Variety (April 1923)

""^■'jf {T^^r-r >'■:: *^'i«fiat:^arujnafjr ;v^^ipvnv^*' NEW SHOWS THIS WEEK Th^rpday, April 12»J923 licConnlck's play, la a ppl« ndid typ« of virile AnierU-an m-iuhuo<l. His final triumph over his city- bred rival Htruck a popular and rc- fiponslve chord. The act went hkc the fire. Topi'j? 9tnrte«1 «Iowly, but pulled several laughs near the finish with new guKs. Howard and Linf (New Acts) followed, orcning a,ttvv Inter- mission. Ben Meroff, the leader of Mar- berger's Kntortainers, another one of the j.ozz band combos, stopped the show with his cctcntric ind Rus- sian dancing. Meroff first plays a couple of instruments leading the numbers, then steps out front for some nifty stopping. The band is of average ability, which, coupled with Meroff's versatility and clever- ness, make it sure flre for the two- a-day bills as Jong as the present jazx craze lasts. Lillian Shaw closed, held nearly All and scorca solidly following a long and late Uill. Miss Shaw switched her routine somewhat, opening with the "Wop" character •Ad song, then following with the **vainp" number, which she has built up to strong proportions. She haA no trouble at the Colonial, where she has always been a favor- Itei The lower floor was filled Monday, with standees back of the rail. Con. coulil give some of the lesser Jazz orchestras u run for ihelr money. The overture is spotlighted from both sides of the house, and it de- serves it. The Australian Woodchoppere sawed the 60-inch lo^ in half in jig- tline and chopped their way through two more logs of the same size with the usual contest accompaniment. It's a standard turn that always pleases. The Chung Hwa Trio has a tenor who sounds more like John McCor- nrick than it wae thought any Ori- ental ever could. That is to say, if the tenor in the Chung Hwa Trio is really an Oriental. The three Chinks stopped the show, second, AMERICAN ROOF With a Buster Keaton''comedy se- lected #0 start the evening's enter- tainment, fUe Roof bill the first half held up nicely. Tuesday evening found the house but fairly well filled, with the show running throughout without any outstanding features but furnishing standard entertainment. Vacca and Co., pro- ducing rag pictures, with a young woman aiding vocally, opened the show nicely, Ro.ss and Edwards, a two-man team, taking it up from then on. With an introductory verse they inform the audience they will endeavor to offer something new. This they fall to do, giving over their efforts to pop numbefs and stereotyped imitations. Their ability would suggest something better. As they stand. No. 2 is the best that oan be looked for. In that spot on the Roof they fared well enough. Gordon, Girlie and Gordon. No. 3, with a novelty routine of acrobatics, dancing and vocal work by the young woman, made the spot stand out. Confined to nine minutes their efforts met requirements, the com- edy contortion work of the two m^ letting the trio off nicely. Murray Bennett experienced easy sailing in th« comedy division, notwithstand- ing a hysterical woman in the audi- ence, who disrupted his routine of talk. The laughs came thick and fast in response to the chatter, with the SQngs coming up to par. Will fitanton and Co. in the familiar drunk skit closed the first haJf. Stanton iiaa a gingery miss handling the cabaret girl part, and she adds materially to the pep of the turn. His methods are the same as em- ployed for many years, and appar- ently are as productive in three-a- day circles as In the pa.st. Relit Sisters opened after Inter- mission with songs and kidding. The girl handling the comedy over- does the mugging. An opportunity for straight singing should be worked into the routine. A same- ness to each of the numbers de- tracts. They kept the audience at- tentive. Grey and Byron In a hodge podge comedy offaring came up for attention in the next spot. •' This couple displayed form at time?, with laughs coming at Intervals. They just made the grade as An after- intermission selection here. Eddie Borden and Co. were next to closing. The Borden turn, run- ning 18 minutes, was carried over the proper length. With productive material laughs were worked up nicely, the work In a general way- leaving a good impression. The idea of bringing a piano on the stage during the ninning of the act tends to disturb the routine. There are insufllcient returns derived from its use to warrant introducing the in- strument. Borden topped off his work with a speech. I^ouise and Mitchell, with the strong girl tak- ing the honors, closed the sh«w. Hart. their laug-h-showering "April" skit were one of the comedy highlights. It's a complete little production that always interests how often eeen, and, if anything, mellows with age. Belle Baker entered to » recep- tion and had to beg off with her "Welcome .Stranger* number. Th« newer Blanche Merrill numbers paved the way for demands for the old stand-bys. The wop number, with Miss Baker acting as mother to a case of Scotch in a prop perambulator, has a couple "hot" lines anent "It hurts my pride be- cause I'm only a two months' bride and everybody thinks I have a baby Inside." Julius T>enzberg did straight for two or three minutes of and that's'knocking 'em over at the crosstalk preceding a pop number. Broadway, where they're generally a pretty "show me" sort of bunch. Wm. Edmunds and Co., third with their "wop" skit, was another com- edy turn that had 'em laughing all the way. Mr. Edmunds' character is well handled and legitimately conceived. The turn ha« a first- rate production background that also helps to make it. Donovan and Lee got a reception on fourth. Jim Donovan told Irish gags, and Miss Lee danced, each with their usual success, and the house accepted everything they did. The act never seems to miss, whether in houses like the Broad- way or the Palace, and if that isn't covering all the territory, what is? "Wanka" (New Acts) next, and Ruth Roye next to closing. Miss Roye held them in the palm of her hands, figuratively speaking, from the minute she started until she bowed off. She did five or six num- bers, some of them a bit peppy, but Mise Roye knows how to make the peppy ones entertaining and, what's also important — harmless. She goaled 'em up to the last song, but did one too many. Hall, Erminle and Brice. closing with a variety turn that held one of the best illuminated drops vaude- ville has seen to date. This is a drop of Broadway. Times square at night, and It's a wonder. The act has unlcycle riding, viollnlng and piano playing; also a bit of singing and dancing. Quite a lot, but all well done. Monsieur Charles Moratl and Little Yoshl did not appear at the last night show. The African Hunt Pictures rounded out Ihe interna- tional Idea of the bill. They show a remarkable mlleotion of wild ani- mals in their native haunts, and are about the most Interesting Afri- can films shown around to date. Bell. feeding like a veteran, Adelaide Herrmann, faiaglc act, closed. Abel. BROADWAY All Niilionaiity Wtt-k probiibly means a bit more to the 1'.roadway than some of the otli< r Keiih hou<=*>s around New Yoik tiiit arc- al.'^o celebrating with coMuopolitan shows this week. When it comes to quali- fying for the nie'.:;nti-pot the Broadway is there. Among the different natiunalivich In the current show are Aufi'ialian, with the Australian Wood <'hoi.i)Prs as the entry; China, with the Cluing Hwa Trio as deleprates; Wm. Ed- munds and Co., Italy; Donovan and Lee, Ireland; Wanka. Ru.ssia; Ruth Roye. America, Jind Hal!. Erminle and Brlce, England. Hall, Ermlnie and Brice were the only turn the nationality thing seemed to have missed on. The three people com- - iMMiing the act seemed decidedly Tank, rather than English. Moji- •leur Moratl. France, and Little Yoshl. Japan, completed the rain- bow list. Excellent representation. The dhow played very well for a trick arrangement. The Bro.adwny has a real orchestra now, one that RIVERSIDE All >^atlonallty Week has Belle Baker topping a snappy nine-act show. The Riverside has booked theatre parties by different neigh- borhood organlzation.s. with the likelihood business will be con- eistently good, on a par or better than the near-capacity Monday. They were late in coming, with the result the first acts showed to half an audience. Van Horn and Inez with their zippy swivel-neck spins on roller skates Introduced. The Calts Brothers started slowly, but connected with their hard-shoe concerted stepping. Holmes and LaV'ere have a tip- top novelty idea, at one time cred- ited to Tommy Gray for authorship but merely ^programmed "Them- selves" now. Opening ^1n a prop stage box at a theatre the duo sleeps through it all, the flashback enact- ing the skit they are missing. Miss LaVeVe pulls an Ella Shields for her specialty and Holme.^i' pianologing Is telling. The duo was perfectly spotted In the third groove. Santos ^|d Hayes clicked pretty with theli^croestalk panning one another's figure. Miss Hayes* vocal- izing lending considerable class to the routine. The girls have a liappy manner of selling themselves, their showmanship and personality get- ting to the audience from the ^tart. 4oe Fejer and His Famous Hun- garian Or^chestra (New Act.«»). A truly extemporaneous clown bit was introduced for an afterpiece, with Holmes unceremoniou.'Oy rush- ing in and announcing he was sup- posed to do an encore after his act but had to go somewhrree on very important business, but now that he's bark he will do his encore. Re- que.sting the Hungarian musi«ians to play the "Merry Widow" sextol number ("Tell Me. I»retty Maiden"), the instrumentalists gave him a shot of opera with the "Lucia di Lammermoor' eextet. After getting that straightened out, three couples of the preceding acts came on for a travesty "Merry Widow" number, winding up with Buster {^antos alighting unceremoniou.sly. neces- sitating the introduction of a wheel- barrow to a<'t as a derrick. ! Intr-niiission was featured by a , speri.'iiiy composed ".March of ihr Nations," by Julius Lenzherg, the house ori-heRtra leader, which was Introdiirrd by a rlide with Julius' name and photo adorning it. The various national flags flash»^d on the screen cued for a fitting national air. The number was w«il rt'ceived. I..enzberg and the trench boys al- ways have been favorites with the Riverside regulars, which siigg^'sts that another try by the Lenzberg orchestra doing a regular a-^t on th^• stage, as wvm done some months ago, should prove novel. Antonio Ponselle (New A'^ts) re- opened. Morton and Glass with ALHAMBRA The Alhambra with a ten-act lay- out did business Monday night with but few vacancies In evidence throughout the house. The S. S. "Leviathan" Orchestra (New Acts) came In for the most attention In the way of billing, with the house attaches attired in sailor regalia on the streng^th of the appearance of the Shipping Board band. The orchestra closed the first half, com- ing In for a fair amount of applause, with chances for improvement visible, which undoubtedly will be taken care of as the act works along. The bill opened with the Arnaut Trio, an acrobatic musical com- bination with a worthwhile offering. The girl and two boys are capable violinists, with their acrobatic work taking them up the grade easily. Mason and Shaw, No. 2, took hold easily on the strength of the male Impersonator's efforts. This young woman's daneing and comedy work brought the team up for early ap- plause honors. Edna Aug and Co. with a long vehicle entertained fairly No. 3. Several Ideas fire developed during the 25 minutes, with Miss Aug mak- ing her Indlvldtial work stand up. Starting with good laughs, the turn had an up-and-down existence. With less length there should be little to be desired, as there Is enter- tainment within it. Bums and Lynn took the comedy assignment No. 4. The two-man team walked in. easily taking honors. Their style Is tried and true, and for Har- lem tip top. The Le\-1athan orches- tra followed. Murray and Oakland opened after intermission with their foolery. Piling up laughs through the run- ning, they missed at the finish. A Spanish number ^proved one of their comedy winners. Grette Ar- dlne with John Tyrrell and Tom Mack took the second after inter- mission assignment. The dance routine as staged by Sajnmy Lee hit the buUseye. The capable ef- forts of the trio in a well routined dance layout made the heavy spot appear made to order. Joe Darcy with his vocal work followed cap- ably, with the Bellis Trio closing the show. Hart. 81 ST ST. The .show this week Is an all-sitar layout with no one featured. This lack of "name" di-aw probably ac- counted for the three-quarters ca- pacity Intake Tuesday. As a rule the lobby at the 81st St. at theatre time is considerably jammed, al- though the evening In question it wn« only comfortably populated. The show itself shaped up as a good Intfrmediar>' layout, ascend- ing an even grade through con- clusion. Prof. Nakae and Co. (New Acts) opened. Harry PauVl and Mary Goss twiced, running through their spotty boy>-and-girl routine placidly. Mis« Goss has pexsonality and car- ries her end quite well. Paul! lacks unotion. The skit Itself is Incon- gruous. The act title Is the "Co- weds." They enter In bridal cos- tume, already "hitched," the idea therefrom receding until the point they recognize each other as com- ing from the same town and cue- ing Into a fresh marriage proposal. The RuiKiway Four with the •v'ariegated nonsense were the first to start something. A change of pace was badly needed and they cleaned up accordingly. The clos- ing HTObntic stuff is performed en- tirely in "one." continuig everything before the olio. The reel of old-time songs Intro- duced Mollie Fuller effectively.' The skit played smoothly, with few in the audience aware of the arti.ste'.s affi:<'*ion and none suspecting It. The theatrical go«slp and some of the lines accordingly did not im- prer?s with their double signillcan''*'. Harriet Mirlolli.'s burlesque feed- ing connected and Eklward Gra- ham's Bert Savoy was a wow throughout his specialty. In the "stars" bit, an audience neighbor anticipated Sarah Bernhaidt's men- tion following the lin** which cretlits Lillian Ruseell, and it wouldn't be amiss to add the name of the French tragedienne. Tmt) Pa4ricula'« strenuous com- icalities were rewarded by a show- stoppage for a few words of ac- knowledgment". Pat begged off on the ground if he does more he'll pass away. This always creates wonder how he ean retain compara- tive corpulence despKe the hard laboring. Harictta Towne as ever is a capable assistant, foiling Pat- ricola In the bits and hoke that Imply their existence "anytliinfi for a laugh." ^_ Donald Kerr and Eflle Wcisrton with their dance i-outlne. tor which "neat" is the moet appropriate ap" pellation, cloeed the vaudeville sec- tion. Following the "flipper and flapper' danco number Kerr essayed a couple of minutes of comedy monologlng which suggested it was empjoyed merely to fill a stage wait for his partner's costume change. However, it ended there and Kerr bowed off. making for a rather abrupt conclusion to the tip-top dance turn. "Hunting Big Game in Africa," film feature. Ahel. FIFTH AVE. No new acts the first half, Avhich Is unusual for the Fifth Avenue. But business a stand-up above and below. It Is Nationality Week, with a different country getting a plug each day. Tuesday was the Switzer- land-Italy course, with several lit- tle added features, including a mo- tion picture travelogue on the Alps and a couple of local amateurs, one singing "O Sole Mia' and the other reciting Beban's weep about his lit- tle girl, Rosa. The show would have been Just as good without them—in fact, without any of the added delights of Nationality Week —though the idea may work as a business ballyhoo. ^ The Biltmore Society Band head- lined. This Is the best Jazz organ- ization of 100 size ever heard in vaudeville. The featured drummer Is said to be no longer with the Biltmore outfit, and the one who worked here did all but fall into his drums^in futile but faithful stab^ at laughs. If this is the one who was featured no one know^s why he was featured. If he isn't, then the band has sustained a tragic loss, for almost all that the present one contributes Is distraction from the entertainment. The program was entirely popular, arranged and executed about as most Jazz bands do It, only better. For solid synco- pated music the Biltmore crew cer- tainly delivers with any of them, but differs little from the conven- tional method of operation. It met with tremendous success here. Elsa Ryan and Rodney Ranous, In their entirely too familiar sketch— too familiar with one another and too familiar to the audience— Jlmmed up their own results by Miss Ryan's constant ad llbblng and breaking up her partner by Joshing the Fifth Avenue's furni- ture and tossing him confidential nifties. But her brogue comedy, of course, as always, was sure and salient. Miss Ryan was cut out for vaudeville, and whoever cut her out did a Igood, all-around job. She is fiip and fiy, easy to look at and gets across in her first half minute. Ryan, Weber and Ryan, formerly Webef and Ryan, and now having an added girl, deuced It neatly. This Is a far better act than is usual for the spot In the family houses, costumed and staged to a nicety and has the smack of professional talent and preparation. It would do for the same location in the top- most theatres. The girls are pretty and can hoof and the man Is good support. That will probably make him wince, but that's what he Is, support to the girls, and that's noth- ing to be ashamed of. Paul Nolan, excellent Juggler with personality and comedy, opened very kot. Rubin and Hall got some laughs, but not enough, and a good finish on their dancing. Ben Rubfn Is a comic of the Husscy type, ex- cept that his Isn't foreign to his origin. The material Is disjointed and small-time, and Hall isn't a very helpful straight man, being a dancer purely. Rubin did a single some time ago and killed that with poor selection of lines, too. Ho might get over well In a show, as he has personality and a Fannie Brice style of choppy delivery, not to speak of his loose-leg and semi- acrobatic dancing, which is power- ful and stopped the show when he later walked in on the Biltmores. The act In its present condition Is not a candidate for the Palace. Barrett and Cunneen (Pat Bar- rett who formerly worked with Nora B.irrett In a similar routine) went for M. goal. Barrett's senile char- acter approximates Al Lydella, though it is scarcely a copy. Miss Cunneen is a wow of a woman, six feet tall and with a figure that made the house gasp and gulp. And that do«sn't let her out. .*^he has a vigorous punch for straight work and a smooth comedy style. Bar- rett's way of working and his stuff are both bull's-eye hitters. He does not do a solo number any more, thctugh the act could stand three or four minutes* extension. As it is it Is fit for anywhere and would be a cinch wherever English is under- stood. Jans and Whalen, a couple of great looking lads in nervous and breathless nut talk, got it across in great shape. On appenrance there Isn't a better looking team any- where. Both are comedians and eccentric dancers, the smaller one also doing some fast legitimate stepping. The finish was somewhat drawn out. the taller one working as a burlesque flapper and the two doing something akin to the Roeli- weli and Fox routine. In the/ earlier minutes they resemble Clay« ton aad £dwards. But the boyt^ have lfi<IKvlduaIlty of their own, too^* and are hiaded for the heights as a' comedy team. Fantino Sisters and Co. (formerly Fantlno Troupe) started with « dance that showed them up, then went to a high framework from which the large woman hung and supported the others, one, two and all three, by rings and chains from her wrist. It w«s very continental, slow, bushy turn that creaked with the fashion of decades ago. Even when the work was sensjitional it missed rousing enthusiasm. The 8ti;;png woman (she might be called the "overhanger") surely did her share, and the others worked alonf In that straitened manner typical of dumb acts of the past. The act needs speed badly and the intro- ductory dance and the head Juggling with the big ball should be droppec^ as they are puerile. Lait. '■a ".»3 i 1 58TH ST. A straight act opening and an- other closing and in between solid comedy was framed for the tastes of this east side establishment, where they like their comedy abun- dant and are not too fastidious about its quality. This time there is nothing the matter with the qual- ity. The fun, like the general frame-up of the bill. Is well varied, running from rough clowning hoke to the vigorous but well drawn humor of Charles Mack's (sketch, "A Friendly Visit." The intermediate time could use a lot more sketches* like this one that belong« to the vogue of another day. It has smooth rich humor, real character drawing and broad fun without getting into noisy horse- play. Before this house It was a riot. The other comedy kick was th« hokum of Murray Klssen and Co., a male quartet modeled on the Avon Comedy Four, but not so well done either In the framing of the busi- ness or the singing. Good enough, however, to keep the Tlilrd ave- nuers In an uproar for more than 20 minutes. The four men are vociferous and rough in their style, but they get some stuff over that amuses the Intermediate audiences mightily. They have the frame- , a work for a genuinely funny turn of ^* low^ comedy, but it needs pointing ' | up and knitting together all the * '^ way through. There are times when "»V1 they seem lo«t for Just the final trick to turn the guffaw, and sub- stitute mere noise and knockabout for a really clever bit or line. ^ Business Tuesday night ^was' * .somewhat off. It was possible to get a seat downstairs at 8:10. which is unusual, and the house never did reach capacity, although it was nearly so by the opening of the spe- cialty section. "All Nationality" w«ek did not seem to be a draw here. Lieut. Ferdinand Thetion, French war hero and ace. opened the bill with his «|iarpshootIng turn, as- sisted by another man and a g<irl. He uses only revolvers In his dem- onstration, which Is a neat routine, part of it worked from a position at the rear of the orchestra. The war record described by lantern slide and his breast full of medals and decorations Impressed the audience and gave the turn a special touch of interest aside from Its interest- ing display of marksmanship. Most of the shots make use of the as- sistants in what look like dangerous positions as target holders, and the crowd always likes a thrill of this kind. Gary and Baldl, man and woman. Ifl talking and singing turn with a special drop, fared well enough. There are portions of talk that are mild, but it all hangs together and makes acceptable hokum. The sit- uation of chauffeur and housemaid furnishes foundation for amusing flirtation stuff, marriage proposal; talk of raising a family, etc., which is generally sure fire. The man af- fects wop dialect, girl playing stral^t. She Is a nice looker and wears attractive clothes when sh^ changes from the maid's uniform, b'^sides singing several numbers acceptably. Charles Mack and Co. with "A Friendly Visit' e<lged in here and supplied a capital moment of Irish humor, giving way to Martha Pryor. coon sjiouter and .singer of "blues." working with h«r own accon>f)anist at the i»iano and we.iring a curious frock for a single of this descrip- tion. It Is really a "tube" sport dress of viv..; green, and nothing le.ss appropriate could be jticked out. She can.make comedy darky num- bers graphi<", however, and fared ex<eeding]y woJl with a first rate routine of this kind, sever.il of Ihe selet^tions seeming to be specials and all of them «\ilfniluted lo dis- play her special talents. Murray Kissen next and Jessie Blaire Sterling and her dani ing girls following on to close. The "Six Ctla.'-gow I..assies' are a j^prigiilly half dozen, gr.icefnl dano^-rs an<l willing workers, but their Jig*?. hornpipes and highland flings have a good deal of sameness about lhem.._ Miss .Sterling doesn't fit into the picture very appropriately. Shf doesn t dance and her singing of ballads and old-time standards is not especially impressive. The bag- pipe and drum flna'e, however, .«»aves the turn. Jiu^h. •li iv ■2