Variety (December 1925)

^is^^ : ■> —;-v. t,^* VARIETY Wednesday, DecembeAso, 192£^ NIGHT UF£ OF THE WORLD (Nineteenth article of Variety's series of Night Life in the large cities of the world. To be continued). WASHINGTON By HARDIE MEAKIN When Congress took it upon itself to take "our liquor" away the vari- ous "sets," constituting Washing- ton's going out factions, were some- what flabbergasted. The congress- men, themselves, yes. of loth houses, •eemed somewhat staggered, too. Evidently did not realize whatf It Was all about. For that matter they 4o not seem to have found out even yet! Everything within the capital's rather sharply drawn social lines wavered and then stopped—but only for a short while. Those of the diplomatic set, the "straight" so- ciety group, the staid government employes' circle, and the not-so- •taid government ofnctals' set all •eemed to have ceased functioning as far as parties were concern )<1. The Influence of Congress is natu- rally sharply felt In Washington, for are not the "eyes of the world," or better still, the "eyes of the con- stituency" upon us? At that par- ticular time the "eyes" were even more keenly focused to take careful note as to the manner in which those "who had done this thing' Reported themselves. Diplomats Handy Soon, however, things righted. The diplomatic crowd came to the rescue! They came like a regular bunch of fellows and here upon the foreign soil of the embassies and the respective dwelling places of the at- almost any big town appears to pick up. ' Chllds' on Pennsylvania Is a re- flecilon of the parties of the night. When they wind up they go there, and have for protection the four or fivo copa alwnys in front of the plao<' all night long. Besides the restau- rant itself gives its guests protec- tion through two sturdy bouncers, always on duty and bouncing often. One corner of the place draws the npw."<paper men after they have cleaned up for the day. There they sit in exclusive grandeur, but it's a secret with tliem, for most of the parties coming in Just barely know that It Is Washington. Of the night places or night clubs. Cafe La Paradls leads. It was opened by Meyer Uavls four years ago, and he is still running It, meanwhile having purchased the building it is in. Mr. Davis Is an orchestra con- ductor, having made his name a standard brand within a wide radius of Washington. He can take the credit for having the only cafe in the city that Ims survived, and also has opened, housed within the same walls, the Club Chanticler, even more exclusive. All liquor consumed at these affairs is claimed to be "diplomatic stuff," and they commence and end as they do most anywhere. First let there be drawn the wide contrast existing between what is admittedly the greatest capital ot them al. and the other national capitals of the world. Here the "woman" end of it is practically null and void as far as the streets tre concerned, but of ccurse, only on the streets. As for the regular and his lady— flrst and foremost in popularity is the Cafe Le Paradls. Operated sev- en nights a week the place is getting a great play. On Sunday when ► opera singer of Italy, and who was reported to have opened the flrst cafe in Pittsburgh, was the last to make a try with the L'Alglon. It broke the eccentric Bonglovanni and he left a string of debts here. In Variety of September 30 Bonglovan- nl's death Is reported from Pitts- burgh. Baltimore is a good subscriber for Washington's loose life, but Balti- more only sends Its quota over on Sundays. One good thing about that, according; to Baltlmoreans, is that "it keeps Washingtonlans away from Baltimore. Rather intricate, but you have to be here in the Cap- ital during a Congressional session to appreciate it. There are other cabarets and some good road houses, but not much do- ing of late, other than parties and Child's excepting that you engage a night hawk for the rest of the eve- ning to visit the dumps. Nothing exciting in that and few do it. A young couple earn pleasantly pass the early hours of the evening at Washington's newest and most magnificent hotel. The Mayflower. Here is atmosphere amidst beauti- ful surroundings, and the hotel's "Garden" for more enchantment. It is the largest hotel or supper room floor in Washington, with a ca- pacity of 300. The Hotel Arlington has a roof garden, popular with professionals. It is run by Sam Steinberger who keeps the cover charge down to 60c. Another roof is on top of the Pow- hatan, popular with tourists as searchlights, spotted on the roof, play upon the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. The lights are never forgotten by anyone see- ing them. A limited number of dance halls some operating spasmodically satis- fy the dance cravings of the younger and native element. Try and And a steamer place to go to at 2 a. m.—tr>! Rumor has it that Child's la soon to meet opposition with the open- ing of an all night place along the line of Reubln's in New York. Meyer Davis is reported to be about to launch this undertaking. In closing this "Journey" one other class of parties must not be over- looked. A class that has been rather quiet for the past several months. Reference is made to the newspaper accounts of the 'grand times" staged right in the very ofllces of the law- makers tliem-selves. principally In the House omce Building. Things got BO bad there at one time that the doors of the building were doubly guarded and it Is known that one member who really wanted to work, had his troubles In getting by. Nut much out of the ordinary? No. Suggestive of any other town of like size in the country? Yes. But still, as the Capital of these United States. Its Influence Is felt around the world. Its citizenry, made up In the main of small town products who have migrated here, plays to the best of its ability. Burlesque Carnival (COLUMBIA) Soobretta Kati>«r Lans Ingrnuv .Bernlc* Adair Prima UonnB loex d« Veriiler .stralKht iillly HarrU I'rlniliuil Ui-orice Munfred frtmlpal Walter BroAn i'rlnclpul Tommy Morella I'rini-lpal Tom Jonea Com«<1lan Boob McMantia i:omB>)lan Walter Brown Specialty Gaorsla Sunflowera EDNA JACK ■■ ^ NORTHLANE and WARD in "SCRAMBLED LEGS" A real vaudeville act built for laughing purposes only. Always working and usually Stopping the Show Kow playing Keith-Albee Circuit under the direction of MAX E. HAYES (Phil Offin, Associate) tacbes the "wonder" liquor parties •re staged. These parties somehow or other keep themselves within bounds as tar as the surface is concerned, probably because it's a cincii the Stuff is good and it Is & sure thing that no revenue agent Is snooping •round. These parties are never large In number, but the regularity With which they are staged makes Up for that, invitations and "con- nections" are much sought, and though Mr. Diplomat does his own picking he does it apparently with _» liberal hand—If you are "right." Parties within the homes and •partments of our own citizens are not held down, as in the case of the diplomatic affairs. Here they f last, and on not too rare occasions "pinches" are made on tho charge of running "disorderly houses," ths charge used by the local police when •rresting noise parties. There is no famous eating place In Washington, as in the olden days. About the most famous now Is Chllda', drawing the same kind of • mob which means of every de- scription, that an all night Cliilds' Baltimore Is shut tight a goodly portion of business is gathered in from this nearby city. Le Paradls is run by Meyer Davis, who has built up quite some reputation with his band of music not only locally, but throughout the entire country. Costing somewhere in the vicinity of $250,000 »lie decorating was don<» by Wm. Lawrence Bottomley. who did the Club Royal. Montmartre and mai.y others In New York. It Is ilic flri-;t cafe to :»urvive In Washin.^fton and now, in It- fourth year its proflt has enabled Davis to purchase the build-r.g which houred it and al-M- open within these same walls hit Club Chanticler. Others that went before, but which have fallen by the wayside, incnide the Cafe Republic, where the Hotel Washington now stands: Cafe St. Marks, a converted church which stuck It out for a little over a year and then, more recently, the L'Alglon. The last named place has flopped under three different man- figenients with disastrous results in ft.ach Instance. The place now stands vacant awaiting the next one. Frank Bonglovnnnl, former grand Orpheum's Cancellation Reversed; Play or Pay An' effort on the part of Menio Moore, ofllciai Orpheum producer, to abrogate the contract of Miller and Cnpman has resulted in a de- cision from the Vaudeville Man- ager's Protective Association In fav- or of the act. Instructing Moore to play or pay it .'or 20 weeks at $250 weekly. Miller and Capman opened with the Doc Baker turn, now touring the Orpheum Circuit. They were withdrawn by Moore and offered a .settlement to terminate their con- tract. Tho act held a "pay or play" contract for 20 weeks. Bob Travers' "Burlesque Carni- val'' is a real bu^esque show and one that ordinarily would get the money on any circuit. Comedy is the hi^h light, in the capable hands of Walter Brown, featured Dutch comic, and Boob McManus, co-fea- tured tramp. In addition the cast includes one of the best and most versatile prima donnas in burlesque In Inez Ue Ver- Jier. Miss de Verdier is a tail, .statuesque blonde in regular clothes. When leading numbers or handling; comedy she does equally well. Her character work as the old hag In a modern version of "The Ghost in the Pawnshop" was a revelation. In a Florodora sextet number she and Brown staged one of the comedy wows through their impri>mptu wrestling bout, when Brown tries to carry her. She handles an old- fashioned gown and bustle In this number like nobody's business. The cast Includes the Pacific h'our, a fair quartet with a reper- toire that could stand modernizing. When not yo^eling the boys do well playing bits. One of the clickiest o( the specialties was the wop doublc song of "Delawalacawan." contain- ing numerous encore verses. An- other was the Jazz band and danc- ing of the Georgia Sunflowers, a colored group. In this scene Billy Dunn scored solidly with his Jazz and eccentric dancing and then stepped into "one" for a funny Imi- tation of a colored man cranking a recalcitrant flivver. Boob McManus' specialty. In which he recites "Hunk a Tin," a parody on "Gunga Din," was fol- lowed by a funny bit In which Mc- .Manus and Billy Harris get a lot out of the old "imagination" bit by "hanging Its locale to a modem speakeasy. Brown and Miss de Verdler have a funny crossfire bit In "one." In which "Push the cork In" Is worked up for a wow. In this bit her straight work was superb and equal to anything seen from the male straights on the wheel. Brown was consistently funny as the Dutch sap and handled his lines like an old- fashioned hack driver. He has as much unction as a Supreme Court Judge and deserves his feature bill- ing, as does his side-kicker. Mc- Manus. The show hasn't a dull moment, and is blessed with a good-looking, hard-working chorus. Although the production is not the high light and doesn't need to be In a show that Is purveying as much entertainment as this one. it Is up to the wheel's average this season. The flrst act flnale. with every- body doing the "Charleston." is worthy of comment. The girls open the scene In old-fashioned Mother Hubbards, but shed them and are down to brassieres and trunks for the hot dance. They are backed by the Jazz musicians. The grouping made for a strong closer. All of the principal people are ca- pable. Harris plays intelligently at all times, and Esther Lang and Ber- nlce Adair lead numbers and read their lines likcably all through. In addition, both girls look well. A lighting "effect" was the open- ing scene labeled "The Sturm." L was the only attempt at an effect, and reflected Travers' excellent .iudgment in getting back to real burlesque, minus the drapes nnd ilrops that have become meaninpr- !ess unless b.acked by a competent cast with a comedy book that In- .■ludes some punches. "Burlesque Carnival" will com- pare with any of the remaining real burlesques on the Columbia. The investment Is mostly in entertnln- ment. Con. 1st 2-Week Contract Will Mahoney has been booked for two weeks at the Palace, New York, opening this week (Dec. 28). The booking marks the flrst time an act has been given contracts for two weeks In advance at the Palace. Others have been held over. Ralph Famum arranged the book- ing. ANOTHEB OLD FIDDLER Portland, Me., Dec. 28. Mellie Dunham's challenger for the flddlln' championship here- abouts has also been signed for vaudeville. He is John Grant, of Long Island, Casco Bay. He has been given a week's engagement by William E. Reeves, manager of the Strand here. Dunham hasn't answered his chal- lenge yet, but that is the publicity point of the engagement. Six o!d- faRhloncd dancers will also be used in the act. BURLESQUE ROUTES COLUMBIA CIRCUIT Week Jan. 3 Bathing Beauties — Gayety. 8t. Louis. Best Show in Town—Casino. Phil- adelphia. Brinaino Up Father — 4-6 Lyric. Dayton. Burlesque Carnival — Orpheum. Paterson. Chuckles—4 Geneva; 6 Auburn; 6 Blngh.initon; 7-9 Colonial, LTlioa. Fashion Parade — Gayety. Pitts- burgh. Flappers of 1925—4 New London; 6 Stamford: 6 Meridcn; 7-9 Lyric. Bridgeport. Follies of Day—4-8 Van Curler. Schenectady; 7-9 Capitol, Albany. Golden Crook—4-6 Wheeling, W. Va.; 6 Zanesville. O.; 7-9 Canton, O. Happy Hooligan—L. O. , (Continued on page 191) GIGGLES (MUTUAL)' Eccentrte oomaUiiui Law Kally Comedienne >jadle Uar.ica i'rima doniia M.hired Slmra.ns Suubi'ttt l(eno« rj«mara« tltbi«w comrUlan Urrt Mark* Stralsht L««r Harrla Cbaractara Ike Wailmaa Added attraction Yaiu« This one Is the champ of hok» shows It goes the limit also in double entendre with Sadie Binka and Bert Marks the chief offenders. Most of the material is famili.ir, but in manipulation it looked as though all were going the limit with it. The comedy scenes are equally fa- miliar und rate about 5U-50 with the "Oh, Doctor" bit In the first part and the Russian bit in tne >cc- ond stanza, about the only sianj. outs of the comedy department. Both were handled by Marks, Banks and Harris. Lew .Kelly sallied in and out of the production with his lino of hop- hc<ad chatter, incorporating the sums gags he has been springing for years, but making the customers like them through expert manipu. lation. Joe Levitt, who holds the bag for this one, is also credited as author of the comedy scenes, as well aa having supervised the staging. The production stands up in comparison with tho other wheel shows, al- though the costuming Is superior to many of the other Mutual shows caught by this reviewer. The comedy burden is split tftre* ways. Bert Marks handles Hebrew comedy well, working tirelessly in Ave or six scenes, handling his stuff with a gusto that makes it ideal for the slow stuff by Kelly. Sadie Banka is on often, working in tlie comedy scenes or sending across specialties. The latter include the taude act Miss Banks had been doing whit* out of burlesque. Mildred Simmons, • stately blonde, Alls the bill as prima donna, though registering heavier on looka than on vocal attainment. Rene* Demarse, brunet soubret. Is the sex appeaiy dish of the show, gcttlnc over on legitimate merits, rather than wicked wiggling, which looks like a new Idea for this wheel. Gladys Gilbert led two hot numbers and when not leading worked In tb« chorus. The chorus held some good k>ok- ers. and all steppe^. Few were up to standard In the runway wiggling grinds, but got the encores Just ths same. "Giggles" makes Its main bid through its rough comedy and speedlness. It's a fast show through- out with something doing all ths time and should hit with the Mutual' customers all around. Edba. McCloy's 16th Year ' Fred McCloy, manager of the Co- lumbia, New York, is celebrating his I6th anniversary as mauacef of the house this week (Dec. 28). The Columbia opened Jan. 3, 1910, with McCloy offlciaUy Installed as manager one week before the doors opened. TAPPED FOR $5,000 St. Louis. Dec. 28.' St. Louis' erstwhile active the« atre bandits came back Into ths limelight last week after nearly • month of idleness. Six men held up the-Llbcrty Musld Hail and escaped with $5,000 cash. : aRFHEUM BOOKS TED LEWIS' BAND How Booking Offices Cad Forget at Will Ted Lewis and Band have been routed by the Orpheum Circuit open- ing Feb. 7. Lewis and his unit doubled the Strand, New York, and Parody Club last week, ^ewis re- ceiving $4,500 for the engagement at the picture houso where he ap- peared four times dally. The Lewis engagement at ths Strand is said to have cut into ths Palace. New York, gross to soms extent. Several weeks ago the Or- pheum Circuit took umbrage with Al Herman for playing a picture house in SI. Louis and ordered his name removed from the "acts avail- able" list. Following the Orpheum* cancella- tion the eastern Keith houses play«»d Herman and last week ho appeared at the Hippodrome, New York, sub- stituting for Hnrry Carroll on Sun- day, when Carroll was removed from the bill for opening at tlie Twins Oaks Cafe Saturday.