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 161

C. E. BARNS.    PHILADELPHIA SHOW.    JULY 12-09.
FADETTE ORCHESTRA. 55 min. Gave a sort of all nations' program today beginning with American, proceeding to Austrian, Russian, Spanish, E. Indian and Irish numbers. Personally, I do not like the program as much as that of last week which was both patriotic and popular. I fear that it will prove somewhat over the heads of the ordinary vaudeville audience. Their collective work is superb from a musical standpoint, but I fear that it is impossible to work up as much enthusiasm at this time of the year as The Fadettes are entitled to, for the reason that the real appreciators of good music are largely absent from town, and those who remain can enjoy band music four or five places without admission fee, including Victor Herbert this week at Willow Grove.
WHITE & SIMMONS. 18 min. Typical line of minstrel chatter. Some applause throughout and a fair finish.
IMPERIAL SEXTETTE. 11 min. Six men who do a thoroughly good dancing stunt. Would make a much better impression if they changed their costumes and did more individual dancing. However, the act received fairly good applause.
SILBON'S NOVELTY CIRCUS. 12 min. This is a very interesting act, considering the fact that there are comparatively few cat acts in the business, and that cats are difficult to train. The man is a good ground tumbler, and the woman makes an attractive appearance as general helper. The pony and dog introduced are well trained; but the stars in the act are four or five cats that do some very interesting stunts. Not a big act, but one that would make good anywhere as a children's feature.
BEN JOHNSON. 16 min. Makes a good appearance and has a strong personality, but he would do well to abandon recitations that are deal with the Lyceum bureaus. The original matter that he uses is good, and he delivers it effectively. If he had a good line of material from start to finish, he could hold any audience. As it is, he alternately caught and lost them, and the close was not as strong as it should have been for that reason.
BOND, BENTON & CO. "Handkerchief No. 15." 24 min. A lively act that has been seen here before, and went very well. A good cast. Bond makes use of some bright lines. Miss Benton makes a very pretty picture. Think the act will go better with the evening crowd.
EMMA JANVIER. 13 min. A good line of character stuff. Kept the audience in good humor with her fun which is individual and lively. Closed well. Would be more acceptable with changes of costume.
MANGEAN TROUPE. 7 min. Four men and two women. The men are very expert at their ground tumbling, introducing some absolutely new tricks. The work of the two young women is novel and strong, that of the younger being a wonder in her way. Act did not run as smoothly this afternoon as it probably will, but nevertheless, made a very good closing feature.


KINETOGRAPH. "Bottled Up." A very amusing short comedy film that would get a laugh anywhere.
GENERAL REMARKS. This was a light warm weather house this afternoon, and it is pretty hard to judge of any bill when the audience does not give more encouragement and lend more enthusiasm than they did. If weather conditions happen to be favorable, I am sure this bill would meet with requirements.

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C. E. BARNS. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. JULY 12-09. FADETTE ORCHESTRA. 55 min. Gave a sort of all nations' program today beginning with American, proceeding to Austrian, Russian, Spanish, E. Indian and Irish numbers. Personally, I do not like the program as much as that of last week which was both patriotic and popular. I fear that it will prove somewhat over the heads of the ordinary vaudeville audience. Their collective work is superb from a musical standpoint, but I fear that it is impossible to work up as much enthusiasm at this time of the year as The Fadettes are entitled to, for the reason that the real appreciators of good music are largely absent from town, and those who remain can enjoy band music four or five places without admission fee, including Victor Herbert this week at Willow Grove. WHITE & SIMMONS. 18 min. Typical line of minstrel chatter. Some applause throughout and a fair finish. IMPERIAL SEXTETTE. 11 min. Six men who do a thoroughly good dancing stunt. Would make a much better impression if they changed their costumes and did more individual dancing. However, the act received fairly good applause. SILBON'S NOVELTY CIRCUS. 12 min. This is a very interesting act, considering the fact that there are comparatively few cat acts in the business, and that cats are difficult to train. The man is a good ground tumbler, and the woman makes an attractive appearance as general helper. The pony and dog introduced are well trained; but the stars in the act are four or five cats that do some very interesting stunts. Not a big act, but one that would make good anywhere as a children's feature. BEN JOHNSON. 16 min. Makes a good appearance and has a strong personality, but he would do well to abandon recitations that are deal with the Lyceum bureaus. The original matter that he uses is good, and he delivers it effectively. If he had a good line of material from start to finish, he could hold any audience. As it is, he alternately caught and lost them, and the close was not as strong as it should have been for that reason. BOND, BENTON & CO. "Handkerchief No. 15." 24 min. A lively act that has been seen here before, and went very well. A good cast. Bond makes use of some bright lines. Miss Benton makes a very pretty picture. Think the act will go better with the evening crowd. EMMA JANVIER. 13 min. A good line of character stuff. Kept the audience in good humor with her fun which is individual and lively. Closed well. Would be more acceptable with changes of costume. MANGEAN TROUPE. 7 min. Four men and two women. The men are very expert at their ground tumbling, introducing some absolutely new tricks. The work of the two young women is novel and strong, that of the younger being a wonder in her way. Act did not run as smoothly this afternoon as it probably will, but nevertheless, made a very good closing feature. KINETOGRAPH. "Bottled Up." A very amusing short comedy film that would get a laugh anywhere. GENERAL REMARKS. This was a light warm weather house this afternoon, and it is pretty hard to judge of any bill when the audience does not give more encouragement and lend more enthusiasm than they did. If weather conditions happen to be favorable, I am sure this bill would meet with requirements.