[New Act] Songs and talk. 15 mins; one. One or town laughs sprinkled throughout with the girls appearance the main asset. She makes two changes and does four songs, one ballad. With a recitation inserted, offered by her partner, that they liked up on the Roof.
A clean cut looking couple but a bit shy on material, in so far as their conversation goes, and at their best while singing, but who presented a most acceptable No. 2 act.
Willing and Jordan, next to closing, looked good and sang well, going through five songs and an interpretation by the girl of how an Englishman and an Italian would present one of the numbers, the former being decidedly weak, as was also one of the other melodies. The couple did acceptably but didn’t seem to have the power necessary to hold that particular spot on the Roof – as that still remains the most desired position up there.
Cantor’s Minstrels, despite current reports that they were tying it up downstairs, must have been off form upon hitting the Roof, as the act simply breezed through without interruption until one of the end men appeared as a dame of “color” and then managed to pry forth a few laughs. A good dancer, this boy, but only stepping out once alone. He is the backbone of the turn and subsequent events rest on him. Possibly the act was held back by being minus its “set” while working upstairs and the inability of one of the girls to do anything through reporting just out of a hospital. The Minstrels did fairly well – that’s all.
Wardell and Concourt walked in with comedy honors of the evening, their offering being exceptionally timely in the political crossfire as delivered by them on the eve of election. The only opposition they encountered, in this line, came from one of the end men in Cantor’s Minstrels, closing the first half, but the team topped the number of laughs he hung up previous to their entrance.
The Pesci Duo ushered in the second half and had they been in the spot held by Willing and Jordan would have, more than likely, held up the entertainment. They came very close to doing as much anyway, the boys efforts on the harp being responsible. A very close second to one of the Marx Brother in playing the instrument, the chances being that he’ll run even with the latter if he keeps going.
7 Mins.; Full Stage. Majories is presenting a neat little opening wire act that will serve to open almost any small time show.
12 Mins.; One. These two boys have the latest songs the publishers can give them. It is on that account they will be able to leave the good impression in other houses they did on the Roof Monday night. Otherwise they do not differ much from the usual run. If the boys keep the new song idea in mind they will end their “act” will be appreciated.
12 Mins.; One. These two boys have the latest songs the publishers can give him. It is on that account they will be able to leave the good impression in other houses they did on the Roof Monday night. Otherwise they do not differ much from the usual run. If the boys keep the new song idea in mind they will and their “act” will be appreciated.
15 Mins.; Five (Parlor). “Justice.” If “Justice” were not so palpably machine-made, it would stand out among dramatic playlets, with its present cast. Three men play the piece, a judge, his son and an elderly German. The story is far-fetched, even beyond dramatic license, drawing the characters together at the opening, when the German calls upon the judge, to intercede for his daughter, to be tried on the marrow for the child murderer. The judge is stern, saying the circumstantial evidence is so clear there is no hope for the girl, and he would do the same through the criminal were one of his own. In rapid succession then is revealed that the son (suffering from a weak heart) was the betrayer of the girl, and the murderer of the infant. The boy describes how he did it, then appeals to his father, and afterwards upbraids him for sending him to college, giving him money to spend, but paying no further attention to his welfare. The excitement of the denouncement overwhelms the boy, whose heart gives out and he dies, with the curtain. The judge (unprogrammed) is excellent. He takes a strong grip on the character, makes it forceful and is an actor. The boy is also fully capable in his heavier passages, but does not command sympathy, the role forbidding that. The German is well played. The cast is an exceptionable one to be found in a small time skit. For the small time also “Justice” is quite worthy. It is holding, almost intense.
18 Mins.; One. Dave Nowlin and Gertie St. Clair have a double that will prove a standard turn on the small time. The opening is a bit of burlesque of light opera, patterned very much after the finish in “one” Willard Simms does. This runs about 10 minutes. For the finish Miss St. Clair has a song that permits of the interpolation of a number of barnyard imitations by the man. It makes a strong comedy ending, and the turn gets over very big.
