Variety (August 1923)

■ ''^^.W^'^''^.%9l!^^i^' :*r'.5a;5TTw«y-.wiMJi""_^ AV'^!Hf"'^''''?WSPr'.''^-' NEW SHOWS THIS WEJEie Thuriday, Aufivt 90, IMS PALACE Vauilevillf ix v:iuiU'vllle the coun- try ami i>i»tt.v much the woi-lil ovi-r. Whether it'H tlio Bnt^lteh music hall, the ttcnch varieties, the Itiillan cellar or the Cicrmaii garten. It'n vaudeville, and Its coin and arRot Is largely the s.irne. Over here, with lew txi'eiitlons, vnudeviUe hills, particularly in the provinces, are ntrtkingly :ilil:p. The varietygocr 1h fed week after week upon the same fare under different noma de guerre. Tho common complaint of the provincial vod fai. and the moet fre- quent cause of business drup-oCfs are directly attributable to this ap- palling: and repelling sameness. All of which leads to the proposi- tion in point—that the New York Palace once and always la the liv- ing exemplification of the fact that a vaudeville show nfay be refresh- ingly different and that through atmosphere, produccion, pn enta- tion and personality even vaudeville may be made to look like what it Isn't. The Pal.-ice is an American Insti- tution. To this reviewer, coming back to the vaudeville temple after an absence of several years, that fact is incrca.'iingly evident. In its poaitlon In American showdom. In its comprehensive bid for patronage, in Its diversilied appeal and far- flung influence, it is as distinctly , American as the blue grass of Ken- tucky or the corn fields of Kansas. The current bill eraacks of heavy artillery. Diversified enough to command constant attention, it pre- sents enough material for several shows almost anywhere else. The Tuesday night crowd was slow in filling the front, but went solid to the rear rail before the show got fairly under way. The crowd was a study — an intermingling of naive strangers and hardened raiibirds. The wisest cracks drew equal tire with some of the oldest hoke. The returns were slow in coming. but were heavy after tho start. Some heeitancy was still noticeable ]n the running order, with "Echoes from Danceland," sj>otted for clns- Ing. out entirely. At that the show ran after 11 o'clock, one reason why "Echoes" couldn't ni.en. Bert Fitzgibbon closed, although originally intended for the next-to- clooing spot. Filzgibboa's nut rou- tine drew the heartiest returns of the bill and he accepted the burden graciously. The etulT is standard nut, foolproof, and the surest tire t>cu:k of the footlights, Fitzgibbon Interspersed plenty of wise cracks, fal.i "the 'z' (in xylophone) is silent as In the a.?ent's commission" click- ing for howls of delight. The act has been toned down considerably from when last caught out of town and profits greatly by the pedal. Fits is no mean showman — he knows his medium and his audience. Emma Carus, spotted after inter- mission, ran steady as usual. In her curtain remarks she stated that she and "Walter" hr.d only one goal—"to please''' Miss Carus made tha goal. The final dance was a riot and the roughing of it proved the funniest thing in the routine. The plastic surgery monolog fell, probably due to the fact it wax o\cr the heads of most of the crowd. EnlJ Maii;ey's ."(ketch, "Here Coes tho Bride." fleoond after inlermls- slon, dropiied at times when the dialos becime topheavy. The skit devolves on conversation ratlicr than aitiini, but held them for the most part. "The story, played be- fore a drop .and davenport, deals with a bride and groom quarrel a few minutes prior to the ceremony, tho entrance of the groom's male friend, and the resulting mairiage between the girl and the friend, wlio turns out an old-time swcetlieait. Bert Itobinion, the author, played the groom. Mi-iis Markey's bridal gown was the out.at.andini? fe.iture. Howard and Clark's "Elihings from Life." spoiled before intei- mission, is as pretentious a pro- duction as vaudeville has .seen In many a day. James J. Morton con- tributed some gems as ctiorUs and interlocutoi'^ May Wirth and her Family of ■Wirths, including Phil, did n riding act Mond.iy night that was perfect, and repealed it Tuesday night, stopping the show with her own work and that of the family. May. just to show them, did two eomer- saults in the air while riding bare- back, ami, to keep her rep of the ridln? ace in the Wirth Family, she did a brand-new trick, riding hare- back with her feet tied in baskets, PhU seemed to get the inspiration. too. He was never funnier and never rode better, making all his jumps and landings perfectly, while Stella played the piano in about the prettieet looking set x riding act in vaudeville or elsewhere ever had, with both sisters doing harmony in a specially written song and Mother ■Wirth snapping the whip for the four dandy looking horses. Tuesday night it looked as tliough one of the horses walked through the ring, but May covered it up . with a ficries of handsprings across the "sawdust," Charles Olcott and Mary Ann had Olcott's faniiliur routine, one or two new number 1 being Included The turn was excellently costumed. Mary Ann's vocal numbers clicked Bert Home and Henry Dunn. No. :;, worked hanl and earne-stly. Retting their numbers tvcr, altlidugli tliey did tell just one gag in the niid.-t of all of the singing. Why but one gag m.'iy be their own secret; it bounded as though they hii out down a string of dialog Into what they thought was ttie best and that left them one, or they have started to build up and can't find a second to follow the first. In either event, If they will slick to songs as they did Monday evening, even without the comedy dance insertion, they will be just as well and better off, as their dependence is harmony. A tough spot, (he opening one, for the Three Arnauts was bravely taken up by the very personable young woman, who has so much personality, and the two boys. In that position the boy'a solo on the violin should have l>een taken out, although needed for a change, when it could have l>een cut down. The turn did enough, however, to cause a serie.i of curtains that proved that wasn't the first time the trio had been often called before the drop. Their acrobatic trio violin-playing number has a great deal of action and much music in it. All are violin pla>ers. Btirton. RIVERSIDE Vaudeville has its own mjslery play at the Riverside this week in "The Merton Mystery." the elabo- rate<l version of the former mind- reading turn of Hope Eden and Frescott (new a<ts.) They are fea- tured in this sketch which closed the first half of the bill, adding the necessary novelty .md sirengtli to the lineup to lift the show awriy at)ove anythins seen at this house all season. The mystery sl;i< was nobly as- sisted by an excellent bill before and after witli Bert Fitzgibbons and his brother, Lou. taking the comedy hit of the eveains. openint; after the in- termission, 'i'he Fitzes gave them fits. subbiiiK tor the White Sisters, who were off the pi-omam. The nut comic iloubled up from the Pata ;e. After hanging up ills usual returns with tlie nut rnniedy. Jimmy Flynn stepped out an<l got in a strong plug for "Carolina Munun.v." at the same time spiking the \ irn that mamr. y Slings are taboo ..i the vaudeville houses. Olga Cook. th<- iirima donna re- cently returned from musical comedy circles, closed the long bill, hxldiiig everyone with her toneful voice, blonde beauty and excellent selection of numbers. Miss Cook opened with "Swingin" Down the I.lne." Willie she changed to n pretty white frock the author of "Blue Hoosier Blues," who was at the piano, obliged with the number and usual announcement putting both over. Her last number was the theme song from "Blossomtime," also accompanied by a dazzling change. They lilced lier muchly here. Between In the next to closing spot Lewis & Gordon's "Blondes' with Cliester Clute in an Ernest Truex role entertained, going well in a peculiar spot for a sketch of this type. The act holds an Inter- esting situation and will never make anj» enemies. It's a frothy comedy offering of mild dimensions. The Kitaros opened swiftly and cleanly with "rizley" juggling of each other and Japanese acrobatics. The act is prettily dressed. It Is a two-man and woman combination uver.'iging up with any of the Jap acrobatic turns. Hul6 and O'lirien seem to have mustered the knack of stopping shows in the No. 1! spot. The two- man piano and singing combination have a. current routine of pop songs but get their biggest returns with an Irish standard. A ballad an- nounced as recently authored by Uule went nicely through an ex- cellent delivery, but in more Incap- alile hands might not have got over. Itoye and Maye (new acts), a cute buy and girl ilance combination from tlie west, added a peppy 11 minutes to tli» bill No. X. They are big time dancers and witc he.irtily accorded. Al Itaymond in his Dutch monolog built himself up into a comedy hit after a cold start. Raymond's routine of comment touches all of the national topics and holds many laughs. He gives the Ulk his ex- cellent Dutch delivery. An encore and a medley of parodies without music concluded Ha.vmond's bit. Con. METROPOLITAN, BROOKLYN An especially strong card of five acts for second week of full-week policy at thl.s house. Tuesday night's show played to S. R O. Quite a record when one considers the ca- pacity of tho house, over 4.000. The acts were well spotted and the show moved along at an even pace,,giv- ing the customers n snappy show that was eaiily worth the entry fee. Yeiices' Flotilla Orchestra, top- liner, scored H walk-away in closing spot. It is a 10-pioce combiiiation, one of tiie best in vaudeville. Its numbers run to symphonic arrange- ments .and classical jazz, each num- ber enhanced by effects. An Orien- tal number, giving the brass full sway, proved an adequate intro- ductory. This was followed by a hot janz contribution, which wa^s sent over to cuually good results. A cl.iBsical jizz .irraiiRPment of "Trov.atore" brougiit tho curlHin down to pi" longed applause, the boys iuspondint4 with several en- cores, whith were sent over in speedy tempo. I'n.m all angles the orchestr;i ju.'-tKied the stellar 'hon- ors that had been allotted it. Mcdrath and Deeds, in next to closing, xvere the cnniedy riot. The tmvs rir" ii'-.*'. ippitrin:; eliaps, wuh excellent slnglnB voices and a keen sense for comedr. Their aonrs were intermingled with enjoyable clown- ing that readily won the aiiproba- tlon of the audience. This was par- ticularly true In the Instance of their medley of "bar-room melodies," in which the abbreviated comic did a clever "drunk" bit and later in the "deserted wife" episode. Renard and West, in their satirical comedy, did well. Four Locust Sisters contributed a harmony slnglnr act that won in- stant favor. Three of the (iris han- dle the songs, with the younger sis- ter accompanying on the piano and soloing over the wait spots of the act. Their repertoire leans toward published numbers. Kane. Morey and Moore, open- ers, contributed a neat routine of perch balancing. A thrill punch is provided for the climax. JEFFERSON A deluge of dancing, with a sprin- kling here and there of comedy in the first halt of bill. It sized up well. The feature act here, Olga Myra and Her Southern Entertain- ers, a Jazz band and baritone singer (New Acts). An encore brought on Malinda and Dade, who had pre- viously appeared, and enabled this colored duo to steal the show away from them entirely. At the conclu- sion there was solid applause, with the crowd railing forthe colored people, while Miss Myra and her aggregation endeavored to respond. This did little good until Malinda and Dade responded to take a bow. Whether the injection of this team into the act was a good piece of showmanship as far as the big turn is concerned Is a matter of conjec- ture, but it seemed u little bit or Fourth of Jtjly tactics, with nothing achieved. Opeping the show was t.awton with his juggling of balls and strong arm feals with cannon balls. Law- ton Is a past master at his v.ork. and were he to speed it up by the elimination of an endeavor to emu- late W. C, Fields In his line of pat- ter it might be for the better. Malinda and Dade, one of the best mixed colored teams, had the mob snapping from the start. Their trick dancing, character dances and In- dividual routine caught on from the start and set a terrific pace for those who had to follow them. Their con- cluding number, which is a race, stopped tha show. Then came Qreen and Parker with their cross fire talk. The man found that things were none too easy for him, so he turned on the throttle and let a few "blue" boys go to warm the company. It got him nothing, as did the talk about the olco drop, which seemed un- cthjcal. Concluding their offering with song, the couple got away nicely. Grette Ardlne and two male aids are capital dancers. Here again It was a case of building up, for the dancing team which had appeared before had shown the folks about ovcrj-thing there was in the line of Terpsichore. But the boys started out with some clever pedal feats, and when Joined by Miss Ardine kept them up until the trio got off with a hearty approbation on the I)art of the customers. Morrlsey and Young, two men. one eccentric and the other straight, were the next, with talk and eccen- tric dance steps. It's the typical talk used by burlesque graduates In vaudeville. The boys conclude their turn with a knockabout burlesque Apache dance which went over like a cyclone. Following the band were Mc- Laughlin and Evans, man and woman, with a comedy skit in front of a special drop In "one" of the exterior of an East Side tenement. This team were in their proper sphere, as the locals and situations are alt planted In the neighborhood of this house. Most of the talk was real as far as this audience was concerned and went big. As a prece- dent had been established on the bill for dancing, this couple obliged with a Bowery tough dance in cos- tume. Closing the show were Yetta and Manel. man and woman, who. In evening dress, started oft with acro- batic dancing, then did a little haz- ardous parlor perch work, and con- cluded their offering with a bit of strong jaw work, the man swinging the woman around, who was sus- pended by a pair of arm cuffs. This turn held them In-well for tl^ fea- ture picture. sented. It has not l)een seen lately in vaudeville, as it was a feature at the Hippodrome for about alx years, where it was always surefire. Malla- Bart and Co. will bo a new act In the out-of-town houses and can be safely booked on any program where a comedy novelty is needed. Max Bloom and Alice Sher. with their comedy dialog and travesty, got over very nicely In the fourth position. Tho Versatile Sextet (men) open as a Jazz orchestra, followed by some finely arranged harmony sing- ing and several solos. The voices are good and blend nicely. The violinist and saxophone player do some good solo Jazz dancing and also a double routine of the same. The act Is well arranged, neatly dressed and creditably presented. The boys received plenty of ap- plause and held down the spot in good shape. Weston and Eline landed a nice little hit, tlie intimate audience work of Miss Ellne done artistically without giving offense being espe- cially enjoyed and their closing Bowery bit with J^lline doing an Inebriated girl (also without ot- fenae) Is a really clever character sketch which brought them wcll- merited applause, the team wisely leaving them still applauding. The show proper was closed by Hlggins and Blossom (formerly Iliggins and Bates), two nice look- ing girls with an unprogrammed piuni«t. who, besides accompanying the dances, puts over two piano solos capably. He knows his busi- ness, but should attend to his ward- robe and dress in keeping with the classiness of his principals. The girls are gracefu- dancers and their seri-- of single and double routines were each rewarded with well- earned applause. It Is asking too much of a sister te.am to close such a show and while Hlggins. and Blossom scored strongly, if they and Malia-Bart Co. hail switched places bot:. would have been better oft and the hill better balanced. Tlie Merry Go-Round' picture closed, and in spite of its hlgh- soundins; classilitatlon, did not start nun h. 5TH AVE. While the major portion of the acta on the bill were familiar names, there was nothing In the way of an actual draw In the show. Two of the turns, Towa and D'Hortys (New Acts) and the Five Belasl (New Acts) are said to l>e Harry Mundorfs importations. The first did 12 minutes in opening the show and the other did IS In closing It. Neither showed anything worth im- porting. The stage hands stopped the show Jn the second spot for the Four of Us by keeping the lights on and not changing the sign. The quartet did well on their own merits, but the applause would not have con- tinued had the stage beea darkened. The boys took neat and do their numbers in good harmony, The old standard comedy used by quartets for years Is also found in this act. Jean Adair and Co. pleased with the playlet concerning tho cake- eaters and flnale-hoppers. The boy who plays the rolo of Chcs is now a blond.. The face is the same, but the hair was formerly a dark brown. The change hasn't been for the better. The film which preceded Polly Moran's entrance didn't mean a thing except to familiarize the audi- eree with Polly's appearance on the screen, but the work done by the comedienne meant a steady run of laughs for every minute she was In view. She's one of the funniest fem.ale clowns seen in vaudeville in a long time, and a decided relief from the customary "personal ap- pearance" hokum done by fihn people. Her satire on these very personal appearances tind the talk about various screen pcr."!onalltles were riots. She can make 'em laugh any place. Margaret Severn and a pianist who deserves billing tore off one of the biggest hits of the show. The wonderful work of Miss Severn, particularly In the I'avlowa and closing numbers, places her far ahead of any toe artiste who has played the two or three-a-day since Bessie Clayton. The pianist is re- markably good. Al K. Hall and a company of three offered a new act. BROADWAY Sfanager Louis Stanion has no kick coming from a box olllce stand- point, as the continuous policy of this house keeps the seats filled pretty well all the time. A l*ctter than average bill draws them in and pleases them on presentation. Miss .Merle and Co. (New Acts) open the show, and Bill nobln.ion. the 1 oioreJ dancer, followed, slopping il in a difUcult spot. No «:ngle wooden-shoe dancer h.is .inything on Bill, and his nni.ili on the steps is a dandy Idea well executed. Malia and Bart Co., two very clever acro- bats with good prop comedy, ore assisled by a cute lillle lady who for the benefit of the back row patrons might speak louder. "The HaKgage Smashers" is still as big a laughing hit a.« i^iion Hr-f pp«.,w.uaiM0g AMERICAN ROOF The Roof probably dr.aws the most misbehaved audience on the entire Locw circuit, and the means to combat the Eightli and Tenth avenue balcony rowdies are .almost negligible. No effort is made to stem the whistling and catcalls, and the ni.inagment even goes so far as to capitulate to the hoodlums by re- fusing to sell tho stage boxes. These are in dote proximity of the st.ige. and ratlier than risk any cncouiane- ment of the rowdyism, the choice lornti<.n>< nre ("old < nly -whrn h»»- soliitel>' necessar\-. bee.tuse of n ca- pacity attendance. The Keiths Cniiiiii.il evil nt its worst was never as bad as the Ronf today, and the managinienl would be wi.-e to adopt some of the ".stroiig arm" tactics wliicli iiroved so eltective at the Colonial, With the rowdyism wild, the average patron there for an eve- ning's amusement is subjected to a ■ontinuous outburst ot.ilistutbinK a«<l other annoyancei<. snd comes away with a headache. Th* rowdy element will shortly driva the desirable percentage, and they are by far the majority, from tho Roof, After a few months' absence from "covering" this theatre, the change was a shocking surprise to the interviewer. One tiling must be said for that hilarious audience. When they liko anything or anybody they don't keep It a secret and tell It to the act a- planty, and what's more, always force an extra recall. Three swch occasions cropped up Monday night. Casper and Morrissey (New Acts), had to come back with an im- promptu extra offering. Bobbie Car- bone assisted by a peachy blonde sti-alght, reopening after intermis- sion, also went the "stop the show" route. Carbone Is an Italian come- dian doing a comedy stagehand. The woman is tho "actress", giving the hand a chance to alng. Carbono flaiihes a sympathetic tenor and considerable native ad lltiblng for the benefit of his countrymen pres- ent. It's a sure-fire frame-up for . the i>op houses. . The third to win the audience's supreme mark of esteem was Julia Kelety. The personable Julia de- served it from an audience of a plane superior to the simple Amer- Icanltes. In better company. Miss Kelety possibly may have to forego some of the "hot" references anent not marrying one sailor because she wants to t)e true to the whole Navy, etc.. but her songs should click as strong anywhere. Her "More Homme" in French is the real thing, and tlie Itordonl with "iio It Again ' is sure-fire. "Roses of Picardy" in English and French forced a re- call for a comedy reeitatiotj. Bell and Eva opened with a trampoline routine. Reed and Mayo (New Acts* No. 2. Beatrice Mo'r- reli Sextette closed the four act first half. Second after intermission was "Profifeerins." Walter Newman's former vehicle, now sponsored b.v Newman with Jimmy Lyons feat- ured. Two women are in supiiort. As seen on the Roof, the sketch is considerable nonsense finding ex- cuse only because of the laugh-re- turns which probably accounts for its existence. White Bros. (New Acts). The first half only held eight acts, against the usual nine, and with the "Lawfui Larceny" feature concluded a few minutes past eleven/ A trailer heralding Norma iTal-' madge's "Ashes of Vengeance" pre- cedes the feature. On exit, with a heavy shower out- side, the house attendant .uncon- cernedly hurried the patrons into the street complaining "I'm not gonna stay here all night. AbeL 23DST. A mediocre layout badly Jumbled Monday night by the introduction of 'i. ^""^ "^^ professional tryouta sandwiched into the middle of the bill, running until 11 o'clock before the picture. The announcement cards got ai; mixed up. and confu- sion reigned. They even put Max- well, Lee and Ca, capital dancing turn, on to open, where it had small chance for one of the best items In the layout. (New Acts). What the entertainment would coSm „Hr, ^l '" "' "f"'" '•unning could only be guessed at: probably an aver.age show, but with strong dancing values that would give It ^''The''i'r'' '^'"Tr i' "^""K "'ce'• sn?.n^Mf^'''''^'J ^*» "^"O Started It iP„r, '*V'' ^''^n '°"r seml-profes- and Wh.li''"^^W'"'"'' """' Abbott ana White picked the running un sin^'," "'"". " *»"•»' well-frlm^ sitting specialty (New Acts), But the evening didn't get its r«al dt^n' ""',".','"= ^'«PP'"S turn of watl dron and Moore. Here is a pair of rea dancers, with a swift and slghT- ^ little production all their own. They open with a spirited bit of leg- wi''"! '*" S'rl in short skirt.i and P.J^ '•'^^ showing something In the sUk b.f 2 '" afternoon clothes and Silk hat docs several solos, all easy fntTJfilT"" Zl"' ""O "»le twists ohinL ""'?,°' ^^^ «'>•' makes three ne^t^nif, ""« "'■''">'• """^ makes a neat nitty figure at all times. All straight specialty stuff and not " spoken word. „i.?°fi,'"'. *"<>«'<'>■ an<' Co., with the nl» .V'^''; "'^' ^«°'*'' and sounds ifo ?. ','"'■'<'«'>"« "bit," were pretty stli V *■ '"""'"S for a 20-mlnute sketcli. hut the stuff Is sure fire for .such an audience as that nt the 2Jd Street, and the singing and Interpo- I.'itions and the burlesquey costume of the soubret put a kick Into the proceedings. The five people rush- ing on and o(T and working up farci- cal complications in the comedv gives a flash of production and keep's tilings on the move." rpioarioiis low comedv was what they wanteri. and this filled tlic lilH Fnllnuliig tlie Jean (Jranese trip, with the (li.ilect comedians workini; from tlie audience, stepped inio i> good SDiii 111. I worked to tumuliuou.^ applau.se and gales of laughter. Il wa" K.iti;,K .iround 11 hv this time. 1)111 Ui- (h)V, ning of the iivo Ualiaii- wa:- ef|n;i to the j.ib of l:eeping I hem amiH"! iiMil-r what mislit have be-n tiyinir ( iri-iinistanres not nn-oii- neeleii uitli l!u- profe.ssiona'. tryouta th.it ItkI i,,Iien up .-i lot of time ea'.lii r. 'I'll" C'c.iiiv.c! of \'eiilce, somewhat' (111 ilo.Mi hui concencratel into ac •tion. clos".! tlie :-Mow There are now onlj live people in I he .tci. inil thev are ill m.de lo count. Three plan-'