DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1907, part 1

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1907, part 1

Page 114a

Phila. 2.
much in evidence as a valued product of the soil, save around election time. Consequently, after hearing the after-show comments of the audience on Monday night we concluded on a shift to the present spot where they take very well.
MILT WOOD, Wooden-shoe dancer:- 9 min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 2:46--8:16. Well known on the Circuit. Had a hard place to fill, but held it down fairly well. His dancing is just as expert as ever, and got good applause. Closed good.
EDWARDS DAVIS and COMPANY, in "The Unmasking":- 24 min. F.S. (one dark change) 2 shows. On at 2:55--8:25. This is one of the most ambitious sketches that has appeared in Vaudeville for a long time. The action turns on a swash-buckling theme brought down to modern instances. The story tell of a society girl's love for an actor for whom she breaks an engagement with a former suitor. The action works up to a scene from Richard III where the two contestants for the girl's hand play the part of Richard III and Richmond on the Bosworth Field. It develops that murder is intended by the mimic Richmond, so that Richard unmasks himself and they proceed with a duel in real earnest, the latter being victorious and killing his rival, just as the other participants in the real drama rush upon the stage, making a strong finish. The first part of the playlet is somewhat stilted, and the audience felt it. It was plain, however, that everybody wanted to give them a good show and once in a while there was some little applause for clever lines or work. Davis is a man of personality, though lacking the professional touch, and the same may be said of the others who do not get quickly into the business, although when they do at last forget themselves in the theme their work is more smooth and harmonious, working up to a brilliant climax, realistic and thrilling. Two to five curtain calls have been the final reward, and the newspapers have been more favorably inclined towards this sketch than anyone of so ambitious an order for a long time,--more so than toward Murry Carson and Miss Beringer. The stage-setting is immense and the costumes of all participants are very stunning, which helps the act materially.
CHARLOTTE RAVENSCROFT, Violiniste and Singer:- 11 min. in 1. 3 shows. On at 3:19--6:00--8:49. Sings with accompaniment of a violin. Has a very sympathetic voice, and a good deal of ability on that difficult instrument. The novelty of a woman who can play one note while she sings another took well with the audience. The several selections got a good hand and the close, in the spotlight, where she sings and plays from "Il Trovatore" won immense applause for that kind of an act. Went down the line after Monday's good showing. If she perfects herself on these lines she will soon be in the two-a-day section in a good spot, for she has undoubted talent. Think she will take better with the evening audiences. Close was very big with a curtain call.



HOW THE OFFICE BOY SAW THE BALL GAME:-One of the best comedy films we have had for some time.
Altogether the KINETOGRAPH feature is O.K. and holds the audiences to the end.
CHRIS SMITH  and the JOHNSONS, Colored Comedians:-18 min. F.S. close in 1. 3 shows. On at 5:00--6:30. Two men and a woman. These people work hard to amuse, but do not succeed above the average of the 3-a-day section. In fact, they just about hold their own. The selections of songs is good, and the singing is fair. The comedy brought some scattered laughs, mainly from the gallery. Close was fair.
GENERAL REMARKS;- Bill as revised runs smoothly and well, although there is too much blackface, coon and dancing, and too many acts,--seven in all,-that do 12 minutes or less, making time very short. With present shift and the audition of BAKER TROUPE will hold the crowd O.K. for balance of week.

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Phila. 2. much in evidence as a valued product of the soil, save around election time. Consequently, after hearing the after-show comments of the audience on Monday night we concluded on a shift to the present spot where they take very well. MILT WOOD, Wooden-shoe dancer:- 9 min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 2:46--8:16. Well known on the Circuit. Had a hard place to fill, but held it down fairly well. His dancing is just as expert as ever, and got good applause. Closed good. EDWARDS DAVIS and COMPANY, in "The Unmasking":- 24 min. F.S. (one dark change) 2 shows. On at 2:55--8:25. This is one of the most ambitious sketches that has appeared in Vaudeville for a long time. The action turns on a swash-buckling theme brought down to modern instances. The story tell of a society girl's love for an actor for whom she breaks an engagement with a former suitor. The action works up to a scene from Richard III where the two contestants for the girl's hand play the part of Richard III and Richmond on the Bosworth Field. It develops that murder is intended by the mimic Richmond, so that Richard unmasks himself and they proceed with a duel in real earnest, the latter being victorious and killing his rival, just as the other participants in the real drama rush upon the stage, making a strong finish. The first part of the playlet is somewhat stilted, and the audience felt it. It was plain, however, that everybody wanted to give them a good show and once in a while there was some little applause for clever lines or work. Davis is a man of personality, though lacking the professional touch, and the same may be said of the others who do not get quickly into the business, although when they do at last forget themselves in the theme their work is more smooth and harmonious, working up to a brilliant climax, realistic and thrilling. Two to five curtain calls have been the final reward, and the newspapers have been more favorably inclined towards this sketch than anyone of so ambitious an order for a long time,--more so than toward Murry Carson and Miss Beringer. The stage-setting is immense and the costumes of all participants are very stunning, which helps the act materially. CHARLOTTE RAVENSCROFT, Violiniste and Singer:- 11 min. in 1. 3 shows. On at 3:19--6:00--8:49. Sings with accompaniment of a violin. Has a very sympathetic voice, and a good deal of ability on that difficult instrument. The novelty of a woman who can play one note while she sings another took well with the audience. The several selections got a good hand and the close, in the spotlight, where she sings and plays from "Il Trovatore" won immense applause for that kind of an act. Went down the line after Monday's good showing. If she perfects herself on these lines she will soon be in the two-a-day section in a good spot, for she has undoubted talent. Think she will take better with the evening audiences. Close was very big with a curtain call. HOW THE OFFICE BOY SAW THE BALL GAME:-One of the best comedy films we have had for some time. Altogether the KINETOGRAPH feature is O.K. and holds the audiences to the end. CHRIS SMITH and the JOHNSONS, Colored Comedians:-18 min. F.S. close in 1. 3 shows. On at 5:00--6:30. Two men and a woman. These people work hard to amuse, but do not succeed above the average of the 3-a-day section. In fact, they just about hold their own. The selections of songs is good, and the singing is fair. The comedy brought some scattered laughs, mainly from the gallery. Close was fair. GENERAL REMARKS;- Bill as revised runs smoothly and well, although there is too much blackface, coon and dancing, and too many acts,--seven in all,-that do 12 minutes or less, making time very short. With present shift and the audition of BAKER TROUPE will hold the crowd O.K. for balance of week.