The sun., 1919-09-26

LEONARD STARS IN
'ROLY-BOLY EYES
Admirers Call Long and Loud
for Popular Songs of His
Repertoire.
NOVEL ATTRACTION SEEN
Negro Ministrelsy Used as
Chief Feature in Farce
at Knickerbocker.
.no,v-nolv rv,.,, at the Kn,ekerboclter

The Knickerbocker Theatre was
crowded last night with friends of Eddie
Leonard. When he appeared after the
second act Of 'Roly- Boly Eyes" to make
speech, there were calls from different
parts of the theatre for the popular
uongs of his repertoire. Half dozen
must have been named in this vociferous
demand. All of this was Of course evil
dence of the comedians popularity In
vaudeville and minstrelsy, the previous
fields of his artistic activity. This en-
thuslasm was also evidence of John
Cort's shrewdness in selecting him as
the leading figure of musical play
which was novel in the idea OF using
negro minstresy as its chief attraction.
The title. which was by far the most
important part of the productioh' was
taken from one of the best known OF MT.
Leonard's songs.
He was an excellent selection for
musical comedy about the old time
ministries His style is neat, his humor'
wifi not deep nor especially commuh-
eating is finished in its expression MS
singing has all the emotional tremoio
demanded from black face actors TO-
day and his soft shoe dancing gracetui
and at times complicated. Then ms
personality Is engaging. Those IN the
audience who made his acquaintance
last night enjoyed his appearances
throuehout the play, although none OF
them seemed moved by the same
| warmth that inspired his old admirers
Edgar Allan Wolff, who arranged this
new piece for Mr.. Cort, was courageous
enough to put in sentimental mother
which was something new In play
of this kind and something not likely
| TO be permanent Mr. Leonard. who
was her hayward son BACKED up. even
| sung sentimental serenades to mar ihls
| was a part OF the plot, which gave signs
of having been mercifully auOrevi.ted
as rehearsals went on. Last night there
was little OF Il, but enough.
Oueena Smith, who used to be mem
her of the corp de ballet at the Metro
| politan Opera House, slipped very easily
| into this piece last night. She was a
classical dancer, with her measured
pirouettes, her infiexible toes ana the
| rest of the tricks of the ballerma OF TINS
school. But last night she won the
hearts of the audience by her simple
| grace, her modest manner ana tne
peachy color scheme of her fresh prettl-
| ness. She did dance with exquisite ski
| when IL was time and sang appealingly
| without n voice. She was indeed the
prettiest thing in the new piece.
! For "Roly-Boly Eyes" while IL II
amusing is not always pretty. Most OF
the time it is rather rough. May BoleS
singing a burlesque colorature aria about
"spring." the minstrels in bed will
empty champagne bottles on all sides
girls In transparent lace pajamas ovel
bare pelt-those are typical Of the new
piece. The dialogue was Throughout
rather cruel. But the minstrel idea wa
novel. Eddie Leonard source or con
slant delight to his admirers and Queent
Smith a delight TO gaze at; so after al
"Roly-Boly Eyes has its qualification
for continued success with a public tina
dctes on musical plays Of almost an!
kind