On at 2.50, 13 min, full stage. A blind vocalist, whose life story reads like a romance. She is certainly one of the most wonderful blind people in history. She is a college graduate, has also been through law school and was admitted to the bar in California. Some three years ago she started taking vocal lessons and was sent abroad for two years, where she studied with the best masters. She has a beautiful soprano voice and scored heavily here today. She can be made a feature anywhere, for it is possible to get a great deal of interesting press matter about her, and in addition to that, she makes good. I think she could be secured at a very reasonable price.
On at 2 o’clock, 16 min full stage, 3 min close in 1; 21 min in all. ‘The Jestive Juggler.’ This fellow made a very pronounced hit here today, and I regret that I cannot give him a much better position on the bill, for I feel sure that he could hold it. He got almost innumerable laughs this afternoon. While his juggling tricks do not amount to much, his line of talk and by-play are immense. He tells me that he is only over here for four weeks, but thinks he could set back some of his foreign time if he is offered more time here; however, he is already wise to his worth and says that it has got to be at a better figure than $125. He certainly proved himself superior to many acts that we are paying two hundred.
On at 1.39, 10 min, full stage; 3 shows. I think that anybody can play this act to good advantage in an early spot. His feats of jumping are interesting and got a lot of applause here today. He is a find at his price. I am paying him $50 this week, but I doubt if he could continue at this salary, as he carries an assistant and considerable paraphernalia. However, it would be a cheap act at $75 of even $100.
On at 2:33, 14 min full stage, 3 min close in 1; 17 min in all. I consider them the best pair of instrumentalists we have in vaudeville. They play all of their instruments in an artistic manner and get to the audience in fine shape.
‘Nearly a War Correspondent.’ 28 min, FS. This is an acceptable head-line, though nothing of the top line class for a long run. While Dailey is more or less the whole thing, (without him the sketch would languish, I fear) nevertheless there is diversity and good lively songs and dances, and the act is beautifully costumed and set. Six girls appear alternately in cow-boy and scarlet Spanish costumes. Their work gets a good hand. Dailey takes the part of a war correspondent and organizes the Opera Buffe army into a union, teaching them to quit work at 4 o’clock. He gets into a mess over a woman, and the General of the island condemns him to death. Just as the guns are leveled at his breast and the time call out, the town-clock strikes four and the army lay down their guns. This is a very laughable finish and brings good applause.
Comedy, Singing, and Instrumental Novelties. Two coons make their appearance in soldier costume with a drum and a cornet. Then comes a change of costumes, one appearing in woman’s clothes. A good song follows. Afterwards Bailey offers one of the best coon sings I ever heard, “Oh, Wouldn’t It Be A Dream.” This song proved him to be a real comedian. Got a fine closing hand and one curtain call.
32 min, F.S. George Hobart again scores a big hit in this sketch. It is brilliantly presented, and although it is quite long it could hold the audience a full hour, with constant laughter and applause. It concerns the difficulties of a young married couple, and the persistancy [sic] of the husband to go off and get loaded and play the races every time he and his wife quarrel. This theme is used merely as an incident in the clever work of White and Stuart as peace-makers, and to allow Miss Stuart to introduce some of her songs and dancing specialties, all of which are very stunning, and a hot time of race horses chatter. The laughter was so prolonged that the players couldnot [sic] be heard. It is certainly the best vehicle that these clever people have yet had. It fairly sparkles with John Henry humor. The papers say it is his masterpiece sketch, for it is the logical headliner over all others.
The original Fakir. 18 min, FS. This act is thoroughly novel and interesting. The Hindu Fakir is assisted by his wife and little boy, both in picturesque Oriental costume. His paraphernalia and working tools are all brilliantly picturesque and helps to give a good effect. His feats are many, such as tearing pieces of silk into small pieces and mending them by fire; bringing pigeons and a rabbit out of a basket, and little magical stunts. All got good applause. The finishing feat in which he cooks an Oriental dish on the head of his wife in quite spectacular. The finish was O.K.
European acrobatic duo. 8 min, FS. These people have profited by the success of the Bellclaire Brothers, and they certainly make good, even if they are palpable imitaters [sic]. All of their tricks are as brilliantly sensational as the Bellclaires. The finishing feat, when the stronger of the two [sic] the lighter man and lowers him backward over a chair, is as big a feat as any that has been done on this stage. It gor [sic] arousing hand. These people could hold any spot down to the middle of the 2-a-day section.
In the comedy ’10 AM or the Morning After.’ Moved this man up on account of the discouraging reports and to my surprise he held his own. Company consists of Gertrude Des Roche & Burt Morton. The woman is rather attractive but has a bad delivery. Wayne’s drunken scene in one with the assistance of Kinetograph describing his trip home started them off with plenty of laughs. The next scene held its own containing plenty of action, good business, laughs, etc. In its entirety it pleased. Wayne always was a bad proposition as a comedian. With another man this act could be improved upon. 26 minutes, open in one 5 minutes, close in one 2 minutes.
