“Harry Hastings Show”

Comic dialogue and singing.

"The Land of Champagne."

Before delving into details, it might be consistent to record in this particular paragraph, the acknowledged fact that the current edition of Harry Hastings' burlesque activities is undoubtedly the best he has introduced around the Columbia Circuit since his advent as a franchise holder. Mr. Hastings has looked well to his comedy department backing up his principles with a semi-pretentious production, but managing at the same time, through the application of sensible buying principles, to keep the expenditure within the margin line of reason and economy. His first part carries six scenes with a dialog twist appropriate to each change, concluding with a rather pretty finale labelled "The Land of Champagne," for which several large champagne bottles are utilized to good results. The latter is a picture effect and while it is marked for its picturesque value, there is sufficient action to help things along toward the provision of the final "punch." The show is given in two sections without an olio, although several specialties are interpolated through the action of both portions. Dan Coleman is the principal comic, working throughout in his familiar Cletic character with Phil Peters giving chief support in an eccentric German makeup. Coleman and Peters combine the ideal burlesque team. They understand the openings, carry the situations along to laughs without forcing any points and have a proper respect for clean dialog. Coleman was somewhat handicapped by a hoarse voice, but his sole effort at singing practically stopped the show, which allowed a line on the possibilities of his specialty under normal conditions. Alma Bauer is the leading woman, short, plump and attractive a good number leader and capable of playing the usual "bits." A "souse" portion scored nicely for her. Florence Darley comprises that happy medium between an active soubret and an inactive prima donna. Miss Darley has a splendid voice, as voices are measured in burlesque, seems full of the proverbial "pep" and in addition is blessed with that particular style of personality that is credited with being a burlesque asset. Anna Mae Bell makes up in dancing what she lacks in voice and with Eddie Vincent, earned a solid hit in a dancing specialty staged during the action of the burlesque. Mr. Vincent is the "straight" man of the aggregation with little to do, but ability in supply for emergency. Wm. Bovis and Arthur Henry were conspicuous in character roles, changing occasionally to fit the dialog and doing their fair share to keep the action at the proper speed. Anna Connors and Hazel Lorraine were plucked from the chorus line for an occasional number or piece of business. The girls are lively, good singers and dancers, and do much for the general appearance mark. And Mr. Hastings has added a book that trails along with some of the best. His initial opening is somewhat novel, depicting the chorus dressing rooms with some introductory dialogue, with the grand opening on the stage proper following. A scene showing the bottom of the sea could be advantageously lengthened to provide for a mermaid chorus number and some additional comedy. The numbers are well staged with several classifying for novelty honors. The show should do business for Henry Hastings, for the title has its own value and when back with an entertaining organization of this caliber, the results are obvious.

Variety, 41:1 (12/03/1915)