Variety (May 1925)

St VARIBTT VAUDEVILLE REVIEW^ 'ifi-^'T^rr^ TilBBC^t'T^^TSfBT'V ■" Wednetdaj. Haj M. Ittf PALACE The walkout of %bm SkeOr maA Heit Revue caused ft general shake- up of the blU at the Palao* Monday afternoon and a turther •craoible of th« layout after the matinee. The revised runnioK order at night had Vaa and Schenck closing and aav- 1ns the Aral half of the show, taking the lipplause hit of the bill and doing 2C minutes before Intermission. The pair have a song cycle that . couldn't very well be improved upon, but when it's all said and done it's the deliveries that count with this pair. Songs that have b*en dinDed to death by mechanicals, singers and radios take on new life and anima- tion, sounding new, fresh and some- thing like the author intended. It's Vaa and Bchenck who make the songs. Dot vloe-versa, for they have always contented themselves with published numbers and always have lad the piano and singing acts, de- spite the hordes of Imitators their success Inspired. They were their usual wow, spot. bllUng and geogrm.- phy proof. Just ahead, Charles Ruggles, back fi-om the legit "White Collars." in "Wives," was the first comedy entry. Ruggles has a hokum farce vehicle, which proves that vaudeville hasn't progressed very much in the last decade. The act started slowly, but built up, due to the excellent farci- cal playing of Ruggles and his fine ~^Jcnowledge of comedy values. Roy Briant, the author, was excellent in , support of a comedy butter. Following the policy of the Palace In giving Important dumb acts a "spot," Les Ohezzl, a real acrobatic sensational two-man turn, was ,:: fourth, and more than Justified it. '_; The hand-to-hand routine was r brand new and baffled adequate de- K scrlptlon, so bewildering were the ' four routines of hand-to-hand and % hand-to-head calisthenics worked out. The feature trick was a roll over in hand-to-hand formation, the understander lying prostrate. His efforts to successfully complete the six rolls had half of tlM house lift- ing with him. The act lacks the showmanship of some others, but is without a peer In actual perform- anoa. Frlck and Pope, added startsrs, . opened. It is a four-people skating ^um. using artificial ice. The act is ^pkeatly costumed and cycloramed ; and the principals graceful, speedy ^> skators. Roger Williams, a recent addition to big-time circles, deuced In a mod- ernized rontlBO of sound tmitatloas. Williams strikes the modem not* with a "staUc" imitation and a foor- pieoo Jan iMind. His offering is well jroutlned, but the list includes the familiar auto and motoboat exhaust imitations, standard matortal (as was the saw passing through the knot) some years ago. A neat ap- pearance helps Williams. He fin- ished to nice returns. The Albertlna Rasch Oirls were • third in their clever ensemble ballet and solo dances. Agnes Roy turned In a graceful too solo aiad Helen BSl- feldt in a contorition kicking dance also clicked. The ballets were high- dass and cleverly routined. A touch of comedy was added by a travesty adagio by Zo and Kikl. European clowns. The pair, in grotesque oos- itumes, used the overhead wire idea and some of their former routine for lauglis. The act is exceptionally costumed and lavishly produced. Three acts in the second half, with Miller and Mack the only comedy Lj. entry, next to clo-^iri?. Th* clown- £ Ing and dancing f " the pair got over I' with a bang on n bill that didn't * have much comedy ahead. The low- comedy pair were needed. The act remains about th* same as when last seen, save that Miller has sev- eral new gags. It's a standard hoke turn and playing in mudb faster tempo. Trlni, playing a return engage- ment, opened after intermission in her elaborate Spanish revue, and duplicated her former Palace suc- cess. The Spanish girl is an ideal type for vaudeville. Her aiftt is sumptuously mounted and a real flash, holding plenty of entertaln- ment. Warren Jadcson. Darlo Bor- sani and Bnrtado's Royal Marimba Orchestra are In support. Larry Stootenborg. th« pocket billiard tri«* "ihot wtsard, closed the show unoBuaUy. Preceded in ^ J'one'* by Ma* Alemeda Oeorge, who Introdocod I<arry, the pool shark ran through a bewildering array of trick Shots, an plainly visible through a Isj-ge mirror back of the table. H* was forced to work fSst. 'due to the spot, and held them like a vis*. On his last shot he tim«s the soceeatlon to arrive with the oonchiding not* of Miss Ooorgo's song. It asado an effective and novol k. closing act. Switched fctwn th* othor ^l^d of th* bin when Frtdc and Pope were added. Th* first half could hare stood a eomedy poach, although the Rug- gles tarn dM well for a sketch. Van and Sohenek, while getting more than their share of laughs, are not a eomedy act. Considering the re- visions necessary, the bill played smoothly and entertslnlngly. with btuloess healthy Monday night. COH. HIPPODROME William O'Oay, who has been aianaglng Proctor's theatre, Enisa- ^th, N. J., has been shifted to the 'f' kouss management of Proctor's A phoaomanal hoos* at th* Hlp- podrom* Monday night—for a Mon- day night and tor th* crowded downstairs, a big house for any night. When ite second week of Paul Whiteman Here is figured in, that Monday night attendance was the more remarkabl*. With Paul Whiteman and his orchestra the Hip threw all of the burden on to hln^ although the I>e Marcos (New Acts) are another hold over. Through the Immense capacity of th* Hip and playing twice dally it's a task for any one headline to hoM -up business, espe- cially late in May. when the summer and Coney Island are open- ing. Though Whiteman is r*o*lving $7,000 (actual) weekly at th* Hip. the house has so manipulated that the remainder of the Bh«w may not send the other coat of bill much over $4,500. if that, not calculating the cost of the Alan Foster stock chorus. As Whiteman did 136,000 for the Hip last week (the record figure there with vaudeville at this time of the season), the crack band- master became a highly profitable attraction. But when It Is known Whiteman on his recent concert tour played Mepipbis, a notorious poor show town, and drew in one performance 8,700 people at t3.Z0 top, it. surely may be said that the name of Whiteman has grown to be a mighty box office power In the show business. What Paul Whiteman possesses in name and fame as a musician and he ranks with any in America, if not the world (and certainly leads the world in the line he has hewn out for himself), Whiteman earned it for and by himself. Coming to New Tork from the Coast, the Whiteman orchestra jumped into the lead of all popular music play- ing' bands, and never has been headed. Whiteman created—he's a creator in music, and if not in composition, in his daring, his experiments, his exposition, arrangements, orclies- tratlons. and even unto salaries. Not only may it be doubted whether Whiteman is receiving $7,000 a week at th* Hip, but it also may be doubted that he pays the ban- joLst in his orchestra $4S9 a w*^ and the saxe player $600. This week there are 27 men In th* Whit*man organization, two violins having been added for th* current engage- ment, so It won't take long to de- cide that Whiteman must hav* at least $7,000 to get something for himself. Ustening to the Whlt«man mu- sic after his lengthy abaenc* arvd a longer on* from vaudeville, there is a flash of the reason why t'.e Whiteman music cannot b* dupli- cated. That ms to b^ m r orch«stras tzy to TsJnly ap* Whits- man, and falling. listen oonven- Uonally. one like the other. White- man's music has a ton*, not in his subdued style, but concerted, that other bands have failed in their at- tempt to grasp, and this excepts his exceptional arrangements. The tUp audience could not be suspected of appreciating the Whitenxaa' "Sjrmpbony In Blue," purely a concert number, but they did and to a degree. The Whiteman repertolr* this week is sntirely changed, with th* "^irmpbony^ only retained from last week. Th* Whiteman band played through its routine In an attractively painted white bandstand, with Mr. White- man in a circular bandmaster's stand. The musicians pre**nted a nice appearance, and the leader himself looks extremely well, much slimmer than when leaving New York. For an added attraction this week. Mr. Whiteman worked out a travesty skit, closing the show, called "Pr*-Hlstoric Jams" (New Acts.) His own turn was s«5- ond aftsr Intermission. M*l Ke*. next to closing, gav* th* White- men boys the chance to put on their cave man's costumes, and the stage hands to set. As a eom- *dy Interlode, the travesty was well timed, ran through quickly, and gave the hous* a cl os ing turn oC It minutes. Adding that ^ to th* 41 minutes of th* Whiteman musical act. and the Hip with Whiteman has a turn doing it minutes, the nsu^ tlnM there of three acts. It seems after reading the Hip program for this wortc that vaude- ville has,po acts of Its ow n «rf any importance. One turn Is programsa as from "Scandals." another &rom "China Rose." and still another from -The Grab Bag," besides WhltsBsan from concert, and all Of these w^- Inally from vaudevUle. Is vaadevUls trying to boost or trade on m fisl c al comedy T It would do better to stand up by Itself. These musical comedy titles on vaudeville billing are the bunk and injurious. "The biggest act In vaudeville should be the program slogan for Powers' saephants. George Powers is running the brutes this week, and making a dandy job of it. His danc- ing elephants are the last word, and a last Uugh for the turn, while the new trick of having one of the mammoths place a flat hoof upon bis face, also upon his chest. Is a peach. That's a trick. Les Grohs opened after intermls- «>tMk and with their acrobatic pan- tomiming seocvd •• srrsr. J. Harold Murray sang tenonlly as vaudsTlU* likes It. althsogh Mr. Murray alcM show Just a bit of gnlsnatloB and move once In a while While with th* piano. Rich Hayes dh> tremely well. No. X. bounding rubber balls with th* comedy no small oontributloB. Mr. Kl**, Boxt to closing and p*ro*lvlnr the tooghwsss of the spoC. did It minutes, got a lot. bowed and menUoned the Whiteman travesty next, but couldn't be coaxed back for an encore. Wise kid. Gordon's Comedy Canines, new around hero, opened,and welL It has a corking comedy finish, but the entire turn was not caught. Tom Barclay appeared Intermit- tently, as announcer or "interpre- ter." probably th* latter. He meant little. _ Whiteman's Band. Powers' Kl*- phants. Th* D*Maroos and L«s Grohs are oaeh saltaM* for plctur* house playing; with possibly Rich Hayes as a comedy juggling turn. besides Gordon's Canines for an- other. Shns. 5TH AVE. To those who cam* a bit early in order to insure choice vantage points, the show was given a bad Inroductioa with a western flicker film, "Don Dar* D*vU," that wiU never cause a run on any exhibitor'a box office. If employed for a chaser, it qualifies, but In the body of th* show, preceding the vaudeville, It didn't beto^. The FUth Avenue around this tlsM of the sihson some- how digs up these duds as time- flQers to make up for the one-act shy although why a couple of com- edy short subjects in lieu of these offerings (at probably less the book- ing figure) wouldn't do as well. Is surprising. The vaudeville opened briskly with LltUe Jim. the wrestling bear, whe started mildly with "dance" stuff, but garnered a flock of laughs with the able assistance of the two audi- ence "ahUU." Kdward Marshall, the chalkologlst. with his sense of hunu»' and crayon dexterity, literally chalked up a n«at score for himself In the deuce. Billy Dale and Co. with "Congrat- ulations," a six-people tab. Is an elaboration of their former skit, done as a straight comedy playlet with half as many In the oast. The sex- tet are evenly divided as to sex. Dale does his familiar rove. Introducing some bright laoghs that sounded new and snappy. Oiarles Harris, as the "son"; Johnny BlUett. stepper, and Aline Krepsw UHlsn Denn and Dolores Hart* oomploto the line-up. Hal Nsiman (lf*w Acts). Ted Claire and orchestra were a highlight of th* *v*ning. Syl Green's orchestra is th* new band, replac- ing AntomlAda. ClataA as ever. Is m, facile performer. Much of the act Is extraneous. Oalre would make a great solo card as a dance spedallst in a prodtactloa where he could hold his own with ease. His esi ga g in g personality and fa* Is possessed oC sufficient preseaoe to make almost any negliglbl* ad lib click. Be- sldes. h* Is gifted wltti a comedy pair of nether SKtreesltles. Mr. £.nd Mrs. Jlaunls Barry with their comedy sketdi held down the ace position, craouned with laughs and character comedy. Th* Morln Sisters closed. The standard duo introduced a third member of their family, a nice looking, fresh ap- pearing youngster, who steps as well as her more experienced sisters. Bu8in«8s more than fair, consider- ing season and weather. AbeL AMERICAN ROOF Up here the first half show seemed above th* house standard, though without much visible big time naaterlaL There were two sis- ter acts, but both made good. In fact, the several girl comics are credited with making going much lighter than nsosL Fred WaKott and Mary Brant, standard funsters, next to dosing on this time (the team has played big time and probably will again) figured to win the honors and did. Miss Brant's dumbell tjrpe is alwairs good, particularly when she feels in the mood. The roof hounds ate up the baseball finale. Baker and Gray (New Acts) sis- ter team, were weU spotted opening intermission. On second th*.oth*r glrl duo, Rublni and Rosa, scored. Though a repeat it is very good for three a day and it's a wonder the girls haven't smarted up their rou- tine. That might send them higher either for a mpot. or beUer time. Jack Edwards and Ralph Singer (New Acts) were on third. Chap- man, Ring and Co. (New Acts) pro- vided the sketch contribution. The Lee, Marshall Revue provided some action and considerable noise closing intermission. This colored quintet stick to hoofing for the most part. There is a snatch of song here and there, but that is but In- troductory to further stepping. One man (probably Lee) got in some shaky leg stuff while in the air. Quite hot, that boy. Both opening and closing acts were strong. Page and Class on the wire in the shut spot furnished a clever exhibition. pre.<^enting a speedy routine without stalling. His finishing jump feat had hhn bending far over, but he seemed ml- CO-OPERAITVE SERVICE DEFT. .fi.-(i,>, • ■as ^Wwffw ^Bi^B^^W S^^l New sosihinaHeM «cp*rl*no* sad aisrtt to « W«l00IB0 «h* MMff. Bsksr snd Qray. A sistsr t*am with soms good esoiadly Idessi Uatdsr the proper dheo^ tlon and perhaps some str*ngth*nlng It should pas out In ths better housss. IW*. PAUL WHITEMAN and Ca '^re-Hlstorio JesiT (Triw*sty>. 10 Mins.| Full Stogs. Hippodrom*. Fw * oomedy tollow-up (It can not b* termed an encor*) to his regular 46 minutes of mlxsd orchos- tral popular music. Paul Whiteouui pickod up an Idoa of «-travesty on Jazs through "tracing" it back to th* Ston* Ag*. It's Just alap stick hokum affair bat funny becaus* it i« hrtst tun of action and with ttetay Busse (oornetlst) as th* principal coit^ed- lan. The Whiteman Orchestra is in th* band stand of a "cabarot^' with the musicians dressed as cave men. whOe over the stand Is a sign read- ing. "Cover enlarge. 50 RoQks." In front of the stancf are other members of the band and the 18 Hippodrome girls, also in cave coMume. Mr. Busse. programed as "A Big Butter and Egg Man From the Ark" enters la a roller auto. He likes one of the girl dancers. While the band plays on the B. R. M. slams every man who dances with her, each falling to the floor when whanuned over the bead with the budgeon Busse carrlea Mr. Whiteman's oontrlbution is a simple announcement at the (zon- ing of the skit as to Ito purport. Alan K. Foster staged the piece. For its reason as a sort of after- piece and by a band organisation, or as a comedy climax to a straight musical playing repertoire, the Whiteman burlesque is funny enough in ito way and could if per- manent be worked op Into a huge laugh. As something new for n hold-over week. It flto In nicely and also makes a oortrthg good closing tnra for this week's bllL Alms. AILEEN TERRY and CO. (9) Dancing 12 Mine.; Full 8toge American. Chicago Chicago, May 1$. The dominant impression given by tills turn Is ito newness. The girls are unevenly spaced In most at their numbers and do not kick with much unity. There is a cer- tain class which tfiows even through the newness and the girls have been nicely costumed, but much work and numerous rehears- als will be needed to whli/ It Into shape to hold ito own on the better small time bills. The act opens in "one," going to fun stage, returning to "one" and back again, after a change of drapes, to fun stage. Miss Terry's high light is a toe dance in which she does some difficult Russian steps. ANTONIO snd NINA DEMARCa Dsncee. Full Stsoe (8pedal tot). Hipped ronssk Away trotm vtaudevllle (or a yeait or Bsor*. with "Scaadals*' Th* D»4 - Marcos rettim. splendidly set at the Hippodrome this, their hold over* wofk. As a dancing teaa the Die> - Maroon were barely on vtow at ths' Palate. New Tork. when first ap> ' pearlng as an act in th* big town i' bsfoce the production aaanageraent ■• signed tbem. Their record with the < Mhoiw en tour substantiated that ' Judgment, which big time vaude- ville recognised too ' late the last ' time. ■ ' In the preeent turn the DeMarcos have a new setting, the helpful background furnished" by the Hip. ' including ito girls, but the dancers theniSelves so hold the eye that the embelUshmento mean little to this ; Instance. Going through their routine of dances, the DeMarCos ' close with a new and fast dance of the popular style that cinched their hit, forcing them to many curtotoa although in the second week. Theee DeMarcos with their grace- ful dancing and pleasant presence - are even more sure fire as a turn than they were, and other than that, ''i they have the same "Sheik Orches- tra" with them. Those "Sheiks" composed a portion of the hit when first appearing with the DeMarcos as a new idea and they are stjll that - Bim€. 8ELIG and KIRK Sonps and Talk 12 Mins.; One Grand Opera House Two men with a eatch-as-catch- can routine of released gags and songs. Their appearance is un- necessarily sloppy In unpressed tuxes, with th* absence of a vest possibly excusable in the comic but nut the straight. The talk Is ordinary but holds a few laughs for the easily pleased The singing, more robust than me- lodious, is slightly better. The act deuclng It here Is necesrally limited to unlmpreaslve spoto to the pop houses. oeptionaily sure footed on the wire. Cllf Jordan opened with a classy sInRle of the kind. His juggling paraphernalia was neatly polished, and the heavy spinning wheel pro- vided a good finish. The American's patrons are not yet used to daylight saving. They kept straggling in later than usual. Downstairs was only fair. On the roof lens than half capacity was in- dicated, but the audience was groaped in a seml-circle, which made It better for toe acts. Ibee. BILLY B, VAN mni QEORQE LE. MAIRE ^ •■Hsllo CeotraT and 'Stepping Out" 46 Mine.; Tws and Full Stape Keith's, Wsshlngton. Washtogton, May 19. Van and Lo Malr* ar* getting away with murder in this conglom- eration of old stuff—<>ut the folks out front loved it and though things at times skidded the act weAt over here with a resounding bang. There is a. whole raft of people surrounding the two re-Jotoed eora- edlans. Theee include the Wood Sisters. Jean Holt. Trade Twins. Frances HoUlday tad la the sec- ond part, which takes th* plao* of an act. DoUy Leishor** Humming Bird Band—^and most everybody that is on the bilL Opening with "Hello Central" with even the telephone booths tell- ing their age Taa's own method of putting across a drunk brought roar after roar of laughter. Le Maire makes a good straight and held up his end decidedly to advan- tage. Following toe battle royal of the telephone booths they go into a full stag* utilizing the house set for .a cabaret. Here those t)illed with Van do their bits, toe orchestra plays and th* rest of the acto on the bin come forth aad present notolng more than the time hon- ored afterpiece with Van peppinr things up generally. This portion of the Van-Le Malre offek-lng will naturalljr depend upon the balance of the blU tor ite strength. Here it vras O. K. but nothing to rave over. The use of the old material will mean nothing except possibly to the dramatic editors. Meakin. PEQGY and JOY Piano and Song 10 Mins.; Ons Americsn, Chicago Chicago, May 1$. A new combinatirn that needs pepping up. The girls are nioe looking and have good voices, but their selections have a tendency to drag. The piano-playing is like the singing, poor choice of Lumbers. For a finish the girls have a radium effect with the house " -k. It should make a selling point. "PRIVILEGES PAID PROMPTLY" INCORf»OF»ATCO I'lIII.AnRI.rHIA: Buker* Trust Ulds-—Wnl. 38M 1^ NKtV YORK CITY: us W. 4Srd St.—ChMinlBs ADVERTISING CURTAINS—DROPS—SCENERY t^i^ ki i "4