Variety (July 1921)

la -.*"*!'^^7W'-.(ij'if. ■: ,» s»-'iB-^r''-wri»mp,»»-,jM!^j^«-, rrwiT-i; »<»i|#T_ T^^^«j,.7>^r VARISTY'8 SAN FRANCISOO 0FFI0E8 #att Jfrattriato •■> -c •iw*r-'jr»^~ Friday, July 15, 1921 PAMTAOE8 TBBATaE BUILDmo SAN FRANCISCO SHOWS THE SKIRT — B*w Frandgr«,..J«ly 13. A series o( Uufhs in spots brougbt on bj the pcrsoual acting of Bessir Borriscale as well as noiuu of tbe lineK vx the book of 'The Skirt." appeared to be the only predoininstinf factor of iho ntaDDcr in which a Tuesday night's audience greeted Howard Hickman's iu>\v fowr-act comedy. Without Miss Burriscal^ it is doubted if pleasing comments would be current but with her the home-going audience could be heard talking of lier cnte and elB- ricnt manner of playing Bob, the itlf- itjrlod youth from Chicago. 'Hio play, 8dverti8ed to play kere It the Saroy for fonr weeko, following which it would go to New York for a I niited engagement, is in its second and final week at the McAllister titrcet houflc, probably as the result rif the poor business. At Oakland a few weeks ago when it was presented In ntork it fared considerably better and although seTcral of the local daiiieH have spoken favorably of it, the punch seems lacking and the lines too many for the action displayed. How'-ver. with a well-trained company results would be far more satisfac- tory. •The Skirt" is the work of Howard llickninn. it has as its sponsors Maude Fulton and George Ebey, own- rr Fultun's playhouse in Oakland, an<I in produced under the direction of Uupert Drum and the author. A Monday morning fmdn Jimmy Nrwinaii (Ilarlun Tucker) and (Jjucp Unrter, love-sick spooners, disouflsius the arrival of liclty Price (Miss llar- ri^culc) from Chicago, at the Jack Warren <-;ittle ranch out west. Thiy IMC jo'n((l by Harry Newman, nn «d- joininj: roncher. and Kthel Warren, NJshr lo th<> Warren boys. The four lay plans for Itetty's arrival and pass ilio word she. is to come as a boy and to be known as "Hob.' a brother of <ira(C. The joke is entirely pointed toward .lack, whom it developn later in the play had a love romance with Hetty until they parted because of a quarrel. The importing of '*I$ob" iM the work of the fo.ir friends who are anxous to "squaie" the differ- cnees between the ex-lovers. Bob ai rives attired as a "kid" cow- I>iitM'her and immediately api»lies to Profirif'tor .fafk for sleeping tpiarteis. .!jick su,«;K;<'^t^ B"h ^'hure .Timmy's bed ntui Of) hcariui; an answer in the af- liriMative, offers purt of his own room. r.iil linally, through the efforts of the 0»ur plollern Itob is located iu an old Storeroom, and this, only after at- tempts to I.lace lier with the cow- piim Ikms fail to mature. It s«ems .lack recoj;ui/,ed liob im- mediately upon bei* arrival and also the cowpuncln'rs discovered that <lay IU»h was a uirl. However, as .Ia<k foun<l himself in the dark as much an the boys they all deei<led to allow the 9raclieai joke to continue until some- thin;^ happened. Time passes. Bob is put through the dut'es of a boy. She takes a hand in the poker an<l crap frames on the ranch and always yt'mn. Finally a Hurpri.'^e party in honor of Bob is ar- rantred by the boys. The old .saloon is reopened and colored soft drinks Hcrvj'd at the bar. JJob sees hov.- they Khoot men down in cold blood for uo rea.'«»n at all. She witnesKes a fvamed hohl up. .lark being the footi)a(l. After seeio)? the joke is o\\ l^r she becomes bra\e ai;ain. A real crook then Ixdds up the saloon. Bob sms n* another joke goes over to * ki I' the cr.iok wh > lU tuin ihreat'i.s to blow her brains out if she moves. She d )es. He aims to fire- and ju.st then one <tf the hoya pines liini and down he goes. Then I Bob fmds <iut how near she came to losinR her life. She also gives herself away in the mad scramble by the boys for the bandit. Everjbody .aees hiT long hair come from (oit of a boyish wipr. She returns to the ranch as n jtirl and Jack wins her. At the Savoy Mr. Iliekiniin played Cjirley, one of the towpunchers. Paul Harvey., for myny months leading man at t!ie Fulton, Oakland, phyed Jack Warren, opposite Miss Barriscale. Betv.ren these tlireo, the Rood acting was monoi)olizcd. Harlan Tucker di 1 well as .limmy W:irr<ti, Jack's brother. A Chinese conk, siippo-e I to inferjed comedy in the play, i.s onl.\ fairly interpreted. HIPP, FRISCO San Francisco, .Inly V,\. The Hippodrome bill this week miiK wll throngliout, a!t!io!r.::h the going was none t.io easy due to the sjini crowds presrnl Sunday at the first show. Tho Virginia T'-IN-;. rnrs:-~t!r,jr of a feminine (luintci of nuisiriiniv. had rio'in;; spot iird R;<.t jiwny nicely. "Rounder of I'l oadv. ny," haviiiR an eicellcnL cjist, rej,'isfri ed ptronjj'j nil ♦ he vvay. The legit role is especial- ly well handled, the player also show- ing an excellent siii;;iin; voice, whilr the stroighf ond the cop al.so acquit- ted themselves creditably. Alf Hipon. vertribxpiixinp with a man size dummy representing Jig^^, and a special set showing a saloon^ bad the house l.iuKhing througheut and threatened to atop the show with an old-time song. Morris and Towne, a mixed couple, on second, offered aome talk, the man's nut atyla and falls getting the laughs, the girl <lolDf the straight not figuring atronglj in ike results ob- tained. Reeder asd Amstrong, a couple of men with a couple of pianos interpo- lating aome anacnt gaffs, opened. Josephs. OBPHEUM, FRISCO Ban Franciaco, July 13. 8inger*a lildgeU are at the Orph- eum again this week, repeating after an ab.senre of only a little over a moutli. The little folks, giving the same varied entertainment, were ac- corded beaxtj response by a capacity Sunday night audience. Clara Barry supported by Orrille Whitlcdge, and "A Trip to Hitland" were holdovers from laat week and the song writers' art held next to dosing. Mang and Snyder closed tbe «how. Some walked out while the mat was being rolled down, but after the athletes got atarted with their excel- lent hand to hand and strong arm feats they easily held them in their aeats until the finish. Unusual strength is displayed by the lifter through the largeneM of the top- mounter. Of the quintet of new ones on tbe program the evening's honors went to tJeorgo Austin Moore wh«) was fdrced t) give numerous encores fol- lowing; his ea.'jy style and perfect nejtro dialect in war stories and son •«. His enc<»r«>s inHuded a Swedish dia- lect Kon^ excellently handled and n Cerm.in ditty, very ancient. l?yron ard Hatg oflFered som.e neat sinking bits that found hi;;h favor. Miss Ityron is vivacious and an ani- mated little person displHyiag eo:M- fdy ability especially in an opera travesty bit. She has the making of a good comedienne ond with Haig, who is also small of stature, fornis a ne it con^binntion.. Fidwttrd Marshall, in pecond spot. 4 1 tertained with his talk and cartoons, i^totb and Ninu^av the show a jro-^d >tnt. llootJi's cycle stairw:iy climb iwA jump is nicely worked up for Ko<»d IruiRhs and Nina'" -ne'-f ajipeai- aiuc and banjo selection^ :idd Rvatly. Joaephsi. PANTAGES, FRISCO Sun Franci.sco, July I'l. KvR Tanguay drew to Fantsiges nil day Sunday the largcj«t crowd of recent years with all stnndin;; ro'>m occupied and all available stage space ntili/ed for patrons. It is certaiu .»1.- will shatter all previous box of- fice records. Mifts Tanguay held the stage over 20 minute.^ at each i)er- formance. her routine including most 01 r)cr famous numbers. The whole t')wn is talking about Kva Tangu.ny. Teddy Wuldman, planted in a box. scored with his harmonica r.nd Fred- die Rich ofliciated at the piano. The supporting bill gave saLifj'nc- tion. (V.igane Troupe, a mixe«l ouin- tet of Russian dancers, gave the bill a fast finish. Some Vnee dancicg aiid whirling by the men and the heaviest pirl's clever work were aignals for ap- jdause outbursts. The (Jallerini Sisters, with gypsy costumes, made an excellent impres- sion with their musical offerin?:. They ]o')k well and give a good account of themselves. Kd Itlondell and Co. caused eon- siderable laughter with their familiar act. "The Boy From Home." Phil La Toska bad his usual success open- ing. Josephs. CASINO, FRISCO San Francisco, July 11. "Farewell Revue" u^as the title selected for the final week of the Kinjr company which gives its last performance of the season ft Mf ('a'^ino tonight. The present com- pany will take a rest pending the Oakland engagement scheduled to start Auj;. LM. 'ITie Casino will be dark for four weeks and during that period Will King will devote his time to his No. 2 company which is now forming: and will rc-open the Casino in conjunc- tion with the regular Loew bills Aug. 7. The farewell revue was a revue in every particular. There was no attempt at any story and consisted entirely of disconnected acts which ie»|iilred five separate scenes. Scene 1 labeled "flefore and^ After Mar- riage." had (vlair Sbarr and Heece (lardner assisted by Jewel I.orraine and Teil Murray. Scene 2 wa^ pro- cramnied "Murder Will Out.' with Will Kir.;;, J.ew Dunbar, Will Hayes, Itessie Hill and others. It was an ( xcellent travesty on police methods. The thini scene h.'id Will Hayei^, liCw Ounlwr, Next was the ••Defini- tion of Wnmon" presented by Will Iloyes, Reece (iarJner. with the as- Ilouora Hamilton, Will King and BIR8. BASEY'S DIVOEOB Ran Franeioco, July 13. Mrs. Gaby D. Barry, former show firl and friend of Peggy Hopkins Joyce, received a decree of divorce from Fancif A. Barry, woaltby Naw York banker in tfte fioperior Court here last week. Although a rumor is ourrviii ^fib. J m \ y->r*i[;• jgiven a ^ash settlement of $100,000 prior to her appearance in court, no ▼erifieation of tbe report has been made. Failure to provide w«a charged in tbe complaint by Mrs. Barry. ANIMAL8 AND BIRDS San Frandseov July 13. Animals and birds, wild or other- wise, including c apes, black laopards and the grotesque beefsteak bird, all valued at ovor $200,000, arrived here from India and Borneo on a Pacific Mail ateamatdp liner laat week I). 8. Rabb of Bnglewood. Gal, beaded tbe party. The shipment is destined for New Tork and Cbicago. OBITUARY K£BNAN'S PLAT 0L08B8 San Frandaco, Jnly 13. Frank Keenan, who opened hero under the auq>ice« of Tom Wilkes in "Rip Van WinUe" two weeks ago, closed at the Columbia Saturday, cut- ting the run from four weeks to two. The play, advertised for the road, has been cancelled by Wilkes. Scenery and equipment w^ll be shipped to Salt Lake C}ity for use at Wilketi' srtock theatre in tiiat city. FRIGANZA ROAD SHOW San Francisco, .luly i:{. Having a three weelc vacation out this way because of the Kumnier sea-, sou closings in the Rmaller cities, Trixie Friganza, beadliner on the local Orpheuin bill last week, will tour the state with Deiro and others iu a "Triiie Friganza Road Show." Fred A. Qiesea and W. A. Rosco are supervising the route and business. NEW OAKLAND ORPHEUM San Francisco. July l.H. , Annouu(>ement for the pun-hase of a site for a new Orpheum, Oakland, to cost around J^t'iCOOt^. was made last weeh. The site is on the east side of Broadway between 10th aud 20th, and is hut two blocks from the bnsi- ept sectitm of the transbay city. The IranHaction for the new theatre building was handled by A. V. BIu- roenthal. It ia expected construc- tion will Ktart within a short time. sistnnce (»f Alice Morris, .lewel lyor- raine, Nell Harding and Hay.el Fur- man, The final act "In Union There Is Strength" made a fitting diinav to the revue which wa.s u big suc- cess all through. Ti . were plenty of numbers in- terpolated between sets and daring the ninninjr. Dorothy Neville sorg •'tJood Hye" in a powerful voice that jiir L rocked the honse with ai)p!au8e. The cute little Knight SisUrs had the openiufj number on the* runways. ItefiHie Hill put over a blues in great style. Ueece fiardner led the girls with "l Wish I Was Rom in Borneo." The (Jolden Gate Four offered a specialty. There was toe dancing by Crace Astor. ('luricV Whitney and ( itiri- Holl(»way. (Msir Starr had the hit- of the show number? with "Maybe" which was very appropriate with some of the lyrics changed to suit the occasion. Alice Morris and Grace Astor offered an oriental dance number. The girls (30) added their nsual good looks and pep. Business ^ras good all week. The uiuai vaudeville program pre- ceded the King offering. Wil'iam Dick took all the honors in that section in itie dosing spot. Dick has a likable way of puttinR over his song« •and stories and plays a mean guitar. The Apollo Trio, three men in bronze poses, balancing and strength ituis took second honors. Mykoff and Vanity, dancing, opened the show. They start with a slow waltz and then uncork exceptional speed in some jazz dancing and whirling that gets away to good applause. "Fallen Stars" is the title of an act that fias a male qu«rtel. and Peggy Holton in a country store setting. The singing ability puts the act over. Miss Holton is an attractive girl, pos- sessing a pleasing voice and the men do exceedingly well with harmony singing but tiie comedy is below par. Bobby and Earl, a mixed couple, did well with their skit "Oh Doctor" in the third spot. ' RALPH HERZ Ralph tierz died in Atlantic City July 12 of diaketes, aged about 50. He went to the seashore resort last week accompanied by his wife, and 'Sunday was sei:£ed with his fatal iiju<..%.> ana ■ *«^^ved to the AMantic City Hospital. An Knglishman by natinty, he was born on tke Con- tinent nn() came to America in 1002 with MrN. iM trick Campbell. He married Lucy Olaser in 190C—several years later tliey were divorced. His present widow wa* Frances I^gon of New York a non-professional. Be- sides bis widow, his mother and four sisters iBurvive him. Mr. Hera's latest professional en- gagement was in *^lo8som Time." He enjoyed nearly a score of starring and featured engagements in musical comedy, besides being headlined at various times in vaudeville. FRED WARD Fred Israel Ward died of tuber- culosis in Faris July 6. He went abroad recently in tbe interest of the Shubcrts. Last week be was re- moved to the American hospital, Paris, after sudden hemorrhages. Ward was formerly teamed with AI Fields in vaudeville, the latter lifting him from tbe job as "props" at Keith's Union Square. He was, wayite than an actor, becoming at times affiliated with tie C. B. Dilling- however, better known as a Broad- ham and Flo Ziegfeld offices and he went to Europe several times on "PINKEY" AT SAVOY San Francisco, .July l.'J. Maude Fulton's new play "Pinkey," «chc<luled to play two weeks at the Gurrau following the "Four Horse- men," will go into the Savoy Sunday, (July 17) following two weeks at that house of "The Skirt'* "The Skirt" was billed and adver- tised for four weeks at the Savoy. The final two weeks were cancelled. As George Ebey. producer of both plays, had contracted for the Savoy for four weeks be l^ooked "Pinkey" for that house. * It is believed the "Fotir Horsemen" will remain over at the ("^urran for two move weeks, business holding up very well. PICTURE MEN PINCHED San Franci.sco, July V.\. E. E. Gerlingcr and .lobn K. Car- lyle, heads of the Apex Motion Pic- ture Co., were arrested here last week on a warrant sworn to by Gus- t«v Green, who charges the men with obtaining money under false preten- ses. According to the complaint, the men offered jobs to those who bought stock in their concern. Green claims after making the investnient he was place<l in a run down theatre along with other stock purchasers. ROAD SHOWS WEST Coast Bookers Aaticfpate Shortaoo- C -gintzing Colored Troupe. San Francisco, July 13. Fred A. Giesea, booker of all road shows out this way, and W. A. Rus- co, former owner of the Georgia Minstrehs are planning the organiza- tion of a colored Creole show which will have in its cast thirty girls. Giesea & Ru.sco have made extea- sive prepar»tions for the launching of several road shows for the West this season. They forecast a short- age of such attractions during tbe so-called "dull" months. San Francisco, July \%. The T. & D. Junior cirwiit recently purchase<l the Rialto and Grand In Reno from Hurst Bros., are now ne- gtoiating for the purchase of God- dard's in Sacramento. Joe Cohen, Honolulu theatrical manager, is here. Ho arrived last week. Cohen briofs new* of the con- struction erf a new $300,000 tiieatro in the island dim. w 1 * T LEVEY'S DEAL Fritoo Booker Closing, for Kallla- Burnt Northwestem HoMat». San Francisco, July 13. Final action on^ deal which will bring about the acqniaitlon By Bert Levey of tbe KeDie-Bums offiees and circuit in the Northwent and an ad- ditional eight weeks of playing for Levey is expected momentarily. Levey, whom It has been reported numerooB times before, has be«n after the Northwestern territory, is now dosing the deal. missions for the managers. He spci-L bcvtial months annually at Saranac, but refused to remain away from New York permanently. Ward was 44 years of age. He was a nephew of Milton and Sargeant Aborn. \ d MARION CHAPMAN Marion Chapman, in privaie lifw Afrs. Leonard Gallagher, wife of the manager of tbe Shubert theatre, New York, died suddenly at Bayonne^ Long Island. She appeared with ».< H. Sotbern several yaars ago and of late has played in vaudeville. Mri.^ Gallagher and her husband left New York Snrday for a vaciiuoa. She was almost immediately ntriokeu neeessi* tating her transfer to a private ho^ pital. There are no children. in loviaf memory tf JOE WELCH A devoted husband and father ! who died July 15th, 1918. SADIE WELCH. MAE MiHGLEY Mrs. Mamie Midgley of Cincinnati^ for 3.5 years a member of tbe vaude- ville team of Charles and Mae Midg, ley, died at her home in Cincinnati after a six months' illness and was buried the*e. Years ago she a.i.s as- sodated with Jnlia Marlowe. Be^des her husband, a son, Claude Midgley, former actor, • survives. The de- ceased was a sister of Mrs. J. W. Meara, former Cincinnati actress, the mother of Irene Meara, in burlesque. Fannie Midgley, a screen actress, is a sister-in-law of the dead woman. IN AFTECTIONATK KKMKMBKANCE of my Into pariurr and paJ, BILLIE RITCHIE Ulio pafm«d to Eternal R(*t ia Lot AnseleN. Calli.. July 6, 1921.^_> May nis Sool Rest in Peace. RICH (Shorty) McAllister Mrs. E. E. Elias, mother of Lois* Wils?tii, u Chicago actress, died at her " home in Cincinnati several days ago. Mrs, Elias recently won first prize ia an essay contest conducted .iointlj by a Cincinnati newspaper and picturo theatre, on the * subject, "What Women Lovo.*' In Memory sf our Dear Father MR.B.F.MILLERSHIP Who passed away .' ine 29th, 1921 FLORRES MILLERSHIP MRS. LEONARD HICKS BiNie RItehle Billie Ritchie, the film comedian, who for a great many 3 ears was a vaudeville favorite with various Kamo acts, died at his hoaie in Ix)s Angeles July 6. With him at the time werft his wife and his daughter. l*be comedian had been ill fo| over two years as a result of injuries sustained while making c?>medy pic- tures. He was 42 years of age and born in Glasgow. Scotland. He ap- peared In English music halls be- fore coming to this country and had been identified with picture prodac- tiona for about seven years. The burial took place last Saturday at Forest Lawn Cemetery. . LEOPOLD LEO Funeral services for Ivcopold l^% aged 75, native of Syracuse, N. Y^ and probably the oldest active danc- ing maater in the biiiuu States, whose death occurred in Chicago, July ^ were held at Ithaca, N. Y., Tuesday* Leo'a death occurred at tbe home of bis son. For 60 years, the deceased was located in Ithaca as a danrinl instructor. He removed to Duluth, Minn.. In 1907. Leo's remains were interred besides those of his wife, who died in Ithaca 30 years ago. WHBN IN BAN FRANCISCO MEKT MK AT The Pals Grill OOOD FOOD—POriTLAR TRICES Abba Lane, B«tw«^ Powell »nil MMon CONTINENTAT. KOTKFi I>OTmV A. Co BLUMENTHAL & CO., Inc. ^<F- t REALTY BROKERS SPECIALISTS IN THEATRICAL FINANCING, LEASING AND CONSTRUCTION IN THE WEST. 68 SUTTEB SX&EES ^ SAN FRANCISCO