Variety (May 1926)

VARIETY NEW ACTS THIS WEEK Wednesday, May M, 1986 SHAW and CAMERON 8kttch, song* dances 20 mine.; full stage and "one* Palace. (St. V.) The Shaw la Oacar; the Cameron la Madeline. Shaw has played leads In some of Broadway's top- plest musical shows. Madeline is of the Cameron Slaters, and for Identification, this one la the wife of Billy Gaxton. The vehicle is a motorcycle with side-car—that Is, the vehicle in which they enter, to start In the vehicle written by Andy Rice, and titled "Toot Toot." The Idea is the breakdown on the mad, not so forte, certalnl. far from new, and never good for any but low come- dians. The talk gets by, however, switching early to Shaw and Miss Cameron arguing which la the big thing In their act, aa It appears they are on the way to the theatre when they get stuck. This Is continue*: when the plan- lat (Willie White) Is discovered. They haven't arrived. He an- nounces It .doesn't matter—he is the big thing in the act Later the house conductor stops playing and holds up the act to ahow that he .la really the big thing. This topic gets some laughs, but in one spot where Miss Cameron apologizes and admits flhaw la the king of the turn, it drags; that bit can well be eliminated aa being out of the^ spirit and not comical. Miss Cameron does two delightful dancea with neat movements and fluent kicks. She looks as young >nd lovely as she ever did. Shaw sings some of the hit choruses from his shows of yore. He has a good baritone voice. He and Miss Cameron do two apeckil songs, by Martin Broenes. At that work Shaw handles himself welL As a vaudeville comedian, though, he isn't much shucks. Vaudeville sets too fast a pace for him. He ahould ■peed up and pep along in his laugh-endeavors if he expects to run in that heat. Miss Cameron, of course. Is a child of vaudeville, and knowa her two-a-day from the boards up. Why those two gorgeous 1 sisters ever split may be easy to explain, though no one ever did; but that they split la still a tragedy. This combination ' will do on names and quality. It Isn't so hot for the money It probably demands, but It is class, at least in the per- sonalities, and the material isn't bad. Lewis eV Gordon present. Lott HELEN MacKELLAR and Co. (4) I DUST IN FARNUM (0) -The Mud Turtle" •The Littlest Rsbor 30 Mine.; full stage, special 80 Mins.| Full Stage (Speolal) Palace. (St. V.) Orpheum, Los Angeles (St. V.) Helen MacKellar has boiled down I Dustin Famum, supported by Al to the essence the worth-while parts I Cunningham, Marjorie Montgomery, of -The Mud TurUe." the play by Jame> Murdock M two , uperg , ^ filiott Lester, in which she starred I in th. LglUn^t. «lth fair .ucceaa. •»» °*» '^'au'^Z^L^ It looked ;or a while aa though .b« <*-ll war. aa a haadlln. Orph.um had caueht a P.ulin. Lord part »«" c «.°"• *?• ^'"V?*™" such as in "They Knew What They Wanted," but the play Just missed. Miss MacKellar was generally ac« have rested on the laurels he won In the past with this skit, for no good can come of digging It up cepted a. havln, at Uat found » •«<"»• °< ^1°^°^ 1 on cues, draggy spots throughout, and a tough spot (closing first half), all went to karm the vehicle. A cheap log Cabin set did not drees the stage at alL It took SO great role, and she was great In it, the greatest in seasons. For vaudeville, "The Mud Tur- tle'' as tablolded Is ideal. It is powerful, not hurried, complete, ef- , . . . fectlve and ringing. For the star it m » n | ut « B to Jet anywhere nearjhe is a triumph. She draw, sparks l^gS^l n?he was* £.hl and she dr.ws laughs and ahe • P 1 *^ as ff he was bash! draws tears. The spot where the, , _ . .» . . father of the bridegroom slaps the Montgomerywas fair as the girl * «.<.»...h rU a >,<o ^n v _ Al Cunningham did well as face of the waitress-bride his Jelly fish son has brought home from Mlnneapollj was a click and a kick. Famum bashful or dis- inclined to act out. Little Mlas and her father. The last was the role Will- lam Farnum played. Bill was ached- Few dramatic Ykeichee'Vf "late* 1 £^ 40 «• •«* W the but because of Illness remained In Hollywood. Unless the sketch is brushed np and Joined together properly It does not stand a chance In big houses. Coughing throughout the playlet did not help center attention on the stage. } VAN BIENE and TENNEY (1) "Opportunity" (Song Skit) 15 Mine.) Full and One Fifth Ave. (V-P) Eileen Van Blene and Walter Tenney are billed aa lately from "The Student Prince." Miss Van Blene, too, was formerly In "May- time," but more reoently has been also appearing In picture theatres as a song soloist. They are aided by Otis Sherman for the skit portion of the turn. The act opens in the parlor of a small-town family. The girl la a vocalist, 'but father won't hear of her trying professionally. In *an ders a motorist who needs water for the radiator of his car, but he con- fides he was really attracted by her voice. He explains his partner la ill and asks her to Join with him for vaudeville. Pa objects, but needs dough, and consents Into "one" Miss Van Blene and Tenney duet nicely, and there la a single a piece. Both have trained voices and make a fine-appearing couple. It did seem, however, the sketch portion of the act was in- effectual. Songs in that portion of the turn might be the needed factor. J bee. •'HARMONIA* (6) 8ongs and Music 16 Mini.; Full 8tage State (V.-P.) It Is the same title and idea of "Harmonia" of two years ago when Ina Hayward and Dora Maughn were featured. In the present turn are the Hudnut Sisters, Webster Taylor and the Puccini Trio. The sisters are tall, using a mo- dieval type of dressing. They spe- cialize in ballads. The trio con- sists of piano, 'cello and violin, all good Instrumentalists. Taylor la an eccentric and acro- batic dancer, somewhat out of place In an act of the kind, but used for a change of pace. For the close the sisters used bits of Victor Her- bert numbers. At the end of the bill the turn went Aver very well <ind will likely flHoVftome plcttfru^ bookings/ /bee. 1 have truly rated headline positions in vaudeville on straight vaude- ville value. Here is one that has both a star name and * star en- tertainment. Miss MacKellar Is radiant, staccato, artistic and ter- rific. Her support Is sound. The production Is correct and atmos- pheric. This contribution cannot fall to IHITE-RETLOW REVUE (t) travel with the highest standard of I Songs and Dances vaudeville's foremost, and will 118 Mine.; Full Stage (Speeial) grace and dignify the field wher- 158th St. (V-P) ever It appears as well as giving Heading this vaudeville offering about as honest a 25 minutes as | J . m ~^ the fading realm of vaudeville af- U * ^ ° f prlnclpa * to forda. Latt Iextent the Hite-Retlow adagio exponents but the outstanding fea KAUCASIAN CHORUS (16) • I p'roS^on* ?f srl.ii 2?* ftlly *• Hi, J»~ The chorus comprises Fifth A^ n/ P I* HilJ * Md Blx otbor « lrl8 - riTin Ave. tv.-r.j Th6 princIpal woman a- a hard- A male Russian group that may | working blond, who makes a num- have been in a production or aug- ber of changes. She and the male mented from such. The men are 1 partner are skillful dangers and togged out In Cossack costume, red ! pleased the 58th street audience, coated, with white lurry caps. Al The chorus soon after the act leader conducts the song numbers, I opens has the stage to itself In a ba*k to the audience. "Wood Soldiers" drill and dance. They opened with a typical Rus- The routine is effective for the most slan number, the lyric being rapidly I part but there waa one girl who delivered. Followed the noted I seemed to be uncertain of her steps •Volga Boatman" but it was not U nd wh ich Indicated that more prac- strung out, probably made brief [ t i C e was necessary, through the vaudeville angle. I The -vocal solo of the topical num- A dancer suddenly appeared froml^ waB a nller apparently and the wings and went up on his toes, I slowed up the terpslchorean con- the man having soft leather boots I tinuity. Instead of the customary heavy TheCaudlence marvelled at the hobs. It developed Into a strange contortioniatlc work of Hllja whose dance, for be carried Cossack knives acrobatic finish drew spontaneous in his mouth, one peculiarly held I applause. perpendicular. He flipped them to I Everybody except the man Is on the floor, where they landed a la I f 0r a t*Bt Charleston finale. This mumbly-peg. I would have been productive of more The tip-off that the chorus has applause had it not followed Art been here, came when a baritone I Frank and Harriet Towne who Just sang "Swanee River" with the mopped up wIt h their Charleston others humming an accompaniment. J 8tu ff ahead. And Incidentally Art He went into •'Dixie" and the entire Frank shakes a wicked hot Charles chorus sang with him. There was a| ton f 00t Russian hock stepping for the Tne Hite-Retlow revue might fare finale, several members being in ac- even better In the picture houses, tion, while the chorus clapped hands | j t h as ma de a real effort to dress up and chirped in native tongue. tne Bta g e and could either preceSe The Kaucaslan Chorus is a nov- or follow any 8tyle of picture wlth- elty, well worth while In vaudeville I out losing its effect, and picture theatres. ibee. | In a nlm house that acr 6batic gir could have a stronger stage ensem- MAURINE MARSEILLES | b . ,e: she ' 8 undcnlabl y clever In her Songa nd Dance 1 llne * Mark * 6 Mine.; With Orchestra Oriental, Chicago (Pete.) I FIELDS and JOHNSON The selection of Maurlne Mar- Comedians settles tor the opening bill at the 14 Mins.; One Oriental was a pretty compliment American Roof (V.-P.) in Itself She Justified it. , Al Fields and Johnny Johnson Miss Marseilles la tall, attractive. . . . ' and blessed with a wonderful figure veteran vaudevllllans. have framed and charming grace. Her voice, al- up an excellent comedy turn though well suited to the pop dlvl- I in their newest. In eccentric ge slon of music. Is not by any means U p they open with a comedy double developed to its fullest v The work SO ng "I'm TerrW I'm Jerry." suns which she Is doing at present will to a Walking accompaniment and provide suitable training. wltn topical extra verses. Mlas Marseilles topped* off her Following this some good hokum songs with some sky-kicking way , n whlch each recltes . Johnson's above average. In the back kicks pant9 run up hl8 ]egH sho wing his her foot reached several Inches past gartora eve ry time he raises hie her head, while the front work was L rm8 to lllu£tratc or gesture. An JANE and KATHERINE LEE Comedy and Songs 19 Mins.; One State (V.-P.) It has been some time since **the Kids" played New York. For a time they were in "Topsy and Eva," playing the roles of the Duncan 31sters. More reoently they were- reported playing vaudeville and picture theatres in the middle west. Jane and Katherlne are certainly growing up ami they are Just as cute. Jane, though the younger, is a bit taller than Katherlne and she seems more mature. The career of the Misses Lee started in vaudeville. They went into pictures, thence to the legitimate, and for the time being are back in vaudeville. In the east before the young sis- ters used the material of the late Tommy Gray. Now they have a new routine played entirely In 'one." The opening section la con- versational, Katherlne asking Ques- tions about Jane's mother. The talk switches to talk about a girl who went flying and who could not get out and walk. Sitting on the stage side by side with their little feet in the foot- ight trough, they sang "Tie Me to Tour Apron Strings Again," a pretty ballad the way they handled it The "baby grands" went into "When It's Onion Time in Bermuda," the best of the comedy numbers from "Topsy and Eva." The result was the girls winning the hit of the show. They will come near scoring the same way in any type of house. Zbee. practically perpendicular. other laugh was Fields wearlnpr a This artist Is headed straight for ir of flU8nen)lors for a nocktIe productions if she continues to and John8on llkcwiHe with a BOck show steady improvement, a graduate of the cafes. She Is UaU MORRIS and BALDWIN Comedy and Songs 20* Mins.) One Fifth Ave. (V-P) Joe Morris, formerly of Morris and Campbell, and Winnie Baldwin, of Bronson and Baldwin, form this duo, which has been around tot several months. Until the very close Campbell works from a box, whereas former- ly he only started there. But he is a wise bird, for he's no sheik, while Miss Baldwin Is a nice person with a dandy amile. After her opening number she asks if he does not re- member her — from "Artists and Models." He replies he ahould not be expected to recognize her with clothes on. Miss Baldwin gave an impression of a soubret of *25 years ago. Camp- bell's oomment was to the effect that it was o. k., but there was no ■ex appeal. She then sang the same number as it would be given now, plus faster tempo and Jhe Charles- ton. As Miss Baldwin put It, It was the same song by the same girl at the same salary. Just a little crack, that last remark. Campbell kidded while Mlas Bald- mln changed, murdering "Sonia." She then told the story of her life, with interruptions from the box—a good number. Campbell hustled down to the stage in time to per* form his ska ting-dance bit. While the turn seemed a bit over- time, there Is no doubt about It landing, for both are good vaude- vllllans. /bee. ARMSTRONG and GILBERT (1) Piano. Songa, Talk, Dancing 18 Mine.; One American Roof (V.-P.) Man and woman. If^ memory serves rightly he has been around before with male partners.* He Is a good looking blond chap with an easy smile and engaging personal- ity. The girl la a good dancer, sings acceptably and is quite versatile. The act carries an idea to hang the girl's numbers on. Man opens with a special song anent the troubles of a casting director. Girl impersonates various applicants, the first / being a chorus girl, next a tough girl, both doubled the last with a saxophone.encore by her. Crossfire In' between is 100 per cent familiar and not In keeping with the talents of the pair. A double piano accordion anil saxo- phone duet of the "Eddie Leonard Blues" took them away safely. For an encore he Introduced "Mother" in the Irish Jig ahe did 49 years ago in England. A sweet matronly grey haired woman then stepped with considerable agility for a panic fin- ish. * He Is Inclined to stall for bows and nurse whatever applause the turn gets, out of all proportion. Too much straining for comedy with very feather-weight material also detracts. The germ of a corking act is in the turn but it needs di- rection and an author, not a mem- ory. Con. THORNTON and SQUIRES "In the Swim" (Skit) 15 Mine.; One and Two State (V.-P.) Alice Thornton and Oil Squires have probably been playing out of town. They are offering a neat comedy skit, with songs and dances here and there. A bit of film tells the story. Miss Thornton m the water. Squires strolling along the beach* She calls for help. He goes to change to a bathing suit, entering the water later. The rescue is simple since she was standing on the bottom and Just wanted to catch her man. With the lights up the couple is disclosed In beach attire. She is soon off for a change, Ekfulres fill- ing a minute or two with a ditty. They Call Me a Cake-eater." Into "two" there la a cottage drop with a practical door. He calls, but gets ioe. She disappears within the cot- tage and turns on the phonograph, he going into a loose, long-legged eccentric dance that got plenty. A flirtation bit follows, some clean fun and a duet, "Sweet One," con- cluding with a dance. Thornton and Squires are good funsters. He is quite a stepper a*nd the act impressed as one suitable most anywhere. JTbee, PEGGY BERNIER Song and Talk 7 Mine.; With Orchestra Oriental, Chicago (Pets.) Billing herself as possessing "the world's worst voice," Peggy Ber- nier conforms admirably to the bill ing. But, as the billing goes on to add, she Is always working. Miss Bernler is the type of girl that high school lada moon over Small. dark,^>eppy, and persuading aptly describes her. She is at her best In word.songs; to this type of entertainment she can augment her nervous manner- isms, her compelling gestures, and a meaning all her own. The "gimme" songs and the "sweetie" ballyhoos are her hjead and butter —and what she doesn't do to them is not worth doing. A song plugger's angel; drawing more monoy rlpht along and the sky's the limit Hal. which proved to be the mate of one Fields had on. The "rubber in the teeth" bit also clicked when the pair pulled it. Johnson announced he would say words like "Omaha" etc. and framed DALE SISTERS (2) 8 Mins.; One Rialto, Washington (Pets.) These girls were well known when I it with the thing working out re appearing with their brother, versed Bobby Dale. On their own with a Johnson la next introduced by pleasing method of putting across FMds in radio announcing fashion the harmony singing using two and contributes a well written "ukea" to accompany themselves, parody opora. Fields interrupts to they form a good supporting fea- read comedy teleprnms from the tnre In a picture house. Attractively gowned and with considerable showmanship demon- strated in putting across their numbers, the sisters want over Well here at the Klalto. Meahin imaginary ether audience. For a finish they use the comedy opening song nnd build it up for four encore topicals. They could have sung four more.on the Roof if they cared 'to prces* Mi •< j i I > « 'Gin. - ' SAM COSLOW Songs 8 Mine.; One Rialto, Washington (Pets.) Making his first appearance in the picture houses this songwriter, utilizing his own numbers and plugging his previous radio appf.tr- ances both in an opening medley ;i;u in the lyrics of two of his numbers, got across exceptionally well. CosloW delivers in an Intimate style that Is appealing. Coupling this with three good numbers, a good combination la created. A new angle for the town was tried here with Coslow, he appear ing In a couple of the cahnreth as a courtesy attraction from the theatre. The move got results. ' " ' J ■ ' if so kin.' SHER-MAPES and CO. (1) Songs and Talk 19 Mine.; One 68th St. (V-P) Three men. Go in for comedy by- play, leading up to harmony by tho trio vocally. The early portion steps off by the tallest in accentu- ated makeup and another member doing a Hebe, exchanging gags and working the old drawn-out barber- shop chord for a laugh. The third member comes in as a pickpocket, exiting after slamming the Yid comic on the floor following his recital of his hunt for the villain who broke up his happy home and ran away with his wife. Then an- other tug for laughs comes with the Hebe burlesquing the wife gag on the slim feller, who Is about twice the height of the other. Then follows the dip In straight clothes for a ballad, followed by tho trio blending for harmony results. Nothing new In the hayout, but In the main effective. Certain to pro- duce best results In the combination houses. Mark. 6 HILL BILLIES Songs and Instrumental 10 Mins.; One Broadway (V. P.) Announcing themselves as from the mountain country nivwlvre south of Virginia and d»po .ing themselves to make It believable. Six men in the act pluaiklng banjos, guitar, piano and augmented by a violin and harmonica. An explana- tion precedes each number all of which are "native" in subject mat- ter. The singing develops Into Talr quartet harmonizing and a brief jig is introduced as a Charleston that's nothing like it ; JSell^T pr*scntrttfc>ui or showman-