Variety (February 1920)

24 '"Variety-.-.. ' : -£p%-M : "\~ : '[ ■\'< f - ' ■ : •:■"■■:. ■■?■»■• showing a Jail, which he refers to as an Irish clubhouse. He'll probably eliminate It after the first disturbance (t creates. Jolo. 81ST STREET. The Monday holiday must have takon a good deal of the edge off Tuesday's attendance judging by the Intermittent empty sections. Following Kinograms, Alfred Naess assisted by the Misses Llgrld and Collins opened with an ice skating act. The turn carries a re- splendent Alpine cyclorama end a spe- cial floor mat upon which the trio per- form. While programed "real ice" It Is nothing else than a wooden carpet with some special preparation for a cover- ing. Permane and Shelley found favor ii> No. 2 with a musical offering, 'the men performing on concertina and vio- lin. But why the Inane hoke opening with the "fake" announcement and the hokum acrobatics? It is far too long and does not warrant .the time consumed. It did very well. Robert Emmett Kenne held down No. 3, replacing Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Barry, who did not appear. Mr. Keane'a stories are of a military nature given to poking fun at the British. They were well re- ceived although one or two were old boys. Franklyn Ardell with his "Wife Saver" sketch was his usual comedy suc- cess, on fourth., Herschel Meniere, next to closing, could not give enough of his talents, stopping the show completely for a little speech after his piano had been removed. He had sufficient excuse to bring It back on the stage for "Dardanella" which the orchestra was vamping but evidently desisted in deference to the Roscoe Alls art following, the Jazz band's feature number being that Oriental tune. Mr. Meniere with his flowing locks and dreamy expression made the Ivories talk. rtoscoe Alls. Mldgie Miller, his live syncopatera and two picks peddled out the jazzy music and the shivery dances to their—and ' the audience's—heart's content, a fitting climax to a top notch layout. "Topics of the Day" closed the first section. A feature of the feature film exhibi- tion, "In Old Kentucky" was the lifting of the curtain during the racetrack scene depicting an actual race on the stage between two steeds, the latter rac- ing on the usual tresdwheel .contrap- tion. Realistic to say the least. the war and should get hep to the fact that the edge is off the war stories. Phillips has the polish or the higher realms of vaudeville and can sing a pop- ular song. He also handles a self authored recitation about the bourgolse In good fashion. His Jolson "Rock A Bye Baby" Imitation didn't mean bo much to 23rd St. and he got away quietly in a tough spot for a single, but Phillips - should freshen up his gab before essay- ing the upper strata again. Billy Fern and Co.'a fast knockabout acrobatic duo with a woman assistant who offers a bass violin selection, closed the show. Fern does a red nosed drunk of the English Music Hall type and takes some nifty falls. The -woman Is attractively attired In evening apparel and the other member, a splendid ground tumbler. Is a'butler. They held all eyes while working. •■■ Con. 23RDST. The usual capacity turn out witnessed a good seven act small time vaudeville bill with the film feature "Two Weeks," Kino's and Topics opening the show In order. .... . • .'« •Frank and Ethel Carmen opened In hoop rolling and exhibited good control of the acrobatic hoops. The best trick Ib making a hoop Jump on different strings the control being In the hand of the thrower. Miss Carmen Is a neat looking assistant In white short skirts. They were scanty with applause at the finish. The Four Buttercups (New Acts) a female quartet followed and opened full bare stage, all attired as scrub women. They step Into "one" after 'some brief remarks and open with 'Oh By Jingo" a comedy song. Then a change to white aproned and capped maid costumes and a solo by the soprano ' Angellne" with the ensemble voices getting In on the chorus. The bass singer's solo "Big Rass viol" drew .applause for the low registers unusual for a female but she missed badly In the upper tones. In "Irish Eyes" the tenor exhibits the voice of the four and holds a top note for quite a spell. It's a novelty for the smaller bills and the- ensemble vooallz- lne: will pass nicely. Eddie Merron and Co. were third In a sketch which Is framed for a small time howl and fulfills Its destiny. Herron draws many laughs as the salesman who returns after an Interrupted honeymoon to find his wife has put all her pretty clothes In moth balls, doesn't believe In ^romance and has a lot of new fangled' ideas about marriage. He Is Anally res- cued by a representative of the "Wo- man's Substitute Society'' who vamps him'until the wife takes the come ons out of hock. Zuhn and Drels were fourth and cleaned up with a corking assortment of get backs. They have a double panning match In which they compare their an- cestors and get across some belly laughs with some of their exaggerated com- parisons. Both do the Sap character with 111 fitting Disney's. Some of the gags are familiar but a lot of the first part materia] sounds new. A fish story routine was also a big laugh getter. It'B a straight talking duo and registered -the full length of the clock. "Submarine F.7" last seen In the larger houses reminded of the old Metropole thrillers. It's an interesting act and there are several dramatic punches In It that will Interest as long as the recent world's war remains fresh In the memory of theatre goers. Every reference of a patriotic nature was applauded and the audience heaved a sigh of relief when the sub started climbing and salvation was assured. Sidney Phillips is still talking about ORPHEUM, NEW ORLEANS. New Orleans, Feb. 25. Peculiar show this week, at the Or- Shoum that Is hopelessly lost the first our and later gathers enough sparkle to send the auditors out satisfied. Jim Morton Is announcing the acts as Is his wont, running much to the verbiage employed previously which tended to lessen his reception, but his manner and matter still please. Snow and Slg Worth proved tedious, Initially submitting nothing but "banal stuff. The sketch, 'Seven A. M." seemed all set at the beginning but grew colder as it proceeded. . It Is played by Frawley and Louise and has one.blue line about the "second door-to the right" that first sends It In an untoward direction. Mrs. Gene Hughes saved "When He Came Back" from utter demise by her knowl- edge of comedy diffusion. Gertrude Hoffman was watched with Interest throughout, her moment, her dancing gaining more than the Imperso- nations. Her endeavor was viewed as not so pretentious as former ones, but she will probably be around next season with another, real splurge. Joe Laurie was welcomed Instantly, his fresh ma- terial and different method striking, re- sponsively. The dimunitive comic walked away with the hit ct the evening, and ' nctually gaved the show.. No male single has done as much at the 'Orpheum this season. Collins and Hart made an apt closer .to follow Laurie, with merriment at Its peak, giving their best as a con- sequence. Samuel. PALACE, NEW ORLEANS. . New Orleans. Feb. 26. Business was off at the Palace Mon- day, and the bill the first part of the week told the reason. Just a drab array for the major portion. . • Hayataka Brothers, possessed of mark- ed personality, speaking Japwlse, Im- mured through the preclseness of their rlsloy work. Fwnlllle and Cecil lost much In not approximating the patter and Bongs used. The 'feminine half Is ultra- saccharine, while her partner assumed Instead of deferring. It Is the audience that pays and pays and pays. Yvetto performed with self-conscloua mien, the crowd leaving her sufficient unto herself. Her self elation spelled her doom, and she was listened to In frigid silence. Her two tuxedoed assist- ants were noted In negligible manner. Charles Irwin collected the honors, being encored several times. Leach Wallo Trio managed to hold them at the end of a draggy show that feat spelling lots. Samuel FIFTH AVENUE. The show for-the last half ran nln«. acts, the show's extra length probably on account of the fact that more than 60 per cent, of the 1)111 was made up of new acts. Business Friday night was big as usual, with perhaps several hundred additional patrons In. Harry Breen, the "Seventh Ward Won- der." and Bert Earle and Girls about V split the evening's honors, with the •Earle act getting the edge on the ap- plause score. No one seems able to give Breen a run In his style of offering, and there Is little doubt that few players are willing to work bo hard as Harry. Always when at the Fifth Avenue he is exceptionally confidential about his early boyhood, and he springs many Yiddish expressions. He talked about the old Liverpool store where they gave two pairs of pants and a hatrack with every suit of clothes sold. He mentioned a number of people who emanated from the "old neighborhood. Among them were Judge Rosalsky and Harry Copper, and he said Madison street furnished the governor (Al Smith). Harry says he learned Jewish by working Friday nights putting out the lights. He cer- tainly knows the tongue.. Breen was next to closing-. • Earle's turn was seventh, producing a sure hit there. Last time around he had six girls with him. Now he has eight. Where he gets 'em may bo a secret, but Earle sure can pick good ones. He has' about the beet looking bunch of girl musicians ever gotten together—and i ' i ' i , . ■ they are all blondes. A concerted banjo number and an all-saxophone section stood out, while the fast tempo finish put the act on Ice. Reddlngton and Grant opened the show excellently. It's about the best trampo- line act around right now, and It will take something to beat this pair, for they have comedy- and cleverness com- bined. Shirley and- Munro (New Acts) were second; "Mabel, Be Careful" (New Acts), a musical comedy, was third; Arfhur Geary took No.—4 (New Acts); Le Roy and Lytton . followed (New Acts), and Browning and Denny. (New Acts)* went "on sixth. The Three Morahos, Jap turn, closed the sh/>w well. ' It Is an unusual trio, since one of the-athletes Is a woman, who does a bit of perch top-mounting. The star .performer of the act Is an equilibrist who Is both an artist and acrobat. He did some corking,tumbling work. Missing the back-bending-hand- kerchief stunt he fell and it looked like he landed on his' nose. If Intentional that stunt was capitally worked up. Ibee. AMERICAN ROOF. •.-.-A mediocre bill' was on tap at trie American the second half of last week. There was nothing startling nor any- thing novel. 'The "big" act Is Charles Ahearn and Co., four men, with most of Ahearn'a former freak bicycle riding cut out and new bits of comedy substituted. He elicited screams of "laughter with his burlesque jazz band, misfit army drill and- travesty Egyptian dance, but- he might be a whole lot funnier If he didn't talk at all. confining himself entirely to pantomiming, or silent comedy* Monte and Parti, DeLoach and McLaren (New Acts). ' ■ '.»"•■ Ryan and Moore, a man and woman singing and talking act, the woman do- ing a little piano playing accompani- ment, are ah attractive couple, the Woman being especially comely. The thing that Impresses one from the front Is the apparently happy state of mind of this pair, which seems to be projected across the footlights to those In the audience. This was.confirmed to those seated down front to the right when they made their final exit to' the left side.- and when out of view kissed each other, not for the delectation of the assemblage, but as a spontaneous and honest evidence of their mutual affee- ' tion. It Is a reasonably safe bet they are Christian Scientists. Wonderful thing that Science—It beats liquor. Orvllle Stamm, who looks like a slen- der little chap In his street clothes, has an Interesting turn In which he advo- cates the use of potatoes as food, strips to tights and shows you a marvelously developed physique, which he claims was cultivated by a tew exercises and the potato diet.. Nippon Duo, two male Japs, one sing- ing and doing Rlsley work with a barrel, while the other plays the piano and ukelele. Mullally. Havell and McCarthy have a splendid comedy Bketch. refresh- ingly original In Idea and remarkably well acted for the three-a-day. They do not play their parts In the manner usually affecfed by vaudevllllans, but as recruits from the legitimate. The scene Is the reception room of a maternity hospital, with a nurse In charge. Two young huBbarids are anxiously awaiting the arrival of heirs, their first born. One Is a man of wealth, the other a working- man with a flannel shirt. They are ner- vous and feverishly expectant. Heart Interest and comedy are plentifully in- terspersed. With a more legitimate fin- ish the act would make a corking vehicle for the two-a-day, played by the same trio of artists at present presenting It. The Imperial Four are a "rube male quartet, with comedy and the regula- tion "barber shop" harmonizing. They did nicely. Quartets always do. The Belgian Trio, acrobats, two men and a woman, closed, with hand-to-hand bal- ancing, tosses, somersaulting, lifts and the girl doing a three-high understand stunt. • Jol °- *VEST* NO LONGER "GREASY." Chicago, Feb. 25. Potts' Place, struggling fpr expres- sion as the only all-night eatery of the profession, will enlarge next month. Maestro Potts will cause the north wall of his chow joint to be knocked out, and will take over the adjoining space. M. Potts announces he has given up the idea of calling his place "The Wolpin's of the West." He has discarded the .name "The Greasy Vest," and the establishment will here- after be known merely as Potts* Place. MABELLE DART DIVORCED. Chicago, Feb. 25. Mabelle . Daft, of the Richmond Hitchcock Co., obtained a divorce in the Circuit Court of Chicago, against Jesse W. Robe, manager of the Frank Hall Dixia theatre, of Unionto.wti. THE WEDDING RING. ':••,• (Continued from Page 17) or-novel. Is barren of .an idea that would excuse its existence, and even a capable company In plays of the,melodramatic as the" "'At 9:45 r ' company which were used In the special . performance Is, could not get the Bhow over to anything but an audience composed of their pro- fessional confreres, which was-the case- at this performance. -J. -. • >' In tbbv four acts; -two of-which, •re- laid In New York and two in Oklahoma, an attempt has been . made to mystify the audience, to,keep them In suspense. . It fails. There Ib somewhat of a sur- prise at the end, but rn accomplishing' It' Davis has caused ono of his charac-' ters to play throughout the show a role which Is most Inconsistent and'whatever good acting this actor might have done as a villain was all wasted by the finish. . Then .It does hot seem to be In keeping with the ethics of the stage of nowadays to have for a.denouement a scene where- in a man's brother, and a man's wife, are, sent away with the .advice to try the di- vorce court to have their romantic trou- bles set right.. In advocating, in this, slightest respect, such an attitude Is li- able to get the producer of a play Into bad currents. Jt needs a pretty power-' . ful drama built up carefully, to carry such a scene.- • It Is announced that this show.Is being tried out for next season in. much the same Wanner as "Anna Ascends"- -'was tried out here recently: Unless many changes are made It is extremely un- likely thirt it will ever be seen again. It Is ordinary "claptrap,"' Except.for the fact that there Is a bedroom scene In the last act it savors little of a dramatic of. ferlng that Brady would wish his name coupled with. ' .'■-. ■*• .- •• The-play is written about the roys terious, disappearance of J1&.000 from a . package of money handled.by David and Jack Compton, cashier and'."assistant cashier of a bank founded by their father and Martin BrlBCo, an old friend of the family and paying teller In the bank. Jack Is accused of the theft In the opening Bcene and becoming indig- nant as the accused refuses to deny it. Jack Is arrested and Emily Rand, who is engaged to marry David, expresses herself as a believer In*his innocence, this despite the fact that she is en- gaged to his brother, and everything points to the theft having been commit- ted by one of the pair.. Later she ad- mits to David that she really loves Jack, but agrees to marry, the. former on his promise-that using h|s Influence he will keep his brother out of jail and quash the case. . Returning from the- church on their wedding day she .finds a note proving that David has deceived her and the*'' Jack Is going to trial for the theft' She refuses to accompany her husband vft ft honeymoon trip and instead steals away to Oklahoma with the younger brother, where they take refuge on a farm owned by Emily's uncle. Emily and Jack are found there two months later by David Briscoe, the teller In the bank, wpp with David has been on their trail since the disappearance. Jack is seriously ill, suffering from a fever and Is in a delirium. Despite the fugitive's condition Emily plans to take him away, but before • she can accomplish this, David, crazed with drink, puts In an ap- pearance. - There Is a scene' in' which, David adds to the charges- of theft against his younger brother another.that he has stolen hlsiwlfe, and there is a struggle between the husband and wife and a shot rings out. Jack cries out from the bed and David believes he has shot his brother, but Instead has fatally- wounded Briscoe, .who had entered the room from a window to prevent the fu- gitive's escape and Who was at the' bed- side. Dying, Briscoe confesses he Is the thief. . • , Libbey. . ■ , - """,V ■■-;-' i v ■ •' :•>"- >?' • ■ "-.' :i ■ '.-••.- ■'■■,.• [% %t ■ ■ ■ ■ . ■. ifi ■...■,.;; -.r .-■ ■'.:. •'• •■• ■ - & ■ ■ *■ ... - ■-'..■ i ■: m • TREASURER'S CLUB AMBITIOUS. Chicago,. Feb. 25. Comprehensive plans ' were crystal- lized recently at the organization of the Treasurers' Club, of Chicago.' It is proposed to develop to take in as- sociate and lay members until it will have a building and will serve as a' general professional club such as the Friars or Lambs in the East. . Arthur Esberg, treasurer of, the Blackstone, was the moving factor in bringing about the organization. He called the meeting at the Sherman, where 33 treasurers responded. Reso- lutions to organize were passed viva voce, after which balloting resulted in the following election: * President, Ray H., West (Woods); ^yice-president, Arthur Esberg, (Black- stone) ; secretary, Lee Kind .(Woods); treasurer, Charles Tannhausen (Gar- rick); directors:—William Meek (Au- ditorium); chairman; E. Wilder, Fred Stewart, Robert Beverung, Edward Leonard, Carl Randolph, Claude Boyd, Cal Smith, . Paul Welch. A benefit dance will be given April 10,' ■/■"