“Junior Follies of 1915”

Singing.

"Henry," "Those Charlie Chaplin Feet," and "The Dance of the Cities."

At the Windsor the tab not only afforded the audiences genuine amusement and entertainment but proved a meritorious box office magnet. Last Thursday night both shows drew almost capacity and both audience left the house discussing favorably the impression the kids made.

Several weeks ago Boyle Woolfolk put out a novelty tab styled "Junior Follies of 1915" and the reports on the road since the inaugural of the kid revue or juvenile entertainment have all be to the merry; in fact several house records have fallen to Woolfolk's newest show. Woolfolk had his first real chance to show off his tab to the Chicago agents at the Windsor the last half of last week, as the Windsor stage gave him (Woolfolk) ample room to use all of his new scenic equipment and give the kids full scope in which to display their youthful stage wares. All things said and considered, the "Junior Follies" measures up to snuff. There are flaws and some shortcomings to be sure, but they are so overshadowed in the long run by the all-around work of the principals and two diminutive entertainers that they don't impair the general running average of the show. Above all things this is one tab that has some bully musical numbers that are not being sung every other day by every Tom, Dick and Harry in vaudeville. Since the tab opened a number of changes have been made in diverse section, but the original music remains with very few popular interpolations. Felix G. Rice presides over each performance as musical director. Rice and Woolfork are credited with writing the tab's original music. Much of the success attained at the Windsor was due to the Rice's Herculean efforts at the piano. Modesty is this boy's middle name when he's working in the pit, but he never shirks a moment. Of the principals deserving mention are Gertrude Earle, Bobbie Earle, Bobby Stewart, Mabel Walzer, Olivette Haines, Rudy Willing and the precocious kidlets, Babe Wilson and Babe Kaplan. And right here is may truthfully be said that the latter just stopped that show at each performance in which she did a Charlie Chaplin imitation imitation and sang "Those Charlie Chaplin Feet" to the biggest laughter and applause of every show. This Chaplin "bit" is the best yet seen on the stage, done by either youth or adult. Another big hit and one of the features of the tab was "The Dance of the Cities," in which some splendid dancing numbers were staged with scenic and musical atmosphere, closing with a patriotic scene of the Nation's Capitol. The barn dance and the sole stepping number of Willing stood out the best. Bobbie Earle as the boy-student phenom with the mamma-boy mannerisms was effective and hard-working. He had a double number with Miss Walzer that was a musical comedy gem. Miss Walzer offered an absurdity with versatility and adeptness that got big applause returns. A pleasing characteristic song, with a German jingle, was that of "Henry" which Miss Haines offered. There were odds and ends done capably by juvenile players and near the close a melodramatic travesty provided considerable amusement. The opening was a district school setting and it was most natural and picturesque in design. The cafe interior was also adequately staged with special scenery and a number of special drops in "one" were shown. Billy Schum, H.A. Strunk and Billy Harris also contributed their share of work. The Woolfolk "Junior Follies" is commendably clean from stage soot and smut, has a refreshing atmosphere, is brimful of talented stage kids and has original musical numbers that are worth while anywhere. Woolfolk should make money with his newest miniature entertainment.

Variety, 41:3 (12/17/1915)