Variety (May 1918)

SHOW REVIEWS RIVERSIDE. It could not be called good business at the Riverside, Monday evening. The rear of the homo and upstairs looked scant. The bill ran through nicely enough for the first hall, but following the Red CrosB occu- pation of the intermission period, the second half never had u chance. It wan tough going for the Red Crows workers. They worked hard enough, but tiny were following some- thing too, u week or it. There's nothing to be said, for there Is no better cause, and whatever the sacrifice, of theatres or artists, it has been and will be borne. If thle war goe« >< long while there will be a great deal that must be undergone and gone through by all of us. Let us hope the hardship will be no worse than the Liberty Loan, Red Cross and other drives Impose. The Riverside looked nice and summery with it.; long reach of orchestra. There Isn't a house in New York that could not take a lesson from the stage lighting of this theatre. Its stage is always lighted, as a vaudeville stage should be, but seldom is. The program started with Edward Mar- shall, the Chalkologlst. Mr. Marshall baa something different in stage drawing or car- tooning. He talks most interestingly and in- telligently during the turn, doesn't try to gag, but draws a laugh. He commences with :n explanation of the Futurist schemo of out- lining, and says he will suggest three things \>y three strokes, nn open door, a dog and a soMicr. He does it. Then a comedy picture fit' 'an entire family on one line," draw- in r washing, hanging out. His sketch- ing from the audience was amusing, par- ticularly to those seated near the subjects, and lie closed with patriotic drawings, re- produciu'.; his; own early In the war published cartoon of the Kaiser. While Mr. Marshall seemed to be on the stage a trifle long, the evening spot could account for that, and tli.it he was not s 0 quickly forgotten was at- tested during the Red Cross period, when he returned to the stage, to draw again, being ac -orded applause on his reappearance. A spot ftirther down on the bill would greatly li* li» Mar-hall's act. but still, while an en- tertainment hy itself, it could not well mix in ihe centre of a t"a t runn'n«» show, although ;• No. .'5 *pot could be filled by it, for Mar- -\ i|| is of good address nnd puts over a good •urn of its class. Next were Harris and Morey, before a |o» '>>• drop with piano and "lamp." These two hoys were formerly of the trio. They didn't do much until hitting their "Blues" nuinher for the finish. That brought them hach. After Mrs. Thomas Whlffen and Co. hi k After Mrs Thoma - Whiff en and Co., I"' 'n'' 1 and Uert tuvr their comedy skit. F!o Heit will have to watch her voice. Its strident enough, stronger In fact than • arli.-r In the season, hut it's losing all of its melody. This should bo very Important to M ; ss port for the Impression still re- mains there are two rood slnelo turns in tlii - double act. Mr. Rrendol with his breakaway suit caught howls. When the co it,le were at the Pal nee some months ago Iti- iihi was uiven credit for originality In the •kissin; lilt." where he hits his hat from rl<- 1 •«•!< ?1 s he |^ faring Miss Uert, causing h ni to Ui— her. then lookinir hack as though '■••i'"'-"^ had i»us'ied )ii m . This hit seems to V--\-i- he< n lirst done in vaudeville by George '•Yh\ whin mi Feli\ ;im] Puny fLydla). Mr. I ' M\ i- not particular over having credit for tt. hut the fact appears to remain, and v > Hi. nd. l hnc.w.- anything to the con- tra.v lie i- welcome to make it publicly kimv. n. '■'■idv- chirk and Henry P< rgman (New A <r , i'li:ni the first mart. After the Red f.-.c. w,r.. 0!lv Wvndham and Jose Reuben '.' •■Th. Pirn- Systeni." with Stella Mayhew n. vt fi: ei^jni' Hoofer and Marbtiry clos- i.■■-• H would h.< manifestly unjust to say ■ ••v":i:> ■ although Miss Mayhew suffered the V t i- f th' three. Il'ii- !>avfi>s. pro-rani'd to open the second tt' iljd ret anpe-r. h-vim.' lo-f her orches- t; Hon. \s ^he sums all i-vrlu'-lve songs, f' ' wi- too tii-r a V>-s- to overlook. Jit'-:-- I. en 'l.iv the orehevtra leader. ••'•is t'-n si "din" -t.i'<difd favorite up fir Wli' i: the T{ ( d Cro-: speaker sug- "■ •■'■ d >'r. I.eii't -><r? tday a violin solo while >,,,. 1...M , v .,,. ,i|-:i w |tlf. the house ncted ns •hon -h tn'i'is W: ,v a lung lo-t s n „ Slnic. PALACE. The The-'- lvir."=. wi'h th' ir corking hah'tic- i'i'- :'<' -ii-t.d 'Hiiri off w«l| f'<r the Palace show M >:,d'\ nh ht. The t"<n have ;, routine r,nui. . i v tiirittin.'. flnKhin;; wi'h the under- ■-!.!•:•'■ i ' i ! "■ ; ■:•'",;:' ;• ] * r ryif p«>!'.' CV. hi" f'»V- h' "1 nV. th. t ■l'tpounh-r imc ; throuirh the II 'I ' ! '"Ml i'-,. m|i th.- other i |].| ''••H.i'iii a ml Vice. sptjulf aneolls s'l'i'l'i'l' •vii'i ;.!D.. hui!«- mi.- st'if scored w«d| in sec- ond positi'-n. "The Vi hf Moat " with some oh 'mis I'on . dy. hut wi'h a h.uin-iroim Idea and a in-.it tM'-'dii' i hm. fl r f • 1 in nil' !v in the third sir*. Th" h-| : ;ii|i l:r if hers have elaborated tin ir mandolin ld'yim.' openim.' The team are to lw commend, d for the apparent fresh i" s ;itn| ch.i iihaess of theif an oe:iratices at "II times, Jobnuv ho.d.y and "Where Things II: '.,,.,," | \,.\v .Acts >. The h»s» !,;,]»• w:is t'.ol" ui> of Frank Wesf- Dhal. Sofliic Tucker and |e r Five Hint's of S\nco|i : ,ti-..). e| • -• i• -tr with l.adv Huff-Cordon w.'fh her Fashion IJ-vue ,fnl>>. I* Wolfe Gilbert and Anatole Friedland started things going after the "nurses" finally finished collecting and the song writers fared excellently. "Are You from Heaven" proved a punch number, helped by the exceptional warbling of the girl plant. Following, in the next-to-closing spot, Crawford and Hroderick planted the bill'8 hit. The droll style of the very classy Miss Hroderick lent much Of the humor of the turn. It was a minute or so alter eleven when they bowed off and the returns well afforded an encore, but the lights for the last event were flashed. McKay and Ardine closed and delivered so strongly, that considering the lateneBS of the hour and the position they ure entitled to an even »|ilit. Cndcr Monday's conditions the spot was about the hardest for an act of the sort. That they gave their entire routine and held the house solidly down to the fluish bit In "one" about tells the story. The first section ran smoothly, but without excitement, until Mclntyre and Heath closed Intermission. The blackface stars were in fine form, offering that standard laugh-making machine, "The Man from Montana." Few In the house but had not giggled at the same act before, but it appeared Just as enjoyable. Charles Olcott. fourth, scored nicely with his familiar planolog. A recitation called "Belles" was given in so low a tone that several of the lines missed in the back of the house. Homer Miles. Helen Ray and Co., with their new comedy playet, "Spare Ribs," was third. It is nn odd sort of affair, but the house found it amusing. The Red Cross angle was in tune and the old maid roles were ludicrous, as they usually are on the stage. Miss Ray's maidenly characterization was a particularly Rood bit and the strong cast helped. Susan Tompkins, a violinst, was second (New Acts). The show was provided a cork- ing start by tho unlcycle experts, Dupree and Hupree. For one of her build, Miss Dupree's agility Is surprising. I bee. COLONIAL. Th' • week's '-'low v.'i'-J of eh'ht-aef h n"th which minus the news film. <voi|h| have r..ijtid tin tini h at pi Pi Mondav niuhh Put the final IJcd Cross dri»e sp:.i.l the intermission period to lo minutes. A sailor with many "propositions" was In charge of the contrib- uting event and he got nbout all that could be gotten, no meagre amount. ALHAMBRA. The governmental order calling on Lew Price to report to camp Monday morning threw a slight dent In the Alhambra bill, not to mention the fact that it dissolves a good act, but by doubling the Arnaut Broth- ers between here and the Palace the gap was filled. The latter team came on close to clos- ing and gave the bill a comedy tilt that helped considerably, particularly the whist- ling 'bit'' utilized for a finale. They have added an encore to this that gather enough laughs in Itself to Insure the turn well over. IJuslness was not particularly good, the weather auguring against attendance to some extent, and this with the natural neighbor- hood competition is telling somewhat on the box oiucc returns. The show opened with the usual Pathe-Hearst Weekly, the war scenes pulling some enthusiasm out of the over- heated crowd. Then cume Frank Carmen, a hoot> roller nnd baton swinger. Carmen Is a ban! and fast worker and twirls the hoops t> good advantage, his baton stunts being especially convincing. In this ho excels, and the Alhambra gathering fully appreciated his efforts. His Is a good opening act for big time, a trifle different and well executed. I.aughlin and West (New Acts) held the second -pot and gave the show nn added start. hu» "The Decorators." a Fred Ardath specialty (without Ardath >. reviewed last week, failed to attract the desired laughs. \> aforesaid, even with Ardath, It's a sloppy affair, hut without him it's not only sloppy hut dull and stupid, with a listless finish and no toin to the interior. .loo Ilrownlng offered bis familiar minis- terial monolog before a special green plush drop. Drowning is a droll comic, has good songs and knows how to "sell" his material. His turn likewise carries all the novelty earmarks ntid Is somewhat away from the conventional monolog Myle. While garbed as a comedy minister, he gives no offense to the "Cloth." nnd never mhscs an oppor- tunity to register the elusive laugh. Ho so 'fed his Usual hit. going even beyond through being forced to a double encore. Hli/.ahcth Price followed and while hnndl- lapped through the fact that hers Is a slng- ing specialty following Drowning with his several songs, her opi ning number soon brought her Into good grace with tho house, and from then on her mark was safe. The onciilii". describing the "Lonesome Single," through the enlistment of Charlie King, Is a well cntr-M-wcted affair, not "red fire." but with a semi-patriot |c punch that gives her a flying ^tart for the balance of her reper- toire. This |s composed of popular songs, .■lid die didn't mis:: one without a «o||d score Intermission Intervened between Mls» Urice's specialty and the announcement of I.cavil' a".i Lock wood. who are doubline from the Royal WhMe this ,.et |s reviewed in th..- N'.-w Act department In a technical wav it iniulit be well to add that they ap- t'Meil to far creator advantage here than in I he I'.ronx. The comedy points went over f'yiiiL' and the orii'tnality of the whole affair appealed in its natural way to everyone. The finale, a character version of a wed- diiiL' Is especially good. Poth are clever en- teft liners and barring the one fainted sen- tence have me of the very In t double turns in vaudeville. Put that one taint robs It of it n ii encsH. Following the Arnaut Pros., the Misses l.iirlitner and .Alexander came on to register the hit of the > how. fine of the girls has a rather gooil idea of comedy, and while going along continually never Incomes tiresome. The harmony is excellent, particularly in th.- i.|.. iilntr number. It's a splendid three- act nnd lit for the same spot on anv big time bill The Misses Chslfonto, dancers, closed the show, holding the majority In for the final exit march. Wynn. ROYAL. Monday night closed the Ited Ctobh Drive with that patriotic movement holding up the show at the Royal until far after midnight, the second half of the bill making its appear- ance around 11.1."» with many straggling out. It was a reasonably good bill too. far better in fact that the average show at that stand. The speaker for the Red Cross fund worked dreadfully slow, but managed to get marvellous results, particularly through repeatedly auc- tioning off an old pair of llcssle Clayton's dancing slippers. Miss Clayton played the house last week and the Royalties seemed enthused over the boots. They went for *7 two or three times and were finally bought in by a youth in ihe g.illcry f::r $2. who bought them on the agreement ho could carry them across the street to Loew's National and repeat the auction stunt there. A ham was next In the auction line this brought a top of .*1 from a gallerylte. Collections were ninde for more than an hour, and when the volunteer bowed off it was exactly ll.lo with no Inter- mission following. The opening spot fell to the Frltches, the I lancing Lavoirs being absent through nn in- Jury to Miss Lavar. The Frltches are man and woman, the former in a makeup that sug- gested .Joe Jackson very stronKly They work in n dining room set similar to that used by many other nets, and after soma fairly good ground tumbling, the man proceeds to give a poor Imitation of Pert Melrose's table fall. He gets little comedy out of It. It is a small- time act In Its entirety, and on that grade of circuit should please. Leavltt and Lock wood (New Acts) were second, this being the Abe Leavltt. formerly of burlesque. In the third spot came Nonette, one of the topllners. now working in a pretty circular set with the gypsy wagon hidden until used for the "Romany Life" number. Nonette spells "class" throughout In figure, work nnd ability, and while a trifle topheavy in thnt classifica- tion for the Hronxltes, they enjoyed her spe- cialty notwithstanding. Bert Fltzgibbon Is leaning moro toward tho popular song nowadays and less to the "gag"' routine, although he popped several really well constructed puns. He was a continual laugh, and the woman accompanying him from a box scored a vocal hit with her t*-» nun; hers. "Married by Wireless" Is scohlcally a vaude- ville gem. The background Is exceptionally well constructed and the passing craft dis- tinctly impressive. Queenle Wlllinms, who Is featured In the specialty, is a smart little Ingenue, particularly nimble In dance and a talented comedienne. Here Is production tim- ber in the raw. for this girl carries all the ouallflcatloiiH essential to a musical comedy soubret. The story Is ruther good, but Miss Williams makes It stand out, although the weight of the act Is In (he scenic and electric effects. The Intermission followed with tho Red Cross speeches, and then enme Nina Payne In her speclnlty. They enjoyed the novelty im- mensely and credit can be marked up for a sale hit. After .lames Walts and Rex Story offered their number Ihe headllner. Lillian Shaw, made her appearance. It was a cinch from beginning to end. for the character com- edienne despite the late hour, but when .lean I nival and her posing turn come to close the show, they took the "air," for the Mronxii.;. an a rule, arc early rls"i« mwl midnight vaude \ille hardly appealed to tin-in. It was a corking show from every angle, even the Hearst-Pathe pictorial, opening the show, getting more than its usual quota of applause through the excellent war portion It contained. Wi/un. FIFTH AVENUE. The final evening of the Red Cross drive •vidently didn't help the Fifth. Avenue attend- ance much Monday night, although the light storm prior to .show time probably had Its elects. Kmpties were scattered about the lower Moor, and through not being bunched, the hou c from outward appearances ap- peared to have it-, usual uuota, but upon a more rigid investigation disclosed a goodly i.iiiiilirr of vocants. Manlhely and Thorn-. agisted by Florence I- ly ii ii (New Act^t. were delegated to tho epeiiing position, doing well enough to start i!e evening. They In turn were followed by \li!hr and Itradiord < New Acts), with Far- !•■!!, Taylor and <'o "No. .'?." cornering the real applause hit of the evening. Their comedy was relished throughout, with tho I'm: 1 mmlcal bit causing uch returns ns to conn.el them to return and acknowledge the ol d appi eclat ion. Mabci Iturke was. fortunately, given ft Hpot to si,,.. "They Were All Hut of Step Put .Mm." with the pictorial weekly filling In next. I'i mice Colihn anil <"o. presented "Pickles" i \i w Ait-i. Ray Samuels then stepped out aal ki pt them in i- 1 humor during her e.iiin !y mipih.j- She returned and headed t'e Ced t'ros drive which appeared sorne- 7 hat lax. \\e!iii<: and Lloyd rang up a continuous stritr- of la'U'hs with their slightly revised talk, the money bit droving as amusing as • Mr. Ha,ilon and fliffon closed with their arti lie ,ii i idi.it ic offering, a goodly portion i. miming to wilms- tlodr specialty. AMERICAN ROOF. A largir crowd than usual was In at tendance M"iid: y night The bill consisted of nine acts ;i,id a Mac|< S' limit comedy: rim three In.urs letting out a' 11 .".o Tim late curtain v.a" due tr, the i \ 11 ;i period allowed iifti-r In t'imissiou f• ir tin |; ( d Cross drive. Mr t !r a tit land, of tin- l.oiw offices, who addrcs id the audience, introduced Jimmy Rlordon. a Prooklyn boy. who has Just returned from France, after being at the frout for three years, 15 The lad has been wounded seventeen times, four times In one day ut the battle of the Sonime. gassed, lost a lung, and is far from well yet. His short talk and presence helped wonderfully with the fund. Gertrude Rose in the opening spot scored. Tho young woman used four numbers, but her talk at the conclusion of the third song should be chopped. A line or two In Its place lo In- troduce her final song would do much better. The Nippon Huo in a novel and neat offering scored a well earned hit. "Thu Wonder Act," a scientific novelty turn, held attention. It Is new, away from the ordinary, and should last for some time to come. Ix'onard and VVillard in the comedy skit. "Outside the Inn." scored laughs aplenty, and finished strong with their songs. The woman handles the comedy role nicely, and the man, who possesses a good singing voice as straight, makes It a combina- tion for the better small time houses. Hobby Wool >ey, usslsted by Dotty Evans, Hudson Freeborn, and a chorus of six girls in u comedy nnd musical turn entitled "No educations Asked." pleased the patrous. The turn will probably not pass the three-a-day houses, but on those bills will do. Following Intermission, Harlow and Hurst, two girls. In a sluglng and planologuc turn passed. The girls use rour numbers carefully selected, ami should fit In an early spot on the better bills. Armstrong and Ford In their same old turn, "The Kugllsh Chapple and the (•op. " registered. The Randow Trio, acro- batic, closed, and held 'cm : eated for the Ben- nett comedy. "A Rattle Royal." BRIGHTON THEATRE. Coney Island as usual started Its season with a rain storm. Tho thoatres down there postponed the cu> tomary opening date for a week, but someone must have tipped off the clouds, for they walled too. Tuesduy evening the Brighton was packed. It had rained from (>..'((» to 7.;iO. Ordinarily that would huve meant finis for a Coney Island attendance Hut just Oeorge Rob- inson's luck! Some people around Eastern Parkway want to erect a hospital. They be- long to one set and arc very chummy, even with Htranucrs. So they bought out the Hiighton for Tuesday even'nR, to have a "henellt," and it was a benefit for Qoorge, Rain oouldu't keep the bunch away, for some of the girls had new evening clothes. One or two took a chance on pneumonia by hang- ing around the front selling small time rosea at big time prices. So Oeorge sneered at tho rain, for the ticket rack was empty before the day opened. i\r says bo thinks it's going to bo a good s• ason at Coney this summer. His bollef la founded upon the other good seasons down there. There was a show on the stago and there was another in the audience. When Mrs. Isaacs thought of anything she whispered It across five rows to Mrs. Oluck. Then Mr. <'"ben, sittina in between and afraid he might be cheated, shusshed Mrs. Isaacs, who thereupon told Mrs. Davidson what she thought about it. Then Tlllle l^wlsohn caught Manny Newman looking at her and she told lor friend about It, which helped along the incessant chatter. talking acts never had a chance, nor could •lUiiu; act * be heard very well In tho rear. ihe numb actH fund bitter. During Inter- nil-'.'ion Jimmy llu-sey fixed himself for a riot next to (losing by announcing a con- test or ptl/.e drawing or something, to aid the hospital. Then the girls went over the house M'lling chances at 2o cents each, whh h held up the performance about 20 minutes. lies.-lo Clayton, the headline, In the second hall, bad a walk over, for the bill had no ilnnrliiu' up to the time of the f'laylon turn. The Flemings closed the show. he Leon and Davlcs opened the second part, with Miss Davlea' changes of costumes, also a special drop as about tho most important Items In the act. The Four Holses started ihe performance with Janet Adair next going ac: iict the bedlam of the neighbors In front, then Joe Jackson, audi after Yvette and Sa ration*, with Inihoff, Conn and Coreeno do lug the first part. Rim*.* 23D STREET. Hi iness good. Manager Callan boosting tt Huh week with a War Song Contest. Sev- • r.'l of the at went especially well, with the entire audicmc remaining fcratcd for the con- ic* It Is lo I e finally decided next Thursday night. Payion. Houette arid Carter (New Acts) gave the show a good start. Kodmond aud Wills i \V\v Act ) lured badly Until they swing Into their linl h. Harry Urooks and ''o. can'id heirty laughter. Hrooks makes a capital ficur" out of the old minstrel and at no linn >■ bow any Inclination to overact. Karl K i v l v i'w \ets> wa* I followed by "The I'e'•!,,., i hop," which has not only lei n i i;-,' i P i ]■■ ■] b'lf now carries a conver- sational r'-'i't with a try for comedy throned t' ■ • ropMtion of two principals, I'orr t'e ' ' ■ •-•'1 id'- hi'icr, Hlnnch Lntell, the com d • • ■ • and fliev serve more as fillers C • n :"'hin- e| e whereby the dress- i:n' of the m >'l"' '"Hi be stretcher! out con- iderahly l'ir the pot> houses the act not only m l<e a nn c "flash" but the chnn*e by lliii'd Jam "ti of the general running of the former fa ''in .'j plnv Is nil for tho hotter. MP* l.atell work very hard nnd her com* o|v w.i aptueol,.ti d at the L'"d Street. For the flnl h she al-o beiotnc -i "model," be- decked in a wedding outfit drafted on her. Sanfley and Norton were a large sized hit. They use s orrl e of the new wnr songs and worked them up well. Worden Hrothcrs (New Act«) were a novelty In tho closing spot. Mark.