11 Mins.
Medium height, slender, dark girl walks across stage with tall slender youth following her. She halts dead centre to upbraid him and they get acquainted, which introduces opening song where the difference in sizes is commented upon lyrically. This is followed by a good eccentric dance, both being nimble kickers, the male getting considerable altitude with his long legs. Some crossfire with the man affecting a semi-nut follows. His comedy efforts don’t land through weakness of material. He does a good routine of eccentric steps while she changes to pretty black short skirted dress for her song, “Oh Boy,” delivered in vivacious style. A double eccentric acrobatic dance concludes. They are excellent dancers and should stick to their knitting. As little as possible on the comedy efforts will improve the turn, which should reach big time standards with intelligent pruning.
Full Stage.
H. O’Donnell wrote what he dubs a “domestic flash” in “Nearly Single/’ the comedy vehicle in which he and Julia Nash are appearing. There are not only bright lines, but really humorous ones and the running comment between the stage man and wife holds a good deal that is true and human. The couple have just come from the theatre; she is in fighting trim, accusing him of flirting with another woman who was sitting beside him. The battle is on, with hubby declaring the man who wrote “Home Sweet Home” must have been the world’s greatest liar.
Double dance with kicking pre-dominating, piano solo by accompanist while girls are changing, another double by girls, pianist fills in again and girls back with another costume change. The third number has the girls in Oriental garb, with a pleasing double dance holding a suggestion of Egyptian dancing. More ivory tickling, followed by more double-stepping by girls clad in becoming Jetted affair and transparent black lace pantelletes. Pianist is good musician and strong on appearance, but should drop habit of beating time on pedal. Pretty solid blue cyclorama set makes effective background. Act registered at 23d street. Class turn for pop houses, with excellent possibilities for early section of big time shows.
10 Mins.
Man and woman in routine of ground tumbling, hand to hand and head balancing, Following sounds of an argument off stage, woman enters and announces partner won’t appear, but she will go ahead with act., etc. . Partner walks on and pair go into acrobatic routine. Woman is understander, displaying unusual strength in lifts and balancing of partner.
13 Mins
Clean cut young comedian in dinner coat and nice looking, statuesque girl in a well varied routine of singing and talk. The arrangement has a capital opening on a dark stage. There Is a crash and the comedian enters in the dark with an electric torch which flits about the stage, finally resting on the face of the girl, sleeping on a divan. Lights go up and burglar kisses girl and scoots off…
16 Mins.
An “audience” act which has one of the boys interrupting the routine of his partner when about to continue with a violin. The crossfire back and forth over the lights revealed nothing exceptional in the way of comedy, and, in fact, was below par. The sooner this part of the schedule is brightened up the better it will be for all concerned. Following the chatter the youth in front makes the inevitable forward movement to gain the boards, on a dare, and there proceeds to go into a ballad, after which his partner also obliges with a song, thence the “double” number for a yodeling finish.
14 Mins
Male requests audience to name selection. He places violin on music stand and the instrument plays the requests faithfully. He then descends to orchestra aisle and repeats performance without using bow. A plant is utilized for “comedy” requests and crossfire, also prop laughs. He Is Doc Cook, formerly the “Stooge” in the Joe Cook turn. About a dozen requests are played in the two’ aisle, when he returns to the stage and takes another instrument to duet “Margie” with the mystery instrument.
15 Mins.
Two men in perch work. A 24- foot perch is used for the opening, balanced in the usual way with the mounter going through a difficult routine of gymnastics. The perch is very high, it being necessary to raise the borders considerably. The height makes for thrilling stuff, but has a drawback in that the top man can not be seen by those in the rear of the orchestra or balcony. A special eye in two backs up the gymnastics. Later this parts, disclosing a scenic marine view. A ladder follows the perch, with the mounter doing more dangerous looking stuff. Still another perch is used later, a double arrangement, supported on the soles of the feet of the understander. Pedal Juggling with a large football by one of the men serves to vary the perch work.
12 Mins
Ben Meroff is a son of Luba Meroff and was formerly of her act. He is “singling,” assisted by a pianist, violinist and a “plant” in the orchestra. The act opens with the pianist going to the box while Meroff in tuxedo sings an introductory song anent what he is going to do. This is followed by an imitation of Ted Lewis Jazzing on the clarinet; with a Jazz dance following and Lewis’ disreputable top hat for atmosphere. Next a cello solo preceded by a “request,” with the “plant” calling for “Somewhere a Voice Is Calling.”
16 Mins
The pool ball rack with the balls falling out of the bottom, the rack being balanced on Kara’s forehead on a five-foot pole, remains a star trick. The orange, carving knife and fork bit is also retained. Opening with the Juggling of his hat, umbrella, gloves and handkerchief Kara proceeds into a speedy routine of three, four and five object manipulation, using plates, table, oranges and various other objects, sometimes with one hand, sometimes with the other, and at other times with both, but always dexterously. A male assistant helps in the closing trick, and generally makes himself useful, but not too conspicuous.
