The Project Gutenberg eBook of The Dolls on Dress Parade

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Title: The Dolls on Dress Parade

Author: Effa E. Preston

Release date: December 22, 2016 [eBook #53786]

Language: English

Credits: Produced by Emmy, MFR and the Online Distributed
Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was
produced from images generously made available by The
Internet Archive)

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE DOLLS ON DRESS PARADE *** 


The Dolls on Dress Parade



cover






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Song Specialties for Your
Entertainments


Teachers are discovering that no matter how
much novelty there is in their entertainment,
how well it is arranged, how thoroughly
drilled, if they want to hold the active interest
of the audience they must use the best of songs.
The songs must be real novelties. The words
must be interesting as well as decidedly clever.
The music must be catchy and abounding in rich
melody. With these things in mind we have
prepared this list of superior song novelties for
our patrons. All are in regular sheet music form.



Price, 35 cents each; 5 for $1.25




WELCOME SONGS



CLOSING SONGS




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Paine Publishing Co., Dayton, Ohio





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[1]


The Dolls on Dress

Parade



By

EFFA E. PRESTON




————————————————

COPYRIGHT, 1922, BY L. M. PAINE

————————————————









PAINE PUBLISHING COMPANY

DAYTON, OHIO






[2]
[3]


The Dolls on Dress Parade


Stage shows interior of doll shop. Shop Woman, Guests and
Soldier Doll are on stage when curtain rises. Dolls enter as announced;
all except Rag Dolls walk stiffly across stage. After
they speak they stand at rear of stage.


CHARACTERS



(Child enters.)


Child:








I’m looking for a dollie


And so I’ve come to you.


I’m told that you have in your store


Some lovely dolls quite new.






I hope they all are home today


And every one I’ll see.


I’ll choose the very nicest


And take her home with me.








Shop Woman:






My dear, I’ll show you many dolls


All in their best arrayed,


Because today, you lucky girl,


They have a dress parade.






[4]


Child:


A dress parade—how lovely!


Shop Woman:






I hear their tiny shoes.


This soldier doll announces them.


You’ll find it hard to choose.






[Soldier Doll sticks head in door off stage.]


Soldier Doll:






All ready. There’s a child out here


Who wants a doll I think.


But do not wait another bit.


You’ve all had time to prink.






[Child shows delight as each doll enters.]


[Soldier Doll announces dolls as they enter.]


Rag Dolls:








We are such very useful dolls


I’m sure you must agree


That for the children everyday


No dolls are good as we.






We’re washable, we never break,


We bend quite anyway.


Just try us for a year or two,


We are the best you’ll say.








French Doll:








I am an aristocrat,


A doll of high degree.


I came to you from far away


In France across the sea.






My name is Isabella,


I’m a most expensive doll


So you must treat me gently


[5]And never let me fall.


I shut my eyes so nicely


Just tilt me back and see.








[Shop Woman tilts her and her eyes close.]






Now, isn’t that a clever trick?


I’m sure you will like me.






Farmer Doll:








I’m a Farmer Doll


See my rake and hoe.


I can plant your garden


And all the seeds will grow.






I’m so very useful


I can rake the hay


And mow the wheat when it gets ripe.


I’m busy all the day.








Paper Doll:








I’m only made of paper


And cheap as cheap can be.


I don’t belong in this parade,


But still, you might like me.






My dresses, colored paper,


You’d find it fun to make.


In fact, unless you take me home


You’ll make a sad mistake.








Baby Doll:






Cunning baby doll am I


Pinch me and I cry


Loudly for my parents,


Don’t you want to try?






[Shop Woman pinches her and she cries.]


[6]


Sailor Doll:








I’m Jack Tar, a sailor doll


Just off the salty sea.


And every girl in every port


Was very fond of me.






I’ve traveled over all the world


It’s made me very clever,


A doll of my experience


You’ll seldom find if ever.








[Dances Sailor’s Hornpipe.]


Collapsible Dolls:








Push down our heads,—


When we arise


We’ll loudly squawk


To your surprise.






We all collapse


And squawk, each one.


The children think us


Lots of fun.








[Shop Woman pushes down head of each one and it
squawks as it rises.]


Japanese Doll:








My name is Lotus Flower


I came from far Japan.


Just look at my kimono


And my flirtatious fan.






I’ll tell of cherry blossoms,


Of feasts of long ago,


Of temple bells a-ringing.


[7]Where paper lanterns glow.






I’ll bow to you politely


And drink a lot of tea.


I’ll honorably serve you,


So, please, I beg, take me.








Dutch Doll:








I’m Huldah from Holland,


With stout wooden shoes,


Most any wise child


Would a Dutch dolly choose.






I never get dirty


I smile as I play


I know you’ll soon love me,


So take me today.








Indian Doll:








My name is Laughing Water,


And your papoose I’ll be


Just hang my deerskin cradle


To sway in any tree.






Build me a little wigwam


Where I may sleep at night,


And sing me Indian lullabies


When stars are shining bright.






You never need be careful


But leave me in the sun.


My wax is very solid,


My colors never run.








Eskimo Doll:








I’m a hardy Eskimo


From the land of ice and snow


What a lovely doll I’d be


[8]In the winter, don’t you see?






Cuddle me beneath your arm,


And my fur will keep you warm.


In the snow drifts we will play


With rosy cheeks and voices gay.








All dolls sing—Air: COMIN’ THRU THE RYE.


1.






If a girlie needs a dollie


Made for fun and play,


If the dollie must be lovely


Girlie, look this way.






Chorus:






Every girlie needs a dollie,


None you say have you,


So smile on me, my pretty maid,


Oh, don’t you think I’ll do?






2.






I’ve a nature kind and loving,


Very seldom cry,


Never frowning, always smiling,


Do not pass me by.






3.






When a girlie needs a dollie


Why the search delay?


Here am I all ready, waiting,


Choose me now, today.






Enter Old Doll.








My name is Mary Alice,


And I’m old as old can be.


My paint’s washed off, my head is cracked,


[9]No little girl wants me.






My hair was once in golden curls


And now it hangs forlorn,


My eyes are dim from crying,


My pretty dress is torn.






I only came to see the rest.


Of course I did not dream


That any child could care for me,


So shabby now I seem. [Weeps.]








Child:








Oh, Mary Alice, please don’t cry.


I want you, I choose you.


I’ll love you much, much better


Than these dainty dolls so new.


They’ll find a home at once, I’m sure,


But you, my dear, need me.






[To audience] I’ve made a wise selection






I’m sure you all agree.


For after all old friends are best,


Friends that are tried and true.


And so from all the Dolls Parade


Dear Mary Alice, I choose you.








Old Doll:








You make me very happy.


I can scarce believe my ears—


To think that you will take me home


And not those lovely dears.






Their clothes are fresh and dainty,


Their cheeks are painted red,


Their locks are long and curling,


[10]While mine are straight instead.






But, though I’m old and faded


My heart beats warm and true—


I’ll always, always, grateful be


Dear little girl to you.








All the other dolls—in amazement—






She’s going to take Mary Alice?


It really can’t be true—






[To Mary Alice.]






With all of us so beautiful


She wouldn’t look at you.






[To Child.]








Just look again at us we beg.


You must have failed to see


Our shining curls, our dresses new,


Our pride and dignity.






You surely don’t want that old doll!


She’s been worn out for years.


You’ll change your mind when you get home


And hurry back in tears.






And then you’ll find we all are gone


With other little girls


Who like our style, our pretty clothes,


Our lovely flowing curls.








Sailor Doll (stepping to front and motioning rest to be
still):








She’s right. I know, for I am wise;


Although it is to my surprise


She shows such sense, for little girls


[11]Are always pleased by silly curls.






They fail to see, ’neath raiment gay


A spirit that is sweet and gay.


This child is most as wise as I.


She knows it’s best to pass us by






And choose, a doll for every day,


A doll that’s had long years of play,


Is beautiful in this child’s eyes.


She’s right. I know, and I am wise.






And if the choice seems queer to you


Because you’re all so fresh and new,


I’ve traveled over sea and land,


I’m wise, at least I understand.


You’d only be an honored guest.


In dolls—or friends—the old are best.








All: Well, perhaps you are right. It’s nice for Mary
Alice, any way, isn’t it!


All sing—Air: AULD LANG SYNE.






Old dolls are like old friends the best


Because they’re tried and true


But we’ll be old dolls, too, some day,


Instead of fine and new.






Chorus:






And you will love us then


When beauties fade,


The dolls you’re passing by today,


The dolls on dress parade.






Dolls parade off stage, followed by Soldier Doll, and
led by the Sailor Doll. Child stands with arms around
Mary Alice as curtain goes down. Guests leave.




Entertainments for All Occasions



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Special Day Entertainments


BEST CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMES—Irish$0.40


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYS—Irish.40


CHOICE CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS—Irish.40


CHRISTMAS AT McCARTHYS’—Guptill.25


CHRISTMAS AT PUMPKIN HOLLER—Guptill.25


CHRISTMAS EVE AT MULLIGAN’S—Irish.25


CHRISTMAS SPEAKIN’ AT SKAGGS’ SKULE—Irish.25


IN A TOY SHOP—Preston.25


THE PRIMARY CHRISTMAS BOOK—Irish.40


PUMPKIN PIE PETER—Irish.25


THE REUNION AT PINE KNOT RANCH—Irish.25


SNOWBOUND FOR CHRISTMAS—Preston.25


A STRIKE IN SANTA LAND—Preston.25


A THANKSGIVING CONSPIRACY—Irish.25


A THANKSGIVING DREAM—Preston.25


A TOPSY-TURVY CHRISTMAS—Guptill.25


Dialogues and Children’s Plays


ALL IN A GARDEN FAIR—Wilbur$0.25


DOLLS ON DRESS PARADE—Preston.25


A PARTY IN MOTHER GOOSE LAND—Preston.25


SNAPPY HUMOROUS DIALOGUES—Irish.40


Recitations and Pantomimes


CATCHY PRIMARY RECITATIONS—Irish$0.30


OLD TIME SONGS PANTOMIMED—Irish.40


Plays


THE DEAREST THING IN BOOTS—MacKenzie$0.25


THE GREAT CHICKEN STEALING CASE OF EBENEZER COUNTY—Richardson.25


THE GREAT WHISKEY STEALING CASE—Richardson.25


MISS JANIE; OR, THE CURTAILED COURTSHIP—Bonham.25


THAT AWFUL LETTER—MacKenzie.25


THE UNEXPECTED GUEST—MacKenzie.25


Monologues


AS OUR WASHWOMAN SEES IT—MacKenzie$0.25


ASK OUIJA—MacKenzie.25


THE COUNTRY COUSIN SPEAKS HER MIND—MacKenzie.25


GLADYS REVIEWS THE DANCE—MacKenzie.25


I’M ENGAGED—MacKenzie.25


SHE SAYS SHE STUDIES—MacKenzie.25


SUSAN GETS READY FOR CHURCH—MacKenzie.25





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PAINE PUBLISHING CO.                Dayton, Ohio






Entertainments for Christmas



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CHOICE CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTSBy Marie Irish


For children of all grades. Contents: 50 recitations, 8 monologues, 11 plays and dialogues, 5 drills and marches, 8 tableaux, 4 pantomimes, 8 pantomimed carols, 8 songs, etc. Price, 40 cents.


THE PRIMARY CHRISTMAS BOOKBy Marie Irish


For children under ten years of age. Contents: 68 recitations, 12 exercises, 7 songs, 6 drills, 12 dialogues and plays, 9 pantomimes. Price, 40 cents.


BEST CHRISTMAS PANTOMIMESBy Marie Irish


Twelve pantomimes, each accompanied by complete words, directions and music. Some are serious and some are in a lighter vein. Price, 40 cents.


CHOICE CHRISTMAS DIALOGUES AND PLAYSBy Marie Irish


Ten dialogues for Primary Grades, 10 dialogues for Intermediate Grades and 8 plays for Grammar Grades. Price, 40 cents.


CHRISTMAS AT McCARTHYS’By Elizabeth F. Guptill


Brimful of fun and Christmas spirit. For any number of young folks and children. Time, 30 minutes. Price, 25 cents.


CHRISTMAS AT PUMPKIN’ HOLLERBy Elizabeth F. Guptill


The old-fashioned school is rehearsing for the Christmas entertainment. Funny from beginning to end. Time, 30 minutes. For any number of children. Price, 25 cents.


CHRISTMAS EVE AT MULLIGAN’S By Marie Irish


For all grades. 4 males, 5 females. Time, 30 minutes. A most unusual play. Plenty of wit and humor as well as more serious episodes. Sure to be a success. Price, 25 cents.


CHRISTMAS SPEAKIN’ AT SKAGGS’ SKULEBy Marie Irish


A back woods school entertainment is featured. Easy to prepare and plenty of fun. For 6 boys and 8 girls. Time, 30 minutes. Price, 25 cents.


IN A TOY SHOPBy Effa E. Preston


In rhyme. For 12 or more small children. A clever little play that will please. Time, 20 minutes. Price, 25 cents.


THE REUNION AT PINE KNOT RANCHBy Marie Irish


For upper grades. 5 males and 6 females. Time, 30 minutes. Plenty of fun and a great surprise. Price, 25 cents.


SNOWBOUND FOR CHRISTMASBy Marie Irish


For 4 boys and 4 girls. For mixed grades. Time, 25 minutes. The older children play Santa Claus for the younger ones. Price, 25 cents.


A STRIKE IN SANTA LANDBy Effa E. Preston


In rhyme. 8 boys, 7 girls. Time, 20 minutes. Very easy but effective. Price, 25 cents.


A TOPSY-TURVY CHRISTMASBy Elizabeth F. Guptill


Humorous. For any number of children under fourteen years of age. Time, 30 minutes. Price, 25 cents.





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PAINE PUBLISHING CO.                Dayton, Ohio






Transcriber’s Note: Page 8, verse beginning “Cuddle me beneath” had indents added to match rest of poem
in text.