Variety (April 1922)

le NEW SHOWS THIS WEEiC Friday, April 88, 1928 PALACE The gala week at the Palace was greeted by a sell-out Monday, and tho infection and jubilee feeling teemed to extond to the audience. James Thornton was one of the two "eurprises," introduced for a ft-w cotto voce remarks after intenniM- ■lon. Jim was identified as tho sole ■urv'ivor of the orlRinal bill that played at Gaiety Miustuni, Koston. 33 years ago. In a few wt'll turned phrases Thornton eulogized U. R Keith, A. Paul Keith, and E. F. Albee. Thornton described the orig- inal vaudeville audiences as stag ones and a rouRh bunch. He con- trasted the Palaoo gathering, and pave Mr. Albee most of the credit for the evolution. Tho other surprise was CJus Ed- wards and his kids in the "Old New York" number from the Edwards act. Gus and the kids were on next to closing. They did some fooling in "one" to allow them to set for Niobo, who closed the long bill and held them In remarkably well with her under water stunts. The eating under water recalls her original break-in with a tent show that rung in 14 shows on her. After consnim- Ing 14 bananas aim drinking 14 pints of milk, the underwater marvel was delivered to a hospital. Josephine Amoras, assisted by Kdna Nally, started the bill speed- ily in their novel and well produced turn. Dotson, second, gave it a real kick with his hoollng. The colored boy is a born sak-sman, and whilo a big league stepper he makes tlum like it and does it just a little dif- ferent. At the I'alace his talk all got big laughs. Cracks like "I bet on a horse at twenty to one and he «ame in a quarter to live" wrrc greeted as discoveries by the giiug in front. Veterans of Variety next tied tho »how In knots. At the conclusion of the specialties of the old timers thoy '.vere forced to parade before the curtain until a brief speech by Ed- ward E. Rice calmed them down. Dave Marion, tho producer, was dragged out for a bow but fought his way to the safety of the wings without making a speech. Each of the specialties of veterans clicked mjtallically. (New Acts, Kice's Surprise Party.) Flanagan and Morrison in "A Los- son in Golf" got tho comedy honors of the first portion. It is one of the breeziest and most novel skits of the season. Morrison Is a golf shark and flashes some interesting trick shots, all worked into the rou- tine in a legitimate manner. Flan- agan takes care of the comedy por- tions. The golf bugs and those wno didn't know the first hole from the mashie were equally entertained. Paul Whiteman and Band were switched in the running to open after intermission from closing the first half. The musicians took tho spot originally allotted to Daphne Pollard, who was off the bill, ill, ac- cording to a lobby announcement. The Whiteman jazz hounds never went better and were forced to beg off. The specialties on the bra^^s in- etruments and the Whiteman tricks make this aggregation stick out like a pennant winner in August. They cleaned. George Le M.iire in "At the Den- tist" ('New Acts) followed and was another comedy riot. Le Maire is assisted by Joe Phillips from bur- lesque, who proves a happy selec- tion. Two good-looking girls figure briefly. ^ Van and Schonck followed all tho riot.s and noise and started a fresh outburst, both on en- trance and exit. The duo have a new flock of songs and were never outfitted better for vaudeville. Two pips were a Hebrew and a wop com- ^•dy numbers. Tliey also liad to pull the verbal alibi to get out of the theatre. A great bill on a great occasion. Picture.s showing the evolution of vaudeville under the Keith l).'inne!* followed after intermission. ("on. I COLONIAL ' A'an and Schenck, back in vaude- ville after tlin i-losing of Ziepfelil's "Follies," were selected to top tho anniver.'^ary bill at tlni Colonial, doubling with the. Palace, where they also wre the feature attrac- tion. Notwithstanding the exploito*! importance of the event, naturally expected to add to the patronage, this combination of une<iual« d nui- fiical and singing entertainers were probably resi)onsible for at Inst 50 per cent, of the large gatiiering Monday evening. Tlils was evident by the welcome extended them when their names flashed on tho an- nunciator, tho applause following their entrance lasting a full haU- jninute. The pair did nine mmib- rs, character, ballad and comedy .vouk'^, doubles and single."*, and then. aft. r a half-dozen curtain calls, responded to a brace of encores and a speech 3t was a triumph well earned after i:i year.s as a team, this bting (X- plafncd b' Van in the short eurl.iin talk. l-'ollowing the Pathe wookly an<l H descriptivo reel showing the jjrowth of the Keith circuit since its inception, tlic Stanleys, a two- man gymnastic specialty, opened with strength feats that run second to few if any. Tho pair are decid- edly graceful, skilfully curtain all effort and have something different from the cut and dried opening sumbcr oX Ibis species. Xbey earned a hit and gavo the show a good start. Kussell and Devltt held the sec- ond hole and with their acrobatic dancing, some well handled light comedy and a dash of speed throughout, kept the tension to its proper mark, getting away to a favorable finale. It's a good selec- tion for the .spot in any big-time -progn-am. "Marry Me," a musical skit with nn attractive setting, a capable cast, some catchy numbers and some old but appropriate puns, added to the variety of the layout. The double numbers by two girls went nicely and the comedy found the expected response. The finale gives the af- fair a touch of class and brought the company a quartet of curtains. Mr. and Mrs. Jimmie Barry In "The Hubo" started things going a bit faster, and, while familiar prob- ably to everyone present, registered their usual quota of laughs and can safely be listed with the evening's hits. Van and Schenck (New Acts) closed intermission, after which a speaker extolled the virtues of the Keith circuit for a moment or two. Frank Gaby opened the second section and Gaby never went better. He scored laugh after laugh from his opening onward, not a point go- ing skyward. His ventriloquial "business" proved his ver.satility and he could have continued longer had he wished, but wisely left them applauding in unison for more. He shared the top honors with Van and Schenck. "Thank You, Doctor," a Lewis & Gordon production, can be classified with the best comedy skits in vaude- ville. Revolving around an original complication, the story is just a succes.*-ion of sure-fire situations with perfect accompanying dialog. The cast has been selected with care and each member played his or her role as could be best expected. Aileon Stanley, the phonograph pirl, held the next to closing posi- tion. Notwithstanding her late ap. poarance she landed right tip with the forerunners in the hit division. Miss Stanley's stage carriage, her outstanding personality and her dialect singing insure her .safety anywhere under almost any cir- cumstances. She has added a gen- uine' radio set to her act, utilizing It for a finish, introducing it with an appropriate number of comedy proportions and then bringing out the machine. It's a large affair ac- companied by a horn. She retires for a number which Is hoard through the receiving apparatus at- tached to the horn, and then returns with a costume change, to be In- terrupted by a male voice which croons a number via the radio; the couple double for a second chorus with patter. Miss Stanley is carry- ing the ht>rn around to show it is done by wire. It's a novelty, makes a corking finish and is apparently the first to be introduced in vaude- ville, where, incidentally, the radio is looked upon as a common enemy. ►She held them well, but when Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Wilde appeared with their shadowgraphing act the audience, or at least many of tliem, were homeward bound. A good show for the anpiversary event and one that drew far above tlie Colonial's average attendance. Wynn. 5TH AVE. Proctor's Fifth Ave. hopped right into the Keith celebration week, and did it in handy style. Tho front is prettily decorated with colored streamers of lights from sidcwallc to roof, while across Broadway an*l im- mediately in front of the theatre arc two streamers of banner flags. A victrola is In tho lobby and the gala atmosphere is carried throughout. Tho Fifth Ave. is a Keith-booked theatre. Through the close business a^8ocIatIon, If not partnership, of the F. F. Proctor and B. F. Keith Inter- ests, the house Is entitled to go after the business on the strength of the Keith name. The opening of the per- formance Monday nlpht wa? a nhort talk delivered by Walter Murray, touching ui)on tho Thlrd-of-a-Cen- tury Keith anniversary. The first half bill had nine turns, with ton actually, since Mabel Burke was addwl as a sort of suri)rise act for the celebration. She walked in on the Kruoper Band (Now Acts) merel.v sinuing "Graimy" to the ac- eonipanimt^nt of the band. This stretched the act along, with tho ap- I)lause suspicious, since it was Ben- ny Krueger's debut. The l(»hby bill- ing say.M Krueger is "Americas Pre- mier Saxophonist." Around the house they said that up to two years apo Krueger played only .a violin, then took up tlie sax. That ".\mor- if.i's I5est" was rapid work. It j lust strike Tom Jirown as funny if Ik's lieard vf it. It mu'-t also strike Mr. P.rown a.s funny (o hoc tin- .'-.a.vos come around nowadays in a' flood. Ten ye.'irs or longer .apro, when the Tom Brown IVIale Sextet w<nt oiit, all saxophone players, there wasn't another sax in vaudeville otln r than h< re an«l there iti a lonely musical turn of many iii.^trum«'ntH. Quite a deal of low comeily was sprinkled over the bill. "The Taniily Ford" was next to closing, with a 1 'W head of the family rejd.icing Jim Harkins in that role, thoni^'h .lim was ttill billed. The act has its high laughing spots, but could not have been expected to work any too smoothly under tho circumstances. The slapping of the little girl is still indulged in and should be cut out. as should the kidding of the Lord's Prayer in the act of Morrissey and Young. That is distinctly bad taste. The other big laugh in the two-act was when the low comedian of it did the Buster Keaton neck hold against the drop. That young man has the Gordon Dooley Apache travesty to almost every one of Gordon's moves and trips,, also the incidental music, and with no announcement. The straight man does not even attempt to Imitate the late Bill Dooley, which la sensible. The comedian has a fall something like a Hebrew comedian named Burt has done, also a slight slide ho works continually. The comedian wears glasses and wins several light laughs. They start to sing and do nothing with It; their dancing brings no more, but the low comedy does get enough to say that with this material they can go next to closing on the small time and even hold that same spot in the best of the three-a-dayers, also take care of themselves on the intermediate time. Next to closing here was Harry Breen, locally popular. With his nut stuff and rhymes he sailed over nicely. Shireen, called "The X-Ray Girl," closed the show.^ It's a sort of mind reading stunt, but crudely worked, with any showmanship markedly absent. It is made to appear more of a trick that occult. The announcer, a young man of some appearance, fails to make an impression. He blindfolds a young woman he an- nounces as a French-Canadian born near Quebec, but she speaks perfect English and in a strident voice that doesn't help the turn. The young women of that Canadian section have not as yet acquired her effi- ciency in English. After binding a piece of cloth over Shireen'a eyes, it is sealed with adhesive plaster strips. Over that a black cloth is bound. That Is where the X-ray seems to enter. Immediately Miss Shireen moves about amongst a number of small stands on the stage without mussiufi^ one up. And after that she sorts colors, a favorite trick with "educated horses." Following, the girl goes into the orchestra, de- Rcribing people and articles. It doesn't seem to mcananythlng. Both members should cultivate a voice modulation. If something may be made of this turn it probably will require |l showman to do it. The turn might start some mystery talk- ing in a small time audience. Opening the show were Beagy and Clauss, who still have their finishing dancing whirl on rollers for their best. The act's looks do as much for it. No. 2 held Sandy MacGregor, the Gus Edwards youngster, too preco- cious in his self-possession for the kid's character in Scotch he Is as- Fuming. Other than the medley of Lauder songs the boy concludes with he has nothing of value, and must depend solely upon his youth for the upholding of the present act. The Beaumont Sisters (Rose and Nellie), In the third position, got as much as any other turn, and with considerably loss to get it with. These two girls, now posing as old timers for tho purpose of their Ed- ?nr Allen Woolf skit, got to the house right away with their frank- ness In speaking about their past and present, comparing themselves, as the variety stars of yesteryear, to the vaudevillians of modern times. Put the chances are that not 5 per cent, of tho Fifth Ave. audience could tell tho girls what Koster & Blals' looked like or where it was. They are more people in Brooklyn who remember Hyde &.Behman's on AJams street than there are in New York who recall Tony Ptstor at any f hTs stands or that greatest and the only real music hall ever In New York, Koster & Blals'. The Beanmonts proved the old style is still the best through croon- ing one of their old coon ditties and again giving It the raggy twist the singers of now do to those melodies. They kidded themselves as well. ■Ro.se referred to her husband as "a lemon" and Nellie called him that also, with Nellie saying she was still single. Upon being fired in a four- .a-day house after their third show, they receive a wire for a production engagement. Rose In a response speech mentions they have appeared together for 28 years without ever separating. Just before that they had done an old song and dance double that was funny enough, but nothing in the show was as funny as the dinky hats they wore, alleged to have been part of the original cos- tume. If so, the original costumes had nice and modest skirts. Perhaps Lottie Gilson was the only single of years ngo who duplicated in those •lar's Tan^u;>.y's tights of today. And In the P.eaumont days, maybe, only Gertie Carlisle wore bare legs. Jack La Vier made the usual score on the trapeze with his aerial cotn- f"}y turn. «'Tran cut manner of speak- ing .ind his pood fun. The houf="e was capacity. Sime. Mr. and Mrs. Allan K. Foster'have bought tho Virginia Norden prop- erty, near Bayshore, Lonp Island. It covers considerable ground with several modern buildings, including a handsome home. A meetlncr of the joint commit- tee opposed to political censorship was held yesterday (Thursday) at the club rooms of the American Dramatists, "" RIVERSIDE The finale on the eight-act show rung down at 11.30 Monday night, the overtime taken up by half an hour of special features which fol- lowed intermission. The extra events were for the Third of a Century Keith Celebration. The house an- nounced different features for each evening of the week, in that way getting the most of the celebration publicity. The opening night's house was swelled by a local charity gath- ering for which some 200 seats were disposed of, and close to capacity was registered on the lower floor. Upstairs was also heavily populated. Mr. Maurice Harris of Temple Israe! Synagogue addressed the house Monday night. He tarried for 19 minutes, just about double the time necessary. The audience grew so restless that the speaker could not help but notice it. Dr. Harris praised the Keith courtesy in lead- ing its houses for the various charity drives. He drew a comparison with the vaudeville style of entertainment with that of the dramatic stage, which he reminded had drawn the Are of the pulpit. He expressed himself as opposed to cen.sorship, however, saying tho people them- selves controlled tho kind of shows they wanted to see. The Gloria Trumpeter.s, four girls from the synagogue followed the rabbi and Julia Hall, soloist of the Temple, completed the special numbers. For Tuesday the Orpheus Glee Club of Flushing was the special added fea- ture; Wednesday the Columbia Uni- versity Glee Club was listed, both clubs having GO voices. Isador Welnstock, cantor of the Central Synagogue was to appear Thursday, with Friday having 60 voices from the Grand Opera Society of New York. For Saturday matinee, Bert I.ievy is to be added and at night the League City Choir of 35 voices. It was no simple assignment for Tom Wise, with Nila Mac to restart the show with Roy Briant's "Mem- ories," after the too lengthy exer- cises. But Wise and his players were equal to the task. There is something to that playlet. There is a sentiment so well brought forth that it always registers. Came next the tots Thelma and Marjorie White in next to closing and the kids went over for the hit of the night. The harmony warbling was a good starter and wh^n they began stepping it was a cinch. The White children seem to put more snap in their dancing than any for their age and weight yet brought forth. The smaller of them is a nat- ural comedienne and was permitted to go further than when they first appeared, but she doesn't over do it. They were recalled -several times though it was ten minutes past eleven when they finished. Eddie Leonard headlined, closing intermission. The house warmed to the minstrel star, who remained 33 minutes and responded to calls for his old favorites. Someone wanted "Ida" and he sung it for the finale. Eddie said the number had lasted as long as the Keith Circuit but it is probably stretching It a bit, "Ida" being remembered In its prime about 18 years ago. There is considerably more dancing In the present routine, Leonard himself stepping more than is his wont. The dance team of Stewart and Olive however did the bulk of the hoofing. Rather a bright thing for Leonard to carry a dancer doing an Imitation of him. The •'contest" between Leonard and Stewart had Eddie doing some of his old steps and that counted for a lot. He never did get to some of the new numbers programed. The house wanted the standard Leonard ditties and won out. Carrol Levan conducting for him, had one number singing it from the pit. Paul Gerard Smith authored two comedy skits that stood out prom- inently in each section of the show. Paul Morton and Noaml Glass with his "April" closed the show and that was even harder than the tough spot of the Wise turn. "April" is a corking vehicle for the team, with the box car home in the country a surprising twist. In addition there is freshness in the "Popo" number, the jumping stick stunt first done In the last Ziegfcld "Midnight Frolic." The lantern finish of '"April" never was designed for closing the show .so that bit was not as effective as it should be. Ernest Andeison and Marjorie Burt had the other Smith act, doing "The Dizzy Helght.s' for a very laughable number throe. Novelty in locale is again j)resent, the author this time having his bride and groom up in the Alps. There is little change in tho ilialoguo, though she i.M for wishing herself back In l*ort- chestor instead of Freoport. That may moan they have changed their residence. Tho lines about tho snow with his "so I see by the paper" tickled tho house, ns did other bright dialogue. Another comedy dno took up the runnitip: on fotirtlj, Ralph C Bevan trii>ping forth to make "some wise Clacks" until F.eatrice Flint stirred him to other things. She alluded to him as a little bo.v fresh from the country and crossed her with befng "a big bimbo from the city." after which they hecMine friends. Bovan's rube comedy number was given laughter by his business of learn- ing sideway, as if about to fall but the stunt is probably done without cleats. Prank and Milt Britton were second with xylophone and brasses, specializing In tjrtc latter for the best part of the routine. "Willie Roll, whose nervy stunts and steppinr on roller skates haa brought hia along fast« opened the show to gooA returns, jtec. 23RD ST. The 23d Street has on Its gala dress this week, celebrating ih^ Keith Third of a Century Annl* versary in common with the Keith* booked houses. The first half show held seven acts and "Beauty's Worth" as tho feature film. A good comedy show with the laughs bunched toward the end of the bill, the latter section holding three comedy turns. Tho running order was a bit out of the usual run» with a full stage act, Mantell's Mannlklns opening; then two acts in one, Jeanne Maynard and Co. (New Acts) and Harry Ellis, with a full stage turn next, Faber and Burnett, and two acts In one again following consecutively, Frawley and Louise and Morris and Shaw. Loring Smith and Co. closed with "Springtime," one of George Choos' condensed tabs. The Mantell puppets hit the bar- rier a smack in the initial spot, and got away with a fine burst of .spefd. It so happened that when the 23d Street orchestra overture was being played that the Mannikins were also going through the motions with their own band. The little vaude- ville show given by the Mannikins Is entertaining and contain.s con- siderable comedy. The Maimikln orchestra leader threatens to make several vaudeville headliners worry over their bowing record. He takes a bend after every act. The Manni- kln card boy is also a good comic. The turn went over with a flourish. Jeanne Maynard and Co. with violin and piano selections second and Harry Ellis third. Ellis did five ballads, sending them across in an experienced way that reflect- ed credit en his long minstrel career, A lullaby with a yodel encore was a wow of the flrst water,* bringing Ellis back with a storm of appre- ciation. His robust tenor was in fine fettle Monday. Faber and Burnett, In a skit that resembled one done some years ago by Edwards and Flanagan, and written bjiigMr. Flanagan, secured all the iMghs in sight and then some. The bedroom stuff, with one of the tea . washing up and wiping his face on his partner's shirt, in- cluded among the sure-flres, made 'em yell. Faber and Burnett have a good idea in a topical song for a finish. It's called "Topics of the Day," and has unlimited possibili- ties. The team is using tried and true ga)!:s for verses mostly with excellent results. W'lth a few toplcals added, the number is a po- tential "Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shean." Frawley and Louise next, with a likable flirtation turn, that has Frawley us a fly kidder. One or two of the nifties were a bit lofty for the 23d Street, but there is ma- terial in the turn for any audience, and the laughing score was over- whelmingly in favor fo the team. This pair are above the average of their type of act. The double num- bers are splendidly .sold, and the stuff is handled In a workmanlike way. Morris and Shaw next to (losinff with singing and comedy. Jo<' Mo:- rls Is still playing the pipes as well as he ""id in the Pastor days, and his singing voice Is still batting" 400. Winn Shaw has an exceptional baritone, and makes the dope char» acter assumed Intelligently enter* tainlng. Loring Smith and Co. closed with "Springtime," a mixture of Frencl* farce and musical comedy. Mr. Smith has a light comedy role, witli an eccentric twist, and makes the most of it. Two of tho girls are dancers above the average, one with kicking and the other with eccentrio ankle work. Natalie Dugan and Hud.son Freeborn are co-foatured» playing principal roles capably. Monday night the downstairs sec- tion held a couple of rows of standees, but the balcony showed considerable vacant space. Bf U. BROADWAY The fair bill at the Broadway Tuesday night played to a capacity and easy house. The Broadw . 's au- dience seems softer than the small time gatherings, for the hoiio stuff especially, though the Broadwayites appear to take applause as part of t'jcir own entertainment, '/"he show w. a high class small timer, seven acts, some short reels and the feat- ure, "For the Defense." Following the special Keith reel on the e ulu- tion of vaudeville, an antiouncer stepped to tho front, saying they would celebrate the Keith aiiniver- s.'iry by .«■ inking tho old souk^- This the house did. the speaker Ic.idiiip. That pot ai)plauso, too. The house was decorat«'d on the exterior, vicing with the I'alace this week on i's Hag display. The Keith celebration is piehahly a business getter, for the publ < hy and local noise must draw attention, but at tho very least it's lino exploi- tation, well worth a!l tho time, trouble and expense. Too l»ad the Keith Circuit did not use the annJ- ver.«^ary chance for every live \ • irs from its fifth birthday. P.(^sides everything else the slather of Keith publicity for this occasion has just about swamped everything else the- atrically for the minute. And it.ar-