Variety (September 1923)

B^ ,^^ VARIETY Tbursclay, September 27, 1823 NEW SHOWS THIS WSEKT ''|'.''':^lP^?3S^P7?wijf^-!iv>;'r)* >;:^■:■■^«'' ■m^iwrs'' SS Sthout » multltucte of freak props, !l«S«Llly when getting over aa well Che am opening the «how and JJi'iowlng the tenseness ot the fight SrtuM lust ahead of him. I »^No 2 held Ro" Polnarlow, with •-lie' Hecht at the piano, In front ■ Sr a curtain. It's a new act and [ S-re's a man also In it. He is a itollnlst with Miss Polnarlow play- 3^ a duet with her for the finish. : Shousb he does that duet only, he is ' .t the opening of the turn resting i^ iialnst the piano, remaining there -'Sitll time to play, alternately ap- -' Jtoudlnc either gl« as they solo. 'The trio possess musical technique, ' ' tat in the present construction ai-e '' not suited to vaudeville. The muBlc ,i „,y carry them over with recon- i,SrOction of the entire turn, other- %§Lime they will have to find a iilace ? for themselves in theatricals, per- i'*. fcnps chautauquas. b Fisher «nd Hurst then did th>ir § turn the girl's flinging getting the amost of what they did gel, wiih C Jjgbby 'UKe" Henshaw, next, ticiiii,- ' uD the performance on Ma cncort- through Introducing a sweetly ap Bearing young woman cornet player. Hen^haw made them like his imi'.n- tlons and uke playing, even his 'Stars and Stripes" on the uko (pyt over by Hciishaw'a annonnrcmcrtt .': about it). f After Huynes and Btclt (Nc.v Acts), a hit here, through Miss '. Haynes' low comedy that is a littic i bit too coarse in some of Its talk lor big time, Miss Ford appe.irci a:'1 ' then Fenton and Field, In bl.ickfacr, i 4olns nutty stuff. Some of it must . have been familiar to many, (me J* of the boys remarked sotlo voice ''■: while passing" the other, "Ye Old p Hokum Rucket." and that's what '.' flulte some of It was, pnrticu!ar!> ' the canary In the cat, the cat in t* the dog. and the bologna string. 'j- Oh. boys! 5 The Tamakl Duo (New Acts) Sf closed but a fair 5th A- e. bill, but K they closed It rather well, for they L are interesting in their Jap athletic fr.^ork with .i vcman for the attrac- N" tlcn. fr'imc. 23RD ST. The first halt show was one of ?those all t6o frequent arrangements currently that keep the interior of the house in semi-darkness pretty nearly throughout the running, ami the principal illumination is fur- nished by the gleam of the picture machine and glare of the spot light, Two feature pictures—Dempsey- Firpo fight held over, and "Bright Lights of Broadway." 'Twas th* "Bright Lights of Broadway," air right, but it was also the "Dim lights of 23d St." The two pictures naturally called for the dimmers, but just to make It perfect for the glooms the vaudeville section Jld its stuff largely to the accomnaniment of the spot. ' The 2Sd St. is an old house, going for many a year, and its time-worn dinginess wasn't helped by the reign of darkness—much. Ann Sutcr, on fourth, did five numbers and used the spot for each. That's almost enough spot lighting even for a (Ingle woman. Miss Suter would have enhanced her act apparently by cutting down the illumination by three-fifths. That would have given contrast that was lacking with lUie five spotlighted songs. A personable blonde and an ex- cellent eccentric comedienne with a wealth of gestures euid a n.iturnl "nut" method, Miss Suter's vot-al limitations are forgotten after she reels oft her first song. The present routine of published stuff is all right for the pop houses, and- they fell for it heavily at the 23d St. Even- tually it's going to be a question of exclusivcs, comedy character num- bers arranged so they can be spoken rather than sung. With an individ- ual repertoire tills singing come- dienne should crash Into the big league in jig time. College City Four were second (New Acts). Lambs' "Mannikins opened. The little m<irIonettes haven't been around frequently of late years, and the familiar double dance of the disintegrating skeletons, box occu- Wnts' antics, etc., clicked merrily. It's still the same standard opener |t always was, with a new touch here and there. MorrlBscy and ■ Young, next to closing with a comedy talking, sing- ing and dancing turn. The comic takes a half fall, caught by the straight, a good deal along the line? of the falling stunt done by the comic of the Klein Brothers In ac- centuating a laugh after a gag. There's a comedy Ai«ich6 double that'r sure for laughs. Done by sev- ernl teams in about the same trav- esty rough house style, but Mi - ••issey and Young get a lot of laughs Out of their version. Straight is a good (lancer but doc.sn't need spt t light. The Ixindon Steppers clo.sing and a great fl.nsh for the 2Cd St. i^he costumiiiK of thin M. fioUlcn production is biilliant, .'ind the ei«lit girls step in perfect iini.soii. A Wooden soldier number was tK|it<i- Jhy colorful, anil the b.'.lkls marked by a sense of rhythm usually con- •Picucus by Its absence' in danring Mta of the type. Ann:i llraili, pre- m if' *''^' '" B^eat loiin Monday ■"ght and shined Ip several sinuoiis- 'y grnetfui solo dances. Larry Heilly and Co. were thi-d with "Kerry." giving the show a nice i,naiaDCe in th.it spot, and going over "lurely, -IJiliBinesf! .good rr)ns(dbrlng "nsea.fK.nably'Warhj- weather Mon- day niglit. B(U. CITY The mob down here got a treat •With tlie first half bill. In some re- spects It was-over their heads while in others It was Just what they wanted. The show is fur superic to'that which has been seen here In the past month or so, with a twelve- people flash act holding the stellar burden and delivering. Opening the show were the Hardy Brothers, two men, who do hat and club juggling. The former routine Is along similar lines to tha'. of the Moran and Wiser turn, but the men here seem to realize that speed in their work is more important than a try for 'comedy, so they submit their routine In a fast and snappy fashion, which got them over in good stead. Then came Racine and Kay, a pair of medium-sized "eaftlg" ladies (New Acts), who have song, talk and dance. The girls worked hard itnd t'ot by nicely. li, the "trey" spot were Oenp Oliver and Co., a man and woman, with Oliver doing the comedy role. The turn can truly be described nr. a 'variety' offering as far as wh.Tt is acccmpiished or striven at by the trio. Tiiero is music, talk, song, niirnlriy and dancing, but all on a small time plane, with the evident Kn;! to (lisli it out and fiet away. That is What ti.c turn did, but >ud not get nwa.v as expected. The cuy- tomciK Eat KOlid, iunghed on one nr two occasions at "off color" gags pulled by Oiiver, and let it go at th.Tl. I'ollowing the Oliver turn were Holland and Kay, man and wom.in. with the cn:ner:v tallUng skit, "The (Jlicnp Skate." The turn, which de.ils with the endeavor of a wise puy to get a girl to ha\c her New Year's Eve fci'.Et .n the Automat, made a lasting impression, as many of the situations en.acted in the skit were familiar to the mob here. Next to closing Walter Wecms w.as out of hij element. His rou- tine is far above the heads of the patrona of this house, and .iT'-'r Wcems had suag hm "Gopher Dust" Eong. he remarked he would h.-.ve a <iuiet ten mJnuteis. it "vas not 10 but 11. Closing was "Music Land' (New Arts), a turn which last season ap- lieuied in a fehubcrt unit and also on the Pantages tour. It is com- posed of six men and six women, with the men and three of the wom- en furnishing the musical portion of the yirn, and all of the girls helping along with song and dance. The turn is one of the better class of flash offerings occasionally offered here and keenly relished. They could not, it seemed, give the cfowd enough, and the only way they could make their getaway after ^4 min- utes was through lowering of the picture curtain and tha projection of the Dempscy-Firpo pictures. 58TH ST. They were just as much excited over the big fight around the Queeneborough bridge district as anywhere else, and the fight pictures drew* a jammed holise Tuesday night. The crowd was non-partisan, although general hissing could be heard when Dempsey was" seiMi punching the Argentinian as the latter was regaining his feet after the fourth knockdown. The vaudeville seclinn held plenty of amusement and talent. Novelty was the </nly Inckinf; element. The new acts were "Tlie Wrerker," third, and "Shake Your Feet." cksing. "The Bright Lights of Broadway' feature film. Three Rubes opened with a com- edy acrobatic dancing turn. While the footwork contests and trapeze work lasts the laughs come- thick <and fast, but when the hokum com- mences the audience's fun stops. The act runs 10 minutes, and thtee or four of these might advanta- geously be dropped by the elimj|ia- lion of the eouf playing of mu?Tfa) Instruments, slamming one imother around and other useless antics by gpsts a circus clown rathet than a gests a circlus clown rather than a village yokel. Jason and Harrlgan, flcuclng, win the neatest act on the bill. The girls have been buried In the lowly houses long enough, and It is time for them to be lifted to the two-a- day and more opportunity. After hearing all the "kid'' sister acts and their woeful attempts at harmony it is a treat tc listen to two womeii with really mclrdious and cultivated voices. Thty nie n little more ma- ture than most of the sister teams. hut they -tavc looks .ind youthful- ncs!f enough ,-inil a lot more besides They sang six numbers, including two solos, and all won rapt appre- ciation. One of the girls does well at the piano and both have a certain refinement and finesse that spell big time in capital letters. Conlln and C;ia,sj were fourth, and the laughter never erased. Their skit about the ft.ur sea,'>on» is a pleasant enough iitlie affair, and both are adept In the art of clown- ing. The orchestra is kept (onstatit- Iv alert helping with 4h*^ iickc ind the 5.Sth Street music masti r« showed theniM.lvts Ijetter eornedy plants than musicians. After the turn is throiiKh the drummer must be about due fur a lonp rest. firacc Hayes (back home again) next to closing gave the old family men in the audi<>ni-f the thrill of a lifetime. With a very, very ultra gown tli.it ••(loW'rt pl^My'hrjd slig," gested ' even- ' Ini i ei Jlliw* HnVes strutted about With a sort of 'ag- graVatln' mama" manner that w*s as infectious as the measles. She has looks and, more than that, the ability to prove to you beyond a doubt that she has them. Five numbers were sung, two t>allads and three jazzy blues. All were well sold, but it is the latter that are more In Miss Hayes' line. She is no longer using an accompanist She left them wearing their handa out for more. BROADWAY A seven-act bill with the Demp- sey-Flrpo fight pictures held over attracted good business here Mon- day night. A f^w scattered empties in the rear row« of the lower floor. A fair mixture of medium and small-time features with three new- comers—the Tomllns, openers; Frank Richards. No. 2, and Naomi and her Brazilian Boys, closer (New Acts). The show stopper was a preten- tious dance rev€e, "Echoeo from Danceland," For pep and class it has everything In this line stopped. The act played for a while last sea- son, but has been greatly Improved. Marvel, the mute dancer, has been substituted for Edward Stanlslof, and Is being co-featured with Jane Overton, whose toe dancing was one of the outstanding features. The -piece is subdivided Into six scenes. Four wcll-t/alned dancing girls bridged the wait spots between specialties with picturesque pre- cision dances and pony ballet stuff. -Marvel and Miss Overton planted themselves with a corking Spanish dance and joined forces later in a columbine and harlequin affair that gave Marvel his best opportunity for remarkable solo work. A snappy Russian ensemble pepped up to a whirlwind pace contributed a sippy finish to this class offering. The comedy features were bunched In midsection and were given first inning by "A Dress Re- hearsal," a hokumatlcal travesty on amateur theatricals, with Billy Brown featured as the playwright- director. Two other men and two women completed the cast. Brown directed the show from the audience and worked like a trojan to grab the laughs. Small-time audiences who prefer, broad knockabout com- edy to the more subtle brand will like this skit Immensely. Morris and Shaw with their familiar line of "hoke" and songs were also liked. Bevan and Flint, mixed team, wowed them next to closing with nifty nonsense and songs. Bevan does a wlse-cra«klng hick and evokes much laughter. Miss IHInt Is a remarkably good "feed" for lilm and also clowns her way through two double numbers. GREELEY SQ. A fairly diverting six-act bill for this small timer. Business a trifle off Tuesday night, duo to a revival of the warm spell. The bill consisted of six standard small timers with- out a new face illuminating the per- formance. Probably the first time this season the bill has been devoid Of break-in turns. "Dancing Shoes," a flash revue. In- terpreted by five bavs and a girl, all unbilled, ran away with stellar hon- ors In closing. All six work at a record breaking pate and send their danr<.« acrosB in a most effectual manner. The comedy burdens rested main- ly \ip(n Bob Murphy And , the latter a diminutive but vivacious daneine girl, and a chap who did an rCakimc bit in the final scene. As a laugh grabber Murphy was there 40 wbys. He had the stuff and knew how to line It out to the customers. Murphy clowned all over the lot, soloed a comedy song, then a ballad and wound up with a recitation that wowed them. During the interim the little lady looked her cutest, d.iniid well and worked with Mur- phy in a double Murphy's act Is the very essence of "hoke," but the way he puts it over makes them like it. Another i ornrnendal.de comedy act was contributed by Connors and Boync, a mixed team, who got over nicely in a happy mixture of clown- ing, singing and dancing, 'Villon Sisters offered their familiar Instru- mental offering in the deuce spot and demonstrated that the small time audieCices have appreciation for classic music when properly inter- preted. This angle was again corroborated when Cardo and Noll sallied forth in a song repertoire that leans to- ward classics and operatic selections. Their best effoils wire put forth in an operatic jail scene episode, which was vociferously applauded to bring thom back for an operatic Impres- sion of a "iiiaiiiMiy song." lyucy Oillett and Co, the latter a male assistant, gave the show a live- ly start with her novelty juggling. maXea blm perpetual judge of Zala- mea. The principal scene la a street out- side Podro'a house, though there are two interiors of modest pretensions. The play transpires In three acts. each with two scertes. This Is a much condensed version of the origi- nal, written 300 years ago, and far longer and with many more scenes. Last night the curtain fell at 10.30, showing how extensive had been the cutting. The translation used is by Edward Fitzgerald, of "Omar Kha- yam" fame. As an example of classic drama "Right Is Might" has interest: aa u modern drama it lacks much. The first two acts drag heavily, despite the speed with which they i^roreed, and are filled with unnecessary char- acters and incidents. There Is no big punch until the second scene of the second act. which shows the deserted street the morning after the daughter's be- trayal, her father lying in the road where he had been struck down by the girl's assailants, fcihe comes in, disheveled and torn, subbing hys- terlcaHy. She starts to enter her home when apparently shame over- comes her and she goes to a statue of the Madonna beside the veranda. Then she sees her father, and re- vives him. When he realizes what has happened a highly emotional scene follows, with the act ending on his expressed determination to be avenged. The first scene of the l.isl act also has a kick. In old Pedro's visit to the captain and his offer of freedom to the m^n if he will marry his daugh- ter. The old peasant grovcfls on the ground, offers everything he pos- sesses, humiliates himself again and again, to save the girl's honor, but is refused. Re then promises to let justice take Us course. The last act introduces King Philip II, and Pedro defies him, with the information that he has hanged the captain. The episode has not suffi- cient power, and without some cork- ing work by the star would fall fiat. Outside of Ditrichsteln, Madeline Delmar as the girl does the best work. Clarke Sllvernall, who directed the piece, also played the role of the captain, but was not convincing, be- ing rather stagey in his villainy. Howard Merllng had-an excellent makeup and did well as the Klag; Stephen Wright contributed a good performance as a General, and Al bert Morrison wa« satisfactorw as a soldier. However, the actlna^ was not inspired, being often dcoTdedly uneven. Nor were the- "supers" ao very well trained. The songs were rather attractive. The program attributed them to Wlnfleld P. DeLong. Rolo Wayne designed the settings. Although Ditrichsteln does a no- table and stirring piece of actlpg we doubt if "Right Is Might" aa a play or Crespo as a character wtll ever l>e among the most popular with the ■tar's admirers. Watert, RIGHT IS MIGHT (Continued from page 17) at this auspicious moment, and when the captain, wounded, returns to Zaiamea, Pedro throws him Into jail This excltee the fury of the com- mander of the troops who hastens to the spot, but Pedro defies him, and lakes the same stand when the King himself passes through Zaiamea. In fact when the King demands the eapt.iln's release, Pedro frankly ad- mits that he h;is been "hanged by Clir nei* aatii herwan dr.TXl" i .Saaldc In Ms deteffis< lof .hieiaotlon tlta4 itlie King not only pardons him, but BROADWAY (Continued from page 11) out clean early each day and It Is reported the advance Is virtually sold for the next month. "Casanova" Is coming with one of the strongest advance dem.inds prior to premiere In seasons. It is topped at $3 and the opening at the Empire was set back until last Wednesday night In order to avoid conflict with "Nifties." Capacity and jirlces have sent two of the new non-muslcals ahead of the holdover hits buf "Rain" continues to stand trade at the eillott and last week again got 115,800. "Seventh Heaven" also is as big as ever with over $13,000 about the stime foi "Aren't We All." The newer hits held up, "Ma,ry, "lyiary Quite Contrary' going to al- most $15,000 at the Belasco and "Little Miss Bl.ucbeard " doing $14,- 000 at the Lyceum. "Abie's Irish Rose" the run leader was almost as big at the Republir. "In Love With Love" repeated with a $12,S00 week at the Ritz and "Two Fellows and a Olrl" again hit better than $11,600 at the Vanderbllt. • The new hit musicals held or better the previous week also. "Poppy" went to new figures by grossing $22,500 at the Apollo "Wlldflower" the era<.k musical holdover keeps on at record busi- ness for the Casino; last week's gross was $24,800. The San Carlo Orand Opera Company at tho Cen- tury for five weeks turned In a gross of $33,000 last week and a blKher mark Is expectcd'fhls week. Two luddcn withdrawals occurred Saturday when "Connie Goes Home" stopped nt the 49th Street and the Italian Marionettes expired at the Frolic, whi( h will bo dark until Oct. ID, when the (irand Culgnol arrives This week ti%(l ncx'. win eco a further shaking down fc the list of bad ones. Saturday, "Hon^e P'ires" quits the Ambassador, which will run a picture until "The Cour- tesan" is ready. "Magnoha" will ro to the road frum the ..Iberty at th« end of the .week, and "Ct^invc- ,'fc(i}-f: altiri 'stAftB Ofi toii frnm'JcW (lAii's 59tti ftfreet. Which will get Sothern and Uaxlowel n«zt week in ■Cymballno." The other premieres tor the com< Ing week aro llltil in "Tho -Magio Ring." at th Liberty; "Tarnish" at tho Belmont; "Nine O'clock Revue" at the Century Roof, and "Florlana's Wife" at the Greenwlcl» Village. "The Whole Town'a Talking' Is listed for one more wi ek at the Bijou, due to get "Mulholland and Wife" and "We've Got to Have Money" will be succeeded at the Plymouth, Oct. 8, by the tentatively titled "Eternal Love," with I^ullpa Lord. "The Fool." in Jersey City, topped the subway circuit last week with $11,800. "Tho Gingham Girl," a« the Riviera, and "The Old Soak" at the Majestic, Brooklyn, were tied at about $11,500. "The I^ove Child" got $7,000 at the Broad Street, New- ark. 20 Buys; 17 Cut Rates. There were 20 buys listed in tho advance t^gencles Including the four new attractions which came In this week. "Chicken Feed," "A Lesson In Love," "Nifties" and 'Casanova," likewise two shows the broker* arc squawking about. "Peter Woaton," for which they aro holding a biur for eight weeks and "Magnolia," which closes this week at the Liberty, for which they held a f<^r week buy, which ended last Saturday, the show lasting but one week beyond that. In the cut ratea there were 17 ahowa listed. In addition to the squawkltig ot the brokers over dead buys, the news of tho week was the effort of William A, Brady to compel a buy, oven a nnall one, for "Chains'' at the Playhouse, Brady sent word to the brokers that he wouIC lik« to see them at his office Tuesday afterno n, Mit the majority fought shy ot making the 'visit, knowing full well In advance what tha In- vitation to call iheant, Ot the new shows "Chicken Feed," opening at tho Little, and "A Lesson In Love" at the 89th Street Monday, botb got a buy of about 800 aeata a night for four weeks with the usual 26 per cent, return allowed. "Nifties," openins Tuesday night at the Fult(;n, got a buy for 460 a night for eight w^eks, while "Casanova" at the Empire last Wednesday night came under the wire with $00, with tho brokers predicting a strong demand for matinee trade. The complete Hat of buys includes "Poppy," (Apollo); "Mary, Mary. Quite Contrary," (Belasco); "Rain," (Elliott); "Casanova," (Blmplre); "Nifties," (Fulton); "Peter Wes- ton," (Harris); "Scandals," (Globe); "The Lullaby," (Knickerbocker); "Chicken Feed," (Little); "Little Jessla-^mes," (Longncre); "Little Miss Bluebeard," (Lyceum); "Tha Changelings," (Miller); "Mui^Io Box Revue," (Musle Box); "Sally," Am- sterdam); "Itr Love with Love," (RItz); "Artists and Models" (Shu- bert); "Two Fellows and a Girl," CVanderbllt),, and "Greenwich 'VIU . lage Follies," (Winter Garden). In the cut rates there was but a single show that doubled from the buy list into the bargain counter as a regular. That was "Little Jessie James" at the liongacre, r.'.though the brokers were dumping on "Peter Weston." There were 17 reguliya not counting 4he latter attraction.* The list included "Home Fires," (AmlmsKador); "The Whole Town's TalHirg," (Bijou); "The Good Old Days," (I-Tondhurst); "Children of the Moon," (Comedy); "Tho Woman on the Jury," (Eltlnge); "Zend^" (48tb Street); "Twcedles," (Frazee); "Tho Devil's Disciple," (Qarrick); "The Crooked Square," (Hudson); "The Breaking Point." (Klaw); "Magnolia," (Liberty); "Little .Tessle James," (Longacre); "Red Light Annie," (Morosco); "The Jolly Roger," (National); "Chains," (Playhouse); "We've Got to Have Money," (Plymouth). MUSIC MEN Eddie Roiic, formerly with .Wit- mark, Is now profcBSlonnl manager of the Hearst Publishers, Ltd. "Hollywood, I Hear 'Yoii Calling Me," written around the Paramount picture, "Hollywood," Is being pub- lished by Sherman, Cluy & Co, James Eurn^ formerly with Harry Von Tllxer, Is now connected with tho profo'Kional dcp.arlment of the Sam Fox I'uhlih hing Co. The B /. Music Co. Is now repre- sented In lU.'iton by Irving Kahal and Will A. Mathlevle. Eddie Weber, song writer and re- cently muilcal directo- for tho l.'reole Fanhlon I'late, ha^ located in San Frnncl-no. anil deMsre* he intend* ' tfi T<T)iHhi I th«ie perma- nently.