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

Page 224

C. E. BARNS.     PHILADELPHIA SHOW.     NOV. 30-08.
FRANCIS & FRANCISCO. 8 min. F.S. Comedy acrobats, both working in grotesque costumes. Some fairly good ground tumbling and a lot of the regulation Music Hall nonsense. Don burlesque Spanish bull fight costumes and then introduce a couple of dogs dressed as travesty bulls. Make a fair finish. This is the first time this act has appeared here and just about ranks with our three-a-day acts at from $75:00 to $80:00. At anything more than that they are out of the question, as they do not belong in the two-a-day class at all, although they would not work three-a-day.
MCLAIN SISTERS. 10 min. in one. These two girls make a very pretty appearance, becomingly dressed, one of them a blonde, the other a brunette. Their dancing on the mat is good, as is also their singing. Received a very good closing hand and altogether a very neat and pleasing act.
DANDY GEORGE DUO. 9 min. F.S. This is a mighty pretty little act. The man and woman are both clever ground tumblers, the dog is well trained and the costuming and scene set is all [to] be desired. Curtain discloses a pretty girl on a swing. Scene festooned with flowers and ribbons. Dog made quite a hit. The swing is then converted into a trapeze, upon which the girl does some clever stunts. Good applause throughout. A very good closing hand.
FIDDLER & SHELTON. 18 min. in one. There is a little bit of everything in this act. Opens with a Chinese impersonation, proceeds with some pyrotechnic piano work, then some facial contortions by Fiddler, and some good songs, closing with an imitation of the old time minstrels. Good hand after each number.
CHARLOTTE TOWNSEND & CO. "The Troubles of Two Working Girls. This sketch is typical of the New York telephone-operator life, of course exaggerated in points of slang and situation. Two girls and their two lovers have the usual misunderstandings and complications in their love affairs. The slang got some laughter all through and the close was good. Not so strong as we expected, especially considering the price. 20 min. F.S.
HARRY B. LESTER. Monologuist. 19 min. in one. this man's work is very clever indeed, particularly his imitations of Victor Moore, Sam Bernard, Billie Clifford and Stevens in "The Devil." He interested the crowd from the first, although some of his material needs toning down. Several cuts. Held the spot in good shape, however. Closed strong.
LASKY'S "At the Country Club." 33 min. F.S. This is typical Lasky act, and I really think it his best. It is equal, if not superior to "The Piano Phiends." The scene represents the interior of a Country Club. The characters represented include the flirty wife of the Club's president; the musical favo[rite]; the comedy Irish butler; and the usual well-selected background of pretty girls and well-appearing young men, all excellent singers. The act goes with a rush, and the costuming is great. The high-jinks of the burlesque circus, melodrama, etc., were irresistible and received big applause. The songs are exceptionally good, and the finishing one is particularly strong, "At the Waldorf." It gave the act a tremendous closing hand, every bit as strong, if not stronger than "Piano Phiends" received. Ought to be a hit anywhere.


JACK STOCKTON. 12 min. in one. A local man who has a good line of talk and who impersonates a tramp. His singing is a little faulty, but he amused with his conversation. Some applause at the finish. This act was put in at the last moment to take the place of Graham & Lawrence who did not show up.
GENERAL REMARKS. This is a smooth running show and will undoubtedly give entire satisfaction. It is all-American program from start to finish and has been so advertised. The one exception from Francis and Francisco, who were put on at the last minute in place of Veronica and Hardfalls, and who did not leave any strong impression to justify what they demand for their act. Somewhat the same seems to be the trouble with Charlotte Townsend & Co., who made good in their spot, but did not produce the goods that one expects from performers at their price.

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C. E. BARNS. PHILADELPHIA SHOW. NOV. 30-08. FRANCIS & FRANCISCO. 8 min. F.S. Comedy acrobats, both working in grotesque costumes. Some fairly good ground tumbling and a lot of the regulation Music Hall nonsense. Don burlesque Spanish bull fight costumes and then introduce a couple of dogs dressed as travesty bulls. Make a fair finish. This is the first time this act has appeared here and just about ranks with our three-a-day acts at from $75:00 to $80:00. At anything more than that they are out of the question, as they do not belong in the two-a-day class at all, although they would not work three-a-day. MCLAIN SISTERS. 10 min. in one. These two girls make a very pretty appearance, becomingly dressed, one of them a blonde, the other a brunette. Their dancing on the mat is good, as is also their singing. Received a very good closing hand and altogether a very neat and pleasing act. DANDY GEORGE DUO. 9 min. F.S. This is a mighty pretty little act. The man and woman are both clever ground tumblers, the dog is well trained and the costuming and scene set is all [to] be desired. Curtain discloses a pretty girl on a swing. Scene festooned with flowers and ribbons. Dog made quite a hit. The swing is then converted into a trapeze, upon which the girl does some clever stunts. Good applause throughout. A very good closing hand. FIDDLER & SHELTON. 18 min. in one. There is a little bit of everything in this act. Opens with a Chinese impersonation, proceeds with some pyrotechnic piano work, then some facial contortions by Fiddler, and some good songs, closing with an imitation of the old time minstrels. Good hand after each number. CHARLOTTE TOWNSEND & CO. "The Troubles of Two Working Girls. This sketch is typical of the New York telephone-operator life, of course exaggerated in points of slang and situation. Two girls and their two lovers have the usual misunderstandings and complications in their love affairs. The slang got some laughter all through and the close was good. Not so strong as we expected, especially considering the price. 20 min. F.S. HARRY B. LESTER. Monologuist. 19 min. in one. this man's work is very clever indeed, particularly his imitations of Victor Moore, Sam Bernard, Billie Clifford and Stevens in "The Devil." He interested the crowd from the first, although some of his material needs toning down. Several cuts. Held the spot in good shape, however. Closed strong. LASKY'S "At the Country Club." 33 min. F.S. This is typical Lasky act, and I really think it his best. It is equal, if not superior to "The Piano Phiends." The scene represents the interior of a Country Club. The characters represented include the flirty wife of the Club's president; the musical favo[rite]; the comedy Irish butler; and the usual well-selected background of pretty girls and well-appearing young men, all excellent singers. The act goes with a rush, and the costuming is great. The high-jinks of the burlesque circus, melodrama, etc., were irresistible and received big applause. The songs are exceptionally good, and the finishing one is particularly strong, "At the Waldorf." It gave the act a tremendous closing hand, every bit as strong, if not stronger than "Piano Phiends" received. Ought to be a hit anywhere. JACK STOCKTON. 12 min. in one. A local man who has a good line of talk and who impersonates a tramp. His singing is a little faulty, but he amused with his conversation. Some applause at the finish. This act was put in at the last moment to take the place of Graham & Lawrence who did not show up. GENERAL REMARKS. This is a smooth running show and will undoubtedly give entire satisfaction. It is all-American program from start to finish and has been so advertised. The one exception from Francis and Francisco, who were put on at the last minute in place of Veronica and Hardfalls, and who did not leave any strong impression to justify what they demand for their act. Somewhat the same seems to be the trouble with Charlotte Townsend & Co., who made good in their spot, but did not produce the goods that one expects from performers at their price.