DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1908, part 2

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1908, part 2

Page 245

245.
JAN. 28. 1907. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. C. E. BARNS.
REDDING SISTERS. Song and Dance Specialty. 12 min. in 1. Mad a very good impression. Started off the show at a lively pace with good songs and dances, and received good applause for an act of this kind. Closed well. Could hold a better spot on the bill with credit. 3 shows.
KENNEDY AND JAMES. In "Doctor Dippy." 16 min. in 2. Begins with a line of light talk which pleases fairly well, the laughs coming mainly from the gallery. Ends with a burlesque operaatic stunt. Eccentric dancing very good. Held the time all right and closed fairly strong. 3 shows.
BENDER AND EARLE, Refined Musical Act.. 17 min. in one. 3 shows. Quite a surprise for excellence in this section. Work in costume of Venetian singers, and whereas there is something to be desired in the vocal line, the selections by both girls on harp and violin brought good applause. The finish was good.
POTTER AND HARRIS. Acrobatic Specialty. 12 mins. in F. S. Made fine appearance in dainty costumes. Man and woman, equally skillful. Work with rings suspended from pedestal and horizontal bar aloft. Every trick received a good hand, which was well deserved. An excellent three-a-day act. 3 shows.
DuBOIS & MONKEY, 15 min, in 3. Same as presented here before, and went quite as strong. Monkey shows remarkable intelligence and training.Will draw the children. Finish was strong. 3 shows.
ELEANOR HENRY. Vocalist. 12 min. in 1. Quite a pretty girl, singing with grace and charm. As a straight singing act at the price is certainly all right in this spot. Good applause after each number. 3 shows.
SWOR BROTHERS. Black-face. A ripping good act for even a better spot on the bill. Wit of the Lew Hawkins type. Songs good, dance better, line of talk new and snappy. Closed big, with encore, the audience wanting more after twenty minutes of it. That's going some for that sort of an act.
MAX WESSELY AND TROUPE. Jugglers. 13 min. F.S. Over-rated act. They are not worth within a hundred dollars of their present price. No advance hand as usual with acts playing a second week if they pleased. Have only two genuinely new tricks -- throwing four plug hats on four heads at once, and the tossing of candles into the sticks one on another, both accomplished only after repeated misses in many cases. Such work as this in Europe would be hissed, for if ever a troupe needed to get themselves back in form, it is the Wesselys. Are improving slowly, but still they fall short of display features such as the price commands.
FIELDS AND WOLLY. German Comedians. Well known on Circuit. Have a good line of new stuff. Caught right on strong and held to the close. Eccentric dancing won an encore. Went better than during last engagement. 16 min. in 1.
THREE KEATONS. 20 min. Usual knockabout horseplay. F. S. closes in 1, 7 min. A little rough, but it pleases the gallery and there was continued laughter. 'Jingles' permitted on at afternoon show. Makes a laughable finish. Also went better than when here last.
BASQUE QUARTeTTE. Vocalists. 11 min. in 1. Three men and a woman, all in peasant costume. Operatic selections, all went strong. Two encores and bug hand at close. A touch of the right thing at the right time.

1. African Life in the Congo. A splendid travel series.
2. The Tomboys. Only a fairly humorous film. All told, just gets by.
GENERAL REMARKS: -- An excellent show, taken altogether, strengthened by a three-a-day section far and away above the ordinary. Could wish for no better three-a-day stuff on any bill - lively, varies and well-balanced with comedy, dancing and music. Business immense.
Cuts: -- 
KENNEDY AND JAMES. Story of Fleas. Keep dance within bounds of propriety.
SWOR BROS. Story of school-teacher laying eggs.
FIELDS AND WOLLY. "Damn good bump."
KEATONS. Pulling trouser seat. Hand to nose.

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245. JAN. 28. 1907. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. C. E. BARNS. REDDING SISTERS. Song and Dance Specialty. 12 min. in 1. Mad a very good impression. Started off the show at a lively pace with good songs and dances, and received good applause for an act of this kind. Closed well. Could hold a better spot on the bill with credit. 3 shows. KENNEDY AND JAMES. In "Doctor Dippy." 16 min. in 2. Begins with a line of light talk which pleases fairly well, the laughs coming mainly from the gallery. Ends with a burlesque operaatic stunt. Eccentric dancing very good. Held the time all right and closed fairly strong. 3 shows. BENDER AND EARLE, Refined Musical Act.. 17 min. in one. 3 shows. Quite a surprise for excellence in this section. Work in costume of Venetian singers, and whereas there is something to be desired in the vocal line, the selections by both girls on harp and violin brought good applause. The finish was good. POTTER AND HARRIS. Acrobatic Specialty. 12 mins. in F. S. Made fine appearance in dainty costumes. Man and woman, equally skillful. Work with rings suspended from pedestal and horizontal bar aloft. Every trick received a good hand, which was well deserved. An excellent three-a-day act. 3 shows. DuBOIS & MONKEY, 15 min, in 3. Same as presented here before, and went quite as strong. Monkey shows remarkable intelligence and training.Will draw the children. Finish was strong. 3 shows. ELEANOR HENRY. Vocalist. 12 min. in 1. Quite a pretty girl, singing with grace and charm. As a straight singing act at the price is certainly all right in this spot. Good applause after each number. 3 shows. SWOR BROTHERS. Black-face. A ripping good act for even a better spot on the bill. Wit of the Lew Hawkins type. Songs good, dance better, line of talk new and snappy. Closed big, with encore, the audience wanting more after twenty minutes of it. That's going some for that sort of an act. MAX WESSELY AND TROUPE. Jugglers. 13 min. F.S. Over-rated act. They are not worth within a hundred dollars of their present price. No advance hand as usual with acts playing a second week if they pleased. Have only two genuinely new tricks -- throwing four plug hats on four heads at once, and the tossing of candles into the sticks one on another, both accomplished only after repeated misses in many cases. Such work as this in Europe would be hissed, for if ever a troupe needed to get themselves back in form, it is the Wesselys. Are improving slowly, but still they fall short of display features such as the price commands. FIELDS AND WOLLY. German Comedians. Well known on Circuit. Have a good line of new stuff. Caught right on strong and held to the close. Eccentric dancing won an encore. Went better than during last engagement. 16 min. in 1. THREE KEATONS. 20 min. Usual knockabout horseplay. F. S. closes in 1, 7 min. A little rough, but it pleases the gallery and there was continued laughter. 'Jingles' permitted on at afternoon show. Makes a laughable finish. Also went better than when here last. BASQUE QUARTeTTE. Vocalists. 11 min. in 1. Three men and a woman, all in peasant costume. Operatic selections, all went strong. Two encores and bug hand at close. A touch of the right thing at the right time. 1. African Life in the Congo. A splendid travel series. 2. The Tomboys. Only a fairly humorous film. All told, just gets by. GENERAL REMARKS: -- An excellent show, taken altogether, strengthened by a three-a-day section far and away above the ordinary. Could wish for no better three-a-day stuff on any bill - lively, varies and well-balanced with comedy, dancing and music. Business immense. Cuts: -- KENNEDY AND JAMES. Story of Fleas. Keep dance within bounds of propriety. SWOR BROS. Story of school-teacher laying eggs. FIELDS AND WOLLY. "Damn good bump." KEATONS. Pulling trouser seat. Hand to nose.