Variety (December 1924)

10 VARIETY NEW ACTS this week Wednesday, December 24, 192^ THE COMMANDERS (llj Orchestra . . SO Min*.; Two -t<^'* •th Av*. ▲nd where h«ja this one h««n hld- IbC away fmn vaudeville? Who digs ■p acta (or the big time? And kow did the "The Pride of Ohio" set on the Hippodrome stage and yet this Is the flrst week The Com- manders have played In New York vaudeville? Here's an orchestra and an act. Vor vaudeville it's the best all •round entertainment in the com- bined band and act that vaudeville has had—bar none. This is the former Versatile Sex- tet, increased to 11 pieces, and con- tinuing under the leadership as well •• management of Irving Aronson, at the piano. In casa you didn't read tha billing, Mr. Aronson •tanda up to take the bowa. He has to stand up often and the rest of the musicians with him, for at the (th Ave. Monday night they ■topped tha show ao completely their act ran 40 minutes, inclusive •f some bits lur other turns on the bin walking In. But they were a show-stopper before that. The act baa been bandied quite ■UlfuUy in Ita vaudeville layout Interspersed with the musio and bits hi eomedy here and there, al- waya low comedy and always laushs. A couple of the encores are fanned aklta in themselves, with music. In mnalo there Is Judlelons blend- Ins of gait, the orchestra going into Aiffarent pacers and tempos with •aae and variation. Also some so- tolsta. The trombonist for instance la a peach, and not only a trom- bonist, either. He did a "Charleston" that could maka Bin McCaffrey worry a bit over hia laurels aa a hoofer of that erasa. The flrst break Into versatility of tba eomplement la a quartet. The four men right out of this band oomparlng aa a ainglng tour to any quartet ■ In TandevlIIo. Each of them thereafter doea a alnglo song or verse of one with the tenor oopplns singing honors with his ballad. A dandy arrangement eame out for music and sons of one med- layrrtth the theme melody of the •paling carried through it peculiarly and faaclnatlngly. Bather a personable looking bunch •• welL They do a lot of vaude- ville In their aotr—and It classes as • comedy act. The Commanders can go In any- vharo. £Nffis. WILLIAM COURTLEIQH and CO. (4) The Qood Provider" (Dram^) 22 Minai Full Stags * Palace Dixie Merrill Iflriam Hieka Jamaa William Friend Clifford WInttoB Jamaa Nell), Jr. Samuel Merrill William Cbartlalsh LucU Merrill Conatajia* Beanmar CREIQHTON and LYNN Comedy Songs and Dsnces 19 Mtns.| Ona Amarlcan Roof Mixed double. Oirl in old-fash- ioned short coat and comedy hat; man In baggy atreet attire. They open with double version of "Hello, Bello, Hello," a apecial song used yriorily by another team, but prob- ably released to this pair. A double dance follows, the girl taatantly impreaaing with her abil- ity. An old fashioned aong and dance double next, the song also heard around before. Thia is fol- lowed by a comedy duet on cornets, the girl handling dlnord accompani- ment for comedy. After aome crossfire, which re- •stved fair returns, the male reads *letters," supposed to be requests from members of the audience for a waits clog double, a sailor'a born- pipe by the girl, and another corking double dance. They are a strong dancing pair fbr the intermediate bills. The girl Is an unusually versatile daneer and one of the best tap dancers of her •ex. 8he should also develop Into a capable comedienne. The material used now seems to be all more or less familiar and consists of special stuff used by others before them. Hit Of the bill at this house. Cos. Mr. Courtlelgh was credited with an excellent bit of characterisation last summer as Butch McKenna In "Strange Bedfellowa," a Broadway production flrst called "So This Is Politics." The play waa taken off, however, after a short time on the road and the star decided on vaude- ville, going under the direction of Lewis A Gordon. "The Oood Provider" Is the same playlet used by Billot Dexter last spring. Dexter took a flyer away from plcturea over the Orpheum, the turn showing one week in New York (Riverside) before going west. Elaine Stern, who authored "Fear" (which Mary Nash) presented at the Palace last week) also wrote "The Good Provider," but the latter Is' comparatively light dramatic fare. The story was set forth in a review of the Dexter appearance last April. It haa to do with a husband who has given his wife and daughter all they desire, only to realise that he Is only their good provider. He comes home on his SOth birthday expecting some warmth from his family but getting none. In fact only the butler remembers It is his birthday. The husband orders din- ner served as if the wife and daugh^ ter were present He talks to the empty chairs. Alarmed, the butler telephones for the absent ones who had social engagements and they arrive back to supply a happy ending. The playlet's worth chiefly de- pends on its sentiment. Mr. Court- lelgb is given no opportunity for playing, unless it be he failed to Interpret the role of the husband. However, nothing punchy about the part was perceived. William Friend aa the butler came near stealing the honors. It is a character much better molded, though the actor seemed much older than the man who was supposed to >M his same age. "The Qood Provider" rates as a name attraction. Without Dexter in the west or Courtlelgh here it would moan nothing. Jite. BEEQE and QUPEK Roller Skating Full Stago (SpecisI Floor) 8th Avo. Now tricks in roller skating and one very dangerous. It la the girl held In a foot brace against the riiest of the male, both on skates, with the girl straight out revolving rapidly while he is spinning. It's all BOW and nervy. Thsr* la other fkjrt work; In fact. It's an fast, and there are other •pins In various positions. The man tfoos a single whirl on the skates, •Hd while doing It lights a clgarets. If • good but lost on an audience hot vnderstandinar. . The couple are of nice appearance, with tho young woman prettily as woU as neatly costumed in changes. Th* opening is effective and dlffer- •Dt from the usual turn of this na- OS8MAN snd 8CHEPP . Banjoists 10 Mins.; Ono Vess Osaman and Rex Schepp are billed as "world-famous banjolsta and recording artists." Both are ex- pert on' the banjo, the former being only recalled on the recording end. The routine is identical to that formerly done by The Ossmans, male team of banjoists. <rhe turn pleased in the deuce spot but did not seem to attain the pitch antic- ipated. The idea of alttlng with legs crossed on chairs in "one." everything performed In the cal- cium, becomea tiresome after a while. The banjo picking is sure and aweet. but more variety could enhance the general effect, y The punch Is the medley of south- em airs with a lighting effect that blacks out their faces and makes their clothes glow in the dark. Atel JACK DANGER Songs, Dsnces snd Juggling • Mins.; Ono Jack Danger comes on with s badly written song about himself, pulling some decidedly unfunny puns on his name and his prowess with the women, and then he goes Into a story—reminiscent of the naonolo- glsts who announced (hat they did songs, card trlcka and told funny stories. The story fell down. Then Danger burst into a pop song. That didn't give him any en- couragement. After wasting five minutes with his songs and stories, he picked up Indian clubs and went to Juggling, doing a fair routine. This work, however, shone so bril- liantly by comparison with his pre- vious efforts that fair applause sent hlin off. The Danger turn is pretty light. BUk. ROBERT C. BENCHLEY . The Treasuror's Rsport" (MoNolog) t Mins.; Ono Pals OS Robert C. Benebley Is dramatic crltlo»o( "Life," a weekly magaxine of humor. He atarted something among the writing clan last season by publicly appearing, unashamed. In the "Musio Box Revue." He got away with it, too. To prove that, they Invited Robert to do bis stuff at benefit performances Just like a regular actor. After Benchley clicked, so tfi speak, other critics started going Democratla They wanted that ex- tra dough. Some thought of hom- ing into revues. One did; Hey wood Broun of the "World," who chat- tered very briefly in "Around the Town" last summer at the Century Roof. Lucky that troupe dlAi't last long or else Hey might have been snooping around the Palace too. It was reported he would appear there last summer but Broun went Ash- ing instead. Hey has an alibi for the revue thing—that Benchley de- liberately steamed him up to it "Ths Treasurer's Report" la the routine of humor given by Benchley at the Music Box (he did not tour with the show). It is a statement of how money donated to a club for boys "between the ages of 14" was spent Delivered in the manner of a very nervous young man it is laughable, especially to thdse who have not heard the monolog. A list of donations includes: "In memory of a happy summer at Rye Beach, tlO," while the amounts spent are Blurred. Benchley Isn't quite used to the ^tage. The footlights were dimmed half way, though a mild spotlight was employed. The critic Intends playing the KeltU houses in New York and also the main eastern cities. He has arranged to write a number of reviews for his paper so that he may be absent three or four weeks. When Broun hears about it, he may go Democratic again. /bee. '^YPSY WANDERERS" (S) Daneing 17 Mins.} Full Stags (Spoeial) "Vlst St. A Joo Howard produced dance turn and It features, along with Stanisloff and Grade, six girls who do the English unison stuff. The signs say eight girls. It's a flpe act of its kind. It sticks to dancing and deals out the real footwork without phoney scenic em- bellishments. That doesn't mean that the turn isn't staged adequately for it is. For a starter the girls do a clever routine, followed by Oracle with some flne toe work. In actual tech- nical too work she compares with almost any of the vaudeville prac- titioners of this art. The man, a Russian dancer,. does remarkable whirls and a series of two-leg Jumps and in some of them ho gets his two feet fully five feet off the*Btage. This part Is worked In front of a fancy eye in full stage. The cur- tains are drawn to "one" and the girls do a routine again, but when full stage is revealed the setting is a forest and the two principal dan- cers are costumed as gypsies. Then the girls ^ome on, and as every1>ody suspected, they use some of the Liszt Rhapsody music as foot mov- ing incentive. Here again the woman startles with her footwork, and in the parts of her dance where she Is handled by 'the man, they work together for sensational results. This act has the stage floor bare —and no ground cloth in either set. That made things look crude from the front of the balcony and prob- ably worse higher up. Aside from that ard a su^t estion that Grade be given some better costumes, this one Is a whit of a dancing turn. Bisk. LEE MADISON REVUE (11) Instrumental, Singing snd Dsncing 18 Mins.; Full Stsge (SpecisI) City A peppy "flash" with more versa- tilMy than usual in acts of this sort It features 'ee Madison, who !eads the band, clowns, sings a bit and dances, chiefly the latter. There are three girl dancers, all accomplished and graceful, and a smooth-working seven-piece band. The Instrumentalists comprise piano, banjo, drums and four saxes, more than half of whom double on the violin. The absence of brass is not particularly noticeable, although there are times when some sort of bass element seems to be lacking. The combination plays everything from the red-hot to Victor Herbert's "Gypsy Love Song," and acquits ti^ielf creditably. The work of the I||^]oist and one of the 0ax players on' the violin Is particularly good. Madison Is a dancer of extraor- dinary vitality, and what he lacks in diversity of steps is niade up for in animation. The finish has him In a Bowery dance with all three of the girls. In this the roughness Is stressed to unnecessary lengths, but the cave-man stulT seemed to please the downtown audience. The set Is attractive, but the light- ing effects and color scheme not always up to standard. The men, clean-cut looking and young, make neat appearances in tuxes, and the girls' costumes are particularly tasty. The turn was a subsrtantial hit at the City, and looks set for a good spot In any of the three-a-day houses. ^^ -AB right aa aa opoMr. WELFORD and NEWTON Dancers 10 Mins.; Ona Amarlcsn Roof Two boys. Dress In Tuxedos. Open with a song, immediately establishing they are dancers. The boys feature acrobatic stuff, show- ing some difficult steps well ex- ecuted. Ths yo^ng men get the beet results on ihelr solo "bits." each having some steps better than tbti avsngo. The danciof scored at ths Amsrlcaa. P^sHh SADIE BANKS (1) Comedy Skit t 14 Mins.; One City Sadie Banks is no tyro, although her name cannot be found in Varie- ty's files. The ability in several directions, hinted at but -never defi- nitely established in her present act, indicates that with another and bet- ter vehicle a njuch more favorable criticism might be written. The present turn is Inadequate for any but the smaller houses, and it barely rates the Important billing accordet!^ at the City. Miss Bonks opeps with a conversational song telling that she doesn't want to go back to Elmlra, because she hopes to become a successful Broadway playwright. She is dressed In small- town outfit and she remains In that character throughout A male assistant poses as the or- chestra leader and questions her as to her playwri^ting aspirations. The talk is draggy and the laughs come only infrequently. Miss Banks deacrlbes the plot of her dramatic piece and quotes from it, giving her opportunity for fkilr Irish, Italian, French and pathetic bits. At two or three points the talk overruns good taste. At the finish the leader tells her the play would be okay If she. made a few changes, and proceeds to enumerate about 60 radical ones. Discouraged, she goes back Into her song, this time saying she will be glad to return to Elmlra. The idea has possibilities, but is clumsily worked out 'inarani" ■-".--•■^ -■ HEALY and OARNELLA Songs, Talk, Dances 12 Mins.; One Amaricsn Roof Mixed double, the boy In tuxedo opening with a bit of Juggling, al- most Immediately Interrupted by off-stage crying which cues for the girl's entrance In kid attire. She continues to cry until he kisses her. When she stops he says, "Why didn't you tell me what you wanted." A double eccentric dance follows both seemingly there with the hoof •tuff exhibiting a mild routine. She solos a kid song next to fair re- turns. The balance consists of singles and doubles with the hoofing build- ing up to a strong finish through the male's aorobatlc dancing to the girl's uke accompaniment. His ground tumbling at close was high class and a sure fire finish for the sm.ill time bllls.s Satisfactory early spotter, , HOLLYWOOD ROMANCE («) Musical Comedy Tab 20 Mins.'; One snd Full (Spedat) 68th Street With Lehr and Belle featured, opens with the girl leaving the hick home town and the usual hick lover. She's going to Hollywood and sings a ballad telling about it Then to a full stage and a film producer's office. Three stenog- rapher's lines bring out some al- leged Hollywood humor and a straight man does some telephoning when the heroine has been put out of a Job and the rest of the actors strike out of sympathy. The hoke about 'good girls not being able to get along' is started and the trodden under foot in a speech that sounded like Hays' o^ce propa- ganda. Finally the*hiok walks in and gets taken tor his roll—more comedy. The three girls who assist are competen'. enough, Is the straight, while Lehr and Belle do all that Is asked. The trouble is that the work Itself is pretty poor stuff, even for the family time. Its flash la not there and Its pace equal to that of a steam roller, but It has that same erushlng effect when trying to drivs tht humor Into the sys- tem. BUk. O'CONNOR SISTERS (2) Songs Ono Bth Av*. From ths west is the report on tha O'Connor Sisters. They afe not th* Connor Twins, Variety's New Act records boM an O'Connor Sisters with a male comedian and also tho Three O'Connor Sisters. As theso O'Connor Sisters don't look llko O'Connors or sisters, it's not to bo guessed they are of those acts, and In due credit to the two girls they don't look llko young women who could have been in vaudeville bade In 1909 or 1911 when those records date from. The O'Connors sing pops with ono of much animation and the other not so much. Also the animated girl has a deep contralto she can't control, so it knocks out any at* tempt at harmony they try for^—it they do. The animated girl alono might be checked. She needs di- rection, for eastern vaudeville as well. They Just miss tot the big time, but wlU do In the three-a-day. ' ■. .. Bime. THURSBY and BIRMINGHAM (2) "Qolf a Is CsHe" (Comedy) . Four ■ ^»iJ-,; J Fifth Avenue "Golf a la Carte" holds enough 'to work into something better. Since so much has been borrowed that is now in it, the producer Just as might well go the limit for more, if not finding It in any other way. Phil Morris is the producer and Dave Thursby the comedian. Con> siderable of the business and dialog was employed by the late Bert Clark of Clark and Hamilton. Mrs. Clark has survived her husband. It this Clark material Is used by con- sent, it should be extended to tho fun quota for It's the best stuff In the turn, in idea and matter. It. not by permission, Mrs. Clark should be Interviewed to allow the full yso of her husband's vaudeville act upon such terms as may be arranged. That wou..d ,work better for this turif and for the widow, and it would make this act, for Thursby in a way is of the Clark type ot genteel tramp comedian. Thursby formerly did a single and used the tramp character in that with the red nose he still retains, so he's a natural successor to Clark. There's a future tot Thursby df he goes after the Clark scheme of comedy. If the produces of this turn does not want tK negotiate with Mrs. Clark, h« should, and take Helen Bermlngo ham along with him for a two-act of the Clark and Hamilton kintf' (Mabel Clark also has passed, away). The Clark and Hamilto: act in style and possibly dialog an< business would look about all ns' now in any kind of vaudeville ovi here. There is another bit of corned; business in the turn that Is d^ corker but can't be identified. W^ plays English. It is of a wandereT mistaken for a professional golfen accepting tho designation and kidding with a couple of girls—en' thu8)|te who want to be taugtate The mg laugh here Is where onSt of the girls offer the "pro" 960 UK allow her to knock a golf ball ofl( of his eye. While lying down W preparation, the girl says she will try it flrst on his straw hat, ruia^ ing the bat instead of the ball, .jl This latter comedy bit however iif spoiled through an all wrong flnlsll' that let the turn down flat It wad< the tipping bit Clark also did, r«' vised here. The remainder means little, othsf than Miss Birmingham. She's brunet cutis and can do more thad allowed to do in the skit, beslded looking well whether in skirts ct tights. On the billing it says CharM Harry Green wrote the book an^ lyrics and Charles Smith wrote tM music, with no Brown mentioned. BitM. RUTH and DELAVAN Perch Gymnasts 8 Mins.; Two Americsn Roof The woman Is named Ruth in stature is one of the blggX women doing top-mounting seen vaudeville. For one of her size s! is not only graceful but does tricks neatly and effectively. Del* van, the man. Is strong, has to In truth to handle the lady i appears to weigh close to pounds. Through the slie of the worn and that she does works atop perch arouses the interest and; curiosity of an audience. The art opened the American show the law half and took several bows. Mark.