That business held up as well as it did the first half, however, was undoubtedly due to the presence of Henry Santrey and his Jazz Band. Santrey and his crew of jazzy-harmonists did 42 minutes. The bunch just wouldn’t let them off, although Santrey did no jockeying for bows or in any way attempted to prolong his stay beyond the regular closing of his act. It’s in a class by itself, this Santrey act, made different because it contains real musicians who can jazz or play any old kind of music, classical or popular, and particularly so through Santrey’s delivery of pop songs. He did so many Tuesday night there was no keeping count. Had he wanted to make a “speech” he could have talked himself blue in the face, but he ducked the “I thank you,” and took it out in bows.
Tuesday night “Tripoli,” a Witmark publication, sung by Billy Fagan, was declared the winner, so adjudged by applause. The contest may have pulled a few extra patrons in the first half, in that way reducing the expected depreciation in attendance of the five days preceding Christmas.
The Nippon Duo opened and amused. The Jap youth at the piano is an excellent player for one of his race. He is something of a wonder, too, with the ukulele, and is a comedian. The act could be improved by speeding the tempo of at least one of the songs sung by the pedal worker by manipulates the barrel.
Ed Lowry and Irene Prince showed here for the first time. The team didn’t start anything in No. 2, but the house liked them. Lowry’s eccentric dance won something, as did his “Oh, Mother,” a comedy number which he announced as only an imitation, a la Harry Hines. Miss Prince looked cute in boy’s clothes and surprised by carrying partner off.
[New Act] Music and Athletics, 13 mins.; one and full stage. Closing the show Ajax seemed to have pulled a “bone” by opening up with an accordion solo that was non plus on “pep,” and only served to chase ’em from the first chord, until he went into full stage to handle a weight by hand and with his teeth.
It was o.k. after leaving the instrument, and that can be done away with any time, as now it’s just something to be forgiven and only makes that much more to be overcome. Especially so following a long bill.
A woman assistant made two changes in dress, which helped, but the slight attempt at comedy by her could go, as it brought laughs that really weren’t.
A good closing act, but needs cutting down and speeding up.
Sylvia Clark was sandwiched in between, and it looked as if things were going to be rather hard for her after the success of Clark and Bergman, but she breezed through, making it look easy, and was “over” after her cabaret number with the Russian lyric. Miss Clark registered high up and came back for a short speech.
Clark and Bergman followed the screen episode and were given a reception. They lived up to it and a bit more after it was all over, delivering a new song for an encore that had a “plugger” up in a box to help make it stronger. Sounded very “forte,” too. Bergman’s bit of a catch line, “Take it easy, Winnie” (Winnie Crisp – Crisp Sisters), was taken up by the house and prevailed throughout the remainder of the show, especially during the closing act, Ajax and Emily (New Acts).
Their acrobatics and tumbling stood out above everything else. That by name consisting of a song, dance and some talk pointed toward comedy, but which left something open. The boys might leave in the first two incidents, but the final bit should go, as it slows down the turn to sluggishness and spoils what would otherwise be a corking fast tumbling turn. The announcing that one of the team about to do two complete somersaults from the floor to the floor kidding about it to the effect of supposedly accomplishing the double turn off the stage may be all right, but how many in the audience realize what a tough one that is to do? Only know of one boy – name forgotten – whoever did that particular stunt, and he nightly tied up a Sunday show at the Columbia in 18 different knots after doing it.
Nothing spectacular in the first half, with Eddie Foy and the Foylets tacked on to close before intermission. Bryan remains with the family, not overdoing to any extent, and leaving the main portion of the burden to fall on Charlie’s shoulders, who is still quite capable of taking care of it. Charlie fulfills the promise he gave of being adept on his feet when tearing up and down the halls of De La Salle some years ago. The Foy act pleased mightily and could have done a few more minutes.
Strassell’s Animals opened. Two seals, with an interesting routine, winding up when one animal tooted “My Country, ‘Tis of Thee” on horns. That sent the act off to a hand.
