Variety (October 1916)

" ■ ■' 20 SHOW REVIEWS PALACE. From a standpoint of real entertainment, this week's bill at the Palace doesn't begin to clans with some of Its predecessors, although It looks exceptlonall well on paper. With hot one or two Isolated exceptions there was little enthusiasm displayed, the various numbera running along ltntleaslv in turn from beginning to end. In both sections something was on hand to temporarily slow things up, the first half carrying the Morgan Dancers (held oyer) and the Josephine Victor vehicle didn't In- crease the speed of the second portion. The Morgan aggregation, closing the Intermission period, were fully appreciated by the artistic- ally Inclined. Page, Hack and Mack opened the show, and those present at the early hour were fully re- warded for their promptness. The finish In itself holds the act op_ and earned them a sound hit. King and Harvey were delegated to the second spot and proved a genuine sur- prise. This combination Is a perfect vaude- Tllle fit and with their repertoire of comedy songs and ballads removed all the superstition of that particular position. They scored on each Individual number and at their closing were sufficiently applauded to warrant a brace of enoores. They might Improve things with a different style of dress. Charles B. Evans and Go. offered 'The For- gotten Combination," one of the best of the Evans farces, although very talky. Follow- ing Evans came Belle Story with her operatic airs, ballads and familiar vocal exer cis es. Miss Story excels In tone clarity and, of course, her extremely high range found Its usual mark. Joseph Howard and Ethelyn Clark opened the second half. The Howard arrangement has been slightly reconstructed, much? or the dialog being eliminated. The stage ,*vnlue naturally lies in the routine of songs and this portion has been built up to advantage. Miss Clark shows Improvement In every department and monopolises all attention with her changes of wardrobe. A Chinaman has been added to the cast to give the "smoking" number a lit- tle atmosphere and in addition helps things along with the rendition of "Tlpperary." Following the Victor, skit came Henry Lewis with his new Introduction. Lewis has added a set to the specialty, prologlng In the charac- ter of Saint Peter. The prolog Is In verse and reflects the genuine literary ability of Aaron Hoffman. Lewis has a new routine of numbers, but for his bit In "one" retains the same character as formerly, with practically the same outline In delivery. Here Is an ex- ampe of the perfect combination of talent and material. It baa never failed and In Lewis' case It sticks to the rule. Lewis Introduced a quartet at the finale, with one member soloing two numbers. This Individual baa a voice that could stand some exploitation, both his songs temporarily stopping the show. In fact It took some of the Interest away from the principal, but Lewis wltllnaly shared the rostrum with his assistant and seemed eager to Insure his success. Mr. Lewis was quite the best thing on the bill and easily carried off all honors. The Charles Ahearn Co. closed the show and held all but a few In for the. final cur- tain. Wynn. COLONIAL The Colonial show ran rather late this week, the final pictures carrying It to the neighborhood of 11.80. The pictorial reel might have been utilised to open the perform- ance with an earlier starting time. The bill was of an entertaining brand despite several confllctlons and ran true to form from beginning to finale. One particular branch of the Colonial operating staff that could stand Improvement for the general bet- terment of things, 1. e., the orchestra. Llv- eey's Harmonists missed fire several times Tuesday night Business seemed to be In- creasing at the mid-city stand, the attendance running perilously near to complete capacity, a rather noticeable point In Itself. The show opened with Emily Hooper and Herbert Marbury in their song and dance turn. With the exception of the opening number and the general appearance of the duo, there is little to recommend the offering. It has gone back rather than Improved atnoe Ita Initial eastern showing. Miss Hoooer might replace at least one of her songs with another dance, since the vocal department Is the weakest of the schedule. One verse and chorus should be sufficient for any of the numbers. Parish and Peru gave the bill a satisfying start In second spot with their routine of Jumps and dances. The speed maintained during their stay carries them through and they execute some of the really hazardous stunts with an ease that deceives the house. They were roundly applauded. Tom Edwards carried off a singular hit in third spot with his full stage ventrtloqulal novelty. Edwards haa a remarkable dummy and handles It well. One might suggest a different mode of dressing for the finale, since It seems Irregular for a spurred sportsman to nurse an Infant in a living room. A bath- robe would suffice. Edwards earned a laugh- ing hit and well deserved to. Kerr and Berko showed to advantage In a good spot, but thla is essentially a "No. 2" offering. Ous Edwards and Co. closed the first half with the usual numbers and imita- tions. .While t>»e • customary ^atmosphere ,of. pretentiousness u aoae'nV Ifidwards^gets every-" ' thing possible from the present arrangement and the aggregation scored individually and collectively. Wells, Norworth and Moore opened the sec- ond period and demonstrated the advantages of a good spot. They carried off one of the really big hits of the evening. This combina- tion showa a decided improvement during their brief sojourn In the east and can qualify with the beat of the modern oomedy trios, Gallagher and Martin were somewhat handi- capped following the trio, but the male mem- ber soon cleared the way to a safe hit with his unique delivery. The encore, however, was superfluous, and might be eliminated unless demanded. Following Mrs. Oene Hughes (New Acts) and preceding the closing act (Nina Valllert- New Acts), Santly and Norton gave their usual performance to their usual return. Wyn*. compllsh little new In easting though they work well and without comedy. The fliers are of average weight The act closed the ahow and the audience appeared to like the acro- batics. Bime. ORPHEUM. Not the least of the attractions at the Or- pheum, Brooklyn, Just now la lta temporary manager, Harry Daniels, who haa returned to the United Book Offices after about 10 years In Cleveland as the Keith repres e ntative. Mr. Daniels is among the seniors on the Keith executive staff. His Cleveland sojourn was marked through the turning under his direc- tion of the Immense Hippodrome there from what looked to be about the biggest white elephant of the oountry Into a winner with Keith vaudeville. Mr. Daniels knows vaude- ville and show business, front, backwards, In- side and out. The bill Tuesday night played to quite a well filled house, better downatalra than up. Two or three feature turns were on there, with Nat Goodwin probably heading (New Acta). Mr. Goodwin was in the fourth posi- tion, likely because the management wanted to give Jack Wilson hie usual travesty chance In the next to closing spot The Wilson act and Cams and Comer, along with Goodwin, were the big marks. Goodwin got his for solid entertainment. Carus and Comer (closing the first part), for singing, kidding and dancing, and Wilson for all-comedy. Mr. Wilson appears now to have entirely left behind any "blue" reference and the act goes all the better for It His re- marks and observations upon the preceding turns got their share and his own work brought howls In spot Wilson's "Battle Cry" song that has a verse on "If husbands are as true to their country as they are to their wives, God help the U. 8. A." was probably suggested by an English song with a similar Idea, first sung over here by Daisy Harcourt Wilson weakly tried to stand off through an- nouncement Frank Hurst ringing ••Sunshine of Virginia" In the second act following the Ponxlllo Sisters, who also used the same num- ber. It's peculiar how a thing of this sort can still be In a show on Tuesday night. But Mr. Hurst gave the number much better treat- ment than the Ponslllo girls, who opened their turn with It. The Ponslllos go In for straight singing. Both have soprano voices of good range, the pianist of the duo owning the better one. and they blend harmoniously. But If vaudeville really Is ready to accept the Ponslllo girls as a blah grade turn, then the operatic duos, trios and quartets driven from the big tlm* long »*o *»▼• a chance to now return, for with the Ponslllos getting over, there la no reason why the others can not The rlrls did the "Kiss Me" number, Tostl'e "Good-Bye," an operatic song, and closed with the lyrical version of "Underneath the Stars." Both girls are bra- nets, neither extraordinarily light weighted, but they did weH enough snenteg the -second part even with the Grecian bands around their temnles. The program hills them as "The Italian Girls." The Carus-Comer turn received a larger re- ception upon their appearance than Mr. Good- win. Miss Carus knew she owned the house and never stopped. Her allusion to the Brooklyns and the pennont contained in her "Glasses" number broke up all the proceedings right there and then. In the verse on Wlloon and Hushes the difference in the applause for each candidate, with Wilson so far beyond Hughes there was no comparison, might have made the Hughes 2-1 bettors think a bit before going through with those false odds. Mr. Comer did the "Poker Game" medley and It got over nicely. If Miss Carus Is making any claims to her "Noah's Ark" bit. she may be Informed the Emmett Welch Minstrels at the Royal this week are using the same thing. "The Age of Reason" played Just before the Wilson act It's the Washington Square Players' sketch, with the Tobln children fea- tured. While the opening and much of the dialog saddled upon the two young girls sounds peculiar for their years, the piece Im- proves as it proceeds, with a couple of the adult characters giving strength to it. They are Clara Maokin as Mrs. Graham and Daniel Hall as her husband. Miss Mackln has a decided quiet and effective manner of playing that keeps her In the picture all the time. Mr. Hall's role called for some bolsterousness and he held It up. The other two adult charac- ters Just filled In. It's a somewhat different play for vaudeville and will be mostly liked through that Opening the performane were Frank Le Dent, followed by Phlna and Picks, a turn of colored picks that finish big with dancing, their costumes for this aiding the work. The costuming for the remainder of tho turn could not be praised. One of the group does some good mugging while singing "In for the Night" and this is the comedy diversion. Thos. F. Swift and Co. (New Acts) were "No. 8," building up finely at that point. Just ahead of Goodwin. _8on\e years.ajro the full flv nrpund ot«.*Jt»a.r.— to be caught by the same bearer was the objective of all casting turns. The Danube Quartet now do that without pretense, and for the finishing trick, have the filer go over the bar at one end to a hand catch by the bearer on the opposite cradle, the flier making a half twister on the way. There are some foot holds for showy work. The Danube* ac- ALHAM1RA. Dancing and oomedy were the predominating features of the Alhambra hill thla week. Of the nine turns, at least eight had something to do with either kind of entertainment On that account It was quite a taak to arrange a proper running order In an endeavor to de- rive the heat from the bfll proper. According to the Juggling of the original running order. Manager Harry Bailey did some figuring, al- though he struck It as right as he could ex- pect with the running order Tuesday night A raft of well known turns formed the show, and the Harlemltes were really fortunate In having the opportunity to witness an except- ionally good program so early In the season. With the popular scale of prices, the house held a capacity attendance. After a weekly pictorial, Kurtls' Roosters went through a routine of tricks without a flaw. It la a pleasing "sight" act and be- sides holds Its own as a novelty attraction. Lockett and Waldron held down "No. 9" po- sition well enough, although the hoys make no atrlklng Impression upon the audience with their early air of confidence. They are now attempting more singing, consequently the routine Is changed to seme extent They have not profited, however, through poor Judgment during the running. The p r esent talk might be discarded, leaving the singing and dancing to uphold the act They are a couple of ex- cellent dancers, but It Is unnecessary for one to walk back across the stage when he should have departed on the opposite side. They also attempted to steal a bow. Jule Power and Co. in "The Chameleon" (New Acta) were moved from closing the first half to the "No. 8" spot, through the sketch being unable to hold down* the first position assigned. Tempest and Sunshine were dele- gated to next-to-clostng the first half, Instead of opening after Intermission, and easily walked awav with the first big score of the evening. The girls were becoming more popular the longer they remained, and after going through 2ft minutes the audience was still insistent. Their "Babes In the Woods'* from "Very Good Eddie" was cleverly ac- complished, besides a number of other good bits employed. The costumes worn by Miss Sunshine gave her a fetching appearand and took the Harlemltes by surprise. Whoever msde the gowns showed exceptionally good taste. The Kltamura Japs closed the first half, given that position at a late hour, In- stead of closing the show. 8ome effective perch work Is now being done with ss much success as the remainder of their acrobatics. Maud Muller was forced into a hard position, opening after intermission, consequently her opening talk was cotnpletelv lost. Miss Mul- ler did not take kindly to the existing drcum- stsnces, and passed a number of sarcastic re- marks entirely uncalled for, to the orchestra lesder. A good deal of Miss Mutter's material could stand a little touching up, for some of It has been heard, even In the smaller houses. Not nnf.il. she-began to afng did. the.. auditors fully appreciate her ability, and that alone should be sufficient cause for her to change her msterial. Aveltng and Lloyd held the original position carded them, and easily demonstrated what good talk will accomplish. These boys with their southern accent and well arranged pat- ter placed their "gags" effectively and put over one of the best scores. The tslk woven around the $10 bill Is a fine Idea, with any number of other cleverlv constructed lines used throughout their routine. White and Cavanagh came next with their series of dances. George White still persists In retaining the material pirated from Joe Whitehead, who was the originator of the "Invitation Dance" which White la now using. Van and Belle (New Acts) nicely closed the show. AMERICAN ROOF. Although a rather oddly constructed affair the Roof show Monday night held up well with several entertaining features. The big- gest oddity of the evening was due to two single women opening the first and second half. Thla was probably brought about by the acts working down stairs necessitating Nina Esphey opening the show at 8.20. The house waa cold but this little banjolst, who stayed but a short while, left a pleasing Impression. Rowley and Toung (New Acts) went along mildly. Torcat's Roosters, "No. 8," brought forth the first real laughs. The program mat- ter states this Is the only trained troupe of game roosters. From appearancea only a small portion of the feathered flock are of the game specie, the majority being of the barnyard variety. The boxing between the roosters for a finish Is productive but is car- ried too long. The Irish patrons of the Roof were handed a treat by Broughton and Turner, who have a conglomeration of Irish talk and songs at tbelr disposal, both catching on with ease. The act with other people was once on the big time. Owen McOlveney, headlining, closed Jim. .first h»\t wi»h..ji.ii_.'iBHi SykK' nrotean offering. The audience was as attentive, al- though thla Is a return date. Ethel Thayer Costeilo (New Acts) opened the second half, displaying the most attractive wardrobe seen on the small time In many a day. Farrell, Stanley and Co. In "Going Home" provided Interesting entertainment, the sketch of the girl who goes wrong type having considerable human Interest Stanley James in an old man role easily takes first honors, although his partner, Veaale Parrel, does same 1 capable work. Laughs aplenty were accorded Patsy Doyle next to dosing with a bright monolog en- hanced by gaga Bounding decidedly original. After a sketch containing much pathos at the finish Doyle found the audience, ripe for oom- edy and secured the proper returns. The Standard Brothers, equilibrists, closed the bill in capable styls with the new Chaplin making up the picture portion. COLUMBIA. The Sunday ooncert at the Columbia, in ad- dition to running one act abort at the matinee) of the customary schedule, ran below the es- tablished average, hut two of the eight acta present carrying any semblance of oomedy. and without lta regulation share of that es- sential Ingredient the Columbia showa assume a woeful aspect Aveltng and Lloyd found It Impossible to double between the Colonial and Columbia and did not appear at the matinee. Thla team would have touched off the program with Just the proper speed. Two new acts were listed, hut neither con- tributed any great aid. Herman Lleb aad Co. (New Acta) presented Lleb's new vehicle and the Club Trio (New Acts) euckooed through a repertoire of popular songs, hut spoiled what- ever favorable impression they created 'with a contribution of filth that would have justi- fied Immediate cancellation. The show opened with the entrance of Miss CahlU. a single trap act that waa partially handicapped by the style of apparatus utilised. Cahlll la a girl (formerly hilled under another name). She talks and sings In addition to her aerial efforts. Her beat work la en the rope. Thla section waa marred by the up- rights which prohibited any fancy work be- cause of their position. Miss Cahlll managed well enough, but would do well to ellmtmUe some of the useless dialog. Burns and Forum sing and dance. They also wear evening dress clothes covered with capes. They alternate their solo steps and while the dancing comes near the average), there la no attempt toward novelty. Like several thousand other doubles, Burns and Forum simply sing and dance, and as long as small time vaudeville exists the double song and dance acta will drift along. Kay, Bush and Robinson gave the program Its first glimpse of comedy, and they -were fully appreciated and amply rewarded. The slender comic has a singular style of his own and carries the skit along by his Individual efforts. Dan Sherman and Co. held the other comedy spot with a rearranged edition of his familiar specialty. The trapese hae been elim- inated, but Is not missed since Sherman haa interpolated Sufficient comedy to offstand Its absence. 8herman reaped In a solid hit Cervo, an accordionist, appeared, the Four Victors closed the show, with acrobatlcs_on the style of the Barda. ROYAL What was an all-new program to the Bronx Is at the r.jyal thh week. Monday nlghXJhe attendance was large enough to satisfy any management. The bill Is carrying seven' acta besides pictures. F5v« or the turns were in the first half, with the other two and a fea- ture film making up tbe end of the perform- snee, after the Intermission. Next week the Royal goes to Its usual policy of all acts without the feature. The Blvera 8lstert opened the performance, doing a lively dance act that called for changes of costumes and much activity on the girl's part. They could fill in nicely on the small time programs, for they are lively enough to ginger up an audience, and look welt, besides having changed their routine. After them came Billy Beard (New Acts), who talked to the audience In a storied way, leaving a good Impression. Mr. Beard hsd enough excuse to come forward with an encore If he had cared to, but he seems to pr»f»* to have his turn compsct, which may be as well. Following were the Emmett J. Welch Min- strels, nine, with Mr. Welch In whltefaoe seated on a high plush diss as the Inter- locutor. The Harmony Quartet were an- nounced to sing verses of popular songs for the opening, then a couple of dancers showed, after which the ends, Rues Kelly and Joe Hamilton, took their seats. Outside of a fresher looking mounting and current song numbers, there Is no decided difference to the Welch Minstrels than when It gave a per- formance at the Columbia some months ago. There were also solo ballads, ensemble singing and the ends' Jokes, with Mr. Kelly making the hit of the turn In his singing number. A couple of the members of tbe quartet might be measured for new suits. The Minstrels were on for 23 minutes. They will do for certain houses, but not the biggest ones. In "No. 4" were Madison and Winchester (New Acts) with a mlsframed turn that at least gave enough dlverttsement to make the Royal people look upon It aa a regular act, which It Is not at present Then came Vir- ginia Earl and Co., the feature of the program through Miss Earl's "come back." It'a a question how many among the assemblage re- Tr.r>mb«rrd Ml«* Wj».ri from her Casino days cr even from the time when she last played vau- deville. Opening the second part wore Bren- nan and Powell (New Acta), and they got over as well as anything else on the progrsm. Closing were Platov and Eaton (New Acts) In a dancing number wholly held up by the young.'woman In It Swne. (Continued on page 88.)