Variety (September 1917)

24 SHOW REVIEWS PAUCL The flrst real touch of autumn weather brought a capacity attendauce to the Palace Mondaj night where a genuinely good pro- Sram was on display, the topllne position old by Private lirrnard (jranvllle and bis Aggregation of entertaining associates from the 7lHt regiment. Granville and company rJoced tbe Hhow, ♦.be enti^rlalnlug Be<;tio'ii being preceded by a talk on the possibilities of the reglrnvnt by Lieut. liorrell. who com- manded the squad. Earl Carroll, also a pri- vate In the same regiment, was featured, as was Arthur Fields (formerly or Weetoi Fields and Cairoll). Carroll responded with a medley o' his own comimsitlons, concluding with his latest, "When I'm ThrouKh with the Arms of the Armv I'll Come Back to the Arms of You." The number, timely as It was and excellently constructed, brought r volley of appreciative applause that speaks well for its commercial qualities. Granville offered a service recitation, a short monolor and finished with another patriotic number while Fields rendered still another of the market's latest war ditties. The accom- panying short drill Inspired the gathering to an enthusiastic pitch and without a notice- able walkout the company gathered In the applause honors of the evening. The bill was otherwise entertaining, open- ing with the CarclnettI Brothers, who feature hat Juggling and a routine of good comedy in which a bujl dog takes a prominent part. It's a lively turn, well fitted to open a program of this calibre and lacking nothing In that spot. Frank Crummit held the second position, and with bis Irresistible personality soon had things his own way. Crummit. while regis- tering a hit he can well be proud of. would do aomethlng for the general welfare of his specialty were he to eliminate the medlcv of old numbers for something more up to date. He gets considerable comedy from the selec- tions, but with his voice and other favorable qualities a modern string of choruses would M far more acceptable. And Crummit could Improve his facial make-up. At least Mon- day night he looked a trifle off in that rispect. Notwithstanding he scored solidly and de- served every atom of applause received. Bonlta and Lew Hearn. supported by the well known and equally well admired Ban Schaeffer, were also listed cnong the comedy blta, the dialog In "one" registering on every point. The invisible husband "bit" has been thoroughly copied, a majority of the burlesque shows utilizing the "buniness" in one way or another and for big time vaudeville Bonlta and Hearn might look around for something equally useful. Hearn's comedy number pulled many laughs and the double version of "My Sweetie" sent them off well within the margin. The Avon Comedy Four, in their seconJ week, repeated last week's honors, "All Bound Round with the Mason-Dixon Line" getting the best returns of the vocal rvpertolru. It easily outshone another "Dixie" song on the bime bill. The Ford Sisters and Henry Marshall closed the opening section, giving the program that net-cKKary touch of light and shade to oiaie it f^r'nerally entertaining. The double danccH by the girls are particularly well arranged wltb each getting Individual returns. The closing number sent them off a handy hlr. establlKbing them well among the leaders ut •Imllar turns. Marshall pulled a tidy scoro with "Hart>or of Love, ' a high class ballad carrying promising possibilities. Lucille Cavanagh & Co., In their third week, opened after intermlHsion, witii mo Three Dooleyn (Ray, Gordon and William) in the next to cloHinK spot. They added to the comedy, and roKardlesH of the heavy string of fun vehicles prc(-«*(ling found little troubii; in marking up a tidy score. The (Jranvllle aggregation closed. Wynn. RIVERSIDE. The drop In the temperature hei|>cd busi- ness at the KivL-rside Monday night. It wu<4 the flrst day for the new house iiiunagcr, N. W. Derr, formerly of Philadelphia, and to offset the chilly winds off the Pulisades he turned on a red glow from tlie footlights that made the in'-oraing folk think ttu* hou»e wa.M specially heated for the tlrHt fall in the mer- cury. Not that the tlieutre was a bit cold, but the effect was pi«-asing. The show proved entertaining, notwithstand- ing It wan tui'heuvy with Hongs. The com- edy was rather light in proportion to the other sections, but the bili had somi* favorites up that way more than held up their individual positions. It was Belle Baker's second week and her popularity was again attested. When her new Hongs had heen rendered the boys were quick witn the names of the old HtandbyH they wanted her to sing. Miss Haker touches the sentimental side of the war by reviving "Break the News to .Mother," which she put over feelingly. McLallen and Carson opened the show and gave it a start with their roller skating rou tine. Mcl^ll<-ti broke a skate while i>n tin- pedcHtal, but went tlimugh tin- remainder «if the turn without putting on u new skate. Britt Wood was se-eond. Ills act was Hpleii dldly received, und the young man's niusic and dancing ap!)l.'iuded. Ilrit had on a tiew brown derby and a touch of makeup that wi-re mi.sH- Ing at the I'.rooklyn house laHt week. Raoul Periera ami his inuslclanH flll<>d In iin acceptable period, with nnnil)erH ranging frotn a topical medley to the clasKies. Applauded. The Four Mort(»nH, with Sam and Kitty the whole works (the yount'er .Martha ;iiMi .1>c only SPfM'.irilit.' fur llu' < Id^irj:.' t,;;i^.!.i f I \v.r< appPfCiuled, Llii^ lain li«'lM<-ii) tin- <ii<l< r' liall' of tne turn being the piece ile rrniHtance. Martha and Joe danced better than fliey sung. but they are young yet and have good stage Instructors. Ellzat>eth Brice and Charles King were on Juki before Intermission, with the act not going as well as It has on other appearances. Mnie. Chilson Ohrman did unusually well and cnuld have come back for another number or two. This soloist not only has a splendid iroice, but has nn engaging way of putting her songs ever which vaudGvill^i tiudieiiC4:a seem- ingly nfipreclate. A nice looking woman, with personality and a dress that showed good taste. A surefire hit at the Riverside. After Raymond and Caverly (New Acts) had amused the folks, Miss Baker registered an easy score. The closing act. Jack Wyatt and Scotch Lads and Lassies, held everybody In, the music appealing to everyone. With war times upon us, this turn appears more appropriate. Mark. ALHAMBRA. Not a single turn of this week's Alhambra bill failed Monday night to do exactly what the booking once flrured for It—and this takes In the Patho Weekly, which opened the show. First came Evelyn and Dolly, two neat lit- tle girls, who sing, dance, rido bicycles and skate, registering a healthy hit for an open- ing act. Nella Allen, a majestic looking woman, with a soprano voice of large range, emitted some excellent vocal pyrotechnics and was more than liked. She is possessed of a peculiar trick of expression. When soaring to a high note she stands solidly on either the right or left foot and on the toes of the other, constantly alternating from one pedal extremity to the other. Jack LaVler, trnp- ezlst with a monolog. was also strongly ap- plauded. Crawford and Proderick were very well llkod. Their smart crossflre went over In good shape. Bert Leslie and Co.. In "Hogan In Mexico." written by Archie Colby, with an unmistakable Interpolation of oodles of the inimitable Leslie slang, closed the flrst part in such manner as to leave the audience in excellent humor. Leslie has three good feeders in the other characters, none of whom has much else to do but do straight for the comedian. Bankoff and Girlie In dances elic- ited much applausf throughout their act. Ellnore nnd Williams opened in "one" with crossfire, Sam Williams being th*» "goat" for Miss Elinore's non'sensicalltles. Then he exits while she does a brief monolog. the drop In "one • Is raised, reavealing Williams in "two" at the piano for a couple of songs well put over. Then Miss Ellnore does an Irish snn«. accompanied by Williams on the piano, and they return to "one" for more crosstalk and a duet. Van and Schenck received applause the mo- ment their card was flashed. Their biggest hits were a "Yiddish" comic patriotic ditty sung by Van: "Joan of Arc," by Schenck. seated at the piano leaning on his left elbow nnd carrying the melody with his right hand nnd. for nn encore, a corking comedy duet, "I Don't Want to Get Well." describing the men- tal attitude of a wounded American sniuler in a hosi>ltnl In France with a nurse holding his hand and his disinclination to ever get well. They took three very healthy encores, finishing with "Oh Johnny." Kanazawa Japs, comedy equilibrists, closed. Jolu. AMERICAN ROOF. The hIiow the flrst half was well enough framed, carrying sufflcient comedy and sing- ing to satisfy the fairly good-si/ed attendance present. The flrst part seemed long, with foiir two-acts In a row. Oaks and DeLure (.\ew .\ctBt opened, followed by Sellg and Norninn (New Acts). Fennell and Tyson tin n k«pt them guessing for a short time with the male make-up by the woman who. in evening dresH s-iilt. made a pleasing ap- pearance. She threw considerable "pep" around the boards during her work, and through It made her ))artner suffer in com- itarlnn. A slight drag toward closing was h irmful, nnd to pome extent, lowered what r.turns were rli-'htfully due them. Rl Jenks and Victoria Allen, who did fairly w.ll, pr< cefN'd Arthur Kdwnrds nnd Co. In •Veglet t" : the Idea nicely set forth and well ' nough played, with the cast carrying the I'lccT across to Huccess In the closing of the first half position. George .M. Uosener, In the second part, I»roved the class f»f the evening with his char- acter studies, < n.lf»yed immensj'Iy by the en- tlr»' jutliierlng. Uosener was given the out- side electric sign for hlH own billing and more than uidield his position, notwlthstand- Ifiu he was forc«d to follow considerable talk and comedy. Hosener made a si)eech nt the conclusion of his soldier offering, snd wisely d«'i»arted without attempting to offer another ch;«racter. Lloyd and White house were on just before him and kept up continuous laughs with their different method of work- ing. Much pleasure was derived from the tr.'iv.'sty work. The nudlence was quite loath to ex|»reHs approv;il during the turn with ap- [)lause. Tlie Three (Jowrll Hrf»s. closerl the evening with acroh.'itIcs and a hit of unnecossary eom- < ly In re and there. They kept most seated. I'c-'gy lipKtks opened the second half. FIFTH AVENUE. The c.uf^ide of the .''»th Avenuc this week Ih MMn-'uncinr "Annlv»>r.s;iry," with "'2'2 :'n(M. ■ to he divi«l(<l among the two hills, with II tur'iH I'lich ii:ilf. Monday nlKlit there were 1M a<ts. IrirluHive fif Mabel Burke and he.* i|liiMir;if((l Mdiii' Two f)r fhreo fllpis niny twi-<- (■• I ii I ini.ii ii; (he <t(ii«.r mm bill<"i MKu iM.ri,,.-v rv!::.;tv-d ..^o;;^ t]\i r.r.^J hair l«<<;iine somewhat of h feature on the pro- K'tam, particularly t" those familiar with vaudeville. It was of "Huckleberry Finn." with the moving picture scenes of the story and those preceding it, directed by Harry Cobn, who specializes In illustrating by mo- tion views the lyrics of popular songs. In the "Finn" film the Avon Comedy Four posed In the preface, where they meet Ted Snyder at C6ney Island, led tells them (as Ted often does) a song sung by the quartet should be replaced, so he calls up the Waterson- Snyder office, and there, In a piano room, may be seen the three writers of the number. Joe Young, Cliff Hess and Sam Lewis. There can be no mistake, they are the originals, for Sam Lewis is leaning against the piano with his hand on his head, the same way he docs when explaining how he lost a bet. They write "Huckleberry Finn" for the Avons, who aro taught it "that night" by Terence, and then Miss Burke sings it while Huck, as played by (}eorge Jessel, romps over the countryside with Louise Dale. Mr. Cohn has done about his best in this picture, and "fea- tured" It besides. The pictures of the kids proved very attractive to the 5th Avenue audi- ence. (Terence Snyder did not wear his glasses before the camera, but otherwise looked natural, and after he got used to being "shot," smiled—then laughed. Somebody started to applaud when his name was flashed on the screen, then somebody else helped along and Ted almost got a round. If he bad been there "In person" he might have been shot again). Another feature of the bill was the hold- over engagement for the flrst half, from the last half last week, of Moore and Whitehead, the two-man comedy turn. They did almost as well as when seen there last week, and were applauded upon their entrance, an Indi- cation of popularity. Mr. Whitehead's en- trance is carrying a knitting bag. and knit- ting, saying "skip" every other step, when he skips. New business has been added, of Whitehead Jumping rope, with a stage hand used. Whitehead has quite a good deal of nut comedy not before seen on the big time. The show opened with Dufty and Daisy, In their trick bicycle riding, the girl as well as the man doing the fancy riding. A part of the act is Miss Daisy's dressing. She exits several times, but always returns in another costume, starting with a union suit of a white upper and red tights, to hlack tights; then a variety of clothes. Some are strip changes, but they all look neat, and It's new for cycling turns. The act has some good riding with a little comedy, with the man also changing dress once and hats twice. The summer Is over for his straw, on the stage as well as off. It's a nice opening act. Second were Northlane and Ward, doing about the same act they did when starting In vaudeville together. The turn Just misses for Importance, even with the good looks of the girl, who looks the best In her Chink suit at the flnlsh. Their dancing, singing and piano playing should have developed Into something more Important by this time. There Is talk also, at the opening with the man doing an English fop. After Miss Burke's song, were Hale Norcross and Co. in "Love In the Suburbs," drawing laughs and going to a good flnlsh. The wife and police- man take care of their roles, but the hus- band Is a heavy souse who has a roaring souse sort of snore or throat gargle that Is disagreeable through being greatly overdone. Following Jennie Mlddleton (New Acts) were Moore and Whitehead, then Rudlnoff McWatters and Tyson, nnd Harry Cooper and Co. (New Acts~», the show ending with Tra- villa Bros, nnd Seal, it being a seven-minute closing turn. Simf!. 23D STREET. The 23d Street theatre Tuesday evening dls- plHyt.»d a marked Increase In attendance over the same night of last week. If that Is a sign the bonne is pulling up Its business again, then Jeff Callan, Its manager, should cer- tainly be entitled to some credit for handling a theatre playing the mixed and unknown kind of vaudeville bills it Joes. The show the flrst half was a funny one, four two-acts out of eight turns, with the quartet of doubles equally divided Into mixed twos and males. A couple of them conflicted. Hello and Mayo (New Acts) having a Hebrew comedian and appearing ahead of Bert and Harry Gordon (New Acts), also with a He- brew comedian. Notwithstanding, the Gor- dons, next to closing, cleaned up the show's hit. seconded by Dick Williams, Just before them (New Acts). None of the turns received anything of mo- ment In the way of appreciation until Will- tarns appeared. That mennt five acts had passed In review without starting anything. Fred Corelll and Co. In a strong act opened. His closing trick, the only one seen, was whirling the woman around while she was seated in a chair held by his teeth. He flrst did a walt7 while the woman was In this position. It brought him a reward. Corelll whirled very fast, causing the lady above to cling on desperately. Mason and Vldocn (New Acts), second, got some laughs, with S.ixton nnd Fnrrell (New Acts>. third, aboiit on a par with them. After tlie Belle nnd Mavo turn the Three Stewart Sisters showed with their dancing turn, pre- senting nn nccei)table smnll time net of Its kind. Following the two hits were Rnskln's Rus- sians, a groun of nine, probably the snme act Playing about sf)tne tlrpo ngo as Sam Raskin's |.'>val Hand. Tt ojieim with imisic, plav<>rs and singers. In Russian cohtumes. usin? all string Instruments. The leader Is a dancer, also '^ "atorj.s ill .1 liilld w.iv while dircf ting, and tlx' turn Is a small time flash if the prico is right, dlflerlng much:y from the usual Rup- slan ensemble dancing turn. A feature closed. Simc. ROYAL I'here were two new aote aohediiled for the bill at the Royal this week, but when the pro- gram was presented Monday but one made Its appearance. It was the act of Lucy Valmont and Co. (New Acts), seoond after the opening. The Royal Is still cllnglns to the policy of ■oven acts and a comedy movie to close. Mon- day night there wa,8 practlci^lly a capacUY house. Capacity houses have 'become the reg- ular thing at the RoyaL On the billing Win- ston's Water Lions and Diving Nymphs, who close the show, holdlns the audience to the last and winning a healthy share of applause, were top lined, but In the lights three addi- tional turns were featured. They were Ber- nard and Scarth, Diamond and Brennan and Fred and Adole Astalre, all fairly well bunched for honors. If one decided on the applause awarded. There is an Improvement In the Royal's or- chestra. Leader Nat Knmern has Injected some additional pep into the men in the pit. The Hearst-Pathe started the show, after a one-minute overture that began at 8.16, and former Alderman Francis f. Bent followed with his timely war lecture. The ex-city offi- cial has framed a good talk for the moment, although his still slides are more or less an- cient and oould easily be brought up to date with pictures to be secured from any news bureau, which could, at a slight expense, be turned into slides for the purpose of his act. The Lucy Valmont act followed. In the "Tale of an Overcoat" Barnard and Scarth brought the flrst laughs of the evening, despite they were the third act to appear in "one." The turn got well deserved applause at the flnlsh. The flrst real hit developed In the Astalres. with their corking singing and dancing rou- tine. In full stage. This youthful team have all desired for vaudeville and sufficient show- manship to develop their dancing so that It stands out as nearly a sensational feature, to make their vocal efforts secondary to the stepping, but yet evolving an act that Is an asset to vaudeville. They shared the hit of the evening with only one act, that of Dia- mond and Erennan. The seoond section was opened by Maryon Vadle and Ota Gygl. who, all things, espe- cially the Royal audience, considered, achieved a decided hit. Diamond and Brennan, next to closing, won laugh after laugh, and enough applause developed to almost necessitate a speech. The Winston act closed the show. Fred. CITY. An overflow crowd was evidently expected at the City Tuesday night, for the railings placed before show time gave that impression. It never arrived, although the house was well fllled. Nelson and Kennedy (New Acts) were dele- gated to the opening spot and did exceptionally well, followed by Grace Hanson, who for a while seemed unable to get started. Her flrst two numbers did not gain very much and It looked dark for her in the early spot, but her closing telephone number proved strong enough to pull her across. Maude Leone and Co. (New Acts) and a weekly pictorial closed the flrst half. The second section proved better, probably through more comedy turns being placed there. Tracey and McBrlde next-to-closlng upheld the position nicely, although Miss Tracey somewhat hindered the returns by getting a little too rough at times. Never- theless thev liked and enjoyed everything she did from the opening number when she wore a freakish outflt arranged on the style of the latest knitting bags. It got a laugh on the entrance and thereafter It seemed as though Miss Tracey could get away with anything, but such was not the case. They probably would have received more if she had not taken so many liberties with her comedy, surely overdone during the Irish number. "20 Odd Years." a quiet comedy skit in full stage, preceded them and held strict atten- tion. The piece remains the same, although thero may be a change In the cast. The Clovers (New Acts) opened the second rnrt, while the Oxford Trio closed the evening with their basketball bicycle playing. JEFFERSON. The shows at the Jefferson are running un- interruptedly notwithstanding the decorations being made to the ceiling and other parts of the house. Business was splendid Tuesday night but not what should have been In for the show, which gave Al satisfaction. The Pathe weekly started off. The Three Twins opened the vaudeville section. The act is incorrectly titled, but with the girls ren- dering a simple but effective musical program the audience was satlsfled. The close har- mony vocally by two of the girls proved pleas- ing. Not a bad little act for the pop houses. Amoros and Jeanette. the former of the former Wcrner-Amoros troupe, got more out of the man's comedy and Juggling than any- thing else. They work hard. Miss Jeannette did well with her "Hello. I've Been Looking for You," but that English impression of hers docs not seem to hit. Another number more effective could be Introduced. William Dorian, the same Dorian once with Henry Lewis and who possesses a corking voice, s.ing advantageously and entertainingly. He carries a young woman accompanist. Fol- lowing the Injection of the new Pathe (Astra) serial, "The Seven Pearls" at this stage. Ed. Lynch and Co. offered their little sketch of the husband taming the wife and curing her of Jeolousy. with the .Teffersonltes getting Lvrry hit of the Idea Intended. Only objec- tion of this skit for the pop houses Is Its length. There are a number of good legltl- ni:ito Intichp. Ellsalx'th Mnyne, doing a "single" again, showed up well In a nifty new dress, used her personality successfully and put over a successful turn.