Variety (Jan 1930)

'. ‘Covey, REVIEWS 4l "Wednesday, January 22, 1980 | = VARIETY | —————$— NEW ACTS CALIGARY Bros. (2) gomedy Acrobats -|8 Mins.;. Before Band © Capitol -(Pres.)New York’ Billed as just. over from Europe and making their initial American appearance this duo,. possibly Ger‘mans, has’ some excellent ideas of comedy acrobats and. pantomime. As routined at the Capitol there was. ample area for improvement in pace, execution. and neatness, yet -funda|mentally they have. individuality and | a high order of merit... Boys will '.be well advised’ to expériment.or.otherwise build ‘for the ‘future even though.as-isthey. can ‘probably work indefinitely. | Torn armpits in tuxedo distinctly out of character at the Capitol, . or any-. where. Land. —- comedy acrobats, proved this anew, if it needed corroboration. “ @ash has the house lights up for ‘a short spell, while he throws rubper balls to the audience, giving the customers free throws. Familiar as guch practices ‘are in vaude houses, for the film parlor it partakes of the unusual. Therefore. good, Chester Hale's Girls, as always, lively and pert. <As’ between one troupe of girls and another it would be invidious to draw . comparisons. But it is probably true .that: the ‘ Capitol ballets have more femininity | week after week than any other on “Broadway... This femininity angle is sometimes lost sight of in. the rou: tine academies, -. -+ Capitol grand orchestra has three. : pianos, providing strong. foundation _-and ‘ pictorial ‘symmetry. Center: “piano ‘is, presided over by .2. young. lady in a white satin blouse and a Garbo coiffure. Percussion depart*. ment, three stalwart wielders of the’ padded . mallets, were especially. warm this week “It's a Great Life” (Metro) on the ‘screen, running hour. anda half; as. Turn is ‘rather unusual in that . it Ig paced at march time tempo, givIng it snap and speed... Schafer and Bernice, in at an emergency call, got their laughs from their doublemeaning talk. She's selling an auto and he’s angling for a wife, Evans and Mayer, “cowboy and | girl,” but with Mayer: working’ in ‘street. clothes’ this performance, were over big...Miss Evans sings a. couple: of songs and. sells them for @ sure click, and. Mayer had_his gags timed. perfectly, They liked. this team here.. Henry Santrey and. band, ‘doing 45 minutes, had several walkouts ‘because of dropping: the ‘curtain every now and then, . Turn ‘is not as entertaining as. it. might. be, due priricipally to desire to cover too large’:a field. Santrey has a sweet band, ‘but routining could be -{-Paula “TRUEMAN (2) Impressions, Songs. : 25 Mins.;One and ‘Full (Special) i 58th St. (VP) , Paula Trueman, from legit,. has a-. class act of stageand screen character imipressions. Aided by: a. tenor, Arnold Gluck, a male piafio accom-:. . panist, Marshall McCurdy. Wor th. all houses. Opens in. “one” with Ghick an-_ nouncing -tuin, then. goes to full and ore alternately with Miss Trueman .doing. takeoffs on ‘Maurice Chevalier, Molly ‘Picon and Greta ‘Garbo. .: Finally”. a. number . called . “The Age of Innocence," taken fr om: her legit work, All are well done, Among Gluck's numbers is. “Gypsy '.Love . Song,’ -.l which he’ sings well. .All -of Miss ‘| Trueman’s changes are done on. the WILLIAM SEABURY and Co. (6) Specialty Act... 20 Mins.; Full (Special) . Palace. (St V)> . This is Seabury’s third new. act’ ‘tn about a year... In it he ‘probably ‘has found what he wants, or close ‘enough to satisfy. As entertainment it.isn't quite as strong as the turn before this one, but it looks ‘a.lot cheaper to -perate. The dif-. ference in cost is the current act's edge. It holds some excellent .spe‘clalty numbers; these. plus Seaimproved.’ Stage was dressed slop} bury’s own. work, sending it over.” pily first. show, but probably, due to} At the Palace andthe last .act. ‘tthe rush. on the bill, Seabury. didn’t get on “Seven Keys to ‘Baldpate” (Radio) until. after'.6 p.m, when caught feature.. Business excellent, ‘with | (Saturday niatinee)., It was a hanholdouts: atend of the first show. | dicap, particularly at the Palace Loop. ‘{where they walk ‘by. habit. at 5. ‘and 11. That it held all.but a few is now usual -with talkers, Land. a speaks a lot for this act. and its “DANCE DERBY” (10) " | stage. —__—GR AND OH people. > d Full (8 ) “Chevalier characterization is a ° Two-man ‘darice team. and. four | 16 Mins.; One and Fu pecia ‘song from, ‘The Love Parade." “The ENRIGHT. : (Vaudfilm) are the: support. -The. boys Academy of Music (V~ Age of Innocence” is satirical crin By. largely on: theStrength ofa few of the specialties, the nice manner in which .act.:is staged. and its. expensive ‘mounting, Lew Kessler's “Dance Derby”. fits for medium-time bills‘in splits of second importance. Opening spot, as here, seems its best | position in houses where flashes are. EVANS and WOLF. and Co. a) used ‘as starters. ‘Songs. and. Dances ‘Kessler formerly called his act | 10° Mins.; Tw “Co-Eds,” also a 10-people . turn. | g6th. St. (VP) ‘Now the lineup embraces Kessler|’ This two men’ and. woman act and a clever specialty dancer be| seems disjointed. Obtains its main |sides' an ensemble of ‘eight’ girls.| register on. single specialties, songs: None of: the eight double ‘for ‘in-by one man, plano playing by the dividual numbers.:: While one of the | other: and acrobatic dancing by the ‘two dances topping song numbe:s is ‘blonde: femme member, 0. k., it-ig the specialties by Dor-| © Nothing new in way of routine. -othy Charles who puts ‘the class into Fairly well: received here. this act. Her slowly-done “‘high| kicking acrobatic number and the) toe ballet later are gems and really save Kessler’s “Dance Derby” from scratching or being Jeft at the post. The ensemble, doing nicely in all their’ numbers and best for the’ jumping rope finish, provide pleas" ing background. Weak here. Char. -Oline number, Chevalier and. Picon.. ‘impressions were the only weak. ‘spots in applausé results here. Both’ . because the originals. are not yet mo thoroughly familiar, ; : and the. toe: dancing girl stand out. -Blonde tap ‘dancer. and brunet singer and kicker aren’t far behind. Sea-. bury introduces the specialties most. of the way, saving himself for late ‘moments:. His’ easy manner with strenuous steps is what sets him above most , others. Bige. For awhile the old Grand was get-. -ting some: ‘fast, well-balanced vaudeée ‘shows. for. good b. 0. ‘response. Monday. night wasn’t so hot;. rather repétitious’ in routine and ran smalltimey.. . Five-act: show included Four Sidneys, Holden:and King, Nevins and Gordon, Seymour and Howard, and ‘the Speediacs. On the screen was “South Sea Rose” (Fox).. Two of the acts had femme souses,That in itself is a novelty for any bill, but at the Grand they came too. close together.. The Sidneys opened. and were followed by’ Holden and King.’ Man in the latter turn goes ‘in for a lot.of hokey horseplay, using prop instruments for a laugh. and pulling some bearded gags. Nevins and Gordon had them howling . when ‘they got into the rough stew. travesty. Too bad Seymour'and Howard had to follow. ‘They have some pleasing patter, wisecracking along until they step into their. night club bit for the drunk characterization. Decidedly repetitious when three sailor boys in. Speediacs also put on _ (Presentation) Pittsburgh, J an, 16; Topheavy with entertainment this | week. One turn could have © been eliminated without hurting. : Four acts—Colby and Murphy; Betty: Ve‘ronica,. Ferry Corwey, and Edna Covey, besides Jay Mills,-m. c., and: 16: girls, Quality turns, however, ‘and show ‘held together as _ result. Stuffed fare due to presence of Edna ‘brought out from ‘Publix ‘unit, “Mateh Box Revué,” at: the Stanley,. because another turn simiY lar to Miss Covey’s had played there just a few weeks.ago. mo After trick line routine, Colby. and “Murphy on for nifty dance. Nothing .. new, but they. sell it. Band special. ty followed, ‘with ‘trumpeter step| ‘ping out for “hoke: dance that ‘whammied, | Ievery musicker in this house is a fav,'and let.any one of them do. something besides play, “whether it’s” good. or bad, and it riots. Miss Covey also ‘cleaned with her purlesqte ballad. ‘Veronica gal, her third week here, worked in novel “WATERMELON BLUES” (25) 30 Mins. Academy. (V-P) ‘As a whole this F-M unit lacks real ‘comedy, but is. colorful, tuneful. and: ‘speedy.. Idea includes Louise: and | -Mitchell, mixed tumbler .duo; Ted Ledford, blackface’ singer; George ‘Yager and Minnie Doyle, harmony:. and four colored entertainers com‘prising three youngsters and a mammy. Kids dance and the woman sings, Futuristic setting in red and green, with a double drop curtain; upper half revealing tapering stairway for a finale bit. Pit hand which takes to the stage, wears smocks and fez, and is in huge watermelon Mark. LAZAR Revue (5) Revue: 16 Mins.;. One and Full (Special) Jefferson (V-P) Some fair talent and material, but in. present shape would have a. hard time getting across in better class’ neighborhood. stands. MRe-routing, ; 7 shell big enough for 26 musicians. F ttl d fixing might im“production number that looked] a stew number. Speediacs has 10 GEORGE .ANDRE and Co. (3) some cutting and fixing might im gréat. On: for jungle dance to| persons and is a hardworking outfit. a ingot nd rant, set ta dagio prove the Jack Lazar Revue to the “Chant: of Jungle,” with backdrop -revealing some atmospheric stuff ‘and gals jumping. up and down around a blaze. Veronica -is picked up by choristers and carried :up' stairs, heing. deposited in the blaze. By the time Corwey camé on with his hoke-markmanship and musical specialties, mob. had, already seen It sticks mainly to dancing; and on this work scored quite a nit ere. ark, |7 Mins.; Full (Special) 81st Street (V-P) Another adagio turn using three standing way. men and one girl. George Andre Though heading the act, Lazar re. is. probably the. introductory singer.|mains in the background, allowing —Majority of the throw and. twist |his acrobatic dancer and the sister: routines here employed staridard;team most’ of the numbers. -The ° type. Distinction lies‘in the staging ‘dancer offers’ two. numbers, one a and the clever work of the femme. high-kicking specialty that is a It point ‘where it could get by ‘safely, right. ‘but chances are never in an: out- . Most of the music is southern medley, “both modern and old. Musicians here proved asset to the unit, and Jack. ‘Roth, conductor, was a likeable m. c. Turn opens and stays in full without, drop cut. Ensemble trotg out Good bill that ought, to do biz. | Screen has “Pointed Heels” (Par).. enough for one afternoon, but he stepped in and walked off with as much as any of his predecessors. Mills closed with a song and dance _specialty, with Betty Veronica on _ again for a flash windup. Pip of a . presentation, with Al Kaye and Jerry: Mayhall responsible. _ Picture, ‘This Thing. Called Love” . (Pathe), and: biz next door to capacity. Pathe sound news and Jimmy Orner’s:.organlog, a spirited melange of narodies,-wound up matters. .Cohen. ‘KEITH-ALBEE (Continued from page’ 39) toward straight picture and vaudfilm of the type of Loew’s Orpheum, . the. Scollay ‘Olympia end KeithAlbee, This week Larry Rich’ s band came in under. wraps, but by Tues‘day morning’ the town went gahgah over the act, and it looks like a turnaway for the rest of the week. Rich operates ‘much as Whiteman might if Paul felt frolicsome, and is a dead ringer for the portly maestro. Act is a.classic in .showmanship, comedy and jighting, and this week's ‘Mop-up is a particular surprise in view of the fact that Boston was ‘supposedly fed up to the tonsils on bands. ; -Balance of the -bill consists of Lulu McConnell in a comedy sketch, the Armstrong Brothers, acrobatic, and Harry McGowan Co. comedysinging Troutine,.. .... Feature picture is “Romance of] the Rio Grande” (Fox), supported by the. Pathe ‘short, “Rubetown.”: Amplification. went squeaky: Mon‘day night but did not die completely. Audience took it good naturedly for a change, apparently: being genial ‘through the ‘earlier influence of good vaudeville. Allin all, the Keith-. Albee seems to be on ‘the mend. They're actually killing the tradition that its vaudeville poor and the pictures even worse, Libbey. STATE-LAKE Chicago, Jan. 18. With storms in the vicinity again, == §tage-show--started—80-:minutes._late. this morning, forcing the house. to. run 2 flock of trailers and shorts to Sive the acts time to.get set. One act, Helena, Justa and ‘Charlie, didn’t make the first show and were. temporarily replaced by Schafer and Bernice, Opening was Jungieland, thrée contortionists working in animal costume for the most part. Act is. dressed -and executed well, and makes the grade easily for the spot.; His manipulations of the ball and J warbled -lgo into an. adagio routine, Saturday trade heavy. Paula Trueman comes from legit with a character turn carrying a tenor pianist (New Acts). Some of the material sailed overhead here. Miss Trueman was ‘third on 2 five-act bill that’s . really four. Weaver Bros. and Elviry, next to closing, also are in last turn, “Home ._Folks.” Also included are Stamm and Devane,.spotted second. Reported Stamm and Devane are to travel with. Weavers and “Home Folks” as unit hereafter. ; Only other act is old timer, Heras and Willes, opening. Comic acro|. .bats start in full with special drop ‘typifying back yard, where the two show as sidewalk musicians and |. then turn to burlesque acrobatics. Went big for the seven minutes. Stamm and Devane have an. assortment of physical culture, dancing and singing. He now is using two of Elviry Weaver's “daughters” among his quartet of singers and dancers, Closing bit has Stamm singing song while he lifts piano. and two girls. Heavy hand. Weaver Bros., Elviry and “Home Folks” takes in 15 people, made up as backwoods natives in an exaggerated but laugh creating idea of hinterland entertainment. Seven girls and eight men, including a sextet of instrumentalists in clodhopper costume, Vaude took 96 minutes and feature 62. Show ran 176 minutes. AUDUBON (Vaudfilm): Biz not so ‘good. ‘Bookers shot’ in a talker western, Ranger” (Fox). Usual ‘band act in the vaude lineup. was Art Landry. Landry’s group is a hard working, pleasing. array of musickers. They play well, put over their numbers effectively, ‘and Landry is a. modest showman with comedy slants. that the others don’t attempt. Vaude opened with “A Night in. Spain.” Aside from a prima. who “Kiss. Me Again” and a. pair of girls who stepped to castanet accompaniment, the act goes along quietly until three men and a girl Girl {fs tossed around plenty. Looked like a waste of time for all the lead up to.this..bit 2 Hatt: and aserman “followed with a trampoline act somewhat away from the former beaten path. of bounding net workers. Woman has her’ partner, working as props, go to the net. for a serfes of comedy springs and falls, acceptably on the type of short shows -now hitting the neighborhoods, Felovis amazed with his juggling. | sits in front of the band and sings “The Lone Star. SUES at the lose ~wort-him-tremen=‘dous applause here, Act can fill in’ for song and dance medley: that takes in various hot dances. Louise and Mitchell, acrobats, are mild except when gir! does the understanding. Their comedy attempt is facetious and -should be cut to give the turn faster gait. George Yager and Minnle Doyle in. southern costume harmonize, with the ensemble coming tn to put over pleasant number. Mammy and her three kids follow with. good novelty because of juvenile angle. Woman Pleased. clicks -nicely, KERR and WESTON jand Co. (3) “Nite in Monte Carlo” (Comedy) 22 Mins.; Full Special) Jefferson (V-P Donald Kerr and Effie Weston in a comedy follow-up of their “Breaking. in Society.” Kerr's continuous chatter, wisecracks and_ acrobatic. fol de rol keep the turn from fizzling. But it’s a herculean job to sustain ‘the whole act. Wiss Weston works in a double number and also goes into her familiar dancing routine. She main-. tains a fast straight pace when gabbing with Kerr. Kerr's a good comic. Ag the penniless globe traveler introduced as the phoney prince of something or other, he takes up a collection for bootleggers and then plays the bank and wins. Later he again tries his luck and Joses everything. In the support, aside from Miss' Weston, there are two men and a girl, Alice Lawlor. One of the men warbles a serious solo, which glows up the act’s speed. Miss Lawlor looks well and does well with a vocal Bolo. There's a musical comedy finale with all taking part. Kerr then steps away from the act to demonstrate the acrobatic work that, has always stood him in good ‘stead. Act got ¢ over at the Jeff. Mark, cook double is still weaker. team announces that while the kids dance. Went over big ere Ted Ledford, introduced as the “Dixie Vagabond,” does his “SevenEleven” number to music with a ‘pair of dice for good returns. Ensemble breaks In for the finale with dance and chorus, splitting after one number. Boys remain on stage while the girls take to the upper platform. All don head masks for finish In blackface effect. ‘specialty of far from unusual punch, when caught, finish being weak. Opened show here. Char. Alice and Sonny LAMONT Comedy Wire 16 Mins.; One and Full ° Jefferson (V-P time. ‘Last billed as. LaMont Four. Now full billing given “Alice and Sonny, with the comedy. of Sonny the main prop.’ Aside from ‘wire work of Alice and Billy, the act scores roundly on ‘Sonny's acrobatic skill.. Considering that he ‘weighs 266 pounds his ground tumbling quite unusual. Wire work of Billy and Alice “CO-EDS” (5) Songs, Dancing, Talk 23 Mins.; One and Three (Special) Lincoln Sq. (V-P) Just‘an act. Pop deuce or opener. Played middle on five-act bill here. This quintet has idea but lacks cohesion and moves too slow. Stuff is in three scenes. that opens in| “three,” a girls’ college dormitory bedroom with three girls in bed; then to “one” to get two boys in, and then back to “three” for artist’s with their tricks appearing flashSer through execution without. any. net below the wire. studio scene. ‘Don GALVAN { . Lamont, senior, ‘may have buried ~ Group includes Fred and Blanche Guitar, Banjo, Songs nies stage pride when he eliminated © Steger, Don Kennelly, Gwen Hay3 Mins; One {is name and pushed the girl and. sath. St,.(V-P) boy out in front. Laughs produced. ‘Galvan’s adept strumming. on the. banjo puts him across. He ts best. for the deuce spot, as here. Galvan is billed as the Spanish Banjo Boy and uses heavy Spanish .den-and Shirley Wynn, .. Kennelly plays comic with. Steger as straight in. skit revolving about an artist's search for his dream girl. |. ‘Sprightliest bit is Gwen Hayden, She's tiny but all good. ing asset to. Present: -day ‘vaude,” Mark. Bob ¢ CARTER and AALBU Sisters _ Act’ can go better with more | accent. Forced or natural, it helps work, and loosening up of. comedy.,| lots. 442 Mins.; Full (Special) Kennelly plays as if he’s doing the| “Opens with ‘guitar and° songs. Jefferson (V-P customers a favor, and crew alto-| Sings one number in Spanish and| Good anywhere, although Carter gether work in cues like ‘so many | then drifts into a pop. Guitar ac-| ought to move faster on cues and time bells taking each count as a|companiment far outshines the! play straight without energizing to oa separate order to step in.and divide voice. Straight. banjo playing fol-| be funny. Turn includes five, the lows and provides a good finish, Sure to click. is his simultaneous playing ‘of melody.and accompaniment. Bisters making a quartet of blonde lookers.. Girla harmonize. well and have an instrumental foursome of. plano,. cello, violin and: clarinet, also o Garter Act fifth c act’s atmosphere. Miss Steger makes pretty toil, ana ‘of crew, best dancing by Kennelly and Miss Hayden. Fred Steger sings okay. , ROBILLO and Co. (2) 1 Tight-wire 15 Mins.; Full (Special) -Englewood_.(V-P),.Chicago. Carter’s a good. dancer, spot on seven-act set-up, and rated . Sizeable applause. pie oe === Saialiacaasanaainmeaiaies 2 | tle slow, though well executed, :and jan. eccentric acrobatic number that Sister twain are on several times and get themselves across principally on the strength of their harmony work.. Lazar and the. ‘|acrobatic dancer. appear in a brief Russian comedy number that rates _ only fair, and the Oriental maid-. In an introductory bit: the sister “variety is what you want,” and while an attempt is made to vary the routine, even to the inclusion of an Irish it still wasn’t what people wanted Lamonts -have been in vaude some ; the Billy by Billy. have made the turn a cork<: continues along -former rvuutines, ‘” mee es ce Two excellent stunts: fit this “act |: for family time. Both. are singles Irene’ Riccardo has been in neighborhood: houses in “CONNIE, BILLIE. and MANNY this uptown section so. many times] by Robillo. He does a back. hand-| Tap Dancing the schoolboys know her “Whoa! spring and a back somersault on|6 Mins.; One Pagiiacca" lyrics backward. Still} the wire. Englewood (VP), Chicago . effective, with Miss Riccardo doing |: Other feats are split hounces on well also on her Spanish -number, | the wire, also sure fire. Woman asShe added comedy’ which the ‘show.| sistant participates in’ an opening needed. | tango off the wire, Robillo makes Art Landry band followed and|a nice appearance in matadorish scored nicely. Mark. costume, Loap. in street flash In a ‘very weak dane ’ ing act, Primary fault is that two cannot tap dance, No showmanship a further handi'cap.‘ Loop. . Three colored. men dressed alike.