Noodles Fagan and Family, assisted by Elsie, minus family, here won the house from the start with intimate talks and impromptu singing, arousing enthusiastic laughter, and concluding with a medley of songs, “Yesteryear,” harmoniously assisted by Elsie. It was a hit.
De Michele Bros. topping the billing, placed next to closing, registered heavier than any legitimate headline offering of the season. They topped the show with harp and violin selection artistically offered. The violinist’s comedy efforts featuring falling trousers was overdone when showing the shirt, but otherwise it was cleverly carried out, and drew big laughs.
Bradley and Ardine ran third, a wait to make their setting being dispensed with by running “Topics of the Day” before the act. Several details went wrong Monday afternoon. First Miss Ardine’s Japanese “hat” was balky, the elastic insisting on dropping down over her eyes. A flyman started with the wrong lines later and began lifting the hangings. However, the error was found out quickly enough. Miss Ardine was arrayed in new wardrobe and the finish was big, the act going for the first hit. J. Irving Fisher, the pianist, figured in the score, a regular thing him.
Fagg and White, black and tan mixed couple, scored as the show’s hit with good talk and singing voices. The female removes wig at the finish, successfully deceiving the audience, which was under the impression that she’s a man.
Four Ginger Snaps, mixed couples with songs, dances and attractive setting, passes on the ability of the male section, the Russian dance scoring the heaviest. The girls have looks, but failed to disclose more than chorus talents.
Charles Fargo and Dolly Richards in third position got laughs from the start with a telephone conversation. “That’s Different,” followed by good cross talk for big laughs and unexpectedly finishing by playing saxophone while dancing. Solid applause.
Josephine Davis, assisted by a violinist and pianist, offered familiar published song numbers, making attractive costume changes and displaying good voice and comedy aptitude in semi-Yiddish Oriental number and scored nicely.
“The Kremlin of Moscow,” with Maurice Golden headlined, appeared second following a stage wait filled by Peggy Lehay with song plugging. “The Kremlin of Moscow” appeared handicapped in an early position, going through the routine od singing, instrumental and Russian dancing indifferently. Golden’s individual efforts drew the only solid applause.
Bob Nelson and Frank Croning possessing excellent personalities disclosed dexterity in handling published numbers that should place them at the top of the male singing piano turns. It was a hit next to closing.
Eddie Vogt in “Love Shop,” with Harry and Grace Ellsworth (holdover), placed as closing, held the spot strongly lending distinction and sharing honors with Emma Haig, assisted by Richard W. Keene, in “Playtime,” the current headliner. Miss Haig’s dances, artistically and prettily presented, capably assisted by Richard Keene, a handsome juvenile and Mildred Brown at the piano, making a happy and refreshing youthful combination. Fine appreciation.
