Evening star., 1920-02-09
AM MUSEME is
NEW NATIONAI-"Hitchy Koo. "

"Hitchy Koo" is great show. and
Raymond Hitchcock a great funmaker.
but the winner of the competition fs
the comedian. For three hours last
night at the New National Theater.
Hitchcock kept the large audience in
almost continuous laughter, and when
the entertainment ended many present
could hardly believe that it was after
II o'clock.
Although Hitchcock was here. there
and everywhere in the elaborate pro-
duction. his introductory speech before
the rise of the curtain was undoubted-
ly his best effort of the evening, and
was Il continuous scream" At the
conclusion of the overture. Hitchcock
walked down the aisle and the spot
light was Immediately thrown upon
him. Doftiing somewhat dilapidated
high hat he introduced himself as the
owner and manager of the show, for
fear the audience would not be aware
of the fact Telling of the great bene-
fits from an educational point of view.
Hitchcock extolIed the merits of his
offering. and took into his confidence
d major. colonel. and. of course. sew
eral second lieutenants. seated nearby.
One of his bits was the telling that he
first intended to take the show around
the country. exhibiting in churches and
halls free of charge. so that nothing
of the educational part would be lost.
but he was dissuaded from this for
fear it would not impress the people
to the full extent desired. He finally
decided that the best way to make an
impression and carry a remembrance
was at the rate of So per. which
was finally decided upon Late arrivals
also came in for their share of pub
licity, being greeted cordially by the
comedian and also an apalogy for not
holding up the show. Hitchcock has
appeared many times in Washington.
but it is doubtful if he has ever had
the opportunity to score as favorably.
George V. Hobart has evidently been
at his best in digging up clever ideas.
The show opens with a unique scenic
effect. the comedian drawing lines on
a slate and being followed by the
same lines on the scenery. Then fol-
lows the Introduction of the chorus to
the audience. each one being singled
Major" was not overlooked when an
exceptionally pretty face came for
ward. Scene second shows a garden of
roses. and gives Rita Dane a chance
to sing song and the different flowers
dance. with a pretty little lightning
bug lowering around.
Then came the laugh of the evening
in burlesque on the moving pictures,
showing scene where a supposed
drama is worked out before the
camera. Hitchcock, as the villain, and
a property horse shared the applause
Scream No. 2 bobs up in a hotel
scene. when Hitchcock comes in to get
a number over the telephone. Ruth
Mitchell as a telephone girl also helped
out. The act closes with a burlesque on
"FocahontaS. which affords the star
another good opportunity for straight
work that was effective and the bring
ing forward the Indian dances. Prin-
cess White Deer. pretty as a picture
and graceful as the wild creature
whose name she borrows.
The second act carries elaborate
scenes of temple in India, an old
fashioned garden that carried the song
hit of the evening, even the orchestra
leader singing verse to carry the
audience; an impossible barber shop:
temperance meeting with Hitchcock
as the speaker. and. of course. the
'wets" had their inning. and the grand
finale with the company back home
on the lawn of Hitchy's house at Long
Island.
The chorus is all that is advertised;
the costumes are in good taste, and
the natural charms are not unduly dis
played although but partially hidden,
while the scenery is unusually elabo-
rate, rich in coloring, but artistic
The supporting company is a good
one. and while the dancing ability of
the members outshone the vocal capa-
bilities. the singing Of Rita Dane.
Ruth Mitchell and the Indian, Eagle
Horse" was most pleasing.