Variety (March 1922)

r;-'--'-' so NEW SHOWS THIS ^/EEK Friday, March 17, 102U PALACE A strong variety bill of t'»n arts failed to 1111 the Palace Monday night. About throo-tiuartors of a hoiiue prt'.strjt. Tho Ur.si halt of ilio bill, live acts strong, roiuainotl but one comedy cntiy. Th'? exception was I-.ravitt an<l T.ocUwood in a diverting sinping and talUin;:; turn that could havo slootl coini)any at that end of the show. Lravjti strains for comedy, ai all times cm- ploying a bag of tricks stocked in burlesque and many familiar gags and bits. Ituth Lockwood mak«'s a charming opposite and wore ^ouw stunning wardrobe. They wtic in fourth position. A revolutionary aooking feat for the I*alaco was the placing of the "Runaway Four," a novelty acro- batic and dancing quartet, in No, 3 spot. The turn was in the Marcus Show last season and previous to that Ip burlesque and small time vaudeville. They whammed tlunj in the position with the ground tumbling whirlwind finish. The four open in novel fashion, wearing ragged evening clothes for a song and soft shoe dance, the latter to the accompaniment of a harmonica. In ETob £uits, another acrobatic dance Is followed by knockabout comedy and a bit of harmonizing, following which the act went to full stage for some roof lifting ground tumbling. The turn has lost several rough edges since last wit- nessed across the street at the Co- lumbia and seems set for a big time career. Vaughn Comfort, lowed I-.eavitt and landed solid with a of songs delivered tenor. Jimmie added clas.s. flyer circling the bar was a thrilling finish for the turh. J'l Ck'vo hamm* red his way to a couple of bows with his xylo play- ing. Jimmy Flynn ctickooed a ballad from a rtago box to the muf-;ieia!i,s' acrompaiiiment. Con. :lt the tenor, fol- Lockwood and nice assortment In his robu-st •Tones at the piano Comfort sang six numbers, getting most with 'In Maytime I Learned to Love." A pleasing personality and manly ap- pearance helped the singer im- mensely. The Dolly Sisters clo.sed the first half, holding the same spot for the third consecutive week. The girls have changed the act considerably, following their announced intention to offer something new each week. The waltz with Kuy Kendall is re- tained, the girls wearing new silk fringe and novelty head dresses for the numbers. A new opening double song and dance with the sisters in red flimsy dresses was followed by a selection from Gene Dabney's Band. "Man from Montmartrc" was next and new. Rosie in Apache bare-legged dress is seated at a cafe table shown through a divided ryclorama. Her song tells of in- difference for everything In life since she lost her man from Mont- martre. During tho song an off- stage pistol shot Is heard, but after a brief Investigation she continues her indifference and returns to the cigaret and wine. Yanscl, attired similarly^ in Apache, and Kuy Ken- dall In ' cap and Paris guerrilla makeup, enter for a modernized Apache dance. The singer repeats her ode of Indifference as the rival dances off with her sweetheart. An- other new number used for an en- core was an old-fashioned song and .statue clog, the girls wearing ex- treme grotesque hata and short fikirts. It was a part of their first week's act. An excellent bit of clogging accompanied this bit. which was strongly ovated. The Dollys seem to improve with ac- quaintance. After intermission tho Mosconi P.roa. pulled down the applause hit of the evening with their whirlwind dancing. AVillie Mosconi and Vcrna, the latter working under a severe handicap, ha\ing an injured ankle braced, were rc.'ponf;ib!c for a lar^c moasuro of tho receijit.s, but Louis' solo sliding and rollinpr split stuff. that has been picked on by Tj T^rr cent of vaudeville's hoofers, f(jl- lowcd them all and hung up new noi.se records. A corking double I just preceding, with Chark'y and V'erna in an nicentric adagio, was topped by Louis. He is the Eabe Ruth of this type of dancer. Bobby Higgins followed in "Oh. Chetney," and repeated his other metropolitan successes. The turn pulled tho same howls as at the other New York houses, lliggln.s is doing a splendid bit of legitimate character 'Work and is helped by .-.irong situations and a sterling cast. Betty Pierce Is an ingenue who will bear watching from legiti- mate producers. George Callahan and Agnes Gildea in minor roles are experienced people and capable artists. The act Is clean comedy, although constructed upon a daring theme. Higgins* hatidling of tlie principal role and Mis.s Pif rces sweet femininity and personality whitewash the turn for anywhere. It's a pip. ^Larlon ILuiis (New A« ts) IwM the next to closing spot, witii Hooley and Sales at tho end of the batting order. Dooley kidded th* m into remaining seated, gettinir on about 11 and doing his usual 20 minutes regardles.s. The pair held them remarkably well, with Poohy Kidding about "There goes another one," etc. T))o act i.s framed about ihe same as usual, with some now gags interjected, and .sold in the usual Dooley unctuous manner. Miss .•<ales, as always, foils to the com- )»lete satisfaction of everyone. They th .served con.slderable credit for t.ickling a tough assignmeut ;ind fcettiug away with it, but could liavo lopped off several mimites an«l fin- ished to bows instead of backs, 'Die Lordens, in a fast aerial offer- ing opened, a !oop-lhe-loop with ihe ^ WINTER GARDEN Many gaF>s notifeablo in the or- ihestra H»'ction Monday night, the balcony catching a much better play, Tlie house lillod very slowly, reach- ing its maximum of about three- quarters after 8:30. Of the ten acts live were repeat.s. Two girl acts, one in ea<h half, on form should have giv«ii the show idenly of life, but .'■omehow it didn't work out that way. The Masters and Kraft Revue, pn>gramed second after intermis- sion, was moved to No. 3, the Fred- eri«k Santley turn, originally spotted third, changing places with the other girl act. Ryan and Lee were the first to wake 'em up. Until they arrived No. 4 the show dragged aimlessly. Previously Taflan and Newell opened with acrobatics, dancing, etc.; Frank .Jerome was .<;econd witli more acro- batics and dancing, and the Masters and Kraft turn next, with singing and dancing. The house was thirst- ing for comedy. Ryan and Lee's rough and ready cross-fire and busi- ness came along like a breeze lift- ing the bunch out of the lethargy and sticking a punch in exactly the right place, A pair of splendid en- tertainers, Ryan and Lee, both with a flair for characterization and com- edy that's going to carry them con- siderably further than vaudeville one of these days. The Hannefords, closing the first half, hf'ld up that section satisfac- torily, but did not go as sen.sation- ally as usual, the majority of the house apparently having seen the act too frequently before. The rid- ing and comedy routine remains the same, with "Poodles" still by him- self as a dare-devil bareback ex- pert. Conchita Piquer (New Acts) start- ed the second section, after the News Weekly had an inning, and Frederick Santley and Girls (New Acts) were next. Miss Piquer did fcix minutes andMhe Santley turn -', the former starting off well, en- tertaining while she was on, but lacking a finish, and the Santley act following her singing with more singing and dancing. This made for lack of variety in the second part, the same as the two turn.i follow- ing each other did in the first sec- tion. Alecn* Bron.son, eighth, should have been spotted earlier, the position being a tough one for a quiet turn depending entirely on talk. Miss Bronson did nicely, however, getting laughs where the material called for them and making the best of mat- ters generally. The turn has some new talk interpolated with the old since last seen around, a change for the better. The hit came next to closing with Bob NcLson stopping things with his singing turn. Mr. Nelson had the honor of being tho only show- stopper of the night. He did five numbers, made the house yell so hard in one of them—a comedy Rus- sian ditty, that ho had to stop in the middle of it, and carried things be- fore him like a victorious army. Nelson's interpolated remark that the Fong "wasn't a dirty one" was out of i)lace. They laughed, how- ever, at that just as much and more than at tho other highlights of the turn. A corking enlertainei', with a method all his own and a per- son.nlity that reaches to the back wall. (Jeneral Pi.snno elo.sed with his clever s^hooting ti'rn holding most of ilio house for th j sensntional fina>. LcU, STATE More (^onicdy in the aisles Tues- day night than on the stage. A\ ith the house packed to tho tapes be- cause of the "Four Hor.semen," choice .seals were at a premitmi even tlirough the la«t vaudeville show tip to the final screening of the feature. As a result the patrons were continually jo<^keying for seats, m;iny deserting the rear locations for uj) front, only to find they were out of seats altogether. The usher- ing staff furnished much of the by- play with ad lib comment about crazy humanity in general and cer- tain individuals particularly. It tried their nerves, no doubr, although a couple forgot altogether llicre was such word as "courtesy" in the lexicon. Because of the two-hour feature th«' vaudeville fiection was reduced to live iicts, rim off in less than an iiour. Kanazawa Boys opened with th'ir fast juggling act, including some clever pedal juggling by tv.o of tlie men. Tho act is an ideal opener for anybody's theatre and particularly the .State. One does jHit appreciate .a sight turn so much i»ntil seated in the rear of the house, although evjn at that one almi^t wj'-hos for a pair of li» M glasses or teloseopo because of the bigness of the house. Mossniiin .nnd Vance sub'^tituted for Howard and Brown after Mon- day, tho latter out tlirovigh illness. Tlie bo.\s did ni<'«'ly with their s(Mig nul dance stuff, a concert*^d fast bu«'k and wing unaccompanied by orchfstra taking them off nicely, 'file act was formerly of Mossman. Vance and A'inifred. The double / turn shapes up stronger than the three-act. ".Stateroom 10," presented by Gales and Le<», ought to make the trey grado In some of tho bigger hou.-es if the State rct^eption is any criterion. Not one lino was muffed because of the team's sterling read- ing. Another mfin, doing tho "cap- tain" rolo, assists. The skit con- cerns itself with the trepidations of a newly married couple on a sea- going liner who voice their wildest fears at each outside noise, imagin- ing anything from a heavy storm- to a bombarded ship, the captain entering for tho taglino saying the boat has not even left the dock. Hank Brown and Co. perished. The "Co," is a woman who man- handles the vocalizing. The ".Sun- beam Follies." a mixed singing quartet, will develop into an inter- mediary vocalizing standard. Two men and two women have dressed the act smartly, .!;cluding chink, modern and ante-bellum costume changes. The routine runs to song and dance doubles and ensembles, well handled. AbcL . COLONIAL The lay-out current ;.t the Co- lonial is one of those bills that looks inauspicious on paper, but plays like a million dollars. The Watson Sisters share toplino honors., with (liuran and Marguerite, and the sup- porting show is plentifully sprinkled with standard turns. Originally this week's bill had Barney Bernard on it, but a change th-^ latter part of last week necessitated a rear- rangement of the show. Kramer and Zarrell, hand-to-hand acrobats in Roman costume, opened. The program-styled "Idols oi' Rome" matched up well with the impres- sionistic Roman cyclorama back-up. selling their lifts intorestingly. The routine itself is along familiar lines. Elsie Clark and Nelson Story twiced. Excepting for the camou- fiaged baby grand xylophone, it's an average mixed Team piano net. If Miss Clark would include in her repertoire novelty songs more on the order of the closing Eskimo dit- ty or up-to-the-minute releases she could sell her stuff to still better advantage. Howard I^angford and Ina Fred- erick clicked as usual with "Shop- ping." The skit is well written, credited In authorship to Langford, and almost plays itself. Combined with the duo's pat delivery it can't miss. Langfort^ has developed a gentle form of "mugging" such as biting his lipj and grim.acing at each fool faux pas he pulls in trying to sell the lingerie flimsies. Glenn and Jenkins, colored male team, were the first that evening to win the w. k. "Colonial clap," their colored brethren on the upper shelf having no little to do with it. al- though the returns were hearty from all sections. The crossfire, which clicks point upon point, is almost negligible compared to the returns they get from the wicked harmonica blues stuff and their identifying broom dance. They stopped the show. John Gluran and "La Petite" Mar- guerite closed the first section with their unique dancing. Marguerite impressed on cute personality and Giuran on his pedal proficiency. His hock floor work as ever stands up strong, although Giuran from the start seemed to be striving too hard for double recognition. He al- ways camo out for a solo bow at the end of each number. Signor Friscoo resumed after In- termission with his xylo hammering, "Tho Edij:on re-creation duet with a phonograph disc interested, one of the neighbors audibly expressing a wish for more of that stuff. The selection duetted was "The Rosary" and it might prove interesting to try the same stunt with a rag, using the hard hammers. .Signor Friscoe has cleverly mixed his stuff with comedy business via audience plants, tho request thing unearth- ing a couple wow wise cra'^ks. He, too, WHS accorded tho conceited Colonial applause recognition, al- moi;t stopping prOvjedings. Little Billy wit'n his new ".-lory songs" cy«'le whanged 'em. BiHy is a very personable midget .md the women loved him. Opening with a baby vamp number he returned for a sort of Jackie Coogan number in ragged J">i<'k get-up. The closing song an«l danoe in straii^ht tux w.is captivating, to say the hast. Jfe sold it for all it was worth, th** women nearby raving "i.utc' and such other adjectives. The Watson .Sisters in llie a>e hole mopped up everything in sight. As ever the buxom Fanny bears (he brunt of the hokum. They stayed over I'O minutes and ac-epted three encores, including the "mother" in- troduction. •Steve Mulroy and Nellie M<"Neeoe with their roller skate dances played to yawning paps of imply chairs, although those of tiie lailh- ful remaining outdid themselves to make up for lack of nuTnb<r. It's a good act and »lesciv«^d b<tf<r .'ttii>u- tioM, but it was after 11 and nothing could .slop 'cm. A Id. BROADWAY Tliere was a lot jt sliow at th*- Broadway this weel< witii •■.<.ven acts of vaudeville, .a Ciaplin re\ival. ii<ws wy?okly and a featuro pictur«\ At that the business Monday night was not any too Kood—just a iitth- bei''tev«Uian half a house Uo\vi!«''«irs, a light balcony and gallery f.Ur. The reason may havo been duo to tho fact that there really wasn't an out- standing name on the bill, and the two hits tho show devclopecV were acts that had been seen within a few months at the American. The Chaplin revival preceded the overture. It was that old picture "Tho Itink," and made it particu- arly good for the roller .skating te.im of Bcagy and Clauss, which folloAyed tho overture. The roller skaters were on just before 9 o'clock. They ran through a speedy routine in five minutes, garnering sufficient ap- plause for the two bows that they took.* Jessie Reed, billed as "a queen of blues," presented five numbers in tlTo .second spot. Her initial song and her .second number started her in great shape, and they remained the best in tho act. The three num- bers that followed were poor selec- tions for Miss Reed's voice. It might be a good idea for the singer to seek other material more suited to her style of delivery. Miss Reed, for in- stance, should not "talk" a song. At that, the girl was one of the hits of the bill. Le Maire, Hayes and Co., with their blackface turn, gathered laughs, but the act does not seem Vbig time" material. It is diaggy and forced in spot;^, although Le Maire, carrying the burden of the turn, scores. Coogan and Casey with a rather light-waisted two-act, managed to get by, considering what they of- fered. It is a singing and talking skit in "one" that has some good points, but seems to lack suflflcient punch to land it with tho audience. The Princess Wah-Letka, assisted by a Mr, Royal, presented a mind- reading turn that mystified and in- terested. The Princess got some comedy out of the work, but it was the serious moments that impressed the most. However, she seems a little lengthy on her predictions, whereas brevity and a little more snap would be just as much appre- ciated. The hit was delivered next to clos- ing by Bert Walton with his singing novelty. Walton's personality im- pressed itself on the audience at the start of his act, and when he got down into one and started working with the two plants that he has lo- cated in the boxes the act proved it- self a veritable riot. This is e.spe- cially true of the boy that was "in front." The manner in which he put over a parody verse and chorus of the theme song caught the house and he stopped the act cold. Closing, Mme. Bradna. with her horses, dogs and pigeons, made an effective stage picture. The horses, however, were rot working at their best and one of the animals proved rather unruly at the close of the act. But as a sight act the turn is as pretty as any in vaudeville. "The Fire Bride," a fUinning re- lease, was the feature film offering rrcd. RIVERSIDE With ILirry Houdini headlining the eight-act bill, the Riverside drew business Monday evening. The large lower floor held a few vacant rows, with the remainder of the house well filled, including the boxes, which were near capacity. The original running order under- went considerable switching Mon- day night. It was not smooth run- ning vaudeville, with several meaty turns losing value due to misplace- ment. The original program layout appeared much stronger than the way the acts were used Monday evening. The Wilson Aubrey Trio, male triple bar gymnasts, opened tho show. The audience was walk- ing in during their work. The re- turns were worked up nicely with tho burlesque wrestling falling off to a certain degree due to over- indulgence. More of the bar work would have been preferable. Wylie and Hartman. billed for the No. 2 spot, wore out of the bill and re- placed by Rule and O'l^rien. The iwo-man combination had tho first crack with popular numbers and landed with precision. B. A. Rolfe Sc Co, appenred No, .1, having been moved there from closing the show. The Rolfe offer- ing is a variety revue well away from t'jo gene nil run of present-day fiash ac?.«5. The musical end i- its strongest nsset. In tiiat line Ro'ifc has li»'ld Iiis place alono among v.'iudevll'o ba!idmaster.s. The cap- a'olo pl.-r.ing of hinise.f and co- workers on the bravsis easily brought forth the biggest returns. Featured membf-rs are (Jeorgi- Wiest and June Lo Veay. Wiest is an over-z»alous work.-r. his app.nivnt anxif'ty to w(.rk up his numbers de- tracting from tho general smooth- ness. Ada Morse off#.rs an Oriental dance in .a daring costume. Thf Ibdfo ofr»>;-ing ieplr»c#-d Harrirt M.ir- lott*» & Co. in the rarly spot, tl'.e skotfh being moved down to second after iutermishinn, an exceedingly heavy pf>sition for an net of that style. .Miss .M.ulotte lins a pkivab!.- Vf hide in "Wi-h and Wait.' I;i it sho jiljiys an old maid charact»:r w. 1) supplied with ))unch lines vni.h can b»} relied upon for l.jighs in any houso. In support ai*;' an ingentie. juvenilo and charact. r m.'n. Tho ro!es have hrfn will .^i-f. Uiih the act .1 good hmgh produ.* r fo/ No. 3 on .iny of the big l.iliy. Iloudini < Ios«>d tlio first lialf. The greater portion of the ijresont Ht*u- dini art jm devoted to feats hr j^';•- fornvd f...r the f^r^s•, Mhi.h Mt shown on the screen. His one bi» feat on the stage Is the water t »r- ture cell bit which he has had in use for several years. Houdini fin- ished off the early section in good .stylo. Jfaude Powers and Vernon Wallace appeared No. 4 In their quaint chatter'skit. They possess a finished vehicle worked up in corking style. T]ne laughs came i« rapid order, with the dainty offering proving one of the refreshing bit* of the evening. Harry Jolson opened after inter* mission, during which a "Topics of tho Day"' and a comedy reel were introduced. Jolson did published numbers, assisted by a young woman on the stage and a^ male plant. The latter is energetic and one of the few plants who can be relied upon to help lift an act up rather than tear it down. Jolson's individual vocal work gained re- turns with goodly applause at th© finish. He was a solid hit. The outstanding hit was Fcored by Frankie Heath, closing the show. Miss Heath held them to a man, and they were still applauding her efforts five minutes after the news reel had been flashed, which was after 11 o'clock. Miss H*^ath is offering a diversified song cycle containing corking material. Sh© landed punch after punch with her numbers, and made them yell for more after the encore, "Attabov.* FIFTH AVE. An average bill the first half. Hyams and Mclntyre headed in "Honeysuckle," their newest skit, that stood up finely in the assort- ment it found itself in. Johnny Hyams gives the role of the vaca- tion bureau clerk just the correct light touch, while Leila Mclntyre as the girl from Virginia has a de- licious accent and looks the part. The young girl who plays the stenographer is very pretty and win- some. There was nothl: anywhere concealed on the program that could commence to touch this act for all around class. No. 4 had John T. Murray and Vivian Oakland (New Acts) from musical comedy. They did nicely in the applause way, though there were a couple of acts that may have had friends in the opening night. Thornton Flynn came baC.c with his Irish brogue and tenor 3ice. Dena Cnryl again presides at the piano. Flynn's voice It slightly, nasal and without much mc'.-dy un- til he does his imitation of John McCormack. as a McConnack vocal record runs off on the Victrola on the stage. Flynn sings with tht» record. The scheme Is novel and besides that Flynn's voice as he at- tempts to imitate McCormacks is much sujierior to his natural one, which might suggest he train for the McCormack tones he appears able to make in part. Just now Flynn can do on the intermediate time with a chance that the McCor- mack thing might enable him to liold up on the biggest time if not placed too importantly. Oscar Lorraine, who has boon ab- sent for a while, is back with his violin kidding, along with some new- audience business and a boy and girl as plants who are caught by him spooning in a box as Lorraine mo- tions the FpotHght to be swiftly, switched over. Lorraine is popular here and he is funny as well. He Cixme nearest to stopping the show and could have stopped it if he had wanted to juggle the applause after his first encore. Cavanagh and Everett, man and young woman, with Paul Humphrey at piano and Dorr Sisters as specialty dancers, did a full stage draped dancing act for the finish, of no particular bril- liancy at any moment. Opening were Johnson. Eak^r and Johnson, followed by Murdov k and Kennedy, a tall fellow and short girl in conventional two-act, then Farrell-Taylor Trio in old act. but with what looks to bo a new finish in "one," It's called a Chinese Cab- aret with the two blackface men as Chinamen. The young woman plays .a cornet as*tlie men sing. Tiie bit has a special drop. The turn did well enough for this class of b<iuse. Business Mo;i(.lay night not ciuitb capacity. AMERICAN ROOF Framing up with a briglit sijct here and ihrro, the eight-act bill on the Tloof Tuesday evening enter- tained a lightly filled house to a fair degree. No outstanding features were in'-huled in the runniim', with tlie audjt>iice on no occasi(»n taking ' xce})tion;il notice of what was go- ing on. J.)an Valerio and Co. (New Acts) s arted luocotdings with a bang, the opening turn outdistancing sev- eral of the later in applause win- nings. Dave and Tres.sa, a «:uiorcd couple, No, L\ r«'lied upon the aero- '•all, daiuing of tlio boy. Di.-jila.'.'ing some corking twists and knockar.out work, ho <arried tho turn ow.- Tlie show sl.icktned with Kn»'c]and ;ind Pow rs «New Acts). No. 3, wit*-. J-u- hin nd T^'wis 'New Act*-) in l!:© next position failing to leviv it. A lasta Miislovo and Co. ult'i A tla.^h dance offMing closed tic tii>t iiaif, Sev.i-al st;. l».s of dancin;; are displayed by this aggregation, the great* r j»oriion'of uhi'-h has •• .ih'.c. Th»' foiirteen-minute r(»utine )•» nlled with fast work, the turn l»*jtg car- ried at a fast ♦ ven pace, wUli each ^C'DliniH <1 on j^age 24) ■i