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Singing and comedy.
"Putting It Over."
"Putting It Over" was over at the Palace Monday night within three minutes after the skit had opened. And it remained over for the remainder of the 32 minutes, although some serious attempts occurred afterward to lose the good opinion created at the commencement. No one could be credited for a skillful arrangement in staging this turn. The reason for that is vaudeville inexperience no doubt. The numbers are well staged though, and it is the numbers that carry the turn into the hit column, without a military uniform in sight. But it's not a hit and run act, it's a hit and walk turn. As the turn speeds along there are two slow spots, necessary for changes by the chorus, but a rearrangement of numbers could obviate this somewhat serious defect. The first two and best numbers are very early. An unnecessary number is the "Moon" song with four dancing boys, good enough for a $2 show, but a dreary bit for vaudeville, where it first sprang from. The waltz by a couple of the principals is another speed stopper. Reshaping could cut the turn down to 25 minutes, for the bunch is too anxious to give encores, a habit acquired from the productions they were with when encores padded out a two-hour or more performance. This collection of soldier boys came from "You Know Me Al" and "Let's Beat It," both soldier shows that played in New York. Everything in the act is probably from one or another of them. Above everything else is the chorus, six boys as straight choristers and another six as "girls." The "girls" make up so well they are almost deceptive. Without a doubt the prettiest "chorus girls" of any soldier show, and a novelty in vaudeville since this is the first soldier act to hold chorus girls. It must be E. Albert Crawford, who is Kitty Coulter, on the style of Bert Savoy with a Suratt carriage. He is excellent in a hesitating way that benefits his performance somehow, and his "My Gods" are turned into laughs. Walter Roberts is another "woman" principal who makes up so well it is becoming that "she" go into the audience during one number although the propriety of this was a matter of argument in the rear of the theatre. Conny O'Donnell gave a series of facial and walking (strides) impersonations that, while they could have been a strong hit in a show as they were at the Palace, still have been so often done that they are now small time, even if Mr. O'Donnell has a few ideas of his own in connection with them. If time must be saved, something could be gained by that elimination, for this boy can also dance and does. Regardless, however, of any fault finding, the fact remains the members of this company were cited for bravery, as an announcer, before the curtain went up, told the audience (and he also could go out of the turn), and disregarding their work in the field, it may be said and likewise predicted that "Putting It Over" as a vaudeville act, purely on its entertaining side, is big enough and good enough to remain at the Palace for four weeks if not longer. It is an act you can see twice and it's an act that will draw business.
Source:
Variety, 54:11 (05/09/1919)