“Mixed Drinks.” A knockabout singing, dancing and talking act that got by in this spot. Most of the material is ancient and the mistaken identity thing is rung in for laughs. Act would no doubt be a big hit on the small time though I question if it would hit a Metropolitan audience very hard. C.D.Fcy in 3. Close in 1, 2 min.
“Professional Try-Outs.” Scene supposed to be in dressing room of theatre with the girls waiting to try out their acts. They run over their songs in the dressing room. Act hardly one to open the show but the songs of Miss Smith and the “kid” recitation of Miss Henshaw went over well this afternoon. Some of the dialogue is a little slow and has been cut since the matinee with the result that act went much better at night. Fcy in 2. Close in 1, 3 min. Time 18 min.
A patriotic military act that is well known to all mangers. Made a terrific hit and closed the show in splendid shape. Own set in 4. Time 11 min.
“The Pinochle Fiends.” An amusing blackface act that scored an unquestionable hit today with their patter and their wrangle over a game of pinochle. Street in 1. Time 20 min.
“The Justice of Gideon.” 5 people. This is a dramatization of a story that appeared in the Saturday Evening Post about a year ago under the same title. The characters are of the rural type. Holt is cast as a village justice of the peace who has loved a young girl for years but has not dared speak of his love. A young fellow in whom he is interested becomes involved in a village scandal and to save him from arrest the Justice makes good the amount of the loss, taking the money from the savings with which he hoped to buy a home and get married. At present the sketch is rather long and talky and lack action. The story, however, is a pretty one and when the playing is quickened a trifle will prove a most acceptable offering in vaudeville. Holt sees now where certain speeches may be cut without affecting the story and this is to be done this week. The act is admirably acted, all of the characters being well sustained, and the little sketch has been well staged. Own set in 3. Time 25 min.
Nine people and four pianos and a set of scenery. Act seemed to arouse considerable enthusiasm today and pleased. Several of the vocal numbers were well applauded. Own set in 3. Time 28 min.
America’s Greatest Coon Shouter. There is no question of the ability of this man to put over a coon song. In his line of work he is inimitable and should be able to please any audience as well as he pleased our audience today. Street in 1. Time 9 min.
“Her First Game.” Man and woman in a talking act supposed to describe the feelings of a young man who tries to explain a ball game to his partner. Might possibly get by in a town which supports a team but their stuff fell absolutely flat with the audiences here today. Finish with a song. Olio in 1. Time 12 min.
Comedy Cyclists. A capital opening act for any house. The straight man does some of the niftiest tricks I have ever seen in a bicycle act while his partner introduces some inoffensive comedy. Can close a small show or open a big in good shape. Garden in 4. Time 11 min.
Fancy swimming and dancing. These people have an act that ought to prove a positive sensation in vaudeville. The argument may be raised that swimming acts are becoming rather chestnutty but here is one that is away beyond all others, and, in my opinion, is the greatest novelty act in vaudeville at the present time. Two men and two women go through a series of fancy dives, some of them almost hair-raising in their execution, that held the audience spellbound today and created more talk than any act we have ever put over in this house. One of the girls does some of the most wonderful diving I have ever seen. The girls are not beauties but they sure can dive. A little subdued comedy is introduced by one of the men that gets some laughs. At the present time the Norins are carrying an equipment of scenery that the artist must have charged by the foot and slapped in all the extras he could. As a result the scenery was altogether too large for our stage and caused a bad wait before we could get the act started this afternoon. On a big stage the scenery, with its cyclorama, its leg drops, the waterfall effect and the other accessories will serve to make this one of the most attractively staged swimming and diving acts in the business. Own set in 4. Time 18 min.
