Gladys Clark, Henry Bergman and Co

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“The Society Buds” 44 Mins.; Full Stage (Special Set). Forty-four minutes is too long for a big time vaudeville musical comedy sketch, even though a Jesse Lasky production with the popular Clark and Bergman starred. That is the only trouble just now with the act. If reduced to a reasonable time limit, this Lasky number should rank with his “Trained Nurses” which did so well for a couple of seasons, with the same couple leading. William Le Baron wrote the book and lyrics, with music by Robert Hood Bowers. Frank Smithson staged the piece. Two songs are interpolated by the principals, written by Irving Berlin. Eight chorus girls and a musical director are there. A logical story is carried to the finale. Henry Bergman as a chauffeur in love and Miss Clark as a main in the same family, impersonate their employers (who are professional dancers) to entertain a party of society buds that evening, teaching them to dance receiving $5,000 for it. The attempts of two butlers (Clifford Robertson and Vincent Erne) to steal the money furnish the grounds for the comedy and the repeated entrances and exits of the pair. One number, “Society Buds’ Day,” led by Miss Clark, is made into an extensive affair, a sort of illustrated picture series of the choristers who have an opportunity in it. This is very well put on. “My Idea of Paradise (Berlin) is a pretty song. The other Berlin number was “I Love to Quarrel with You” (used Tuesday night in place of the programed “Furnishing Up a Home for Two”). “The Chained Ankel Glide” (Bowers) afforded a chance for a neat little bit of business and satire on the prevailing short skirt. It was done by Mr. Bergman and the girls. Messrs Robertson and Erne tall and short respectively, had “It’s Really Too Absurd” for a duet number, with a dance, and from this point onward the two dancing, as the act is at present routine, is the biggest factor in it including the dances by Miss Clark and Mr. Bergman collectively and individually. The two comedians brought several laughs, and the two principals did the same, securing most of the latter with repartee, using some sure-fires such as “the first national bank.” Miss Clark looked daintily pretty and her personality left an impression. Mr. Bergman handled himself and his material as usual, excellently. The act is costumed in the Lasky prodigal manner. Until properly condensed no one concerned in the turn will know just where they are at expecting that there is enough “meat” to it. And four Class A principals. Jane Quirk conducted the orchestra.

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