Variety (October 1915)

SHOW REVIEWS 15 The remainder of the flrit part was dele- gated to the Manchuria Troupe (New Acta) that opened with a rather mild Chinese nov- elty, the Misses Llghtner and Alexander (New Acta) and Laura Nelson Hall and Co. (New Acta) the latter coming before Rose. Oene Hodgkins and Co., with Muriel Ridley and a aextet of musicians, offered "Le Cafe Futurist" to open the second half of the bill, the heat portion of one turn being ehown at the opening which la at least seml-orlglnal. The Idea Is somewhat pretentious and apeaka well for Hodgkins' progreaalveness, but the dancing helped but little. Hodgkins carriea the entire burden. Whatever the turn gained was due solely to his efforts, but following the innumerable dancing productlona that have come before "Le Cafe Futurist" doesn't reg- ister aa well as might be expected. Elisabeth Murray returns to eaatern vaude- ville with her usual repertoire of character numbers and scored one of the evening's hits. Strange aa it may seem, the beat results were attained through the rendition of "The 5.15" in which Miss Murray's "souse" bit stood out as a strong reminder of her unique ability as a cbaracterlate. "Things Are Getting Bet- ter Every Day" la a new number with a comedy "kick" that brought Instantaneous ap- plause while the balance of her routine held itself up nicely. When it comes to the de- livery of a character song, Elisabeth Murray has few competltora worthy of contracting recognition and aa a vaudeville attraction, •he stands In her own individual claaa. Barnes and Crawford have finally reached the Palace after going the rounds of the New York houses and considering their late posi- tion, cleaned up nicely. The closing spot was given over to Bankoff and Girlie, the latter a -new member, who la sufficiently capable of holding up her solo without assistance. The honors were divided between the pair. Wynn. ORPHEUM. Six acta in "one" on a nine act bill is the Isyout at the Orpheum this week where Eva Tsnguay ie headlining the show and attract- ing capacity audiences. Naturally with so many acta in "one" the program la particu- larly strong on comedy and therefore la al- most ideal for vaudeville patrons. The clos- ing half of the show was a riot from end to end and had the before intermission section not held two quiet spots, the show would have been one of the beet of the season. One of the greatest compliments to be paid Eva Tanguay la to recall the number of years she has been a headllner. One could very aptly paraphrase a popular song and say that "headliners may come and headllners may go hut Eva Tanguay goes on forever." Eva Tan- guay has remained among them all the big- gest single woman headllner vaudeville has, and this week she is proving it again in Brooklyn. Miss Tanguay was next to closing a bill that had six acts fn "one," the two acts im- mediately prior to Miss Tanguay'a appearance being riotous hits, but when the comedienne arrived on the scene there was an ovation overshadowing even the tremendous applause the earlier acts received. Her numbers were delivered with something of an effort for it was noticeable from her voice her throat must be In a sorry condition, but nevertheless ■he went through her performance and when she concluded with "America I Love You," the audience was clamoring for more. There may be others than Eva Tanguay singing "America I Love You" and they may have more voice than Miss Tanguay but she puts the number over in a fashion that arouses an answering thrill In everyone in her audi- ence. And of course Miss Tanguay walked away with the hit of the bill. Jimmy Hussey and Jack Boyle were on the stage for 23 minutes and laugh followed laugh during that time. Gertie Vanderbllt and George Moore (New Acts) opened the second part of the bill, and the Arco Broth- ers were the closers. The show waa opened by Adonis and the second act was that of Will Burns and Ed. Lynn with their dancing which brought them fair applause return. The Sharrocka with the comedy thought transference skit were one of the early laugh hits of the bill. The act might pass to greater advantage If the work In the audience was a little on the burlesque type. Craig Campbell (New Acts) and Julie Ring and Co. (New Acts) appeared in that order closing tho first part. Campbell was one of the quiet spots on the bill and Miss Ring's act was rather slow In getting started. A Pathe weekly closed. Fred. COLONIAL Every act on the bill at the Colonial this week dance . •■■■': a\> ■ u the opening and the closing one- -'ug. !!•■■■ op«n« r Is the Lunette Sisters, th« -lr I'.l, Olsha girls," and the closer Mile, h'nr - <n Vadlo » d Co. In a bal- let offering, ^ne \ adle si cclalty is pretty. Her girls uro well-trained dancers and she 1h light and ^r.ireful, though n bit stiff at the wnist-llne. What Mile. VMlie lacks mostly Is sufficiency of "abandon*>*i,ln the "Bacch- anal" dance. The turn tvuld have been placed to better a vantage 4'.an as the clos- ing act. Sy!vest i and Van*,: (New Arts). Charlea M.,.-k and To., in ' *v Friendly Call," fitted In nlc<ly lr. third position. There la much to ccanie (^ In tho Irig'i comedy sketch, but why t\ Uughfr of a friend visiting a sick man s <>uK voar a servant maid's cap Is not readily undo-stood. It may be funny to bait an apparently dying old man to the ex- tent of almost, jt* n-tstlng his demise, and candor admits th- audience thought so; therefore I*, is right The sketch serves as a good legitimate ei «.•'*» for the Introduction of bagpipe and dant ;ig specialty and the climax redeems much that has gone before. Hawthorne and Inglls worked up strongly several times and then let their act drag. Jack Inglls Is a good natural "nut" come- dian, but should permit some well-wisher to edit his material. At times his "fly" stuff deteriorates to the three-a-day brand. The instrumental finish la stretched out too long. Chip and Marble (New Acts) closed the first half. The Watson Sisters started the show off again In good fashion and were followed by Henry Lewis. Lewis is a fine artist, but Is falling Into the serious error of over-laugh- ing at his own comicalities. Eventually it might prove fatal. Eddie Leonard received applause on his card and now has his routine in much better shape. Jolo, ALHAMBRA. Business at the Alhambra was considerably below the normal point Tuesday night, al- though for unexplainable reasons the pop houses In the Immediate neighborhood seem to experience little or no difficulty In gathering capacity. The Alhambra, while comfortably dressed, was far below ezpectatlona in atten- dance, considering the calibre of vaudeville displayed there this week. Around the corner the Harlem opera house (Keith's) operated to three rows of standees. A fairly good house was assembled at Hurtig A Seamon's lesB than a block away, and at Loew's 7th Avenue, the attendance was up to Its usual mark. The headline honors were equally divided between Valerie Bergere and Co. in the dramatic production "War Babies" and Hyams and Mclntyre in their familiar specialty "The Quakeress" both holding late spots In the second portion of the program. Incidentally the applause honors were rather evenly shared by both turns. The Bergere sketch Is rather heavy in its appeal for universal peace but the excellent playing of the cast makes It an ideal attraction for vaudeville. Miss Bergere's dramatic efforts, breaking in a tense dramatic climax brought solid applause from the entire house. Hyams and Mclntyre followed the military offering and with their light comedy and droll dialog aoon cleared the atmosphere for a safe path to continuous laughs. Their travestied waltz at the finale earned them several bows in addition to an encore. The Balzer Sisters opened the show with an entertaining series of aerial feats, followed by Al Wohlman who did wonderfully well con- sidering the presence of one or two rather aged compositions. Wohlman by keeping his reper- toire up to date will eventually develop Into a standard "single" for he carries all the essentials of a big time turn. Meehan's Dogs were favored with third spot, the finale being worked up to a semi-sensa- tional measure with favorable results. Doyle and Dixon were moved up to precede the "Woman Proposes" sketch, the opening inter- mission spot being rather unfavorable to their quiet start. Cantor and Lee were a genuine hit opening the second half of the bill after which came the Bergere and Mclntyre and Hyams skits, with the Toyo Troupe closing. The latter held the majority of those present In for the final curtain, the comedy work of one of the mem- bers getting the required laughs to classify the troupe among the applause hits of the evening. Wynn. CITY. William Fox's City theatre on 14th atreet looks like a Broadway house, outside. Its en- trance and Inside. The atmosphere of the City has changed greatly within the past six months, with the pop vaudeville policy re- maining the same. And the vaudeville has kept pace with the other Improvements, If the bill there the first half Is an example. As a small time program it was a corker. Eight acts, with a couple of single reels sandwiched in, and a feature closing the performance gave the very good sized audience about the big- gest quantity and quality for the 25-cent top scale New York can furnish. Two displays of extremely good manage- ment were present Monday evening. The first was a blue plush drop, used In "one" to cover the picture screen, also as a background for women singles. Its value was apparent Im- mediately, aiding the show and lending dis- tinction to the stage. The drop looked quite expensive but It's worth the investment. The other was the very excellent plan of the man- agement to announce Billy Gould on the plc- turo sheet, following a comic reel and Just before he appeared. The 14th streeters had probably heard of Billy Gould, and to clinch the fact the same Billy was before them must have been the reason of the slide an- nouncement. That's getting full valua out of a turn and It's Al showmanship. Mr. Gould made good on the stage, very good. His songs and his Jokes were liked. Hilly Gould, as a single, with his correct bearing and dressing, must have been a reve- lation on 14th street this week. He was fa- vored with so many encores, a new song was sung by him for the finale. One of his open- ing numbers was also new to Mr. Gould, be- sides a couple of strange Jokes. It looks as though Mr. Gould had almost built up a new turn for his trip over the Fox Circuit. He's an easy headline wallop for small time. Another of the City's feature attractions the first half was "Ye Old Time Holloween" (onee known on the big time as "Colonial Days"). It has nine people, all costumed as of yore, and the act has been exactly reproduced. That it got over with Its music and singing goes without saying. There's plenty of class to this turn, and it will elevate any small time program. There are three or four girls, nice looking, and with very fair voices. In the "Floradora Sextet" number (Instrumental) two of the six faked their playing, but the phoney trombonist of that sextet afterward played a cornet. The girl, however, remained silent In brass throughout. Another of the evening's hits was Marie Stoddard, doing a single (In front of the plush drop), mixing it with Impersonations of vaudeville's freak singers, also adding some "nut stuff" for a finish. Miss Stoddard pre- sented a good appearance, worked easily, got her audience from the start and finished big. She's certain aa a single for this grade of houses and should be able to do aa well on the small big time out of town. The closing turn waa Ergottl and his Lilli- putians, which probably tells of the strength of the show. Ergottl's "rlsley" work still whacks them, and the little fellows take their part as well. One of the 'putlans is a natural comedian and he gathers In many a laugh. For loud hearty applause Carson and Wll- llard cleaned up. They were "No. 4," open- ing in a special set In "one," a bulletin board. One Is the •Saseball scorer and the other a German. Plenty of laugh making lines marked their entrance and when they got down to the parodies on current popular numbers, the cou- ple became a veritable riot. The parodies are well written and brought right down to date, with one on "When I Left the World Behind." The parodies alone could hold Carson and WUUard up on the big time. In the well balanced and placed bill Irene Hobson and Co. were the sketch portion. It's a comedy playlet, with three people, and pleased the City audience, as It will most likely do any other of similar caliber. Miss Hobson Is rather Imposing in looks. She was the second red headed woman In the show. A girl by the name of "Daisy" Is mentioned so often one almost believes there are four people present In the sketch, though Daisy never presents herself. The "No. 2" spot was occupied by the Four Singers, a mixed quartet who filled the posi- tion very acceptably. They have well blended voices, though none possesses any brilliancy, and this Is not necessary for small time, since the quartet have selected songs they can handle. In other programs not so heavily weighted as this City's one was. the Four Singers could take the "No. 4" position or open after intermission. Mario and Duffy suited the show. AMERICAN ROOF. While the American show the first half proved entertaining from an audience stand- point, it could have stood rearranging. Every- thing happened during the second half, when three turns following after Intermission reg- istered the big noise of the evening. Never- theless the opening acts received a favorable reception, but nowhere near what greeted the enjoyed, by the almost full house could be seen by the enthusiasm displayed. Joe Deal, ^ 81ster and Jenn , ngB and , ?* ( , Ne T Act8) - " Tne Secret," a comedy Playlet in the "No. 3" spot did not get much. In feet the applause received just about reached the level of the sketch Itself. It Is poorly constructed, with a well worn theme helped along to Its unsuccessful attempt for comedy by a couple who hardly come un to the better small time standard, although the construction might Influence this opinion It waa partially responsible for the downfall of the opening half. R„ R .K yni S nd . W,ie X; (New Act8 > wa " followed by . th«, Keystone Trio, who brought a success- ful finish to the first part with their comedy burglar skit. The knockabout comedy ap- peared Juat right for the roof crowd, and the fellow In the Chaplin make-up did many a funny move, good for laughs. They derive the best results possible from the nonsensical comedy. Reed and Reed, opening the second half, started well with excellent violin playing, and by the time they had completed showed enough class to war/ant them playing the bigger nouses. The boys wore a neat outfit of green sport coats and white trousers that added to the class of the turn, but It was the playing that put them in right. Their closing rube number might be rearranged by using a popu- lar rag finish and allowing the one who dances to do his bit Instead of a solo. Gallager and Carlln had "Before the Mast" and it was one of the best entertainers of tho evening. A new drop has replaced the old deck of the ship. Tho talk remains the same, and was enjoyed, hearty laughter greeting every comedy bit. Barnes and Robinson were the third team of the trio that scored the bits of the eve- ning, and the flippy way in which they handle tho dialog had a lot to do with it. Mr. Barnes, at the piano, sang his one song In a clever way, bringing out his rather large voice at proper moments. Hanlon and Hanlon would be doing much better by cutting all of their talk, bringing the act down to a plain ordi- nary acrobatic turn. They were an accepta- ble closer when down to business, and had a punch for a finish by a leap across tho stage to a hand-to-hand balance. PROSPECT. The Inhabitants of South Brooklyn did not fill tho spacious Prospect Monday night. The big house, however, held real business, for its lower floor Is larger than any In the rlty. The Prospect has been doing good business since th« season started although a neighborhood house. This week's headllner Is William Court- lelgh in his former vaudeville vehicle "Peaches." Tho race track sketch goes over easily on the star's work and the support of Dick Crollus. The slang and pathos here and there make the piece well liked, as was dem- onstrated by Its reception. The applause hit came directly after the Courtlelgh sketch In Ryan and Tlerney. These boys are the biggest kind of favorites In all parts of Brooklyn. The two had a clear held for popular numbers. For a starter there was "Hack Homo in Tonnessee" with a comic following, then "Araby" and "Dream of An- nie Laurie" used lustrumentully by the pian- ist with other little odds and ends in the way of numberu coming luto use, and "Amer- ica 1 Love You" bringing the act to a close. Gaston Palmer opened the show with Jug- gling. This chap in his silk shirt makes his appearance, count, something not looked after by all Jugglers. Palmer wus called back for severul bows after his efforts. Porter and Sullivan, "No. 2," sturted with "bout Blame Me For What Happens in the Moonlight." "On the 7 :2S" was used to fulr comedy re- sults. The programing at this Juncture was switched around with Crossman'a Entertainers programed for the third spot shifted to clos- ing the first half, and "The New Producer" u>ew Acts) getting the early position. In between was Tate's "Motoring," which proved as hearty a laugh provoker as heretofore al- though It has changed nary a bit. The Grossman turn went merrily on Its way with good results from start to finish, the rag music entertaining all present. Wln- sor McKay opened the second half with his animated cartoon, "Gertie." Rather old It Is Btlll productive of some amusement, although one look at It is enough. Maria Lo and Co. In a poBlng novelty closed. HALSEY,~BROOiaYN. Attendance satisfactory at the Halsey, Tuesday night with a houae largely filled with women. Directly* next door is the Broad- way Sporting Club which, on Tuesday nights, holds fistic encounters which might be given aa the logical cause for the majority of women In the Halsey audience. The eight-act ahow was enthusiastically received. Starting with the first act to the last there was applause In abundance. For opening honors the Novelty Trio (New Acts) made fair advances in the right direction after which the Billy B. JobnBon Trio stopped the show. The colored entertainers made their dancing tell. "Fixing the Furnace" the headline turn held the "No. 3" spot getting laugha during the running with a noticeable drop to the ap- plause at the finish. Following tbe Johnson act which waa uproarious this oomedy turn did not get the results expected from It. A news pictorial of recent date came at this Juncture and proved Interesting through its newness. The Two Malays (New Acts). Barnes and Barron brought out some comedy of the Hebrew variety that contained some laugha with the men relying on old parodies to put them over at the finish. More of the twisting stuff by the tall man would prove good for comedy rosults. A Blllle Ritchie comedy film followed to laugha a plenty. It was one of those slap stick things the aud- ience never fall* to find amusing. Mullaly, Pingree Co. held the aketch honors of the evening with the two "drunk" charac- ters getting returns. Tbe young woman ap- pears new. Her work is capable although not exceptionally heavy. Hlbberd and Meyers a mixed two-act talked and sang In the uaual stylo. The Nlzsla Brothers closed to well earned appreciation with some exceptional head balancing work. SHOWS USTW EM FIFTH AVENUE. The Fifth Ave. with the traffic along lower Broadway discontinued lost some wu»tomer» the last half of last week. Mile. Mahr, with a male partner, opened the show. Their toe and classic dancing should be rearranged, es- pecially the opening dance. The man might change his opening costume. He looks more like an acrobat than a dancer In It. The couple were well received. Clayton and Len- nle started as though they were going to draw down one of the big hits of the eve- ning, but Instead the boya were obliged to pasH away to light returns. Thla waa due to their talk, amuaing at first, but drags dread- fully In tho middle of the turn. When patched up a bit better things should be In store for them. Frank Doane and Co. have a oomedy aketch that should become a corker wnen the com- pany has It In proper style. Outside of a few old "bits," tho sketch looks like a comer, and It is up to the players to either make or break It. Following a Kalem comedy, Lit- tle Lord Roberts had the entire house talk- ing about him. He is now employing a new idea, opening In full stage asleep In a baby crib, after which a nurse areata* aim, ana ho does songs and danceB. Some of hla num- bers could be changed, for thoy don't quite fit. It Is a matter of opinion now when It comes to tho Chaplin Impersonation. A little more work with his new act and he should have everything running smoothly. Ilixley and Learner scored the big bit. Mr. Hlxley and his comedy efforts found them right and the more ho did the more th«<y liked him, but it was burlesque opera at tho close that received the biggest returns. Their "Cir- cus Day In Dixie" was well recclvcu. Kal- mar and Brown in the second dancing act of the evening did not get murh until the final dance. More dancing on the style of the closing one would help more than ail the songs. The Frank Fay Trio held their own In the next-to-cioslnv position, but could do them- selves Justice by rearranging the entire act. Too many Interruptions spoil a number of chances for applause, and as It Is applause that counts, why not work accordingly? <*. little ditty for the final bit was well har- monized and It allowed them to depart under a shower of hand clapping. "The Persian Garden," now carrying an entirely new cast, In hardly up to a small time standard. It closed tbe show to a moving audience.