Variety (December 1921)

'•. <l f f / » » Friday, December 2, 1921 NEW SHOWS THIS WEEK 23 PALACE Tt'fl a Ion* step from the Alcasar /r£ica*o) to the Palace (New Tork)7 New Yorker* don't know luctt about the Alcasar. A lot of Shlcagoans don't either. It lent— it sued to be. It used to be a pic- StrTshow in the day* when a two- SEer was a "special." All day the Jni-Teelers and half-reelere used to •End. and during the time It took tat usb In a new film a thin, angular Sri with big. bright eyes that never Siamed to tire, despite the SO or 40 Stiles a day\ used to step out on the apron before the sheet and knock out a ditty. She wasn't lm- anrtant enough then to have a stage Same, bo she just called herself what she honestly was^-Rae Sam- uel*" A certain reviewer stepped Into the Alcazar one winter day in 1910 to get In out of the Madison street blissard. He didn't want to see any- thing in particular, and he particu- larly didn't want to hear anything, for he had suffered a few fro! takers .in the converted slot machine ar- cades which had become mushroom movie temples. But he couldn't help it this time, for a reel Just snapped off and a girl Just crime on as he entered—a thin, anguar K \ T \ with big. bright eyes. She was fling- ing "In the Garden of My Heart." This reviewer looked, then lis- tened, then sat down. Being always a hound for reviewing himself rather than the shows he is sent to cover, he likes to make "discov- eries" and tell of~his emotions and reactions rather than of other peo- ple's, oo he wrote a column or so about Rao Samuels and he called her "The Blue Streak of Ragtime" after he had sat .hrough throe Alms and f>ur songs, and she had sung "Lovin' Rag" as no other human had ever sung it, or ever will. Charles K. Bray, then chief of the Western Vaudeville Managers' As- sociation, read the column—prob- ably because he had nothing else to do. And he went to the Alcizar. That same reviewer is still re- personallty, plus nature's glorious gift of a clutching and vibrant voice —and a huge success resulted. Mac- Farlane is a model of stage deport- ment, dignity without affectation, punch without strain. Vaudeville rises to him instanter, and he rises to It with that Instinct which al- ways unites the true artist and the average audience on first contact. He "went" as many a milking, whining, shameless hick would wish to- "go." and took away his self- respect as well as the esteem of tho patrons. Bessie Clayton's 'wonder act suf- fered little from the lateness of ar- rival or from the hegira of dancing it followed. The same thrilling speed and cunning construction which made it a sensation here fortnight ago again sent it skyrock- eting to a huge send-off. After which Bert and Betty Wheeler, taking no chances on trick introductions, tore on and went to it and almost made the house forget the rest of the show. It pyramided to a smashing comedy, singing and dancing triumph, holding in the mass far past 11 o'clock and taking enough glory for any act in any spot. Herbert's Dogs were a pleas- ure to those who still had an appe- tite for amusement. Lait. self apart dragging out the laughs redness. Actually the best bit Is viewing. Monday night he saw a thin, angular girl walk out on the of hundreds that Palace stage, and on the card at learned to carry WINTER GARDEN The spirit of vaudeville seemed at last to have pervaded the former abode of the revue Tuesday night, I when a swift and entertaining show I ran smoothly and fluently for a | numerous audience. Shows like this one are pegs upon which to stabilize a circuit—the sort that hand out a run for the money without making a run on the bankroll. While the line-up was far from cheap, it ex- posed no extravagance and no des- peration to bring in as many people as a house can hold by spending more money than a box office can hold. The Hannefords and Xat Nazarro, Jr., and Co., were the only turns that could be classetl as "big." and they were far from the dimensions I of hundreds that vaudeville has The rest were with falls and bends, but at moments surprises with lighter methods, get- ing results on some rather human lines and business. Edythe Baker and Clarence Nord- strom were on rather early. No. 3. The beauteous Miss Baker now sings, talks and dances as well as doing her li'l piece on the Steinway. This peach broke In several seasons back as Harry Fox's accompanist. Now she has one of her own. She served a couple of seasons on Zieg- feld's roof, and she brought her airs downstairs with her. A tempera- mental little babe, is Edythe. When she does her high-school dances she wears the* mien of Irene Castle—and she resembles her even more when she sings. But—when she plays that piano! Nordstrom is a pleasant singing Juvenile, not soul-stirring, but amiable and gentlemanly A few bright lines would help him a lot. He comports himself with a soothing reaction on an audience. The act, altogether, is a big time, and worth a better spot. The Musical Johnstons, typical old-timers in brocaded monkey Jack- ets, whac!:ing away at twin xylo- phones, were very Tony Pastor's in the second sector. Beige Duo, a strong act, with lifting and balanc- ing and display of muscular supe- riority, started all this. The Winter Garden orchestra, led by Andy Byrne, stood up like a house ailre. What a knockout out- fit this 4s, and what a comfort it must be to the performers. It surely is so to the visitors. Lait. the soldier finale bit, with the string-bean member hopping across the stage on the crutch. That brought the trio out for several bows. Ann Ford and George Goodrldge pleased on second with Blanche Merrill's "You Can't Believe Them." which is the principal song number in the turn. Miss Ford, formerly a "Follies" girl, looked nifty In her soubret rig at the finale. Chong and Hosie Moey, the classy Chinese couple, danced neatly and pleasingly in the opening position and were rewarded. Ibee. COLONIAL the side was the same name that .had been on the card at the Alcazar, and on the program she was called "The Blue Streak of Vaudeville." Ragtime had been passed by. The Palace had it on the Alcazar in everything except location. Other- wise it was pretty much as it had been that night in 1910, even to the storm outside. "Rae hadn't been at the Palace In more than two years, but she got a whopping reception, then went out and earned it. Snappy, airy, punchy, she whizzed through song after song and made it hum. The reviewer wanted to get up and shout and take a few bows himself. 'Rae made a speech—telling New York how glad che was to be back again. "Back again!" In New • York! And the Alcazar closed years ago. And the reviewer still review- ing. And "Lovin' Rag" and "In the Garden of My Heart" * forgotten. And the bluo streak streaking, all dressed up. Hi-ho, that's the way New Yorkers and New York stars are found—and made. But they have to be stars to be found and made. Anybody might have walked into the Alcasar—but not anybody might have walked out and kept on waiting until she could tell New York it was great to be back again, and sticking over for the second week, and at the Palace, too. Miss Samuels started the show off. Leo Beers, ahead.of her, reg- istered mildly with material that had been heard too often and busi- ness that has grown too familiar. Fivek and Jenny opened, sensa- tional roller skating going _by the boards to an Incoming audience. Hyams and Mclntyre were third in "Honeysuckle," a telephoned melo- drama that had the atmosphere of not being new, yet being touched up with current colloquialisms. It is a pleasant skit, never boisterous, and goes lightly on song numbers. Leila Hyams, daughter of the principals, gave a refreshing sprig of youth and charm to it. The turn wag heartily taken on sentiment. A few addi- tional laughs, which will come with continued work, will not be amiss. Rosqoe Ails, with Kate Pullman, a combination that registered out west after Mldgie Miller left the Ails act two years ago, hit it hard, closing the first part. The act was much too lone, the introductory scene in "one" being extended through many minutes of breezy talk that could be knitted up con- siderably, and tho unexpected en- core episode being strung far be- yond either custom or requirements. Ails carries a good Jazz band and Charles Calvert, a dancing ban Joist, who scores. Miss Pullman's spe- cialty dance cleaned up on her looks and her sensutlonal twists and splits. Ails topped that with his eccentric dancing. Then came a long humorous affair about kissing, with a woman plant In the box for Ails and Miss Pullman Jumping down and kissing the leader, which Wight well have been cut to half. The turn ran more than 40 minutes, with L'.") minutes' excellent vaude- ville. Ails will find himself a lip- topper if he sacrifices enough dead- Wood to stay inside .70 minutes, it is a strong act as it is. * Ceorge MacFarlane. a baritone, an artist and a stage gentleman of the "fst water, opened the second half, ^o .-tailing, no begging, no "show- manship'-Just legitimate artistry, largely doubles, including the I?elge Duo, Baker and Nordstrom, Kranz and White. Leona La Mar and her spieler, Maxle and Georgle, and Harry and Anna Scranton. The colored boys, next to closing, stepped a fast course, did Just enough, and quit winners. Kranz and White worked much longer, but held solidly, even through an encore in which Charlie Howard came back to burlesque Miss La Mar. It was the familiar type of ridicule on a mind-reading act, but it was better done than usual, and Miss La Mar, ahead, pulled it up to a psychological Inspiration. Kranz and White were efficient rathskeller singers many years ago. graduating as a three- act (Taylor, Kranz and White) from the Chicago cabarets. Both have developed. White has a suave com- edy style that is a strangle-hold on an audience. The boys tore the laughs out and stormed It with their double singing. The Hannefords, with Poodles, of the clown riding and hoke bits all over the stage all the time; the two neat girls and the straight eques- trian boys, all given tone and that severe magnificence "of the old school" by the grande dame mother, registered a half hour of snappy and delightful vaudeville. The Scrantons closed. This pair waa the first act to step on the stage of Loew's State a few weeks ago. Closing, it might be better not to take an exit after the introduc- tion in "one," as this break lost them a few dozen sitters-out. It was un- usually unfortunate, wire-walkers opening with double dances right after Maxie and George. Then the run-off. Those who had patience and faith saw the rest of an excel- lent tight-wire routine. Miss La Mar was amazing. The "Girl with 1,000 Eyes" would be a sensation were" she assisted by any- one with appropriate appearance, personality and diction. The pretty little marvel is handicapped by an ungrammatical announcer and con- federate, who bawls his cues at her too vehemently, and who gives the air of the side-show tent by his approach, even offering a suggestion (after Miss La Mar's speech and exit) that the patrons send their wives and friends to matinee to have questions answered. She has sparkle, a genius for the work that is astounding and baffling, and an ec- centric though terrific stage individ- uality. Uut the support smacks of ten-twent, and the illusion backilrcs. A dainty girl in the audience with Miss La Mar on'the stage would make her a star. Young Nazarro, with the smile of Charlie King of a dozen years bark, and the fleet and adolescent tech- nique of Laddie Cliff ditto, warmed the hearts. The boys work inces- santly and cheerfully and well. His 'cello solo, as always, got an ova- tion. His jazz band was a sweet breath, in that it kept Its place and didn't do amateurish dancing with instruments or nuttisms on chairs. Helene. the dancer, retrieved her- self with difllcult toe stuff for a finish. The dinger in the box (in the dark > wis a 100 per cent. Hop. Charlie Howard, with his List s*>a- | familiar son's act cut to a bit al.d some amusing new talk interlarded, worked a dangerously sluggish start into a comedy hit and a personal success. His support is not stellar. The little jester all but breaks him- The penetrating damp chill of Monday evening did not prevent a goodly turnout and the lower floor, though it held some empty spots, looked as good .s usual here. The weather called to mind a needed Improvement for the protection of patrons sitting on the right side of the orchestra floor. That part of the house is in direct line with the entrance.- The curtains above the last row rail do not prevent the cold air making it uncomfortable. Any bill holding Singer's Midgets is worth while. Not that the sup- porting show here was unpro- ductive. Yet it was not until Bert Fitzglbbon projected himself on fourth did the house raise up. Fitz- gibbon, oni of the champion "nuts," must be credited with gray matter.' He probably figured his routine that had the hat smashing and the broomstick to punctuate nutty chat- ter would not suffice Indefinitely. Both the hat stuff and the stick are out. Lew Fitzglbbon counts as one the most important features now. He sure can get music out of his little xylophone. Fitzglbbon opened with a parody on "The Rosary," called "My Inger- soll." H«. mixed up a couple of "i.ells," but alibied the second, then got a laugh from the house, and the lady who rolled on the xylophone, 44TH ST. The thin rain which fell Monday night didn't hurt the attendance any, and though they filed in slowly, the lower floor was nearly filled with the rest of the house in proportion. Hetty King was the Shubert head- liner, appearing fifth. The male im- personator did her naval officer, sailor and Scotch characters, mak- ing four changes of costume, look- ing immaculate In each. They liked her. Alex Hyde conducted for her in masterly manner. This chap de- serves a permanent post. The rest ot the bill ran as pro- gramed except the Klein Bros., who moved from next to closing to fourth position, changing with Bernard and Townes. Just why the switch was problematical, for the latter pair had quite a battle in the spot. Bernard and Townes are a two-man piano and song team that strain valiantly for comedy throughout, but don't quite make the grade. The Klein Bros, got by nicely with a conglomerate assortment of "nut" and assorted gags. The straight man has improved considerably, but is still overworking the prop laugh. At the end of the act the boys an- nounced they would show two stage struck girls who had asked them for an opportunity, and trotted out Har- ris and Santley, two girls who were on second.. The quartet did a com- edy song pulling bum harmony. The bit didn't qualify aa impromptu comedy. Harris and Santley, a brunet and red-headed comedienne,*deuced it to good results. They have a double singing repertoire of harmony i.straight and comedy numbers vith the comic ad libblng constantly. The girl has personality and ability, but the use of published numbers hampers them. They took three healthy bows In the spot. Sensational Togo opened with his slide for life on the rope wire. Togo does it twice, the last time blind- folded. It made a thrilling starter for the evening. Torelli's Comedy Circus third was the usual pony act sloppily produced and not belonging on this bill Elaine, mixed team, created several laughs, with the male member planting the humor in expert style. His use of the production number, "Love, Honor and Oh Baby," gath- ered in several of his best laughs, with a late spot in any small time bill the proper position for this couple. Ernest Evans and Girls, the bill topper, supplied a bit of class that blended in nicely with the re- mainder of the bill. Evans has played some of the Shubert time with his present offering, but was recently sent to the hospital after an encounter with a holdup man, which apparently necessitated his taking the smaller houses until he can again be fitted in the Shubert bills. For a house on a par vith the City the Evans act can be relied upon to handle headline honors in capable style. Innis Bros, revived the comedy, getting a steady stream of laughs, with Hanlon and Clifton, strong men, who sing and dance in addi- tion to the acrobatics, closing the show nicely. Hart. ORPHEUM alluding to her aa "Bozo." He yawned and. nearly slept while at the piano accompanying Lew. When the plant sang "Rainbow in the Sky" at the close Fitzglbbon I still called him "Mr. Roach." His coin bit seemed unnecessary. Hard- boiled eggs may laugh at mistaking sputum, for a half dollar, but It Is distinctly distasteful to the feminine portion of the audience. Bert was called on for something extra. His speech had something for the pro- fessionals present, since he "hoped Variety would say something nice about me." Just 46 minutes of the Singer Midgets turn and everything good. The turn has been out of town so long that many bits look new. One of the littlest of the men formerly devoted himself to laugh-get ting. Now he Is more finished and shines in the Chinese magician section. Also he sang "Good-bye Shanghi" excellently. His magical stunts got over so well that in spite of the simplicity of them the "selling" got the house. These are real little people, most perfectly formed. The "ladies" were proud to show their legs, and the grace of them in the Egyptian num- ber was marveled at. The presence of the dwarf is useful In several ways, and not the least is the contrast to the more perfect proportions of the liliputians. The juvenile sing- ing lead is as accomplished as ever, perhaps more, though he has grown a trifle rounder. The Lady Godiva finish looks good formation work. The other scenes and bits, however, rate better in general results. The assortment of animals is more varied than when tho act first showed on this side of the water. That is a valuable aid in the magnet the act has for children. The kids In the neighborhood will probably bolster tho Colonial matinees throughout the week. Lockett and Linn (Now Arts) smartly closed intermission. The Topics film broke !ter Intermission and the screen was raised, bringing out Loraine Howard and Verna Sadler. These happy "husband hunters" went over for an easy hit. The girls' billing, a "comedy songo- logue." is apt and their intimate way of telling secrets about them- selves found jolly acceptance. McHevilt, Kelly and Quinn. the piano movers, fared well on third. The comedy points arc the same, but the dancing of the comedians found appreciation in equal measure as ever. The men have dug up new soldier tunics, loudly noticeable because of their unrideable mule with five padded plants got Its usual quota of laughs from the few who haven't seen it for the past decade. This turn could have closed the bill. The Kleins next, with Miss King closing the first half. Arturo Bernard 1, the Italian pro- tean artist, opened after intermission and copped the hit of the bill with his two protean playlets and imita- tions of composers. The use of the transparent drops to expose the manner In which he makes his changes is an idea the foreigner has been doing for years. It is sure fire and proves his legitimacy to the doubting ones who always suspect trickery when they witness an act of this character. Johnny Dooley followed with the same turn he showed recently at the Palace, New York, The Madison Sisters looked cute assisting in two bare-legged costumes. Dooley had to work hard to get them after an opening song and dance with the two girls. The "acrobat" pantomime thawed them considerably, and the "bare backed rider" with Johnny atop a mangy looking truck horse as a ballet dancer completed the job. The dances were applauded. The act has been thrown together from former bits that Dooloy did in pro- ductions and vaudeville, and while it suffices, it doesn't allow him the scope of his former vaudeville offer- ings. Barnard and Townes followed. The bill was closed by Alfred Naess and Miss Slgrld, the ice skaters. Tho turn consists of double and solo figure and trick skating backed by a special drop and tormentors disclos- ing a winter scene in Norway. About half the house stuck. Con. Considerable difficulty was expe- rienced in laying out the current week's bill at this Brooklyn Keith house largely due to the number of male turns it contained. As played Monday night the first half easily outdistanced the after intermission section, mainly because the Mos- coni Brothers, headlining, and the McConnell Sisters, featured In the billing, were in the early section. The Mosconis closed the first half, with the McConnells No. 3. The spot was exceedingly bad for the latter, and they suffered materially. Originally programmed to open the second half, the sister team was forced into the early spot on ac- count of their use of a special set which would not have allowed time for tho set used by Taul Decker and Co., second after intermission. Sealo, a trained seal, working without a handler on the stage, opened the show, going through a five-minute routine of tricks that display expert training. Wells. Virginia and West, No. 2, carried away one of the applause hits on the strength of the young boy's dancing. Possibly this is the first big time date for this trio, which has been a next to closer in the three-a-day houses for a long time. The turn depends almost entirely upon the dancing ability of the one member. He is a master In his line, but the.remainder of th,e turn does not display sufficient strength to ever gain any great recogni- tion in the bigger houses. Harriet and Marie McConnell, No. i 3, wTTh their quiet singing offering The I found the spot much too early for CITY The City bad a well balanced bill the first half which contained sev- eral standard iicts. Tuesday night found tho lower floor but three- quarters full, notwithstanding the fact that the standee ropes were in plaee. Kraynna and Co. (New Acts) Marled the show at a good clip, with iJancor ami- Green, colored dancing team, No. 2, holding up the pace with the stepping. .The couple are energetic workers and make their dance work stand up far above their voca'. efforts. Noel Travers, Irene Dougl and Co. (New Acts). No. 3, found tho going easy with a laugh- ing hit credited to the sketch. Denno Sisters and Co. brought forth addi- tional dancing, the turn consisting of two men and two girls. It is nicely framed, displays some clever footwork and secured the desired results from the downtown audi- ence. Comedy developed by Brown and their efforts. These girls were easily deserving of a later position, but the peculiar selection of acts made It necessary for them to take the No. 3 position to give the show any kind of smoothness. Their se- lection of standard and operatic numbers displays discretion, with both members well fortified in the vocal division. The Brooklyn audi- ence took to the refined offering, with the early spot its only draw- back. Val and Ernie Stanton, No. 4, got In the first comedy punch. The boys started easily, worked up the I chatter in their usual capable man- ner and walked away with one of the early hits. The Mosconis closed the first half. More w^rk | appears te be placed on the shoul- ders of Verna and Willie as time goes on, with both of the younger members of the family shouldering |it Well, with the capable instruction of their two brothers putting them well up in the dancing division. The second half started with Ir- ving and Jack Kaufman, originally programmed for No. 3, but forced later on account of the number of men in the early portion, the orig- inal layout having brought tho Kaufmans, Stantons and Mosconis together In that order. The Kauf- man Brothers are using published numbers and make known the fact that they have been singing for tho phonograph records. The audienco liked their vocal efforts, with the bill badly in need of singing of their stylo, with the early portion of the bill having had little vocal work other than that of the McConnell Sisters. Paul Decker and Co,. sec- ond after intermission, with a fast comedy sketch worked up a series of hearty laughs and gathered In the proper amount of turns. Tho sketch should have been worked in earlier, as tho late position was ex- ceedingly heavy for an act of this nature. Decker has secured a capable supporting company, which inelndes Frank W. Taylor, Nina Sa- vllle and Helen Vallely. Margaret Young, next to closing, had little difficulty in establishing herself, and walked away easily wilh one of the evening's scores. Miss Voting's chorus girl number was a bit over the heads of the Brooklyn audience, but for Broad- way vaudeville it should be Im- mense. "Hello, Prosperity" is a new addition to her routine, w.th which she gained the biggest re- turns. It is a number with an Idea that she has placed in use at the opportune time. Morton Jewell and Co. closed the show with a neatly arranged variety act that held tho house intact. Monday evening found the or- chestra and balcony well filled, with the boxes and luges light. Hart.