Variety (June 1922)

18 Friday, June 23, 1922 ■ things moving for 12 minutes with the familiar tricks of a comedy •ingle with burlesque impersona- tions, the table covered with hats as props for a travesty recitation; the ridiculous telephone and the absurd rendition of "Asleep in the Deep." Saxon and Farrell with a bright new vehicle (New Acts) hold to the comedy line although their style is more 'legitimate." Nevertheless the act is rich in laughs. Mae and Hose Wilton were nicely placed. With the two previous turns the audience had laughed its fill and were in just the mood for a quiet turn like this charming arrange- ment of two pretty, graceful singers and dancers. The WJlton girls have the air of a pair of agreeable children doing parlor entertaining for the family circle. A delightful, } unaffected pair of youngsters war- ranted to win the good graces of any audience, not to speak of the easy going Broadway clientele. There was another change of comedy pace in the sketch of Hugh Herbert. For sure fire laughs there Is nothing quite so certain as dialect. Somehow there is something in- nately comic in twisted English and nothing seems to get to the general risibilities like the Hebrew dialect. Herbert works with a quiet method for the most part, but his routine of talk has an explosion or two. At the Broadway its effect was scattered. Everybody responded at first, but when the sketch "Mind Your Business" got beyond the usual 15 minutes it lost somewhat in its score. Twenty-five minutes is too long for a pure talking comedy play- let, however, funny it may be and Herbert unquestionably overstayed his time, especially on an oppressive night when speed of performance counts most. The skill that had gone to the makeup of the bill was nowhere better illustrated than in the plac- ing of Harry ("Zoup") Welch and Ned Norton next to closing. That was just the spot for this delightful bit of clowning. It was a wow from start to finish with the absurd buf- foonery of Welch and the smooth straight feeding of Norton, one of the best of the young straight men In vaudeville. It would have been hard for any sort of a talking act to follow this pair of bubbling funsters, so they closed the bill with the capital dancing and jazz turn of Gladys Delmar and her band, a neat bijou production with the lively dancing of the pony girl and the zippy music of the five bandsmen to balance things. A first rate show, well laid out so that its-f values were made to count for their full worth. Rush. numbers has been made With the musicians capably working up the heavier pieces as well as the lighter pop numbers. Several encores were demanded of the musicians, who scored one of the biggest applause hits ever attained at this house. The act proved a genuine bill topper for the State, with real music provided all the while. Hart. MANAGERS' CONVENTION STATE A typical summer show at Loew's State the first half, with the greater portion of the outlay going for the Alex Hyde Orchestra, headlining for a full week. With the exception of the musical turn, which closed the show, the bill consisted of standard threc-a-day acts and failed to pro- duce a flashy aspect. The State has taken on a sum- mery appearance with cretonnes re- placing heavier draperies and new attractive gray frocks adorn the usherettes. The girls appear much more neatly clad in their new raiment than in the former red uni- forms. Monday night business was off. The lower floor held several vacant rows throughout the evening. A similar condition existed in the bal- cony, with the mezzanine and loges securing the heaviest play, capacity prevailing there from 8 o'clock on. Ten reels supplied the film enter- tainment for the first half bill, in- cluding the Viola Dana feature, "Seeing's Believing," Screen Snap- shots, Keaton comedy, "The Goat," and a news reel. The orchestra ren- dered "II Trovatore'' as an overture with the Leo Zarrell Duo, the open- ing turn of the vaudeville. The two- man acrobatic combination produced results in a few minutes. The rou- tine is short and displays several capable strength feats. The larger man handles his partner with case and finishes up the work with snap. The turn gave the show an applause start, with the Henri Sisters picking it up No. 2. The girls are the usual thing in the way of a sister team. Published numbers are the basis upon which they work. The only difference between these two is that both girls can handle piano work. They passed along to fair returns. The Leightons. straight man and blackface comedian, possessed an opportunity to land a comedy punch No. 3, but missed. The chatter and the special drop employed secured a few snickers, but genuine laughs were not forthcoming. The boys finished strongly with guitar work, and vocalizing the numbers, start- ing slowly, were worked up to a good pitch at the finish. Hale Nor- cross und Co., presenting a newly- wed sketch, secured the first genuine laughs of the evening. The light, frothy vehicle possessed sufficient comedy to secure returns. For a man and woman sketch, usin,-, the house set and with no pretentious- ness whatsoever about the turn, a creditable showing was made. Billy Shone was entrusted with the next to closing position. Shone's comedy gained recognition, and ho made the grade in ihe late pos iti on . Alex Hyde's Orchestra, closing, was the outstanding feature of the bill. It is a new musical combination and a capable one. A wide selection of AMERICAN ROOF Above the average attendance on the Roof Tuesday night, with the lower floor near capacity with the exception of the side boxes. No outstanding feature to the first half bill, which was long on pictures, in- cluding two comedies and the cus- tomary feature, the latter being used as a nightcap. The usual nine acts. Harry Rosettas gave the vaude- ville a start. Rosettas offers head- balancing, trapeze work, and strong law work. He produces a good feat in each line. Applause greeted his six minutes. Hilda Le Roy experi- enced difficulties No. 2. Miss Le Roy has failed to supply herself with the proper numbers. There is no punch to her present work. The balcony patrons became restless and made themselves annoying. Very light returns gained. Alexander Brothers and Evelyn, who have been appearing on two-a- day bills with Joe Cook, held the No. 3 spot. The ball juggling routine gained returns with the light com- edy worked in during the routine securing laughs. Cook and Vernon, No. 4, displayed their greatest strength with the man's singing. The young woman evidenced dis- pleasure at the manner in which their gags were received. Had some of the chestnuts been eliminated the returns in all probability would have been better. The couple proved a disappointment in the spot. Jackson, Taylor and Co. closed the first half and produced the real punch of the early section. Ed Jackson and Dot Taylor are diligent workers and put their best efforts in the numbers. Morty Howard ap- pears in support at the piano. A jazz band was formerly carried. The animation displayed by this com- bination placed it in the hit column. The Buster Keaton comedy, "The Goat," was sandwiched in between the two vaudeville sections, with Whalen and McShane (New Acts) reviving the vaudeville to applause. "When We Grow Up," the Edward Clark vehicle presented by Eddie Tanner and the Palmer Sisters, met with approval, second after inter- mission. The quaint sketch pro- vided a direct appeal and left the proper impression. Harry Antrim, next to closing, had little difficulty producing laughs. Antrim's confi- dential talk regarding the theatre had the audience guessing at the start and laughing at the finish. Antrim held up the spot in good shape and made way for Mills and Miller, a two-man dancing and tumbling team, which held the audi- ence intact. //art. FORDHAM A show that could be used as a nucleus for any big time bill with the addition of one name, played to a fair Monday night audience. Headline" honors were handled by Herschel Henlers who stopped the show and Princess Wah-Letka who proceeded him. The Princess startled them with her answers, quick and without a miss through- out. The Princess' finishing feat is that of mind reading with her as- sistant on the stage. This brought an abundance of applause. Princess Wah-Letka is here the full week and she should be able to draw them in for this is a neighborhood house* Henlere goaled them with his comedy make-up and talk which led up to his piano playing. The closing number proved his best laugh getter, blending popular melodies and smoe old ones while the audience tried to follow by whistling. He begged off on ac- count of the late hour. The Perettos opened in a snappy aerial act, which will please in the same spot on any big time bill. Ruby Royce, No. 2, with her danc- ing turn, received many returns. Her closing number takes her away from the average girl hoofer; in this she did a buck and wing for which she asked applause before starting. Many eccentric steps left her breathless at the finish. Swift and Kelley, fifth, after Henlere, had the hard spot, but being the only real comedy turn on the bill, soon had them. Lloyd Ibach's "Five Symphony Fiends'* and Ben Meroff closed the vaudeville portion and sent them home with a smile, in last week's review of the Franklin, credit for Meroff's dances was given to Ibach, as Meroff was not billed nor pro- gramed. This week Meroff's name only appears on the time schedule in front of the house. Meroff drew down much applause with his dances. The saxophonist again ex- celled in his solo and latter with the saxophone and clarinet, play- ing the two instruments at the same time. The feature picture "According to Hoyle" starring David Butler closed the show. (Continued from page 11) representative at the convention made no comment. Some showmen present were un- decided whether such a procedure of revenue getting would be prac- tical. One point of difference was whether it would not make billing a difficult matter. There is no doubt the collections will be termed a class of admission by the govern- ment and 10 per cent, will be turned over to the tax collector. One sug- gestion that part of the money thus derived be given the Actors* Fund was not given final action, members deciding to wait until the idea was worked out before committing themselves. That the association's revenue is not sufficient to carry it was impli-.d from the movement to raise funds by pass taxes. The I. T. A. has never stated what its membership was, other than to say it was an association of theatre managers of the United States and Canada, and included producing managers, tour- ing managers, stock managers, opera managers and other man- agers counted within the legitimate field but exclusive of vaudeville and pictures. This year's convention is claimed to have drawn about 200 members, less than the first conven- tion. That was explained by the fact that some members attending held the proxies of other members. Also that a number of smaller stand managers had informed the officials that they had changed the policy of their theatres from attractions to pictures, at least for the present. It developed the association ran $9,000 behind its budget for the first year. At the banquet, $5,000 was raised by subscription to meet the deficit. Several donations of $1,000 each were noted, such sums being pledged by Erlanger and Ames. That the association is a good thing is the opinion of all members attending. One of the accomplish- ments of the first year was the working out of a uniform contract for the smaller stands. This was done in association with the Pro- ducing Managers' Assn. There Is a difference in the objects and func- tions of the two associations. The I. T. A., being a theatre managers' organization, is designed for gen- eral movements affecting all classes of houses with labor matters and railroad rates prominent topics. The P. M. A. is a centralized group organized to deal with actors, whether affiliated or not. The I. T. A. itself does not pretend to fix labor scales other than for the road. All other, scales are local matters, with the I. T. A. aiding in adjust- ing whenever a contest .arises. Lee M. Boda, the association's managing director, and Ligon John- son, general counsel, are executives appointed by the board of directors and are the only salaried officials. Their terms of office have not ex- pired and it is not definite as yet whether a change will be made by the directors foi next season. The nominating committee for the second convention was Joseph P. Brockterton, Ralph Long, Edward Lyons, Abe Levy, all of New York, and Thomas Love of Philadelphia. The board of governors for the ensuing year are: Group 1, produc- ing managers. H. W. Savage and George Broadhurst, with John Gold- en and William Harris, Jr., alter- nates. Group 2, play managers, stock traveling and repertory, Ar- thur C. Alston and Gus Hill, with George Goett and John J. Coleman, alternates. Group 3, for cities under 200,000 population, O. S. Hathaway of Middletown, N. Y., and Nathan Appell, York, Pa., with John Him- melein, Sandusky. O., and 1. C. Mi8hler, Altoona, Pa., alternates. Group 4. for cities over 200.000 population,. Felix Wendelsehaefer, Providence, R. I., and Lee M. Boda, Columbus, O., with Augustus Pitou, Louisville, and M. S. Schlessinger, Newark, N. J., alternates. Group 5, for cities of 600,000 papulation and more, Fred G. Nixon -Nirdlinger, Philadelphia, and Sam H. Harris, New York, with Joseph P. Bicker- ton, N. Y. # and Ralph Long, New York, alternates. Group 6. stock companies, W. A. Keyes, Dayton, O., and Harry Clay Blaney, N< w York, with Frank Eagan, Los An- geles, and M. E. Commerfor. Scran- ton, Pa., alternates. Group 7, grand opera, Fortune Gallo, New York, and Milton Aborn, New York. The convention went on record as being against the daylight sav- ings idea. Summer time schedule Is a matter of local rather than national control. Some states have daylight savings law, others leav- ing the matter up to local option as with New York. The resolution adopted was: "Resolved, That it is the sense of this convention that the daylight saving law is not only inimical to our interests but also to the interests of all the people. It is the sense of this convention that we use all the powers at our command to enlist the services of all those who may be able to help in the matter to the end that the daylight saving law be no longer in effect in the United States and Canada." BROADWAY STORY (Continued from page 13) of anything in town, bettering the previous week by about $4,000. "Kiki" responded perfectly and reached virtual capacity again with nearly $17,000 in, while "Kempy* held to strong business at the Bel- mont. Only one show is listed to stop this week, "The Pinch Hitter" at the Miller. "Lawful Larceny" which was to have closed last Saturday, decided to remain at the Republic, but is likely to withdraw at any time. "Red Pepper" picked up somewhat at the Shubert, but was taken off Saturday. Next week will be the final for "The Perfect Fool" at the Cohan, the house getting a picture in July. "The Hairy Ape" is announced to close next week at the Plymouth. "Six Cylinder Love" at the Harris, and "Blossom Time" at the Ambassador both jumped last week, but are reported on a week to week basis, with continuance after next week not expected. The list now has two colored revues. Latest to arrive is "Strut Miss Lizzie" at the Times Square, separated considerably frm "Shuffle Along" which figures about three weeks more at the 63d Street (it is now in its 57th week). The "Lizzie" show opened at $2.50 top, drawing $900 for the opening night when considerable paper was In. Tuesday night the takings went to $1,200 at the regular scale of $2 top for this attraction and Wednesday's matinee was well attended. A midnight per- formance is carded for Thursday's and at the gait Indicated the show may gross $10,000 for the nine per- formances. That Is profitable bus- iness for an offering of the kind, which is playing on a rental basis. The show has three weeks in the house but the time may be ex- tended. "Pin Wheel," the Raymond Hitch- cock, Mlchlo How revue, the only opening of last week, got away fairly at the Earl Carroll. Failure to cut before opening injured the premiere but the business early this week was encouraging. This is an- other attraction not calling for heavy gross to show a profit. Nothing new is listed for next week. "Spice of 1922" opened at Atlantic City Monday and will play Philadelphia next week. It Is re- ported succeeding "Make Is Snappy" at the Winter Garden July 5. "For Goodness Sake," the musical piece now at the Garrlck, Chicago, if all remains with serene with that show, may come to New York to open at the Liberty within a month should not the Chicago business climb to the heights the Garrick demands, within that time'. Buys and Cuts Dwindle with Closings, With a total of only 23 attractions still running on Broadway the list of attractions held by the brokers on outright buy has dwindled to seven, while in the cut rates there are but 12 attractions listed au bar- gain prices. This however is better than 50 per cent, of the number of shows still running. Business, how- ever, is reported as decidedly off in both types of agencies, with the week-end demand particularly off. At advance prices the buys are "Kiki" (Belasco), "Kempy" (Bel- mont), "Good Morning Dearie" (Globe), "Music Box Revue" (Music Box), "Ziegfeld Follies'' Amester- dam), "Partners Again" (Selwyn), and "Make It Snappy" (Winter Garden). The dozen that are being offered at the Lcblang agency are "The Goldfish" (Astor), "The Dover Road" (Bijou), "Perfect Fool" (Cohan). "Pin Wheel" (Carroll), "Abie's Irish Rose" (Fulton), "le Who Qets Slapped" (Garrick). "Six Cylinder Love" (Harris), "pinch Hitter" (Miller), "The Bar (Mo- rosco), "The Hairy Ape" (Ply- mouth), "Shuffle Along" («3d Street), and "Strut Miss Little'' (Times Square). (Continued from page 13) of light opera and musical stock at the Bastable, July I. Articles of Incorporation have been awarded to Albany. Stephen Bastable, of the Bastable, will be first vice president and general manager. Mrs. Card Foster will serve as second vice president. Robert F. Schiller is treasurer, and James F. Fennessey is secretary. The other members of the board of directors are Olive V. Schiller, Laura B. McGuire, Prlscilla m! Robineau, R, R, Edwards and Chester B. Bahn. Mrs. Schiller is head of the Olive Schiller Produc- tions, a picture concern. Miss Rob* ineau is a well-known dancer. Mr. Edwards was formerly with the Syracuse Opera Association. Mr. Bahn is dramatic editor of "The Journal." The direction will rest in the hands of Mrs. Mallery, formerly with the Chicago Opera Company, and Mrs. Schiller. "The Firefly," offering Jefferson De Angelis as visiting star, will be the first attraction. Rehearsals started Monday. Los Angeles, June 21. Nana Bryant, formerly with the Alcazar players in San Francisco, made her debut as leading woman of Tom Wilkes' Majestic theatre last week in "Buddies." Edward Everett Horton, leading man of the Majestic, leaves Saturday for a short vacation following which he will open in Atlantic City in "The Nervous Wreck." The, new Wilkes-Harris play is to be cast In New York this week by Sam Harris and is expected to have an all-star Broadway group of principals. Mary Newcomb, former leading woman at the Majestic, who goes to New York shortly with a second Wilkes-Harns offering "In Love With Love." Is playing a special engagement at the Pantages the- atre. Stanley James, manager of the Empire Players, has taken a lease of the Empire theatre, Fall River, Mass.. seating 2,500 persons, for a period of four months'up to Octo- ber 1. Hooper Atchley is leading man. Miss Bella Cairns is leading woman. Poll's, Waterbury, Conn., closed Saturday. The Alhambra, New York, a Keith vaudeville house, which has been playing summer stock for the past eight weeks, will close for the sea- son Saturday. The Alhambra is a big time vaudeville house on the Keith circuit booked by I. R. Sam* uels. The house installed the Al- hambra Players, headed by Dorothy Shoemaker, at the conclusion of the regular vaudeville season in May. It will reopen in September with the usual vaudeville policy. The George Marshall Players, just completing a nine-week season at the New Lyceum, Baltimore, are giving "Good Gracious, Annabelle/* as their swan song. Their work has been uniformly excellent. On the final week's program the direc- tor of the company has placed a blank space to be used in getting Baltimore's opinion of a permanent stock company here for the winter. This was suggested by John Old- mixon Lambdin, of the "Evening Sun," in a recent article. With trie exception of a few bad weeks, the company has gone over with a bang. Local papers, sensing the quality of their performances, havo been co-operative in the notices. All Baltimore hopes that reper- toire as the George Marshall Play- ers see it, will be installed in the Lyceum next winter with Wyrley Birch in his role as director of the company. To him is much of the company's success due. Thomas Wilkes, who operates half a dozen stock companies in the far west and the coast, will bring ono or more new plays to Broadway in the fall. During the summer a num- ber of new plays are to be tried along with regular stock releases. Richard Bennett has gone to the «'"iist to appear |p ono 0 f the new .•hows Wilkes is producing. Ben- nett is to be featured in a selection made for Broadway. One of the new pieces already done by WilKcs is 'In Love Wrlli Love." The Jimmy Hodges Musical rem- edy co. closed Saturday tJun* it) in Norfolk, Va.