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Keith-Albee managers' report book, March 3-November 3, 1913

Page 220

PITTSBURGH, PA.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
OCT. 13th, 1913.
FOUR MERKLE SISTERS
Full stage, palace. 12 minutes. Only one of the original four sisters is with this quartette. Three of the girls, however, are splendid athletes and contortionists. The fourth could be dispensed with as all she does is awkward and gawkish. Nevertheless, the three girls give an exhibition of bending gymnastics that has not been excelled.
BRITT WOOD.
9 minutes in One. This young man from Dixie is an eccentric comedian, dancer and harmonica player. He excels in the latter two pursuits, dancing and harmonica playing. A little quiet for this spot in the bill, but after a rather bad beginning, finishes well.
CLAUDE & FANNIE USHER.
24 minutes - Special setting - full stage. "The Straight Path." Up to a certain point this is as strong an act as their former vehicle, "Fagan's decision." Its comedy is better, but it lacks the punch to give it vitality. I believe, however, when the performers have become easy in their parts, it will follow the old act acceptably.
TROVATO.
20 minutes in One. Eccentric Violinist. Trovato is always a hit here. I think, nevertheless, he overdoes the eccentric idea, particularly in imitating the whistling sounds that come from the audience and in the implied appeal for assistance from the audience.
FOUR PEREZ.
12 minutes. Full stage. Ladder balancing act; two men and two women. This is rather a remarkable attraction and after the afternoon performance, was put up in the middle of our bill. It will hold this spot anywhere.
CHAS. & FANNIE VAN.
17 minutes in one. A satire, "From Stage Carpenter to Ackter." Very much like their old act, "A case of emergency." Some new gags and some old ones, all of which just about get by.
ARCADIA.
Special set - full stage. 21 minutes. This is far and away the best act B. A. Rolfe has produced. It consists of instrumental music, singing and dancing, with a notable feature in the person of Mrs. Rolfe directing the orchestra. It is distinctively a high class attraction and notwithstanding the rathe mediocre voices, the ensemble is an effective grouping and quite artistic. A dreamy dance number is interpolated.
HOPKINDS & AXTELL.
16 minutes. Opening in one - closes in one and half with Pullman sleeping car drop. This is a very funny act, combining the old Gardner Crane sleeping car number with a take-off on the trolly cars. It got a lot of laughter. The woman in the act is rather weak but the man is very good.
CAPTAIN CHINK'S AUSTRALIAN BOY SCOUTS
10 minutes - full stage. In my estimation acts of this kind have no place in the higher class vaudeville. They are alright for the 10 and 20 cent shows. this one possesses no novelty and is not as good as any zouave squads we have played.
MOVING PICTURES. Pathe Review.
Still the same monotonous reiteration of subjects. Two baseball pictures and another launching of a gun boat and then Bud Fisher's "Mutt and Jeff." This latter is always sure to drive out the last lingering spectator.

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PITTSBURGH, PA. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. OCT. 13th, 1913. FOUR MERKLE SISTERS Full stage, palace. 12 minutes. Only one of the original four sisters is with this quartette. Three of the girls, however, are splendid athletes and contortionists. The fourth could be dispensed with as all she does is awkward and gawkish. Nevertheless, the three girls give an exhibition of bending gymnastics that has not been excelled. BRITT WOOD. 9 minutes in One. This young man from Dixie is an eccentric comedian, dancer and harmonica player. He excels in the latter two pursuits, dancing and harmonica playing. A little quiet for this spot in the bill, but after a rather bad beginning, finishes well. CLAUDE & FANNIE USHER. 24 minutes - Special setting - full stage. "The Straight Path." Up to a certain point this is as strong an act as their former vehicle, "Fagan's decision." Its comedy is better, but it lacks the punch to give it vitality. I believe, however, when the performers have become easy in their parts, it will follow the old act acceptably. TROVATO. 20 minutes in One. Eccentric Violinist. Trovato is always a hit here. I think, nevertheless, he overdoes the eccentric idea, particularly in imitating the whistling sounds that come from the audience and in the implied appeal for assistance from the audience. FOUR PEREZ. 12 minutes. Full stage. Ladder balancing act; two men and two women. This is rather a remarkable attraction and after the afternoon performance, was put up in the middle of our bill. It will hold this spot anywhere. CHAS. & FANNIE VAN. 17 minutes in one. A satire, "From Stage Carpenter to Ackter." Very much like their old act, "A case of emergency." Some new gags and some old ones, all of which just about get by. ARCADIA. Special set - full stage. 21 minutes. This is far and away the best act B. A. Rolfe has produced. It consists of instrumental music, singing and dancing, with a notable feature in the person of Mrs. Rolfe directing the orchestra. It is distinctively a high class attraction and notwithstanding the rathe mediocre voices, the ensemble is an effective grouping and quite artistic. A dreamy dance number is interpolated. HOPKINDS & AXTELL. 16 minutes. Opening in one - closes in one and half with Pullman sleeping car drop. This is a very funny act, combining the old Gardner Crane sleeping car number with a take-off on the trolly cars. It got a lot of laughter. The woman in the act is rather weak but the man is very good. CAPTAIN CHINK'S AUSTRALIAN BOY SCOUTS 10 minutes - full stage. In my estimation acts of this kind have no place in the higher class vaudeville. They are alright for the 10 and 20 cent shows. this one possesses no novelty and is not as good as any zouave squads we have played. MOVING PICTURES. Pathe Review. Still the same monotonous reiteration of subjects. Two baseball pictures and another launching of a gun boat and then Bud Fisher's "Mutt and Jeff." This latter is always sure to drive out the last lingering spectator.