De Michelle Bros
Italian street musicians, play Harp and Violin, some comedy which goes good, popular and classical selections, rag time selections for a finish went big. 15 minutes in one Went big.
Conlin, Steele & Carr
Two men and one woman in a sketch called “Fresh From College”. 15 minutes in one. Act consists of piano-playing by one man, singing and dancing by the other man and the young lady. Some clever work. Went good.
Bertha Kalich & Co.
In the sketch by Mrs. Fiske entitled “A Light From St. Agnes”. 24 minutes, full stage, own set. Mme. Kalich takes the character of ‘Toinette, John Harrington that of Michel Karouse, and John Booth that of Father Bertrand. The curtain rises on the interior of a miserable hut, in the center of which is a cot where ‘Toinette lies asleep. She and Michel Karouse are partners in sin. A priest enters. He awakens her, and tells her of the death of Agnes, a worker in the slums. On a nearby hill is a convent, and in its chapel lies the body of the saintly woman. The chapel is called “St. Agnes”. The priest gives ‘Toinette some wholesome advice, and tells her what a good friend she had in the saintly Agnes. ‘Toinette tells the priest that she is awakened every morning at sunrise by a light which shines through her window and over her couch, being a reflection of the sun from the window of St. Agnes’ Chapel. As the priest is about to depart, Michel Karouse enters, intoxicated. He orders the priest out, and a quarrel ensues between him and the woman. Michel tells ‘Toinette that a valuable diamond cross lies on the breast of Agnes, and that he is going up there to steal it. ‘Toinette protests. She warns him that the nuns of the convent will ring the alarm bell. He seizes a knife and declares he well cut the bell rope to prevent the alarm. ‘Toinette then lures him into the belief that she will help him, and induces him to give her the knife. She departs, ostensibly to cut the bell rope—Instead, she rings the bell for the alarm. Michel rushes out, seizes her, drags her back into the hut, throws her upon the cot, and stabs her to death. As she is dying, she embraces a crucifix, and the reflected light from the window of St. Agnes throws a halo over her body. Curtain. The acting of Mme. Kalich is intense, as is also that of Harrington. Booth, as Fr. Bertrand, also does excellent work. The sketch is a thrilling one, and the audience is under a spell of suspense throughout. Mme. Kalich was accorded many curtain calls at both Sunday performances.
Avon Comedy Four
In “The New School Teacher”. Open 11 min., full stage, and close 11 min. in One. Same old act—Went big as ever. Close with some good quartette singing. A big hit.
Crouch & Welch
Man and woman known as “that lively pair”. 16 minutes, full stage, including three minutes closing in One. Some good whirlwind dancing and good comedy. Lots of fun. Many good laughs.
Paul Barnes
Monologue. 17 minutes in one. Has a hard time working up to a response from the audience. Has a rather indifferent style, and acceptable that way by the audience. Made up with a couple of good parody songs. His monologue on the umbrella got some laughs. Mr. Barnes needs some new material, and a little ginger in his work. Went fair.
Three Brownies
Three boys still in their teens in eccentric dancing and novelty roller skating. 14 minutes, opening 4 minutes in One, then to full stage. They do some good dancing, the burglar dance being noteworthy, also some very clever dancing on rollers, and some good comedy. Went good.
Three Ernests
7 minutes f.s. Always the best of the comedy bar acts, this troupe came back with a novelty in the way of a new stage setting, and went bigger than ever.
Thomas A. Wise and Co.
In “A Chip of the Old Block.” 24 minutes f.s. Mr Wise has a sketch that is all right for vaudeville. What is more to the point, it is well-cast, well-acted, has lots of laughs, and holds the interest every minute. It is the Lambs’ Club sketch, the scene of which is laid in the Actors’ Fund Home. Mr Wise has the part of a comedian who never realized his ambition to play tragedy. He has hopes for his son in tragic roles, only to discover that the latter is “fat and funny” like himself, and what is worse, a modern Quaker Oats comedian. The old man finally finds a ray of hope in his grandson, who does not promise to be as fat as his father, and may possibly grow up thin enough to play tragic roles.
Bud Fisher
17 minutes in one. special drop; This is about the best of the cartoon acts. Aside from Fisher’s wide reputation, he has a unique setting, has an interesting line of stuff, and holds the audience every minute.