Variety (October 1922)

^ Friday, October 13, 1922 >■,■■ " f- .>^^'-«^-;v r...-,iFTr«';"wt'.'>'»w, ;<T'wai'"-»^' ■ J' rr' ",' ; ' '. .(''({.■^■••K*».''v'.^ai» VARIETY 21 in '■(■■■ r f • CUJNINGHAM mn^ BENNETT CO. Songs, Dances, Jazz Band 25 Mins.; One and Full Stag* : Columbia (Oct. 8) This combination has augmented their singing production with a jazz orchestra and a colored song and dance team recruited from the small time circuits, the principals offer- ing double numbers during the gen- eral program. The opening is of an Introductory nature in "one" before the' slit drop, the colored team representing valet and maid and phoning for the principals, who. In turn, discuss their new act, retiring to full stage for its prerentatlon. "Beau Brummel and Lady Fair" Is the opening number, costumed appropriately. It earned a generous return of applause. The orchestra played a selection next, the house electrician gumming up his Job badly and killing this effort. The lighting effect evidently called for baby spots on each niusiclan. This woul(i have aided. The male col- ored member next did a routine of steps with his partner completing the effort, the two doinr; a song and dknce. It went over big. The Cunningham and Bennett medley came next, Miss Bennett making three changes, the first, a school kid, being* all out of propor- tion. Miss Bennett is a trifle large for this character. But in the suc- ceeding two roles, a bride and merry widow, she was not only handsome JjUt perfectly gowned and, with Cunningham's appearance, the pair easily passed the test. Vnother duet by the colored team and finally a medley of Canninsham's composi- tions, which earned individual ap- plause. ' The finale Is in "one," wherein the couple discuss the audience, stage hands and associates over the j)rop phones. This is super.Tuous and dt sn't belong. It takes up \'...ie and i*macka of the kind ap- plause strain, which this pair does- n't need. . It's a good production, and Its future depends entirely on the per- fional vaue of the names to big tini« vaudeville compared wlLb the amount 'required to keep the act Koing. They scored an Impressive hit at the Columbia and will fit well on a bl:r time program, but the cost of maintenance and the value of the act as a card will probably be the only matter calling for an ad- justment to produce a route. Wynn. KIMBERLEY and PAGE ''Spring Is Calling'' (Comedy) 21 Mint.; One and Full Stage Greeley Square Leon Kimberley and Ilolen Page liave l>oen abroad for .some time, and return with another vehicle, dif- ferent only in pattern from their old one. The pair have a fairly amus- ing line of talk, cleverly dres.«^ed up In story form and singing Inter- ludes by Mr. Kimberloy are Intro- duced. His agreeable baritone voice contributes a great deal to the turn. At the opening a drop in "one" represents a house front with a practical entrance. Miss Page ap- pears from the side and, entering the building, bumps into Kimberley coming out. They go into give and take talk. Miss Page is the girl urchin and Kimberley the artist. He engages hfr to pose, and they enter the doorway. To full stage, where they are In his .situdio. He sljjfi^s. while the girl changes from-ragged street dress to pink chiffon to pose for a picture, "Spring Is Calling." They gfet a lot of conversational battle out of incl- d«>ntal talk, and the story disappears wiiile they go into a bit of talk and pong for the finish in "one." Miss Page Im a natural comedienne and Klmborly is a good .'Straight and a flnp .singar. The present vehicle mis.ses only In tyre particular. It Is five minutes too long. Shortening of time and t;R.'itonIng up of material would do winders. They won applause enough to ju.stify a speech. Kimberley told of their experiences during the lighting in Dublin. It took up 12 'minute.s more and should have been more than cut In half. Itu9h. CLGA and NICKOLAS Dancing ^ .d2 Wins.; Full Stag© Atierican Roof Man and woman In routine of cl.wsical (lancing that includes usual Mdagio double for opening. Oriental -ttTTTTr^ hry woman, too dance by mm and double Slavic folk dance foi» finish. Man Is excellent toe dancor. Woman also does ballet stuiT in manner that evidences L'lerty of training. Turn is nicely co.stumc'd. Stanifard dancing act, nicely set f'r eaily spot in small time bills. GRACE LEIGH and Co. (4) "Between the Acts" (Dramatic) 22 Min*.; Full Stage (Special) Fred Hand and Carrie De Mar (Joseph Hart office) present Grace Leigh and a supporting company of three in "feetweon the Acts," a dramatrc playlet with comedy relief by Milton Herbert Oropper. Action Is laid In dressing room of theatre, with the actress (Grace Lc^^lgh) the central character, and takes place between acts In play actress Is star- ring In. From dialog at opening between Miss Leigh and maid, it is disclosed that the prima donna is 39 years oM, and about to marry. When this has been planted, actress's fiancee enters, and there's a love scene. Fiance is obviously .. young man, the dialog later placing his age at 21. Mother of youth on next, with lat- tpr requested to leave room by actress. Mother pleads In dignified way with actress to give up idea of marriage—i>olpting out disparity in ages. It appears youth's mother and actress had both loved one Philip Marshall years ago. Conver- sation develops Philip was youthful fiance's father. Mother off and youthful fiance on again, but actress decides to discourage him from proposed mar- riage by going through motions of quickly acquired souse, with bit of cigaret smoking on side. Youth de- nounces actress in fashion that high lights him as full fledged sap, with ideas apparently founded on copy book platitudes. Finish finds .ictress about to go on for next act in play, with con- trast drawn between audience wait- ing for her to make 'em laugh in big comedy scene, and broken heart caused by her renunciation of youthful fiance. The playlet is stagey and machine made from start to finish—composed of familiar ingredients, blended in conventional sketch writing man- ner. Miss Leigh plays the actress as a woman of 39, who wants to marry a kid of 21, would undoubtedly act— that is to say she draws the char- acter as a superficial woman whether actress or not would un- doubtedly shape up in the situation mentioned. She is acting appar- ently all the time. That is a proper conception of the role, but not the only one 4^at might be arrived at. For instance Miss Leigh could. If desiring to make the part appear a bit more natural, play it in that way. It's a matter of opinion either way and the present characteriza- tion suffices. Miss Leigh's looks are an asset that helps the stage picture. , , - : ^, The part of the mother is played by a grey haired woman, who makes the small bit stand out importantly through consistently good acting of the restrained natural type. Her part could not be played any better by anyone. ,;• ^ -K ' The youthful fiance la played satisfactorily. The maid la played with a negro character make up, and follows traditions. The playlet needs direction—It's all too conventional aa It stands. The trouble is, however, that the story itself, being of an ultra con- ventional and standardized nature as regards both plot and construc- tion will be rather hard to make convincing regardless of direction. The production end la adequate, the dressing room setting showing care in the matter of detail. The act can hold No. S in the best houses—there's been many a worse one that held the spot—but it lacks a lot. Bett. LONDON (Continued from i>age 2) ford and Leon M. Lion respectively, will present a new play every month, beginning with the produc- tion of a "tragic comedy" by E.* Lyall Swete, entitled "The Philate- list." at the KIngsway, Sept. 24. Later in the season the Repertory Players will produce an adaptation of Keble Howard's novel, "The Smiths of Surbiton." This company started its autumn season by pro- ducing what purported to be a Welsh comedy, "Beggar My Neigh- bor." ^..;,. ...■^ t^ CALVIN and O'CONNOR. Song and Dance. 14 Mins.; One. Greeley Sq. Act has a novel trick opening. Lights are down and an announcer comes to center begging the audi- ence to remain quiet dtiring "the prolog." Printed announcement on curtain by stereopticon gives name of producer and elaborate details of "The Voice In the Dark." Screen flash fades and big basa voice back- stage begins dramatic "speech, powerful In tone but the worda In- distinguishable. As the unseen voice reaches climax, blackface comedian shoves head from behind tormcnttr and comedian cries, "Any- body got a match." Introduction starts familiar sort of blackface song, dance and talk routine. Talk has bright spots and a capital dance by one of the pair, the other furnishing accompaniment on guitar and freak Instrument like fiute, which makes a sound like Jew's harp. Interesting turn for general run of bills for the Greeley Square or better pop hous««. H. r. Maltby'a new play. "Mr. Budd of Kennington," will follow "The Green Cord" at the Royalty. Herbert Jay had originally intended to do this piece at the Court. This plan has now been shelved by his arrangement in conjunction • with George Dance to produce the new Louia N. Parker versl9ii of "David Oarrick' at the Chelsea house. "Tubby" Edlln is the "star" of the new piece, which has already had a successful provincial trial trip. C. B. Cochran has acquired the film and stage rights of the novel, "Simon Called Peter," which caused something of a sensation. Money." wlifch will kavo the Shaf- te.sbury open lor tho production of "The Cat and the Canary." "Doublp or Quits." now playing at the Ai<l- wych., must very soon find another theatre or linibh. i Robert Lornine Is still Intent upon reviving "Cyrano de Bergerac." which he did at the Ambassadors and later at the Savoy three years ago. Meanwhile he is atill hunt- in.? for a suitable house at which to produce one or more new English plays. Frank Curzon ^nd Dennis Eladle, In conjunction with Herbert Jay, will produce H. F. Maltby'a new farce, "Mr. Budd of Kennington" at the Royalty, Oct. 3. The cast in- cludes l^orothy Rundell, Helen Co- ram, Arthur Vezin, and "Tubby" Ediin. . r 7< < <; after her atay In America st the Trot\'id*'ro, Oct. S, and the "Metro- politan Follie.s ' ha.«i .Mt;irted on a m-iV He.i.son at tlie Hcjtel Motropole With a si)erial aitor'd night. At tiie. iJraffon Gillerioa Ted Trevor and .lack Haftkeil are arranging a c:ib- aret vhow, and many other pb.ocs uro getting bu.sy. .' * : "The Broken Wing" at the Duke of York's is not proving the unquali- fied success it promised to be. The "popular" parts of the house are being well patronized, but the stalls and circle are not doing so well. At the Savoy "Lawful Larceny" is repeating the history of its New York production. Business Is slowly creeping up. Cabaret Is booming here despite the fact that the authorities look upon it with a sort of half-hearted tolerance. Following the fashion set by the Metropole Hotel, half a dozen hotels and restaurants will be running this, class of entertainment by Christmas. "Dr." Walford Bodie is back In London after some yeara' absence, and has been doing hia electrical show at the Holborn. Dodie'a career as a showman Is packed with Inci- dent, much of it of a decidedly un- pleasant nature. M one time he was a great "healer," and in that capacity came into constant conflict with medical students. He ran a "medical store"* in the Blackfriars Bridge road, which had a good deal of attention' paid to it on the night chosen by the mob to wreck his show at the Canterbury. Then came the famous case in the law courts, when many of his atorlea I wefre disproved and he had to ex- plain thrt the supposed qualification "M. D." did not exist, and that the letters were a humoroua Idea of his. meaning "Merry Otvil." After this he retired to the i>rovlnces and con- tinued piling up the "bawbees" and advertising his nightly returns un- der the slogan, "I lead—follow who can." The yeara hove wrought very little change in either the showman or the show. Maternal pride on tho part of Lr.d/ lUecham or excessive enthusiaMm on tho part of whoever else may have been responsible for backing the preduction of 17-year-old Adrian Reecham's oi)eratic ver.slon of "The Merchant of Venice" at the Grand. Brighton, led to a bad bloomer be- ing made. The seats were raised from their uaual price to 10s. 6d.. probably more than half as much again aa Andrew MelvoIIe charges for his big dramatic attractions. The Grand'a public would not stand for the Increase, and the result waa a frost. This theatre is Brighton's "popular;* playhouse, and usea atiige attractions In keepli;g with its melo- dramatic traditions. .*;■ ^metime ago Lamberti wrote an original opera. The auggested title waa "The Proflteera," but the cea- sation of hoatiUtles and the death of the profiteer made tho title old- fashioned, and It has received n* new one up to now. However, on being played over to aome experta at a private houae the other night It waa diacovered to posseaa a great likeneaa to "La Prophote." The treatment la different but the motif ia very much the aame. Iris Hoey was secretly married to Cyril Raymond, an actor recently working with Harry Green in "Wel- come Stranger," at Bristol Registry Ofl^ce, Sept. 16. Miss Hoey was granted a decree against her hus- band. Max Leed.s,' last December. The cabaret is in full swing here, and rpany places are j taging some- tliing of the kind. Blanche Tomlln makes her London reappearance "The Way of an Eagle" is in Ita last weeks at the AdelphI, but it is hoped ta move the melodrama to a new theatre. It will be followed by "The Island King," an "all British" musical comedy by Peter Gaw- thorne, with music by Harold Gar- stfn. The cast will Include W. H. Berry and Sylvia Leslie. Arnold Bell, a well-known provin- cial actor-manager and one of the original players of "Old Bill" In "The Better 'Ole," has acquired the monolog righta of the character and play from C. B. Cochran and Will work aa a^vaudeville act. Evadne Price, who" appeared In the Weat End production of "The Bird of Paradise'^' and "The Dragon," is the latest artist to enter the ranks of music hall sketch management*. She win open at the Bedford, Sept. 25, with a Coc4cney sketch entitled "Enter Lll." The producer is Jo- seph R. Cunningham of the Duke of york'a. After a brief illness Francia John Duguld, manager of the Criterion, died in the London Hospital, the re- sult of a wound received in the throat during the war. The old Alexan^dra Palace theatre, closed for a long time, is to be re- bulft. Charles J. Hyde, the builder of the new Drury Lane, haa the work In hand. The nspsent theatre is bigger than Driiry Lane, being 27 feet longer and 12 feet wider. Eva Cartlngton, one of the orig- inal Gibaon Glrla In the "Catch of the Season," haa married George Tate, a aon of the sugar king. This is her third matrimonial venture. Her first husband, whom she mar- ried in 1906, was Lord de Clifford, who waa killed In a motor accident three yeara later. Her second was Arthur Stock, whom .rhe married In 1913. He died while on active serv- ice two yeara later. R. H. Gilleaple, who Im always wide-awake to anything that Is likely to appeal to Moss audiences, is seriously thinking of staging a program of veteran "stars" and sending around hia halla. The rhow. If he does it, should be an immense success, as nuiny of the veterans' names are better remembered by thousands upon thousands than the swiftly-dying fame of the new pres- ent-day stars ia known to hundreds, ft ia hia intention to reproduce tt.e old-time roualc hall chairman and all complete, but exUtIng regulations will hardly permit of tho perspiring walf^r shouting "Give your orders, genta," in the middle of the ballad singers' most pathetic Verae. or of the sight of the same worthy career- ing down the main aisle with a crowded tray-held above his head. i ■•/■ PARIS By E. G. kENDREW ■{.v^ 1 ^ /f^ * -:.:./.,. Paris, Sept. 30. "La Danscuse Rouge," . by C. Hirsch, ^hlch had a good run last season aa a war story, is taken by Cora Laparcerie for the resumption of her winter direction of the Renaissance, Oct. 6. The summer season with old melodrama has been a financial success. Cora will creiate about Nov. 15 "Lea Cherr- cheurs dOr," by Jacques Richepin (her husband) and Francia Carco, with Geor^^e Colin as her leading partner. The next on her • Hat is "La Vagabonde," four acts, by Mme. Colette and LSbpold Marchand, which it is hoped will be more moral than Mme. Colette's "Cherl." Another poetical work by Jacquea Richepin, "Laia," in five acta, ia on the liaL The amusing comedy, "L'Enfant du Miracle," created at the Athenee many yeara ago, la to be revived at the Amblgu Comlque in October. With a cast comprising Jean Coque- lln, Saillard, Maurice Lamy, J. Clement. Jacquelin, Basseull, t3ir- ardon, Mmes. Claire Clere, Corclade, Escalais, Nlcolos. A one-act farce by Paul Gavault (the co-matnager of the house) and George Berr (of the Comedle Francalae). entitled "Balancez vos Dames," will serve as a curtain raiser, being played by Maxime Lery, Losueur, Mmes. Dylma, Nlvette, Noris. • 1 The pantomlmlst, Thales, la the manager of the new Eden Theatre, opened at Asnieres (a suburb of Paris) end of September, with a revue. "Moscou pas trop." W. W. Kelly, who for several years past haa presented grand opera at hia Liverpool house, will thla year depart from his old cus- tom and produce pantomime. "Alad- din" is the story chosen. The management of the Trianon Lyrlque will produce during the season "Sylvio," a musical comedy adapted by IMerre Ilertin from a poem by Gerard de Nerval, score by Fred Barlow. A new company has been formed with Edward Marrls as managing director for the production of big shows. Thla comf)any will reintro- duce Albert de Courvllle as a pro- ducer. The days of "Zozo." originally produced at the LUlIo, and which l<» now at the Strand, are numbered, the latter theatre being wanted for the Norman J. Norman production of "Angel Face." Thla is due in about three weeks' time. Oct. 2 will ace the transference of "The Way of an Eagle" from the AdelphI to the Aldwych, where, however. It can only run a month, owing to the the- Jacques Nam haa taken over the cabaret theatre known aa tho Per- choir and reopened laat week with a short revue by Jean Deyrmon. a sketch by Joan Bastla (former di- rector) and a skit by Marc Hely. After France they will visit Bel- glum, Switzerland and Holland. Jeanne Desclos, the Fren'.;h ac- tress, is reported to have df^finitely renounced the stage and Hcreea. and Is devoting her time to chicken breeding. The Theatre dea Varlete.i. after re.'iuming the summer run of "Ma Tande d'Honfleur" is reviving Paul Gavault's "La Petite Chocolntiere," with Andre Dubose, Andre l<Vr- nanne, A. Lefaur. Pauley, Haimu. aa male protagonists, and J me Ma mac In the lead. /: The Athenee haa again tak«>n on Felix Gandera'a comedy of laat season, "Atout . •. . Coeur" with Ar- naudy. C. Mosnier, Pierre Stephen, L. Rozenberg, Arm.and Morins. Mmes. Augustine Lerlche, Denise Grey and Madeleine Soria. Barbara Maurel haa returned to New York to fill concert eng.age- ments. after a tour through Switzer- land. Germany and Englanrl. She la returning to France In April and anticipatea an appearance at the Paria Opera Comlque. . Antoinette, who formerly had as I _ . . partner Orock. who In fact brought'next year, in ad<1ltlon to Mlddlf The Comedle des Champs hllyreoa will reopen Oct. 3 with "Lea Bac- chantes," three acts. i>y Jean P. Llausu. and an act by Paul Vialar, "Pohu Brave Homme" to be given by the Compagnoni du Griffon troupe, Fprsy's cabaret on the grand boulevards having beoa closed for alterations as a small picture hall the popular chansonnler Fursy has headed the new troupe of the Mou- lin de la Chanson, at Montmartre which Is not quite so dead as It looks. Thla cabaret has reopened with a revue iM Jean Rieux "Va ffalre Moudre," a really witty en- tertainment. American jazz music la accused of the decline of the French song in an amu.<)ing scene, impersonated by Lucy Pezet. Paul Mariner ia a bit hot In his dittle.s. The Moulin de la Chanson has a good show with an excellent troupe. We are likely to see F. rjemler producing American plays in Pans out this musical clown, la now ap- pearing at the Nouveau Cirque here after an ab.sence of aome yeara. The act waa first known aa Antoinette and Orofk. —— M. Ga brill Tenot. who already directs the Ciuq^ theatre and the Theatre dea TerneH, lia.s assumM-l control of the Theatre Montmartre. at r»res»'nt a picture house, but which he will restore to melodruma. Yvetto Guilbert Is now touring' wltj^ txfit .(roupe pf American girls. ^ ton'.s work already cho.sen for tho Odeon. The selection of another play i,-» n(>\y being considered J)y thrt Odeon m.inagement, and will l)ejr)no ■of—(4ve ta be Mulimittiul by ,Dram.I League of America, whi'-h aro "Tlie Hairy Ape" an.l "Anni Cbrislio" by Kugone O'Neill. "Th.' Great Divide' l)y Wm. Vaughn .Moody, The New York Idea' hv Langilon Mitdu'li, and ' Klrdiii;;" Ny (.'ha.^. Kenyon. The crnmitlc* asked to pick f»>r the final seK^^iion In' i''jarv'e (•onipri.'<"d Arlfi.T Wop* (Continued on page 36) -.sfcii