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 81

C. E. BARNS.    PHILADELPHIA SHOW.    MARCH 8-09.
THE GREAT DRALLIW. 23 min. Man and two pretty girls in a combination singing, dancing and talking. Ambitious and exceptionally well dressed. As this is its first appearance on any stage, do not care to criticize until later in the week, but it more than got by today. Promises to be worthy of Circuit bookings.
DIXON BROS. 18 min. C.D.F., close in one. Two men dressed as clowns. Good musicians who introduced a lot of comedy which made a distinct hit. They play on concertinos, violins, guitars and sleigh bells. The finish in one is particularly good. Act that could hold a good spot in the two-a-day section with credit. Strong closing hand.
RAYNO'S DOGS. 11 min. F.S. This is a splendid dog act. Decidedly novel and full of laughs. The dogs are well trained in jumping, somersault-turning and feats of the conventional kind, but the principal interest of the act is the comedy. This occasioned constant laughter and applause. The finish of the act with the big balls suspended and the struggle of the dogs to keep them in motion while they turned somersaults is really one of the funniest things ever seen and got overwhelming applause. One of the best acts for children imaginable. Fast enough and good enough to close almost any vaudeville bill.
MILT WOOD. 8 min. in one. Milt Wood's vocal work did not arouse much enthusiasm, but his dancing is finished and artistic and made a big hit with our crowd, particularly the close where he dances around and on the chair. Closed strong.
BIRDLAND. 20 min. F.S. Six women and four men. Although this is very different from Lasky's previous offerings here, nevertheless, it is entirely worthy of him, and shows what can be done with a single idea with the aid of original costuming and good music well sung. The act has been described in length before. It made a decided hit this afternoon. There is plenty of ginger in the act, the comedy being especially well taken care of. The close was strong with several unforced curtain calls.
THE KEMPS. 18 min. in one. Colored man and woman, the latter in soubrette costume, the man as a pullman porter. A very good act of the characteristic coon order. They sing well and the man is good in his comedy, especially good in his dancing. Songs are not new, but are well sung. The closing part in the costuming of an African chief and maid got a good hand.
ED. CONNELLY. "Marse Covington." 20 min. F.S. This act is better presented than previously, the men playing the part of the colored butler, also the Pittsburg high-roller, both better than members of the former cast. It is really a great little play, and certainly had the audience interested right up to a strong finish.
LADY OF THE GREEN VEIL. 15 min. Whoever this woman may be, there is no discounting the fact that she has a rich voice and displays much training. Each one of the songs was sung with good effect, although the applause was not as strong as they merited. The audience seemed to pay more attention to the enigma of the woman's personality, on account of the prominent billing that we have been giving her, than with her vocal work. It remains to be seen whether this curiosity will draw people into the house or not, the evening crowd particularly. As her singing failed to create any decided sensation, the applause for each

and it will undoubtedly draw business. For the balance of the week, we will close with the dogs and this will give us a chance to put the Darrows up into the body of the show, where they belong.

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C. E. BARNS. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. MARCH 8-09. THE GREAT DRALLIW. 23 min. Man and two pretty girls in a combination singing, dancing and talking. Ambitious and exceptionally well dressed. As this is its first appearance on any stage, do not care to criticize until later in the week, but it more than got by today. Promises to be worthy of Circuit bookings. DIXON BROS. 18 min. C.D.F., close in one. Two men dressed as clowns. Good musicians who introduced a lot of comedy which made a distinct hit. They play on concertinos, violins, guitars and sleigh bells. The finish in one is particularly good. Act that could hold a good spot in the two-a-day section with credit. Strong closing hand. RAYNO'S DOGS. 11 min. F.S. This is a splendid dog act. Decidedly novel and full of laughs. The dogs are well trained in jumping, somersault-turning and feats of the conventional kind, but the principal interest of the act is the comedy. This occasioned constant laughter and applause. The finish of the act with the big balls suspended and the struggle of the dogs to keep them in motion while they turned somersaults is really one of the funniest things ever seen and got overwhelming applause. One of the best acts for children imaginable. Fast enough and good enough to close almost any vaudeville bill. MILT WOOD. 8 min. in one. Milt Wood's vocal work did not arouse much enthusiasm, but his dancing is finished and artistic and made a big hit with our crowd, particularly the close where he dances around and on the chair. Closed strong. BIRDLAND. 20 min. F.S. Six women and four men. Although this is very different from Lasky's previous offerings here, nevertheless, it is entirely worthy of him, and shows what can be done with a single idea with the aid of original costuming and good music well sung. The act has been described in length before. It made a decided hit this afternoon. There is plenty of ginger in the act, the comedy being especially well taken care of. The close was strong with several unforced curtain calls. THE KEMPS. 18 min. in one. Colored man and woman, the latter in soubrette costume, the man as a pullman porter. A very good act of the characteristic coon order. They sing well and the man is good in his comedy, especially good in his dancing. Songs are not new, but are well sung. The closing part in the costuming of an African chief and maid got a good hand. ED. CONNELLY. "Marse Covington." 20 min. F.S. This act is better presented than previously, the men playing the part of the colored butler, also the Pittsburg high-roller, both better than members of the former cast. It is really a great little play, and certainly had the audience interested right up to a strong finish. LADY OF THE GREEN VEIL. 15 min. Whoever this woman may be, there is no discounting the fact that she has a rich voice and displays much training. Each one of the songs was sung with good effect, although the applause was not as strong as they merited. The audience seemed to pay more attention to the enigma of the woman's personality, on account of the prominent billing that we have been giving her, than with her vocal work. It remains to be seen whether this curiosity will draw people into the house or not, the evening crowd particularly. As her singing failed to create any decided sensation, the applause for each and it will undoubtedly draw business. For the balance of the week, we will close with the dogs and this will give us a chance to put the Darrows up into the body of the show, where they belong.