Variety (May 1925)

Wctinetday, May 18, IMS VAUDEVILLE REVIEWS PALACE lliaua « eonglomermtloa of es" tb« Palao* this week Is to a aonn«l raudeville policy a bill that held Its punch at finish of th« first half, but erertheless played nicely and ted the mob previous to 11 k, unusual at this bouse. Mon- nlght the attendance was ewhat shy of reaching complete city, but was close enough to ,u an estimate tab it as such. •fhe show had a decided comedy fMgim- With nothing to provoke A^ght laugh salvos the smiles ^Stn continuous. Thus, the audi- ^C9 may be said tp have sat trough the realization of that well trom piirase, a pleasant evening. Rooney and Bent (New Acts) now delude Pat, Jr., In the billing for a ttrHflcally gaited dance act com- r^taing seven girls and a seven- band, outside the family mem- ^losing int,ermlasIon the act i Jlttie beyond half an hour gtly took th^ applause honors, r outstandlrtg program Item (hat the show ran according to printed layout. Previous to the ey and Bent speed vehicle, _, Kahne and his mental tests, 4. brouKht wholesale apprecia- L^ieon^ all corners. His finishing ( of doing six things simultan- ly nicked the attendance for a ich finish albeit the trick of call- ator a number in the billions then writing a sufficient column ot.flgM^es to make them total that aaiquQt contmues to be the particu- 1» iwjnkring contribution. JIUiMhe has been playing the small- er houses around this district for some''time. His repeated requests to have the audience talk to him are pie for the upstairs stub holders and tiie Palace balcony clientele was no ekceptlon. The super-concentration- i^ has encountered many an embar- rassing moment in the lesser houses aad t^^t the Palace patrons are also fl4dic^ed to seated comedians leaves little hope for Kahne that he will every' get away from a certain dis- rMMg element. And this outside the "plants" who were so weak londay night as to make Kahne ntinuously repeat their queries in er to slip in the gag line. How- ir, the various demonstrations de an interesting 28 minutes on 47th street corner and the re- ts sufficed to give him second orp. eritbn and Fields, who followed, htht Kahne back for a comedy that brought a hand for the teron his reappearance and en- noeci the two-act's well known utlne. This male duo slipped by tur^lly withmit straining for re- Its and ended to a favorable im- ion. Previously Larimer and tidson and Borrah Minevitch (both •w Acts) had put the show in mo- ' Frank Crumit and Julia Sander- on were the subjects ot the heavy ^pe in the second portion. Adher- to their former sequence of hav-' Crumlfs soloing pave the way [>r Miss Sanderson's entrance this ro-in-one act remains very much of yore, unto a majority of the onga. An abundanqe of "class" irrounds the couple to the extent ley unquestionably tone up any ludeVllle bill besides Which their lild and unassuming manner of de- Ivery is restful. The combination in certainly take another swing rAund the major houses with or rithout new songs. The Briants pushed off after In- iission to appreciation, despite »lngly reaching the crest of thefr >p*larlty midway. Davis and Pelle fjlw Acts) trailed the procession to the pine act bill. Sk>f7. VARIETY 11 ^ HIPPODROME In the fall ot 1»24 Paul Whlteman de his vaudeville debut at the lace, which developed into an 11- eek marathon, and was the talk of e town with his salary at the la,l8 Royal of $3,000 and in vaude- Ue at $2,500. Today, at the Hip- drome, the same Paul Whlteman th the same style of dance music, lU8 ■ an uncanny sense of show- an's values and a reputation hloh carries with it the ability qualify as a vital magnet at the e, returns to vaudeville at I week for two weeks and le likelihood of an additional it's renewal. The enforce- jf the option seems certain if .Alonday reception is any cfl- h. le sensational Monday matinee ion (it was literally that) might )iscounted by the most skeptical 'a professional expression of learty welcome from his contem- raries, but the Monday night re- ption had no ifs or huts. It was uhquestlonable cash audience, al- ost Oiling the lower floor with rong balcony trade (Inclement eather flg'ured Importantly). hlch acclaim^ Whlteman king of 's domnin of symphonic syncopa- h- The respectful audition which the Ippodrome trench orchestra pftld e Whlteman recital throughout <|ph of its 43 minntes, including the ^•roi-es. proves that Whiteman, of Ml <>r the popiilnr bandni.'istcni, Bsn:. viils. the iidility to compel B^ri iii). and acclamation from ^■s I .Viiein|)ornries. who are pos- H9'>1.\ '^lis scentest boosters for, Ine reason they are specifically qualified to listen and appreciate. The $7,000 figure Incidentally Is quite a feather for Charlie Morri- son, the youngest Keith agent, and as canny and shrewd an act-sales- man as could be found, despite his dude penchant, Valentino haircomb etc. Morrison has given Uie Hip a "napie" drawing card that should make the public forget the rising temperature. With the "seven grand" attrac- tion as the keystone, a strong sup- porting bill has been psychologically spotted to build up to a climax. The Five Petleya opening showed only a male quartet, with the woman miss- ing. At the matinee the entire act was missing, due to a baggage de- lay. It's as bright an opener as has l)een seen on the K-A circuit, an eye-flUing mixture of trampo- line and casting specialties featur- ing the elongated chap and his com- edy. Bob McDonald and Helen Oakes. danc^ team, fared fairly well. Poo- dles Hanneford, a holdover, re- peated their usual equestrldn im- pression. Fleurette JeoffMe (New Acts). The De Marcos (Antonio and Nina), with their Sheik orchestra, a string sextet, piark their vaudeville return after a run with the "Scan- dals." Thi DeMarcos are a class ex- hibition dance team, their one-step and Charleston clicking particularly. The novel string orchestra not only accompanies, but accepted two op- portunities tellingly. .Dare and Wahl, reopenlnv the second half, are also late of a pro- duction, "Vanities." Their studied "awkward" attempts at acrobatics are a laugh from entrance to exit, and to prove they can really do something, they come back for a smacking hand-to-hand lift With Its complications and variations It is really flashier than It appears, but performed with surprising earie. Paul Whlteman and his concert orchestra cf 25, with P. C. Copplcus, his concert manager, credited for the "presentation," started at 9:50, and begged off at 10:33 after a quartet of bows by wTilteman, which forced a speech explaining the long r how. The 43 minutes is an extension of five over the mat performance. In response to a managerial request for an additional number. The program is a condensation of one of the concert routines. With the White- man organization's ability to change programs at will, the band can stay at the Hip indef. and get them coi;n- ing again and again. Lillian Shaw, facing the tough assignment of following the synco- pating smash, did mighty well. Her character Btuff got to 'em in almost no time and Miss Shaw walked off with a neat score. A May Frolic, utilizing the 16 Hip girls and some dance specialties, was an effective and economical cio%6r. Abisl. 5TH AVE. This hou^e, generally aims to strike a happy medium in a combi- nation, of big and small-time feat- ures, and generally is successful. This week's first-half layout Is strictly small-tlmey, although one of two of the acts carded may have adorned the big-tlme bills some time or other. A fair show for the money, but marred in the early spots through several full-stage acts being spotted In rotation, which In one inatabce required a movie trailer to bridge the gap. Thelraa, Deonzo and Co. opened with jumping and balancing atop necks oT wine dectanters. It made a pleasurable novelty, giving way to Lee and Romalne, harmony-singing boys. In the deuce, who obliged with published nimibers, all doubles. The neat appearance of the boys and their harmonizing got them ovar. Bill Frawley and Edna Louise held follow-up, with the Paul Ge- rad Smith skit, "Taxi, Pleape," from the Smith revue, "Keep Koo!." I* makes a pleasant Interlude for vaudeville. A flirtation bit in three scenes, giving Frawley scope for comedy and Miss Louise an oppor- tunity to plant a song at the finish. Richard Kean, protfan, scorul heavily. His "Shylock" impres.slon retflstered, with the miser bit also, receiving a worthy reception. Charles Chase followed on and went over neatly with his eccentric comedy. "The Antique Shop" was allotted the usual flash spot and sufficed from a dancing angle. Between dances a light comic enunciator came out and wise-cracked until the next scene was set, with some of hiH stuff hit- ting and some not. Robey and Gould hflj, their own next to shut with their familiar hokum, comedy and songs. The broad tempo of their piatcrial was right in the garden of the mob down here, and they rasily i^ranred away with the .show. The Ros» Kri'H.'? Four, tn<j mixed teams on roller skates, clu.sed with hiftj- danoinK on sk.itps. wll woith remaining for. Attendance liKlU .Mondaj night— ppmotliing new for this bnusp. and prob.ibly a nelgliliDi hood l):irotiieiPi oti stirhnipr and d.ijjlight s-ivinp. AMERICAN ROOF From the home of popular price vaudeville, the middle west, fai a fair representation on the Ameri- can Roof program this first half. The Roof, like all theatres ot the Times square section of every pol- icy, suffered somewhat in business Monday night. The early rain was blamed. Two small time comedy sure-fires held up the Roof show. They were the Bison City Four and Hall and Shapiro. On the applause end were the Original Four Madcaps, the dancing combination that well sup- ports that alluring title of Madcaps in American theatricals. Three women and a man compose the dancing group. They dance In every style, going Into stepping and tapping, something the first Mad- caps from the other >side didn't know. Attractively gowned and wigged, these Madcap dancers have a routine greatly pleasing. Each Is a dancer and through that with their costuming they could be im- proved for value, but not for the small time. As they are now, they can remain on thb small time for life, for there isn't a better turn of its kind there. Closing the Roof show was a pipe. . Hall and Shapiro are reunited after a separation Of about a year. The small time krioviti them well and they are a standard next to closer there. Abe Shapiro's falls and slaps are a by-word, and there's never any doubt about the turn in the important spot. Closing the first part upstairs, the Bisons in their comedy make-ups and quartet singing were another laughing blow-orr. The Tenth ave- nuers never tire of quartet singing or comedy and the sob ballads are right In their back yard. One of the acts and second after intermission was Countess Hollub (formerly Hattie Lorraine), with Allen Devitt as assistant. It's still In doubt who is the main princi- pal and the vote will probably ooipe in a tie. If the Loew booking olllte la taking the act for the title, that may be worth the money, if they be- lieve It, which they will never do after seeing this home-made skit called "Fifty Loves." The countess sings and talks and Mr. Davitt .sings and talks, uo the<'e's no rivalry on thtit end, for they both can sing and talk, but how! Maybe there wasn't room in the first part for them. Ahother two-mixed-act did some singing and talking, opening the second section. Not so bad, either, but bad material. With better songs, the couple might get somewhere, with their present turn looking and sounding sloppy, no matter what small time audlernces may think of it. It's a pity that an act like this, which can do something, properly directed, must yes themselves or be yessed by friends when the truth might mean so much for their fu- ture. Others were Rlch&rdson and Adair, Harte and Albright, Rasso and Co. and Jesse Millar. 8ime. The umpire bit la a trifle ancient, for they have ceased mobbing um- pires even in class X leagues. The Four Bards closed In excellent hand-to-hand work. Two of the members look youthful and are probably new. The act is in better shape than when last seen around, with all of the former stalling and creaky showmanship out. It's click- In galong now, and averages with any act of its kind. The feature picture was "I Want My Man." First National. Less than dozen walk-outs proved the combi- nation of vaudeville and pictures is what they are buying at this house. Con. GRAND OPERA MOUSE This neighborhood house, which usually plays eight or more acts and a feature picture, has pruned dowii :to summer booking, and is now playing six acts and the feature. Business continues to flow into the renovated home of pop vaudeville, and, judging by the reactions of the Monday night audience, the theatre continues to correctly diagnose the preference of its patrons. A typical six-act small-time show which played unusually well, due to the strength of the opening turn— the Lowell Sisters (New Acts), two versatile cutles who could have gone farther down on the bill. However, they gave the show a healthy start. Charles Tobias, a cousin of Bddie Cantor, deuced and dittoed with a vehicle which included not only most of Cantor's gags and delivery, but all of Cantor's mannerisms, voice Inflections and other reflec- tions of personality In a manner that nothing but life-long study and as- sociation could accomplish. The imitation Is unannounced. Tobias has oceans of assurance and, while short on talent, will, with the Cantor material, always be a safe bet for the pop houses. He cries a ballad in the best piano-room manner and works In the Inevitable patter reci- tation with all the sangfroid of a dramatic stock actor. They believed it here. Hodge and Lowell, In an act prob- ably inspired by Mr. and Mrs. Jimmy Barry, were another laughing hit. The turn Is a character comedy skit crowded with sure-fire hokum con- structed around a rube's proposal to I a marriage-bureau fiancee. They zowiod them. Kimball and Gorman (New Acts) followed with the "flash" turn, and Walton and Brandt were next to closing. The latter is a man and woman talking act. The girl does n dumb Dora, and the' coOMtructlon (1? the cross-fire Is reminiscent of Moss and Prye. Some of the mate- rlul i.s lly, but in other spots it Is hokry pokey. I'"or a finish they have ft bit of sure material for any vaude- ville. The male desciibes a ba.se- hall same, Jiis descrfption includins . tlic mobbing of the umpire. At his cries of "Take 'em off!" the Kirl dis- fulies id romblnation. II was u liowl. COLISEUM, LONDON London, April 28. Hard on the V. A. F.'s campaign to find more employment for British artists comes an "all star" program at the Coliseum which utterly ignores native music hall talent. Of the nine acts, five are American, two Russian, one Japanese, and the other Is a band from Australia. This proves once anuin Sir Oswald Stoll's determination to run his own shows Without out.side hindrance or advice. And as this program plays excep- tionally well, it Is one of the best Xor some time, he makes good his unspoKon claim that showmanship is the shiHvman's own business. There fs certainly a thrill in find- ing the broad humor of Tinney con- trasted with the gentle wistfulness that underlies all Laytbn and John- stone's work, and the racy, rophis- ticated p.itter of Fred Uupres s' • by side with Rente Riano's fre^jH. appealing manner, and Ann Codee's brazen, alert confidence. Unfortu- nately, Tinney inclines to be me- chanical and does not Improve mat- ters by substituting his dresser for that expert feeder "Oinest." For virtuosity Renie Riano is to be pre- ferred to them all: how she changes her legs for each song is a mystery of enduring fascination. The pe- culiar merit of Ann Codee is that, by giving a straight performance, she makes her knockabout comedy with Frankie-seem to have direct bearing on everyday life. Russia Is well represented by Karsavina, who in sheer technical accomplishment has every right to be considered the greatest living ballerina. Though she lack Lopo- kova's personal charm and Pav- lowa's statuesque grace, her light- ness and elusive fleetness are un- rivalled. "The Happy Deception" is a ballet more eloquent of thrift than beauty of design, and her part- ner, Pierre Vladimlroff has a heavy Appearance. The other Russian act is Prince Obolensky, singing well known English and Russian airs with a competent voice in a pleas- ant manner. The Japanese act is Masu, who dances on his hands With amazing ease. - Hilda Ward's Lady Syncopators are up to the average British band's level of efficiency. That is to say, their sense of rhythm leaves something to be desired. Their pink pants and silver wigs form a spectacle. Apparently audiences are tired of listening to music. What they now want is to lo.ok at It. Jolo. George Clarke, Kitty Emaon. Tiny Mite. Frank Major, ltonal4 Bran- don and Phyllis Heryet. While Daly's former comedian, Mark I^ester, has had to go Into variety, his old theatre is engaging a music hall favorite to play the chief comic character i" their next show. This is to be Oscar Strauss' "Cleopatra." and the comedian is Jay Laurler. who will play a sort of Pooh-Bah part. LONDON (Continued from page 2) thought transference between Cali- fornia and Molaya. The International Players have gone to Latlra for their next work, 'The Sons of Jacob," by J. Ranis, a poet in this l<»nd, and is one more version of "Joseph and Hit Breth- ren." "Xhe Latvian drama Is to be done at the Scala on May 1. The next by the Play Attors (a Sunday Play l»rod'.i-lng Society) Is "By Right of cniUMt," by Michael Morton an! J'oter Tra.,11. The stme title has been used at various times. After doing capacity business for four months, Noel cfoward's "The Vortex' may end shortly. Recently there was a drop to $5,500 on the previous week of $8,000. Another theatre on the outskirts of London Is being started. This Is the Barnes, to be run by Philip Rldgeway on the lines of the Every- man at Hampstead and the "Q"'at Kew. Rldgeway will make productions with both eyes on the West End market. Managers will see his show- ings and bring the good ones to Ix)ndon, wliere Rldgeway will come In on the profits. The first piece to be done is "Fatherhood," by Harold Owen. A representative of Variety's London office dropped into the Pal- ladium for a second look at the de Courvllle revue, "Kky High," and finds It still weak In the matter of comedy. He also found Horace Sheldon, the musical conductor of the I'all.'idiuni. still very much bored or apparently so. "Rccoids." a new revue by Harry Day. was j»rodU'ed April EO .'it the Empire Mrlstol. The book is by Greatoiex Newin.in. music by Vivian Ellis and the <laiiceH arraiiKcd by i Mile. Atlilon. The cast Ini |ii<les t At 24 Noel Coward promises to beat the record of Somerset Maugham, who was a few years older when fortune forced success upon him with both hands. There is a chance Noel Coward also may have four shows running at the same time—"The Vortex" at the Comedy, the forthcoming Cochran revue at the Pavilion, "Fallen An- gels" at the Globe, and "Easy Vir- tue" nt a house Constance Collier may obtain. "The Vortex" suffered badly from Lent. Julian Wylle is starting in the near future a repertoire of old mus- ical plays. Among the shows antici- pated are "Dorothy," "Florodora," "Our MUa Glbbs" and "Veronique." Annie Croft will be the feminine star. The annual all-star matinee in aid of King George's Pension Fund for actors' and actresses will take place at the Adelphl May 11, mainly under the supervision of Henry Ainley. The play chosen la "My . Ladys Dress." The cast includes Gladys Cooper, Lady Tree, Madg^ . Tltheradge, Marie Tempest. Heather Thatcher, Dennis Eadle, Ivor Novello and Henry AInley. Both the King and Queen will be present at this performance. The Old Vic will be hard put to find another director when Robert Atkins leaves the theatre at the end of this season. In all probability the position will be filled by Ballol Holloway, Shakesperain actor lately returned from the States. AUSTRALIA (Continued from page 2) fred Frith featured, and Cunning- ham and Clements. Pauline Frederick makes her de- but at the Royal thla week In "Spring Cleaning" under Joint direc- tions of the Carrols and WlUlamson- Talt. Cast Includes Mayne Lynton, Nance Stewart, June Elvldge, Rose Dlone, Charles Coleman, Qeorga Barraud, Austin Davis, Thelma Bur- ness, Norman Lee and John Be- douin. "Cappy Ricks" Is now in Its ninth week at the Athenaeum. This show has been booked for a London sea- son. "Little Jessie James" will ceme into the Princess this week for Fuller-Ward. D. 'Othy Brunton Is featured. Guy Bates Post is finishing a cood run with "The Green Goddess^ at the King's. He will revive "The Masquerader" next week for Wlll- lamson-Talt. Allan Wllkle la playing "She Stoops to Conquer" at the I'alace. Acta playing the Tlvoll Include Two Rascals, Moran and Wiser. Four Scots, Henry De Bray, Foster and Ninon, Clement May, Dewars and Barclay. Playing Fullers this ""week ar^ .'^flffy and Mo, the Buckleys. Evlson and Hester, Megan Bros, and Armi- tage and Hine. Pauline Frederick was accorded n splended reception on her arrival here. The star was given a civic reception by the Mayor' and weir comed to Australia. The GulU-Curcl concerts In 'Syd- ney have proven a big financial suc- cess. The'majorlty of musical crit- ics stated the diva disappointed when taking top notes. On her opening nlghUGalli-Curcl was not In good voice. . . Wee Georgle Wood has arrived in this country for a second tour of Wllllamson-Talt vaudeville. On the same boat cAme Will Fyffe. Zllla Bateman has been engaged by Wllllamson-Taft as leading lady for Guy Bates Post, replacing Nell Carter. Sir Harry Lauder arrive 1 h*re thla week from India. The comedian will begin his farewell tour in Now Zealand under the Carroll manage- ment. Kreisler, famous violinist, will shortly make a tour of Austrulhi under the same management. The Melbourne branch of the Mu- sicians' ITnlon In once again up in arms against the Importation of foreign bands and musicians to this country. // you don't adverthe in VARIETY don't advertise «.'•..ti « '»,>-1l. -f fc ^ K, ,^\\■^■' \ n its-