Lillian Russell

Singing and singing imitations.

Then there was dear, blonde, plump Lillian Russell with a pianist in military uniform, who sings first and then brings out eight" marines, herself attired as a sergeant of the U. S. Marine Corps. Of course she rendered "Come Down, My Evening Star," ' which recalls the days when Joe Vion, a red headed half Irish, half French vaudeville agent, foisted a "new" single upon the booking men with the name of "Mary Ann Brown. Her turn consisted of a series of "imitations" of prominent musical comedy stars, among them Miss Russell singing the "Evening Star" number. "Mary Ann" had never seen Lillian, but that didn't matter. She gave her "imitations" without announcing them and when she sang "Evening Star" the audience knew instantly who she was Imitating, as also when she warbled "Rosie, My Blushing Rosie" that it was Fay Templeton and so on. The same bunk could be pulled again today and go just as big.

Variety, 54:4 (03/21/1919)