Variety (August 1919)

*,'.-■•£ ~.-- --■',. .>* . .* - - '/■ " ■ ' ■■•''■"", ■ ,'" ' 10 - -T—)!^r^ :, m a NEW ACTS AND : 'v" ~'~ '' : - ; '" '•■ ""■ ''"-' '.'•''''"." : '"' '■/.--• ■""'' ~~~ ' ■ ■■ ' '■-."' :; \V i: - ! , ; '■ ■■■.-:■■■- I ■■■■'■ SHOW REVIEWS ;/-* ; -> U. S. Glee Club. Singing. 18 Mini.; Full Stag*. Palace. Thirty-two "gobs" in "whites" with a junior lieutenant acting; as leader. The boys I remain standing throughout, with one at the piano. There are some excellent voices in the ensemble and they show the result of careful training. The lieutenant puts over "TfiTWe Meet Again" as a solo near the finish. Another hit was a wfiist- ling solo by an unprogrammed "gob." The program reads 35 bluejackets, but 32 were counted. The harmonizing got over and the act is staged in an artis- tic manner that insures bookings for this combination long after the ser- vice acts have worn out their wel- come. Con. Hermino Shone, Jack Denny end Co. 18 Mini.; Four (Special). 5th Avenue. The turn opens in what might be the parlor of a boarding house. Miss Shone arid Mr. Denny are explaining to the other two men, a swarthy gen- tleman of Italian leaning, and an elder- ly fellow of Hebraic inclination, blessed with a near replica of the David Belasco's snow white mop of hair, why they, vulgarians that they may be in the eyes of these latter two musi- cal artists, are holding down $1,000 per week in big time vaudeville houses, whereas they, with all their art, have hardly sufficient to subsist on/ An in- vitation to view their act at the the- atre follows, the Italian and Jew ac- cepting by coming out to the front of the house, in an upper stage box, pass- ing audible comments on the act that is unfolded to them. The turn proper, frankly, will never pull down $1,000 on its merits. It needs bolstering up. Miss Shone raiders a "bonnet" num- ber that is strongly reminiscent of the one employed by another artist. A j dramatical recital by her follows and scored. Mr. Denny then rendered a Eiano solo, allowing the two in the ox some play for low comedy, which palls after a while, being overdone. A ''wedding" number concluded. There is no doubting the attempts at some- thing original and. originality is always commendable. But the turn is not all set. It's just a diamond in the rough. A lot depends on the technical art of polishing it up. It is ambitious in scope and aims at the best of time. Whether it attains its goal is also a* matter of time—terrestrial. , Abel X Marino end Maley. Songs end Talk. 15 Mint; One. ' 5th Ave. Marino and Maley are destined to become welcome vaudeville additions to the ranks of Italian crossfire come- dians and should therefore not risk any offense with some of their vulgar actions and gesticulations. They open with a piano bit, with one fellow exerting all the physical energy in perambulating the instrument-onto the stage, the other—comedian-loafing by riding along with.it. This starts things humorously at least. Before finishing they. stopped the show. Small big time feature. s Abel. blance to his style, were he discerning enough. In the course of some chat- ter, Mr. Ricard informs us of his hav- ing been "over there with the U. B. O. circuit," as he terms, frankly and mod- estly acknowledging that Elsie Janis and he were the two best entertainers that did their bit back of the lines. He sprang a few gags—too few in fact, considering they were really funny- after which he rendered a "movie" number—trite by now because of its familiarity—and "I'll Say She Does," both in the same stereotyped Al Jolson style. Ricard will do on' the better small time. v Abel PALACE. An amUBemeat hungry crowd packed tie Palace Monday night. The standee* were three deep back of the orchestra when Rey- nold! Doneg&n and Co. started the show with a cleverly arranged routine of dancing and skating. i Stanley andfBlmw. two male steppers at- tired In dinner suits, created quite a furore in the number two spot. They are excellent hooters and are away from the beaten path. Jason and Hals were third and scored with their artistic Bilging and dancing novelty. "The Book of Vaudeville." Sylvia is a sprightly little entertainer of the baby vamp type and registers strongly on appearance. William Halg Is an excellent foil, and both can vocalize and dance. They got over easily. Morris and Campbell followed and pulled down one of the comedy hits ot the show. Joe Morris planted hie gags and peculiar pox- . sonallty where it would do the most good, and Flo Campbell was a pleasing eye full. She handled a couple of numbers and dis- closed a corking voice. He stuck to the comedy type of song and got results with "Harem." Borne crossfire with him in a box was a howl, He returns to the stage for the finish. Jimmy Hussey, held over for the second week, closed the flrat half, and pulled down the comedy honors of the evening. It was a Huesey crowd and Jimmy had to beg off after his solo contribution in the middle ol the act. Tot. Quakers Is a bear on--■appearance and shimmies herself into the aood graces of the audience without any trouble. They were a riot. Ruth Budd opened-after intermission fol- lowing "Topics ot the Day." This girl starts with a couple at numbers and then goes into a routine of aerial gymnastics. She handled. •■Eyes" in the manner to convince one she could put over a straight singing turn. She has all the attributes, Including an appear- ance/and personality. / The "U. S. Olee Club" (New Acts) fol- lowed, and took numerous bows. Lew Pock- stader was next to closing and goaled them with his sparkling routine of prohibition and current topics chatter. Dockatader milks bis material with a master's hand and extracts every snicker and guffaw that's possible. He has the best routine beard In ages. Frankle Wilson closed with poslngs. Quite a few remained. Con. Earl Ricard. Songs and Chatter. 12 Min; One. 5th Ave. Earl Ricard is too naturally Al Jol- son in style—minus the blackface—to remind the audience of his announced "impression." Mr. Ricard, a young man, opened with a "syncopated dance" number, rendered entirely with his feet planted on the piano, on the neth- er side of the footlights. This fared rather well. He then announced an "impression" of the Al rendering "Rock A Bye Your Baby." Mr. Jolson prob- ably could have detected a faint sem- MVERSIDE. The Gods are still taking care ot the vaude- ville theatres and the S. R. O. sign Is getting to be a nlgbtly occurrence. Tuesday night the Riverside show opened to a capacity house not a seat being unoccupied. With the exception of the Mosconl Brothers and Co., closing the first halt, the nine act bill played along with- out developing anything startling in the way of a bit. The first half of the bill didn't devel- op anything near the strength of the latter portion. • *>"> D'Amour and Douglas opened with acro- batics and lifting stunts and featured a tram- poline trick. They have a showy routine but are inclined to stall on some ot the more diffi- cult tricks. Green and Myra were second with their vlo- llntng and dancing. The girl in thia combina- tion is quite a looker and exhibits a couple of snappy knee length changes. They are fair musicians and did well. Langford and Fredericks followed in "Shop- ping" and could have been spotted a little later. Howard Langford is a capable light comedian and works in an assured manner that reminds of T. Roy Barnes. MIbb Fredericks is a charming acquisition and exhibited a solo dance and some classy wardrobe in 'addition to supplying the light and shade ot the dia- logue portion. The act is running a little too long for the early spots. Sylvester and Vance were fourth in "Horses". Sylvester explains that It Is a new term for "Bull" and constant repetition pulls laughs. He enters as the bouse fireman and later changes to full dress. A comedy lyrio "Laugh- ing Water" by him sounds like a corking number. She solo's "Wonderful Mother of Mine" and exhibits a pleasing soft soprano. The talk Is only fair, some of it sounding very academic. The Mosconi's followed by Elsie La Mont Louis' solo dance remains something for all other leg twisters to shoot at in vain and the triple and double legmanla portions are still topping all this kind of dancing. The girt looks great and is quite a stepper herself. They held up the thirsty. After Intermission "Topic ot the Day" got the usual returns and was followed by Helen Trlx and sister Josephine. The program credits Helen with authorship of the numbers used and they are. all well written and appro- priate. "Klllin Blue," "Follow Me" by Jose- phine in a Salvation Army bonnet, "There'll Come A Time" as a double and a Frunch dance song were best liked. Its classy little turn and the Riverside was for it strong. Harriet Rempel and Co., was the dramatic moment In "Tarry Town" the rural playlet by Tom Barry. The set used showing a coun- try house and garden Is one of the'.most beautiful seen. The theme is light in tone but the capable cast and the excellence of Miss Rempel's characterization of the elderly sweetheart who remained true to the ead, put it over. Banes and Frye ad llbbed their way into a laughing success. They have a unique method ot getting their gab over and seem to do a new act everytlme caught. They went big next to closing. Burke and Valda two corking steppers with quite a production did their best to arrest the walkout but didn't quite succeed. Granville English at the piano Is a fine musician but they started to walk out on his solo and drib- bled away all through the act. Up further they would have been a sensation. i*- Oon. FIFTH AVENUE. Tuesday night saw the largest house this. theatre probably ever saw. No doubt it's the legit strike that's sending theatregoers seek- ing divertissement in the variety halls. They were not disappointed tor lack of entertain- ment, Mack Sennet's latest effusion, "The Dentist," and Klnograms started things going with a rush. DeLano and Pike with big time variety offering, embracing dancing, Juggling, ground tumbling and acrobatics, began the vaudeville bill proper with a zest and a zip. The Misses Bernard and Merritt plano-ac- cordioned, sang and saxaphonod their way into the hearts of the onlookers. Blonde and brunette, and equally opposite In stature and build, their respective personalities radiate a common magnetism—good cheer. The girls are sparkling in brilliancy, vivacious in style and magnetic In personality, not to mention the ultra quality of their wares. There Is but one thing lacking. Their very daintiness and finesse, vulgarly summed up as "class," do not Impress the yokels, who are content to feast their eyes on the girls and too sloth to exercise their hands. The turn is Just a little too genteel and misses a rousing finish, so necessary tor the audible proof ot hearty ap- probation. The maids will do handily on the better bills. Then Hermine Shone, Jack Denny and Co. came with a similarly refined offering (New Acta), with Marino and Maley following (New Acta), shattering the refined'Illusion with their low comedy offering—but comedy throughout, all the same. Goslar and LUBby re-established the high- grade standard ot entesulnment with their neat song and dance offering, the boy handling the vocal end in no certain manner and simi- larly unconvincing, with the girl's dancing making a very decidedly favorable impres- sion. She is spoiling her chances for really ambitious fields with as poor a vocalist as the chap Is for partner. He can tickle the ivories, and no doubt will make an able piano accompanist, but as a warbler he Is far from "there." Earl Ricard (New Acts) occupied the next to closing spot, with the Four Sensa- tional Bolses closing and creating a sensation with their casting work. \ - a* KEITH'S, PHILADELPHIA. / Philadelphia, Aug. 20. This week's bill looked good on paper and proved to be all that was expected of it, and. it got oft to a flying start on Monday with the house virtually capacity. Whether it was the usual house full ot. Monday regulars or In- cluded those who were a bit timid in taking a chance on the weather conditions, it was a responsive crowd,- and as a result the show went over with a smoothness that resembled a mid-week performance. It really looked as If everyone was trying to eee how much tbey could add In making the first sbow something- for the regular reviewers to write nice things about, and It deserved all it got. Even the "Topics of the Day" paragraphs were a bit above the average and got some laughs, after which Miss Lillian and Twins opened things nicely with their hand-to-hand and balancing tricks. This trio-has worked out something new in their routine, getting away from the cut and dried Btuff, and as a result drew a little more attention than is given an opening act and finished to a very good hand. ' Jack Cahlll and Don Romalne have pieced together an odd assortment of comedy that is not so very good and some bits of voice Jug- gling that is well worth while. The black- face fellow Is quite a soprano, so good In tact that a little work and thought from the two boys might build up a corking good burlesque singing turn without so much of the nut comedy Btuff. Finishing with a duet the boys closed to a liberal outburst ot applause, and earned It. ' ."• . . - - With the appearance of Jack Kennedy and Co. in a one-act playlet called "A Golf Pro- posal," the real class ot the show started and it was a succession of hltB from then on to the finish.. Kennedy, a most capable come- dian ot the old school type, has a very dainty vehicle in this little comedy ot the links, and as almost everyone Is a golf bug these days It bit the r'.ark straight It contains plenty of good lines and bits of business nicely worked out, but its real worth is developed In the, clever manner in which it Is presented. Some attention has been paid also to the staging and the finale Is decidedly pr etty, giving the, act a dandy finish that can hardly fall to im- press. Rae Samuels divided the headline honors with Clifton Crawford and 'showed she de- served the feature billing by fairly holding up the show after singing four or five songs, and making a nifty little speech of thanks before they allowed her to go. Not all of Miss Samuels' songs are new, and she might well select something else than the "I Love Him" song that Belle Baker used here for two weeks tbe past season. Miss Samuels sings it In an entirely different style than Miss Baker and got laughs with it. She varies her songs, retaining her "rube" num- ber that was so well liked tbe last time she used it here and landed a corking big bit with - one about "Up In the Air." Miss Samuels also retains ail her personal magnetism, which is her greatest asset, and any single singer might well have been perfectly satisfied with the way she was received. Sandwiched in be- tween the two headllners came Ernest Evans, a likeable chap surrounded with four girls, It was such a nice looking outfit, stage cur- tains and all, that the act was In right from the start on looks alone, especially when th» last of the four girls had flashed Into view. There is no stalling In this act, for every one of the girls can do something, and It Is all different, violin numbers, a girl with a voice and a dandy looking dancer who stepped herself into favor in her very first number. Mr. Evans and the dancer, programed as Ora Deane, carried the major portion of the act with their dance numbers and did well with all of them. Evans has one of tbe classiest looking-acts ot its kind seen in some time, and with the quartet of girls ought to find vaudeville ready to receive him with open arms. .. It does not seem so long since Clifton Craw- ford was here and quite a lot of his ma- terial ta still In mind, but Crawford is al- ways an artist who makes his material Bound fresh by the way he handles it, and with a few new bits added here and there. He was warmly greeted, held up his share ot the headline position with Miss Samuels, and with a splendid bit ot reading In his beet style registered solidly. Mme. Doree's group of operatic vocalists furnished twenty minutes ot excellent vocal music. The group contains several fine voices and the entire offering was really a liberal treat to those who enjoy, but get very little of this sort of music In vaudeville. The act closed to a big hand of applause tor the rendition ot a Southern melody. It was not a particularly good bill for Bob Hall, the extemporaneous singer to work on, but Hall is a clever fellow and so classy at this style of work that he found things coming his way very fast after getting warmed up. He get the nouse well In hand with a couple of songs and finished midst a whirlwind ot applause and laughs with his "topic" number. "The Beginning ( of the World" added a pretty novelty in the closing spot Two of the pop vaudeville houses opened their season this week. The Allegheny opened with a combination bill of vaudeville and pic- tures and drew a well filled house Monday night despite the adverse weather conditions. The bill included "Rose Time," a tabloid musical comedy; Mullen and Francis, Anger and Packard, Lieutenant Glrard, Potter and Wheeler, Nolan and Nolan and the film fea- ture, "Easy to Make Money," with Bert Lytell starred. The Colonial, which is under the direction of the Stanley Co. this season, with Fred Leopold, recently returned from France, as manager, reported a big day's receipts for the opening day and night, with the Mack Sen- net Bathing GItIb and "Yankee Doodle in Berlin" as the bill. D. W. Griffith's picture, "Hearts of the World," is underlined for next week and feature films will probably be tbe weekly policy for several weeks with a com- bination of pictures and vaudevllel to follow. KEITH'S BOSTON. Boston, Aug. 20. In a rather placid manner the show at tbe Keith house this week runs along. At the Monday matinee there were at tew times when the enthusiasm of the audience got a bit beyond the ordinary formal- hand-clapping, but there was nothing in the applause to in- dicate a desire to stop the turning of the wheel that announces the new acts. The show is a very fair one with no high spots worth mentioning and by the same token there weren't any weak spots. For one thlig It has been a long time since a more even show has been booked into the bouse.. There was no actual headline, although Lois Josephine and Leo Hennlng were billed with the greatest prominence. Still their position on the bill wasn't what Is generally regarded here as the headline position. The show Is opened by Los Rodrlques, described as "perchlstas." Their act is s novel balancing one, and a good one. The act could get over Just as well If they would cut their grandstand nervous plays. Bl Cota, In a xylophone act, was one of the hits. Coming out in number two position he did such a good Job the house really hated to see blm go. ■ ; . Ames and Winthrop are using their old act, "One Moment Please," and still getting away with it. They were No. 3. The Primrose Four used the regulation quartet stuff, with- out anything to recommend it exoept tnat they had exceptionally good voices. Josephine and Hennlng had a pretentious setup for their act. Ted Shapiro assists tbem at the piano and the full stage Is used. A. special, beautiful back curtain 1b used. Neither Miss Josephine or Hennlng showed anything special In singing. Their aongs In (Cont inued on pag « 1*> , , ,