Variety (May 1918)

16 VARIETY ARTISTS' FORUM Confine letters to 160 words and write on one aide of paper only. Anonymous communications will not bo printed. Name of writer must be signed and will be held In strict confidence, If desired. Letters to be published In this column must be written exclusively to VARIETY. Duplicated letters will not be printed. The writer who duplicates a letter to the Forum, either before or aiicr ii appears here, w!!! not be affa*n permitted the priv- ileges of It. * Boston, April 26. Editor Varietv: As a rule I am a quiet young man, but have been finally aroused through your Forum regarding acrobats. These so called clowns and leg mania acro- bats have a kick, eh? Well I guess if they knew how to put talk together in an act as they can in your column they wouldn't have to be worrying about opening or clos- ing shows. Everyone in show business, whether performer, manager or critic, knows that the only spot on a bill for a dumb act should be either opening or clos- ing unless the act is of unusual merit and novelty. And even then I would think twice if I were a manager to change a spot for,them as it would no doubt hurt the rest of the bill. As far as dumb acts being considered fools and being kidded, that's all bosh and such statements are simply made to see how they look in black and white. The audience recognizes a good act, whether acrobat, monologist cjr magi- cian. In fact 1 have played on many a bill where acrobats or dancing acts have cleaned up on top of all others, and doing so by opening the show. Now docs that not show that an audi- ence gives for what it gets? I will now explain why they get early or late positions. When an acro- bat act is on people are walking in, but the people seated can sec what they arc doing. That also goes for people when they are walking out. If a talk- ing act was on in same spot it would mean torture for whole of routine. If a talking act had to open a shoAv, it would not get what is due, as people are not sitting down and really lis- tening so early on bill. I suppose there'll be a million dumb acts looking for my scalp now, but I'll fool them all, as I'm being drafted next month. No more now until another foolish argument arises. First thing we'll be hearing is that orchestras will refuse to play the finale as people arc walking o t on them. Charles Smith, (Chick-Smith-Chick.) (Am being sent* to Camp Devens, Mass. The Chicks will continue as a "two-act.") Liverpool, Fug., April 11. Editor Vaiuktv : Postponing all vaudeville contracts about a year ago I signed up fny pres- ent "exclusive engagement" with His Majesty, King dcorge. and am now making good in active service. The salary is not great, but it is sure and regular, and there are no hotel bills, rails, baggage or tips to pay. I manage to keep in touch with vaude- ville matters over y«»ur side, and re- ceive a batch of Vauiktv issues every month from my old friend, Mike Con- way ((onway and Leland, The Merry Monopcdcs), who are in Great Hritain. After my serious work daily I still find time to entertain some of the boys in khaki, and of late I have mixed among some thousands of American, Australian. Canadian. Sdi'li A'riean and IIritish pals. They all welcome entertainment <. and iiMi-t he amused. Can I ask a favor through you, i. e., I shall he glad nt ^>mlr>>iniKil copies of latest hits from the music pub- lishers- ia>,;s and j.;ood comedy songs, maia h and patn«>tie number^, imt lor- getiing the numbers with a touch of "home" .and latest ballads ? There arc some fine American writers of ballads, and good Irish bal- lads are "some" hit I can assure you. Any numbers our publishing friends care to send along will have my prompt acknowledgment, and I will defray all mail charges. Please address: Frank O'Flynn, Air Mechanic 84790, Royal Air Force, 8 Cambridge street, Abercromby Square, Liverpool, England. Mail will be immediately sent to where I am located, I originally joined the Royal Flying Corps, but, as you will have read, we have amalgamated with the Royal Naval Air Service and are now known as the "Royal Air Force." Not so bad for a "chicken" of forty years, eh? All the best to friends across "the pond." Frank R. O'Flynn. (Mr. Flynn is known as "The Banjo Slappcr," and was formerly of the Earle and Earle Royal Banjo Duo.) '^Chicago, April 28. Editor Varikty : In last week's issue I missed the acrobats' plea. The acrobat as a rule is not a talker but his brain must be developed. The brain flashes the thought and the muscles do the rest. An acrobat is one who tumbles, that is, one who turns completely over in the air. Wire rings, trapeze, perch, jugglers arc not acrobats. I've talked my way out of acrobatics but I didn't start until the old knees got the funny exemption noises in them. We all admit the old brain is master over brute force only from a distance. Just imagine talking naughty to two understanders, in a room alone with them. Suppose the naughty one said, "May your children be acrobats." I always laugh at an acrobatic joke. It strikes my vein of humor, for many a trick is passed unnoticed by an audi- ence. They aren't educated to acro- batics. They don't see them around 9 p. m. or 10 p. m., that is one reason. If they did, the acrobat wouldn't do more if the applause warranted it. He is all in. That is why there are so many singers and actors. Woolworth, S. K. Knox and Irving Berlin must be disheartened before the acrobats come into popularity. A tune is much preferred to a bump by the majority. The acrobat came too late— the others were first, it's easier. We acrobats are in the minority— but—to ye who have a good acrobatic joke you may pull it for awhile but some time someone present may be acrobatically inclined and may not see the humor—so the inevitable happens. Stan Stanley. New York, April 26. Editor Variety- : I should like to call your attention to Lamb's Manikins using my idea of a wire walker. I originated this fig- ure eight years ago, and two years ago I tiled my new act, "Circus Day in Toyland" (wire walker included) in your Protected Material Department. Mr. Lamb states he had the figure years ago and never used it. It's most remarkable he never thought of using it till quite lately— after he had seen my new act. Me also states he intends using it till the end of the season. Am I to understand that my time and trouble are all for the benefit of others? I want to call Mr. Lamb's attention to the new material I am using in the private boxes, also performing lions and elephants. He might dis- cover he had it all years ago, so why not take the lot? Madame Jewell. (The above reference to "wire walk- er," "lions and elephants" is of mani- kins, as employed by Jewell's Mani- kins.) Camp McArthur, Tex., April 23. Editor Variety: Through the Artists' Forum I wish to thank the person or persons who so generously send me the Variett every week. It is welcome, indeed. Almost as good as a walk up Broadway. We are training hard every day getting in shape for a tryout on the Huns. I hope our stuff gets over O. K. I am organizing a dramatic company in my regiment. Amusement is pretty scarce down here in Texas. The boys are all willing to do their share. If any one has a spare copy of any farce, comedy or light dramatic sketch or play, we would be delighted to have it. I will personally see that it is well taken care of and returned to sender. I have a machine and can easily write parts. Trust this will meet with someone's approval. Sgt. Shinn. Address: Sergeant Geo. H. Shinn, Battery E, 21st Field Artillery, Camp MacArthur, Texas. Chicago, April 28. Editor Variety: It is with great pleasure I note in last week's Variety that Marcus Loew is fathering the idea of vaudeville artists tipping stage hands with War Savings Stamps. When I suggested the idea in my letter in Variety of April 4 I appealed to my fellow artists, not daring to hope any one of Mr. Loew's standing would find time to further the plan. Now that the idea occurred to him also I feel content that with the energy he is capable of infusing into any undertaking he assumes tipping stage hands with War Savings Stamps will be universally adopted. Edward Archer. Rome, N. Y., April 30.. Editor Variety : In answer to Sam H. White, of Clay- ton and White, in regards to "fit dance," I did this same dance with Leona Thurber's "four black birds" years ago as a pick, also with Mamie Remington and picks. I would not say 1 was the first to do the dance, as it was done before my time. Mr. Shef- tell, being colored, has priority rights, as said dance was originated by color- ed people. James \l'. Johnson. (Johnson and Rollinson.) New York, April 24. Editor Variety: Sir—The Walter James, who is sing- ing at the Pekin Restaurant, is not the Walter James of tramp fame, now doing his own act in vaudeville. Walter James. GOOD-BYE BILL. Tbe U. S. Ambulance Corps is responsible for the show Good-Rye Hill." a parting salutation to William Hulu-nzollern of Berlin, which is being prcsi uted at the uerlal morgue atop of the 44th Strtet theatre. "Good-Rye Dill." like "You Know Me Al !" Is an all soldier aiTalr, but '11111" Is Buffering from two or three handicaps. The hIiow hasn't nearly the pep or push of that of tbe 27th Dirision and it is suffering because at the 44th Street Hoof. Last, hut not least, the show came into town on mighty short notice without un adequate advertising campaign. Tbe purpose of the pcrfonnanceb in New York at this time is to stimulate recruiting for this branch of the service and to alao lend an impetus to the Third Liberty Hond lirive. In the latter respect the boys man- aged to pull nbout $."fJ,."iU0 out of an au- dience of less than JHiO people Tuesday night. Largely responsible for this amount is the number In the show ( incident ia I ly the best) entitled *■ 11 ny A Hond.'' It is the whistling melody the audiem e carries away after the periormnnce. The piece Is designated as a play with music, the book and lyrics by Sergeant Rich- ard Fechheimer ami music by Private Wil- liam M. Kernel!. The production was made under the direction of Lieut. Kdwin R. Wolfe. Three acts are required. Tbe first Is a re- cruiting station In New York, the second the gate to the camp at Allentown, Pa., and the ■^■^MMBlBHBliaMBnHBHaa^BBIB^BlB^BHHBMBaamaaMX third "Somewhere in France." Tbe story (such of It a* there Is) deals entirely with the life of the recruit la the American Am- bulance Corps. There are three numbers in the first act with the "Buy A Bond" song coming at the finale. In the second act are six numbers and In last act four. There is really noth- ing stirring until the last act, where there are several good comedy 6cenes, a Jazz band, and a chorus number with eight "girls" ae Red Cross nurses and eight of the boys. This was the prize encore winner of the show. The ■ only other appearance that the "girls" in the ensemble made was at the finale of the first act. As compared to the "Al" show, from the standpoint of chorus and production numbers, "Bill" is far from measuring up to the stand- ard. It could, however, be whipped Into shape and one of the first things that should he done Is the giving of more numbers to the "girls" of the chorus. They are always sure Are for applause and there lies the secret of putting these shows over. There are three "girls" among the principals who manage fairly well and in a cabaret scene three of the chorus "ladles" achieved credit and fourth, who was the partner in a dance specialty, went over solidly. In the last act the singer who worked with the Jazz band strongly reminded one of Harry Bloom of vaudeville and song boosting fame. If it wasn't Harry then it sure was some other expro judging from the manner In which he put over "Dixie Volunteers" and "A Little Bit of Sugar Down in Dixie," which were two Interpolated sings. They both went over with a bang. * • Tbe principals, chorus and orchestra of "Good-Bye Bill" are as follows: Prologue Pvt. George W. Kowalskl Caesar Charlemagne Pershing Lee, Pvt. Robert Covington Joseph Jackson Joffe Jones..Pvt. Cha9. Hamp A Sergeant Pvt. Carle V. Mlddleton Another Sergeant Pvt. Edward Bonoff Still Another Sergeant Sgt. R. Fechheimer Mitzy McFagan Pvt. Charles Kirk Hud Wclzer Sgt. F. Turley A Policeman Pvt. Paul McCoy Hardluck Himself Pvt. Charles Lawrence Tom Collins Pvt. William A. Mc.Michael a Basil B. Veeder (Harvard '17), Pvt. Edward Bunting Rernlce Uuttercup. .Pvt. Charles H. Girardeau Lieut. Allen Towne..Pvt. Milton E. Claypoole A .MwnEnr Hoy p v t. Wm. Adrlance A Gate Guard Pvt. George W. Kowalskl Another Gate Guard Pvt. W. A. McMichaels A Lsaac Sgt. W. Baron r »P s Corp. Raymond Clarke Miss Franco-American Pvt. Charles Keck Flivver Pilot No. 1 Pvt. Edward Bonoff Flivver Pilot No. 2 Pvt. Chas. Lawrence A Tommy p v t. Edward Bunting A s I>y Pvt. Wm. M. Michaels A Poilu p v t. Allen E. Mattpx Ober General Harsenpfeffer, Sgt. Richard Fechheimer The Kaiser Pvt. George W. Kowalskl Henry Ford p v t. Ira Hidden Stage Manager Sgt Ferdinand 8. Turley Assistant Stage Manager. .Pvt. Eugene Roberts Red Cross Nurses—Patrick Walsh, Edward E. Glenn, Clifford Crowthers, Justin Langvllle Harold Conklin. Marshall Allen. Last Aid Crew—Charles Hamp. Lee Parker, Frank Morln. Paul McCoy, Robert Tanner, Charles Pawlick. Charles E. Johnson. Personnel of the Chorus—Edward E. Glenn, Donald A. Mclnnes, Frank B. Ryan, Patrick Walsh, Henry Carr, Henry Fry, William J. Rebr, Edward Saunders. Clifford Crowthers, Marshall Allen, Justin Langvllle, Harold Conk- lin, William Adrlance, Wlnfleld Dougherty Norman Toohey, Thomas II. Elliott, Clarence W. Heisse. Allen E. Mattox, Richard McCarl, Edward Hohman. John S. Saunders. (•'horus and ensembles under the direction of Pvt. Calvin M. King.) Personnel of. the Orchestra—Edward Mellon, musical director ; violins, Charles P. Pawlick, Henry Van Arsdale, Fred Hubethal, Cedrlc Hensold. William lire, K. Mustarde ; viola, Sgt. Theodore Otto; cello, William Weimer; bass. Charles Neale; flutes, Paul Hellman, George Butler; clarinets, Ingram B. Brusletten, Arno I'hlhorn ; trumpets, Lee Donachy, Frank Scrib- ner; trombone, Mark M. Ross; tympanl, Charles Marshall ; drums, Charles Emmerlck. Entertainment Committee—Col. E. E. Per- sons, A. A. S., Commanding Officer; Lieut. Col C. P. Franklin. A. A. S., chairman ; Major W. W. Vaughan, M. C. : Captain Max Stockton. A. A. S. ; Captain William K. Raken. M. R. C. ; Lieut. Tonilin, A. A. S., secretary. Committee in Charge of "Good-Bye Bill"— nnptaln William E. Raken, M. R. C, chairman; Lieut. E. R.* Wolfe, A. A. S., director; Lieut. R. Kinzie, A. A. S., business manager. OFFERS FOR SOLDIER. One young American, now listed for service overseas with the United States Army Ambulance Corps, Private Charles Lawrence, will have a stage engagement awaiting him upon his re- turn. Lawrence's stage opportunity comes as a result of his work in the "Good-Bye Hill" show on the 44th Street Roof and the singling out of his unusual performance by the regular reviewers of the New York papers. Several offers have been made to Lawrence for a Hroadway proposition in the future, upon his military service completion. Eva Tanguay returned to New York this week and said she had no imme- diate plans for the future.