Variety (December 1925)

VARIETY BURLESQUE •TT^^T'.'j- rv.»'N" ,f«" yj^" Wednesday, December 2, 1925 REVERSION OF -^HOW STYLES CNCOLUMBIA "Old Fashioned" Buries- que Creeping Back— • "Lid" Accordingly The policy of the Columbia Biii- lesque Circuit last stason is heiim: abandoned and a return to "olU- fashlon«HV' burle.^quo will be inau- gurated during the balance of the current sea.-'on, in an rftort to bols- ter up liUslnoKS at the weak stands. The Columbia, Cleveland, inau- purated the return to the old i>uliey two weeks a^o when a shiniiuy dancer was added to the shtiw and widely advertisevl. Last week at the Columbia, New York. "Look Vs Over" gave an old-fashioneil bur- lesque show. Hiirtig and Seamon's on 125th stteet. New York, has been ignoring the CoUunbia dieluni duo to intense opposition from stock burlesque at Minsky's Aih>11o on the same street. The H. and S. house Installed a runway last season and carries a permanent house chorus of eight girls to augment the regu- lar 18 choristers in the Columbia BhOW8. The "lid is off" Is also being tipped all over the circuit, governed by local conditions and added at- tractions are being placed at vari- ous stands. In Boston last week, "Sliding" Billy Wat.son's show added a colorful trio which remained with the show during the Columbia, Xew York, run and another Columbia at- traction added a wrestler. The reversion to the former policy at this late date after the Mutual wheel has become estahlLshed as a purveyor of old-fashioned burlesque Is being watched critically by bur- lesque observers. "Innocent Maids" Off for Recasting and Revamping Milwaukee, Dec. 1. General revision of Fox and Krau.se'a Mutual ehow "Innocent Maids" is being made this week during the show's lay-off between Milwaukee and Detroit. Gus Arnold has been called In to re-vamp the Bhow. Miller Evans is the new straight, cucceeding Leon DeVoe. Vicks and Lawrence, Bonnie Loyd, sou- brette are among the new ad- ditions Jessie Rece, featured sou- brett«l,\ Fred Reeb and Homer Meechum, comics, are the only members of the oriRinal company remaining. TORONTO CENSORS SEVERE Toronto. Dec. 1. Members of the Toronto City Council have been approached with a request for a change in tiiealre censors. The opposition to the two men acting at present comes, to some extent, from the burlesque houses, who feel that they are being too severely treated. The censors are under the con- trol of the police commis.sion and there is not any Indication that the authorities plan a change. MUTUAL MEN FIND PARTNER Toronto, Dec. 1. According to report Ness Leviiie and Harry Abbott, operators of the Strand, have dug u\t a slU-nl part- ner who bought in to the tune of 12,500. The Strand which plays the Mutual shows has fallen ol'C 8in<;e the «how» were ordered to clean up. As a result the Ichies were forced to Interest a Detroit business man ■who is In for a tliinl, according to the story. COLUMBIA CIRCUIT We«k D«c. 7 Bathing Beauties—Kmpire, To- ledo. tJest Show in Towrt—Casino, Bos- ton. Bringing Up Fathar — Columbia, Cleveland. Burlesque Carnival—Gaycty, Mont- r.,.l. Chuckles- Cavi ty. 1 )cfroit. Fashion Parade — Casino, Phlla- del|ihi,i. Flappers of 1925—Uurtlg A Sea- niiius, New Vork. Foilies of Day—KinpUe, Toronto. Golden Crook- L. O. Happy Hooligan--? New London; 8 Stamford; 9 .Mtriden; 10-12 Lyric. Uridt^ejiort. Happy Moments — Empire, Provi- deiiit'. La Revue Parisian — 7-9 Lyric, Da> Ion. Let's Go-Cayotj-, Boston. Look Us Over—Orpheum, Pater- son. Lucky Sambo — Hyperion, New Hak'en. Miss Tabasco—7 Geneva; 8 Au- burn; 9 Binghamton; 10-12 Colo- nial, Utieu. Models and Thrills -Gayety. Pltta- lan-uli. Monkey Shines—Star and Garter, Chicago. Mutt and Jeff — Miner's Bronx, Xew York. Peek-a-Boo —7-8 Wheeling, W. Va.; 9 Zanesville, O.; 10-12 Canton, O. Powder Puff Revue'—Palace, Bal- timore. Puss Puss—Ca.sino, Brooklyn. Rarin' to Go—Gayety, Rochester. Reynolds, Aba, flounders—Lyce- um. Columbus. Seven-Eleven — Gayety, Kansas City. Silk Stocking Revue —Columbia, New York. Step On It—Orpheum, Cincinnati. Steppe, Harry—L. O. Talk of Town—Gayety, St. Louis. Watson, Sliding Billy — Empire, Brooklyn. White and Black Ravua—Oayety. Wiislungton. Williams, Motile — Empire, New- ark. Wilton, Joe, Club—Gayety, Buf- falo. Wine, Women and Song—7-» Van Curler, Schenectady; 10-12, Capitol, Albany. MUTUAL CIRCUIT Band Box Ravua—Trocadero, Philadelphia. Broadway Bellaa — 7 Plalnfleld, rUunfield; 8-9 Crescent, Perth Am- boy; 10-12 Reads Palace, Trenton. Chick Chick—i^mpress, Cincinnati. Cunningham, E., and Giria—Gay- ety. Milwaukee. French Models—Gayety, Brooklyn. Giggles—Gayety, Wilkes-Barre. Girlie Girls—Empire, Cleveland. Happy Hours—Gayety, Louisville. Hey Ho—7 York, Pa.; 8 Lancas- ter; 9 Altoona, Pa.; 10, Cumber- land, Md.; 11, Uniontown, P*.; 12 Wasliington. Pa. Hollywood Scandals—Miles-Royal, Akron. Hotsy Totay — Mutual, Washing- ton. Hurry Up—Empress, St. Paul. Innocent Maids—Cadillac, Detroit. Jackson, E^ and Frienda=^-0«Tden, Buffalo. Jazz Time Revue—Corinthian, Rochester. Kandy Kids—Lyric, Newark. Kuddlin* Kuties—Gayety, Minne- apolis. Laffin' Thru — Majestic, Jarsey City. La Mont, Jack, and BuncK—L. O. Make It Peppy—Oayety, Seranton. Moonlight Maids—Gayety, Baltl- mfire. Naughy Nifties—L. O. Night Hawks —Garrlok, Des Moines. Pleasure—7-9 Grand O H, Hamil- ton; 10-12 Grand O. H., I^sndon. Red Hot—Olympic. New York. Round the Town—7 Allentown; 8 Columbia; 9 WlUiamsport; 10 Sun- bury; 11-12 Reading, Pa. Smiles and Kisses —Strand, To- ronto. Speed Girls-Star, Brooklyn. Speedy Steppers — Broadway, In- dianapolis. Step Along—.\cademy, Pittsburgh. Step Lively GirIa—Mutual, Kan- sas City. ^^ , Stolen Sweeps — Hudson, Union Sugar Babies—Howard, Boston. Tempters—Garrick, St. Louis. Whirl of Girls—7-n Lyceum, Bea- ver Falls: 10-12 Park. Erie. Whiz Bang Revue—Savoy, Atlan- tic City. BURLESQUE MAN GETS BAIL IN LARCENY CASE Former Rochester Theatre Cashier Denies Criminal Charges Rochester, N. Y.. Dec. 1. William,- (Bud) Abbott, former (ashler, Corinthian pleaded not ^'uiity to a charge of larceny In the first degree before County Judge Willis K. Gillette Saturday, Nov. 21, arid was released In $1,000 ball, pending trial. The complainant is Joseph Brown, former partner of Haxry Abott, Jr., brother of William Abbott Brown and Harry Abbott were partners in the lease of the Corinthian last sea- son. Brown is suing Harry Abbott for a dissolution of the partnership and an accounting for money he al- leged he put Into the venture. Meanwhile the house ia being man- aged by a receiver. In his criminal charges against William (Bud; Abbott. Brown al- leges he ttirned over $625 to the de- fendant on April 25 to be deposited in the Central Trust Company to the credit of the partnership and that William Abbott deposited the money in his name in the Rochester Savings Bank and later withdrew the amount and appropriated it to his own use. Receivership Over $41.16 Judgment Because of an unsatisfied Judg- ment which Lim Williams has against Bob Williams, professional- ly known as Bob Stanley, the after had his property placed In receiver- ship. Stanley la "straight" man with the Mollie Williams burlesque show. In his examination in :;upplemen- tary proceedings, Stanley sets forth that he is unable to pay the Wil- liams Judgment. He has a wife who is a chorister in the Williams show; he earns $86 weekly; has no bank account or property either than $27.SO due for a loan from Billy Reed, also in the same show. Klmer E. Qi>inn was appointed re- ceiver by Jud^e Valente In the City Court. BURLESQUE REVIEWS LOOK US OVER (COLUMBIA) Principal Juck Spellmun I'liiK'li'al • Jaiii(>fi Haisartl Juvi'nile I'lii.i. ff.rrrla S(r:<l^bt Jnck liilisun frliiiu ^ Kvyluen Ilamxay Houlirctte Kiln t'orln-U Inijunue Ada Kintr Spuclalty i Qeurge Romunun S|«'clully Habo iiivl Marulo .M^ik'HI romeiUan Tommy I^veno (JoracUlan . , Ki-wl Han'T WHIZ BANG REVUEL_ (MUTUAL) In t\ro actii and H acon&s, iiru.luifj ^ Ullly Ullbeit, foaturt-l. lii.iio^ ;,i,,i ,oin4d» .scenes iti Jlie.l to liiibpit niij I.co .^U'v,n^ I'ltncfM iinil onHi'nil>!i>M niitgi^j i.y S'rvpn» •M tile Star. Urooklyn. N. Y.. nwk i Hilly r-,iii„.rt Stev,' .Mills • ^'ii- Mlliord ,•<.!•••*''"* "^'K^a l-YanreH Valentin* lyirry Kr.inilj Mutuid Adds Passak; Drops Three N. J. Dates The Playhouse, Pasaaic, N. J.. will be added to the Mutual circuit week Dec. 12. replacing the Long Branch, Asbury Park and Plalnfield dates in New Jersey which were dropped this week. The Playhouse has been playing stock. Its opening Mutual will be "Sugar Babies." The shows play Passaic following Boston. DANE'S CONTRACT SUIT St. Louis, Dec. 1. "Contract be d—d, you've got to behave and cut out the parties or quit." Such was Oscar Dane's ultima- tum to Mae Baxter, soubrette of the "Liberty Maids" at the Liberty Music Hall here. And now, in- stead of an unruly Mac, Dane haa a lawsuit on his hands. The young lady has filed suit in Circuit Court for $1,B00, charging breach of contract She alleges she was discharged Oct. 16, "without cause," and asks salary for the re- maining time of her contract. Program Caused Name Error A program orrnr wifj nsi>'iiisil)lc tor Jack Haariuutuiu - rhanulnr man, MoIIio Wllli.-iniK Khow. Lc-ing credited with tho, straipht iicrforni- ance of Bob St.anloy in Vnrlct;. « review. No Burlesque at Hopklnson Tho deal ponding to restore the Hopklnson, Brooklyn, N. Y., to a stock burlesque policy has fallen throiiKh. Tho house will continue with its current policy of Yiddish drama. Added Attraction The Three Tn'<m.)rii.iii;', color'■!, were added to the ".Sliding" Hilly Watson sho'.v fur the rTny. iv, H. n- ton, and Columbia, New York, en- gagements. A* Raymo Coming Back Al Itaymo. who left burlesque thrre ywirs aco to operate a cabaret In CirccnwUtj Vi!!at;f', will return lU'Xt so.Hson. Di apit'^ the staf,'" return, Raymo ,•, ;!1 nliln liif Intorcst In the Oreen- v.ich V!lI.Tg<» C!ib.'»r<'t. If you don't advertise in 'VARIETY'—Don't advertise "ABIE'S" NATIONAL ADS (Continued from page 1) 195 Ifaies (65 lines across three columns) and the rate $2.46 per line, with the cost for the single insertion $477.76. Last week the Sunday Times carried an "Ahlo" ad on page 2 of Its news section with the space not quite as large. Tho average line rate for Sunday advertising in the dramatic sec- tions of the New York dallies Is from 90 cents to a $1 with one or two dallies higher tlian that. Natlon.tl advertising for a single show has never before been tried, sinco tho drama Is not a commodity and CAnnot bo continuously sold. Thoro aro six companies of "Able" rl.iying. Including the original show at the Reptihllc, New York. Tlio natinnnl campaiirn Is more or less Indirect advertising. Repeat dates played by "Able" Indicates itn remarkable possibilities. - This Columbia show, despite it hasn't a line, thought or word, is one of the best comedy and all- around old - fashioned burlesque shows at the Columbia, New York, so far this season. The show is projected by as line and well balanced a cast as is on the circuit. Therein lies its chief appeal. The scenes, while familiar, are put over strongly. They include several used in the origiual "I'eek- a-Boo"—an old barroom scene, the police station bit, a wrestling bit (similar to Clark and McCullougli's boxing bit, but with a wrestling twist), the collector bit, nn old comedy band idea, the old famlll'ir burlesque weddinpr, and tho ship- board scene (with vna woman want- ing in her sleep addicted to follow- ing bells), the newly wedded couplo and the two comics bent upon crashing all staterooms housing fe- males. The show also deviates widely from any preconceptions about clean burlesque. Some of tho lines are as suggestive ns the Rhine- lander letters. No double entendre Is allowed to waft by unexidained. However, the laughs proved that at this house they crave this sort of fare and welcomed it The chorus also works with more frcedojn than any seen since the Cojunibia devel- oped a conscience, and Includes n more than average looking group of bare-legged babies. The production sufQces and, while adequate. Is always secondary to the entertainment, which is as it should be. Fred Harper, an eccen- tric comedian worumg niuciily like John Barry; Evyleen Ramsay, a peppy, likable in^onue prima donna, and Tommy Levene, a good Hebrew comedian of quiet methods. are deservedly featured, but the large type could have lnclude<l Chas. Harris, who fs all over the show. Harris is a find aa a juvenile and a« versatile as be Is capable. Ho sings unusually well, dances, reads liuea and looks great. His singing specialty was one of the highlights and hts whistling solo very "Klelg." In the first flight behind Harris come Ada King, a personality girl with excellent plpe«, and Ella C()r- bett. an eye-soothing sweetie who doesn't have to punch the clock. EUa sings fairly well and dances so-so, but on appearance could get over If she'only sat in a chair. She is one of the prettiest and shape- liest redheads seen since Jesse Lasky cornered the market. In addition are Jack Spollman and James Hazzard, two useful hoofers and bit players. They turn In a tap dancing specialty which shrieked of years of cellar door practice and also figured in scenes playing at all times intelligently and helpfully. In "The Intiuest" one did a dance bit, and in the wrestling bit the other was the anemic opponent who falls down when fanned with a hat. This scene incidentally was the funnie.<?f In the show. Harper as the chal- lenger in a bout with George Ro- manoff, a real pro, made them roar with his comedy mat style. Another funny bit, whore both comics wowed them, was the ship scene. "The Inquest," with the chief (Harper) and cop (Leveno) trying to solve a murder, was an- other. The blue material hi^re wa.s pronounced, but not offensive. In the ship scene Levene stops traffic when ho appears with a boiled shirt worn upside down. Taking "Look Us Over" as a cri- terion, composed as it is of familiar but well selected comedy scenes, the bupleeque public prefers tliis typo of entertainment, spiced up, to the imitation musical comedies they have been fed for the past season. The same book i-_the hands of In- competent burlesiiue artlst<» would b« a sorrowful spectacle, but this bunch sure sell it. Ooru N'ov '2i. Chli'f ciimU?. . Snond comic ."^oulnet InK'^nuo t'rlma donna ciMr.iclcrs... Juvenile '. .n ■rlnTl llanl* Billy OUbert's second seu.son on the Mutual. Prior to swinging over to the newer wheel he hud been principal comic in Bini Williums' Columbia show. Gilbert carries the over-sized boob comic which he has employed for years Into his new venture and has surrounded him.seif with a capable support tiiat would be Ideally perfect if any of tlio femi- nine contingent pos.sossed siiij Ing voiceji. The weakest in tlie laiter division is Frances Valentine. aU though a sufllciently delectable r've fca.st which may balance ihiuira with Mutual audiences. .Miss Val- entino is there, too, with sh:ipeli- ness and also with some trick ward- robe that reveals plenty in a bur- lesque way, yet docs not threaten the dignity of the prima. In effect the costumes are of the teaser quality. (jilbert has more or less deviated from the regular Mutual formula in that he has routined one of tho cleanest bliowa on llie wheel. Very little, if any, double entendre stuff is employed in tho various comedy scenes, with the main motif of Gil- bert and his associates to click with legitiinate stuff or not at all. Further good judgment is also exercised in not soiling most of the numbers from the runways, but incorporating enough of these Intimate feai iro numbers to plant the "wlKi'ling" punch without overdoing it to the verge of monotony. Gilbert shoulders the burden, han<4 dling most of the comedy and get- ting his laughs through Icgiiiiiiato returns without resorting to either vulgar or slapstick method.s. Ho works hard throughout, ably assist- ed by Steve Mills, also doing eccen- tric and making a great foil for the larger and more rotund Gilbert. Although the comedy scenes are not particularly stronger than some of this troupe's predecessors on tho wheel, the novoral attempts «f origi- nality in treatment should be ap- plauded. The outsianders of the latter was a magaalne number led by two of the choristers. This one was a contest between "Wliisz Bang" and."La Parisienne" masa- aincs for nifty stories, with the lat- ter acted out in flashbacks by Gil- bert, Mills, Harris, B'rancis and the Misses Milford, Barron and Valen- tine. Most of them were hokily familiar, but drew laughs. K.spe- clally a skit wherein the je.alou3 husband supposedly traps his wife and lover. After shooting both ho finds he is In the wrong flat. A sparkling anvil effect at the finale of tho first p.'irt also went over for a smash. Most of the best comedy and num- bers were spotted In the lirst half< Tlie inferior follow-ups gave an iilea that both librettists and performers had become winded In the first half piice nn(^,*^vere resting tlir<>utrhout the remainder. Sue Milford provided snap throughout. She is the very essence of pep whether leading a runway grind or handling dialog. Belle Bar- ron is another fast worker of the pep grade and alternated ns number leader. Miss Valentine had several numbers and did moderately well vof-ally, but won many recalls upon her sheer personality end costume. A snappy chorus of 14 girl'i shap- ing up so-so on looks, but hard workers, comprised the ensenit)le. Tho girls pranced in and out of the 18 numbers and 14 costume chang«;s. Tho latter k)oked a mixture of old and new ones. . Gill)ert has a snappy sliow that should hit. He has also attempted to keep It as clean as po.s.sible. which may either work to advant.ige or disadvantage on this wheel. Bdoa. GRANGE'S EARNINGS (Continued fi-om page 1) father, a deputy alieriCC at Wheaton. 111., is seeking to have the contract voided by Pyle or the courts. Thanksgiving, in his first profes- sional game, playing with the Chi- cago Bears, Grange's agreement was a guarantee of $10,000 and 10 per cent of any amount over that. The game played to $60,000 gross, of which Grange received $16,000 for his share. Out of the $16,000, Pyle received $R,250. BRITISH TRIO (Continued ftx)m page 1) $1,000 apiece. Any amount above tho guarantee will be simifarljr split u^. Up to yesterday the arrangement had not been reduced to writing but had been agreed upon. R " said that tho trio will open «t the cabaret Christmns week. playingT" two shows on the floor nightly, after their theatre performance (<'h.ir- lot's Revue at the SclwynK Th|_ lloor shows will be at 12:3'^ ftna 2:30 a. m. On matinee days this will i;iv« th« RnKlIsh players four pcrfoi n.-">^cs. It is denied Miss La wren, e is un- der contract for next .soasiU to Charles Dillingham.