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 157

C. E. BARNS.    PHILADELPHIA SHOW.    JUNE 7-09.
THE ZANETTOS. 17 min. F.S. Begin their act with throwing of disks and the juggling of balls. In the latter case, each one of them handles four balls and the work is very clever. The throwing of knives clean across the stage is one of the cleverest things we have seen of the kind. Balls thrown from the second balcony and caught on the fork got a good hand. The finishing stunt with the lighted torches brought the act to a good close. Makes a ripping good opener.
JENNINGS & RENFREW. 15 min. in one. Sang numerous parodies of well known songs. Fair applause after each one and a fairly good finish. Just the spot.
EDGAR ALLEN & CO. "A Fortune Hunter's Misfortune." Second presentation of this sketch here. Rather a hackneyed theme, but the crowd seemed to like it fairly well, and it held the spot all right. Best part of the act is the expert harp playing by Miss Warner. Closed fairly strong.
GASTON & GREEN. 18 in one. Use a L'art nouveau drop which is rather an innovation if not quite a hit as a background. Line of talk very good, the songs well composed and sung pleasingly. Held the spot all right. Closed strong after the eccentric dance.
THE RENNEE FAMILY. 2( min. F.S. This act was a disappointment for this spot on the bill. The merit of the act consists in the versatility, costuming and stage setting. They attempt too much in the short space of time. Their vocal work is below the average. The kind applause finish saves it. Will be moved up the bill.
PATSY DOYLE. 11 min. in one. Makes a hit with mainly a new line of humor. His method of delivery is entirely individual. Kept the audience in good humor. Closed very well.
BUTLER & BASSETT. 9 min. F.S. Second time here and just as much an artistic success as previously. Applause throughout and a good finish.
BERT WILLIAMS. 23 min. in one. There is only one Bert Williams for all his imitators. Had them going from the start. His songs "Not Now" and That's Plenty" are coon classics, and his stories are great. Big applause and laughter. Closed very strong. Would not let him go 'till he had done two encores and made a speech.
ANNETTE KELLERMANN. 9 min. Third and last week. We have boomed Miss Kellermann as she never was boomed before, and the town is talking about her very generally. Think she will draw just as strong this week as she has done previously, although unfortunately the nature of her act is such that it does not admit of variations as Houdini's work. Received good advance hand and closes strong.
KINETOGRAPH. "Now, I'm Here, I'll Stay." Fairly good comedy film. "The Exacting Father-in-law." Also comedy film, little better than the first, but not up to the standard of the films that we have been having.
GENERAL REMARKS. As transposed in the order below, the show will run O. K. The Rennee Family did not come up to our expectations, but the hit that Bert Williams made made us forget all shortcomings. Miss Kellermann also went strong as usual. Think this will be a mighty good week, following our strike troubles.

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C. E. BARNS. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. JUNE 7-09. THE ZANETTOS. 17 min. F.S. Begin their act with throwing of disks and the juggling of balls. In the latter case, each one of them handles four balls and the work is very clever. The throwing of knives clean across the stage is one of the cleverest things we have seen of the kind. Balls thrown from the second balcony and caught on the fork got a good hand. The finishing stunt with the lighted torches brought the act to a good close. Makes a ripping good opener. JENNINGS & RENFREW. 15 min. in one. Sang numerous parodies of well known songs. Fair applause after each one and a fairly good finish. Just the spot. EDGAR ALLEN & CO. "A Fortune Hunter's Misfortune." Second presentation of this sketch here. Rather a hackneyed theme, but the crowd seemed to like it fairly well, and it held the spot all right. Best part of the act is the expert harp playing by Miss Warner. Closed fairly strong. GASTON & GREEN. 18 in one. Use a L'art nouveau drop which is rather an innovation if not quite a hit as a background. Line of talk very good, the songs well composed and sung pleasingly. Held the spot all right. Closed strong after the eccentric dance. THE RENNEE FAMILY. 2( min. F.S. This act was a disappointment for this spot on the bill. The merit of the act consists in the versatility, costuming and stage setting. They attempt too much in the short space of time. Their vocal work is below the average. The kind applause finish saves it. Will be moved up the bill. PATSY DOYLE. 11 min. in one. Makes a hit with mainly a new line of humor. His method of delivery is entirely individual. Kept the audience in good humor. Closed very well. BUTLER & BASSETT. 9 min. F.S. Second time here and just as much an artistic success as previously. Applause throughout and a good finish. BERT WILLIAMS. 23 min. in one. There is only one Bert Williams for all his imitators. Had them going from the start. His songs "Not Now" and That's Plenty" are coon classics, and his stories are great. Big applause and laughter. Closed very strong. Would not let him go 'till he had done two encores and made a speech. ANNETTE KELLERMANN. 9 min. Third and last week. We have boomed Miss Kellermann as she never was boomed before, and the town is talking about her very generally. Think she will draw just as strong this week as she has done previously, although unfortunately the nature of her act is such that it does not admit of variations as Houdini's work. Received good advance hand and closes strong. KINETOGRAPH. "Now, I'm Here, I'll Stay." Fairly good comedy film. "The Exacting Father-in-law." Also comedy film, little better than the first, but not up to the standard of the films that we have been having. GENERAL REMARKS. As transposed in the order below, the show will run O. K. The Rennee Family did not come up to our expectations, but the hit that Bert Williams made made us forget all shortcomings. Miss Kellermann also went strong as usual. Think this will be a mighty good week, following our strike troubles.