Variety (June 1921)

maay. June 17, IWl :^^£ 17 JCAPLAN and NEWELU Music mn4 Bttr Work. 10 Mrn.j Ono (4) Full (6). §^«ei«l Drops (2). Kaplan and Newell have changed their namea from Jerome and I^fewell to avoid a conflict with another team. They are two male l^r athletes with a novel surprise opening in one before a special Mop- ': Both arii attired !h Chinese cos> tunes and get across some excel- lent music from a clarinet, and one-strlnged violin. This is fol- lowed by a corking solo dance by one member to the accompaniment of a fife, played by the i>artner. The act then goes to full stage where a apecir' bacic drop carries out the Oriental atmosphere. A horizontal three-bar a» aratus is iMied for some flashy looking bar work, the closing trick being a blind-fold body swing from a hand balance to the center bar. followed by anetlter swing to a knee hold on the. end bar, then a 8o:uersault to the stage. It was good for gasps and looked risky. The pair have framed a real novelty. The surprise element gets over, both being excellent musicians tnd making the opening in "one" stand up as a specialty. Con. JAHE O'ROURKE and Co. (2). Comedy Ptaylol. 18 Mins.; Two and Throo. Albomarlo, Brooklyn. Jane O'Rourkc and two men pre- sent a comedy sketch, containing a ' good Idea. Opening In two a story is unfolded concerning the marital troubles of a young couple, the wo- man (Miss O'Rourkc) calling upon her uncle an attorney, and Inform- ing him she wants to divorce her husband. The husband arrives shortly after, and tha uncle after listening to both sides, requests hu.sband and wife to sit still a few moments and think over the cause leading to the desire of both for a divorce. Tlie action then cuts back after the fashiwn of a picture story, to the aiMirtments of the young couple. The quarrel, which resulted in l>oth running to the lawyer is shown, and it is disclosed that the differ- ences between the pair are trivial. Action back again to two. to the lawyer's office. Both are still set on divorce. Lawyer says neither has legal grounds, and when re- quested to set forth manner in which divorce can be secured, does so. This brings pair to senses. Happy ending. Parts acceptably played. Plenty of good hefty laughs in Jiuarrel scene. Slcctch Is entertain- ing and should fit nicely in the pop houHe bills. Bell. POUTER J. WHITE and Co. (2). ''The Groatoot Thing." 8kotoh. 18 Mins.; Full stage (oxiorior). Fifth Avo. The s^ar of **Scandal*» (vaudevlTle one-acter) and many other two-a- day hits, got oflC on the left foot with this. It isn't, and it scarcely holds promise of being, an apropos vehicle for an established and le- gitimate name. The billing says tl)at Tex Charate wrolt* it. V^ixcover jCesc is he cast off with a pretty good idea but got lost in the woods In which he places the scene. The finish, with little ahead of it. drew a few snickers; it was so unskilfully obvious. Mr. White comes on as a strand- ed, actor hoofing back to New York with his dog. He is met by a ruf- fian in the forest. He tells the stranger who he is and plays two scenes to show he is an actor.—one from "Faust" and one as a blind beggar with the dog. The man re- veald that he is a crook and first a.sks and then demands that the actor make him up and give hlra some points in acting so be can slip across the line into Canada with $50,000 in banknotes he has stolen. The actor refuses. He says he would rather die—honor is the greatest thing. T^e man draws a gun on the dog. and the old actor surrenders, saying he would do any- thing rather than have his only true pal, the 3dog, harmed. He says he will rehearse the crook in the blind beggar scene, which he is fo act. as a disguise. The thlt?f takes the leash and shuts his eyes, and the actor snaps handcuffs cm his wrists and is the detective who has been seeking him for the $50,000 touch. If this—and without a laugh any- where and not exceptionally clever lines—is up to Porter J. White's standard in his own opinion, he is overly modest. He Is a skilled ac- tor and he is worthy of sterner or more amusing "copy." This one is neither drama nor comedy, and neither registers nor lmprej»«oj?. It is unlikely that it will proceed far beyond the try-out era. Lait. WELCH and HAZELTON. Comedy Talk and 6ong. 12 Mins.; Ono. (Spec. Drop). H. O. H. Welch, the straight man, is a former half of the Welch and Dobbs turn. Hazelton, his new partner, Is a capable comedian but neither will get very far unless the present turn is immediately revised. A special drop of the exterior of im apartment house serves to in- troduce the comics as the Janitor with Welch as a conversationally incUned tenant. Cros.sflr© follows, consisting of old and ancient ma- terial. The situation allows ample opportunity for clever dialogue which is muffed entirely. A comedy totich is a tenant making two trips out of the entrance for a can of heer. finally lugging a clock to be pawned and returning with a keg on his shoulder. The men could do things with the proper vehicle. The setting and haclvground are there in the pres- ent one. A trip to an author will benefit. ; ^ « con. SPOORS and PARSONS. Dancing. 12 Mina.; Full Cyc. H. O. H. A blacl( velvet cyc envelopes the stage. Spoors and Parsons are a young man and woman dancing team. The girl moltcs two changes to short skirts with the youth stick- ing to white irouarrs and bluu cuul throughout. Opening with a brief song they go into an acrobatic double, well executed as to grace and technique. A touch of Jazz stepping is followed a corking acrobatic waltz of all the standard stuff including the girl running to a knee rest in the crook of the man's arm. After a quick change by her they double fast acrobatic one step which includes some difficult body swings, the man acting as fulcrum In the whirl with a neck swing somewhat different from the ordinary run. They qualified as dancers of merit and excellent showmen, the turn zipping through without a lagging moment. They average up with any of the dancing turns seen off the bigger bills. Con, FRIARS FROLia (Continued from pagt fifteen) "After Dark." They were billed as "Tho Bradys." Brady dominated the shallow scene with grand old melodramatics. and in the deep set Alice waa thrown .nto the Thames and ho leaped in after her. Both struggled about In the tank and finally came forth- sopping with water, applause and glory. The hits were almost t( ) many to report. ,TJ(m J^terron killed them with his silly dancing and later scored as a referee with Smith and Dale of the Avon Comedy Four in a boxing match, which was a corking novelty, done as per slow- motion camera. Fred Helder, Maurice Diamond, and a dozen others starred at dancing. Eddie Miller sang twice to big returns. Irving Berlin led the finale num- ber for each half to success. Ed- die Cantor was in and out and on and off a dozen times, and in a burlesque song and dance and hokum turn with Kalmer and Huby, goaled the works. Cohan and Collier did a tr.^k and soitg and dance specialty next to closing for ovations. Jack Osterman in a song tied It up. Bernie and Baker re- united for a single number and landed. Among the others who partici- pated, many of whom scored and all of whom were stoutly ap- plauded, were Lou Lockett. Gerald Griflflii, Louis HIrsch. Miller and Ward, Patsy Doyle, Donald Kerr, Will Oakland. Lupez Ju::z Bund. The Mosconls. and Tommy Gray as introducer and cofnmentator during | most of the second part. Friar En- right. poJice commissioner, sent a double quartet of cops, who did their best. As an event, socially, profes- sionally and financially this Frolic was rt suicct'Ss. Owing to short notice it could not be repeated this summer. But next fall the Friars will stage another one. And If they can muster this amount and this quality of talent, should give at least one every month as a Sun- day, concert in a snmller house closer *to Times Square. Lait. PALACE. FIFTH AVE. Two-acts in "one," always vaude- ville's wholcsomost ^arc as well as its most tasty courses, owned this show. Foley and Leture, Moran and Mack. Be van and Flint and Davis and Darnell cleaned it up so that there wasn't enough gravy left for fire routine. Tho management foresaw the sure arrival of warm weather, and the yard to the right of the orches- tra floor invitingly holds an orange- ade fountain to assuage the thirst of the multitudes, with the compli- ments of the house. Monday night tho first-aid statton was a life saver. It was the most humid evening of the young summer. But business belled that. Box seats only were to be had at 8 o'cloclt: nnd ft t.r''>l«' »*'>vf of fff^nd^A^ soon formt^d. At tlie loetinee Ilie house was so far overslpid that or- ders to stop selling admission tick- ets were is.sued. Attendance, therefore, can be counted as remarkable for mid-Juni' and the filled houses attested the remarkable drawing power of Ethel Barry more, who stepped from the exotic "Claire de Lune'* (which clo8t»d at the Empire last Saturday) for another short sfason in vaude- ville. ^ strong was the first day's business it was believed around the Palace the record established by Ethel Levey during the wtnter would be equalled. With summer really here, however, the chances for the American Ethel to aceom- p*sh that feat are not bo promising Miss Barrymore came l>ack with Sir J. M. Barrie's *The Twelve Pound Look." That there might be no mis- taking the title the figure "|60" was inserted in parenthestsl It in doubt- ful if any less a star could make tlie Barrie playlet stand up. It is inter, estlng in a mild way, without any opportunities for its players. The same author's ''Half an Hour" has much more for aU concerned. Still New York vaudeyille Is lucky to have Miss Barr^'morr. Harry Piim- mer is the star's chief support, and as Sir Harry Sims he drew a splen- did characterization of the smug, successful English buslnefis man who had by power of . his millions lifted hlm>M»lf ftbov* tho classes. Bna Shannon, as the second wif^, who, though showered with Jewels, forlornly en\'ied the typist, suited well, while James Kearney handled the butler in i>ollshed though brief manner. Anotlter special summer attraction was coupled on the same bill. Har- land Dixon and the London I'alace Girls out of "Tip Top" (New Acts) being the show's novelty. The ap- pearance of Dixon at this time indi- cates that be has definitely split from the team of Doyle and Dixon. Ituth Roye. miHtress of lyrics, was sent on next to closing. Miss Roye ha.« always beeti careful In placing new numbers In her always sure- But she has found a STANLEY and OLSON. ??"!?' Talkina and Dancing, 23rd St'"' ^"** (Special). Man and woman. Special drop Showing stage entrances of two aajoining pop vaudeville theatres. Man on first, as a souse. Woman follows shortly. Exchange of talk, whiclj includes a familiar joke or iwo, but serves its purpose well •jJ^'Kh for Uiughs. Woman off for costume change. Man starts wer- *ou8 recitation, orchestra beginning with ?ad accompaniment, in slow Jjojpo. later breaking Into rag. JJaiv after efforts to continue recl- •alion takes up music and goes into soft shoe dance. He's a cap- able hoofer. Woman back. Soloes * number, followed by stepping. JJouble dance next and close with nageolot and ukelole duet, encored ^iti» a likeable blues duct on the instruments. Filled the No. 2 hole at the 2.1rd »t. iiiooly. The man has enough With his dancing and clowning to Ret thf» turn over in any of the nop housea BrU. ANDY and LOUISE BARROW. Songs and Daness. 10 Mins.; Ona. City. A boy and girl combination giving th? impression .''.t the opening that they are acrobats, after which they go Into a dance routine. A double dance starts them off, followed by a solo stepping bit by the boy which displays considerable acrobatic dancing ability. The girl follows this up with a male impersonation, using a number and topping 1 off with a dance. The latter part Is much the best, the singing missing. For the closing the Bowery tough idea as a number and dance is em- ployed, the couple getting away handily with ths stopping of this; order, which appears to be gaining in popularity, as it Is being cm- ployed jy a great number of danc- ing turns. No. 2 was most difficult, but they managed to pull through satisfactorily. ARDELL BROS. Flying Rings. 7 Mins,; Full Stags. American. Two-man comedy ring act wilh the comedy appearing only in the dressing. A bellboy outfit is worn, but there la very little atlempt at fun. all the v ork being straight. The usual routine followed closely and while nothing .sonsational de- velops the feats are done smoothly and well. As nn opening act for tho Loow hilLs the act should get aw.Ty all ^.^^^ ,^ It is not heavy enough forjtfrtain the rest to moisten a bean, not to mention oiling up some of the eggs. Monroe and Grant openetl. A tramp trampoline act with the unusual prop of a profile motor truck as the frame for the Jumping mat. Did eight minutes of solid work with some laughs and a decent getaway. Blva Lloyd, a young blonde of melt- ing features, lovable on sight, re- vealed little beyond her personal sweetness. Her opening jazz num- ber was cute, but not deft, and her voice scarcely penetrated to the balcony. In a Nan Halperin imi- tation she was pleasant, though nothing like it. and in a Harry Lauder Impersonation she missed tho mark so far that only her cute bow-legs gave any one a cue. She returned with a saxophone solo for an encore, only fairly executed. The girl needs about six years on the smaller time, and seems young enough to stand it and pretty enough to cash on It. Bevan and Flint slew the Philis- tines from come-on to blow-out. Bevan is a funny duck, something like Hebe Williams, yet no infringe- ment. Miss Flint is a statuesque brunet, not afraid to clown or be the butt .for hoke. Laughs above par. applause Immense, five bows. Por- te-- J. White (New Acts) not strong. Foley and Leture, with special hang- ings of black and white peacocked perpendicular stripes, brought the show harft. Eddie Foley Is a silk- lined juvenile comedian who han- dles songs, lines and light laugh- business without strain. Miss Le- ture Is a blonde beauty of pro- nounced charm and upper-ten man- ners, with a divine soprano voice and dancing graces of high order. With several costume changes and these perfect vaudeville per- sonalities the turn gilded amus- ingly to a pretty triumph and four bows, Moran and Mack crowned the mob with the blackface crossfires, Kome new, some old. some of the very old on«'H restortMl. jot all tj'p- ical Charlie Mack stuff. The box- ing finish waa a riot. The team seemed to be working .'^hort. Muck is reported ill. Davis and Darnell topped all with the laughing hit of the program. The breezy witticisms stepp* d on each others heels. From stem to stern this was vaudeville .sharp.shootlng for bull's-eyes. J. Ro.'^amond Johnson closed ex- cept for the local dancing conte.st thut followf'd. Ji'hnson has a gr»od rolored act and in .ipot-s—wheri there wns real effort and not so much obvious "showmanship" for applause and encores, the darky stuff was appreciated. At the end Johnson made a lurllcrous sally after rncores. and. though the «p- I)lau.«!o was ncRliKihle. he puHh«*d one over at the retreating audi- ence. What in Kddie I^onard and others who feature their audience- handling amount.s to principal tal- ent, in Johnson injures the en- new one that is a "bear"—one of saxophone playing. Healav^ kaows his vaudeville and exhibits high class showmanship. Frisco ia talking more than ever before and fast developing Into ona of our best "hick" cor ilea. It is nat- ural with tho ex-king of the saw- dust floora He gets plenty of laughs with his delivery and stut- tering. Misa McDermott and Kddia Cox were both favorites here, help- ing the turn immensely. Miss Haynes cleaned up in the nexc to shut spot. She is a singer of oharbCi^r uongb of ilna firnt WHl.*»f. Her characterisations of slangy shop girls and wise cracking cliorua dames are classics. The lyrics ara on a par with her delivery, which makes for an unbeatable combina- tion. She took several healthy bowa, but declined to encore, probably on account of the length of the show. Jerome and Newell, who hava changed their names to Taffan an' Newell (New Acta) on accaunt of a conflict in names with another turn, opened and gave the show a fast start with their well conceived nov- elty. Rodero and Marconi, two comedy musicians, held the No. S spot The comic is planted In ilia pit. He Interrupts the violinist's solo with coughing and suvjexlng ualng * wop dialect. Later mounting tha stage, they double a piano accor- dcon and violin, the latter having a trick bow whleh conceals a whistle, later utilised for a double. The pair takes encores upon slight provoca- Uon, and should do the act completa before pulling the one nod and back stunt. The comedy ia forced !n spots, but they are ,veriMirtll« and should develop Into a valnabla com- edy asset to any of the bills. Jack Kennedy and Co. made them laugh, following with Kennedy's golfing comedy. The characteriaa- tion of the old bachelor who la coached in hia proposal by hla fu- ture son-in-law was handled by Kennedy in a broad manner th»fc was good for laughs. Tempest and Sunshine closed V.i% first half without aroualng any en- thusiasm up to the final number. The turn is splendidly produced and lavishly costumed, but lacks a punchy number up to the fhilah, a.- though playing much smoother and faster than when recently at the Palace. One line in one of Mlas Tempest's aolos could be dropped for good tasta. Ulsle La Bergere and her poalsff dogs closed to nearly the enthre house. The advertising campaign which Is being waged on the screens of the Keith houses In behalf of ths closing act seems to be getting re- sults here, for not over a dosen - -' Com. those numbers that comes along not walkouts we re noticea ble. BROADWAY. oftener than every other season. It was pie for the wise Palace hounds. Jack Donahue, fourth, easily went for the comody hit of the first sec- tion. Donahue landed so strongly in the musical comM|kfield produc- tion mailagers liave^BI lost sight of him. He was listed to open with the new •Follies," but with that show starting in Atlantic City tliis week it looks as though this come- dian-dancer had decided to stick to his first love. Donahue's chatter about his family. Including father, wiio was Ko small he thouRlit he had a headache when his corns liurt. had the house in good humor. The monologistic fioctlon w-js easy for him. which made his dancing all the more a cinch. William Demarest and Kstelle Collette sent the second section away to a runin.; start. It wns rather tough that Demsrest had to sport a vest for the tie bit. but it gave him a cluince fur a "success" laugh, referring to the Barrie play- let. He had the gallery plant work- ing more effectively than ever. The galleryite called out for an Imitation of a jeu^kass (current because of the Admiral Sims speech). The team are back for a quick repeat date. They switched the routine by put- ting over a straight duet for the finale. Mary and Marie McFarland. with Thomas Orlselle at the piano, had to be content with the three operatic and classical numbers in the No. 3 position. The house was too much occupied in ^vorking fans to insist on encores. Jack Joyce, a fair- haired English lad with a smilo and one leg, was a hit No. 2. Joyce looked handsome in evening clothes. It may have been the war that cost him the opportunity of being a l»ril- liant juvenile, though he did not mention how he became a man with a crutch. And that crutch is edu- cated, Joyce, too, dancing unaided at times to large rtp|iiec(;jti<ni. For ont song number he had a special lyric set to the melody of "All by Myself." In encoring he danced with a girl (whom ho said volun- teered) to prove ho could get along quite well In a ballroom. The speedy jURgling and chatter of the lloyai (iascoi^irnes l^adt; the opening ftpot lively. W. Ho. lick ana .Snrampa Sisters (New Acts) closed the show. Jbee. RIVERSIDE. right. It is not heavy enougn io« ) tertalnment faculties of his routine tha closing position. and his support. Lait. A .«^mooth, well balanced. eve.Jy playing bill of eight acts at the Itiv- ersitle entertained ahout a lliiee- quarter filled house Tuesday night Herschfl Hmlere, fourth; Frisco, with McI>ermott and Cos, after In- termission, and Mary Hayn(H, nt-xt to closing, were tiie Icader.s. ea<h turn registering. Ifenlere romped oft witli tlj first lalf honors hi his plHnoflu.<e Mtunt. assisted by the corid l(K>liini; M rrvli- girl who aida the lini::;h with hur With the show starting late and running slow, due In part to inex- cusable stage waits which several times occasioned the alert orchestra . leader to vamp an Impromptu in- termediary overture. It waan't much this side of midnight when the last fade-out of "The Woman God Changed" filckered out. Thla fea- ture film Is being held over at the Broadway for a second week "by popular request." although another full length feature is also shown tn the mornings for the early crowd to pad out the interim until two o'clock when the first vaudeville act begins. June and Irene Melva, a couple of chicks entre-acted with a musical repertoire which opens and closes with dual soft and hard xylo ham-v mering and sandwiches in between a little novelty stunt In the way of pitched glass bottles, graduated ac- cording to scale by means of aque- ous contents. They accepted a routine encore and pleased during their stay. Greenlee and Drayton, two ebony songsters and steppers, got consid- erable on both ends, including a lin- guistic session In which they Re- verse in several foreign tongues. The German spiel disclosed their ability in that tongue above all others. The ground hoofing got the most on the terpsichore end. Barle and Sunshine, a "dlfferenf* sister u.ct, pleased with a variation routine titled "yesterday and today" in which Miss Karle does the modem flapper and Misa Sunshine the de- mure miss of yesterday. The latter secured considerable comedy in bet satire on the modem mnnner of dressing and dancing by attempting to mimic them, a situation tiiat has poKHi bill ties for bales of travesty, hut which she wisely handled legiti- mately for legitimate comedy. Il^-ruy and M^wre n&ng, dr^nce.l, talked, violin-played and clowned about for fifteen minutes for con- siderable damage. The combination is sure-fire for the small big houses. Marguerite I'adula following piano- logued her way to a sweet hit via whistling, singing, gagging and in- strumental work. Opening with an audience numt>er in which she whis- tles to the selected patron, she opines that each, some or all of the accomplishments she eventually ex- hibits are certain to win his (the patron's) aff^^rtions nnd she even- tually proceeds demonstrating, and preHumahlly winn the approval of mor«' tlian one incml>cr of the audience. Two Little Pals.' a Gcor;;e Thooa 13-people tal>. .-id<led the n«*<M'ssary flaHh. diiHh .ind color to the bill and .should lUJJihfy «iJtto on other la>- oiit.s. Jack !f<nrv. riioiKs' standard juvenile, and Kdilh Maye, a come- dienne of the eccentric school, are « o-f«attired i»i the lobby billing. (.t.'<Jii'i'i»Jcd on page tw«uiy> ..■ . « >*■' • t ■;* ; » > . '^liyigaftAii^iftk^.giauKA^