Variety (June 1915)

SHOW REVIEWS 13 PALACE. Despite the heat Monday night the Palace attendance was unusually big, the lower floor carrying capacity with a few standees while the top of the house was decidedly well dressed under the circumstances. Three big attractions were listed to top the current week's bill with Irene Franklin as the legiti- mate vaudeville headllner. Wilton Lackaye and Florence Rockwell, both In new sketches, came from the legitimate field to give the program a touch of Importance. Of the three the honors justly belong to Miss Franklin who offered a few new numbers in her char- acter repertoire, assisted by Burt Green at the piano. For his solo, Burt played Victor Herbert's "Dagger Dance" while Miss Frank- lin rendered "These Aro the Good Old Days," "The Old Maid's Home For Mine," "All Wrong," "Nobody's Baby" and "At the Dan- sant" In the order named. The kid song and bcr opening number have been heard be- fore but "Old Maid's Home" and the dancing lyric (a descriptive travesty on the modern dancing cruze) are new. Incidentally, like the many other Franklin compositions, they were made strictly to order for the principal and ran entirely up to expectations. The customary changcR were made and at the finale the customary bows and encores de- livered. The Kervllle Family opened the bill with their routine of trick billiard playing, fol- lowed by Lyons and Yosco with a new reper- toire of popular numbers. Opening with "Jane" they proceeded through a series of lute numbers and while the spot was a rather severe handicap, the couple did nicely. Florence Roekwell and Co. (New Acts; came next, with Hussey and Boyle following. A vast Improvement in general is noted in the HuRsey and Boyle specialty, Jimmy Hussey's charact— efforts run close to the be*t of their kind. His peculiar singing delivery is some- what of a treat as well, while Boyle carries all the essentials of an excellent "straight," plus a good singing voice. They drew one of the big hits of the show. Miss Franklin, closed the first period with Melville and Hlggins opening the second. They connected with the usual laughs and closed a hit, Hlggins drawing individual applause for his eccentrio dance. Ernest Ball next to closing, followed Wilton Lackaye and Co. (New Acts). Ball was another of the big hits. Four numbers, in- cluding a medley of his past song hits, were encored and he got away with a "rag" piano solo and a number of bows. Ball was moved between the matinee and night show Monday, changing positions with Melville and Hlggins, originally delegated to hold the next to closing spot. The bill closed with Leo Plrnlkoff. Ethel Rose and a ballet whose offering comes up to the standard along similar lines, the set- ting being particularly attractive. Wynn. BRIGHTON THEATRE. If the Brighton theatre could put on a bill every week to rank with the current program there, It would draw business away from the Palace. Flags flying all over the house and 12 turns on the program denoted something. It was Anniversary WeefcT The attendance Monday evening was almost a record breaker In the history of the Brighton, for a Monday night show. George Robinson, who is managing the thea- tre, has a walkaway, if he can only get a break on the weather, since the Brighton Music Hall, formerly the summer opposition to the Brighton, is now playing pictures. While the clear field conditions at Brighton perhaps did not call for the big show the house Is glv- ine. this week's bill, so early in the summer, will be a howling personal advertisement. Any one who wants to see a good swift run- ning entertaining vaudeville program can get one down there. Joe Goodman booked it, and ho did a splendid Job, having three big chunks of comedy in Conroy and Le Maire, Joe Jack- son and waiter C. Kelly. A rearrangement of tho program caused by Fred and Adele Astalre losing their baggage and dropping out, brought about a remakeup of the program that held the comedy down quite lightly until Conroy and Lc Maire in "The New Physician" closed the first part. It sounded as though those Brooklynltes had nover laughed before, and the two blackface comedttans gave a fine show to warrant the mirth. In the second part came Joe Jackson, who stole all the laughs they had left, ap- parently, but when Walter Kellv reached the rostrum, after Grace La Rue had put over a singing hit that was a real one, Mr. Kelly mnde them roar all over again. "The Vir- ginia Judge" had some new stories and pre- faced his court room scene with them. Jackson Is using darkened lights to takt bows in "one," in addition to massing the mrtaln. He left out the "shoes" Monday eve- ning, but a house laughs itself out nnyway at the pantomimlst before he Is finished. Miss La Rue did several songs, and the BrlrMon bunch liked her all the time. i'he women must have blessed her for giving them a sight of her last dress, a silver and white .something that hnd railroad tracks running all over It, but It was some regular gown. In it she Bang her best sons, or the Bong sh«* sings best in the turn. "My Tango Dream," nnd does it while seated upon a chair. Her "I Love You So" Bhe does tho poorest, but whether It's Miss La Rue or thi* song is 7A)-TAK Somehow she doesn't nlwnvs seem to be there properly with her voice. The "Dream" num- ber Just fits it. but she gets away with evm 'The Snlutntlon to the Dawn." Chnrleg Gll- len presided over tho piano, In accompani- ments, and secured applause for hlfl skilful playing. Finishing Miss La Rue sang "My ivirrt of Parndlse." with a second ••horus vari- ation that must have ben especially written. "No. 2" held the Three Vagrants," who finished well. After them came Martha Rus- sell and Patrick Calhoun (New Acts) in a sketch without singing. At the finish of the playlet the orchestra is playing "Dixie." It's a long guess whether the house applauds the players or the song. A "Dixie"' finish Is a fancy sketch finishing scheme. Jim Toney and Ann Norman and Betty Bond and Jimmy Casson, also under New Acts. A couple of the two-acts ran pretty close to one another Monday, but they were likely separated Tues- day, when the substituted turn for the As- talres went in. Le Hoen and Dupreece opened the show, with Rooney and Bent, and Mang and Sny- der the closing turns. 8itne. HENDERSON'S. The warm weather added materially to the attendance at Henderson's Monday night. The audience appeared to be natives. The attrac- tion this week is "War Brides," the No. 2 Nazlmova sketch. It is rather heavy for a beach house whero lighter things are prefer- able. This company in comparison to Nazl- mova's shows up comparatively well, the star's part being exceptionally well filled. It was received enthusiastically. The show was decidedly long on men, with three male two-acts, two coming together. The first were White and Clayton (New Acts) followed by the Arnaut Brothers, who had the audience roaring with their clowning. The men have changed their last bit somewhat, making it funnier than before. Marion Morgan's Classic Dancers were No. 4 but the classic work failed to make much of an impression. The girls danced daintily and showed good training as well as a good routine. The "Roman Games" used as the last dance puts the act over nicely. This light and airy entertainment makes ideal seaside amusement. Mike Bernard and Sid- ney Phillips (New Acts) scored one of the hill's hits. The "War Brides" sketch ap- peared after the two act. Bert Fltzglbbon with his usual tomfoolery brought laughs aplenty and figured most con- spicuously In the hit column. "Marble Gems" and Charles McGoods and Co. also appeared. Henderson's is doing business, and is under the management of Lemuel Blakeman. Carle- ton Hoagland books it and knows what the Hendersonlans want. BUSHWICK. Despite the sudden rain Tuesday night the Buohwick held almost capacity. The show was rather mixed, especially the last half, which had an acrobatic troupe In the second after intermission position owing to the shifting of the Douglas Falrbank's sketch from that spot to closing the first half. The change gave the second part two acro- batic turns. A picture started at 8.15. Valentine and Bell, next, who ride everything on wheels from a clock to a phonograph, gathered a great number of laughs. Cap I tola and Cathleen (New Acts) closed to good applause for such an early spot. The unique bit of the bill was scored by Willard. "The Man Who Grows." This chap's witty talk and marvelous lengthening of his limbs and arms dumfounded the people. The life size portraits carried by Willard had prominent positions In the Bushwlck's lobby. "Fifty-Fifty," an amusing skit with Rich- ards and Kyle, made many friends for the two people. A floral demonstration was awarded Bessie Kyle at the finish. Douglas Fairbanks and Co. In "A Regular Business Man" closed the first part. Patricia Collinges as a helpful stenographer made her person- ality, which Is unlimited, felt. A big laugh- In* hit throughout. During the ten-minute Intermission a song contest filled In. It consists of flashing the chorus of numbers on the screen and letting the audience sing them, and was worth while as numbers from all publishers were used, which Is not generally the case with these contests In other houses. After the public singing Augusta Glose, ac- companied by her father at the piano, sang Rome delightful exclusive songs, that caught on easily. Miss Gloso has a plentiful sup- ply of personality, as the auulence quickly discovered. Adolf Glose at the piano Is a finished musician and his contribution was one of the big moments In the act. Fas- tidious audiences will accept this turn as most satisfactory. The Nat Nazarro Troupe, second after In- termission, a heavy spot for them, managed to pull through satisfactorily. Van and Schenck, local favorites, were greeted on their first appearance by a host of friends. The bovs sang some up-to-date numbers, starting with "Jane," a harmonious ballad not henrd around as much as It should be. The Le Grohs elosed the show. AMERICAN. Aside from beln<? a generally good show, there were several Individual surprises at the American this week, the first coming with the arrival of one Viola Duval, who deputized for Blanche Leslie. Viola Is small In stature, but vocally Is quite a giantess. She has con- structed one of the best and neatest singles seen around the "pop" houses In some time, and with proper handling should And a soft spot on the big time. Her routine follows a poetic prologue and consists of two or three classics and a medley of popular numbers. Hetwecn songs the young woman entertains with a poetic Introduction of the succeeding number. Her voice Is exceptionally well toned, particularly the high notes, of which sho has nulte an assortment. Viola was the evening's hit Tuesday night and well deserved to be. The Three Mori Brothers, Juggling Japs, also supplied the audience with some un- usual entertainment, the Moris having been added to the bill In the absence of the Har- Ishlma nros. The best portion of the turn is the body and barrel Juggling which Intro- duced the comic of the throe. This fellow can do more In a comedy way with his toet and a barrel than many others could do with a stage full of comedy props. They were a big hit also. The balance of the program ran somewhat ahead of small time average right through with the second half getting the bulk of ap- plause. Le Barbe and Donaire opened the show with a routine of mixed danceB, the best Delng an "Apache" at the finale. The male member Is an exceptionally good dancer and a pantomimlst as well. Although the turn seemed somewhat rough, with some work it should develop properly. The finale alone brought them over nicely. Chas. Deland, Carr and Co. offered a mis- taken Identity skit with some clever lines and good situations, gathering the usual laughs. The woman makes a splendid appearance and has an equally good delivery. Hartley and Pecan have an excellently built specialty in "one," although the number used at the finish should be discarded. Prior to that the couple kept the bouse continually laughing. The patter sounds original, some- thing unusual for tho modern doubles, and the pair harmonise sufficiently well to deliver a few numbers. They were a hit Harry Gilbert opened the second half with a semi-nut routine of talk and songs. Harry could improve his appearance. He has a likeable style and handles his material some- what differently than the many other similar "singles." His talk is well chosen and sounds new. Gilbert can also sing. Eventually he should locate, for he seems to carry all the essentials. Oliver and Opp In "Over the Garden Wall," a familiar turn around the east, were a wel- come addition to the bill, the girl's work be* Ing particularly good. The Melnotte Twins In next to closing spot gave a touch of class to the program, offer- ing a list of well selected popular numbers, openings with "Kentucky Home" and closing with "We're All Wlta You, Mr. Wilson." The latter carries a patriotic appeal that will In- terest and arouse any audience, and the girls earned several hows on the strength of It. A Chaplin Imitation added some novelty to the specialty and brought hearty applause. Mosher. Hayes and Mosher closed, and although severely handicapped through the slse of the stage, pulled out a hit as usual. The customary pictures were also projected. Wynn. FIFTH AVENUE. Business slumped away off Monday night but the alibi was there In the weather. The audience had no enthusiasm and the acts ap- peared to have the starch taken out of them. The management has the house in Its sum- mer dressing and the electric fans buzzed. A scene not down on the bills and which proved one of the best of the evening hap- pened when Mabel Burke appeared to sing the animated-ill. song, "The Light That's Burn- ins in the Window of the House Upon the Hill." When the audience was Invited to chime In on the chorus, Richard Jose, In a box, and a little girl In another carried the song along harmoniously. Jose's tenor and the kid's soprano blended nicely and there was tremendous applause. The "encore" wan given with the song sheet lighted, the girl carrying the chorus alone as Jose did not know the words without them being flashed. Neither was there as "a plant." The show opened with a film, "Nobody Would Believe" (Lubln), rightfully labeled as nobody would believe that It was a sample of modern photoplay. It should be turned right back. It and that Sellg "Light O' Love" are about the worst that have been exhibited hereabouts In many moons. Walter Murray reappeared with another travel talk, 111. by animate and still views, which featured Cuba and Its prodyejev Weston and Osuman (New Acts) first appeared in "one" and sang. It probably was done to fool 'em out front but nobody was fooled but the dancers. Val and Ernie Stanton have new talk and some of It went over very well. The Stantons take a lot for granted. They should get busy right now and get a new line of songs for next season. The boys need a stronger closing number and one more up- to-date. After the George Batchford Co. presented "Captain Kidder" (New Acta) the Fremont- Benton Co. consumed 17 minutes In a sketch that never got started, and closed with an old farcical situation long ago barred from pictures. After Miss Burke sang entertainingly Crouch and Welch gave the show a new lease of life, the act closing strong with the pair's dancing. Rosa Crouch displayed some sum- mer stockings that should start something on th« beaches. Henry E. Dlxey In the headline position pleased in his inimitable manner but the re- turns were not what a man of his reputation should have had. It may have been the heat and it may have been the fault of the people but Dlxey was glad when he wan nblc to rench the wings. There was a Ham comedy during the eve- ning that caused intermittent laughter but too much comedv In the pictures lately has caused them to begin to nail. For tho first time In a lone while the Fifth Avenue did not show a Chaplin. The show was closed by Harry Glrnrd nnd Co. (New Acts) with some good slnKlng that was applauded. Mark. JEFFERSON. The heavy cloudburst Just before show time Tuesdav night put a damper on attendance along 11th street, but this house with an attractively well arranged bill, drew morn than any one would anticipate. After Lawrence and Lawrenee, with slner- Ing and dancing, opening, passed off to light returns, the show proper started with Nettie iVIIson (New Act) with songs, the show con- tinued at a fast "clip." Nettie had them with her. Tho gallery liked her in the cos- tume used for her closing number and clam- ored for more. Gray and Graham with their musical act. No. a, also scored. The audience appreciated the playing by the woman, and cast a unani- mous vote for the comedy of the man. Tho playing of the the silly sounding horn off stage Tor a finish likewise struck right, and the couple were forced to do an encore, which they gladly did by kidding each other for a few minutes to good results. The Big Franz Troupe of comlquo cyclist* followed and kept up tho good work. There s a new member with tho turn, who Is hand- ling a couple of the "freak" wheels and do- ing a little ground tumbling. Also a couple of new wheels are now being used by the comedians. * Burt and Lottie Walton, under the names of James and Boyd, were next and kept up the pace set by their predecessors. The danos on skates baa been omitted and straight and acrobatic dancing now make up the routine. The card did not announce the players doing "The Cop," a comedy dramatic sketch on police graft. The company Is presumably the same that played It on the Loew circuit some weeks ago. For the small time "The .£.. w,u do » whenever a sketch Is needed t0 mi l '«.* vacancy. The little playlet pleased. The Monarch Comedy Four, next to clos- ing, with tholr harmonising and slapstick comedy got a hit. For the smaller houses this quartet looks to be there. One or two new song numbers would help. The Three Kawano Bros, olosed the show with acrobatics. The boys got a few laughs fl 7J m *w 8 . u, l ln, ' M wnlIe P«WlliH the barrels with their feet. £ •onf contest, with men from the differ- ent publishers, and a serial picture concluded the entertainment. HAMILTON. Business was good Tuesday night consider- ing the weather. The show proper was Jumpy and did not furnish good entertainment. In spots the show ran rather smoothly and again It fell below expectations. .•T? B ?w , and B * rD °H r ■tarted things lively with their songs and dances. Although they were on rather early they wonted hard and were well rewarded. Four Rubes with hokum comedy were pleasing. The singing of the A OUr JT.. Iloth, i l «. worthy of especial comment A yodellng finish waa good for an encore. Around small time circles this not should gain any number of laughs. Wilbur Sweatman did not seem to be working very well with his music. Playing two piccolos togethor SUA? J* 6 * 1 »PP I » UM sralner. A serial split the bill, followed by Leonard and Arnold, who "cored the first substantial hit of the evening. The couple caught hold with their comedy Eddie Foyer wag received with considerable applause. After some imitations of a waiter calling for orders In a restaurant, which are about the best heard around In some time he recited "Dan McOrew" and was rewarded the honors of the evening. Frank 8. Houghton and Co. closed and have an aot that should be playing better time. The Hamilton stag* afforded Houghton ample room to go bussing around on his motorcycle. Some very nifty tricks were done while he rounded the stage the engine hissing loud, making the motor- cycle appear to be going at a fast clip. A feature closed. LET GEORGE DO IT. "Let George Do It," the cartoon comedy, la at the Union Square In tabloid form this week, the company "presented by George Goett." Ooett put the show together for a tour of the Gorman parks. Danny Murphy, who stepped Into George Murphy's role of George when the oartoon Idea was operated In burlesque form on the Columbia Wheel, has been re-engaged for the tab lead of the German apartment bouse Janitor. Much Is expected of Murphy and so much does little Danny do that without him the tabloid would be wabbly. Supporting are George and Alice Sterling. Joe Mack, Hubert Boyle. Edna Kcmlng, Orace McCurder and a chorus of eight girls. The burlesque "bits" are few and far be- tween and for the Union Square they could have been, used more freely. The Sterlings in the first set made a pleasing impression with their "Settle Down In ... One Horse Town" number from "Watch Your Step." In the second act they offered "When I Get Married" and here showed the advantage of previous team work and practice. Miss Ster- ling also in the first part sang "My Rose of Tlppcrary" and did It effectively, using the girls and wreaths for the final chorus. Joe Mack as the tall, gawky, tlght-clothed detective, did more with his eccentric dano- Ing than anything else, his comedy not hav- ing much meat. Numbers were led by Misses Iteming and MacCurder to fairly good re- sults, one being "The Syncopated Walk." The eight girls worked rather lackadaisically and went through their routine of steps ss though most were Just acquiring the rybthm of the thing. Several word stockings that were the worse for wear, while some wore silk and the others lisle. "Let Georae Do It" stands up well as a tab and will go even better where tho neighborhood Isn't so cosmopolitan. The settings were Inadequate although the second loomed up as a better background than the first. The former was an old house set while the latter was carried by the show. Mark.