Variety (January 1922)

VrU Friday, January 27, 1922 , .. r-- -■ -T NEW : AcT$ : rHl3 , W r ^ \*^ r 4 t » • 21 CHARLES PURCELL and Co (11) J? Mint.J Full Stsge (Special Hangings) ^Charles Purcell has been In vaude- ville before, but his present offering, I production affair with nicely !h«5e4 silken hangings, is his first rtSly sincere try at the twice daily, nd from the impression conveyed Monday evening he will fee in vaude- fJnJefor quite some time to come, prior to this season most of his professional appearances have been Jrith musical shows. One thing about the latter so fur as Purcell is concerned, is that he could not select his numbers and therefore not all were to his liking. For the vaude- ville act, every song fits and he ianded with all. That doesn't mean that the rur- cell offering is given over to song alone nor song of the high brow class. There is a balanced mixture of dancing and jazz, which, as a whole, works out excellently. PurceH was on at the opening in frilled shirt and cufTs, to Ling "Sweetheart" from "Alaytimo." the attraction which gave him his big- gest succ- as in the legitimate field. Accompany 'ng was Leroy Smith's colored Jasa orchestra. Purcell went, aim < st immediately into •no.se of the World.* a ballad rtlcely fitting him, the number being given atmos- phere by Martha Shelby, with whom he waltzed. Following a band number Hubert Kinney (Kinney and Corinne), fea- tured in the hilling, appeared in black tights and mask, holding a jeweled dagger and performing a striking dance number. Miss Shelby joined them, doing fine work on her toes. If this pair are to team, they will bear watching, for both are away from the ordinary. Both may have worked In the last Raymond Hitehcock show. Purcell with a special lyric, "I Never Talk About Myself," gained smiles, that preparing for a bit later announced as "Gratitude." It was a lyric with a comedy finale fine and went for a laugh. His rendition of numbers sung In suc- cesses he appeared in were from "The Chocolate Soldier," "The Magic Melody," "May time" and one or two others. But the winning vocal ef- fort cam 9 with a new mammy song, one in which he worked in some strains of 'The Swanee River," reaching nhe heights and crashing over for a solid hand. Both Miss Shelby and Kinney fol- lowed with singles, the lithe girl on her toes in a ballet number, the boy running to a show of high kick- ing. The pair were dancing Jazz together when Purcell appeared for the finale. He stopped the players and Warted singing something operatic. Suddenly the colored musicians went Into Jazz and Jazz had it, Purcell dancing with the others for a bright curtain. If for that alone the special orchestra was worth while. The house was com- pletely won by the Purcell turn. lbce. SIDNEY JARVI3 (1). Songe and Talk. 1 5 Mine.; One. 23rd SL. Sidney Jnrvis has been off of the boards for several seasons. He was well known as a vaudevillian. also Wearing in several legitimate at- tractions. He returns to the two- a-day, with the aid of a pianist ac- companist, with songs nnd talk. In J way resembling the Skit idea of his f, HACKETT and DELMAR Co (6) "The Dance Shop*' 27 Mina.; Full Stage (Special) Palace Jeanette Hackett and Harry Del- mar teamed several seasons ago, appearing in a act which had been presented by William Seabtiry. The present offering is an elaboration of that idea, but is actually, new throughout, the turn being staged by Delmar. Four elevated choristers are introduced in one following an opening lyric by the principles, the act going into full stage, with the routine from there on entirely changed. The first of the girls introduced displayed surprisingly plump legs for a dancer, yet into full stage where the quartet tripped little specialties, that tame Miss drew down the applause edge and earned it. Weeks and Marwick, a sister dance team, got into the going early. They had a If'rio which few could hear, but the girls' forte is step- ping and there they deliver, giving a pretty exhibition of synchronized dancing. In addition their work has the novelty or originality. Mr. Delmar, as a French officer, had a sons, with Miss Hackett en- tering for the second verse, looking quite Frenehy in feathers and net tights. Delmar singled with a fast dance number. Ilia appearance as the olHcer would be more complete with care as to polish of shoes and Sam Browne belt. All six girl aids next entranced from back stage, where steps mounted to a tableaux curtain. Bare legs were featured but the exotic costumes, each of varied design, furnished a flash and supplied the setting for Miss Hackett's big sin- gle number, an Egyptian dance. It was especially effective. Again Delmar singled, his song amounting to little, and that apply- ing to his other vocal tries. But the dance specialty here was excep- tional, the routine being both eccen- trie and acrobatic. A bridal number was used for the close, Delmar doing daring stunts in a dancing way. He accomplished a series of splits, making a leap from one split to another and down the steps, afford- ing a strong curtain. The Hackett and Delmar turn can be relied on for an important spot in the big bills. Ibcc. rormer There nor presentations, perhaps isn't a stronger more resonant baritone on the American stage. Mr. Jarvis' heroic stature adds to the impression of v ocai pitver. He opened with an Jrish mini:,, r. which sounded new. Jt was i;; t of Tlpperary. Mary, on "la Broad way*** the number pos- *"**"£ a ,), mic KVvin .. chatter followed, he announcing himself as eaadldatc for the presidency In 1924 °n the tuff rage ticket. He promised to make ostrich plumes flve cc.'s a o^zen, j, .; 0 maximum on the price ° r »dii a' h as, and even pass a law termltting ladies to exchange hus- Oanda with their neighbors and. if ?X Wl Hu i1, ch;,nGfe * cm ba( k again. \ Mandalay H made n splendid contribution next, nnd that was fol- Bervics's "i<poii of the a poem Mr. Jarvis an- • his Javot it ri "ation reason*. He did well with < ticorlng with a number d v is written for him by ,George m. Cohan and similar to a *°ng he once handled ii a Cohan *now. Tue coiic waa 'oh, You VjWar <;„ i." t: loro j,...,,, B lrace W the melody <,f Cohans wonderful Ohi " .The Jarvii ? l s time and lowed hy Yukon." hounecd °f former that, to.,, ko cor.ij,i. Oh, You ft* tiirnquhe eligible voice should win him a little working makj /!'fim "YOUNG AMERICA" (4) Comedy Drama 20 Mins.; Full Stage (Special Set) Fordham A condensed version of the play at the Astor, New York, a few sea- sons ago. The act features Denny Sweeney, who created the barefoot ragamuffin role in the legit version. The act la talky treatment of the methods used by humanitarian judges in dealing with and disposing of cases of juvenile delinquency. The story tells of an orphan street urchin arrested for stealing chickens. A man and wife are the complain- ants. The wife intercedes for the boy but the husband insists on pun- ishment. The kid is a second of- fender. Sweeney, ns the chicken pincher's pal, pleads for his chum and testifies to'a fictitious experience with an account of their doings on the night in question that prove an alibi. This is shattered by a last minute twist, but the wife saves the kid from a year in a reformatory by offering to give him a home. The husband is finally won over when the kid pleads for his dog, hubby being a fancier of animals. A comedy finish with Sweeney getting boyishly familiar with the kindly old judge terminates the sketch. It will have an appeal for the younger patrons, but whether the grown tips will perceive much in it beyond Sweeney's excellent imper- sonation of the- Booth Tarklngton "Pernod"' type Of self -reliant young- ster, despite fin excellent east, just depends. Cotl, OE LYLE ALDA (6) Satirical Revue 35 Mins.; Full Stage (Special) Hamilton The late prima donna of Ziegfeld's "Follies" is featured in this Rosalie Stewart production, with book and lyrics by Arthur Swanstrom and special music by Carey Morgan. Edward Tierney and James Don- nelly, the dancers late with Trances Pritchard, are also prominent, and four more people and a leader com- plete the cast. The book attempts a satirical revue of the season's Stage successes and adequately allows for three pretty scenic effects and the special- ties 6f Miss Alda, the dancing team and a clever tinprogiammed girlie deserving of billing. 'The act is preceded by a picture sheet announcement of the cast and producers, followed by a drape in "one" where Tierney and' Donnelly double an introductory gong as the "hero" and the "waiter." The drapes part revealing a restaurant scene. The. hero^is a millionaire and is "vamped" by a bobbed haired brunette chicken, but' tails to re- spond. Miss Alda makes her en- trance as a ragged baie-!~>ged newsy to sing the song hit oi the piece, "Duy a Taper," a cute lyric With a haunting melody. The each youth falls'heavily and decides to introduce her to his mother as the daughter of a pro- fessor friend of his. To full stage where we see Miss Alda brilliantly arrayed befaig sponsored by the so- ciety dame. The bobbed haired damsel and the male dancer do a specialty when all exit to allow the hero to make love to his lind Bobbed locks overhears them and discovering the girl's lowly origin calls in the assemblage and de- nounces her. She leaves only to re- turn in the next scene more lavishly gowned as Sally Cinder, star of the season's hit who has been invited by the woman who turned her out. The action allows for the inebriated dance and the travesty Egyptian double of Tierney and Donnelly and the sweet contralto of Miss Alda. She has several solos that are tune- ful and worth while, and an oppor- tunity to display her physical charms, which are abundant. The act follows stereotyped lines despite an evident effort to get away from the conventional revue for the very good reason that about every- thing that could be done to twist this type of entertainment has been attended to. ■ If Miss Alda can draw the turn should prove a success financially. Otherwise it seems the production will have tough sledding to get back the original outlay added to the present salary list. A leader is also carried. Miss Alda would have meant just as much In "one." Con. George single, CARL NIXON REVUE (5) 16 Mins.; Full Stage American, Roof The minstrel idea is employed for this singing and dancing turn com- prised Of three girls and two men. The latter are in blackface and handle the better part of the chatter together with songs and dances. One of the men presumably Nixon does a wench impersonation which prt>vidrs the strongest comedy punch of the turn. The girlf Are used for specialties in which they display the necessary ability*for an act of this nature. As a flash turn that can be offered at a price the Nixon revue will do for the threc-fl- day. The special set which the • (Cjyrles w i* not used on the Roof Ing V I '. GEORGE JESSEL (2) Song3 end Talk 23 Mins.; One 5th Ave. Minus the girl revUS Jessei m breaking in a assisted by a girl that bids fair to keep him continuously busy though it's doubtful if his present vehicle is strong enough to regularly under- take the assignment of the next to closing position, which was bis allotment for the Gth Ave.'s last half show. Wearing a business suit, ac- companied by a cane. JessOl opens with that which practically amounts to a monologue, the remarks hold- ing a few gag! anil some ineidental sayings as to his production act having paaaed out. Follows a song with a phone interruption that per- mits of enough comedy material, as done by him. to gain applause at its AonciUslon, With the return to anothj.r attempt at the melody Which bads Into one more Inter- ruption by. the gjfl from out front. She eventually Rets on the stage to offer a short dance and then be- comes the subject for the remainder of the conversation, a song which can Ctand strengthening is used as a means of bowing out. Mr. Jessei presents a neat ap- pearance and is enough of a show- man to secure all possible advant- ages his material offers. With his easy manner of delivery, he-en- counters little difficulty in getting to the audience. What particular advantage the girl is, is doubtful, except possibly to open up the way for various remarks concerning the show business. They listen as being a' bit reminiscent of previous dialogue used by him. The turn, as framed, should con- nect for'appreciation in any of the larger twice daily houses, f and especially will it register before a gathering familiar with Jessei. Mt agre pruning and slicing should see Jessei well able to begin travel- ing, the current presentation run- ning SO minute with the remain- ing three taken up by a medley of former songs, written by Jessei. as an encore. 8kig. POWELL QUINTETTE Musical Full Stage (Parlor) Loew'* State Two girls in evening gowned two straight men nnd a blackface/ come* dian in pierrot costume, make up this combination delivering an ex- hilarating routine Of jazz music on brass instruments — French horns, cornets, saxophones, trombones and alto horns in numerous combina- tion!—the comic gelling a lot of in- eidental noheenee 0ULOf his manip- ulation of the traps, braes drum and cymbals. This little band gets remarkably soft, but infectious, syncopation in all its combinations, a sort of White- man outfit on a brjnu scale and it delivered 100 per cent, plus at the hig Loew house, even when it was called upon to close a particularly long show. It was just Jl o'clock when they bowed off after doing an encore and taking a flcok of bends. That record fixed the status of the turn. The reception was genuinely earned by excellence of the real music, brightened up by Just the right touch of low comedy by the blackface worker, comedy that was merely incidental antics that »did not Interfere with the straight spe- cialty and were not overdone or forced. Right for an appropriate spot higher grade shows than the small time average. JtttsJl. SHUN TOCK and YEN VVAH Singing and Dancing 12 Mins.; Ono Loews State Two men of dark complexion, who wear Chinese togs and have come oriental appearance, do what amounts to a Negro specialty, sing- ing "blues" flTimbers with a lilt and swing sufficiently authentic to mark them as colored men and executing a cakewalk finish with character- istic fervor by way of corroborating evidence. The names and gelup are Chinese and nothing appears to disclose their real origin. It doesn't mat- ter, although probably most of the audience were convinced that they were Celestials. They do very nicely with their singing and danc- ing, into which they put a world of speed and enthusiasm and it makes a satisfactory item on a small time bill. The gagging Is negligible. They do the familiar question fol- lowed by a long sputtering reply which turns out to mean "No." The rest of the dialog doesn't figure either. Brightly dressed and neatly handled, the turn Is a satisfactory small time novelty. Hush. EVA GRIPPEN Prima Donna 11 Mins.; One Orpheum, New Orleans New Orleans, Jan. !)". Madame Grlppen has something of a reputation in operatic Held*. Several seasons ago she eras at the French opera bouse here. Tor her vaudeville debut she using two ariaS arid Tostl's H ffood- V.yo." Of the operatic Selections, that from "Madama Butt rfly" :*p- pcahd most. She disclosed little acquaintance with vaudeville and l« minus the tricks and showmanship essential to Implant her *o\ popular consumption. Samuel HALL, ERMINE and BR1CE Songs, Dances, Music 16 Mine.; One and Full Stage (Spe- cial Set) Hamilton Ray Hall, Kdith Ermine and Louise Brief comprise this novelty three act. Hall was formerly of lialfrey. Hall and Iirown. The act opens in "one," with Hall doing a "dwarf" dance; then to full stage, where a special set wilh ef- fects showing lighted elevated train and the exterior of a theatre with the names of the acts on a moving electric sign. This serves aj a background for a ariSp of plot when the two girls meet and announce they are short one member for the act. This cues Hall's entrance in an alpaca suit to sing "Broadway Rluea" in the spot light a la Lop head. Hall gets an effect by planing a lighted match in his pocket and extracting it still lit and secreting a lighted cigarette In his mouth and puffing out smoke at the end of every line of the song. An acrobatic dance follows, well executed. In "one." one of the girls handles a violin solo. Full stage again with a Cyclorama drawing room effect, Miss Brice at the piano for a well rendered classical selection played with the left hand to some clever fingering. Hall enters on a unl- cyclc, dancing to violin 'and piano accompaniment. His manipulation of the solo wheel was good for applause. The trio have a real novelty well presented. The act represents con- siderable production, the costuming being neat and pretty and the sets in good taste. This coupled with their individual talents should in- sure it for anywhere. Con. OLIVER and OLP Comedy Sketch 18 Mine.; Full Stage (Special Set) Hamilton Clarence Oliver and Georgie OIp have discarded "Paradise Closed," the rainy day playlet, and are o*ffer- ing a gem in "Wire Collect," by William Anthony McGulre. The sketch opens full stage, a spe- cial set showing the railroad station at Clinton, N. Y. The girl telegraph operator is phoning a girl friend anent the purchase of a near seal dbat for which she has saved $100. An offstage train effect announces the 6:15, followed by Oliver's en- trance in evening clothes, slightly inebriated. He has been ejected from the train. An acquaintance is struck up, und the girl helps him out by allowing him to wire hie father for $100 to get out of Clinton. They progre- i considerably while waiting the an- swer to the wire. It arrives, and Is "No," but the girl conceals this and slips him h-r own money. He leaves 'on the last train o-it, which will get him home in time to have Xmas dinner viu» the folks. A song, "Only Time \\ .1 Tell," is worked into tho dialog, aided by a wall clock which denotes the passing of the hours bftfreen trains. Ae he exits she phones tint she Wont want the coat. A calendar on the wall demotes t'ts passing of several months which IS augmented by a scene switch c." v back drop revealing that it Is sum- mer and flowers ar^ blooming. 1'he young man steps back into the pic- ture confessing that he wants to take the girl back to his home, and expressing his thanks for h*v ; >of kindness when he was down and out. Tlu^y leave for the train to ( slow natural finish. The act is a gem and Ideally y^i' - ed to the personalities of the ;u. The lines fairly sparkle, and \ i it all have a simple and natural . - peal. The principals are to I <> •• gratulated, as is also the aul for bringing a new act to raud k that is fresh and breezy. II . I in by special drops, eyes and dancers, it stood out on this bill I - MARK HART and Co. (2) "Hie Daughter's Husband" (Comedy Sketch) 14 Mine.; Full Stage American Roof Mark Hart has selected a time- worn idea for his present vehicle. Kxcept for a twist at tho finish is familiar to any number of comedy •ketches, It is based upon a young woman endeavoring to secure the consent of her father to marry. The 61d gent considers the boy in ques- tion, a lightweight, and is opposed to the match. A business deal put over by the young man secures the consent. Tn this case the father frames the deal, which Is the only novel twist to th^ entire affair, II n: does well enough fVitli tho father i ■>.-• wiiii the !>'>> and «iri ( harm I acceptably handJ < : Only r a fair .-!>••!, -h for th<* i ote. Hart. the obelisk in Central Park. It should develop Into one of v ud< ville's standards. Cut. SHIELDS and KANE Sengs and Talk 12 Mine.; One (Special Drop) Fifth Ave. Two young people, boy' and ; -.'»•!, who open as kids with the girl bar - legged. A ft or a single Sohg by i e girl about a "vampire," the boy %*- turns for a single dance. Then tlv / rejoin with the girl as the Chh of "East Is West" and the boy reap- pears as Frisco. There is some entertainment hers through "Frisco" attempting i ♦ teach the shimmie to the Chink ti. s leading up to rather a light eingij ; finale. The couple have some person ility and appear to have talent, a like? ablenesa about tho girl aids i> r quite nice (.Ihinese impei s.ji. 11. .t. and th n boy may be a good dan notwithstanding' the Prises try rained that thoucht. They \ probably drift about f<»r a v\hi- j vaudeville and then find th-i is. :. It won't be in this a<\ but the ! t id"a .- houhl be c ii r • '■ alongi . the special drop. Akmc.