New-York tribune., 1920-10-31
By Harriette Underhill

Every year we are allowed to do an
interview with Savoy and Brennan. The
word allowed" we use advisedly, be-
cause If some one didn't stop us we
should do one every month. You who
see Bert and Jay across the footlights
are fortunate. but think of talking
with them face to face! You feel as
though you were cheating the manage
ment and ought to buy tickets for it..
They are just as funny off the stage as
they are on and there is a great deal
more of it, Why, if we could talk like
Bert Savoy we should say, Yes, you
wish to interview me? Well, about
how many words do you wish?" and
hen we should count them. Twelve
gems OF wit minute is his average.
The night we interviewed them they
were working against heavy odds. too,
We had an attack of pleurisy. which
sent our temperature up in the early
hundreds, and besides that we we're
wearing q new pair of gold slippers.
Both Bert and Jay are Christian
Scientists Hello, dearie," they cried.
How we'll you look-loyely color and
everythngl Tell the doctors you're
not sick and come for run around
the park" Oh. those gold ippers!
yes" added Mr.. Savoy. "the park is
great these mornings at Z. You must
come over" And he looked 50 cheer
ful that we wondered how he could,
particularly when he, too, was wearing
gold slippers. We pointed to them
tragically. Don't they hurt you?
ooh, no." he answered There is no
such thing as pain-if you get your
slippers big enough
The red wig hung on a nail on the
wall. The white evening gown hung
beside it, Bert and Jay were wearing
Chinese kimonos, and had not yet taken
off their makeup. 1t was just after
the curtain had fallen on The asst act
of The Greenwich Village Follies."
"Do you know" said Savoy, 1--WE
should have died with disappointment
If you hadn't come back to the dressing
room We love to have you interv ew
Ny word, say |, let the past lie. If
you don't we will. We are what we are
to-day"
~ hope you're satisfied added Jay
Brennan. 1t was the first time he had
had chance 10 say a word. poor dear,
and then he had to break in. yes" he
continued, now that he had the floor,
what difference does it make how any
body started"
"le's afraid III tell about the first
time l saw him. My, but he was Ritz!
He borrowed bulldog and brought it
to the theater on g leash, and lured
valet yes &valet in our alley), and
out to his side partner, so long; see
You at The Astor for dinner No, he
didn't mean the Automat. There
wasn't any then. But | happened to
knew tina. he was getting ABOUT $50 for
his act, so | knew ne didn't mean the
Astor, either, and one day | walked
into his dressing room and said: Lis
ten, dearie, did you ever have any Of
the beet stew at Chiids'? It's great!
OF course, Mrs. Savoy and | were work
ing on the same bill with them, so |
knew about what he was drawing down.
/, was the Pa.ais Grande, or something
like that, up on 26oth Street, where
We were working.
"Well, the kid broke down and con-
fessed that he'd never been inside the
Astor and that he paid S. a week for
his room in Harlem" Three dollars
and fifty cents augmented Brennan,
and that he was hungry and would
like to try some of my beef stew. Not
long after that Mrs. Savoy decided that
she would do a single for life, and
thought of the Ritzy kid with the bull
dog, and we've been team ever since
And you've made a lot OF money,
haven't yous' we said, thinking Of
the Rolls-Royce which we saw waiting
outside when we came in.
ooh, millions! Lnough to have an
apartment on Forty fifth Street. You
must come over We insist, don't we,
Jay, on having her initials carved on
our piano. We only gave two hfty for
it, so our friends could enjoy them I
selves with it. Every ones played on
it but the Pope. You must come over"
Have you got rats IN your apart
meut?" we asked. For after you've
talked 10 Savoy and Brennan for few,
minutes you feel as though you were
part of the act
Mercy no! That's Margie's apart
ment where the rats are. Some folks
say we have 'em in our attic, though"
Margie has appeared with Savoy and
Brennan for years, but verbally only.
"You know" we said, gazing in ad-
miration at the two kimono-clad fig
ures. "You are exactly the same off
as on. You make UP your stuff as you
go along. don't you?"
Does she" said Brennan vehemently. ,
(Savoy is always she" until his make
up Is removcc.) Ask met Why. | |
never know what she's going to say
next; she breaks me up every night"