“Smiling Beauties”

Comic dialogue and singing.

"International Rag."

This aggregation, at the Columbia this week, sponsored by Jacobs and Jermon and headed by Harry K. Morton, Joe Emerson and Zella Russell, give a splendid demonstration in their performance of the possibilities of clean burlesque, which seems to be principal topic of discussion at present among the members of that branch of the profession. In the presentation of their show, they depend solely on legitimate comedy efforts and their success is measured in large volumes of appreciative applause and continual laughs. The idea contained in the production offer little scope for originality claims, although the general construction and stage methods are a bit different from the usual line, but the work has been so evenly divided and is so well handled, the familiar portions assume background positions, giving the production exactly the desired appearance. Morton is the principal comic and a very capable one for the work assigned him. His eccentricities cover an usually large territory and his versatility is decidedly pronounced. Morton has a unique style and evoked the essential laughs with every move. His celtic characterization is just sufficiently exaggerated to answer the proper purpose without any aim toward the customary vulgar buffoonery. In fact Morton stands in a singular position for his line of work and can be safely credited with a style of his own. Emerson doubles in "straight" and comedy, producing the best results in the latter. He makes a good working partner for Morton and scored an individual mark for himself in the burlesque, where he played the principal role in a suffragette satire. Zella Russell is the principal woman, offering in addition an olio specialty. Miss Russell's abilities are a matter of burlesque record and she adds a touch of dignity to any organization with which she is identified. Her wardrobe shows a decided improvement over former seasons and earned a creditable mark in that department for the producer or principal. Her specialty, although somewhat marred through hoarseness, was easily the hit of the evening and might be classified as one of the neatest vehicles in burlesque. June Mills was conspicuous in the comedy department, adding her familiar specialty to the olio with fair returns. Miss Mills might eliminate "International Rag" for obvious reasons despite its reception, for the number could be replaced to advantage. Branley and Meredith, two girls who assumed principal roles in the first part and burlesque, offered a rather neat singing and dancing skit in the olio, also pulling down a safe hit. The first part carries three scenes with the usual comedy situation, the initial plot being properly condensed to eliminate all superfluous material. A prison scene is shown in exterior and interior, with some good comedy bits in attendance. The afterpiece is given over to the presentation of a satire on the suffragette question, the book having been formerly introduced in vaudeville in the form of a comedy sketch. It makes a good closer and is somewhat away from the beaten path. The production is up to the standard established by the wheel and carries an exceptionally good collection of choristers, all mediums and all capable singers and dancers. A trio consisting of Messrs. Steinman, Heslin and Dorsey pulled a bit with a routine of popular numbers near the finale of the burlesque, while the musical department in general showed to good results. It's a good show and should please any one any where.

Variety, 40:8 (10/22/1915)