Variety (August 1925)

„^JtMa^T. Augu it 86.192» VAUDEVILLE REVIEWS VARIETY PALACE „,w .«•> a load of show ••t tha ,^.^thU we«k and. deaplte the *^* tStlMHce of dancing, the entire ^''■n'^nuy'd wcwlly. MUch of the '" HI? talong* to two acu to the i",!.S*rSnln|. These were the Six -.JclJropenlng with Arab Bround u mS *nd pyramids, and the p"'"^ rour. male quartet, who vhummed them la the second spot T>cld«Ully the success of Uioae two • rnVta added evidence that the "',"" "ukes pre-war vaudeville. 'hey at* UP J«"» Bedlnl's after- aece. wVch closed. Th» Barr Twins (New Acts) were hird to a nice, soft apot. getting the rst'crack at them with danclijg. ■vhick clicked in the position. Eddie Celson. following, was the only onie*y turn in the first portion. ^claoa has come far since he split rith Del Chain. His current spe- lalt* tocludes Dolly, an eye-sooth- ne flapper, and Officer Byron. His iptntag 1" a series of sure-fire uu»;hi from his entrance on the toy rlcyale to his argument with the raffle cop. His sense of travesty ,nd burlesque predominates here. lis next bit Is a travesty dance. The iri dees it on the up and up. and »'elson hops on for contrast. The nuch-clalmed towel costume is sed here. He encored with a uke ong and sowled them. Grant and Wing (New Acts), as- sted by V. Wheeler Wadsworth and >rchestra. followed. Stransre as it eemed, the dancing was no confllc- lon with all the hoofing that pre- eded, and the pair pranced away rlth hit honors. After intermission Lillian Shaw lade them roll over and beg with er three character songs. Her penlng number, "Relatives," is the nly new one. but "The Bride" and Married" never went better. Bddle :uss«Ii in Paul Gerard Smith's Compliments of the Season" (New cts) followed. Buszell scored per- onally despite the indifferent ve- ide and but fair support. Harlnnd Dixon (New Acts) next fing the bell, and Jean Redinl, as- isted by Bluoh Landolf. Juggled, nd held them in for the afterpiece rhich Bedini put on. The after- lece received a couple of ptVigs from ■illlaa Shaw and Harland Dixon, oth of whom mentioned it In their urtaln speeches and both of whom egged the audience to remain. At le conclusion of Bedlnl's nine mln- tea of plate breaking, he* stepped own. into "one" and explained the itlra bill had remained from first » last to work in the afterpiece Ithoot compensation because they ked the audience and the mannge- ent. The ballyhoo waa an effective alkout checker and the three aklta rere greeted with howls. Eddie uzzell, as the stage manager, had everal funny passages with Bedini. •illlan Shaw and Eddie Nelson cored strongly in one bit; Harland )ixon was excellent in another, and Sedlnl. In a French version which joked naughty but when played In Inglish was entirely innocent, was onvincing and clever. The afterpiece gave the bill a rhirlwind finish and waa over at 1:10. It was an innovation at the alace, and a likeable one. Judging y its reception and the comments of le departing audience. It made a tting climax to a bill that played «», due to the layout. At night inrland Dixon moved down next to oslng, switching with LlUIan Shaw, ho went up to opening the second alf. Business very healthy. (Miss) Gen* Ford. Naoo* O'NeU and Co. (New Acta). Moore and Freed, with their com- edy musical hoke. mopped up. They were starving for laughs, an', the team met requirements. "The Aiuer- ican Ballet with M.irlta outstanding, is a corking Albertlna Rasch pro- duction, although it was misspotted here. The veteran Collins and Hart hoke closed. Business below par. Abel. Con. RIVERSIDE The house booker ain't done right y «e Riverside this week. The ^ows flat and a flop as variety en- rtalnment. The two big acts ■erent much to get excited about. ance o NeU's new vehicle (New cts) is too verbose an' overlong. ■floertlna Rasch's American Ballet ^"spotted too far down, next-to- HJ; *nd Inspired walk-outa. The two best acts in the flrs' half I *^r® "potted one and two. Archie pd Oertle Falls with their aerial ^•^ knockabout aero stuff were 'fft openers. Miss Palls Is pul- ""itudonous and ultra-shapely, owing her stuflf off well on the kpe lor the opener. The man's falls rere effective. ^Willie Covan u.nd Leonard Ruffln. ""^ 8'eppers recently out of "Tell * More." lived up to their billing. e poetry of motion." to the full. VL I*'"'' ■*"* *■ *» eyeful and an from the very start, going o a nnale far beyond the average •^ce team. Mary Cook Coward ^arry Bradden (New Acts) ™ea local favorites, according to i^nock of foliage passed across the '*7u ^"""^on's comedy didn't quite the void, although they were n-hungry. The singing lesson nas been seen around quite •. (jordoa'a best partner being BROADWAY This week's bill Is about as sweet a show as the Broadway has had since they started blasting the sub- way under the theatre. It is doubt- ful if there is a better proportional entertainment buy to be had on "the street." Not only is It good vaude- ville, but It Is refreshingly different for the most part. In the first place there Is the film "Kiss Me Again," as sophisticated anr brilliant a cinema gam as has been seen thl& season. ThA vaudeville got under way with the Rallstons (New Acts), an equillbristic turn of great merit and beauty which received even more api>lau8e than the generous .imount usually allotted to good dumb acts by the Broadway patrons. Four Harmony Kines (New Acts), a colored male quartet, followed and stopped the show completely with an effective routine of Sthioplan •»"o'n!tIes. Third. Eddie Carr and Co. proved to be somewhat of a let-down from the standpoint of higher vaudeville, but rolled up a large-sized laugh score nevertheless. Oeorce Edward.")' characterisation of a slssifled old rube seems to be as Important to the act's success as Carr's "banana- oli oil salesman," and he merits a better break in the billing. Harry Breen clowned his way to healthy returns and finished one of the show's three big hits, no mean honor on a bill of this caliber. He Is closing with a new ^oem of his own. describing most effectively in the first person the love of a tou5:h- ?ruy cake-eater for a Bowery moll. Next, and a revelation as to what can be accomplished with fertile Ideas, came Mabel Walser and Her Boy Friends (New Acts). The act carries 11 neople and four lavish scenes, but is worth at least six times as much as the very con- siderable amount apparently spent for It. Jane and Whalen were nezt-to- closing with their familiar comedy turn. The boys knew that the danc- ing was going to be rather tough after the excellent stepping seen In the preceding act, but went right to It and the hoofing scored as soundly as the comic efforts. The EI Ray Sisters closed with their splendid roller skating offer- ing. They now make their changes back-stage In soft lights between the numbers. It Is carefully done, but It gave the boys out front their second thrill, the first optic treat coming early when the girl In the Rallston turn liberally exhibited a flgure that was ne plus ultra, and then some. EDDIE BUZZELL "Compliments of the Season" 15 Mins.; One and Full (Special) Palace Eddie Buxzell has attempted a distinct departure in appearing In the lead in this Paul Gerard Smith turn. The role he is essaying was created by Garry Owen, Owen be- ing credited with getting more out of it than the script deserved. Buxell. originally a vaudeville artist who did fast, snappy, semi- nut material and later a musical comedy player with the fast, color- ful background that goes with that type of attraction, is now playing a slow, slangy role which fits him like a pair of Arbuckle's pants would a Singer midget. The act remains as original play- ed with most of the slang badly in need of revision. Far fetched and long winded similes are depended upon for the punches. The solid laughs could be counted. The story concerns the efforts of "Fingers" Dugan, a "wire" recently out of a "stir" to go straight. He is trailed by a detective (John Sharkey), wanders down the docks, saves a girl from attempted suicide and then In desperation sticks up the lover she has sought in vain. "Fingers" Is collared, the lovers re- united, the copper bribed oft by a present of the watch which "Fin- gers nicks the flatty for and returns to the boy. Martha Townsend as the girl tried hard bnt missed a bull's eye by several acres. The tempo Is much too slow for Buzzell. Con. STATE The State orchestra gave th^ show a flying start Monday night by playing a medley of tunes from the late Victor Herbert's "Mile. Modiste." When the refrain of "Kiss Me Again" was melodiously played, one could hear a humming accompaniment from all parts of the house. Elly, feminine Juggler and bal- ancer, offered orye of the best open- ing acts seen in the house In a long time, with her special set of a nursery wherein she as a roguish, peppery miss In rompers displayed marvelous skill, both in Juggling and prodigious strength. Miss Elly radiated personality throughout. This act as framed cannot miss anywhere and the lady never lets down on her vim and vigor. Fol- lowing were Murray and Gerrish, 1« minutes in "one," The male member has a splendid voice. Tho act has changed llUle since seen, the woman retaining her impres- sions of Marilyn Miller and Ann Pennington. Gordon and Gordon had soft pick- ings following the singing and danc- ing ahead, and once they unbur- dened themselves of their opening they displayed their acrobatic wares and comedy embellishments to an applause bit. So far one act after the other had cashed In heavy applause and the show seemed to be going great guns. Nonette, the singing vloUniste, with Harold Solomon at the piano, enter- tained every minute she was either warbling or fiddling, and she does both exceptionally well. Nonette consumed 17 minutes and could have remained longer, her voice and violin filling that huge theatre with real melody and elicited spontaneous applause from upstairs and down. She closed wth one of (Continued on page 60) FOR MANAGERS WHO DESIRE THE BEST lkWBn# Pfni.ADKLPni.%: ^ NKW TORK CITT: sn W. **r4 8t^—Chlckeiias ttM AOVERTISINQ CURTAINS—DROPS—SCENERY FOUR HARMONY KINGS Songs 14 Min>.; On« Broadway An act of this title and this char- acter was reviewed in Variety seven years ago. but In all probability some of the personnel and most of the material have undergone radical change. The four colored men are smartly dressed in gray morning suits with gray i|ilk toppers, gloves and canes. Each has a full share of stage pres- ence and works every second he is on the stage minus boisterous exu- berance. The men adhere chiefly to straight singing, and are about as talented a quartet as vaudeville has heard in years. Their program ranges from spirituals to simple little pickannlny . ditties. The only comedy effect Is a familiar yodellng number. The encore introduces the only Jazx in the act. and while it, too. Is sold most effectively. It seems some- what of a let-down after the un- usual music that had been offered before. In addition to the sterling vocal qualities, the turn has been well staged and lighted, so that the max- imum is derived from each number. Second at the Broadway, It was a tremendous hit, standing as the only act on a particularly good bill that stopped the show completey. HARLAND DIXON Songs, Talk, Dances 20 Mine.; One Palace Harland Dixon was last In vaude- ville with the Eight Palace Girls. He is now essaying a single suc- cessfully. Dixon needs no help in his current offering other than that supplied by his own orchestra leader. Opening In faultless evening at- tire Dixon makes an Immediate im- pression with his .song ''How I Loved That Girl." He explains he sings to show what a good dancer he is but the alibi wasn't needed. His pedal illustration of the evo- lution of the "Charleston" from "Off to Buffalo" is current, topical and surefire. A character bit "announced" as from a musical comedy was a tough version of a popular song followed by a pip of a tough dance. Other dancing that clicl d was a Lanca- shire Clog. Highland Fling. Irish Jig and an eccentric, all Introduced In story form. For an encore Dixon does an original creation which was featured In another musical comedy engagement. Dixon is formerly of Doyle and Dixon, one of the greatest dancing acts who ever graduated from a cellar door. He retains all of his former ankle and tap cunning and in addition has acquired poise and llngulal ability. As a single Dixon Is welcome to vaudeville Just as long as musical comedy can spare him. Next to closing on a long bill he ran to a speech. Con. ALLEN WHITE'S COLLEGI- ANS (7) Band, singing and danoing 18 Min.; full Orpheum, Los Angeles Here is an aggregation which has pep and harmony and should estab- lish Itself In time as one of the foremost outfits of the kind for vaude and picture houses. These boys are good musicians, know the moaning of rhythm and are capable as Individual enter- tainers In a novel and original way. They are attired in blazer coats of various shades and all wear white checked sport trousers. They con- fist of a pianist, two saxophones, banjo, tuba, violin and drum play- ers. For their opening they play a ballad with a quartette singing. The foursome Is Louis Wood, Robert Holman, Ray Adams and Herbert MonteL Better voices than the average generally hearA with such an orchestra. Their second num- ber Is "Indian Love Call" (Rose- Marie), beautifully arranged and played. The third Is a fast Jazz number with Louis Wood singing and doing an eccentric dance, a knockout. After that came "Htnky Dinky" used for a novelty tune, introduced by Ilolman as a barker for a side- show. Introducing various freaks, with the orchestra doing imitations, such as dog barks, wire walkers, Jew comic and a pair of monkeys, a gem. The conclusion of this specialty was the orchestra giving an Imitation of a calliope, which proved to be a wow. The outfit are new BO far as vaudeville or picture houses are concerned. They have all the Ingredients to make them sureflr*. Ung. BARR TWINS (2) Song, Danc% Piano 1< Mins.; Full (Special) Palace Assisted by Arnold OInck, male Juvenile singer and dancer, and with FrM Klem at the plaao. the Barr Twins are offering a new song and dance revue.' In neat evening attire Gluck sings the usual Introductory song, '7he Way They Do It." which serves as an entrance for the Twins carrying on with the same lyric followed by a neat double dance. They are prettily costumed in blue summery dresses and hats. "Mee Neenyah" next, also soloed by Gluck In Spanish costume, the girls following < nd doing a double Spanish dance. "Song of Songs" next sung by the Juvenile earned awards on his excellent singing voice. "Milady's Mirror," a modem (though unannounced) conception of the Hanlon Bros.' old mirror pan- tomime bit, served as an excellent novelty for the girls of the present generation. The Twins, dancing In front of and behind the three aper- tures, put over the mirror Illusion through, synchronization of gesture and dance except in one bit which needs smoothing. It waa by far their strongest number. They step out In front for a double waits nov- elty, also well handled. Helen L. Leighton la credited with staging the turn. It Is a nov- elty because of the actual resem- bl.Tnre of the girls and hnld.s enough early spot on tho test bills. Klera .should solo. OoN. NANCE O'NEIL and Co. (5) "Evening Dress Indispensable** ' (Comedy Playlet) 21 Mins.; Three (Parlor) Riverside The act Is program-described as "an utterly nonsensical playlet ii* one act by Rowland Pertwee." It Is new for Miss G'Noll, who is cant as a 3S-year old mater. Dorothy iCllIn is her 21-year old daughter; George Connaught (40), played by IJeres- ford Ix)vett, la the mother's admirer, and Alfred Hickman, who plavs the 35-ycar old Geoffrey Chandler, Is equally smitten with the daughter. Julian Duncan, as the ntaid, com- pletes the cast. The ages are denoted on the pro- gram for a purpose. The daughter, latterly given to Russian art motifs reflects it in her outer attire, featur- ing an unbecoming smock. The mother is muchly sft On having the girl return to normalcy and give up the faddist affectation. Sheila (the daughter), turns down a theatre in- vitation and the mother steps in, changes to glad rags and thus uc- compllshos what she has U-en try- , ing to for a long time. The girl resents her mother cutting her out and makes a quick change to stun- ning stepping-out attire for an all- round happy finish. The locale and atmosph . • are declcedly English. Hlckma .. who by the way is muchly miscast as the 25-year old swain, also bports a monocle to clinch the argument. The act is talky and takes quite a spell In getting started. The last six or seven minutes are genuinely bright but the verbosity p'-ocee-iing Is too much of a handicap. When spruced up and edited, at best it's only a lightweight vehicle for a "name" stau-. Abet EVANS and HART Comedy and Dancing 12 Mins.; One This two-man combination Is do- ing a turn almost similar to that presented for a season or two by Conn and Hart. Hart's dancing is still outstanding and as nearly as can be remembered there is little to choose between the work of Evans and the Conn who formerly had his part. The men are dressed as boobs, with bushy mustaches, small der- bies, tight suits and vacant stares. Nut ditties and absolutely inane dialog make up the routine, and while there are a few laughs the comedy score Is not at all as high as it might be. "Don't give them too much" still remains the spoken slogan and It is not overdone. The eccentric dancing Is novel and agile. When reviewed It seemed to be about the only thing in the turn that brought genuine results. The men have wisely left out the over-famlllar oriental travesty dance which slowed up the finish of the Conn and Hart act The present combination can probably go as far as the latter team did (which means fairly well down on the better pop bills), but not ' step further unlesh they Improve their offerlag. GRANT A WING AND ORCH. (10) Music and Dance 20 Mins.; Full (Special) Psiace Grant and Wing are well known In musical cooaedy circles. For tbt^ir latest vaudeville dancing torn they have F. Wheeler Wadsworth and Orchestra of nine string and brass musicians assisting. Wads#orth Is staked to a solo entsancc when be strolls on In eve- ning attire before a special drape. Hearing a/Jazz band he parts the drapes wl^ his cane and Joins his musicers. The dancers open with a corking double waits. While they change, Wadsworth leads the orcbestra witli a saxophone arrangement of "Indian Love Call." An adagio Walts next is a marvel of smooth handling on the part of the male and plastle concurrence on the girl's part. A medley of hits by the musicians Is the following interlude. For another dance, the girl Is discovered posinc In acrobatic position on one knee on an urn. Her partner lifts her down for a show stopping double in which her kieks. splits and acrobats art the high light. An encore was a novelty Charles- ton as colorful and original as all the preceding dances of tMs sterling. pair. The act can follow any danc- ing act seen In vaudeville In any .season and will deliver strongly re- gardless of location. It scored one of the hits of the bill here, and deservedly. Con, NEVINS and STONE Song, Talk, Dancing 14 Mins.; One (Special) ^_ . City* A veteran blackface comic and girl straight, the latter under brown cork with the nucleus of • corking vehicle. A special drop de- picts the exterior of a restaurant. Comic enters. He Is the cook and monologues a bit about his Job. The waitress comes out to Inform he Is wanted and they go into crossfire anent the eatery. The girl works In a pop song legitimately, giving it an excellent Jazz delivery and revealing a strong singing voice. More cros.sflro fol- lows, all of it for laughs. The man solo's a comedy song to slow stut- tering old style method, the only slow portion of the act. Meanwhile the girl has changed to a red dress and Is back with a "uke." She slncrs and "ukes" while he flashes a piP' of an acrobatic eccentric dance. The act, with a bit of direction, win please the most discriminating. The comic is evidently one of the old school but has assembled a ve- ^ hide that is modern In every re- spect outside of his solo song. The girl Is an excellent foil and a big help In the total. Tho act is -sure- fire for the small time and should work Into a big time in the hands of this couple.