12 min. F.S. A very novel act, well presented and a very satisfactory opener. Both make a good appearance and their soap bubble blowing is really extraordinary. Play billiards with the soap bubbles, filling the bubbles with illuminated gas and sending them over the audience. Makes a showy finish with the bubbles exploding in air.
While this act is accorded some advance applause, there does not seem to be any weight to the name of Donlin. I might say, in describing their work, that Donlin is a ball-player and Tom Lewis a comedian, in other words Lewis is funny and Donlin only a fair straight man. Their specialty consists of some patter, which is very light, impersonations that are far-fetched and a bit of burlesque ventriloquism that gets a few laughs. At the money, they are an absolute frost and, in order to go the rounds (for the money they want – four figures) a great many changes are necessary and then some more. Twenty-one minutes in one.
“The Girl in the Parrot.” An act similar to mind reading, which description they endeavor to avoid. “Aerial-short hand.” They call it. Open in palace in 3, close in one. Rather a novelty, and holds down the spot well. 17 minutes in all. (Dayton) (A five minute wait was necessary here, because of the fact that Rolland closes in three with special set, and Lora opens in three, with special props.)
Man and woman, singing, talking and imitations on the violin which went good, comedy fairly good, woman dressed well, man eccentric, went off with a big hand. 18 minutes in one.
“A Night on the Boulevard.” Special set. 14 minutes. This act is a real novelty. The drop with the illuminated boulevard is one of the best things I have ever seen in vaudeville. It gets applause at the rise of the curtain at every performance, they have put their act together in manner that makes a big laughing hit.
Juvenile entertainer. 11 minutes in one. A real novelty for a single. He tells of stories, dances and plays a mouth harp. The audience refused to let him go, which made encores necessary. The boy is clever, and could work further down on a good program. (Louisville)
13 minutes. Interior. I understand that this is the first appearance of this act in the country. While it is a novelty, and the male member of the team does some very difficult playing on unusual instruments, still it very crude and I could not recommend it for any later than No. 3 on the bill. They, of course, will improve with experience.
This is one of the funniest animal acts we have ever played and made quite a hit, having the audience laughing every minute. The work of the animals is of secondary importance; it is the burlesque wrestling match, bull fight, etc. that makes the act what it is. F.S.
In a novel skit called, “Behind the Screens.” Open on bare stage with a good line of cross fire talk, then make up to impersonate a Southern darkey and wench and give several songs in one. A splendid act, quite novel and greatly appreciated. Sixteen minutes including about four minutes in one.
14 min. in one. Makes an excellent opener. Dresses in tramp costume. Carries a funny advertising sign and comes out in a burlesque automobile. Juggles balls, hats and other things very cleverly but the best part of his work is the comedy that he introduces. The apple-throwing stunt got ikmmense [sic] applause. His plate-twirling stunt at the finish is a novelty and gave him a strong closing hand. A new act from the West that is recommended for any house on the circuit.