Variety (June 1917)

16 SHOW REVIEWS ^^ (Continued from page 15.) piece of showmanship In staging, it's named "A MuBlcal World Revue," with manj per- soom including a l«»rge colored chorus, and baa been built around Mr. Howard'! songs, mostly old favorite*, already well known to raudevlllo through Howard's repetition of them In other acts. But In this turn running 3i minute* and closing the first part, Mr. Howard baa arranged an entertainment that always seems to be away from the aongs, the latter being but Incidental rather than Im- portant. This, termed "atmoaphere" on the program Is what sends the act over, although neither Mr. Howard nor hla clever partner Etblyn Clark, should be overlooked for credit. Miss Clark may not own the beat singing voice the world ever heard but ahe misses mighty little else of what la assigned to her, and her speaking delivery more than atonea, besides which Miss. Clark looks good. The strength of the act and particularly the finish of It may be best decided through Howard having taken a "Spirit of 7(1" number (not written by him) that has been excellently staged and Instead of employing It for a finale where It would legitimately fit, made It a bit In the oentro ut the finishing scene, closing the act with u real waterfall that Is also a real riot. There In a male quartet lu the turn, some -fammar Howard business, besides the Bongs, and "Tho Guide," another kind of a "prolog," done by Alna Poe to tho complete satisfaction of the house. Miss Poe seems ready to Weep almost when bidding the audience good bye and they believe it. "Somtlmes you hear a good one and some- times you don't" referring to war songs or ballads. If there are around 30,000 theutrea In the U. S. and each one should have a new war song every week, with 52 weeks to the year and the war lasted two more years, thero would still be a couple of million war songs left over, according to the current flood. Nearly all the acts a., the Riverside this week have one, of some kind or another, but the audi- ence didn't huve to stand for any of them. A War bill may prove more agreeable to those who visit the theatres but once weekly, but whether agreeable or not they will have to be endured In tho patriotic crisis. The Riverside bill also holds three "dumb" acta this week, the first two among the first three turns. It was not until McKay and Ardlne appeared No. 4 that the show shot off ou Its running stride that held up at a faBt gait right to the finish. George McKay had one of the new war numbers, something about "red, white and blue," rather good and well written. He aiso kidded Miss Ardlne about becoming too stout, but she doesn't look so at all, as she Is a very nice appearing girl and does her share most creditably. The turn got over so easily It had to go the limit of Its routine whether wanting to or not. After Intermission the Arnaut Brothers gave more comedy moments with their eccentrici- ties, followed by MIbs Jardon, with a Keystone ending the late evening after Welch. Opening wore the Gladiators, who do Uftlug work In a nicely prepared cyclo- . rama, they having a new and big trick for the finish that gets them across. No 2 was Betty Bond (New Acta), who barply caused a ripple, then Maria Lo's poslngs that hap- pened too shortly after the Gladiators, who do posing In a way themselves. The Lo pos- lngs seem to carry too much coloring or perhaps the lighting effects could be Improved upon, but the act as a posing turn Is not big nor novel, although a "Columbia" finish greatly helped. The opening or closing spot Is probably the usual place for it. The use of a bell to notify the stage crew to send up the curtain Beems a crude expedient In these days. Sim*. * BUSHWICK. The Busbwlck attendance appears to have a big brace of late which would give the im- pression the Brooklyn house can remain open all summer If a fair break with the weather is encountered and Coney Island does not loom up to strongly as opposition. The house made a record last week and Judging from Tuesday night's business will do It again this week. The program was rather mixed, several turns billed not appearing which necessitated addltloua which ouly affected the appearance of the printing for the entertainment came well up to requirements. Olga and Mishku, dancing opened. The couple need more pop In their turn and so much time should not be given over to the violinist they carry In tbe pit. Violet Dale with imitations No. 2, started quietly with an imitation of Belle Baker which should be dropped. Her Lillian Shaw bit gave the act Uh sturt. The Busbwlck audience was In- clined to kid Miss Dale during the Mrs. Leslie Carter impersonation although they probably would have done the fame to Mrs. Carter. The flag finish did little for the mimic although she worked very hard with It. Harry Holman and Co. In "Adam Killjoy" rounded up tho first bunch of laughs. The picture finish proved as big a laugh producer as the dialog. The Bowman Brothers con- tinued the show along laughing lines and scored applause In abundance In addition. Valerie Rergere and Co. In "Tho Noblest Vam- pire" closed the first half. Robins who Imitates musical Instruments opened the second half In capable style. Ho brought forth several surprises which caught on. Rooney and Bent in a revival of their "At Tho NV\v« Strind" were credited with the Hpzcr! re.'. ; ' ;n", ;•' t^c cvrnlr.^. The :c.:;ie di»pia>ed nuihiiig thin was n»j» ViUL some of the gags used by Pat Rooney of an ancient vintage but still productive at tho Busbwlck. The use of the sawdust Is carried a bit too far it being necessary to hold up the show while It Is being cleaned up after the com- pletion of the turn. The Primrose Four with popular song found an appreciative audience and scored accord- ingly, with Merle's Cockatoos closing the show In flashy style. AMERICAN ROOF. The American program the first half was laid out for the summer time. It held noth- ing large but ran evenly throughout, with the show speeding through by reason of the short- ness of the time taken by the acts, the pro- gram ending with a flve-reeler "Wolf Lowry." The first half was composed of Stewart and olive, Denny and Perrl, Geo. Davis Family, Sampson and Douglas, and Billy Elliott and "Mississippi Maids." Plenty of singing and dancing with the holiday bringing a big night atendance. The Elliott act la a revival, with Billy Elliott, (formerly Elliott and Mullen) taking on most of the work. Two principals and six choristers in blackface make up the turn. The dressing is for small time and the act was revived for that division. Elliott carries it through neatly, giving it an applause wallop through his yodellng singing of "Coal Black Rose." After Intermission Monard and Mayne, with the Stars and Stripes showing, did some sing- ing and dancing to fair returns, followed by "Just Nan," a comedy sketch playcc. by Har- old La Coste and Alice Clifton. The playlet was written by Clara Knott, who turned out a laughing vehicle for the purpose but it Is necessary for the players to make It go over, which they do. It's sure fife for small time only. Next to closing were Smith and Kaufman, two men, one a souse and the other a police- man. They talked but sang better and also got in the fair class at the finish. Kate and Wiley, In lifting, closed, having a different sort of an opening with a thrill in it, since they work on high pedestal with a small plat- form. The turn makes a good looking sight act for a small time. Sime. • ROYAL. On the eve of Decoration Day and with the weather cold and inclement, the Royal did a Jam-up business Tuesday. Hundreds were turned away, unable to obtain seats. The show was 75 per cent comedy, which cinched things then and there. Manager Egan was all over the place. He has had the house put in tip-top, attractive shape for the summer, and the usherettes looked nice in their white, summery outfits and with the show giving satisfaction the management was all the mora elated. The house was in a quandary to run the acts smoothly without comedy oonfllction, and Mr. Egan did a pretty good Job of it, not- withstanding that the bill had two black- faced acts, each of male composition, offer- ing talk and songs. On the originally laid out program Harry Van Fossen (New Acts) was next to closing, the Avon Comedy Four having the last spot, with the Kaufman Brothers carded for fourth position. The La Vara were slated for the third spot, and Katherlne Murray (New Acts) to open after intermission. Eadle and Ramsden were card- ed as "No. 2." The rearrangement had Will- lam Ferry opening, followed In turn by Van Fossen. Miss Murray, the Kaufmans and the Stan Stanley Trio. After intermission ap- peared Eadle and Ramsden, the Avon Comedy Four and the La Vara. Ferry was a novelty for the Royal Ites, and they applauded his contortion work enthusi- astically. Both Van Fossen and Miss Murray were well received. The Kaufman Brothers are presenting much the same turn of other seasons. They received applause when they appeared, the men having played the neighbor- hood c*» previous occasions. The laughing comedy hit of the first part was registered by the Stan Stanley Trio. Stan isn't spending the time that he used to on the trampoline, and the bounding net section is receiving only a smattering it at- tention. His talk smashed 'em all tne way and the closing "bit" in "one" proved es- pecially amusing. Eadle and Ramsden waste time with talk. At the Royal few words eould be.heard, and what they said had to be guessed. The wfauan sings entertainingly, but It Is the acrobatics James Eadle does that holds up the turn. He affects a booblsh mannerism and pulls some didoes at the piano that remind one of sev- eral other comedy pianists now in vaude- ville. Looks like an English act that is trying to Americanise Itself. A rearrange- ment of the turn would strengthen It con- siderably. Seems too patchety at present. The act shows possibilities. The Avon Comedy Four got away slowly, with the talk In the kitchen between Chart** Dale and Joe Smith proving the place de resistance of this section. However, when the boys swung Into the doctor's visit tho laughs came rapidly and spontaneously until the singing finish. Tbe r*a Vara closed the show. The danc- ers have altered their old routine consider- ably and have added a Jazz band that en- livens things noticeably and adds atmosphere the neighborhood houses revel In. The La Vara are good dancers and show team work thnt helps them Immeasurably. The big audience stuck for the finish. Act makvs much better flash than It did before. Mark. work opened the show, followed by Morley and the McCarthy Sisters (New Acta), aftea- ward Regal and Mack (New Acts) showing. Lazar and Dale, In a blackface turn of the old school, provided the first real comedy. At tl*ls Juncture Be: I Levey mu«-' a short speech regarding his free Saturday morning per- formance for children at the Palace after which 'Mable Burke sang "Let's All Be Amer- icana Now" with the audience Joining in heartily. Jeoaell and Martin, a Juvenile team, ftave the show a stamp of class with an offer- ng framed along novel lines. George Jessell haa improved considerably and has lost the childish manners he retained so long. Miss Martin Is a petite miss who should be heard from when she haa gained more experience. Ward and Van, street musicians, down next to closing, provided one of the comedy hits of the bill, with the Tennesee Ten closing the show with a bang. JEFFERSON. The B. B. Moss booking staff outdid Itself In the selection of the current first half bill at the Jefferson, one of the most entertain- ing programs the house had had in many a day. Monday night with the rain (a big handicap) the 14th street house was well filled, better by far than on other occasions when climatic conditions were more favorable. The Peklneze Trio opened, followed by Frank •Ward who does impersonations, ending with a "finger dance," easily the best thing he does. Ward went along but mildly with his imitations but his finish held him up. Charles De Land and Co. provided one of tbe livliest two-people sketches the house has ever bad. The act has had considerable usage but the Jefferson audience was amused all of the time. The manner In which the old vehicle la played helps It immensely. One of the big hits the Victoria Four, a male singing quartet immensely popular down- town. The Jefferson audience could not get enough of the boys' work and kept up inces- sant applause after the news pictorial had been flashed. Muriel Window, the classiest single the Jefferson has ever had, opened after the inter- mission. Miss Window has been playing all of the Moss houses but should have been spared the Jeff, on account of the orchestra if nothing else, the musicians managing to botch her numbers terribly. The audience en- Joyed what portion of Miss Window's act not affected by the musicians and the girl took down her share of the applause notwithstand- ing the difficulties. "Lillles of The Lake," a girt act which does not appear any too new brought forth three principals and six choristers. One or two of the chorus costumes look well, with the girls and acceptable collection. The principals are not specially strong but the act is only meant for the smaller pop houses although the scenic effects might lead one to "believe other- wise. Senator Francis Murphy scored a steady stream of laughs with talk that was ever grasped by the cosmopolitan Jefferson audi- ence. The La Toy Sisters closed the show after which came a feature picture. FIFTH AVENUE. MiitiiKi buMM-sK Decoration Day found tho Filth Avenue tilled to near capacity before the first show was over. A fringe of standees was noticeable throughout the major portion of the afternon. The Four Jansleys with fast equlllbrlstlc CITY. A lot of singing and talking perforated the City bill Monday night but the audience showqd great delight in applauding and laugh- ing. The weather was cold and rainy. LaToy's Models opened and drew unusual applause for a posing act at this house. Some effective pictures were posed. Dolly Morris- Bey, second, appeared to better advantage when she discarded her outerwrap which made hef look all bundled up. Miss Morrissey offered popular songs, with several seemingly pretty much ysed up for that neighborhood. She fooled them with her dancing and proved that she Is still light on her feet. Jack Kennedy and Co. (Including woman and slender youth playing office boy) found big favor, the dialog between the married couple seeking a divorce In the same office turning the trick. Tho woman Is noticeably dramatic all the way, not necessary In this skit. The Universal weekly held Interest through the new war training pictures, with several views of the late Lcs Darcy showing the fighter In a laughing mood at close range. Caryll and Flynn are singers, the woman however helping matters, by playing piano ac- companiments. Good voices and some splendid harmony registered. The man Is a top tenor and harmonizes sweetly and musically with* the woman. Act sure of returns in tbe pop houses. Rice and Francis are one of those "man and woman" combinations with the usual kidding preliminaries and song Intro- ductions. The young woman looks young and acts girlishly. She's cute and has a nice way of hnndllng solos. The act has patter and songs apparently written especially for It. the opening number most indicative of this fact. Turn pleased Immensely. "What's .The Idea?" is a "girl act," with one made principal, a boy who is a corking good dancer and who also does a comedy skat- ing bit that was a feature of the turn. Offer- ing has youthful-looking chorus, but boys and girls who carry out the kid Idea all the way. Another girl has a small-speaking part thnt • alls for no acting but gives her a chance to change several times and lead numbers. "What's the Idea" is e catchllne, there being no consistency to the, entire turn aside from giving the dancing man ample opportunity to peddle his stage wares. The chorus has sev- eral snugs wbjrh In tho main wire r^rr'.'.vc , The turn could stand rebuilding a:;d ;.-unty of work. Another male prlnrlpnl could bo used. Act rather nicely costumed. Andy Lewis, aided by a young man and woman, worked about 20 minutes and regis- tered the laughing hit of the evening. Andy kids and ad libs and does all sorts of things that a long burlesque training and experience have equipped him plentifully for. The pair working with Lewis help along his style of funmaking advantageously, the woman in par- ticular proving a good helpmate. The Four Nightons, in "risley" work held close atten- tion. Good act of its kind, with one of the most Samsonlike understanders in this sec- tion in a long time. The film feature was "Souls Triumphant" ((Triangle) with a moral that struch home In the 14th Street neighbor- hood. Marie. HARLEM OPERA HOUSE. The storm Monday handed the business at the Harlem opera house a bump. The lower floor held but two-thirds and the balcony and gallory were about half filled. The show was a corker for the policy of the house. Seven acts, a Triangle comedy and "Wild Wlnahlp's Widow," a Triangle flve-reeler com- prised the program, with the closing act walking away with the hit honors of the show. It was Bert Lamont and his sextette of singers in cowboy costume. They were on the stage for 31 minutes and had the audi- ence with them all the way. It Is going some to put a singing turn down In the spot and have them get away with the honors as this act did. Duffy and Daisy (New Acts), bicycling, opened with good results. Mazier and Thomp- son (New Acts) were the one small time offering on the bill. Hyman Adler and Co. (New Acts) Interested the audience with a musical protean act. The Triangle comedy split the show after this turn. The second half was started off with W. H. St. James (New Acts) In a farcical offering that had the audience screaming. Harry Ellis In a single singing turn scored strongly, and Ber- nard and Scarth, who followed him, brought laugh after laugh. Fred. 23rd STREET^ A holiday with about the first sunshiny weather of the season put the kibosh on the 23rd Street business Wednesday afternoon, and when the matinee started there was* bare- ly a corporal's guard In, but before the show was half over the attendance Jumped gratl- fylngly to Manager Callan, but nowhere came close to the afternoon proportions that the house has been recording. There wasn't anything wrong with the show at pop prices and plenty of comedy. Laldlaw, the skater, opened, but there wasn't enough applause to have startled a prairie hen. Not Laldlaw's fault, but the folks uadn't gotten In. Davis and Kttty (New Acts) hit such an early spot for the afternoon show that they, too, suffered, but the pair worked fast and they registered well, all things notwithstanding. Fanny Rice Is now being billed as "So- ciable Fanny Rice." The "sociable" comes through her opening number wherein she ad- monishes everybody to smile awhile, et cetera. Miss Rice Is offering a turn about tho aame as In other years, although ahe had added a patriotic finish 'that puts Fanny In right in any neighborhood nowadays. She char- acterizes Uncle Sam and makes a redhot ap- peal for support, enlistment and liberty bond purchases as well as urging the land tollera to do their duty. Miss Rice puts It over In bully shape. It Is an honest belief that were Miss Rice to sit out In the audience awhile and look steadily at that very bright, glittering array of lights that border her stage frame and which are unprotected from the audience's eyes, she would make haste to dim 'em. One can count nine above, eleven to the left and eight below and then lose count through having to close the eyes for awhile. Tbe lighting arrangements needs at- tention, and it would help Miss Rice in more ways than one. Adrian Is in black-face, but where he got such a stage monicker is beyond conJecM^. He may have gotten It from the state of Michigan. With Adrian are two stage band "plants," one a splendid singer and who dur- ing his warbling of "Sunshine of Your Smile" takes all the play away from Adrian. The black-face talks awhile, sings awhile and do*s a number of nuttlsh capers which tbe 23rd Streeters seemed to appreciate Immensely. Adrian appears to be an ambitious chap and willing to share honors with that chubby singer. Martha Russell and Co. (New Acts) held attention. Cook and Lorenz hit up a comedy pace with their familiar style of funmaking. The Three Singing Types, with a new girl replacing the one that first started In tb« act, not only made a nice appearance, bi«t sang effectively. They filled In an acceptable twelve minutes, the topical songs getting the most play. Bert Fltzglbbon devoted more attention to singing than anything else, and showed fur- ther versatility by having a piano shoved on the stage and Bert playing accompaniments to several songs that his wife sang after she had climbed upon tbe stage from the box where she had Joined In on a chorus of one of his songs. Mrs. Fltzglbbons not only dresses attractively, but did some dancing that showed she Is forte In that department, but displayed unusual grace. The addition of the young lady to the turn will give Bert a chance to rest his hat and cane. The Larneds closed the show. Not long ago It was a two-act but a woman has been added who does straight riding and does It well, having a good appearance to help her along. She changes to black tights, full sotted, thp.t n*i.o If rffectlve. Th« Ls^nefl* are introducing some new comedy wheel stunts, Lamed (the man) affecting a maksuo a la Joe Jackson, and who has a number of comedy "bits" that reminds one of the lat- ter. Act proved a good closer for the 28rd Street bill. Mark.