Variety (April 1921)

. Friday. April 29, 192* SHOW REVIEWS xrsrr 21 PALACE. Ten artion the bill this week, the management probably framing the «how for extra strength surround' to the headlines Ethel Levey. It was the second engagement at the Palace for the American com- edienne, who came overseas for a visit late In the winter. Miss Levey's first booking resulted in a new Palace record, with the star receiving an unsolicited bonus from he house. That the record achieved would be equaled this week was not expoeted. Yet. Monday night a double row of standees was in, and after the show many private motor cars in line attested to the smart draw she attracted. Reports on Broadway have her starring in a new revue that is due in the fall, but that iH doubtful. She sails for Lon- don next Tuesday. ' Miss Levey's act is somewhat changed in routine from that offered in the initial performance. She is full.stage for the opening, seated reading 'ncath the light of a lamp, whilo at times she toys with playing oardH during the singing, of a new Irving Berlin number, "A^l by My- self" -"The full stage opening was especially for the rcndijion. of the number, sung entirely..while she was : seated.' In the shadow an accom- panist played—also a special effect i for the number. During the singing of the first » Verse there wan a suspicion that Miss Levey had forgotten the, lyric, but she easily rode by. Her style of delivery may or may not be adopted ' by others who will use the song. Miss Levey was.distinctive'y acting 1 it, and the impression registered was true an a die. Into one for the balance of her act.-she entranced in ' white and showing a gold anklet. She scored with the coon long num- ' "ber. Miss Levey was-always one of the most graceful of dancers and ' she still has that distinction, the stepping bits being all too short. The ♦ " serious "Destiny" drew most gen- • embus' applause", and the star nsisdlv ' bowed Off to change and finale with ' the second new number in the routine. It is a ballad, '.lust Keep a Thought for Me." She read the lyric • from a slip hidden in her feather fan. referring to it until the chorus was reached. Another special ac- companist appeared for the number, jn xylophone being operated from the orchestra pit. The comedy features of the show both landed smashing hits and went close to the applause score of the headliqer. In the first section Joe Cook was the "works." He appeared .fourth and pulled the first real and ■ of the going up to that time, which .had been particularly spotty .and desultory. Late in his turn the pa- trons were still arriving and it was past 9 o'clock. Cook showed a lot of stuff and much of it seemed new. Cook started in his usual manner. When it got down to doing "feats,"' a aword swallowing phoney drew a squeal from a woman. Two "eggs" brought forth a magicians trunk from which the comedian finally ex- tracted a handkerchief. Going into his "four Hawailans" bit, he ex- plained it happened four or five years ago, B. I*., meaning before prohibition. The musical instrument bit was a scream. He started off with a bum zither, "sweet potato" and jews-harp. Grabbing the fiddle, he started scratching away, at the same time blowing up a toy balloon. Which when released fell to the floor, the escaping air giving out a sound of Scotch bagpipes. He immedi- ately changed the tune to Scotch on the fiddle, to general laughter. Cook probably has two assistants. One was used at the Rube Goldberg fin- ish. Another was in a ventriloqulal bit, the man having a rubber face, the lip being: pulled up and down by a string in Cook's hand. He showed skill as a juggler with elubs along with other "legitimate" bits, but his appearance in the act ef the Alexander Brothers and Eve- lyn (New Acts) in the next position was the laugh of the evening. In violent red sleeveholders, he was in and out throughout the clever rou- tine of the ball manipulators. Cook played piano for the first bit of manipulation. A moment later he , spread a carpet and cast roses for an exit of Evelyn. A barber shop , bit kept the laughs coming. There was a unicycle entrance, and he roused 'em by rolling in atop of a Rlobe. with two prop figures bal- anced on his shoulders. He was "straight" for severai bits in the Alexander act. White satin coated and batted., with "diamond" cane, he stepped gracefully while a talking machine provided the music. Hoop manipulation for a minute again showed Cook to have a hand ir\ other styles of act than his single, or else he is one of those rare artists who can adapt themselves to a wide range of specialties—a new Fred Stone. Van and Ernie Stanton delivered the comedy punch after intermis- sion, appearing eighth. A youth failed -Harry" brought forth the 'goes into" early in the routine. • The "^ag" was resting upon a cush- ion. Harry saying he understood they fOt many laughs out of the thing several years ago and asking them . .to "try and get them now." The youth also brought the uke In on the pillow. The Stantons have more °f the musical in their turn than formerly, and it works out very successfully. A quick split brought • big laugh, the stunt being pulled hy the larger of the pair. They worked up the "cut yourself a piece of cake," which Miss Barry men- tioned ahead of them. "Hortcnse," a comedy number, took them off, but the earned the encore speech. May Wirth, ,tlie bareback: rider, Phil the bareback comedian and the Wirth Family were allotted the im-» portant No. 7. One feature that aids the Wirth Family to euccess in vaudeville is the ability to work in a small ring. Here at the Palace it Is harder for the turn than in many of the other houses, it being neces- sary for the ring to extend almost to the foots. The May Wirth act is one of the features added to the bill late last week. It was Mays "roundouts" on the fast flying mare that brought the biggest returns of the exhibi- tion, the class of the stunt and the girl bringing forth a solid rattle of hands at the curtain. Phil's went to the comedy encore and the family took its flock of bows from the en- trances. Lydia, Barry showed her new rou- tine opening intermission, furnish- ing pleasant diversion. Miss Barry's old time bit started her off strongly. The chatter about the chap who in- vited her to dine and who was'play- ing a mocking bird effect with his toothpick brought giggles; also her description of a simp married man. She explained near-beer as being like a man looking through a key- hole with a glass eye. Miss Barry did not use her plant, though a male voice harmonized from the wings for the chorus of the pick number. Eva Shirley, with Al Both and Fid Gordon's musical boys, was allotted No. :t, which was a hit too early for Uer. On the program sh£ was listed seventh, but a general shift was made prior to Monday's matinee ; . Mies Shirley looked excellent in' a black frock with cut steel beads, used for the later numbers and op- eratic linish. Roth attracted atten- tion as always, while Gordon's fid- dling stunts earned him the right to bow. L. Wolfe Gilbert (New Acts) was given the early. No. 2 spot. Jack, Daly and Hazel "Uerlew opened. The ballroom number was given very queUy. After they started Spinning the couple did better. They "over- bowed." Joeefsson and his "Glima" eempany rioted, the short but very active "glima" work being in good stead. J bet'. 9**= COLONIAL. A straight vaudeville show and an excellent one at the.colonial this week, self starting and swift play- ing, with a generous dash of com- edy in both sections, balancing the tinging, dancing and musical ele- ments'perfectly. Not a silent act in the nine listed. Margaret Taylor (New Acts), opening-with a tight- wire turn, which included singing, stepping and patter, and Stafford and De Ross, a singing and dancing turn of the modern type closing. Rolls and Royce, second; Val and Ernie Stanton, fourth, and Henry Bergman and Co. closing the first half, each panicked 'em in turn. Each of the three turns was forced to spill a little oratory before leav- ing the stage, the applause in every instance more than justifying the declamations. Rolls and Royce are real dancers, showing a complete familiarity with every style of stepping. Their routines are away from the stereo- typed and featured with a neatness of execution that is at once notice- able. Going over for a speech No. 2, at the Colonial, where they have their likes and dislikes, and are not a bit backward in showing the lat- ter. Is an achievement worthy of record in the vaudeville hall of fame. Beatrice Morgan & Co., third, in Edgar Allen Woolf's comedy play- let, June Madness," scored person- ally and displayed a grade of acting ability considerably above the ve- hicle. The dialog and situations hold many laughs, but there are also frequent barren stretches of dull talkiness that slow up the act. John Connery contributes an excellent characterization as the husband. The act pleased. Val and Ernie Stanton are doubling at the Palace this week. When it comes to versatility these two chaps are assuredly entitled to high honors. They sing, dance, comede and play the uke and har- monica, and do each in an individual way that is sure for vaudeville and undoubtedly would be sure in any- type of show. A certain drollness in their method of handling conver- sational patter also makes them dis- tinctive among present-day comedy 1rarris. They rotrld have stayed OH an hour apparently, Judging by the manner In which they were re- ceived. Henry IJergman working with the Crisp Bisterf and Lou Handman at the piano, followed up the Stanton Brothers' riot with a wow Of huge proportions "Down Home Blues" and "All By Myself Were two of the high light- of the vocal rep. The Crisp girls also landed with their effectively arranged stepping routines. In response to applause toward the finish Mr Bergman men- tion Gladys Clark, stating she had beer ill and apologising for her ah sencc from the act. Miss Clark, n) though absent, received sn uppre Clotlve hand at mention of hei name .1. Rosamond Johnson and Co Whooped it up With ja?z> voealizint, and Instrumental music. The col Ofed Chaps work in a smooth, easy mi nner that betokens class. T got the second half off to a running lit. pulling down another applause hit of hefty dimensions. Mr. John- son's old-time song hits, including "Under the Bamboo Tree," stood up remarkably well when it is remem- bered most of them were written nearly 20 years ago. Like wine, they, apparently improve with age. Harry Watson, Jr., and Co. were a veritable scream with the tele- phone and boxing bits. Here's low comedy at its best, with players who grab every possible laugh in sight. Watson's mixed-ale scrapper is more than a mero comedy type; it's a creation. They recognized the char- acter at the Colonial. Although the bunch had all but laogtiod them- selves out at the antics of Watson and his company, A. Bobbins, fol- lowing and next to closing, sailed right into 'em, caught em' amidships and completely goaled 'em. The musical instrument mimic had' 'em yelling almost every minute he held the stage. One woman in the bal- cony had an attack of near-hyster- ics, which promptly set three or four others off into uncontrollable fits of hilarity. The "celebrated'* violinist with a red mop of hair and whis- kers put. the finishing touch on a real cojnedy riot. Stafford and Du Ross, closing with their classy singing and dancing turn, held 'em splendidly. A diffi- cult position for a dancing and sing- ing turn, but they got away with it. Attendance somewhat below capa- city Monday night. ' Hell. RIVERSIDE. The west side residents thronged into the Ninety-sixih street house Monday evening for a total which came close to capacity, the only va- cant seats being through the rear portion of the lower floor. Julian Eltlnge topped the week's sched- ule as to billing, and closing inter- mission proved the judgment of the display in both "paper" and incan- descents. Mr. Eltinge gave a quartet of numbers, all of which stamped him as supreme among the female im- personators. The clothes worn by him caused numerous feminine gasps, while the acknowledgment at the linish warranted a speech which was short, concise and to the point. It left the impression that iOltinge can repeat at this theatre any old time. There was plenty of comedy sprinkled through both halves of the show, which had Frawley and Louise, on No. 3, contributing their share to recognition, and Kane and Herman, who immediately followed the mixed team, also cashing in solidly. The act remains about the same with a few new lines. Previ- ous to the trio of acts named, Van Horn and Inez opened with a "sweet' ! vehicle for that spot. W. D. Pollard followed in No. 2. In the latter half of the bill Billy Gaston and the Watson Sisters took care of the laughs acceptably. Gaston showed after the "Topics" film and worked himself right in with his semi-"nut" offering that had a more or less serious, recita- tion placed down toward the finish. This passage was received enthusi- astically by the audience. Gaston Is using the regulation stock com- edy numbers that have been heard frequently for the past few months and it would do no harm if fresher material were added. Mile. Doree's revue of bits from •the different operas, done by an actette, proved one of the outstand- ing successes of the night. Here is an act that will score in any of the best houses. Numerous curtains, an encore and a threatened delay in* proceedings was what this-oper- atic turn contributed to the eve- ning's entertainment The Watson Sisters held a posl"- tion that was made for them and the two girls went after it in no uncertain manner. The act plays similar to the specialty the did when frolicking about at the Winter Garden with scattered exceptions, and summed up makes for a corking comedy turn that If placed right is "over" after the initial "cracks" as to Fannys weight. If it's an uphill battle for the team she of the su- perfluous avoirdupois is capable of making *era like It. which would seem to say the girls can't mlan. Dainty Marie closed the bill. JEFFERSON. The Jefferson, with the customary eight acts, played Monday night to rather poor business compared to other weeks. It was the celebration of the Passover holidays. For the price the card, including the Marx Brothers in the lights in addition to. Dolly Kay uw Jievejral other favorites, could rait he improved. The first half, consisting of five turns, was appreciably less a win- ner than the three turns in the last half. The Pour Harmony Kings had the honors up to Intermission. They established themselves a winner immediately with the clarion ring of four good, substantial voices Sing- ing with plenty of harmony and smoothness of Style. They worked their way through their usual rOU« tine and were applauded with a lavish hand. The deficient part of the SCt seems to DC in the last num- ber. Which is a little weak tor a linish. Th< v could easily have held a Liter position, Carl Km my and his pets opened Mi Krumy has evidently eliminated the announcements of the turn, and the canines go through their trieks with the regularity of ■ clock. The turn finished to considerable sp- plause In .No Z I.ec» Rose and Katheryn Moon romped through some step- ping that took the pallor off alto voices that never stood them in good stead. They had the assistance at the piano of Jess Button, who played two compositions, allowing for the change. Basil Lynn and William Howland followed in the routine of what they bill as "A Racey Conversation." The dialog of the Knglish "nut" caught on and one of the accustomed fea- tures of the turn is the singing of the "American" type, imitating John McCormack. That put the turn down fur a. ten-strike. Preceded by an announcement of the tirst American appearance after a two-year tour of the eastern hemisphere, Asahi, the Jap. was as- signed to closing the first half. The turn has a few countrymen as- sistants and with a background of the rich Japanese curtains. The draperies lent color and class. The preliminary stunts of "magic" are not different from what has been dished out by other turns offering similar material, but the concluding "trick,", in which a fountain stream disports itself at the will of the ma- gician, was impressive. The opening spot of the second half held James J. Kelly and Kmma Pollock. They, scored from the start, and although Miss Pollock explained .in a concluding speech their absence and activities in con- nection with the entertainment of the dough boys during the war, it was really the merit of their routine that brought satisfactory returns. . The glad hand that they held out to Dolly Kay In next to closing was one that should make any girl proud. . And with the first song put over the audience simply yelled for more, and the second had a similar result. I'our in ail, she sang, in a style and delivery that set them buzzing. She stopped the show and held up a pleading, hand and in the effort to let herself'be heard was drownrtl out by requests for more. With one of the boya»eJtminated, the brothers and Hattie Darling went through their newest Timberg competition as if nothing , could stop them from putting It over. It didn't. Starting on the dot of 8:30, the show was not ovfcr till 11:15. Htep. BROADWAY. Much appreciation was show- ered on the bill this week by those who came Ir. Tuesday night, and it was deserved. The gathering was in high numbers as to the total though there were various vacan- cies prominent in all sections of the* house. The entertainment was good vaudeville all the way, spaced so that most of the strength came forth from the middle of proceed- ings onwards. Jack Osterman, showing one up from the finish, cased his w?y through to substan- tial applause with his miscellan- eous routine which allows for any- thing and everything In the way of chatter and sums up as a rou- tine that is pie for this comic. Di- rectly ahead of the sine, e Pmr.a and company, showed with the mixed ouaitct of colored folks reg- istering on their own. *o b> fol- lowed by Ph'iia deliver! ij u couple of numbers receiving no litt'e aid from one of the boys pounding off or, a horn which had a megaphone attached for a "blues' effect that made for a great combination, ac- companied by a piano. It's a won- der this bit hasn't been grabbed off by some- ore, as it's a whnie. and promises a tough assignment for the boy in the act to hotd It ex- clusively. Wire and Walker gave- the show it.s initial i uth and shewed enough to rate as one of the b*st acts now playing in any of tlu* houses for thai position. The tur.i possesses a routine far above the average as to what is generally o.Tered ~n a slack wire. There are numerous novelties, rr.ninly, by tai. girl's en- trancing ard exiting through the uir. via a wire slung from the fli?s with a set In a full sta^re parib - ulaily ,- leaning. The Thornton Sisters did nicely with five songs delivered in a "bweet" manner backed by their appearance which totaled enough bows at the finish 'o make their ev^nlnj.'s work not in vj'.ti. Math- ews and Ayres followei, managing after a Hll'cult start to giln mo- mentum to tin extent t( allawli g for acknowledgment that kept then) in the i .inning. The Melo'.y Channels" worked it Up for '/* minutes wiJ; the giils. standing < ut all the way. The trio ;.' i li. l .anp«l regis tc. -1 jtidivi ! Q'utVj ' and roi'b-cr*v'civ •cvii/!' rh-e duo who step to the front for spe- cial attention, look well and have the Stability to take care of their numbers. The man works hard, but seemed superfluous with the Im- pression remaining the gats could do just as well without him. William KbS "crossed" half the house with bis ventrltlquist bit,and Came near calling a halt to the schedule. The Yjp-Yip Taphankers took lhe closing spot for all thur n was u oi h D nd held em. FIFTH AVE. A i 'Vbration or "festival'' card billed. with ten acts for both halves. .Nine' turns made up the first half of the show, an announce- ment of the song contest, open to all for iioney prizes, also being Carded The extra entertainment sent the show oft to a capacity house Tuesday evening close to 8 O'clock. "For Pity's Sake." with Charles ^Withers, was the headline attrac- tion. The Maddoek turn was an easy winner; spotted seventh, it tore off an old-fashioned hit. With- ers tottered on and off. keeping in character instead of defflng his wi« as usual. New bits are again no- ticed, and all the fresher touches went for new laughs. Arthur James as the old boy's son lias ex- tended his entrance with chatter between him and Withers. It takes up the time formerly used by the entrance of the "loady lady'! to in- spect her dressing room and the "flirtation" scene. A new contriv- ance was worked by Withers from his place in the "flies." The "gag" looked like one of Rube Goldberg's. For a storm effect Withers hoisted a scuttle which dumped into a trough a bowling ball, which rum- bled downward and was caught again in the scuttle, that then he dropped with a thud by the release of a rope. It was a laugh.' But the house roared at the paste bit. Jack Mack and Prankie James, in their new skit. "Big Hearled Annie." credited to Aaron Hoffman, were assigned next to closing. It was tough going following the Withers turn. They were pleasing despite the mild returns at the close. The routine stiii seems overtime. Speed- ing or cutting might help. Miss J -les' extremely, neat appearance c:unts for a lot, and she sparkled in her style of work. A new num- ber has replaced that first lifted. It certainly is an Improvement. '•■ Two single men were not far separated in the going. The first was Dave Ferguson, on fourth, but his new turn is really a two-act (New Acts). Russell Mack, who has been in several musical shows. is back in vaudeville now as a sin- gle (New Acts) showed on sixth. Helen Higgins and Natalie Bates, formerly with the Harry Carroll revue, appeared fifth, offering their "Singdancs" turn with Horace Bentley, a youthful accompanist, at the piano and also joining In .the opening lyrics. The girls' first dance number was a bit .too, slow, that because of the tempo of the ac- companying music. They Were much better in their second try', the costumes looking excellent, and fea- tured by very neat bodices. There were two other changes, the danc- ers displaying considerable bareness in the*'Egyptian number, then re- turning in Well designed soubret rigs of black Jet. This is a flash turn for the smaller big timers. Bill "Swede" Hall and Co. showed "Hilda" in No. 3. Hall's gobd show- manship cropped out through his "dame" character. Several times he "spotted" old lines so well that.they landed for big laughs. , One, was: "He told me he'd marry me on a cold day." The tapping of the fire extinguisher for booze tickled the house and divulged possibilities. Frances Dougherty went over for a big No. 2. She has Improved her routine considerably, and, being on the stage throughout, has eliminated the waits formerly a trial. She looked very well in a pink frock. Miss Dougherty earned two en- cores. First she did a Scotch num- ber, then came back for the Irish, which she concluded with a neat bit of stepping for one of her size. Baraban and Grohs closed the show with a good looking dance routine. The second number proved very neat and the novelty finish won returns. The team held the house well, ending with an In- dian conception. Sylvia Loyal opened nicely. There seemed to be more hat juggling than usual, and it was neatly performed. The house murmured when the poodle kissed the pigeon. Good sight turn. Ibrr AMERICAN ROOF. Aside from the draught caused by the opening of a door that leads out into the summer garden, by some of the male attaches, as they left for a smoke every few minutes. the evening spent on the American Roof the first half of the week was enjoyable. The show is a good one, with plenty Of singing and dancing and quite some comedy. The talk for the most part was bunched in the last half, but as It was al! of the comedy variety, it was not at all tiresome. Stanley and Wintrop. two boys, hoofed the show open and got away all riKht. There is not enough va- riety to an act of this sort. While the boys are good dancers, their routines are all more or less alike. After their second dance th»»y have little else to show. Why not go back to *he hard shoes? Very few ar* ttsin*? -them --now and ..they avi\_ always sure of something. Evelyn Phillips (New Acts) hit it off real well in the No. 2 spot. Three Mart el Is, a bicycle act of the old school, managed to put over a nicely placed hit for this style of act. They ride bicycles of 30 years ago, called in those days ordinary bicycles. The work on the uni- cycles Is the best. The comedian tries hard but doesn't get far. A good opening act In these houses where they use Ave acts. Howard and Craddoek. two men colored, iti evening dress, situ? and dance arid were very well liked. The vocalist has an exceptionally good voice and is sure lire in these houses The dancer, with a few ec- centric twists of his own. also comes in for his share of the de- serts. The finish is the (Stakes portion. More of the applause-get - |4ng Stuff should he inserted, with (Continued on page 2: •