Frank E. Gordon

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12 Mins.; One. Frank E. Gordon is either a much abused originator or a very guilty imitator. His metropolitan appearance should arouse some very interesting debates as to who originated the “lemon trick” (first shown around here by Jarrow) and the egg and hat trick, previously done hereabouts by Wallace Galvin. Gordon does them both and does them well. He opens with the “lemon” trick substituting an egg for the lemon and playing card for the money, as shown by Jarrow, bringing the trick to a convincing finish, but without much accompanying comedy. The egg and hat trick is shown with a small boy aiding, looks good and carries many laughs. Another good trick is the three-card-monte, using either glass or tin plates with playing card fronts, the idea being to watch the shift of the cards. A plant is employed with some laughs as well. The plates are handled well by Gordon, but the plant is a bit awkward, giving the idea that double plates are used. This may or may not be so. At any rate Gordon does his tricks well, perhaps better than the others, but needs more “appearance.” This fact was made conspicuous through his early position where he required every thing to pull attention. At that he went over nicely and could hold a better spot.

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