Variety (May 1923)

la his particular line of work, especially after all element of Surprise" has long since departed, and survive all competition as the outstanding leader of hw field. Murray and Oakland got on late, delayed by the long musical exer- cises, and, handicapped by Miss Oakland's severe cold, cut her sons. For this Murray entered in a big ulster, probably to hide underdrew eliding the cut. The swift comedy start got the«e export performers under way on the jump and they didn't lose one seat holder and even held them in for several recalls. Will Mahoney. a great favorite here, closed, and he too, working under even greater hardship of the clock, pulled out with honors. Al K. Hall and his company, which Includes one beautiful and strikingly talented girl (probably the one billed as Carrie Copper—the one who does the dumb-bell and Bow- ery bits with him), got away with his comedy dancing and llnkdied better than the earlier minutes promised. It started with a regular burlesque routine between Hall and a very straight straight man, who then sang an emotional song^for no good reason and later delivered a eulogy on Roosevelt with less rea- son and not even with much recog- nition. Hall does typical wheel characters except that he wears straight clothes most of the time. The girl mentioned pulls up the speed some. Her work and. of course, his. because Hall is a sure- fire low comic when he is using his knees and making faces, took it to a happy ending. Lytell and Fant. new and good young blackface men who run through songs niftily and then to smashing knee and toe dancing, cleaned. They worked just long enough and didn't waste any time announcing how good they were, so they were liked and thanked. Michon Brothers, two young bal- ancers of attractive appearance, worked on springboard and perch and pulled weird tricks between Mandel-like make-believes. The fin- ish, one whirling on his back iming the understander's back for a pivot, was a dream. « 1 ait. crying baby bit, as ever, won spon- taneous acknowledgment, Miss Wal- ters also lending considerable per- sonality to the routine. A new green frock has replaced the former smart gray costuming and is equally becoming. Van and Schenck consumed over 20 minutes, with extra responses up to 11 sharp. The boys have brought back a brand new collection of pop Solig.s. Paula EJdwardes and Co. closed with a six-people revue, of which Al Carpe's eccentric fiddling stands out in the light routine. Miss Edwardes is Introduced by two of her accom- plices about having been in various productions and doing a csme-back, but that meant little to the Brook- lynltes. Abel gindtne'spWof liudor Wt'ch4r-»|i Thuctday, Ha y 3, 1933 ORPHEUM A capacity audience turned out Monday night to welcome Brook- ... hyn's own Van sand Schenck back after a brief absence from the bor- ough across the river. The show was ample and the enthusiasm ditto. The audience was consistently faith- ful In its applause acknowledgment up to the last act, Paula EJdwardes and Co., which has no alibi for the disloyalty, not even the late hour. Introducing was Paul Sydeil (New Acts), followed by the Calts Broth- ers, who clicked as usual with their concerted hard-shoe atepping. George Choos' "Ring Tangle," mu- sical comedy playlet, fitted the third groove perfectly. Jack Henry and Edythe Mayo, featured, exacting all possible from the lines and business. The assisting 'Straight" couple, Harry Meyers and Estelle McMeal. foil the leads' quips advantageously. Rita Gould, subbing for Rae Sam- uels all week (the latter out through illness), did surprisingly well. Funny how much, the atmosphere of a big- time house and its general top- notch aura can affect an act. Miss Could, with the same routine, deliv- ered in an identical manner, when caught at an independent house In Brooklyn a few weeks ago encoun- tered tough sledding. The casual clocking of her stuff, judging from the first reception, suggested imme- diate elision of that colored "mam- my" number, yet here, placed sec- ond in her routine, as before, it got ' to the women, leaving little doubt as to its appeal. Miss Gould, as ever, flashes a nobby array of costumes, opening with a "Sally from Peacock Alley" number, fittingly dressed up with a King Tut creation. The song- stress' quick changes distinguishes her routine, the pianist merely re- ^ peating the vamp two or three times A until she Is ready. ■ Victor Moore-Emma Eittlefield p and Co. were a comedy riot, (losing the first section with their veteran "on and oft." skit, 'Change Your Act. or Back to the* Woods." Probably seen by fully a third of the audi- ence before, its response was as affirmative as ever. • * Intermission was marked by (ho "Topics" reel, which again biamed one of its screen gags, on this jour- nal of theatrical enlightenment, but which never saw type in Variety, not even in Warn Tishman's "otd hokum bucket" anthology. The an- nouncement of the acts to appear at the forthcoming N. V. A. benefits is an interesting sidelight on any name's popularity. Gallagher an1 Shean, after a list of standard turns had been unreeled, created a decided Rtirring and buzzing, and Al Jolson and Eddie Leonard were received with applause, It may or may not prove a point on drawing ability. In celebration of Music Week. . Kmma Lincoln .lones. an added starter, reopened after intermission with three songs. Mis,s Jones is a decidedly concerty songstress with a pleasant enough voice, but utterly devoid of poise and personality and lacking in unction. If there wa* anything fascinating about her de- livery it was the strained, almost iKxtned expression In the course of her vocalizing. Walter and Emily Waiters, the ventriloqui.il couple, who have worked out a novel comedy routine to do their stuff, scored okxy. The COLONIAL Business continued good at the Colonial Monday nighr when the lower floor was just under capacity, wifh the rest of the house com- fortably filled. The usual eight-act bill played smoothly, blended colorfully and entertained throughout. The hit from an applause standpoint went to Vincent Lopez and Band, second after intermission. Lopez and his musicians did 25 minutes, introduc- ing several new numbers with "ef- fects." The bill opened with Amv Dean and Co. (New Acts), a corking girl aerialist working aloft and on the rope. She started the show appe- tizingly. Frank Ward (New Acts) in an, elaboration of his finger dancing' dolls, just made the grade deucing. The let-down was immediately rem- edied by the spotting of Seed and Austin third. This pair whammed them. They are finishing with the "fruit letters" business in which Austin calls for letters and his part- ner matches them with fruits and vegetables. Seed and Austin until recently were doing this routine without the sanction of Friend, the" originator. The Klein Brothers, who had secured permission, complained about Seed and Austin. The latter admitted the facts and agreed to pay Friend a royalty, Which the au- thor promptly donated to the N. V A. Sick and Benefit Fund. The Quixey Four following were in a soft spot and made the most of it with solo and quartet vocalizing. One of the four remained at the piano throughout the act. This member also got over a slow blues lyric for laughs on the delivery. The harmonizing averages with their style of turn, the strength resting on the clean-cut appear- ances and showmanship of the four The aet could be shortened a bit to advantage by the dropping of one number. Morton and Glass closed the first half of the bill in their delightful little singing, dancing and talking diversion, "April." Paul Gerard Smith has provided them with an Ideal vehicle. They are dancers par excellence in addition, the stairway stepping getting big returns. A new- duet number helps muchly. After Intermission Topics got con- sistent laughter without conflicting with any of the gags preceding or following. Holt and Leonard (New Acts) two girls from a legit attrac- tion, made their vaudeville debut, showing the turn for future book- ings before returning to the mus- ical comedy. They are a contralto and soprano song and piano double with trained pipes and an excellent repertoire. They wowed 'em. Lopez next, with Fenton and Fields, closing the vaudeville, on late and in a tough spot, which didn't feaze them a bit. The cork cut-ups went right after them, and after losing a few strays on the opening kept the rest glued in their seats with their well-routined hokum and nut comedy. The act Is down to the meat and a welcome comedy addi- tion to any man's show. .• Aesop's Fables, usually up in the middle of the bill, closed to the walkouts. This is a good arrange- ment and gives the closing act a much better break, getting them on earlier, etc. < ,„ BROADWAY The Broadway did business down- stairs Tuesday night. Behind the orchestra rail the standee roped en- closures were packed around nine and the balcony section did pretty well on its own. The show wa"s just an average en- tertainment, starting with the Klr- killos, an acrobatic trio, and wind- ing up with the Brian ts, an acro- batic duo. So, with acrobatics to start and finish with—well, that's the kind t>f a show it was. Zeida Bantley was second, with Imitations. The house litcd the act, bringing her back for a speech. Doyle and Christie next with a flirtation act that has pleasing talk ami some excellent daacinj. Do-le is a regular dancer—not a faker with phoney leg over log stuff and imita- tion stepping. Miss Chrstte's at- tractiveness does a lot for the turn and she figures importantly In sev- eral double numbers. A welcome addition to the specialty team division. Ben Welch knocked the Br-»a 1- wayites f<»r a row of summer bun- galow*, He always does. When it comes to sure-fire turns, who can top this remarkable comedian, who, apparently, has overcome insur- mountable handicaps? Frank Mur- phy ass la ted capably, as usual, and the whole act simply radial 1 the fulness. He went for a speech, and it was on his merits. "Sadie One of Those Girls," a mu- sical comedy travesty tabloid, never seemed to get started. It is weak in comedy, and depends largely on spe- cialties. Burlesque drama is usual- ly the softest thing fn vaudeville to get a laugh with, but the travesty in this one is too stilted to get the results sought. The turn lacks a punch. Bob Hall extempoed his way into favor with a resume of the preced- ing act and versified topical com- ment. A little thing like metrical precision doesn't seem to bother Hall, and the Broadway didn't care a great deal, either. The Brian ts closed with their standard knockout turn, and made *em yell. "Souls for Sale" was the feature picture. 'Dell FIFTH AVE. The first half bill held seven ads. but added waff a mixed minstre. show, the special feature. The burnt cork section ran close to an hour Monday evening, which made for a flfil three-hour performance, start- ing at 8 o'clock. All the Proctor .houses are using the minstrel idea, with the bulk of the talent recruited from neighborhood amateurs. Bertie Hcrron and Bonnie Gaylord in playing the circuit have also been appearing in the black-faced revues, as true here. It's a good box-otflce card, and it comes in handy at the tall end of the season. In addition to Herron and Gay- lord'the regular show had another burnt cork turn in the person of Joe Darcy. quite a favorite at the Fifth Avenue and who also fitted i^ as one of the ends in the minstrefls, which with the two turns remains all week. Darcy was next to clos- ing, stepping immediately into the circle after tearing off a solid hit. All he did was to don spectacles to ease the glare of the footlights Darcy has two audience numbers. The first was a crap-shooting lyric, whioh went over easily and earned the audience-plant ballad. Al and Frtnny Stedman. on just ahead, delivered a femr-banner laughter wallop. There seemed plen- ty of new bits in.the routine, coming after Al'* comedy lyric about "Me Pal's Gal."' Fanny told the or- chestra to take a recess and eat their apples, and several musicians did just that. The funniest of the bits was Fanny's insertion of false teeth, which made her upper lip protrude and made it hard for her to annunciate anything with an "»"in it. She said she feared noth- ing* and insisted on warbling. John Giiiran and Marguerite, who topped the card, were spotted fifth and danced to a fine score. Giuran> single dance started something, but it was matched by the gracefulness of the girl's single. Billy Griffiths tried a song solo from his station at the piano in a rather pleasant voice. The classy Mary Haynes regis- tered the first hit, the spotting on fourth being just right for her. Miss Haynes specializes on lyrics rather than songs and she has assembled a routine of special material quite away from the ordinary. A "John" number which led off held a roller skate line- which landed for a big laugh, with the concluding ama- teur rehearsals bit taking her off Tor continued returns. An encore was earned and given, it. too, being something different. In rhyme she explained she had an explanation of Robert Service's "Shooting of Dan McGrew," being the version of the affair by the "lady that's known as Lou" herself. She changed to a frock of red, a sort of Yukon vamp, and told of how the stranger from the east had 'talked me out of a hundred bucks that 1 swiped from old McGrew." The comedy poem could not but add to the Haynes success. The Herron and Gaylord turn stands on Its own. This two-girl blackface team impressed so favor- ably on third that it would not sur- prise if the act won big time, for it is the feminine version of Flanna- gan and Edwards' "On and Off," and rightfully so. The excuse for the uncorking bit in a Pullman train is made logical and the business dur- ing an argument while the girls are washing up Is laughable. Taking on the minstrel assignment in addition to their act is no easy task, and it deserves commendation. Madeline MacGuigan (New Acts) was second and Bill and Blondy opened. Miss Gaylord in white face was interlocutress yfor the minstrels, Miss IletxtLU^iecorking and taking an end opposite Darcy. There wore 10 girls and 11 boys in the double circle, all in costume. Margaret White, with an acrobatic dance, Opened the amateur entertainment, which Darcy said came front near- by and Greenwich Village. Tie youthful Miss White gave promise of future stage work. George Kay singled vs ith a song for small re-" turns, but Lucille Gorman as a Gypsy violinist landed. ■ferent key. Hazel Potter was liked ith a song. Brandt and Brandt won real hand with dances, but the hit of the amateurs was Ebler and Mack with songs, the boys toting a uke for the encore number. CoJeen Reilly danced and Joe Darcy war- bled "next to closing." The mixed minstrel style of ama- teur show kept the house in to'the finish. Ise* Reilly and Walters were announced to recall memories of George Primrose, and they encored. Anne Walters was to imitate Frances White, her romp- ers and ribbon being about the o;.ly resemblance. Ilevelle and Boucher did Savoy and Brennan using the hitter's material and getting laugha Flo Fox was the comedienne and followed by Joe Clayton on a har- monica. His chance was spoiled by tlie pianist accompanying in a dif- JEFFERSON The first half bill at the Jefferson was one of the best playing and smoothest running intermediate ar- rangements evter put together. Many a far more pretentious and expen- sive big time billTias failed to ap- proach that first half show at the Jeff. Eight acts, with Mack Sen- nett's "Bow Bow" and Douglas Mc- Lean in "Boil Boy 13" as the picture entries. The whole show went over in bing-bang fashion, even the opening and closing turns click- ing. . Sankus and Sylvers. acrobat, started it with a rush. It's a mixed tumbling team, with the woman a contortionist a» well as a splendid ground tumbler. A leap headlong over five chairs by the man. who also classes high when it comes t) tricky acrobatics, such an twisters, etc., insured the finish. Julia Gerrity (New Acts) was second and kept the tempo up to the mile-a-minute gait the show- started with. The next two turns. Mabel McCane and Co. and Murray and Alan |New Acts), and Clark and Bergman fifth. The present Clark and Bergman vehicle, easily the best they have ever had, comes pretty near to illustrating what's wanted in vaudeville. There are comedy, smart repartee, pleasant kidding and legitimate farcical situ- ations; also a set that outclesses many a musical comedy aeeoneraet scene pointed for the three-dollar houses. The couple understand vaudeville values and get every ounce of value out of the act. The woman, playing the school teacher, makes the part count by making it human instead of a caricature. Bergman and Clark were a wow. and deservedly so. Runaway Four next with a med- ley of stunts, including acrobities. singing, dancing and comedy. The four started like a whirlwind and finished like an earthquake. An unusual act that is sure in any type of house. Harry Burns and Co. next to closing. With a considerable ratio of the patronage of Italian descent and understanding that language, it must have been a strong tempta- tion for Harry Burns to pull a bunch of wop phrases, but he stu/k to dialect, and not once during the act was there any attempt to capi- talize on nationality, which makes Burns' hit all the more creditable. Clifford and Grey (New Acts) closed with hoop juggling. Business good Monday night. Bell 58TH ST. Fair comedy bill made monoto- nous by too much talk. There is a quantity of rough fun, punning and well-worn hokum, but the comedy has the familiar element that small- time audiences like and which it seems impossible to lay on too thick. On paper the frameup might fool an experienced booker. It looks like adequate variety of material and abundant specialty. But the pleni- tude of talk injures the running. "Be Yourself." girl production (New Acts), looks like a special turn, but the conversation spoils it. And, to make it good and strong, the bill finishes with a three-man acrobatic offering in which there is plenty "of chit-ohat. Between the two men- tioned come Ann Wardell and Patsy Doyle, almost unadulterated cross- talk (New Acts), and for good meas- ure in the elocutionary marathon they were followed by Butler and Parker, another man and woman combination dealing in persiflage and such. Will Morris, comedy cyclist, open- ing, was then nearest thing to an absolute specialist. He does the tramp stuff a-wheel, elaborated with a lot of clever trick stuff that reg- isters. It's alt simple matter, iike carrying on a rake in a golf bag. stepping on trflT upturned teeth and making the handle spring. The breakaway bike has a number of surprises, and i-uoh bits of nonsense keep the routing distinctive. For the encore he does a neat leap to the up-ended wheel, using u bounding mat for the lift. Jason and Harrigan are a slaeabl • pair of "sisters" doing a quiet, polite routine of songs, melodious enough, and agreeable. The women are jolly in appearance and manner, but their straight piano-song-plano-eong rou- tine is short on punch, running to the parlor entertainment sort. Followed "Be Yourself' and War- dell and Doyle, wirh Butler and Parker next to closing. When a talking art goes into melodramatic travesty for its fini.«-h it is always »ure of a certain return in appla |*e but it lays itself open to suspicion of passing the buck. It takes re- sourcefulness akin to genius to de- vise and effect a new finish, but anybody with a mem.»is < tn plav it safe, us Butler and Parker do, bv tin- announcement, "Going from the ridiculous to the sublime, we will play the third act of 'Uncle Tom'l Cabin,* Mf. Parker playing the bloodhound and Miss Butler a cake of ice." Ifl . - *aj i, stalling a second-Ttairfd Foe&vand ,it mvtfj no consequences, for the small-tl audiences love it. Buss, Levan and Pete hare a brL. ground-tumbling turn when thev get to it after a poor opening song an* a bit of ensemble dancing that ft mechanically perfect, but as spirit, less as Bevo. These acrobats rr.ak* painstaking steppers. They wj dancing as children learn BpellinirJ. ■ step by step: but when thev put the stejw together they won't Jell. Nin© times out of ten a specialist is out of order when he steps outside hu specialty. The world is full of ama- teurs who can shame this trio at' danolng, but they are real enter tainers when they get to their tum- bling. The comic has some remark- able falls, and the straight turns, twisters and suoh feats are done in the acme of style. , "Mayl*» they depended upon the narold Lloyd film "Safety Last" to carry the show. It did. for the h,w was capacity by 7.45 nnd remained so to the finish, including the boxes. ltnah ™ ' * ■ 23rd STREET The Monday night show at the 23d St. got under way promptly at 8 o'clock, due to the addition of twe acts to the regular layout for that day onjy. Attendance was but fair for the downtown hou$>e. which has- been at a good average for some time. The Four Stevedores (tf4\y Acts) started the vaudeville, making way for 'The Night Before ChrNima-/' a, woefully weak sketch, whien brought forth little except recognition tor the girl playing the*chitd part. The remaining members, especially the men. left a poor Impression. 1 h« regular bill started with Rennv and Taylor (New Acts), who offered 1 cv- ernt styles of work and met with approval. Harris and Vaughn (New Acts) gave the No. 2 spot sr\oral 1 laughs with tried and true low comedy. Frank ifayrie and Co. in "The Third Degree." a protean offering; held the sketch position. No. 3. Mayne portrays seven characters, working them out nicely. The story as developed is not entirely con- vincing, with the character work of the featured member a big asset of the turn. The audience appeared in- terested throughout the U minutes consumed. Kennedy Brothers, in blackface, added several laughs No. 4. The two-man combination has several good comedy ideas devel- oped, with the proper amount of snap to make them productive. Fol- lowing the dramatic protean turn the comedy served them in a capa- ble manner. Sally Sisters and Kits (New Acts) took the next assign- ment, 'gaining fair headway with their dancing. Nellie Arnaut and Co. appeared V next to closing. The musical acro- batic dancing trio proved a real treat. Originally booked to close the show, the difficult next-to-closing position proved easy going. Cordon and Ford finished off the evening's vaudeville, whanging over laugh after laugh In the final spot. Hart. AMERICAN ROOF The first half bill played belter than it read, starting with a speed consistently carried to the finish of the program. The opener, Harry Scranton and Co. (formerly Harry and Anna Scranton). did a song and dance In "one." then went to full stage for the wire-walking, a replica of the olieact. the hew woman hold- ing up to her task In good shape. They furnished 10 mlniUes of good entertainment. Ruth Davis. Verdi 1 and Glenn, and Dinus and Belmont^p*, Revue (New Acts). Harris and Holly, a colored two- men act, showed a comedy dialog, singing and dancing act, up in the first flight. Their comedy dice game is a -darktown classic. «and their songs and dances are in keep- ing with It. The material is new and clever and the team can hold down a spot on the best bills. Eddie Carr and Co. registered their usual hit with the "Office Boy" skit, and had • this audience In hysterics, one laugh crowding the other. Carr has juwt recovered from a serious illness, but showed no ill effects, havin-r speed and pep from curtain to curtai . Marston and Manley. mm and woman, have a somewhat different nut .act. made so by the comedy methods of the man. in a semi- English Johnny make-up and char- acterization, well clone, and ably fed by the woman. A couple of songs arc interjected. Their principal ap- peal is again the man's clowning. Both have presence, and the act will please almost any audience. Fern, Blgelow and King, two men and a woman, have a good novelty knockabout acrobatic act. in\olving some cleverly executed tumbling and comedy falls by the men and ■ dandy cello solo by the girl. A neatly costumed, clean-cut trio. "Trimmed in Bcarlet,** Rim. closed! Henry Chesterfield donat( 1 1 T«0© frankfurters and roils at the enter- tainment on Welfare Islai.-i. the hlght Of April LT.. Irving Smith'. rd, the "assistant secretary of the n. v. A., under whose auspices the a(Tii r was given represented the club. Nat SobM put OH I lie show whieh con- elated of ea;ru vaudeville tcta J