30 min. This is a typical Lasky musical feature and one of his best. As usual, it is beautifully costumed, with attractive stage setting. Many of the characters were seen in “The Country Club” and other Lasky features and were familiar. The music for the most part is catchy and the various numbers received a good hand. The comedy is especially noteworthy and altogether this feature won out as well if not better than any of the Lasky musical comedies we have played.
“Holding a Husband.” 17 min F.S. To the credit of Mrs. James and her support, it must be said that she got out of this little comedy all the fun and interest there are in it. In the afternoon it went fairly well with an audience made up largely of strangers in our midst, but the evening performance held the crowd much better. Both Mrs. James and Miss Wilton make a very fetching appearance in evening gowns. Mrs. James received a small advance hand and the act altogether made a good impression.
With two men and a woman as assistants, presenting a fast illusion specialty that will create some talk. The novelty about this fellow is the quickness in which he presents his illusions, which are all good and cleverly executed. While he did not receive any great amount of applause for any one stunt, he was given a rousing hand on his finish, with several curtain calls. Ten minutes, full stage, own set.
Presenting his well known comedy called “Pat and the Genie” which scored the first real laugh of the show. The skit is practically the same as of old, with a few additional lines. It is nicely presented and was given a rousing hand on the finish. Twenty-four minutes, full stage.
Giving us the well known comedy “Uncle Lem’s Dilemma.” Rather tame on the opening, but developed into a pleasing skit, although it did not go as well as anticipated. I’m afraid the game at present its entirely too strong for an old time offering of this character. Twenty-one minutes, open in one four minutes.
Two men and two women, presenting a picturesque equestrian specialty using two Arabian horses, dog and go-cart. Quite showy, novel and full of thrilling balancing stunts. Entirely too good to open the show. Seven minutes, full stage.
In “Nature’s Nobleman,” three men and a woman. Scene, bookstore. The story is this: A blind Confederate General in Washington, where the store is located with his daughter and colored slave. He is there for three months trying to see the War Secretary to have his son who is held a prisoner at the military hospital, released that he might take him home. He has been advised to see President Lincoln but refuses to go because he hates the President. The act opens with his daughter and the owner of the bookstore talking of Lincoln’s Gettysburg address. The owner leaves and the General enters led by his slave. His daughter reads Lincoln’s famous address without telling her father who spoke the words. After a while she leaves him alone to prepare a cup of tea. They have been living above the bookstore since they came to the city. While the blind soldier sits alone Lincoln enters. He engages in conversation with the soldier who tells him of the purpose of his visit to Washington. Without disclosing his identity Lincoln signs an order calling for the release of the General’s son and leaves the store without giving the soldier an indea [sic] of who his is talking to. Presently the daughter and the bookman return and then they learn by the note the General has that the President was in the store. Muttering his great thanks the General takes back every harsh word he ever said about the Lincoln and as they all rejoice the curtain closes the act. It went very big. Special set, 25 min.
In their new singing comedy, “Fixing Dad,” two men and a woman. Scene, parlor. Man and woman opera singers, married five years are visited by the wife’s father who doesn’t know of her marriage. The father has no use for the man who is her husband as he played a trick on him when a boy. After some persuasion the old man is won over by the husband’s singing of several Irish songs. The act closes with the husband and wife doing a little grand opera. There is quite some comedy between the wife and her father. Both singers possess good voices. The act went very good. C.D.F. 19 min. in one 5 min, time of act 24 min.
Singing comedienne. 21 minutes in 1. This young lady stopped the show. At Monday’s matinee the audience became hysterical and we carried out one man and one woman. Both of these had “over-laughed,” and we were compelled to apply such restoratives as we have had on hand for emergency sickness. Regardless of the commotion caused by carrying out the 250 pound man on the main floor and in the center of the house, Miss Shaw continued her songs and the audience refused to let her leave the stage. She made six bows after her final song at the matinee and eight in the evening. (Boston)
The Wonder Horse. Special set in 3, working from 17 to 19 minutes. This is a very interesting act well received at both performances yesterday. The horse succeeds in doing some really remarkable stunts without any visible signals. (Open)
