Belle Baker

The danger of a "clacque" when there is no talent behind an act was present on Sunday night. The girl was given considerable applause when her card was placed on the easel, and more upon her entrance. After each verse of every song the applause was there, until the last, "Honey Man," when the noise became almost tumult. The stage manager must have been aware of the "clacque" as well, for usually the applause would have ordinarily demanded a few acknowledges besides another song. The lights were immediately lowered and the card for the next act placed. The "clacque" for Miss Baker was obviously placed entirely in the balcony; the applause could easily be located as from the same section each time the noise occurred.

The opening number was "Meet Me To-night, Dear Moon," the second, "Ragtime Rosie," third, an Italian song (a steal from "Gotta De Rock") and the final song, which brought forth a hiss from the forward section of orchestra seat holders, "Honey Man."

Miss Baker did nothing with her voice, expression or gestures to merit this kind of applause. She became exceedingly painful in her labored efforts during the Italian selection. Miss Baker was one of the first in New York vaudeville to use a "clacque," and she soared for a while until vaudeville "got on." As a vaudeville act she could not rank with ninety percent of the "single women" playing the "small time." Her only real chance would be to appear in blackface as an ordinary "coon shouter."

Variety 24:12 (11/25/1911)