John B. Ratto

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Humorist JOHN B. RATTO Impersonator


Foreword
For twenty-five years John B. Ratto, famous impersonator, has earned an enviable record of achievement not only through his splendid artistry, but also because of his earnest attachment to the ideals of clean amusement.  He has been with the Redpath Bureau for twenty years and given over 5,000 performances.

Mr. Ratto presents his characters in make-up, penciling in full view of his audience, telling an appropriate story the while.  Penciling finished, he turns to the table mirror, adjusts his wig and faces about to surprise his audience with the accuracy of a character distinct in appearance, speech and action, with a personality all its own.

The programs are full of life and action with not a dull moment.  They consist of the types of characters one meets in everyday life and of noted men past and present.

Programs are from 30 minutes to 1 hour and 30 min.

Mr. Ratto is scrupulously careful in the selection of his program material and in its faithful presentation.  The characters must be genuine and true—the kind one laughs with, not at.  He presents only wholesome characters which never offend or portray anything falling short of dignity and refinement.



Whittier Ministerial Association, Willard Wyley, Secretary.

We wish to thank you again from the bottom of our hearts for your splendid program.  The group of ministers were especially pleased with your clean show and I have heard only the most favorable of compliments.  We sent a check for $145.00 to the Ruth Home as a result of your entertainment.

Burbank Young Men's Christian Association, R. M. Ford, Secretary.

I want to tell you again how much we enjoyed having you on our Fathers and Sons banquet.  Your program, while most entertaining, carried a message with it so fitting for the occasion that it worked right into the hearts of all the men and boys.

First M. E. Church, North Hollywood, Rev. O. L. Enyeart.

We had the pleasure of having Mr. Ratto, humorist and entertainer, with us at our annual banquet.  He gave us an hour of the highest quality of entertainment.  We are glad to recommend this entertainer without a peer in his line.

San Gabriel Woman's Club, Mrs. A. U. Dawson.

I am sure your program will long be remembered.  You not only made your characters live but you gave us a message to take home.  You are a true artist and I wish you the continued success you so rightfully deserve.

Woman's City Club of Long Beach, Helen B. Hupp.

The women of our Club are still talking about the delightful program which you gave for us and I am positive that we will never have another so enjoyable.

From O. B. Marston, B. P. O. E., No. 335, Phoenix, Arizona.

Among the outstanding features of weekly entertainments enjoyed by our members during the past year, it was the unanimous opinion of those who attended that yours was the most enjoyable and entertaining of them all.

At any time you are booking this way again, we want the opportunity of placing you on our program.

Twenty years of experience on Lyceum and Chautauqua circuits in United States and Canada




Refined Cultured Artistic Characterizations in make-up, that always Please.


endorsement of the Los Angeles City School Committee, appointed by school principals and signed by
K. L. Stockton.  Chairman Assembly Program Committee:

John B. Ratto, nationally known impersonator, humorist and entertainer, an excellent program.  Excellent for P.-T. A. programs as well as assemblies.

Especially adapted for Clubs, Banquets, Ladies' Nights or Men's Meetings

Hollywood High School, Louis F. Foley, Principal.

Mr. Ratto appeared before the students and faculty of Hollywood High School in assembly on January 9, 1935.  His program was so outstanding and so thoroughly enjoyed by his audience that we are very happy to recommend him.

Richard Henry Dana Jr. High School, Ray Porter, Principal.

Mr. Ratto appeared before our student body January 8, 1935.  I am glad to extend this word of recommendation as our boys and girls enjoyed him as much as anyone we have ever had.

Downey Union High School, F. F. Otto, Principal.

Our dramatics teachers told me after your program that your impersonations were the best they had ever witnessed.  The student body felt that it was the most interesting program we have ever had on our assembly.

Horace Mann Junior High School, O. E. Darby, Boy's Vice-Principal.

Mr. John B. Ratto appeared on our assembly and so many of the boys and girls have commented favorably on his work that he truly earned a superior rating.  His program is absolutely clean, valuable and grippingly interesting.

Chaffee Union High School and Jr. College, M. E. Hill, Principal.

Mr. John B. Ratto is a very great favorite with students.  I am glad to recommend him to any student body.

So. Calif. Jr. College, Arlington, Calif., Carson C. Morrison.

We would like to have you address our students on the same subject you presented before.

Excelsior Union High School, Bernice Rankin, Vice-Principal.

The faculty and students all join in praise of Mr. Ratto and his work in our assembly and in good wishes for the success of his future work.

From Galileo High School, San Francisco, Calif.

The students and faculty of the Galileo High School thought so highly of Mr. Ratto that they made him an honorary member of the Student Body several years ago.  Mr. Ratto occupies a very high place in the minds of all of us.  He renewed his place in our affections by appearing before us on two occasions last month.  We hope that every time Mr. Ratto visits California we may have the pleasure of greeting him at Galileo.




PRESS NOTES

Burlington (Ia.) Hawkeye:
One after another, John B. Ratto made personages live and breathe last night by a display of the powers of make-up that was reflected by amazement in the faces of his audience and caused them to wonder how one man possibly could make himself look like so many different characters in so short a time.  Some interesting bits of philosophy added depth to his program.


Globe (Ariz.) Record:
The impersonations by this talented artist are almost uncanny in their reality.  His reproduction of characters were faithful to features, expression and dress.  Mr. Ratto made up for each character in full view of the audience, giving an interesting sketch of the life of the character, and after finishing was always greeted with a burst of applause for the faithfulness of his portrayal.

True Likenesses of Washington, Lincoln, Wilson, Lloyd George, Georges Clemenceau and others.





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First Methodist Church, L. A., Calif., Roy L. Smith, Pastor.

John Ratto is an entertainer superb.  I have known him for 25 years and I have never known him to fail.  We have used him repeatedly at First Mehodist Church and always with the greatest satisfaction to his audience.  I would rather hear Mr. Ratto than any entertainer I know.  He suits me exactly.

California Women of the Golden West, Mrs. George Davidson Gilmore, Pres.

May we express our sincere appreciation of the splendid program you gave at the Ambassador Theatre for our organization on Jan. 4, 1933.  Our members are yet telling us how much they enjoyed it.

Your impersonations were the best we have ever witnessed.  You must have heard from the stage the many whispered exclamations of delight as you finished each character.  It seemed that the great men you impersonated had returned in person, they were so very true to life.  Your program shows artistry and careful preparation and we are in accord that you are one of the greatest impersonators we have ever had on our program.

Again I thank you for one of the most enjoyable programs of the season.



FIFTY RECENT APPEARANCES IN LOS ANGELES AND VICINITY

Ontario Junior College
Ontario High School
John Burroughs Junior High
Huntington Park High School
Fullerton Junior College
Woodrow Wilson Jr. High, Glendale
Le Conte Junior High School
Riverside Junior College
Riverside High School
San Fernando High School
Glendale Junior College
Banning High School
San Pedro Union High School
Roosevelt High, Fresno
Taft Union High
San Pedro Junior High (Dana)
Hollywood High School
Excelsior Union High
Arlington Junior College
Citrus Union High
Pasadena Junior College
San Diego High School
Ventura Union High
Downey Union High
Hoover High, Glendale
Sierra Madre Woman's Club
Monrovia Woman's Club
Placentia Round Table Club
San Pedro Woman's Club
Alhambra Round Table Club
Azusa Woman's Club
Long Beach City Woman's Club
Claremont Woman's Club
California Women of the Golden West
Contemporary Club, Redlands
Downey Woman's Club
Baldwin Park Woman's Club
Parlor Lecture of Fresno
Burbank Y. M. C. A. (Father and Son)
Knight Templar, Past Com. Pasadena
First Methodist of Los Angeles
First Baptist of Hollywood
Immanuel Presbyterian of Los Angeles
Bethel M. E. of Los Angeles
First M. E., West Los Angeles
Trinity Methodist of Los Angeles
First Baptist of Glendale
First Congregational of Los Angeles
Whittier Ministerial Association
Christian Endeavor Congress