Variety (January 1922)

VARIETY'S CHICAGO OFFICE Cfjicngo STATE-LAKE THEATRE BUILDING Friday, January 20, 1922 ! CHICAGO VAUDEVILLE SHOWS MAJESTIC Chicago, Jan. 18. Grant Mitchell, who has been fea- tured, starred and otherwise pre.ss- agented in this town, was the head- liner. Mitchell has a sketch that In any other hands might not shine as well, but there is many a vaude- ville sketch artist who could im- prove on Mitchell's style for Vfttlde- vilk\ His female support, Kath- leen Conaegys, is sweet to look at and also a credit to the aet, hut Kobert 'Toms almost ruined the playlet by his appearance and talk. Imagination is a great asset to vaudeville, but, by the widest stretch, one just can't imagine Miss Comegys leaving a husband for him; it is asking .00 much. The Three Rubes opened, and they were an asset. Jean Granese and her two plants put over songs and talk with laughs. For a second the two plants, arguing in the audience, looked real, and even when one got on the stage to sing it was done so well, it looked on the level, and when he started to sing it was all off, just to wait for the returns, which came in salves, and many bows. Ed. Lee Wrothe and Owen Martin put over their racetrack talk to many racetrack fans; in fact, in a town that has not had racing for a good many years It was surprising how the wise cracks went. Dooley and Storey found the going easy and stepped right into it with both feet. William Seabury and Co. more than held up the production end of the bill, plus dancing and action. Charles Ol- cott and Mary Ann ran through their numbers to applause. Mitchell followed. Venita Gould came on at 10.45, but gave her impressions to a stand-pat audience that ne\'er moved. James Dutton and Co., equestrians, closed to a standing crowd. Loop. APOLLO > Chicago, Jan. 18. The Shubert cycle of houses be- ing limited this week, sees a prac- tical repetition bill. Of the nine acts offered here six have been seen here within the past few months. That fact is not to the detriment of the acts, for they are all substantial worthy offerings, generally speaki" t from a vaudeville standpoint, a: 1 blended with the three previously unseen at this house—Adele Row- land, Ernestine Myers and Co., and Alfred Naess and Co.—make prob- ably one of the best all-around variety vaudeville bills submitted at this house. As a show on the whole It gets a remarkably fast start and keeps going that way right to the Jlnish. It seems as though Shubert vaudeville as far as this house is, concerned has hit its proper stride with the arrangement of bills, with respect to position value, for now they seem to run smoothly. On this bill Frank Jerome in the ■•deuce" spot comes out first and tells the hom-e it was quite apparent to him, from remarks he heard in the t wing, at a previous performance, that the audience was not getting his comedy talk. He tells them they are a hard audience, and that they did not seem to get half of his "gags"; however, he knows differ- ently, as their applause informs^him so. This is just a starter, fo^JRurt Earle in the spot comes along re- marking that he had told a gag or two at the matinee which the audi- ence did not get either, and then, to rivet the matter down strong, Harry Hines; on next, chimes in. Hines tells them he knows they knew he Is good, and that Jerome is only jealr/us, so he makes the remarks before he (Hines) comes on, there- fore he requests they show Jerome up and give him the ovation and approbation which he knows that he Is entitled to. But perhaps the first two did it to kid Hines. Then Charles T. Aldrich, another repeater, takes up a full two min- utes of denouncing the opposition. Adele Rowland occupied the head- line position, appearing second after intermission. The spot was Just built to order for h«T, Most of her numbers have been identified with her for some time and have not been hackneyed in the song-grist mill. She is assisted at the piano by Mil- dred Brown, an accomplished pianist e. Opening the show were the Eqiiillo Brother*, who again presented their remarkable equilibristic feats in smart, snappy fashion, without waste of time. They do just five minute*, but it Is all work and hits home. Frank Jerome, on next, got over nicely with his eccentric and acrobatic dancing as well as stunts. Jerome could, however, stick a little more to his acrobatic work and cut his talk, for as he remarked, "the audience does not get half of the 'gags,' and the other half are not worth while getting." Burt Earle and his eight musical maids scored the success they /lid on their previous appearance, with their well-selected and rendered routine of instrumentation. Harry Hines, on next, outside of his audi- ence appeal seemed to get over in great fashion. Hines was the hit of the first section of the show. Ernestine Myers and her quartet of aides were next in Miss Myers' new dance creation. The dance routine is well arranged and pre- sented. It is served^ up in seven stanzas, with most of it accompanied by song on the part of I^at Genes. This act is a class flash, but some- one was a bit negligent in permit- ting Lovey Lee and Alice Weaver, her two little aides, to come tiut in the "Dancing Days" number with dirty white socks and shoes. Had this been at the opening matinee it might have been condoned, but not at an evening performance. Opening the second half was Aldrich with his "peculiar special- ties." His lightning change work and impressions scored immensely, as they did in the past, as d' his grotesque pantomime, and if he will only eliminate his "peculiar curtain speech" when he departs his stand- ing with the audience will be 180 per cent, instead of being discounted by his vindicative speech. Callahan and Bliss, with their satirical comedy skit, in the next to closing spot, found things mighty easy and hit over on high from the start. Closing the show was Al- fred Naess, assisted by Miss Pig- fred, in an ice skating novelty, which managed to hold the house in al- most in its entirety. PALACE Chicago, Jan. 18. Comedy predominates. Plenty of it, but not too much, resulting in the entertainment running off in smooth and snappy fashion. Bush- man and Baytie have the top spot on the bill and held it down in most creditable fashion with "Poor Rich Man." At the conclusion the applause was tumultuous and ne- cessitated a curtain speech from both of the former picture stars, each saying but a few words, but driving them home. Chick Yorke and Rose King, who followed, in the next to closing spot, with their comedy skit, "The Old Family Tin Type," are new to these parts and their quaint»?and gro- tesque comedy was keenly relished. They, too, were compelled to make curtain speeches and in do^ig so burlesqued that of Bushman and Bayne. Opening the show was Van Cello, assisted by Mary. Van Cello seems to bo the foremost exponent of pedalogy on the vaudeville stage. He has a corking assemblage of juggling feats, ttie rendition of which necessitates the incessant use of his pedals. The offering is built up in such a manner that each stunt is more difficult than the preceding one, running along to a sensational climax which carried the act off in great fashion. During Van Cello's endeavor to demonstrate the art of pedalogy Mary makes three changes of costume, all of which are smart and attractive in appearance. Nate Leipzig came next with his card tricks. Leipzig has a manner o*. bewildering his audience, result- ing in them liking hia offering im- mensely. Billy Arlington and Co. were next. The comedy-travesty -skit, "Mis- takes Will Happen* which he is using, is a sure-fire hokum and low comedy affair. The business in- dulged in by him is funny and were he only to get some legitimate fin- ish, instead of the song finish, for the offering, it probably would im- press in mora wholesome manner than at present. Of course the song travesty registers in good style, but it is quite obvious that it is only a subterfuge for Arlington and his two male and one female aide to make their getaway. Mae and Rose Wiltoff despite that one of the girls had a heavy cold, get over in good stead. Their in- strumentation always registers and their sfweet and winsome way of rendering songs is an advantageous asset too. Kenney and Hollis are no strang- ers in this house. The second their comedy drop was revealed applause broke loose and kept going until the two satirists on "Medicine" made their exit. The folks liked the act in the past and still like it. Closing the show were the Three Gellis, with their equilibrism and ground - tumbling. It seems as though the audiences here are get- ing in the habit of seeing the clos- ing act through, with the result that there were very few walkouts on the lower floor while this trio were furnishing their part of the even- ing's amusement. Loop. *• BETTER THAN .THE BEST SHOW lN*TOWN ■5 •' • • • . • FRED MANN'S RAINBO GARDENS CLARK at LAWRENCE. Continuous Dancing— Vaudeville. 1 Fhiiik \V •-•>! phtii 'mid J<ulnlio-Orohf»lrii. Amiitt'iir TliriUrUul Nltr I.\cr> KrlilnyV ST. REGIS HOTELS MARION 516 N. Clark Street CHICAGO 505 W. Madison St. PROFESSIONAL WEEKLY RATES CHANGE 01 KATES: l horon K h l > modern. Mimic. Tvllhoiit Imlli. . . *N.OO anil Bfi.OO \ ,.„ | y fnrnlnhcd. McVICKER'S Chicago, Jan. 18. Wise business men, Jones, Linick & Schaefer. They're in business to mak"e money. So they choose a he<tf)liner small-time audiences like. Sometimes it is good vaudeville, sometimes not, but the box-office speaks in loud tones of the success of theirTpolicy. Freaks, current people in the lime- light of the public'have proven to be a sensation for the Rialto and McVicker's, the two vaudeville houses of this firm. Last week th dailies gave much space to the ar- rival in town of Rosa and Josefa lllazck, the grown-togethe^ twins. Jones. Linick & Schaefer have the Blazek twins headlining, drawing tremendously and reaping the har- vest from the whirlwind of curi- osity. The houseful added pep to the performance, and (Jraee Ayres and Hrother roller skated. Harry Webb, in blackfaee, covered a wide field of topics in his monolog. Webb got them from the start and finished with % song. Holden and Harron presented a hoak act that wowed them. Harry Holden is a showman and makes his hoak an art. Top- ping this, Holden boasts of a voice tli »t alone would get him ovor. Lucy Harron feeds in a delightful man- ner and works with him like a cog in a machine. "Innocent Eve" has three princi- pals in the act. two of them men and one girl. The act in this spot ran along with a snappiness not common with this type of act. The comedian somehow gets a burlesque style of disposing of his comedy, while the straight man is of the ordinary. The girl is a clever toe dancer, worthy of development. An animal impersonator completes the cast. Royd and King haVe a refinrd of- fering, with no comedy. King en- ters before a special drop and plays a number on the piano. Then Miss Boyd slips in from the center of the drop and does character work. Both work in a clean-cut and showmanly manner, yet were a trifle too classy for those present. Howard and i Cross played banjos and chided each j other. The turn is a good novelty and ends with the woman singirffc: operatic selections, accompanied by the orchestra, and the man playing the banjo. Willie Dunlap and Bessie Merrill were next-to-shut. Miss Merrill's work was a piece of art. She han- dled the biggest and hardest portion and savored it with personality and charm.' Dunlajp's personality and method of working were slipshoddy. It was not surprising, therefore, to have him bear out the impression he gave by cracking the messy bar- room gag about the salesman who slent at the farmer's house. Miss Merrill was out of place In this turn, and would make a good big-time hit. The act in this important spot fell short. The Blazek twins were next. With a circus-like billing, throw- aways and canopy banners, they appeared before an anxious crowd. First a man in evening 'dress ap- peared before an interior set and made a few introductory remarks The twins. 42 years old according to th* man, are confronted-^wTth the fear that when one dies the other must die. Most of t^»e entertain- ment consisted of the man telling facts ..l.out the twin* and th*>1i the son of one of the t\ ins was brought before the amazed iTOWd. The son is well formed and has no defe vts QOtlceablc. The man then allowed the twins to demonstrate how they walk, one leading, the other follows They showed how they ate and that the artioni nf one did not Interfere with the other. Topping this the man Introduced * midget two 'feel high who was brought'to Chicago with the twins. The midget danced and created laughter. The act Is a novelty and a draw beyond doubt. Hice Brothers and Harry Bentell not y • it at this show. IJouMc. without Hath. . JflO..,0 ;•••<! fl'^.OO SI tie If. with llnth $lo.r,o nml $ I o <00 Convenlont to nil then! Duuhlf, %vlth Hath. . . .914.0(1 niid £ ltl.OO Free rfhrnr»«l hnll. WE SOLICIT YOUR PATRONAGE rm. ACADEMY Chicago, Jan. 19. Opening the show last half were ifa:» and Mary Gardner, with a nov- elty xlre-walking turn. A* nmi to be the custom with this type of act, most of the time used is appor- tioned to dialog and!as little as possible to feats. This is a mighty good idea, providing the • dialog is worth while, but where it is mean- ingless and the woman is practically a "prop," it might be better to cur- tall the talk, add a little more work- ing routine and abdicate from the rostrum as fast as possible. This should have been done by the Gardner turn; probably in time it will. Fox and Smallcy, No. 2, strug- gled along with a bit of this and a bit of that, assembled in unshow- manlike manner and fashion. The man's main asset is mimicry of birds and animals. IIo also sings, and the woman disposes of most of her time on the stage in' playing the saxaphone. As the act rates at present, the smaller houses will take it. Harrison and Howley, two colored comedians, in a talking, skit, had rather a hard time to get started with their droll humor, but man- aged gradually, finishing in good fashion. One is also a capital ec- centric dancer. • Following was "The Golden But- terfly," a posing act consisting of two women. It is a pretty turn. Next to closing were Goulet and Hall, with instrumentation, song and talk. The man is an accom- plished banjoist, who feels talk is a requisite, but has not chosen the proper kind, or that sort which will entertain. The woman does charac- terization which registers on a par with the man's talk. If these people need to talk, other material should be procured, and instead of the woman doing 'characterization, it might be more to her advantage to do straight. It would mean more. Closing -The show were the Mar- riott Troupe, a rr n, three women d a colored man assistant. Their wbrk consists of juggling heavy, mbersome articles and then ishing the act with stunts on a whirling monoplane. This finish is sensational and allows the act to get away with a favorable impres- sion. It is a great flash sight act for any of the three-a-day bills. AMERICAN Chicago, Jan. 18. Business seems a bit off of nor- mal, probably the aftermath of the holiday business, somewhat abnor- mal. The show was of the average type last half, with a flash and sight act thrown in for good measure. Spanish Goldens, a man and two women, in somewhat antiquated European novelty. It consisted of cloth spinning on a pole, the old spark fire dance and finishing with the man spinning one of the women around on a pole. This finish was the sensational portion, and on that alone it can clear the barrier. Linden and West, two smartly at- tired chaps, were pext with a musical skit on the piano and violin. The boys are adept musicians and have a repertoire which is well chosen. Their impression of a two- piece orchestra in a movie house, fitting "appropriate" music to a picture, sc^ne by scene, got whole- some laughs. Devoe and Dayton, man and woman, have a smart, snappy rou- tine of talk Condensed into a skit called "The Tree Doctor." A spe- cial drop in "one" shows the various types of trees with a numeral in- scribed on each. The woman asks the man questions about the various trees. It is dialog of the light sort and should have a place in the bet- ter class houses. A finish is needed. The punch line is "acking, with the team ending without reason and going into an eccentric dance for the finish. They have the goods, but should have a climax. Evelyn Phillips and a quartet of energetic hoofers came next. The boys do plenty of good buck and wing. They sing a little, but not too much. Miss Phillips makes up for them in this department. She also can dance. The act is a fine flash offering for the three-a-day domain. Next to closing came the real comedy wallop, Sampson and Doug- las. They stopped the show.* Clos- ing were the Ben Hasten Troupe of seven whirlwind acrobats. They howled, shrieked, built human pyra- mids and whirled around the stage until they ended to a solid hit. BROKER WINS IN ROW OYER PREMIUM Wopter of Illinois at First Re- fused Dump Back Chicago, Jan. 18. A very peculiar situation aros* here between Edward Wopler, man- ager of the Illinois theatre, and on* of the independent ticket brokers, due to the fact that $5,000 worth of tickets had been sold to the latter at a premium of 35 cents on each ticket. When he found that he had been stuck on. them, he tried to dump back. Troublo was averted through Wopler listening to the threat of the broker and sending his treasurer to the man's office to pick up the "pasteboards." The independent broker had pur- chased these tickets at a premium over box office price of 35 cents. None of the Powers houses ha* been doing business with the inde- pendent brokers direct so that when this man wanted to do busi- ness the premium was exacted from him. The attraction for which the tick- ets had been purchased did not prove to be, the hit anticipated .so the broker called upo • Wopler to take back the "stuff." At the time the broker told Wopler that he would be willing to lose 10 to IS c, nts on a ticket beside the extra premium he had already stopd for. However, Wopler replied that If he wanted to turn the tickets back he would have to stand a 35c. penalty on each ticket. The broker got very, indignant over this fact and told Wopler that as long as he assumed that arbi- trary altitude he would give him more than he was looking for in the line of trouble. Ho informed the manager that ho was going to have a three-sheet sign made which he was going to post in front of his place of business on Randolph street announcing the Tact that $3.30 tick- ets for the Illinois theatre would be on sale at his place far $2.50." Thla threat evidently had the effect de- sired by the broker, for within fif- teen minutes Wopler had de- spatched his treasurer to thesbrok- ers' office and all of the tickets were picked up and returned to the box office without the broker sus- taining any additional loss but th* original premium. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Charles Knapp, at their home in New York City, Dec 31, son. Tho parents were formerly with "Peek-a-Boo" (burlesque). Mr. and Mrs. Eugene McDonald, son. The mother is, professionally. Dollle Day; the father is leading man of the Victoria Theatre Stock, Chicago. Mr. and Mrs. William E. Donohoe, at their home, 214 West 109th street. New York, Jarf* 11, son. The par- ents are professionally known a* Carey and Stampe. IN AND OUT Quintette and Hughes were out of the Lincoln Square, New York, the first half through illness. La Hoen and Dupreece substituted. <3 STAGE SIIOES EVERYTHING Immediate Delivery. SinRle Talr or Production Orders. SEND FOR CATALOG. J< AI^TONS. Inc. 14 W. WASHINGTON ST., CHICAGO R/ ACME SCENIC ARTI5T 5TUDI05 hrauwicifi JUITE 308, 36 W. RAN0OLHJ i OPPOSITE APOl.i.o and uooits THEATRES CENTRAL 4758 CHICAGO THE BEST SCENERY MADE—THAT'S ALL YOU'VE TRIED THE REST NOW TRY THE BEST "THE 13th CHA!R" "PETE" Soteros Next Door to Colonial Theatre. 30 W. RANDOLPH ST., CHICAGO 1 TIIK IO110\M\<; HfvYDI.INK.ns ATK IIKRE LAW WEEK:— / BOOSTERS I OR STEAKfl tro Pll lliWft .limmj Lea**, Harry I-ox. IW trior Cur; Is. !><<• Il.ik.-r. M*k« lallou. Joe Mfiacjtr, Cl»ra Uoftajru, Uob LaSalle, Wca\ti Uroa,