Variety (September 1923)

Thursday, September 8, 1923 NEW SHOW! PALACE I Sunday night. ▼>""ori to Wew 1 Tm* jammed the PSftlace. but Labor Pdbjt evening eaw •ttendanoo off ^ iSom the UBual MondayJUuw.Pat- ^i^e then wa» almort entirely from out-of-townere, as one-flfth of Kanhattan'a populace wa» estimated having gone to country and snore for the summer's final holiday. ■ It Is likely there was more money In the bouse than usual for a week- day nlgbt, as the holiday scalo ap- nlled to the entire lower floor and boxes priced at $2.75. whereas the regular $2.20 scale goes for the^^rst It rows downstairs and boxes, u'he latter and the rear portion of the house were the untenanted spots. The show ran to dancing topped hy the new Hackett and-Delmar Pance Revue (New Acts), which registered so well at the mati- nee it was switcbed down two notches, exchanging places with the Ijopez Orchestra, which moved up from seventh to closing intermission. That proved to be advantageuug^ both ways. /^ Comedy of a laugh-getting kind was in little evidencf and was the weakness of an otherwise entertain- ing show. 'When Billy Glason, planted next to closing, got into his stride, he excited the first merriment In an hour and • quarter. The going was, therefore, ■oft, though the house warmed to Glason clowly. He was at the top of his form with a gag about a girl and Pittsburgh, which brought forth a real laugh. The 1-cent drink idea too 'struck 'em right. Glason has no fault to find with the way his material landed, but there is no doubt a number of bits have been told ahead of him. The monologiart has claimeS-lifts by others from time to time. Material in the routine is credited to Neal R. O'Hara of the "World." Lopezand his Hotel Pennsylvania musical bunch have spent a goodly part of the summer playing at the Palace, with Paul Whiteman Jazzing * London to a fare-thee-well at the same time. Lopez had nothing new to offer over his other appearances, but It was no trick to turn a life- sized hit. An old number came with "Raggin' the Scale," and developed Into a melodious surprise', which gave Lopez a chance to tickle the Ivories prettily. The big bands are being credited * with reviving some numbers which have been around a long time and almost forgotten. One la "Nola," which Lopez has at times used as a ■pecialty. In the record department of a big store last week It was •tated the call for the number was ao brisk 'Victor la remaking It, though "Nola" la nine years old, and when on the market was virtually passed up. Curiously enough, two other turns «n the bill used old numbers, and in each instance they landed. The combination of "Home" aongs and the "Bouquet of Roses," which merges "Rose" numbers, were the Mgh-lights of the Lopez offering. He may have a new blues cometist in the band, for that plump lad drew attention with his odd notes. Robert Emmett Keane and Claire 'Whitney, with John Graham Spacey ■ aiding, were a humorous treat In Louis Grattan's "The Gossipy Sex," parked No. 8. It Is a rather bright remark of Keane's when he says he has a date to see "The Scandals of 1923." Keane's class and clever act- ,lng a#e the strength of the playlet, and with him It will be standard for several seasons to come. Helen Stover, a prima donna com- baratlvely new to vaudeville, made her Palace debut opening Intermis- sion. Last spring she appeared up- State, rtien entered the Metropolitan big time via the Riverside. Since then Miss Stover has been taken over by May Tully, whose direction has completed the moulding of the prima donna's song routine. Her numbers are pretty much the same as before, one change being a com- position formerly employed for en- •pre, which did not belong. Miss Btover ftas personality and a voice which well equip her for general big time usage. She needs direction to better handle herself on the stage. MiM Stover Is carrying a clever pianist. The latter has no specialty. That is probably aimed to center at- tention only on the songstress. , It was a surprise to the talent that "Pee-Wee" Myers and "Ford" Hnn- Jord, a $600 act, was spotted No. 2, -•-rC"' ^^^ boys with the musical saw j!M.\e accepted a Loew route, and will ./; probably open at the State next J Week. The Keith office must h.-ive ■/ Been tipped and the early spot re- sulted. Hanford's singing of "In the Shade of the Old Apple Tree" evoked a gigKle at the start, but the aouae come through with a big hand at the conclusion. The lyrics of the »te Harry Williams seem to possess even more charm than when the song was the rage, and there ccr- jainly is as much appeal In the scn- Wment so prettily worded. Myers started something with his excep- JJonaJ stepping and the act was a of hooflni*. There was some walk* ing, but those who remained were regaleA with some very clever hard shoe stepping, which seems a novelty these tlmeaw One ot the younger members too performed well on her toes. The Five Petleys (New AcU) opened excellently. ibee. RIVERSIDE As far as business was concerned Monday night, the official "opening of tho season," didn't mean a thing. With warm weather, a week-end holiday, and "The Old Soak" play- ing next door, one might say that the house was lucky in doing even what it did. The balcony was welk filled, but the boxes, loges and or- chestra looked barren. The fact that not one act on the whole bill could be considered a drawing card didn't help matters any either. The show was good en- tertainment, made up of standard acts, some of which might be called "names," but the box office receipts disagreed. Hyams and Mclntyre (New Acts) opened the second half, and "The Land of Fantasy" closed on Inter- mission. The big act now "offers Stasia L«dova,' exploits W. Wania and features Jimmy Lyons," accord- ing to the program. The chorus of eight are also billed, as is .Asidy Burne. The latter does a solo be- tween waits. Ledova and Wania hit solidly with their dancing, and Lyons kept them 1 lughlng while he did a Dutch mono- Ipg between* the first and second scenes of the act. Speaking of Andy Byrne brings tii mind that Julius Lensberg returned to the house Monday after being away all summer. He was accorded a reception during the intermission when he played the saxophone. Harvard, Wynfred and Bruce opened with some snappy aerial ac- robatics. The Three Fleming Sisters did n concert repertoire, using piano, violin and cello, to -results In the second spot. The girls are attrac- tive in appearance, accomplished musicians and have selected an ef- fective repertoire. Jean Adair and Co., third, were the first holding talk. Tom Barry's playlet is one of the best Miss Adair has done in vaudeville In years, her natural self being a more easily liked type t)ian the old-lady characters she formerly did. Laura Lee makex a convincing flapper, and Warren Ashe and William Phelps are of the best Juveniles in vaudeville. Frank and Teddy Sabinl are do- ing the same material which they have bean doing for several seas^s and which Frank did with several partners before he met Teddy Tap- pan, now Mrs. Sabinl. This per- tains only to the talk, for Sabinl Is always putting In new bits in the iRay of dances and Instruments. They tied the show In knots here. Shaw and Lee hoked It up while next-to-otoslng, scoring easily, and Heras and Willis closed with an un- usually well-framed acrobatic act. sing and sells his stuff unusually fot a midget. Tellegen's dramatic sketch, "Blind Touth" opened the second half. It's conventionally theatrical and acted In an average way, but Tellegen suc- ceeds in sending It across with a flourish. Spoor and Parsons, a mixed danc- ing and singing (A>mbinatlon, closed It looked hopeless following all the show that had gene before, but the couple didn't lose a customer. A double with the team doing statues with adagio stepping mode one of the most picturesque dances seen around in several seasons. Monday was Labor Day, and busi- ness was considerably under capa- city Monday night, the beaches and summer resorts proving competition. BelU ALHAMBRA Big time vaudeville was restored to the section geographically known as Harlem with the reopening of <hl« house /Konday. Business was oft on the main floor and top tier, although the midsection was comfortably filled. A nine-act bill, with comedy and song predominating, greeted the stay-at-homes and returning vaca- tionists. It consisted of eight stand- ards and one newcomer. Chapelle and Carlton, In closing spdt (New Acts). Top-line honors were divided in the billing by Harry Carroll and Grace Fisher and Robert Elmmett Keane and Claire Whitney, both sets scoring In their individual offerings and running each other dead heat for Ut honors of the bill, also both acts doubling this week. Mabel Ford's Revue, in which iMabel Is flanked by the Doll Sisters. Deno and Kochele and a flve-piecc Jazz band, provided one of the best dancing flashes of the season. Senator Ford amused with his droll resume of topics of the day, while Fenton and Fields also con- tributed heavily to the comedy de- partment in their songs, clowning and dancing. Grace Doro did nl<!Hy In the deuro spot with a pianolog, partlculaily in that portion of it where she Imitates various musical instruments. Leo Henning, assisted by Lillian Akers, got over nicely in songs and dances. They were the pacemakers for the second half and gave a piquant touch of youthfulness to the bill. Hammer and Hammer, openers, prefaced the routine contortion act by coming on in frcg and alligator skins in the opening, later discard- ing them and working in tights Both of this mixed team are accom- plished contortionists. Their novo' opening makes their offering the more enjoyable. Is s genuine bit of vaudSTlIls »'-| tertalnment. Vcrdi, he pf ths ct^ o and ihn iw.ntomlmic wit. Is a iw^ - ; seasor of a real low comedy kns i. He can be iiiMintuneously fm« y without a noise of knockout. .'1;' Is a delightful twist ot quiet clowu- r For a background for bis fuol) i- | ments he has the excolleni mu^.. tf the routine and probably this r'»-t8 him a desirable f.cintrast. His «• lo solo of a scntirnrntul ballad Is tn Inveigling bit of melody and lbs "■ b surdities that come lii its heels f intriisinvd by the con!rt»??. ' b' whole act is made by the by-pla.r of the pair and their rar'** 'HaBg*- ■'I pace, from senlimrntal harmon** Si', the two violins to rollicking ra»' ^ne on violin and cello. The varlcl ■- of music Is as atlrnrtlve as the c< -ale business of the player. Blllie Burke's "Tango Phots' t,i ide a good closing numb«r, MithougU the slow opening works against It ■• ;>e- what In this position. Wtasn :• *ets Into Its pace, however, the laush* are soundant. and (b«> sluy for ths t -ip- stick finish. ■X'bc Rarablin Kid." Vmi^t < Ml. with Charles ("Hoot") Oibsoa. .as the film feature. Jtvl. u^sr^* 'f.i- *.W*g M. ••<j Xm.4 ~J>»g»,\i" stxrti To* ^a.icing ;''.«*>iu< tf tl^s lm(>refj!.'« flirt ormance, ant* •(;( ind: hat the Apolli .iMrai'ii' i record week. Mr Belw/n k.M his \ sscntntivo, \/<i>ttr inn. 4lbow during t^^ rnir: 'las set the Iottk niriow ■ ■)rc cf the ?*.■*♦'•» <•>•••• drertiseraest- ^mn thq . brM a pa4'« ^ih«rli>ri; •k three «>••..-'* in il ^tisane." Tb<k is k«rii ' i*js Tribune <* •vnttry, k^lon was lIaSl> is '.'l>!' An Importrn' aagU •'• * the State or i.tr uiSct V and followe< , up the K' • alien. It Ik kntwa tbe I- • sy's olRoes s'r invest i •trest scalper*' lod for ■d others at Vi vm» < ;»iess ther* ca . | • <*sp<< raportant aei • yisb^ac .cal ticket st.i v «v Zr*^* AMERICAN Lytcll and P.nnt, No. 4, also used •* Rood purpose a pop number of an- einer season, though comparatively new. Good handling of "And He i^ves It" put the number across nicely. They won a laugh with a Ku l^'ux gag. A "musical instrument ro- mance' carrlcd*the tcnm forward a ^Dg step and they crashed over with «_. *? stepping that looked very touRh on tho shins. ti7,,? P^nc'ng Madcaps had the dlf- "cuit Job of closing after a wealth ORPHEUM, B'KLYN nrou can't do biisiness If you haven't got a band," the showmen of the old rep days used to say. And that seems to go Just as well in modern vaudeville, for a band in a show is now the most Important part of it as a rule. The Orpheum has a band this week. It was the big noise of the entertainment Monday night This particular musical aggregation, Joe Fejer's, is a seven-piece string com- bination, two yloms, piano, cello, bass and Hungarian cymbals or ^ring piano. They play nicely, not sensationally, but with a certain melodiousness, and Fejer leads and plays in a dignified way that gives the proceedings a touch of class. The band closed the first part, and hung up an Indisputable hit. They're tough at the Orpheum, and the acts that can boast of holding them for encores after the curtain has de- scended on the first half are few and far between. Preceding the FeJer orchestra was Bob Hall with extempora'neous poetry. Mr. Hall doesn't worry mush about meter, and his rhymes are pretty terrible, but he makes the house like his stuff. Captain Bruce Balrnsfather (New Acts) was third, and Bernard and Garry second with singing and a step or two at the finish. Bernard and Gnrry are still Imitating Jolson and Cantor, and doing it well enough. Both have cood voices and ability it would seem to do an act .several notches above the conven- tion.nl sonRnlog offered. Sylvia Loy.aI caunht a settled house opening with her tr.ilncd noodle, plpeons and wire walking. J'..\cellent sight turn with care shown in the matter of lighting and stag- ing. Lou Tellegen and Jack Wilson and Co., combined for some pleasant clowning following their Individual cts. Tellegen hns developed a black- face makeup that makus him look like a regular minstrel, and be has Iso learned considerably more about manipulating the keys of a saxo- phone than displaced earlier In the season. The afterpiece is arranfced with a structure that permits Wilson to make use of ahy ad lib stuff sug- gesting itself, and it rolls along with plenty of lauRhs. The midget Willie Ward, plcke<t up the Wilson act to- ward the finish Just as the turn was starting to droop a bit. Ward can BROADWAY Show opens rather slowly and lags a little up to No. 4. From that point it goes at a brisk pace to the finish with a fine, full-bodied bunch two from closing in the Andre Sherri Revue (New Acfs), a bit of high class singing and dancing produc- tion in t^e cabaret floor style. This Item was ample reward alone for a particularly sultry summer evsnlng. Tbe show has good comedy values well, distributed, is short of talking acts and gets a world of speed from ths abundance of dancing. That sums up to a good entertainment McSovereIgn does a neat novelty, although Its dressing Is sloppy, par- ticularly In reference to tho woman assistant who weass what looks like a negligee. The turn Is made up of diabolo spool manipulation, and al- though that sounds like a rather trifling idea for a vaudeville act It is worked with surprises, such as a pair of bounding nets that riend the spool back and fortlt across the stage for some dexterous catches, Rudell and Dunegan are man and woman whose material does not do Justice to their probable abilities. They have bits of dull talk, with the man playing several stereotyped characters, such as English fop, boob, and so forth between songs. The pair make a go'od appearance and their songs are nicely selected and well done. Also they dress at- tractively. They have everything in their favor except the stale stuff they use. That spoils their chances. Julia Nash and G. H. O'Donnell are using the same sketch, "Nearly Single." framed around tho ever- lasting domestic wrangle. They play It well and get all there Is In It but the possibilities of the sub- ject are pretty well exhausted for vaudeville at this late day. A straif-'ht talking comedy sketch has to have a lot of novelty and kick to start snytjilng and "Nearly Sin- gle" is Just another sketch. Gene Morgan broke Into the pro- ceedings at this point. No. 4, and stopped the show with his remark- able brand of stepping, the specialty topping oft tho good impression of his suave monolog. This young man has that easy, good humored style that contributes so much to the fun- niments of Will Rogers and delivers his casual talk In a rich and unctu- ous southern drawl. Tbe talk act him and when he broke into his opulent "levee shuffle" they were all In his p.arty and stayed so until they had flashed the lights several times following his departure. The Sherri Revue came next and halted the running the second time. To make it rigtit, a third tumult was Inspired by Coscia and Vcrdi. Here A hit-and-run show, wlJta five standards and three n«wc(.*«ers comprising the right-act btU. ; usi- ness light for Tuesday night The bill itself was lacking In cc. ledy and a trifle overburdened with Iftot features. The Great Maurice redesme his talk with a fine line of card ma vlpu- latton and conjuring. Uls i rsUc bag trick was clever, t ea : not new. His card tricks m^t^ still better. The other visuals wei Bal- lon Bisters, openers, and 'Wi>^ and Emerson, closers (New Acts). Najf- ler ond JL>avls, spotted second (New AcU). Ilamtres Harrington and Cora Green, colored entertainers, I , next to closing spot, registered a < medy hit Harrington's Impression -. .' Bert Williams doing the poke- an .f and the pantomime hit was warw.iy re- ceived. The ensuing argumt< tatlve chatter with the girl wan < fually effective as a laugh getter. Heath and Sperling ha^ ■< sem- blance of comedy, also, sane -rlched between their songs and u novel auctioneer bit for an Introdr iAf<wv registering with the crowd irnat a comedy standpoint. Ash and Hall did fairly as laugh produesrs, hit- ting now and then, but ss<illilna whatever comedy punch ths act had with a comedy song of ths topical order. Byron Brothers and Co., five men and a girl, presumably Hawaltnns, contributed a likeahls inasieal flash act. They opened with a saxo en- semble, utilizi.ig published aaaibsrs. Four of the boy^ followed with har- mony singing and lnstrumsntalisll«, later switching Instruments for an- other number. The girl obliged with a Spanish dance. The men retnrnsd fur a medley of Hitwiuinn liie!ud)«*. topped off with a hula dance by the girl. A complex of Jass and operatlo worked up to a s|>M>dy finish pn>- vided a fitting flnale. CHICAGO SPSCi (Continued from 1) mous vote of 112 to 0, started the big rumpus. Most of the managers have Joined the Couthoui agency because they realize the territory It covers. Cou- thoui's forces are bigger than ever before. Ths decision of the Powsrs- Brlanger houses will have much to do In determining what added Im- petus the fuss will take. If any. Alice Brady's advance sals at the Powers opened today with no tickets going to tho brokers via direct under- standing of the management The independent brokers don't know which way to turu, although inside gossip tips It off that tb«y are ready for a flgbt all their own provided they can't get tlckeU un- der the arrangement governing the Couthoui offices. Theatre managers may conform with thei ticket speculation war fol- lowing the lead of Archie Selwyn, who seems to have made such a success with sale of tickets at box office only as to Justify gencial ac- tion. Using half iwige advertisements, Selwyn offered $500 reward t«^ any Chicago citizen who could t>rove that the Selwyn or Harris theatres were working In collusion with the ticket speculators. He started off by placing all seats on sale for '"The Fool" at the box office. When the campaign got a little distance under promising headway, another flash came out in the newspapers stating ths Apollo and the Aflelphi Theatree, both under A. H. Woods manage- ment, had Joined the war against ths ticket scalpers. Mr. Relwyn had received Mr. 'W'oods' sanction via ii wire froip New York. Mr. Woods hurried on here and .arrived Sunday morning. Ths sale for "The Fool" iumpol from $5,000 to $20,000 In the apace of three days. I'p to the opening of "The Dancing Iloneym.on" the "diggers" were s.atlnlKd K. "play nu the premi»Te p# i fi-i rn.-iKi < only ii#t I Continue I) f^4rB t*u r :nall salaries j ■.'■aftfU ' >w received i > : tt <«bi - )islr spectacu^^> rfws to p (...■compllahm-:. t.s. Mr. Singer i'*!) >>»«<w Jklng easie tar > «h > lark, wlio W'<t ^^ iir-t» ' his showt , M tdm Vr ''' Uace or en i ov' m %hwf ! -wutlfled wl i U* titrr I nusemcnt « t»it " «>di I ■ne flrfrt-el u>« (tMVHI r. Levy al siys e m» ' attSL'tlon '.jrjben t>»h on starts I' OrjilMiiia '-rs. And e • "•-•oite K«<> . rest of lis r<> Viny f 1 I K acts. There At'. ^ \)r. otikrir I rcuitj Juf.s -,4 aVf^ti,-; > I 'wum in til •.- v-/^inir W t .iS not cos ■ fo lS» cts t.to^uitirm, /:•> Vt Is m t-At th^»» '• ? '..■■'yfnit » ; t-^s to '•« Orphsnm e. aiea lo c>>>'-|ateot effort a la. Tbst ^ ;«is aarcr b V i«n as a^ mm>A ssms a 4 go aw b sca as s It % Si 4e to gf «h«wtue. T II sly to t'l 0v*la a pcrv mk*\ *^ ft Bs«i<« rbs rsqi PMOISM* of ai t not rsi> i4> >imi«y<tor w e are n .*r la Inat flr m : frfot ■■^d wllnoee • SI : prepar'' ons to pa.> VI idsvills i>»<>«s ac^ Niv sh uld be F ovItKA ' he mist.i«e wbic^ o >. in raudcvT'c m.'.hc Is (• pr senting •^J«M they • ra «er Iba listen to thr to «rb)>t IS In dtrnand. •he Ore' Jiu CSreoit m. takes I: .—O'Idlng en bn*- It is r >:j<iii that a wl <»h mfl tm Vmklnpv Ba ' a bet ' kno«ledg< ws itcd Ih • ^-«f>««'oac » p* kap-> n 'vo'ss a yet yai /s and htm forme* ld< « to \ i»t Taudevil ' h«>r» ; ' 'K^vsr raurl gel ing t* r, viewpoint t tbi k. clt ivould be a ter Ion '. itsi^t that f- - Cir ult i.'i V not know w Ing and • die as fooilM^ the Orph. TB Circuit do - b~: il > fw« If III* ■. wo .M-bi (uiidevllle » due r ai -it vaiiane* v, oi I ir '.«•< >" 's of the < ; .' cult no' >),< can be t-r- a " •!'. .fd the amalf ■ mid west iiTid far-west U t t O. )i«i.m CIrculi '.! doo not ')\» long to 4( > The vav yille 6ualr.':r whii ) a- -Scl Is oflent plbl) '!!• >lrcuit Um ag»T t-r n o'vn'fr "f seldi Si *•! ,ws tn.'ich al ditlo's V •!» surroun. pro|> rot ' .c act If It ; than ur, .-• vidua'. 1 an K!i ..I iwvTMi throi'gh ',!.,.• i-ffdn dlr maniig<. • ..■.; tn turn i his i (ei; who In tur our I i»>i' f ft'ho ta tur slbl« )•. :.•: <irpheum . Diak) 1 *most impo vey ■«) :lw tr-*; vidua posit'rij (..f the Orp unlet I i « player is o mini] •■ ■ • d<t«rmirif£ bv.sl! 's." ♦! om the rr If, ■> ';f viU'tnpluti''! terie- i.t vaudeville. i are i i^'fw-«l u> thtiili —^- phc'.;- I 'i! cu:t dete •alttii 4d promote » tn b:. IK. acts, it Id to ef!» ►t!»« Ihn »■ whii I •.i.'iu article t* •v\ A ^ »;f r - V A » l'I,A'. 4,KH WITH 7 PKRI TfCf; ON TMI .\OT 'KlK.'.-SAI.y. <.j