The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-06-03
HOFFMAN, ACT STIRS
EN- AT THE PALACE
Her "Trip to Coney Island''
Recognized as Jazz in
Disguise.
DRESSES RIGHT ON STAGE
Emma Carus, Harriet Rempel,
O'Donnel and Clair and
Others Entertain.

Though Gertrude Hermann 10 known
primarily as a dancer. her act at the
Palace yesterday was In reality an ex
position Of the heights to which jazz
can ascend when there's lot Of muscle
behind 1t. AS the windup of her head
line turn Miss Hoffman, appeared on a
raised platform. similar to that used to
hang exKaisers. and slammed drums
strammed a ukelele. annoyed a violin.
waggled a cowbell, walloped chimes,
hooted on a steam calliope, ground a
hand organ. shook sleighbells and the
sh!mmy, and In general way con-
Quoted herself like high salaried riv-
citing artist.
This part of her performance was
called on the programme "A Trip to
Coney Island" but Miss Hoffman,
couldn't fool the wise Palace audience
They knew II was Jazz in disguise.
Hence the loud acclaim.
One came away from Miss Hoffmann's
act--at its finish. of course-with the
confirmed opinion that Eddie Foy Is
the Grand Old Man of the American
stage, to whom a lot OF variety per-
formers almost owe the breath OF their
existence. When a future historian shall
write the epic OF modern vaudeville no
doubt he will give a very large place
to MIR. Foy. not only for what he Is
himself, but for providing material with
which many vaudevillians round out
their acts agreeably by initiating him.
Miss Hoffman, Initiated him, assuming
the Foy wig. crooked smile. hoarse
gurgle and wabble, and Of course re-
ceived the customary Foy applause
Other mimicries which won hand
for her were those OF Fanny Brice, Ann
Pennington. Bessie Mccoy and Bert VIII.
Jams. large part OF the audience
favor being evoked by the fact that Miss
Hoffmann diu her changes in a dressing
room right on the stage, which revealed
that she wriggles her feet when she
Is putting on well. whatever they
put on TO keep cool in hot weather. The
part of her act which seemed unques-
tionably Miss Hoffmanns own were a
Spanish dance md a dance OF the Allies
though there seemed to be more gestur,
than dancing. Miss Hoffmann's numbers
were so interspersed with elaborate set
tings. including a large map OF Europe
with apparently the very latest alterh.
tons at the Peace Conference, that one
hardly knew whether one preferred Miss
Hoffmann's dances or hGy settings
Emma Carus became political in her
| songs and monologue, even suggesting
, Gen. Wood as good Presidential tim.
| ber"; but perhaps the part Of her -hlr
which will appeal 10 spectators mos
| occurs when her accompanist. J. Walter
Leopold. leaves the stage and comes paci
with the latest dope on what the Giants
are doing. Other entertaining turns or
| the bill are Harriet Rempel and company
| in a playlet, 'Tarrytown." in which Mist
Rempel doubles as a girl and heI
| mother; Charles O'Donneil and Ethe
| Blair In THE Piano Tuner" and OG>cei
Nokes and Don, the inebriated dog. wht
will still be funny after July l.
At the Riverside Irene Franklin and
Burton Greene made the going, WITT
| Harry Watson. Jr, in Young Kid Bat
| Ting Dugan"; Kate Gilmore and San
Williams in "A Reel OF Real Fun" anC
| Nina Payne hot on their trail. At tn,
New Brighton Belle Baker. Frisco an,
Amelia stone and Arman Kaliz held
three hinged circus all over the rest o.
| the bill.