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 173

C. E. BARNS.    PHILADELPHIA SHOW.    AUG. 9-09.
VAN BROTHERS. 20 min. open in two, close in one. One man works straight, the other comedy. This is a very good act and could hold a strong spot on any bill. The man playing a peculiar instrument like the zither, certainly caught the house and he was compelled to give four encores. Both are expert musiciand and the crowd liked them from the start. The comedy is good, but the musical work is really excellent. They play cornet, trombone and saxophone. Close in one with a saxophone duet.
AL. WHITE'S FOUR DANCING BUGS. 13 min., opens in two, close in one. This is an excellent dancing act. The initial lunatic idea is novel, and the work throughout is expert and outside of the beaten track. There are three changes of costume, and some of their dancing is of the kind that we very seldom see. It certainly got the crowed immensely. Should be booked.
WILL ROGERS. 10 min. F.S. There is no need to say anything about Will Rogers and his act, except to say that it is just as interesting and as expert as ever. Good applause and a strong finish.
DOHERTY SISTERS. 14 min. Two mighty pretty girls who have improved immensely since their last appearance here. Their songs and dances are full of life although they have acquired the cafe chantant flavor from abroad. Make good in this spot.
FRED HALLEN & MOLLIE FULLER. "A Lesson at 11 P.M." 21 min. F.S. A good lively sketch that has a very obvious plot, but there is plenty of laughter throughout. Trades on domestic infelicity and a lesson taught by a third party. The audience liked it. A good applause finish.
MARIE DAINTON. 16 min. in one. A very sweey and winning personality. Her imitations of English celebrities are much stronger than the American, but everything was appreciated and enjoyed. Miss Dainton has great talent and will develop into one of the biggest hits yet. Will undoubtedly score strong with out evening audience. We have billed her big, and think she will draw well for the balance of the week.
WILLY PANTZER TROUPE. 17 min. F.S. Same act as presented here before, with some improvements. Really very strong acrobatic work of the higher line. The little chap was particularly a hit. Good applause throughout and a strong close. This act needs no comment except to say that it is better than ever.
AL. JOLSON. 15 min. in one. There is certainly lots of life and ginger in Jolson's act. He sings new and clever songs with big dash, and his line of talk is immense. The crowd would not let him go this afternoon, and whether he told stories, sang, imitated or whistled, he was a big hit; in fact, this man will simply carry the evening audiences off their feet. He is beyond question the best blackface entertainer that has come on the Circuit in recent years.
Kita Banzai Troupe. 16 min. F.S. Well known on the Circuit; just as artistic and entertaining as ever, the two little chaps particularly making good with the audience which applauded liberally.
KINETOGRAPH. "A Chinese Wedding." A mighty interesting travel film. "Haunted by Policemen." All that could be desired in a comedy film
GENERAL REMARKS. This is one crackerjack bill from start to finish. There is not a dull act in it, nor a dull line. With any sort of favorable weather it would pack the house; but as this is the hottest day of the year, the temperature being 100 on the street, we cannot expect to much.

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C. E. BARNS. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. AUG. 9-09. VAN BROTHERS. 20 min. open in two, close in one. One man works straight, the other comedy. This is a very good act and could hold a strong spot on any bill. The man playing a peculiar instrument like the zither, certainly caught the house and he was compelled to give four encores. Both are expert musiciand and the crowd liked them from the start. The comedy is good, but the musical work is really excellent. They play cornet, trombone and saxophone. Close in one with a saxophone duet. AL. WHITE'S FOUR DANCING BUGS. 13 min., opens in two, close in one. This is an excellent dancing act. The initial lunatic idea is novel, and the work throughout is expert and outside of the beaten track. There are three changes of costume, and some of their dancing is of the kind that we very seldom see. It certainly got the crowed immensely. Should be booked. WILL ROGERS. 10 min. F.S. There is no need to say anything about Will Rogers and his act, except to say that it is just as interesting and as expert as ever. Good applause and a strong finish. DOHERTY SISTERS. 14 min. Two mighty pretty girls who have improved immensely since their last appearance here. Their songs and dances are full of life although they have acquired the cafe chantant flavor from abroad. Make good in this spot. FRED HALLEN & MOLLIE FULLER. "A Lesson at 11 P.M." 21 min. F.S. A good lively sketch that has a very obvious plot, but there is plenty of laughter throughout. Trades on domestic infelicity and a lesson taught by a third party. The audience liked it. A good applause finish. MARIE DAINTON. 16 min. in one. A very sweey and winning personality. Her imitations of English celebrities are much stronger than the American, but everything was appreciated and enjoyed. Miss Dainton has great talent and will develop into one of the biggest hits yet. Will undoubtedly score strong with out evening audience. We have billed her big, and think she will draw well for the balance of the week. WILLY PANTZER TROUPE. 17 min. F.S. Same act as presented here before, with some improvements. Really very strong acrobatic work of the higher line. The little chap was particularly a hit. Good applause throughout and a strong close. This act needs no comment except to say that it is better than ever. AL. JOLSON. 15 min. in one. There is certainly lots of life and ginger in Jolson's act. He sings new and clever songs with big dash, and his line of talk is immense. The crowd would not let him go this afternoon, and whether he told stories, sang, imitated or whistled, he was a big hit; in fact, this man will simply carry the evening audiences off their feet. He is beyond question the best blackface entertainer that has come on the Circuit in recent years. Kita Banzai Troupe. 16 min. F.S. Well known on the Circuit; just as artistic and entertaining as ever, the two little chaps particularly making good with the audience which applauded liberally. KINETOGRAPH. "A Chinese Wedding." A mighty interesting travel film. "Haunted by Policemen." All that could be desired in a comedy film GENERAL REMARKS. This is one crackerjack bill from start to finish. There is not a dull act in it, nor a dull line. With any sort of favorable weather it would pack the house; but as this is the hottest day of the year, the temperature being 100 on the street, we cannot expect to much.