Variety (April 1915)

VARIETY 21 rtrc APPRECIA TED A. PAUL Kt IT*. NtKKM » MU M MMMC* ffHIU.«MW"»MU J JMUeOOCK. Iffr'AM® ©Q^M?!® <&H«!8«© fAcexcvt PA! rit. i mom jno •KVAMT Spssd Controller Company, 257 Vllllan Str««t, low York, Karen 25, 1*18 %*•<.! *»«.i»*T»oo««ti re- cent leasn; In answer to yours of the 22nd, With r«f«reno« to the aro controller, will state that our ohiof engineer report* that tho %wo aro controller• you placed In the Harlem Opera House on trial, or to demonstrate Its Talus some two months ago, has prorsn entirely satisfactory, and on tho strength of his report as to tho machine being able to do all that lo claimed, wo hare decided to place them In OUT theatres. You will therefore •end tho followingi 2 8h*a*o Theatre, Buffalo, I. Y. 3 Keith's Theatre, Jersey City, I, J. 2 Fifth Aronu* Theatre, low York. 2 Harlem Opera House, low York 2 Kslth's Theatre, Philadelphia, Pa. 1 Maryland Theatre. Baltimore, Md. 2 Strand Theatre, Cincinnati, Ohio. 1 Keith's Theatre, Cincinnati, Ohio. 1 Keith's Theatre, Indianapolis, 2nd. 1 Keith** Theatre, Louiarillo, Ky. 2 Kadi son Theatre, Brooklyn, I. Y. You will receive further orders frooi tine to time, the information from the different managers. ae ww roooiwo Very truly youre, JJM/EMR Alto Feeding the Projection Arc Lamps and Maintaining Perfect Illumination for the "Strand," "Vitagraph," "Broadway," "Claremont," "Eighty-first Street," "Academy of Music," "Schuyler," "Olympia," "Audubon," and "Hippodrome," of Now York; "Stanley" and "Arcadia," of Philadelphia; "Scollay So. Olympia." of Boston; "Strand," of Syracuse| "Strand," of Newark; "Regent," of Buffalo; "S tret ton," of Middle town; "Stone Opera House," of Bingham ton; U. S. Government, Panama-Pacific Exposition, and Others. LET US SEND YOU BOOKLET "B." SPEED CONTROLLER COMPANY, Inc. 257-259 WILLIAM STREET, NEW YORK CORRESPONDENCE Unless otherwise noted, the following reports are for the current week. VARIETY'S CHICAGO OFFICE: CHICAGO MAJESTIC THEATRE BUILDING The Logan Square theatre Is now being booked by tbe W. V. M. A., under the man- agement of Sam Lederer. The house has adopted a cheap policy, the highest price being 10 cents. The married member of the Melnotte Twins was taken to a hospital last week to be oper- ated upon. The operation was not a serious one. Tho Orpheum, Fort William, on the Allandt Circuit, has been reopened and Is playing full week bills, using the road shows that play the Ruben string of theatres In the northwest. The cast of the revue "All Over Town" will have In It: Joseph Santley, Walter Jones, Roy Atwell. Blanch Deyo, Beatrice Allen, Ruth Randall. Williams and Wolfus and Al and Fannie Stedman. Madame Vatle -was booked to open In De- catur this week, but went to the Palace, New York, Instead. The act played the Palace here last week and was released on Sunday in order to make the jump. Brown and Johnson (colored), who have been appearing around here in a tabloid, tried out a new double act at the Windsor the last part of last week and were closed after their first show. Anthony and Rosa filled the gap for the rest of the week. Joyce Burns a concert artiste from Van- couver will appear in vaudeville next season In an act with El Cleve the xylophonlat. Charles R. Jeter, of Jeter and Rogers, was granted a divorce from his wife last Friday. At the American on Sunday and three days following "Twighllght Bleep." a picture for women only, was shown. A lecturer explained the picture. At the Lincoln the management Is running a midnight show In which Idle acts are given a chance to win $50, the prize offered for the act receiving the most applause. Attractions to open In Chicago for the next six weeks follow: April 11, Chauncey Olcott at the Olympic; "Dancing Around," April 18, at the Oarrick ; "Along Came Ruth," April 24, at the Olympic; Ethel Barrymore, May 3, at the Blackstone; Madame Dorgny at the Lit- tle theatre; "All Over Town," a revue, at the Oarrick May 30, and "Maid In America," May 31, at the Palace. McVICKER (J. G. Burch, mgr.; agent, Loew).—Sophie Tucker was billed as the head- liner but the girl act, "The Dairy Maids," could have easily shared this honor with her. "The Dairy Maids" is a musical comedy new to the West, stopping In Chicago on Its way to the coast The act Is entirely held up by a light comedian and a girl, both being valu- able to this style of production. These two people, evidently a team, sing and patter in a way (hat stamps them for the big time. The chorus girls look and do their work well at all times. At the finish tbe observation car effect Is used, and to big advantage. Sophie Tucker scored a hit with ner regular reper- toire, being forced to sing her limit In en- cores. Electric* proved an interesting Item on the bill. Electrlce has good apeparance and everything that goes to help the act. "Tbe Way Out" is a two man dramatic sketch with a rather aged theme. The act Is a trifle toe serious for vaudeville. Lawrence and Law- rence offer a pleasing specialty. The girl is a dainty little person and helps the fellow, who Is a good dancer. Bond Morse, the tramp comedian, Is funny at times, but should leave out Borne of the talk that wouldn't be con- sidered nice in polite society. Morse also works entirely too long. John Lavler is the champion trapeze performer, judging from the pleasing standpoint. Lavler talks and Is funny, besides doing a few thrillers that will take the breath away from any audience. Barry and Nelson pleased In their acrobatic specialty. MAJESTIC (Lyman C. Olover, mgr. agent, Orpheum).—While the entertainment at the Majestic this week seemed long drawn out on Monday evening there happened to be lust enough comedy on tbe bill to balance It with the other serious moments. Last week 01 ga Petrova was billed to support Blanche Walsh on the bill, that actress having been alloted the top-line position, but on Monday morning Bessie Wynn's name was there in place of Petrova's. There was an unusual number of hit* en the bill this week. It was evident that a number of the people In the audience had tbe tired feeling, for there were only a few left by the time the closing act had fin- ished. Blanche Walsh in her sketch, 'The Woman In the Case," might have had some- thing to do with the crowded appearance of the big house on Monday evening, but she did not receive the applause honors over those acts on the bill of a lighter vein. Of course the splendid work of Marie Horton and Miss Walsh was given Its share of. appreciation. The sketch did well. Wllllard Slmms and Joe Cook divided the laugh honors with Willie Weston coming very close. Slmms, though familiar to a great portion of the audience, still smashes out laughs with his paste throw- ing and finishes strong with his travesty bit. .Ton Cook has come Into his stride In the big time vaudeville houses. Number three was given him on Monday night, and he made a corking start for the show's good things. Of course Raynor's Bulldogs in opening the show gave a lively start then, but some of Edgar Allan Wolf's Inane patter was forced on the audience by Louise and Crete Brunelle and Harry Stephens. Charles Kellog proved a very sucessful and interesting act. Kellog is not new to Chicago and was given friendly applause all the way. Bessie Wynn was wel- comed with big applause both at the start and at the finish of her act. Miss Wynn took full advantage of the friendliness of the audience and tried her best to be as dainty as she Is billed. The Majestic audience gave her the best of It, and judged she succeeded. Willie We3ton. with a funny melody parody and Rome Impersonations, finishing with Irving Berlin's "Bird of Paradise" (new to Chicago), scored a real hit. Sebastlon and Bentley closed the show. Carlos only needed two things to have made him a hit He should have bad another girl and a better spot. GREAT NORTHERN HIP (Fred Eberts, mgr.; agent, W. V. M. A.).—A well balanced program makes up the day show here this week. The Three Bmersons, who call their brand of acrobatics "Fun in a 8wlmmlng School," had the opening position. They are unusually good In their fine, and do some aloe work on a springboard, from which they make dives, landing on the understander in various positions. Lewis and Russell, two men, who Hing and play string instruments, were sec- ond. The guitar solo of ons of the man was not up lo the average. He did not seem able to get as much from his instrument aa la uauul with the Hawaiian style. They did nicely at the finish with banjos. The Tre- vallions, three men and a woman, offer a neat novelty pantomimic juggling act. They jug- gle everything except the scenery. They were very well liked. Spencer and Williams, a mixed learn, have a fine line of talk that gets them many laughs. They also get good re- sults from their singing. The Saxo Sextet of brass instrumentalists pleased with their selections. The blackface comedian's futile attemot at comedy does not help the turn to any great extent. Raymond and Bain offered their skit, "Locked Out," In which they carry on some good conversation. They are a nice appearing couple and went big. Sylvia Loyal and Pierrot, in the closing position, offered an interesting entertainment Businsss waa a little off for the first show Monday. PALACE (Harry Singer, mgr.; agent Or- pheum.).—Montgomery and Moore are the headllners on a strong bill here this weak. The two are Chicago favorites, and had no trouble carrying off the honors of the show. Nan Halperln, whose name is in the electrics under Montgomery and Moore. Is making her first appearance in the two-a-day, In her home town. She scored a big hit with a commend- able routine of exclusive material. The bride number was exceptionally well done, and her Impressions of a soubret and prima donna were put over In an artistic manner. Nellie Nichols followed tbe announcement from the stage of Jess Wlllsrd's success In the titular battle. This brought forth a tremendous out- burst from the crowded house, and for a short time It threatened to stop all proceed- ings. After a few orchestral Introductions for Miss Nichols* entrance, quiet waa re- stored and she was accorded a big reception from the good natured patrons, who were quite happy over the result of the bout at Havana. She offered a somewhat different routine than when seen here before, and registered a hit Another hit on the bill waa the Bel! Family, who offered a pretentious musical act, and some good Spanish songs and dances. They also displayed some nice cos- tume*. Beth Stone and Frank Hughes, In the opening position, get a poor start with their singing opening, but what they lack In voices Is redeemed by their dancing, 'a he toe danc- ing received tbe most applause. The Leigh- tons were next with talk, songs and danolng. Mrs. Oene Hughes and a good supporting company presented "Lady Oosslp," which proved very entertaining and waa well liked. Ball and West had a tough spot on the lata bill, next to closing, following Montgomery and Moore. Miny In tbe house leaving be- fore they got started. They did very well under the circumstances. Only a few re- mained for Lawrence and Hurfalls, who closed the show with some classy acrobatics. Esrl Saunders, wbo has been In charge of the press department of the Western Vaude- ville Managers' Association for some time, resigned his position on Saturday to enter other fields. Frank Berger will succeed Saunders In the position. AUDITORIUM (Bernard Ulrlch. mgr.).— "Life," Wm. A. Brady's spectacular melo- drama, drawing well for urst week. BLACKSTONE (Edwin Wappler, mgr.).— "Grumpy," with Cyril Mauds, getting good returns. CORT (U. J. Hermann, mgr.).—"Keep Mov- ing." started this week. COHAN'S ORAND (Harry Bluings, mgr.). —"On Trial." still going along nicely. COLUMBIA (William Roche, mgr.).—The Behman Show. CROWN (A. J. Kaufman, mgr.).—"Tees of the Storm Country." OARRICK (John J. Oarrlty, mgr.).—Rob- ert Mantell In bis repertoire of plays opened two weeks engagement to good business. ILLINOIS (Augusts Pftou, mgr.).—"The Olrl From Utah," with Julia Sanderson. Donald Brian and Joseph Cswthorn. final fortnight. IMPERIAL (Joe Pilgrim, mgr.).—"Within the Law," with Loth a Walters. LA SALLE (Joseph Bransky. mgr.).—"The Lady We Love," a light comedy by Frank MHiidell, direct from Los Angeles, opened this W i* O rt NATIONAL (John Barrett mgr.).—"To- day." OLYMPIC (Oeo. L. Warren, mgr.).—"The Crinoline Olrl." with Julian Bltinge, In Its final week of a moderately successful en- gagement. POWERS (Harry J. Powers, mgr.).—"Out- cast." with Elsie Ferguson, first week. PRINCESS (Sam P. Oerson, mgr.).—'Too Many Cooks," fair business. VICTORIA (Howard Brolaskl, mgr.).—"A Pair of Sixes." SORRETTY g ANTOINETTE Etfs? This Week (April 5) Royal Theatre, New York Direction, MORRIS & FEIL