Variety (Jun 1927)

VARIETY NEW ACTS •^IfflS WEEK W td ncwd a y ^ June 1927 •THE GAY 90V (10) Musical Skit to Mins.; Full (8p«cial) ■roadway (V-P) Harking back to the puffed ■lecves, bustles and tunes of those 4aya. And the house liked It. A •Mt of iO !■ evenly divided between women And men. with one of the former as Interlocutor. All take turns except one ot the men, who builds up a comedy angle by atav- geriing more pronouncedly to the offstage punch bowl on each suc- ceeding trip. The feminine mis- treaa Of eeremoniea alao liairta ^upla of gigglea. The butlor, umlor hoavy cork, atrums the banjo for his bit, the athera mainly confining themaelvea ta Irooal aAbrte, although one of the woman does a too dance and an- •thar accompanies by playing a vio- lin. Ha at the piano *«doublea*' for % song. It all takes place in a parlor set Of the former gas light arrange- ment and pemita tha teiiov # In front of tha fireplace for wall* aged ballad. Augmented a bit on production, •uch aa tha old-fashioned bicycles arossing the stage in "one" for an opening, and by Increasing the Quality of the talent here and there, this is an act that could tour the map and entertain at each point if there werOn'i Uia p^tt^^ , Afpi^i^S^ aver money. : The act did much better hare than might be expected, which is the basis of the Idea that additional investment will make it positive. Sither way. It's a corking goad Idea for the picture houses and one that the film theatre managements will probably they aaa i%. pounce upon, once -SILK AND SATIN" |0> Songs and Dancing 17 Mins.; Three (Special) fth Aya. (V-P) A hodge-padf* aiflaiv niiMite« to ©Id pop production tunes and ordi- r»ary dance routines with costuming the high spot. Nothing gorgeous mbaut the ira aaln ji but lipproprlate and giving the act mora "alcllt" value than talent. The turn is at least five minutes •varboard an time. No azetiaa far this one to use up 17 minutes, par- ticularly as the numbers are all practically familiar and unfresh- WitiW^^ltr^ five girls, one of the latter confining lierself to a piano. An opening number which intro- duced each of tha four choristers In moderated hoop skirts was so prolonged as to become, valueless and a handicap. Later each of the tlrla solo stepped to light al^plause. Meanwhile the hoy sings various tunes and Joins In the dancing. Intermediate entertainment with faom for Improvement through re- 'MTiahgemcnt and cutting.- Used to open the 2:20 show at this house and fared none too well. '■"■'-iMm ZASTRO lik^ WHITi ea !•> Dancing 18 Mins.; One and Full (Special) Hippodroma (V^l?) Too ibnir f^rif ail opanar. Six girls do ordinary chorus stepping ^ettinga are dull and costumes '.plain* . / ' ,^r^ yMim 'opMi with a aiag-a^ng > ji >ii a< H iaement and later switch to dancing. Have learned one or two good steps but those are smothered te a flock of poor numbers. Only aalvation Ilea in cutting down to the clinchers and getting tho girls to learn some fancy strutting as well; The femnle comedy toe dancer has the right idea hut |ieeds a lot of practice. ; ■' D'ANDREA and VVALTMt (•) Dancing and Music 12 Mins.; Full (Special) Audubon (V-P) By way of giving the turn a little different opening the act is set amid a homelike interior, which gives it Intimate environment. Six girls are upstage near a window, as though rendering a little parlor entertain- ment; Miss Waters is seated atop the piano, while Mr. D*Andrea opens stage festivities with a song, g-o- ing Into a double danca with Miss Walters. There is a series of dances. Miss Walters showing class, IklU and grace In the adagio work with her partner, who handles her through- out nicely. The girl band plays the dance accompaniment throughout and also has an inning with music, one girl standing out as the leader and soloing a violin. Instrumenta- tion is drum, piano, baaa ifIoI and sax. Their music, for the most part, runs to topicals and is pleasing. As a whole, the act will get re- sults in the neighborhood houses and certain to hold .Ita «w« anong the picture houses. The weakest part of the turn is the Rouble song attempt toward the cloaa, •' MARGIT HtWWM%^«^^^^ Musical-,. ■ Two ■■■■ 5th Ave. (V.P) In it22 Varlety'a New Acta dis- close the Hegedus Sisters, appearing No. 2 at the Palace. Both were vio- linists. The notice of that date called attention to tha manner In which the Palace handled a class musical turn In billing and position. Prpbably bookera never ahange 'mathodik;' H<ira Marglt Hadagua (diftarance in spelling) plays a violin, with an- other girl at the piano and a youth who saxes now and then, all get- tltttf' together for the finale. Did very well at the 6th Ave.. No. 4, but ittle entertainment for time con- sumed. If there ahould ba any strength developed In this turn for anything better than a 6th Avenue bill, it must come through Miss Hedegus' smiling presenca. It aaemed IM HMCft «ia Mitfe Ikad her better tlyin her act. And in vaude that, BMSt «fUn, is what gets oyer. Bime, ADAMS AND RASH ^ Songa Mins.; One 8l8t St. (V-P) Most of the faults and none of the good polnta c€ two^mott aam- blnatlons spells flop for this turn. Alternating between straight bal- lad-singing and unsuccessful hokum the boys total eeven miirataa Imd zero as entertainment. A series of hats planted In tho footlight pan accompany each change of aong aiiA tampo. While doing some mugging. In which laughs are strained for through purposely singing oft key, the unln- tentieiial achiayam<iiita ta titfa ae- partmapt predominate. A weak act from start to finish and rolled over at this house. at the despite PALACE (tt Vaude) Plenty of entertainment K-A ace house this week absence of tha uaual array of names. A packed house Monday night with song pluggers rubbing Bhoulders with regular etistomara, and neither liep to the other guy's racket, which made things perfect The bill ran avenly through a switch In routine after the mat- inee that sent Uoye. and Maye from No. 7 to i oloaing intermisaIbB, grai)- bing the spot of Elsie Janls, head- lining and spotted 7 switching with Roye and Ifaye. The switching about sent comedy In abundance to the second division, with the first half praatloaliy bara Att laulrh M- terial. Five Maxellos opened with fast risley and aorobatiaa tlMt «ot at«r neatly. ; Dorothy and Rosetta Ryan fol- lowed with some nifty harmonizing and comedy through the efforts of ihe funmaking proclivities of one of the sisters. The girls clicked as melodists and the comedy of one of the sisters was particularly re- freshing in the first part. Foster's *^anity Girls" held trey nicely with a dancing ensemble much after the fashion of the units Foster has plentifully produced. All the girls are lookers, shapely, know their footwork and provide a de- lectable dancing ensemble. Peggy O'Neill, featured in the group of 20, contributes some devef aordNHtc dancing on her own account. Russ Brown and Jean Whitaker, mixed duo, also hit cross-fire and vocalizing. This couple are cork- ing entertainers with plenty of class and an act that Is sure fire. Harry Roye and Billee Maye, back from abroad and scrapping their former production act, registered sure fire with their dancing routine, proving that talent can withstand absence of acenio embellishment, such as has been in order with this dancing duo for the past two sea sons. The production stuff was a great fiash but in their present turn the dancers are demonstrating they can stand upon their own merits without the former sartorial back- ground and large support. Freda and Palace, male duo, after intermission held them nicely with wop comedy, vocalizing and instru- mentation. The boys went after the mob, grabbed and held them, walk- ing off to one of the genuine hits. Blsle Janis mopped as show Stopper In next place. Recovered from her recent indisposition which took her out of the bill here two weeks ago. Miss Janis did a come- back with a vengeance. The prelim ballad was not exactly in Elsie's back yard, but the follow-up im- pwraonations so far outdistanced the Opener that most forgot about it after Miss Janis did a George Ghaan-Bddta Foy double on "Ain't She Sweet" and a ''Black Bottom" a la £thel. Iffiaa Janla Was aocorded a %arm reception on the walk-on, bettered on the walkaway when doing a bow out as an unofficial enunciation for Brennan and Roger.s. Tho latter, recent walkouts from Shuberts' "A Night In Spain,'* are back in vaude- ville with pretty much the same routine aa before* Stanley. Rogers doaa tha titlah-ha4M dame" much after tlia fashion of the late Bert Savoy. ,1Plia cross-fire gagging by Jay Bramuui lilt hicely, with the duo going Into song finish and copping. K. T. Kuma, Jap magician, closed with torttatian and my/itery atuff, and two women assistants. Kuma handled hla routine with clever and held thaimir chlnery No, 4. The rough atulf of was genuine or a gag, he came back the woman and her yodeling were for a banal slush spiel, very much to the liking of the crowd Bob and Lucy Gillette were brisk so they demanded and got'more, starters with their comedy ju^'giin- Immediately ahead of this team Miss Gillette does tho tou^h stuff "The Gay NinelieK" (New AcU) her partner contributing the com- regiatered as a vaude production- edy and panto. Gillette was a act that could be made into a stand- whale of a comedy drmec specialty, ard but now holds only enough which. If he has something el.se with power to be consisLent in the neigh- ^^j'^^j^" developed Into a corking '^^BeUy'l^nd Jerry Brown deuced ^ L^^^„""^y •^<i^^^ adequately when singing but floun- | JP^^J^ w'Jrm" an?"fhe' Uu^'^l]^? dered when conversing with each other. Puns have yet to be tabbed professional comedy, and here's a team that should do something about I and much of little.* e "Poet and Peasant Overture" with mttoh ffttsto, and topped it with-a. double dance. A little of everything it. They have appearance and blend nicely as to voice, but if that's as much as they're interested the solu- tion is straight sitiging and no talk. The punch number is wisely at the finish and helped considerably. Brighter conversation should send this couple deucing it ail oyer the country. Boyd and "Wallin opened mod- erately, the woman's display of neck strengrth apparently not being over impressive to the Monday night A Lew Cantor tab, labeled Can- tor's Revels, waa a flash in tha closing groove. A community sing In the guise of a Sliaplro-Iicrnstein song plug, la- beled A. Joseph Jordan s Minstrel% comprised tha overture. Abel. 86TH ST. <Vaia4a«Poto) Heavy placarding of newsreela drop-ins. Working on a slack wire, showing Lindbergh continues around for one of which the woman serves town. In some instances it's the as the support, the man's fast twirl boloney. This Is the third theatre at the finish woke 'em up a bit. The visited within four days where the act worked fast enough, five min- boy wonder ia advertised but not utes, but It looked like Just one of I shown. those times when the applause isn;t I proctor's new K-A mansion haa the edge in furnishings. There's _ gent's lounge decorated in such style to make a ph'blan feel inadequate amid Its luxury, and what the la- dies' quarters must look like Is aa there. A veteran turn that doesn't have to ba aenaational At avary show. Berk and Saun lack a climax dur- ing any of the 15 minutes they're on. A Dutch number, quiet, opens I gentleman's business. ^n^f'.'^Sl'? Jn'^^ni^fh^^^^ This week's fairly entertaining six one. The girl had the best chance ^cts are getUng picture support from here with an old ''blues''number but .-The Yankee Clipper. " Although failed to top It off by anything k„ inharmonious pit orchestra is dynamic after singing the lyric to ^onVto gum things ud at times, the the conventional slow tempo. Lead- final reaction i« pleading, mg Into the finish is a comedy toy George and Jack Dorraonde, play* "hnifn./J «^'iH^ nnTn^t >lVi^^ P°*<» uulcycles. Walked iff to business at this point being pro- | guch loud acclaim It looked like an- longed so that the laugh Is handi- capped before it arrives. Got some recognition but not what it can se- cure If at least one, and more, ap- plause points are constructed. Mcl Klee sauntered forth and re- vesilefd no'variation in style. Some new gags since last seen plus the comic still clipping coupons on a couple of the old onea Well "over.' Viva Malays closed. Bid. HARRIS and PEPPEM:<:y: Comedy and Songs 12 Mins.; One (Special) American Roof (V-P) Strong comedy team wltl) chat ter fast .and breezy. Harris affects a Hebe dialect. Gagging is on sales talk and demonstrations of hosiery. Ap- proach of a Indv customer with Harris and I'eppors taking turns aa the lady leads to further ef- fective comedy. Dress in ordinary street alothos. Can't miss on small time. LEROY and ROQERt Comadr A af i »al a One — ■ . . 5th Ave. (V-P) A two-man comedy acrobatic turn with Ita apaning the beat laugh. To martial music the curtain arises with one man apparently standing before the audience, in comedy maka-up. Ra kBovM tmmr U t9ff*a^ another man behind him. Tn the comedy aerobatics, gro- tesque or travesty strength or lift tricks are gone through with. These are not uncommon nowadays. It's tho matter of presentation and what's put into them. These boy.s don't put enough. They may be a new combo. If SO they should work It out for top value. At present they can open as they do here, for thia type of house. Bime, JOHNNY HERMAN (1) Comedy and Senas 12 Mins.; One American Roof (V-P) ]31ackface comedian doing series of pop numbers and then switch- ing into business. Works with a girl planted in a box. The latter finally breaks into song. Liked at the American and girl an cored. letter sound too high pitched and ahould try to tana down. RICHARD VINTON REVUE (3) Dancing and Acrobatic 12 Mine.; Full (Speoiaf fat) Hlppadrama (V-P) A strongly knit and well routined act that can't miss. Held them in their seats without a murmur in tftA n1ft«tnd> mnnf for fh^ full turolvr BROADWAY (Vaude-Pots) Mel Klee and Clara Bow split the billing here thia week with neither one liable to boast About It. There wus Just over a half house present to greet tha final Ifonday perform- ance at 9.09. Tt^a blackface monologlst was next ta ielbaing with Clara winding up In "Rough House Rosie" (Par). Both did all right but couldn't over come tha importance of the an- nouncement that the Keith-Albee Hippodrome has finally decided that something should be done about the flood down south. Screen announce ments herald a "monster" perform ance at the 6th avenue stsdlum the middle of this month for the home- less sufferers, who have been home less since April 10. The N. V. A. benefits were held May 1. Seven acts besides the picture and a news weekly with Claude and Marlon abruptly halting tha ma minutes and drew applause for an encore with the strong man stuff. Q'he adagio is expertly executed depending on the lightness of the girl and the ease with which the man catches and aarrles her for Interest. Scene la ^In an artist's studio nicely decorated. The straight poses do not add iBuoh valua to , tha number* SEAMON and HARMON Comedy Acrobats 8 Mins.; One American Roof (V-P) A funny combiriatioiu A rt e.i^ily measures up to big time standards The pair stopped the show at the American in next to closing. The supporter sports a powdered mug with his partner acting the boob. The hysterics begin when the smaller man falls into the sup- porter's trousers, he.ad first. Laughs from the start and no the slighte.«»t e.isin" up until Ihe , boiya walk off the aias^ other unfortunate instance where the first act would be the hit of the bill. The impression lingered faintly as the Harrington bisters went through their veteran'^published numbers. The girls have such a nice delivery and get along so well with the old numbers it's a wonder they wouldn't get the courage to chance some new in place oi" the bewhiskered. Amateur Night in London" was not on tlio bill, replaced by Wally Sharpies and Co. Sharpies con- tinues with his two blackouts and comic opera finale. Very few had seen his act here, and the novelty of it sent Sharpies Into first rating. The opening skit, having Sharpies kill his wife because she didn't serve beans, and the opera rendition aiST ST. (Vauda-Pcts) Five acts of vaudeville. Starts at 8.23. over at 9.19. Less than an hour. The opening act does 12 min utes. The next to closing act has trouble doing seven. _ _ Looks like spending the evening I of' "I'Wonder ^Whaf's^^ B^^^ at a vaudeville show has passed into Sally" went over big. The other }^JJ^^°' "^.T * of skit, allegedly written by a crazy "killinr* a little time. A minor gent, didn't catch on near as welL amusement for the neighbors when The program says of Sybil Vane* not in the mood for a good game of "Welcome home after two years* tiddle-de-winks at home. success In Europe." Miss Vane's John Olms and Co., still palming present catalog of songs is popular, watches and making Big Bens grow Jack McLallen, the comic who out of Ingersolls, focused attention finds time to dance atop- a table and so served the useful purpose of with roller skates, was high among getting the audience "set." The the laughs. He carries Sarah, who Dixie Four, colored song and dance straights It, and a fine goof named men, breezed on and off within nine I*'red (Pansy) Sanborn, who develops minutes, which seemed shorter be- as no slouch on the xylophone. The cause they do not leave the atage three worked hurriedly for 17 min- nor pause during the tima thay are utes, most of it talk, and clicked on. They were liked. with to spare. Casey and Warren (New Acts) Vanessl closed with a well-pro- offer a fluffy trifle that makes a good duced revue—the. one that was cut filler but has no sliow-building down to a price the K-A men stamina. It's one of the effusion.s thought they could afford. What from the Immensely prolific William it must have been before the cut is K. Wells. Wells remains one of the ultra vaudeville, but it's still excel- busiest of vaudo writers in these •*'nt stuff for any house. Besides days when the flip literati are trek- Vanessl and her looks and dancing, ing out to the gold fields of Holly- there are the Gamble Boys, three wood. versatile musicians, and Sonny Adams and Rash (New Acts) look Hines; who dances with acrobatic like a couple of not-too-good ballad | instinct. Quite a treat, singers who have suddenly taken up characterizations. Whatever their history they belong No. 2. And when two deucers are booked on a five-act bill one of 'em will have to ba next to closing and so take the rap for beimp Unequal to tha re- sponsibility 5TH AVE, (Vaude-Pets) Kelth-Albea seems ddbmed to ba a second-run. After playing second- run acts with second-run pictures, A group of Alhertina Rasch Girls I *"d always behind In innovations, billed as "direct from the successful reforms or inspirations, the circuit, run of 'Lucky'," closed the bill with according to the slide announcement the obvlotuf newness of the. routines at the Fifth Avenue Monday night unahlo to hide from the audience *8 now going to pull a second-run the Innate class and smartness of I benefit. That's at the Hippodrome, the ensemble. Laura La Plan te in •*Tha ThriU " (U) was the featura. Love STATE (Vaude-Pets) Three alleged musical comedy acts on the bill, and It's not even a good small-time show. Jlmmie Savo, h<adliner, was last In "Artists and Model.s," and even the pantomimic Savo irked through over.staying his welcome. Savo seemed to be taking advantage of the opportunity for the introduc tion of .some new mate- rial. Many patrons knew his work, which Is a tribute to Savo's draw, but this reporter's neighbors seemed unanimous in their deroga- tory opinions about soma of the new ■Wtsr Joan Pranza •'straights'* for the conudi.in, who should uniformly confine himself to the panto. No need for Savo to offset his chances by singing, etc. Julia Keloty f^tlll knows how to fing 'em. She, too, is of the musi- eal comedy category, as is Harry Coleman and Co. in one of tho.se he-and-she quarnl sp.usnis. Cole- nwn got heavily dramatic for the getaway', and whether tha raaponaej another Keith-Albee pop vaude the- atre, and for the Mississippi flood sufferers. As the date is June 18 and they have been suffering for a couple of months or so. K'A Is not late—much. And speaking of first runs! The Fifth Avenue news reel did not have one sh(»t of the (.:haujl)erlin-Levine take-off, or of Chamlnrlin or of Levine, although It had a Paris view of Lindbergh, shown in New Tork by Bathe last week. But the Keith-Albee houses ap- pear to be getting one break against the picture placee and their shows; that the people around the K-A the- atres think it is more advisable to go to the K-A local horfises, where they are certain of seats than to go to the Broadway houses, where they must wntt In line. That may be a., tip for K-A to build their new ones way out. A Pnake-eater a few weeks «gO closing the show and this week a mechanical figure might also sug- gest that there's still room for » dime museum below 42d street with a 10c top and bottom. The fipur* !.«» an Illusion, called "Radiana." tuf^ showing at the Hip. It's one or (Continued on page 55)