Variety (January 1923)

- --. * Friday, January 19, 1923 NEW SHOWS THfcvWEEK am Crasy Rico and Prevost fall* Together with Bert Melrose balanc- 1 in5on a pUt of tables (but the tablet are clamped together) had the assistance of * vociferous French ingenue who giggled and fussed and took most of the bows. She continually spilled such spark- lers as "You're entirely too fresh." and behaved as though someone had ■wised her that animation and con- fusion meant pep and progress. Clark'.* falls were great; but the ftuppor was very concert-hall. Smith and Nash, an evening- dressed light comic and a Tuxedoed straight man (evidently having plotted t > do It "neat and classy" instead ot "charactering up"), also had a good time laughing at one another's nifties. The swallow- tailed one did a stew. Wife-panning, parodies very olose to the line, gags about stealing one another's wives, a broad Gallagher and Shean ref- erence at the main getaway, and a blue encore made up the routine. Mabel Burke, a 23rd street favor- ite, assisted this time by Lucille Dumont, eang several songs and went to her moving picture illus- .-trated songs for a closer in "one." The lighting of this act was fero- cious. Miss Dumont wore a salmon pink gown and Miss Burke closed In an Alice blue v Behind this there wan a greenish" drape. And the borders spat purplish reds, which, with an amber spot, made as garish an * eye-murdering clash as the orchestra was dishing up car- wrecking discords and sour notes. If ever physical felonies were com- mitted against the chances of a rather likable turn, the main the- atre sense:* got them in this one. The audience, however, was not hypercritical, and gave Miss Burke a pleasant «end-off. Basil and Allen acquitted them- selves with aplomb in the prc- closing spot, and easily took what honors the bill affoided. The come- dian is a sympathetic little wop- dialeeter who has the appealing technique of Krank Conroy, and the big. upstanding straight man in khaki is a square-shouldered and manly feeder. This team has pros- pects. The laughs are almost con- tinuous. One more good climax near the end of the routine, just before the exit, may put it past the barriers. Blair and Glasgow Maids (New Acts) shut' it. For 22 minutes it was a succession of unimportant hornpipes, flings, Scotch ballads and home-made lypeum stuff, and, in the last of the 22, redeemed itself with one punch—the best two- handed Scotch bass-drumming ever seen or heard, anywhere, sending it off to a hurrah. Lait. 58TH ST. A seven-act bill, the first half of which was more big than small time. Even at that it had first rate com- edy and plenty of variety and from start to finish honest specialty ma- terial, well laid out to get full re- turn. Special interest attaches to the bill, for it marks the return to the stage of Barry & Wolford, doing their old specialty, but having it in- corporated in a semi-sketch with the assistance of two other people (New Acts). Cliff Curran, probably imported "perch act, with some novel points (New Acts), opened the show nicely. Boland and Knight, sister act, have Improved immensely in style and ar- rangement of a simple turn. They make a brisk entrance and go promptly into a good rag comedy number concerning the red-headed girl's beau having been stolen away by the brunet, and working nicely on this situation with amusing phi- losophy in the lyrics. Without pause and to the same or a similar melody they go into a double dance with excellent legmanla, being attractive- ly dressed in chiffon frocks of pas- tel shades. One Is off while the other starts a number about the "Sheik of Alabama." Then a fine change of pace in a sentimental number with "Mightv Lak a Rose" worked In. Plantation melodies follow and-sen- timental ditties. The finish is weak, both changing into boy and girl clothes for a final number. Won a great response among the Third avenuers, amounting to four bends. Zeck and Randolph have the fa- miliar song and dance sketch, "Grooming the Groom." working better than ever. It has amusing rough low comedy, a lot of bright man and woman conversational ex- changes and some capital singing. Why they burden the opening with the rambling speeches about mar- riage and marriages Is not apparent. It doesn't do the offering a bit of * good, and most of the talk can't be heard, anvway. The man's cor.i:dy song, "The Best Man." is good com- edy stuff and leads into a rough- house episode with a dummy that is full of guffaws for the unsophisti- cated. This furnishes the filler for a change for the woman, and for the finale they use "Here Comes the Bride," as well worked up a double number as you could find in a goo 1 many split week turns. Barry and Wolford next for a J0- minute riot, with special unnoal to this neighborhood el Ion tele, and then George r.cMaire ami Co. In the <'-»m <l\ imuflli called "The Dentist," but holding the idea and most of the material of the osteopath from the "FollifM" of several seasons back. It's a whale of h low comody turn, calculated for any grade of audience. It Would he a tough bird that wouldn't set a laugh out of burly. LeMalre manhandling little Joe Phil* lips. There is genuine, robust humor In the whole 17 minutes, and the right kind of laughter goes with it, the kind that starts at the dia- phragm and comes In explosions. Joe Phillips came on for a moment to do a bit with Eddie Nelson, the blackface comedian, a little m n with a big voice and a way of get- ting rags, "blues" and "mammy" songs over that has a touch of Al Jolson himself, on whom doubtless Nelson has modeled his style. His turn Is brief, with probably no more than four songs and very little talk. It took only about 11 minutes Tues- day night, but batted out a home run. Toy Ling Foo and C/>. gave the closing a good flash. The magic moves swiftly, although the routine has no special novelty. Mostly it is made up of nicely handled mechani- cal apparatus, such as producing a dozen live pigeons from various re- ceptacles. But the dressing of the turn is picturesque and sightly, and that carries an act of this sort a long way. Rush. REGENT Opportunity Night (Tuesday) per-' mitting the local talent to try out, and the Biltmore Orchestra (New Acts) drew 'cm in to the extent of standing room. TJie special feature is a twice-weeklyJfcffair, with the later event placed so the last-half program will benefit thereby. The show evidently pleased In the main, with, of course, the band top- ping for applause honors and the Sarah Padden* sketch grabbing off 'the runner-up position. Miss Pad- den, No. 3. seems to be greatly influ- enced t>y the audience. If the pa- trons sit quiet and give evidence that they're interested she about works her head off, but if there's any sign of em walking, it's the "office" for her to start nagging the house and getting through the Act as fast as possible. But the Regent assem- blage was all In her favor, and the act had no trouble in scoring. A new woman has been installed In the opposite feminine role. Herbert Ashley preceded the clos- ing turn, accompanied by a mixed team. The present vehicle is far from standard, and contains nothing outside of three or four songs which carry Ashley's mediocre parodies as a second chorus. A few of the lines reveal a tendency to lean over the border, though not gaining much thereby, with one being Just outright blue. As might be expected it's the howl of the act, but it won't add to Ashley's'reputation. The boy In the turn possesses a fair voice, while the woman means little in value other than to be discussed as a mar- riageable proposition, permitting of remarks questionable for good taste on her figure, and so forth. Zaza and Adele opened .with their dancing routine of four numbers, which satisfied. The winners of a previous Opportunity Night contest, in the persons of Phil and Ed Ross, were allotted the second position, and Van-.Schencked themselves to a splendid finish. • 8kUf. i MIDNIGHT ROUNDERS This unit, featuring Joe Smith and Charley Dale of the old Avon Com- edy Four vaudeville quartet, should do business on any circuit. The show is chockful of meaty enter- tainment, comedy, clever people, pretty girls and snappy action. There isn't a dull moment, the specialties snapping on after the riotous comedy scenes without a hitch, no stalling for bows or en- cores—in fact, leaving them want- ing more all through—to break into another full stage comedy scefhe or another flash, with the girls strut- ting on in a bewildering array of costumes. The show is one of those happy combinations. Smith and Dale have four full stage comedy scenes that "wham" them. "A Hungarian Rhap- sody," their old vaudeville restau- rant act, with Frank J. Corbett and Jack Strousc as the waiters; "The Wintergarden Stage Door," with the comics as Johnnies trying to "make" the girls as they come out; "The Doctor's Shop," the last half of the vaudeville act, with Dale as Dr. Kronkheit and Smith the ailing cus- tomer, and "Moe's Blue Front," a clothing store scene that is one howling wow from start to finish. Jane Green as a wise cracking chorus dame who knows all the routines, shares - honors with the comics in the stage door scene. This girl is full of personality, a real blonde beauty and a singer of Jazz songs who will make her mark. Sfle tied the show up cold with a spe- cialty and led several other num- bers each of which could have en- cored. In the specialty Green and Blyler Mr. Blyler was at the piano for three songs. Miss Green deliver- tng the other to orchestra aceom-. paniment. Her delivery of a stut- tering song was * a tongue-tied classic. Jack Btrouse landed In his black- face specialty. "At the Telephone ,"' •by Johnny li.vnian. which Stron -.• played around on the small time. The idea is still stronger than the de- livery, but Htrotise will make the grade, for he has lots of stuff and Is improving. His voice is a big asset, tlm'O song's mixed in his routine landing solidly. Lillian Wa hburn wa< graceful, sweet and melodious out front h'a«'_ ing "A Symphony In Drees," barked =T» by eight good looking show girls la decollete costumes. The girls num- bered 14, broken up sometimes In © eights, being on often all together. About half were cute ponies. Other specialties were the Vee Sisters, two cute kids who had two singing specialties that blended nicely with the production. T' e Vees sang sweetly and harmoni- ously, sticking to pop songs. They danced a bit and looked nice in their two costume changes. Jean Carroll, a pretty blonde dancing soubret, was out front of several numbers, lead- ing "A Rattling Good Time." "Back to the Farm" and "A Bushel of Kisses," all backed by the chorus. The show is in two acts, the fl. tt part discarding the usual olio se- quence and opening with a prolog of allegorical characters which serve to introduce the principals and get the show started speedily. Miss Green gave them their first thrill, following this singing "The Land of the Blues" in a one-piece costume that would get a stare from a statue. She is a symphony In black mesh stockings and has a pair .of gams that would sell stockings to an African head hunter. The Vee Sisters followed In their snappy song and dance routine by Jean Carroll and Davey White. "A Comedian Wanted," short and snap- py, was a bit of cross fire and song from Jack Strouse. Frarfk Corbett and Lillian Washburn, followed by RegaF and Moore in "Circus Days." This pair of acrobats and the aerial stunt are using the same vehicle they showed around in the vaade- ville houses for seasons. The talk can stand a trifle freshening. The rough comedy and falls were a smashing hit. Smith, Dale, Corbett and Strouse in "A Hungarian Rhapsody" con- cluded a hard to beat first act. The program credits the book to Harold Atterldge; lyrics, Al Bryan; music, Jean Schhrtz; staging. Lew Morton; musical numbers. Jack Ma- son; additional numbers by Leo Edwards, all staged under the per- sonal direction of J. J. Shubert. The production.whlch is not new as far as scenery is concerned, is far from a "cheap nut." An esti- mate from one in a position to know has the weeklv overhead at about $4,000. At this rate "The Midnight Rounders" should show a profit at the end of the season unless the "re- peats" necessary by the restricted number of weeks take the edge off it the second time around. It will fare better than any of the others and wear longer. Com* SPORTS CABARET Poliee Commissioner Enright was called upon by the Board of Esti- mate in New York to explain why he wanted more policemen and also why there were over 750 New York patrolmen detailed to cabarets, restaurants and other places. It is thought the city administration is behind the move. Now that elec- tion is over in some quarters it is said Tammany Hall chiefs believe it would be wiser to allow the en- forcement thing to run riot as it did with its climax New Year's Eve, when a reform could be brought about in line with public opinion. Magistrate McQuade last week se- verely criticised a police officer for picking up a bottle from a restau- rant table and drinking its contents, while searching for a liquor viola- tion. Most of the detailed police- men are In the Times square inspection district governed by Inspector James S. Boland. Many of the enforcement men in restau- rants are on the payrolls, j: is .-aid, of the places they are presumed to watch. One detailed policeman is related to have explained why he did not make an arrest instead of warning a party at a tablo not to again expose liquor by saying: "You don't suppose I am a fool, do you? I'll never see those people again but I may often meet others. And there aro 'other reasons'." In another restaurant the detailed man acted as entertainer during the late nicjht, doing a song and dance and drink- ing with parties at*tables. When an indictment against Gypsyland. New York, an all-night cabaret, for sell- ing was dismissed last week its at- torney stated that unless the de- tailed policeman was removed from the restaurant, It would apply lor an injunction against police inter- ference. Almost any of the op- pressed cabarets could have applied for an injunction, but they didn't seem to care to relieve themselves of the police in that way. It was understood the general feeling has been the restaurant men don't "want to go up against the cops," thinking they would eventually receive the worst of it by aggressive action, although the police persecution finally drove them out of business. radium effect finale. Freddie Ri."he- man is the local manager for Young, who is receiving the cover charge for his share. The liquor situation In Detroit and other adjacent cities differs greatly from that of New York as far as the supply of rye and Scotch is concerned. New York for months has received but little good rye, with Scotch fairly plentiful and of a fair grade, although "green." De- troit is being heavily supplied with good Canadian r>e, with Scotch very scarce. The rye is secured through Windsor, Ont., directly across, the river from Detroit. Although Ontario is a dry province through local option it has several distilleries working at capacity making rye. The provincial law specifies that al) liquor distilled in Ontario be for export purposes only. The distilleries ship their whiskey to Windsor, where It Is loaded upon whatever boats are moc-ed alongside the docks, with the Canadian customs officers check- ing out each case, their responsibil- ity and that of the distillery ceasing there. In this way Detroit is being well supplied with rye, but the chances of securing Scotch are very slight, as the Ontario distillery In- terests are making an effort to see that Scotch Is not transported across their own province from the province of Quebec. By liquidating a judgment for $355 which Barney Gerard and the estate of Henry C. Miner held against him, Jack Johnson side- stepped the hoosegow. He ap- peared before Sheriff Percy E. Nagle Tuesday and settled up after December adjudged the colored pugilist guilty of contempt In fail- ing to appear for examination in supplementary proceedings. Jus- tice John H. Tierney signed an order committing "Lfl Arthur" to jail unless the balance due on the judgment ($250 plus $105 costs) was paid by the middle of De- cember. A warrant of attachment was served on Johnson before he set- tled. The judgment arises from a suit for $1,400 for breach of con- tract with the burlesque manager. Justice Isidor Wasservogel of the New York Supreme Court early In^rum runners who have been bilked "Pirate stuff" abounds in the waters outside the three-mile limit, off the Atlantic coast, according to the stories of the goings on. It's a thrilling tale in all of its details, out-doing the Capt. Kidd adventures and booze Is the center of, if. Ships coming in rum-laden have been robbed in true pirate style by tugs or small vessels going out to moot them. It made the circle for Jhe The capacity gate rover $50,000 at $7 top) at Madison Square Garden last Friday night was a fistic mys- tery. Floyd Johnson and Bill Bren- nan were the contestants Hn the main bout. But there was special reason why all the fight bugs In town should have wanted to see the heavies In action. There was no title at stake, nor could either of the men, through winning, demand a match with the champion as a con- tender, at least not in the Immediate future. Still, the Bale was stopped at the Garden early Thursday after- noon and speculators asked and apparently got $20 apiece for «dngle tickets. Johnson, hailing from the west, has five knock-outs to his credit, but against mer, not of high calibre Brennan is considered the best trial horse for heavyweight aspirants, and with Floyd doped as a possible future champion, public interest was easily fanned by "box office" Storlet in the spotting pages of the dailies. The bout Went the limit of 15 rounds, with Johnsoi always on the winning end. He forced the fighting and four or five times staggered Pi enn.-m, v. hnj ■■ <•< • t pnrf u i man e* was given In the Garden two years ago, when it to«»u Jack Dempsey IS roui ds to km*i< hini out. Jack at the time said ho was out of con- dition, which was later found to be correct. At that, Dempsey is the only man who did put the k. o. on (Continued on page 33) Fanchon and Marco have staged a new revue at the Palais Royal. San Francisco. The cast includes the same principals of the former floor show with the addition of Mile. Vanessl, who has returned after a few month's absence. She is an established favorite here and is an unusual dancer of ability and personality. Frances Williams is another "find" whose forte Is Jaaz dancing and the warbling of synco- pated melodies. In one of the num- bers the boys from the orchesta parade around with the performance on the floor. The "Doll" episode, announced ds from the "Music Box." a whistling song and a currently popular published number ore other worthy features. Fanchon and Marco, with their personal follow- ing, can stay here as long as they like. Their dancing specialties are still the outstanding hit of the show despite the excellent talent which supports them. Curtis Mann's or- chestra for show and dancing also draws. Duilio Sherbo's injunction su!t against the Clover Gardens, Inc. and Joseph C. Smith will be tried in New York next week, having been placed on the short-cause cabman i. The musical contractor wishes to enjoin Smith from playing at the Grand Central Palace dance plac . Smith has since severed bis connee - tlon at the Clover Gardens. -The latter corporation has»countersu« d for $10 600 on two causes. One Is that Sherbo received two weeUs' salary for his 49 musicians, total- ing $5,600, when not entitled to 11. The second is that through misrep- resenting the cost of the musicians per week he has been Overpaid $6,000. Sherbo's contract Is for one year, exclusively from last May. Ho installed an orchestra with Bert Ambrose in charge, which was dis- charged Dec. 2 for alleged viola- tions, such as lack of discipline In- feriority, card playing during busi- ness, cigarette smoking, etc. by counterfeit money, defaulters and every avenue of fraudulent dealings, with the booze conveyers helpless to legally defend them- selves, something the pirates also depend upon. At first the pirating was made easy through the rum runners be- ing caught unawares. A liquor ship would allow a tug or small boat to come alongside when the crew of seven or more from the smaller vessel would clambor aboard the contraband with guns pointed, seize as many cases as their boat would hold. This was usually about 200 cases. Later the runners required a signed order be presented by some' New York firm they knew before anyone could come aboard. This was quickly circumvented by the pirates, who presented forged orders, continuing the piracy that still goes on. Ernie Young's "Cave Follies of 11)23." current at the Orunewald Hotel, New Orleans, Is in three sections. The opening number of the first part Is a good flash run- ning to Dutch costuming with a windmill effect in the millinery, odd and novel. It Is led by. Anna Greenway, a preUy girl exuding a world of personality. A vocal sur- prise occurred in the singing spe- cialty of Lloyd Garret, who pos- sesses a rich tenor voice. Another Incident during the initial stanza was a "pop" number headed by Bddie Matthews, shot through for a swift and snappy effect. The •tuccppiiing third of the performance brought forward Mile. Marion and Martinez Kindall (recently at the Marigold 1 Gardens, Chicago) In a waltz specialty. The spins of the girl got popular acclaim. Miss ll fi i i t way 'h mimt.. r in front w.u. evidently employed for Its contra I ing effect. The nnal section of the entertain- ment cemented the general appeal, It held a "pearl" Incident. Mile $35 a case (also the New York Marion did a Salome bit that left price); Piper Heidslrk champagne, lit'ip to the imagination. A pub-24 pints to case at $90 a case, anJ * llshed melody was used for the. (Continued on pago 32) Rye whiskey has gone up a trifle In price since New Year's. Good rye is selling at $86-$90; Scotch holds around $80-$85; gin is |$| a case; Imported sherry, $55; Bicardi rum, $80-$85 (although the phony Bicardi sells at $50); beer at $3.'. a barrel (120 bottles), and ale at $10- $45 a barrel. One recent order of 50 barrels of beer was eold at $:'.i a barrel. Vintage champagne can be had at $105-$110 a case, in 10-case lots. It's a dealer's price for Clio not 1911. To bring out the difference when a layman is buying directly, a layman recently bought 30 cases of the same Cliquet, paying $125 a case for it. In Chicago now the market quotation for good Scotch Is $105 a case, with good Scotch aa rye * rarity out there. . Liquor prices are dpwn a little in Chicago and those on the inside edit get Some good Scotch at a pri< •> lower than has been known here recently. J.. ■. Mil ward IV, in chh lots, is quoted at $100 a case; Black an,d White, in case lots. $100; Old Dawson Curio, $!I0 a case; gin (with usual Gordon label) in case lot*.