Variety (April 1923)

-"W» tifsm iC.-a>rit»»-ji:T',w.',i f:» i "?■'"'"'TSri' Thuriday, Aptil 26. 1028 'f j*-.V..v-..p-.;t"wp NEW SHOWS THIS WEEK 7* - ^itrj* .<!- :%, ■^iS%r- iJ-Vr.'," <!?•.»* It 31 PALACE F Another 11:10 show whJch would "^'l^tter if chiseled down half an Jour Some time ago there was an Snouncement that the Palace had «ut thumbs down on "curtains," but aothing was said about "bows." This is probably the bowlngeet •how ever assembled, and led by aone other than the king of bowers. Sddle LeonardC and his right and left bowers, Mabel Russell and .^•tewart of Stewart and Olive. Be- -tween Mabel and Ida, Eddie scooped «p plenty of apple cider and apple gauce. and was dripping when he reluctantly bent his final bend and clasped his final one-man handshake and said for the last time that he loved the audience. r Eddie gave the audience a series ♦f bulletins on how he felt about loving his old friends and his old friends loving him. Most ol the act ^ras devoted to this soliloquial ex- change of affections. At the end it was established beyond shadow of ■^ doubt that: f Eddie loved his old friends. Old friends were the, best after all. Nothing like old fri«nds. Nothing else mattered but old friends. • Next to old friends, t^e greatest ''thing was old songs. ., ; "Roly^Boly Eyes" was an old •ong. No old song like- "Roly Boly Byes." or Eddah won't be with you vera long, ol' frainds. And Eddie loved his old friends. ' And Eddie's old friends loved him: And It was great to know that ^Sddie loved his old friends. • And Eddie was glad his old friends loved him. -^ After all, nothing like old friehds. >f For instance, "Roly Boly Eyes. He had sung it for thirty years, And—- So it went along. He sang it Again—for old time's sake. He : iH-ought back Mab3l and smeared "blackface all over .her whiteface. and brought back her partner, Will Hallen, and had him slapsticked from behind the olio, and he clowned with his own leader and asked him what Will and Mabel meant by . coming out again, and then he said he \oveA his old <rlends and he was glad his old friends loved his old friends because after all nothing Mke old friends, for instance, "Roly " Boly Eyes"—and k^ last he sang it; then he made a speech or three ;; again and finally let up, all hands ; by then worn out, f Leonard is the m9itery of all ^tlmes. He pac)<8 theatres, he gets (■ receptions that would make^i mon- ^ arch blush, he uees the most trans- parent tricks of theatrical thimble- rigging for applause, he overstays ■his time—but rarely his welcome. For sheer egotism there isn't any- thing as colossal In Christendom as , him speeches, and for sheer bunk they have never been approached. During the war he announced he had enlisted, and now each year he announces he has had*a new opera- tion—this time he has iust had his tonsils cut out. What all that has to do with the business of "entertaining" is aside . froih the purpoee. The wisest mob "that gathers In the most sophistl- . cated acreage under the dark blue heavens not only takes It but loVes It. This reviewer is nobody's yokel, even though he is from the west, and he couldn't help the tears coursing down his cheeke at Eddie's * touching references to mellow old friendships and mellow old songs and Hammersteln's sanctified cor- mers, where all the crooks, sharpers and crapshootere of a better era hung out. On» would say that I>eonard might do it everywhere but New York. One might; but New York Is his softest picking. His fame is chiefly as a minstrel, though most folks have forgotten his origin en- tirely. And minstrel shows In New York are and for decades have been extinct. Yet Leonar.. Is a hero, a 'i lion, a wandering son come home and a long-lost buddy back from dangers afar, right Ir. the heart >f Times square. Figure it out your- self, but don't doubt It. He gets sentiment out of lyrics that don't make sense and have become na- tional classics; he gets pathos out of being away—on the Orphnum Circuit; he has his supporting actors do bum imltntfons of him jo he can show them up and he gets salvos for doing better Imitations of lijmself than his hired hoofe's and singers can; he is a song-anJ- dance man who is by profession mainly an orator. Nothing can fol- low him but intermissio 1. .Send your solution to the puzz'e editor. Kmi!!e Lea, with a dainty three- act carded to open the second Jialf. wa«( «orit in to close, following Van and Kojienok and omering at 11:10. Tt |« a fine act that niiyht liave been di.s. rotily cut for ilie unusual Cir- •^umstunces—and le.^t tliat way for the future. ^U has eiiougii nlthoat ihc f pfhlp 'rfforts at '•nmrdy, nnd ihfy Tiurt it and >'1(>:'. it \)p. male danrrr and her pianist, both sen atJonally tM-ellent nt thrir spe- • •''aUit\s. have somo vf^ry puerile, ^nd in one npot latlier dlstiTsulng. passage } at hurno-. Otherwise Miss J^#»,rs effortlos.i k •'•'■« ^nd liipli sopvano song**, the planiifs m:i<- 'erly solo .and the male ilnnrer'v rilffy timber did no).lv .-.n"! he'd ^^ an Incredibly large percentage of the audience. Wellington Cross in his delight- ful "Wives" scored, though there was coughing during the first three minutes. The talk there could be elided into one minute easily and to advantage. Van and Schenck did their usual routine—no Leon- ardlng here. These beloved boys, radiant with talent and personality, run their course and never beg or fight for more time—and they could have plenty without trying for It.- Dlgnity isn't always appreciated In the booking oflflce, but here and there one grateful Individual can- not refrain from appreciation of Us welcome visitation. Lillian Shaw, with two new num- bers at the start and her veteran marriage and carriage scenes to close, did strikingly well In laughs and honest applause* The Levia- than band, a Whlieman managed and Burnaide produced eneemble of 14 uniformed men, had a ballyhoo In front, with a gangplank trimm3d with Leviathan life-preservers'^as an entrance to the house. The music was broken up by single and foursome singing and a comedy Hawaiian dance. The Gallagher- Shean burlesque is a poor choice to cloee. since it was done so often and so well by the Lopez men, and so often by other contemporaneous bands In vaudeville. However, the tactful and interesting production and the really splendid playing and hot Jazzing got the band ,over In fine style, though the finish did not compare with several other bands at the Palace In outburst. R. and W. Roberts, evenln^- dreesed equilibrists, opened and did It ^ell, going along at high until they felt they had to fumblingly re- put on their (purple-lined opera capes for an exit. What capes have to do with balancers goes with what, pathos has to do with Leonard; however, in this world It seems no one wants to stick to his last or be himself. Dave Roth, by the same token, put in mroet of his time singing. Dave Is a good pianist and does a snappy dummy dance. But his own billing, "the most versatile comic," seems to have deceived him. He is not the most versatile comic by at least several. He does a brisk, Is fooled Into cancelling ber second marriage by her pop's simulation of youthful follies, was beautiful and convincing. The third member was passable in a bit as the Ryan chauf- feur. A tap dance, announced aa a reproduction of one done while a member of the old team of Kelly and Ryan, closed the act in "one." It placed Ryan right up in the front ranks-of elderly youngsters. They ate the turn up at the Coloniak "Sultan," a trained pony with an attractive blonde girl trahter, opened the bill interestingly, fol- lowed by Montana, a male banjolst picturesquely garbed In white cow- boy outfit. The musician ran through some trick stuff,/ finishing with a medley of popular numbers that landed solidly. He was spotted Juet night, second. Felix Fernando Band (New Acts) closed the vaudeville portion. The act was saved by the entrance of Mae West in street clothes to sing a popular Jazz number and Bill Robinson inserting a pip pt*a Jazz dance pleasant voice, explaining readily Miss Harris' popularity as a record haaker, couples well with a person- able stage presence for vaudeville. She was next to closing and put real value into the show. Willie Hale and Brother opened with juggling against the usual han- dicap of the house getting settled. One of the team, the younger, is developing as a comic, but shouldn't ask for applause so frequently. Block and IJunlap (New Acts) sec- ond. ' ■■•,'•/•'"''•.■.:•■"'.'* '> , Mechan's leaping dogs third. The broAvn and white and dark grey- hounds take the finishing bows with the trainer. Several of the leaps are remarkably high, but the dogs never hesitate, seeming more than anxious to nra-ke ft new record at every show. .±> .i Harry Burns and Co., with likable •wop" business. Including "1 tlnk with the comedy climax having Chlo Johnson ride a cumtdy boise down the aisle. Brooklyn put. the O. K. on the afterpiece idea Monday night. The Osborne Trio programed to close the show did not appear. Umrt. yvu touch a balloon." mandoHn end clarinet playing and a girl harpist, entertained with their usual suc- ^ cess. No. 4. The turn hung up Its It Was a wow^of a show; 6ne that •'"». ?"o^».f' '*"*,^?.iir**.i!!f '""^'*' will help business at the Colonial for weeks and postpone the summer closing until tiud iiot weather ar- rives. •-:;'• .,.:v:S:%;. Con, JEFFERSON big-time act, "went" very strong Monday night, and is a talented young man. This attempt at "versa- tility" Is one of the most dangerous false guides In show buslnese, espe- cially vaudeville. The great stars have all become so by doing one thing well, and Sylvester Schaefer and the Rigolelto Brothers, who were veraatile enough to feature their versatility, never amounted to a really great deal. The public doesn't care how many things another person can do; the public cares what anyone can do that- the public wants to see and hear. For every Elsie' Janis who becomes famous for many talents there a^e thousands held back by attempting to do many things when they might perfect one thing. This •eems a long sermon to preach on one No. 2 turn, but It is a good No. 2 turn and can be made better by more dcnclng-^the thing Dave really does do very well—rfind may, therefore, be worth the space. Lait AMERICAN HOOF COLONIAL Due to the length and cost of the Harold Lloyd feature, "Safety Last," the bill at the Colonial this week contained but six vaudeville acts. A Jammed house stuck for both. Mae West is again assisted by, Harry Richman. It remains the same eo far as the routine of ma- terial Is concerned, but Miss West is flashing some new wardrobe. A silver decollete gown for a ballad was a knockout beieath her Wonde hair. A black velvet train* gown, white aigrette and silver head- dress were another creation. Ml.ss West's suppressed sophistication, her mastery of the last trick of Jazz delivery and her delicious portrayal of a temperamental French prima donna tickled about 'steen bow;^ and a speech out of the Colonial gathering. A policy dog was car- ried on by the colored maid in the French number, another new bit. Richman is an excellent foil for Miss West and a coking pianist. Spotted fourth, they took the hit cf the bill. Next and close up was Bill Robin- son, probably the grealeet colored tap dancer ot history. Robinson, formerly of the Cooper and Robin- son team, is a master of hard shoe stepping, second to none of the col- ored exponents of terpsichore. He has rearranged the earlier portion of his routine since his recent show- ing at the Fifth Avp. and Is now set for the biggest and best of the bills. The step dance Js now executed on liie stage proper Instead of the or- chestra steps and Is a big Improve- ment. The opening song and dance get him on eaeily and the two stnrips told following leave a de- rided imprer^.slon. At dancing Rob- iMfon dops waltz clog, buck and llor wing with no fakinsr. real winx.s and rolls .n nd triple time tappiu ; tliat was a treat to watch. He w.is a riot, following the headliner. Another hit of tlie r\riiing we.U to Tiios. .T. r{>an and Co. in "Alio id Busineos generally in the 14th street Keith split-week house is re- ported very good. It is claimed a better olass of ESast Side residents attend regularly, and this was Indi- cated by the acceptance of quiet turns, such as sketches. An example was present the first half^ when Howard Kyle, spotted in the middle of the perfomiance, was well re- ceived. The house, which was close to capacity, laughed at points in the playlet, which Is supposed to be en- tirely serious, but the effort drew close attention and was given sev- eral curtains. Harold Lloyd's "Safety Last" doul>tles8 accounted for the excel- lent Monday night attendance. The eight-act show got off to an 8 o'clock start, and the comedy was on at 10. Will Marlon Cook and his Cluff Club orche.«»'tra outdistanced the field In- applause honors. The tan- colored .musicians were spotted sixth, and the returns were strong and continued. Cook explained he would be glad to offer .an extra num- ber but that the band had to appear In another house. Cook Is a novelty among leaders, conducting without a baton, his pose being quiet and subdued. The drummer drew most attention with the syncopated num- bers, but the concluding song-and- dance specialties rec^lly caught the house. A trio of singers with Eddie Cantor white-rlmmed specs worked out rather good harmony. A eatile lad with some fancy steps went over for the individual hit of the routine. A colored girl with clog hoofing was a novelty. Grade Deagon and Jack Mack took up the running after the band, which, on a bill like the Jefferson's, would normally be assigned the clos- ing spot. Tli€ two-act held the po- sition nicely, with Miss Deagon's "nut" baby chattef always produc- tive of giggling. The turn Is much like the former Dickinson and Dea- gon routine, ^ind all of Miss Dea- gon's business bits are retained. Mack works well with her. his ready smile an asset. Jesele Reed was an early hit. She drew recognition on entrance, and the flr»t of her blues numbers, which are her best. esta.bllshed hef firmly. Miss Reed is wisely changing pace, a slang lyric and a ladles' poker number working in well. The latter, bit is cleverly descriptive of that game where the Joker and deuces run wUd, but a l;>ig loss on the even- ing runs up to aia much as a dime. Some chatter between verses made the lyric a feature. Howard Kyle, who was In vaude- ville a dozen years ago, is back in a Paul Gerard Smith act, the author trying dramatic matter for a change (New Acts). Colvin and Wood (New Acts), fifth, appeared in the place of Ben Smith, who was billed, Lexey and O'Connor furnished a lively number two. the dancing at the close taking the team over to excellent returns. For the stepping they used "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers," speeding the usual tempo. Nora Jane and Karl closed, workl/ig hard to fair results. Williams and Dal«!y opened. Jb*'e, registered its regulation.score. Herbert Clifton opening the sec- ond half got the show going nicely again after intermission. A flock of gowns and Clifton's travesty method of taking the curse off the impersonation thing made for an entertaining specialty. A comedy announcer captured a neat percent- age of laughs on his own. Elsa Ryan and Co. In a talkative little skit, which gave Miss Ryan a chance to put over a legitimate characteri- sation of an Irish girl, held the hou&e to attention throughout. It's a trifle overdrawn and stagey, but Miss Ryan makes it plausible by good acting and her ability as a comedienne. The man playing op- posite gives a competent perform- ance of a contributory r©le. Frldkln, Jr., and Rhoda In a danc- ing turn had to face a retreat of de- serteVn. It was a siiame to waste a good dancing turn like this on the closing position. JStll. ORPHEUM ALHAMBRA This is next to getaway wefk for vaudeville at the Alhambra, the to stock for. the Tuesday night weathef- of tiie Times," an Kdgar Allan Woi.lf sl<;t tint suits Icyan'rt oid fid c'lariii'tei* splnulidly. Ifn/:'-! |;ond »!■ the widow'Ml duituir*»r, who house switching summer May 7 business was good, cool helping an average show. The first half was a pretty hIow moving af- fair, the Ota Gygi-Vadle turn clos- ing that section. Clawsy act. this Oygl-Vadie offering, but If not placed right it appears to drag. Gygl's violin solos are masterly ex- amples of technlc—vaudeville sel- dom hears such precise renditions of the classics—but every house doesn't go in strong for the clas.slcs, and the Alhambra seems to be one of them. Thp Grpcian dances done by the four dancing girls are cajmbly executed. The whole at. liov'vf;. would pain mu"h if sp'rdiMl up. Nfarion Harris was the hit of th»' show and the finly one of tho shov/ to start aiiyihing important in llu- way o*" appl.ause. Miss Harris ap- parently i«j a favoiile at tlie Al- iiaiiil.ra. She irreived a reception on entrance* ffnd th^'V w» :»< ready for fmcre. A perfect enunciati«,«n and Adelaide and Hughes shared bill topping honors this week with Olsen and Johnson the latter j>laying a return engagement within a few weeks. In addition to their regular work the latter staged an afterpiece with .a number of artists fron»the preceding acts appearing. The im- promptu idea registered strongly. The Orpheum has not resorted to It often with Olsen and Jphn'son hold- ing the honors for tne big downtown house. Several of the neighborhood theatres have been using afterpieces and amateur attractions for some time. Monday evening business was clo.se to capacity with Tim and Kitty O'Meara getting th*^ show underway- with dance work. The first section held a large portion of dancing with the O'Mearas doing the introductory and Adelaide and Hughes closing the section. The ^opening dancing couple did nicely with their stand- ardized work with Rpxy LaRocca programed for a second half position appearing No. 2. The harpist re- ceived favorable consideration carry- ing the audience along easily with the whistling in conjunction with his musical w'ork. Harry Stoddard and orchestra ap- peared No. 3. The Stoddard organ- ization which Includes Harry Pol- lock. Louis De Cresent, George Meyers. Jimmy Bassett. Marcy Klauber, Henry Schmotzer, Harry Frelzer and Ben Finger with Leo J. Lablanc^ the technical director, has developed Int(^a genuine vaudevillo musical attraction. The spot was exceedingly early for an act of this description with the hoys taking down one of the applause hits of the evening. They returned later to assist In tho clowning with Olsen and Johnson. Ted and Betty Healy appeared No. 4 having the comedy assignment of the first half. Healy secured several laughs with his gagging his partner sharing in the returns wHh the dance work. Two of his present gags are being used by other com- binations they being the ''Safety Zone" and "Mother" Ideas. This couple provided the laughs looked for making way for Adelaide and Hughes in the final position before Intermission. The well-known danc- ing team added 100 per cent, class to the bill with a neatly routined layout of stepping. Their efforts met with Immediate approval Kvlth the soldier and doll idea at the finish topping things off to a nicety. Favorites for some ttme in Broolw- lyn they lived up to expectations with ease. The second half starting with Gil- bert Wells held the comedy assets of the bill. Wells programed for the No. 2 spot made the grade easily in the after intermission position Ills stories and vocal work gaining attention. The dance work let him off to genuine applause. Wood and Wyde following kept the show going at the fast clip the travesty work bringing forfrh laugh after laugh. The comedy antics of the ro\»ple in addition to the work^of their asso- ciates Francois L'Fslie and TJeorge Le Voy met with immediate ap- I)roval. .All »f the i>'a\«rM of tliis act retuiiM<l lo work with OlMtn and Johnson who followed. The com- bined .fforts brought forth innum- erable laughs the comedy bfing of the rough and tumble variety and sme-flre in every way. They 1 ept the audience howling the best part of the time. A goodiv portion of the comedy vui v.yrl.ed in (he audience The preseht Roof orchestra is a darb. They play with real team work, the accompaniments are sub- dued and perfectly blended with the acts. / The find half show had eight. Instead of nine acts. A song plug- ging turn filled in for the ninth act. The bin ran pleasantly without any great hits or explosions. Bert Han- ion next to closing proving the class of the show, getting laughs with everything ha offered and display- ing a fiock of new gags and nifties. Hubert Dyer and Co. closing with a comedy knockabout turn held tho customers intact—unusual on tho Roof, even though the picture fol- lows the vaudeville. There's com* edy and tumbling In the D>'er turn— the ^funniest knockabout stuff seen around in a long time. The acro- batics are also strictly big time. A standard act with the goods and a Complete understanding of how to sell 'em. Jack Kraus (New Acts) opened with a xylophone turn, %nd Dora Maughan (New Acts) wa« socond* Vine and Temple, third with sing- ing and comedy. They ran alonir nlceyl, punching out a resounding laugh at strategic points In the rou- tine and keeping the giggles bub« bllng throughout the rer^ of tho -.^t. Vine stands In the footUght trough. Bad Idea, showing lack of easo; that is a general small time fault and might well be dropped to ad<* vantage. * "Let's 00.** tab, dosed the first half. The five peopI4 In It all play with an exceptional touch,, handling the burlesque comedy in a way that gets it over surely. FoUowing an illustrated song tea- slon, something about the leavM tumbling down, an idea incidentally that was overdone in pop songland 25 yearii ago. the second half got under way with Anderson and Qoines, colored ainging and talking team. They worked up the ghost stuff for laughs -and landed safely with several standard Ethiopian ditties. Leroy and Lytton's "Neighbors,* a novelty in the line of talking turns, scored. "Grumpy." the fea- ture picture. Business off Monday night. ',-<f: •^i i-tf- BeU, STATE The big time atmosphere, splendid , orchestra and excellent lighting effects In this house materially em- bellish the presentation of any act on Its stage, Inarked in reviewing acts which have been seen in other houses. Loew's news reel, and a comedy picture I'Mud and Sand"), a bur- ' lesque on Rudolph Valentino in "Bloo<1 and Sand," were followed by « a novelty in the way of overtures. It was entitled "Say It With ,*• : and introduced a medley of '!Say It" songs with a girl in the audlenc^ and a man In the orchestra pit sing- ing a verse and chorus with lnevlt« ' able results. A new and effectlvo way of plugging a song, and a packed house ate It up. Johannes Josefson's Icelanders, four men, started the show proper , with an interesting exhibition of Jiu^ J^ Jitsu, Josefson handling his as- sistants singly, In pairs and en masse with ease.* '^Hidden Voices.** a man and woman only (on tho stage), seems capable of develop- ment. The pair open with a piano and violin duet, the man using a stand which leaves both hands freo to manipulate the violin. It's a classy novelty musical act. which with development may aim higher. Cecilia Weston character song* and Incidental dialog, reminiscent of her clever brother, 'Willie, put over a hit of goodly proportions. Her pianist showed as many styles of manipulation and elocution aat» . Mike Berjiard himself flashes. And^ ° - she knows how lo sell her ability too. Toomer nnd Day ba*re a some- what familiar theme in thoif domestic squabble skotch. In whleh the wife, an ovor-solicitous help- mate, almost talks fieW husband into believing hs is slck. Tho talk Ss for the most part of the get-hacK order, but funny, and the situations are amusing. Both are capable players, HndUhe act is a very 'good one for the small time. Clayton and Lennle. English Johnnie and American wise-cracker, registered their usual hit. The act has been i hanged materially sinco last seen. They work in an easy? .; manner and both euitaln tlietti« J respective characters well. Thoy,? at hieved results that must have sat- isfied them. J. Rosamund Johnson and Co. ^coloied), was started by Mr. John- son, who sang excerpts from tha songs Cole and Johnson wrote and made famous. This in "one." idkow- ing a special curtain. An exit. an4l' Johnson at the piano, sang a dt iot ' ^^-"" with the girl immediately followed* # by a banjo duet to which the girl | did a jazz dance. Then a Negr9 t spiritual. "Everbo<ly Talks About I Heaven. Ain't Opln* There." a ▼lolhi * solo well executed, and a song hy thf- girl "Hold Me Closer.- led wp lu the real strength of the aot, tilt J