11 Mins.; One. The Morrissey Brothers are two dress suited young men, mostly dancers, although they attempt recitative singing, telling how they are in demand by the vaudeville managers. The public is more interested otherwise. In the opening spot they seemed to feel they were above the position and so spoiled whatever they did have. One of the boys has some ability as a dancer, while his partner can finger the ivories a bit. Will do on the small time.
: 17 Mins.; One and Full stage. Ray Dooley has taken the best section of her former minstrel turn, condensed what was originally a big girl act into a trio, added some new material and reconstructed her routine into something which bears a semblance to big time speed, although there is still room for further improvement. The trio includes a comedian, “straight” man and Miss Dooley herself, who essays a kid character throughout. The comic can be safely credited with 75 per cent of the turn’s success. He carries a style and delivery of his own and executes some sure-fire falls that will eventually bring him up among the top-notchers in eccentric work. As the turn stands now, it runs a bit long for big time usefulness. The comic’s solo song could be safely discarded with his dance interpolated into the early section. The “bedroom” number could also be consistently eliminated since the girl’s enunciation is rather faculty and the whole bit runs to low comedy and doesn’t harmonize with the balance. And Miss Dooley could and should cover her knees. The rest of the turn is excellent, with the encore, a burlesque of a modern cabaret, measuring up as one of the best comic bits seen around here in many months. The rearranging process would bring the time down to a reasonable limit and in turn develop the act into a standard big time number. Miss Dooley’s business sagacity is evidenced in the billing, but it seems the boys should be credited somewhere for their work. At the Columbia the act took all the honors of the Sunday matinee.
11 Mins.; Three (Interior) A young looking couple, who offer a little home and heart skit that met with favor. Team handles little playlet well.
15 Mins.; Three (Curtained Stage). Near the close of the Broadway show Monday night this operatic singing trio appeared. First one man sings a solo, the stage is darkened and on the relight a woman appears alone. She sings and again the dark change and the other member of the trio appears for a solo. Here in succession are three solos. For the finish the trio offers the prison scene from “Faust,” with one of the men displaying the most villainous looking Satanic makeup seen hereabouts in a long time. The trio offers nothing but the work of the classic masters. The tri-singing combination evidently was forced over here by the war.
18 Mins.; Full Stage. George Archer has a new edition of his “Chocolate Drops” which had the third spot in the Academy program the first half. The act has seven colored boys and girls. Two boys, King and Bailey, are the leaders in the singing, dancing and comedy. Five girls are the chorus, one of the quintette doing a society stepping bit with one of the men. This girl has possibilities, her dancing and leading the other girls being above the usual run of chorus leaders. The dressing of the chorus is up to the mark on all occasions, the girls making four changes in all, two of which are slip-overs. The appearance of the girls in the gingham frocks over the sourbet costumes is not pleasing for they bulge out, giving the girls an awkward appearance. There is time enough during the comedy work of the men for the girls to make a complete change, so why spoil the appearance once? The bronze slippers and stocking set the girls’ feet and limbs off to good advantage. As a colored tabloid there are a few, if any, that can beat: The Chocolate Drops.”
13 Mins.; One. Two men and a woman. The former do the banjo strumming while the woman plays rather lackadaisically upon a guitar-shaped instrument. The men play mechanically and should not take their work too seriously. Act best in pop houses.
[New Act] Piano and Singing. 14 mins; one. Two clean cut young chaps dressed in belted brown sack coats and white flannel trousers. One handles the piano and doubles lyrically. They open with a medley about the kind of songs the public like. Another double gave them a good start. Both have appearance and the turn should develop into a big timer shortly. The singer possesses a nice personality and doesn’t strain too much for comedy. It’s a very pleasing act right now and could go into the more pretentious bills in an early spot.
[New Act] Comedy magic, 11 mins; full. Lampinis is assisted by a girl and for the greater part of the act tries for comedy through burlesquing mind reading, etc. His principal straight feature is the Herbert Brooks truck trick which is very well handled. This latter earned a hand for the act. It is a neat small time offering of its kind.
[New Act] Acrobatic, 8 mins; three. Two man acrobatic team in a familiar routine of hand stands and pivots, executed with precision and further enhanced by clean cut appearance and ease of manner. Acceptable closing turn.
[New Act] Hand Balancing, 10 mins; full stage. Man and woman. Man seated at table opening. Phone rings. He answers. Partner enters. Somebody wants to engage them for a show. The decide they need practice. “Let’s try a few tricks before we go over to fill the date,” the man says. Business of man peeling off coat and woman exiting and changing from street to athletic costume. Routine of hand to hand stunts follows. All of the familiar lifts and balances are offered and neatly executed. Several lifts from the floor to a hand to hand brought applause responses at the American Monday night. Good small time openers of closer of the standard variety.
