13 Mins.; Curtained Easel. The man does the painting. The woman, wearing wigs correspond with type of nationality drawn, inserts her head in opening in frame. Each figure head offered is preceded by an announcement by artist. At the finish, the woman comes down front and sings while a man’s head appears in the easel opening, a comedy picture being the result. Proved a novelty at the Union Square Sunday.
11 Mins.; One. A young girl and man, the former playing the violin, also acting as straight for her partner’s foolishness. That consists of a James J. Morton-Frank Tinney-Harry Fox routine that shows a nice discrimination by this budding comedian. The “copy stuff” seemed to do at the Columbia Sunday afternoon. The girl plays fairly, but looks really well. No visible reason why she should use the violin at all in this act, excepting it sends the young copyist off the stage now and then to permit her to do so. The point of merit about the turn for consideration is that it has new jokes, or at least not any heard on the strange to date. That is something, really a great deal, and it might induce the man of the team to evidence originality as well in other directions.
19 Mins.; Full Stage (Interior). The sketch offered by Jack Ellis and Co. cannot be designated as either fish or fowl. It isn’t dramatic nor is it burlesque nor a dramatic sketch. It just between and not enough of either. Its theme seems to have been taken from “The Man of the Hour.” There is the young and honest mayor who is beset by the Boss who wants him to sign a bill behind which there unlimited opportunity for graft. The young man playing the mayor passes by nicely, but the boss is as fine a burlesque character as ever seen. The third character, the boss’ daughter, in love with the mayor, is poorly played. Mr. Ellis will have to make up his mind one way or the other regarding the offering. It must either be played straight, without trying after comedy, or burlesque throughout. It seems as though there would be room for the sketch on the small time as straight dramatic, with another woman in the role of the daughter.
12 Mins.; One. A soprano, tenor and baritone make a combination that will do nicely on the small time. Act is costume nicely and was hit with the Bronx audience.
11 Mins.; One. She and He are doing a might interesting little turn that will answer for an early spot on any small time show with the present material. The man has a fair voice and both he and the woman are nifty steppers. The numbers the team are using at present seem to have been written by one or perhaps both members of the act. They are not of quality that will make it go forward. With a couple of real songs the turn might double in value. The woman has a pleasing personality and her comedy number is very well put over.
15 Mins.; One. “The Girl, the Boy and the Piano.” Brother and sister (Lila Hibbard) who have been entertaining Milwaukee since they were youngsters, with natural talent. Both have stage presence and personality, particularly the young woman. She is vivacious and attractive. Both are of good voice, using original songs. In the next to closing after Lina Abarbanell and other strong acts, they made good outside of native and other strong acts, they made good outside of native element consideration. Considered by management as easily qualified for big time.
13 Mins.; One. Ordinary single for small time is Max Rossi. He opens with a fast number and then goes into talk that seems to have all the “old boys” in show business. He also has a song for his closing number, on a par with his opening bit.
6 Mins.; Full Stage. One of the usual modern dancing turns, although in this case the girl is a much better dancer than the customary run of steppers in acts of this type on the small time.
12 Mins.; Three (Interior). If this pair has displayed their dancing wares a year ago they might have started something. It looks now as though the pardon come too late. The Fox Trot was the closer and the best of the lot. The team let loose here and the woman actually smiled, thereby relieving the mechanical animation of the preceding numbers. The dancers work very well together.
24 Mins.; Full Stage (Exterior). The Mirth Makers are presenting a tabloid musical comedy with four principals, three men and one woman and a chorus of six girls. There is a thread of a story that is constantly shoved into the background to permit the introduction of numbers and comedy. The act will be a big flash for the small time providing it can get along on a small time salary. There are a pair of comedians in the cast that are fair for small time and the chorus is the next best thing in the act. Popular numbers get the act over.
