Next to closing Jones and Sylvester did not burn up the world. They are also paying too much attention to comedy and not enough to song. They can sing and should sing. One real number out over by them in their manner when they were That Quartet on the New York Roof would do more for them in the way of winning applause than all of the “strawberries” stuff that they are pulling.
On paper Burt Gordon and Gene Ford were the hit of the bill, and they were in reality. Most of the comedy got access, but it was distinctly noticed that Gordon’s singing lacked the power evidenced usually. So the house acoustics might be the matter. Several weeks ago this team was sent into the Palace after Monday to strengthen the show, and it landed with a wallop. It looks good enough to repeat anywhere.
Jimmy Lucas with Francene, opened intermission. Lucas has built up the comedy as expected, and he fared nicely considering the laugh-getters who preceded him. One thing Lucan misses is the box stunt, which has been a sort of trade mark with him. It’s reasonably sure he will evolve another that will fit. He offered a new song of his own composition, “The Only Girl Who Can Make Me Cry.” It is a mother song.
Josephine Davis, assisted by a violinist and pianist, offered familiar published song numbers, making attractive costume changes and displaying good voice and comedy aptitude in semi-Yiddish Oriental number and scored nicely.
George Lane and Tom Moran were next to closing, with the “Listen Mickey” routine formerly done by Bert Wheeler and Moran. Lane was last with the “Telegraph Trio.”
Al B White as usual registered his customary laughing hit with comedy songs and prohibition talk. It is not only his up-to-date talk that brings home the bacon but delivery plays an important part. The longer the present material is used the better it will be received for the foundation is there to pull the same stuff from all angles.
Al Prince and Rita Bell did well second with familiar comedy songs and talk well put over by Prince with Miss Bell, a good looker, at the piano and showing sufficient ability in song and double wedding number to participate more in numbers and less time at the piano is the revised routine needed.
[New act] Singing and comedy. 14 mins; one. Two men both in black face. One appears in male garb doing a swell, the other impersonating a high toned “wench” throughout. Open with short routine of talk. A double sing next, followed by another short session of gags, “Wench” solos, topped off with a brief bit of stepping. While “wench” is changing costumes partner sings a ballad. Finishing number effectively harmonized. Act is entertaining and should find the going easy on pop houses.
Clifford and Wills, in songs and rural comedy talk, came on No. 4 achieving fair results. The male plays the rural station agent. The girl as a vacationist, does the feeding. The couple insert several song numbers that helped.
Harry Lander was a featured comic with the “Behman Show” last season, and is to be starred with the Jack Singer show next season. Lander is filling in a week or two in vaudeville before the burlesque season starts with former Lander Bros. act. He’s tramp comic of the old school, supplemented with mannerisms all his own and an original method of handling low comedy. Lander’s best score was made with the travesty dramatic recitation identified with the Lander Bros. act. It’s an odd little lyric with a peculiarly twisted word at the end of each line. The straight warbled a ballad or two with results and made a good foil for Lander’s clowning. If the act intended to remain in vaudeville a new finish would have to be secured, as the present finale isn’t strong enough to follow the comedy stuff which precedes it. The act held up the second half, doing very well next to closing.
