Variety (July 1921)

%umi "m *"^"" • ^ii M^ifTim Friday, July 22, 1921 NEW AC7I S^TttXS W«fek 17 LAIT'S REVIEWS ^ PALACE Kitty Gordon and Jack WUsoa did not Hhow At the Monday matinee, the vLlcial alibi statinji that both acta misspd a train in from Atlantic City. li*our Marx Brothera and the Wataon i^dt^rs replaced for the sinile per- formance, the program runninf aa billed Monday night. The whole liat, with the exceptbn ot Ona Munson, comprised Palace re- urats. MisM Munaon had the chance of :i lifctiQie to take vaudeTiUe by the ears and snake it yito recogni- tion of a spectacular arriral. Hhe ^nd the chance; she will never again >nvc as soft a spot, and she did not jriasp it. There Is probably not a vrettier girl in vaudeville than this Munsou peach. And when she played In a production act in which she had i<ss to do, concentrating all she did •veil into a few minutes and crown- ing it with her startling beauty, she n^ade this reviewer rave like a rum- my. Now that she is on her own he sighs with regret. At:Co;.jrfyamed b^ nurac^rsus^ men. all oi them uninspired except a pair of dancing boya who shuffle and cut briskly, the turn wastes a lot of big- time time with small-time Hpecialtici, such as two veraes and two choruses of the over-tortured "Maudalay," ballads about sunshine-and-you and a three-man levee ditty with undis- tinguibhable lydea. Miss Munson ca- perM and looks great, on and off and on again and off once more, and noth- ing happens until the last half min- ute, when she does her limited all in a kick and twirl dance and the drop falls in time to yield her several bows. If she did about eight miuut<i^s with the two dancers, made three rapid changes, cut out the useless mincing and prancing, and finished as she did out west, in very brief clothes, she would sizzle it across. Now she has (Continued on page 10) biLly shone. Songs and Talk. 15 Mias.; Oae. 23ri St. Hilly Shone works straight, appear- iDf; in H dark neat fitting sack suit and soft collar at the 23rd St. Sand- wiched in between several vocal num- bers are stories and a bit with a prop infant, the latter used to lead up to a lullaby. The opening song was a published semi-ballad, a bit tdo heavy for Mr. Shone's vocal qualifications. A mo k ballad with first rate comedy lyrics later wns iiandlod much better, and is more suitable to Shone's style. A, couple of other published numbers wore included, one a waltz semi-comic snd the other of the modern jazz- balla<l variety. Mr. Shone lucks stage experience, but has plenty of personality and a good presence. Right now he is in- rlinc<l to stand right on top of the footli;;lilN and hurl his talk at the audience, instead of stunding l)a<'k of the ligiils and working with the propf'i' degree of reposo. The baby bit was handled for cxccllrut comedy results. More of that sort of mate- rial, with the stories freshened up and nmulified and the ballads rc- pUeed with exylusive comedy songs wouhl improve the turn greatly. Shone is doing very well with his present material, however, landing for a splid hit at the 2:{rd St. That shouldn't stop him from doing the things he can handle best. The type of turn that will build up as it plays around. Shone has plenty of possibil- ities for development. Hell. HERRON Ui4 GRANNON. Comedy Sketch. 16 Mies.; Om utf Two (Special). 23rd St Herrou and Grannon, two girls, offer a comedy sketch, both open- ing in **one" in black face, and later washing up in view of the audience with a logical reason for the wash- ing up process througli the* action. The whole idea is so close to thul of Cameron and Flanagan's **Before and After" that the impression is given that it is a rewritten version of that act. Probably Herron and (irannon have secured the rights Co the old classic. Before the girU appear a man steps out in "one'' and announces thej will not be able to give their, entire act. as they must catch a train. The girb are on next, iu cork, as a pair of short-dressed wenches, remindful of the old Nichols Sisters make-ups. Open with a double song, followed by an exchange of minstrel gags. Double soft shoe ste>pping next. One of the girls falls during the dance. Argument with musicians, (iirls bawl each other out as man interrupts off-stage and informs them taxi is waiting to take them to train. To "two*' next, with a special sqt of a Pullman with a section of the washroom in the center. Oirls con- tinue argument ns they proceed to remove cork. Get-backs: **I found yon in a restaurant working as wait- ress." Other retorts, "Partiver was a burlesque chorister." etc. The husines.s with the towel, snap and A R T I S T S' FORUM Letters to the Foi'um should not exceed 150 words. They mM^t be signed by the writer and not duplicated for any other paper. Hartford, Coon., July 15. Editor Variety: While playing Poll's Capitol, Hart- ford, this week. I saw the dressing room list Mme. Uoree sent into the stage manager. It read as follows:— 'Mme. Doree's Opcralogue,— Stage Manager: Five dressing rooms, ouc for Mme. Doree, four for Uer company, hut all must be good as each artist is a principal, and does a single in the act, and cannot be diuoriniinated against in favor of opening, <-losinR or acro- batic arts—or dumli octs." poses to save the life of one by the means of a fluid he leaves on tbc iable before his departure. Whieh of the lovers is to drink from the fi^.sk containing, the antidote? licppo seizes the precious liquid, whereupon Cnr'otta bites his hand, causin.'* the fInsU to fall. The man thea tries to f-tranglc his mistress. When the husband returns he realizes the couple are now enemie.x. He orders j .v^ponge from the Cameron and Flan-. them from the home, after assuring | ^gan turn verbatim is include.l. Some thcn^ the candy was not poisoned, and oxrellont comedv is introduced '*DUKE'S MIXTURE" Tabloid Masical Comedy. 25 Minates; Three (Special) Ameritan. The billing at the Americau does not furnish details of producer or players, but "Duke's Mixture" is a lirst rate little production in its cen- tral idea, its comedy, story and tJic srverul little specialties. The stage shows the salooik of an ocean liner en route for (^-uba. A stowaway is discovered. He poses AH ihe Duke de Brie who engaged the de luxe cabin but missed the boat, awl is accepted on that basis. He tloes one of those fresh, flip wise boys, getting liugbs with his man- nerisms and wi.se lines. Six girls on the boat lay siege to him. One declares if he is the Duke, bursts into tears, This drama is well developeJ ftud is a strong one act sketch. Krndrew ZISKA. Magician 15 r^ias.; One Zisku evideiiHy relies more on Iiis dexterity and ability llian on Ihe **fla.*;|i" entailed by multifarious props | beiwfi: date for fifty bucks. Mother !ic owes her .^>,0()0 francs. Another Ihrojigh the ^irls washing port'ons |f|,reateMH to sue for breach of prom- of their faces with part remainitj;; I i.v.», while the third, apparent'y a black. Man who made opening an- f bonpectacled school ma'ra makes vio- Mouucement \t\uyA a train conductor I Lnt love to* him, to his terror. There in the car set. ai>i)eariu{: at intervals ; js talk of a noted diamond Uiief on for an r.irls. T>r<'>^:n'; r«»<no quarrel cont'iMies .'it)d S'li"^ decide to split. Tojcgratu ;irrivc< vi:j crmdiictor offerini? girls ALTHEA LUCAS and Co. (I). Qyaaaatics. 10 Mine.; Fuir Stage (Special). 23ri St. Althea Lucas is assisted by a male athlete iu a routine of ring and bar gymnastics. A special set gives the tarn a touch of atmosphere that helps. Miss TiUcas is an expert gym- nast, doing the regulation ring and bar stunts, with several tricks achied that are away from the conventional. It's the ease aud clean cut manner of ^rforming her athletic feats that makes her work stand out, quite as much as the tricks themselves. The man ns.«;isting is likewise a competent gymnast, also working very smoothly. Several tricks has Miss Lucas act- ing as the bearer for the man, she holding a IrHpiv.e, hanging from the bars, and using the rings at times, while holding the man. who runs through evolutions in mid-air. The act went over opening at the 23rd Street. It's a standard turn of its *^'"'^' Bell. as with other iiiaKic nets usually re- j ijuiring a fuHer stage. Ziska works iti i "one." docs a few stunts, ^ets con- siderable out of theiu opening the show as he did at this house, although beiiiR inclined to long-windedness in spots. He wears the establishe<l sateen breeches and cutaway get-up, mon- ocle, dandy stick, etc.. but gets right down to business with a few passim; stunts and disappearances of small articles. The egg business and the supplementary expo.*«e is a trifle pro- longed in its explanation but scored. An interlocking and unlocking rings stunt such as lias been seen before as performed by some Chinese troupe acts, proved a good getaway for hitu. Ziska is set for the pop hi;M'<es. LEE MASON and CO. Songs. 13 Mine.; Oae. Greeley Square. j Lee Mason is a woman singer ac- | companied by a young man Pianist I ounnv with the popular style of patent i ^^"^='" *"■ BUDDY leather hair. Hhe has a fairly agree- i Dancing. able voice and gets her numbers over 10 MInuteS; One. well enough, but the offering has no ' American. exibanee of talk wiJIi the ' board ami the b'owaway is suspected, : but it turns not that he is a secret service operative and finally slips the handcuffs o» tli*» supposed school tnu'tii wh > is tli«» real thief. The slu'tcli ctida \vit!i :i capital tJig line. *1 'U'as Roinsj to reform. I cashed all my loot atid was going to open six saloons in Havana and live straiRlit." !-l>e plcails. *ir .Mju'ii do something for me, I'll lel yon ijo." says the detective. -What." 'M)r»(»ii one sjlo •!» on Kighth ave- nue" novelty for ^iresent-dav nii<licnres . I Miring the telling of the story two who have never sf^en the "Ilcfore aud j pairs of the six girls liave several fair .\rtor'" net. I r.unibers and damerK and the comedy MisM Herron wns Bertie Herron. | d»»lect.iv<» has a topical song that iflentitied with hfackface for a iium- ; anmsed. The a<t was a b»g nppl«u»e her of years. Miss Cirnnnon i^ nlxo j vviimcr abort midway of The roof an experienced performer. bi»t!i jjirN • [)\[\ arid (»'ij;ht to <lo v,**!! anywhere il.Myiiig with ease and geltiii* every- joii rlic sniail lime. It has possibili- fhing possible out of the 'omedy , ties for faster ( ompany with a group that the ttirn phoiinds in. The art! of clt»ver girls. Uush. registered /for a iiit at the C.lrd St | „.__ Tt shoidd fit snuglv in ;n»v of the !)''tter class of pop house bill-* biliiKl i- ifilerpidated hiTc iiy one of cirls. They decide to call off battle .ind stick. This leads up to reliearsal of a n';:nber for the neuefit, one of the girls sin? lie .ind the other danc- iuT. As th'y finish. conduJ'or calls out. '.Ml out for Troy." and the girls exit from train. The act has plenty of robust com- edy and will undotibtediv shape ni* a In my opinion, I consider thia aa insult to acrobatic or dumb acta. During Mme. Doree'b engagement at Poll's, Waterbury, Coun., two artiata in a gymnastic act oi>ened the show and were the hit of the show. To enlighten Mme. Dorees. gymnas- tic or dumb acts are selected for opening or closing position for tho reason that they can make good in these positions. If they were given a spot in the ceuter of the bill where they belong, they would probably be the hit of the whole show. Louis Lj. Campbell, Mgr., Four CastiHf Cnmi>bell8. BROOMSTICK ELLIOT. Songs, talk and music. 16 Mini.; One. Itroouibtick Klliot is a product of the West. He has beeu playing Iho Middle West houses for the past sev- eival scasuus, a sluudard act iu tiie three-a-days ot that territory.. Ho gets his name from a une-slriflg vio- lin arrangemeuL made from a broom- handle. At one time this composed the maiu portion of bis specialty but be has gradually gotteu away froia, it so that uow it is only used for a couple of uumbcra. The maiu portion is with a man- dolin-like instrumeut from which Kl- liot gets real jaax music. He does an exaggerated rube character, doiug a dance at the optrjiiug that does very well aud telliug a few stories that are not so good. It is the first part of the act that needs fixing up. When Elliott gets down to the string instrumeut he starts and from here to the finish puts over, a real hit. Ho gets laughs from a Russinu song and the dnish with the Kobo, giving an imitation of a jasz baod« he makes very funny. Klliott should keep away from the talk as much as possible, as thia is where he fails and unles.H some better material <-an be secured he might discard il altogether. Klliot is a good single for the bif time in the making. Properly han- dled he should Have no trouble kfing- ing the Mp«>eialty around to the two- a-day standard and his comedy is of. the sort that the two-a-day needs. He did yoTy< well i^t the Royal, opening after iutermissihn. A few weeks in the bigger houses will probably nhow him the right road. BrU. "CARLOTTA." Oae-Act Dramatic. TKeatrc Champs Elysees, Paris. I'aris. July r>. A drama in one act by Andre Perye, with ac<>ompanying music, formed part of the program at a military mutinee at the. Theatre des <'hanips Klysees, and the story is worthy of a better destiny. Lwini j>ivcs his wife a i>carl neck- 's*^ oil the anniversary of their ninrriaije. An anoiiymons letter in- loriiis liiiii Carlotta is deceiving him with r.»>)po, and having watched event-;, |,(> is convinced of the truth. II»' s'.v<<;irs to be avenged. K-ienMU " f;ilso dejiortnre for K:»lerna, be ^''iddi Illy n turns to find !'.< i)i>o and '•*^ uilc (,.1,. n tcte. Cynically, he *»^'\> tlieiii some <andy. wliiclj tliey •'"'••••p*. ;,n(l iIhmi tells tlicin of a story "f^ /.niiii.j and the poisoned >\vcet- ^'"'liiiMily changing his friendly at- t'liidc Im' impQuncej^ they hav both ''"'"u a lingering poison, and ino- neativ dressed ANDERSON aad YOUNG Shakesperian Travesty 18 Mias., Foil, Special 23d Street (July 15) This looks like a revival of "When Ceazar tree's Her," the same charac- ters as in the ohl-tirae vehicle with iwo of th.^-i>r:3'?ipals looVing familiar. Tho Mark Antony role ns in the distinguishing mark. , Two colored bovs. neariv Mress... ... .. . , Miss Mason has rather large f»"a- . deliverinir a ^tr»ieht routine of i f'>r«>«f ♦'"•'»*•« l>»*»d'**«» »>y « I"* ^""^^^ tures. although she is by no m\ins , f"'^; *** "V "^ "'^ a ^t^l.Knl routine '>[ . .. ^^ j , hard to look at, and she mnk^s this M-nrd and soft shoe dincing without i '»>^P 7.»>^J.'»^"" whLb hJ norta Iv the excuse for trying to create I any attempt .it anythin- else Th^irlwth ( eaziir in whudi he mortally niriosity as to whether she is a wo-'dance out together, do a fast series ^'>e 1 of tapping in hard shoe.si. man or a female impersonator wears uu elaborate headd several times tells the "I'm not going to take th a dozen fimes she interjects remarks , , . i • i , • designed to the same end—suggesting '< ^*^^^ dancms; puaips. ly which Lis They One coes I'/•i'-'^^ '^'^^^ i wotitid.n the latter. Some up-to-date been interi)olate<l and the eaddre.s8 and i „f f ,i;, u,, other .solos with taps. Ue.»««e^>^ followed continuously through- ^ud.cnce that'j, repaccd bv the other who does a ' 'l'*^ "I>/'> toe Kii.h uh.ch let the act this off.' Half , ' I ■ 1 .1 I I.. .down to a walk. ALERO Hand Balaocer 10 MIns., Three, Cyc. 23d Street (Jaly 13) Alero opens reading a newspaper in a ruetty set hacked by a yellew cyclorama. The stage is attrartlyelr arranged, most of the accountvcmenta being props for hand balancing feats. A per|)endicular hand stand starts, followed by a one-hand stand using a lamp for the,bar. A body bend on the- nor zoritnl bar is followed by a hand stand ou two piles of* boxes, the ath- lete discarding the boxes as he un- builds the two piles while holding the position. A Jump over two hurdles from^a hand stand is one of the most difficult tricks of the routiue. The turn in nicely framed and interesting a'; all times. Hpeed is one of the chief appeals. It made an ideal opener at this house and will repeat arouud the three-a day cycle. don short number aik«l then a ^^olo dance in that she may turn out to be a man masquerading in skirts. She doesn't dance, but sticks to singing. Did but fairly opening the show on Tuesday night, preceding a Uuster Keatou film comedy. Rush. partner Thev •laiicing- .loin.' Hnisli verv WILSON and WILSON. Blackface Comedy. 13 MIns.; One. Greeley ^q. Two blackface men, one wearing bandmaster's uniform of blue with a wealth of gold lace. Other in band musician's tunic of brilliant red. Latter enters beating bass ilnim and the two go into violent quarr<d. First man chnngow into rusty frock coat, dingy tall hat and sp'^c. tacle.s as ccdored preacher. Fiiijer.'^ book and announces he will sornion- i/.e (»n te.1t, •Vou C.in Tool .Ml the People All tlie Time.'" which nins into comic song. Partner .ippoars as •swell coon" and they have raire <onvcrsfit:nn. Start to •^i:;c finnn liyiun books and fi.irson slap-« '»t!ier with Ills volume from time '> t;:ne ri'v^h with a fri>t bit of >tep])ins. On N:>. -, following a Icno, Ldov.-ri find draijoot roinedy fil'u aiifl - no 1. .^ore fire for the small tiniT-;. Rush, together with unison neatly handled, with a whoo;>-hiirrah of whirlwind <.teppin;j snch as ;{oes with t!ie fainiliiu: *'|dan- tiztio.'i" ilaucJMg en>^nible. Oh .^ec- ond they drew a Kale of applause. A neat s:in[de .specially, we 1 done. Rush. c.>s- BURNHAM and MEANS Songs, Talk, Piano. 14 Mins.; Two (Special Drop.) 23d Strfet (July 15) \ stout Kirl enter tnrne and g'>es to .■«onj: explaininp she i.> the in'w workin;; f»r an actress. Partner. Ji nice aictcarin;; (lark girl fol'.»ws. S!ie is t'l" :ir*:-t. Ho" ot two .>-'>ng.s aro worked in vitli daloc Wjiii'li di>i!.>ses tii.'it ^Iie I The unbilled chaj/ (issy bit is un- I convincinj;. wit'i Mie tiiish a pistol shot off stage where Antony has ' pres;iTo;il.ly t;one r» ciouk himself and leiiirning t> pull the old (Jallagher and P.arrett line, "llow the hell do : joii 'lundle t:i:> t!iiu;;V" 'IU,' ad siioiil 1 lind jilenty of book •nns in the smaller houses and with \lu> iinish Ic/. tered iii» may n* grad- i IS 'lei'M on the shelf \>" :i n }\ elly to present .;•'•:' ('(jn. u.afe, tof" if long e:,r)i|4h t Jav vti ;a''Vi;i in nitiid's jiiano for s|M*ei;il maid aloc \\ 11 I'll di >i ..»ses t ii.'it Ih'L' -riai'l iiavf* man led t lie -..m bv'.iker. ("omedy :•< aimed a; t!i ■.IT CONROY and HOWARD. Staging, Dancing. Crosstalk. 12 Mins.; One. A I'l ;.!• ;' '!i' ■^.>."t of te:itii that .•: ,1 .> ^ 1 -•■■J,'.'- pro;!,' strings lo- U ■ •!,. ;, ;■ • ' [■t^<^U'•^> jjn;;s brtweCM [■i'li; ,iic i tou-, and lte!i»>ves it has . •'! :[» la »'•*." 'ri;'\v are y oing ' ., .. ■•'■ '.'.••I- '4* .•i;.;e'rir.ui( e. The ■.,' ij) . ' *w», w;; li led hair. a •1 ■ r- ;:; r I'. ri'l V-IOle ,;-o;^!i 1' :; s -..1. Tl '1 lie- .•li 1 ) »■ !i !i;ir::i'):r;'. f'ii-' a:'"r xiil the l.li f!.i' I'V. \\ it a aa i ":.i:'.z" :r:-ii')"r> ;:i 'uri^ .;■ -■ ■/. \ I'Cib!'' liar.'iici'z "1 aa-ij')'-- ■ >.< plc'cH 'iir» /i.T. ririi; win- .'i v. !! a i. • • tr t'lal*' ;ri t!,.- ,')''"-m< i.j'e ii,.-; •, .,i. siiocid liuJ la Lli » iC'-.'ct cir«!e .• tuj'ly. iy'on. I I :iae K ;ta »Me on small •• vi'c .: "'."^eiid her Are \oii till- ^iil I 'lat .'Ti'T'.'■' 'riii^* •.'.;.( y .*•" ( oMM'- : >; I III' f ri'der. "AU BOIS SACRE" Ballet. Opera Comique, Paris. Paria, June 'J7. A serir«s of daiice.s to uiusic by .Ie:Mi Mure const it iitea Ihe bullet named 'On |»,oi.s .Sucre," adiuirablj iil»lield by .Mona I'aiva and <ierly», Soiiia I'Mvloft, Maud Kernard and .Mart he J*'errare. 'i'hi.s effort was prcHeiited at the Opera roinii|iie in the benefit matinee for the .vfaff of the theatre. Nympha, oo.lin.-, imp., idfs .sylphs, satyra and all the imaginary bemgs of me- dieval mythology are there. Hut the htoiy i.H indistinct. The .score ii syiiJidionir and by no means *'cubist." Kin drew. BONITA AND SHEP CAMP Songr. and Talk 15 Mins.; One P'<»nif,i hii , .'i jiorily pnrfnr>r in Sh"p <'amp wiio it' no'hing els,, i^ siifH- ciently pre;M>-(.ssiii^ pli.\ ^i'ally to commiiMd .'iMent :<>i \ .1 ! 1 . • . I ar w'i e/.i •\ a. eo .1 I ..■ai.';*!" I .ijtliv 1, t J' III a < I ooii!;)i; en' iT.'ii; a rot W • Ml ' a. I'J I.;.i;.; i ( 1m .. i K ■ f .Mv U'lfitii irj>en.«« iritrilier. < '.amp • m • • • 'X-.i.jIk. >ihe doe* '»:' ! .al I 'li'f iiHy •|oo« ^ ' • I 'cit ' |ia »-i-.s on itii K -ait I a:; iin t.ik^ .^ the .1 !■! ''': •!• l>iii:ad lending V "a ;i .o -■■'••r\ A IHOCk •: 1 .N".v ,l<'r< -y Home" I'r. 3.