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Keith-Albee managers' report book, November 28, 1904 - August 28, 1905

Page 141

141
TEMPLE THEATRE
Detroit, Mich., APRIL 3., 1905 Criticism of J. [H.?] Finn
EDDIE FOY & CO.- Presenting "The Man Behind the Gun". Cast of four characters including two women. I consider Foy the biggest gold brick headliner in vaudeville. The sketch is incoherent, but the support fair. It would be a boost for vaudeville if Foy would return to musical comedy or comic opera. Sketch 12 mins. F. S. Foy 4 min. in one.
MR. & MRS. ALLISON-
Presenting "Minnie from Minnesota". This is really one of the most pleasing sketches we ever played. Mr. Allison is not only a clever actor but he is a good singer, while Mrs. Allison is a comedienne of unquestioned talent. 15 mins. F. S. 3 in one.
CELINA [BORE?]- This woman is a musical artiste playing the xylophone and violin with a masterful hand. She has a magnificent stage presence and wears Paris gowns as if to the manner born. This is a high class act in every respect and a credit to vaudeville. 14 mins, open in two close in one. 14 mins.
MARVELOUS MERRILLS-
This act appears in a new dress which I consider inferior to the one they had when last here. Merrill introduces his wife in the act but she does nothing to speak of. There are many cycle acts better and cheaper than this one. 10 mins. F. S.
SPISSELL BROS. & MACK- This is an exceptionally clever acrobatic comedy act, one of the few acts of the kind that is enjoyable every minute it is on the stage. The three men are not only good acrobats but their comedy is spontaneous and gets a laugh every minute. Although they opened the show it did not dampen their ardor. 10 mins. F. S.
HAPPY JACK GARDNER-
Gardner appeared in a blackface monologue, singing and musical act. As he is a recruit from burlesque he must be given to understand what polite vaudeville means. He has a rather happy manner and he was highly successful in extracting laughs. 16 mins. one.
GILLETTE'S DOGS- This is a very good dog act. It is a pantomime, musical and leaping specialty. It opens in 3 with a steal from the Merian act, showing a cottage and presenting in pantomime an act similar to the elopement of the Merian act. Going to F. S. the dogs appear in a bell ringing act and a leaping specialty. 14 mins. F. S. 3 mins. in 3.
MISS ELEANOR FALK-
Miss Falk appeared in new songs, introducing new business. There are a great many better singers in vaudeville, and a still greater number who make a better stage presence. Through constant use, for Miss Falk manages to keep booked up, her voice has grown hard. 10 min. in one.

With the elimination of Eddie Foy & Co. and the substitution of good comedy or dramatic sketch this bill would be a fine one from every point of view.

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141 TEMPLE THEATRE Detroit, Mich., APRIL 3., 1905 Criticism of J. [H.?] Finn EDDIE FOY & CO.- Presenting "The Man Behind the Gun". Cast of four characters including two women. I consider Foy the biggest gold brick headliner in vaudeville. The sketch is incoherent, but the support fair. It would be a boost for vaudeville if Foy would return to musical comedy or comic opera. Sketch 12 mins. F. S. Foy 4 min. in one. MR. & MRS. ALLISON- Presenting "Minnie from Minnesota". This is really one of the most pleasing sketches we ever played. Mr. Allison is not only a clever actor but he is a good singer, while Mrs. Allison is a comedienne of unquestioned talent. 15 mins. F. S. 3 in one. CELINA [BORE?]- This woman is a musical artiste playing the xylophone and violin with a masterful hand. She has a magnificent stage presence and wears Paris gowns as if to the manner born. This is a high class act in every respect and a credit to vaudeville. 14 mins, open in two close in one. 14 mins. MARVELOUS MERRILLS- This act appears in a new dress which I consider inferior to the one they had when last here. Merrill introduces his wife in the act but she does nothing to speak of. There are many cycle acts better and cheaper than this one. 10 mins. F. S. SPISSELL BROS. & MACK- This is an exceptionally clever acrobatic comedy act, one of the few acts of the kind that is enjoyable every minute it is on the stage. The three men are not only good acrobats but their comedy is spontaneous and gets a laugh every minute. Although they opened the show it did not dampen their ardor. 10 mins. F. S. HAPPY JACK GARDNER- Gardner appeared in a blackface monologue, singing and musical act. As he is a recruit from burlesque he must be given to understand what polite vaudeville means. He has a rather happy manner and he was highly successful in extracting laughs. 16 mins. one. GILLETTE'S DOGS- This is a very good dog act. It is a pantomime, musical and leaping specialty. It opens in 3 with a steal from the Merian act, showing a cottage and presenting in pantomime an act similar to the elopement of the Merian act. Going to F. S. the dogs appear in a bell ringing act and a leaping specialty. 14 mins. F. S. 3 mins. in 3. MISS ELEANOR FALK- Miss Falk appeared in new songs, introducing new business. There are a great many better singers in vaudeville, and a still greater number who make a better stage presence. Through constant use, for Miss Falk manages to keep booked up, her voice has grown hard. 10 min. in one. With the elimination of Eddie Foy & Co. and the substitution of good comedy or dramatic sketch this bill would be a fine one from every point of view.