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Singing.
"Without Drums or Trumpets" is a musical sketch with three people, two men and one girl, and an orchestra leader. The turn is headed for the big time and was probably "breaking in" at the Washington Heights house. By the addition of a chorus it would make a very presentable musical comedy tabloid and could be elaborated into the full-fledged edition. The story concerns two chaps meeting by chance, having been rivals for the same girl. Mustered out of the Service they were on their way to seek a final decision. The skit goes into "four" with a special curtain. The girl, unable to decide for herself, seeks counsel with a crystal ball into which she gazes. It tells her one of the young men would win her with his dancing or the other with his singing. After each doing three song or dance solos, the girl in the meantime doing one or the other, she is still undecided and leaves the decision to her wedding guests - the audience - who decide in favor of the dancer. He executed several eccentric "jazz" steps to good effect.
Source:
Variety, 53:10 (01/31/1919)