DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903

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Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903

Page 270

270
CRITICISM OF 1ST SHOW.
KEITH'S THEATRE,PHILA., PA.
MAY 18TH

Gillihan & Murray-13 mins. in one-Two boys,working blackface. Their "patter" is interesting and in spots very good. They are good singers and dancers and worthy of a better place on the bill.

Chinese Johnny Williams-15 mins.-Kitchen in 3-close in one-In his old act, exposing magic. Though old,the act is new here and went well, with many laughs.

Armstrong & Holly-17 mins.-C.D.F. in 3-Fireplace L.-Mand and woman in a disjointed comedy sketch; started off very well and then went backwards rapidly. The woman looks well, but does nothing. Act can only be classed as fair.

Charlie Howard-13 mins. in one-Hebrew parodies and story teller. His parodies are fair; his stories, good. Very good "small" act.

Vitagraph-We held over the picture of Niagara Rapids, which is worth two weeks in any house. For a feature we had the story of Robinson Crusoe. It is given in twenty five scenes, and is an excellent picture.

Hugh Stanton & Florence Modena-25 mins.-C.D.F. in 3-In their old sketch, "For Reform." Their act was new here, and went well;in fact,it went better than our headliner,Simon & Gardner. We will give them a better place.

Conroy & McFarland-15 mins. in one-Two Irishmen, in a side-walk conversation. This is one of the old time variety acts,and savors a great deal of burlesque. They got some laughs,but are not very strong. We will shove them up the bill.

Kaufmann Troupe-12 mins.-Gar. in 4-Seven of them;the applause hit of the show. They have many new tricks,and give a really wonderful performance. I believe they are better than ever,and they are surely just as strong.

Edith Helena-10 mins. in one-A soloist,with a freak high note that she springs in "The Last Rose of Summer." She is a good singer,but not a great one. Her violin imitation is good. She was well received,with some applause. This woman is also possessed of a freak manager,who came in this morning and started to tear the house apart,because she was not billed strongly enough. He had an idea that he wanted to write his own criticism and have it published. Up to the present writing,he has failed to connect.

Ward & Curran-30 mins.-C.D.F. in 3-close in one-"The Terrible Judge," the laughing hit of the show. They are new here,and went very strong, receiving numerous encores and thunderous applause.

Louis Simon & Grace Gardner-27 mins.-27 mins.-C.D.F. in 3-in "The New Coachman," that we have billed as our headliner. It seems hard to believe that Cressy ever wrote a word of the sketch as it was presented this afternoon. We had believed that it was a really strong act. It turned out to be suggestive throughout; and,although the act received some laughs,not a single one was gotten legitimately,but was forced by the springing on the audience a suggestive joke,or suggesting to them a situation that would hint at immorality. Part of the audience saw it in spots;others could not see the act at all. We surely have had many stronger headliners.

Milani Trio-18 mins. in one-Italian street musicians;three men,one playing violin and two guitars. The act is similar to that of the Three Dumonds,but I think better. It went well, and was liberally applauded.

Zazell & Vernon-15 mins.-Gar. in 4;close in one-Two men,in a triple bar act,one working grotesqut. They have been here before,but to-day they seemed to work very slowly,and could not hold their own in the hard place they had on the bill. They have an excellent bar act,but if they don't inject ginger into it at to-night;s show,they will have to go up the bill.

Eddie Mack-10 mins. in one--specialty dancer;good "small" act.

Eldora & Morine-20 mins.-Pal. in 4-Juggler and assistant. He has a new stage setting for his act since last I saw him on Peli's Circuit. He does some very clever stunts;and if he worked with more grace and greater rapidity,he could utilize the skill he possesses to great advantage.

Delmore & Oneida-10 mins. in one-Japanese perch act; second time here;a good "small" act for the "small" part of any bill.

Show on the whole is very good. Ward & Curran,Kaufmann Troupe and Milani Trio are three strong acts,any one of which would save a weak show. After the show is rearranged,it will be fully as good as that of last week, if not better.

H. A. DANIELS.

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270 CRITICISM OF 1ST SHOW. KEITH'S THEATRE,PHILA., PA. MAY 18TH Gillihan & Murray-13 mins. in one-Two boys,working blackface. Their "patter" is interesting and in spots very good. They are good singers and dancers and worthy of a better place on the bill. Chinese Johnny Williams-15 mins.-Kitchen in 3-close in one-In his old act, exposing magic. Though old,the act is new here and went well, with many laughs. Armstrong & Holly-17 mins.-C.D.F. in 3-Fireplace L.-Mand and woman in a disjointed comedy sketch; started off very well and then went backwards rapidly. The woman looks well, but does nothing. Act can only be classed as fair. Charlie Howard-13 mins. in one-Hebrew parodies and story teller. His parodies are fair; his stories, good. Very good "small" act. Vitagraph-We held over the picture of Niagara Rapids, which is worth two weeks in any house. For a feature we had the story of Robinson Crusoe. It is given in twenty five scenes, and is an excellent picture. Hugh Stanton & Florence Modena-25 mins.-C.D.F. in 3-In their old sketch, "For Reform." Their act was new here, and went well;in fact,it went better than our headliner,Simon & Gardner. We will give them a better place. Conroy & McFarland-15 mins. in one-Two Irishmen, in a side-walk conversation. This is one of the old time variety acts,and savors a great deal of burlesque. They got some laughs,but are not very strong. We will shove them up the bill. Kaufmann Troupe-12 mins.-Gar. in 4-Seven of them;the applause hit of the show. They have many new tricks,and give a really wonderful performance. I believe they are better than ever,and they are surely just as strong. Edith Helena-10 mins. in one-A soloist,with a freak high note that she springs in "The Last Rose of Summer." She is a good singer,but not a great one. Her violin imitation is good. She was well received,with some applause. This woman is also possessed of a freak manager,who came in this morning and started to tear the house apart,because she was not billed strongly enough. He had an idea that he wanted to write his own criticism and have it published. Up to the present writing,he has failed to connect. Ward & Curran-30 mins.-C.D.F. in 3-close in one-"The Terrible Judge," the laughing hit of the show. They are new here,and went very strong, receiving numerous encores and thunderous applause. Louis Simon & Grace Gardner-27 mins.-27 mins.-C.D.F. in 3-in "The New Coachman," that we have billed as our headliner. It seems hard to believe that Cressy ever wrote a word of the sketch as it was presented this afternoon. We had believed that it was a really strong act. It turned out to be suggestive throughout; and,although the act received some laughs,not a single one was gotten legitimately,but was forced by the springing on the audience a suggestive joke,or suggesting to them a situation that would hint at immorality. Part of the audience saw it in spots;others could not see the act at all. We surely have had many stronger headliners. Milani Trio-18 mins. in one-Italian street musicians;three men,one playing violin and two guitars. The act is similar to that of the Three Dumonds,but I think better. It went well, and was liberally applauded. Zazell & Vernon-15 mins.-Gar. in 4;close in one-Two men,in a triple bar act,one working grotesqut. They have been here before,but to-day they seemed to work very slowly,and could not hold their own in the hard place they had on the bill. They have an excellent bar act,but if they don't inject ginger into it at to-night;s show,they will have to go up the bill. Eddie Mack-10 mins. in one--specialty dancer;good "small" act. Eldora & Morine-20 mins.-Pal. in 4-Juggler and assistant. He has a new stage setting for his act since last I saw him on Peli's Circuit. He does some very clever stunts;and if he worked with more grace and greater rapidity,he could utilize the skill he possesses to great advantage. Delmore & Oneida-10 mins. in one-Japanese perch act; second time here;a good "small" act for the "small" part of any bill. Show on the whole is very good. Ward & Curran,Kaufmann Troupe and Milani Trio are three strong acts,any one of which would save a weak show. After the show is rearranged,it will be fully as good as that of last week, if not better. H. A. DANIELS.