Variety (February 1925)

VARIETY NEW ACTS THIS WEEK Wednesday, February 4, 1925 -v^ HARRY RtCHMAN A CO (S) EDDIE ELKIN8 and BAND (10) Caf* R«vu« 40 Mins.] Full (Special) Pa lac* Rlchman has stepped some since h« appeared as a piano accompan- ist for the Dollys and Mae West, and since he tried out as a vaude- MAY IRWIN and CO. (4) Skatch; Fullstagc; 2S Mins. Palaca A crash of welcome sreeted the flashing of the old favorite's name, and a reception that held up the ac- tion for a full minute of her en- trance testified that May Irwin la not forgotten, though she has been ville single. Having made a rep for years In professional retire and established two followings, on the radio and in the night-club field, he has taken on unction, weight and confidence. Richman now struts himself without a blush, and takes on all the mannerisms of a star. And it must be acknowledged that the au- dience helps him get away with it without a dissenting voice. His re- ception was immense, and his own numbers went like wildfire. Com- bining some of the technique of Ted Lewis with an emotional similarity to Al Jolson, Richman, adding his own impressive appearance and in- solently, though not offensive, fa- miliar manner and has the audience problem In either hand. The scene is a replica of his club, with the Elkins band assembled and five waiters (practical) in view, two of them captains. After two mu- sical numbers, Richman enters in tux, and actually hoofs. He pants r. little, but makes a serio-comic announcement with some wise wheezes, introducing the saccharine dancing and singing Muriel De For- esti who scores; Yvette Rugel sings an opera aria for a wow. Bee Jack- son knocks 'em dead with a Charles- ton. The band does pot get much chance for recognition. Richman does several numbers, single and with Miss De Forest, seeming at times to be "plugging," but selling his songs with a vigor that is surefire. It was obvious that he was draw- ' Ing, and two sorts, the radio fans upstairs and the cake-eater crowd In the boxes and below. It must be a costly turn, even though Richman could afford to work it for nothing in view at the latitude allowed him In boosting bis cafe, which he does incessantly. His finish seemed abrupt, but the curtain calls gave him and his whole troupe (even the waiters) several legitimate calls. In New York this outfit is a cinch at least within the radio radius of local air-service, it should be ditto. And as entertainment It will get by anywhere. Lait. ment. Appearing in a timely sketch by George Ade, with a role perfectly fiteed to her as she is today, Miss Irwin wafted through a laughing hit, as well as a sentimental tri- umph that was heart-warming. She has lost none of her individual faculties, which made her a star for so long, in fact shv has mellowed with the autumn years and her personality is irresistibly charming. The skit plays In a split set, showing two room.s of an office, with several complications around a forty-year-old bottle of Kentucky rye and a Jealous wife. Miss Irwin as a prohibition fanatic Is accused of being in a comi.romising posi- tion with the jealous one's hubby, faints, is given two stiff shots of the liquor, and goes into a delicious stew bit to a wise-crack finale and a cinch success. Insistent calls brought the star forth in "one." though the lights were up for Intermission, and she did two of her old coon songs and a burlesque dramatic recitation, then made a speech holding the au- dience solid. The act had broken in only for two performances at the Hamilton Sunday, but Miss Ir- win is a veteran and played as though she were rounding out a season with it. By every standard of vaudeville, a great headline act. T^u. •IDEALS" (4) Skit 20 Mina.: Thre* American Roof * Two couples, rural setting. Male actors on vacation decrying the op- posite lex. Enter the bucolic peachea. Each "brodies" for a gal. After some quarreling, they swap girls, each discovering that the female they first liked is the wrong one. The second scene is the engage- ment Idea. The third scene (the setting remains the same with slides denoting the different periods) Is thft marriage stage. One couple are happily married and have a baby. The other are for- ever bickering and quarreling. Their respective domiciles are op- posite each other so that both camps are fully aware of the Joy and despair respectively obtaining in the opposite territory. This makes for some laughs. The tagline has the discontented wife squawking: "You're a fine specimen of a man to let him get ahead of you." referring to the others having an offspring. A satisfactory skit for the grade. Ahcl. SEVEN RAINBOW GIRLS Dancing and Singing, 14 Mins. Full (Special) 58th Street. The Seven Rainbow girla are young, lively and average up to a very fair degree of pulchritude as far as vaudeville standards go. A good part of the routine consists of uni- son work with five, six or even all seven executing steps that are a little different than the usual line of chorus hoofing. While they do not show the utmost precision, there is a good deal of ^alent evidenced and the individuality Is more refreshing than otherwise. Two of the girls are solo dancers. One does capable soft shoe and toe work although handicapped by a lurid red spot light. The toe dance music too is badly chosen, as la the majority of the other instrumental accompaniments. The other individual dancer la a petite, sprltely girl displaying apti- tude for splits, high kicks and all 'sorts of acrobatic steps. The girls also sing two or three numbers as a chorus, but the voices are average and they would get leas raucous results by keeping it pianis- simo. The costumes are satisfactory without being particularly handsome and the same goes for the set which follows the rainbow pattern. Closing the show the turn was en- Joyed, and If the girls keep on work- ing as hard as they are currently routining, the smaller big-time can use them handily. FIVE JUNETROS Acrobats 10 Mint.: Full Alhambra, London London. Jan. 20. This troupe comprises three men and two women and has Just ar- rived from the continent. They open with a routine of hand- to-hand balancing, flying hand-to- hand, etc., all neatly done but nothing out of the ordinary until the understander dons a pair of stilts about two and a half feet high. His most sensational trick is to catch the topmounter from a bounding table to a head-to-head balance, without either of them ad- justing the balance with their hands. Such stunts a.s the under- stander on the stilts tossing a top- mounter from hand-to-hand to a hand-to-feet and back, seem trivial MACK and FAFFORD Songs 15 Mine.; One 23d St. , These two boys show consider- able promise as a harmony uuo, but are slightly handicapped by their present routine. Both are person- able chaps wll'h good ::inging voices that make a good appearance and sell most of their numbers for top value. Their present .outlne Incor- porates four numb'^rs with the closer a trifle weak and the solo by Fafford not exactly dovetailing. A comedy number. Instead of the pres- ent one. would lift the act up nicely. Fafford seems a type that could send a comedy number for a coimt. The boys appear in sack l Us and caps. A medley of pop choruses plant Vhem. Fafford follows with a solo, succeeded by Mack for a bal- lad solo and recitation, which was the outstander of the turn. A double number sent the boys off to a good hand and de.-;pite the audience's insistence upon an en- core the boy J exerrlsin;; pood show- manship in makir.i; thfir getaway with the mob v-antinp more. Clicled neatly in the dccer and can get along nicely in this spot in any of the mediums. A better rou- tAM ABH AND CO. <1) tow— Mid PiMMk If Mlnci Om 6«ti Av«b Sam Ash has b«eB absent from the twlos dally for quite a spsl). having sojourned with yroduetlons In the past few years. As befors. Mr. Ash is possessed •( an effective tenor and an engaging personality. The production Interim, bowsvsr, seems to have blunted his former knowledge of vaudeville values. Kr. Ash's routine, while satis- factory and pleasing. Is not as ef- fective as It might he. There is a trifle too much of the "concerty" to his routine. He oould retain two or three of the high class ballads, but for a change of pace vaudeville would relish the Inclusion of a favorite standard. He also qualifier as a picture bouse attraction. Mr. Ash's pianist Interiwlates a number that is different. The act could be speeded up to advantage. Abel WAYNE (BIQ) MUNN 17 Mins.: Full Mainstreet, Kansas City Kansas City, Jan. 80. Wayne (Big) Munn, who a few days ago in Convention Hall, here, picked Strangler Lewis up and threw him down so hard the "Strangler" was in the hospital for some time, made his big time vaudeville debut on the stage of the Mainstreet theatre this week and received an ovation at every performance. He Is assisted in his new act, by Gabe Kaufman, his personal manager and wrestling partner. The act opens with a short film giving the champion's history and serving as an Introduction. The big boy enters all dolled up In full dress and makes an interesting short ta)k, telling of his progress from the time he left the University of Nebraska, to the present. While changing to his wrestling togs Manager Kaufman "made a few remarks." A regulation wrestling mat and ring was next shown. Munn and a wrestling partner went through a series of exhibition falls and holds, and then Munn gave his Im- pression of the last bout with Lewis, showing and explaining how he threw the wrestler three times in succession with a crotch and half Nelson. He also demonstrated how he broke the "Strangler's" famous head hold and won the match. The new champion is a nice look- ing, well educated young fellow, with a world of -personality and his talks and demonstrations were closely followed at every perform- ance. The act needs some revamping, which will be done at once, before it Is ready for the big time but it should draw in any house. Hughea. (3) al) by comparison With additional showmanship the I tine should fix these youngsters •tunt might be played ux> into a big j pretty as deucers for the big time. Jala. MULDOON, FRANKL.:!, «ARANOFF AND TO Miniature Revus 18 Mins.; One and Full (8p Broadway The dancing team of Muldoon and Franklyn has been with sev- eral acts dur!ng the past few years while Saranoff, a comedy flddler, has played around the small time intermittently. The support in the present offering Includes Robert Rhodes, a tenor, and the vocalizing Lyons Sisters. In Its present state the act does not produce a share of entertain- ment commensurate with the dough undoubtedly spent on it. The turn is beautifully costumed and the sev- eral sets and drops show artistic taste. Four of the six people have a fair share of talent, but because of many sagging spots, and a weakly constructed routine, the amusement average Is not consis- tent. Saranoff is a good violinist and a poor comedian. He does a "Ba- liefC" prefacing each scene with a few remarks "a la Russe." Muldoon and Franklyn do a typical Bowery and two other dances In fair style whll^ Rhodes tenors three or four numbers ade- quately. That doesn't go for the Lyons Sisters, whose harmony at- tempts with kid numbers are awry. The act needs revision before It can make the big-time grade. PARKER AND COSTELLO (1) Dancing 12 Mins.: Full, 5th Ave. An average dance team. The couple look well, but the woman out- classes the man stepping. So much so that his sole efforts mean little. The girl does some good high kicks and "splits." Thsjr elosed hare mildly. Ahcl PALACE A biff and snappy show this wesk. with all manner of variety, plenty of talent and rich tn names, making an exceptionally well-bal- anced performance for a layout hav- ing to take care of such a plethora of featured acts. Harry Richman, with Eddie El- kins and his orchestra and Yvette Rugel and others (New Acts) opened Intermission. This ran 40 min- utes and seemed to end rather abruptly, though it took plenty of curtains and bows thereafter. May Irwin (New Acts) closed the first part with a skit by George Ade, substantial vaudeville on its own legs and a sentimental riot be- cause of the unforgotten favorite of yesKeryears. May did three en- cores In "one" after intermission, housellghts were up, two of her songs of old and a comedy-twist recitation about her avoirdupois. She could have kept all the smokers In their seats through the mld- bill hiatus, than which there cau b« no higher triumph, had she chosen to go and on. There were also other show- stoppers, the walloper being Harry Delf, who followed all this and a whole lot besides with a simple one-man turn before the olio, next- to-closing. In civilian duds and clowned and sang and danced and ran it up to a knockout that kept Goleman's Police Dogs waiting, though the beasts were so impa- tient one of them walked on at the height of Deirs business. Here Is a comic who is Improving vastly, who has personality and an amaz- ing wealth of diversified talents and who knows his vaudeville audience supremely well. Wilton Sisters harmonized and pla$-ed their way brilliantly, also, but their superfine methods of do- ing the come-on to the audience went to the exit once too often. They have a wickedly ingenuous way with folks out front, very effi- cient; they have, of course, also i THORNTON FLYNN AND CO. (3) Musicsl Skit 16 Mint. Full (SpecisI) 58th Street. Flynn Is the Irish tenor who has appeared intermittently in vaude- ville for several years. His new of- fering is a typical skit of the Blrin category titled, "Moonlight In KlU larney," with Irish ballads, blarney and jigs predominating. Unfortun- ately, however, it is presented with little animation, and as the talent Is never extraordinary only at the fin- ish will an audience warm up to It. Flynn's tenor is pleasant and me- chanically good, but lacks fire and depth. "When Irish Eyes Are Smil- ing" is worth listening to, but the other songs, unfamiliar and rather ordinary, just about got over. The support includes a pretty girl, who does nothing but dance a few steps near the finish, and an old Irish couple who supply the connio Inter- est. The slight plot has the father and son marrying a mother and daughter after having fallen in love in the beauty of a Klllamey moon- light. The set, with the moon and a canoe In the background, is flowery and colorful. Danny Barrett, who plays the old man, Is probably the comedian re- viewed In Variety nearly twenty years ago when > heading his own company. His comedy is very fair and the bit of stepping disclosed at the finish leads to the only real en- thusiasm of the act. Otherwise it's rather a dull affair and the fact that the noticeably Hibernian audience at the 68th Street didn't rise to It particularly seems to indicate that its limit will be the small-time stands. REED and TREMINI Comedy, Music and Dancing 15 Mins.; One Albee, Brooklyn Lew Reed, formerly of Reed and Al Tucker, and Jos Trcmlni form this combo which is set for any- where and everywhere. Both open in comedy dress, ill fitting clothes, etc., for double banjo and violin number which puts them away solidly. One of the duo is tall and thin, the other short. The tall fellow gets latighs anytime he wishes by mugginp and i>antomlne. He does a "lazy " bit with every instrument he handles puUihg many laughs through his work in a duet in which he plays about four bars. The other members Is an ex- cellent musician and one of the best tap dancers seen in seasons. His triple time buck, real wings and eccentric "breaks' aie good for an encore. The musical talents of the pair are on a par with their comedy ability which is high class. The act is real entertainment and can hold on the best of the bills. Open- ing after Intermission hero they took one of the hits of the night. Con. fln* voices and good feminine looks ' and individuality at song-selling; Their repertoire might bs freshened up. even though It does wear well. Pasquall Brothers, playing out some unexpired Shubert produc- ' tion contract time, goaled the hous* in fotirth position, a fine spot for a silent act. They use a piano with steps up one side and down the other for head to head and hand on head balancing in motioa and they work as smoothly as run- ning water. Their closer, a sev- eral-somersault gyroscope whirl to the shoulders of the topmounter at terrifio momentum, knocked the house edgewise and got a bom- bardment of applause that knitted Up the proceedings. Gordon Bostock's "Amateur Nlte In London," a sort of English "For Pity's Sake" in "one," reminiscent also of Karno's "Night In a London Music Hall," went for a low hoke hit'. Ridiculous Recco, the bur- lesque acrobat, and Nick Nazaroff as a Hebrew, disclosed solid vaudc vill«i nblllty that might trespass be- yond the borders of this red-nosed and box-gag vehicle. Billy Kelly, with the funniest knock-kneed legs In the world and a face that matches, might be a find for the movies. Shura Rulowa, Russ danseuse, with Joseph Hahn and four cute girls who look enough alike to be quadruplets, turned the trick in the deuce assignment. The danc- ing Is too much the same, being aN most without a rift ol the bent- knee Russian type in boots, but It was all meritorious and the girls were so pretty that watching them was a pleasure. Plenty of bows. Baggert and Sheldon opened, on unusually early. The Goleman shepherd dogs were a sensation with those who stuck, co.-ning on at 11:08. Lait. HIPPODROME A nine act bill comprising seven new features and two retainers, the latter being Harry Houdlnl, in his fourth week here, and Jack Joyce and his horses, held over from last week, provide the current week's layout making for a fast and divert- ing show that looms up better in the playing than It looks on paper. An aerial congress, embracing the consolidation of three fast aerial acts, proved a fast and adequate pace maker. The consolidation in- cluded Bee Jung, Fred and Mae Henry and Ed and Jennie Rooney. Routines of the trio were crowded into 10 minutes, permitting only the displayal of punch features from each turn, and with the experiment more than living up to expectation In an acrobatic way. Lew Murdock and Mildred Mayo followed on with a song and dance offering clicking particularly in the clever footwork and planting them as likable features. Jack Joyce and wonder horses, on next, gave a breath of the circus to this otherwise routine vaudeville bill with Joyce putting the animals through a difficult routine that re- flects credit upon him as a trainer. Mary Haynes, with Eben Litch- field at the piano, scored as usual In a diverting song cycle that gave full sway to her personality and selling ability. Her best liked num- bers were a comedy song as a beauty shop attendant and a crying number preceding, although all of her num- bers hit, Houdlnl closed the flrst section dividing his running time to fur- ther exposition of the Boston me- dium "Margery" and winding up with "The Submarine Mystery," which he has resurrected after eight years according to his own an- nouncement. Houdlnl is still doing the bell ringing stunt allegedly the piece de resistance- of one of "Mar- gery's" seances and has again of- fered a forfeit If the Boston spirit-, ualist will give demonstrations of spiritualism that he is unable to de- tect. A committee Is Invited upon the stage and Houdlnl is cased in a. cabinet, the same one he Is said to have used In the "Margery" test in* Boston, and demonstrates hov.* it was possible for the medium to sound the gong placed upon a table although her hands were being held by two of the committee blind- folded. According to Houdlnl'.s dem- onstration the ringing was done by the head touching the bell button. For .^ closer Houdlnl permitted himself to be nailed In a large pack- ing case bound securely with rope and ('ropped Into a tank, with the escaj.e artl«t liberating himaolf In less time than it took the committee to bo.x him up. Both the exposition stunts and the escape heUl tlie audi- ence bewildered ami brought the^ manlpuLitor prolongcil rounds of applause. Houdlni's K'M-n senso of showmanship in <hanf,inti his fea- ture stunt weekly plvos the act an aspent of newness even for the re-- peaters. The Saroltos. five m.-n and a gii,', oi)cned the second half with .soni'3 remarkable gymn-istlc.'--. featuring head and hand halanoi: g that was as artlstio as dlfllcult. Eddie Leonard and HN Minstrel Bunch provided a deleitablo .idmlx- ture of slngin? and dancln;; with Leonard contributing most of it and getting a great reception despite this being a repeat showing. LeoJi- ard wa« a legitimate show stopper. Dr. Rockwell had the comedy of i J J