15 Mins.; Full Stage. Ben M. Jerome has been a favourite composer in Chicago for some years. He has now essayed to go into the varieties, where he is offering some of his old melodies and some new. He presides at a grand piano for his opening. Later a woman sings one of his latest songs, and a man arrives still alter to do a “wop” number. Some of the old Jerome favorites are sung off the stage by the man and woman, who alter come on for a romping child song. The act is a little awkward as yet, and the singers are not quite at ease. Some of the selections might be changed with advantage.
Keating and Ross, two nifty, full of pep persons, made ‘em like it. Miss Keating works like it meant everything and every one loved her. Ross sings some nifty songs, using the high cost of everything as the theme, and they who paid applauded.
Willard and Jones followed. The act is a good one for this time, but if they want to climb ladder to the big time together and sing some harmony songs, for they both are real singers and can harmonize. Jones’ stories are a little too long, but he puts them over. The act registered.
Neville and Brockway, with a scene laid in Alaska, put over some wartime material which did very well. One member is dressed as a sailor boy doing blackface, and the straight man is an officer of the aviation section of the Marine Corps. Their material is well written and they put their stuff over with a spectacular finish.
Evelyn White, a tall, slender young woman, whistles her way through and closes by whistling “Columbia, the Gem of the Ocean.” This brought rounds of applause, but she did not take an encore.
Raines and Avery, the male member a very chap, but vulgar in his exit when he picks his nose. Both appeared in street clothes, but, nevertheless, they put over their turn.
Fred Lewis came forth and is a clever comedian and a very clever showman. His position on the bill was wrong.
Spell and Vernon opened in full stage. There is some cross fire talk that is unnecessary. The act would get just as much going right into the equilibrium routine. The girl is very pretty, with a beautiful form, and assists her partner well on the trapeze. His last trick is one that requires a lot of skill and practice.
The show closed with the “Lingerie Shop.” The scene is a lingerie shop, with a few pieces of lingerie in a showcase. Six chorus girls, a man and a girl as principals. That’s all. The act is far from being a feature attraction.
Bobby Henshaw, a large fat man, and an Essex auto salesman, appeared with a ukulele banjo under his arm, who imitates birds and instruments and also auto horns, and made the patrons enjoy themselves, as well as could be expected from an auto salesman. For an encore Henshaw requests the audience to coax a young lady in the box to play the cornet, which she finally yields to do, and plays it very well. With the position given Henshaw he was the hit of the bill. It was here that that the audience began to warm their hands.
