The man with the smile worth while: Clarence L. Burgderfer, entertainer

              The Man with the Smile Worth While

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Clarence L. Burgderfer, Entertainer.



Figure

An Evening of Humorous and Pathetic Impersonations
Original and well chosen costume character sketches, stories with a point, bits of tragedy and Jest Nuts BY A FELLOW SOMEWHAT DIFFERENT


From the Man Behind the Desk in Behalf of the Man Behind the Fun
Every year some new man enters the Lyceum and takes the world by storm.

No artist may rest on his laurels and feel that he is safely above comparison, for another season may produce a greater artist, or one of the younger men on the platform by hard work may surpass him.

The great find this year was CLARENCE L. BURGDERFER.  We tried Mr. Burgderfer on a score or more of our courses last year, and his success was so marked that we gave him a special trip over some of our courses that are hardest to please.

In every instance the committees have written us that Mr. Burgderfer was the greatest humorist they have ever had on their programs.

A request has come in from managers of Chautauqua Assemblies for enough work to fill in his entire summer and we have bought his entire season winter and summer.

We feel perfectly safe in assuring our patrons that Mr. Burgderfer will please better than any character artist and humorist upon the platform today.

We regard him as the most versatile man in the profession.

You will find his humor spontaneous, he enjoys it himself as much as the audience, and at any moment he is apt to interject some spontaneous flash of wit that will convulse the audience with laughter.

We know of no humorist who is master of comedy and tragedy in a more marked degree.

Mr. Burgderfer has our unqualified endorsement.

THE ALLIANCE.


RILEY'S-GRIGGSBY STATION




When you're feelin' grouchy
Let the sunshine in;
When your face gits feelin' hard,
Crack it with a grin.
Don't be 'fraid o' wrinkles,
Tear loose with your mirth;
An old face laughter-wrinkled
Is the sweetest thing on earth.


CARLTON'S FARMER STEBBINS ON FOOT BALL




Burgderfer turns wrinkles of care into wrinkles of mirth






Figure

BURGDERFER
Takes a Trip through Dixie
Entertaining right smart crowds everywhere and he sure made good with 'em I reckon.

Burgderfer entertained the Heptagon Club of Atlanta, a club of men and women of letters, etc.; people who see and hear the best; people who know.  The Atlanta Journal of Dec. 2, '07, had the following announcement prior to his appearance:

Clarence L. Burgderfer, known all over the United States as 'The Man with the Smile,' will be the guest of honor of the Heptagon Club Monday evening and will entertain the members and their friends with original readings and character sketches.  He is one of the best impersonators in the country and his work will be given here for the first time in the club rooms of the Grand.

And this is what the same paper said after the laughter subsided:

Clarence L. Burgderfer, 'The Man with the Smile,' thoroughly delighted a packed audience at the Heptagon Club Monday evening with a brilliant program in which he rendered immensely interesting numbers in costume.  From the beginning to the end of the evening's program the audience was alternatively in laughter and tears, and his work was the best of its kind ever seen in the club rooms.  He appeared by courtesy of the Atlanta Lyceum Bureau.



Just a few unsolicited personal letters of the many received by the Atlanta Lyceum Bureau from committees who had Burgderfer on their Lecture Courses last year:

Athens, Ga., Jan. 18, 1908.

Atlanta Lyceum Bureau, Atlanta, Ga.

Gentlemen:—Mr. Burgderfer greatly pleased our audience.  Some of his work is specially fine.

Yours Truly,
Walter T. Forbes, Gen. Sec. Y. M. C. A.

Bowman, Ga., Dec. 7, 1907.

Atlanta Lyceum Bureau, Atlanta, Ga.

Gentlemen:—Mr. Burgderfer was with us on Wednesday night and delighted all.  It was the best one-man entertainment that we ever had at this place.  He is a charming entertainer.  Wish we could get more like him.

Yours Very Truly,
A. H. Redding, Prin. Gibson-Mercer Academy.

LaGrange, Ga., Nov. 30, 1907.

Atlanta Lyceum Bureau, Atlanta, Ga.

Gentlemen:—I am glad to state that your Mr. Burgderfer was a big hit.

Very Respectfully,
M. W. Hatton, Pres. LaGrange Female College.

Hodgenville, Ky. Oct. 25, 1907.

Atlanta Lyceum Bureau, Atlanta, Ga.

Gentlemen:—Burgderfer gave us a fine evening's entertainment tonight.  His Silly Sam is the best number on his program of many good things.

Yours Truly,
Thos. E. Mason, Prin. Graded School.

Sturgis, Ky., Oct. 30, 1907.

Atlanta Lyceum Bureau, Atlanta, Ga.

Dear Sirs:—Your Mr. Burgderfer appeared here to a crowded house Monday night and delighted all who heard him.  The Commercial Club is well pleased with his work.

Truly Yours,
F. W. Dyer, Sec. Commercial Club.

Auburn, Ga., Jan. 20, 1908.

Mr. F. M. Loveless, Atlanta, Ga.

Dear Sir:—Mr. Burgderfer was with us Saturday night and gave us a splendid entertainment.  All were pleased.  We thank you for sending Mr. Burgderfer.

Very Truly Yours,
Prof. J. B. Brookshire, Pres. Perry-Rainey College.

Cornelia, Ga., Dec. 12, 1907.

Atlanta Lyceum Bureau, Atlanta, Ga.

Gentlemen:—Mr. Burgderfer came and made a great hit.  There was only one opinion, First Class.

Prof. J. W. Marion.

Franklin, Ky., Feb. 12, 1908.

Atlanta Lyceum Bureau, Atlanta, Ga.

Gentlemen:—Mr. C. L. Burgderfer made good here.  His Silly Sam was greeted with vociferous applause.  Mr. Burgderfer is far above ordinary, rather he is extra ordinary as an entertainer.

Yours Sincerely,
Prof. H. W. Browder, Pres. Franklin Female College.

N. B.—Burgderfer gave two evenings in succession at the college and drew a third larger crowd on his second appearance.

Heflin, Ala., Jan. 27, 1908.

Atlanta Lyceum Bureau, Atlanta, Ga.

Dear Sirs:—Notwithstanding the fact that the evening was very cold and hall poorly heated, we had quite a nice turn out, and Mr. Burgderfer gave a splendid entertainment.  This is the verdict of all.  Sorry we could not have a nice evening as we would have given him the kind of an audience he deserves.  He certainly is a fine fellow and I am glad to have had the pleasure of knowing him.

Yours Very Truly,
R. J. Perryman, Manager.

Lavonia, Ga., Dec. 4, 1907.

Atlanta Lyceum Bureau, Atlanta, Ga.

Dear Sirs:—Mr. Burgderfer gave an entertainment here last night to perhaps the largest audience that ever greeted a lyceum attraction in Lavonia.  We made extra arrangements for reserved seats and they gave out before the crowd all got in.  He kept his audience roaring with laughter from the time he came on the stage until he closed.  While the entire evening was merely an entertainment it was one of the greatest ever heard in Lavonia.  We made a nice profit on the entertainment after admitting the season ticket holders.  I wish to thank you for the interest you have shown in our behalf in giving us first class attractions.  We have been at your mercy and we feel that you have done us a good service in sending attractions that were of a high order.

Yours Very Truly,
Rush Burton, Editor The Lavonia Times.

Wakefield, N. C. Jan. 13, 1908.

Mr. F. M. Loveless, Atlanta, Ga.

Dear Sir:—I was out of town when Mr. Burgderfer was here, but the people reported a fine entertainment.  They would be glad to see him again.  He was the best on the course.

Very Truly Yours,
Rev. A. D. Wilcox.

Battle Creek Mich.



A FEW GUSHES OF ENTHUSIASM
From People Who Think I am Good, i. e., Besides Myself

Press Notes, Recently Pressed, Eliminating all Depressing Things


Saginaw, Mich., Evening News:
Laugh and the world laughs with you, weep and the laugh is on you was a part of an introductory of nearly two hours of solid enjoyment produced by Clarence L. Burgderfer, who appeared on the Young People's Entertainment Course in the Washington Ave. Presbyterian Church last evening.  Mr Burgderfer is a genius and has great talent in his chosen profession.  His humorous selections provoke the greatest hilarity in his audiences.  Yet the pathos expressed in pathetic scenes brings equally meritorious applause.  A glimpse of tragedy only serves to bring out his reserve strength with which he assails his part as he gives scenes from the greatest plays of the day.  His character sketches were cleverly done, not the least being a sketch, entitled Silly Sam, of which he is the author.  In this sketch he perfectly imitated with his voice upwards of twenty musical instruments and animals.  Mr. Burgderfer won as many friends off of the stage as on, by his optimistic personality, and his return will be awaited with much pleasure.


Battle Creek, Mich., Daily Journal:
Mr. Clarence L. Burgderfer, wholesale dealer in laughs, disposed of a large quantity of his goods at the Maple St. Church Wednesday evening.  The Epworth League, under whose auspices the entertainment was given, feel that they could not have procured a better entertainer than this well known impersonator and humorist.  Mr. Burgderfer held the audience under his power and alternately brought tears of mirth and sadness.


Adrian, Mich., Daily Telegram:
Proved himself an adept entertainer.  His impersonations being original, up-to-date, and enjoyable in every respect.  He sprung several entirely new things on Adrian people, and his return will mean a packed house.


Grand Rapids, Mich., Daily Post:
Burgderfer's entertainment at the Y. M. C. A. last evening was a decided success.  His clever impersonations were liberally applauded.  Wit and humor were in abundance, which was at all times clean.  His original sketch Silly Sam is a masterpiece.  He will be assured of a cordial welcome on a return date.


C.F.ADAMS' MUTTER-IN-LAW



AUNTIE'S COURTSHIP Rearranged by Burgderfer



SILLY SAM


Original sketch.  By critics conceded to be one of the cleverest bits of character work and mimicry before the people.

There is some buried talent,
More that ought to be buried, but
BURGDERFER is A Live One.


Jackson, Mich., Daily Citizen:
(2nd appearance) Audience packed M. E. Church.  Equally at home in comedy, tragedy, or pathos.  Want him again.


Delaware, Ohio, Gazette:
Large and appreciative audience.  Impersonations very realistic.  Humor original and high-class.  Costumes first-class.  His work elicited prolonged applause.


Appleton, Wis., Daily Crescent:
Mimicry was perfect.  As a reader and impersonator excellent.

An entertainment Right-up-to-now Some roars, but no snores




One of the Few Men Who Really Make an Audience Sit up and take notice

Oskosh, Wis., Morning Times:
A young man of most pleasing address.  Possessor of a well controlled sympathetic voice.  A thorough artist.  Sways his audience at will.  Those who failed to hear him missed a rare treat.


Duluth, Minn., Herald:
A marvelous mimic.  Powerful and wonderful dramatic ability.  A humorist of keen and original wit.
Some people insist on being personal.  Herbert Sprague, noted monologist of Rip Van Winkle fame was recently seized with a poetic spasm, and penned Burgderfer the following:

Here's to the man whose mirth
Is always pure and fit
With a kindly smile
For all the while
My dear old Burg, you're IT
The only time Burgderfer ever dared to think of being pessimistic was one time when out on a long entertainment tour and in picking up the Daily his optics gazed on the following:

'Mid pleasure and palaces
Although I may roam
They don't make their biscuits
Like mother at home



A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK.
(In Preparation)



Winona, Minn., Morning Independent:
Program was of a high order.  Burgderfer's impersonations and humoristic readings and sayings were given in an almost perfect manner.


Albion, Ind., Democrat:
A born artist at the business.  Everybody delighted.


Fort Wayne, Ind., Sentinel:
Mr. Burgderfer is truly an artist in his line.

When the weather suits you not,
Try Smiling.
When your coffee isn't hot,
Try Smiling.
When your neighbors don't do right
And your relatives all fight,
Sure it's hard, but then you might,
Try Smiling.
Doesn't change the the things of course
Just Smiling.
Surely doesn't make them worse
Just Smiling.
And it seems to help your case
Brightens up a gloomy place
And besides, it sort'o rests your face
Just Smiling.


IN saying au-re-voir let me add, when I first started out my wife was very proud of my marvelous achievements?  and wore out her best pair of shears and calloused her fingers clipping.  Consequently I have in cold storage several barrels of press notes, endorsements from college professors, chautauqua managers, etc.  Doubting Thomases gladly furnished a barrel or two on request.  But leave it to me I guarantee to make good or walk to my next date.  There are no waits.  I am paced by a local pianist.  I carry my own asbestos curtain to keep the audience from firing anything of a vegetable or fowl nature at me as an appreciation of my work.



THE BRIGHTEST SPOT IN ANY COURSE
BURGDERFER, The Cheer-up-idist
will be remembered long after the man with the foot ball hair, whiskers and a message have gone hence.


Figure


PARTK PRINTING

Loring Lane   Co. Lt.

PHOTOS BY
TOPPING
BATTLE CREEK,
MICH.