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 221

C. E. BARNS.    PHILADELPHIA SHOW.    SEPT. 20-09.
MAJESTIC TRIO. 16 min. in one. Two men and a woman, two working straight, the other eccentric, with two changes of costume. Fair line of comedy. Songs not new. Dan Mickles as "a double of Bert Williams," as he is billed is a libel. Meek applause throughout with only a fair closing applause. A disappointment as an opener, but there is certainly no other place for it in a house like this.
REDFORD & WINCHESTER. 16 min. F.S. One man works straight, the other eccentric. Have varied their work considerably since previous engagement here. Make their entrance in a boat, against their own drop. Juggle rubber balls, hoops, hats, billiard-cues and fruit. The comedy is rich; the action swift all the way through, and the finish with the catching fruit and vegetables on the end of a fork (together with the burlesque sinking of the battleship), was very amusing and got a big hand. Better than ever.
ALF. GRANT. 19 min. in one. Held this spot very well. A lot of new material, including some clever parodies and some good stories. Closed with a very good recitation on fraternal orders.
LULU BEESON TRIO. 13 min. F.S., close in one. This is one mighty pretty act. Miss Beeson makes a stunning appearance in Spanish costume, and the boys likewise make a good impression. Carry a very stunning drop and set. Their singing is good, but their dancing is really excellent. Work with the trio in one is especially good, all three making a change of costume. Miss Beeson's dancing got big applause, as it well deserved. Received a good closing hand.
BYRON & LANGDON. 21 min. F.S. "The Dude Detective." This is a very funny act, so ridiculous that it seems at first along the danger line, but works up very cleverly. Strong finish. The character of the dude seems at times overdrawn, but the act gets the laughs, and that's the answer. The finish with the burlesque ship-wreck, was strongly applauded.
GEORGE BEBAN & CO. "The Sign of the Rose." 26 min. F.S. This is an intensely dramatic sketche, and one of the best-written and consistent that we have ever played. Beban is a thorough artist, and his conception of Italian character new and strong. The interest cumulates and the audience is kept to most rapt attention. The act has been described previously, and all reports that we have had of its success elsewhere was thoroughly justified today. It is one of those sketches that will be talked about; and on account of its truth to life and its admirable presentation by Beban and his well balanced cast, would be a sure winner with any audience in this country.
FRANK FOGERTY. 15 min. one. Mostly new material, including songs, stories and one or two recitations. Received good applause, closing well. Held the spot in great shape. In fact, one of the hits of the bill.


FRED LINDSAY. 14 min. F. S. This man made a sensation when he was here before during a two weeks' engagement, and on this occasion showed his popularity. His act is better than it was, being much more showman-like in a spectacular way, while he himself retains his modest demeanor and all his skill. The audience was strongly impressed with his personal bearing and individuality. Each one of his feats got abundant applause, and the close was big. A great closer and no mistake.
KINETOGRAPH. "The Phantastic Dolls." A fair French film of the conventional order. "The Horse Race in the far East." Interesting travel showing eastern dignitaries and some rapid-moving horse and bullock races. Kinetograph service not up to the standard this week.
GENERAL REMARKS. This is a good bill, barring perhaps the opening act which did not come up to expectations. The Bbean sketch, however, (with Fred Lindsay and Frank Forgerty coming up as strong second and third) helped to round out what might be a winner for the balance of the week.

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C. E. BARNS. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. SEPT. 20-09. MAJESTIC TRIO. 16 min. in one. Two men and a woman, two working straight, the other eccentric, with two changes of costume. Fair line of comedy. Songs not new. Dan Mickles as "a double of Bert Williams," as he is billed is a libel. Meek applause throughout with only a fair closing applause. A disappointment as an opener, but there is certainly no other place for it in a house like this. REDFORD & WINCHESTER. 16 min. F.S. One man works straight, the other eccentric. Have varied their work considerably since previous engagement here. Make their entrance in a boat, against their own drop. Juggle rubber balls, hoops, hats, billiard-cues and fruit. The comedy is rich; the action swift all the way through, and the finish with the catching fruit and vegetables on the end of a fork (together with the burlesque sinking of the battleship), was very amusing and got a big hand. Better than ever. ALF. GRANT. 19 min. in one. Held this spot very well. A lot of new material, including some clever parodies and some good stories. Closed with a very good recitation on fraternal orders. LULU BEESON TRIO. 13 min. F.S., close in one. This is one mighty pretty act. Miss Beeson makes a stunning appearance in Spanish costume, and the boys likewise make a good impression. Carry a very stunning drop and set. Their singing is good, but their dancing is really excellent. Work with the trio in one is especially good, all three making a change of costume. Miss Beeson's dancing got big applause, as it well deserved. Received a good closing hand. BYRON & LANGDON. 21 min. F.S. "The Dude Detective." This is a very funny act, so ridiculous that it seems at first along the danger line, but works up very cleverly. Strong finish. The character of the dude seems at times overdrawn, but the act gets the laughs, and that's the answer. The finish with the burlesque ship-wreck, was strongly applauded. GEORGE BEBAN & CO. "The Sign of the Rose." 26 min. F.S. This is an intensely dramatic sketche, and one of the best-written and consistent that we have ever played. Beban is a thorough artist, and his conception of Italian character new and strong. The interest cumulates and the audience is kept to most rapt attention. The act has been described previously, and all reports that we have had of its success elsewhere was thoroughly justified today. It is one of those sketches that will be talked about; and on account of its truth to life and its admirable presentation by Beban and his well balanced cast, would be a sure winner with any audience in this country. FRANK FOGERTY. 15 min. one. Mostly new material, including songs, stories and one or two recitations. Received good applause, closing well. Held the spot in great shape. In fact, one of the hits of the bill. FRED LINDSAY. 14 min. F. S. This man made a sensation when he was here before during a two weeks' engagement, and on this occasion showed his popularity. His act is better than it was, being much more showman-like in a spectacular way, while he himself retains his modest demeanor and all his skill. The audience was strongly impressed with his personal bearing and individuality. Each one of his feats got abundant applause, and the close was big. A great closer and no mistake. KINETOGRAPH. "The Phantastic Dolls." A fair French film of the conventional order. "The Horse Race in the far East." Interesting travel showing eastern dignitaries and some rapid-moving horse and bullock races. Kinetograph service not up to the standard this week. GENERAL REMARKS. This is a good bill, barring perhaps the opening act which did not come up to expectations. The Bbean sketch, however, (with Fred Lindsay and Frank Forgerty coming up as strong second and third) helped to round out what might be a winner for the balance of the week.