10 Mins.; One. The Society for Preservation of Cruelty to Animals can not get after Ford for working his dog harder than he does himself. He is a worker and he has a clever dog that shows good training. The man sings and dances, of which some of the latter could be dropped. The act opens with a “souse” number, the dog following his master. Ford then sings and dances. Some of the harder steps he attempts miss. The dog goes through the usual routine of canine cleverness. The big trick is the throwing it in the air and having the dog land on two feet in the man’s hand. That would be a good finish, but an encore is too quickly given. One of the usual fox terrier breed of dogs is used. The turn should please. It was a success in the second spot at the Hudson, Tuesday matinee, the audience going exceedingly heavy on the applause thing.
7 Mins.; Full Stage (Arena Cage). Mme. Andree is working six of the cats in an arena cage of the type that was the centre of Bostock’s at Coney Island. Although her beasts are billed as lions they have the appearance of lionesses. None of the animals has a mane. Mme. Andree runs them through the usual routine of lion stunts; mounting of pedestals and a see-saw. The trainer has the animals so that they are constantly showing their fangs and claws and this lends an added thrill to the act. she works fast and holds the lions for a picture at the curtain. It is a good closing turn.
“Sultan,” a trained Shetland, accompanied by a nice looking, shapely blonde put things over in the opening points, The pony’s work mainly consists of mathematical problems, being offered by the trainer and the audience, while her pleasing personality and showmanship plays 50 per cent towards returns.
Sugbee’s Dogs opened. They go through a usual routine, getting most out of the pup who does the skirt dance.
Sylvia Loyal & Co. the company consisting of a man assistant on stage and a flock of pigeons, with a French poodle. Their act is trying to do pantomime that means nothing, and slows the running.
Barthold’s dogs held down the evening spot to satisfaction although there were occasional moments when the canine workers forced the trainer, who guides them off stage, to exert extra lung power. However, they registered favorably.
Clemens-Belling and Co. provided excellent entertainment in closing position with an unusually well-trained donkey, some dogs and acrobatics by a couple of men assisting a trainer. It’s a dandy novelty offering.
Gangler’s animal turn opening made much of the opportunity by getting some high results with the trained horse. The dogs seemed to respond to their master’s whip with a good deal of comedy antics and the turn closed with the agile creatures climbing the pole and loosening the curtain on which gold letters emblazoned their hope of pleasing, getting them a big hand, and they bowed in acknowledgment to three fast curtains.
15 Mins.; Full. Barnon has four cats, a like number of dogs and two ponies. He has enough animals to work out a nice little act for small time. It is an act that will please a kid audience.
12 Mins.; Full Stage. “Little Nap” is another “educated monk,” titled after his dress, a military uniform, with a Napoleonic hat. “Nap” does most of his work on the stage, alone, riding a bicycle, and also piloting a motorcycle, with a side attachment in which is another monk, distinctly new in this sort of turn. The finish is a bedroom suite, made more complete than most of the others, the monk undressing, and the finish arriving when he jumps into bed. Too much time is given to the different bits in the opening. But the act doesn’t overrun, 12 minutes. Had “Little Nap” arrived fast, and so on, the same here as with a lot of others who thought of it something after it had happened! They may do it better, but they do it too late. The same with plays. Opening the Palace show “Nap” did well, and will be generally liked.
