Variety (July 1922)

Friday. July 7. 192« NEW ACTS THIS WEEK iO t%l AL H. WILSON ••Daniel Webster, Jr.* (Songa and Talk) 15 Mint.; On* Jefferson Tommy Gray wrote Al H. Wil- ton's now routine. He opens with a dictionary, commenting topically and humorously on some of its words. Sometimes the style hints of D. D. H.? although dissimilar In presentation. Wilson gathers speed as he progresses with his songs and stories, ftnishing with a "Miss Lib- erty" topical number. Wilson affects an Irish brogue. It Is purely an affectation, for a "Dutch" accent he must have used formerly is still recognizable. He has a corking collection of Irish stories that sound of recent vintage which helped much in clinching matters for him. In the fore part he labored too obviously with the •Daniel Webster, Jr." chatter to im- press as being altogether at ease. He was No. 5 on a strong comedy bill and should stand out on the fforcTal run of small big time lay- outs. Ahel. 3 ' «7HE HONEYMOON SHIP" (4) Musical Farca 22 Mins.; Full Staae (Special) St-te .'oseph Herbert. Jr., Is presenting this act and also appearing in it, .•\.<j.sisted by a company of three, two t»i the characters having roles quite as important as the producer. The turn is a combination of comedy, pinging and dancing with a v/ell de- fined plot that i.s quite humorously Uevoloped. •The Honeymoon Ship" has its action laid on the deck of a steamer leaving Honolulu, with a couple of ncwlyweds in one cabin and the ex- husband of the bride in another. The latter is soured on all matri- monial affairs. ^ When he meets the r>('W bridegroom he slips him a little atlvieo for the future, not knowing his former wife is the bride^ When this becomes known to him he de- velops a Jealous streak and on look- ing over the copy of the divorce de- cree discovers his former wife did rot have the legal right to marry for another 24 hours. He informs the couple their wedding is illegal. He makes up his mind then to remarry the girl himself* and wants the ship's captain to perform the ceremony, but while the ex-husband and the illegally married one are arguing the question the girl sends a wireless to San Francisco to a third man setting forth her case and asking him to meet her at the pier and take her out of the trouble by marrying her. This leaves the two men on the ship flat and they both jump overboard at the curtain. The talk is bright and snappy. There are three numbers that fit nicely and are well put over. The first la the "Advice" duet between the two men, the second a duet be- tween the girl and Herbert, and finally a trio Just before the finish of the act. There is no question but the act ^ill develop into a pleasing big time offering. Fred. ''DEVIL LAND" (5) Musical 8«tir« 17 Mins.; Full 8tag« (SpecIaO Fifth Ave. Designed at a noveltj, •T^evil Land" it billed as having been di- rected by Joseph Howard. Settings of Hell or Hades, both terms being used, picture a flaming crater or bpwl, with the Dancing Roots as assistant devils standing on the brink. Wllllanr Rogers as principal devil first emerges from below stage Into the orchestra pit. He telephones a coril company, order- ing a million tons of coal, which must be good and hot because spe- cial company Is expected. Circular openings In the wings disclose the faces of Bernlce Spear and Walter Craig. They Inform the devil they are scouts sent to Hades to discover theatrical novel- ties—he sent by Dillingham and she by Ziegfeld. The devil answers there are enough novelties, but he docs not know •'where in the hell they are." He warns the young couple they must not fall In love while In his domain, else they will have to remain. The Roots, de- £C*nding to the stage, offered a siieclalty number. The scouts, now In the devil's grounds, start a flirtation, but the Rirl ' explains she has a contract "with Ziegy" which provides .vhe cannot fall in love for three years. Bits like that sound all right to those who closely follow theatricals, but it is a question if they generally a.ply. The devil In describing some of his guests says he has a bunch of landlords who cannot keep v.'arm. They are •'freezing in hell." which is giving them a dose of their own medicine. That was a change of chatter pace. Replying finally to the scouts' re- quest for novelties, the devil ob- serves that If the Juvenile, a good looking young man, and the flapper have not fallen In love, that is it- self *a novelty. Dance specialties are introduced for the balance of the act Miss Spear, labeled a dancing doll, singled as such. Later she landed the best returns with an acrobatic dance. Craig got something with imitations, while the Roots In eve- ning dress whirled a ballroom dance successfully. As an ending to the "story" angle the devil catches the young couple making love and says It's all off—they must stay In hell. As an Idea "Devil Land" Is novel, and though In present form It misses reaching big time caliber. It can go for featuring on three-a-day time. ihee. "WORDS AND MUSIC* (4) Singing and Dancing 17 Mint.; Full Stag* 23d St. Another of those attemptt to hook up specialty matter with a sketch structure. At usual the playlet framework Interferea with the de- sirable speclaltlet. If four people can Blng, dance or make enjoyable music, what't the sense of encum- bering them with reams of dialog? The talking sketch is the resort of the player who has no outstanding specialty. A specialist is only han- dicapped by talk, unlest comedy talk Is his or her forte. A natty young man in m(^alr tuxedo and French cape enters and In rhyme makes It known that he Is running a studio where he coaches candidates for the vaudeville stage. He Introduces his flrst pupil, who Is disclosed as a rather personable woman with a fine soprano voice. The young man plays her accom- paniment who does a popular num- ber with special lyrics very nicely and is off for an attractive change of costume. She is succeeded by a "sister act," one of the girls doing a tough char- acter with clown comedy. Much In- different talk and business between the girls here, until the soprano Is bacl< for another popular number, a good one and nicely delivered. The tough sister returns for more clown- ing with the soprano, such as slangy repartee. The polite sister does a neat number with whistling accom- paniment—one of the high spots of the turn, and all four finish with a special number to the refrain, '•I can sing, I can play, I can clowh." If they would confine themselves exclusively to doing Just those things witiiuut trying to introduce a musical comedy book on the side the act would be Immeasurably Im- proved. The comedy girl of the sis- ter act has possibilities as an ec- centric, but needs experienced coaching. At present she overdoes the buffoonery. The billln^ at the 23d Street did not furnish any data as to the persons of the turn or its sponsors. Ruth, NATHAL Monkey Innitation 9 Mint.; Full Stag* Prince of Wales, London London, June 19. Undoubtedly the best impersona- tion of a monkey by a human be- ing Is that of Nathal, a Frenchman, In the revue, "A to Z.." at the Prince of Wales'. Hit make-up would deceive the most critical. He first appears on the stage with a straight tumbler, who does a modi- cum of the burlesque wire lifting stuff. Afterward Nathal clambers down into the orchestra, then up to the balcony, skirting the edge of the railing with a tureness that secmt to settle he Is not a human being. His bare toes are made up with hair and the headpiece so perfect the disguise cannot be penetrated. For the finish he ascends a perpen- dicular rope from the orchestra pit to the dome of the theatre. The act Is full of comedy, not re- pulsive, and Nathal's presence among the spectators never once frightens the smallest child. The eyes are always kindly—never thren tuning. This sort of novelty act would stand up under sensational billing In America. Jolo, •'DREAMS" (3) Posing 8 Mint.; Full Stage Broadway Three women are concerned In this turn, all appearing In each of the seven pictures or poslngs. They Work upon a platform set back of "two." A special silk curtain with a seml-clrcular lift Is hung Imme- diately in front. A well designed Illuminated sign, also the other side of the special curtain. Imparts the names of the poslngs. The act opened with "Pretty Polly," rather effective. "Gold Vase," "Futuristic Art," "Spring- time," which was partly sllhouted; "The Queen Passes," "American Beauty" and "Dreams" followed. The posers were In full fleshings, but tliere were no head coverings nor wigs and at times the ordinary girl's pumps were worn. The act serves for opening in houses of this tyi>e. Ihee. ETHEL KELLER and Chumt (2) Songs, Piano, Dancet 12 Mint.; One American Roof The chums are a man and wom- an. The trio open vocalizing a pop- ular song, getting fair harmony. The boy in tuxedo sings a poor comedy song to piano accompani- ment. Miss Keller, after change of cus- tume to short knicl<ors, does ■ a sprightly number, delivered with l)ropc»r Jazz t«'chJilquo, helped by piano ami sax. A corking buck and ^vi'' g by M i.><s Keller follows. The other pair double a 'Mammy Fong while Miss Kfllcr make.q an- other change and Joins them in a Jazz song which she steps to. The turn is an interesting small timer, framed conventionally. Con, ROMAS TROUPE (6) Comedy Acrobats 10 Mint.; Full ttagt American Roof The Romas Troupe are six men In evening attire. The rise of the curtain discovers them posed In a pyramid formation. Several tricks of thlt nature follow, also a dive to a hand to hand with some cross Are conversation worked in on the "stalling." A variety of hoke comedy bltt of ancient vintage follow, among them a triple harmony humming bit with one doing a piece of pantomime In bad taste. Another old timer was one member holding himself by the neck with his elbow concealed back of a tormentor. An old fashioned song and dance with an acrobatic "break" on the finish was followed by whirlwind ground tumbling at which they excel and which sent them away to smashing returns. It's a sure fire variety frame up for the three a day bills. One or two similarly arranged actt have been witnessed on the two a day program, but the comedy and talk of this sextet Is what keeps the turn small time. Cotim DANE, MARTIN and DANE Musical, Singing, Dancing 10 Mint.; Full Stage American Roof Two girls and boy. Open with pop song harmonized vocally. All three have good voices, the girl's betraying vocal training. One goes to piano while the other pair dou- bled kid song, missing on the deliv- ery. The boy solos a ballad to the piano accompaniment, the other girl joining with a saxophone. Both girls next double a Kclection at the piano, proving excellent musicians. A popular song next sung by the boy, the girls blending on the piano and saxophone. He inserts a few good dance steps, consisting of 'over the foot" and Russian steps for the finish. The turn is a light early spotter for the pop bills. All three nmm to lack the necessary experience to RCt over, one (»f the girls appearing particularly inexperienced. The voices and musical talents of the two are acceptable. • • Coru NEIL and WITT Piano Act 15 Mint.; One 58th St. Neil and Witt have the makings of a standard plaho act. Well ap- pearing men, both possessed of ex- cellent voices, the pianist particu- larly piping a flashy tenor. The combination needs distinctive ma- terial to elevate It above the thrce- a-day grind. Witt may be a for- mer member of a rathskeller trio. Here he presides at the baby grand, although his voice it superior to Neil's. The latter, however, has that poise that assigns him to the role of man up fronL They open with « -«*CalifomlA*' number dressed in nice appearing summer get-up. Their routine runt all to published numbers, three of them from oae publisher's catalog. It's sure fire on the general run of three-a-dayers at they ttand. There are posslbllltlet for more preten- tlout booklngt that should not be neglected. Xbcl. CAM IA and Co. (2) Clattical Songt and Dancet 10 Mint.; Full (Special DMiptt) Statt A more or lett amateurishly framed turn with three people pre- senting classical dancing and one singing number. There are two women and a man In the act. The latter Is a clever dancer and he Is assisted by a girl who does rather wen In toe work. The other woman playt the piano and solos after the opening terpslchorean number. The dancers present a double classical number at the opening of the act. Then, after the song, the girl shows some pretty ballet work on her toes, after which the Rus- sian floor stuff by the man brings a hand. A double at the closing finishes the act Just small time in speed. Fred. McNALLY and ASHTON Comedy Talk 15 Mint.; One 58tH St. Woman walks on cold and begins a popular number only to be in- terrupted by the man in blackface and wearing a comedy costume. The interruptions continue half a •lozen times, the man making an exit each time and the woman at- tempting to continue her song. Then they go into crossfire, which amounts to a monolog by the man while the woman feeds him. The man also sings an intprminable song »i|mn topical points of humor. >. of a finish the woman sings a medley of old fashioned airs and by way of encore the man does a l)Urlesquo dance. A medium grade turn for small time. *u<h. MAUDE DETTY and CO. (2) Singing and Dancing Sketch 15 Mint.; Three (4) One (11) 23d St'. An ingenious sketch contrivance has been designed as setting for Maude Detty, a gray-haired woman of trim lines, who admits the "danced these steps at Miner's in 18S9." Later she refers to her ap- pearances at Tony Pastor's, and makes a good humored plea for the good will "of you old timers." She got It with a series of buck and wing and essence steps of the old style executed with an exuberance that belled her silvered coiffure. At the rise of the curtain there it disclosed what purports to be a theatrical agent't oflflce. He it In need of an act in a hurry. Entert Miss Detty. declgrlng herself the very thing he needs. From the op- posite entrance appears a tall, young woman, who argues that the elderly applicant It out of date, and the puftiic wants Jazz and pep. Thlt much of the dialog It done In rhyme. The agent doetn't know which to engage, and they agree to settle It by an applause contest. While the two women are off changing to short soubret frocks, the act goes to "one," where the young man obliges with a Mammy song with high falsetto rotes and a yodel that brought a storm of ap- plause. The younger" woman has first try, singing a published rag number Indifferently and doing no dancing at all. Mist Detty an- nounces an Impression of George Primrose, and after a bit of song does a routine ^f essence In the blackface veteran's famous etyle, following with buck and wing and Irish reel steps. The applause Is all for the older woman, of course, but they decide to organize a trio on the spot and do a final number with old fashioned stepping by Mitt Detty. Qualifict at a desirable small time number. The specialty mate- rial is befogged with talk. Ruah, REED and SELMAN ''On the Roof' (Skit) 15 Mins.; Two (Special) 23d St. Nice appearing couple \/orklng on what purports to be an apartment house roof, backed by a special eye showing Metropolitan Tower, build- ings, bridge, etc. She enters to hang a handkerchief on the line to dry— rather a nonsensical mission, come to think of it, but «>lauslble enough for the moment to bring her on from the door leading to the roof. A po- lice whistle It heard and young man enters. Audience thinks he Is fleeing police. Song and chatter follows. all restricted and all about "crooks." Hosdrops a necklace that he took from ttns glrl't room downstairs. She stalls him that she, too, does "Inside work." The roof door has mean- time become locked and they are Imprisoned until the proposal, when he discloses he has a key which he might have used to get out. She produces one alto. Surprise No. 2 Is that he Isn't really a burglar— she confesses ditto. Surprise No. 3 Is that he It the landlord of the house and knows that she It four months In rent arrears and certain- ly will not have her marry old Fer- dinand—her now ex-fiance—In order to square It with the landlord. The material it rather light for anything above big three-a-day bookings, although well written. She has considerable personality and the chap It an adequate opposite. He looks somewhat like, and may bo, itarold Selman who has done sketches heretofore in vaudeville. Ahcl. \ MILDRED MYRA (1) Songt and Violin 13 Mint.; Ont Fifth Ava. Miss Myra !• a tlender tongstress of fltrtklng appearance. She looked well In a frock of blue which had a tight fitting bodice. Accompany- ing her in the several numbers of* fered wat a neat appearing violin- ist, unbilled, though whose contri- bution earnt at leatt that. The opening tong referred to th« vlollnltt or his plkylng, the fiddler resting hit Instrument upon hit chett rather than under the chin. ^ They had a duet dance bit after the | number, with Mitt Myra then i singling with a "sweet daddy** : lyric. The musician, too, had a solo, \ playing a rather long Hungarian I composition, but to good purpose. \ For that number only he played th« ; violin in the regular manner. j||i Mist Myra having changed^ to ^^ frock of orange next offered a \ bungalow tong. It having a chatter j chorus. For It the girl found a ; perch upon the accompanist's knee, j he continuing to fiddle. There wat | an earned encore of the blues type - which the girl favors. For exit '■. there was a dance In which the ] man exhibited ability. j Despite the billing this it a two- act and served here In the spot. Ihce. BOBBY JARVIS and Co. (3) "A Man Wanted" (FFarce) 18 Mint.; Full Stage State This act has been out for some time, appearing on several circuits during the season. It Is a farce with several numbers, the act being nicely hung with sllkt and given a dash of novelty. Jarvls and one of the three glrlt concerned handle the bulk of the action. This girl is a bright little lass and carries the pace at well at Jarvis. She handles lines tplendid- ly. Is a graceful dancer and attracts attention at all limes. Her role Is that of owner of a shoe shop, Jarvis applying for a Job as manager, of- fering a reference he wrote himself. She explains the different kinds of vamps on women's shoes, telling the new boy there Is no relation to the- vamps, one of whom carried off the last manager. A red-headed girl enters for the main purpose of a trio song and dance number which got something. After a flirtation bit Jarvis tends shop. The first customer asks for a pair of black undressed kids and he refers her to 135th street. The next is a vamp of Ritz n.anners. He gets flustered and in trying to hide her fronr. the lady boss thrusts her into the "reducing cabinet" which Is suppo.«L<f:d__t_o shorten anything from shoes to people. Thn cabinet l.i oi>oned. but instead of the girl out struts a miflget Kari)ed as Was the vamp. That i»rovide3 . . good rur- tain. Ibce, WALTER MANTHEY mn6 GIRLIES (4) Song, Dance, Mutical 15 Mint.; Full Stage Jtfferton Walter Manthey it assisted t>y four specialty women, an expert toe dancer standing out. He opens double with a toclety waltt, one of the women at the piano, the other violining and the fourth camou- flaged as a lampshade. The latter is the toe dancer, coming out for a solo after the vlollnlste and piani>(te double a rag number In sister team fashion. Their delivery could be Improved upon, although It suffices. The taller girl fpianiste) later solos a rag ballad with a little strut business that put It over. Manthey't tolo it a ballet pirou- ette routine, the toe dancer ogam singling with tome wicked ankle work. She doet about everything there Is In the line of toe work mid as a specialty stepper ranks with anybody. It's a neat frame-up for thr* ' > section of some of the bigger >>. j. Ah€l. SMITH and STRONG Songt 12 Mint.; Two (Special) Jefferson Two men with a better class .«iong routine. A little production is car- ried, the team entering rowing a prop canoe. One is in full Indian garb and the other aflfectt cowboy get- up. They do four numbert. con- cluding with Tostl's "Ooodbye" and "Just a Song at Twilight." They have pleasing voices at It to b« expected of a straight singing com- bination. ' . They were appreciated No. 2 at the Jefferson and can hold dowa an early position on the big three- a-day l)ills. i'M .At>cl.