Variety (April 1918)

VAUDEVILLE AMONG THE WOMEN BT THE SUET. Easter Monday's matinee at the Palace was packed to the topmost boxes. For their third week the Sisters Kouns are wearing beautifully modeled gowns. Miss Nellie, with a large black hat, was in blue. The material was a plaid of blue and silver. Over a draped skirt was an over dress of tulle with shirred ribbon bands. Miss Sara was in white and also wore a large drooping hat. The dress was in two flounces of tulle with ribbon bandings. A wide girdle was of mauve, while the hips were held down with narrow blue ribbons. In the Hall Caine sketch ("The Iron Hand") Edna Walthers wore a white and black dress. The extremely wide hem of black satin was attached to a long-waisted white chiffon bodice. A paneled back was crisscrossed in black jet. Frances Young was dignified as a widow in weeds. Bessie McCoy Davis, dressing the same as last week, cap- tivated her audience even more than ever. Bonnie Thornton for her second dress has chosen black. The net is banded in jet with a front panel of the same. A black hat trimmed with jet and a bright red fan completed the costume. Herman Timberg's five Violin girls open in black satin bloomers. Cos- tumes of 76, '81, '98, and '18 were a Marie Antoinette dress of white, a mauve crinoline, a silk petticoat with a velvet basque coat, and a red, white and blue dress made of ribbons. The finale had the girls in white costumes made very short. The skirts were of tiny ruffles piped in blue with the waists made in large checkered pat- terns. Bakers' caps and blue socks were also worn. It does seem unpatriotic for the ush- ers at the Colonial to seat people dur- ing the rendition of the National Anthem. But the ushers may not have been instructed to the contrary. The nice weather Tuesday afternoon may have interfered with the attendance. Something did. Parish and Peru open- ingj were followed by Emily Francis Hooper and Herbert Marbury. The act has its own stage dressing. Drap- eries are growing more elaborate. Miss Hooper appeared before a drop painted in Japanese figures. Her cos- tume was a kimono of dark blue. A pretty stage picture was disclosed upon the lifting of the drop. The scene was a Jap flower garden. Miss Hooper's second dress was of gold lace with in- serts of mauve chiffon. There was a blue paneled front and tiny lace ruffles. A dark blue net was marabout trimmed and had a • pink bodice. A leghorn hat with cherries and red vel- vet ribbon made up a two-colored com- bination. Grey pajamas of chiffon disclosed too heavy underdressing. Ann Gold (with Dave Genaro) is a good looking blonde who dresses nice- ly. Her entrance was made in a white skirt and silk sweater of red and green. A white satin coat was trimmed with fur and a large hat had feathers. Un- derneath the coat was a dress of solid crystals upon which were flowers em- broidered, in purple sequins. There was a pink dress with gold lace ruf- fles. White net side draperies should be changed to pink also.* Two hand- some crystal capes were also in the wardrobe. The well known Genaro cake-walk was done in a black net and silver dress. The Fifth Avenue theatre the first half housed a well put together pro- gram. Opening with the Three Mizu- nos the show from then on showed considerable speed. The two misses of the opening act were in red kimonos richly embroidered in gold. Milton Pollock's amusing sketch found a girl of mediocre looks in a white suit with collars and cuffs of rose silk, also a rose hat. Jack Rose has the best line of war stuff I have heard around in a long time. It isn't the red fire kind. While very humorous it is sensible. Mable Burke's dark purple dress was just discernible on the darkened stage during her ill. song. Seabury and Shaw have a setting of innumerable hangings that seem too heavy for this diminutive pair. While very gorgeous the two dancers seem like midgets in a giant's home. Miss Shaw danced first in a short white dress trimmed in jet with a black fur scarf hanging from her shoulders. This was followed by a pajama costume of mauve chiffon and lace. A cerise satin dress was made with short waist and full skirt. Flow- ers of purple sequins were the trim- ming. There was a large hat and feather fan to match. The girl with Charlie Howard wore a black andVhite dress. One of the long waisted affairs with the skirt seemingly tacked on. She changed to a silver ruffled dress having a taffeta bustle and chiffon sleeves. Two of Broadway's leading lights of the stage of the feminine sex were "playing the bank" pretty hard at the Casino, French Lick, last week. One of them practically broke the bank. She is reported as having "cleaned" almost $50,000 on her operations. The other was a constant loser. NO LACK OF SENSATIONS. The impressions that no circus sen- sations are to be had, which has been widely spread, is said to be a miscon- ception by men who deal in this class of attractions. Agents say they have offered the Ringlings dozens of turns capable of being circused with either of the big shows, novelties with large advertising potentialities, but the circus men have turned them down without exception. Insiders declare the Ringlings are deliberately discouraging the public from looking each year for a new thriller. They figure that the failure of a sensation for one year might cost the show more than the success of several seasons. Their policy is to give an even saw- dust entertainment of merit obtainable each year and educate the public to look for such a show, rather than base their advertising campaign on a sensa- tion new each season, figuring on past circus experiences. ROBINSON AILING. Gil Robinson and his brother, "Gov." John Robinson, left Miami, Fla., this week to make their way north by slow stages to Gil's home in Atlantic City. Governor Robinson, who has been afflicted with heart trouble for many years, is described by friends as being feeble. He had several alarming attacks during the winter in the South. The Cincinnati circus outfit does not go out this year, and "Young Johnny" is understood to be anxious to dis- pose of the property. BIRTHS. Mr. and Mrs. Matthew Jacobs, at Sydenham Hospital, New York, April 1, son. Mrs. Jacobs is professionally known as Tessie Damon. Mr. and Mrs. Moe Luckie (Gordon, Barton and Luckie), in New York, March 28, daughter. Mr. and Mrs. Robert McKenzie, March 20, in Seattle, daughter. Harry Mettayer will not be in the next Ibsen production, "Hcdda Gab- ler," which Arthur Hopkins is doing with Nazimova at the Plymouth. There was no part in this play for him and he is remaining idle until "The Doll's House" is done, in which he will play one of the leads. ILL AND INJURED. Marguerite Clark, who has been ill with mumps, was so improved the first part of the week to insure her appear- ance in Philadelphia for her support in public of the new Liberty Loan drive. She was listed to appear there Friday. Arthur Ashley, who has been ill with neuritis, has rejoined "The Man Who Came Back," playing around New York, after which he expects to leave for the coast rb direct pictures, though he has made no definite arrangements to that end. Ethel Davis, heading the Revue at Solari's, San Francisco, was operated on for appendicitis last week and will in all probability be out of the show for two months. Billy and Edna Fraw- ney are taking her place. Mae Bushell, in cabaret at the Lex- ington Hotel, Baltimore, fell and sus- tained a broken leg while in her dress- ing room. She is now in the Union Protestant Hospital in that city. Jules Von Tilzer, in the hospital for 12 weeks with rheumatism, left there this week, returning to work at the offices of the Broadway Music Publish- ing Co. (Will Von Tilzer.) J. Kalani Peterson, the Hawaiian gui- tar player, is back on Broadway after being ten weeks in a hospital at Ham- ilton, O., where he was operated upon for a ruptured appendix. Sydney Clare, who went to the mountains last week for his health, is at Riverside Inn, Saranac Lake, N. Y., and asks that his friends write him. An injury to one of the members of the .Manthy, Lee and Co. forced the act but of Keeney's, Broklyn, the first • half. The Cromwells substituted. Frank Jones of the United Booking Offices has been ill at home for a couple of weeks. He may go away for a rest before returning to .the^omces. Mrs. Bruce Duffus, who underwent a major operation at the Hahnemann Hospital, Philadelphia, last week, is re- ported out of danger. Isabelle Van, who has been resting in Monticello, N. Y., since Christmas, is reported recovering. Marie Wills (Abbott and Wills) operated upon at the American Hos- pital, Chicago, March 26. NEW ACTS. Lottie Williams is now presenting and playing in the Willard Mack play- let, "Pansy's Particular Punch." The sketch was used by Mary Nash several seasons ago, Jessie Busley later taking it over the Orpheum Circuit. Ike Rose has a newcomer to the va- rieties. The act is a midget called Little Ting, whom Rose styles "the miniature Galli-Curci." Dan Dody is rehearsing a new act for her. Jack Duffy (formerly of Duffy, Geis- ler and Lewis), this season with the "20th Century Maids," contemplates leaving burlesque and returning to vaudeville with a woman partner. Mark Sullivan & Co. in an act by Grace Bryan, "The Soap Cure," with Thomas Reddick & Co. (M. S. Ben- tham). 'Tn Wrong," written and played by Frank Whittier, with three others in support (Bruce Duffus). Ralph Jewell, formerly of Jewell and Jordan, whistlers, single (coast). Farmer and Lester, out of the Hen- nings and Hitchcock revue, two-act. Jack Crisp is back in vaudeville with his two sisters. George Brooks and Marie Sabbott, two-act. Edward Farrel has resumed playing his old act with four people. "Happy" Benway and the Lewis Bros. ^Millie Buttcrfield in "The Slacker," a tecruiting skit by Wilbur Mack. Mose Ashton and Harry Ross. IN AND OUT. Eddie Dowling left the Palace, New York, program after the Tuesday mati- nee. The Thorntons were moved up to his position and Parish and Peru in- serted into the bill at the Tuesday night performance, going on second after intermission, about 1025. Follow- ing the Bessie McCoy turn, Parish and Peru put over a hit. Burt Green became suddenly ijl with influenza Monday at Cincinnati and C ? U m? V a i ppear 1? U;rhe Passing Show of 1917. Irene Franklin appeared in the performance without her husband, who is confined to his room at the Ho- tel Sinton. Wednesday the physicians reported his condition as serious. Eddie Dowling withdrew from the Royal Tuesday owing to throatal trou- 5 wi- * and L Gamb, « replaced him, doubling from the Colonial, where they had previously replaced James Watts and Co. Gould and Lewis decided to separate wnije playing Montreal, cancelling the Hamilton, Canada, the week following. Later they sent out a notice they were still a team in vaudeville. Mills and Moulton, sent to Hamilton to replace them, were stopped at the border through one being of German descent. ihe Monn Sisters, who were to have played Chester, Pa,, and William Penn, Philadelphia, reported one of the sis- ters had injured a leg. The same after- n ° on * report of their bein * signed for the Lohan revue was secured and the girls opened with the show in Boston this week. The Ponaello Sisters cancelled the Alhambra, New York, for this week because of illness. McCarthy & Faye substituted. JtlJi? £ i * h * m » r « M had to cancel at the Sheridan Square, Pittsburgh, the last half last week througff Byam, one of its members, called by the draft. Charles Morati and Co. substituted. Medluv Watts and Towns cancelled Keiths, Columbus, the latter end of last week when two of its members were called. Eugene and Willie Howard were' called east from Seattle this week to attend the bedside of their father, who :* seriously ill in New York. Montambo and Nap did not open at Keiths, Toledo, this week, owing to Montambo's illness. Vacancy fill from, Chicago. Owing to sickness Saxon and Farrell left.the bill at the Emery, Providence, the first half. John Dunsmore filled the gap. Mignon did not open at Keith's, Lowell, Mass., Monday. Margaret Ford replaced her. Noodles Fagan and Co. left the bill at Poli's Scranton and Wilkesbarre this week owing to the illness of Fagan. "Circus Day in Toyland" failed to open at the Colonial this week. The bill ran one act short. Bert Levy left the Orpheum, Brook- lyn, Tuesday. Camilla's Birds took the cpot. PRODUCTION ENGAGEMENTS. Frank Carter has signed to go with Ziegfeld's "Follies." He refused to accept a cut in salary from the Shu- berts. The "Cohan Revue," which opened in Boston last Monday night, was strengthened by the addition of Hale and Patterson and the Morin Sisters. Three DuFor Boys and Jessica Brown by Florenz Zeigfeld for the "Frolic" until rehearsals for the "Follies" start. Grace Field, who has been hostess at several of Broadway's restaurants, has accepted an engagement with "The Kiss Burglar." Peccy Pollock with the Weber and Fields new production. Lillian Boardman (John Cort "Flo- Flo."). University Four (Welch & Orr "The Kiss Burglar").