Variety (Jul 1926)

WedttM^ar, Jul]! IMS VAUDEVnXE REVIEWS VARIETY PALACE (84. VMd«) Do It" took the couple off to big returiiH. Directly ahoad was Arthur Dea- have this orcheatra play the serv- ices?" "Do you want to aot the date nu.w ?" I aio'a. "If you think that orchestra routine. The naw Fleaaon-Jaynes] show, the one man bain? Kraft of combination raslttered and Mary] Kraft Rnd Lamont. an irenulne a Walter and her Boy Friends (8) I low comedian as oould be found closiert br^'^kly. The diminutive amonur the newcomers to TTradr-rlU*. comedienne is surrounded by an oc. Kraft hold the show toffother. both tet of beaux, all specialties besides I In its specialty division and in the the ensemble stepping. It's a Can- syndicated tifterplece. The 40-mln- tor A Brandell production with the ute tab would have been a bust mmntr of comedy at the Palace Iback to vaudeville after two «f.^ »Mk. Also Plenty of contrmst ly**""* "Roae-Marie. " most of ^^'r^^J^t.^"^ which time he was right in New won t last long, I will." she says. I -JwTt- J2«r.Krr«l b#tir#«n York at the Imperial. The white- have an idea some people I don't , iK^S»to^^vS!SSa morolo- h»»»f«» stronir-man-baritone was the like will be there to make certain ! ifjfJbfiuM hla 50th year In the Mn<**v*<>"*» evening. have iMinsed out and I would »ovc p^^„^y^„ gracious but not too ob- without him. Ueagon tosHed out several encores, to have this bunch to get even for ^p^giy^ the case In the past | However, the entertainment value [starting one by saying he remem-|me." when the lavishnesa of the nr.ount-|o^ the tab la neither here nor there bered sitting In the gallery of the "Can't you take me to a road , ^ brilliant for th^ Ulenta U la one of those "box offlce" things. I'^ifth Avenue and seeing the Aus- house?" sayw she. "i hear some of * • „rtiHtJi They plaster the lobby and the . * -»w ^i-*.. »r.<,^i»* H-iwi... I Irian tragedienne. Madame Janau- them are lively." I , . weather much bettor front of the house with plctur in fourth place. Pi^jnK 5!!!^! schek. "That was in 18M." he said. "Haven't an open road house on J^lth the weatner mu^ bathing girls, life sise and pretty j_ ..j^ ^^^^ houses. i*»an has been the c^^^^ IiSf ' nearly true to nature In undrapMl show business, and Marlon Harris, blues crooner of the modem era. Contrast perfect. The veteran Thornton ambled on Hayaknwa. Jap «^nd «frwjn ..^^^ j ^^^.^^ j.'^ here Uy \"'I huslnp«» wai. beaucouo star, acredlted headliner (New i ^^^^^j^^j^^ j^^,^ But you can t /ou know." I says, wanting to be business wa s beaucoup . Acts). Thornton came on to » re- Irishman." honest, "you have to take the same ception that fairly rocked the house. I Geagon h-im a iendcc : ngthen I Khrl -every time to the same place It continued fully five minutes be- k^^ introductions to lils songs, that or else the road house people think fore Jim was permitted to set hlsU^,^ ^^^^ ^^^^ Scotch story and you are a crooked btink cashier, salient of witty quips that were to L^j^i„ the comment ahead of medley "Can't you tell em who I am 't^"ow. . ^ „ ^ of numoers from the light operas in It wasn't a stereotyped Broad- ' — - ' "tsov -way or Palace reception There was sincerity behind Thornton was visibly affected soon shook it off and got down to appeared The card I '.LV,]'^Xn"<in^"^^^^ »^^^ of I at 7: SO a. a rule thing, are In a Id it r-?"?* ^^i:**^** *^"*^n«ay?^ ;m,K>rtance on the Keith-Albee dr- desperate state. Things vaudevllly Id »t.^|i^.|^^ of encores ^^^a\ . „^ . w . # «re in a desperate slate anyhow. ^. but ,vas the theme song from "Rose-1 'I» J'S^?'''L^^%Jl^''^^,ru.r noxtT"^' ^^"^ "^^""^ * ^ J** when they have to resort to decollete Marie." but it was the weakest In house that opens for you for next g,^^ g^^^^ f^^^t ^^i, I ^^^^^^^ ^^^^ his repertory. His i^|>anish n"™*>er r*".^'JJ'^,: whAt your friends of the orchestra and the same tap carnival lot side i In state, and that Is supposed to bring em In. It didn't make good in that resi>ect. Monday night there w«r« blocks of vacant seats all around the lower lloor. When that happens at the 58th Clreater New York the 81*>M street, where standing room Is used SUi ST. (Vaude-Pcts) _ _ e colors like a his routine. Dwpi»4J thinness of I repertory. His Si>anish number 1 »".^'j;er:^ "Y-t 'what vour friends I of the orchestra and the same tap I carnival "lot side show to bring voice the knack of the showman and I plus the acrobatics steamed up t*»e | ^^^^^^J^ J^^J^ ..^^^J^ ^^^^ "you're for the logos. Balcony. 75 and 50 nelKhbot hood patrons to see "Keith the time, with Jim making his stuff j Kmiiie Lea. apparently away from I {SlVs^vS^^'you*'llkJ'^^^^ k^d o*f"2 | ^On'their marquee outside there Ik the stage for a season or two, or I ^^^^^.^^^'^^^^^ IhlH legend; ' KEITH ALBEE FEATURES" And then this line: *'IT'8 THE OLD ARMY GAME" An inexpensive vaude lineup. He- Hill and Margie (New Acts), nov- elty sketch couple, made a neat opener. Followed the anonymous blackface single for a full score, with his well delivered coon songs and a ripping dance for a flnish. Stacy and James (New Acts) klUafl themselves oft with an opening of ainiloss talk and then went to a rousing finale with dancing and the click. Winding up his chatter with a re- | perhaps out of the city, reappeared • ..g .. g^.. . ..| where I can prise of his yesteryear hits from with a song and dance turn quite .f' ' ' ' ^ \^ ^ j^^^y "My fiweetheftrfs the Man In the similar to that when last out. As- \'J«^^^^ Moon" to "She May Have Seen Bet- sisting her fire Burr Dawn and ' .. ^ j ..y,^ ^^^^ ^i^^ ter Days." Thornton took leave to | Lynn Burno, the latter a pianist and kj^^^ friends of mine go up to thej sina at about 8.40 and is over an even a better hand coming back to the former a dancer. The act j house be sure to pive them some of) hour later. Intermission and the wow them further with a curUln- hilled "Paying the Rent." the scene ^j^^^ ^^.^ j^^^ Scotch, but the picture. speech in which Thornton remarked 1 supposed to be In studio run by th'i j Take some yourself, too." | The big kick is that with the ex- he hoped the act would work a funlboys. Miss Lea sang "You Dear," I "Why so anxiousr* she says. I ception of Dave Schooler, there l!<n'i | yionn playing of the man. year, so that he could save enough! but soon went to dancing. In her I ••Nothlhg," says I, trying to beja real big time name on the bill. | Kraft and Lamont saved the day money to open a speakeasy. I prime on the legit stage Miss l«ee | careless-like, for that was a great Sergt. Kranklin and Ruby Hoyce I yi^^t to closing. Kraft does the half- Miss Harris, after Intermission, I was a noted high kicker and she l« scheme, "but I would likA to see my I (New Acts) opened with a routine I style of nut comedy with a style • was another mop with her songs, I still a graceful prancer with an en- jigj friends cut down." sharpshooting turn which contained I own. He makes a grotesque assisted by Russell Robinson, com-I imaging smile. Monday she impressed "isn't this show over yet?" says one novelty. I clown character extremely funny poser, at the piano, and Roy Fox, aa needing more work V reach rent gj^^ Lucy Bruch, vlollnlste. followed. I ^1^1,^^^ r^^,^l„,^ crude tricks cornettlat. unbUled. but brought on j form, but she drew a good score. "Don't you see that act there?" I dressed In short velvet panties. HeaK^f mugging. They have little talk, for a solo number. Miss HarrU re- | closing the show. s»ya. work, while passable. Is not for the | ^^^^ plenty of amusing pantomime tains the $1,000,000 personality I Laiighlln and West, with The "is that an act?" says she. yawn- major houses. I business and their dancing Is the whifch some time ago sold her to I Wise Cracker" (New AcU), appeared Racine and Ray. two-woman act j^^^^ l^j^^l ^ I^Hy The woman the stage and the crooning, singing I third. Manuel (New Acts) was sec- . ves. and It has a specialty.' I in which crossfire, songs and al ^ ^^^^ ^^ico In the voice that has made her a favorite |ond and the Aerial De Groffs opened says. dancing get-oft figure, third and gel ^ ^ scored a show stop- "What is it r* says she. some laughs with material written "Fooling the audience." I says. Uy Eugene J. W. Conrad. Many of .. . vaudeville are "Where's the audience." says she. Ue gags used In their chatter are "Come on." I says, "get Into H released while some others are dirty. ^•^•^^^ taxi." Others are funny. Some harmonlz-1" - • Arc you giving me air?" says she. I nicely don *, but nothing out- 'Yes. dear." I says, "and pl(^nty L^^j^nding In the turn, of It." ... I The same might be said for John with record buyers. Her hand-picked with a neat Iron-Jaw trapexe and numbers were also perfect through |ring exhibition. her inimitable deliver)^ 'Do You Believe In Dreams" was her opener, with "Wonder What's Become of Joe" as the follow-up, both songs getting over In fine shape. Fox tontriouted his muted cornet solo next with Miss Harris returning for a ballad and remain BROADWAY . (Vaude-Pcts) 'Miss Nobody," with Anna Q. Nils- son. "Well, here I um. .said tho Ho. d of the House, breesing Into the 'Aren't you nice," says she. "Mt Hay and Lillian AkorH, who fol- think I'll go out of town apa*"' lowpd. Miss AkeV.s, a swoet-looklai^ ing for"%h;U addU^^^^^^ with a cocktail grin, Jh^V talk so m^^^^^^^ ^bout you ^ , Hay ^s including novelty songs, blues and do we gor T "Jt> ^oC knSw ^ivone In Buenos r"'"*^ ""^Tf ""r** ni^ ts^ onl? comedy number with -St, Louis -Klnda peculiar," I says, "the way ...E^,..^! «avs'''' ""^^'^^^ years, t%e rube getup ^he coat- Tii..*«" «»a«Hi««r ««Ki,, tKo . . ^ . . , Alros? I ssys. k.^om scene In which he refuses to Blues" standing up nobly for the I pi^vj^ your spots to take me out. encore and getaway number. Miss Harris went over with a bang. Soi did her f^ongs. Openinf? were Mulroy. McNeece and Ridge, two men and girl, with fancy roller skatin? and dancing on skates; the latter standing out to make the turn a pleasing opener. Jud.soix Cole No. 2 had magic stuff interspersed with chatter, som"! comical and some not. but averag- ing well enough to make the con- tribution likeable. Two youngsters brought upon the stage as a com- mittee for the disappearing egg trick also helped the comedy vein. Mercer and James Templeton. with Adeline Bendon. dancer, and Charles Embler. pianist, did a fast It's too warm down there." says "If I had a car of my own." says j she. "I'll go back to the omce with she, "you wouldn't be annoyed." you and sit under the "So," 1 says, '1 heard the car men "Let's go to the Palace first anrt see the rest of tho show there, i kick in with a tip to the girl. A now song of his. "I'm the f)nly Man in the World Who Can Take a Bis- were on strike.' "Well, where do we go?" says she. | says, "on this warm night "I'm going to the Broadway/' 1 says. "So am I," says she. "I guessed that," I says. "Cuciis %n;i'<\' >iiire K^hig aitoi th< show," Hoys 1 'Going to put me In a taxi," says she. Never mind," says she. "call the taxi." says. "Yes." says she, "and the fortune teller told me other things." "About the money you think "dancing act in the follow up. with you're going to get in 1032?" I says, the Templeton boys clicking par- '-No," she says, 'that was in 1922, tlcularly heavy In their acrobatic and you forgot It." solos. Miss Bendon also gave good '*! asked the fortune teller, says account of herself in the hoofing de- she. ' where do you go when you're partment. ^ot with me?"* The turn Is well dressed and neat- ''Maybe 1 had the fortune teller ly routined and sold in fastnempo | out,,^^hat^ nigh^, I says, from start to finish. A lively danc Ing act for any bill. James Thorn- ton came next, followed by Sesaue Hayakawa in "The Bandit Prince." After Miss Harris In the second and I wouldn't have muffed that one If It cost me a doctor's bill. "Maybe," says she, "but the for- tune teller didn't boost you." "And say," she says, "why Is it when I ring in, it's a vaudeville «tanza were Arthur and Morton ^^^^^^^ ^nd at any other time when Havel and Co. in a new skit. Oh, j around 1 hear you play the Uncle" (New Acts). It su.stained the ^i^^^^ hard and steady?" comedy tempo. I "That's sorta rubbering," says I, Kramer and Boyle held next to j "and it s barred." shut and were also strong assets to "Well." she says, "it's odd that the comedy dlvl.slon with Kramer whenever I'm out of town and meet contributing additional laughing people you know, they're surprised wisecracks on previous turns on the I they never see mo with you." bill. Boyle's warbling was also well I "is that their only surprise?" planted. I says I. Tan Arakls. Jap trio, closed with "No." she .says. "They seem sur- gymnastlcs, featuring a foot balanc- I prised also that I stand for a mug Ing ladder with tho woman doing like you." stunts atop a 20-foot ladder, foot- "They must know me well. I says balanced by the men alternates. "Some certainly do.' says she. Altogether a good bill. Smooth and by this time we were in the running and plenty of diversity. theatre, with the balcony all to our- Edba. selves. ' They often ask me," she says, "whether I am your first wife?" "Something else I forgot to tell you. too. isn't it?" says I. "Yes," she says, *so I tell 'em don't know whether I'm the first one you married or the flr.st one you've stuck to." "Smart answer," I says, "and stick to thaL" "Isn't this show terrible?" says she. "Are you trying to get even on me for something?" "Oh, no," I says. ''I'm disappoint ed, too; thought they were still blasting around here." '*I should have gone on the stage," says she. "Never a break like that for me, s^iys I, "and where did you get that hunch. Another fortune teller?" "Well, you always say," she says, ' that I have a hell of a nerve "Oh, you mean the vaudevlllo stage." says I. "Of course." she says, "and will you promise me something?" "Dead head?" says I. "Don't worry." says she. "It Isn' much, Onlv when I die will, you STH AVE. (Vaude-PicU) Monday was a fair summer even- ing. Trade here was fairly good, but not big. The six-act vaudeville section looked all right on paper, the show having several names present, but It played like a split week show. There was hardly a glgle throughout the performance. The sole humorous contribution came from Jack Norworth with Dorothy Adelphi In "The Nagger," written by Gus Weinberg. The farce was originally spotted In the "Fol- lies" last season and it was a real laugh maker In the hands of W. C. Fields. Edna Leedom played the mama in Zleggy's revue. As It now stands the skit la running about twice as long. According to one line In the act Norworth Is In for the night and looks it wh^n coming out In "one" for a song in the form of an encore. The number "Could They .smart showman.shlp In billing their flicker attraction above everything. Fortune telling stufT again," ij This is particulnrly noted when even "names" like the jcfCrles- Sharkoy combination reccn'.ly were subjugated In billing below the film feature. All of which conforms with the I>oew idea that the picture Is the thing in their amu8em»int dis- pensaries, with the vaudeville trim- mings secondary. Proceeding on that premise, the idea went awry this week with the booking of "Mismates," a First Na- tional, in lUelf a departure because the ace Loew house in the metropo- lis generally gives 'em a Metro- Gold wyn-Mayer on Its second run and hop over from the Capitol, an M-G-M affiliation, up the street. It couldn't be that the rental figured because Loew s doesn't have to do that. They're too smart to Jeopar*. ize a good week by a weaik film sister. Anyway, somebody was feeling extra ■ good or unduly charitable when "Mismates" was given the week at the State, and that prob- ably means a round Journey on the circuit. Picture further noticed un- der Flm Reviews. The vaude trimmings were noth- ing to storm the gate about eHher Neville Fleeson and Mary Jayncs (New Acts) topllned. The Chandon Trio, bright aerial turn, opened. The act is good for an Introductory spot on any bill. The man^and the two women pre- sent their stuff smartly and every- thing tells for the fullest. Rosa Rosalie, another clever of- fering, does songs in a different way. Her vocal ace-In-the-hwle is "Riga Rose" in seven different dia- lects. Rlchy Craig. Jr.. from tho night clubs brings with hlni the sophisti- cated flyness of the post-bedtlmo playgrounds. His gags are a bit indigo In spots but it has tho sav- ing grace of reflecting life In an otherwise colorless background. Craig's act is cannily paced. He flops on the stage and In squatting pose strums his uke. He endeavors to fluctuate from the stereotyped style of male singles and what's more, he succeeds handily. He sco/Ts at the "Charleston" and then fools 'em by topping off with a f.ist South Carolina hop. All in all, he more than held up that trey spot. In consequence, Billy Kelly, with Marlon Meredith in eupport, only fared so-ho with his pat alb<V. quiet AMERICAN ROOF (Vaude-Pcts) A real entertaining l*.mt-half bill. "Modern Revue" (New Acts), seven-people dance turn, was liked best. It is a speedy bit. made so by virtue of the principal male's ^ dancing. He lost good curtain calls ' ouit Apart and Put It Together U|,rough near^ losing a split trou- Again" went for a few laughs, but Uf,r. Kncorc hiding half-way behind some pkiy on the names of varioir I ^ set. magMzlnos failed to land. The I Maxon and Morris opened, and Bruch. Racine and Ray and the Itay Meryl Sisters and Midgie (New :ind Akers turns all worked in "one*'j Acts), twoed. both getting nice re- and followed each other. | turns. Grey and Best, following, Davo Schooler, with Peggy Hart | failed to scoro. After Intermission Russell and Hayes, with their acrobatics and for some time. He is at the piano | superfluous talk, wore liked, as were Miss Hart as a Jazz Devil and I Gary and Baldl, with their "wop" Miss MncMeal as the Spirit of j dialog and the man's excellent voice. Music. 'Tis a nice turn, made sol Emily Darrell, next to the en4» by Schooler's,crack work over the I made a clean-cut hit of it. She la Ivories the dancing of Miss Hart ] an unusually clover comedienne, vnd tho singing of Miss MacMeal. Her gags and their expert delivery. Business about half capacity, and j together with Mfhs lUrrell's antics - why should It have boon more? Tho I with a small bulldog, were good for "Kolth-Albee Features" in the lights I a hundred laughs on the roof. She told the story of vaudeville. As It P" of blg-tlme class and belongs, was, the W. C. Fields picture. "Old gowers Duo, acrobats, flnls. * Armv Game." was hannlly placed on being summer, the roof garden S^cVlJS^^'nTde" a^^lJSt'wL*'^ K l;reSt7or;?tre^SeXS5lo{"^^^ the garden was opened, half STATE T ify-***h™*r*rLltoJ with I'ind" Kstelle MacMeal. closed with '^!''f_.*^l* ^^u?" .^'^t^nVA the turn Schooler has been using the 81.Mt Street this week. 58TH ST. (Vaude-Pcts) First half wasn't a vaudeville show at all. Rather, it was a »»ur- lesque second part with a short- very short—olio of Hpeclultios as a curtain-n\lser. Kven at that the stage niunaifcment couldn't be boin- ored with handling so fcimple a mat- ter as chanKlng the announcement cards when there was a substitution. Kdward Clark was billed in the lobby with the act in which he Is assisted by Clarlsa Rose Clark. The announcement card road "Edward Clark and Co." Without explana- tion a young blackface song and dunce Bingle "bu.sted" into the pro- ceedings, went through his act and departed, leaving the audience tc suppose that the "Co." was just a fiction. The nameless e.itertaincr who suli.sliluted took the second honors f.f tlie fvoriing wi h a capital rou line of tiilk and songs of the Al Jol.son order. Indeed, he at limes did an Impersonation ot Jolson •ringing a "mammy" song. Some of iii.s lousiness is a bit raw, in par ticular the gestures and expressions th;it go with the closing number, in ItH^lf a pretty suggestive bit oi lyrics that needs delicate handling But that wasn't all that inter- fered with the strictly vaudeville qu.'illty of the frame-up. Four turns make up the bill, wItH everybody co operating in the flnale, a tabloin called "By the Sea," a hunk lifted bodily out of Any Old Burle/'que Troi'p. including the 10 bnre-leg^et girl" In Ihe tightest of tight on"- piece bathing suits. As a matter of fact, except for tho blsckfaee Hingle, It was a f»no-m.'«n the audience rushed out to the soft- drink stand. The concession Is a pipe, for plenty of customers dally. Inter- mission on the roof runs about seven minutes. Usual 15c. for lem- onade and 10c. for orangeade. Picture. "Men of the Night" (In- dependent). GRAND GUIGNOL (Continued from page t) t being understood a highly respec- table gentleman must always have at least two women to love: the recognized wife and the hidden mis- tress. A comical study of character but rather cheerless despite the divert- ing text. "Cell pour Cell" Is risky without genuine wit, concerning a doctor flirting with a pretty patient, with his wife seeking consolation with the patient's husband—"eye for eye," as the title explains. Also "I.«ucette et sa tante," by Maxime (Jirard. already reported. These variflcd items are well acted by Paulais, Fleury. Claude Orval, J.-icques Than, Mmes. Maxa, the star of the house, Ketty lietlts, Raphane, Suisser and Trlbout. For those who like this sort of stuff it is just the sort of stuff they like. Kfndrvtn, About the end of July Seymour Hicks will revive at the Savoy "Sleeping Partnerf," in which he himself, Eklmund Qwenn and Ella- line Terriss will appear. In addi- tion J. M. narrle*s "The Truth of the Russian Ballet" will be given, featuring Karsavina. This means' that Mttltby's new p!ay, "What Might Happen." will be withdrawn after a brief run. unless It trans* f»TH to another tho;»tre.