Variety (April 1920)

.VARIETY'S SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE an jf tantfeco ' 19 p'l'ff^M m vm PANTAGES THEATRE BUILDlNt^ ^^f ■-QSSmSSL Baa Franolfloo, April 28; At tbe Orpheum, slnca th» new ' »»milation8. the Wrmer pep has line, while th« ©nthUBlastic audi- Anees and general atmosphere ap- near changed; Even business Js oft, there being vacant seats Sunday ^iRht- when formerly hundreds were tmaed away. The speculators sold at box office prices Sunday. The • nhow this week la rather tame, Miss Fetrova again monopolizing the bill, tothers sharing the Brtiall typo. Mme, Potrova repeated her routine mluus ' the speech, the name value proving a big aaset to the bill, but other- wise moderately received. "JTo Song Shop," showing the con- trast of songs of to-day and long ago, was effectively introduced by Jackson and Adams, nifty fellows with good dancing interpolated ea- pecially by a chap handling the modern songs. The attractive girls were prettily and appropriately cos- i turned, lending color to a neatly and novelly staged offering, which :' pleased immensely.. Mary Marble & Co., in a dressing room sketch dealing with an • actress's return to play her native ■ town to t-nd the husband she de- serted for the footlights manager of the theatre. The sketch contains some bright dialogue and emotional . moments Ihat found favor. George Ford and Flo Cunningham were the first to arouse real enthusiasm, scoring a hit with clever comedy ■ business Injected throughout. They have a good talk routine, and the impressions of Rose Stahl and James Hackett singing smartly, « compelled an encore, a cleverly con structed booze recltiation. Gene • Greene tool: the show's hit using his own drop thU week, also, blacken- ing up and telling new stories. Beth Mayo, assisting, singing from an upper box. Valente Bros., received only light aj>p1ause for their ordinary ac cordcon efforts. Frank Wilson de serves credit for holding the audi ence in closing position with his clever straight bicycle riding. Lucas and Inez opened nicely with athlet- ic feats offered on rings and hand to hand balancing, the woman dis played strength. Jack Josephs. PANTAGES.. San Francisco, April 28. Pantages has an excellent bill .consisting mostly of con^edy. Chas. Aithoff after a couplo of years ab- sence returns 09 headliner easily sustaining that position. He scored heavily next to closing and wins laughs from the start with his per- fect characterization of rube sheriff and violin eccentricities. JDerkins European Iiaovelty closed well. Tlie dog and monkey panto- '. mine offering amused. Walter Fen- ner and Co., proved the most en- joyable sketch seen in a long time, and was replete with comedy and surprise • sititatlons. Marston and Xflanley registered strongly with comedy routine songs and patter. Vhe man Is an English type com- edian, who knows how to reach audiences. An attractive ghrl makes . an excellent straight. The man en- ' cores alone with stories. The Gypsy Trio opened very good vttb a speedy Russian type dance. An acrobatic whirlwind solo, by " Kolar received the biggest applause. Gorman Bros., a character and straight singer with comedy num- bers cleverly handled, went big JackJoscph$. lOEWS HIPPODROME. San Francisco, April 28. . At the Hippodrome the Jail Birds *e Luxe replaced Torell/s Circus. It is a neat girl act, with good prin- cipals. They closed the' show and went very good. Harry Larned cpened with comedy bicycle stunts, featuring a stairway climb. It was most appreciated. Francis and De Mar, a mixed team, the man entor- hig from the audience, won laughs. His piano business, though familiar, found favor. The team finished to light applause. Will Stanton ftnd Co. won mer- ited applause on clever acrobatic falls In a souse character through- out the skit, assisted by Rosalind May and Master Albert, the latter rendering a violin solo, which was specially effective. Fred Elliott, in a boob character, starts with eccen- tric dancing, getting best results With broomstick violin business. Jack Josephs. lOEW'S CASINO, San Francisco, April 24. Ihe Casino bill is good deapile "Ping lop heavy with singing. Every act ox.7opt Russell and Beatrice, wiio open the show, employed sing- ing. I'ho team offer some nifty suint.s on the trapeze and rings, ■ibo niiui neatly attired In dress suit ana the ghl displaying hpr good Hgiiro In tigiits assume a refined iiuiiiKio liiroughout thoU- routine 'ru : atiractive stage diupery of ,"''''■ own. A good opening act for •Hiy bill. Sarah Dalton of the local i'vna Fithor. Inc., staff sang "Darl- "y an.t -awanee Lullaby' putting wM "'""''■^^'■s over in great style for JMiioU she received good applauso iciitinB several encores with the lat- ter sonsr. „'f/'° Klght Black Dots, an aggre- gation of colored entertainers kept 5|)l"ss going at a lively clip with —- ^Miv singing and dancing in which' City. they give a good account of them* selves, especially in the dancing de* portment which drew healthy ap- plause for their Individual efforts that included clever, eccentric, and good fast stepping. A good come- dian Injects laughs with talk during the proceedings. The Barra Sisters stopped the show with their routine of popu- lar songs, ballads and Jazs; numbers. They are an attractive pair and deliver their versatile song offer- ing In a splendid manner. One of the girls ifl at the piano from which position she joins the other in duets and harmony singing. The rforrento Quintette were well received with operatic singing. An accordion solo by one of the men received good api)lause. The Quin- tette finish with an operatic num- ber done in jazz style. Tom Brant- ford billed as the "One Man Band," closing the vaudeville section, starts with a song, then pulls a lot of chestnuts but finally gets them with his one man' band imitations. The early ijart of his offering is lament- ably weak. ""The King show closed, "Stop That" being the title selected this week. MAJESTIC, PRISCO. San Francisco, April 24. The Majestic theatre in the Mis- sion dUtrict, one of the old theatres in this city, manages to keep open despite its antiquated construction and the opposition of the Wigwam, a modern house a bld'ck distant, playing pictures and Loew vaude- ville. The Majestic, with' Its thousand seating capacity, was formerly de- voted to vaudeville, but for the past couple of years has been running along with musical comedy and dra- matic stock, with the latter seem- ingly most successful, the Del I^w- rence company remaining for about a year. .. The Jim Post company was the latest tenant, recently compIeUng an eight weeks' engagement. Last week the Majestic Musical Comedy Company, with the principals hail- ing from Oklahoma, opened for ten weeks, the outfit being sponsored by B. Goodman and Bob Hughes, who took over the house. Tabloids running about an hour are offered in conjunction with a picture pro- gram. Burt Southern is the pro- ducer and the shows are changed twice weekly. The chorus of 1- (en- eaged locally) are. a good-looking bunch and hard workers. The first half started with a Pathe Review and "The Lions' Alliance." a two- reel comedy, followed by the musi- cal show entitled "Safety First," with Ed Smith, a straight man of good appearance with a fair sing- ing voice; James F. Green, black- face comedian of ability; Al Stevens, Hebrew comic, who will have a hard time following the numerous other similar comedians who have pre- ceded him In the Mission district; Florence Lewis, a fair prima donna; James Brennan, handling a messen- ger part acceptably; Helen Walters, a lively soubret with a thin v Burt Southern, In a seml-rubs char- acter; Octa Friend, who deiivcs lines, nicely but looked much to young for the mother role, and iivelyn Hughes, as her daughter, the latter making an excellent Im- pression both with talk assignment and song number, The setting was of a reception room In a rooming house, and while the farce and business disclosed nothing new, It was clean entertaln- Bl6i»t but lacked the pep customary to this style of show. The out- standing number proved to be "Songs My Mother Used to Sing" by Miss Hughes, with the other members of the show. Inoludlng the chorus, appearing in single poses behind a transparent drop In ap- propriate costumes befltting the titles of songs employed m lae medley. The Majestic has installed an ab- breviated runway used frequently by the chorus. It was difllcult to determine tlie popularity of the company or its merit, as na ap- plause rewarded their efforts Tues- day night. Only a handful was present at the second show. Three matinees weekly and two shows at night aro given, with the admission scale top at 50 cents. If "Safety First" is a sample of the shows that are to follow, then the producer and principals hailing from Oklahoma will not linger long In those parts, BARNES CIRCUS HAS m OWN TROUBLES Compelled to Pay $200 War Tax, Etc. San Francisco, April 28. Legal matters In which the AI G. Barnes Circus were annoyed with during Its four-day stand, ending last weelc, Included a warrant charg- ing La Yerne Venable, a bareback rider, with libel against Mrs. Ger- trude Denis (formerly Gertrude Glenn), a Hon timer with some other circus. The complaint, which was made by the mother of the lion tamer, was dismissed by the court. Seven white horses used In the circus were attached In another legal entanglement. According to the attorney In the case Barnes bought the horses in Texas two years ago from G. B. Stonehouse. It later developed that J. J. Robin- son, a Texas man, claimed the horses as his own. He brought suit, and the Superior Court in Los An- geles decided Robinson was the owner, Robinson's claim Is for $1,827. During this visit the Barnes circus was compelled to pay a $200 tax de- manded by the Internal Revenue Department. The tax amounts to $85 a year for a license, but the circus avoided paying last season and had to pay this, along with interest and penalties. This Is aside from the 10 per cent, war tax on admissions. PORTOLA ODEON CLOSES. San Francisco, April 28, The Portola Odeon Cafe, a French landmark, closed Its doors Sunday night. BUCENER CHABQES DISMISSES San Francisco, April 28. The local charges against Arthur Buckner have been dismissed, but some dimculties he Is In still exist . .with the Federal authorities. KING CO. GOma TO DENVER. San Fi-anclsco, April 28. • The Will King Co. will close a consecutive run of 53 weeks at the Casino June 19. The vacation planned for the members of the company has again been postponed, and the show will open at White City Park, Denver. July 4, for 10 weeks. George W. Grant, one of the own- ers of White City Park, during bis visit here last week completed nego- tiations to take the show to Denver, and deposited sufRclent funds In the bank to guar^tee contract calling for $f,500 weekly salary. Ten performances will be given weekly at prices ranging from 50 cents to $1, In addition to 10 cents general park admission. SAM XOVERICH EXONERATED. San Francisco, April 28. Same Loverich, connected with the Foster-Klelser Bill Posting con- cern, who was recently ordered to appear In court, charged with book- ing acts without having a license, was completely exonerated at the trial, it having been proven that he was merely acting as manager for the act in question. Myrtio Dingwall Sued far Divorce. San Francisco, April 28: Myrtle Dingwall, who sailed with the Banvard Musical Comedy Co. about a year ago on a world tour, was sued for a divorce last week by her husbahd, Chester W. Kelley, local hotel man, who charges deser- tion. The Banvard show recently closed its tour In the Far East and jneveral members of the troupe are expected to return here shortly. LOEW'S IN FRISCO. ~^'» San Francisco, April 28. , Tho HIpportrome In Fresno will bo "remodeled during the summer at a co.'st of over $100,000. According to an announcement made by Sam Harris Fro.«no will linve (inollior Loew theatre, which will bo oroctcd at a cost of 1330,000. ") Margaret Anolin Going to London. .San Franci.sco, April 2S. arargai-et Auglln. completing .in eight n-ceki!' engagement at the Co- lumbia last week, announced her decision to appc.ir in London with "The Trial of Joan of Arc," follow- ing Its presentation in New York CHANCE FOR AMATEURS. ' San Francisco, April 28. Herbert Harris is now devoting considerable time each mornin? at the Hippodrome, which house Is. available to candidates aspiring to enter vaudeville and those desiring to show new acts. The numerous demands by "un- knowns" for time out this way prompted young Harris to give any one claiming to have anything worth while the "once over." Russian Violinist Arrives. San Francisco, April 28. Vladimnr Graffman, a Russian concert violinist, accompanied by his sister, Dinna Graffman, a pianist, arrived hero last week on tho steamer Nanking from the Orient. Levey Again Booking Reno. San rrancisco, April 23. Tho Rialto in Remo Is again on Iho Bert Levey books. The Rialto plays four acts three days each, weelc. Stasny's Frisco Office Reopens. San f'ranclsco, April 28. Tho A. J. Stasny professional of- fices, which huvc been closed for sovei-al months, were reopened last week by liew "Slim" Farris, who ar- rived from the East to take charge. SHOWS IN FRISCO. ^ Sap Francisco, April 28. ,. "The Passing Show," witli the Hbward Brothers, at tho Curran, did $21,000 Its flrst v.cek at $3 top. That was not capacity, but a record for the Curran at the scale. The busi- ness Is holding up beyond expecta- tion this second -veek. "Three Paces East" at the Savoy opened quite well Monday night at the Columbia. About 80 per cent, attendance downstairs. Around the same last night. $2.50 top. PRISCO NOTES. San Francisco, April 28. Dave Lcrner and Aileen Miller, late members of the Fanchon and Marco Reviie, and Eunice Oilman, recently with Gallo Opera Co., opened last week with the Ed Red- mond musical comedy company, now playing a stock engagement at the Jose theatre In San Jose. Florence Stone, leading woman who has been identified with prom- inent coast dramatic stock com- panies, is rehearsing a vaudeville act in Los Angeles. Sol Lesser, coast producer and distributer, left last Thursday for the East to attend the convention of tho First National Ehcblbitors. Accompanying Lesser are David Bershon,' manager of tho Los An- geles F. N. exchange, and Harry Hammond Beall, publicity director of the Lesser enterprises. Before leaving Lesser announced that 25 companies will start out simul- taneously for all parts of tho coun- try; and for Hawaii, the Philip- pines. Australia, Japan and in the Far East with tho Kcilcrman pic- ture which will be ready for dis- tribution within the next six weeks. O. B. McWIlliama, Edgar A, Vlnal and Del Evans, former members of the John M. Sheesley, Inc., "Let's Go" company that closed abrubtly In Portland last week, arrived In San Francisco, while all other members of the show returned East Mc- WilUams will Join Ray Baldwin and John Van In a trio for vaudeville. Mort Harris, coast manager for Waterson, Berlin & Snyder, was the flrst to Introduce a "song plugger" In overalls In this city. Edwin Cowles, formerly of Duatln and Cowles, is now in charge of out- side promotion work for tho Good- year Tire Co. Ralph Kettering's "Abraham Lin- coln" Is the current attraction of the Charles King stock company at the Republic theatre. Dr. Charles De Mandll, conductor of the Tivoll theatre orcjrestra, was succeeded by Ulderlco Marcelit this week. De Mandil, who earned quite some reputation during the year at tho Tivoll. will tour the T. & D. theatres which are controlled by the Tumor & Dahnken Interests, who also own tho Tivoll. DR. MARTIN BETTER. Los Angeles, April 2S. Dr. Harry W. Martin, the former Clilcago physician, who sustained a broken neck in diving at the Rimini baths, is reported on the way to recovery. Tlie first vertebrae was broken and llio next two were dislocated. Dr. Martin will wear a steel brace for about six .montiis. Tho case is one of the most remarkable known at the Clara Barton hospital. "PAPER" PLENTIFUL. Chicago, April 28. With the first night of "Rose of China" at tho Auditorium, to which lion so tho attraction moved from tho comparatively small La Salle, a number of showmen attached to current attractions were on hand, many "ducats" having been liber- ally spread about. Comment from agents and man- agers naturally followed and the Loop Is latighlng at one quip. It was, "Why the devil did they pick such a large house when there la such a paper shortage?" . CHICAGO NOTES. Chicago, April 28. '' Boylo Woolfolk, tlio local pro. . ducer, is reorganizing the La SalU Musical Comedy Stock Company, rehearsals starting this week. Guy' Voyer is assisting In tho producing' and will head tho organization. C. Mchford Giffln, head of his own: picture corporation, dropped into tho windy city to call on his family. Giffln played with the Bush Temple and Dearborn stock companies In bygone days. Ralph Dunbar, Cliautauqua man* ager, Is lining up several road at- tractions for next season. "Robin' Hood," "Chocolate Soldier" and "Mikado" are some of the shows ^hich Win tour under Dunbar's su- pervision. William C. McOowan, manager nt the Lincoln Hippodrome, has put all' of his ushers in overalls. The following managers are In the city engaging people and stock companies through the Bennett Dramatic Agency: J. L. Percys Percy Comedians; Clark's .^Ail- Aboard Musical Comedy Company; v Ralph Moody, Moody Stock Com- pany; Stuart Cash, Stuart Musical Stock Company, and Fred Morgan,' manager Hlla Morgan Stock Cora-> pany. Ed E. Rose, the playwright, passed through Chicago en route to Wolf Lake. Wis., where he spends his yearly vacation. In tho fall Mr. Rose will tour to the coast, whore be will assist In the producing of his latest book, "Rose of the Ghetto," In pid-' tures for the Morosco interests. • "High and Dry" the musical com*" edy being prepared for the summer opening here by Edward McGregor and William Moore Patch, pro- ducers of "The Sweetheart Shop," is undeirgoing a few changes In Itis acting departnKent. Eleanor Henry, Juanlta Fletcher, Julia Kelety and Barrett Greenwood being added to the cast. It will come to the Black' stone. ' "Genius and the Crowd,"now a|' Powers, will probably give way May 16 to "Three Wise Fools." wt^Ic% John Golden brings back for an ln« deanlte engagement This Austlii Strong play was forced to Icavi. town last autumn at its height or prosperity. Renavent and his coni* pany will no doubt take their play ts, Boston. ^ ./i- Frank S. Bergcr, formerly wit* the W. V. M. A. and a brother of Willie Berger, the booker, b^os an- nounced his engagement to Hasel Levin, nori-professlonal. iv? Several ticket scalpers wers ar^ rested, charged with failing; t* stamp their names on th^ baokol tickets. Among them was Ernie Toui^ probably a mistake, as he sold 76 per cent, of his agency months ago and has nothing to do with the management. Lee and Cranston (Bryan and Mary) opon«d their now act, "Studio Love," book and lyrics by Jack Lalt, music by A, Leon Bloom, gowns by Mme. Juliette, near Chicago tills week. The special production'is by John C. Becker. Nat Phillips di- rected. The Imperial stock at tho Impe- rial will close for two weeks to al- low two road attractions holding contracts for April 24 and May l. Tho company will resume at the close of these shows. Cosica and Vordl, now touring the Loew circuit, are booked to open at the Paladlum, London. .Tuly 12. STATE-CONGRESS SUIT OFF. , Chicago, April 28. :" The legal action of the Seven Russolls against tho Stato-Cou- groBS was settled amicably by the management giving tho act the time contracted by a former book- ing oflico, moving it up to last week instead of two weeks ago C|oney Holmes, now in char re ot the bookings, hod refused to larry out contracts signed by Jack Fii^e. These have now been disposxd of and Hoboes' acts are occupying the house. WOODS' THE M'GORMICK Chicago, April 28. It has been dellnltely decided to name the second Woods theatre hero the McCormick, after the prominent local family which leased It the ground. One facetious critic asked thft' public to name it, something apro- pos of Woods or his attractions, and among the suggestions were The Forest Cmcaning woods), and Tho Bedroom A' ."^'iV.i ■ii'J. The following companies are to tour under canvas this season: Vir- gil Prltcliard and Co., opening May 10; Woods, Howe Stock Players, opening at Aurora. III., May 7; Glen Bevenrldge repertoire company, open at Litchflcld. III., May 1. '-'H :'^ '■■■■!i ;# .,?ji 1 wJi ■0