jones. Linlrk & Schaefer will not Install their policy in that house until Feb. 7, a date four weeks later than first announced. Both midnight shows at the Palace and Ma- jestic were sold out New Year's eve. This Is the second time the stunt was tried by the vaudeville houses, although It has grown to be quite a pastime with the burlesquers. (Miss) Jean Cunningham of "The Boarding School Girls," booked for the Great Northern Hippodrome last week, fell and broke her ankle early In the week and the act had to be cancelled for a week and will open In St. Louis next week. The first road company to play "The Traffic" opened at Davenport, la., Jan. 1 and played to big bouses. The piece will tour Iowa and Illinois, playing one and two night stands. It Is possible that another company will be organized shortly. Mrs. Charles Straight, wife of Gene Greene's pianist, returned from Austria this week with the good news that all rumors as to Greene's health were foundless. Greene and Straight will return next August. Some one spread the news that Greene was seriously HI. C. S. Humphrey, manager of the U. B. O. branch here, left town Monday night with Coney Holmes. Humphrey's destination is Pittsburgh. He is due back before the week end. The "Assoclalton" employees presented WARNING ! I, JOSEPH BYRON TOTTEN, am the owner of Copyright Number Class D XXC 35,076, covering 4l THE HOUSE OP BONDAGE/ 1 and all moving picture owners or exhibitors, theatre managers and owners and all others are hereby warned not to exhibit a, or any picture or pictures, entitled "THE HOUSE OF BONDAGE/' or depicting any of the scenes thereof in any form under penalty of prosecution. I JACOB WEISSBERGER, Attorney (Signed) 1476 Broadway, New York City JOSEPH BYRON TOTTEN