Variety (January 1926)

14 VARIETY VAUDEVILLE REVIEWS Wednesday, January 13, 1928 PALACE One of those real good vaudeville ihowa contiiininK the warp and woof and Wow and lioof and all Iho othiT e»istnllals that uso-d to distinguish bitj time vaudevilli- from the 67 va- ri»'ties which its uhortcomlngs have been responsible for. The Palace layout held every- thing-, with comedy and variety prc- flotmnating. The iwfl nanios prosont were Sidnpy btlackmer (New Acta) tn a Tom Harry sketch Liuit cui.scd the first half and could have opened the show for all It meant, and Grace Idoore (New Acts) second after iii- ternUssion, with songs and Joe Daly at the piano. Tlie bill could stand a nfty split on entertainment from the names and got it. Miss Moore delivering^ her 50 percent and probably break- ing all house records as a roci|)ienl of floral offerings. At the conclu- Blon of her turn all of the house at- taches except the porter formed a iBucket brigade In an aisle and handed up 14 floral tributes, rang- ing from mammoth concoctions to modest bou(iuet8. Just for that Miss Moore encored with "All Alone." She alrfo had another Irving Berlin number In her repertoire, programed as her second number, but was used No. 4. (Somebody is reading the tabloids.) The bill was scrambled plenty after the matinee, the switches be- ing Chapelle and Charlton from open- ing to third; Bryson and Jones from deuce to opening after intermission; Count Bernl Vici and Co. from trey to closing, and Hal Neiman from opening after Intermission to deuce. GenerCl Pisano, scheduled to close the show, opened at night, and at the matinee on his own request to protect the ballad sung by Char- lotte Cochran his pretty brunet as- sistant The General used good Judgment. His act was a thorough- ly enjoyable opener. A novelty Is his playing a melody on a patent xylophone with bullets. The Gen- oral was In rare form. He didn't miss any of his ..rick shots. Count Berni Vlcl took the slap when the switches were laid out. The Count was forced to close the nine-act bill, getting on the stage at 10.45. He held them flnely for about 15 minutes and if he could have cut in the middle of the act to his novelty scenic sight-seeing « bus finish, he would have been an Ideal closer. However, it was Im- possible for him to vary the routine on account of the necessity for set- ting the closing number. Bernl Vici has a girl band and three specialty people. A new touch was a bur- lesque opera, "Samson and Delilah," the travesty performed up on the balcony with incidental musical ef- fects a la the late Tom McNaugh- ton's "Three Trees." The Berni Vici turn Is a corking flash novelty for the picture houses. The girls are fair musicians, and the act has an ambitious production. Bernl Vici should cultivate a prop accent for the yokels. Until he does they will not believe his royal bil- ling. His perfect Broadway accent (The subtlety of "i'ostal" wIU pene- iruti' all of the tab readers.) Bryson and Jones, two hard- working colored boys with smooth dancing, opened after intermission md did very nicely In the spot. Miss Moore followed to a heavy re- cei)tion, and Smith and Dale, with their new act by Ka)nier and Buby now hitting on all cigJit, proving the comedy hit of the bill. The bur- lcs(iuo oinTa finish an<l tho acro- batic quartet numbers are now down to the meat and as euro lire aa .he former schoolroom and restaurant turns. Business healthy all over the house. Coa. HIPPODROME The metropolitan debut of "Mellle" Dunham, backwoods fiddling champ and protege of Henry Ford, was the big-intorest draw at the Hip Mon- day night. "Mellie's" connection with Ford and the reams of pub- licity given him had Its effect as an interest creator In the appearance of the veteran musician. As a "freak" attrhction and from a novelty view- point the turn clicks. (New Acts.) The campaign which the Keith circuit planted to signalize "Mel- lie's" debut would make one sus- pect that It was angling for the crown of the late Willie Hammer- stein, who, if alive and had been operating the old Victoria, long since sacrificed to filcker drama, would have grabbed "Mellle" first and then loaned him to Ford. That's tho kind of a smart showman Willie Ham- merstein was. Anything from a fe- male duo of sharpshooters to a ref- ugee from the sultan's harem in Turkey could grab a week or two at Willie's corner while interest In their escapades <eas at its height. And when harem escapes were not as frequent as Willie thought they should be, he could step out and grab a cootch dancer In the "honkey tonks" and sell her at the same price as the imported wlgglers. Perhap.s Keith's Is beginning to realize that Willie wao a showman and Is attempting to follow his act. Previously the Hip has grabbed the representatives of seashore beauty contests and may even grab Evelyn Nesbit Thaw when she has com- pletely recovered from her latest sui- cidal attempt. This Is not exactly show business or vaudeville, but It all helps to fill the big house, which must be filled regardless, though it ^eldom is. ^ Although the trumpet and fanfare were focused upon "Mellle" Dunham a few regular acts, and good ones, too, managed to get on the bill, also, via., Irene Franklin, Long TacH Sam Ing four new onoa and two former favorltea- Tho latter was in response to requests. Jerry Jarnlgan, still wreathed in tho bridegroom's grin, presided at tho music boo. Miss Franklin Introductorled with "Dim- ples," which set ner pretty, followed with "That Drug Store Cowboy of Mine." which had 'em rocking with laughter, and lost no time in send- ing over the count wallop with a better one, "I Wanted a Cavo Man." After this one Irene galloped off for a changq, leaving Jerry to contribute his Idea of L<lcst'n rendition of "What'll I Dor* Miss Franklin re- turns for another comedy number, which concluded her regular routine, but was recalled for "Help! Help! Help!" and "Red Head." From all locations a panic. "Mellle" next, and was the re- cipient of a rousing reception and a hand just as good at the finish. The Hippodromers liked him, with the human-Interest angle taking prece- dence undoubtedly. Bert Liahr and Mercedes hold down next to shut with rollicking chatter and clowning, helped lots by Lahr's eccentric delivery and mugging. This couple, recruited from burlesque a couple of years ago, are set as strong next-to-closlns comedy turn for anywhere. "The Dlaappeaxlng Ballet," held over from laat woelc. closed the nhow. JSdbo. Carroll Sunday Show Tho night club atmosphere, min- gling damos and dancing on the stage during Intormtaslon which has been a prime factor in establishing "Vanities" on week nights obtains also for these Sunday night sessions at the Earl CSarrolI theatre. Last Sunday night's show was a combination of ensemble numbers from tho week day tenant, special- ties by some of the show's principals and several outside acts to fill. Neither Joo Cook or SYank Tln- ney, co-featured with Julius Tannen in "Vanities," showed at this ses- sion. It is reported that Cook's ar- rangement oxcuses him from par- ticipation tn tho Sunday night shows. Tinnoy api>oars every other wook. Theso eoDCort^ have struck a great stride, and if they can main- tain current pace sliould do nobly in swelling tho weekly intake. This session had them hanging over the rail five deep and liking it. Tho show was well routined and sufl3clentl7 diverting to make It a good Sunday buy at $2.76 top, exact- ly half the tariff they hick you for thing else for the boy scouts to think about J.'<i6a. RIVERSIDE Eight acts here this week with the Wilton Sisters, programed out of the running Monday night. How- ever, the deletion of tlie Wiltons didn't upset the layout. Wit^i Whit- ing and Burt, and Bert and Betty Wheeler following each other In that order after intermission, the layout passed in review Just that way. Why these mixed teams were per- mitted to trail each other isn't cl«ir. It certainly didn't help the show, and tho flrst half could have handily used either pair. To put them on successively hints at carelea i:css in layout, Inasmuch as Whiting and Burt's encoro now Is consumed by Mi.ss Burt Insisting on tolllns stories, the Identical idea the Wheel- ers have been using. It was only the merit of the latter pair which smoothed over a flagrant booking lapse. At that tho house looks to be on an admission diet. Business was great, from an opposition theatre's view- point. At 8:20 the adjoining Itlvlera, with "Kosher Kitty Kelly," had a solid line on the sidewalk, but not so with tho Riverside. T'he last 13 rows downstairs all t">e way across resembled a yawning chusm, while the sides were weak furthsr down. In toto, less than half cap.acity downstairs, but fair in the balcony, and with the Monday night "paper," too. Joo Jackson, No. S, woke 'em up early, although the backstage crew let down the "drop" on him before he was through -and after that the comedian never even bothered to tako a bow. Previously, Kate and Wiley did nicely by means of their "perch" acrobatics in opening, after wlilch Stewart and Oliver danced to fair approval, despite the reference to an Imitation of Eddio Leonard. Thence, Jackson, followed by Mary Hayncs (New Acts) with Charles Ruggles next In his comedy sketch. The latter took eome time to get under way, but Ruggles kept plug- ging until he was across, and through his personal effort bowed out neatly if not thunderously. Opening intermission were Whit- ing and Burt who lingered for 28 the theme. It was a great plug. I ut wasted on a long since anti'iu.ued number and would have meaiii more with a current i>o|> sontr. Harvard, Winifred and lUuce, neat aerialists on flying rings and tape, are openers for anybody'.s the- atre. They work (luleliy and witli a disnity not becoming to ev>ry •"dumb" act. but very effective for this mixed trio. Clifford and JBalley, colored niulo team, were the lirat of a serica of show stoppers. They showed a nt w Idea In "teaser" encore music by switching the bow music al'Ur a couple of bends to a. CharUstdn tempo. This revived interest with the expectation of a colored Charles- ton, but although accepting the re- call the offering was something else again and the send-off accordingly tepid. Zelda Santley is a suro-flre pop- houso songstress. She does "im- pressions," more or less familiar and m. or 1. faithful, but consistently pleasing. When she got down to a rag ballad, with realistic delivery, she tied It up for real and did "I Miss My Swiss," including a novelty chorus in German. This again forced a recall. Pease and Nelson, unlike tho average songwriting team, evidence flrst thought to their vaudeville and the plugging ^ag only as an Inci- dental. Their stuff Is hokey but im- pressive, and lends tho Impression tho boys were tongueing their cheeks when they framed the busi- ness with the idea of getting to the yokels. Some of it is retilly crude, especially that sign post insert with the "right road" and "wrong road" signboards and the business of the mother pleading with "Son of a Millionaire," the up-to-date plug offering and a blah entry. Inciden- tally, after their sure-flre "I'eggy O'Nell," "Ten Little Fingers" and other past big hits. D'Amore Co. and the Specht sym- phonic jazzists closed in order named. Abel. AMERICAN ROOF Monday night on th6 roof attend- ance looked considerably improved over the average for the elevator ,, . . house. That applied for the lower minutes and provided more than floor, the balcony being visibly weak, average entertxlnment during that] The show was satisfactory, run- on other nlghu for "Variities." The Troupe, Ann Codee. and others. The 1**1^'* *?«'• may have somethmg Ilne-up was spotted In a manher I *" ^^ ''"'* *»'« business here -"-' that bunched the recti wallops of the bill In the second half. Meehan's Canines opened. It's a corking good animal act, featuring leaping hounds, and finished to good returns. 6alla-Rlnl and Sisters, on next, scored heavily, as usual, with their Instrumental offerings, and giving the brother ample opportu- nity to display versatility as a mu- sician by having the latter play a U the tip off to the peasants thai n«m^^r «' Instruments In the clos- be Is one of the Bernl Vlcl brothers. '"^ number. The act Is there, both from '- -"^— f Another sufferer from the mlx-up Was Hal Neiman, who could have held down any spot on the bill. Nol- tnan Is showing something new In Vaudeville monologs. At least It's new to the present generation. Nel- m.in does a nanco tramp and has material. His talk Is fast his sense of travesty broad and his opening song a pip. He can also handle comedy hoofing. The latter portion might be elaborated. With one of those extra versed comedy closing Bongs Neiman will be set for what la left of the big time for all the time or else. He's a natural. Chapelle and Carlton may have dropped Into the third spot acci- dentally, but they held It like a vise. The act has a closing trick which alone will insure it as a spot holder on the best of tho bills. It's a hand to floor roll and lift up a pair of stairs, the man understander lying prone and lifting the girl. He mounts each step by making a body roll. Tho turn received unusual ap- plause for a dumb act In the early spot. Jack McLallan, fourth, scored one of the comedy hits of the bill. Mc- Lallen, who once upon a time did a roller skating two-act. Is fast ap- proaching the stage where the skates are about as necessary as Will Rogers' horse. McU-illcn and Barah have added a company, the Co. being a dancing xylophonlst who wears boob attire and Is used for a wow finlsli. McLallen kids him for laughs, also u.sing him in a clos- ing number In which ho plays the xylo, McLallen the sax and Sarah the banjo. Sarah is being pased back stage more than ever ari<l Is also showing three neat changes of wardrobe. Musical comedy will soon be cooing to the ex-roller at the rate he's going. They slobbered over him here. Blackmer closed the flrst half In "A Modern Garrick," walking on to no reception. The absent Berlins, now on the high sea.<f, were reapon.si- ble for a kind applause flnish when Blackmer and the girl bade an Irate parent adlos with "We're going to subway to City Hall. We'll s«»nd roa a postal from Atlantic City." an entertainment and class angle- The I.,ong Tack Sam Troupe, num- bering 10, also flanked by the Foster Ballet, for an atmospherical intro- ductory, went over for a bang in the trey, with a combination of magic, plate spinning and remarkably clever acrobatics. Long Tack Sam had one of the flrat Chinese novelty troupes rotating In vaudeville, and Is still ahead of those since import- ed. The act Is sold with lightning speed, and pleases from beginning to end. Ann Codee, assisted by Prank Orth, unbilled, got the first whack at comedy thus far in the follow-up. Ann seemed more set in her sttiff than when previously caught by this reviewer, and con.sequently went after them and landed for one of the hits of this show. Her mauling and manhandling of the undersized Orth brought the loudest yells and sent both off to good returns. Prince 1^*1 Lanl's 18 South 8ea Islnnder.i. featuring the Prince, con- sidered premier tenor of Hawaii, furnished a colorful South Sea Isle flavor In the closer of the flrst half and also scored heavily on Its nov- elty. This act wa.q reviewed at lensrth last season, when It appeared at this house as the Royal Samoans The routine Is practically the same. with th'» '' roe ensembles standing out. These are the Coronation Dincp. Wnrrlor Dance and Drill Dance. Tho act Is bMiitlfully mounted and c.trrles several elec- trical efTects th.it makes It an ac- centable feature for any blg-tlme bill. Moran and Wiser, hat manlpu- Intor><. on after Intermls.'^Ion, r^'sunio tho comedy on.slaught. with aid of Frank Orth and tho Foster Girls. Tho real yells were --rovoked by the comic of the duo In hia toas-out stuff with the aiilienee and fonllntr moat on the knack of manlpulntltjg the h.'ita na boomerangs. Th" Intl- macv nr-'Ie was enjoyed Immensely by tho ouffrontera, who were as boNteroua as poK«illile In sending the bova awv nf the flnish. Miss Franklin, arrrcdlt^d head- liner, followed, and not only stoI»> the show hut stopped It as well with an all-click battery of sonffs, includ- The dame stuff ^rtalnly has at these Sunday nights as well as other nights. Julius Tannen is on deck as usual as tho enunclator with an abun- dance of wise cracks and quips em- ployed In prosonting each turn or number. Three Romas opened and clicked with their oqulllbrlstlc feats on giant ladders, followed by Charlie Calvert, borrowed from Murphy's Cellar, whoso uko songs and eccen- tric danclnK unleashed tne comedy early and sot things pretty tor me follow ups. Jeanetto Qllmore, from "Vanities," uncorked a zippy acro- batic, givlnjr way to M. de Jari and Harold Tates in a harmony duo, utilizing nambera from "Vanities," with do Jari mopping up with bis war sons, "Yvonne." Bort Gordon and Vera Kingston, breaking their Jump from the Keith circuit to Pantages, proved a com- edy knockout in the follow up In a revised edlUon of "The Singing Les- son," which Gordon has done with his brother Harry ano other part- ners. Tho outsiders ware given a rousing reception and a deservedly good hand at the getaway. Van Lows, tenor, and Madelyn KlUeen, flanked by tho "Vanities" chorus, offered tho "Kiss in the Moonlight" one of their numbers In the show. This brought on the beauts In bathing costumes, pro- viding the flrst girly flash on the program and naturally went over big. Another oorking male two-act held follow-up assignment. Leave the tipping to the boy scouts of tho Keith Circuit If these scouts don't know their own acts when hiring out elsewhere, how can they be sup- posed to know anything about the new acts? The Silhouette number from "Vanities," led by Van Lowe and Frances Norton and employing the glrly ensemble in fleshings, closed the first half. The second half )ield several other ensembles from "Vanities," Special- ties by Miss Kllleen, Dale and Mar- tin and Miller and I.,yle, all of whi< h added to the merriment, not forget- ting Tann<;n'8 Incessant flow of wit and more mingling and dancing with the girls after the show, which held in some of tho visiting liremen. if this session Is a fair sample of what Carroll Is giving them Kuntlay nights the concerts are set. Earl Is giving them a regular show despite opposition handicaps on the vaude- ville end through close proximity to the Palace and Columbl.a. But Earl is getting acts and real ones, nevertheless, which may bo some- time. Somewhat change.1 around since on the coast, the act routined smoothly over a pavement laid out by this couple that has pop numbers ca/rying a legitimate atmosphere under their treatment. Accompanied by an orchestra leader In the rlt and Virginia Mae, specialty dancer, the action is continuous and the turn should serve for some time. This veteran couple might toss each other a bow upon concluding, not that It means anything on tho In- side, but It looks good to the outside. The Wheelers were forced to fol- low, so Bert flopped Into the trough without delay and went to work. New wrinkles and quips plentifully amused the gathering, which do- nated a reception upon the flash of the name cards. Miss Wheeler is splendidly gowned, while the com- edy of Bert Is as sure-flre as ever. Tho Wheelers trailed the Whitings' 28 minutes by doing 27, and closing to applause from.all corners. Weir's Elephants closed. BMg. STATE Right smart bargain-priced vaude- ville at the State this week. Plenty of variety with a class wow finish in Paul Specht's crack recording orchestra (New Acts). Here's a turn that was vetoed by straight vaude- ville on the questionable excuse that Specht's doubling into a night place, the Moulin Rouge cafe, was against their policy. (Incidentally, while on the "doubling" proposition, Roger Wolfe Kahn, who also alter- nates with the Hotel Blitmote, docs not seem to be among those to whom the rule applies, according to Keith ofllce proffers). The Specht act Is an all-round proposition, okey for vaudeville, picture houses or production, particular the film theatres, and of course all set in a night club for straightaway dance stuff. Second tn the lineup were Frank- lyn D'Am9re and Co., a former big time standard, that Is clicking big In the pop houses. This, too, is a uni- versal offering, sure fire on any "time." Harry Pease and Ed G. Nelson, with a female assistant, are popular songwriters with an imposing ariay of past hits to their credit, but han- dicapped by nasal tenoring that seemed to click for all its reminis- cense of tho backroom variety of vocalization. I'ejisc sings In con- tra-tenfir and does not hel[> himself through his Hoft-bf>>«(>med shirt front when a stan'hcd shirt and !i winged collar would hel|) both sartorially to good i>iirpose. A. Joseph Jordan and his State orchestr.a had some 11 minutes to theni.selves will) "A Trip Acro.^s the .Sea," which utilized Berlin's "What'll I Do?" na the musical theme tor natlonnlistic Impressions rangin;; from Castllllan to Hibernian and back to Hoboken's Teutonic sem- blance. Berlin was rting in on the slides as a timely proposition with tho announcement that he waH a passenger on the same bout, benco nlng seven acts the first half. Ono act was dropped, as at the State last week, because of the long feature, "A KLss for Cinderella," 10 reelcr. Frank Farron easily copped tho honors, next to closing. He played for the women patrons and had them laughing with him from the start with a ditty on rolling *em down. Curiously, Farron's Irish dialect is the weakest spot In his monolog. Ho Is far better with Dutch. Farron's audience bit on wives and hus- bands turned Into a wow on tho roof. He was on 16 minutes and could have remained longer, but said he had told all the stories he knew. The flash turn was that of Vlo Quinn, appearing on the boards in- termittently. She is supported by Palmer Young, Harry Quinn and tho Sunnybrook Orchestra of six pieces. Funny thing about the band, when the pianist took a bow or two after numbers. There was no need for that. It Is probably Young who han- dled the song numbers, his contribu- tions. In fact, being more extended than Miss Quinn's. One of Young's numbers was a tough lyric that brought In mention of such a nico little object aa the electric chair. The song was Introductory to Miss Quinn's Bowery dance with Harry Quinn. She looked well In black velvet at the opening and a similar but more elaborate white soubret rig at the flnish, which was a mixed Charleston. Hanson and the Burton Sisters closed excellently. Hanson's favor- ite stunts nre cabinet tricks, and tho girls came In handy for that. They are a good-looking duo, by the way. The watch and canary trick was worked best of all Hanson's magic There is a good finale, quite be- flagged, and the answer Is that tho act ran 16 minutes without losing one customer. Mar- Duncan and Co. (New Acts) opened Intermission very well- De- verc and O'Connor (New Acts) were third. Walsh, Daley and W.ilsh made No: 2 grade easily. It Is a song turn that runs smoothly. Tho trio Is using published numbers In tho main. A jazz operatic finale stands ..t as formerly, winning tho best returns. Alvln and Kenny opened. They are using the ''{ials comedy ring finish, and they won laughs with other familiar stuff. I'bee. BIRTHS Mr. and Mrs. Tad Tieman. at tho Unlver.'ilty hospital, 432 South I,In- coln street, Chicago. Jan. 6. son. Tho father Is of Tad Tieman and Mis Tunesmitha. Mr. and Mrs. Al Beilin, daughter, Jan. 7, at .^t. I-uke's IIosi ital. Cbl- capo. The father la Chicago man- ager for Irving Berlin. NEW ACTS Jay Kay and Co. (5), musical tab. Fritzl I.,eyton, single again. George Cooper and Knimetl An- thony, colored, 2-act.