Variety (December 1914)

SHOW REVIEWS 21 were undoubtedly responsible for the near capacity gathering against the extreme cold weather predominating, and with their finish dance walked off to solid applause. Miss Nesbit has gradually worked her specialty away from the "freak" classification and seems capable of holding a position on practically any bill where a turn of her kind can consistently fit. Bradley and Norris haVe a novelty in their offering, the man's expert bi- cycle work coming as a surprise, fol- lowing the double singing endeavors which seemed to hold up well, despite a trace of weakness to his voice. The encore is the best section, well con- structed with an appropriate number and should win them favor anywhere. Wynn. ALHAMBRA. There was a jammed house at the Al- hambra Monday night. Some club had purchased a block of seats and some of the boxes. This, coupled with the regular audience packed the lower floor of the house long before the cur- tain went up. The show was just a fair entertainment with nothing that stood out particularly until Irene Franklin and Burton Green got to the audience after the intermission. Miss Franklin got a reception that would have gladdened the heart of any artist and throughout her turn there was fre- quent applause which culminated in a near riot at the finish. The show was stopped completely and the little au- burned haired comedienne had to make a speech before the program could be resumed. She held the stage 32 min- utes. Raymond and Caverly who followed Miss Franklin had the audience at their mercy. All of their regular "gags" got over and a number of locals inserted for the especial benefit of the visiting club were a riot. Opening the show Jessie and Henry Bijouve offered a neat skating routine that won applause. They were follow- ed by Leonardi (New Acts) who had a violin and guitar specialty. Joe Boganny's Lunatic Bakers had the third spot and were a laugh from the start. The boxing bout at the finish was a scream with those in front Juliette Dika (New Acts) appeared in gowns and offered songs. Closing the first part Allan Dinehart assisted by Marie Louise Dyer, did "The Meanest Man in the World." The playing has been speeded up since first shown at the Colonial, but still there is something lacking to put the act over at the finish. Opening the second part Fritz Bruch and Sister offered their violin and 'cello routine. Why the brother is fea- tured in the billing and the only notice that the girl gets is "sister" is a mys- tery. She works much harder than the boy and should be given all credit. The Fridkowsky Troupe of Russian singers and dancers closed the show. Their singing in Russian, employed to open the act, is uninteresting, firstly, because there are but few who under- stand it, and secondly, because it is not exceedingly harmonious. The danc- ing is of the rapid Russian type and brought frequent applause. The act is dressed gorgeously. PROSPECT. Tuesday's extreme cold weather prob- ably affected the Prospect attendance, although the unusual capacity of the house necessitates a great gathering for a fair showing. The elements without carried no apparent bearing on the en- thusiasm within and the show, while not exactly of wonderful measure, went along in smooth style from start to fin- ish. The program carried several so- called hits, every one legitimate and deserved, the applause honors going to The Magleys and Bert Errol and the comedy receptions being rather evenly divided between Flannagan and Ed- wards, Fanny Brice and Fred Ardath's rural skit, the latter in closing position. Mme. Doria and her canine sketch was utilized for an opener, the novelty of the turn combined with its general excellence winning merit for the prin- cipal. It's somewhat different from the stereotyped dog act, carries a short but interesting theme and is exception- ally well constructed and played. Be- cause of this the Prospect audience warmed up sufficiently to send them away to a reasonable hand. Ellen Orr and Harry De Costa, the latter accompanying on the piano, held second space with a mild singing skit, introducing a number of "impressions," the best being of the "Prima Donna" number from "The Enchantress." This earned the couple some reward, but at best Miss Orr will find the big time somewhat difficult with such progres- sive competition in abundance. The Magleys were evidently moved down from opening to third position and with an excellent repertoire of fast dances had their own way from the start. This couple possesses all the es- sentials of their calling and on ther Prospect performance bid well to out- live the present crop of dancers that seem to have invaded vaudeville on little more than nerve. The Magleys have a finish that will carry them along any- where. The Courtney Sisters were likewise a hit, but a little more judgment in the arrangement of their repertoire would eradicate the presence of the existing roughness. "Carolina" was rendered with telephones, for some reason or other, there being no evident excuse for the "prop," and for a closer the girls picked "Be My Little Bumble Bee," a song that has long since gone its vaudeville way. Their encore pulled them over to the expected height, how- ever, and suggests that a little progres- siveness would keep this sister act well up with the rest of big time's doubles. Miles and Ray closed the first in- termission period with "An Innocent Bystander," the offering running strict- ly true to form, although on second sight one must speculate on the wis- dom of the present finish. While the Prospect audience is far from a rural classification, they seemed to stumble on the final adjustment, although the skit proper went big throughout. Flannagan and Edwards found things made to order for their comedy vehicle and reached the encore and speech period without much effort. Fannie Brice likewise had little trouble in scor- ing a favorable impression, particularly with her list of comedy numbers, which seem well adapted to her style. Bert Errol has grooved a distinct mark for his female characterization, his producing endeavors running sec- ond only to his excellent falsetto. Er- rol makes no attempt to deceive the audience as to sex, but manages to make a firm impression as to his artistic ability. His impression of Marguerite singing the Jewel number from "Faust" is probably the best thing Errol has ever attempted. For a finish it is sure to keep its sponsor in the running on any bill. He scored emphatically. Wynn. UNION SQUARE. Everything was against the show Tuesday night. ,The mercury did a slide downward that sent piercing blasts of a northeaster sweeping back and forth through the Union Square theatre which the management fought valiantly to subdue. The furnace was working and there was some heat in the radiators, but it was not sufficient to warm up the audience. Furthermore the show was not the kind to thaw out any audience and there was not a corporal's guard left when the profes- sional tryouts came on around 10.30. The bill did not run smoothly and with only one of the acts showing any big time earmarks the results were all that could be expected in the first al- most-zero weather. They have what is announced as "professional tryouts every Tuesday and Friday." If the turns on view this past Tuesday may be accepted as a criterion what patronage is left of the Union Square is bound to seek other amusement refuges. Among the "tryouts" was one Dar- well Blake Russell. Who ever sicked this man on the vaudeville stage prob- ably thought he was putting over a practical joke. The Littlejohns and Dorman and Nelson (New Acts) were followed by Cooper, the colored ventriloquist, who pleased with his voice-throwing stunt in the barbershop. More speed would help. After a Mary Pickford reprint that w as neither interesting nor funny, a pantomime act billed as Klein and Erlanger, worked along some old lines. It's a family affair with two kids show- ing up at the finish in clown makeup. Edna Richardson did fairly well, con- sidering the time, the place and the weather. Miss Richardson dresses well and her popular song medley should find favor. The Manuel-Alexander Co. sounds like a new name, but the act is one that has played around here for some time. The German character re- mains the same, but there are new peo- ple in the other two roles. The latter are doing far more effective work than the former players. A good act for small time. Adelaide Hermann and Co., headlin- ing, mystified, pleased and proved the best thing on the program. In suc- cession followed Marshall, Dean and Reeves and Osborn's dogs, both under New Acts. Of the tryouts little Miss Virnie danced effectively, but too long. This young woman has talent. The Crescent Quartet showed too late to hnve a chance. JEFFERSON. The Jefferson had but a fair house Tuesday night, with the audience more than ordinarily enthusiastic. It was on Tuesday evening they gave away a husband at this house, but on this oc- casion, for a little variety, a wife was given. The comedy from this, though rather rough, was good for a big laugh and the plant selected from the men handled his part very well, as did the woman he selected. It looked as if there was going to be a riot when the master of ceremonies asked if there were any volunteers, after he had called off numbers, none of which material- ized, with the result that about 25 of the Fourteenth street male would-be- weds made a mad rush for the stage but were kept off by scientific handling by those in charge. The show was headed by the Danc- ing Kennedys and the Lauder Singing Pictures. Two men with bag pipes and kilts held forth in the lobby and made enough noise to let the neighborhood know that there was something going on. The pictures got something at the start, but that was all. The Kennedys started with a round of applause and finished very strong. The dancers have the steps and the speed they like down there and the whirling made a big im- pression. Nevarre opened the show with his slack wire work. The man showed a good routine and made a nice opening turn. The Lauder pictures followed. The Two Lakes did well enough in the third spot. The man with his Irish comedy was able to gather a few laughs. The female end looks nice and handles her numbers in a good way, getting a good bit out of each song. Franklin Gale and Co. got over nicely with a dramatic sketch that has a num- ber of laughs. The tickling of the man's feet is not especially artistic, but it made them howl down town. The three players handle the dialog with a snap that helps greatly. Scott and Wilson opened after the husband-giving-away, and as their work was done from the audience they did not have a hard time to keep the people amused. Sch can's "Rough House Kids" did big. This act is very old, but it must be said in its favor they keep up with song numbers. Hilton and Roberts were next to closing and did as well as could be asked pretty late. A good part of the house filed out after the matrimonial affair. This couple have the appear- ance and clothes to get over. Kaiser's Terriers showed canine intelligence in the closing spot. DOING BUSINESS FOR "PAN." San Francisco, Dec. 16. Though opening with a bad cold at Pantages with her big "girl act," Frances Clare raised the gross receipts for the week over that of the preced- ing weekly period in the local vaude- ville theatre. The Frances Clare-Guy Rawson turn is said to have been increasing the business all along the Pantages chain thus far traveled, also James J. Cor- bett, who is another headliner on that time.