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 202

C. E. BARNS.     PHILADELPHIA SHOW.     NOV. 9, 1908.
BILLY COURTRIGHT. Character Comedian. 14 min. in one. Appears in booby costume with white trousers and long blouse. this man could never hold a good spot even in the three-a-day section. The line of talk is rather weak and contains material that should be eliminated. The songs are a little better, but he went off to no hand at all and one or two guffaws from the gallery. We understand that this man was a hit in Camden. There could not have been any Camden people in the house this afternoon, because he was an utter fall-down.
THE SILVAS. Balancing on free standing ladder. 12 min. F. S. This is a very novel and showman-like act. They appear on the stage in fetching costumes of blue and employ a hand fire engine into a paraphernalia for their free standing ladder work. The man ascends the ladder first, the boy follows and performs several eats clean up near the scene set, consisting of head and hand balancing which is fairly thrilling. Wins a great hand as it well deserves. Strong applause at the finish.
FOUR NIGHTINGALES. 15 min. in one. Singing. Four boys, three of them work straight, one eccentric. One of them is a good soloist and their quartette work is acceptable and got a good applause. Good applause at the close.
DAN BURKE AND GIRLS. Singing and dancing. 19 min. F. S. Always sure of a warm welcome in this house, and never fails to make good in any spot on the bill. Today a little bit better, if possible. Took seven curtain calls this afternoon. For a man of his age, Dan Burke is certainly the most remarkable dancer in the country. The singing was good. The girl's dancing shows a decided improvement. Act a decided hit throughout.
LEW SULLY. Monologuist. 15 min. in one. The same Lew, always popular here. Quite a new line of talk and new songs on topical subjects. Went unusually strong. Big hand at the close.
MARCEL'S PICTURES. 20 min. F. S. Second presentation here. Each picture won a good hand and applause for Marcel at the finish. Think this feature will hold the public interest through its three week's engagement.
MELVILLE ELLIS. Pianologuist. Gave mostly piano selections today, rendering only two of his pianologues. Strong applause and two encores with the assistance of the gallery crowd who whistled his songs. 17 min. in 1 1/2.
S. MILLER KENT & CO. "Marriage in a Motor Car." 17 min. F.S. This is a slight sketch and concerns a young lady who is compelled to make a hasty marriage in order to save an inheritance, taking an utter stranger for her husband, with the intertion of divorcing him at once, but afterwards discovering him to be an old friend. The lines are quite funny in spots and the situations likewise. Considerable laughter throughout and a good closing hand. A good sketch that pleased everybody.
BELLE BLANCHE. Impersonator. 14 min. in one. Gave her usual imitations of stage celebrities, some of them were new and some which have been rendered here before together with her little poetic prologue. Good advanced hand and applause after each imitation.
EXPOSITION FOUR. 18 min. F. S., close in one. The most versatile act in vaudeville. Whatever they do they do well -- singing, dancing, instrumental work on brass and stringed instruments, as well as in


exciting in spots, but not to be compared with the Motor Car races. CONTINUOUS NERVOUS TWITCHING. A very funny comedy film. DOLL MAKING. Quite interesting. Kinetograph feature this week quite up to the standard.
GAIL & ALVENA. A local act that was taken on in place of Mabel Meeker. A ring act exclusively. Well costumed and fairly expert. Would make a good opener. 8 min. F. S.
DUFF & WALSH. Songs and Dances. This is a very good wooden-shoe dancing act. The boys do a lot of stunts that are quire new. Their singing is fairly good, as well. An act that should be encouraged. Received splendid applause for a supper show act. This act is so good that it will be used as an opener the balance of the week instead of Courtright.
ROBIN. Juggler. 12 min. F. S. Manipulates oranges, cabbages, knives, forks, hats and rubber balls. Introduces considerable comedy in the act and keep up a perpetual jig throughout the act. Good for a small spot. An act that should please children.
GENERAL REMARKS. This is a good all-round show with some features to be talked about, like "The Roman Pastimes." Audience went out satisfied and think will hold good for the balance of the week.

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C. E. BARNS. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. NOV. 9, 1908. BILLY COURTRIGHT. Character Comedian. 14 min. in one. Appears in booby costume with white trousers and long blouse. this man could never hold a good spot even in the three-a-day section. The line of talk is rather weak and contains material that should be eliminated. The songs are a little better, but he went off to no hand at all and one or two guffaws from the gallery. We understand that this man was a hit in Camden. There could not have been any Camden people in the house this afternoon, because he was an utter fall-down. THE SILVAS. Balancing on free standing ladder. 12 min. F. S. This is a very novel and showman-like act. They appear on the stage in fetching costumes of blue and employ a hand fire engine into a paraphernalia for their free standing ladder work. The man ascends the ladder first, the boy follows and performs several eats clean up near the scene set, consisting of head and hand balancing which is fairly thrilling. Wins a great hand as it well deserves. Strong applause at the finish. FOUR NIGHTINGALES. 15 min. in one. Singing. Four boys, three of them work straight, one eccentric. One of them is a good soloist and their quartette work is acceptable and got a good applause. Good applause at the close. DAN BURKE AND GIRLS. Singing and dancing. 19 min. F. S. Always sure of a warm welcome in this house, and never fails to make good in any spot on the bill. Today a little bit better, if possible. Took seven curtain calls this afternoon. For a man of his age, Dan Burke is certainly the most remarkable dancer in the country. The singing was good. The girl's dancing shows a decided improvement. Act a decided hit throughout. LEW SULLY. Monologuist. 15 min. in one. The same Lew, always popular here. Quite a new line of talk and new songs on topical subjects. Went unusually strong. Big hand at the close. MARCEL'S PICTURES. 20 min. F. S. Second presentation here. Each picture won a good hand and applause for Marcel at the finish. Think this feature will hold the public interest through its three week's engagement. MELVILLE ELLIS. Pianologuist. Gave mostly piano selections today, rendering only two of his pianologues. Strong applause and two encores with the assistance of the gallery crowd who whistled his songs. 17 min. in 1 1/2. S. MILLER KENT & CO. "Marriage in a Motor Car." 17 min. F.S. This is a slight sketch and concerns a young lady who is compelled to make a hasty marriage in order to save an inheritance, taking an utter stranger for her husband, with the intertion of divorcing him at once, but afterwards discovering him to be an old friend. The lines are quite funny in spots and the situations likewise. Considerable laughter throughout and a good closing hand. A good sketch that pleased everybody. BELLE BLANCHE. Impersonator. 14 min. in one. Gave her usual imitations of stage celebrities, some of them were new and some which have been rendered here before together with her little poetic prologue. Good advanced hand and applause after each imitation. EXPOSITION FOUR. 18 min. F. S., close in one. The most versatile act in vaudeville. Whatever they do they do well -- singing, dancing, instrumental work on brass and stringed instruments, as well as in exciting in spots, but not to be compared with the Motor Car races. CONTINUOUS NERVOUS TWITCHING. A very funny comedy film. DOLL MAKING. Quite interesting. Kinetograph feature this week quite up to the standard. GAIL & ALVENA. A local act that was taken on in place of Mabel Meeker. A ring act exclusively. Well costumed and fairly expert. Would make a good opener. 8 min. F. S. DUFF & WALSH. Songs and Dances. This is a very good wooden-shoe dancing act. The boys do a lot of stunts that are quire new. Their singing is fairly good, as well. An act that should be encouraged. Received splendid applause for a supper show act. This act is so good that it will be used as an opener the balance of the week instead of Courtright. ROBIN. Juggler. 12 min. F. S. Manipulates oranges, cabbages, knives, forks, hats and rubber balls. Introduces considerable comedy in the act and keep up a perpetual jig throughout the act. Good for a small spot. An act that should please children. GENERAL REMARKS. This is a good all-round show with some features to be talked about, like "The Roman Pastimes." Audience went out satisfied and think will hold good for the balance of the week.