Billy Arlington with his four-act and its rough clowning got away with substantial hit opening the second half. The way the audience took to the talk and the discordant music was astonishing considering the decided liking they displayed for the politer offerings. The act occupied 24 minutes and took four bows at the getaway.
[New Act] “Nut” Comedy, 13 mins; one. Although there is but one name in the billing for this act it is a two man singing and comedy turn, the comedian being planted in the audience. The straight opens with a song. The comedian interrupts the comic with a horse laugh; there is some cross fire and finally the comic gets upon the stage and does the usual in the way of a boob characterization with the falls and flows. The act is not exactly next to closing on big time, but it can go along and work steadily and get laughs from any type of audience.
Joe Morris and Flo Campbell, No. 4, also stopped the show cold, being forced to respond with a speech at the conclusion of their comedy turn, and that after keeping the house in an uproar for 20 minute. Mr. Morris was in great form, and the bag from the upper box never went bet-at the Alhambra.
Moss and Frye, the fourth act in the show’s “laugh offensive,” ran next to closing, a spot they appear regularly assigned. Some more new matter may have been inserted, the straight remarking at the shambling entrance of the comic that the latter has the spring fever in the {illegible} and the early part of the routine building on that. The comedian fumbled a baseball “gag” which was also probably new. They did not seek an encore. When the men secure a good new harmony number they should insert it there.
Fred Lewis came forth and is a clever comedian and a very clever showman. His position on the bill was wrong.
Edwards and Fletcher, man and woman doing nut comedy, came next. The woman overdoes and they crack some wise gags, but the best answer is that this kind of an audience east the hook up, and these two little artists dish it out to them in the way they like it.
It is a matter of opinion as to whether William Gaston and Co.,. or Johnny Burke were the laughing hit of the bill. Both acts scored big. Gaston in a playlet written by Rupert Hughes gave the audience a bit of what they want. He works very hard and puts it over, being ably assisted by Rosalie Mathieu, Betty Davis, James Hester and Jack Pierce.
Lou Reed and All Tucker were placed in a bad position on the bill, but, nevertheless, these two “cut-ups” mopped up with their clever showmen and were forced to play an encore.
Charlie Wilson, just a nut, gave them what they wanted. He has an easy delivery, and when he mixes up his speeches it sounds natural. He worked hard and was a runner-up for laughing honors. Howard received a reception, and when he sang the old favorites there an ovation.
The Three Rubes, after stepping out and knocking ‘em for the laughing hit through no fault of theirs, flopped at the finish. They were to close with a roll under the curtain, but the curtain didn’t move, and when they forced it up it refused to roll down. They look their bows smilingly, but – what they said back stage can only be surmised.
