Variety (July 1924)

• TK.^'^ r'Ti-i-;!^^' Wednesday, July H. IM^ NEW SHOWS THIS WEEK .jqs; VARIETY y,^. PALACE f*wct «v«ry aeuc« «)0t turn on !t« rJlaM opening can c«i»e th« hou«e r^^aatnt to •wUch tho entire ^oTaround In order to make pos P" . ■ _«nMln¥i nn thn hill bu jvi, a choicer position on the blll.but S!iiiute"a proper alignment of the «»«»"r^if_«.i.» Ben Meroft scored «— Meroff and his comedy band act 2? mily did that but necessitated K inclusion of an added starter to •rrritainroent. Ben Meroir scorea Si ofttie outstanding hits of a Sja^ matinee Monday and re- dttMl It with a vengeance on the SThf show In a more advantageous JSt The act establtahes a pace In ^^y musical turns (New Acts) Sat PW8 anything ever preceding and tops most of them. The show ran late but smartly, co-ordination of backstage me- rfianlcs making possible the speed. «Mn with the Inclusion of Bob Hall, tha added starter In No. 2, doubling 2Jm the 81st Street the 10 acts mre through by 11.15, remarkable In Itself considering Meroft's S5- Mjnute session, the sketch turn's 21 minutes, and Van and Schenck's 22. Another new offering Is Henry Hull and Edna Hibbard, supported by Frank MacDonald, In a I«wis A Gordon playlet (New Acts). R is a more likely vaudeville try than Mr Hull's previous effort. "The Three Rubes" (Bowers, Walters and Crocker) were one of th9 few turns to open as scheduled. Their acrobatic "competition," with tiM comedy knockabout, was a bright starter. Hall curtailed his (OQtine for obvious reasons, his "Im- provtsed" lyrics In ragged metre clicking. llarga Waldron, assisted by Josef Martin, switched from second after Jlitermlsslon to the trey, was the 4iaence of terpslchore, a wJilrllng, '4anclng sprite, who seemed to ttlish her gyrations for the Joy of ft as much as the audience un- questionably appreciated the poetry of her aHlstlc motions. Miss Wal- Aron is a danseuse of ultra quality. Furthermore, she Is progressive and can be depended ^Don with reason- able intervals to^isclose at least one new number or variations of the «ld*«tylea. Harry Holmes and Florrle EeVere In their novelty comedy skit were another highlight of an unusually meritorious bill. Van and Schenck, following, accomplished their usual ctean-up. They did 17 minutes on the rostrum and rounded out an- other Ave In the pit, with Joe Schenck utilizing the trench upright. They showed the usual flock of nov- elty ditties, a couple or three a bit familiar, but always distinguished *y their Individual delivery, and as Sany hot off the press. The Hull- ^ Ibbard sketch closed the first half. Margaret Padula, with a planolog, Resumed. Variety's New Act flies discloses the last detailed review of Miss Padula in 1919 arthe 6th Ave. By a coincidence the undersigned was the reviewer, and it was proph- esied that with material she could advance. She suggests possibilities as an early spotter for the small big time bill it concluded. This Is the flrst time Miss Padula has fceen reviewed since, and the Interim Mems to have disclosed mo change. iWhat little novelty she possesses, i»ich as the "Boy" ditty and the ;whl8tllng, is impressive, but the pop •tuff, aside from being averagely Bandied, Is antiquated as far as pop Jongs go. She "got over," but the Impression was not sensational. . Came Ben Meroff, afid his Impres- sion was sensational, muchly bo. JJoran and Mack, following the clean-up, proved themselves from the start with their tried and proven *ct, every nifty clicking up to the •ure-fire boxing business. The El Key Sisters (Zo« and viaire), with their novelty dance re- jue on the rollers, closed. It Is to Jhelr credit they held the portion of lae house that they did. considering We late hour. Business fair Monday ai»d below ■'tte usual flrst night standard, al- »?.»"/•' *•** '"*'■'* °' the bill will .•uiid a draw for the balance of the Mem « tawdry, raueoua ttili«. And Bantley, both as an artist and a dtreotor, paid tribute to the dis- criminating discernment ot Taade- vlUe audiences. Hla cast selection was a fitting trio of lilllea to surround the orchid Ivy Sawyer. If there Is a prettier blos- som In the garden of the varieties than Carol Goodner, this reviewer has been neglecting hla vaudeville; and Jean La Marr is a sweetie, too. Jane Overton's dance la mild, but It la brief. The comedy Is in the finest at- mosphere of the true revue—current, witty, human, pointed and crisply unwordy. A traflflc burlesque and a radio lampoon are worthy of any high-priced Broadway show, and so Is the flimsiest, fleeciest bit In the entire Santley-Sawyer progranl—as done by them. The act has only six people and runs but 29 minutes, but it gives more value than most whole shows. Craig Campbell scored heavily, opening Intermission. Campbell has a rich tenor voice with an amaz- ingly powerful lower register for such sentimental and melodious high notes, and he has a sob which Is not extravagant to compare with Caruso's. If Campbell can "act" he should be made a star over night; he Is far beyond the tenors who infest the best musical comedies. McLaughlin and Evans goaled the house with their East Side-West Side sidewalk comedy and Bowery type dances and songs. Wells, Vir- ginia and West are back to about the same routine the three used when flrst "caught" at the Broad- way at the gateway of their since famous Eastern Invasion. Virginia still ^ngs "Lobster and Wise GUy" of the vintage of the day when "lob- ster" was slang—but she has edited it to a "dumb-bell," which sounds like a golf suit would look with a plug hat against the time-tired lyric. Buster's dance wrung the house dry. Zelda Brothers opened, contor- tionists on aerial trap, ladder and on the mat. The closing trick Is unique, a backward bend to a somer- sault off a ladder fully 20 feet high, catching a handkerchief off a table in the teeth, missing the table and landing two-footed on the stage, back to the audience. Earl and Bell, with guitars and harmony songs, a little too anxious to please, gave the two-spfot about what it Is accus- tomed to. Mann and Strong—Hazel and Eugene—(new acts) showed in No. 3. Very nicely taken. Bessye Clif- ford, though probably every one In the house had seen her poses with art slides, didn't lose a soul. A bang-up closer that would be worth an experiment abput opening Inter- mlsjiion. Ziait. «eek. .A lie). RIVERSIDE July Is the low peak In the River- aide attendance. There isn't a more ».^ J *,^? •>' regulars In Americ.-in f«nf*y "® *''*" 'his same Rverside following—like the Majestic, Chi- cago used to be, and more. But In "ni.^iF^ are at Arverne and In the fc^I ■'"'• " ^^^y knew; if they only fcnew! They'd be back this week it just for one matinee. i-or there's a great bill at the RIv. ■I- And several typical house favorites ft«„,,°"''^''**'"i^- Craig Campbell. e«nti<y and Havvyer. and that per- ennial pair, McLaugl.lin and Evans, Th ^ention Buster West, int Santley-Sawyer newest string *j;:7""^<^"'' f-alled "The Little Re- ihi^' J^ transcendently the best 'nwiR .S.intlty, who has always had a revpict respect for vaudeville since clnf^H ■'""*' ""^ °' 'ts mcst appre- iv„V ''^^■"'■■■*'"' pro<luclng stars, has ever projected. its dainty, tasty.^ml.Thlp, Ple.inly, wnn ,'1!""''''^'«'' aff5 .satiriral spirit won tho little audience and roused " to r( iM.irkable enthusiasm. Thi.s, •vrr,"^^^^ of the utter legitimacy of In I J"P^'^ ''o^^" to the raising of "eyelid, was most refreshing. Miss fho .T""' "'entler and wistful, with ch^/"''""" of a lady and the fragile arrt „ "' '"^ sprite, made the come- *na-go painted, strident soubret BRIGHTON Typical summer entertainment with comedy from end to end, and making an ideal bill for a seaside theatre. Attendance capacity Mon- day night, helped lota by a large theatre party. Despite the absence of heavy draw names on the elght-iict brace the bill was well spotted, with the com- edy tuma evenly distributed- In both sections, and holding at least three offerings that are well established with two-a-day audiences, viz., Harry Fox. spotted fourth; Benny Rubin and Co., in follow-up spot, and poy Cummlnga and Irene Shaw In next to closing. The show was given a epeedy send-off by Kay, Hamlin and Kay, male acrobats. In fast trampoline casting that Incorporated aeveral thrillers. Will and Gladys Ahearn, next proved a likeable deucer with their songs, dances and rope manipula- tion. Toto, the Irrepressible clown, reg- istered the flrst real howls in the follow-up spot with his abbreviated revue novelty, assisted by a com- pany of four. Toto has the clown- ing antics of a veteran and keeps the mob In howls. Harry Fox followed with his usual breezy clowning and songs, and had no little difficulty in finishing to big returns. Benny Rubin and Company, the latter a girl and three men, sewed them up in the closing spot of the first section with an epKsodlcal skit, "How It Happened," which, although incorporating a number of scenes familiar to burlesque audiences, clicked for a whale ot a hit, thanks to the funmaking proclivities of the featured member, who contributed a "hebe" comic throughout. The "third degree" bit and the travesty on the "Chauve Souris" were un- doubtedly the best features. Ki\ and Dora Ford's RevUe, on after the intprmdssion, proved a delectable fla-vh as well as display- ing everything that is anything in the line of fa.-st dance. The revue comprised sevrn numbers, staged in a typlf.''l musiral comedy fashion that showed the featured members at their best. Roy Cummlngs, assisted by Irene Shaw, gfvaled them with his knock- about comedy, and worked fast and furious throut,'liout. Ciimmings took enough falls to make him a danger- ous applicant for accident insur- ance, and <»iil them in a manner that precipitated continuous yell.s. .losephino Cliapelle and Harr.v Carlton clo.s( d the show with a snappy line ot aerial acrobatics and risley work. BROADWAY Bometlhlng less than three-quarters of a house sat through a light sum- mer bin of aeven acta Monday night, which held sufficient entertainment to make the evening rate above the uaual hot weather average. Running mostly to comedy, Joe Stanley and hla company of three, third, made them laugh aa well as any other Insertion with a light- weight skit revealing Stanley as a comedian who is a certainty In the smaller houses, and could undoubt- edly go farther with an improved vehicle. The act Is all Stanley, with his support Just about able to make the grade; another Instance where little is needed beyond the central figure. All Shayne was next to closing for fair enough results, although a sllpped-ln encore could have been passed up. The cross-fire between the "plant" and himself seemingly pleased, but Shayne continues to manifest his willingness to return on the slightest provocation. Rita Gould was spotted No. 2, and did nicely while adhering to a straight delivery, but going beyond her depth when ad Ubblng with the orchestra leader. The side remarks ranged themselves as distinct liabili- ties, beyond the scope of Miss Gould, whose main forte Is a sense of show- manship In her delivery and appear- ance which makes unnecessary the attempt to be other than she la. Opening the vaude portion were Karl and Erna Grees (N»w Acts). The London Steppers, augmented by a dance team, were fifth. The eight girls .offered a trio of ensemble numbers which pleased the assem- blage, while the soloing duo con- tributed at least one effort that was more athletic than artistic, but nev- ertheless effective; a leap by the girl from the stage to ap arm-hold had her completing a full twist while In the air, whlph may constitute a new wrinkle for other teams of the type to rehearse. If not dlfflcult. It looks it, and at least Is a demand for attention. The octet are sufficiently smooth In tbelr work to probably keep them out of every house that sustains Its own chorus, while the general dressing and llluslonistic values win appease the intermediate theatre audiences. Bob Anderson, the educated horse, paved the way for the scieen feature, with Dare and Wahl (New Acts) stimulating a hoke acrobatic concep- tion well enough to pull them away from either end of a bill to be placed No. 4 and holding it up. Bkiff. AMERICAN ROOF Cooling breezes were the head- liners -on the American Roof the flrst half, about three-quarters «f a bouse present oq, the top floor of Loew's American Monday night. Eight acts and a picture aver- aged as a good smalt time enter- tainment^ with plenty of variety. Mallon and Case, two boys who will be'heard from, copped the com- edy honors in the next to closing spot. The comedian has his own novel Idea of comedy and takes some of the highest and loftiest falls eeen outside of Niagara. He crossfires at times lying on the atage and also manages to answer gaga while eating apples. He actu- ally eata three apples, which means nine a day. If an apple a day, etc. His partner Is a quiet mannered straight of refined appearance who feeds smoothly and contributes a ballad. At present the a^t Is email tlmey, mainly through the ma- terial. New gags and talk would make them decided candidates for knockabout honors on the big time. Whirio and Babe (New Acts) opened the bill, swiftly followed by Margaret and Gadde (New Acts.) Bernard and Ferris, third, a strictly small time hokum pair, were third. The female impersona- tion was weak through faulty enun- ciation when talking. The comedy of the stout member was decidedly academic. They feature singing, the voices being more robust than musical. Spotted about as late as possible on third. "Dance Variety," two girls and a boy, went strongly closing the first half. It is a standard small time d.ancing turn, all three deliv- ering, the boy turning In an ex- ceptionally fine eccentric solo. The high school finish with the eccentric stepping Jumping back and forth over the hurdles rounded out a neat classy liUlo turn. Here Phil and Eddie Ross opened after intermission. It Is a two-man piano and singing duo, the tenor at the box. A "wop" num- ber once used by Van and Schenck and given a similar delivery was their best contribution. The rest of the songs r.an to pops, all doubles with a specl.il arranjjement of "Wherf the l^ay-y Daisies (irow" for .a finish. They liked thtni for three or four bows. Moore and Elliot In a veteran small time sketch liascd on mis- taken Identity and renamed sin'jc the last time seen did wrll next, chiefly due to the farcical treaf- ment of the theme. The girl over- plays consistently, hut the male Is excellent as the iiiano ealesm.in. The Four Hellhops, m.ile acrobats, closed strongly with ground tum- blinir, hand-to-hand, pyramid riid Aral) ground tumbling holding nil for the feature picture, "The Guilty One.' , . ' CwK FIFTH AVE. Tbe first half ran aimjst as smoothly as Nnrml, the Finn. Once again It was a qulet-IocAlng bill without a big "name," but holding enough concerted entertainment In Us seven acts to please. Inatead of the usual cheap com- edies, animal pictures or other freak reels, there was a regular film. Hoot Gibson in "Broadway or Bust," and as a result a larger propor- tion of the practically capacity houae atayed to aee It. Cody and Lee opened with club Juggling and hat throwing. Though accomplished with snap and pre- cision the routine lacks distinctive- ness and most of the comedy at-, tempts go awry. The men have the average skill but do not display it as effectively as they might. Following this rather mild start the show was geared immediately Into high by the Dixie Four, Inky singers and hoofers, who stopped the proceeding a bit harder' than anything else on the bill. The vocal' work is nothing extraordinary and there Is too much of it, particu- larly In the matter of a slaughtered ballad which would kill off the act if not followed Immediately by dancing. But the stepping, chiefly of that "scratch-yourself-all-over" type, makes one forget all about strained tenors and withered bari- tones. A word should be said for the appearance of the men who look particularly neat In well- tailored full evening dress. ' "Young America," a tabloid ver- sion of the Broadway succesa of Bome yeara ago, was third. A pe- culiar act this; peculiar In the sense that It delights a certain per- centage of an audience and seems to bore the rest. This limited ap- peal is a handicap in a theatre like the Fifth Avenue where the audi- ence Is a curious combination. But In the family houses the majority are sure to like It, with the able performance of Benny Sweeney and the other four memt>ers of the cast compensating for the talkineaa of the turn. Fourth, Tom Smith, developed Into a comic hurricane. The im- provement in his act during the past threer or four yeara Is re- markable, and he fully lived up to the topline billing awarded him. He is now doing a mlnd-.reading bit aided by his pianist, Harry Newman, that Is fully as funny aa any of the similar burlesques. After the Pantheon Slngera (New Acts), who proved to be one of the best high-class singing acta In vaudeville, Tom Keity Indulged in his usual line of Irish atorlea and songs. He alao won rapt appre- ciation. The Eight Mascotte Girls closed with a ' combination of Tiller-like unison stepping and various indi- vidual specialty dances. In youth- fulness, costuming and looks, par- ticularly as regards pedal archi- tecture, they come surprisingly close to Broadway revue standards. The turn possesses the eye-fllling qualities demanded recently in vaude houses and In addition has the genuine makings In the way of terpslchorean talent. announced as belns wHtten by lltatf Handxoiui'e brother. Diamond also demonstrated several new legmanl« twists which were applauded. Mark, 23DST. »• COLISEUM Flags flying at the Coliseum Mon- day nlglit. E>mll Groth, manager, Just back from three weeks^ vaca- tion. Tanned but glad to be back. Feetive colors, however, tor the opening of the new police station at 182nd street and Wadaworth ave- nue, with the whole Heights on edge and decorations everywhere. The ahov the flrst half gave a lot of satisfaction, running In the fol- lowing order: Florence Seeley and Co., Malinda and Dade, Ruth Budd, Bert Lahr and Mercedes and Mau- rice Diamond, with the feature fllm "The Gaiety Girl" (Universal). The Seeley act Is rather a light affair, with the cat Impersonations by two men the main attraction. On a hot night the men never loafed a minute. Mlns Seeley sang several numbers and for the finish danced a "routine" with the "cats." Aa an act that depends on the animal im- personation to carry it along. It atlll has novelty. Malinda and Dade, who appear to be worthy successors to the fast- stepping Joe and Sadie Brittona of other days, went right along to big applause, the dancing finish whoop- ing up a substantial score. Ruth Budd simply amazed 'em. Flr.9t she sang and then she danced, played a saxophone and tossed In another musical number for good measure and then went Into the fly- ing ring slunts with the kind of pep demanded of the clrcusy acts In vaudeville. If there are anv harder working women In the varieties than Ruth Budd they will have to be trotted out. That finish of hers or the "rope" is a corker. Bert Lahr and Mercedes did well, with Lahr's work alone holding comedy attention. Lahr is a bur- lesque comedian and sticks to the "bits" that have been his trademark for years. Some of hla verbal squibs sounded new and caused laughter. Maurice Diamond and two girls, Edythe Handman and Irene Smith (he formerly had three feminine as- slstanls), with their dancing caught the fancy of the audience. For an encore the trio came back In "Vno" and the girls sang a song, "My Monday night this house helA only a fair sized audience, althougli the regular program averaged bet- ter than usual, and there were two tryouts (New Acts) added for good measure. A perfect night for out- doors, this undoubtedly accounted for the slim attendance. The Rlalto Four (New Acts), « good singing combination, opened, with Dlaas and Powers in second place. The girl is one of the Dlas Slaters (Diaz Sisters and Powers), now working with Powers in tbe double act. The man is as clever as' any of the present day tight wire walkers, cleverer than most, and the girl capably holds up her end of the act. Both have youth and good loeks in their favor, while the act is well dressed and set. Good act to open any program. Fisher and Hurst, man and woman team, have a good line ot comedy conversation for laughing purposes, and the woman's freak voice, ideal for coon shouting, later shows a fine tenor quality, and again a fine soprano, powerful and round In both inatances. Btae atopped the action twice with aongs. It Is a typical old style team act (none of the young school could handle it or its kind), and la ■; surefire comedy contribution for In- termediate houses. One of the kind that btg time managers think are not "classy" enough for tbelr houses, but which make audiences yell and like it. Vera Cole (New Acts) was next, followed by .Ethel Waters, Barl Dancer, and their clever pianists. Miss Waters stopped the show with every offering, and had to do two encores alone, after the act proper. That girl at the piano certainly fills the "Blues" numbers with In- digo harmony. The Novelle Bros., mualcal clowns, closed the vaudeville and got more out of that position than any act that has filled It In a long while. Their acrobatic stunts while play- ing the violins, got them one round of applause after the other and their "Love Birds Courtship" bit w,as a riot for them, the customerf cohtinuirig their signs' of apprecla" tlon even after the picture was on the screen. "The Gaiety Girl" wa« the Screen feature, Which got quite a play from those present, moat oC whom stayed, to see It out. , ^ •■•■■ ■■' — ~ — ' —r -v- -■■j*4. HEWACTJ "^ Bobby Heath la preparing a seven* people "flaah" turn for the big Um*. Billy Jamea, Tommy Kennedy an^ Heath are writing the turn. C. B. Haddock reviving "Ttfty MIlea from Broadway" for vaude^ vine fling. Tom Wlae In sketch. Jack Waldron (Lockett and Wal- dron), new single by Andy Rice. Maude Fealy In sketch. Wjm Fealy recently completed her ea« gagement with the McGarry Play^ era (stock) In Buffalo. The Musical Hunters (Frank O. and May Luce) new musical turn, "Tune In," with three peoiile. Sager MIdgely and Co In new «klf. George Hayes (Frltzl Rldgeway and Co.) and Monroe Lockwood (Lynch and Lockwood) double rub* comedy act h' WHIRLO and BABE Roller Skating 9 Mins.; Full Stage American Roof Man and woman In akatlng and dancing. The man la an accom- pllahed athlete on the rollera, the girl contributing three cbangea ot wardrobe, aome akatlng and fl^rur^ Ing In the cloalng body spin. The man's solo work is excep- tionally clever, his aplna and fancy skating being high claaa. Tbe double dancing la fair, alowed up by the girl'a limitations. She 1* generously proportioned and works bare-legged throughout. Good small time opener or closer. KARL and ERNA GRE88 Drawing 8 Mins.; Two (Special) Broadway A winter scene In color and some- thing; of a novelty in the outlining eC a night scene, with the frame light- ed from the rear, comprises the full offering, which has the man wleldlnc the Implements and the woman skipping about with kicks and ges- tures as hfs assistant. Tho act is brief enough to make itself applicable aa an either end addition on the smaUer bills, wbll* the lighting of the final idcture, in- clusive of the miniature propa for effects, sufRces to make it stand Lovcy Came Back." which Dlamend out {rum the u^uaL MMff, i.