Variety (November 1921)

NEW "ACTS THIS WEEK ARTISTS' FORUM Letters to the Forum should not exceed one-hundred and fifty word*. They must be signed by the tcriter and not duplicated Jor any other paper. . 4»«^*« > ; • J . : jyjLJTMfc...Vov. 12. tfcr'or Variety: Fn Variety of Nov. 4 Ibce reviewed & ■» at the Colonial under New Acta. I've been In New York since April 4, and am now playing return dates In all the houses. Still I am now re- viewed under New Acts. It Is to laugh. In regard to what Ibce said about my material, please have it under- stood all my material has been bought and paid for to Neal It. O'Hara, the humorist, and said ma- terial la original. If anybody else Is doing rfny part of it, they are in- lr.nglng on my rights. All my Hebrew gags but one arc original. The one that isn't is an old gag I fixed up and was the first to tell same In Us present form. The night Ibee caught my act I was suffering from a slight attack of laryngitis; but I don't like to mention these things during my act, thereby gaining cheap sympathy from the audience, but I realize now I should have announced It and got a little sympathy from the critics. In regard to Bell's review of my act at the Palace a few weeks ago, he said that, according to Jones, the orchestra leader, I was requested by •him to make a public apology for stopping him during the rendition of one of the songs and make him play it over again. I met Jones on the street that day and asked him if he had made such a statement. He replied he had not and that he did not know where Bell got his in- formation. Since then I have found out he did tell Bell, and when he did he was telling a falsehood. The way Jones played my music that evening was atrocious. It was impossible for me to start my song; therefore, I asked him in a very soft and nice way to "Please try that introduction over again, please." The applause that fol- lowed this was terrific and unex- pected. I was sorry they did ap- plaud. I didn't show any signs to the audience the music was not to my liking I might have forgotten my words or something to that ef- fect, but it seem: the audience took tha correct meaning. For the rest of the act Jones kept running in and out of the pit. While 1.1 cat in tho pit he kept shuffling his foot and annoyed me very much. However, I gritted my teeth and finished my act to very big applause. Being o; a soft nature, I looked down at Jones and said: "Jones, I am very sorry I had to stop you during that song, but I was very anxious to do the number right." More applause. The lights were p t up again and I stepped down to the footlights and shook hands with Jones. The Louse Just shook with applause. Everybody I met told me that I acted like a perfect gentleman; but It hurt me considerably when Bell's review of my act said thai Jones "demanded" an apology. Believe me, if ho did, he never would have got it. Billy G la son. all Jackie, many. • -mc-s-y nice :!.>. that need nice leaders. And that's that, and that's there is. So good-bye, Jackie, and eontinue being the same successful Jackie that you havo always been, and be- lieve me to be Yours sincerely, Al. B. White. (Kranz and White) New York, Nov. 18. Editor Variety: I should apologize to Mr. To. jum Bezazlan and your critic who cov- ered his act at the Harlem Opera House last week. My shortening the name Bezazian to "Bezazi" mis- led your reviewer into stating that this tenor was an "unknown quan- tity" In tho phonograph field. The facts arc that Mons. Bezazian has actually made 126 records for the phonograph companies. E. K. Node 1 . New York. Nov. It. Editor Variety: I have uttended the Sunday mat- inee at the Columbia every Sunday so far this season. As you know, most of the acts that play the house are for a showing. Their success at that house may mean their fu- ture. The audience consists largely of actors at the matinee. Watching the audience at the Columbia on Sundays I have found that 90 per cent of the people who walk out on the last act are actors —actors who should know better, and who are the first to complain when any one walks out on them. I hope you can find a line in your paper to dust off the brains of some of those bright boys who try so hard to help their own business to flop. John Xcff. DELL and RAY 8ong« and Talk 14 Mins.; One American Roof A man and woman team with a routine framed for an early small time spot. Published numbers and incld ;ntul chatter comprise the turn. Girl opens with a number, her partner doing lifcht comedy and wearing a brown derby, interrupt- ing to introduce the talk. Doubling in the vocal work a "blues," ballad and pop number are used. Vocally this couple will have a c'.iance in an early spot. The turn needs speed- ing up, with both members greatly in need of animation. Monday night an uncalled for encore was taken with ten minutes all that this cou- ple should attempt in any house with the present offering. IIart. MARGA WALDRON Co. (1) Dancing 18 Mine.; Full Stags (8pecisl) Colonial Surrounded by an especially at- tractive set feat has a staircase leading from thm upper portion of l£c~&3£k»-&c?<P* *© the »tas<v »j\ojy which Marga Waldron makes her Initial entrance, this girl Is deliv- ering a particularly pretty dancing turn thit should find no difficulty in holding its own with acts of similar type. Besides the attractiveness of the setting, Miss Waldron personally is pleasing to the eye with costumes, changed for each of the four num- bers. Her toe dancing received the most recognition. It is employed at the opening and conclusion of the act Especially so the final offer- ing, a fast number that brought re- sponses at instances, terminating in an outburst that must have been gratifying. Assisting the dancer was George Halperln at the piano, who scored on his own with three selections, well chosen, short and to the point. Mr. Halperln demonstrated enough ability to class himself with the best of the keyboard accompanies who are at present sprinkled throughout the twice daily bills, if not even a little more than that It's a sweet dancing turn, this.- Opening intermission, it found im- mediate favor, and built itself up as it went along, and closed out to substantial returns that label it as being "In." Bkig. New York, Nov. 21. Editor Variety: This is a letter sent by me in reply to Jack Rose. My Dear Jackie:—All my life I havo wanted one thing and. have tried to avoid another. The thing I wanted was to play the Palace the- atre in New York. The thing I did not want was to see my name in the Artist's Forum. In the same week both of these thing:-, happened to nu\ with reverse English. 1 did hot get to play the Palace because—oh. well, you would not be interested in that, and I was men- tioned in the Artist's Forum by you; and Jack, that was the un- kiml.'.st cut ol all. Sine Jack, 1 lead the orchestra ami I did that many years ago; a ml lack, it isn't anything with the slightest resemblance to the way you lead the orchestrn. Thanks, very much Jack, for say- ing that I am original. You too, .la- k, are very original, and when you told mo you wore going to play tho Palace New York, I told you how clever you wore and what a tiom -ndous success you would be, and you were, were you not? So you see, I am very honest, and when I tell you I load an orchestra not ;it :i!l like you do, you must bc- I:i«v" that 1 am very honest. I only wl-li you could see me lead the orchestra Jackie and if you did, you and I could both put our ideas of leading an orchestra together, and make one good leader out of them and get him a Job in some nice theatre. Tou know and I know. CLAYTON and FLETCHEH Songs; Talk 14 Mins.; One Columbia (Nov. 20) Classy looking couple. The boy, a typical clean-cut juvenile in Tux- edo; the girl, a well formed pretty brar.cttc. *-— The turn opens with a brief ex- planation by him they will not use a "flirtation" opening as the audi- ence knows they are acquainted, etc. This idea isn't properly cap- italized, and might go better in a lyric. The girl is on In a smart looking morning costume for a double song that sounds ttrlcted. Croj3flre about her former matrimonial ven- tures, with the man going in for comedy along spiritualistic lines. The material isn't overstrong. A double popular number pleasantly harmonized Is followed by a laugh- ing song solo by him that landed solidly through the excellent deliv- ery. After a change to short-skirted orange dress she sings ballad exhib- iting good soprano voice. More crossfire of weak material in which he alms for comedy and misses with a double song harmonized for the finish. The turn did well here in the sec- ond spot, but with proper material they will qualify for the big bills. They can sing, have personality and appearance. Everything in the turn landed but the dialog. Con. JEAN and VALJEAN Acrobatic 5 Mins.; Full Stsgo 23d 8t. A fair enough closer for the split- week schedules that has the man and woman working on a pair of flying rings. The latter does a neck-spin from a trapeze as her main contribution, incidentally han- dling what talk there Is. Her part- ner dresses and does .1 Chaplin throughout. He showed two in- stances of nice work on the rings which were worthy of a better re- sponse than they received. It might help to lose the Chaplin imperc nation and "business" that goes with it in favor of one or more add 1 straight feats such as the male half appeared quite capable of being ible to produce. Bkig. BERNARD and 8TARR Comedy, Songs, Dances 12 Mine.; One 23d St. Jul* Bernard, formerly with Florence Scarth in "A Tale of an Overcoat,** has a new routine ofj foolery with several song and dance bits which has been worked out with Miss Starr, his ne .• partner. A kidding flirtation bit opens, Bernard as a moon face comic call- ing the girl's attention to a dropped 'kerchief, though making no move to retrieve it. She wonders how long she'll have to wait for a gentle- man to come along and pick up the bit of muslin. He replies he'll wait with her, for it would be dangerous for him to perform the courtesy, having on his brother's tight trou- sers. He suggests a taxi ride in the park and when she evinces interest he adds that it was merely a sug- gestion. With Miss Starr oft for a change Bernard monologs, speaking of a girl he took to dinner. She was dressed like a queen, but had the appetite of a tramp. He produces some silverware from his pocket to decipher the name of the maker. Use of the knives and forks is the only point recalling the Bernard and Scarth turn. Miss Starr, back with a dance, showed skill at high kicking. Bernard, now entrancing from the front, offers her flowers, a big box tied with his necktie, dis- closing a small boutonnlere. Bernard landed best with a "reci- tation" bit, cued with wrong music from the orchestra and having Ber- nard singing sourly. A Spanish double number closed. The team several times appeared to have trouble with the orchestra, but should smooth the routine without trouble. It should be worked up for the better houses. Ibee. SHERWOOD 8ISTERS and BUR- TON Songs, Piano, Dances 8 Mins.; One; Full Stage (Special) H. O. H. (Nov. 16) Kenneth Burton and the Sher- wood Sisters have framed this three- act. For the opening Burton walks down aisle, pausing at foot of or- chestra to sing In the spotlight. No apparent reason for the "audience" entrance. He finishes the song on the stage where he is Joined by the Sisters in a poorly executed dance number. The special drop raises, disclosing special full stage eye drapes for a double piano and song number by one of the girls and Burton both at pianos. The singing aroused kid- ding from the house. The girls' voices and enunciation are hopeless. They topped this with a double dance that passed. A dramatic travesty next in "one" with Burton a villain, one sister the heroine and a comedy messenger*. The tieing of the heroine on imag- inary railroad tracks where she is run over by a motion picture engine projected on a picture sheet is not novel. The dialog also was remi- niscent, having to do, with the* "Where are the papers" ''At the news stand" brand of humor. The act has been amateurishly produced. Burton Is the only mem- ber of the trio who has a chance to get by vocally. As a straight dancing combination they might qualify for the smaller bills. The present vehicle Is hopeless. The poorest orchestra heard this season didn't help matters any. Con. BARTON and SPARLING Songs and Talk 15 Mins.; One Stste Two-man team. Neat straight and roly-poly ♦'boob' opposite. Strnlght »tarts !n or. "Aula," .and tho comedian interrupts once or twice, entering and exiting through the left side. This leads up to some crosslire, the comedian resorting to dialect including not a little Yid- dish ad libbing. Eventually he dis- closes a powerful tenor with a pop number that pleases, followed by a ballad. A comedy song got them off strong. The act Is a sure-fire frame-up for the intermediary houses. Abel. The.Hanneford Family horses at tho Winter Garden, New York, held a stage reception Tuesday af- ternoon, following the performance, given to the horses from the Horse Show, with their riders. A long table was spread on the stage, with the show horses an t the Htorse Show horses arranged alongside, together with the performers, house staff and society people. "PERSHING" Dog Act 12 Mins.; Full Stag* 23d 8t. A trained bulldog, given the sur- name of America's military leader, performs a line of stunts which the trainer claims Is "extemporaneous" —or at the call of the audience. However, a youth planted in the rear of the house calls out the feats and there is no questio about the tricks being routined and cued. The dog is asked to sneeze, a natural stunt for a canine of this species. "Talking Jewish" has "Pershing" on his hind legs barking and the movement of the front paws to hold balance is indicated by tho trainer to be "talking with the hands." The dog walks backward, shakes the "shimmy" (tossing his head *o and fro while holding a a, Oman's silk vest), poses and walks up a ladder backwards. For the finale "Pershing" climbs a tall ladder and jumps to the trainer's arms. The latter explains the dog weighs 2" pounds and 1) prove his confidence in the man Jumps immediately upon signal. The turn is made interesting enough for a good opening for three-a-day time. This is not Leo Carillo's dog "Pershing," of a different breed and which has appeared on the vaude- ville stage with Carrlllo at different time* ibee. LA PINE and EMERY Song, Danee and Talk 16 Mine.; One 58th St. Man and woman. Woman, in fashionable costume at opening, ef- fects a stuttering character, lead- ing up to a pop double number. The man solos with a rube prohibition number that was only so-so, the punch coming with the return of tHe girl in "hick" get-up, a red and white checkerboard, straight lined dress, a comical hair knot and In- describable burlesque stockings. Cut so tight that she threatens to burst forth in all her glory any moment, considerable comedy is ex- acted therefrom, leading up to a dance by the woman and encore to the man's saxophone accompani- ment. The team is framed right for bet- ter small houses. Abel. Friday, November 26, 1981 FOX and BRITT Talk and Songs 16 Mins.; One (Special Drop) State . To the vamp of "By the Sea," two fishermen enter before a special outdoor drop to engage In some eight or nine minutes of "craxy" crossfire, running In the main to- wards impossible garbling of sane talk. The straight instructs his "Dutch" character vis-a-vis that in order to catch the "saloml fish" one must get up in the morning some evening, sit on the front porch and catch the elusive fish through tho rear window, etc. This "nuttish" chatter is responsible for the flock of laughs the team annexed, the talk gathering speed as it pro- gressed. It is something away <Xrom the usual line of crossfire and seemed to interest the State patrons. The team sports hybrid fisher- men's uniforms, of which golf knickers and baseball stockings form outstanding features. Tho straight renders a mother ballad, followed by a parody by his partner. A pop parody medley makes for the getaway. The act was a hit at this house the last half of tho week. Abel. PAUL HILL and Co. (1) Comedy Act 16 Mine.; Full Stage 68th St. Paul Hill and a male assistant offer a low comedy turn made up of hoke travesty bits. Mr. Hill appears in a misfit dress suit and eccentric facial makeup, trick mustache, etc. The assistant does a burlesque fe- male Impersonation throughout most of the act. This is very broadly conceived and made'funny not only by the exaggerated makeup worn but through the personality and comedy ability of the player as well. Several of the bits are away from the familiar, such as the opening, which has Mr. Hilt and the assistant making their entrance through a door in a scenic "flat" a stage hand carries on the stage. Another, and a veritable wow, is the bit which introduces the crying of an infant in the audience whilo Mr* Hill is trying to sing a sentimental ballad with the baby constantly interrupt- ing. Burlesque acrobatics, with tho mounter on a wire, travesty dancing, dancing with a dummy, and burlesque impersonations are Included. Both Hill and assistant* are capable knockabout comics who know how to get the best possible results out of their material. The act is packed with laughs, most arising from some pretty ancient sure-Ares, but always good, no mat* ter how many times repeated ia vaudeville, especially in the pop houses. BclU PONCHINELLO TROUPE (6) Tumblers 9 Mins.; Full 8tage City This Is what is usually termed Arab troupe with a somewhat dif- ferent sort of setting. The four men and two boys are dressed ia Ponchlnello costumes and work la clown white with the exception ot the little negro top-mounter. Thie little fellow adds a lot of pep te the turn and the other youngster In the act who does some excellent contortionists bends and tumbling* is also a distinct asset to the turn. The four men take turns at the understanding and sommersaulta* The work is so fast and they seem to enjoy it so thoroughly that they apparently run amuck at times. One of the men landed in the orchestra pit Thursday night. That is bad judgment and an acrobat hurling through the air straight at those in the front row does not inspire the pleasantest sort of a feeling. For a closer the act is there. It has speed and some clever tricks worthy of applause. Fred. DANCER and GREEN Songs and Dances 10 Mint.; One American Roof Mixed colored dancing team em- ploying a routine padded out with vocal numbers. Introductory num- ber by the boy opens the act lead- ing up to a double popular number, followed by a stepping bit. Solo dancing by both members Is brought forth providing the real merit of the act. More steps of a spectacular nature should be introduced for this couple to keep pace with the num- ber of other colored acts of this style which have been playing around of late. Opening after intermission on the ^toof, the returns were ,4lght with the finishing bit decidedly weak. Hart. PAULI and ROGERS Songs, Tslk and Dancing 13 Mint.; Two (Special Set) American Along the conventional lines for a versatile mixed double routine following tho "hold-up" idea and having a gun the most prominent prop. The couple present a nice appear- ance. The girl makes two changes. They give promise of being able to handle a more substantial routine than they are now delivering. A special drop Is a woodland view. It set unnecessary so far as its relation to the act is concerned. Two songs and some dancing in- tervals in the patter. Neither strengthened the general impres- sion. As it stands the act can prob- ably pa 1 in an early'spot or the smaller houses, but the vehicle will never take this mixed duo very far above that classification. Bkig.