The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1909-05-18
SMITHS OPENING IN VAUDEVILLE AND MOVING
 PICTURES IS SUCCESSFUL

Five Variety Acts and Novelties in Pic.
 tured Life Made Performance That
 Was Interesting Throughout.
 It is a long time since vaudeville has been seen at Smiths theatre, and the opening yesterday of the special summer season was attended with con- siderable interest, as to the manner in which the patrons of the place might take to the innovation. But any stranger present last evening, would have at once considered that the house had always been conducted on that policy, for there was an attendance three floors occupied, there was a crowd standing at the rear, three and four deep at times The attendance was so large, and the evident pleasure afforded by the entertainment was so general that the success of the sum- mer season seems assured from the start. Yesterday afternoon there was also very fair attendance, but last evening the people f1ocked to the thea tre by hundreds, until it almost be- came necessary, even with the inn mense seating capacity, to brush the dust from the "S. R. O." sign.
 When Manager Jackson announced his intention to give the people vau- deville and motion pictures for the summer, he also decided that nothing but the best, even at the ridiculously small price of admission. should be given. He would give the people a bill which would startle them, and com pei their attendance. There was no use going after it in a small way, he said; give them the best, and the re- ward would surely come. That his attested by the opening attendance. From an early hour until long after the second performance had begun, the people f1ocked into the theatre, and every indication of pleasure was seen, as the program progressed. It was evident that MT. Jackson had given them just what they wanted, and had provided a bill which no one else had ever attempted in this city.
 There are five acts of vaudeville provided, and the bill throughout is as good as was ever seen in Bridgeport, while the prices are the lowest ever charged for such quantity and quality of amusement. The bill opens with the Three Luby Sisters, singers and dancers, who give capital turn. Their songs are not old, and they are we'll rendered. There is snap and dash to their work which adds to it's attractiveness.. while they are hand somely costumed, with several cham ges. Their dancing is unusually good, and they received unstinted applause
 George B. Alexander, the "man who
  pears in a tramp character which keeps the audience in roar with his songs. parodies and monologue, he held the stage for good twenty min filled with rich enjoyment for every one in the audience His anecdotes are convulsing and well chosen, his parodies refined, and an excellent attractive and pleasing. MT. Alex ander has a number of warm friends in this city who will aid in greeting him during his weeks stay.
 Burke, Touhey & Co.,, are seen in a very neat, clever Irish comedy sketch, ''The Birthday Party" and they caught the audience from the start. CMr. Burke is one of the we'll known Burke Brothers, and was given a hearty welcome on his appearance. pears Is filled with spicy repartee, good music and dancing, and besides, MT. Touhey plays the Irish bag-pipes in a manner to set the feet tingling, and the pulses throbbing. Curtain calls were accorded their act, which is often seen in the big vaudeville thea tres as a headhner. They will certain 1y meet with decided approval during to the excellent impression they at once created.
 The comedy sketch, 2s7 Miles to New York" in which Zinell and Boutelle appear, prODdDly LIldu0 Cne nll or In6 show last evening. Miss Zinell has a rich, full contralto voice, which is heard to most excellent advantage in two difficult songs of the operatic style. In one of these she is assisted splendidly by MT. Boutelle, who pos sesses a powerful bass, heard also in a solo which is we'll worth the price of admission. The sketch is specially staged, and Miss Zinen wears a mag nificent Spanish or gypsy costume which set the ladies into a buzz of ad- miration. This is certainly a charm ing number, and adds greatly to the excellence of the bill as a whole. It is believed that before the week is over, the big theatre will not be large enough to hold all who will want to hear Miss Zinell's voice alone. MT. Boutelle's role in the sketch, that of a broken down actor, is exce11ently carried out, and he won the approval of everyone.
 The Apollo Brothers, gymnasts and champion heavy weight filters, also gained and held the appreciation of the are strong men, of exceptional ability, magnificent specimens of good looking perfectly formed and athletic men, and their ,, sPeelaity 9ta is l.z % exceedingly 1g bell, and other heavy weights seems like play to them, and their especial feat, that of lifting and carrying from the stage a bag of sand weighing over 300 hounds was enthusiastically ap- plauded The Apollo Brothers have a standing challenge to any one, profes- sional or otherwise, who will duplicate this feat, using any method they choose, so long ts the bag is lifted up on the back and carried off the stage. The contest for this prize will take place Friday evening, and anyone wishing to try for it need only to enter his name at the box office prior to that time. There is a cash prize of $50 for the successful one, and the contest will be exceedingly interesting A number of ambitious ones have all ready entered their names, and there will be some fun seeing them try to win that money. Fifty dollars in a