Variety (September 1915)

14 SHOW REVIEWS "E1N R1TERSPIEL." Sylvester Schaeffer, tho all around per- former, the beat today in his style of variety accomplishments, 1h the star of Bin R»"er- milel." a musical piece opening at the Irving Place theatre. Sept. 1. under the direction of S. Racbuiann, who imported Schaeffer from Europe Into American vaudeville. The pieee la In a prolog and two acts, built to permit of Mr. Schaeffer displaying his full list during the action, mostly in the first act. The prolog is the Introductory, of two boys falling asleep, dreaming of caatlea and princes. In the first art setting, a royal castle, a prince and a knight, are suitors for a princess. One of the nobles Is wealthy but ugly, the other (Mr. Schaeffer) has naught but himself. An athletic tournament, held to de- velop a husband for the princess, brings Schaeffer to the front in horsemanship, jug- gling, handling trained dogs and violin play- ing In the second act he paints, rides and tt Tbe opening of the second act finds four of the principals In a stage box. where they re- main nearly throughout the act and sing ■odkr The scenes of this act are back- Sounds fo? Schaeffer'- work, he occupy ng Shout all of the time for It, the act closing In another castle set. . "Eln Rlttersplel" has German players. The two comedians, Rudl Rahe. as the Jovial and stout king, and Christian Rub, as the awk- ward thin prince, receive the most notice, after the star Emmy Nicklas Is the Princess, Ind is first also among the women vocally, taking several of the numbers written toy Anslem Ooetii. many of which are reminiscent in melody. Mr. Schaeffer Is given credit for writing the story- ^ „ . -.,., n ,_, "Der Hussrenleutnant," sung by Mill 01*1 in the second act Is a military •onf. j" h ■ swing that took the opening night audience by storm. Vlasta Novotna, a toe dancer, had her chance. Helni Skremka, as a monkey, oc- cupied considerable time, but got little In the animal role that should have warranted a great deal of comedy. The best that may be mentioned of him is his make-up for the m A nk c'borus of 12 girls differ greatly from the American type of choristers. Many of the women of the chorus seem somewhat old ror this style of work. Their costuming ran to ^From'tnT first night reception "Bin Rlt- tersplel" is a certain hit for the Germans, with its Schaeffer, songs and story. Mr. Schaeffer definitely demonstrates how surely he Is a show In himself. Whether the pro- duction csn give him a return equal to the remuneration he Is able to command as a vaudeville attraction, of course, is a mat- ter between himself and management. It seems as though the piece could be brought around for an English adaption and might then prove an excellent road vehicle for this man of many attainments. "SEE MYUWYER." After a year In London, an American faros played by American actors In approved Amer- ican tempo, is a welcome relief. Such was the feeling on witnessing the premiere of See My Lawyer" st the Eltlnge, Thursday eve- ning of lsst week. . . . „ "See My Lawyer" is not the best farce ever written, but It Is a diverting evening's en- terUlnment—one of those things that you laugh at. In spite of yourself. It is in three acts, by Max Marcln, staged by Prank Stammers. T. Roy Barnes is the principal player and it would be impossible to make a better selection. The role fits him to the ground—that of a young promoter who gets into trouble with the postal authorities for sending a prospectus through the malls. By the advice of his attorney the youthful business man pretends he has suddenly gone crasy and does It well enough to fool an alienist. t ._ w . The complications arise through his endeav- or later to convince everybody he is really sane. ,_. The success of the play is problematical. Only the box office takings will decide that. But for Barnes himself, nothing but a high- water mark can be registered. His years of experience In vaudeville as a "nut" comedian (the word "nut" Is used In the American sense and not In the English, where it means "smart") is of inestimable value. A. H. Woods has surrounded the star with an exceptionally competent supporting or- ganisation, which Includes such well-known players as I net Buck. Margot Williams. Syd- ney Booth, Gus Weinberg. Walter Horton. John Flood, John Daly Murphy and Frank Monroe. Jolo. ORPHEUM. The Brooklynltes assembled at the Orpbeum Tuesday night were decidedly shy on enthu- siasm for various reasons, the most significant probably being the attending heat which for- bade anything In the way of superfluous ex- ertion. Business was hardly up to expectations either, and this might likewise be credited to weather conditions. On one or two Individual occasions the audience became sufficiently In- terested to classify a number an a hit. but these periods were few and far between and while the program seemed to pleaRe and en- tertain the majority, the greater section of the bill was rewarded by smiles and silence. Nora Bayes Is the week's headllner. accom- panied by Donald Oaniard at the plnnn. Miss Bayes earned one of the few bits, offering a repertoire of six numbers, of which five were apparently new. An encore brought out what was announced as a brand new composition by the singer and Introduced In a cleverly constructed lyric, the titles of the many songs made popular by Miss Bayes during the past few years. It's one of the best songs of its kind ever head hereabouts and should con- tinue as a feature peg In the routine. "Mel- ody" was utilized for an opener with a great applause appeal centred in the second song, "We'll Celebrate the End of War In Ragtime." This In itself practically guaranteed a safe passage for Miss Bayes. An Irish song was followed by "When Mother Was a Girl," with the descriptive comedy patter Interpo- lated, and then came "The Love Song of a Bird," a pretty little lyric excellently ren- dered and productive of desired results. When It comes down to delivering a number, vaude- ville carries few In Miss Bayes' class, for she has a combination of personality and Indi- viduality that seldom is Been in professional company. The two big applause hits of the show took In Dooley and Saylcs In next to closing spot and Henry Lewis who preceded the headllner, the team having been moved around from the Intermission opening position. Mr. Dooley gave the show what It lacked and was for- tunate with an early and favorable start which cinched his usual hit. Mr. Lewis was somewhat of a surprise with his novel spe- cialty and scored decisively with little or no trouble. The iClaremont Brothers opened the Bhow with a series of good balancing on the re- volving ladders, closing with a routine of complete revolutions which gave the specialty a seml-sensetlonal classification. The Six American dancers have a new open- ing and with their display of classy costume** and continual stepping, held attention throughout to good applause at the finale. With the present scarcity of groupe dancers, the Lovenberg turn has somewhat of a vaude- ville monopoly on this style of production and bv sensible stage direction and occasional alteration In the routine the sextet should continue as an Indefinite attraction. "Woman Proposes" was the sketch of the week and through the artistic effort* of Ruth Allen and George Kelly they held their posi- tion nicely and closed a genuine hit. Santly and Norton followed with a rather good Idea In "one." the singer making a successful comedy appeal with a good line of talk. The opening song. "Tennessee." with a great double version, gave them a flylna- start and from thereon they had little trouble in pleasing. Plrklnoff and Rose with the Imperial Bal- let in support have one of the few really en- tertaining dancing productions in vaudeville. The ballet is not merely utilised to fill the stage In this Instance, but add to the offering a neatly staffed routine of their own. The team work of Rose and Plrklnoff earned In- dividual honors and closing Intermission the company gave the flrM section of the bill the neceosarv touch of class. Al Golden and Co. (New Acts) closed the show. Wynn. PROSPECT. Just one year ago Labor Day the Prospect, Brooklyn, opened. When announcement was made that the Prospect would be built the Brooklyn folks who had thought the settle- ment already had too many theatres were firmly convinced the builders were doing the most suicidal thing in the world. But Mon- day afternoon that huge audience after the house had been standing a full year was ample proof the Prospect owners knew what they were doing. Brooklyn right now is baseball mad. La- bor Dsy brourht a true realization of that when the Superbas crashed the daylights ou\ of the league leaders from Quakertown. With the weather propitious for the watching of major league base ball it was the natural in- ference the theatres of Brooklyn In general would suffer. But not the Prospect. It wasn't capacity but there were few empty seats down stairs. The front was covered with streamers and bunting, while across the sidewalk overhead fluttered rows of varl-colored pennants and banners. Manager Masaud, Treasurer Hodge and Utility Manager White looked after the holiday crowd's hosnltallty. Hodge presided over the main box-office while across the lobby a young assistant distributed the balcony tick- ets. For Anniversary Week the bill has been augmented and the show Monday started with an overture at 1:45. Twelve acts, a Keystone and intermission were offered for the one price of admission. The show was not the greatest ever assembled but It was overboard with comedy and a de- luge of comedy on a holiday Is just what they seemed to want. The Keystone looked like an old boy. The principal man tried to Imitate Chaplin all the way and fell down in the attempt. The pic- ture was decidedly unfunny. Plelert and Schofleld opened with their juggling which shows a vast improvement over last season. They have made the turn more up to date and have put the comedy on a firmer and more substantial basis. The woman is nice looking, cute and puts her kidding over In excellent shape. The man Juggles sufficiently well to hold up the variety end. As it stands the act in both amusing and entertaining. Johnny Small and Small Sisters pleased with dancing. The trio sing, but that Is a trifle. It's the foot work that meets the occasion. The girls sported some nifty dancing outfits for the closing number. Klutln^'s Animals filled In their spot most acceptably and the tricks of dogs and cats brought hearty applause. The Jumping cats attracted the most attention. Jamc9 Thomp- son and Co. derived many laushs from their nhsurdlty. "The nurKlnrs* Union." Thnt "Go on away from here, wo are robbing a house." by the blackfaced man Is always surefire. Mullen and Coosan had a soft spot and made ibe most of It. They sang a little, talked more and Coogan pulled some new eccentric danc- ing turns and twists and the boys used their new encore, "bit" with Mullen in female at- tire. The William A. Brady playlet, "The Honey- mooners," which ha- its first fling at the Prin- cess, New York, was shown Just before the Intermission. But for the natural, girlish act- ing of Edna Hibbard this sketch would have toppled over but she kept the turn above sur- face. With all the action confined to the rear of a Pullman sleeper the equilibrium of the sketch depends on its dialog. The Morin Sisters started the second half with their clever dancing, the sisters showing some wardrobe that helped them score effect- ively. Sophie and Harvey Everett In "Adam and Eve Uptodate," registered solidly. The turn starts off with Miss Sophie working "single" only to receive a note from the man- ager. Then Harvey as a fiddler In the or- chestra volunteers to assist and they do the Adam and Eve travesty. There are several strong "exchanges" of repartee but a holiday crowd In Brooklyn can stand anything so the gibes about 'See more of you" and the fig leaf found Immediate favor. Carl McCullough was in pretty good voice. He- sang his Creatore number and the "If Mary Were Only Here" numbers and then reeled off a new Rube song, "When He Gets To New York Town" which didn't get as much as expected. His "impressions" and the sales- girl demonstration were tho best liked. The Eddie Foy and Harry Lauder imitations were heartily applauded. In succession followed the two biggest hits of the show, McDevltt Kelly and Lucey and Lyons and Yosco. Here comedy and music in divergent channels flowed merrily along and the house couldn't get enough of them. The first turn hit 'em hard with the piano playing and comedy dancing. The show was closed by Delmore and Lee, who held everybody In for their work of muscular grace. Mark. BUSHWICK. The Bushwlck, entering upon Its second week of the fall season, is presenting a bill this week packed full of pictures. Probably never before bas a big time house given as much film with Its entertainment. The house Is using the customary single reel comedy to open, with three of the acts making up the program having moving pictures in their turns. The first half had two of these "picture acts," starting with Kenneth Casey, "No. 2." This juvenile star should secure a new print if not a new picture to demonstrate his worth upon the screen, for at present the old Vita- graph reel is much the worse for age, In both condition and making. Young Mr. Casey has versatility enoush at the present time to put him in high favor with vaudeville patrons without bringing back the picture connections of years gone by. Casey was a big hit in the early spot Tuesday night. Ideal, the diver, also used a picture as an advance bit for her turn. The reel is also very old and in poor condition. In It are scenes of the young woman swimming through rapids through which no one bad ever gone before and In which a boat Is thrown about most promiscuously. Notwithstanding this the camera which took the picture was as stationary as If on dry land. The diving as well as the picture is carried on much too long. It was noticeable the anouncer was In need of a shave Tuesday night, although the semi-darkness partly concealed that The Orange Packers (New Acts), closing the show, also brought down the picture screen, using but a short picture reel. Notwithstanding all of the picture business that the show contained there was real en- tertainment In its make up, for the well crowded house of Bushwlcklans. In the open* Ing position Gaston Palmer (New Acts) was selected. He retired with high honors se- cured and Is one of those Jugglers who does not have to ask for applause. After Kenneth Casey, Edwins Barry and Co., In "The Home Breaker," came In for good comedy results. In this turn, which has served much time in the smaller houses, there Is the necessary comedy heartily enjoyed by the folks across the Bridge, as was most clearly demonstrated when they laughed their heads off at it The young woman playing the wife seems new In the role and also decidedly HI at ease while on the stage. This should be looked after if the turn Is to continue on the two-a-day. The bill had two single women who devote their time to songs, the first, Lillian Herleln, next to closing the first half. She was a pro- nounced hit. Her songs are suited to her and she makes the best of them by a wardrobe to match. Belle Baker, the other single, was next to closing the show. Miss Baker starts with "Back Home In Tennessee" In her own way, getting good returns as well with an Italian number, after which she goes back exceedingly far and unearths "Chaplin Feet" and "Put It On—Wrnn It Un," both long pawed out of use by singers of Miss Baker's calibre. It may have been the Brooklyn date thnt ciused her to bring back the old boys. Ideal closed the first half with Al and Fan- nie Steadman opening the second. They still cling to an old southern number that died long ago. "The Bank's Half Million." said to have been the last work of the late Paul Arm- strong, came after. J* secured a surprising number of laughs cr. erlng. CO JNIAL. The season's opining bill at the Colonial carried a number of familiar faces with a noticeable confllctlon occurring through the presence of th ee double acts programed in succession In the first section, two facts which didn't augur well for the general good of the bill and which resulted in the Inevitable lack of enthusiasm on the part of the audience which, incidentally, came as near capacity as one oould expect with Labor Day weather and the accompanying circumstances. xr ^ h S.,. l ? e * d,,Ile honors were divided between Nat Wills and Howard and McCane with the latter carrying off toe afternoon's honors, al- though seriously handicapped through the light cues going wrong often necessitating damag- ln * waits, hut eventually the couple reached their stride and with the series of changes sported by Mabel McCane the house gradu- ally wandered from surprise to wonderment and admiration and finally gave them a clos- ing reception that exceeded in volume the applause gathered by the rest of the hill in whole. The Arco Brothers replaced the programed A . e w r . ia l Budd « * n <* opened with a routine of athletic feats, Interrupted for a brief period for a posing bit which seemed to fit in nicely and relieve the monotony of a rather lengthy series of string feats. A special set lends some tone to the offering and with their ex- cellent string of stunts the brothers Arco can qualify for big time without a question. Jim and Betty Morgan held the second spot and were a genuine hit, Jimmy Morgan intro- ducing a saxophone for the finale. A well selected reportolre of numbers rendered by Miss Morgan with the male member accom- panying on the piano and violin alternately brings this specialty somewhat above the average act of similar construction. The finale should be rearranged, however, and if possible allow for the Introduction of a dance by the girl to Morgan's saxaphone accompani- ment since the song is lost through the assist- ance of the orchestra. A neat dance to fit here would do wonders an~ if possible should be Interpolated. McKay and Ardlne held the succeeding spot with their familiar song and dance offering followed by Tower and Darrell (New Acts), the intermission period being closed by Bon- nie Glass who is assisted by Messrs. Rodolph and Sesemello in the dances. A special or- chestra of ten pieces held a portion of the stage, offering "Zampa" as an individual ef- fort. A military number opened, followed by a waits, cake walk and tango and while the entire routine is oi modern style, the ar- rangement Is somewhat different from the average and as presented by Miss Glass con- stitutes a rather attractive production. The orchestra might have been screened off for the sake of appearances, requiring little extra in the way of scenic effects and possibly result- ing in considerable improvement. Howard and McCane opened the second di- vision followed by Burt and Stanford in a sketch, called "The Order of The Bath," with Its setting the Interior of a bathroom wherein the two principals are Involuntary prisoners. Monotonous dialog leads up to a marriage proposal and the finale. Eileen Goodwin gave a rather poor impersonation of a French maid, but Miss Goodwin was in no way responsible for the cold reception tendered the skit. The book proper is all wrong and carries no promise whatever. It had everything In its fsvor at the Colonial, but the audience refused to become enthused, and Justly so. Nst Wills held the favored next to closing spot, encoring with his usual story and gath- ering his usual returns. One story anent a Hebrew and a Turkish bath should be rear- ranged for the telling, for to many It sounded like an unprovoked offense. Odlva closed with her seals. Wynn. 58TH STREET. Crowds packed the 58th Street Proctor's to the back walls Monday night With but one set-back of the evening, in the appearance of Flynn and Collins, a two-man side-walk turn placed too far down on the bill, the show ran along smoothly. Gallon, a comedy juggler, started the show after a weekly news pictorial. His tricks drew a few laughs, but best results came from his "mimics." handled in good style. Walter Clin- ton and Julia Rooney. a nifty little two-act, went right after them from the start, and placed a mark for the remainder of the bill to aim act. Miss Rooney has shown good judgment in securing a couple of new cos- tumes. A dull Lubln release passed off after twenty or more minutes of agony. The Woods Musi- cal Trio tried hard to alleviate the period caused by the picture, and when the little girl handling the drums settled down to her work, the turn's success was pronounced. The customary Song Festival with the audience Joining in came next. A wise move was un- corked In the picking of "numbers" flashed upon the screen, for those out front grsspeo all as though they were accustomed to sing- ing them either home or on the street. Immediately afterward came Lowell and Es- ther Drew, presenting a flirtatious affair, which could be made Into a pleasln* little vehicle. Rut through no inclination shown to secure new material the couple will probably drift along in the smaller houses, providing the aforementioned act remains. A couple of bright lines are woven here and there, but they are not sufficient. The team did fairly well. A 2-reel picture held interest. Flynn and Collins (New Act) passed off quietly. A genuinely good miniature musical comedy was "On a School Playground," bubbling over with youthfulness and ability. A chorus of seven girls possess good voices, rarely found In this sort of turn. The comedian does very well. It Is an act that will hold Its own whenever «lrls are wanted on a bill. It closed the show after a long evening and gathers 1 the hit of the evening. If you don't advertise in VARIETY, don't advertise.