Variety (September 1917)

m SHOW REVIEWS 27 runs aomewhat aliead of the oonTentlonal double act. Three new turns completed the bill In St. Claire and Jazz Band. Jlmmle Lucas ?ad Ch and Portia Sisters (New Acts). It was a corking show for Columbia prices, one that would have done Justice to a big-time theatre with a prominent name added for conventional purposes. Wynn. LAST HALF BILLS. (Sept. 13-16). AMERICAN ROOF. . The last half last week show at the Ameri- can was attended by a well filled house. The Adanac Trio opened, followed bj Mannlnf and Hall (new acts). Rae and Wya presented their miniature song cycle in "two" before a special drop. The girls in their latest idea are offering an acceptable act with consider- able merit. While tbey were appreciated, the special numbers lack the proper punch. George M. Rosener, headlining for the full week, re'^eated his success of the first half. Frescott, assisted by Hope Eden, held down the closing spot in the first half admirably well, securing about everything possible un- der the circumstances. Frescott does the usual ■k gathering of articles in the audience, while '' Miss Eden appears sufflciently well posted and ■et on her readings. Considerable comedy, of great help to them, both principals appear- /ng to have an idea of comedy, never once falling to grasp the opportunity for an ad lib remark. In the second half the bill held real strength, with Mary Donahue (new acts) opening. Miss Donahue should never have offered her final number. "Lots and Lots," a comedy skit fea- turing Joe Oreenwald. pulled down the laugh- ing hit of the evening. This sketch was last season played over the Orpheum Circuit by Phil White. It has been • t, with the son apparently taking himsjlf too ^tiriously to de- rive the real benefit from a rather fat part that Ur. Loralne ehanoed the epeed and the tones, besides the melodlea. He might be said to have a real, eenee of humor. Toward the end Mr. Loraine played "Lookout Moun- tain," using a plant (girl) a« he has done be- fore, and for the flniab of the aong, went down into the oroheatra, ebaklng hands with a few men in front, also threatening with his ylolin to start something If the applause was not forthcoming. This was not in any way a lift of Tom Barnes' muskst business. One of the acts opening from the audience was Weber and Blllott, with Websr, a Hebrew comedian, seated In front, and objecting when Blliott explains his partner Is absent. Weber insists upon the full act or the return of his money, saying Weber had given him a pass to see the show. Thero Is a song, "When the Time Comes to Qo," and a jodeling finish that got over quite strongly, so much so the boys appeared to think they could stall curtains to hold up the performance. One of the bad ones in the Ulk is the "Speeding" (arrested for spitting) gag. It's a fair comedy turn with singing that can stand Improvement. The Hebrew comedian averages quite well, and there Is a good appearing straight The Vivian sharpshootlng act opened with the Montana Five and Clark ai^Verdi way down on the bill, the latter twPact next to closing. "Cabaret De Luxe" closed the vaude- ville, followed by an O. Henry film. Amanda Oray and Boys, Bd. Lee Wrothe and company, Janet of France (new acts). Bime. HARLEM OPERA HOUSE. On the night they give away everyththg from a needle to a plow at the Harlem opera house it is Jammed from pillar to dome. Last Thursday was no exception. With Roger Gray acting as a comedy announcer the folks up that way laughingly demonstrated the free distribution of gifts was as good as a turn. *■ PROTECTED MATERIAL VARIETY'S Protected Material Department will receive and file all letters addressed to it. The envelopes are to be sealed upon the back in a manner to prevent opening without detection, unless by permission of the owner of the letter. It is suiwfsted all letters Lc registered, addressed to Protected Material, VARIETY, New York, and receipt requested. VAI\IETY vsill acknovslcdge each letter received. Full particulars of the **Protected Material Department" were published on Page 5 iu VARIETY of Feb. 4, 1916. The following circuits, managements and agencies'have signifled a willingness to adopt such means as may be within their power to eliminate "lifted material" from tlieir theatres, when informed of the result of an investigation conducted by VAIUETY:, MARCUS LOEW CIRCUIT (Jos. M. Schenck) FOX CIRCUIT (Eilgar Allen) MIL^ CIRCUIT (Walter F. Keefe) FINN-HEIMAN CIRCUIT (Sam Kahl) BERT LEVEY CIRCUIT (Bert Levey) SHEA CIRCUIT (Harry A. Shea) FEIBER-ShEA CIRCUIT (I\ichard Kearney) ALOZ CIRCUIT (J. H. Aloz) PANTAGES CIRCUIT (Walter F. Keefe) B. S. MOSS CIRCUIT (B. S. Moss) GUS SUN CIR(:UIT (Gus Sun) MICHIGAN VAUD. CIRCUIT (W. S. Butterfleld) Otherwise It should prove a laughing success for the smaller houses. Exposition Jubilee Four (new acts), and Lillian's Dogs closed. 23D~ST. Nothing pretentious about the last half show, although it appeared to satisfy the rather large gathering, giving excellent value through oontaidlng sufficient variety to form an acceptable program. The Norvelles did nicely in the opening position with their delayed acrobatic specialty. Clare Harrison and company (new acts), was followed by Howard and Warden (new acts). Earl and Curtis took a while to get started, but finally landed with a light singing num- ber for a closer, although the patriotic num- ber following was really unnecessary. The woman might endeavor to further change her style after completing the talk, for the stern look retained detracts from the following work. Jennie Middleton was next, doing a straight violin turn, surprisingly well re- ceived. Miss Middleton appears rather cold during her playing and might spread an occa- sional smile that would aid considerably. "Mme. Bluebeard" Is a farce presented by Fred Ardath, involving a story often utilized in other turns on the same order. Much hokum is Inserted for laughing purposes, wherein the playlet is nicely held up. Skipper and Kastrup caused the big rumpus in the next-to-closlng spot, with numbers splendidly delivered. The couple made a striking ap- pearance upon their entrance, and continued to build up as they progressed, with a Chinese dope number taping the climax in perfect style. The number is not overdone, although considerable dope talk is Inserted. Potter and Hartwell kept them seated throughout their stay. The act was attractive from the start, with cretonne hangmgs. The big trick gained the best returns, when a head to head balance brought them down to the floor from a stand- ing position against the proscenium. 5TH AVENUE. The 5th Avenue program the last half last week was of peculiar complexion through hav- ing two acts that started with an intentional wait, while three turns used plants. The show also held almost continuous singing, but it all went to make up an entertaining pro- gram, which, as a whole, could be termed the Rth Avenue's best show for some time past. One of the bent and strongest hita wan scored by Oscar Loralne, the comedy violin- ist, who has revised his turn for this season. It contains much new material. That Is suf- ficient for anyone who "gets" Loraine's own stylo of laugh making and likes it. He Is now giving imitations of "booglo" calls upon the instrument. His slightly mispronounced words, not overdone, are funny. The comedy violin playing brought laughs. In the manne * The show itself seemed to give big satisfac- tion, and there was sufficient novelty. Lamb and Morton gave the bill a good start, the couple making a pleasing appearance and getting applause with several of their balanc- ing acrobatic-tricks. North lane and Ward did not get much on their opening, but the danc- ing brought them something. Roger Gray and company, including two women, got a large sized hit, and Gray's manner of funmaking struck a happy medium. After the prize draw- ing came a Keystone film, the subject not hit- ting up the laughter as others have done at this house. Ctoettler and Cox started away slowly, but finished up strongly, especially on their med- ley. The hoys responded to an encore. Prin- cess White Deer and company, with the reci- tative Oskamoon, who also sings well, has an attractive Indian atmosphere, and at the H. O. H. proved a distinct novelty. The Prin- cess is a hardworker, with her buck and wing dancing being well done. Qoldsmith and Lewis closed the vaudeville section, and their comedy and music were enjoyed. The feature film was "Ten of Diamonds" (Triangle). Mark. CITY. On the race tracks tbey have what is known au "in and outers" as far as certain horses running to form are concerned. At the City the last half last week there was a practical demonstration of it as compared to the show prosented there during the same period of the week previous. Just as much as the show o' tho previous week was an almost big-time show, so then was the one of last week a small- time show, and how small-timey ! Eight acts, a weekly, and a feature made up the bill. The Three Kundles opened on the slack wire. Harry and Grace Ellsworth followed, and George Nichols and Co., In a comedy skit, held the third spot. The Universal Weekly split the bill. The second half held the Romany Four (New Acts) as the opener, with a small ap- plause result, with the first real hit arriving with Dixie Norton and Cora Melnotte. The opening, specially written, that the girls are using means nothing as far as houses of the City's calibre are concerned. Some' day a vaudeville writer will wake up and discover all audiences are not Palace audiences. James Watts, assisted by Rex Storey (New ActH) followed and was the laugh hit of the bill. MoBH and Frey, next to closing, had a hard time holding the audience, thA hoiiwt «nipty- lug nbnut one-.third while they W( -o on, and when Jessel and Marlin (New Acts) arrived, closing the show, they did not have enough to nlay to to make It interesting for those rck.iainlng to ^ee Louise Glaum in "Idolators," which closed the show. Fnd. EARL STEWARD REMAINS. Chicago, S«pt. 19. Earl Steward will remaini ks tainager of the Palace. At first it was stated that he would look after the Orpheum, Oakland, after that house has been re- modeled, and that Will Tisdale would step into the Palace position. The latter is to be assigned to another Or- pheum theatre. Last season Mr. Steward managed the Orpheum, Milwaukee, previously having been a legitimate house man- ager. He is considered one of the most popular managers here, although he but lately took over the Palace management Will G. Tisdale has been appointed manager of the Majestic, Milwaukee. Tisdale took charge of the house late last week, succeeding Clarence Ben- nett, who opened it this season and who is understood to have been trans- ferred elsewhere. £. F. Doherty has succeeded Shep Butler as press agent of the Palace. Doherty is also on the staff of a local newspaper. PRODUCTION ENGAGEMENTS. Joe Cook and Jack McLallen for "The Red Clock." Others are Muriel Window, Miriam Carson, Virginia Duant, Ruby- De Rem^r,. Dave Abcams, Ralph Brainard. Prank Otto (Merrill and Otto) may play the title role in the production of ''The Aviator." It was reported last week Otto Krueger (now in "Here Comes the Bride") would have the part Frank Fay, with "Miss Wijlow," a new Shubert musical piece shortly to be prMtnted. Marguerite Calvert and Kuy Kendall (not a team), with Arthur Hammer- stein's "Fttfs and FrUls." Helen Coyne has been placed with the new Winter Garden show by Jack Lewis. Arthur Cunningham (Century). Ethel Arnold (Arnold and Taylor) is reported having received an offer for a Shubert musical production. Ak ..1^ Cantonment Makes Lowell Lively.. Lowell, Mass., Sept. 19. The Ayer cantonment is rapidly fill-^; ing its quota of 33,000 soldiers, with '^ local ammunition olants and mills work- ing overtime on (government contracts, making this city quite flourishing^ theatrically. Over 1,200 boys of this town are serving in the army and navy. ANTS, ENGAGEMENTS SALE and EXCHANGE $1 for 2S words. 3 conts for oaoh word ovor II FOR IS WORDS, S CENTS EACH WORD OVER ACTS SUITABLE FOR CABARET. FRED S. FINN AGENCY. BILLY CLOONAN. MGR., 301 GAIETY THEATRE BUILDING. NEW YORK. , AT LIBERTY-PIANIST (8 SEASONS U. B. O. AND ORPHEUM CIRCUITS) FOR VAUDE- VILLE ACT. AS ACCOMPANIST OR MUSI- CAL DIRECTOR. ALSO CONSIDER LADY OR GENT PARTNER. D. R., 904 PALACE THE- ATRE BLDG. AT LIBERTY—Robuit tenor; voice top range sad thoroughly trained for any kind of stage work. Legitimate or vaudeville preferred. X. Y. Z., care Variety, Timea Square. BOOKING FIRST-LASS ACTS for cabarets in South America, Panama, Canada, and all the principal cities in the United States. BILLY CURTIS (General Manager), Broadway Book- ing Office, Gaiety Theatre Bldg., Room 601, New York. COSTUMES FOR SALE. SOUBRETTE COSTUMES. NOVELTY COSTUMES. AT- TRACTIVE PRICES, CALL FROM 4 TO 6. CHAS. CORNELL'S PRODUCTIONS, 1562 BROADWAY, NEW YORK. DE FLESH SCENIC STUDIOS. BROOKLYN. N. Y.—Original scenery and modern decorations. Reasonable. Studios—Casino Theatre and 447 Halsey St. Tel. Bedford 8594-J. EDITH JONES, who was formerly with the Tones family of Monmouth Beach, Fresh Pond Koad, New Jersey. Write your brother, Frank Armstrong, at once. He has waited years to see you, having just learned vou are on the stage. 561 Hudson Ave., West New York, New Jersey. GET DRAFTED for a season's route. Be s Rencral in the army of mirth. Secure your am- munition from an old timer with new ideas. Acts, parodies and exclusive songs written to order. Terms reasonable. Let me show you. Leo Le Vine. 1229 Tinton Ave., Bronx, New York. I WILL PAY $4S FOR SPECIALTY CHORUS GIRLS; MUST HAVE EXTRA GOOD APPEAR- ANCE. APPLY 701 COLUMBIA THEATRE BLDG.-FRED HETD ER. ONE HUNDRED CHORUS GIRLS WANTED BY THE ZIEGFELD OF VAUDEVILLE FOR GIRL ACTS THAT WORK AND WORK STEADY. NO LONG REHEARSALS. NO HALF SALARY. NO LAYOFFS. FOUR MONTHS IN NEW YORK. B. D. BERG, 1562 BROADWAY, NEAR 47TH ST. BRYANT 1053. IM SINGERS and dancers, also good chorua girls^ wanted immediately for revues and pro- uuciiiiiis. AriiMis only. Bcriiaid & Shuff, 213 Strand Theatre Bldg., New York City. PRESENT ADDRESS WANTED of Frederick J. Krlly, formerly manager of the Bijou The- stre. New York City. Write to Variety, Box 45. REFINED SINGING AND DANCING ACTS, "SINGLES. DOUBLES, TRIOS AND SISTER ACTS." APPLY AFTERNOONS BETWEEN 4 AND 5 P. M. DAILY. TO CHARLES BARON, ••OMAR KHAYYAM ROOM," MARTINIQUE HOTEL. BROADWAY AND 32D ST. TENNEY*S ACTS—Sketches and monologues are standards. F\M of originality, "pep" and ••getover." He aella acts, not promises. Write him now. Allen Spencer Tenney, 1493 Broadway, New York. TREASURER wishes position in theatre or on road; five years' experience: strictly sober; for references can refer to well known managers that have employed me. Box 134, Providence, VAUDEVILLE sets written per your order. One-third down. Sketches for placement. Readings by appointment, or by express on approval. Frederic Cromwell, Bradford Hotel, Chicago. ^WANTED-A MAN TO PLAY A FRENCH PART IN A GIRL ACT. ALSO A MAN TO PLAY JUVENILE ROLE. CHORUS GIRLS NEEDED AT ALL TIMES. M. THOR, PUT- NAM BLDG.. NEW YORK. WANTED-BANTO PLAYER WHO CAN SPEAK LINES FOR VAUDEVILLE ACT. H. C. GREEN, VARIETY, NEW YORK. WANTED—For immediate engagement, for Petticoat Minstrels, the classiest girl minatrel act in vaudeville, single girl with vaudeville experience. Must have class, good wardrobe and do singing, dancing or musical specialty. Good, sure salary. Act playing U. B. O. time. Can also use sister team; prefer musical or dancers. Call on Chas. W. Boyer, at New Vic- toria Hotel, Saturday. Sept. 22, or Sunday. 23d. between hours of 10 and 12 o'clock. WANTED—Lady musicians, cornet and piano preferred; also good singers. Write immedi- ately, stating all, to Louis Hodges, 15 W lOStb St., New York City^ WANTED—Young man not over five feet, who can take acrobatic falls and do a little tumbling. Write, Falls, Variety, New York. WHO NEEDS light weight woman for mys- try, magic or musical act? Educated nine musicians; adaptable experience in vaudeville. Tackle anything, rp anywhere; short notice; references. Pearl Crsy, Grand Hotel, Chicago. WANTED-A WARDROnE TRUNK IN GOOD CONDITION; MUST RE REASONABLE. WRITE AT ONCE. JACKSON, VARIETY, NEW YORK. [ _[ FOR SALE-OFFICE FURNITURE IN VERY GOOD CONDITION. WILL BE SOLD REA- SONABLE, R. M., VARIETY, NEW YORIi.