‘The Handcuff King.’ From 20-40 minutes, depending entirely upon what is scheduled. This man gets out of the handcuffs very easily and has been responsible for a big week with us, but I would not imagine he would be worth anything to a bill unless he was helped to work his act up. It is necessary to boom [sic] him far in advance and to do many things that is not necessary with other feature acts. We were fortunate in getting some of the officials who were above suspicion to go on the stage from time to time and attempt to lock Mr. Houdini in straight jacket and handcuffs. In this way we were able to get a big week.
Comedy juggler, assisted by a young man who dresses as a girl. 12 minutes, full stage. This man attempted some wonderful tricks in juggling and was sometimes successful. He undoubtedly is the worst act that we have ever played, not being able to [sic] half of that which he attempts. We were compelled to move him three times on the bill. When we talked with him about his act the only thing we could get from him was ‘I will be all right in five or six days.’ I hope he is all right but we could not keep him long enough to find out.
12 minutes in 3. Interior. Comedy acrobatic act. This act is going very, very good with us. I suggested to Mr. Borani that he cut some of the talking, which he did, and which, I think, improved the act very much. He is getting as much applause as any act on the bill.
When these people made their appearance I must say I felt apprehensive but they got away with their turn in first rate fashion, in fact, made a hit. To some extent, I think this is attributable to their having some local following; however the bulk of the audience seemed to enjoy their turn and although they were on the stage 25 minutes they could have come back and given them more. It is a little coarse and I don’t know just what the audience laughed at but it ‘goes’ and I should say that in New York it would be an unqualified hit. 25 min. open full stage, long close in one, 2 shows.
All Japanese acts are good, although I don’t consider this one quite up to some of the others that we have had; still for a three a day act, and amount of time of that is satisfactory consumed and satisfaction given, it must be rated as very good. 22 min, full stage, 3 shows.
Two men and a young woman who have an act that is made up of singing, dancing and acrobatic work, none of which is very well done but it is all right in the three a day section or to open the show at a small salary. 14 min. full stage, can close in 1, 3 shows.
And a competent company in what might be termed a musical farce. Miss Cohan received a flattering hand on her entrance, and made a hit with her singing and dancing. There is quite a lot of comedy in the act that was very well handled, and the sketch may be classed as successful, ending strong. 23 mins. Tableau curtains in 1.
American humorist. Some new material, some old, and it all went good. Aroused plenty of laughter and applause. Cut: ‘Don’t take a married woman; take a single one; you will keep out of trouble.’ And when the audience laughs, ‘Naughty audience, I dont mean what you mean.’ Also ‘not by a damn sight.’ 17 mins Olio 1.
2 shows, 20 mins, full stage. Presenting ‘Songs of the Cities’ from the ‘Prince of Pilsen.’ I was somewhat disappointed with this act and so were the audience. It started rather slow and there were only a few of the young ladies who seemed to arouse any enthusiasm or applause among the patrons. I consider it very far from a great act, and while it was not a ‘frost,’ it did not make the hit that has been attributed to it in other cities.
2 shows, 20 min. full stage. Assisted by Miss Vernon is an idyl [sic] of the Studio, ‘The Artist and the Model.’ This man presents quite a novel act. He sits at a desk in front of a screen and sketches different characters, which are thrown as he draws upon a screen in the rear of the stage. He is somewhat green lacking vaudeville experience. Miss Vernon is a very pretty young woman and adds considerably to the act. A good deal depends on the characters he elects to sketch. I will look into the idea more fully tomorrow and it there is not the element of ‘fake’ to it, that I have reason to suspect, I think it should be a good act for the circuit.
