Variety (November 1915)

SHOW REVIEWS 17 ALHAMBRA. The Alhambra this week baa a nine-act bill with the "Fall Fashion Show" headlining. Monday night the house held far from ca- pacity. . . ^ . A- The show, with the Fashion act running 4< minutes, was far too long, the final curtain not dropping until almost 11.30, and. as the pro- gram neared its completion, it was noticeable the bookers should be very thankful Lydia Harry was included in the program, for, had it not been for tbe singing comedienne, there wouldn't have been hardly any show at all. Miss Barry was down next to closing, and the manner in which she went over proved the audience was waiting for her. Miss Barry's songs all went over with a bang. Just preceding William Courtleigh and Co., in "Peaches,'* scored a number of laughs, but did not reach the applause finish that was its wont in the old days. The after intermission spot was held by the Jewell City Trio, a singing and piano act that is small time In its calibre. The three men are offering songs unsuited to them and the one comedy number done by the piano player 1b entirely old. Another small timer in this section was the act of Barabon and Grobs, presenting modern dances In the closing spot. The audience evidenced that modern dancing acta have no present particular at- traction on the big time when they are only of such Importance to warraut them being In either the closing or opening spot When opening the show one has to Bit through them, but in the closing spot the audience has a chance to get even, and Monday night they flocked out of tbe theatre in droves while this act was on. At that, the team are very good steppers of tho cabaret type. The Seebacks, with bag punching, opened the show. Mabel Russell and Jimmy Hughes were second, and just about passed with the Harlem audience. The act does not seem to be quite there. It is also possible the early spot worked against them. Cartmell and Harris, who followed scored on the strength of their talk in conjunction with the modern waltz they do. A "drunk" number "in one" sent tbem away to a nice applause finish. Hawthorne and Inglls pre- ceded the "Fashion Show" with their "nut" acfci and were one of the bright spots of the opening section. The work of the team is burlesque in the broadest sense, and there doesn't seem to be any limit of the number of "nut" bits these two boys pull. "The Fashion Show" closed the first part. At the best it Is a rather long-drawn-out af- fair, and it did not seem to be particularly appealing to the Alhambra's audience. There were occasionally ripples of applause through- out the act, but It was from a few scattered folks in the house. The act has been cut down somewhat since at the Palace, and there have been a number of changes among the girls. Those now In it, with tbe exception of one or two, do not seem to have the knack of walking on the stage. Either their shoes were too small or they were walking on eggs. Sev- eral of the gowns needed brushing badly and one of the girls appeared with a noticeable hole In a stocking. Fred. AMERICAN. The collection of specialties assembled at the American Roof during the early half of the current week comprised a rather weak en- tertainment for the Jx>ew standard at tho American, although in a few obscure cases the individual turns registered to form. The business was, as usual, upstairs. A sketch called "Soldier Man" stood out roost conspicu- ous among the failures of the day, the author- ship being credited to Richard Warner. It dealt with personalities prominent In the pres- ent European struggle and rather carelessly introduced the character of an American Red Cross nurse amid the complication of the theme. The story carries reasonable possi- bilities and a fairly good surprise at the finale, but it wallowed around in red fire heroics and at times impolitely compromised America's neutrality, while Its representative citizen was characterized as a blatant boast- ing ex-actress with much talk and few man- ners. If the war Is making it possible for the production of such vehicles as this, America Is feeling tbe effect where It was least ex- pected. The girl gave a poor reading of an equally poor part, providing a contrast In this regard to the two male principals. Al Rose and Price opened with contortion stunts, crudely blended, but Individually of a sensational nature. The apparatus utilized is hidden behind set flower stands, a custom of the old world. Rose can equal the best in his particular line, his finish running to an ex- treme point of daring, but the turn lacks the general class and construction to recommend the big tlmo. As a pop circuit attraction It should keep continually busy. Frisco Is on xylophonlst. He has a musical hair out and plays "The Rosary" AHdo thnt the xylophone has been added to the col- lection of "dend" vaudeville Instruments along with the harmonica and tho cymbals, there Is little comment left Tor Frisco. He plays well, makes It look difficult pnd tho American audi- ence, or many of thorn, were pleased. His one best redeeming feature Is the repertoire, omit- ting "Rosary." Frnnkle Fay stepped out In "one" and with a routine of popular numbers carried off the hit of the show. Miss Fay opened with "Cake- walk Ball," followed by an Italian number and then rendered "I'm Simply Crazy Over You," "America, I Love You" and "Rocky Road to Dublin." Delivered In that order, those particular songs combined to make a powerfully good repertoire and at the close tho girl could hove accepted an extra ercore. F'ronklc Foy shows unlimited possibilities un- der proper mnnagement. This Is her second •■astern start and she seems to have the right Mi a. Her opening costume is nil wrong. The other 1b quite the opposite, and was attractive- ly becoming. The other spot In the first part was held by Joe Woods' "Nine Krazy Kids," a big flash act for the small time, with suf- ficient comedy and good singing to guarantee its success almost anywhere. Russell and Calhoun opened the second por- tion with their "stage impressions." The couple, aside from being headlined, were billed as the "celebrated motion picture stars." They might have remained In pictures, for the field is larger, etc. Van and Carrie Avery were a strong comedy hit, with their offering, fol- lowed by Jack Marley in next to closing spot. Marley apparently writes bis own material. Working along eccentric lines, he carries a likeable style, quite his own. but his routine needs attention. With this done, Marley will easily qualify for better things. He scored nicely. "Tango Chief" and "Texas Tommy" closed. Wynn. PROSPECT. The Prospect this week Is celebrating one of its frequent Jubilees marked by a 12-act show, running from 7.45 to 11.30. The long show idea appears to be a permanent fixture for this house, It proving a better draw than a big name headllner. Monday evening's busi- ness would warrant Its continuation, as the big theatre held near capacity. Helene and Emilon opened well, with Sherman and Uttry following, it was a rather early spot for the latter, considering some of the turns that fol- lowed, but owing to stage arrangements, It could not be helped. The two have about the same routine as used for some time. The first sketch of the three was presented by Bessie Rempel and Co., In "The Cheaters." It Is a crook playlet, and the acting Is not up to a big time standard. Miss Rempel as a girl pick- pocket has the most to do In a role that has an abundance of near-comedy. Chlel Caupolican, programmed No. 4, was replaced in that spot by De Leon and Davis, the Indian coming in the second half. Tbe couple are small timers, but they made them laugh at the Prospect, especially the picture travesty finish. Marie Fltzglbbon, No. 5, gave the bill its first real class. Miss Fits- gibbon brought the house to her feet with cleverly-worked-up stories. The red-head boy story still retains its usefulness, notwithstand- ing age. The show at this point took a good Jump forward and continued on the higher level on the strength of Fred V. Bowers and Co., In bis song revue. Corradlnl's Menagerie opened after intermission In expert style and, although the spot is out of the ordinary for an animal, act, it held it up from start to finish. Frank North and Co., in "Back to Wellington," brought out an abundance of laughs. Cau- polican sings and talks as of yore, using "Song of Songs" for his principal number, singing it In English and Indian. He was well liked. McConnell and Simpson, In "At Home," a sketch within a sketch were a laughing riot. The act could not have been seen to better ad- vantage than Monday night, when It kept the house in an uproar. Ernest Ball, on around 11.30, kept the going In the hit division, much to the Joy of the house on a whole. Ball is using "The Daugh- ter of Mother Machree," a sequel to his former success, for an opener with other of his pieces coming In between that and "You'll Be There," a patriotic number, to close. Lateness of hour hnd no fears for this chap. Cere and De- laney, roller skaters, closed to a full house. FIFTHAVENUE. A small time show at the Fifth Avenue the first half of the week loomed up In spots as good as a big time entertainment One thing singing acts might bear in mind at this house, and that Is there Is usually an audience that will applaud their heads off for ballads. Tues- day they had six handed to them during the performance and all went over. Four of the songs were sung by tenors and tenors are liked in this neighborhood. The first ballad hit was "When I Leave the World Behind," sung by the tenor of the team of Foley and O'Xlel, and it was almost a riot. The others came along later In the bill. One act on the program was almost "crabbed" because they carried a Union lead- er with them and therefore the orchestra was unable to work him. As the act was Mile. Varle's ballet, in which the music plays so important a part, the audience lost much of the beauty of the turn and at times the gallery started to "get after" the dancers. The first act on the bill was that of Jerome and Carson, a novelty acrobatic offering in "one" that Is good enough for an early spot on any bill. The team, man and girl, open with a song and dance bit and the man then goes into acrobatic work, which Is very well done. There are many flashy tricks, sure Are for applause. The little asides by the team are evidently not Intended for the audience, but which nevertheless get to the front rows, are Intended for comedy. The head somer- saults by the man bring a big return. The girl fills In In a few comedy hits later In the net ond th<w holds a chest board while inustond on two chairs rest- It is n corking little turn. Foley and O'NefiAfn the next spot seem to have Improved wl SssV t few weeks' work. There aif talk used which leads .which Is quite unnoces- and stepping alone Is still that little 1 , them up to the eii sary. On their >, this team will get* Walter Milton a<? -,) the latter consist- ing of a man and i,-'M, if> '& a comedy sketch with posslbilites he*'if* #/,./•; spot. Here is on offering which \'%/ th man playing the ,% stroi "drunk" is replaced tronger finish got- ten for the turn will %• In the big time houses of the smaller calibre. A Vltagraph iomedy followed by Mile. Vadle ond Ballot append in that order. Mable nurke snntT another of the ballad hits of the bill to a motion picture of the song. Robinson and McShayne, a two-man blackface act, had the next spot. Both have good voices, but are shy on method in getting a song over. Their talk, along comedy lines, Is poor. With the right sort of handling and some one to lay out their routine for them they may be a big time possibility. A ballad, "Little Gray Mother," went over very well. Henry Stanford, Lura Burt and Co. offered a detective sketch which may or may not be entitled "The Rajah's Ruby." Ine sketch Is Just about three or four years behind the time for vaudeville, even though it Is most capably played by a cast of real actors. There are five in the playlet, all three of the sup- porting parts being male roles. One is that of a police commissioner, a crook and a de- tective. Then there is an English nobleman and Miss Burt In the role of the sister to the police commissioner. The plot of the piece Is old fashioned m the manner In which It Is worked out for vaudeville audiences. Delro, the piano accordionist, down next to closing was the real hit of the bill, practi- cally stopping the show. Bee Ho Osy and Ada Summervllle In a roping act held the closing spot. As a roper Bee Ho Gay cer- tainly tops the bill. He has all of the rope tricks seen In vaudeville and a few more be- sides. His talk also seems to get over. A horse Is used In the act and Miss Summervllle does the riding while Bee Ho Gay flings the ropes. It Is a closing offering that has a value now that Will Rogers Is devoting his time to productions, snd who knows but what Bee Ho Gay might some day become the mon- ologist Rogers is. Fred. JEFFERSON. B. S. Moss' assertion of better shows and new atmosphere for his patrons of the Jeffer- son Is bonaflde, If Monday night's entertain- ment Is a true guide. The show collectively the first half would be bard to duplicate for the same admission price. The "song" con- flic tion was very much in evidence, and the bill was void of sketches, something this house has deemed essential In the past. Though It Is assumed Mme. Doree's "Great Moments from Grand Opera" was meant for that position. ......... The Lelands provided a clever and distinct painting offering in tbe opening position. The act is dressed acceptably and makes a good opening for the pop houses. West and Eoyd, a mixed team, arrived with some excellent dancing of tbe "speedy" kind and a couple of song numbers In the No. 2 spot, and were one of the early hits. Both do Individual eccentric steps with no mean abil- ity. The woman possesses a fair voice and de- livered "Moon Man" creditably. With a bet- ter routine of dialog, this couple could qualify for any of the smaller bouses. Hoyt's Seven Harmonists, four women and three men, added somewhat to the diversity, as well as some music snd singing of good timbre. An opening overture and a saxaphooe specialty of popular melodies stood out. The act should be rearranged In Its wardrobe de- partment. Frank Oabay, the ventriloquist, was a near riot with his two "dummies" and some good ad lib. Gabay should be sure-fire for the smaller houses where cosmopolitan audiences gather. The slang incorporated with his Eng- lish dialect allowed for unlimited comedy re- sults. The Chaplin film, "Shanghaied," fol- lowed and kept the house In good mood. Fox and Wells continued the Impression, corralling a good sited hit. Their routine Is along well worn lines, and contains no un- usual comedy, though the Hebrew comedian provoked a couple of giggles now and then. Good voices pulled them through with a num- ber of parodies rounding out. Mme. Doree's "Great Moments from Grand Opera" was next, registering to an unlimited degree. Santussa in the last was in splendid voice, and undoubtedly reached every nook In the house. Despite his name was not mentioned on the play-cards Tom Mahoney, the Irish come- dian was Instantly recognized by many out front. His talk was sure-fire for laughs. The show had a good closing turn in tbe Three Alexs with their acrobatics. After came a weekly serial and Country Store. ROYAL The Royal Is celebrating its first week as a two-a-day house at a small time admission. The theatre held capacity Monday night, nnd. tho house appeared to have an entirely differ- ent atmosphere. Long before the opening turn was scheduled to appear, the gallery com- menced to clamor for some action, but the show did not get under way until 8.30. The gallery probably had the former continuous policy In mind. The program was switched about after the matinee, with but two of the acts holding the original positions carded them, and one turn dropping out entirely,' replaced by another hardly capable of holding down the so-called sketch position on a bill running to nothing hut comedy from stnrt to finish. Nevertheless tho moro comedy the more tho audience ap- plauded, and although three solid hits wero scored by Weber, Dolan and Frazer, Barnes ond Crawford and Eddie Leonard, the remain- der of the bl received generous applause, making the evening successful throughout from an applause standpoint. Weber, Dolan nnd Frazer In the "No. 4" spot were the first big hit of the evening, offering a well arranged selection of numbers capably handled. The boys displayed enough pep during the early part, but as they were coming down the stretch to the final num- ber, they burst forth with a barrel of It, com- bined with some personality th.it helped to bring about the success. The opening num- ber. "Tonnt*«H» o," wan woll broken up with sufficient ■touches of harmony here ond there, that gave them a faBt start. Barnes and Crawford, closing the first half, put over their usual hit to little or no trouble. Barnes ap- peared to be In a very good humor, and with his line of chatter kept them with him during his short stay. The gun bit, when he went walking through the orchestra tell- iug the audience how good he was, and want- ing to see someone dare walk out, appeared to be the funniest thing seen around the Bronx in somo time, according to the way they laughed at it. Eddie Leonard, with his company of three, next to closing tbe second half, had no easy Job scoring following a row of bits. Never- theless he went to them, and facing an ap- preciative audience, got an easy footing from the start. .. T ne Flve Antwerp Girls started the show lightly In the opening spot, partly due to a misunderstanding with the orchestra leader. *rom then on the girls appeared nervous, hindering them In whatever chances they had. The audience appeared to allow for the mis- take, and following each number, especially Plney Ridge," they registered. Burnham and Irwin, a bit handicapped In so early a position, proved a good addition. Mr Irwin put over a safe hit with "Green River," while Miss Burnham, with her robust figure and a touch of pleasing personality, helped In scor- ing. Meehan's Dogs got their share of applause, especially after the leaping hounds had gone through their Jumps. A boxing match be- tween two of the dogs served well as the comedy. Mlddleton and Spellmeyer were rushed In after the matinee and delegated to open after intermission, a spot the couple did not appear to like themselves. They were supposed to hold up the bill with their comedy sketch, but In "one" before a special drop representing the deck of a sblp. did not help them any they were obliged to depart to llaht returns. •••«* Gormley and Caffery closed the show, hold- ing the majority seated after they had passed a poor opening and started some fast acro- batic work. 58TH STREET. ♦K Tne . P ! aia> now PWnf vaudeville up In this territory, undoubtedly bss Its effects on the attendance at Proctor's 58th Street. Tues- day evening business was somewhat on the wane, from no other cause, as a fairly en- tertalnable bill was there the first half. Robert Henry Hodge and Co. In the farcl- « a ,H 8k J t ^/ " EUI Blither's Lawyer," and Kenny mm H .°.k I§ we f e * n8erte <l m th« Mth Btreet Din with marked comedy results. "Dumb" turns mostly comprised the remainder of the Dill, though they prove thoroughly efficient De Lisle, comedy. Juggled his way to mod- erate applause in tbe opening position. His routine Is along conventional lines. Beth Cballls, now appearing with a male piano accompanist, held the No. 2 position, doing real well on hen youthfulness and vlvacloua- ness. Her "Msry Plckford" number opening Is going to prove quite tantalizing on some bills in the arrangement. It Is a novelty num- ber, using full stage. "Fairy-tales" was her second, dressed In appropriate style, which aroused quite a little enthusiasm from tbe gallery gods on her dlmlnutlveness. A con- glomeration of songs made famous by past and present celebs rounded out her repertoire. "Henpeck Oets a Night Off" and "A Fowl Deed" were tbe first picture Interruptions, £ a . u ! 1 ?. 1 . a A ew ^ g,gg,e - Dert "d Hwsil Skatell In their admirable skating and sing- ing novelty were next. An exclusive song number with dance steps intermingled opened their portion In good style. The customary Proctor's Song Festival followed, then the Hod*e Company. Hodge as a woman hater, provoked unlimited laughs. Another picture came in at this Juncture, after which came Kenny and Hollls; though Kenny stole an encore, which was not neces- sary. The Prentiss Trio, two girls and a man, closed with their acrobatic offering. It Is a little different, and will do real well for the smaller houses. SHOWS LAST WEEK7 FIFTH AVENUE. An abundance of comedv in the Fifth Ave. hill the last hair of this week. Master Osbrlel and Co. In "Little Kick" and Harry Breen shared the top honors. Both were successes. After a few minor films and an animated song, the show received a surprisingly good commenccr In the Belleclalr Brothers with their equlllbrlstlc offering. These boys han- dle their routine in a convincing manner and were strong applause getters. Following were Fenton and Green, two men, with an Irregular routine of talking and danc- ing. These two fellows have selected magic aa the subject for their comedy and "bur- lesquing." Tho comedian Is also a corking eccentric dancer. A good turn for small tlmo. Cole, Russell and Davis scored high In the laughing division with their comedy. They have reconstructed tho dialog to good effect. A weak song concludes the routine. Ed Plondell and Co., tho first sketch, "The Lost Roy," in Inughs easily topped all of those preceding. The show was broken up here with a mediocre comedy picture, "Avenged by a Fish." The show got back on its way with the Gypsy Queen, who brought out some tuneful music, which not only pleased, but added diversity to the bll. as well. A male violin accompanist Intervened here and there, not detracting with his good work. In order came the Gabriel and Breen turns, both leaving no easy thing for the Four Pal- lettes, n mixed ouartet of artists, who proved a genuinely good closer. A nifty turn which displays a distinct class In painting.