Theatre: Keith Cleansing

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Last week, as it must from time to time, the Keith vaudeville circuit cleaned its houses. From orchestras and balconies were swept gum wrappers, cigaret butts, hairpins, miscellaneous and refuse. From stages were swept all manner of objectionable "gags" and "business." In other words, a Keith bureau whose duty it is to keep Keith shows moral-reverent-safe sent out a censorship manifesto prohibiting certain remarks and actions made by Keith vaudevillians. These were listed in Variety, slangy theatrical trade weekly. Sample "gags" prohibited:

Word "rabbis" in the line, "The dog had rabbis."

"Hell."

Remark about girl as a "broad."

"Damn."

"Children look more like father since we've had frigidaires."

"Cock-eyed."

"Ten minutes with you and you'd have a past."

"God."

"That was when Fanny was still a girl's name."

Remarks . . . about Boston being a lighted cemetery.

"Everybody get the hell out of here."

"She thinks 'lettuce' is a proposition."

Sample "business" prohibited:

Kicking man in seat of trousers.

All maneuverings of lady's skirt.

Sign of the cross.

Refrain from throwing vest into audiences, as damage could easily be done by buttons.