DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, December 28, 1908 - October 18, 1909

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, December 28, 1908 - October 18, 1909

Page 20

C. E. BARNS.    PHILADELPHIA SHOW.    JAN. 11-09.
KAUFMAN BROTHERS.11 min. in one. Blackface comedians who work hard to please, having good singing voices and a fair line of humorous talk. Received some scattered laughs and closed well with some burlesque French Opera. Good for a small spot.
FOUR COMRADES. 10 min. F.S. Rough comedy -- very rough and noisy. Two men work straight, and two of them grotesque comedy. Used table, chairs and the tumbling carpet. They are all good acrobats, and their comedy gets a good deal fo gallery applause. It is a good act to wake [up] a house, although some of the business wants to be cut.
FOSTER & FOSTER. 18 min. in one. One man works straight, the other eccentric. Use piano upon which the eccentric comedian opens with a selection while his hands are covered with several pairs of mittens. The act proceeds with a lot of nonsense in which the orchestra is brought into play to help the comedy. Finishes with each man singing a song, one at one end of the stage and the other at the other, one-half of the orchestra accompanying each. Closed very well. This act could be greatly improved by the introduction of brighter lines and would then be worthy of a better spot on any bill. At present it is rightly placed.
FADETTE ORCHESTRA. 34 min. F.S. Entire change of program this week, each number getting the usual strong applause. Think this orchestra could remain with us a month or more, and make good every week. Closed their program with "A Day at the Circus," by request, a popular number here.
CARSON & WILLARD. "The Dutch in Egypt." 18 min. in one. These people are favorites here, and their new act went very well indeed. There are a lot of good jokes in it, and the costuming and special drop are amusing. The finish is a scream, and altogether the act is the best they have ever had, although several things had to be toned down a little for this audience.
LULU BEESON TRIO. 15 min. F.S., close in one. Miss Beeson has two very clever dancers working with her. Their singing is not much to brag of, but they certainly do know how to dance and make a good appearance on the stage. The act opens very stunningly, showing a moonlight scene, and one of the features was Miss Beeson's face reflected in colossel size in the clouds. The trio vocal work in full stage is well-costumed and diverting, and then comes the finishing in one when all three dance on the mat. This is very artistic and dainty work. Received strong applause. These people were drilled here in Philadelphia and for that reason were particularly popular in the house today.
ZELIE DE LUSSAN. 12 min. in two. Any house is fortunate that counts Mme. Lussan on the bill. She is the most consummate vocal artist in Vaudeville today. Her stage appearance is winning from the very first, and her vocalization faultless in finish and distinction, her simple ballad being rendered as impressively as a Grand Opera aria. Good applause after each selection. Bound to draw money to the house this week, particularly with the evening crowd who will prove more demonstrative.
THE LABAKANS. 8 min. in one. The dog is the principal comedian in this act -- a little terrier remarkably well trained. The man and boy both work eccentric, and whereas their acrobatic work is good, it is nothing very remarkable. However, they managed to hold the spot all right, and it was just the thing needed here in one to go from De Lussan to "Night with the Poets." Good finish.

straight. Fairly good work on the dancing mat and worthy of a small spot.
SID BAXTER. Aerial Cyclist. 10 min. in 1 1/2. This man carries his own C. D. F. drop in one, and is accompanied by a pretty girl as an assistant. His work on the bicycle on the slack rope is very expert and holds the interest of the audience. Considerable applause. Could hold a good spot in the early section or might prove a good opener, if an act in one or one and a half is wanted for that use.
GENERAL REMARKS. This is a very classy show; full of high-class musical work and plenty of fun. There are no weak spots on the bill and will be only one small transposition. Hugh Lloyd is not showy enough for a closer and would be better appreciated up the bill, if could be. The three big acts -- De Lussan, The Fadettes and "Night with the Poets" would give distinction to any bill. Think we will do good business with those attractions for the balance of the week.
CUTS.
KAUFMAN BROS. The  business of spitting in face.
FOUR COMRADES:- Business with piece of lumber which threatens to go over into the orchestra; also the business of making false fall in either one of the boxes; also the scratching the head.
FOSTER & FOSTER. Spitting on hands and on woodwork on piano. Also expression "They are all soused," referring to orchestra; expression "Knocking L out of the drum."
CARSON & WILLARD. The verses about father bringing home members of a burlesque company every night; expression "Ladies' shirts two thirds off"; also draw Salmone burlesque milder and have skirt over back completely.

Saving...

C. E. BARNS. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. JAN. 11-09. KAUFMAN BROTHERS.11 min. in one. Blackface comedians who work hard to please, having good singing voices and a fair line of humorous talk. Received some scattered laughs and closed well with some burlesque French Opera. Good for a small spot. FOUR COMRADES. 10 min. F.S. Rough comedy -- very rough and noisy. Two men work straight, and two of them grotesque comedy. Used table, chairs and the tumbling carpet. They are all good acrobats, and their comedy gets a good deal fo gallery applause. It is a good act to wake [up] a house, although some of the business wants to be cut. FOSTER & FOSTER. 18 min. in one. One man works straight, the other eccentric. Use piano upon which the eccentric comedian opens with a selection while his hands are covered with several pairs of mittens. The act proceeds with a lot of nonsense in which the orchestra is brought into play to help the comedy. Finishes with each man singing a song, one at one end of the stage and the other at the other, one-half of the orchestra accompanying each. Closed very well. This act could be greatly improved by the introduction of brighter lines and would then be worthy of a better spot on any bill. At present it is rightly placed. FADETTE ORCHESTRA. 34 min. F.S. Entire change of program this week, each number getting the usual strong applause. Think this orchestra could remain with us a month or more, and make good every week. Closed their program with "A Day at the Circus," by request, a popular number here. CARSON & WILLARD. "The Dutch in Egypt." 18 min. in one. These people are favorites here, and their new act went very well indeed. There are a lot of good jokes in it, and the costuming and special drop are amusing. The finish is a scream, and altogether the act is the best they have ever had, although several things had to be toned down a little for this audience. LULU BEESON TRIO. 15 min. F.S., close in one. Miss Beeson has two very clever dancers working with her. Their singing is not much to brag of, but they certainly do know how to dance and make a good appearance on the stage. The act opens very stunningly, showing a moonlight scene, and one of the features was Miss Beeson's face reflected in colossel size in the clouds. The trio vocal work in full stage is well-costumed and diverting, and then comes the finishing in one when all three dance on the mat. This is very artistic and dainty work. Received strong applause. These people were drilled here in Philadelphia and for that reason were particularly popular in the house today. ZELIE DE LUSSAN. 12 min. in two. Any house is fortunate that counts Mme. Lussan on the bill. She is the most consummate vocal artist in Vaudeville today. Her stage appearance is winning from the very first, and her vocalization faultless in finish and distinction, her simple ballad being rendered as impressively as a Grand Opera aria. Good applause after each selection. Bound to draw money to the house this week, particularly with the evening crowd who will prove more demonstrative. THE LABAKANS. 8 min. in one. The dog is the principal comedian in this act -- a little terrier remarkably well trained. The man and boy both work eccentric, and whereas their acrobatic work is good, it is nothing very remarkable. However, they managed to hold the spot all right, and it was just the thing needed here in one to go from De Lussan to "Night with the Poets." Good finish. straight. Fairly good work on the dancing mat and worthy of a small spot. SID BAXTER. Aerial Cyclist. 10 min. in 1 1/2. This man carries his own C. D. F. drop in one, and is accompanied by a pretty girl as an assistant. His work on the bicycle on the slack rope is very expert and holds the interest of the audience. Considerable applause. Could hold a good spot in the early section or might prove a good opener, if an act in one or one and a half is wanted for that use. GENERAL REMARKS. This is a very classy show; full of high-class musical work and plenty of fun. There are no weak spots on the bill and will be only one small transposition. Hugh Lloyd is not showy enough for a closer and would be better appreciated up the bill, if could be. The three big acts -- De Lussan, The Fadettes and "Night with the Poets" would give distinction to any bill. Think we will do good business with those attractions for the balance of the week. CUTS. KAUFMAN BROS. The business of spitting in face. FOUR COMRADES:- Business with piece of lumber which threatens to go over into the orchestra; also the business of making false fall in either one of the boxes; also the scratching the head. FOSTER & FOSTER. Spitting on hands and on woodwork on piano. Also expression "They are all soused," referring to orchestra; expression "Knocking L out of the drum." CARSON & WILLARD. The verses about father bringing home members of a burlesque company every night; expression "Ladies' shirts two thirds off"; also draw Salmone burlesque milder and have skirt over back completely.