Colored comedians. It Isn’t their singing, dancing or instrumentation that makes them an act strong enough to follow, any sort of a turn on a program and “clean up.” It is Just their little bits of character acting. Those of us who have never been south and seen the illiterate coon, seem to feel just as well as those who have, that the characterizations are true. And being so, they are appreciated.
A pair of colored character comedians, with a special drop to indicate a railway station. Their genuine Southern dialects are a rare treat and their crosstalk, wooden shoe stepping, harmonica and guitar playing all registered with a wallop.
Chapelle and Stennette, the colored mixed team, were their usual success; although the man could have strengthened his offering further by the retention of his former “Can’t You Hear Me Calling Caroline” number. That was always a k. o. and might be retained.
12 Mins. One.
A colored team using material that sounded as though they chose from whatever talking turn they saw. They use an insurance bit about speed in paying the premium Just as the boy, who fell off the roof. was passing the fifth floor. Also they have the C. O. D. line and the bottle of milk, now in the routine of a standard colored team. The men show something In dancing. One especially is a good tap dancer. He started something with a soft shoe waltz clog, then a fast eccentric tap number. The same boy delivered at the close with a tap dance which drew an earned encore, his partner “Jazzing” on a phoney trombone.
10 min. in 1. This is the old Josephine Gassman act brought up to date. The three pickaninnies put over their singing and dancing in a very pleasing manner, and Miss Gassman sings one number to a good hand. Act went over good.
33 min. “A Musical World Revue.” Howard has built up a production in four scenes around the last two-act he presented in vaudeville with Miss Clark as the principal support, the remainder of the company include a male quartet and a group of colored singers and dancers. Several of Howard’s well known song compositions are featured in numbers with scenic and costume effects and the closing scene is an elaborate spectacle with a patriotic number and a rainstorm effect featured. The production was not seen at its best, numerous waits caused by the fouling of drops slowing it up and handicapping it considerably. The music is catchy, there is plenty of action and despite the poor performance, it was given a good hand. When working smoothly, it should make a satisfactory production.
15 min. A quartette of colored men who sing popular melodies. All have good voices and their harmony was well liked. As very few colored acts are seen in vaudeville at present, this offering proves a novelty and also a very good singing number which was liberally applauded.
Fortunately Phina does very little in the act thereby making it a good act, the work being done especially by the colored people. 12 minutes in one.
Assisted by Ted Shawn and the Denishawn Dancers. 25 min. With the exception of one number, the program she offered was entirely new. It is a highly colored dance offering, novel and appeals particularly to those interested in the art of classic dancing. The act was given strict attention by our audience. Each number was warmly received and at the finish she was rewarded with a big hand of applause.
Colored entertainers, 2 women, 8 men. 21 min. Full stage, spec. set. Singing is quite ordinary, but the comedy is much in evidence the same being occasioned by an unusually clever eccentric dance by one of the men, and also by the side-splitting manner in which the ‘ragtime band’ discourses melody, their methods being unique, novel and original. The scenic equipment of the act is worthy of mention, and thanks to the efforts of the band, the act was well received.
