DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, June 13, 1910-February 20, 1911

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, June 13, 1910-February 20, 1911

Page 85

HUDSON THEATRE  UNION HILL, N.J.    JOHN C. PEEBLES.
Week of Oct. 10, 1910.
This is, by far, the best show we have had this season and should draw business.
FOUR JOHNSONIANS, Clubmaniacs.
Four men in a fast club juggling act. Not in the class with the Mowatts or even the Juggling Bannons, but a most acceptable offering, nevertheless and can open a big show or close a small one in good shape. The men look well, attired in white seaters, trimmed with blue, and dark trousers. They have several new stunts that I have never seen before and act is one that should satisfy all managers. Garden in 4. Time 8 min.
BENSON & BELL, The Dancer and the Dude.
Man and woman in an act that is distinctively English. The man is a rather tiresome comedian, the toe dancing of the woman being the real feature of the act. Pleased but mildly. Open in 1, 3 min, own drop; then to full stage with scene reversed, 9 min; Close in 1, 8 min.
RAWLS & VON KAUFMAN, Blackface comedy. Man and woman.
Act a trifle slow at the beginning but warms up in good shape and proved one of the big laughing hits of the bill. Rawls is an excellent blackface comedian and gets his stuff over in good shape while his partner makes an excellent feeder. Would go well in this spot on any bill. C.D.Fcy in 3, 16 min; close in 1, 9 min.
DE HAVEN SEXTETTE with SIDNEY GIBSON
To avoid argument with Mrs. DeHaven managers are cautioned to feature Gibson as strongly as the Sextette. Unfortunately I did not receive the billing until late and got Gibson's name as Shields. Hence, several unpleasant interviews with the lady that owns the act. I consider this act the best Mrs. DeHaven has ever put over in vaudeville and the act will be a big feature novelty of any program. The girls are gingery in their work, look well and are dressed better than any girl act in the business. Usually "girl" acts look well but that is about all. This one delivers the goods and I would be glad to play any more that can halfways approach this one. gibson is a good light comedian and his singing and dancing are features in themselves. Own cut drop, with house garden backing, full stage. 22 min. Close in 1, 6 min.
EDWARD ABELES & CO., in "He Tried to be Nice."
This was the first performance of the sketch and both Abeles and his wife were rather nervous. The story is interesting and deals with a man who reads an article in the morning paper on "how to be happy though married" and determines to put some of the suggestions into practice. He sends for flowers, silk stockings and candy for his wife and is so terrible polite at breakfast that she suspicions that he has committed an offence of some sort and is taking this method of squaring himself. In its present form the act is altogether too long and should be cut way down. When this is done Abeles will have a comedy sketch that should be a feature on any bill. C.D.Fcy in 3. Time 28 min.
CAFE DEL BOWERY.
Simons and Shield's new act with Johnny McVeigh and company of 6. Scene is laid in a restaurant on the Bowery. The laughs are plentifully sprinkled through the sketch and a couple of musical numbers are introduced. It is quite burlesquey in spots but the fun is clean and the whole makes an excellent rough comedy act. The finish of the act might be improved. Own set in 3. Time 23 min.
TENBROOKE & HENRY, Singing Comedians.
One man working straight, the other as a German. Act is rather old-fashioned and would have gone better much earlier in the bill if I had had a spot where they could be fitted in. At that, following the big laughing hit of the Cafe del Bowery they got their songs and patter over in good shape and were most acceptable to the audience. Street in 1. Time 18 min.
MAXIMO, "The Inebriated Swell on the Wire.
Never having seen Robledillo I cannot draw comparisons. Maximo is a clean cut looking young chap who works fast on the slack wire and gets some good comedy. Would really make a better opening act than in his present spot but managed to close the show in good shape and held the audience. Garden in 4. Time 9 min.

Saving...

HUDSON THEATRE UNION HILL, N.J. JOHN C. PEEBLES. Week of Oct. 10, 1910. This is, by far, the best show we have had this season and should draw business. FOUR JOHNSONIANS, Clubmaniacs. Four men in a fast club juggling act. Not in the class with the Mowatts or even the Juggling Bannons, but a most acceptable offering, nevertheless and can open a big show or close a small one in good shape. The men look well, attired in white seaters, trimmed with blue, and dark trousers. They have several new stunts that I have never seen before and act is one that should satisfy all managers. Garden in 4. Time 8 min. BENSON & BELL, The Dancer and the Dude. Man and woman in an act that is distinctively English. The man is a rather tiresome comedian, the toe dancing of the woman being the real feature of the act. Pleased but mildly. Open in 1, 3 min, own drop; then to full stage with scene reversed, 9 min; Close in 1, 8 min. RAWLS & VON KAUFMAN, Blackface comedy. Man and woman. Act a trifle slow at the beginning but warms up in good shape and proved one of the big laughing hits of the bill. Rawls is an excellent blackface comedian and gets his stuff over in good shape while his partner makes an excellent feeder. Would go well in this spot on any bill. C.D.Fcy in 3, 16 min; close in 1, 9 min. DE HAVEN SEXTETTE with SIDNEY GIBSON To avoid argument with Mrs. DeHaven managers are cautioned to feature Gibson as strongly as the Sextette. Unfortunately I did not receive the billing until late and got Gibson's name as Shields. Hence, several unpleasant interviews with the lady that owns the act. I consider this act the best Mrs. DeHaven has ever put over in vaudeville and the act will be a big feature novelty of any program. The girls are gingery in their work, look well and are dressed better than any girl act in the business. Usually "girl" acts look well but that is about all. This one delivers the goods and I would be glad to play any more that can halfways approach this one. gibson is a good light comedian and his singing and dancing are features in themselves. Own cut drop, with house garden backing, full stage. 22 min. Close in 1, 6 min. EDWARD ABELES & CO., in "He Tried to be Nice." This was the first performance of the sketch and both Abeles and his wife were rather nervous. The story is interesting and deals with a man who reads an article in the morning paper on "how to be happy though married" and determines to put some of the suggestions into practice. He sends for flowers, silk stockings and candy for his wife and is so terrible polite at breakfast that she suspicions that he has committed an offence of some sort and is taking this method of squaring himself. In its present form the act is altogether too long and should be cut way down. When this is done Abeles will have a comedy sketch that should be a feature on any bill. C.D.Fcy in 3. Time 28 min. CAFE DEL BOWERY. Simons and Shield's new act with Johnny McVeigh and company of 6. Scene is laid in a restaurant on the Bowery. The laughs are plentifully sprinkled through the sketch and a couple of musical numbers are introduced. It is quite burlesquey in spots but the fun is clean and the whole makes an excellent rough comedy act. The finish of the act might be improved. Own set in 3. Time 23 min. TENBROOKE & HENRY, Singing Comedians. One man working straight, the other as a German. Act is rather old-fashioned and would have gone better much earlier in the bill if I had had a spot where they could be fitted in. At that, following the big laughing hit of the Cafe del Bowery they got their songs and patter over in good shape and were most acceptable to the audience. Street in 1. Time 18 min. MAXIMO, "The Inebriated Swell on the Wire. Never having seen Robledillo I cannot draw comparisons. Maximo is a clean cut looking young chap who works fast on the slack wire and gets some good comedy. Would really make a better opening act than in his present spot but managed to close the show in good shape and held the audience. Garden in 4. Time 9 min.