Variety (March 1921)

1« NEW Ad's THIS WEEK. - Friday, March 18, 1921 FRI8C0 with McDERMOTT and COX. Dances and Comedy. 26 Mint.; Full Stage. Colonial. When the jazz dancer Frisco, now billed as the "American Apache," came to Broadway he had Loretta McDerraott with him, plua a Jazz band. Miss McDermott left the act and joined with Eddie Cox. Frisco trying something with a girl en- semble. It was a wise stunt to bring tl/e comely Loretta back and more strength was secured by adding Cox, who is some jaxa boy himself, on his own lines, however. The three-combination as it now stands has been out of town for about ten weeks. For that matter, Frisco has been away from New York theatres for most of the sea- son. Judging from the present line- up, however, he should have little trouble repeating the success of two seasons ago on Broadway. There is a good basis for the pre- diction and It la that Frisco has inserted a surprising measure of comedy into the act. The last ten minutes Is practically all chatter, with Frisco on the talking end. That is a surprise in itself, for the boy from Dubuque is very prone to verbally stumble. He started to atutter twice during his monologiatic exercise, but got away with the routine in good shape. Wise COURTNEY SISTERS and CO (7). Songs and Instrumental. 33 Min.; Full Stage. State-Lake, Chicago. Chicago, March 16. Courtney Sisters, reunited and re- turning after two years' retirement, have changed their conception of what vaudeville asks of them; also what they should and may ask of vaudeville. They come back with five muHicians in purple velvet coats and blacK trourers, forming a string quintet that accompanies the sing- ers and offers two full' numbers. It is a splendid quintet, but entirely out of place In vaudeville, giving nothing new to the industry, as well as being excess baggage to the work of the girls. Fay Courtney never sang better YVETTE, with Eddie Cooke and Kino Clark. Singing and Musical. 23 Mins.; Full 8tags (Special). Palace. Yvette la assisted by Eddie Cooke and Kino Clark in her new turn. Mr. Cooke la a pianist and vocalist and Mr. Clark a aaxophone player. A beautiful etage setting backs up the specialties of the three. This Is enhanced by pretty lighting effects. A alow curtain reveals the two men, one standing at the piano and the other playing. An Introductory number brings Yvette on for a per- sonality song, which introduces in turn her violin playing. Sax solo by Mr. Clark, consisting of Jazzy stuff and ballad. He's adept at both styles, getting a peculiarly clear and in her life, and that means that no- 8Wee t tone in the clower tempo body ever sang baritone any better than she did it here. Florence looked fragile and pleasing and harmonized here and there, though she is pretty well shelved through- out most of it. Thcro are four com- plete changes for the girls, all gowns, all costly and pretty. But, after it is all over, and it has taken 33 minutes, one may justly ask, "What's it all about?" The Courtney Sisters always could and can today sing ballads as well as any pair on the boards. But why bring in two violins, a piano, a 'cello and a base fiddle? Why not run 20 minutes In "one" and use the .plenty is present but there are strings in the house orchestra? The enough people out in front who | same agency that furnished the five know what it la all about to make it enjoyable all around. They said Frisco would hardly do outside of Broadway, but he has been register- ing in the hinterland and will con- tinue to do so. He waa on with Miss McDermott at the start, she looking as nifty as ever. There was some chatter fol- lowing in imitation bit, with Frisco telling of a request to imitate John McCormack, who he said everybody knows is a roller skater. "My own original Jazz dance" was next, and Cox followed with a single bit. which included two songs and a lightning fast dance. Miss McDer- mott and Friaco returned to "rags" with the "Kitchen Stove" number, as funny as ever. She atrlpped to black knickers but Instead of a Jazz imitation offered a song. "Nobody's Baby," instead. The, trio were then out for some concentrated Jazz. Frisco working his "heater" fur- iously. It was a aort of encore bit that had Frisco talking, with Loretta seated for most of the time. Ho talked about presents from home and how his brother sent him a diamond-studded platinum watch and pearl-studded chain. It was a clipping out of a paper with a pic- ture of the baubles, priced $1,280. Then he told how he reciprocated when* his brother got married, by clipping out of a magazine the pic- ture of a bedroom set which he sent as a gift. He "pulled" one or two fancy words which he said Loretta didn't understand. One was clien- tele, which he thought she would think waa Abe Attell. He tried to prove Loretta was not so wise, be- cause she married Cox. when if she only knew it she could have had him (Frisco). The new Frisco act Is out of the fail class because It has some good dancing and plenty of comedy. Ibce. players on the stage furnished the 16 in the pit. The matter of put- ting on lights and switching them off and the purple coats and the In- strumental interludes is the bull; it all looks and sounds as though the girls said, "Let's get a lot of class and a oai.d and they'll have to headline us." The musicians will have to be paid by the theatres, so will their fares, so will commission on their pay and their fares. This must run the act up to a heavy fig- ure, which is about the only way conceivable whereby the Courtney Sisters could ever make themselves hard to sell. In "one" these girls were and now would be a next-to-closing act that needn't doff a feather to any. As the sisters have rigged it up it has to compete with productions, stars, names and famous headliners. If it can measure up to this competition is a question. Ringing up with the quintet wheezing along, the girls started "Japanese Sandman" offstage and entered In dim light to a mild re- I ception. They sat down and knocked "Home Again Blues" stuff and Jazzing with the best of 'em. Double song by Yvette and Mr. Clark, with both making it an Instrumental double, sax and vio- lin, for the second verse and chorus. Violin single by Yvette. Czwlrdler'a "Souvenir" exquteltely played. Planolog by Mr. Cooke. More violin and sax duettlng by Yvette and Mr. Clark, with a "talk- ing bit" nicely done. Double cab- aret bit, with both dancing while playing, next a real novelty bit for the finish in "one." This was a song about three musicians, one a drum- mer, the other a violinist and the third a clarinet player, with com- edy interpolated. The act is a "class" turn, with the people in it possessing plenty of talent of the sort that should make it sure on any big time bill. It did splendidly No. S at the Palace. Bell ZENA KEEFE. Songs and Talk. 13 Mins.; Full Stage. Orpheum, New Orleans. , New Orleans, March 16. Ze'na Kecfe, picture star, debutted into local variety realms Monday. The Intention Is to have Miss Keefe appear personally for the purpose of further popularizing herself in films, while vaudeville gains an in- expensive drawing card. It looks as if vaudeville had gotten a shade the best of it, for Miss Keefe has an act which i3 aug- mented by a highly engaging stage personality. Her appearance Is pre- ceded by a four-minute reel show- ing excerpts from pictures in which she has been featured. She indulges In an intimate chat about the screen with several charming anecdotes that brought attention. In conclu- sion she sings, disclosing a nicely modulated voice. Miss Keefe was spotted fifth and projected In regular act form. The duced by means of this, "beauty" local engagement Is In the nature I appearing first in an artistic pose HARRY PUCK and CO. (5). "Everyman." Songs and Dances. 22 Mins.; One and Full Stage (8pecial). Fifth Ave. Harry Tuck's new singing and dancing revue should make a weK come addition to the already large number now appearing in vaude- ville. I: is smart, speedy and filled with entertainment. Assisting are five of the niftiest chicka seen around in weeks. Not the garden variety of choristers, but all of them specialty entertainers, capable of putting over a single. The act is titled "Everyman," and is a Billie Shaw production. Following a prelude in "one," Puck is disclosed in a full stage set. He speaks of beauty, youth, fashion, song, dance, etc. A platform is set at the center downstage and ia cur- tained, giving the effect of a stage upon a stage. The girls are Intro- of a test, with the Orpheum Circuit holding an option to present* her further should her initial reception warrant. They can give her the cir- cuit, for Zena Keefe has everything to commend her and her reputation will assuredly prod the box-office. Samuel. BOOTH and NINA. Cycle and Banjo. Full Stage; 11 Mine.; State-Lake, Chicago. Chicago, March 16. Coming out of nowhere, this pair opened the show here entirely un- known, and mopped up as no opener in the history of this theatre had ever done. Booth is a trick cyclist who runs a pretty routine edging up to a Ralph Johnstone stair-mount on his bicycle, then to a leap on a pedes- tal, then off. He had a meehanlcal accident, something breaking on his wheel. But he fixed it, and as the applause started, rose and rever- berated through this huge auditor- ium, completed the stunt. Nina ia a aweet confection, who, as the assistant to Booth and with such charms and ingratiating per sonality, might be forgiven if she through the roof, both reaching | 0 nly stood by and looked nice. But marvelous climaxes in this number. Fay then did a new ballad, "Castles of Romance," which flopped; the melody hasn't the modulations re- quired; Fay Courtney must never sing a ballad without bringing down the house; she got a few light taps only. The five then played some "chamber music" which got little. The girls went Into "Mammy," beautifully done and enthusiastical- ly taken. There was more instru- *TONY and GEORGE. mental string work, a medley, at Acrobats. she produces a banjo and tears the heart out of it. She could do a single on her appearance and ability. The act went over for a memor- able wallop and can stand up to open, close or hold up any spot in any bill In any man's theatre. IjQit. HOWARD and JEAN CHASE (1). "That'e Mine" (Comedy). 15 Mins.; Full Stage. 23d St. This turn has been out for sev- eral months. Howard Chase was formerly In stock, while Jean had her own little skit out last season. "That's Mine" is the billing used though the meaning of the title is not made apparent In the playing. Miss Chase is the baby vamp daughter of a wealthy man who Is trying to put over a deal. Howard is the family chauffeur with whom she has fallen in love. The old boy, while he thinks well of the young man as the driver of his motor cars, can't see him as a son-in-law. So when the youth asks consent to beg for the daughter's hand in marriage, he IS "given the air," only to be immediately reemployed at $50 over his old wages. The action is given comedy • alues in the "propositions" the young man offers his employer. He tells the latter he desires to become a big man. He has a scheme to make a million dollars In a hurry—buy a farm and "breed watermelons." This bit drew hearty laughter. It followed a confession to the girl that his ambition was to own a soda foun- tain. Miss Chase's vamp bit, too, was worth while. It all turns out that the youth took the Job to even up with the wealthy man for the double crossing of his own father years before In a cotton corner on the stock market. He extracts a nifty sum in retribution, and, of course, takes to his heart the girl. The Chases have a light and amusing comedy. Though it may not have the punch for big time, it is a safe bet for the other houses. J bee. and the others following in order. Mr. Puck uses the baby grand inter- mittently throughout the sot, play- ing for the girl's specialties and pianologing at times himself. A rhymed story Is carried consistent- ly throughout. The turn has several novel touches, one being the carry- ing on the stage of one of the girls in a small packing box by an ex- pressman and another a Chinese cabinet arrangement, from which Puck i nd the girls make entrances. All of the numbers are well han- dled and are properly varied in theme. Mr. Puck does a short med- ley of songs written by him. He carries his own act to success. One of the girls, a tiny miss, scarcely out of the kid class, is a corking toe dancer, standing out through her cuteness and looks. jLach of the other four dances exceptionally, all styles. The costuming is pretty and the lighting and stage settings up to the minute. % Bell. OUVAL and LITTLE Comedy Talk and Songs. 12 Mins.; One. Fifth Ave. A pretty girl and clever "hick' comedian, with some of the freshest material heard in seasons, consti- tute this team. Opening with a double song, they catch on immediately through per- aonality and delivery. The lyric aounds restricted, the melody whlBtly. A graceful dance accom- panies. Mr. D'vvul begins-s- sclo which she Interrupts, "bawling hlra out" and atartlng a matrimonial argument that includes some clever "cracks" and funny get-backs from her. He apologizes for his wife's jealousy, precipitating another ar- gument, the material maintaining the high comedy average, with the boy making frequent allusions to her father, all humorous and in good taste. After a long-winded tirade she begins to weep. They kiss and make up. A double song is next. It contains a line that reflects on her father, which renews the argu- ment. Another double song, fol- lowed by a natural finish, winds up one of the brightest talking and singing comedy duos of the current peason. They are ready for any of the bills. Con. the end of which the girls re-en- | tered in the final change, a shim- mering black affair, for "Grievin' for You." the hig! «-st spot in the act and high enough for any act. Fay then sang "Broadway Rose," ac- companied by an organ, Florence pantomiming the character. Curtaining down on this to a hand that started heavy, a misjudgment of showmanship made them cut in after the second bow and go again into "Sandman" as a walk-off epilog, letting the applause down. Judged by most acts, the Courtney Sisters went very well. Judged by their own past records, only fair. There appears a «-ery good likeli- hood that they will be asked to work with a piano player and cut most of the striving after effects that by no reasonable argument are required with an act that is surefire of it- self and can hurt its availability only by needlessly running up the 8HAPIRO and JORDAN. Piano and Songs. 14 Mins.; One. Columbia (March 13). Two female singers, one sticking to the piano. Open with a patter version harmonized on a pop song. A "blues" double next, also with patter version and fair lyric. Piano solo starting with classical selection and blending into popular melody, acceptably rendered, while partner changes to black decolotte dr<ss for a solo, "Alice Blue Gown," recognized through the melody, the lyric being lost by poor enunciation. Another double with the inevitable patter version concluded. The turn will pass In the three-a-day houses 9 Mins.; One (Special). Fifth Ave. Two men, one atraight, the other in comedy make-up, In tumbling and head balancing. A woman appears but does not figure in the acrobatics, on for .but a few seconds at the opening and entering into one or two formations. The comic has a peculiarly funny way of swinging hia arms while mounted on the understander's shoulders, giving the Impression he is walking when the understander moves about. The mounter, a slightly built youth, is - ept at twisters as well as straight somer- saulting, executing both from a standing position atop the under* stander, with the same ease and precision aa if he were on the ground. There la some comedy, just en nigh to contrast with the acro- batics. A good act of Its type, suitable for the best, opening or closing. Bell BERT and PEGGIE DALE. Piano and Dancing. 11 Mine.; Full. Cyc. Fifth Ave. Male pianist and mixed dancing couple. Stage enveloped by pretty cyolorama, also piano drape, spe- cial lamps, etc. The girl is a beautifully propor- tioned, dark haired looker, who holds the eye at all times. Tire male in Tuxedo is a satisfactory opposite. A waltz in the opening double with kicking featured. A piano solo lightly received clogged up a change wait before the next double, a "Temptation" dance pantomime with the girl in Spanish dress and lace mantilla. The male understands her In some body swings tc a split w'th a spin finale. Another piano solo with either poor syncopation or carelessness the reason for hitting "blue" notes fre- quently. This Is followed by a brief Jazz dance solo by the girl In a low cut gold bodice and ruffled knickers. The dance Includes nothing new, but lands on the female's personality and grace. The man Joins her for the finish double. EMMETT'S SONG SHOP (2). The act i acks thc punch to lift It Songs and Talk. above the average dancing turn, but 14 Mine.; One (Special Drop). w jh pasg j n the pop house mainly 58th 8t. I through the feminine member. A Two persons are concerned, one a Stronger finish would help. Con. robust man and the other supposed to be a lass in her mid teens. At the curtain he is playing Irish bag- pipes in front of a song shop, painted on the drop. The drop may depict some place in Ireland, yet a strange tree showers wisteria over a stone arch. The Idea of the turn is Irish, though the songs in the skit are not all so. The girl held to her role, showing a childish voice In her sing- ing. Emmett's piping tenor sounded thin with his first ballad attempt. He was better with "Wild Irish Rose," which a number of the girl's led up to and for it the man was rigged up in the cloak and stove- pipe of old Erin. Several puns won laughter, though quite paipable. In this house the turn was liked and it drew an encore. Only for small time. Ibce. in an early spot. <"on. SONIA MEROFF and Co. (1). Songs and Piano. 12 Mine.; One (Special Drop). 23rd St. Sonia Meroff, formerly of Luba Meroff and Co., has blossomed forth as a full fledged single with a male pianist. Miss Meroff is a vivacious miss, well instructed as to song de- livery and sufficiently fortified with looks to hold the average audience with her present published numbers. This miss registers from the start with a delivery that has sufficient magnetism to hold her well up In a late position on the better three a- day programs. WORK and MACK. Acrobatic. 8 Mins.; Three. American Roof. The team's forte Is comedy acro- batics, with thc comedian (entering to the strain of "won't get home un- til morning") shouldering the cur- den of the act with his falls that : t- tracted attention immediately. The straight, a blond fellow, did a few twisters and essayed a little eccen- tric stepping for his share the com- bination on the wholo proving di- verting sufficiently to warrant them a apot on either end of small time bills. SANKUS and SYLVERS. . Novelty Acrobatics. 8 Mins.; Full Stage. 58th St. With the billing and half lights at the start the woman of the act lent an air of mystery by manipu- lating a long paper lash, much the same as the Japanese stunt, at the opening. With the entrance of the man the real Idea of the routine, that of comedy acrobatics, started. They performed singly with the odd feats of the woman standing out as well as her partner's. She showed a bit of contortion work which was a surprise for one of her build. Cbfcin and tab!* #*!*• festooned with blue aatln which added neat dressing to these articles. Good opener for the three-a-day. Ibce. MILLS and SMITH. Talk and Songs. 13 Mins.; One. American Roof. The men personate rube charac- ters and engage In typical rube crossfire patter, following a travesty Oriental dance opening, \.hich proved doubly mirth provoking con- sidering the antiquated -ppearance of the hoaxters. A vocal nur-ber splits up the vise crackin:; chatter effectively and for a finish a * o I double stopped proceedings for a re- peat. 1 Entertaining big small timers.