Variety (June 1924)

■i'iSlMltt*. Wedn««l«F, JimtlMW* m !>;_ I trngine ••»«« «>«-««" „ ^ 14 Mir-.! Two (8p«cl«l) **p,|«o* Chl««0«». R<M» Doner and Johnn'* B«rkM !» ^S\ 0onff-«nd-<UDC« t«<un tlmt ^''•oBld !)• Jmpro*** 'JIX"' "^^ "**^ i"'hu •aaumed the atyl* and mak* up '^•^..Bu•ter Ke»ton" In «acprM«ion. ' 2r6« and walk. Th» turn la Hoo ■ ^Mty to aubinlt to th« tooae-flttlpgr '" mmenta. Roa» Donw'a peraonaUty l.Sd demure manner lend the air ol [' Opening with » oonverwiUonal • dance, Berkee takea hla place at the ' Dlano, accompanying Mies Doner for ^ r "pop" number and dance that were '' put over very weU. The man's etep- ? '.ping won favor, Ml«a I>oner did an !* Apache number. ^ The turn as It stands will make Ij good In an early poelUon. With a '• MtUe bolstering It wlU be deserving i,«f a better spot. 't JBELIG and MAMN I' Benfls f 10 Mini.; One ' Two young chaps In street attire i with pop songs, dueU and solos. ? They sing a laughing song for the * opener, a Chinatown number in a ;^;' green spot with a heavy dramatic •-' _-.»— .»«lta»lnn a GeOrgiO SOlO NEW ACTS THIS WEEK VARIETY 33 PALACE ▲ long and late show this week at the Palace, somewh&t subdued In tone after the flock of names treck- ing into the house, but holding oon- atdacable xoeaty monlckera la Pat Rooney's Kevue "Shamrock"; Adele Rowland (New Acts); Dooley and Morton and Karyl Norman (New Acts). The bill played a trifle heavUy the flrst part, due to the length of the Rooney turn (65 minutes) and the presence of an added - starter In fourth position, "Salt and Pep- per" (New AcU); two cooln' Jazz singers Columbused into the Palace for & showing by Karyl Norman, who discovered them in a Detroit cabaret several weeks ago. The kids do a double routine similar to CllfT Edwards' single, which he pioneered eastward from the saw dust floors f patter recitation, a * ^ With the Cantorlsh canter, followed f' by a solo ballad with another dra- * ma tic patter verse by partner—sure '*'Are for the pop audiences—and a ' comedy song finish, with extra :'' verses, for which comedy brown derbies and cheaters are worn. The closing song sounds like one i** of the brain children of Alex G«r- ,;\ ber's, who is responsible for the two ^''"inen extra verse comedy nut song ^' craze of the past season. i* The act Is framed for the pop i houses and can't miss in that com- ^! pany. Individually the singers have ^' good voices and pleasing i>ersonall- JEAN LA COSTA and BOYS (4) Minstrel Act 18 Mins.; Full (Special) Jean La Costa In a Prince Albert suit and silk hat (tpens, introducing four men In regulation minstrel at- tire, who tell gags, sing in harmony and one of Whom dances. Miss Ia Costa, acting as Interlocutor and singing In the ensembles, possesses a voice suitable for both functions. The men leave, and the woman puts over a song In male attire. She retires and the men have a seance by themselves, which Is Interrupted by the reappearance of Miss La Costa in female apparel, and her song and dance here Is the high light of the act. The company makes a hurrah finish. The act needs speed, which will make It do nicely for tbe pop houses. I** ties. Con, f _J i: CONSTANCE CRAVEN f* Songs <£ 13 Mins.; One r Fairmont, Fairmont, W. .Va. ^jJ. Constance Craven, who Is Mrs. ^,; Mick Hufford, la trying out an act |,.(or a few weeks this spring after ^ having been «it of the business tor i^.. a couple of years. %.. It is a single with an original '^' touch inasmuch as she comes on as :ii a kid drawing « wagon in which ,. she tells of taking things to the Sal- . Vation Army. HF After the opening kid song she I takes a dress of her aunt (who waa ff in opera) from tho wagon and i makes up for a heavy number, later I a number In a second costume, and I Anally as grandma. For the latter ff there is a wig attached to the hat. Miss Craven made rather a light Impression as the kid in her open- ing number at the performance, but It improved with other numbers and It may have been nervousness or tineaAlness about the orchestra here. The number ought to be accepted as a single for small and medium time. i EARL and BELL Songs 15 Mins.; One 58th St. Male duo accompanying their vocal efforts by guitar playing. Ob- viously an early presentation for the pop theatres. The numbers include a comedy stuttering lyric, a bit of yodeling and a "blues" conception, in re- tarded tempo, ae an encore. The boys possess the quality of voices the carrying of the guitars would indicate upon their entrance, while their instrumental ability falls short of intricate or Impreseive strum- ming. The duo did nicely as the ]fa 2 act In this theatre, but Is limited to these stamping grounds. BMq. ot Chi. Their youth and personali- ties landed them. Miss Rowland followed them In a spot not so soft, but equipped with the best song routine she has flashed on vaudeville in many seasons and found the going to her liking, fin- ishing to a speech and flowers from some Hollywood neighbors in a stage box. "Shamrock" closed the flrst halt and ran entirely too long, although the house remained seated through- out and applauded and laughed ini the proper spots. It was Rooney and Bent's third appearance at the Palace in the act this season which has somewhat taken oft the edRe for the regulars, but they were in the minority Judging by the ap- plause. Ahead H. and P. Beptz (New Acts) had opened the show thrlll- Ingly in hand-to-hand and perch acrobatics, followed by Russell and Marconi, two male piano accordion and violin players In a well rou- tined group of selections. The pair have dropped the talk and the audience entrance. Improving their offering 50 per cent. Harry Ilolroan In "Hard Boiled Hampton" third made them love it all the way through. Holman is a veteran sketch player and always has a current up-to-date vehicle as a background for his likeable "boss" characterization. After intermission. Topics was cut to a whisper du'! to the hour with Karyl Norman following. Norman was one of the sensational hits of the evening with his new turn and deservedly. He was forced to n couple of speeches and introduced "Salt and Pepper," his discovery- The kids took a bow, then watched how the big leaguers do it from a pair of prop steps In the beautiful Norman set. More flowers. Dooley and Morton followed, on at 11, and copping another hit. Martha Morton has danced herself into Bveltdpm once more and is prettier every time seen. Her danc- ing Improves all the time. She was a picture In two changes of cos- tume. Gordon took his falls to the usual shrieks. The "dame" flnjsh with Gordon In grotesque costume out them away with the leaders, but they refused to press It. Bob Anderson and Polo Pony closed, getting on at 11.16 and ac- corded the remarkable tribute of hardly a walkout, despite the quiet atmosphere of the turn.' Anderson makes an unusual appearance. The pony runs through a conventional routine smartly and exhibits marked intelligence, but it was Anderson's neat appearance that arrested the restless, and gave the horse a chance to cash. Business was good, but consider.' ably under capacity, the boxes be- ing off on the lower floor. Con. Stanley, a (aat working comedian and Incidentally a good eccentric stepper (from burlesque) got over very nicely with a light, little com- edy sketch, "Waiting," assisted by Mary Moore, Ruth Joyce and Harry Sharp. There is nothing deep about the skit, but it is played with speed, and several specialties are introduced which pleased the au- dience and earned the company several curtains. Stanley is the mainstay and cap- able. The ukulele player should Icarn a few new strokes, as two out of every three girls In the audiences nowadays are ukulele experts them- selves, and a plain stroke is a Joke to them. ^ Miss Friganza has some new stories and song.s and with her good natured personality soon had the audience Just where she wanted them. She tied up the show and had to beg off in a neatly turned speech. The Belleclair Bros. (New Acts) closing the show, were as big a hit as anything on the bill, and very few walked out on this dandy act. Pathe News reel held those who wanted 'all the trafHc will stand." Vai. money for hit honors. The dancing is well done and with the additional novelty of the rollers it makes the act all the more acceptable. Don Roberts, assisted by Marlon Carr, offered a neat line of vocalizing that clicked (New Acts). Marshall Montgomery and Com- pany, the latter comprising tAiclllo l)e Haven, clicked as usual with their unique ventrlloquial novelty which seems, if anything, to Im- prove with continual pktylng and Is as diverting at repeat appearance as when flrst shown. Herman Timberg, assisted by Brother Sammy, gal- loped away with comed honors (New Acts). Denno Sisters and Thlhault, the latter a man, held them In the clos- ing spot with a neat routine of dancing. 23DST. 81ST ST. (* stage IRVING and ELWOOD Special Songs 14 Mina; One and Full (Special) Man and woman with fair voices when blended. Flirtation song at opening with both in evening attire before special divided drop, la fol- lowed by "Mighty I^ak a Roae," harmonized, with the woman at the piano after the parted drop reveals a good looking full stage set of cyclorama. apecial lamps and props. He solos "Wild Irish Rose" in thin tenor, while she changes to a black comedy costume for a comedy song special that sounded familiar as to tune and lyrics. A transformation change In view to fantastic costume and headdress for "Simply Wonder- tul." another warmed over song. In "one" they double a getaway song which Includes a parody on one of the numerous "Smile" pops. A light flash lor the small time. The production given the turn is the high spot. Con. THREE JENNETTS. Dog Act 8 Mins.; Full Stage 5Sth St. Two men in clown costume and a woman putting a complement of canines through a conventional rou- tine, but working fast enough to make tbe act suitable for either end of the smaller house bills. One of tho men is passive, doing little but assisting in placing the props about the stage. A number of doves are used for a picture effect under changing colors. The turn sufflced as the evening's starter at this house. Attempting nothing beyond the usual, It seems destined to carry on In similar spots within such surroundings. SMg. RIVERSIDE ONTARIO DUO Gymnasts 8 Mins.; Full Stage The opening shows a woman In a ewlng. Coquettlshly her partner creeps up and frlghtene her. Gym- nastics ne\t with the woman as the' underbtander In several prosaic stunts. The next man mounts a pole with the woman again as understander. but the two dieplay effort which ehould be concealed. Ease In-work- 'r.R is an asset. For a finale the iron Jaw stuff with tho woman lying prone aoxcss a rope held by the man from 'an elevation. The act is fair to middling for the intermediary time Bisk. ADAMS and HUDSON Piano and Violin 14 Mins.; One 23rd St. (June 9) These two men bobbed up for a fling at the bookers in the "try out" contingent given space on the 23rd Street bill the 'first halt of this week. They rang up a good nrusical score, the audience en- Joying their numbers immensely. While they ottered a routine that tingled with topical numbers, the Impression was that they will do as a pop house combination. They vary their routine suffl- ciently to get appiause. Jazz num- bers in particular helping the aver- age. A substantial hit from a musical standpoint. LAVPO and MONTROSE Acrobatics 8 Mins.; Two 23d St. (June 9) One of the usual two-men acro- batic combinations, with one going in for comedy, for the most part futile. The straight does some clever woik, Ills routine along the usual lints done by acro'oats for many years. Some laughter was rausod by the (oniic's iinnounc(rmi'nt.s, which he rrir.l.lnrd with VidJish t.etwcen lines. Act seems fated for pop house bookings. A very spotty bill at this house this week. The headliner is Mar- Jorle Rambeau and Co. In "Brace- lets," which classes In vaudeville with "inie FaUl Wedding" In the legitimate. - The opening and closing acts (both of the silent ' variety) and Trlxle Friganza, stood out from the rest of the bill as genuine big tim- ers. Business away off. . Opening, Bert Sloan put up as good a tight wire act as has been seen locally since the hey-day of Bird Mlllman. Sloan has a nice ap- pearance also, and it is to his credit he works as a man, as he compares favorably with the best in his work on the tight wire. Hla dancing seems better. Malinda and D«de, a colored cou- ple, opening with a song and dance, might have omitted the song as well as other songs and old time- worn gags which the man used. The team are dancers and should stick to that line of entertainment. The double competition dance at the finish Is the best of their routine and should be developed. The idea could be worked as the plot through- out, with better results than the present layout. Tha washboard Jazz bit Is a novelty and got deserved re- turns. Here's a tip. Amac (New Acts) Is an Kngllsh Illusionist with a novelty. The Runaway Four have eliminated talk, and the result is Improvement. "Their Scarecrow, opening is also better than that used formerly. The acrobatics are their long suit, however, the four being accom- plished In this department, and the speed and execution of two tricks In particular (a long layout back somersault, and a high full twister) being recognized by the audience with rounds of applause. Miss Rambeau and Co. (A. E. An- son, Lionel Glenlster and Horace Sinclair) In "Bracelets," closed be- fore intermission and flopped grace- fully. How actors of experience could accept such a vehicle for presentation In two-a-day theatres is beyond comprehension, and how the bookers responsible could ac- cept such an offering for said pres- entation In regular vaudeville Is a bigger mystery than the Eiwell case, both of them murder In the first di^grce, excepting the hookers' out Is the "name," but here It didn't (liaw. The records of the players vouch for their personal ability, but the pkftch Itself Is a cross between "The Bowpry After Dark" and ■ Itazor Jim," or "Ghost In a Puwn- sliop." Even the easy Riversldtrs jSkf wouldn't take It seriously. I sf r After Intermission Joseph B, Styled a June Jubilee Festival the show was a particularly flreless affair under that billing containing no uplifting ingredients. The out- look at intermission was that tbe screen feature would have to puU the vaudeville portion from under if It could. An attendance that totaled three-quarters of a house drifted in previous to nine o'clock and saw the Chandon Trio pave the way on the receiving end of sub- stantial returns. Too much dancing niay be. prof- fered as the principal reason for a meaningless schedule with Glenn and Richards, No. 2, getting ^he "break" of being the flrst act of this kind to entrance. The pair did nicely through their footwork and appearance but the conversation in- dulged In would be better elimi- nated for there Is not a quip that gains a return and it does nothing more than comprise a wait as it stands. Fractlcallv the same thing was true of Cartmell and Harris, No. 4, who encountered pleasant go- ing so long as they danced but were at a loss when talking. Both acta are In.dire need of material It each Is to maintain ^ crossfire.- The similarity of the turns was an ad- ditional handicap for the last ap- pearing team and it proved a bit too much of an assignment. Howard Kyle's sketch* authot'ed by I>aul Oherard Smith, drew. Inter- est on Its mystery be?rlnnlng but couldn't susta'ln it, chiefly because of a wholesale! and monontone de- livery that drifts across the lights In a tiresome manner, albeit the act consumes blit 16 minutes. Pointed as a serious Interlude for the vaude theatres it can never connect for appreciation the way It is currently being presented, as it closely resembles a sermon and is prone to take Itself too legitimately when spaced, on elthef side, by dancing turns. It's actually hard to see how the playlet can gain respon- sive consideration In the smaller theatres and there are undoubtedly a few such houses where the higher Inmates would assuredly go after the act. Alynn Mann and his assisting trio held the closing spot. Between Mann's efforts and the surprise fin- ish, which was that Monday night, the act gleaned for itself a respect- able total when terminating. The female impersonator has sur- rounded himself with Intermediate support In the persons of three boys, one of whom sings, one of whom dances and the- remaining member offers a snatch of both. Individu- ally the assistance Is negligible other thah to provide the essential time killing necessary for Mann's changes. "The dancer, of the boys, cuts loose with some neat high kicking for attention but it would be of more value were he to Invoke a routine free from repetition and do away with the adhering to One leg for the high flinging and the other as a back-kick implement. Mann waa prominent at all times with his fast whirling manner of carrying himself and dressing which simply makes the act either fall or rise, according to his personal per- formance. Yorke and Lord, next to closing, provided the dynamite and were ideally placed for their hoke oon- reption. The boys never had any- thing to worry about and flashed through to easily provide what fta'e- works were forthcoming. awa. In the addition of the try-out section, two ot the three acts Mon- day night used pianos. In the re- sume of the entire vaudeville pres- entation, including the regular six acts, the bill was topheavy with music. The comedy held its own, par- ticularly with one act scoring a comedy clesm up and another stop- ping the show through its "surprise" finale. ' . , Coscia and Verdi next to closing had that 28rd street for them. The comedy half with the fiddle and the -ello were greeted with laughter. Their music also scored. Dale and i'>eLane (New AcU) grabbed their share of applause and attention. The El Rey Sisters opened the regular bin, making a neat appear- ance and pleasing on the rollers. Matthews and Ayres did well with comedy patter, with- Miss Ayers holding up her half credlUbly. Will Stanton and Co. held, the most attention when Stantnn was doing his "souse"' falls. Stanton has abandoned the Nat Martin Olrches- tra, reUlning his former company. After the Coscia and V.erdl comedy wow, the Dance Carnival closed, being applauded, ThU Is the Charles Root Steppers, with Root and his boys, having Bdna Hamel aa a worthy feminine asset. Miss Hamel works hard. looks well and adds her dancing nnlte in a way that the 23rd streetera enjoyed. Under New Acts appear Laypo and Montrqse, acrobats; Curtis ,and Lee, plnno and songs, and Adama and Hudson, vtoUn and piano. The feature film waa "Listen Lester." STATE A fast show, well spotted and highly diverting for the ourrent week at this ace of the Loew Cir- cuit. Four familiars and two new ofTerings on the six act line-up in addition to the usual cinema fea- tures topped by Buster Keaton in •Sherlock, Jr." Russell and Hayes, two likeable chaps offering a line of clowning and tumbling, proved adequate pace- makers, utilizing every moment they held the rostrum. Hert and Hazel atello, on next, offered a lively les of difficult nnitines on roller skates and easily finished in the KEITH'S, BOSTON Boston, June 18. To one who is a reguUtr attendant at big time vaudeville showa it la most Interesting to watch the eCfect of an audience of a star Ilka Eva Tanguay. She tope the bill at the local Keith house thja week. Judging from the manner In which the audience reacted to Eva at the matinee yesterday, ahe stuns most of the house. It would l>e Incorrect to say that she shocks them, for even the most prudish among them have long since become accustomed to more startling costumes and more daring exhibits than Eva has on hand for their consideration. To many Eva Tanguay is to the vaudeville stage something to re- member with the days of youth. Even Eva herself Would not deny that, for lo these many years she has entertained vaudeville audi- ences, and she is also not backward In admitting—and. In fact, boasts— that It Is her shapely figure which has proven the attraction. She does not claim to have a voice. In fact, derides her vocal efforts, and' she does not lay claim to any histrionic abllitjr. Her figure has been her for- tune—and a good fortune if her own statements, cleverly couched In song, can ba accepted. But to soma on hand at the mat- inee It did appear that the note of defiance which she has been hurling for several seasons at those who have been Imprudent enough to crit- icise her as a star who Is not In the ascendancy, seenru to be a new note. It Is hard to trace, but one feels in- clined to believe that even Eva is doubting this herself, and, therefore, her note of deflanoe Is only the stronger on that account In days gone Bva's display of fig- ure was considered daring. In these days when flappers and bathing beauties are a matter of every-day life and even the nude has only a varying effect, Eva's ability to astonish diminishes accordingly. And Eva can't take off any more of her clothes and still remain within the law, although most of the younger element in everyday life appears at , the seashore In a more abbreviate* j costume than she does. To be truthful, HJva did not reg- ister any too strong at the opening show. She Is a better attraction for tha night shows than for the mat- inees, and her reception Was Just lukewarm. At the box office Mon- day afternoon there wa^ no not. What the week will bring Is soma* thing else. .^ , To further handicap Evas ap- pearance here this week she is on Just after Al and Fanny Stedman, an act which even the most char- itable could not consider quiet and refined. The act does not protend to be one In which tone predom- (Contlnued on page St>