Variety (January 1916)

32 VARIETY PALACE. (Continued froru page ID.) Arson," closing the first half. Protuan acts of the Do Vrles type, and be played this tame thing over here several years ago, have gone out of big time vaudeville vogue. Mr. Ue Vrlea may be an excellent character im- personator for a protean player but he Is far from a consummate actor, at least In this piece, proven when be smothers over the emotional opportunity as John Arend, con- fessing he set his cigar factory on tire. The mechanism of De Vrles' protean work comes to the surface so many years after his first appearance on this side and following many others who have since showed over here. Protean players may all vividly contrast and that may he a legal part of the game, but vaudeville cannot stand slowness and slowness without great vitality makes It the more marked. Mr. De Vrles might at least have returned with another play—not that his other became too familiar but It doesn't fit the present day big time surroundings and demands. His turn at the Palace Monday night let down lightly. Some of the character work secured Individual applause, not unex- pected from vaudeville although the upper part of the house was the more appreciative. Another new act on the bill was "A Pair of Tickets," played by Wilbur Mack and Nella Walker In their own special and nicely set (hotel) ladles' reception room. In It Mr. Mack meets Miss Walker accidentally, with- out a previous acquaintance. A couple of "company" are there, one as a bellboy, the other as a friend of Jack Hunter (Mr. Mack). The friend afterward becomes the piano player on the concert grand, accompanying each of the principals in song besides giving a solo of his own. Mr. Mack and Miss Walker go from street costume to evening clothes at the finale, they meanwhile working out a scheme of Introduction for a "flirtation act." It Is neatly accomplished, and as this couple were about the first to play a "flirtation turn In 'one' " so are they the first to depart from that style for a better one. The Mack-Walker turn loses Its sequence somewhat near the ending when Mr. Mack must leave the stage to change while Miss Walker Is also away, but It Is within bounds to an extent. Miss Walker, who looks very well In both of her dresses, baa a song, de- livered while writing a letter that Is unique through that and Mr. Mack sings "The Foun- tain of Youth." The writer of the number had an excellent memory for "The Devil's Ball." The dialog Is brisk, humorous In the retort way, and brings laughs. Mr. Mack might settle who Is entitled to the "Perfect- Idiot-we-ell-caiTt-be-iperfect" line. Several acta have been using It of late. Next to clos- ing at the Palace the turn did very well, and houses wanting a classy act of this sort. In nppearance and people, can't do much better than to book "A Pair of Tickets." Managers might say Mack and Walker in their former two-act would give as much value at less money but this Is not so, for the team now gives extra value In adding class to the bill as well aa In actual work, and besides will become a comedy turn In full stage that will greatly strengthen up any program. They should also be credited and receive recogni- tion for progresslveness. The comedy of the first part was furnished at the opening by Merlan's Dogs In "The Ter- ritorials Quartered," and also Morrlsey and Hackett, the couple giving the same turn as at the Colonial last week, Including the unwise Imitations by Mr. Morrlssey, who refers to vau- deville in a song as "Poor Old Vaudeville." There are a number of other words in con- nection which would sound much more be- fitting on the vaudeville stage than that "Poor." The turn did well at the finish, "No. 4" with the moving picture, besides hav- ing the attractiveness of Dolly Hackett for a sure fire asset. She makes up unusually pretty In the ingenue fashion and even looked well on the film. In the rearrangement of the progratn after the Monday matinee "The New Producer" came out third on the bill, after having been caated for the second division. It's an operatic ensemble of the usual sort, disguised at the opening with a bare stage effect, the "man- ager" of a troupe bulling the audience Into liking them by claiming vaudeville will al- ways stand for good music He says they will even take to the "Torreador" song If well done and then goes down the familiar grand operatic list, betting his tenor they (audience) will fall for the "Luccla Sextet" as a finale. And the audience did In a way. There are 10 or 11 people In the company, with good voices amongst them, but It's still the grand opera thing. If a house wants a good dose of It, "The New Producer" can de- liver. This act followed the straight violin playing turn of Florence Hardeman (New Acta) and It made a slow section to those who are looking for action even If not mirth. The Morrlssey-Hackett team fell In soft after it, "No. 4," with De Vrles closing the first part. Opening the last half was Joe Cook, who haa changed his one-man show about, discard- ing the drop and mechanical effects, but still juggling for the finish, which he might alBo drop. Cook Is doing a bit of the George Motart (English) one-peraon melodramtner that others have also URed, and his ventrilo- qulal item is after Felix Adler's but so many have likewise used Adler's, Felix has probably stopped complaining by this time. Cook's act is "nutty" and the Palace liked him very much. His banjo bit is humorous and his Hawaiian playing quite funny In the man- ner he does It, yet while the present turn (bsrrlng the club Juggling) makes Joe Cook somewhat more legitimate than the former act, it's questionable if It Is n bettor turn than that one was, but Mr. Cook appears now to be more directly aiming for laughs from the audience than the professionals who may be present. That is the correct idea. He will build up, for young Mr. Cook has a future. The Palace show started at 8:06 Monday night and closed late with the Weekly ending the performance. The house was not heavy, Just well filled. Sime. AMERICAN ROOF. While the attendance on the Roof Monday night kept within its usual limits, the pro- gram proved much more entertaining than the average show up there. The running or- der was well placed, each turn receiving a position suited to Its offering, and while the applause continued heavily throughout the evening, Cunningham and Clements In the "No. 3" spot brought down such hand clap- ping, the couple were easily the hit of the hill. It took considerable applause to gain this position, nevertheless they were deserv- ing of it, especially after they had completed their turn with a whirlwind finish. While not exactly high-brow, as a fast trot it prob- ably will bring them the same wherever they may appear. Vandlnoff and Louie pried open the evening with their novelty painting, giving the show an exceptional start In that position. The final painting on the revolving board was cleverly manipulated, and the audience did not hesitate to voice their opinion that way. Norton and Allen, a new sister combina- tion, did well In the following spot. The girls could make a couple of changes to better ad- vantage, while the one handling the comedy might brighten up her points. The suffra- gette number Is nothing out of the ordinary. The few suggestive lines may have induced the girl to use It, while appearing In male clothes. "What a Wonderful Mother You'd Be" brought good return* aa a solo, the num- ber Itself being one of the best put over by them. A double for a closer is partially spoiled by the male Impersonator trying for some comedy she haa no Idea of. In time they should frame up as a good "sister act," but at present they look a bit weak. After Cunningham and Clements, Smith and Kaufman presented their comedy skit, "A Midnight Occurrence," to good returns. While a couple of the "gaga" are not entirely new, Rtlll they were liked and It Is a matter of opinion whether to retain them. The singing is above the average, both possessing pleasing voices. The closing comedy number Is noth- ing to rave over but serves its purpose. Marie Hart closed the first half, holding up her end, although forced to work after a row of complete hits. Miss Hart would be doing much better if she routined her act, at the samo time cut down on some of her work. At present she is doing entirely too much and If she continues no doubt will bring on disheartening results. Ben) and Hazel Mann proved an entertaining couple, especially Ben who la some "nut" comedian. That he was liked on the Roof Is putting It lightly, for no matter what he did they were waiting with the laugh. The couple kept right In line for applause honors and they might have done much better, were It not for a little trouble Ben experienced with his throat. "To Save One Girl" presented by Eugene Strong and Co. held the sketch position and at the same time the interest throughout the running. The playlet carries a punch at the finish that Is bound to place it over, however, the acting, particularly that of Mr. Strong, runs about even with the sketch. Combining all of this, the act should prove a good fea- ture for the circuit. Eddie Dowllng did some fast work at the beginning of his act, In fact he was forced to In order to hold them In. But then very few left before the last act had finished, so Mr. Dowllng had the right Idea at least. His act does not really start until the Impersona- tion of 'The Allen," as formerly done by George Beban, he following the work of Beban pretty closely, and held them on the Roof, closing very big with a recitation that has a final wallop, and he should do the same on every appearance. Outran and Newell closed the show doing very well after a long eve- ning. One solo dance Is sufficient, during which the other member could get behind the curtain for the full stage bar work and start the thing going right away. The act needs plenty of speeding up, for both boys perform some tricks worth while when on the bars. JEFFERSON. If one wished to be consistent in review- ing the bill at the Jefferson the first half one would have to remark that "It was a good show for 14th street played In near record time." There were eight acts billed originally and "The Battle Cry of Peace" was the fea- ture (return), but only seven turns appeared Tuesday night and there was a "Hell" or "Damn" ror each act on the bill. Maybe one or two over for that matter, for there were times when the cuss words flew so fast it was Impossible to keep count. It would seem "The Battle Cry of Peace" Is a big attraction for the Jefferson, for Tuesday night the houses held one of the big- gest audiences there on that evening In the last month. The lower floor was two-thirds filled and the balcony held almost capacity. The house, was beflttlngly decorated in the 'national colors, and this made the theatre appear much smaller than usual, also adding a great deal In warmth. The show ran from about 8.30 until a few minutes after 10, and the audience seemed to enjoy every minute of It. Mozarto with his musical Instruments opening the bill received fair applause and as he only made an open- ing speech and then devoted himself to play- ing there wasn't any cussing In this act. Evan* and Arken are still doing their comedy army talk with the straight as the officer and the comic a Hebrew private. One "Hell" wns registered by this act. They also have a couple of songs, one Is "Nova Scotia Mosche" and the other a parody on 'R'ocky Road to Dublin." Both get over In good shape. Herbert Lloyd and Co. certainly Is a flash act for this type of theatre and the manner In which the comic goes over with the audience proved It was wise In playing him. This act played over here quite a few years before Sylvester Schaeffer made Jils appearance. For a riot of laughs one would only have to place these two acts on one bill and let Lloyd follow the German. But It must be tabbed against Lloyd he also haa a "Hell" In his act. Mur- ray Bennett was a double offender In the "cuss" Una Otherwise the singing story teller managed to get over very well. Manning, Sloane and Co. (New Acts) In a dramatic sketch landed the greater number of cues words. Gardner and Revere will pass with honors on any email time bill. Gardner furnishes all of the laughs by burlesque bits of all the preceding (urns and Miss Revere tries twice with songs, neither of which she puts over. Wafd, Bell and Ward, with another man added, proved a likable closing turn In "Under the White Top." The feature finished the show. Fred. HAMILTON. The show at the Hamilton Tuesday may have suggested a big time bill through Its running order, this easily being seen when the closing act finished the vaudeville por- tion around 10 o'clock. However, the acta booked for the first half furnished the usual show the house generally puts on. Lasky's "Aurora of Light" accomplished a good deal In the opening spot. Perhaps the audience appreciated the act more because the poser had not to move about to find her po- sitions. Subers and Keefe (comedians In blackface) went through talk and songs, while nothing away from the ordinary appeared to please the gathering, which of course Is their main object Nevertheless these two men could frame a much better act. At present the turn runs along small time order, especially when they rely upon a Hula Hula dance by the comedian with a funny make-up for a closer. Bert Wilcox and Co. have a very small time comedy sketch, the skit no doubt being used for Its "nance" character, which may carry It over the smaller circuits. It might prove good judgment to change the principal "nance" character. The one doing it now has but a little Idea of the part. A weekly serial. "Graft," split the bill. Ford's Dancing Revue followed, scoring the biggest hit of the evening, and perhaps the biggest hit of an' act for a few weeks back. The act has been completely changed since last seen, with new drops and different dances. The same four girls prove worthy of all the applause received for their dancing. The act opens in full stage with Ford doing a bit of his specialty on a sneclal dancing mat, the girls working well behind him. After this Ford does some fast stepping in "one," fol- lowed by a southern number by a girl, while the closing is quite a flash for the act. A North Pole scene In full stage with the peo- ple dressed in like costumes allows each to do specialty dances. Cantwell and Walker were next to closing with comedy offering, the work of Cantwell especially bringing the re- turns. Miss Walker is doing entirely too much along burlesque lines. Rice Sully and Scott closed the show with comedy bar work, hold- ing every one seated. BILLS NEXT WEEK. (Continued from page 21.) 111. Hal Davis Co "Leap Year Party'.' "Limousine Romance" Barnes A Robinson CRESCENT (ubo) Silent Mora Evans Sisters Briscoe Four Armstrong 4 Holman Bros 2d half Mitchell A Cook Ray & HUllard Mack A Mabel Lynch A Zeller MAJESTIC (wra) Lawton Embs A Alton James Grady Co Blxley A Lerner Mrs Eva Fay 2d half Eller's Animals Wilton Sisters Walter Milton Co Brooks A Bowen Aus Wood choppers SawimssJiH. Ms>a« PALACE (ubo) Keeley Bros Co Browning A Morris. Bertram May Co Howard A Ross PANTAGES (m) Arthur Lavlne Co ■•Mo,, n#r t m \v.. An " Raymond A Bain v M . a iL ^JF* 0 !™** 011 Greenlee A Drayton Young Sing Tr 2d half The Pelots Stone A Lear Cameron Devltt Co Force A Williams Juliet Dlka Tango Chief Springfield, O. SUN (sun) Kennedy Sis Doc O'Neil Little Caruso Co Russell A Rogers (One. to fill) Snnerlor, Wis. PEOPLE'S (wva) Rnnson A Knight Weber A Dlehl A & G Terry 2d half Campbell & McDonald Kenny A La France Willlseh A Anita MTraesse, N. Y. TEMIM.E (ubo) The nrnmnions Hert Hanlon Kimberlv & Arnold On a Veranda" Murle Resell (One to All) 2d half Juggling McBanns Valerie Sisters Hanlon A Clifton Terre Haute, lad. HIPP (wva) "Tickets Please" 2d half Wilson A Aubrey Ed A Jack Smith "When We Grow Up" Dorothy Herman Old Soldier Fiddlers Toledo, O. KEITH'S (ubo) Van Cleve A Pete Burnham A Driven K DInebart Co Watson Sisters Everett's Monks Mevlllen A Coogan 'Song Revue" PALACE (sun) 1st half Pauline Saxon Henry A Adelaide Oruett A Gruett Kuth Russell Co Topoka, Kaa. NOVELTY (Inter) Ouzmani Trio Rouble Slmms I^argay A Snee Santos A Hayes Dan Sherman Circus 2d half Kremka Bros Elsie Fay 8 Clark A McCullough (Two to fill) Toreate. SHEA'S (ubo) Joe Dooley "Colonial Belles" "Tango Shoes" Bessie Wynn J B Hymer Co Craig Campbell Ryan A Tlerney (One to fill) HIP (ubo) Bertie Ford Dunn A Stephefla Stoddard A Hynes Jean Moore Rogers A Hart . Earl A Girls YONGE 8T (loew) Mayne A Ferns Brown Fletcher 3 Ford A Truly "Evil Hour* r Elsie White Olendales (One to fill) Troy. If. Y. PROCTOR'S Sylphlte Sisters Evans A Vldocq The Krelles Samson A Douglas James Kennedy Co Martin Van Bergen "Tangoland" Juggling McBanns 2d half BAB Adams Elizabeth Otto Klmberley A Arnold Majorle Fairbanks Co 4 Comedy Harmonists Fred Heider Co Dlero Equllla Bros Talaa, Okla. EMPRESS (Inter) Hennany'a Pets Finn A Finn Kelso A Lelghton Gertrude Van Dyck Corr Amore A Corr 2d half Randalls Le Roy A Tozier 3 Chums Joe Whitehead 3 Emersons Vancouver. B. C. PANTAGES (m) "Cannibal Maids" Grace McCormack Imperial Troupe Stelner Trio Frank Bush Victoria, fj. c. PANTAGES (m) "Office Girls" Gallagher A Carlln Rucker A Winifred Keegan A Ellsworth Bert Wlggln Co Walla Walla, Caa. LIBERTY (wva) Barnett Maverick Co Paddock A Paddock 2d half Beemer Juggling Girls Kelly A Potter Washington. KEITH'S (ubo) Lohse A Sterling Corcoran A Dingle Morrlsey A Hackett C A F Usher Raymond A Caverly Elsie Janls Hubert's Dogs Waterloo. la. MAJESTIC (wva) F A C LaTour Dunbar A Turner Mr A Mrs H Emmett Johnson Howard A L Fay 2 Coleys A Fay 2d half The Vanderkoors Calne A Odom Harry Hayward Co Trovato Valentine A Bell Waterbary, Coaa. POLI'8 (ubo) Aerial Shaws Carew A Burns Alfonso Zelaya Cameron DeVitt Co Lander Bros "Girls" 2d half Models De Luxe Cotter A Boulden "Which S I Marry?" Howard A Ross Antrim A Vale George Brown Co Watertown, la. MET (wva) (wva) Campbell A McDonald Williams A Fuller 2d half Prince A Deerle Yvonne W^ejlog;, W. Va. VICTORIA (sun) Frears Homer Co Loralne A Cameron Tom Linton Girls Adeline Frances Peerless Troupe 2d half Henry A Adelaide Mack A Mack Harry Wentworth Co May A Fay The Barons Wichita. Ki PRINCESS (Inter) Randalls LeRoy A Tozier 8 Chums Joe Whitehead 3 Emersons 2d half Guimanl Trio Rouble Sima Largay A Snee Santos A Hayes Dan Sherman Circus Wtlkoe-Bam, Pa. POLI'8 (ubo) (Scranton split) 1st half Barry A Nelson Walvla Cummlngs Novelty Minstrels Evans A Wilson Whiteside Co (One to Ml) 2d half Bounding Tramps Sol Burns 6 Harvarda Gray A Klumpker Kuter Hughes A K "In the Orchard" Pa. FAMILY (ubo) LaCrolz A Dixon Rhoda A Crampton "School Master" Pletro Ward Sisters 2d half Canarls A Cleo Francis Bent Laurie A Bronson (Two to fill) Wlaalpoa;. ORPHEUM Worth A Brlce Arthur Sullivan Co Relsner A Gores Goldsmith A Hoppe Frankle Murphy Herbert Germalne 3 Stevens A Falke PANTAGES (m) "Dream of Orient" "After the Wedding" Faber A Waters De Michel Bros Crelghtons STRAND (wva) Prltskow A Blanchard L A E Drew Angelo Weir A D Great Santell Wooaaocket, R. 1. BIJOU (ubo) Mascon Victoria 4 Diamond A Grant 2d half Elmina Kramer A Morton Archer A Belford Worcester. Mans. POLI'S (ubo) Modela De Luxe Sterling Singers Force A Williams Matthews A Shsyne Eddie Foyer Tango Chief 2d half Bertram May Co Browning A Morris "Abe of the Army" "Man Off Ice Wagon" Young Sing Tr (One to fill) PLAZA (ubo) Lillian Savoy Carlson A Wilson Telegraph 3 Billy Bouncer Co 2d half Fred Clinton Copeland Draper Co Allyn A Frances Y hi Hrr Yonkers, N. Y." PROCTORS Schreck & Percival Bond & Casson Rawls A Von Kaufman Maybelle A Ballet Diero Edwlna Barry Co Harry Cooper Co Rayno's Bulldogs 2d half Orawee Frisco A H Howard Sisters Lester 3 Countess Verona Marshall A* Trlbble "Everybody" Tolley Wild A C Rurdella Patterson Youasjatovrau O. HIP (ubo) •Foe Cook ."• Antwerp Girls Mu .Iltsu Tr H A E Puck I) RokcI Co Henry Lewis Internet Girl (One to fill)