Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-08-28
MANY GOOD ACTS ON
VIEW AT KEITH'S
"The Old Master" a Vaudeville
Classic, and Howard's Revue
Win Approval

| To Dan Burke n vote of thanks Is du,
| Defying the mania for riotous entertain
| ment he has dared to give US an act whlc
| is a vaudeville classic. 1t towers abov
everything else on the bill at Keth's thi
week because II is consistent, superior an
| different THE Old Master" is the rathe
modest title. II opens like an episode o
Dickenss: grips attention by its atmos
phore and sincerity and yet It Is dane
ing act.
Sally, pretty girl not more thai
| eighteen, is found asleep at the window oi
her dancing masters picturesque STUDIO
She Is about to make her debut as dance
at the Drury Lane Theatre. just across TN
street, and wants one more rehearsal u
strengthen her confidence.
The dancing master. who many years
before also taught the girls mother dances
with her before tho trying ordeal Ine
mother Is seen in n vision as though re-
fiecting the old mans thoughts, and looks
on approvngly as the master wishes her
daughter good luck at her departure The
old master drops into a reverie. While Nv
ing in the past the mother OF his pupil ap-
pears and offers the numbers which the
mas. .sr taLght her MANY years ago.
Rejane another pupil Of years gone by.
also appears and dances. They vanish
when the mL3tcr rises from his arm
chair. The clock strikes. The old man
rushes to the door expectantly. He knows
that his little pupil has passed through
success or failure She returns with an
armload OF flowers. Success is all she
manages to say apd she drops on n couch
near the fireplace. As the old master is
covering her proudly with the floral tributes
the spirits Of the other dancers appear.
In addition to giving clever portrayal
of the character Mr.. Burke offers an
ki... s1af
about thirty years ago AZ demonstrated
by Burke that style is many years ahead
OF 1917.
Florence Dorothy made a charming little
pupil and danced artistically,a Molly
Moller and Marie Govern also won much
approval with their numbers. The act
generally scored a solid hit.
Joseph T., Howard's Musical World Revue
involved four scenes In which nearly two
score singers and dancers appeared. The
action drifted from Yonkers to Mississippi
and from California to somewhere in the
West
Many OF Mr.. Howard's well-known songs
were revived in the presentation, which was
along elaborate lines.
A song in the hollow OF tree during
rainstorm was the prettiest feature of the
review.
The entire act could be greatly improved
by a little elimination. A number OF a
southern leNee, winch employs more tildil
a dozen dancing darkies, takes up time
without giving US anything new. A new
idea in this spot would strengthen the act
greatly.
Mr. Howard was assisted by Ethlyn
Clark. whose singing and dancing were a
distinct asset.
John Swor and West Alvey are undoubt-
edly two of the best negro delineators in
stageland. They would improve their skit,
however, by cutting out the time-worn bit"
of the checker game with the whisky bottle
and glass. 1t makes 'em laugh-yes-but
every man who has ever seen burlesque
show knows it's gray with usage.
Ray Fern ami Marion Davis, a Phlladel-
pha pair, were big applause winners in a
distinctly novel act, which was right up to
tho moment. Mr. Ferns songs are wonders
for comedy. and Miss Davis, although small
in stature, is a big asset in the proceedings.
The rest of the show was in keeping with
general excellence and included Joseph f.
Bernard and Ninita Bristow. in a domestic
sketch; Eddie and Birdie Conrad, Rennie
and Words and Karl Emmy s Pets, the lat
ter being one of the best canine act" ever
seen here. j. g. c.