Variety (January 1922)

w. VARIETY'S CHICAOO OFFICE Friday, January 27, Ml Chicago STATE-LAKE THEATRE BUILDING 3 t ■!■ ! CABARET S.lver Lakss Comedy Club [ saving institutions before and grand opening when Auby Keo. The ytM inaugurate Jl stag Feb. S J3<* Butler, former assemblyman, adJ. F. McKenna, the new own- Si. throw open the doors of the Jict to the public. The club is at jarhitestone, L. I. John W. Sanders, detained on niia Island because of a contro- JLflJy over his passport, will return la Antwerp, Belgium, where he will •ike charge of a cabaret orchestra. A music publisher had an experi- ence In one of the "take 'em" Broad- way restaurants last week that con- flrmed everything he had heard. fl"hi§ publisher stopped in the res- taurant of an afternoon. There were four people in the party. Nothing was doing in the cabaret. Nothing was there, but a waiter or so and the look-out man. The publisher a*ked about the music. w"hy not the band? Not until ^/e- ntag. Send for it, said the pub- Usher. The band came, the party resiained two or three hours and with the afternoon drawing to a close, they left. Just before leav- ing the publisher received the check —SS64. He didn't pay it. The show which openc.I Monday •t the Cafe de Paris includes Blllie Shaw's i>aiie«« Review, Eddn- Cox, Phoebe and Sally Fiel Is. Receipts from the oale of cars taken from bootleggers aiv increas- ing at a rate that causes federal enforcement officials to smile with Joy and rum runners to gnash their teeth in rage. For a time after pro- hibition went into effect the expense of its enforcement was a steady drain on the federal treasury, with no appreciable monetary return, but the revenue derived from the sale of seized cars and liquor, plus that collected in penalties levied against hotels and saloons convicted of sell- tag the prohibited stuff, now partly compensates for the enormous out- lay entailed in attempting to clamp down the ud. A recent report of the deputy marshal at Malone, N. Y., illustrate! part of this point in a small way. During the period between April 1, 1921, and Dec. 81, 1921, the deputy marsl al turned over to the government $15,342.98 from the 5ile of seized automobiles and liquor (the latter to hospitals). Forty-Hue^ machines, a number high-pri< < d make)!, still remain In his custody. These should bring the government an additional $25,000. Ths machines are Fold at public nv.c.ion. In the beginning those on the "inside" cleaned up tidy sum* on tho purchase of cars. Few people paid any attention to the auctions and the automobiles Went for almost a song. At pres- ent bargain hunters watch with an eagle eye for notices of auctions and turn out en masse for them. Not- withstanding this, the prices bid are often under tho market value. In BH>re than one instance a bootleg- ger is said to have bought back his own automobile through a third party attending the sale. Another conference to devJ ise ways end men, of checking illicit rum traffic between tho provinces of Canada Will be the five provinces and the State of New York hold shortly by oflieials of l" rdor counties. Some time •go the county officials met and tapped out plans for closer co- •peration i ctu<cn enforcement author]-; j « n apprehending violat- ors of the 1 iw. and the haw confer- ence is i i furtherance of this idea. *■• district attorneys declare that Bootlegging has be c o m e a menace not only to the order.,Of border Counti. |,ut to t! eir peace and safety. The ground kac been turned ,r, to a i nttlefiehl, on which gang- sters and others dash about In auto* mobiles a| wild speed and shots are "red without any regard for the rights of inhabitants who must travel^.- n,,. roads In tin rourse tneir regu ...■ business. of Prohi •ib -on statistics were gath- 1 by ths New York World in its Hunda\ edition as rpitomi/.ing •sci >ttd year since the dry •Jendtnem went Into effect. The Wprld presented a painstaking ai Th.le that entirely covered the •wjQct l.ut developed little in favor or the drys. ^ho story went Into j*j**lhs of quantity of liquor im- ]^JJj d < . p\anufactpre4 , and con- comparative balances In since, violation arrests, trials, con- victions and acquittals; arrests for Intoxication; morality and minors, besides a multiplicity of Items that could be gauged on a liquor basis. In toto the World summed up pro- hibition - not as a preventive either in consumption. Importation, morality or savings. la fact the article bore testimony to many points distinctly against this coun- try's most successful failure, and without including the national group of respectable criminals pro- hibition has evolved out of decent Americans. Paul Salvin has left for Tampa. Fla-, on a health trip. by other liquor he had paid as high a« (150 a case for. After trying one of the pinch bottles he sent back the two cases as phi ney. Old Maxim's on 3Sth street, that reopened a short time ago under new management, has again closed. Liabilities of the latest lessor are reported at around $20,000, mostly due dealers. Is laid of the The Carlton Sisters, formerly of vaudeville began an indefinite en- gagement at the Hampton Hotel, Albany. N. V., last week] They are assisted by the California Trouba- dours, the first orchestra of its kind ever to play at an Albany hotel. Frank J. Hartley, New York, has manager of the rooms. late of If urfays , been engaged as Hampton dining A complication of politics as the cau.-e of the closing Fulton Cafe cabaret. Pittsburgh, last week by the police. The place hi still operating, but without danc- ing and entertainment. Charges that liquor was beig sold are al- leged by the proprietors to be a frame-up by the landlord. The place was becoming on»' of the most frequented in town, with the Blue Ridge Trio, Grace Nelscn and the wife of Joe Pe ry, former lessee, of ! the Academy burlesque theatre here, I providing amusement. The man- agement had sent Perry to Xew York last week to obtain a revue, when the police stepped in. One story of the affair lias it that Walter Lloyd, a deposed police magistrate who has an interest in the cabaret, and a political opponent of the present superintendent of (Continued on Page 11* Mike Fritzel's, Friars* Inn, Chi- cago, has not as yet felt a material slump in business. This loop cabaret manages to get its fill nightly, and entertain those pres- ent as well as serve meals. The entertainers are Herbie Yogel and Sid Erdman, two old stand-bys of Fritzel's. Madge Kiefer and Helen McDonald syncopate in a winning fashion. Billy Myers, well known locally, is taking a fling at enter- taining. He is the possessor of a fine voice and knows how to se.l songs. Mm ma Lewis is a new ad- dition. fi'imod The Moulin Rouge Cafe, Chicago, is the latest restaurant to be turned Into a cabaret. Albert Bouche manages it. Bouche Is better known for his work while with the Rainbow Gardens in town, originally monickered "Moulin Rouge." The new cafe is a novelty. The color scheme is red, and is offset with a low and colored light- ing schem i. The place has a soothing air about it. The main floor has a dance floor as well as the balcony. Two orchestras sup- ply the music; in the early part of the evening a four-piece band entertains, and the better part of the time Jack Sharpe's eight- piece band offers the syncopation. Tho Moulin sltouge is more of a restaurant than a cabaret, and it has four entertainers: Bessie Ham- ilton, contralto; Gertrude Jeffries, soprano; A. W. Asmal, tenor. Mary Stuart acts as hostess. CHICAGO SHOWS (Continued from Page S) ent from the girl acts umkiIIv seen. The curtain goes up to a full stage setting, with prop Volumes piled high. Al Wcymer, the Straight man, sings a number explaining that he is a bookworm, and then from the piled volumes come four girls, dressed and acting types appro- priate to the book from which they came. Wcymer has a high tenor voice and pleasing'appearance. The outstanding member of the r ist is the comedienne. "Buster" Edwards, who scored. She is a knock-about type and has a marvelous manner of putting a musical comedy touch to her lines and action. Helen Vermil- lion, the prima donna, also had her moments to grab off her share of applause, while Elsie Dale in a toe dance specialty scored, as did Pcr- iey Gaddla in an Oriental number. All in all. it is a worth-white flash act for any time. Cordon and Del- mor and P.icknell were not se n at this show. comedy talking, slngh .; «><•! musical skit, "Mon Chapeau." gave the first comedy tOUCh t- <»:<• !. . This couple had a hud road to t.iwl. due to their predecessors, but man- aged to make i most favorable im- pression under the circumstances. On a regular bill this team in the "deuce" spot would hive registered well. Closing the show was a fantastic song and dance .kit, "The Tate Of Three Cities.*' It was presented by 'wo men—Stone and Manning—and tour women—the Blroy Sisters. ({race Moy and Grace Chester. It is one of the light type <>t flash acts, with fair scenery, but little merit otherwise. The men da ice. the Klroy Rirls sing, dance and play the Hawaiian guitar, and the other two Kiris sing. But the routine is ar- ranged in such .manner that it de s not build up as it goes along, and with a rather weak li-nie tho turn just docs not seem to be m the run- ning. KEDZIE Jan. The Agents" and Representatives' Association, consisting of cabaret and club booking agents, contem- plate filing a series of suits whol - sa 1 • against hotels and cabarets failing to remit commissions. James A. Tlmoney, as a result of a meet- ing last week t collected al! the data from each of the 30 members. The A. & R. A. will also hold a re-elec- tion of officer* the middle of Febru- ary to succeed the present tentative line-up. , Harry Walker has opened a new 12-poople sh»>w at John's Restau- rant, liTtii Street and Broadway, Now York. Cafe Lorraine^ PhiUdelphl«, un- der the management of Charlie Jeter, opened Monday with four acts. Shanley's filth street), New will discontinue Its cabaret this week. York, after The selling price of whiskey has mounted Since New Year's. Scotch has gone to $120 and over, and rye as high as $105-$110. There 's so much phoney liquor around that if tho illicit bootleggers, if they are il- licit, don't stop peddling the bad liquor they will do more thai) the enforcement act to r.top the pur- chase of it. Even phoney liquor is coming in from Canada, *nd it U covered over by the 'Quebec Liquor Commission" label and covering. When not phoney the bo..;:.« is being diluted so low it's almost as poor. A man in Times Square the other day bought two cases of Half and Hug in the original pinch bottles for J- 1 ™ a case. He paid $500 for the two cases, believing it was genuine 1r that bottle and having beeti Mung CHATEAU 2-1. Chicago. Jan This house for some time has been noted for presenting a good and consistent vaudeville bill. The current program, however, as fallen way below that standard. It really seems an Improbability have a here. Chicago Tt was one of the ideal l»ox office days' with the weather husk and cold, coupled with a bill that stood up to this house's standards.» The entire main floor was occupied, white the balcony got a good play, but not capacity. The Hennings, with their neat comedy juggling turn, gave tho show a pood start. Both of the people displayed plenty of showmanship and did ttietr tricks without any stalling. Browning and Davis gave the biggest portion of comedy on the bill, springing their cross-fire gags with resound- ing response. Both men work in blackface, and welt. "Story Book Revue" is a girl act out of the ordl- narv and proved a good flash. Charles Irwin. last with "On Fifth Avenue," has returned to a single, offering an interesting, not sticking, style of dialect. His routine con- sists of the fly kind, that requires a wise audience to grasp. He was obliged to take an encore. The Stratford Comedy Four followed. They have been on the small time. Theirs is a school type of act with singing and comedy talk. The Im- pressive member of the act Is the one who does the Dutch comedian. The others were suffernig with a cold or something, which proved more noticeable when they did singles. The harmony wont big in some numbers. ' Closing were the Hanaka Japs, puzzling with their magic, which, though seen often, still mystifies as much as before. The cast of two men and one woman do their stunts as few others do who take this method of enter- taining. to slow of this type on view There is nothing about it which denotes smartness, comedy or class In comparison with the. regular run of bills In this "de luxe" neighborhood theatre. It falls short, and way short at that. Not only are the acts below the standard quality, but the show has been se- lected with as little care as pos- sible, making it Impracticable to blend it in a manner to get the most of it in presentation. 1: is just a "faux pas." Opening the show Prince Xloshl, billed as "The Japanese Wonder," gives a demonstration of hi.i power as a pedalogist by juggling a barrel on the flat of his feet tor a few minutes and then completing his turn by a slide on a tight rope from the balcony to the stage. The latter part of thr» act, of course, Is sensa- tional, but has been seen performed here by B< veral other Japs, In the "deuce" position were the Four Harmony Boys. Tho only thing which indicates hirmony is the title of tho act. As far as the blending and harmonizing of the four voices in any of their numbers was concerned, it could not be achieved. And again, these lads evidently nre returning east from a Coast trip with a number of songs of the popular type which have entered the "passe" class. "hey also have two numbers of a risque type, which are not of a type that should be permitted in a theatre catering to women and children. These numbers did them no good as far as the audience was con- cerned, for there was no enthusiasm manifested in their rendition. FROM TWO TO FOUR Carrick Changes Policy—Continu- ous Policy, 11 to 11 Chicago. .Ian. 27}. The Harrlck theatre* Milwaukee, Which originally opened with Shu- bert vaudeville bills that came di- rectly from the Apollo, Chicago, and then altered It by hawing a few of the Apollo acts, with others booked out of the western Shubert offices, i3 now mnking a radical change in its policy by going from t»vo to four shows a day. Beginning Sunday, Feb. 6, the house will run continu- ous from 11 a, m. to 11 p. m., with Six acts and a picture. One of the acts, probably the headliner, will come from tne Apoilo btii in Chi- cago, and the others booked from the Shubert Chicago office. The ad- mission price will be altered to a r>0e. top. SCHALLMANS RESTORED Get Back Independent Status, but Give Up "Four of Us" Commission Chic igo, Jan, 55, ScttsJIman Brothers, independent tgents, were restored t«» full i» tun- ing privileges in the l.oew. l'an- fnges and other independent offices ugaln last week by the Vaudeville Managers' Protective association* following a three weeks' suspension. The barring of the Bchallmaus grew out of attni hmeni i roceedlngs for $-"''>o brought against "The t-'our of t's" in Boston, several weeks ago. by Leon Berexnlclc, Behallmans' at- tornev, after the V. M. P, A. had decided against the Hchallmuns in a dispute between then, and "Th» Four of l r s - ' over commissions al- legcd to be due for booking. The "Four of Us" contended it had paid Arthur Horwits 5 per cent, for the bookings in dispute, anl the Sohatl- i.ians worj usked 5 per cent, addi- tional for thomselv a. Leon Berezniak journeyed from Chicago to New York last week, and following several conferences with the V. M. V. A. succeeded in having the Schallmans restored to standing. It was agreed by Lkrcsniak that the Schallmans would pass up the $500 commission claim against the "Four of Us," in view of the V. If. T'. A. restoring the Schallmans* booking privileges. FLAN THEATRE CLUB Chicago, Jan. t!.~. A new club for people in the the- atrical business has been started here. It Is known as the Chicago Amusement Club, and Is the first organization of theatrical people since the disbanding of the stroll- ers Club six years ago. Membership books of the club will be open to actors, managers, agents, film men and anyoue connected with the show business. Club rooms will be opened in the "Loop" shortly. In charge of the new movement are H. W. Peters, Jules Epstein and Klmer Watson* CHECK UP THEATRES Chicago. .Tan. tl Timothy A. llo- City Council that >:U theatres in the Avre ignoring the laws it was de- building, commit - investigate all the oop" to i oee ''".In- law were com- Kitty [lagan, who were present M a fast and classy terpsl- chorean offering." ''Classiness* 1 can be granted them as fir a" the Scenic and light effects Jsed with the att are concerned, l.ut as far as the art of Terpsichore goei the couple were "nil." They w-.tia d In a slow and amateurish way with ■ routine of ballroom eps blended wrlth sorni acrobat ic fe its. Thei >• . too much of a somen .«s in the dan< •■]>■+ of the couple* and Ihe map • n • to be nu>sr i a tceful and nwks ird In their ••>•< ntion. Th>- bous" Sal hi a most noh'/nn mood during Ihl* without B i ippe- ot : pplause !»• a j extended :it the conclusion. From the demeanor of the audience it seemed a.s though they were id to condole. - AmorOs and Jean-.'.ie, in ll I. A. T. 8. E. Head HI Chicago, Jan. 25. Richard Green, head of the stage hands' un!on here and third vice- president of the I. A. T. S. E. of United States and Canada. Is con- fined to his homo serio ly 111. Several weeks ago Green was oper- ated on at a local hospital* and this reek removed to his horn* 1 , where It Is expected he will '»o con- fmrd for a month. After Alderman gan informed the many of the larg< downtown section tire and building elded to have the tee of the council theatres In the ' 1 fractions of the mittcd. BLACKWELL STEALS INGENUE ... Banquet for Bergman ChfcagO, Jan. 2.". i.eoi.ird Dcrgman, treasurer of the Xew Amsterdam Theatre, New In the middle spot weir 1 rani; and * , , , ,. .' , T ,, bUled to' iotr ' s 1 " 2C *' s lnc ^ uest of **d Hosenbaum, manager of Zlcgfdd's "Follie.*.." Rosonbaum and Tollo TimponI tendered a banquet In honor of n< rgman at tho Sherman Ilot'-l on Mondiv, with all of the mend' ' of th» "Folle-s" present as Chica•; •. Jan. "While Carlylc Blackwell was :•'ty- ing Minneapolis, he saw Mury Mead in the Maude Ad.rm-; role ia "Bluebird," and he cn^a ;• I ! for his vaudeville vehicle, M i21gh! Six Four." In the lialnbridgo 8toe!<. at the Shubert in Minneapolis, aha built up a big drawing powt r. Mi. I joins Blackwell at the Anna in, Chicago, this week. SWITCH MANAGERS Chicago, Jon. :'. General rearrangement In Orpwe- um houses here takes Mdd l and Gibson from the State-T.ake to the Majestic with Sheldon brooks going from the Majestic to the State-La'U« and Zelaya from the Palace to ttpe Majestic and Four Hah?) Bt lets Majestic to Palnc^ to streh ill around. Last >, >. 4 with $6*,(XW in Chicago, Jan. The seat sale for the last i<>ur weeks of the local engagement of Zlegfeld'n "Follle-." at the Color,ill theatre, begnn this week WHh »$69,.« 000 In the theatre's roffers at the opening of tho pair. The show has played to capacity nt every perfor- ance since its opening, which is around $37,000 without ertra prices or extra shows. Isabel Neill Divorces Jack Chicago, Jan. L'.". Isabe] Kellli an actrssSj profes- sionally known as "June Knight," n*aa granted a decree ft divorce from. Jack ^e^ll. !,n •'» fit '- by . v>\^o ftabath in the Superior Court She accused Neill of extreme cruelty on wap*4 f>M*3le«i i ei/vre t fiiUt MW1 riuge, Sept. G, 1*12. Young's New Booking Agent Chicago, Jin. 25. Frnle Young has appointed a n -.v booking- manager fur liis agency. fleorge Mence has SUCCOeded Itoy Mack In that capacity. Mack has beep asslgnad by Young to produce r< vues in Chicago and Baltimore. Esberg's New Job Chicago, Jan. :'",. Ai thur Esberg, formerly treasurer of a number of legitimate theatres here and more recently manngei of a William I ox road tilm show, has Vw fan pJ utedT*t*feu at ftrafwJfct of iu£ Aud.Loi'ium.