Variety (April 1917)

SHOW REVIEWS 13 PALACE. There ia going to be a vote of thanks offered by a long-suffering public to the manager who first Inserts a note In his program, along with the "Don't Run—Walk" advice, telling just what the national anthem is and defining that one Is not expected to stand when everything that smacks of the patriotic from "Hands Across the Sea" to "Dliie" and "My Country 'Tie of Thee" is played. Monday night the audience at the Palace slid from Its seat three times and thus helped the long-suffering tailors by wearing out the seats of their aklrta and trousers, and tne upholsterers by damag- ing the chairs, on three different occasions during the show, not counting the lntermu»- siqn, by standing at different times the flag vttis sbown or something was played that even distantly resembled "The Star Spangled Ban- ner." As for the show Itself, there were but two real applause hits in the entire program. The first was scored by Regal and Bender, the sec- ond turn of the bill, and the second by George White and Lucille Cavanaugh, after the latter team got away to a very bad start by messing up their opening number. That White boy In- cidentally Is getting to be a comedian and can think very fast, through which the situation was saved for the act. One thing the management is to be given credit for—running "Patria" at the opening of the show. Judging from the aspect of the Pal- ace auditorium at 8.10 Monday night there are a lot who don't give a whoop If Mrs. Castle is as good a film actress as she is a singer and they are willing to let the dance star fight It out in solitude. The Plve Nelsons, with their skating spe- cialty, were the opening feature and managed to get a little. Regal and Bender, with their combination of comedy chatter and deft and different acrobatics, were a hit from the min- ute the twin ropes were let down and the members of the team started that bit of leap- ing into hand and toe holds. Then came "Maggie Taylor, Waitress," with Its charming performance of Jean Adair. Johnnie Dyer and Frank Fay, with the bit of foolery they Indulge In, were laughable to those in front and the boys scored nicely. The lobby chatter, however, after tbf^flrst half of the show wan entirely of Daisy Jean, the musically gifted Belgian refugee, who closed the first half. That this act la making a distinct and decided Impression can be Judged from the fact that there was little else discussed between the halves of the per- formance. The versatility that this artist dis- plays in her performance causes the expres- sions of admiration, rather than any par- ticular bit of artistry on any one of the ln- Htruments. But the act bespeaks "class" and the artist was accorded applause that forced her to sing an encore selection. The second half of the show was given over to two hold-over attractions, George White and Lucille Cavanaugh, and Gertrude Hoffmann, with the one other turn being Bert Clark and Miss Hamilton, the latter act open- ing this section. The hit went to White and Cavanaugh. although the team "gummed up" their opening number and Miss White left the audience flat, while George made a speech of apology and blamed the orchestra for the mis* hap, even though It didn't look as though the musicians were to blame. The Hoffmann act Is still raggy and seemed badly In n«>ed of re- hearsal, especially the combined Charm Ion* Barrlson sisters bit. which recalls the old daya down at Koster & Bial's on 34th street. Miss Hoffmann closed the show, which ended at 11.25, far too late for the majority of the Palace patrons, who long before were wending their way toward the doors. Fred. RIVERSIDE. May Irwin and Eddie Leonard and Co. are the big events at the Riverside this week, with Miss Irwin holding down the featured position, next to closing, Immediately pre- ceding the "Patria" picture. Leonard Is clos- ing the first half of the bill and does credit- ably well, cleverly juggling the curtain for encores until he had gone his extreme limit In old . nd new numbers. Leonard's dancing earned the Individual honors of his own rou- tine, sharing applause and appreciation with the banjolng of the elder character man. Leonard is popular, and being a good show- man, delivers everywhere. Miss Irwin with her short routine of talk and several popular numbers found it rather easy going at the Riverside, her most. Intricate points making the proper connection with laughs and applause. Miss Irwin had se- lected a fine list of songs, and with Cliff Hess at the piano the specialty Is sufficiently strong to get tnrough anywhere. Miss Irwin was a big hit. The Musical Johnsons opened with their xylophones, running through several numbers of mixed classification, the Zampa overture and the song medley getting the best returns. The Johnson trio are thoroughly entertaining. In so far as a xylophone can entertain, and for the spot they held did exceedingly well at the uptown house. Russell, Ward and Co. were In the second spot, the company being two slnuers, one car- rying no stage presence whatever, although endowed with h fair falsetto voice. The open- ing number should he cut down several choruses. Tho cross-Arc trlk Is productive of results and the song medley connected well, but the turn could be »""v>n!!y Improved In '«'■)•. r dive'tion. T|;e fir:;; to carried the quar- tet through to a 1>Ir hit. The Four Readings came next, the position itself being sufficient guarantee of their nbll- lty. The act Is dressy, originally nrranced. and for a turn of It* kind It measures up with tho best. Joe Cook In "one," with his one- man vaudeville show, was one of the cinch hits of the evening, gathering a continuous succeaslon of laughs from beginning to end. Cook has greatly improved the routine, adding a eong aa well as other abort "bits," and seems sufficiently strong lo hold the next to closing position on any program. After Leonard and the intermission period came Nina Payne (New Acts), with John B. Hymer and Co. In "Tom WalkerMn Dixie'* following and preceding Mlas Irwin. Hymer'a characterisation of the title role was a treat for the Riverside attendance, and the Interest bottled up in this script makes it doubly ap- preciative. There are scores of particularly bright laughs in the dialog, and set off with a reasonably pretentions production the Hymer vehicle can hardly miss fire anywhere. The "Patria" picture found many on their way home, the Interest In this serial appar- ently having completely subsided. Wynn. COLONIAL The Colonial bill ran splendidly Monday nlgbt, after a poor start, and the big hits of the bill arrived early. They were Lady Agnese and Her Irish Colleens (New Acts) In the No. 3 spot, and Ward and Van Immediately after- ward. Ward and Van, with a harp and violin, have a very funny comedy musical set. The harpist Is a straight player. It's the oomedlan who Is funny. In his dressing, looks, business and playing. He does a dopey sort of musician, who has trouble In keeping up his trousers. This with the good and bad music played kent the house laughing and finished with a gale of applause. The violinist has a hit upon a comedy creation of no little value, and he does It very well. Ward and Van are a standard turn. Any musical comedy two-act that can even touch them for results will be well worth while. Closing the first part were Florence and Frank Moore, who did verv well In the first 2ft minutes, but ran 33, and overdid It In the final four minutes, when the turn slipped. The best thing the Moores can do In to get this act down to 2ft minutes, then they will have a corker. Both are working so well It's too bad to see them flounder at the ending for the freakish and accept so much on faith, it might be different. Lambert and Ball had a walkaway at the tall end, with sougs, med- ley, besides piano playing by Mr. Ball and Mlas Lambert's costumes. The concert jrshd p'.ano at the Colonial only appeared in four or five acta. The programs are carrying a printed Insert, giving the words of the "Star Spangled Ban- ner" on one side and "America" on the other. Bime. BUSHWICK. The benefit of a long bill at the Brook- lyn houses as an Incentive to big business was demonstrated at the Buehwlck Tuesday night when that house had what was called a Spring Festival- consisting of eleven acts end the "Patria" picture. The Buahwlck was filled to capacity with standees thick on the lower floor. The most noticeable deficiency In the long bills Is the number of two-acts. The current Bushwlck program consists of eight two- people turns out of a possible eleven. The Idea does not apparently detract from the audience standpoint judging from the man- ner every act was received. The Brlghtons opened the show with rag pictures which, with a few patriotic bits, In- terested the house. Weber and Rome, a male dancing team. No. 2, started the real ap- plause. The boys are nifty steppers with the shorter chap a second edition of Willie Solar, although in no way Imitating the latter. Genevieve Cliff and Co. In "A Breath of Old Virginia," the only sketch of the bill. No. 3. found attentive listeners. The members of the cast playing southern characters ap- pear to entirely forget the dialect at times, with the act otherwise handled capably. Commencing with the No. 4 spot held by Gerard and Clark the bill contained three laughing hits In succession. The mixed team scored a great quantity of laughs after which Lloyd and Erltt added more hilarity, the audi- ence laughing at the burlesque Scotch busi- ness as If it had been something new. Kate Ellnore and Sam Williams, who followed, closing the first half, found the audience PROTECTED MATERIAL VARIETY'S Protected Material Department will receive and file all letters addressed to it. The envelopes sre to be sealed upon the back in a manner to prevent opening with- out detection, unless by permission of the owner of the letter. iF»Bi«m» It is suggested all letters be registered, sddressed to Protected Material, VARIETY, New York, snd receipt requested. VARIETY will scknowledge esch letter received. Full particular* of the "Protected Material Department" were published on Page 5 in VARIETY of Feb. 4, 1916, . , t . ., . .„. , . . The following circuits, managements and agencies have signified s willingness to sdopt such meant as msy be within their power to eliminate "lifted material" from their theatres, when informed of the result of sn investigation condtic*e<} by V™J£J.Y: ___ MARCUS LOEW CIRCUIT (Jos. M. Schenck) FOX CIRCUIT (Edgar Allen) MILES CIRCUIT (Walter F. Keefe) FINN-HEIMAN CIRCUIT (Sam Kshl) SICKARDS CIRCUIT (Australia) (Chris. O. Brown) BERT LEVEY CIRCUIT (Bert Levey) SHEA CIRCUIT (Harry A. Shes) FEIBER SHEA CIRCUIT (Richsrd Kesmey) ALOZ CIRCUIT 0. H. Alos) PANTAGES CIRCUIT (Walter F. Keefe) B. S. MOSS CIRCUIT (B. S. Moss) GUS SUN CIRCUIT (Gus Snn) MICH. VAUDEVILLE CIRCUIT (W. S. Botterfield) U. S. V. M. A, (Walter J. Plimmer) merely because they have stretched it too long. In the second part was a comedy sketch, "Who Is She?" written by Wlllard Mack and played by Bernard and Harrington. It's a story of newlyweds having their troubles through jealousy by the wife. For a two- people sketch It is a dandy, getting laughs and no doubt striking any number of married people as a realistic picture. There Is an anti-climax with the finale a "picture" that while It appears unnecessary secures a laugh. Joseph Bernard and Har.el Harrington handle the material nicely. Maud Lambert and Ernest Ball closed the vaudeville, just before the "Patria" film, of which there will be but one more chapter, next week winding up this badly directed aerial, with Mrs. Castle the star. The chapter this week may be about the most expensively produced of any two reels a serial has held, but the chapter, nevertheless, Is the poo.^st In Its direction a continuous film story ever had. Still "Patria" has proven the value of Mrs. Castle in the films, for "Patria" In several houses has been a de- cided draw, while In others the picture meant only boredom, with a few vaudeville theatres discontinuing the running shortly after It started. Valmont and Reynen In their "Angelus" singing production opened the show, giving It the bad start, although the couple were fairly well received. A full stage straight singing act to start off a bill doesn't give the program much of a beginning. It innde the No. 2 position doubly hard. Into that walked J. Warren Keane, who now has Grace White as- sisting, Miss White playing the piano as well aa "assisting." Mr. Kcane with hlH expert palming and talk gave pleasing diversion, and the turn In Its latest compoRltlon shapes up much bettor than formerly. Kcane'H Inst trick though, exposed, got him little, probably be- cause It Is a common parlor one for cut ups. Opening the second part the Chinese Pun, who sang and played the piano, seemed to Im- press the audience, much ns nil Chinese have been doing for the pnst ennnln of venrs, whether singing or dnnelng. "Prenmv China- town" ns a song, made popular by Ilobbv Mnt- thf'v. - ".. nnv tv fh.u,'.,,!] ', y <.n:>i'i> ;ii" T •• Chine*!- nv.'.i', fr.r tin ir ;>r.- ,n: po^nto;, |, r vaudeville. As Chinese, Tnim Che^ne inny he n good singer, and as a plnno playing Chinese Fook I,ok may be a marvel, so If the vaude- ville patrons are willing to rv <•, pj both rs such. It's only fitting the rouple should s-mr" time. Hut if vaudeville UlUn't go In «o imp h practically laughed out, but It took little time for Miss Ellnore to revive them, and at the finish the couple easily took down one of the hits of the evening. The Ellnore and Wil- liams turn consists of rapid fire talk, little of which hinges together wfth what goea before each bit productive In Itself. "Creation," a spectacular turn, opened after intermission. The act Is comparatively dry, but the Buah- wlck audience appeared all.ears to the talk rendered by William Richards with the scenic end of the act coming in for favorable com- ment. Savoy and Brennan, second after Intermis- sion, revived the comedy, taking down their customary hit. The boys have Increased their popularity a hundred fold since their last appearance at thia houae. Emma Cams with Larry Comer provided their usual riotous hit. The name of Cams in Brooklyn Is worth move than any big name In vaudeville. Milt Collins with a mon- olog which is decidedly anti-German, held the audlenee's attention and received Ita favor, although the Bushwlck is known to be a Teutonic stronghold. Bee Hoo Oray and Ada Somerville, Western ropers, closed the show in capable style. AMERICAN ROOF. The American's first half bill' held three big time turns. The Rigoletto Brothers, among them, were the featured card and the hit in the closing first half position. The Rigolettoa with their versatility are an Im- posing act for small time, the brothers maU ing an act of thla sort look more formidable by having two appearing. Th^re is a foreign finish to the turn that gives" It huge class for the smaller division, the two men work- ing with an ease thnt mnkej an appeal by «t--elf. Their featured tricks, "The Victrola Pisnppenrnnce" and the "Needle Trick" made the roof audience think. Each Is an excel- lent one, the "talking machine" being wholly the Rlgoleft.os 1 own, while the "needle trlek." dene by one of tin in In the audlenee, has only previously been performed publicly on this side by Hounlnl. The mark of merit about the RlirnleMns \<* that. while they no Mot,).e i".: .'I llii i< *.';■• ,it <|> :\ i J;,ore j;' i* «-v Wlf.h- M; ev <:i!v kO In for that matter they have per- feetrd. nnd whatever they do Is done In a workmanlike manner as though that was their sole Mweinlfy. Ane.thcr blur-Mmer was .lullnn Hose next to elnslri'-v with his "L.-vlnsky Wedding" mono- log. The other net from the larger houses held Rives and ilarrlson with new talking material and a special drop. It Is called "Almost a Patient" with Shlrll Rlvea aa a Red Cross nurse and Ben Harrison an ap- plying patient, once he sees the nurse. Barr- ing Miss Rlvcw'-.averdone laugh, the turn got over verv we ll, Mr. HarriBon handling the light comedy nicely. Opening were Harry Fisher and Co. In a comedy cycle act of two people, both bovs, one straight and the other comedian, with the couple furnishing a rattling good trick for the finish. Kenny and La Prance were No. 2, In dances, starting off extremely well in the old-style Walts clog, and continuing under the spot light for another, but the turn droops off toward the finish, when they go In for eccentric wo/k and acrobatic danc- ing; not that the latter isn't worthy, but the prcttineas of the opening overshadowa It. "Rosa, the Fruit Vender" suggested the old Beban story, but It developed an Italian girl selling fruit and singing, being taken up by a violinist who Invites her to his apartment, with accompanying singing and playing, the act closing In "one." Katlnao and Shelley are the act. Good enough for the small time. After intermission was Maybelle Best, who also had an Italian song, good voice and Borne planologing that brought out Miss Beat as a one-handed piano player of auperlor merit to many another wno featurea this bit Miss Best hurt uerself by inserting a ballad as tho second number In her rep, but other- wise landed to the satisfied appreciation of the audience. Right afterward came Manning Sullivan and Co. In "The Bribe," one of the many political sketches the small-time has been deluged with. This stands up with the oth- ers, has a tinge of comedy through a Ger- man character, and holds enough Interest to carry it over. It's a three-people playlet without any especial punch, but fairly well &layed, especially the German. There has aen a new patriotic device found for this act, when the Oerman says he has the honor to be a naturalized American cltlien (ap- plause), and answered to the call of Lincoln In 1801, standing ready today to answer the call of Woodrow Wilson (more applause). Girard's Monkeys closed the vaudeville with the Chaplin release ending a late show. Bime. ROYAL. It looked Tuesday night as though every? one in the Bronx was trying to Jam Into the theatre. About eight o'clock the lobby was so packed one had to almost fight to get to tho door, even though Al Ryu«u «*« taking tickets with both hands. By the time the Paths Weekly was on there wasn't a seat In the house and the atandeea began to pile in. The show had one awltch from the pro- gramed running. Anna Chandler, billed for the next-to-closing spot, waa sent to the opening half of the show, Willie Weston taking the lster position. Weston pulled down the applause hit of the show. The new "Joan of Arc" number cleaned up for blm. It Is a stirring song, Its melody containing strains of tho French anthem and "I Hear You Calling Me." The Hughes Musical Trio (New Acta) opened the show, their playing of popular melodies winning favor. Johnnie Small and Small Sisters In the second position managed to do very well, but the real novelty of the show came with the third act. Jack Alfred and Co. (New Acts) in "Smile," a burlesque rehearsal of a trio of acrobats. »"«^u» Anna Chandler, somewnut slimmer than when laBt seen around New York, sane five numbers, one exceedingly catchy, and went over in great shape. Claude and Fannie Usher closed the first half, getting their uaual number of laughs and causing many throats to choke up with the little touch of pathos near the finish. *•««■ In addition to Willie Weston the last half of the bill held Miller and Lyle. who opened the intermission, and Tom Edwards, who closed the show. The latter turn seemed to Please the Dronxltea Immensely. "Patria" found the audience making for the doors. Manager Egan 1b clstrlbuting a small sheet of paper containing the words of "The Star Spangled Banner" and "America" to his au- nlnneos, and during the "patriotic moment" at the Intermission the audience rose and sang both numbers when they were played by the orchestra / red. JEFFERSON. The Hippodrome of 14th street, as the Jeffer- son may rightly be termed, had one of lta best Monday night audiences of tho season the draw being the Charlie Chaplin comedy "The Cure." The addition of the Chaplin comedy shortened the show to aeven acts. "Wanda," a trained seal, opened the show. The audience approved of tho turn. Payne nnd Nesbltt passed along handily, after which Valentine Vox, a ventriloquist (billed as Norln and Co.), gave a convincing performance. Vox added considerable class to the show, which was easily held up by Olga Cook, who fol- lowed Immediately after. Miss Cook In now displaying a voice of considerable value, the girl having Improved Immensely. Her looks have always been In her favor and her gowns tip top. The Chaplin comedy was the next, after whleh Thomas Hhearcr and Co. In an Irish sketch brought forth several laughs, although ftjo turn (a r1,„.l,1, ,f|«. r,,,,,.^ . I., » '•> _ • :•!:•'..t.i' !rr;.--,.n,"V'i I.- • a l-n.s 11< il fc;r tl.vlr ap- plause value, but the turn ns a whole is not Interesting or amusing. Fisher. Lueky and Gordon, a male trio with soncs, eondueted themselves sat isfnetorlly In the next to closing ^i ot. The eomedy member had little trouble In renehing the .Fefferson audicm-e. The Five M !ii tt'lls closed the show,