[New Act] Comedy skit, 12 mins.; one. Man and woman. Woman enters site on bench, reads newspaper. Civil War vet on with a make-up a cross between that of Foster Ball and Al Lydell. The pair go into a talking routine which holds several big laughs. These, however, are separated by too long intervals, most of the talk being too light for comedy results. Quiet finish with veterans walking off to strains of Civil War melodies supposed to be heard in the distance. The act pleased at the 23rdStreet. Will do as No. 2 for the small time bills as it stands, but could be improved greatly by building up quiet stretches of talk.
Harry Holman and Co. in “Hard Boiled Hampton,” couldn’t have gone better anywhere. The audience was made to order for the characterization of the lovable old grouch with a fund of humorous remarks interspersed with a touch of heart interest.
Percy Bronson and Winnie Baldwin in “Visions of 1970” (by Jack Lait), eclipsed their previous successes, appearing to better advantage than ever with their present offering, the dialogue pertaining to what may happen fifty years hence. It registered heavy laughs. The futuristic setting, Miss Baldwin’s pretty costumes and the all around class of the team, proved the show’s outstanding feature and worthy headline timber.
[New Act] “The Wife Saver” (Comedy). 16 mins.; three. Mr. Toomer is now using Francklyn [sic] Ardell’s act “The Wife Saver” the act being complete as played by Ardell. In Toomer’s hand it appears to hold as many laughs as ever and at that it looks “actor proof.” The girl assistant looks good and has a pretty smile. The turn is a cinch in the three-a-day and can repeat on the better bills with {illegible}.
Frank Burt and Myrtle Rosedale with the comedy concert “The Substitute” did nicely on third. Burt’s hair part drew the first laugh and his eccentric dancing at the close took the team off to favor. The pillow stunt is a good bit of business, as claimed.
Paul McCarthy, a former local, and Elsie Faye, entering as a sketch team, dawdled through ten worthless and hopeless minutes of a comedy talk which led somewhere but never got there. They did some numbers pretty well. A finish is which Miss Faye is supposed to represent 500 years from now was done without preparation, seemingly, and let them off to embarrassing silence.
Harrison Greene and Katherine Parker in black and tan were next to closing, registering a comedy hit with “At the Depot,” filled with continuous laugh getting material of funny business and snappy remarks. Miss Parker displayed excellent voice and dance ability, making a dandy straight for Greene’s clever black facing, nearly stopping the show.
Harry Holman and Co. in the comedy sketch. “Hard-Boiled Hampton,” was liked at the Fifth Avenue as well as it has been in other houses in and around New York. The little girl is playing opposite him is excellent and aids materially in putting the act over.
Frank Wilcox and Co., presenting “Ssh-h,” a farcical sketch of old-fashioned construction and very familiar situations, lifted the roof with the storm of laughs and applause accorded their efforts. It’s all been done time and time again, but as played by Mr. Wilcox and a company of legitimate players of proven ability the sketch is a howl from opening to tag line. As a sure-fire comedy scream “Ssh-h” qualified as a topnotcher.
Beatrice Morgan and company presented the Edgar Allan Woolf comedy “Moonlight Madness” in number three spot, where it was liked. Really the best laugh of the playlet came at the close when Miss Morgan asked John Connery, playing a husband role, whether he’d do what he once promised – take her to a burlesque show.
