DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 9, 1912-February 24, 1913

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 9, 1912-February 24, 1913

Page 154

154
C. E. BARNS.
PHILADELPHIA SHOW.
JAN. 6, 1913
THE WEAVERS. 8 min. F.S. Quite a spectacular act that makes an acceptable opener. Man and woman both make a good appearance and got considerable applause for their whirling work while hanging by their teeth. Closed well.
MERLIN. 20 min. in one. Uses a couple of confederates and introduces a lot of comedy with their help. Keeps up a running fire of amusing chatter and some tricks that are really expert. Good for an early spot. Considerable laughter throughout and closed well.
THOMAS & HALL. "The Substitute." 19 min. F.S. Miss Thomas makes two changes of costume and Mr. Hall appears as a rube. These people had a little trouble in getting hold of their audience at first but managed to amuse the crowd with their clever character songs and comedy. All right anywhere in the upper half of the bill. Good closing hand.
McMAHON & CHAPPELLE. "Why Hubby Missed the Train." 18 min. in one. Advance applause. Some of their old material and much that is new. Went well with a big house, McMahon's dry jokes hitting the crowd strong. Closed big.
CASSELLI'S DOGS. 15 min. F.S. Big applause at the rise of the  curtain. We have not had a dog act in a long time that won as much laughter and applause as this one. As a children's feature, it could hardly be excelled. The act is showman-like in every particular and the dogs do not show any fear of the whip. Do some remarkable feats that win all parts of the house. Closed very strong.
MORGAN, BAILEY & MORGAN. 15 min. in one. This is a very lively combination which made good in this spot all the way through. Both men are exceptional performers on the banjo, violin and piano while Miss Morgan sings ragtime songs very well. Plenty of applause after each number and made a lively finish to an immense hand. Actually stopped the show and was compelled to give an encore.
"THE DRUMS OF OUDE." 33 min. F.S. The strong recommendations which this act has received wherever presented found full justification today and certainly does Belasco and all his associates proud. No more gripping and thoroughly artistic one-act play has ever been seen here, and the audience went wild with enthusiasm after the spectacular finish. In every detail the production is a masterpiece, and the cast leaves nothing to be desired. Think it will be more talked about than any feature we have had here for many a year and should pack the house at every performance.
THE EMPIRE COMEDY FOUR. 20 min. in one. Coming after "The Drums of Oude," this made a very hard spot for these Philadelphia favorites, but they held it in fine shape with some of their new stuff and some with which we were familiar. Always O. K.
FOUR CLIFTONS. 8 min. F.S. One of the best strong-man acts we have ever played. All four men make a fine appearance and seem to be about equal in size and skill. Got immense applause for some stunts never seen here before. A big finish.
KINETOGRAPH. One of the best comedy films we have had for some time.
GENERAL REMARKS. This show played off in good style and seemed to please a capacity house that remained for the most part to the finish. "The Drums of Oude" alone ought to give us big business for the balance of the week.
CUT
McMAHON & CHAPPELLE: Expression, "Thank God, he's dead."

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154 C. E. BARNS. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. JAN. 6, 1913 THE WEAVERS. 8 min. F.S. Quite a spectacular act that makes an acceptable opener. Man and woman both make a good appearance and got considerable applause for their whirling work while hanging by their teeth. Closed well. MERLIN. 20 min. in one. Uses a couple of confederates and introduces a lot of comedy with their help. Keeps up a running fire of amusing chatter and some tricks that are really expert. Good for an early spot. Considerable laughter throughout and closed well. THOMAS & HALL. "The Substitute." 19 min. F.S. Miss Thomas makes two changes of costume and Mr. Hall appears as a rube. These people had a little trouble in getting hold of their audience at first but managed to amuse the crowd with their clever character songs and comedy. All right anywhere in the upper half of the bill. Good closing hand. McMAHON & CHAPPELLE. "Why Hubby Missed the Train." 18 min. in one. Advance applause. Some of their old material and much that is new. Went well with a big house, McMahon's dry jokes hitting the crowd strong. Closed big. CASSELLI'S DOGS. 15 min. F.S. Big applause at the rise of the curtain. We have not had a dog act in a long time that won as much laughter and applause as this one. As a children's feature, it could hardly be excelled. The act is showman-like in every particular and the dogs do not show any fear of the whip. Do some remarkable feats that win all parts of the house. Closed very strong. MORGAN, BAILEY & MORGAN. 15 min. in one. This is a very lively combination which made good in this spot all the way through. Both men are exceptional performers on the banjo, violin and piano while Miss Morgan sings ragtime songs very well. Plenty of applause after each number and made a lively finish to an immense hand. Actually stopped the show and was compelled to give an encore. "THE DRUMS OF OUDE." 33 min. F.S. The strong recommendations which this act has received wherever presented found full justification today and certainly does Belasco and all his associates proud. No more gripping and thoroughly artistic one-act play has ever been seen here, and the audience went wild with enthusiasm after the spectacular finish. In every detail the production is a masterpiece, and the cast leaves nothing to be desired. Think it will be more talked about than any feature we have had here for many a year and should pack the house at every performance. THE EMPIRE COMEDY FOUR. 20 min. in one. Coming after "The Drums of Oude," this made a very hard spot for these Philadelphia favorites, but they held it in fine shape with some of their new stuff and some with which we were familiar. Always O. K. FOUR CLIFTONS. 8 min. F.S. One of the best strong-man acts we have ever played. All four men make a fine appearance and seem to be about equal in size and skill. Got immense applause for some stunts never seen here before. A big finish. KINETOGRAPH. One of the best comedy films we have had for some time. GENERAL REMARKS. This show played off in good style and seemed to please a capacity house that remained for the most part to the finish. "The Drums of Oude" alone ought to give us big business for the balance of the week. CUT McMAHON & CHAPPELLE: Expression, "Thank God, he's dead."