Variety (June 1922)

5th Ave. He had the house in a gale of laughter all ^he time. The tor- nado of Sunday left Monday cool and that was an incentive. Miss Klaiss sang three number- all pops. She is Inclined to shou' «e songs, and that may be a better delivery in a large aized house than a small one like the 5th Ave. Miss Klaiss might gauge her tone to the size of the au- ditorium, or lower it altogether. That boy of Wells, Virginia and West just tore things apart with his dancing. Under direction such as he would receive in a production the t>oy is very apt to develop into a comedian of worth. He has a humor- ous idea of catching a laugh with his walk, his feet are funny if he cares to make comedy with them (outside Of his regular dancing) and he has a serious manner of putting over .gagging points that helps the laughs. Me is also acrobatic, as displayed in one dance, and these, with his step Stuff, that i? above par. will send this boy along anywhere. Besides which, he has a nice stage presence *nd bearing. The turn stopped the show until the youth came out for his how. alone. The risley and ground acrobatics of the Seven Bracks caught the crowd in a hurry. The Bracks cer- tainlv do put a finish to their work, and it is nice worl;. They have that Continental style. The comedy ap- pears to have been cut down, or maybe it was the third show of the day that caused the group to hurry up. Anyway, it was fast, good and appreciated. Quigley and Maloney and Mary Carson were the tryouts (New Acts), with Gier's Musical Ten, a mixed band (New Acts), while Glenn and Jenkins were next to cloning and Booth and Nina closed. Business off. but good enough for the season. None. 58TH ST. Al Reeves was in lights and billed all o\<r the lobby and above each box otlice window. Beeves evidently drew the fair-sized audience on deck Monday night. Despite his absence from vaudeville for possibly 25 years, during which time he has been out with his own burlesque •how, a fair proportion of the house remembered him. It is not un- likely they recalled him other than his burlesque appearances, although an unusually large proportion of xnidd'e-aged folks were in the house. Reeves "and Beauties" (three of •em) topped the show. The Philmers opened in Harle- quin garb with a tight wire routine, the man shouldering the brunt of the labors. . In the fore section he does the usual wire stunts, walking blindfolded, etc.. mixing it with con- siderable gagging. The talk is not at all unfunny, although rather quiet, and were it not that it's un- usual for an opening act to chatter, It would click sweetly. As it is. the talk has to go through an evoluting process of growing on the audien-o until they warm up to the idea. The woman assists, making three or four costume changes. The'closing i tu it of jumping off the wire on o a springboard and back got them off nicelv . Cir.thlhs and Dobson (New Acts). Hal iobason and Co. have a valu- able vehicle in "Air. Chaperone" that looks sure-Are lor the big three-a- day. It is ingeniously built around the star's female impersonating ability. There are three people In the sketch—father, daughter and daughter's beau, to whom father objects. Father phones to an agency for a chaperone, and the girl's favored one decides to pull an Eltinge and frame the old man Into giving hig consent. It works out as planned, Johnson roughing his "nance" with effective low comedy and getting away from any trace of effeminacy. Although somewhat Inconsistent, the "father" character yodels toward the end of the piece for no good reason, but* to excellent response, being recalled for an en- core. Al Reeves Co. (New Acts). Willi" Solar, now working in boob get-up as against the former smart sack suit, sang and went through his routine of vocal calisthenics to healthy returns. Solar has not played this house for quite some time and he was an evident surprise to the regulars. Jessie Blair Sterling and Girls (New Acts). "According to Hoyle." starring David Butler, was the fea- ture. A bel. passed on quietly to make way for Wilson and Kepple (New Acts) who provided six minutes of stepping No. 2. With no signs of life having yet come forth from the few present Regal and Mack No. 3 tapered through their skit and secured a giggle here and there. Mack at times endeavored to add a bit of Hebrew comedy to ftt the occasion, but even that failed to bring them around. Madeline Randolph, No. 4, presented another turn of a quiet nature. This young woman's ma- terial displays discretion in selec- tion. The stereotyped single woman ideas have been eliminated in her work. She is offering impersona- tions of Anna Held and Christie MacDonald. They didn't mean any- thing to the City audience, but for houses catering to class audiences they should appeal. Her other work is generally satisfactory with a fav- orable impression left. Monroe and Grattan with their talk vehicle secured light returns. Two man and woman >,kits placed in such close proximity on the bill made the going difficult for the second combination. Taylor and Brown, man and woman, on the rings closed the show. Hart. CITY It took more than a vaudeville show to bring to life the rather slim audience that held forth at the City, Tuesday night. The eight- act bill passed on with as little enthusiasm displayed as is possible 1 to be shown in any theatre where there is a performance going on. Lack of low comedy in the early portion of the bill wis in nil proba- bility largely responsible tor this state of affairs. Applause failed to come with any regularity until tli" sixth act when a fair outburst Was Accorded the Alexander Hyde Orchestra (New Acts). Ben Marks and Dolly Wilson who followed de- livered the lirst comedy and gathered returns with it. Marks brought forth all of the burlesque tricks he possessed and managed to make i creditable showing whereas the earlief turns had passed on without a ripple. R'loiette. a young woman contor- tionist, opened with twisting. She AMERICAN ROOF A draggy summer show with a distinctly small time flavor the first half on the American Roof. The Hoof held but half a house Tuesday night. "Stolen Sweets" one of those talky tabs with four choristers .wnd four principals closed the first half. The act holds a pair of capable light comedians in Chas. Gales and J.m k Barton, but the material they have to juggle with is enough to swamp the best comics in show business. The act just lolled along in a me- chanical way, finally dragging it- self to a convention;.! finish. The girls in the turn brighten it up a bit, but the tedious dialog and lack of situations keep the playing tempo away below normal. A bright spot in the second half were Lane and Freeman, a two-man talking combination who lifted the show considerably next to closing. Here's a turn that needs but one special topical number and the slightest brushing up of a talk to send it into the best of big timers, with every chance in the world of more than making good. The straight man has looks, delivery and a voice. The comic has unc- tion, a real sense of comedy and also sings well. There is also a likeable air of naturalness about the conversational stuff, that is miles above the usual pop house talking act. The big time would acquire an asset if il secured this pair. Another turn that was far above the small time average was Johnny Murphy (New Acts), spotted fourth and saving the first part. Van and Carrie Avery did v.ell with their v ornedy skit in the second half. Van Avery is a black face comic of the finished type, who knows how to place his laughs without straining for effect. The spirit stuff in the act is timely and the comedy angles of it perfectly handled. The Lytells opened doing well with the small house. * Waiman and Berry opening the second half entertained with violin and piano duets, and violin singles. The man is a good fiddler, and the woma\ keeps the accompaniments nieely'subdued. Francis Ross and Du Ross, and Rollison and Williams (New Acts). The feature picture was "Yellow Men and Gold." BelL BROADWAY A big drop In the temperature Monday night from the blazing heat of the preceding week apparently helped the Broadway considerably. The downstairs section benefited most, filling up for about nine- tenths of its capacity. The balcony did fairly. This is "Blue Ribbon Week" at the Broadway, so called in accordance with the general plan of the Keith houses throughout Greater New York labeling this week's shows with some sort of ballyhoo moniker. The show held average entertainment, pleasing in the main. Bert L,ahr and Mercedes, fourth, walked away with the hit. The rough and ready comedy featuring Bert Late*! eccentric cop was made to order for the Broadway, and the bunch immediately voted him the freedom of the opera house. Lahr is from burlesque, taking a flier in vaudeville for the summer. He evi- dences real possibilities as a low comedian that should take him sev- eral floors higher than burlesque before long. Hamilton and Barnes, a man and woman conversational duo. were second, and gave the show needed life in that spot, scoring with a bunch of new and old material. It's not what you do—it's how it's done, was exemplified perfectly by the team, who make such veterans as "Father was killed in the rush" and similar stuff sound new through ex- pert treatment. Barnes has a piece of business with a pair of earlaps that gets him some laughs, but Which could he developed into a succession of wows if carried out logically. The idea is limitless in a comedy way. Billy CJlason was next to closing. He was accost'ed a reception and registered consistently while he oc- cupied the platform. Some acts use a spotlight here atid there. Qlaaon uses it continuously throughout his act. Not the best idea in the world, as the continuous spot makes for lack of contrast. C'.lason's turn has a touch of new material at inter- vals, which proves he is pro- gressive. William and Joe Mandcl. the comedy acrobats, deserve a niche in the hall of vaudeville fame for dis- covering something new in the way of a comedy acrobatic turn. The team landed for their usual score at the Broadway. Karl and Mathews and Flying Howards did not appear at the last night show Monday. x Diaz Sisters and Power. Benorc De Deo and "A Wight in Spain" (New Acts). Ma *k Bennett's "Crossroads of New York" was the feature \ icture. Hell. FRANKLIN With the aid of the suddejj drop in temperature Monday night the house was but half full. Headline honors were shared by Herschel Henlere and the Watson Sisters, third and fifth respectively. They also split the hit honors. Monday nights at the Franklin are known as "Merchant Nights," with the merchants in the immediate neighborhood donating the articles given to members of the audience. A comedy show, with three of the six turns making use f the piano. Corinne & Himber opened* assisted by Sid Sheftel at the baby grand. It may have been the act did not be- long in that spot, but it did not fare so well. The act should please No. 2 on any small time bill. Hoyt. Kohler and Koyle deuced it and just about squeezed themselves through. Herschel Henlere. No. 3, was the first real turn, and started to tie them into knots from the start. In working up to his piano playing he drew down laugh upon laugh with his Clean cut comedy. Henlere played a few numbers and begged off on account of tb<- lengthy show to Col ]«.\v. 'Are You Married?" on fourth, following Henlere, bad a hard spot to nil and just barely made it. The Watson Si.-'-:v stopped the* i»how cold on fifth. Lloyd lb*»eh ntid his "Five Sym- phony I'l ;.'!.- followed, closing a corned) »>i!'. '■ »»•• boy g with the saxaphnn* eerl . i'\ knows how to handle it, M<«-i. -v. m returns with solo .n I la;l ■ by ii'.h :nx so xn phono land i clarinet. IbaCh did both of I,is. dances with eaae and pulled dou ii i goodly -h ire of npplau • W jtii .•;! -h The o t can su-p Into any bin time show The feature picture, "Wife Against Wife." s'arrmg I'uiliii" Starks. closed the -bow. long for that attraction on the other nights. Out-of-town reports proved Chicago and Boston, which are the only stands trying for summer, as badly off as Broadway. With the closing of "The Tavern" this Satur- day, Boston will offer "Sally" alone. Closings dot the Loop. too. "Spices of 1922/* the new revue by Jack Lait, with the Shuberts. is now primed for the Casino at $2.10 top. It opens at Atlantic City (Apollo) next week, Monday. "Strut Miss Lizzie," a colored show that has been on the East Side, comes to the Times Square Monday. After three weeks, "Sue, Dear," a musical show, is listed to follow. No house had been chosen for "Love and Kisses" up to Wednesday. A musical show called "Hello, New Y' rk," is reported being readied for one of the Shubert theatres. More Than SO Per Cent, in Cut Rates Although the list of attractions offered at cut rates was consider- ably pruned through the closings of last week, there stjll remained more than 50 per cent, of the available offerings on sale. Of the 30 offer- ings on Broadway, 17 were listed at bargain prices. In the buy list there were 11 attractions, with the brokers looking hopeful because of the cool weather early in the week. The attractions on 'buy' - were "Kiki" (Belasco). "Kempy" (Bel- mont), "Chauve-Souris" (Century RoOty, "Captain Applejack" (Cort). "C.ood Morning, Dearie* (Globe). Music Bog Itevue" (Music Box), "The Cat and the Canary" (Na- tional). "Ziegfeld Follies" (Amster- dam). "Partners Again" (Selwyn). "Red Pepper" (Shubert) and "Make It Snappy" (Winter Garden). In the cut rate agoncy.the offer- ings were "The Bronx Express' (Astor). "The Dover Road" (Bijou); "The Truth About Blnyds" (Booth). "Perfect Fool* (Cohan). "Abies Irish Rose" (Fulton), "He Who Gets Slapped" (Garrick), "Six-Cylinder Love" (Harris), "The Pinch Hitter" (Miller), "The Rubicon" (Hudson). "The Goldfish" (Klliott). "The Bat" (Morosco). "Up the Ladder" (Play- house). "The Hairy Ape" (Plym- outh). "Lawful Larceny' (Republic), "Red Pepper" (Shubert). "Shuffle Along" (63d Street) and "The Char- latan" (Times Square). stocks. In that way "meeting th« conditions which prevail in that branch of the business," recognized by Equity as equitable terms in that branch of the business by virtue of its issuance of such contracts to "closed shop" or all-Equity stock casts. Another angle in support of the managerial stand that its member- ship is not confined to activities within first class theatres, is that the P. M. A. constitution provides for its members participating in any branch of theatricals and the con- stitution has been recognised by Hquity from the start. BROADWAY 49TORY (Continued from page 13) giosses of this brace .of non- musicals and the field. "Captain Applejack" dipped to $8,600, nnd "The Cat and Canary" went under $7,500. The feature of last week, outside of "Follies" and "Chauve- Souris," was "The Rivals," revived at the Empire for a week by the Players Club. The show drew $20,- 300. A stretch of heat was all that was necessary to shake down Broadway's struggling survivors. Counting the few new shows likely to come in, the summer will hardly count more than 15 shows by this time next month. July 15 last sea- son found but 16 attractions in the going; and with this season much under last, the number may be con- siderably less. Saturday's closings take in "The First Year," which ends a great run of 86 consecutive weeks at the Little. The management could have carried the show through another month or longer with cut rates, but decided not to use that device. Other withdrawals listed are "Up the Ladder," Playhouse; "The Rubi- con," Hudson; "The Charlatan," Times Square; 'The Bronx Ex- press," Astor; "Truth About Blayds," Booth, and "Lawful Lar- ceny," Republic. "Red Pepper" was in doubt a,t. the Shubcr', but picked up early this week, when the weather moderated. "The Pinch Hitter" got almost as much in two days this week I all last week at the Henry Miller, and will run an- other week, continuance after being Indefinite. The notice is up for both shows, meaning week to week con- tinuance. "The Goldfish" was not certain after this week at the Mag- ine Elliott, but there was some talk ol moving it Up to the Astor. List week the outward goin^ swept 'The ROM of Stamboul" on* of the Century, the business having dropped to 18.000. "The Blushing Brido" Mopped at the 44th street ..No. quitting one week abend of schedule. The decisfon to close, Stamboul" w.is Made al G;.':a In the evening, 't had been running on a week to week basis. Unusual June hot weather got to the ticket ageneies and till at- traction* were dumped in last week, with the exception of Saturday night tickets for the "Kollies." The specs held balcony locations too STOCKS DISPUTE (Continued from page 12) bcrship in the P. M. A. guaranteed her against the closed shop. Equity then took the matter up with the P. M. A., the latter stating Miss Bonstelle was within her rights. A managerial committee ^vas formed to handle the complaint, with the result Kquity was informed the case would be argued out only be- fore an umpire. Later in the season Walter Vincent joined the P. M. A. stock division and more recently Milton Aborn. The latter, with grand opera in English, classed hfs company as a stock. Since the filing of the complninf:, it has several times been reported that Equity did not care to have the stock question come before umpire. In light of the continued delay the managers have inferred that Equity recognises the 'weight of the Mack decision, which threatens the claim- ed "divine right" of the" stock field by Equity. It is understood now that the managers Are seeking a settlement of the matter. Judge Learned Hand is named as the umpire. It was that jurist who was first selected to act as umpire In the closed shop argu- ment, but who was compelled to withdraw, Judge Mack then being agreed upon. The selection of Judge Hand Is believed to offer no reason for further holding back final action on the stock situation. Not only will the decision clear up the muddle in the stock field but it will, if the managers' contontion Is correct, place open stock operation by members of the P. M. A. on the same basis as any other stocks. The so-called all-Equity stock companies are "permitted" by Equity's council to play over eight performances a week. When the P. M. A. first pointed out its membership rights. Equity replied that if P. M. A. man- agers did play stoeks, such com- panies would be limited to eight performance! a week, a basis be- lieved unprofitable for such attrac- tions. This phase of the matter is as Im- portant as the opinion of Judge Mac|< that the p. M. A. cm include all classes hf managerial Member- ship or more so and it is the im- portant reason why the attempt is being made to force Equity "to bat" in the stock contest, if the man- ager's claim is upheld. Equity would be compelled to give P. M. A. open stock companies the same kind of Contract as given the all-Equity ARTISTS' FORUM New York, May 20 Editor Variety: In this week's Variety, 8hnr, in his review of the Fifth avenue show, said we "claim originality" for the playing of musical handsaws, pitch- forks, etc. Thrt Th the advertising columns of Variety we pro\ed our claims for the origination and challenged our imitators, without receiving a re- sponse from any of them. Did fihnc ever see anyone play a one-string on a pitchfork and use the crown of a hat to graduate the tone? We\have affidavits from bus- iiu'.sh'ii'ii of standing from many years ago who heard us play the handsaws then. Would also like to know who la playing a tune on a toy balloon. That was given to us by Sam Moore, who originated it, and we have it in the Protected Material Depart- ment of the N. V. A. How about the musical knife and disinfecting cans? Does it pay to bring originalities into vaudeville? Judging from the credit we receive—no! Weaver Brot. The notice referred to said the Weavers claimed originality during the course of their act for every- thing they did. It merely reported what they, had said. It, was not up to Vnriety in a notice to affirm or deny it. If no one contradicts their statement, it must stand as an un- disputed fact, that they are the creators and originators of this type of comedy musical turn with novelty freak instruments that others in and out of vaudeville are also doing. Who used the toy balloon has passed from memory, but will be recalled. It was done as a brief bit by two people singing or playing, the user of the balloon, after blow- ing it up. allowing it to squeak out in comedy accompaniment to the other's singing or playing. It is ' thought to have been seen in a bur- lesque show at the Columbia, New York, about two months ago. JUDGMENTS (First name Judgment debtor; second name judgment creditor.) Max R. Wilner, Sigmund Romberg and Wilner Romberg Corp.; O. B. Road; $1,089.63. Albert Capellani Proflavine; Mar- jorie Kambcau Dillman; $2,835.09. Crest PicU. Corps.; IV Scardon; $1,232.09. Cinemaplsys, Inc.; P. T. Kontos; $1,684.37. Frank McConvilla, Jr.; Crandall Pcttee Co.; $151.55. New Amsterdam Casualty Co.; B. B. Talbot; $1,154.72. P. W. Picta, Inc.; G. Argos; $1.6*9.87. Rialto Production and C. H. Ros- enfeld; H. Mackler; $276.90. Hugh Weir; M. Miller; $324.39. Mohawk Film Co* Inc., City of N.Y.; $45.26. Harry P. Hanbury; W. T. Laticff; $36.58. B. D. Nice & Co„ Inc.; S. Russell ct al.; $210.38. Irwin Rosen; M. S. Cohen; $425.36. Wendell Phillips Dodge; Steinway & Bona; $35.92. Hickson, Inc.; T!. M. Hugh**; $*25. Al Mayer; Hudson Operating Co.; $94.65. Msry Murrillo; Burns Bros.; $53.95. H. 8. Hechheimer; I. Brown et al.; $93.57. Ernest Hussar; J. If. Harrington; $349.87. Fred W. Allen; J. Livingston A Co.. Inc.. $752.20. Comic Fdm Co., Inc.; City of N. Y.; $45.28 Attachment Frsncis X. Bushman; James M<-- (iuire, Inc.; $750. Assignment Anna Spencer, Inc., theatrical cot* tumor. 244 West 42d street, has as- signed to Harold If. Goldblatt for benefit of creditors. William M. fliordan is treasurer of the com- pany, incorporated in 1919,