Variety (February 1923)

Thursday, February 15, 1923 NEW SHOWS THIS WEEK closing, doing it with his orchestra- tion bit at the finish. Oscar Martin and Co. opened the show with Mul- len and Francis fourth. Miss Fran- cis still lauths so heartily and shrilly at her partner's gags it's hard to determine if the audience is also laughing. Pilcer and Douglas with company of two men, one on the stage and the other leading the orchestra did about their old turn in hew settings and clothes. Miss Pilcer dresses are continuing to be the feature of an act that seemingly never cnanges In actual work. It slid away quietly after a flash dress arrangement for all three, the third member on the ' stage being an average dancer. Mr. Douglas is ruining his French hit with the old "Toot, Tootsie" song. That song4vas through months ago. Capacity Monday night. Stmt. ■-22Z gag lines la "what do you care as long as they laugh"—and It's short- sighted philosophy. The trojan work; done by this team, the young Diamonds and the main Diamonds with Goidch's band are worthy of reward and comment. The spontaneous comedy and the k^ds' flashy dancing kept the packed house in a clamor far beyond the regular blowoff hour. And the weekly repetition of this sort of home-made entertainment, topping bills already good enough for the money, cannot help giving the Broadway the most prosperous career. Lait. BROADWAY . regular vaudeville-goer, ac- customed to the routine of the vau- deville idea as it is executed in the houses where shows are shipped in and*'run off—every man for himself —opens his eyes irwidmiring wonder in the Broadway. Here seems to bo one theatre Intelligently booked and constructively managed. It is any- thing br.t cut-and-dried. No two weeks are alike. There is always something individual to each show that reveals the hand of someone who has idea>, enthusiasm, dlscrim- Ina tlon: Since the Holloway direction of this Muss house the business has leaped to amazing proportions Tuesday evening, with a storm out- side, the rule was fill-up and stond- up downstairs and upstairs. The show ran until 11.23. with the pic- tures yet to come. And ;i!mos; everyrnc remained In. Again there was a hand closing the i-'ho\". It wasn't tha greatest band- on earth, but It was alive—it had little novelties that v,ot very near" «he audience; almost the en- tire bill remained in and worked with the band to close. The per- formers put in not leJtt than T5 minute^' overtime, and that part of it was -the' star part of thy show. That sort of thing draws money and popularizes a theatre because it sends people out happy—and talk- Mng. The hand is Ernie Golden's. It is up'to the standard of the day. The numbers are alive, varied and pinctuated with shrewd little effects that cost nothing but are effective. Artd the musicians stand up to the test. too. Splitting the headline with this hold-over attraction was Dolly Kay, Miss Kay sang only two songs and did perhaps abouy live minutes, begging off with a speech claiming a cold. This caused the Aesop Fables to be run after her and In the middle of the bill to make a full- stage set. Noel Lester and a pretty little bob-haired girl opened in a melange of wire, ventriloquy and skillful magic with comedy exposures by the girl. An excellent turn from every standpoint. The Diamonds follow- ed, a youth and a girl, with two little boys brought on for a wind- up hurrah; this act is all there except bromidic lyrics before each number, of which the following is a verbatim and typical example: "Nowadays upon the stage Dancing seems to be the rage, And so I'll take a little chance And show to you my latest dance." Miss Diamond is an extravagant dresser. Her two imitations in •'My Man" were well done, though not close Imitations. The young man hoofs variously and engagingly and the two youngsters topped it for a slam. Paul Decker and company in ft falr_sketch called "I Hear" held up Tne spot, marred only by a hysterical dramatic speech by Decker in an effort to reach a climax. Half of the speech, de- livered with somewhat less cres- cendo, would leave it a pleasanter farce and get it further, as it will never qualify for a morality play or a problem drama. Robert Reilly and Co., also show- ed a little fellow. This boy is an actor, too good, if anything. Bor his years and inches he bares a stage ease and surencss that is al- most alarming. Reilly is a pleasing singer of romantic Irish songs, as- sfsted by an amazingly pretty col- leen (Molly Kennedy according to the lobby billing) and the whole skit is acceptable and keeps moving briskly, though never attaining star speed. If the encore was sprung sooner and Miss Kennedy .went further for a new encore (perhaps with Reilly in an epilogue in Amer- ica after emigrating to the promised land from the dear little isle) it could easily work up to the best time. Howard and Lewis, a typical straight-unci -<onnc two-man next- to-shut team. made, good heavily. Some of their material is deplorable. It is not only blue, but vulgar. They spit in each other's faces beyond even low comedy necessities, and some of the asides to the folks in front were offensive. The closing song, though it drew encores, is of a sort discarded years ago by per- formers who expect to thrive on the upmost strata. Here Is a clever and worth-while team, deliberately mak- ing itself impossible for the he t by going after unsavory laughs that aren prese CITY The City's show the flrst half was just one of those machine- made cut and dried eight-act ar- rangements with slow spots, weak spots and others that might best be. described as unconscious spots as* far as- the audience was con- cerned. Maybe the audience came to see the pictures Tuesday night, though. There wasn't an overflow by any means. Two piano acts within a turn of each other didn't help the.running. Sid Gold nnd Brother, No. 2. were the flrst to reach >m with the music box. The "Mr. Booze" song for a finish called for a blue spot. That's what Gold wanted. What he got was a hazy, foggy blue light that pretty nearly blotted out the stagr. Biglqw and Clinton, the second turn to upe a piano, were fourth. They did a flock of published num- bers, handled competently. The Pete Curley Trio, third, entertained with a pleasant little arrangement of singing, talking and dancing. Curley's ability as a "Tad' comic calls for a better vehiole with more weight than the one now used. The dancing got Vm. The turn suffices for the neighborhood houses. Henry Frey and Betty Jordan next to closing with a routine of hoke made to order for houses like the City. Frey Is using a trick m'staehe and appears to .have otherwise changed his make-up a bit. Preceding were the Breen Family with dancing, music and club Jug- gling. The spot ahead held Emily Darrell. nut comic. Mise Darrell at least is^different from most of the single women in vaudeville. The idea for a dandy comedy turn is there, but the material n:cds a lot of strengthening. Miss Dar.-ell made 'em laugh, but there were too many points at which the act seemed to stop cold. Five Steppers closed and Steubenfleld Trio opened. "The Marriage Chance" was the feature picture. tances most of ths skating tricks of its typo. A smartly costumed and modernly produced turn that will stick out anywhere Its put. Billy Gould (New Acts) next, and Josephine Harmon and Co., third. Miss Harmon does character stuff with an individual style and method that suggests she should do that mostly. The material used in her present turn may bo the kind of stuff neighborhood houses like, but It doesn't look to be the best suited to Miss Harmon. There's too much conventional comedy and too much that is familiar. Four exclusive character numbers, one a ballad that would exhibit her pleasing singing voice, and an accompanist that* does nothing else appears to be the thing for Miss Harmon. With that arrangement she ought to jump right up with the single women big league leaders In a hurry. Dorothy Sadlier and Co. In the satirical comedy "1999" made 'em laugh all the way. The transposing of the relative positions of men and women as De Mille predicted it in 1999 has been done numerous times in sketches, dating back to the days of the "new woman craze," "bloomer girl" of 25 years ago. etc., but the idea Is always good for comedy resulta Morris and Shaw next to closing with talk and singing caught a quieter house than the turns who had to battle 'em earlier and kept 'em laughing and applauding con- sistently. "Movie Masques" a dancing turn with several people in it closed. "Paris by Night" was the feature. Bell. CABARET * Bell 58TH ST. Only five regular acts carded for the first half due to the "Local Fol- lies" in the closing spot. The neigh- borhood girls drew early. At 8 o'clock they were standing. Each of the quintet of turns had comedy as its principal item, with the re- sult it was a laughing evening. Van and Vernon, preceding the amateur production, "cleaned" for the performance with their hap- hazard routine. The couple could have returned for an additional en- core, but were satisfied with the situation and bowed away grace- fully. Previously the bill registered eveply and to fat point where the professional end ,r»f, the entertain- ment ended at 9:30. Leonard and St. John (New Acts) deuced it, following Ruge and Rose, who, with a see-saw pole locked to a swinging trapeze, did seven min- utes to appreciation. This opener has a continental flavor that with one or two flash tricks added should be able to step forth as the be- ginner in any of the twice daily houses. Basil and Allen, No. 3, extracted a few outright howls from the patrons with their reccultlng skit. It was reported the men had re- cently reunited after having been separated, although they played to- gether for years previous to the break. The act is a solid laugh procurer and can make certain clienteles scream- Beyond that it should prove sure entertainment throughout the larger family the- Atr68 "Loads of Misery" CNew Acts) took about five minutes before the house had a gleaning as to what It was all about and finished with at least half the patronage still in the dark. Nevertheless, the accompani- ment to the action in the sketch was appreciated, with the conclusion bringing forth an average outburst. Skiff. EDITH GOULD'S ESTATE (Continued from page 14) death the principal is to become part of the residuary estate. The remainder of her property equally between the seven children of the testatrix, who are Klngdon Gould, born Aug. 15. 1887; Jay Gould, Sept. 1, 1888; Marjorle G wynne Gould Drexel, Sept. 11, l!i90; Vivien Gould Decies, May 2, 1892; George J. Gould, Jr., March 28, 1S96; Edith Gould Wainwright, Aug. 3. 1901, and Gloria Gould. March 3, 1906, In trust for :ife, with the power to will the principal to his or her Issue in such proportions as such beneficiary cares to give. If there be any issue and the power of appointment is not exercised then the issue of such child is to take the principal of their parent's share equally. Should there be no issue and the power to will the principal be not exercised, then such principal is to go to "my lineal descendants." The husband, George J. Gould; the son. Jay Gould, both of Lake- wood, N. J., and Charles Prentice Noyes, friend, of 7 PArk avenue. New York, without bonds, were named and qualified as the exe- cutors of the estate. The Equitable Trust company, of New York, is trustee. Mrs. Cculd, who died of heart disease while playing golf on the private golf course at Georgian Court, on the outskirts of Lake- wood, was a native of Brooklyn, N. Y., about 56 years old and. before her marriage to Mr. Gould, Sept. 14, 1886, had distinguished herself on the stage. Among the scores of messages of tribute received at the Georgian Court at the time of her death were many from men and women of the theatrical profession. Edith Klngdon, as she was known on the stage, was playing in amateur theatricals In Brooklyn in the early 80's when a business manager of the Boston theatre thought he saw in her promising material for the It is up to the county attorneys of Kansas to enforce the prohibitory laws, according to an announce- ment made to those officials, at their recent meeting, by United States District Attorney Williams, of Kan- sas. The later official served notice that no help could be expected from his office, except in cases where the action was necessary by reason of federal jurisdiction The advice was given during Mr Williams' address to the county attorneys and caused a sensation. He said "The United States court will not be turned Into a police court, for the prosecu- tion of booze cases." He also inti- mated he had received orders rela- tive to the question and It is sup- posed the orders referred to came from Washington. The meeting at which the Williams address was made was called by Attorney Gen- eral Charles B. Griffith, of Kansas, who gave the county officials some straight from the shoulder instruc- tions regarding their duties. He told them that the state laws were go- ing t 0 be enforced for the next two years or they would have to account personally for the failure. The dry forces are jubilant over the stand taken by the head of the state's legal forces and predict that the state will really be bone dry in a short time. Mr. Griffith made no distinction over law violations and has stated before that he intends I to enforce all laws alike. If he does it will mean that the theatres in a few of the Kansas towns, especially those on the Kansas side of this city will be deprived of their ban- ner days business. Leslie J. Stevens now has ths orchestra privilege at Olovrr Gar- dens, New York (dance pla ). suc- ceeding Joseph C. Smith of the Ho- tel Plasa, New York. Smith had agreed to personally appear and direct after 10 evenings but did not do so. Harry Pearl, for some time with Irving Berlin. Ire, is manag- irj the Clover Gardens, which almi for seml-exclusiveness. The $1.50 male and 11.25 female admission la scaled for that ^jrpose. Dorsldina, Frankie James, an acrobatic team, and 10 girls are due to leave New York, to open around Feb. 23 at the Green Mia Gardens, Chicago, with Doraldlna handling the whole show at $3,000 weekly and 50 per cent, of the oouver. Tha Green Mill will charge $1 at the gate or It may be as a table charge. It seats 1,500 and lately changed hands. Tom Chemales sold the place ho had operated so long to Joe Glaser, a Chicago dealer in used cars. The Green Mill was threatened for a time with a federal'injunction for selling but a court declined to grant (Continued on page 21) when it started overseas for a sum- mer tour, and a report of their en- gagement caihe from Paris. He re- turned to this country in advance of the company and met Miss Kingdon and her mother upon their return. Two weeks later they were married at the home of Jay Gould, at lr» vington, N. Y., with all the members of the Gould family present. Mrs. George J. Gould subsequent- ly appeared a few times in private theatricals. VU Christmas time, 1899, she took part in 'The Twilight of the Gods," a playlet by Mrs. Ed- ward "Wharton, presented in an Im- provised theatre in the carriage house at Georgian Court.. In Janu- ary, 1908, she played Mrs. Van Vechten in "Mrs. Van Vechten's Divorce Dance," a play f!ven at one performance in the ball room of the Hotel Plaza. New York. During the World War Mrs. Gould was chairman of the entertainment committee of the mayor's committee for Women on National Defense, di- recting entertainments given at the Brooklyn Navy Yard and at various hospitals in New York city. She also took an active part in other war work, including the Red Cross. Miss Sinclair, who played In "The Girl in the Film." a musical farce adapted from the German by James T. Tanner and produced on Dec. 30, 1913, at the 44th street theatre, New York, by George Grossmlth, the English comedian, is now about 30 years old. She was born at South Dakota, and is a daughter of Alex- ander Campbell Sinclair and Letltia E. Moell Sinclair. 23rd STREET A rough and ready holiday crowd that pushed and jostled good noturedlv In a wild rush for seats after each turn Monday night. Be- sides the holiday there wan try-out night to bring 'em in. three tria. entries starting as supplementary to the regular six-art show These were Joseph White, Lindervlllc Brothers and Murphy, Bartels and Co. i:.-ege and Qupee. a skating Uirn with a flock of classy tricks started the regular show off at a gallop. A neckwhirl Introducing a patented arrangement with the girl of the duo " even Teressarv■" to their pivoting as well as whirling, while ent progress O ** their pet' the man is also whirling, outdis- consented to try out for the cast of a new play on the road. She opened as Eve Malvoise in "Youth" at the Academy of Music, Baltimore. Jan. 30, 1882, and for the next two years played on the road. She ap- peared as Mabel Hungerford in "The World," "Daphne" In "The White Slave" and Ada* Summers in "A Free Pardon." In March. 1888, Miss Kingdon played Ellen Maitland in "50.000 Lbs.," a story of pluck, at the Bos- ton theatre, and from that time on until she was engaged by Augustln Daly, played leading parts In Bos- ton successes. As Princess Meta she appeared 250 nights In "Jalma." She also appeared in "Love and Money" and "Kit." In 1884 she was engaged by Mr. DaTy on the eve of a European tour, and in the following November scored a success in New York city as Mrs. Margery Gwynn in 'Love on Crutches." Previously she had appeared in "The Wooden Spoon." Miss Kingdon met Mr. Gould dur- ing the yens at Daly*'. His pres- ents 0 f flowers and his nightly per- formances of escorting her to her carnage caused some comment as to bow J ay Ciould. his father, then famous in the railroad world, would receive Hie possible news of an en- gagement to the actress. George J. Gould followed the Daly company PASS GRAFTER6 (Continued from page 14) via the trusty mineograph. Some hundred or more card reports on the activities of various applicants for stock oMhat organization, and she I free seats also have been forwarded to the members A questionnaire has been framed by the committee, which is mailed to various applicants for seats. The information gathered is compiled for the general record. This ques- tionnaire requests the name, address and phone number of the applicant, his New York newspaper connec- tions, out-of-town papers repre- sented, syndicate service and whether the publication is dally, weekly or occasional. There is also a request for the nature of the serv- ice, general or exclusively theatrical, and at the end a request for the name and address of the employer. The replies on some of the ques- tionaires have been such they are amazing when judged by what standpoint various grafters base their right to free tickets upon. Among some two dozen reports that have been Issued in card form by the information bureau there Is not :i?nne some interesting informa- tion hilt some highly humorous In- cidents are brought to the surface. tmong th >se listed are a minister and a Y. M. C. A. worker. The former usually writes and says: "I would very much appreciate the pleasure and privilege of seeing your p*ay not alone for my own Joy- but thftt l'could the better extol and tlonnalre' and refused to answer it. The Y. M. C. A. worker says that he makes "oral reviews" of plays. He has not been heard from as yet < n the questionnaire sent him. In one of the general press repre- sentative offices there recently was an order to the effect no passes were to be Issued without a written request One of the regular pass getters objected to this and sug- gested that he be placed on the *ec- ond night list, as he was on that list of a number of producers. A search of the records revealed that such was not the case, but the ques- tionnaire was sent anyway. His an. swer was that he' had no New York paper connection and that "he had his own syndicate to which he sent a weekly theatrical and literary let- ter. The syndicate consisted as fir ' as could be discovered of two pub- lications In one night stands. A member of. a large firm of decorators also claimed to be the correspondent Of a west coast pub- lication which in reality is a hotel house organ. Another regular pasn fiend was formerly on the sta.'Z of a New York theatrical paper, now defunct Still wlfh the pass bee he Claims to be working for several of the larger news syndicates, which deny he is with them. Then there is a foreign tongue publication which from its letter- head would lead One to believe it wis published in New York, while in reality it is a little community paper. One report which deals with the representative of a southern paper states that he t>cnds a negro with his requests, which come so fre- quently that the soles of the negro'* shoes are worn very thin. Another of the grafting ilk w.as once a win- dow dresser for B. Altman & Co. and claims a syndicate connection sending in clippings to which a type-written slip is attached stat- ing that it Is from a Florida paper. Oh checking up It was discovered that the clippings resembled the "Evening Journal" in type style and carried the typographical er- rors that the "Journal" had. Another who has been getting passes along the street for 20 years is a free lance press agent. All press agents have given him count- less passes during the years he has been operating. In reply to the questionnaire sent him. he stated that he was "not writing for any city or out-of-town publication, but hoped to," also that last spring he was negotiating with a New Jersey publication, but that the deal foil through. The P. A. A. is holding its meet- ings regularly and adding to the list of information cards almost dally. It fe»ls in time that through- out the country there will be some a responsive movemet': to New York supplied with creden commend, it from my own nersooulj tials so that he fjUi receive U knowledge." He was'sent a ques-. courtesy due him. - ■-- — - - ---—^-—-*-"—««— sort o' among the local press representa- tives or house managers whereby the pass grafters In their own ter- ritory will be wiped out and thai through each of these local organ- izations there will be ah inter- ehange of Information whereby the pass grafter will be ended, with the deserving newspaper man coming