Variety (December 1924)

^/V^edne8day, December 31, 1924 VARIETY » li«cted irWh the staff of « New Tork iuwlmh daily aa dramAtlo crltia Tha DUy t«Ua the atory ot the rlae 'M * Jawjah tamlly headed by an •batrapitrolta father. Crom the medio- •rlty of a aia<aU Connecticut Tillage io affluence In New Torfc. The matter of Intermarriage la quite an Important side lasue in the play, the imthor, however, belnf unconcerned with technical objections. He showa ^at the youns. Jew and Qentlle will marry regardless of jAurental objec- Uons—It's love Instead of religion David Milgrim is a maker of dolls and contented in bis little home at Woodbury. Francas. the daughter, has been to Vassar and Bam MU- grlm, the son, has graduated from Cornell as a lawyer. The young people declare themselves refusing %o be burled in the village. They are going to New York, where there is opportunity. The old man fights against the ideas of the kids and actually turns down an offer wherein he will- par- ticipate In the manufacture of a dye of his own invention. But when his Wife sides with the youngsters David consents to leave for the big city. But In IS months .he Is not content, goes off In one of many tantrums, gives away a quarter of a million and goes back to Woodbury. The daughter has married the son of a judge, Willie the son has taken a "Follies" flapper, but a very good one, as his wife. David finds it isn't so easy to return to small town ways and is only too glad when the family arrives to fetch him back. There are a number of side issues written Into the play and that makes for a general slowness. A peppier pace might give the performance something which It seems to lack. "MUgrim's Progress" is a dlaletct contedy throughout and such plays ar« usually limited In apt>eal, unless heavily freighted with laughs. This one is moderately equipped In that direction. 'Xiouis Mann, starred. Is on the stage almost throughout the play. He has plenty of phances to get excited and he seems to like that. Ijong speeches from him are not infre- quent, being an i objector to every- thing others advocate. Perhaps the best comedy scene Is between the •tar and Mildred Wayne, the "FOl- Ities" flapper, whom he calls a "gold shoveller." Mann later rejects a pro- imsal to live in Philadelphia, saying "All my life I've been hearing jokes about Philadelphia, and I won't go there," V 'Ilittre might b« traces here and there ot the contrasts between the Jew and gentile as in "Abie's Irish Rose," but the stories are not similar i and Mllgrfan is the undisputed lead- ing character with all others sub- merged. When a Catholic Institu- tion asks tor toys for Its orphan asylum, he Orders 1,000 toys sent, but at the same time sends 2,000 to the Jewish orphanage. "Mllgrlm'a progress" la In its ■ecQnd weel( at WiHack's (formerly the Frazee) and is guaranteeing the. house. It had been out on the road four weeks. Under the arrange- ment between the star and the back- ers, salary for 10 weeks was placed In bank for Mr. Mann. Hills and ^trauss also displayed an Incllna- Uon fo give the show iBvery chance. Perhaps no true line was indicated bust week when Christmas trade was ▼ery bad on Broadway. Friday night UW a smsill congregation on the tower floor and the week's takings W0re considerably under aa even Ikeak. The new comedy may spurt this #aak, but It Is doubtful of reglster- teg a success. Thea. makes the girl pose as his daughter and he goes In as a secretary. The young man of the house falls in love with the girl. It also de- velops that the young man is intent upon finding the murderer of his father, a man known as Whltey Flynn. In reality Moare (Mr. Cor- rlgan) la Whltey Flynn. The second act finale is thrilling. The same thing goes for some oily moments when Corrlgan steps in on a third act safe-cracking scene, but the absurdity of the dialog handed young Wlnton (poorly played by Barry Jones) and the direction given the mother spoil much of the good effect. The first act is very draggy, and not even Corrlgan can help it. The show belongs to Mrs. Harris and the house also. It may be that she Intends to do some plugging and keep it In. On its merits, how- ever, it should fade soon from the picture. Its picture Dosslbllit' -: are good but much care will have to be taken the n HA^lf • Comedr Ib^ prodac«d at the Theatre (KquUr by Dudley Dljti Mn. SUnnard. Anne Klncalcy... Hilda FranK Rodn(<ir KiactleTc M. Pen-In , Edward to keep It from k melodrama^. 8i»k. USBAND T Dana Burnett the Acton' 21; stated ) Hull. Ion Barney Io Otllmore Pattlwn nt Mitchell Dcrwent Stallard a taken Actors' produc- wlth abttual an im- ccess of en the nres. it r play, istence. s by a r man, of short JACK BENNY Worklng-8o WbatT Greetinga T-Alright Anyway. Direction TOM FITZPATRICK Bqulty Playei the corporate n Theatre, started tlon season the presentation Husband." If presslon around "Expressing WI organization's si was dissipated which looks fati "The Habitual former New York Dana Burnett, now a stories. His idea of a near triangle Is good enough but Burne^ failed to make much of it. A young couple have made an agreement t:^ frankly tell each other if either should fall In love with someone else. The young wife has an attractive girl friend visiting the apartment and friend husband takes a shine to her; In fact it looks like a., affair after he had kissed her on top of the Woolworth building. All three discuss the new love, the wife showing no resentment. But just as hubby and the girl are about to walk out on her, she Insists on going along with them, figuring she'd be too lonely in the apart- ment. 8o the trio get in an inn at Rlverdale, which is a popular place with some people who don't elope—much. All that occurs In the Qrst act, but there's nothii\^ very amusing about It. There Is much chatter in the other acts through which the play slowly unfolds. Husband and the girl friend depart together but he parks her at the Martha Wash- ington hotel and the next day is back at the Inn. Of course the couple don't separate but the hus- band makes the sagacious remark that a man should keep his wife in one place and his lady friend In another. That Is as naughty as the play gets, although the clever wife taurant on the beat Hera the au- thor, Thompson Buchanan, Iralsas a great to-do about a stralgfat young doctor who Is fatefully thrown Into a town where women control itoUtlcs and where the doc soon becomes a power. Then the ward heelers ant- bosses begin to notice him to the extent ot trying to intlmldata and frame him. But the women. Includ- ing the straight daughter of the crooked senator, come to his bed- room at S a. m., and there he is found by the ward heelar. Bat the scandal is stopped jrhea tha rich woman admirer buy* tha town newspaper. That's how strong the doc stood in with tha woman,^ hut even the doc's prowess and his mlx- turS of Blast Indian mysticism, to bolster up the bluff end dtm't stand up at alt Except tor Bdward Rob- Ins' work as the good doo, the acting is on a par with tha play. Two sets, both Interiors, are used, and neither looks like It broke the bank, although Ihey are taateful to the degree demanded In tha play. As a Broadway proposition this one is hopeless. It isn't even a good out-rate show, far. laughs are Infre- quent and puny, while its plot sus- pense and interest are reduced to the point of oblivion. As a picture proposition, however, it should have takers, for s film di- rector wouldn't hav« to labor under the handicap 6t the Inaas dialog. BETTY LEE Rufoa Lolfalr* praaenU thia tkree-aet muslral comedy founded on tha Paul Arni- Rtranv-Rex .Beach play, "aetng ' Some," Musical libretto by Otto HarbMk on the "book" and collaborating with Irrlns Caemr on the lyrlaa; mono by Ix>ala A. HIrjch and Con Conrad. Dlaloff, diracted by Bertram Harrlaon; daneaa and aKaembleiT by Dava Bennett. Opeoed Dea. SS at the 44th Bt. theatia, Naw Cork. _ Doc « Jack Keama Stlm ....•*..■.•••..•..•.*....•... ™a. rooia Hypo William Brandt Silent Pata Harry BleTars Storer n Boward Boulden Willie WoU Jamaa g. Barretf Carara i Palalay Noe« Mn. LUa Keep Charlotte WoodmS Jeanne Chapla I(a4allna Camaioa Berkley Fresno .Alfred Qerrard Betty !>• «» QtorUroy Maridetu. Daaethy Barber Walllnsfofd Speed Hal Skally l.awrsnca auua ^. .Joa ■. Brown Poy could finish ths week out That she Is suitably oast for the part in obvioiM despite her shortcomings for reasons mentioned. For Hal Skelly, however. It was a different experience. In the leadlnK mala role he Impressed fairly well, although one looked for an Oscar Shaw rather than a Skelly in such romantic casting. Joe K Brbwn handled the principal comedy role as Wally Speed's athletic trainer. The action is set oa a southern California ran-h. One cowboy fac- ition is vieing with the other through the medium of a footrace. Wally Speed arrives on the scene, boasting of his athletic prowess. The cow- punchers back him to win, and threaten capital punishment If he loses. The dilemma occupies the thuee acts and is finally settled by Speed and his opponent In framing the issues when the latter proffered to "throw" the race for a considera- tion. Dave Bennett has evolved some novel effects In staging the dances. His chorus of 27 are likely "look- ers," about a half dozen real beauts, which, combined with their obvious willingness and aptness, makes for corking resuUs. The routines will Improve with time, some of the end work being still a trifie ragged. Bennett has built up his numbers by shifting the chorus groups in sections, and then caps each climax by worklnK Carlo and Iner and O'Hanlon and ZambounI, both dance teams. Into the scenes for solo and duet efCorts. All the dance special- ists are bell-ringers. Misses O'Han- lon and Carlo o( each team standing out particularly. "Betty Lee." the theme song and the big number, is introduced early and reintroduced on several occa- sions. "Sweet Cactus Rose" is a comedy highlight. "Dally Dozen" had a dozen of the girls In suitable gym attire going through a choreo- graphic daily dozen. Charlotte Woodruff contributed effectively with her high soprano, but particularly in '"Monterey,*' a tune of real substance. "I'm Gonna Dance at Tour Wedding" also stood out among the Individual numbers. 'Sweet Arabian Dreams" was built up by rcenic flash-backs and fade-outs with a succession of "pic- tures" in keeping with the theme. A "cheer" number had the chorus go- ing through the respective college cheers of Columbia. Fordham, Cali- fornia. Army and Tale. The costuming is one of the out- standlhg features. It will satiate any and all feminine demands on that s(H>re becauss the several chorus costume schemes are a suc- cession of beauty in design and nov- elty of execution (Charles Le Mnire is credited for the dealgnlnK>. To augment the "straight" costuming the cowgirl atmosphere permits for an opening flash that sets a winning pace from the start. The athletic costuming, the rah-rah sartorial de- signs et al. are psychologically inter- polated. Alfred Crerrard (so long with Flor- rle Mlllorship) Is cast for a light role he handles well. Dorothy Bar- ber Is a "looker" as a eenorlta. George Sweet, making his Initial ap-' pearance In the last act, tmpresRes with what he did. Madeline Cam- eron Is another principal who gave a good account of herself. A cow- boy quintet takes the place of th' usual male chorus, the absence o{ I which Is anotbSr bomethlnc to b« thankful for. "Betty Lee" should stay tn theso ;.1 parts for several months^ at least for a moderate run, for If Ls Malre'a "Marjorle," the preceding incum- bent at the 44th St. lingered for four months, "Betty Lee" surely can pAr her comparatively weak sister. »* AM. TOPSY AND EVA Chfaholm Ciwhins based on "Uncle TSm'S J Cabm." Starrlns the Dancan Bl•te^^ Music and lyrlra by the Duncan Rleten. Staced under direction of Jaek Holland. Sattlnsi draiirned by Dlcks» Morgan. Costumea dearfcnrd by Uadama Keelar. Preaanted by Tom Wllkea. Chteo '. - Almea TorrlanI Harry Olory Ulsehart Uncle Tom...... Basil Ruysdaal aeorsa Shelby Robert HalUday Mn. Shelby Hales Caa* Friends o( Ibrlatta— Helen Raoea Itowria Ann Lea Swaa Jane EdUh .Maybann Bessie Antoinette Boots AuRustina St. CUira Wilbur Coshman Henrique Harriet Iloctor .ilmon L.r(raa .Fnnk K. Wa'laco Dee Gee... .Davis Ooodman Kllca ,.'...,Florfnce Uartia Marlette Nydia D'Amell Braamua Marks: .' Ashley Cooper OphelHk Bt. Clara Myrtle Fercoaon Topay « Roaet ta DuBcan fira St. CIsra. Vivian Dtui«an Danseuse Pramlara Harriet Hoctor Rattus Rosa Hlmca The Duncan Sisters In "Tejjisy and Eva" cam* Into the Sara H. Harris, New Tork, Dec. 2S fresh frosn an 11-month run in Chicago with west coast triumphs preceding. Just how this opera managed to please the prairie dwellers for so long will ever remain a conundrum hereabouts, unless it was the un- usual publicity which the show re- ceived in Chi. If this be true, some astute producer should eomOr that reiparkablo press agent and start a Series of SOc. musical comedy re- vivals of "Wedded and Parted. "Across the Paclflo" and "Bertha. the Sewing Machine OlrL* "Topsy and Bva*^ eontalas. mors hokum than a Mutual bnrlssqus show, hasn't more production tha» necessary and Is dull, dreary entsr- talnment save wh..i Harriot Hoctor Is stopping the sho# with lier to* pr kicking dances. , Rosetta Duncan as Topsy h^a her moments, clowns and ad llbi all over the stage, but she spreads Out mighty thin over mor* than two hours. Rosetta, howovsr. Is mis- tress of about every standard boko low comedy piece of business re- leased in the last decads, STan onto Joe Jackson's mistaking ths damp spot on the stags for a quarter. The ' Duncans' bIgvMt moment was with their double songs. "I Never Had a Mammy" and "WhsB It's Onion Tima In Bermuda." * Comedy double w(th a fun..y danca Idea. The dance has. ths time hon- ored business of kicking sAoh othsr In the posterity Tppay losing ths duel and hanging crepo on her rear. The show plays In three full stage sets, probably hold overs from ths Cht run, although the c(>stun|es ot the choristers and principals ap- peared new. The chorus Is a divided one and includes 10 poniei, Dnglish girls from the London Palace (al- leged) and 12 native show girls. The Umles were all under eork and cast as picks. Their danolog smacks and savors of the Wayburn ..,■11 ' ',...1 ...i.,,, '. ",Ji THE BULLY Halodrsisa in three acta by Julia Helena Parelval and Calvin Clark. Prodoced Dec. SS at the HoiSabn by Mra. Henry B. Harris. Xmmatt Corrlaan featured. Directed by 'Walter Wllsos. Oraoa Moara... Harsnret Onsaek Jennie KallaT Maude Franklin J(dia K«Uar Howatd Stoolalr Bnly Tborhton, James Bioadbnrr. Jr. Oaorsa Dadiletlt Moara...Kmmatt CMTlcan Stmrajr WIntoo Barry Jonea tt«. WlhtoH........: Olire Oliver t%Aa pfllcer ..{..<....Barl« Mitcball Mrs;- SEnvIs' second production of ths seUoiu her first "Out-a-LAOk." - having folded up after two woaks ■on tha road. This 6a; taowovoc, was tsAon by Mrs. Harris attor she ha4 s^u it played la stock la, Waterbory,, Conn. . f^' at Ik out-and-out gwitloMatf e>dok ..m«lo4»ani* of an oU tashtoo. Not- ^''■irHhStaiidlng, ft has 4Bt«r«sUng mo- ments. It all of the play maintained tbs p(l<^s of the latter second act aiMl the latter tbtM. and with much retesthig and rsWriUltc it might be a [hit As It stands.-there are dull st|ristohes and dull acting—but not by Mr: Corrlg&n, James Broadbury, JK, or Margaret Cusack, Tl»e others aHi ftfetty much ai-ao. ' Corrlgan j>Uys an old crook mar- ried to a young girl. He really lof-ea her and therefore doesn't let hSr In on his racket, but by the force of a domlnatln;: personality she Is wheodled Into obeying his wish. When the opportunity comes for him to gain entr-> to a fash- ionable Tarry town home where be knows-<ho < loot'w4U^ IN Buck CIlSMd J. O'RoQika I tries to Inveigle the girl to con- Oabby OalUchar Jaa aaa K aamay tinue as her guest so she can keop gJ'J;'^Co*'°«<*»" .qeorf»_8waat an eye on her at home. | whitay Grant Mitchell Is the husband, taking things as a matter of course. And the handsome brunet DIantba Pattlson fell for him, too. Margaio GUImore played the clever wife very well but the part Is nothing to get excited about "The Habitual Husband" seems to be farce but is played too slow for that type of comedy, which Isn't the director's fault A thin comedy which shouldn't deter the Actors' Theatre. Inc., from immediately getting a new play ready. Ib«e. BLUFFING BLUFFERS Three-act comedy by Thompson Buchanan and Jbhn Meehan. Produced by James P. Baury at tha Ambaasador, New Tork. Dvo. a. Directed by John Meahao. Mlaa DavU Ralaa Carmthara Braokanbrldsa Bricht Roy Gordon Joaephlne Dawson ;.Mnld Markey 3r. Barnaa Bdwacd H. BoMna ra. Harrtat ruxharbart Mabel Acker ~" " RoUo Uoyd ......Jofaa T. Doyla .....SUtilor JiM u p .Irana Hoosar Helen "TTavara ...Tranklm Hanaa ..Hanry Hloka t>ana Desbora Blahta D«ffy ^j^i.. 1....... Rev, I^inala ...... Hilda Mn. Henry Harda. Bam Hard* OaoSray Bacon .... Roaa This play marks the second, pro- duction try of James P. Beury, owner of the Walnut Street theatre, Philadelphia, and also producer of 'Til Say She Is" at the Casing; His new play, however, is straightaway comedy minus musical trimmings and also minus comedy skill. This play Is out of luck two ways—dia- log and plot The cast Is fair, but Its biggest name Is Enid Markey. and It Is unlikely she has much box office pull. The story concerns the theory all pollllclans are crooked and that the great game of bluff la the only one .vhlch leads to real success. It is written with the sophomoric skill of a cub reporter who Is shocked *•.*.•*.••■••.•• tsghaa .Carte ConchlU Kathrya rHaalon Chico Tfcae. Zanbetnt The Betty Lea Olrta—Dorothy 10. rXtMlft- bon. Qraca M. Smith. Ollya lAodmr. ««• L-oca. Ada Winston. Halaa Ol*. Batir Colkar. Madalabia Dara, Vardl MHIl, I«- cllla Arden. Kay KaryO. noranoa Ooart ney, Nelda Snow. laabal Orabam, Tyan< Kast, CUIra Daniels, Frieda Sltamrald. Kathleen MoI^OfhUn. Ana .Pas*. B^ both WalUea, Marforla Baiter. Bafrtat Rasbrook. Naaoy LAy. Mulae Pearl Bannatt. Jasana waSt, Browa. Panalop* Rowland. iSwaida Xaili^ when he discovers that a policeman _ „ _ _ iM doos adospt free meals from the res- speecblst includSd a doubt if litas "Betty t«e" is a musical comedy of the popular-appeal typ*- It bM aU the sure-fire ne o sssa r y to click, and the favorable ImprssBloa Is fur- ther insured by a oovpis at popular- ly pleasing melodlMJ. oao ot them, "Betty I^eo," partloolarly ovtsUnd- Ing. To this reviewer tlis La Kalrs show Is a dlsappotntmMt only bseasSs one of Variety's oot-of-t<n»* crilto*- (Syracuse) tnmod |B a nottco Oiat was a "rave" from start to flai4t "Raving" is something trade p4per reviewers are n*t prens to, ps^ioo the tmpreesivensss Ot tiiat hMblr laudatory "notiof.'' No questlonlac tha msrlt* of dUs show. The fatto Louis A. EUrscb. ever a tuneful songvaittii started a score.that Con Comrttt olaMcatsd on and completed la good styla. Ths Harbach "book" aa4 tbs Harbaeb- Caesar lyrics furtbsr add t» it Gloria Foy needlsasly handleappad herself In the initial laterprotatfsa of the title role bf aasaylng bar metropolitan premisro wbils la a wenk physical condition. A soeoad act curtain explanation by a house attache on the second night ot the show had it that BClss Foy was not capable of even attempting th* dress rehearsal in view of her handicap Of high temperature and doctor's or- ders. Miss Foy opened none the less Thursday and played Friday, her performance being naturally ragged and her voice "off," although, as explained, pardonably so. The Msrrti MiiTh. HARRIS and HOLLEY. BooKco uNtiL JUNK m, im ' l-Rsrnaplo. MJaneaantU. tVNk, Mir .4.—<Mdaa 0*1% m ^ . •.—Orpkrni^ Wlanlpec " K iL—AUI St. I«a I mil - ifsirh t3.—orpbniai. Sestite. •* Sty >!.—faiaea. Chinas, Men* M —H«l«. PortWuML •• Joae l.—rSSS, UawuAm. April « —Orphmm. rrtMe. •• June 14.—SUuLaks, Chieasa Aprfi II -OrphMiiD. tM Anaetst. ** Joa* II.— Maiwtle. CUt^tk A«r11 tr.—orvhMn. OaktsalT •* Jaw M.—OtjiSuw. St. Um, ^ Many thankS to Mk. SAM ICAHL. 8AMMT TI8HMAK, ItAURICS GREENWAI.cr and our Representative Th* 8IMON AOB KCT and FBRDIfi Mayer and all who are responsible for our suco*ss. THISVB0 BETWARE OF OVR "RArK' KINIHH AK IT 18 IN THB OOVB»lNMSNT VAUpa. C^rfB/io^'g no. •»40g. UBitAIlK OF CgNO«W^ 'n