Variety (September 1919)

' ( a* •Mj :1#'j I 41 ‘ tj ■r B U Y BO N D S COLUMBIA. I'ho Columbia put on a good bill for Its Sunday concert and it had a big house at the matinee. There has been a decided change at the Columbia .since the opening this season. IiBst Sunday the program ran through vlthout a hitch, not a sound excepting applause, and lib waits on the stage. The Columbia man- agement appears to have stopped bow stealing and’ encore talcing. It’s a big step forward and makes for a much better performance. One of the turns had a weak member that ordin- arily would have been laughed at by the Co- lumbia gallery but the upstairs allowed the turn to finish without a murmur. „ was reported abound the theatre that Fred McCioy, tho general publicity reprosentatlro of the Columbia Circuit and who takes charge of the Columbia at the Sunday. matinees, had brought the miraculous change about through a system of his own, but Mr. McCioy refused to give any information. Anyway, it is pe- culiarly noticeable, and if tho Columbia con- tinues as it was last Sunday, it will be one of .the very best places in Now York for acts to appear in, for the one day a week, particu- larly as the house draws many managers and agents among its Sunday attendance. The show opened with Chlng Ling Soo and Co., Chinese magicians, who wore not Chinese and did a disjointed mystery turn to slight applause. That, with Smith and Lesle, No. 2, are under New Acts. Charles Dingle and Co., in an Irish singing skit, had one good mem- ber as the Irish mother and one poor one as the daughter, with Mr. Dingle singing the songs. The story is old, of an Irish boy from America, returning disguised,’ to reclaim his sweetheart,^ The act is small time altogether. Hill and-Ackerman were about No. 3 with their smooth tomfoolery, appearing now wlth- 'out the Termer woman assistant, but having In its place the "impersonations of well ad- vertised men you have never met” as first done by Harry Watson in “Odds and Ends." It makes a very good bit for these two men. Keane and Edwards (Now Acts). Roy La Pearl, who followed, with his com- pany of two and doing tho act mostly -from the audience, where two Italian boys are seated, has not changed the turn any since first, presenting It. That leaves the act small time only. It’s a good comedy turn In spots, but has not been gathered In for best results. About when It should end. It restarts with a piano act’ La Pearl, outside of the talk, appears to be a steel guitar player, though he Dilso plays the piano. Ti'immed down properly, the act could show once around on the big time, but hardly In its present shape. Following Harry and Grace Ellsworth (New Acts) was George Rosener In character Im- personations. He got the hit of the bill,’ next to closing, but Frank Wilson, straight bl- cyclist, who followed and closed the perform- anco, could be given an equal score. Mr WII- feon has something new in bicycle riding, ap- pearing -alone, without comedy or comedy make-up. Going through some usual straight riding tricks for the opening, he closes with hands off riding, doing tricks and riding t^he safety bicycle without touching the handle bars or^the machine at any time with. his hands. While it is a pretty late day for any- on .0 to show something new in bicycle riding. Prank Wilson is doing it, making a novelty act of his neat bicycle turn. He is of pleas- ant appearance besides. Closing the perform- anoe, Wilson held tho house for a real hit. " , Sime. now, after all of those years, when he can dance and did dance Monday night, an agile old-timer of whom ibero is none any better, now or then. Tho Morton children, Clara and Paul, have made individual names for themselves. They are Individual features In vaudeville, Clara, now alone, and the clever Paul, with hts pretty and talented wife, Naomi Class (who appeared with the group for the final bow). Martha did little beyond dancing. Perhaps the absence of her stage gowns removed some of her assurance before the footlights. Joe seems to be there on the style of Paul, a juvenile, who can sing, dance and talk. The combined Morton family, routed over the larger houses, should be a standing box ofiSce attraction. They may have accounted for the very large Monday night attendance. ) -Closing the performance were LeRoy, Talma and Bosco, with considerable new matter and some added people, it seems. One very good •bit of comedy and noiw is done by Bosco, a "magical melodrama,” it might be termed, growing more laughable as it progresses. The turn, greatly aided by the additions and changes, passed away about 23 minutes very pleasanjly, and held in the entire house. Sime. RIVERSIDE. PALACE. The Palace program started at 7:69 Monday with the Gardiner Trio (with some- ^hing of ft new act for them) opening the show at that time. This rushed the program through to end before 11.15, the objective seem- ingly sought by the management. No pic- tures showed at either end of the bill. It brought the No. 3 act, "Crosby’s Cor- ners on before 8:30, and the Avon Comedy Four, in their second week, finished before nine, with Lucille Cavanagh (New Acts) clos- ing (he first part. • The second part was a Four-Morton family reunion and revival, with seven Mortons divided into three acts, all assembling for a grand finale during and closing the present turn of the Four Mortons, now Sam, Kitty, Martha and Joe. Tho others were Clara Morton, who did a single turn (New Acts), and Morton and Glass in their own act, with- out tho former house-front drop. Through a baggage delay. Mrs. Kitty Morton and her daughter. Martha, were minus their stage clothes. . At first, for thp reunion, the six Mortons lined up on tho stage in "one," with a smattering of the old act of the Four Mor- tons, that part where Paul formerly entered asking bis father where Centre street was. "Clntor strate" Kitty called It then, and made tho same remark Monday night, while Joe took Paul’s former dialog (with Paul watching his younger brother). "Down two blocks and up ono alley," replied Sam. where- upon Joe continued to a point where Paul broke in saying that was his old stuff. At that Sam made tho sumo old swing at Paul, and Paul returned It with the same old slap on tho stomach. Perhaps Sam found he couldn't control .Toe’s slaps, and would take no chances. It’s a groat reunion, all of these vaudeville favorites, and it starts the old and his wife (Kitty) started. There are many horejihouts who recall when Clara as "The Dresden China Doll” (and slio was all of that) first appeared with her parents, tho Thrc(* MortonH, then Paul, about aa young as Joe is now, making it tho Four Mortons. The Morton children beenmo almost ns finished porforraers as their parents. It would be hard, almost Impossible, to acknowledge Sam Morton has a peer as a performer In his line even The Levolos in their wire act with tha woman looks refreshingly young, and in which Lcvolo shows a slightly different rou- tine of feats on tho tight and Black wire, open^ the show. The juggling trick and tho bicycle stunt at the end of tho act are worth while, but tho "souse” bit slows up the run- ning. Mao and Rose Wilton (New Acts) occupied the second spot. Bobby Matthews, assisted by a dandy com- pany of three, struck an early hit with his fanciful skit, "Tho Rounder of Old Broad- way." Mr. Matthews first shows a drop of Broadway, which evidently has not been hit by the lightless night order, and then in- forms the audience in song that as a rounder he meets various types, interesting and en- ispi^lning. Matthews sings a song about life. being a see-saw," which "has a well pointed lyric, and finishes with another chorus about characters. The cast takes a bow with him, and the act scored a laughing hit and proved a diverting novelty. That Mr ’ Matthews does not take all the meat but al- lows the others to gather laughs ie a tribute his showmanship. The act went very big. A1 Shayne is assisted by an unprogramed comMlan who acts as the Italian cometlst in the orchestra pit. Shayne starts the act by abusing an Italian opera with peculiar vocal intonations and facial distortions. The cometlst takes it upon himself to change Shayne 8 ideas of the music, and while the orchestra crew are in a heated debate, steps on the stage and attempts to explain that Shayne 8 "pipes” are not in good working order. The comeUst, fed by Shayne, gathered pig laughs and the argument was settled by ®*"8lng an old-time popular song in which the cometlst sang the lyrics and Shayne Interpolated various weird sounds and top notes in harmony with the melody. The act was the hit of the first part. Eddie Poy, assisted by the six little Foys, had easy sailing. A benefit for the Red Cross is suggested, and the children all do their various specialties, starting with a recitation by Iryl^ng ^and finishing with a whirlwind dance by Charles and Mary Poy. The act dos^ tte first part In excellent style, and Foy fiaa^de a short speech In which he told the folks that bis oldest son, Bryan, was In the service. During Intermission Jules Lenzberg offered "The March of which the flags of the various Allied ^ countries were shown, and finishing with the national anthem. Miss Juliet (New Acts) opened tho second half with an act greatly different from which she has shown heretofore. Van and SChenck In their second week, in evening clothes, opened with a new double song, well appreciated, and then did a new double Irish number in good style. Van next introduced a new negro comic about essential employment and’ Schenck sang a ballad while SMted at the piano. A new "Dixie” number wiui a patter chorus came in for appreciation, remrned and offered a new comedy new ‘‘blue™’^*'' encore they sang a Introduced by Madam Brundll (New Acte), closed the show. COLONIAL. ^nrllng hw been doing a heap of ob- jecting about the way the llghtless nights have played hob with attendance. His per- sistence or Insistence must have caused the fuel powers that be to let up Just a trifle for he is now allowed to light the two corner lamps in the pavement canopy. That helps a IltGe. Monday night there was a real box office line operating and bUBlnesa was noticeably bettor than it has been so downstairs*******" there was plenty of room slowly. The first half of close to. a blank as to scoring until Eddie Leonard established a "zero hour” • fn - closing ■ lutormiSsidfr over ’for" They wanted Eddie Inde^itely, but even ho recognized that 34 was sufficient. Prank Hartley opened, pulling out well enough with bis bottle balanoing trick. He missed repeatedly, even fumbling hts saucer, cup and spoon stunt. Mitchell and King, In bird, bugle and farmyard mimicry, Mged No. 2. Their last bit, an Imitation of g cat squabble, saved the turn. Soveral other "impressions” of farmyard crea- tures wore among the best of the balance of the routine. Ames and Wlnthrop followed with a fllv. Their "One Moment, Please,” started out on high gear but failed to keep_the pace, Ames a laugh on his entrance and tho first half of tho turn ran along happily. Ames told Andy Byrne to play the “Deabrosses Street Rhapsody” for the first dance, and the an- tique number brought some giggles. After the Indian number the act sagged and never recovered. Had the pair taken a-^bow they might have slid lato tho sure fire "Gonga Din" bit. But the bouse didn’t know the act was over until the pair were off. They did not reappear and everyone let It go at that. Cooper and Ricardo, in fourth spot, were not able to start much. True they did not have it soft, figuring the slow going ahead. Tho Peering two new song numbers in •Rpek-a-Bye" and "Keep Sending Them Over” and can stand some new comedy material. Tho running therefore up to the Leonards entrance was not up to standard, After intermission the show held the pace set by the blackface star and the balance of tte bill scored. Parsons and Irwin were first to proceed; and after the four-minute drama, livened , things with pleasant vocal- of You," "Mother of Mine” and ‘Popular Operatic Strain" sent them "in" with ease, and the several encores, delivered on earned applause made their score second to Leonard’s. Bert Baker and Co., in "Prevarication,” planted the bill’s ewnedy punch on sixth. lAUghs fell thick and fast throughout the 30 minuces or more of the farce. Mr. Baker was In fine trim, and with several new players assisting, the act looks stronger than last season. The wife character has a new woman and there is a familiar face (not programed) Sort s office assistant. This man Is not youmful but he is funny and helps the going, in fact, is much better than the original player. Baker turn and Leonard’s were respon- sible for a late show, the final curtain falling around 11.25. The Duncan Sisters (New Acts) appeared at five minutes to eleven, and that left General Pisano to enter for tho finish at 11.15. Pisano, minus the mountain climbing Hun. Interested with his clever dls- Play of marksmanship and he'held them In. He is shooting some of’the targets from near back of the house, running down the aisle for the bit—a novelty. FIFTH AVENUE. If JMlss Chandler continues to draw them in the remainder of the week and for the-rest of the time she is on the circuit. It would be a good idea to sign her for a return trip right away. The supporting bill was made up of eight acts and a comedy picture, all pleasing turns and interesting. The first two poaltlons were awarded to Rob- -ert Swan and McDonald and Cleveland (New Byans and Sidney, billed as "The Painters." The men dressed as paint- ers with overalls and jumpers got off to a poor start while working on> the ladder, but when they descended and started their cross- fire tho turn looked better, and tho laughs be- gan to come with more speed. The fat man’s mmedy and the singing of the straight wore their biggest assets, and they closed to real returns .on the comedy song and "nut” dance final. Holden and Herron were wlld-flre at the Roof. Tho beat part of Mr. Holden’s comedy ^ Mllor In the first row, who he mlled Fred.” MoaUy all the "gags" he told he dcalL Fred’s atteaUon to, asking him what he thought of ’em. The real comedy was when he asked Fred to tell Eddie Burch (orchestra leader) he wanted to si^k to him, during his parmer’s solo. The "Gob" got right up and kept shaking Eddie until he almost shook him off his chair. This bit had the audience in a roar, and the couple finished with a war num- ber which sent them over big. ^.*5® Chandler closed intermission and hung up the hit ol the show. She has a pleasing offering, is assisted by a clover pianist, and anywhere. Besides her regular turn, which lasted about 16 minutes, she had to do three encores, running 26 minutes in all. George and Lilly Garden In their xylophone turn made a neat appearance, the man In white erenlng dress and the woman in a pretty gown. Their work is along the ordinary run of players of this Instrument, consisting of overtures, oiwratlc pieces and "rag" selecubns. They were given a good finish at the Roof and could have returned for an encore. Walter D. Nealand and Co., In “Everything But the .’u P®“ a woman, started slowly with me husband and wife working, but when the third V party, a "lawyer from upstairs,” reached the scene, it brightened up and the turn ran better. Cook and Lorenz were given a reception at their-entrance and responded with some good cross-fire which had the patrons laughing all the way. The men have a good routine which earned them solid applause. The Three Alfon- sos (New Acts) closed the show The Fifth Avenue had 'em hanging on the ceiling Tuesday night. It must have been the War Song Contest. The final was for that evening. Ropes were out at eight and they were needed. The crowd kept coming in and the house must have about reached a record in receipts. The contest, running 35 minutes, closed the show, won by "My Belgian Rose” (Feist), sung by^ Artie Mehllnger. Other contestants were "Homeward Bound" (Feist), the first m be given; then "Hello Central" (Waterson, Berlin & Snyder), "Dreaming of Home. Sweet Home (Shapiro, Bernstein & Co.), in theT four spot, and "Got to Get Up” (W. B. & S.), fifth. They were the five winners- of the contest on the first five nights of last week. In the list the newest number was "Dreaming of Home, Sweet Home," having a very pretty melody, with a sweet lyric. It looks like one of tne best of the later crop of war ballads. The program ran nicely, with the new' Arbucklo film comedy In the centre of It. Patty’s’ ’’Cook" bringing a great deal of laughter, not a little of 'which was secured through Buster Keaton In It, also that other corking good screen comedian, A1 St. John. No particular big hit stood out in the vaude- ville. • Clark and Verdi, next to closing, might “av®,^secured one with their old act but they dldn t with the new material they may be breaking In. There Is a very funny bit about the female statues carried and a good comedy finish, but- they will have to build up the re- ®a*po6r of the talk to make the turn rank ■with their others, their tlallan characters remaining the same. In the older turns on the 5111, Hager and Goodwin, second, did not fare overwell, the turn closing almost cold with their ’’Day at the County Pair.” There are too many an- nouncements of their own' compositions, A whman plant carried for one helped some for the moment. It was In a ballad. One of the two mpn. is at a piano and the other Is a charatt;er singer, It seems, first doing a coon” .number. The frameup Is. much along the linos of Van" and Schenck, but only the frameup. Merle’s Cockatoos opened the show, with young Miss Merle becomingly and modernly costumed, , There Is an attractive stage set- ting, with the many birds decorating It. They are put through tricks, with some comedy, and It makes an entertaining as well as a "sight” turn. In the third spot, Bronson and Baldwin did fairly well, so early, they closing nicely with tho Hawaiian bit. Ethel Clifton and Co., Predorlcka Sims and Co. and Myrle and Delmar (New Acts). Sime. ^„' 23D STREET. All houses around New York watch for tho opportunity of billing some act "direct from toe Palace. The 23d’ had its chance the first half, when Williams and Wolf us played the house. The team at the Palace and Royal last week, a tiresome task, worked with aa SIS®**. ^^® Monday night as they Old at the biggest house on toe circuit. In the next-to-closlng postlon toe couple cleaned up so thoroughly that for a time It looked as if the closing act would not be allowed to ®PP®^f- - The Three Eddys closed the show. Bollinger and Reynolds, In a corking good wire OTt, opened it to a fine start. Billlnger’s comedy on toe tight bounding rope got him one iau^ after another, and his clever tricks earned him. enough to send him over with some to spare. Belle Myers, doing the same act as she dld_ back in 1911, but not doing it as well, held down the second position, and slowed up proceedlnge. Miss Myers might have had a chance to make the big time at her debut, but not now. Although her cos- tumes are nice, she has little else. The clos- ing Scotch song and dance was about the beat, and earned a passable score. Brady ■ and Mabohy in their laugh nro- voking "Cruise of a Doughnut” hung up a well earned hit. New talk has been added to their old routine, but the old "gags’' are still scoring toe big laughs. The remedy cross-fire had the house in an uproar, and toe parodies on popular songs brought the men back for an encore. . Jford and Fuller in a pleasing novelty turn followed and scored. . The man as an English Johnny” and the woman in tights make a good combination for the better small time houses. Their work consists of juggling, unlcycle riding, comedy talk and a violin solo by the woman. The act is a novelty, and should do. Sid Townes & Co. (New Acts) in "A Story in Songs’ were in the fifth spot, and proved ellglWe. Sherman and Uttry, looking well in their riding habits, went through their singing and dancing turn in good form, and - finished strong. Mr. Dttry’s recitation about the race-horse was a pleasing hit, and added to the applause. Wm. S. Hart in "Riddle Qawne” ended the bill at 11. HAMILTON. AMERICAN ROOF. K ■ muirt’-haVer heen ctfribur’popte' around 42d street and 8th avenue had to In- vestlgn'to as to who too single woman was who being billed so big at toe American was, and if she deserved her publicity. To satisfy their curiously they attended the Tuesday night per- formance at tho Roof in such large mimbers tho business was the biggest this season on a week-day night atop tho Roof. Anna Chandler is the single, and is hooked on tho LoeW_ Circuit for a week at each house. The Dancing Contest, an extra added fea- ture at the Hamilton every Monday evening, may have been the reason standing room was at a premium that night. At least two couples out of the four entered could put it over many a small time dancing act traveling tho circuits at the present moment. Canfield and Cohan in the next to closing spot were the -only seasoned act on tho hill, and they •;iSC(H 0 d the -.lav ghlng-hit of- the porformancoi-’ ’ Gold, Reece and Edwards opened with skat- ing and dancing (New Acts). Arthur Lloyd and Nat Nazarro, Jr. (New Acts). Following the Seml-’VYeekly News reel, which split toe bill at this point, came Emma Stevens with a song, and was well liked. After Canfield and Cohen- kept the audience in good humor for about 20 minutes of continuous laughter the Welling Trio went through a fast routine of acrobatics (New Acts). Constance Talmadge in "Good Night, Paul I” the feature film, closed. S'' I-