In “Nature’s Nobleman,” three men and a woman. Scene, bookstore. The story is this: A blind Confederate General in Washington, where the store is located with his daughter and colored slave. He is there for three months trying to see the War Secretary to have his son who is held a prisoner at the military hospital, released that he might take him home. He has been advised to see President Lincoln but refuses to go because he hates the President. The act opens with his daughter and the owner of the bookstore talking of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address. The owner leaves and the General enters led by his slave. His daughter reads Lincoln’s famous address without telling her father who spoke the words. After a while she leaves him alone to prepare a cup of tea. They have been living above the bookstore since they came to the city. While the blind soldier sits alone Lincoln enters. He engages in conversation with the soldier who tells him of the purpose of his visit to Washington. Without disclosing his identity Lincoln signs an order calling for the release of the General’s son and leaves the store without giving the soldier an indea [sic] of who his is talking to. Presently the daughter and the bookman return and then they learn by the note the General has that the President was in the store. Muttering his great thanks the General takes back every harsh word he ever said about the Lincoln and as they all rejoice the curtain closes the act. It went very big. Special set, 25 min.
In their new singing comedy, “Fixing Dad,” two men and a woman. Scene, parlor. Man and woman opera singers, married five years are visited by the wife’s father who doesn’t know of her marriage. The father has no use for the man who is her husband as he played a trick on him when a boy. After some persuasion the old man is won over by the husband’s singing of several Irish songs. The act closes with the husband and wife doing a little grand opera. There is quite some comedy between the wife and her father. Both singers possess good voices. The act went very good. C.D.F. 19 min. in one 5 min, time of act 24 min.
Scene reception room in a private sanatorium. Company comprises two men and two women. A noted surgeon is about to operate on a friend who is seriously ill and in danger of dying when he learns through a letter and a telegram that the friend and his wife are in love with each other. The surgeon approaches his wife and although she denies his charges at first, finally she acknowledges they are true. The nurse enters and says the patient is ready for the operation. The surgeon’s wife begs him not to perform the operation but he says no one else can. She is afraid he will kill the young man. Despite her tearful pleadings he enters the operating room and performs on the patient, returning a short time later and tells her it was his most successful operation. He says the patient will be entirely recovered in few weeks. The wife thanks him and asks his forgiveness. He gives and then announces he will leave for South Africa as he is wanted there and not at home. Miss Brown takes full advantage of the many opportunities offered for emotional work. The piece is interesting from the start and there are many tense situations nicely drawn. The act went very good. C.D.F. 22 mins.
Introducing Thomas de Grone and Gertrude Dallas, of our summer stock company. Two men and a woman. Scene interior of a western rancher’s cabin. The rancher has left his daughter alone. Enter a cowboy who once saved the rancher’s life, and who is engaged to the girl. He seeks a hiding place having just committed a murder. Shortly after he goes into an adjoining room to rest for a time a mounted policeman, who also loves the girl, and is loved by him, enters. He says he is looking for the cowboy. He does not know the fugitive is hiding in the next room. He engages in a talk with the girl about his plans for quitting the service and getting married. She offers him some lunch. There is quite a little comedy brought in here as he tries to set the table and smashes a few dished, also destroys a pie and burns his hand and her’s [sic]. When the conversation is over and he is about to leave he discovers a blood stained hat on the rack. He demands to know the owner’s name. She refuses to tell. He accuses her of detaining him while the fugitive could escape. He is denouncing her when the cowboy enters and covers the officer with his gun. He then explains the situation, saying the girl shielded him because her father promised him her hand when his life was saved. He offers to give himself up that the girl may be happy. The officer shakes his hand and offers him help that he may square himself before the world. He says he killed his man because he had said insulting things about the girl and the policeman. There is sufficient action, enough comedy and interest throughout. The act went big. Time of act 18 min.
Presenting “Trixie and the Amateur.” Scene, dressing room. Two women and a man. Two girls one an old timer and the other a newcomer are talking about the show business. The newcomer has dreams of being a star and the old timed tries to discourage her. Seeing she can’t, the old timer decides to get the new girl a chance after the stage manager enters and tells the new one she loses her chance as the girl whose place she was to fill has suddenly returned. The old timer act [sic] as thought she is under the influence of liquor and gets discharged. The new girl is then given the chance and as the curtain goes down the old timer walks off to the street. The act just got by in this spot. F.S. Time of act 18 min. This same set was played here by Eleanor Otis and Company.
Shown for the first time today and made as much talk as any act on the bill. All house lights were on and people commented upon the clearness of the picture and the absence of eye strain. Think this will prove a regular feature for us. The invention should certainly revolutionize the picture business.
The greatest animal act we have ever played. Created a whole lot of talk and applause today and I believe will us money. Wood in 4. Time 10 min.
Singing Comedian. For years and years the “meal ticket” for the Fitzgibbon-McCoy Trio in that classic, “The Mischievous Brother.” Bert was a little nervous at the start of his act this afternoon and for a few minutes I was afraid he would not be able to hold the spot. He finally landed, however, and for a quarter of an hour had the audience roaring with laughter. When he becomes a little more accustomed to working alone he will be a most welcome addition to the single acts in 1. Street in 1. Time 16 min.
This act was originally presented at a Lamb’s Gambol, hence is now being presented in vaudeville by Impresario Hart. With the possible exception of “Dinkelspiel’s Xmas” it is one of the best novelties Joe has put over and it registered a substantial hit today. Four men, each one of them crooks and trying to make their companies think they are honest are finally caught with the goods. The act is just one hearty laugh all the way through and there is not the slightest thing to give the slightest offence. An act ought to make a hit in New York and the other big cities. Splendidly acted and well put on. Own set in 3. Time 20 min.
A corking good singing and dancing act that closed the first of the show in splendid shape. Girls look well, everyone works fast, the comedy lands and the songs are good. Not only does the act please the older folks but the children like it on account of its school-room atmosphere. Kitchen 3, 25 min. 5 min close in 1. Time 30 min.
