Variety (July 1925)

•^•■^fti •.!>'' ;i'i*j|fy^ •vWyi rT!'H,'i WeAie^ay. July 19. 1W5 VAUDEVILLE REVIEWS iVARIKTY -If PALACE K«ir Tork«ra have crown «a ab- ciutomed to the heat this suinadBr that tbey^ dl<ln't know It waa> oool, Monday evening. That may haye accounted tn part for the light houiie tX the Palace. Although the hpt weather n\ay have woabed a lot ot people away from the theatre for awhile. At least some ot the legit iox office treasurers think so. This la also a tough summer tor fceadliners, tor the Palace. And it's only early In July. There's August yetl That may explain why Van and Scheack are on another return date. It's getting to be a matter of when Van and Schenck are not there, not when they are. Yet Van and Schenck on a return date and unexpectedly somehow seem to trame themselves better In song material than when they prepare for weeks ahead. This week the two boys probably have the best rep of songs they have •old In years. Almost each number classes as a novelty song and a couple ot them are pe^tches. Be- •Ides Van and Schenck look »o cool when and while they work. Per- haps that comes from hanging^ out on a boat. A coiple o< kids like those who can forego their boc^t Cor a week In vaudeville should have double salary and be given a new yacht. Not the least of the hita at the p^^e this week U Blaokfaoe ESddle Itoss with n^onolog and banjo J"Afrlcan Harp" as J)llled). This Sddle Ross gets Into KeW York too Infrequently. He has a dry style and oven opening after Intermlsstoh Couldn't stop him. Mr. Ross looks to be the logical successor of thb late Charlie Case, and tor those \rbo may not have seen nor beard ot Charlie Case It may also be sal^ that Charlie Case was among the greatest monologista who ever stood tipon a stage. If Blackface Eddie Will study his style Just a bit and teadapt It somewhat if he wishes too. right along the line of bis prea- •nt material, he will be Charlie Cause fell over again and on the big time tor the rest of his life. That's bet- ter than the minstrel racket. EMdie. Oo to it. I\>r a laugh and without vlcious- fcess but speaking' of "cuts" drop tn at the Palace and get Shone and fiqulre. They are playing a skit, 'TiObby FolUes." by Billy Wells, and they get away with murder In dia- log. Their skit would nicely ill into the "Scandals" or "Vanities." Notwithstanding Shone and Squire Ho very well with this act and Lulse gquire U billed as "The Lillian Runell ot Vaudeville." That may be a pentonal opinion of a press Kent, bat Lulse as just liUise on iks la there a mile. "While dwelling on looks and other {hings. Including ^figures and danc- ng, there are a couple of young Women in Karavaeff act who mean toiuch to Karavaeff for bis future bookings. One Is Muriel Kaye. toe htepper and of the best, while the bther is not so prominently billed^ but may be Miss Coles or Mlsa Car* teen. The ballet dancer remains on Eer toes without once standing flat >nger than any ballet danoer ever lieen. In or out o# opera, and mean- While steps on elevation to a variety bf dancea. The other girl as a two* tooted kicker is a bear, but hurts the impression somewhat by divulg- ing ahe can contort. Still, these two Sl^la take the Karavaeff turn most eatrable and Karavaeff had better Slgtf them both for a long teruL 'here's a neat scenlo effect la the iMt. , Opening were Amazon and Nile, who may be new. The two contor- tionists are a man and woman, un- usual combination for this partic* ular business and quite attractive. All set tor the opening spot In any vouse and could opeA the second |»art. Sargent and Lewis, No. 2, Were there as the Four Camerond followed. The Six "Camerons did yory well, with the "Father and jpon"* title stuff, recalling Joe Kea- ton and puster of the Three Kea-j tons days. The "Father" talks jusi kM Joe did. Solly Ward. With Marlon Murray In "Babies," drag'ged along. The only thing In the comedy sketch U ^bit also used by "Scandals," with jtlarry Pox dropping his trouaer^ instead ot packing and unpacking a( Jrip as his wife grows lovfhg oi; Baree. Ife not new in either place. .«he Ward skH could stand a lol! Or cutting and., the company could atand a new act. After Van and Schenck, next to TBloaing, were Remos' Midgets. 8ime. '■i. ': RIVERSIDE ^*Til8 week's Riverside bill runs true to form, with the big names cornering the genuine hits. Thus the Courtney Sisters easily won the prolonged encore honors. Toto took the enthusiasm prize, and Craig Campbell.ceceived the soundest vol- ume of applause. It was astonish- togly sound considering the attend- *^oe, woefully weak even for a July Jftonday. The balance of the bill w&s right yp to scratch In variety and' enter- tainment but rather lacking in a Second .half punch. The Courtneys Were given top rating and' spotted iirth where they proceeded to keep the lobby free from smokers while iney went through some three or »our encores. Their turn Is perfect vaMdevUle machine), grinding the last bit of effectiveness out of each pop ditty and whanging the audi- ence from every possible angle. Fay's comic mugging and intonation always come In time to rescue tt>e act whenever it' approaches too nearly the saccharine slush tneaa of BO many other sister acts in vaude* vlUe. Toto's unbelievable anMca third landed as securely as they ever hays to a houseful o^ kids at the Hlf>. showing' perhaps that be Is much more than an acrobatic clown. Tfee conception of his stunts In Itself Ij showinanshJp plus, but many of them would fall flat fwere It not for clock-work execution. The "Wooden Soldier" number, for example, pre- sents an entrely original idea of thiis popular dance, bringing the turn to a close with a cloudburst of applause for Toto's astounding bouncing agil- ity. Craig Campbell and his accom- panist, Allen Stuart, opening after intermission, ^ere attractively at- tired in neat white flannel suits, la happy Innovation for vaudevlIUan^. The tenor went through his usual sterling routine all the way from "Pagllacci" to the light and bridf comic plecea .he sella so well. To those who remember him In "Thie Mikado," "Ruddigore" and other famous comic operas it must always be Inexplicable Why he does not Iti- clu^e "Wandering Minstrel," "Tbe Battle's Roar Is Over," or one ^ the other unforgettable Gilbert an^ Sullivan melodies in his routine. Pew can warble them as well. These three acts were the big noise, but fully as great a success might have been registered by Jerrv and Her Baby Grands had they not been allotted the difficult asAgnt- ment ot closing the show at almo^ 11 o'clock. This was unfortunate, but because only one dumb act wa^ Included, unavoidable unless Tot^ had been given the spot. The planp quartet, held everyone but had to miss out on its usual encores. Some new faces are included' and Jerry (Geraldine VaUiere) Is now assisted by the Misses Mollle KUnger, Mar^ Rumrlll and Genevieve Herbert. ATI are peaciherlnos and demonettes on the keys, the pretty lighting ef- fecta and background setting off their graceful playing to perfection. A few changes In routine, with one or two ot the older pop numbers thrown out for newer and. If pos- sible, more melodioua selectlona might very well be in order, how- ever. Just ahead were Shaw, and Lieei rolling up the laughs, ot course, but not amassing their usual hit propor* t^ons for som^ reason or other. Per4 haps their pantomime and burlesque dancing seemed tepid after Toto's; mayt>e their talk Isn't as crisp as it once was and mora** likely thai) either of tiwa* the audience hap- pened^ to be rather thln-sklni>e<} when It capie to travesty hokum. ; Three new acts In the first sec-^ tion completed the bill's Une-up» They were Hathaway and Co., open- ing with about the most mystifylnfi sword cabinet act seen yet; Merger Templeton, from the legit..deuctng it mildly, and Grafts and Sbeeban; experienced vaudevilUans but a new combination. scoring eSeclivaiy fourth (all Kew Acts). ' 5TH AVE. i A good medium time show at thia house the flrst half, well spotted and with comedy evenly distributed which, as a whole, made capital warm weather entertainment. SUm attendance Monday night, but those in appprec^t>ve. Ameta. dancer, opened with 4 series of divertlaements flanked b)[ six mirrors which provided an enn semble flash which, enhanced by the colorful lightJng effects, made an acceptable eye'feast. Jack Frost, composer, and Walter Morrison, singer, followed on with a routine of Songs that clicked but were somewhat slowed up through a penchant upon the part of thiii duo to Indulge in small talk thail didn't l>elong'and didn't get themf anywhere. Qutslde pf that the boys did as well aa could be expected. Wise and Janese, mixed team, camd next *ith a "Valking home" skit by Paul Gerard Smith, captioned "Oh. Henry" (New Acts). Moss and Frye, colored comedlansi woke them up in succeeding spot with a line of cumplicated chattel that was delivered In an excrutlatJ Ingly humorous manner and *ora^ acceptable harmonizing. The com.) edy in this turn* is gleaned through the ebony-hued comic bewildering the straight with nonsensical queries and answering them before the other chap can reply. The act fin- ished to big returns and set things pretty for Sully, Houghton and Co., the latter comprising Edwin Fors- berg, who offered a pleasant tabloid musical comedy, "Arms and the Girl." which clicked neatly and gave William Sully plenty of scope to display his talents as a light come- dian of the breezy species and % craokerjack dancer. Miss Houghton wn.s charming as "the girl," han- dling her a.98ignment well and fit-j ting In neatly In two duets which, were sent across in true musicai^ comedy fa.fhion. Fred Ardath and Co. continued the comedy barrage In next-to-shut with his skit. "Members of the S.'ime Club." fciirly panicking them with a "souse bit" and getting ade- quate support from an unbilled man an4 woman. Tlia croaa-flr* cantora around a philandering huabttnd'a at- tempt to frame a plaualble alibi flor non-appearance the previous evep- Ing for bis irate spouaa. The friend aaaista but when wlfey appears en the scene hubby Is too far undpr the weather to remember the story. The act had them in laowls througbr out and registered «# the comedy hit of the bin. Melissa Ten ESyck and Max WlWy closed with a delightful dance offer- ing of production magnitude that held them in to the very last aiid sent the dancers awajr (o a well-d^- served hand. Bargain hunters In the amuse- ment line will get their money's worth In the flrat-halt bUL Bdba.' AMERICAN ROOF A show that ran typical of mid- summer atop the American greeted the corporal's guard that comprised the audience. The flrst part of the ahow passed along quietly, ndne of the acta causing much mote tlum a rlpiJe. After the Intermlaalon the ahow got better and th^ audience took. tnore kindly to it; in fact, one of the second part Acta atopped tWe show completely. Thfti was the turfi ot W Ilk en* and ■ WfHcens, wltji Charlie Wllklns ftoknowledglng thte pUndita of his comedy work with a dance ha did some years ago. \ The show ran aa follows: Tom and Betty Waters, Margie White, H'red Webber and Co., "fracey and Ray Co., Intermission, Berrlck and Hart, Arthur Ashley and Co., Wllj- l;ens and WlnJc«ns and the Lime Trio. Several pf theae turna bad been seen at this house, before, which mt^y have accounted for the lacka> (taisical manner in which they were received. Tom and Betty Watera have a wire act that is along the ordinary routines. The young man and his feminine partner take turna on thfe slack wire, with a combination of stunts at the close. Margin White stood still for most of her turn an^ didn't get very far as to returns with the flrst three songa When the little lady—she's only a kid In appearance and works with a child- like mannerism—swung Into danc- ing and flashed a Charleston the result was more decided and in her favor. Miss While should discard one or two of her songs, as they all have a tag line about "baby," an<i their apparent sameness in lyrical construction mitigates a^rainst her advancement. A more modern routine. With he^ dancing given greater play, woul^ enhance her vaudeville value. She'^ voung, willing and ambitious enough to improve beyond her present gait, Fred Webber used two dummies to advantage and his yodeling also scored. The ear^y, portion of his turn went along quietly, but when he swung the baby dummy from the grip he got quicker laugh and applause returns. The drop that was used and thi background were suppcaed to repre-. sent a theatre door, but tha Impreew sJon wasn't there by a long shot. That mattered, llttla on the roof, the main <iomedy efCorta df th« Tsntrilo-^ qulst being the entertaining asset. > Tracey and Ray worked hard; They have several dancing rblts,*' one number in particular being ap- plauded, that of the Apaeha routine: This Apache dance, by the way, seems to be getting a good workout In the Loew houses this summer, as one after another have been plajriiig hereabouts. Tracey and Ray stack up well for the neighbodhood houses, their teamwork belnc a llttla abov^ the average. - I After intermission Berriok and Hart worked like Trojans with som^ old-style stuff that did not turn loose ' any floodgates pf laugh teri The work of the fat comic wa«( amusing in spots. This duo did fairly well, but much of the horse play, was lost In the sbuffla. Tb^ act needs a flnlsb.* | Arthur Ashley and Co.. the latter including Helen Clepfient. aj^peared to have considerable CrossHre tha^ was a little too "fly" for the AmerJ lean Root regulars. However, thq closing travesty put them into betJ ter favor and the hoke dramatici| caused laughter. Miss Clement worked well notwithstanding tbA\ she has been in. . ; Ashley recalled connections wltti motiop pictures, .but apparently those out front didn't remember him, for they accepted him only as a vaudeville offering. This seemi funny, too, as the American and the Roof get a change of fllms weekly. The comedy wallop of the night went to Wilkens and Wllkens, an act that has been in the varieties for some time. Tne woman works light along with Charlie and makea sure .the audience does not rnuff any of the points fo the crossfire. Wll- kens Is a little showman and sells 'hiii comedy dancing like a housr iflre. He did a Charleston with , t.ips that was sureflre. In fact, thin turn Just about burned up.the sta^e with Its comedy. The audience iiollcred for more. The I-ime Trio closed. This act has been seen In the neighborhood. t)cfore. The work Of one man, thp tionelesfl, riibberHke contortionist lotng all of the hard work and 'inlding the attention throughout. The film was "Wild Justice" (Chester M. FrankHn). Mark. STATE Plenty of highlights at Tie Stiite this week. Milo, the AI Tucker band and Balto, the dog of serum- to-Nome fame, supply the stafere much punch and the corking; Ray- mond Qrlfflth-Betty Compson Para- mount. "Paths ot Paradise," •s the flicker attraction. The combination accounted well for Itself Monday, the usual capacity not obtaining, but huslness very good, considering the temperature, A. Joseph Jordan's music L>oys gave the proceedings a ftne start with that sure-fire classic, "Glow- Worm" setting the house In proper spirit. Les Pierrot (New Acts) are snappy openers. Marie Cavanaugh, Lucille's younger sister, and Bud Cooper, in the deuce, fared well. Miss Java- naugh la shapely and a likely dancer. Cooper Is a songsmlth who could cut out the "rain no more" song Xo advantage. He is over-sure of himself alscj." . , '. Laurie Ordway, wi^h a female planlste accomtfanylhg, sold herself Vather well, fclthough Inclined to be- come too confidential with the front rows, so that much of it was « .secret from midsection back- How- .ever,, that's a standing curse of the, mammoth State. Her business in the bal^y carriage number W^th the prop baby might be toned down and thus eliminate sdme adverse re- marks such as were voiced by a couple of finicky elderly neighbors. .The opening bride's number and the carriage session were reminiscent of the Linian s^^aw style, but It's a quelstlon of who did It flrst. Her closing topical stuff was flat and a Weak getaway. Balto (New Acts). Milo7 stin fools them with his falsetto entrance. His Imitations are corkers, but the Intervening gagging weak and could be elided. The Al Tucker Society orchestra was a happy closer. The band has been around considerably on every grade of "time," and Is wen adapted for any speed. It is a Jecx septet, wisely stressing the comedy almost exclusively, making the band Idea aA excuse for the laughs.- Wherein lies the salvation ot the many bands around. They're fed up on the straight Jazz stuff; laughs or other novelty is essential for appeal. Ttie Tucker combinationihas it Tucker, by the way, should Insist the annun- ciators carry the !'Society Orches- tra" on the billing Instead merely of "band." It win make for a good laugh entrance by contrast, the sep'^ tefc being in grotesque Ginsburg get'- upB with a flock of medallions prom- inent everywhere. The net is in "Spider" Kelly's Cafe de Luxe with a flock of prop signs for laughs. Tucker is a facile flddler. Otis Spencer, at the piano. Is a composer of note, but the flrst ..nnouncement of his "Broadway Rose" hit meant nothing, because of the general in- congruity of the atmospbera. Atte^ a while they took him serlousl:, The drummer Is another Individual high- llghL his nonsense being sure-flre. AML [{■ BROADWAY Monday evening wasn't cool but quite an Improvement over the same night Muit week. Attendanc«l considering the season and the steady grind here was comparatively good, apparently better than halt capacity. Twoi dancing acts copped the edge in applause, Castleton and Mack turning In an excellent score on second and Bill Robinson annex- ing a hit next to closing. The neat colored entertainer, tossed out a bit of Jazz that sounded like more. Robinson might remember that tor other occasions. His stories were not so successful. The one about; poker was o. k., but he got too con- fidential with the last line and those in the rear of the house missed the/ laugh. The yarn about the trained flea is senile. Ah a hard shoe tap dancer, bow-i. ever, Robinson probably has no peer' In present day vaodevllle. The bit! on the stairs is fascinating to watchi and heaY. for the dancer's sense ot rhythm seems nearly perfect. Hd enooried twice, first doing the Charleston by request, Ja'nd then the fee Skating bit. Castleton and Mack's comedy acrobatics supplied (lulte a hange of pace from the dlffl- • ilt eccentric and acrobatic stepping Some extraordinary feats are mixed In with the legomanla work an<\ there Is no doubt the team could have landed as well on later. Golden's Imported Revue (New Acts) was spotted fifth, getting som»thInK with a flash finish. On Just ahtead was Anne Green way and Co, (New Acts) and on number three were Parker, Rand and Cag- ncy (New Acts). Relanrourt and Co. opened with a neatly dressed and pr^ented equl- llbrlstic turn, the man Impressing as being from abroad and the maid being the "company." The Ilcdieys closed with head to head feats While the routine Cunstthied but five mimites, the men were encased In sweaters, because of the snow scone, yet pretty hot stoff for the summer time. Herbert Ashley wuk In the bin In "Memorlps" but on the roster Monday night. Ibea. STAGE HANDS' SCALE (Continued from page 1) Sept. 8, 192S, and will be operativo until Sept.. 1»27. Flat Increase of $10 Weekly The new scale was accepted by the General Board ot the national body of stagehands, presided over by William F. Caqavan. president. Under Its adoption the road mea will receive a flat Increase ot lit per week. The old and new scales are here- with given by way of comi>arlson: Old Scale NewSeala Par Week Per Week Carpenter $75 $85 Electrician .... 7S 8S Propertyman ., T5 Sf I-nyman 70 80 Secon(* Hand .. 70 SO Assistant HHectrlclan ... 66 Tl ' Assistant ':^--^l,.J^Ltz. Propertyman . •! -Tl ' Moving-Picture Machine Operator 75 SB Production Man, $20 Mora Under the new wage schedule all stagehands engaged under produc- tion contract will get a flat Increasa of 120 per week, from Sept. 6 on. over the present production seal* wher« only one city Is played within any one week, commencing on Sun« day and ending on Sattu-day as foU lows: OldSeala New Seals PerWa*k Per Week Carpenter fSO flOO Blectrlcian .... 80 I0« Propertyman .. SO 100 ^yman 78 $$• Second Hand .. Tt M Assistant Blectrlclan ... TO H Assistant PropertynMiB' . 70 N Moving Picture Machine Operator SO 100 Anent the $106 inoraaaa Where atagehands for the road are engaged under production oon» tract, where more than one city Is played within any one week com- mencing on Sunday and ending Sat- urday win receive a flat inereaaa ot $2S over the preaent production scale aa toUowa: Old Scale New Seal* Par Weak Par Weak Carpenter |S0 flOi Blectrlciaa .... SO lOf Propertyman .. 80 lOi Flyman 71 IM Second Hand.. T5 tOf Assistant Electrician .... TO Of Assistant l^pertynuin . TO 91 Moving Picture Machine Operator 80 101 Lower Berth Qrantad Tha managera also agree to pro- vide the stagehands with sleeping car Accomodations when night trar- eltng Is necessary. oonaliBting ot single lower berth. AU' other provisions and clauaaa ot the former contract a're embodied In the new one with tha wage in- crease and sleeper grant. Chicago. July 14. Chicago Protective Union No. 2, stage bands' local, is pegotiatlng with Chicago managers for a one- year contract, same to becomo aC- fectlva Sept 1. as usual. The general raise In various stage departments runs from It to SO per cent. The grips and cleaxers ara now getting $5 a performance. Six heads of departments In legit- Ima^ houses are now getting |70 per week and are asking for $80. This same increase also la to covor vatidevlUe and Jaurlesqua. i<'or the heads of the picture de- partment the demand is for a ^alaa of $86 to 195 weekly. Negotiations are being' peaceably conducted and without a doubt will be amicably settled, most probably at a small compromise. No statement was available from Harry Ridings, president of the Chicago Managers' Association, who Is out of town. '. Frank Gazzolo, during Ridings' absence. Is conducting negotiations for the managers. Gazzoio is secre- tary and treasurer. The Chicago musicians are alsp under negotiations with the man- agrees foi" a new working agree- ment, effective Sept. 1. The only new clause Im the 10 pcrforpiance increase where thea- tres hiring musicians teinporarlly, also when contracting for musicians for certain Instruments, those In- struments to remain throughout the year. '' '"■ ,,...(, ,1 ■J M If you don't advertise in VARIETY i^,-: don't advertise.