DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, March 9-December 14, 1908

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, March 9-December 14, 1908

Page 186

C. E. BARNS.     PHILADELPHIA SHOW.     OCT. 26-08.
GRACEY. Musical. 15 min. Full Stage., closes in one with flag drops. This makes an excellent opener. Gracey plays on the musical pipes, banjo, steel-bars and musical rattle, an instrument never heard here before. His closing number is played on the sleigh-bells on which he renders national airs, flags being dropped behind him. Of course, this winds up with a "kind-applause" finish, but for all that this man is a real musical genius. He has a showman-like act and works like fury. He is safe to hold a good spot.
IRENE LA TOUR AND DOG "ZAZA." 12 min. in one. This act has played us twice before and always satisfactorily. Received a good hand throughout today; finished well.
HEIM CHILDREN. 20 Min. in one. The best juvenile act in one we have ever played here. The little girl has a remarkable voice and a charming stage presence, while the little boy is a born comedian in everything he says and does. Some of the spoken material is scarcely to be approved in a high-class house, but the pair were a distinct hit and received two encores after the best applause ever heard here for an act of this kind.
AGNES SCOTT & HORACE WRIGHT. "The Wall Between." 21 min. F.S. Same act as presented here before and went just as strong throughout. Closed big.
LEW ANGER. 15 min. in one. A ripping line of humor, all of which went mighty well. Appears in grotesque soldier costume, and his talk is mainly in the military line, all original. Closed big.
LA SYLPH. Classic Greek Dancer. 9 min. F. S. This is certainly the greatest dancing novelty ever seen in Philadelphia, not excepting Isadora Duncan. The dance is very weird and wonderfully artistic in every movement and emotion. The audience gave it the most interested attention, and when the climax came, the applause was strong. I think that it takes some time for the audience to get on to the originality of this act. Hwever, I think it will be an immense drawing card for us, particularly billing it as we do and leaving out any Biblical reference.
HARRY GILFOIL. Mimetic Comedian. 15 min. in one. Advance applause. works all in one now and does the well-known "Baron Sands" act with a few variations. Made his usual good impression throughout, and closed strong.
MAJESTIC MUSICAL FOUR. 22 min. F. S., close in one. Well known act. Three men work straight, one eccentric, the latter with two changes of costume. Good musical work with various instruments and popular selections, all of which received strong applause. The close in one, the burlesque Italian leader, was fair comedy. Act held the spot acceptably.
VIRGINIA HARNED & CO. "The Idol of the Hour." 20 min: F. S. Big advanced applause on Miss Harned's appearance. This act has been fully described from New York and our audience gave it most careful attention and marked approval. Miss Harned is very stunning in three


KINETOGRAPH. BRYAN & TAFT. Two excellent films of their private and public lives. Of course it is a signal for big rivalry and applause, consequently, a winning series. MRS. THORNEY'S SUITORS. A good comedy film.
THE TWO ASHERS. 14 min. in one. This is an exceptionably good three-a-day coon act. The octoroon sings very well and dances better while the eccentric dancing of the man. Got good applause.
THE GREAT INMAN. [11?] min. F. S. Works on a mat with two chairs. Has some old stunts and a few that are new. Holds a fair spot in a three-a-day section. His closing feat was quite spectacular and got a good hand.
FRED SANFORD. Songs and stories. 12 min. in one. Sings characters songs quite well but his stories are only fair. Good for a small spot in the three-a-day section.
GENERAL REMARKS. This show is a great show and plays off with a snap and a dash that cannot help make good with all parts of the house for the balance of the week and in spite of the fact that it is the week before election, will draw some money. There are three new acts on the bill that are worthy of being booked -- Gracey, The Heim Children and Lew Anger.

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C. E. BARNS. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. OCT. 26-08. GRACEY. Musical. 15 min. Full Stage., closes in one with flag drops. This makes an excellent opener. Gracey plays on the musical pipes, banjo, steel-bars and musical rattle, an instrument never heard here before. His closing number is played on the sleigh-bells on which he renders national airs, flags being dropped behind him. Of course, this winds up with a "kind-applause" finish, but for all that this man is a real musical genius. He has a showman-like act and works like fury. He is safe to hold a good spot. IRENE LA TOUR AND DOG "ZAZA." 12 min. in one. This act has played us twice before and always satisfactorily. Received a good hand throughout today; finished well. HEIM CHILDREN. 20 Min. in one. The best juvenile act in one we have ever played here. The little girl has a remarkable voice and a charming stage presence, while the little boy is a born comedian in everything he says and does. Some of the spoken material is scarcely to be approved in a high-class house, but the pair were a distinct hit and received two encores after the best applause ever heard here for an act of this kind. AGNES SCOTT & HORACE WRIGHT. "The Wall Between." 21 min. F.S. Same act as presented here before and went just as strong throughout. Closed big. LEW ANGER. 15 min. in one. A ripping line of humor, all of which went mighty well. Appears in grotesque soldier costume, and his talk is mainly in the military line, all original. Closed big. LA SYLPH. Classic Greek Dancer. 9 min. F. S. This is certainly the greatest dancing novelty ever seen in Philadelphia, not excepting Isadora Duncan. The dance is very weird and wonderfully artistic in every movement and emotion. The audience gave it the most interested attention, and when the climax came, the applause was strong. I think that it takes some time for the audience to get on to the originality of this act. Hwever, I think it will be an immense drawing card for us, particularly billing it as we do and leaving out any Biblical reference. HARRY GILFOIL. Mimetic Comedian. 15 min. in one. Advance applause. works all in one now and does the well-known "Baron Sands" act with a few variations. Made his usual good impression throughout, and closed strong. MAJESTIC MUSICAL FOUR. 22 min. F. S., close in one. Well known act. Three men work straight, one eccentric, the latter with two changes of costume. Good musical work with various instruments and popular selections, all of which received strong applause. The close in one, the burlesque Italian leader, was fair comedy. Act held the spot acceptably. VIRGINIA HARNED & CO. "The Idol of the Hour." 20 min: F. S. Big advanced applause on Miss Harned's appearance. This act has been fully described from New York and our audience gave it most careful attention and marked approval. Miss Harned is very stunning in three KINETOGRAPH. BRYAN & TAFT. Two excellent films of their private and public lives. Of course it is a signal for big rivalry and applause, consequently, a winning series. MRS. THORNEY'S SUITORS. A good comedy film. THE TWO ASHERS. 14 min. in one. This is an exceptionably good three-a-day coon act. The octoroon sings very well and dances better while the eccentric dancing of the man. Got good applause. THE GREAT INMAN. [11?] min. F. S. Works on a mat with two chairs. Has some old stunts and a few that are new. Holds a fair spot in a three-a-day section. His closing feat was quite spectacular and got a good hand. FRED SANFORD. Songs and stories. 12 min. in one. Sings characters songs quite well but his stories are only fair. Good for a small spot in the three-a-day section. GENERAL REMARKS. This show is a great show and plays off with a snap and a dash that cannot help make good with all parts of the house for the balance of the week and in spite of the fact that it is the week before election, will draw some money. There are three new acts on the bill that are worthy of being booked -- Gracey, The Heim Children and Lew Anger.