Variety (September 1919)

'■■•. : . . .' "i. i • -r ,tv ;■.;•" ■ '-.a '■ • > "s'jft i ,<*" NEW SHOWS. (Continued from page 19.) « minstrel trio, did rather well considering gone of the material at hand. The addition of now numbers would aid these men, for they stow possibilities of being able to pat over numbers tbat are ot a recent vintage. Lam- bert! impersonating' famous musicians, closed the first half, finding tbe audience more com- fortably attentive. Lambert! informs the audi- ecce If they do not recognize hla Impersona- tions it Is their fault, as each baa been care- fully studied and carried out. It may be true, • but why tell them. . ' Gordon and Oelmar (New Acts) opened after Intermission, bringing forth the first real hit of the evening. This couple displayed snap which was sadly raising heretofore,,-and their returns were encouraging ot say tbe least. McCarthy and Steroard (New Acta), In a bed room sketch, kept the show up to the pace set by their predecessors, with Jones and Sylvester with a rountlne of comedy numbers and talk that had little trouble In landing. Lawrence Brothers and Thelma, a club and bat Juggling turn, closed tbe vaudeville handily, and Charlie Chaplin In "Shanghaied" furnished tbe night- AUDUBON. Thi sudden heat had its effect on the Audu- bon box office Monday evening. Tbe orchestra only bad about 300 paid admissions. At any rate those who braved the hot climatic con- ditions were not disappointed aa far as the talent of the bill was concerned, with Joe Laurie especially hit tin* tbe mark, and walk- ing off with all the honors. Evelyn and Marguerite, delivering songs, bicycle riding and roller skating, gave the atow an excellent start, their efforts being well expressed and appreciated by the small gathering. The girls should have the bicycles repainted, or in other words a higher finish pat on them. Bob Mills was elected to No. 3 spot, but did not appear to secure much favor, followed by Larry Rellly and Co. The latter were in^an Irish song and dance revue. Special scenery Is employed representing a typical Irish dwelling that would undoubtedly bring back boyhood days to many of tbe old- time Irish who departed from their small Isle yean ago. The closing number and scenery are especially good. The act is all there and •bould prove enjoyable at any house. Hampton and Blake followed Universal Cur- rent Events. Then Joe Laurie with Bryan and Broderlck closing the show. ALHAMBRA. Sans the usual headllner the Alhombra bill this week but half-heartedly met requirements ot a well-filled house Tuesday nlgbt. The lack of class hurt the performance with the few bright bits of the entertainment smothered by an overdose of but everyday variety. Nonette, with Mason and Keeler, were awarded what stellar honors the show con- tained. Both ot these familiar blg-tlme offer- ings had little or no trouble in making their worth known. The violinists has gained weight, but her season on Broadway bas added considerable class to her offering. The Dorans, a dancing team with a corking female impersonator who took the house by storm with the pulling of his wig, opened the anew, with the Shirley Sisters Mo. 2, getting all that could be expected of the spot They have made a considerable layout for costumes which show these black-haired misses off to advantage. "On the Ragged Edge," a comedy sketch programed for the second after inter- mission position, was No. 3. The piece, writ- ten by Frances Nordstrom, is along novel lines, and apparently the idea caught on with the Harlemites. Kranz and La Salle received the first riotous applause with a dancing finish, consisting of Impersonations of dancers. The boys fare well enough with the numbers, but the finish has a sure-fire wallop,- for tbe one boy can atep a bit The Mason and Keeler travesty closed the first half. ?* Following Nonette after intermission was a Literary Digest "Topics of the Day" reel which although rather oddly placed in a big- time show did well enough. The picture was necessary to arrange the set for Gallagher and ilolley in their full-stage offering, Nonette pre- ceding them, having also work In full-stage. "The Battle of Whatstheuse" has lost none of Its punches and scored a comedy hit. Dickinson add Deagon, nert-to-olosing, with Miss Deagon a most unique worker, had little or no trouble registering with "The Sculptor's Garden," a flash posing turn closing the show, displaying the nearest to nudity shown by any turns of this order. The act Is tasteful and is speedily carried along, the only improve- ment needed being with the models, who are Inclined to move, tbe girl working in white far outclassing the others. 23RD STREET. The Brads opened to S. R. 0. three deep on the tower floor Tuesday night, but witb plenty of room to spare upstairs. The couple did a brief contortionists and comedy panto routine' to an appreciative audience, giving way to Warren Bartholomeu (New Acts) after nine minutes. Harry Leonard Mid ■lassie Willnrd pulled down one ot the hits of (he evening up third, with their "seldom inn" drop, in "one" for the locale, and a corking collection of sure-fire, cross-fire gags for the material, including her "captain working for me now" song and his "hand rocks cradle" song. Hazel Harrington and Co. \New Acts) also found favor with a comedy skit, entitled "The Squab." Lady Tsen Mot, headlining, camo In :-r n fair sharo of applause, next to closing, but it remained for Williams and vVolfus to "hurk, hark" their way—and what an easy way I— to the applause and comsdy hit of the even- JL. VAfclETY v ■ ■ ■■V; • 23 lng. A film version of Bayard Vomer's "The 18th Cbalr" concluded the entertainment, in which Leonce Ferret, the producer, took a number of unusual liberties with the adapta- tion from the original play. Abel, 12STH STREET. With the exception of the opening turn everything was rosy Tuesday evening, al- tnough a little more discretion should have been exercised in the arrangement ot the pic- tures and the dancing contest instead of hav- ing one following the other. There were three series of pictures besides the contest alt at tbe head of the bill/-Moralls and De Voye (New Acts) opened the show, followed by Kelly and Klein (New Acts). Dunn and Valeaka (New Acts) came on No. 8, and it was not until their appearance, that the show had any pep whatsoever. < Brooks and Gorge, two colored men, em- ploying a clarinet and a piano, combined with fancy stepping, also got to the audience. Mack and Earl, next to closing, walked off with the hit honors, and deserved the dis- tinction. Although there was not any real competitors on tbe bill witb them the turn would prove enjoyable alongside of a better class of material. Tbe woman, who la billed as one of the partners, Is clever. Tbe "Mili- tary Maids," offering a series ot songs, dances and an array of first class costumes to match each selection, held them In throughout. KEITH'S PHILADELPHIA. / The Knights Templar and a hot wave hit this city together,' but this proved no handi- cap to the show here. As a matter of fact, the visiting Templar sidestepped tome of the ceremonies being held in their honor and swarmed Into tbe theatres'to see some regular vaudeville. The opening matinee mb played to a crowded house and the show went over like an all-star performance. The only draw- back was a belated heat wave that fairly wilted those on the stage as well as the audlenee, but even this did not seem to hart the show. Belle Baker, who began her second week, easily established her right to he held over. She might stay longer If the welcome Bhe received was any Indication ot her popularity here. She was even a bigger his this Monday than last and some of the visitors from the West and South who probably have never heard her, will have something to talk about, for-Miss Baker was forced to remain on tho stags until she had given eight numbers and then begged to be excused. She did not repeat on a'single number until she had done five and they would not let her go until she had given "Put It On, Take It Off.". • The remainder of the hill held several acts being shown here for the first time and this save the whole show, a fine average. The Mellette Sisters made a firm impression with their nifty dancing, attractive dressing and their snappy style of working. They have a classy dancing turn that will stand compari- son with any of the others and in addition havs a big asset in the assistance of Lew Pollack, who is a dandy at the piano. He gives lust enough of the classical stuff to show ~hi8 ability and mixes In enough of the popular selections to catch the ear of the regulars. Thd act was a big applause bit and deserved A musical act, not given so much importance on the bill, but nevertheless getting a liberal share of the honors, was Ben Bernle, the kid- ding violinist. Bernle Is getting pretty far away from the class of a musical act. his comedy chatter being the biggest part of his offering and the boy 1b making Tapid strides along this line. He was a big laughing hit and got enough applause to warrant him com- ing back for a speech of thanks. Bobby O'Neill, who has been seen here in support of other artists, has built up a very neat little singing and talking Bketch with Evelyn Keller and were able to pull down a very lib- eral share of the honors despite the fact that they were forced to work under considerable of a handicap. The bungling of the railroad people held the prop and costume trunks somewhere between here and Atlantic City and while Mr. O'Neill appear In a neat Tux- edo, Miss Keller worked In street costume and It was virtually impossible for them to make a'decent finish. They worked hard, however, and had the satisfaction of getting by in very good shape. Another new -offering here was a farce sketch called, "*B,00O a Tear," in which Rob- ert Hyman and Virginia Mann are the prin- cipals, with Francis Moren in support. Thi sketch Is a comedy on the high cost ot living. and, unless the writer is mistaken, the piece waB done in pictures. It Is rather light for vaudeville, the theme being vj>ld of anything substantial enough to call for comedy situa- tions. It depends entirely upon dialog, which Is not strong enough to carry It through. It Is very well played and did nicely on this alone. ' .._■„«. Leon Klmberly and Helen Page have a well set up singing and comedy turn, called, "Spring la Calling." It does not start off with much speed, but through good handling of the lines and some comedy by MIbb Page. it Is carried along until the last few minutes in "one" where they do several minutes of the old finish UBed by Klmberly and Arnold and Miss Page got a lot of laughB with the lines used by Rota Arnold. The act was very, well received, Mr. Klmberly putting bis ballad number over In good stylo. Fred Holmes and Lula Weils did well with a lightly woven singing and dancing turn. Their offering needs to be speeded up. It is pretty and refined but needs mora of a punch to get tbcm anywhere. Both ends of the bill were well taken care -of. Tbe La Mont Trio showed a very good wire'Wslklhg net in which a young girl does a lot of fast foot- work. She Is one of the best seen herd In some time nnd ought to reach -close to ; the Bird Mlllman class with steady practice. Bhe Is very sure in -her speed tricks and pulled tbe act through to a big bit. Tbe perch work of the RodrTques pat a fine finish to the bill and furnished a few thrills. Taking it all In all, the bill Is an excellent one for this week and ought to please tbe crowds, especially those of the visitors, many ot whom will prob- ably see a big time vaudeil lie bill for the first time.. KEITH'S BOSTON. Boston. Sept. 10. One doesn't need to look at the thermometer in this town to know this Is the summer. A vie it to the Keith vaudeville house hire la last as good. The bill til a week is one tbat was made to order for summer, light and frothy, with plenty ot music and dancing and nothing tbat required a single minute of concentration on the part of the audience. There were teveral acta on the bill tbat were new to Bostonlans and In fact it was difficult to pick out a head- llner. The house, however, enjoyed the show. Judging from their expressions of approval and there wasn't any noticeable walkout at the finish, due perhaps to the fact that tbe show did not run as lata as is customary on an opening night . ._ _ _ Perhaps tbe headline act Is Joseph E. Howard and Ethelyn Clarke In what is described on the program as a song spectacle. This act is well put on, runs along smoothly and the dialogue, which ordinarily in a song act is rather weak, was especially bright For mate- rial they have some new and bright stuff, well put over of course. Miss Clarke la no small part through the costumes she wears and . wbtch are so arranged that they fulfill - the meaning ot the song that Is being rendered/at the time she wears tbem. It is a good Idea-— one that la worthy of favorable mention. Tbe next act in line, because of its stage setting, is tbat of Gretchen Eastman, assisted by John Outran, Mile. Marguerite and Nelson 6now. Dancing la the main part, and tbeir program Included episodic features and several dances of the latter day. Of the many dances performed the one tbat seemed 'to be the best received was that of MIbb Eastman with Snow as her partner, In which tbat old hit, the Apache dance, was done. Old as this dance is It gets over when put an properly. Tbe snow is opened by Herman and Shirley. He Is one of those contortionists tbat does eccentric dances unusually well, and for an opening act it was very fair. In No. 2 position were the Transfleld Sisters, in a musical number. While both are good musicians they are not good as singers. Some- thing 1b due them, however, for tbeir novel Idea ot appearing in costumes that depict the musical scale. Smith and Austin have a comedy act that depends entirely on the nonsense they can force into It Prohibition is taken for the major part of tbe material and If there IS one thing that appeals to an audience nowadays It Is the quips of the no-llquor condition, which finds a welcome home when properly presented. Harriet Rempel and her company put on a romantic sketch called "Tarrytown," which Is one of tbe school of playlets that is So clean and refreshing and.simple that it cannot find anything but approval, albeit a little boresome In places to some of the audience. The Qulxey Four are a male quartet that comes here with a lot of new material and shoot It over fast, thereby getting away from the start. Tbe Klein Brothers In a comedy act, which contained several good laughs and some good Jokes, got over well, as did the closing num- ber, tbe Maxlne Brothers. Not a small part of this act is the dog they carry with them. ten Ubbey. ORPHEUM, NEW ORLEANS. New Orleans, Sept 10. The current Orpheum program lacks im- presslveness and was not drawing during the first part of the week. Sails Brothers opened. Their naval dressing Is apropos and the work on the rings efficient, but they work very alow, causing tho act to lag. Milter and Capman hurt their opening Witb tr distracting song and retarded them- selves by trying to appear funny. Excellent dancers, an attempt at Comedy is unnecessary. O'Donnell and Blair were uproariously received by tbe upper sections, finally connecting with the orchestraltes when O'Donnell did his fall from the piano. Winona Winter, who followed, was received quite coldly Monday evening until getting to her familiar yodellng bit in a ventriloquial way. That should have been her exit but she came back to divest herself of a war poem. Miss Winter might gather some new puns for the moment with her dummy. Those employed have long since been released. Bradley and Ardlne have a piano In a very pretty setting, and strummed by an ade- quate musician In the person of Irving Fisher. They did not stop with the setting In the matter of beauty, but elaborated tbat with a regal wardrobe that could not belp add class. Bradley and Ardlne have advanced themselves. Miss Ardlne showed some novel pirouetting In the dance divertissements and is doing much the best work of her career. An oriental dance Is a gem In Its way. They were splendidly received. Juliet, featured, evoked genuine approbation. At the beginning appreciation was lacking, but with her department store typo tbe crowd gained confidence, remaining very friendly thereafter, To Maude Earl and Co. fell the task of closing the show. The Earl turn is a straight 'singing one. The company'is a male nleitiber who serves to Introduce her. -Miss Earl's voice Is resonant and showed resiliency in an obli- gate she did Well. 0. M.i Samuel ORPHEUM, SAN FRANCISCO. San Francisco, Sept. 10. Tbe Orpheum has a good bill this week, and one nicety 'aranged, though Bessie Clayton's superior dancing act overtopped everything within shooting distance. She and her part- ners were better than anything else yet seen here. Tbey presented a wide variety of danc- ing spclaltles and scored tremendously. The big applause was about equally divided among the principals, with the excellent foot- work and variegated costumes of Miss Clay- ton herself naturally getting a bit the best of It. The efforts of the Canslnos and Ellsa Can- slno's gowns, however, also won admiration. James Clemens' gem of an eccentric dance also got to the house. Arthur Gordon and Wll- bert Dunn were In the cast and gave a good account of themselves. Gordon has a tenor voice which won appreciation. "The Current of Fun," with Mme. Burnell, was an electrical display, and while Interesting. It was only secondary to the good fun displayed by an excellent "boob" plant This last got laughs throughout. Elfrioda Wynne, with her fine appearance and her attractive costume changes, rendered some seml-olasolcal and operatic numbers in an excollont soprano voice, excelling with her top notes. Bbe scored well enough to warrant a trip over the circuit Paul Paniagua, at the piano, proved acceptable. Blanche and Jlmmle Crelgbton, In the next to closing position, following the Clayton act, did very well considering. Tbeir rube offering landed heavily in spots, though tbey finished to rather light applause. Tommy Harden and Carmen Ercello walked off with a hit. They came on second. Hayden'a English character numbers all went well, especially bts imper- sonation of a Britisher at a baseball gamo. Harry and Ada Vivian opened and took many bows, Their marksmanship was excellent and the comedy talk well enough, though aomo of It bad been heard here before, Sutter and Dell, with a comedy cycle turn, closed the show. "Putting It Over," the soldier act held over, repeated to good effect > Jack Joaeph$. HIPPODROMETsAN FRANCISCO. San Francisco, Sept 10. At the Hippodrome this week a varied assort- ment of turns provided good entertainment . Kayle and Coyne opened very well with a fast Juggling act and a good routine of aorobatlo stunts. They did some special stunts at the finish that got them good applause. Marker ana Scoenhk, a nice appearing mixed team, did well In the next to closing position with a rube number tbat won laughs.' "Dreamland," Batls- factorily castothorf ab.xrR rvoblmpraCaJDR factorlly cast for the small time, secured big results. Bender and Herr closed the show with good hand to hand and strength feats on the rings. Alf Rlpon's ventriloquist offerings found big favor. The talk with the dummy, consisting mostly of old gags, got a lot of laughs, and the good singing scored big. Rlnehardt and Duff, a couple of girls billed as the "Girls of 81xty One," pleased In the second position with well ofosen numbers,, dalntly delivered, finishing, to a good hand, with a medley 6f old time songs. Jack Jotephe. PANTAGES, SAN"FRANCISCO. _ - San Francisco, Sept 10. The Pantages bill this week contains plenty of class, but insufficient comedy for a well balanced show. "Hsr _Left Shoulder" is a girl act that reaches the average as to chorua and costumes, but is below the standard when it comes to the principals. The Pullman scene provided tbe only comedy, but the act closed the show satis-* factorily. Myrtle and Adelaide Zetgler pre- sented a neat dance nicely costumed, though the jazz band they carry with them, working H»„the pit with only a planlate on the stage. failed to arouse any particular enthusiasm. . 5 08 . 8 Valyada scored a big hit She ban a rich double voice. One is a deep baritone, the other an excellent soprano, with which she yodels in great fashion. She finished In a stunning gown, making a great appearance. Cramer, Barton and Sparling were in next to cloBing posltlen. The trio scored strongly on their good voices. Barton, as the messenger, supplying the comedy. Bell and Eva opened. They did good work on a bounding net and worked In some neat acrobatic stunts. Stewart and Olive did nicely In the second position, the man's eeoentrt*} dancing gaining the biggest applause. - ' Jooh Jotepht. --'•.;,' . NEWS OF THE DAILIES. iJ!* t & 0b iSl!?? a J et t tor „ Seattle ,a8t w««k to Join the Monte Carter Company at the Oaks. The Pantages Theatre Building, which houses the Pantages Theatre and executlvo offices, as well as the offices of 12 music pub- lisher!, has changed hands by sals of the P r0 P,?rty. It Is improbable that the leases of the tenants will be affected by this trans- action. .—..'' ~!&*tm Hagenbeok-Wallace circus opens a three-day engagement here Sept IB. The special performance of tbe Oroheutn.' planned for last week, Thursday morning, for officers, sailors and marines of the visiting fleet, when only the uniform was needed for admittance, was called off, as only about six of the uniform men were present at the scheduled time. ■ w I Beckwlth's lions created a near riot upon* their arrival In Sacramento last week for the Hippodrome engagement in that city when the auto truck transporting the, beasts from San ; 'Jose wM 'struck Tfr aM oUttrlb car, the lions - ■£ Tbey were aafoTy Teturhea' to th'ci^r cages. ..:: ■ ' ' ■".. , .■-■' ■>■■:'■.::■'■■■ ^/m&