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Jolson has arranged a nearly new turn. He showed it for the first time at Columbia on November 5th. Jolson had trouble with the orchestra at the beginning of the act. They will not take musical cues, which the leader claims is due to a lack of a rehearsal. Jolson denies this, belittling the musicians. The leader retorts saying any man in the pit is worth more than $2 weekly. Jolson informs them that they can all leave. As they are about to disappear, Jolson reproves him for making the comment and invites him on stage to show his ability. The leader (who is his pianist) enters into the act. There is some conversation between Jolson and his assistant before they both get into a yodel number which Jolson did previously on his own. He closed the act with an operatic travesty.
The opening is very good, perhaps better than any piano act shown around here. The assistant pianist has a pleasant singing voice. A little of the talk needs changing. Even Jolson himself recognized that his "Three Little Maids" gag was bad to handle in New York. With Jolson's voice, his assistant and material, he will have an act that will be liked wherever it appears.
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Variety 24:9 (11/04/1911)