Variety (March 1926)

Wednesday, March 10, 192« VAUDEVILLE REVIEWS VARIETY IS WARDMAN PARK HOTEL OR- CHESTRA (12) 93 Mint.; Full Stag. (Special) Keith's, Washington, D. C. (V.) If thia were meant for local con- niption 0 nly the offering could be indexed as okay and let It go at that. But as It Is going out Into the highways and rywaya of the few remaining weeks of straignt vaudeville there la much that had to be adjusted during the week here prior to the showing before an au- dience not made up of home-town folks. Another phase making It unfair to do any whitewashing from the local angle is the musicianship of Moe Baer, the hand's director. Baer Is an able musician and It la perfectly clear that h" has worked like a Troian with his boys, but still they do not get over the holes as they should. The trouble apparent- ly is traceable to the numerous se- ated and the staging. Opening with an Oriental number on a darkened stage, the orchestra had the house in the palm of their hands—only to lose them before the number was completed. This due to the arrangement which worked up to a forte and remaining there with the brass predominating. It killed all of the effectiveness of the opening. Things were pulled back with the next number, but when It la nec- essary to build from the hottom again It makes the going pretty hard. With the advent of Dorothy Daye a steady level was reached. This little artist, though still a home product, should create much Inter- est when the act hlta the big town. She is dainty, pretty of face and form, and a graceful dancer. Mulroe and Keuhllng. "The Danc- ing Fool's helped things along, as did Lew Berman's vocal solo, with the final being cinched with a Charleston in which a little colored youngster, used previously to change the announcement cards, Joined with Miss Daye and the two boys. All the boys need Is direction from an old atager to get the right finish to receive what is coming to them on their work, plus a rearrangement In the numbers. They will then click, doing credit to Harry Ward- man and his suburban hotel here. ifeakin. EUGENE DU BOIS Violinist 6 Mins.; Full Stage Rivoli (Pictures) Eugene Du Bois was formerly the eoncertmaster of the orchestra at the Metropolitan Opera House, and for a time appeared In concert work. At the Rivoli this week he Is of- fering two numbers, Saint-Saens' "The Deluge." and Kreisler's "Lie- beefreud." both extremely well played. The violiniste carries a piano-accompanist, and for a class offering for the picture houses of the better calibre he fills the re- quirements perfectly. It is rather hard to Judge what his value would be as it vaudeville act with a straight classical program. Doing but six minutes aa he does In the picture houses, he was more than acceptable, and his playing brought hearty applause at the conclusion of both of his numbers. Fred. PALACE THE TWO HARLEQUINS Hand to Hand 9 Mins.; One Palace (St. Vaude) Two hand-to-hand contortionists In a new and novel routine of hand- to-hand tricks performed upon a black velvGt-covered pedestal. The act is unusual In that most of the tlon 8tander WorkInar from a dis,oca - Sevoral look dangerous and have a thrill all their own. Both are equally proficient in top mounting and alternate. A routine of contor- tion hand stands is included by one and another is a hand-to-hand lift from a split. An unusual act of Its type and one that will hold attention on cither end of any bill, or down In •the body of the intermediates. They were second here. Con. WINNIE and DOLLY Acrobatice 12 Mine.: Full American Roof (Vaude'Picts) A mixed duo offering a. fast routine of gymnastics on rings and ■J Man offers somo excellent "ftl'ig and balancing feats on the f'nes later giving way to his part- ner tor s„mo nifty bar feats and |J>tn rejoining for somo thrillers at »• finish. Good closer for the mediums. Fifty-six bills like the one at the Palace, New York, this week and the vaudeville magnates could stop worrying about what thoy are go- ing to do when the remaining eight big-time weeks .shrink to four or less. No pictures are necessary to bolster up this week's line-up. Every act panicked the-m. Probably the secret, aside from the general ex- cellence of all of the turns, was the spotting of Allen and Canfleld (New Acts) Xo. 'i. This placed a natural next - to-closing turn up where It gave the first comedy punch to the bill and softened it up for every succeeding act. The act holds the cleverest By and nut comedienne In Doris Canfleld seen around since they allowed more than one how. She's a natural comic, and despite being booked to a long term Keith contract, for marbU s, Will gladden the hearts of many of the neigh- bor's children at $a.50 a copy before the busses replace the trolleys. Carl Hyson and Peggy Harris (New Acts), dancers from the Club Lido, followed. Miss Harris, a beautiful blond girl, is an all right partner for Hyson. The Eddie Davis and Harry Axst orchestra, also from the club, provided the musical prompting. Yorke and King, next, took one of the comedy hits of the bill and sea- son. This pair are being talked about as candidates for the upper stratum, and rightly. Hose King is the American Beatrice Lillic. Delightfully foiled by Chic Yorke from their old tin type opening they encored in a nonsensical rube quur- tet bit, first done at the Hippo- drome, which is a pip. Smith and Strong, the opening sinking turn, double into the quartet as yokels. One of them convulses the audience every time he recognizes an imag- inary friend in the house. The other recites hokum poetry, all three con- tinually Interrupting Yorke's attempt at announcements. The turn did 23 minutes of solid enjoyable funnery and could have stretched it without half trying. Blossom Seeley and Benny Fields followed all of the singing and joined The Big Parade of hits. Blos- som made the women gasp and the men gape with her wardrobe, the colors of which were audibly com- mented upon. Fields was his usual debonair smooth self, and Chas. Bourne and Phil Ellis handled the boxes. The song routine remains about the same as the act shown around recently and is one of the happiest frame-ups this pair have ever had. They also ran to speech, closing the iirst half. After Intermission Duel De Ker- ekjarto delighted the lovers of clas- sical music with his violining, as- sisted by Maurice Kisner at the piano. This musician has carved out a permanent vaudeville niche for himself, something unusual for concert artists. He was forced to 20 minutes of Addling before they would excuse him. Lowell Sherman, in a one-act ver- sion of Sam Shipnian's "Lawful Larceny," was a delightful sketch interlude. Sherman is assisted by Nell Oarrington, who appeared In the sketch wit'' him upon his last Palace appearance, and Hope Sutherland, a pretty brunet, who lias been Signed by Al Woods for bis next season production of "Pot- ash and Perlmutter." The girl is splendid as the wife who outwits the golddigger and incidentally uses Sherman as an unconscious accom- plice. They enjoyed the sketch and the star immensely here. Roy C'tmmlnga followed and piled up one laugh on top of the other as he piled into the drop. Cum- mings does everything with the drop but eat it and spends as much time on his ear as an oil locater. Irene Shaw does a beautiful and coolly clad straight for the Cummings' nut gymnastics. Cuihtnlnga is now lead- ing Jack Boss in the straw hat de- stroying league. lie ruins 14 a week. Thej yelled at the Cum- mings' falls. In one bit lie kicked off a shoe and an entlHisIastte pa- | iron with class i) control returned il via the neck of a musiciau. It Just missed Benny Roberts. Beege and Qupee closed in their j fast roller skating turn, featuring spins, and The Two Harlequins (Xew Acts) tied it Up with hand- to-hand routine, second. Business not quite capacity but healthy. Ten acts, probably due to Lent. con. "APACHE LAND" (10) Spanish Revue 15 Mins.; Three (Special) 58th St. (Vaude—Pcta) "Apacho Land." despite Its mis- nomer, since it's a Spanish revue, while the title refers to a native Parisian dance conception. Is an al- together diverting flash turn for the three-a-day houses. It embraces Spanish instrumentation, and na- tive song and dance, In solo and en- semble routines. Eihel Albertini is feature, she be- ing, seemingly, the songbird of the company, although Parmanta and Miller, dancers, are the flash of the act's 15 minute. 1 ;. The string quintet is denoted ns the Apache Sercnnders and Rosa Lauranta and Don Julian complete the personnel of 10. It's a flash from every angle, and, were it not "caught" in a pop vaudeville house, it would be de- seribable as a made-to-order pic- ture house offering. The Instru- mental quintet comprising mandola, 'cello, violin, mandolin and accor- dion, are in native toques and smocks. The setting is a cafe idea with a Castanet solo for the open- ing, while a flower girl, a couple (the man in military uniform) and the host, dross the picture glibly. The flower girl essays a vOcal solo; the couple of "patrons" round It out with a double dance number. Follows the Apache Serenaders in a solo Instrumental number that would score big in the film the- atres. The prima donna, in striking white costume, returns for another polo and the punch wind-up of the entertainment is a good Apaeho dance wherein the girl features some neck »n.l holy holds via her entwined ankle*. The accompani- ment string band Impresses here, as heretofore, with Its well-marked, accentuated beats that set off the dance steps in great style. Satisfactory thrce-a-day flash act and a certain picture house entry. HIPPODROME A general switching around of this bill after the matinee to avoid top- heaviness improved it some, but did not altogether strengthen the first half materially. Even the booker should have seen this on paper. Probably some more switching around after Monday ironed out a few of the wrinkles. Even with the changes the first half continues the weak sister division. Young Wong and Company, Chi- nese troupe ot six. featuring young Wong, youthful gymnast-contor- tionist, provided a lively opener with the youngster continually on either toes or hands with balancing, con- tortion feats or tumbling. The act sold with a gusto that made it a more than acceptable pacemaker. De Marr and Lenter. musical com- edy recruits, made a likeable mixed team in a follow-up with a neat routine of songs and dances that hit, also a youthful freshness that helped lots. Bert EitoI, No. 7 in the afternoon, was moved up to the trey in the night shows, swapping, spots with Alma Nielsen and Co. Errol seemed at a disadvantage in this early spotting through being com- pelled to come on when they were still walking in, but made the best of things and managed to click de- spite the handicap with his "fem- inine" impressions. Harrington and Green next with the same routine in which they have been alternating between K-A and Loew time for the past year or more. Harrington's pantomime poker bit contains the mainstay. At this showing the team made a flying start, but let down on the finish. Rosa Low, concert soprano, came next, scoring heavily in a repertoire of numbers culled from her concert programs (New Acts). Count Bern! Vlci, flanked by his American Beauties band and six- dancing girls or his own as well as the Hippodrome billet girls, pro- vided a wallop closer of the Iirst part. For appearance here the turn lias undoubtedly additional embel- lishments that made it more enter- taining than usual, although the act can't miss even without the Hip- more job for the signmaker it mi imparts the info tiiat Ke.lii Vaude- ville is no more und that Keith- Alhee entertainment his taken Us place. And. as Addison fcfims of Seattle might remark, such is such. But the current bill is a corker, smooth running, tilled with enter- tainment, hitting no high spots, but by the same token never descending to the low levels winch only a poor vaudeville show can reach. Every- thing was spotted right, every act went off well and, although no rec- ords were broken in Tiny direction 1 unless one accepts the altitude readied by on, of the Angel broth- ers in the opener), everything was made to order for a good evening. Angel Brothers (New Acts) iirst and scored decisively, while the Harrington Sisters did a harmony act in th«' deuce which won them lots of friends. These girls were working the small time three years ago and within the last year they have been playing at the Parody Club on Broadway, also going in picture houses upon occasion. But in vaudeville they've struck their gait and from their current show- ing should be kept busy. Tliey were followed by Warren and O'Brien (New Acts), who provoked howls and applause, while Art Frank and Harriet Towne (New Acts) just dit- toed that order on fourth. "Spanish Dreams," an elaborate dance act with Hurtado's Marimba orchestra (the real thing) playing sweet melodies to the dancing- of Alberto Gala and Nita and to the baritoning of Warren Jackson, who Isn't the best baritoner in the world, followed. The act was a nice in- termission closer and lent a flash to that part of the bill. On directly after the intermission was Karyl Norman with his new- act. He clowned all over the lot just to show the gang what a clown he was. His wardrobe got the gals, his songs were liked by nearly everybody and only some of his comedy stuff fell Hat—like three - day beer. But a favorite act at that, anil he was recalled again and again. Harry Burns, with his "1 Think You Toifch" act. put some more comedy into the going in the penultimate s)n>t (a synonym for next-to-shut and a $4 word which Joe I.ee didn't Originate). Miss Norma and Her Golden Violin closed, the Illusion mystifying the audience to such an extent that most remained to dope out how a violin could emit sound minus a bow and minus a player. Business was nearly capacity up stairs, where the seats are 85 cents and lower, but downstairs in the $1.10 section there was room enough to accommodate a couple of or phan asylums. Sink. latter turn some new specialty peo- ple are introduced Dorothy Ells- worth is an acrobatic specialist who gave rise to Ails' wheeze she is one of the few English women not de- ported. This was in line with a flock of racy wheezes on timely topics. loo Hose, Knssian squat dancer with a marvelous collection of steps and turns, and Cecil Gra- ham, dusky tap dancer who showed some new ideas in taps and wings, rounded out a strong supporting company. "Dancing Mothers.' feature tilm; bUSineSh almost capacity. Atlfl. 81st ST. STATE Judging by his reception and acclaim, plus the act's willingness to linger and entertain, Uoscoe Ails can stay at the State for a stock run. Tho Ails-Kate Pullman com- bination with their jazzy sextet and supporting trio of stepping princi- pals are the champ endurance and willing combination in vaudeville. They did a whiz-bang 20 minutes and could have called it a very ph asing i veiling when it developed they were just getting sturted. Followed another L'O minutes, the act virtually repeating with a now set of specialties that topped the preceding paprika In sensational style. The Ails-Pullman act is an aco attraction lor anybody's theatre, picture bouse or vaudeville. And why Alls as an eccentric solo step- podronTe trininTingsrTtVone W orthe l?^' with ; m *™ m ? *• » nos class hand «e»„ ,.r ,„i„„.it„ .v..., I an<1 comedy akin to Jack Donohue and Other $="• production steppers, Is not In a revue may possibly be explained only by oversight or im- proper exploitation. It may well be, however, that Ails is desirous of keeping his unit intact but none the less he is presenting an ultra act of entertaining qualities. Just preceding was Lionel "Mike- Ames, another natural turn capable of considerable exploitation and building up. Ames is a University of Michigan alumnus and a few feet of picture Rim explains the female impersonator's transition from an Ann Arbor undergraduate anil Htar class hand acts of vaudeville that clicks on merit rather than reputa- tion. Alma Neilsen. dfincer, assisted by Dan Ely, Dave Bice and the Frivol- ity Five, opened the second half with some excellent dancing, also calling In the Hipp girls in two spots. Miss Neilsen's routines were warmly received by the outfronters. especially her clog on toes nnd her acrobatic further down. Finished to good returns. Charlotte Crecnwood, on next, was the out and out panic for yells. Her songs packed their usual com- edy wallop, only to he later out- classed by "The Morning Bath." 12 <»"** ,at « theatrical activities to long since conceded a siglc-hnnded !«f»« Prof-sxlonal stage. The routining Comedy wow. Itself is more ,, r leas standard but the wholesome antecedents of the attraction, plus theViatural method of "salesmanship, are box-office as The "Weaver brothers, musical tricksters, held down the next to shut adequately with their homely humor anil selections played on all manners of trick Instruments from,, saws to trick balloons. Despite ««»Uon right now to his intermedl- making their appearance after ,, i>• ry "jod B,„Ming up the comedy and with most show weary by the,, ;« ml would recommend him from they manage,! well, clicking lieavilv. I, v ' rv ^«rtmont f " r picture bouses sets. With time, Arnen will pro- gress, although he needs a little at- they managed well, dirking lieavilv. , Madam Ella Bra.Ina closed with '"' %! " a circus feature wherein degs and horses were grouped together for a series of attractive posing. RtlLv. RIVERSIDE Amone ether thing* n<w up In this neighborhood is a big siirn on the corner, announcing "Keith- Albee Riverside," which scores one If you don't advertise in VARIETY ' •km't advv.ni>c The Throe U'lrmm Brothers opening showed some Interesting hand to band stuff, featuring hack somersaults to catches from one- rnan high and elevated pedestal TaKfi-bffs . ri ilS l iy H f ld flUftli f ying M tip-t<,p Intermediary openers. Dorothea Ncllxon. violinist, with piano accompanist, Is a likely in- strument illst. He r Hwediah blonde comeliness is set off well and the turn IPs In nicety In the second hole: also ii picture house llkdi- rood, llix k. r and pen-in. an Olfahool of the Rueker and Winifred comblnn^ jtion. with dmiltr mat.rial, clicked 'Followed Allies and AH*. In I he It's Nan Halperin week at the Slst Street; the billing outside the house carries that Hue and the lit- tle artiste carries the headline prominence With ease. Miss Hal- perin has everything to carry her along—personality, skill, artistry, ability, style, mannerism, versatility, everything plus. Her characterizations are gems collectively and individually. Each has a comedy twist, an amusing as- pect that makes for laughter and entertainment: it's this adroit and adept handling of the impersona- tions of famous women of history that keeps the characters from be- coming the least bit boresome. The way Miss Halperin does them is something indescribably sweet to the feminine contingent and irre- sistably attractive to masculinity. I-ong after she hail left the stage the audience clamored for more. Pentell and Gould opened the show. A nice little act; pleasing in diversity, running first to music and then to dancing, with acrobatic pa- prika that enhances Its value. It was applauded. Second were tho Shuffle Along Four, and these colored men proved most entertaining, since this quar- tet has been west it has improved considerably. One of the biggest improvements has been the acquisi- tion of Walter Progsdale. Three others, Bael Skanks, one of the best N'e K ro tenors in the varieties; .1. O. Skanks (brother of Earl) and Wil- liam Conklin hold over from the original four. There is a lot of dancing talent packed In this outfit, but they only trickle a little of the footwork by way of enlivening up things. Thev go in for songs, and on their warbling, which is characteristic to a great extent of colored stager*, score all the way. Raymond Bond and Co. offered "The Minute Man." Here is a little sketch that recalls the good old days when Jimmy Harry's Hube Was about the best of the best, yet Pond's yokel characterization is worthy of any vaudo classification. The way he chews gum in a bit that runs true of Hond's stylo. His support is superb and that's also a grain of vaudeville comfort. Miss Halperin waa next, with the Sun-Fong-Lin troupe closing the show. This Chinese outfit Is nlo ng the lines of others from the Orient that dish up magic, balancing, and the usual conglomeration of Ori- ental feats of aklll. It in a first- class combination with a routine interesting and above the common- place. The feature wan "The Vanishing American." Mark. AMERICAN ROOF Attendance on the roof was sur- prisingly good Monday night—not Capacity but there weren't manv empties, and It looked the bent first night house here in a long time, ex- cept holidays. A girl novelty closed intermission. The turn carries the billing of "Bo- hemian Flappers" (New Acta). There were several additional new- comers to the house, including "Go- ing Straight" (New Acts), and the Pacific Four (New Acts). Harry Adler and Rose Dunbar had little trouble winning the best score, next to closing. He won plentv of laughter with the mlmiory bits. The impression of Andy Gump, of comic strip fame, seemed an even more faithful bit than the rest. Adler drew unexpected aid from the audi* ence near the close when he was imitating dogs. Several out front were good at the s-.tufr, Adler saving that sounded like plants hut were not. Elsie Clark opened intermission very well, she hasn't much in the way of a Voice but gets the lyrics across clearly nnd certainly effec- tive. Most of the numbers sounded I.lie published songs, and though none -ire anion:; the I,est sellers, the roof crowd was pleased and called for an encore. Miss Clark mii/ht be well rated a standard small time single. Mellon and Cullen, on second with a mixed routine, won out through hooting after fl lyyins with couicdy Jitti'inpi H. Ti n * turn I * prn i mb i y l l u 1 — s true as Mellon and Renn, Includ- ing riddle tuts, a prop dam.- body giving the Illusion of the come- be- ing c-m ied on her had; won a good laugh. Moth opening and closing acts stood out. The l'crry.s. Witiiash.'ip ihooting I'xhlbltton. ripened, while I liginal Three I!tanks occupied toe i i position with an Interesting • nd \cr af!" routine that ri*qntre3 tti ngtli in.I skill. . J /,. «•.