Variety (March 1924)

i» NEW ACTS THIS WEEK Wednesday, March 12, 1924 PRITZI RIDGWAY and Co. (2) "A Wife's Honor" (Comedy) 12 Mins.; Two (Sperlal) and Film Palace Fritzl r>i.lL;w;iy is fruin pi'lur'^s. £lie haM bic'ii II leail'ns lady for many Jews, \v iiJi |jiiutii'.i!!> ovtry comjiany, nltliDiiKh of the liiterine- dlary type of sin on luniiiuiry. She is intrcducod l>y tlircfl .-hort cxofirpt.H from idctniPs »Up made for S> Iznlck, l'ni%'orsal and Kanious IMayora. A lip«>ial slide terms lier a woman of many charai'tcilzations. fnUouiiig ■w'liich the ait title, "A Wife'.s Hon- or," la intri>du''ed. It Is a burlesfjiio on picturi'S writ- ten by Kraiik Condon and probably Staged by the aiithnr who has had expericnre in that dlre.tk'n. A spe- cial niiisieal stoorc is rredited to the Ruasiaii rompOher-conduetor llaka- lelnikolf. He also eonducts the or- chestra. The act Idea Is novel. It Is defined •• transpiring In "three sfieeds." Thl.1 refers to tho presentation of the burlemiue nielodrumatlos In the "otrai^ht" apced; that Is, done nor- nally. Sp«ed two is tho "slow motion" tempo, with the characters fgoiag throujrh their hl.-ttrlonlos In th« ret.orded, deliberate movements of «very musole In keepioK with the "alow motion" Idea. The lines are also drawled out leisurely in time witSi the drapfry physUal move- ments. The third speed iit the "fast" tempo, with the ai-tors rac- ing through the lines and .-ution at breakneok speed. Miss K.idpway is th<» wife; Jai'k Vosburfrh the husl^and. and (ieorKe r. Hayes the banker. The plot is negliplble. A flickerinc; floixl liRht en\elop.s the Rtape to lend the pioture-.scrcen- IvfS Idea. The setlliiK In "two" is backed up by a black velvet drop. The i)roi>s are a table .ind n. couple of chairs. It's a nnvil idi'a and a crlain Uxush winniT. A\iiU .Mi.-^s UKIk way's "name" added t^) it. the i^keti^h Is suie-liie. A hcl M in h U, brought to- TRAVERS and DOUGLAS Comedy Talking Act 12 Mins.; One (Special Drop) Fifth Ave. Man and Wuinan in a talkini; act In "uno." ".Mr. and Mrs. Hicks," by KdK.ir Alian AVoolf. Tho a.t c.uTies II sjieclal drop oC the rail- road station in a tank town. The pair entiT 1u;;.l,'1i.;j a trunk, conver.sation develnpinp; they are a p:ilr of sniall time trooper.s playitiR the biirvr. The manager of .a l!road- way Icu'it attrnition "trying it on the ili'ii" has c.aUKht their net. The hii'k Is overjoyed at hi.'? op- poituiiity to star. The manai^er ar- rives by ap|)oiiitincnt and. after tho "THAT" QUARTET 15 Mins.: On« State-Lake, Chicago. Chicapr^i "Tliat" quurlet was itilher aualn for the Hrown-KltinBO Itovue after an interval of about 10 years, during which tho members playeil Individual turns with a vari- ety of partners. Several times two's of the old combination have come to- ni'ther, but this ia tho llrst time the old name and the full charter mem- bership has been assembled since tlie four singinK demons monopo- lized eleetiic fronts on Uroadway and qualitled as the prize customers of N". V. JOdi.son I.,iKht & I'ower. Once more they are on Main street. They started several months ago with the lirown-KltinRe Kevue, but closed with that organization, and this is their llrst vaudeville date. The act ia not matcri.illy changed, except in the up-to-date routine of numbers. The presentation is tho « me. Just four luxedoed men rol- lickini; through a little song aeries with good natured carelessness, and dependin;? upon their pipes for the punch. Harry Sylvester still does a bit of clowning in his own Quiet V.ay; Jonesy is cockier than ever, while Pringle, with that gorgeous bas.s voice of his. backs up the har- mony as perhaps no other vaudeville singer over supported such an or- j^anizatlon. t'rank Morrell still goes after that high one without compro- mlHO. It's as high as ever, but he doe.= n't make tho grade with the old ease, Tliey iiked them at Ih'^ State- I.ake, even though closing at the last show reviewed Siiiidiiy night was probably as tough a spot as could have been picked. rtimh. QARBER-DAVI8 ORCHESTRA (II) Jau Band, Song*, Dancing 19 Mins.; Full Stag* Hippodrome Jan Garber la the leader of this latest Jazx orchestra, reported as a buncli of college boys who played fraternities and college affairs be- fore entering vaudeville. At any rate, they are set for as long as they care to remain. <;arber is a clean cut, personable youth and a sweet violinist. He has surrounded himself with the hottest bunch <f musicians heard around since Whlteman first loomed on the syncopated horizon. Without any "effects" the musi- cians built up to sure lire hit pro- portions with their straight musical ability, then sprung a surprise with a pop song rendition in which the Individuals vocalize extra verses. One does "wop" and English, anoth- er pantomime, and a fat clarinet player "nut." and later "dut#;i." l'"or "Running 'Wild the pianist dons coat and hat for the vocal ren- dering, then plays the accompani- ment to the rest standing on his head at the box, while the boys ac- tually run wild. "Say it With a like" allowed a saxophone duet imitating a uke, a pip bit. "Old Fashioned Waltz" was Carber's opportunity to coax liiiuid Kunshlne out of the fiddle, and in 'Linger Awhile" all of the bra-ss boys have solo opportunities with muted obbligatoa. The instruments are troiulione, two ct.irinets, banjo, traps, piano, sousaphone and two saxophones. A jazz dance also copped as handled by the stout clarinet player. The niusicluns are iiuiividiially ex- pert anil accomplished. Add to this personality, pep and enough com- edy to make the band indep<ndent of "effects" and so ne Idea of the tot.il entertainment value may be gleaned. They are a sure tire com- Idiiation for vaudeville, as lull o." lolnr as the Hope diamond. Tlicy tore the Hippodrome wide open, following several of vaude- ville's st.mjard orchestra.-^, r,jn. HENRY and ADELAIDE "On* Hundred Par Cent Dumb" Songs, Talk and Dancing 12 Minai One American Roof. B«nn7 Ryan rote thli one which in structure resembles another from his pen although the material is new. Is a mixed singing and danc- ing double garbed as hick east side kids with croa.'^-flre along those lines. He Illustrated what a hard head he has by breaking a soda cracker on it, etc. While the girl is changing her dress the boy does a corking tap edge hold over bit from their former two act. She sells a ballad before this and returns after the change for more crossfire topped off by his solo dance In which she Jolna for a duo finish. The act la a step In the right di- rection for this pair and will im- prove with work. The materia! is consistently bright, although the gag about "What have you got in your head." Isn't in good taste. In its present shape it's a strong early spotter for the best of the small time bills. hick tells him linw liuich lin he JOSEPH REGAN and ALBERTA CURLISS Songs 15 Minutes; One State-Lake-Chicago Chicaeo. March 11. A first-class Irish tenor, with a pleasing brogue and a perfect rou- tine of sonus. assisted by a charm- ing girl Willi a good voice, who play.-; piano accompaniment for the lirst i MANTELL'S MANNIKENS number. Regan is a likable fellow | Puppet Entertainment who pleases by not conlining him-jn Mins.; Full Stage (Special) self to too high cl.iss songs or to state numbers that show off his voice. a vaudeville noveltv with enough The I'ltst song is a brilliant voc-il! i^ughs and entertainment value for display. Mi.ss Curliss takes the | ,,„y ^^y^^. Opening here It scored ceiifr of the stage in the st^ond , ,iio straight applause hit of the bill number. The r.ext .song of Regan | ..^j ,,,fj i,,^ audience in a humor oC concerns tenors and he offers types ] iielight in comedy style, sinking a selection [„ ,.y„ ^^.^^^ ^ ,^^,i theatre is in Kali in, th- Cliauncy OUott typeUpt „p ^m^ n.annikens in tho boxes and J,din M.Cormack's typical song. ] „„ ,,,p ^jj^ ^^id others making up The passing from one kind of: i tenor to .another and the interest In ' wants In the legit production, the m.inaKer infunns him h'^ isn't in- : tcrcsli d Ml liiiii, liuL wants to sign j his wif». I The wifi- ;iss>'rts herself and an- j nouiuea she Is going to embrace ! the opportunity. She is fired of j Id.'i.v ing second fiildlo and being | abused. Hut sli'^ wakens at the last ininule ainl n-jcins lo'r Inibbv ill tim>' ti' cii, h the ti-iin fur ".Mi'l- dlitown." \i\f next jump, the p.iir: :ig:iiii dniLti^inL: the ti'Uitk and, the' man abu^ill^ lur in tin- sunn- old vein. j I''.-l a l;>io.| i'U-.i Willi .1 f:iir llie.'i- . sure of laii^lis from the situ.ilion. Tlie di.iing iir--si>s in spots. "What 11 can of lii'.'ins l!iis town tiiri:cd out ! the orchestra In the piL The mu- sicians sujiposcdly play throughout the "show" wita the leader bowing the different selections incorporate<) into this number make It one of the b.st tiiat has been heard. A pop,,- ■ f^,,;,,^ ^^^.^ ^^.^^ j^.^ ,„rchead every lar ballad, s..rvcd next, and Re:;,,ns^j,„g f„r ^ ,^^,gj,_ ,j,he curtain rist's and a mechanical attendant places a card at the corner of the stage announcing the first act. rf>iidition of this, stands out as one' of th" highly enjoyable features of' his act, Kor an encore the two did : a ctiimcly Irish number I THREE EDDIES Songs and Dances 12 Mins: One American Roof 'I'liref lolori'd joullis uiidi-r cork. The title Is ol>viously derived liom tlii-ir coiiving I-Mdie Cintur's spec- i.irli-s and gray derby in tlifir <.'0.-!- tumcs. One of Ihe Hire" is an unusual to be " Is a lair sainph; of s.mie of , t.^.,. a,„, ,.,„ ,].,„,,,.,., t,,„ „|,ier two tlie al!'-i'ed'thi- i;ri l!ie ma li ,ll sill I There follow about 10 different turns, all contributed by marion- ettes. Acrobatics, singing, dancing and comedy scenes are included one funnier than tho other. The mannl- kens are manoeuvred with remark- able dexterity and the system of strings and levers must be comi>lex. .Some weird and delightfully novel effects are achieved by having the puppets dance and act in general as no humans could. -\t tho finish two men appear FIVE JOLLY CORKS Variety 20 Mins.; One and Two (Special) 23d St. An "old-timers'" act which makes not the semblance of a pro- text at appealing through sym- pathy. The velvet drop in "one" I carries on it the names of the five men and their theatrical experience I in the cdd days. In "two" It evolves j into the minstrel idea with Al Kd- ! wards, as interlocutor, introducing j the oilier four. They are Kddie Iloran, Cleorge W. Cunningham. Tom ICnglish, and Harry Armstronir. Kach does a specialty and cliiks sensation.ally. Armstrong's laugh- ing song startcii off. Eddie Hor.in does a Ceorge rrimrose. Horan Is listed as having been for live years producer for the A. C. Field's Min- strels. He and Armstrong are the end men. Tom KngUsh's tambourine spe- cially wowetl 'em. Arm.sitrong did a recitative bit, with a play on "Rill Rorden" in a clever and in- volved manner that fetched a round of appreciation. George W. Cunningham did an "acrobatic eccentricities" specialty of falls, head-bridging, headsplns, etc., that would credit a man half his age. Mr. Cunningham Is 65 if a day. Anther dissertation, with a play on words, always a sure-fire Interlude, Is deftly handled. Al Edwards, the interlocutor, did a cornet specialty, with and without the mute. Horan, announced as the origina- tor of the cane dance, closed to a rousing getaway. Three of the men are absolutely baldpates; one almost so, and Iloran still retaining a sizeable thatch. F:ach Is over 60 and each a thorough showman. The title is somewhat of a misnomer since they work In whiteface throughout. The "corks" refers seemingly to their past per- formances. Tliey cIo.=od the 23d Street bill sensation.-iUy. Ahel, ' ''>■ i ^til■kirlg to strut stuff, ankle steps | ■'"'' ''"^^'^ ^^^ undoubtedly it t.ikes "SEMINARY SCANDALS" Farce Revue 18 Mins; Full Stage —- American Roof. Tills is ;i revival of 11.. (8 I F.iMnliiig Scliiinl f;irl-' turn Tommy .MIi'M, .f tie' oriuinal c:ist. f<M,tun-d in tins 'in . I'r nik Owver, formerly partiiercii wiih Vrank I'av, Is .aiidl ie r prin.ii' iI. .M-io ;iti '""• land slides th.il make a lla-h. The, art opens Willi .'ill ilii'). liarniorilzing ,1 conii'dy "blues" with topical verses which call for a comedy strut be- i tween verses on tho vamp. I .Another song by the trio, with aj former d.ime. Is followid by the big fellow's wi;h solo dance wliieli stops the act. Real wings. Iiiple time tajis and a cork- irg romine jiut him away as a big leatMie ho.ifer. Another trio dime if'er r leti l!:iu strutted a solo enm- more than that to run the device. They left the crowd st;uving for more, as It Is entertainment that ranks with that of Tony S.irg ,ind the other good puppeteers. who pn^gr.'imnnd sinirer powerful range !>ingiiig ".M.ignie.' Miss .Mien Is a nut comi di.iii who would be ,1 senM,ntioii in a legliim.ile IllUsii :il comedy along these lines As a nut biiirder :il tho girls' senii- Bary s!,e is ,i hfiwl, A blonde mi-.< is ,'il.-^o enn.-'p.eiioii.-'. Tho .situation aliiiough familiar is extremely fiinev. I >wyer gelling Into tho girl's rni.ni ;ind hiding while tlie meinliers (if the sehi.ol. In pajam.-is e!i!er l^r a niidliii.nht chafing dish lunch. His presenee 1- discovered by the school mistress after Miss Allen has accumulated a very funny jag while hiding in a hoK i __ hows plelea ;, pood stn.ill time deuced at iJiis house. urn. They LORIN BAKER and CO. r3' "Blondes" (Comedy Sketch i 15 Mins.; Four (Parlor) 23d St. "Rlondes," a I^ewls anil (Jordoii KRAFT and LA MONT Comedy Songs, Talk, Dance 14 Mins,; One Fifth Ave. Jaek Kraft (."Vlasters and Krafl) and Miss La Mont, an attr,ictIvo girl, compo.'^e this new comedy two- act. Kr.ift has developed a real iiimedy ch.iracter, gets results with dialog and mugging and measures U|i .as a graduate from the hooting ranks who will make his mark In e.imedy circles, Tho girl i.s a graceful d.ineer and DAINTY JUNE and Newsboy Songsters (9) Juvenils Musical Comedy 25 Mins.| Full Stag* (Special) Lincoln, Chicago ^ Chicago, March 11. June Hovlck, a little miss for whom the word "dainty" might well have been coined, was formerly in pictures as "Baby June" working under OeMille, and then went into vaudeville, playing the Pantagca circuit, as "Baby June and Her Pals." She is now on the Orpheum circuit and is to be known in the future as "Dainty June" (Hovlck) and there U a possibility of con- fusion, as it is reported that the Pantages circuit Is using or is to play another act to follow June Hovick and call it "Baby June." Dainty June Is a minl:»ture sized favorite of screen and stage and these points provide capital adver- tising, while her performance Is calculated to plea.se and to estab- lish her In favor with youngsters. Dainty June opens as a pal of a quartet of newsboys, follows with a crinoline number ar.d a toe dance (special full stage set of a country home); third, with one of the boys in a jaz.i number. !n which she wears a s'.^aking rhirestone cos- tume; fourth, -i rube g'rl (special comedy drop>: lifth. bii Irish num- ber; sixth, a\ Italian number, and last, a Bowery number. It is dlfh- eult to pick ou'. a f..vorite num- ber; she is v-^rs^tillt/ itso f. Cer- tainly she has ntve.- been c<).ialled by a youngster of h.->r age ami siae. The company incliides lads who sing .-".nd dan.:e and Jlo.io Louiic, a sister of n.iinly Juno. One boy sirii;a both in Italian and Knglish and there is a stage picture for "Mother o' .Mine." Another boy dances capably. Another stands out most in ;in Itali.in nuiTiber with Daintv ,Iuno, Tho acts as it .stands is mu- sical comed.v, or revue, one num- ber following another, with Dainty June always standing out, but tho others of her company making a favorable impression. The versa- tility of the st,ir Impresses the au- dience so much it was dilflcult for the next net to got going; the ap- plause continued quite a while after a comedy drop for tho following act was displayed, and the comedian following only Htilled the crowd by commenting upon applause and how it was appreciated by stage artists. sketch, has been around with dies- ; ^Ipver foil for Kraft's boob foolish- "Ki.'^.ie."," a song led byDwyerwith the gills In lino, ".Maggie," by Miss Slmpsiiii, .Miss Allen's nut delivery of a pop and tho singing ;ind d.inc- ing finale completed a turn thai 1.1 ter C'line featiirid l.orjn IViker now has that nde, a sort of Krnest Triie.v p.-irt, J.ivvi-: ;iiid Onrdon still are siionsoring the net, obviously primed for tho lesser cireuits orily. It'.n a "mush" theme with the premise fh.it the blonde type of beauty is most suspectib!e to fl it- ness. The latter Wears oversi-/.o clothes for comedy, while she looks attraetivo in two fetching buo- legged coslumes. Kraft sells a comedy song and a solo dance in ba-ng-up f.ishion, and their doubles click as metallic. illv. 1'he cross-fire is bright and new, »h«» entire ttet exuding claws miiU fin- ish from oi>etiing to closing. This pair seem to have arrived with their latest vehicle nn<\ are torj-. 1"he i^iriliei .s-itu'ltiuii ',MTTi .1 brunette fi in lie !)Ubje< t disproves that. The line^ are brighf .and occa- Klori.iliy lir'Uianl. The comjiany of ready for sikiIs on the be.-S of the would put some of tho modem big i four, two men -U'd two women. ; hills. At this house tliey toi.k one of time revues to ahamvi for ciuci tain- ■ himdles tlie skct< li la s'-ioj advan- Ihe ovnliiii's hits, tnont and comedy. • (vigie , , Abek [ ... , . ■ , . Con. . CHARLES TOBIAS Songs and Talk 11 Mins.; One State Charles Tobias is a parlner in the music publishing tirm of Brenu & Tobias and also a cousin of Eddie Cantor, He has borrowed liberally from tlie l.itter In the matter of style and material, singing with much of the same wide-eyed gusto .and telling tho stories In clear, ring- ing tones. His voice i.s fair, although during a ballad It was pitched too low. A little free advertising In announc- ing himself as a songwriter and radio bro.-idc.aster is excus.able. In appearance, Tobias is a straight, looking very well in a neat tuxedo. All numbers used, but one, are pub- lished, and n,iturally by the singer's firm. S( veial have been used by Cantor, who is financially inter- ested m tlie concern. The use of the greiii ctunidlan's mannerisms and gags is of inestimable help to Tobias. Seeond here, he scored im- pressiveiy, forced to take two en- cores. A new movement in tin- ilr.ima 1 will bo OX" midilied soon wlirn "Tlie; Cbasleiiiiitf," a pl.iy by the auihor of' "A Servant in tho House." with an' all-st.ir eiist from .N'evv V'ork city. | W.ll bo [irr'sented al ?ho Civic Alidi- toiiuin, -S.-in Oiegii, C-il,. on March' i:i. In the cast will lie Charles It.inn ! K'ennedv. author of the play; lOdith , Wynne M I'.lliisou and Maijjaieij ■'■Mi'' - ... . . 1 . I RULE and NASH Sengs and Piano 10 Mins.; One JImmIe Rule and Bill Nash have been members of several different combinations but they are probably best remembered as of Rule and O'Brien and Furman and Nash. Th* latter duo, though split as a vaude* ▼llle unit, still continue to record for the Columbia*. Nash la a baritone, more or less of the GuB 'Van school, and par- ticularly strong on the not-too- heavy pop stuff. Rule, who la fairly well known as a song writer, ofll- elates at the piano and sings th* tenor harmony. His keyboard work ranks with the best. Three published numbers and one of the usual eure-fire medleys with a trace of blue are used. Two of the songs are but average comic numbers, but the boys sell them for more than they're worth, par- ticularly the all-Important catcJi lines. The harmony Is more than adequate. Second here. It was easy saltlnir, and the same should hold true for almost any house, YVETTE and SERENADER8 Jazz Band, Songs, Effects ~^^ ie Mins Full Stage (Special) Fifth Avenue Yveltc, last seen around with .Saranoff in a double violin turn, luis icirulled a good aggreg.ition of jazz mu.sicians for her current turn. A pretty cyclor.ima dres.ses the stage ai>propri,itely with Yvette playing her violin and leading the men. After a couple nf numbers .*h« vocalizes a semi-ballad to good re- sults, tho band following with an- other number while she changes to attractive white iridescent dre.s.s to again lo;id. An "effect" number concludes, opening with a storm and fire ef- fect obtained Ihroiigh a sleropticin machine and a scrim drop. The lllll.'^icians are seen bark of the drop in n red glow attired as .Mephistocles for an exeerpt from "Kausf," into the player portion with the musi- iiuiis in choir boy surpli ces .md a ?perinl dmp showiii;,' a i hurclr wiil- dow ill the background. It's a good \audeville turn from the musical ;ind enlertaiiinieiit angle and c:in follow any of ilie standaid miisiciil turii.'j In llie better gr.ulo llii!l:es.