DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, March 9-December 14, 1908

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, March 9-December 14, 1908

Page 56a

VASCO, "The Mad Musician:- 20 min. F.S. On at 9:45. Advance hand. This man lives up to his billing at least as to his madness. In a fierce Svengali make-up, he plays a score or more of instruments--only snatches of melody, introducing some very grotesque buffoonery to enliven the act. Only two or three of these instruments does he handle with any degree of skill, but I suppose the fact that a man can play at all on so many different instruments challenges interest if not admiration. He some times plays two instruments at once, flounders all over the stage, and while lying flat on his back plays a flute while he kicks an accompaniment out of a row of sleigh bells. The upper crowd rather liked him, however, and gave him fairly strong applause and a curtain call. Vasco is far from being the headline feature we expected and is overpaid at least $300.00.
HOWARD & HOWARD, Comedians:- 18 min. in 1. On at 10:05. Advance hand. this act is well known, and although the material is practically the same as when they were here before, they held down this spot in great shape. The Hebrew comedian's parodies are immense and they would not let him quit. Their singing is greatly improved since their last visit.
BYRNE BROTHERS an act from "The Eight Bells":- 16 min. F.S. On at 10:23. This is a solid scream from start to finish. As a knock-about closing feature for any bill, it could not be excelled. Represents the gardens of a Boys' School and a Girls' Seminary backing up on each other, separated by a wall over which the athletes perform their stunts and funny knock-about feats that are rapid and full of life and fun. The finish with the prop horse and the stage-coach spill is uproarous, and leaves the crowd in good humor.
KINETOGRAPH:-
THE SHRIMPER:- One of the most beautiful films we have ever shown here. Not only presents beautiful sea-scenes, but has a consistent plot, wherein a poor shrimp-gatherer on the seashore saves the life of a little boy caught on a reef during a rising tide. This film got one of the strongest hands that ever rewarded a picture series since the great automobile series of the race at Dieppe.
WHAT A RAZOR CAN DO:- A good comedy film.
LIFE ON AN ENGLISH REFORMATORY SHIP:- Rather a long, but interesting series with some little comedy, as for instance: the boxing match between two blind-folded middies. This film also got applause.
CONLON & HASTINGS:- 26 min. in 2. On at 6:37. Miss Conlon has a very pleasing voice and Hastings would be a good comedian if he took the trouble to get a new line of stuff instead of picking the plums from everybody else's pudding. The pair can hold a fair spot.
BRANDON & WILSON:- 14 min. in 1. On at 7:03. Comedian and soubrette taking kid parts. A very satisfactory singing and dancing pair who receive considerable applause. Two changes of costume. Worthy of encouragement.
ELDRIDGE:- Sand man:- 10 min. in 2. On at 7:17. An absolute novelty and worthy of an early two-a-day spot on any bill. Made three pictures, the last being a scene of the burning of San Francisco in which he pours alcohol over the sand and sets it afire to add realism to the picture. This won the house and gave him big closing hand. Worthy of solid booking at the right price.


section that are worthy of a better spot. VASCO was a disappointment considering his price, but there are others on the bill which are worth every cent of their money, so there is no kick coming.
Houses immense, and an abundance of humor and children's feature on the bill which are sure to insure us a continuance of big business.


and eccentric dancing. At $90.00 this act is a find for the three-a-day houses and should do well number one or two in the smaller houses. Made a very good impression indeed, on to-day's audience and received some laughter and much applause.
H. T. JORDAN--J.

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VASCO, "The Mad Musician:- 20 min. F.S. On at 9:45. Advance hand. This man lives up to his billing at least as to his madness. In a fierce Svengali make-up, he plays a score or more of instruments--only snatches of melody, introducing some very grotesque buffoonery to enliven the act. Only two or three of these instruments does he handle with any degree of skill, but I suppose the fact that a man can play at all on so many different instruments challenges interest if not admiration. He some times plays two instruments at once, flounders all over the stage, and while lying flat on his back plays a flute while he kicks an accompaniment out of a row of sleigh bells. The upper crowd rather liked him, however, and gave him fairly strong applause and a curtain call. Vasco is far from being the headline feature we expected and is overpaid at least $300.00. HOWARD & HOWARD, Comedians:- 18 min. in 1. On at 10:05. Advance hand. this act is well known, and although the material is practically the same as when they were here before, they held down this spot in great shape. The Hebrew comedian's parodies are immense and they would not let him quit. Their singing is greatly improved since their last visit. BYRNE BROTHERS an act from "The Eight Bells":- 16 min. F.S. On at 10:23. This is a solid scream from start to finish. As a knock-about closing feature for any bill, it could not be excelled. Represents the gardens of a Boys' School and a Girls' Seminary backing up on each other, separated by a wall over which the athletes perform their stunts and funny knock-about feats that are rapid and full of life and fun. The finish with the prop horse and the stage-coach spill is uproarous, and leaves the crowd in good humor. KINETOGRAPH:- THE SHRIMPER:- One of the most beautiful films we have ever shown here. Not only presents beautiful sea-scenes, but has a consistent plot, wherein a poor shrimp-gatherer on the seashore saves the life of a little boy caught on a reef during a rising tide. This film got one of the strongest hands that ever rewarded a picture series since the great automobile series of the race at Dieppe. WHAT A RAZOR CAN DO:- A good comedy film. LIFE ON AN ENGLISH REFORMATORY SHIP:- Rather a long, but interesting series with some little comedy, as for instance: the boxing match between two blind-folded middies. This film also got applause. CONLON & HASTINGS:- 26 min. in 2. On at 6:37. Miss Conlon has a very pleasing voice and Hastings would be a good comedian if he took the trouble to get a new line of stuff instead of picking the plums from everybody else's pudding. The pair can hold a fair spot. BRANDON & WILSON:- 14 min. in 1. On at 7:03. Comedian and soubrette taking kid parts. A very satisfactory singing and dancing pair who receive considerable applause. Two changes of costume. Worthy of encouragement. ELDRIDGE:- Sand man:- 10 min. in 2. On at 7:17. An absolute novelty and worthy of an early two-a-day spot on any bill. Made three pictures, the last being a scene of the burning of San Francisco in which he pours alcohol over the sand and sets it afire to add realism to the picture. This won the house and gave him big closing hand. Worthy of solid booking at the right price. section that are worthy of a better spot. VASCO was a disappointment considering his price, but there are others on the bill which are worth every cent of their money, so there is no kick coming. Houses immense, and an abundance of humor and children's feature on the bill which are sure to insure us a continuance of big business. and eccentric dancing. At $90.00 this act is a find for the three-a-day houses and should do well number one or two in the smaller houses. Made a very good impression indeed, on to-day's audience and received some laughter and much applause. H. T. JORDAN--J.