CHARACTERS

Child—Little girl in ordinary dress.
Shop Woman—Taller girl, dark dress, white apron.
Guests—Any number girls.
Soldier Doll—Boy in scout or soldier suit.
Rag Dolls—Girls in blue gingham dresses and bonnets—very limp.
French Doll—Girl with curls, big hat, ruffled dress.
Farmer Doll—Boy in overalls, big straw hat.
Paper Doll—Child in crepe paper costume.
Baby Doll—Very small girl—long white dress and cap.
Sailor Doll—Boy in sailor suit.
Collapsible Dolls—Children in red rompers and caps.
Japanese Doll—Dark girl in bright kimono, slippers, fan.
Dutch Doll—Girl in blue dress, white apron and cap, wooden shoes.
Indian Doll—Dark child in Indian suit.
Eskimo Doll—Plump child—one-piece pajama suit covered with cotton to represent fur, hood attached.
Old Doll—Child with uncombed hair, torn, soiled dress.

(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.

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

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.]

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.

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

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.

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?

I’ve a nature kind and loving,

Very seldom cry,

Never frowning, always smiling,

Do not pass me by.

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,

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,

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

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

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

PAINE PUBLISHING CO. Dayton, Ohio

Entertainments for Christmas

CHOICE CHRISTMAS ENTERTAINMENTS	By 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 BOOK	By 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 PANTOMIMES	By 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 PLAYS	By 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’ HOLLER	By 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’ SKULE	By 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 SHOP	By 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 RANCH	By 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 CHRISTMAS	By 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 LAND	By Effa E. Preston
In rhyme. 8 boys, 7 girls. Time, 20 minutes. Very easy but effective. Price, 25 cents.
A TOPSY-TURVY CHRISTMAS	By Elizabeth F. Guptill
Humorous. For any number of children under fourteen years of age. Time, 30 minutes. Price, 25 cents.

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.