Variety (January 1917)

18 1 LIBERTY GIRLS. Tbe show at tho Columbia tbla week is "The Liberty CJirlH," beaded by Jack Conway, tbe Irish comeulun. jTb a Drew & Campbell pro- duction and hns h hook written by Mr Con- Way culled ' Uiley'u Vacation'" running in two parts, with two vaudeville acts happening right after intermlaalon. The Htory Is well enough carried along to last throughout the performance, which ttllghtly drags at tbe commencement and to- ward the ending. Midway, however, there is entertainment, contributed by Mr. Conway principally, although ho has been surrounded with a well balanced company or part players. In writing the book Conway did not alto- gether depend upon old buslneHs and gags. The dialog has a freshness at times that la reflected In the situations and it also is a freshness for burlesque. The talk often though, has a source to suggest it con- tains laughs, and the people who handle It do so capably. The Ford-Sunday gag Is such a good one for a burlesque show It should be left alone and to Conway. In the early part of the performance and before Mr. Con- way first appears as Riley, a wealthy Irish- man, the action and dialog are centred around the principal's support. Into this is injected some "cheese" and "submarine" talk that the Columbia audience Tuesday evening greatly liked. Tho musical numbers are about equally divided between popular songs and ballads, also popular, more or less. The 18 choristers are dressed well and average fairly for looks, but the back line Is full of shirkers on work. The staging of the girls must have had some- thing to do with this. Even at this day a stage director could assist this show by tak- ing the girls under Instruction for a few days. The disparity In the activity of the smaller set of choristers against the larger girls Is so marked it hurts the song numbers, also their leaders, especially since one of the number leaders (Dainty Dollle) only can lead with spirit, putting dancing into her singing por- tion as well. Just why "Dainty Dollle?" That "Dainty" makes It harder. Miss Dollle looks good enough as a brunette and gets through with what dancing she does, considering there Is little real dancing, If any, In the perform- ance, but to call a soubret "Dainty" before she appears augurs something that Dollle can't live up to. Just Dollle something or other would be mucb better, and let the Dainty be tacked on by the audience, If it's there. One of the numbers, made a "chorus num- ber," with short recitations by each girl and led generally by Jim Collins (the straight, and a very good one throughout) is "The Fra- ternal Orders of America." with each girl representing some well known lodge. The Elks were first In favor, with the Masons second and the Red Men third The verses to this have not been overwell written. If the num- ber Is held over for next, season, which It might be by recostumlng, a new set of lyrics for each lodge should be secured. That was the end of the first scene of the first act, the seoond scene being In "one," the exterior of a stage door, and the final scene, the bare stage of the theatre, on which Is given a dress rehearsal of a burlesque opera. This runs to an excellent finale, when a woman plant In an aisle uproariously laughs at Conway's make-up as the king. The or- chestra leader remonstrates with her, the "house manager" walks down the aisle to re- store ordor and the company Is closed In In tbe confusion, afterwards exiting through "one," making faces at the disturber as they do so. It's a similar finale to that planned by the late Frank Wlesberg and used In the first show he produced on the Columbia Circuit, of which Mr. Conway was a member. As It Is one of the best finales ever devised for bur- lesque, Mr. Conway might respect the origina- tor of it by mentioning the fact on the pro- gram, unless he purchased It outright from Wlesberg and Is under no further obligation to that poor fellow or his memory. Mr. Conway as an Irish comedian has a quiet but thoroughly effective method. Pan- tomime enters almost as largely Into his work as anything else. He indulges In a little slapstick and Is messy with a champagne bottle, but Conway gets comedy out of every- thing he goes after, and affords steady amuse- ment when cr. tho stasc. Mr. Collins Is ef no little assistance to the star and the company. He carries himself very well and has a speak- ing voice that helps. Arthur Mayer, as a Qerman, perhaps taking the cue from Conway's style, also gets over and the restraint of action for effect Is also, followed by Mike Puglla as an Italian, who, with comparatively little to handle, never faltered once for a laugh and made the minor role loom up quite strongly. Mark Thompson bad a small bit as a souse and Ed. Griffin, early, took care of a blackface role fairly well. Messrs. Puglla, Frank Leonard, Grlffln and Thompson composed tbe Liberty Four, one of the olio act*. They must have formed themselves from the troupe and could hardly call them- selves a singing quartet anywhere outside of it. The other olio turn was tbe Three Bul- lowa Girls on the wire, billed as "A TaHto of Vaudeville," which It was, without making the house any hungrier. The principal women of tbe show are along- side the men as support. Etta Joerns looks well and wholesome, and sings nicely when she doesn't pitch her voice too high, which may be a fault of an orcheHtrntlon. Parry Melton, besides lo.iking a prima donna, which she 1h not, is a big part of the plot, playing npnowlto Conway. Miss Meltnn pot the Inrtl- ylfjiiPi, 'flit n' th<» «how In h".r . nulllp' th«» Juck" number,' done alone by her. The number bit was "South Sea Isle." nlso led by Miss Melton. In this the girls wore attractive striped costumes. The girls could have bad watermelon costumes for tho "Nash- SHOW REVIEWS l ■ " vllle Tennessee" song led by Mlis Dollle. ment Is sloppy and Its atmosphere Is false, but Closing a vaudeville show with a sorlal to They would have looked better than those the play offered on the International Circuit going to be a certain way to awover us worn. Mr. Leonard sang a ballad as the sec- under the sponsorship of the Acme Production wortn ,. » l w the flr8t » , tnir J or . ten ' b ..JESS!: ond song on the Hit and "Good Little Girl" Co. (Halton Powell, general manager) Is The Keith houses, in changing their policy wus substituted for a prbgritoed third htfui- theatrically eflectlvo. * w> add on * -f«atur«i picUii<e, picked * cood her In the first part Mr. Conway did bis it In difficult to accept the yearnings of a one In the Castle serial, for they were certain only song of the evening, called "Hippodrome." trio of ladylike strollers on the easiest way for of *" opening for it, through the Castle lam*.. It was very rough lyrically as referring to the a life of domesticity away from the cabarets It will hardly draw any new picture ians, Hippodrome, New York. The opening of the and the theatre and It Is altogether too much however, for tJhe dyed-ln Pjcture watcners second part was a medley of popular songs of a feat to swallow the pure love offered to won't pay the Keith vaudeville price just to that covered that field, with Miss Joerns In one of the trio (whose rent Is paid by a Wall »ee one film. They will prefer to await Its this division also singing seVeral Trlsh airs. street broker) by the hero, the hero having release Into the regular picture houses. But Up to 10.30 the show had not put on a Hula complete knowledge of this irregular system of the early chapters of the serial may draw in number (other than "South Sea Isle") or domestic finance. 8onae new business from those who always dance and they should boast about It in the In spite of all of which the play does unde- wa nt to see the Castles, together or singly, advance billing. niably grip and hold attention because its dra- »n "y kind of a way. And judging from the The settings, while full stage exteriors, al- matlc elements have been skilfully marshaled. Colonial bill this week. If the vaudeville regu- ways looked In good taste and added to the There Is no subtlety about the methods, but lar » don 't care much for the continued film, appearance. w. C. Herman, the playwright, gets his re- they can walk out on it, already having seen There shouldn't be any bad reports to head- suits. It is the varlest sort of theatrical Jug- previously a vaudeville supply, quarters this season on "The Liberty Girls." gllng, but done deftly. The climax of the Though the Colonial program this week, If all the Columbia shows stood up as well, third act will serve as an example. The action whilo having enough quantity, lsn t over- burlesque would never have to worry. Bime. takes place In a red and white cabaret, where * burdened with quality, nor will anyone rave the villain (he's the broker who tries to force over * be b L u - ItB h . ea I ? lln ^; The QiBimtool. BIG REVIEW OF 1917 «jm^ «j* » to ^«., £»« «p g. J"."™ ££«£ - g^ «-*g In the construction of his "1017 Review," pocket and then bringing about his arrest for the turn. Felix Adler continues to give his playing the American Burlesque Circuit. Henry theft. As the plot Is about to be sprung, the vaudeville act In It to allow for the girls P. Dixon (Broadway's soft-toned arbitrator) • heroine switches out the lights, secures the changing. Margaret Ivlng, the star of the displays more than the average weight of villain's revolver and when the lights come on production, Is very considerate, not being show-sense, having provided all the essentials again she has command of tbe roomful of hoggish at all, which Is unusual, as It gives of a successful burlesque without any rep re- plotters and manages her lover's escape. The everyone else a chance. Paul Frawley now sentation of reckless expenditure. Dixon ap- whole scene for melodrama with a "punch" Is onlv leads the numbers, and the two parently believing that In burlesque, "the cleverly managed, and gives the act a capital specialties are also retained. Richard De book's the thing," conferred with those two curtain. There are other effective situations Mar and Lulu Swan ln their skating lmper- merry qulppera, Jim Morton and Felix Adler. 0 f the same sort and the final act Is an in- sonatlon dance are very timely in this and the result Is something resembling a bunch teresttng series of swiftly moving Intrigue winter time, and Hazel Moran, handles of originality, although It Is apparent the orlgi- violet LeClalr, the heroine, Is described as lariats very well. It's a largo act for yaude- nal script has been banged about somewhat to "one of the many " meaning that she is an vllle and 4 u ' te imposing ln people and pro- provide the admission of some "favorite bits" out-and-outer, Ray'St. John is described an a du .?il! on v. v ... , .. »u a * ♦ • • by the principals. C horus girl, while the third member of the ' Tne Gambol" closed the first part giving There Is nothing about tbe production that trio is Melba French "a milliner" Violet with " a cn ance to get all possible out of tbe spot, could posBlbly be taken for a "flash," but the her teary melancholy, is a limp sort of per- and Yvette opened the second part. Yvette, Dixon Bhow Is giving a good comedy perform- 80n , but the other two have occasional light aa a vlolIn,8t . now like Nonette, also sings, anee and on the American wheel comedy must t»^m«m»n when thev nre amusing Yvette sings and fiddles, ln a special setting predominate If one would carry a profit bal- i n like manner the hero, who is the familiar that she Is seen posing In when the turn ance at tbe conclusion of the season. "young Westerner" is a puppet but the play- opens. Yvette did not set anything on nre. Mr. Dixon has selected an unusually good wrlght has created two first rate comedy char- °, ne J"e a80n may be she tries too hard. The looking aggregation of choristers, several acters. One Is a tired business man who plays Bjrl has built up a line of mugging while capable number leaders, which they do, and generous provider for Ray. the chorus girl and abe worka that doesn t get enough to keep In surrounding them he has principals who out- the other Is Jlramle Roach, a ragtime piano the act ' Sbo «"P«««*»J mu R» when Playing shine ln the manner of ability a good many player who Is always seeking a chance to dls- ra P ol \ tb S instruments. As rags make the best casts on the other wheel. His musical score play his talent, but never quite puts It overr tbln £ sne does, that Is what she Should stick is well chosen, running mostly to popular The pair contributed the two best comedy *?' but . when Yvet t« encounters the competl- numbers. with an occasional special song, and characters the International has disclosed this l ' on , of 8 ° m any other rag violin players the wardrobe, mostly tights. Is as good as the year there's no more novelty ln It. As a singer best and much better then the majority. T h e company makes a satisfactory organlza- Yvette should commence training all over The opening brings the girls on first In tlon. playing nicely together without any one a S aln , although her salvation might be to single and double file, with the principals fol- member attaining conspicuous excellence but cultivate a double voice. It may nave been lowing through the rendition of an lntroduc- „o one falling far below tbe acceptable aver- noticed In all double voiced vocalists that tory number, each Individual announcing her nce The production fits the grade of nlavers one vo,ce »■ very Dad - In this perhaps Is role, the "bit" concluding with the stage crew The four settings furnish good enough back- the 80lut,on to those singers now in vaude- and spot-light man introducing themselves In ground for tbe story. Nothing has been v,,,e wi L b Dad vo,ces : and the good Jordy the order named. slighted, although apparently economy has knows tbc , re ar £ P Ien * y " Yvett f dIdat J? e J Then comes tbe story, one of those mistaken been observed In tbe frame up of the produc- mu £ b a PP ,aU8e , but v 8be . «ot a bouquet that Identity affairs told somewhat differently and tlon A< for example the heroine's living room Pe rba P» a , mU8,c P ubllsber f^- \ l looke ? {° arranged to Include a rather neat scene with setting has a painted bookcase which subse- be °PP 08,t, on to tbe floral offering sent to a picture studio setting. Of the principals quently does duty In the equipment of a hotel J* 1 " 8 I* 1 "?- , A £ er ™ was . *?£" H^K"' .12Jl four stand out In conspicuous prominence and writing room G,rI With 1,000 Efyes (New Acts). 'Sees this quartet aided with proper material can All! Knows All! Tells All!" the program carry any production through on a comedy DAI APa? 8a,d * Tna * "Tells All" sounds ominous, but basis. Florence Brooks tops the list from a rAUllX. let's hope Leon a uses Judgment. Her an- genulno standpoint of abllitv, although Harry With the program somewhat handicapped nouncer kept on telling how he would give Levan. Claire Devlne and Charlie Warren are through the desertion of two of Its feature * 1.000 to anyone who could catch Leona trlp- probably better known In burlesque circles. "singles." business maintained the capacity p,ng and ' or othep things. It sounded as Miss Brooks Is a character woman, one of mark during the earlier part of the week though the "1.000 Eyes" had gotten Into their those who linger ln your thoughts after the notwithstanding. Willie Weston was forced minds and everything is one thousand with final curtain. She makes no bid for preten- to retire from the line-up Tuesday afternoon. them. Another hope Is that the thousand tiousnesn, but her every move Is that of a suffering from an over-dose of rich food. B° pa for salary also. seasoned artiste and with It she has a voice and the temperamental Violet Dale was re- Opening the show was Catherine Powell ln that alone should elevate her to a higher spot ported peeved anent managerial instructions dances with a change ln view setting scheme, than the American circuit. She demonstrated as to the length of her specialty. Tuesday Miss Powell pulls through in the position, her versatility in tbe burlesque during a night she failed to appear. Charlie Olcott. aided by her toe work and appearance. She "souse" bit with Levan. Tt stood out as one from the Orpheum. Brooklyn, program, was seems rather a large girl, and It's a somewhat of the best sections of the sbow and monopo- selected for the breech, appearing In third different number for the first position, which is llzed the comedy honors without Interference. spot. He more than stood off the damage. a recommendation for us. Following were Bren- A short while later she staged a burlesque This forced a rearrangement of the running nan and Powell, the parlor singers, who are oneratlc number with Levan that temporarily order, bringing Florence and Frank Moore to holding up the "No. 2" ppot and could help stopped the show. Burlesque could stand some the closing position, with the Patrla fllnwfol- themselves perhaps still more If paying regular more ebaracter women of the Brooks type for lowing. money to a vaudeville director for Ideas In she earns her results on legitimate ability Maxlne Bros, and Bobby opened after the their singing turn. Next came Joe Towle without a single gesture approaching the sug- pictorial review. This combination seems as (New Acts). Avellng and Lloyd were next to gestlve line. familiar to the Palace audience as the house closing. Bime. Levan Is a clever comic, short of stature, 8taff - It's a good silent," but repetition but "wise" on burlesque angles. He knows doe " n ' t be, P ! e • _. ._ ALHAMBRA. how to handle a situation and works partlcu- „ Wright and Dietrich were second with a ™ "^ larly well with Miss Devlne. with whom he straight" singing turn, opening with a rather This is "winter carnival" week with ten staged a piano specialty Levan playing to novelty Introductory number and proceeding acts Instead of the customary nine. That Miss Devlne's vocal work.' Miss Devlne scored through a routine of well-picked ballads. Miss with the first installment of the "Patrla" during tbe moving picture scene Joe Dixon Dietrich's solo scored an Individual hit and serial brought capacity Monday night. The working opposite as a "dope" bis character tbo c,< > fl,n K duwt neld U P tn e specialty niceiy. show started at eight promptly, which in representing Mack Sennet In tbe cast list. Charlie Olcott was in the third spot. His spite of the extra act brought the serial on Chnrles Warren he of "Quo Vadls" fame routine Is singularly good, especially the de- at ten forty-five, this lasting until after worked Into the various scenes nlcelv and pro- ^KS 8 ™2^ t7 t? U ! U f r0Un , d th ° U »". Ual eU ' v . en - „ . ^ u vlded a fair sbnre of the laughs Alte Mason musical comedy. It Is strongly suggestive. The first section of the show, comprising Charles Saxon Lettle Belles Dodv Morrl« nnA however, of the number Introduced by Cecil 8 lx of the ten acts, moved with considerable severnY othe? of the choruralternated In lead- Cunningham at the Royal this week, tho one BpP ed. reaching a climax with the Frank Hale fng numbers' °bnt i o th? nuartT above-met ££* oii T" 8 ^! ^Z* 7 and the otber a and S !* n . a ^"tT, W', w A Icl! C !sTf d "J 6 tloned went the bulk of the honors. U *X' ? D « ra f v ° fl r «% VE"%-w am.^ ,i,«^ intermission in whirlwind fashion This pair ^tTnr« KS^SSSI °^r\ r ,r , or r the n b , li arkP Kosfo n iT ^Ica^sVtet ^S^its d^^deV JUS of our verv best shouters. It Is doubtful If the i. - f eV er with the Pnlnrn nntmn<t Thev musical sextet wun us aancing ieaaer ana merits of the show will m hidden Tt «h«niH I *\ wun tne raiaco patrons. Tncy i ts Hawaiian member, who had a singing merirs or ine snow win go ninnen. it snouid Room to dote on his specie of art. And KIs- B neclaltv to himself wer« annreeiated but pel Dixon some money and 1 en v.-an Impression lofr know „ w t0 distribute It. His return f 'o-k o^ mK daicere remain Ko Sount fnvornhle enouph to nllow a rriurn next sea- brines an accomnanvine orchestra nlaend on I" tne aanccrs remainen paramount. Ron without a «-inirlo chnnee Wu»n •£!..♦« accompanying orcnesira piacea on jr or one 80 stockily built Hale certainly son without a singl e chan ge. Wynn. the stage along with a new set. The dances .-throws a mean hip." The lightning-like BDAAniVAV ACTED T\kOV 5™J1^"l? .Til"! K £? 0ff „ a 5 d , Mas,ova whirling of Miss Paterson In the "Tornado." BROADWAY AFTER DARK. PromInent at all limey. The Production was h fln « h number br0U ght tho biggest ap- (INTERNATIONAL) pals * ' tt PP rec,ttted - 1,kewlB ° tbe P r,n ci- plaU8c 0 f the evening. Jlmmln Roach Mr. Gates Austin Florence Moore and her brother Frank * Ia n ry ° f ° rtS dl Sni nd «r^?// ! « ( ?S™ ^Sifni Ray St. John Miss Mary Buschmann (New Acts) came next, closing the vaude- „,..?'. H n^ P. in .7 Macklin TVneen Mr. Onle Satterlee vllle show proper, with tbe Mrs Vernon Cas- "S^JLi'"^ Meltm French Miss Loulso F, r K uson tie picture holding them In to the exit march. ? nndw l , l h , pd 'Iw^hJhhJ ? ff l fl h.h ,„,1" Stephen Rockwell Mr. John Ilarrett Wynn. do " Doo,(, y. , whose sprightly efforts did much vinint i .winir mi u - \)i.« !»■!.-„- to hold up the speed and class of the fore- > miei iwu inir mish Klta Lnwrence „„_» _# »V win n~_,i~« •„ wiuj „«. *w^ VoZ%"^Z> ^r 0 Ce N o ! ree V, ^ ,, v a r,^ , ; COLONIAL. ^ndfn. VlttSS.' slffl^.lWi'^Sl.SS !'.. M in ,: ir UH,r, . Tb '- weather . "The Glrll-s" Gaml^" 'And *nd J.l.,,1. met</ w,15 <;,;,,, ih.s his. work. '.HsUU ^•>'»»m.s. ; . .....Mr ai.Mo i..ij.>th "Pfitrhi" all limped to pack thftTolmvlKi-Mcn - Th^ fast fii.fe*. u •!k:rli«^a<: en-a' cabaret, i'poiMin \»-" i>.!'i..N w 0, ''i dn y »>'<ht. it wns snowy but nice outdoors, with Miss Dooicy dressed as a boy, sent them ,* ■-, ..............Mr. Ralph Wood nnd thnt tho ppople wantpd to Ree the Mrs. over big. Ilrondway After Dark has most of the Castle serial-Chapter One was visually The Durkln Olrls (New Acts) In second faults that go with melodrama as built about tcstlncd to when they remained for It, clos- position created a very favorable Impression, thu bright lights," that is to say its sentl- ing the performance. Doth present a bit of personality and dress