DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 4, 1905 - April 23, 1906

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 4, 1905 - April 23, 1906

Page 196a

WILTON BROTHERS:-Novelty bar comedy act,-11 min. F. S. This is one of the very best bar-acts in Vaudeville. One works in athletic costume, the other as clown. The comedy is A.1. and the triple horizontal bar work is all to be commended. Interested the audience throughout getting liberal applause, and at the close two curtain calls.

MURPHY AND NICHOLS:-in, "Zaza to Uncle Tom":- 25 min. open in 1, close F.S. Well known on the circuit and played here only a short time ago. Rather too quick a return. Had some difficulty getting hold of their crowd on this account, as old patrons were too familiar with it. Finally manage to win them, and closed with a very good hand.

CELINA ROSE:- Violinist and xylophonist:- 15 min. in 1. Makes a very fine presentation in a costume tht is very dazzling, and begins with the xylophone work which is very spirited and expert. Her violin work is by far the better, the applause after every feature was big. Received two encores and a curtain call.

EMMA FRANCIS and Her Whirlwind Arabs:- 10 min. F.S. This act went off immensely, the costuming being very fetching, and the work spirited and expert. Every one of the difficult stunts got applause, and the act could hold its own under almost any circumstances. Received two encores and curtain calls at the close. Regard this as one of the most novel and pleasing acts to hold the attention of all classes in the audience.

CLIFTON CRAWFORD:- Original monologue :- 19 min. in 1. Quite agree with all that has been said about Crawford and his work? As an entertainer he is certainly A.1. His character sketches are faithful to life and full of genuine and individual humor. Beside that, he is high class in all that he does, and his characterizations are of the best. The poem by Kipling was an encore, and got by all means the strongest hand. Big second encore was a story that has been seen in print a good deal of late, but his manner of telling it was immense. Regard him as a strong acquisition. He will do even better with our night audiences the rest of the week I feel sure.
Note: cut-"Don't thank me, madam", story about the woman with the six children. Also story of the boy with the fifth rib. This cut was made previously in Boston, and he should have known that a cut in one place on the Circuit means all. Vaudeville performers will learn this after while, but at the present time they seem to think that they can break out wherever they want to, trusting to luck.

LEON MORRIS AND CO:- 30 min. F.S. This act has a great many very good points, but is also lacking in others that are essential. First of all, it is too long, even cut down from 40 min. to 30. Morris and his men do not seem to have such a strong hold on the act, that the several stunts follow each other with rapidity and dash such as is necessary in an animal act. Palpable imitations of Berzac's features, notably the revolving table, were also patent. For all that, there are some very good things in this circus feature. The bear on horseback, for instance, and the dogs doing the high-jumps, were strongly applauded. After it has gone through a month or two of hard work and constant hammering down in time, this will prove one of the best animal acts in the Circuit.

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WILTON BROTHERS:-Novelty bar comedy act,-11 min. F. S. This is one of the very best bar-acts in Vaudeville. One works in athletic costume, the other as clown. The comedy is A.1. and the triple horizontal bar work is all to be commended. Interested the audience throughout getting liberal applause, and at the close two curtain calls. MURPHY AND NICHOLS:-in, "Zaza to Uncle Tom":- 25 min. open in 1, close F.S. Well known on the circuit and played here only a short time ago. Rather too quick a return. Had some difficulty getting hold of their crowd on this account, as old patrons were too familiar with it. Finally manage to win them, and closed with a very good hand. CELINA ROSE:- Violinist and xylophonist:- 15 min. in 1. Makes a very fine presentation in a costume tht is very dazzling, and begins with the xylophone work which is very spirited and expert. Her violin work is by far the better, the applause after every feature was big. Received two encores and a curtain call. EMMA FRANCIS and Her Whirlwind Arabs:- 10 min. F.S. This act went off immensely, the costuming being very fetching, and the work spirited and expert. Every one of the difficult stunts got applause, and the act could hold its own under almost any circumstances. Received two encores and curtain calls at the close. Regard this as one of the most novel and pleasing acts to hold the attention of all classes in the audience. CLIFTON CRAWFORD:- Original monologue :- 19 min. in 1. Quite agree with all that has been said about Crawford and his work? As an entertainer he is certainly A.1. His character sketches are faithful to life and full of genuine and individual humor. Beside that, he is high class in all that he does, and his characterizations are of the best. The poem by Kipling was an encore, and got by all means the strongest hand. Big second encore was a story that has been seen in print a good deal of late, but his manner of telling it was immense. Regard him as a strong acquisition. He will do even better with our night audiences the rest of the week I feel sure. Note: cut-"Don't thank me, madam", story about the woman with the six children. Also story of the boy with the fifth rib. This cut was made previously in Boston, and he should have known that a cut in one place on the Circuit means all. Vaudeville performers will learn this after while, but at the present time they seem to think that they can break out wherever they want to, trusting to luck. LEON MORRIS AND CO:- 30 min. F.S. This act has a great many very good points, but is also lacking in others that are essential. First of all, it is too long, even cut down from 40 min. to 30. Morris and his men do not seem to have such a strong hold on the act, that the several stunts follow each other with rapidity and dash such as is necessary in an animal act. Palpable imitations of Berzac's features, notably the revolving table, were also patent. For all that, there are some very good things in this circus feature. The bear on horseback, for instance, and the dogs doing the high-jumps, were strongly applauded. After it has gone through a month or two of hard work and constant hammering down in time, this will prove one of the best animal acts in the Circuit.