Variety (May 1923)

NEW SHOWS 1MB I >r;i ; a -EblMdky. H»y J7i ,1M»; ers. The downtown audience ap- I>eared interested, although never over-enthused with sketches. Janet of France, with Charles Hamp. fol- lowed the sketch. The French girl and her clean-cut partner gained immediate favor, presenting an of- fering full of genuine laughs and entertainment. What little singing was introduced during the evening! was brought forth by this couple. The strength of the act was firmly established by the fact it proved an outstanding hit following 20 minutes of straight talk in the act preceding. W.iyne and Warren took the next assignment, also made difficult by the amount of talk pre- ceding, but carried off one of the laughing hits of the evening. The slang and hick talk served the cou- ple in good stead, the laughs com- ing along without a jolt. They crowded 18 minutes of solid laughs into the No. 5 spot. Marion Wilkins and Frank Hughes, No. 6. scored with their woll-staged dapce offering. The couple present a varied routine of stepping, all developed in a showy manner. The t snow kept up its pace with their efforts, with Lydell and Macey taking the next to clos- ing position. The familiar work of the male team gained immediate response, with plenty of laughs brought forth in the heavy spot. Booth and Nina wTfh a cycle turn closed the show, with the audience sitting tight. Hart. 58TH ST. What might have been a fast and spirited bill was injured almost ir- reparably by a slow, tiresome start After the first two numbers' It moved along at good speed, but the initial impression was hard to re- trieve and the audience was rather impassive Monday evening. . "Tdyland Follies" is a puppet show which attempts to make a big splash on production, but has no novelty in its actual running. The figures are crudely worked and do only the oldest stuff. The dolls do- ing the dancing are always broken at the waist and bend backward or forward, so that all illusion of life- likeness is lost. The best (ft the material is a chorus number with six coryphee puppets working In threes and a principal dancer in front. The maneuvers are stiff, however, and the bit has little ef- fect. The whole stage with four proscenium boxes is shown and the occupants of the boxes and the orchestra musicians are better in their business than the dolls worked from above. The whole turn needs knitting up and smooth- ing throughout. Young and Wheeler did nothing to help out the bust of the opener. They are two straight young men playing piano and yiolin and are of the exact type of parlor enter- tainers. They come on cold and go spiritlessly into a duet which may have been a medley of practice exercises, so little pep or musical zip had it. Later they got into rag combinations which were better and might be developed Into a sat- isfactory routine, although the pair will have to acquire poise and stage presence before they will go far. They are too much given to pos- turing* in their present style. Julia Nash and C K. O*Donnell with a comedy sketch on the hokum material of the domestic free-fur- all did nicely enough, but that sort of vehicle, no matter how well framed or presented, Is—scarcely the sort to pull up a show after a dull start. Talking sketches have to be spotted where the pace is prepared for them. They are com- monly not up to forcing a burst of speed for themselves, particularly when the sketch i* of the quiet, talking sort without low comedy business as is the case with "Nearly Single." That left it No. 4 with nothing doing so far. That The Diamonds with their marvelous, fre-h-looking two kids were able to pull the eve- ning out of the doldrums was the hghest tribute to their skill. The kids alone would make a corking turn with their irresistible appeal of youth and their refreshing young voices and neat .stepping, but the elder Diamond pulls an acrobatic routine of stepping that brought a thunder of applause. It was these two details that wakened the crowd and started the show proper. The whole Diamond turn has class and expertness in its putting together with attractive dressing of the play- ers and a neat ba :kground of bright and tasteful drops Cahill and Romanic furnished the bill's only low comedy, a pretty rough brand of. clowning, but bet- ter than nothing. The blackface comedian goes in toe rough and tumble nonsense, wearing a bril- liant yellow gown of exaggerated mode, nnd a brilliant hat of cart- wheel site. The female impersona- tion stuff is handled with discretion and for burlesque purposes only, probabiv k uggested by the come- dian's falsetto voice, which blends with hla partner's tenor for some rather pleasing harmony, The talk is all hoke or the pest. I umi il sroes with thi •; m going into a sentimental recitation, the whole business taking up eight minutes beyond his limit of 20. The quartet of girls measures up with any group of the site in vaudeville for snap and enthusiasm in work as well as In dancing ability and agreeable appearance. Rush. AMERICAN ROOF , Just a passing small time bill was offered at the American the first half of the week. There was a noticeable lack of reaChoke laugh-, producing turns on the program, there being but one act of that cali- bre, and it was "Broomstick" EM- liott and Babe LaTour (New Acts), down next to closing. This pair had things all their own way from be- ginning to end. witii the audience begging for more when they fin- ished. The house was just a little bet- ter than half filled with an audi- ence that was willing to enjoy itself providing that they were given something that they liked. In the first half there were four acts, starting with Lillian's Dogs (New Acts), which opened—a neat turn of its kind. Bestoff and Messenger, with their exceedingly smart sing- ing double, score nicely. Tlie'man of this team looks like a real pos- sibility as a singing juvenile lead f<»r musical comedy or a revue. Matey and Singer (New Acts), the man comedy talking and singing double, that are going to have Gal- lagher and Shean yelling for the police as soon as they see them, managed to score fairly strong on the strength of the "Valentino-Mr. Oscr" number', a parody on "Mr. Gallagher-Mr. Shean." Clos- ing the first half. Walter Manthey and Girlies held the spot down nicely. The pianiste, who also war- bles a bit, managed to catch the house with a slight shimmy intro- duced in one of the blues numbers. The second half of the bill held the greater part of the real enter- tainment, starting with Abbott and White, who opened Uiat section. These two boys put over a corking routine of numbers for the pop houses and feed the audiences just the type of stuff that they want. Laughs and applause in plentiful quantity were their return. Al Lester, working with his daughter, who is billed as "and Co.," extracted a giggle here and there in the playing of the "Major Con- crete" skit. The double bit of re- citing at the finish is as strong as ever with audiences, judging from the manner that the roof crowd ac- cepted it. Next to closing Fred Elliott and Babe LaTour just walked away with the hit of the show, with the audience sitting tight for the clos- ing turn, the Arco Bros., who In six minutes of fast work presented as pretty a routine of hand-to-hand work as has been seen In some time. These boys are good as they come in this particular line, and they won a full measure of ap- plause. The Fred Niblo production of "The Famous Mrs. Fair." presented by Louis B- Mayer, was the motion pieture feature offering of the bill. Pre* The musical numbers run to pop and musical comedy hit ©elections mostly. Opening with piano and all brass for a popular selection, fol- lowed by piano and violin duet, they vocalize "Crinoline Days/* The turn closes in "one" with vocalising and music. It's a good straight mu- sical turn for the pop houses. The lower floor was comfortably filled Tuesday at the 8: SO show. Con. JEFFERSON This week's bill got a flying start with The Dealans (New Acts), the speed being fully sustained by Flor- ence Brady, a peppy singing come- dienne, full of personality and the ability to put over songs. She sang four and left them wanting. Marc McDermott and company (3), opening with shots of the prin- cipal in several of the many charac- ters he has assumed in screen pres- entations, planted personal interest before he appeared, an interest which was justified by the clever sketch, "I Haven't Time." well acted by all concerned. With McDermott's reputation this legitimate light com- edy offering is sure fire. Babcock and Doll, the man doing nut comedy, fails and acrobatic dancing, ahe girl rather overdoing a French soubrette character, but dressing the part with outre cos- tumes, beautiful nevertheless, pre- sented an 'act which might be en- titled "What's It All About?" But there is something doing all the time, and this audience ste it up. Santos and Hayes registered their usual hit, their comments on con- trasting sixes and Jacques' double voice being big awsets. Pearl Rcgay and company (6) are an artistic ag- gregation full of vaudeville value. of which Miss Regay is the key- stone. An agreeable voice, gymnas- tic skill exemplified on the trapeze, and the acme of dancing grace, whether in jazz, classical or acro- batic stepping, make a pretty good score as to versatility. These at- tributes, an exceptional string or- chestra (including the Russian Bala- laika) and a gorgeous silken set- ting artistically lighted put this act in top class. Bert Lahr and Mercedes (New Acts) were followed by Mack and LaRue, a man and woman skating act, one of the fastest and most sensational of its kind. The neck swings, arm and leg spins are done at lightning speed and withal grace- fully. A spec floor serve to of this good-looking young couple and made an ideal closing act for this fine vaudeville show. "Souls for Sale," a Goldwyn pic ture. held them in. JOYS AND GLOOMS OF BROADWAY $m. **?-•• e- ••Appearances are deceiving" Is an old saying, often true. A stunning RoMs Royce stood at Broadway and 45th street, in It sat an equally stunning girl, wrapper" In furs, smoking.a cigaret. She had recently ar- rived from England, where she was fairly well known in dramatic and film circles. She came here looking for stage work and was disappointed. Her husband had Just lost his $30 Job in a haberdashery. She had no money whatever and subsisted on the bounty and the friendship of her pal, a former Ziegfeld girl, who owned the Rolls Royce. Her stockings were torn, and the soles of her shoes were worn through. That was some months ago. She lately opened in a new play on Broadway, playing * small part. Some idea of the scarcity of good screen players may be gathered from the fact Ciat Wallace Beery, famous screen "Heavy," who now re- ceives $1,300 weekly s. lary, drew 74 weeks pay out of 52 last year. Iq! other words he "doubled" in pictures, working in two at once. Lew' Cody. Just signed by Goldwyn, worked in three one week. Lew leaves for the Coast within t few days to start work. Several on the Coast are doing seve.al roles almost simultaneously. An idea has been generated to form an "Eccentric Club" entirely „for professionals. A manager is being sought as* the first president. Men and women of the theatre world may belong. At the present' lime there is no place where both serfes In theatricals can meet on a basis of friend- ship and equality without outsiders present, with the possible exception of the Sfxty Club, and that does not .'exactly typify the. atmosphere wanted^ Lew Cody pulled a laugh on Cecil De Mille. The latter is looking for 100 camels for a big scene to be made in California on a coming picture. De Mille came to an impasse, for there are only about 50 camels in all of America, most in circuses. Lew sent him a note, saying: "I appreciate your predicament. . Am sending something to help you out." The "something" was 100 Camel oigarets. Glenn Hunter visited .the. Paramount Studio -a few lays ago. He watt introduced i*t Nita Naldh The famous vamp gushed H over (.Jjcnn. Sh« told him how much she admired his work. "The part I like best is where you tret down on your knees and say. *Oh, God, please make me a good movie actor.' .You have me doing, that now, livery night 1 pray. : Oh, God, please make me a good movie actress." " ado Bodth, Geneva Mitchell has informed friends she is hot engaged to W the tenor. ' • i- ; Ziegfeld and Georgie White crossed each other's paths again in Chicago recently. One of the "Sally-girls went to Georgie and obtained a contract for his "Scandals.'' She told several others and they followed suit. Georgio signed up about six of the best girls in the show. The girls all handed in two weeks' notices and came to New York, where they are now re- hearsing. A group of theatrical people were invited to a "studio party'* at a Russian studio a few rights ago. There was entertainment of a sort, peed and withal grace- Russian caviar sandwiches, etc., which everyone enjoyed. In spite of that f*LXiS!f {£? nKr n5 1 lhe Broadwayites in the gathering couldn't mix with the funny looking liSES JZZ. "ft,,nfc highbrows and Greenwich Villagers in the outfit. At the end of the eve- ning one of the men making sandwiches presented a check to one of the guests. What the guest told him and the Russian host wa's plenty. It looked like a frame to grab a few dollars. * _ STATE or •it 11 iit'll ence, which, of course, makes it en- tirely valid BiMv Hughes and Lady Friends, dancmg combination par excellence, closed the hill for an absolute cleanup. The fs.sf -dineing finish of the miniature lightning stepper wa=) a 100 per cent, wow, but he ^polled it ill by too long an encore. This consisted of joshing with all four of his girls in turn and then A tall bill at the State the first half composed of five small-time acts well blended without the uou il "name" the State has been in the habit of topping its bills with. Th<_' overture was a novel musical diversion preceded by a picture slide announcing It as "A Trip Througn the U. S." One of tfce musicians played the role of train announcer, megaphoning the customers onto 'Track 14." The selection included all of the "locality songs" with a few heke touched such as "Please Go Wav and Let Me Sleep" for Phllly, etc. The vaudeville portion was opened by Mazie Lunette in an aerial turn. Miss Lunette, after some trapeze work, stripped to white union suit while aloft for a novel succession of rope balancing, con- cluding with a slide to the bottom of the rope for a flashy looking body spin. Clifford and O'Connos, second in a routine of crossfire, piano, singing and dancing, landed nicely. This pair arc versatile and of more than average appearance and ability. The tulle can stand revision for the b!«-time houses, which should he landed on the ability of the couple- with the proper vehicle. The man I; a good light comedian and the girl a clever opposite. S White, Black and Useless, third, made thorn laugh at this house with their standard small-time vehicle. The unridable mul»» is treated in a novel manner through the setting of the act in i blacksmith shop. It's a good small-tim" comedy turn. Jenrrw gfl and Dorney. fourth, drew consistent laughs with their crossfire. Jennings' silly -'^s Rngllsli fop character is as funny is ever, hut th*» talk won't lift the pair ibove Hi" small time. The straight hi i ■ ••Hont singing voice, stool appearance nnd delivery and Is a Corking foil for the comedian. The cross fin sticks to familiar lines bul gets e» cross strongly at this nous? They took three* healthy hows. J\u Five Kirksmith Sisters In then musical turn closed the vaude- villo portion aggressively, followed by the feature picture. "The Famous Mrs Fair " The girls make* ft sweet appearance in th*»ir white frocks 23rd STREET A flash show for a small-time house was delivered at the 23d Street the first half of the week. There were two good acts of the hoke type on the bill that made the audience roar, a jazz band turn that kept their feet moving and in addition a musical turn earlier in the show, as well as a snappy opening act. This program, together with "Quick- sands." a feature of the melodra- matic type that audieinces frequent- ing the 23d Street usually eat up, and a news weekly comprised the show. Dunedin and Play opened the bill in snappy fashion with a routine that ran for 12 minutes to fair ap- plause return. Montana with his banjo and jazzy melodies held the second spot and managed to hit those in front so hard that they were loath to let him go. demanding en- core after encore until 12 minutes were again utilized. Walter Fisher and Co. in a farcical skit that might be entitled "The New Cook" brought laughs galore, al- though the business was largely* ex- aggerated. It was the type of com- edy rough stuff, however, that a small-time audience likes, and Fish- er and the character woman of the little company fed to them as strong as they wanted it. Burke. Barton and Burke, a com- edy trio with real hoke for small time audiences, were another laugh- ing hit in the next-to-closing spot. The comedian of the rough hick type, suggestive of his former mes- senger boy characterization, and with two divisions of comedy and a couple of numbers, the two other members of the trio acting as feed- ers, the turn proved entirely accept- able to the downtown audience. Yerkes' Happy Six (New Acts), an organization with 10 people. Closed the vaudeville section, doing 25 min- utes of melodies and being ready with encores as soon as there was the slightest applause The Rathe Weekly followed and "Quicksands" closed the show. Fred Lucy JA>x is back from making pictures in Europe. Blanche Mehaffy of the "Follies" has signed a contract with the Hal Roach films, and will leave soon for California. Some years ago a big time performer was playing an Orpheum date when the manager of the theatre wanted to borrow $20. He had just had an argument with the powers that be, was through and without funds. Ths loan was paid back some time later. Three years afterward this same performer was playing a Southern cit;- when the former manager called him up. He had opened a little out-of-the-way theatre, ran colored sh^ows with midnight performances and was cleaning up. He had bought a farm some distance out of Awn, owned two cars and felt grateful to his actor friend. He offered the actor his farm and his car. The offer was accepted and the actor took the entire bill and went out to the farm to live for three days^between Jumps. SPORTS Joe Josefsln, star outfielder of the Texas League, engaged to nnn- ago the bssenatl team In CHens, Falls, N. Y., this season, will he un- able to fulfill the contract Joftefson st timed i lo; intent in his throwing arm in a Texas League nam" re- cently. The Collar City A. C of Troy. N. Y., is conducting bouU again at its former stand, the old Lyceum Theatre. Last year the club shifted its quarters to Bolton Hall. Moe My*»rs is matchmaker. The heavyweight boxing show given for the Free Milk Fund last Saturday at the new Yankee base- ball stadium was the tlggest event of its kind yet staged because of the enormous gate for a pugilistic show without a champion compet- ing. The top price was $20 for ringside. . with the scale ranging downward to a dollar for the bleachers. The throe decked grand- stand was capacity save for the boxes In the upper tier and the outer fringe of the field seats. The ring was spotted over the pitcher's box. the arrangement making for excel- lent visibility. Around the park there were no ticket speculators outside nor was there any known overcharge in Broadway ticket agencies. ■ The brokers received tickets on con- signment and in most cases charged 50 cents advance. Jess Wltlard, wh<» attracted most attention for his come-back, knocked OUt Floyd Johnson in the llth round. A clean cut uppercut to the chin foiled, the younger and lighter man. The bell plunged ns the Californian hit the canvas. His seconds rushed In And carried him to the corner, but he was unable to respond for the next round Wil- lard entered lhe ting as a two to one favorite. Willard weighed 248 pounds, Johnson, 19f». The latter looked foolishly small beside the 'man mountain." It is a wonder the bout went as long as it did and had Wil- lard made up his mind to go to it. five rounds would have sufficed Jes.s I was willing to take on any boxer Tex Rickard named. Last week there was some talk of switching the opponents in the semi final and final which would have had Luis Angel Firpo. the mauler from South America, against Jess. Johnson Is said to have been against the change but it is likely Rickard voted it. After viewing Luis annihilate Jack McAuliffe, 2d, it was lucky for Wil- lard that he didn't draw that bird. Tex should not be afraid of sending Firpo against big Jess. That match would draw a big crowd to lhe sta- dium this summer and it would settle the question of whether Willard should again go against Jack Demp- •ey. On form the leading contender for Dempsey's crown is Firpo. one of the hardest punchers ever seen in lhe ring. Willard looked in excellent con- dition. It was known that he trained faithfully and was seen on the roads around YOnkCri for weeks before the li^ht. He was confident too, but he looked clumsy and missed by a mile. Being out of the ring four years probably accounted for I.is poor judge of distance. Johnson too, was confident. The 53 additional pound* ol Willard didn't worry him. I luyd probably counting on .less' aqe probably 4 '-'. although he claims to be only ,'M. which is ♦ h.> ncre limit in New Yorlc Up until two rounds before lhe end Johnson led on points. He ham- mered Willard's kidneys and mauled the big man's/face with h's right in the clinch**. Floyd too whaled (Continued on page 44l