Variety (Aug 1928)

Wednesday, August 1, 1928 VAUDEVILLE REVIEWS VARIETY 35 PALACE (St. Vaude) "It's not *vhat you can clo, but the way you do it that counts." Mae "West cracked it back In 1911 in Arthur Hamtherstein's musical, "Sometime." A librettist prol)ably wroto It in arid if niemory serves was Mae's only line in the show. Mae isn't on the Palace bill but there are a trio of acts .present that have made tho upward climb to stage popularity, all : of whom may or may not have heard the above incritioned chirp and have cashed on the premise. Freddie Bj'rori £ind Eddie "Willi-s, comparatively new, do a dancing twosome such as has been done bo- fore, but it's the way they do it that coiints. James Barton, who served his apprenticeship iji burlesque, vand Whiting and. Burt,'graduates from the cabaret, ■ are- the others^. - Put them all togetlner and they spell show stoppers. Helen Menken, headlined in "Saturday Night," by Louis feolomon, was. superior, to the act. A smooth running show and better than averag©"foi* this hou-se. Three Nitos, two men and a. wo mail, opened with rolitihe acro- batics, comedy clicklng.in botli di- visions. Byron and Willis, on riexty sewed things up With their dancing. The boys make a neat appearance, know their hooflng and feature acrobatics. TWO doubles spaced by solos fixed everything for them, • Jan Garber's band treyed it to the usual results for: music combina- tions. ■ The men handle their In- struments well ia-nd break -up the schedule by -warbling arid sonie clowning. Clara Barry and Orval Whitlege scored neatly virith the isnappiest repartee which has been theii" good fortune to project since combining. Act Is delivered in a nonchalant mariner, the quips seem- ing impromptu. Mlfes Barry has improved as a comedienne since last around and has now hit a stride, that should be''open-week proof. Helen Menken (New Acts), so- journing in vaude pending rehear- sals for "Congai," closed the first half supported by John Gallaudet. Miss Menken was befittingly re- ceived on entrance and at get away. While providing a setup for Miss Menken's emoting qualities the sketch is more suited for the little theatre groups than vaude. Howr ever, Miss Meriken carries It. George Whitinig and Sadie Burt mopped up aft*r. intermission. Theirs is a new routing of half sung, half talked numbers. Again delivery counted. Handling most of the numbers as doubles, all went oyer big, especially the Mex thing which packed plenty .of coriiedy and halted the show.^ Two encores before ■George could hop biwjk to his night club.' Jim Barton, next, topped his pre- decessors. James stopped It—and how. Barton has discarded his for- riier support and is working as a single. And to much better results. His pantomimic di'ilnk for ah opener remains, a classic with the foUowr up dancing almost as strong. Not forgetting his ability to sell a song for full Worth. Mob covildn't get enough of Bartort and were still yelling after three recalls. Great Shubert and Partner, man and woman doing contortion work above par, closed and held them, Edba. HELEN MENKEN (2) "Saturday Night" (Sketch) 15 Mins.; Full (Special) Palace (St.V) Helen Mcnkon is back in vaude Ville with' "Katurday Night" au- thored by Louis Solomon and pro- duced by Albert Lewis, Inc., It doesn't stand in comparison to the "Seventh licaven" tab Miss Menken projected on her- iast excursion in thi.s strata of the theatre. .One report is that the. sci'ipt. has rep<jsod for two years in Lewis's desk and was rcsuri'ected u^ith Bill .Fra\vlcy called in to brighten up the dialog. ; It's an uptown roniancc between the Harlom Lily (white) besmirched by an ungratefuT roustabout, the family has taken in on her say-so and who now wants to give her air. Action ia laid in a sitting rporii of a flat and begins with the girl call ing the boy friend in for Jl show down on matrimony, and he does a run put. The gal's broken up but she heard: "Laugh, Clown, Laugh" over a neiffhboring. radio so she transcends into a fcmme Punchi- riello, wavers into hysterics while ex- plaining to the girl friend, via phone, that she has told the in grate off. This is the. curtain. Redeeming feature is that it gives Miss Menken .ii wide range. She gives it- everything arid comes out Creditably. John Gailauflet Is 'ade quate as the Ingrate lover. • Nothing much more than a good workout for the star. Edba. BURT and LEHMAN Comedy . 14 Mihs.; .One- American Roof (V-P) If they padlocked Madison's Bud- get: and -Joe Miller's w.k. work and placed that type of chatter under a legal embargo it would automatical- ly cause the suppression of Buirt and Lehman. Still, It's one of those acts that has picked its hoke and business wisiely and well. The family trade can't help but responding because it has beeri impressed on their con- sciousness by now that these always have been . good jokes. Both men are In street clothes, the straight conventional and Lehman featuring an askew sky-piece to plant his characterization. Abel DAVE BERNiE and BAND, (14) Instrumental Songs and. Dancing, 19 Mins.; Full (Special)* Hippodrome (V-P) With Ben Bernie frolioing at. Sar- atoga, Dave has stepped into the Hotel Roosevelt with the outtU whicli permits him to use the hotel in tho va:ude billing. A round dozen are in.. the male personnel plus a couple of girl specialists. Of thcsi^ two one's racket Is acrobatic work making It an easy week on brobni.s at, the Hipp. "The other storiips a few hot steps and warhles not with- out reason. Dave keeps himself under control at the piano but hops down front to. deliver the rehearsed ad lib reriiarks and annouriceriients, lost'upstairs in this stadium, Ho also sings and to do this joins a couple of his boys, the three harmonizing nicely. This is especially noticeable as Dave goes over the two numbers frorii Ben's brief but $5.50 career with "Hero's How." The boys also do a coriiedy lyric around "Constantinople" and the dirummer Is down stage to tenor a Victor Herbert melody. Band uncorks some danceable ar r rangements and an easy ryhthmi to hint that for those who want to step the Roosevelt should have, its mo- ments. Boys are uniform and con^ ventional In tuxedos plus the loose jointed miss In flowing red a:nd , she of the hotsy-totsy tendencies in rompers disguised by a short dress. Latteir, is ,an energetic gal who might insert another song in place b£ the slow eccentric dance now of- fered. She has that night club aroma., Bernie did well over here closing the show Monday night. Between his cryptic remarks and the talent of the band as a unit he shouldn't have any trouble findirig places to ,play during the afternoons.arid early evenings, though It may seriously interfere with his golf. Bid. EDDIE MAYO and Harmonica Rascals (12) Music and Comedy 16 Ming.; Two (Special Drop) State (V-P) Kddio Miiyp aud his hannoni.'^ts Including one boy who doesn't lig- ure in any mouth organ biz but ap- pears towards the dose for a fast steppiu}? specialty, have no fear, of comparison with any of the. other •harniopioa outlils now in the vaude or ill Hi .houses; Tkc reason, is'that Mayo, has a nUK><icul kiok plus comedy byplay that's surofii-e. Much of the fun hinges on the, antics of a colored lilliputian who works like a Trojan ,'iU the; way and, comes in for the blj? lafCwhen he dresses as a wench for a hot finale.. Mayo never loafs and is a versa- tile load<>r. He leads effectively, sings, jazzes things along, plays tho harmonica and whistles. He intro- duces se-v'cral; of the boys, one 'who plays Victor. Herbert's "Gypsy Love Song," another who whizzes a blues on the mouthorgan. and the third, the sole Negro comic who also mugs throughout and does a lively dance. The Mayo gang is there on all cylinders, either for the film houses or vaude. An effective hit and cleanup at the State. Mark. training as he. went along, becoming quite a favorite befoi-e finishing. Keller Sisters and . Lynch started off on the wrong foot or the wrong key or the wrong something, for they had to stop arid start again Monday night. They went into their usual close harmony, and toward the close sang the Baltimore hot num- ber that had the blond sister show- ing how she could step the low- down. Then came the Eddie Mayo hit, musically and humorously. "Steam- boat Bill, Jr.," (U. A.) on the screen, Mark' AMERICAN ROOF STATE (Vaudfilm) If it hadn't been for Eddie Mayo and Gang and that array of 10 boys of unusual avoirdupois for their ages who were on display as desir- ous of filling, Joe Cobb's ^hocs as Patty in the "Our Gang" comedies, the State bill Monday would have been a sorry affair as far as comedy was concerned. Mayo and Har- monica Rascals (New Acts) were in -the ^closing- spoti- and Mayo,, aside from his riiouth, organ eritertairi- ment, dished up some amusing bits. With a wouldrbe Fatty Cobb of a miniature type, said to. be only three, and another fatty -who outdistanced the others excepting the tiny fatty, the audience showed real enthusi- asm and applauded both so heartily Jpe Emniett decided both would be in the finals ia,t Palisades Park Aug. 6. And Mr. Emmett was the cyno- sure of all eyes in his spick-and- span attire, decidedly summerish, and made the manager the sholkiest of managerial sheiks along the Big Stem. He looked about 10 degrees Cooler than his refrigerated process, claims to register. Two pianos were tucked In among the six acts. This had two singing acts on general comparison alriiost following, each other. Winnie and Dolly opened, doing their turn of several years, but re- taining quite a circusy aspect through the long .swings <if the tra- peze and the rings on which Winnie in particular does some neat stunts ^effectively.--Ran kin-and-Lestcr--(J>JXLW-. Acts) fairly well received. Two-boy hoofing combo. , Charles Olcott and Virginia Lee used a piano, songs and a comedy bit by Olcott. Olcott apparently permitted Miss Lee to have the stage mainly to her.self for the mo.st part, and her performance Moriday night was not so advantageous, duo to a cold. Her voice broke com- pletely in one of her numbers and seemed to affect her high notes on others, "Snoozer. Jr.," showed his canine (Vaudfilm) First half opera Is as good an exposition of the hinterland sum- mer mis-transplanted to a stone's throw from Broadwaiy and 42d street as could be encountered. At that, the bill possesses some distinction as an adventure and it's worth the couple of hours' ordeal for this rea son alone. How that Madison's Budget Is do- ing duty, not to mention James's famous predecessor, Joe Miller. And the way the easy, if meager, audi- ence went for the familiars proves .maybe, that price special material and intelligent routine is cold for 8th avenue If that's the, way they go for the old hokum bucket over ■ there. ■ Where the libretto made rid. dif ference In, the sight act.s, the talent is a. tribute, for one thing, to the bookers', subway powers of diggin' 'em up^for Aug. . . Most of 'em under New Acts, In eluding the opener, Helga Du Ford Sister.s, find that clo-ser, Alpirie Sports. Ditto Pisano and Pictro, Burt and Lehman and Lowe and Sargent Co., comprising the first half. Seymour and Cunard, reopenmg, have improved, their stuff since last around. They were somewhat of the cla.ss of the show, although their comedy relics too much on the pun- ning and simile school of humor. Necessarily elementary for general consumption, their attempt at smartness is nullified by its ob- viousness. The veteran Grey and Byron won =heftier-=r-eturn.s-a3^did.thil.Els<m.<2ity_ Four with their equally broad .style. Both are pleasing to the family trade. , ^ i Alpine Sports closed and one Couldn't determine, almo.st, whether thev were kidding or not. ^ ■Those that stuck proved either that" Ramon Novarro is a strong card or that the picture—which probably is the truer <?eduction—la the candy of the Loew bilKs. The Uture was "A Certam Young Man." BARBERNI Ventriloquist 10 Mins.; One American (V«P) Glassed as ventriloquist only be- cause he features that style In a sin- gle routine that has novelty and variety. Work with the dummy Is only , part of turn. Apparently a foreigner. Starts with mere scrap of introduction In French, then turns to English With picturesque accent. Walks out with . trombone, at mouth and plays short selection disclosing music Is vocal Imitation Siriiulates off-stage voice In alter- cation and goes to tormentoi- for dummy. Stuff here has song num- ber. "Singing dummy" is great voice placing. Dummy discarded and goes Into series of sound Imitations of hand- saw, etc., and cats in romantic duet The sounds of this are the least The bit,has as its comedy punch the pantomime. Delicate Innuendo fairly killed the American crowd, always keen for suggestion of "blue." For finish he does sound and panto of cat and dog in flght for a laughing climax, once again the business being better and funnier than the sound effects. Barbemi is really a gifted panto mimist, working in broad effects, but still with a subtle quality about his humor. Made to order for ex- perimenting in talking shorts not with present routine but with ma- terial that would bring out his high- ly suggestive dumb show first and subordinating the Imitations. Rush GRACE and CELEY WORTH Song arid Dance 12 Mins,; One. American (V-P) Engaging young couple, offering mild manner of peddling standard numbers, some sprightly dance rou tines arid very little talk. Open with usual flirtation bit, but here clipped short. Go right into dance and stay with It to the finish, Nice looking young man with agreeable manners and good per- sonality. Dancing runs to taps In which both are highly proficient Girl, opening in party frock, changes to abbreviated get up, making a pip Of a picture, with figure of graceful ctarves. Brisk finish in acrobatlc-charles- ton-blackbottom routines. Up to No. 3 would be asset to any bill of the American grade; prospect of growing into rating better spotting as^"tH«y develorpr'^^"==^^=^ HELGA DU FORD SISTERS (2) Song, Dance, Acrobatic 10 Mins.; Two and Three American Roof (V-P) Hopelessly amateur. The sisters cannot hope for much on the show- ing of their simple stepping, tremelo warbling and elem«-ntary , acro-finale. ^^^1. MAZUR'S ENTERTAINERS (9) Jazz Orchestra 16 Mins.; Full Stage American ;(V-P) Nine young men of the college boy type, wearing tux.. Novelty of personnel Is that traps are localed down center arid drumrtier is leader of the outfit. Personable young man Who makes announcemerits, works effects and does several recitations. Talk is comedy in tone, but doesn't belong. ' : Makeup is cornet, trombone, two saxes, violin, banjo, piano, spusa- phone and drums. Between ensem- ble numbers, all .standard, trio (drums, piano and sax) break into song, and other boys come down front and do dance routines. Fair comedy bit, has two boyS posing as brides and two others as bridegroom for wedding march opening and then (couples are on horieymOons) medley of Dixie airs No. 3 at the American. Rate better spot in that grade of house and strong feature for any small time bill. Musical- quality Is pleas- ing but not remarkable for any out- standing characteristic in Instru- meritation. or arrangement. Rush LOWE and SARGENT (&) Dance Revue 13 Mins.; One and Three American Roof (V-P) . Billed as a team, Lowe and Sar- gent head a song and dance revue that has some semblance of book to hold it together, but, does not carry it out. Sister team, they look like actual relatives, introduce with a radio lyric about television enabling one to view the action accompanying a romantic number. From that could havei emanated a strong comedy bit showing how a love song in a studio Is prosaically Interpreted before the "mike." For stage purposes, how- ever, the featured team goes through a terp double. Tho sisters con- tribute mild saxojphonia and a youngster steps neatly in an ad- vanced squat routine of the vodlta sciiool. Lowe and Sargent register on their own dance doubles. Act presumably and probably car- ries some production In the down- stairs auditorium. This was not disclosed on the. Roof.' Okay for the grade. Abet. BEN POLLACK'S BAND (9) Instrumental 19 Mins.; Full Audubon (V-P) Another of tho Victor recoird makers and night club outfits that stand.*? on musical merit. Nothing flashy yet each i.umber is reeled off with neatness -and rhythm tl)at should keep Pollack's musicers working in either vuude or picture houses. Pollack Is a drummer, but also takes a vocal fling that isn't a bit bad. The Ivvnd plays as though it is the same bunch Ben ha,d in Chicago. ■ . . In the categoi-y is old "Tiger Rag" which they step on difCereritly. from other musical organizations. Pollock di!r>tributes the,' stage at- tention and gives his boys a chance, By way of injecting a little comedy the guitar player imitates a femme- and makes a specialty of, a pop.: Pollaclc doesn't stall and neither does lie do any. grandstand stuff. He makes brief, announcements,, each number being introduced as having been played by this band on Victor records.- A smooth working group, and probabiy the same bunch Whiteman used to drop in to hear when in Chi. An unquestioned hit a^ Audubon. Mark. RANKIN and LESTER, Dances 7 Mins.; One State (V-P) Just a coupla hoofing ,boy,s. Hard workers but nothing marked in either pair of feet. The boys worit double routines mainly, one gplrig in for. an ecccn trie solo that ran niore to a time .step and break along the familiar lines of colored stepping known as "vamping."' The other boy al.so does some fast dancing. All runs to taps. Fair act of its kind but a sameness of the two-boy routine mitigating against its re- sults. - Mark. PISANO and PtETRO Musical .13- M i ns.; ■■One 1.l. American Roof (V-P) Wop musical combo of piano-ac cordionlst and comedy fiddler who throws in a hip-wiggle for laugh re- turns. Their muslco-variety ia pop ularly appealing for the Loew grade and they made a decent impression in the deuce on the Roof. Act Is one of those street musician frameup.s with usual costuming and baekgrounds, AM MARIE WHITE and BLUE SLICKERS (5) Dancing 16 Mins.; One and Full Audubon (V-P) Five boys, one tailing, care of the dancing which runs to eccentric stepping, and the other, four coni- pr.ising the musical accompaniment. Two • are standouts with their banjos. One plays a trumpet con- traption and the other fiddles. The combined effect is hot. Miss White gets off slowly, her Opening number being almost use- less. She later goes in for a dash of toe work, then switches to tho common form of fast stepping -with a bit of bb or Charleston' at the finale. The dancing boy also haa an inning or two alone. Miss White's talent is best In dancing. Her singing doesn't hold up. On a general summary the .danc- ing and the musical efforts hold the turn. All work hard and drew A fail-vote her?. Mark. KEN AND DEBARD BROS. (3) Dancing and Singjng 10 Mins.; On© , Englewood, Chicago (V-P) A brother hoofing team with a pianist-singer who also hoofs. In return the bros sing, which makes the whole thnig Just fair deuce ma- terial for neighborhoods. Start collegiately In blazers and goggles, singing a rah rah ditty and workiner into an east side-west side buck routine. Then tho bros, hooflng It alone, satisfactorily, and the other boy singing another com- edy number. Next the pianist sits down at his instrument and the bros, sing "yattl at tat" while one of them gets ecstatic on a toy cymbal. All dance for a finish. Some ap- plause here, ILL AND INJURED Billy Cinders,, comedian, with Educational Pictures, broke his leg in a fall from ari automobile while posing Jpr_a„jyUplctu^^^ Coast, . ■ ' ■ ■ Mrs. Johnny Berringer, colored, la recovering from Injuries received in an auto, accident. Morris Press of Paramount talker and musical departmerits Is due back following minor surgical nasal operation. Angle ward (Ward.And Van) laid up for the past two months at his home in Hollywood with an injured leg caused by a fall while on the golf course. Georgie Stone, screen actor, re- covering from a minor operation at the Hollywood Hospital, Hollywood. Mrs. John Ersklne was injured when her horse fell on the Erskine^r estate in North Wilton, Conn., July 19. Mrs. Er.skine received an injury to her shoulder but was not seri- ously hurt. Elbert "Slim" Severance, general press rcproscntatlve for the Chan- ins, operutf'd on for appendicitis at tfir^jrn^iFa=^(Er-^lT)^^-HOJT'lt^^^^^ w-eek. Reported in favorable con- dition. . ,x MothV'r of Lloyd Garrett is crit- ically ill in Moulton, Ia„ Garrett leaving tho Park Central roof ao m.o. 10 be at her bedside. Wife of Ira Schuster, Feist staft songwriter, is confined to Mt. Sinai hospital, New York, pa.st nine weeka with pernicious anemia.