Transcribe
Translate
Keith-Albee managers' report book,, September 23, 1907 - March 12, 1908
Page 172a
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
#2.- Phiia. EUGENE JEPSON & CO:-"The Mayor and the Manicure":- 18 min. F.S. 2 shows. This is a typical George Ade sketch, although lacking the usual slang flavor. The idea has been reported before, but in a nutshell the plot concerns the struggle of a Mayor to shield his son from the machinations of a manicure girl who is bent on blackmailing. The Mayor employs a "fooney" telephone to bring about her defeat. The act contains a great many humorous lines and clever climaxes and kept the audiences intent to catch every good bit of wit. Closed strong with two curtain calls. The theme would easily lend itself to suggestiveness in order to get the laughs, but Ade skims the dizzy edge in safety. Not a great effort in playcraft, but it pleases the audience, justifying the author's reputation and the good work of Jepson and his support.- MAY IRWIN:-17 min. in 1. 2 shows. Made only one change in her repertoire, but nevertheless went well. Think that the "regulars" who saw her last week expected more new songs. Her name is a big drawing card in this town, however, and she will undoubtedly be as good a card this week as last. With her stiff salary and immense repertoire it does seem as if she should have given the second-week crowd something they had not heard before, and I am sure that Irwin was mentally criticised, for not doing so, by a large perecentage of our audience.- KITAMURA JAPS:-12 min. F.S. close in 1. this is in every way a brilliant Oriental Jap act. It is in reality a double act,- two brilliant feats being done simultaneously,- two high perches, two balancing feats, etc. The water-swinging feat is marvellous and got a big hand. This is the best Jap act we have ever played and would make a hit anywhere. ORTH & FERN:- 18 min. in 2. Close in 1. I do not know whether it is because these two boys are Philadelphians that they made such a pronounced hit, but they certainly got the crowd and held them strong up to an uproarous finish and an encore in one. Their act includes some excellent trick piano playing, but the comedy of the messenger boy won everybody. Their success in this spot was very gratifying, as this is Miss Irwin's second week, we did not care to have her next to closing.- SEVEN MOWATTS:- 10 min. F.S. Well known on the Circuit, more brilliant and expert than ever. Big applause after each section of their act. Makes a good closing feature. The introduction of the woman into the act does not enhance it, and one wonders what she is there for except to draw salary. Immense closing hand after the ensemble especially brilliant. KINETOGRAPH:- PURCHASING AN AUTOMOBILE:- This is a mighty funny film. The audience laughed uproarously. Consider it almost as good as "The Rarebit Fiends. PEARL FISHERIES:- A fantastic, highly colored series. Holds the interest.- Altogether the KINETOGRAPH series this week is better than the average run of pictures.- N.B.- In the matter of acts I cannot help but remark that constant expurgation of Vaudeville acts for the past two years has borne fruit. Whereas a year ago we would have from three to ten cuts on every show it is rare now that we have more than one or two, and those too insignificant to make a matter of Circuit report. In other words, the performers are getting on to the fact that our theatres will not stand for anything vulgar, profane or suggestive in word or action, knowing full well they will get a call-down, and moreover that these cuts are reported from theatre to theatre. Naturally sensitive, they dread this sort of thing, with the result that there is less and less that is objectionable, and the only offenders are those who are new on the Circuit. I think this is a matter of no small congratulation for the beginning of the New Year.
Saving...
prev
next
#2.- Phiia. EUGENE JEPSON & CO:-"The Mayor and the Manicure":- 18 min. F.S. 2 shows. This is a typical George Ade sketch, although lacking the usual slang flavor. The idea has been reported before, but in a nutshell the plot concerns the struggle of a Mayor to shield his son from the machinations of a manicure girl who is bent on blackmailing. The Mayor employs a "fooney" telephone to bring about her defeat. The act contains a great many humorous lines and clever climaxes and kept the audiences intent to catch every good bit of wit. Closed strong with two curtain calls. The theme would easily lend itself to suggestiveness in order to get the laughs, but Ade skims the dizzy edge in safety. Not a great effort in playcraft, but it pleases the audience, justifying the author's reputation and the good work of Jepson and his support.- MAY IRWIN:-17 min. in 1. 2 shows. Made only one change in her repertoire, but nevertheless went well. Think that the "regulars" who saw her last week expected more new songs. Her name is a big drawing card in this town, however, and she will undoubtedly be as good a card this week as last. With her stiff salary and immense repertoire it does seem as if she should have given the second-week crowd something they had not heard before, and I am sure that Irwin was mentally criticised, for not doing so, by a large perecentage of our audience.- KITAMURA JAPS:-12 min. F.S. close in 1. this is in every way a brilliant Oriental Jap act. It is in reality a double act,- two brilliant feats being done simultaneously,- two high perches, two balancing feats, etc. The water-swinging feat is marvellous and got a big hand. This is the best Jap act we have ever played and would make a hit anywhere. ORTH & FERN:- 18 min. in 2. Close in 1. I do not know whether it is because these two boys are Philadelphians that they made such a pronounced hit, but they certainly got the crowd and held them strong up to an uproarous finish and an encore in one. Their act includes some excellent trick piano playing, but the comedy of the messenger boy won everybody. Their success in this spot was very gratifying, as this is Miss Irwin's second week, we did not care to have her next to closing.- SEVEN MOWATTS:- 10 min. F.S. Well known on the Circuit, more brilliant and expert than ever. Big applause after each section of their act. Makes a good closing feature. The introduction of the woman into the act does not enhance it, and one wonders what she is there for except to draw salary. Immense closing hand after the ensemble especially brilliant. KINETOGRAPH:- PURCHASING AN AUTOMOBILE:- This is a mighty funny film. The audience laughed uproarously. Consider it almost as good as "The Rarebit Fiends. PEARL FISHERIES:- A fantastic, highly colored series. Holds the interest.- Altogether the KINETOGRAPH series this week is better than the average run of pictures.- N.B.- In the matter of acts I cannot help but remark that constant expurgation of Vaudeville acts for the past two years has borne fruit. Whereas a year ago we would have from three to ten cuts on every show it is rare now that we have more than one or two, and those too insignificant to make a matter of Circuit report. In other words, the performers are getting on to the fact that our theatres will not stand for anything vulgar, profane or suggestive in word or action, knowing full well they will get a call-down, and moreover that these cuts are reported from theatre to theatre. Naturally sensitive, they dread this sort of thing, with the result that there is less and less that is objectionable, and the only offenders are those who are new on the Circuit. I think this is a matter of no small congratulation for the beginning of the New Year.
Keith-Albee Collection
sidebar
