Bessie Browning
Bessie Browning, assisted by a male pianist, had no trouble in establishing herself in the laugh column, but her pianist was not so fortunate. Her imitations combined with delivery marked her in the hit column.
“Sultan”
“Sultan,” a trained Shetland, accompanied by a nice looking, shapely blonde put things over in the opening points, The pony’s work mainly consists of mathematical problems, being offered by the trainer and the audience, while her pleasing personality and showmanship plays 50 per cent towards returns.
Leon Stanton
Neither act gave the show much headway, and Leon Stanton and Co. who followed, failed to tilt the skids. Stanton does an inconsistent G.A.R. veteran much addicted to wise cracks in modern slang. In an effort toward comedy he ruins his characterization and doesn’t aid comedy end much either. An excellent character woman depicting a shrewish old housekeeper saved the turn from an ignominious flop.
Sam Lewis and Irving O’Hay
Sam Lewis and Irving O’Hay, in an act that they are discarding after this week for a new one by Joseph Browning, held the next to closing spot and walked off with the laughing honors with little competition from the preceding acts. Lewis is of Lewis and Dody and more recently of burlesque, while O’Hay last worked opposite Frank Conroy. With a vehicle they should be one of the best of the two-man comedy standards.
Siegrist and Darrell
[New Act] Hand balancing and acrobatics, 10 mins; full stage. Man and woman, The man is on first with some baton juggling, very dexterously done. The girl is petite and besides acting as mounter is the hand-to-hand stuff on a first rate tumbler on her own account. She does forwards and backwards swiftly and handles all of the familiar ground tumbling tricks in an experienced way. For a finish the girl carries the man off, holding him aloft in one hand. This is a corking feat of strength for the size of the girl. Closing the show at the American the act did well. Good silent turn for any type of house.
Beattie and Blome
[New act] Dance, 10 mins; three. A couple in a straight dance routine, opening with a waltz, he in velvet suit, she in ballet costume. The waltz is variegated with a little toe-stepping on her part which as develops proves to be her forte.
A solo by each follows, with the man in the sateen blouse and the velvets doing a whirling Russian number, and the woman a toe one-step. For a finish, following a short double dance number, he whirls her on his shoulder to the extent of a quartet of curtains. Good pop house team for either end.
The Three Raymonds
The Three Raymonds proved magnetic tag enders in their holding-them-in proclivities. It’s a two-women-one-men combination, with one of the former performing on a slack wire “iron jawed” between the other two at opposite sides of the elevated platforms.
Will J. Evans
“Did you vote?” featuring William E. Morris and Co. (New Acts) preceded Will J. Evans the “happy nobo [sic],” in very Nat Wills get-up and a gag routine that possibly antedates the days of Wills. Evans is wanting for material, but otherwise is a monologist with a pleasing voice that bespeaks possibilities. He is sure-fire on the present time, but a rejuvenated line of talk is advisable. Some of the old boys have been “released” so long they sound almost new, although Evans’ author probably was some minstrel joke book. Evans concludes with a dash of stepping that could be built up, although he suffices as a talker were he fortified with modernized patter.
Charles and Cecil McNaughton
Charles and Cecil McNaughton, mixed team, reopened proceedings with a song, dance and talk routine that went for all it was worth. The girl is a “looker” and in her abbreviated costume monopolized the gaze of the audience. Charles McNaughton displayed a resonant tenor with his numbers, and the parody medley finish sent them off as well as it did because of their clear enunciation.
Gordon & Gordon
Gordon & Gordon, with a hybrid dance and acrobatic routine, chalked up a neat hit from the start. The boys make natty appearance, and following their opening song and dance go into their acrobatic and contortion work to encouraging.