John B. Ratto

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JOHN B. RATTO
Redpath




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It's a hard ting to part vit your best frients


Ye mi crow aboot h'it b'all ye loike — but A now w'ot A'm talkin' aboot.


Tr-r-ree years in scollage, an' de most off it iss in de books yet.


Judge, gimme a chance to prove to yuh what A m sayin' is true.


Tango-in' may be all right—but say, was yuh ever to a hoe-down?

The John B. Ratto Company of Eminent Artists

Tima Flanagan sava my Antonetta fromma da fire; an' I tol' you, mistro, if be maka da run for President be getta my vote.



Music is a gr-r-ran' ting; but Oi bet thir-r-ty-foive cints whire iver this mon Wagner is, they got 'im in a cage.



A Christian clergvman should condemn the game of football; but I've a boy that plays to-day.



Jist as we went through the tunnel Bill yells 'I've lost my eyesight.'



What's this?  Major Nolan died on board the U. S Gunboat Levant.





John B. Ratto
MR. RATTO'S performances are full of action and life with not a dull moment.  They consist of types of characters one meets in the average American community which makes them more vitally interesting than if idealized to present some literary masterpiece.

Mr. Ratto's programs are miscellaneous; each number naturally and logically follows the preceding one, making a panorama of associated characters.  He presents his characters in make-up, penciling in full view of the audience, telling an appropriate story the while.  Penciling finished, he turns to the table mirror, adjusts his wig and faces about to surprise you with the accuracy of a character different in appearance, speech and actions, with a personality all his own.

Aside from original characterizations, where Mr. Ratto himself fits the character to the words, only those selections are used that can be presented by natural characters in a genuine way, making the impersonation not only artistic but entertaining.



Two Thousand Engagements
THE Redpath Bureau heartily endorses Mr. Ratto as one of the most consistent successes ever on their list.  This statement is based on eight years' business, and the booking of approximately two thousand engagements.  He has always been a faithful worker for the committees, never failing to help either by word or action the success of a cause.

Nearly 40% of Mr. Ratto's bookings are return engagements.



A Few of the Hundreds of Typical Comments
Memories Will Live

Long after other attractions are forgotten and their memories have passed away the name of Ratto and his work will live in the memory of those who heard him Monday night.  From the introduction of Ratto's German Politician to the closing number of the Old Minister there was not a dull moment in the whole performance.  His farmer selection was a scream and his Irish Judge was an uproar.  He was above his press notices and everything he did, he did perfectly and showed the artist above the slap-stick comedian.
The Belle Plain (Kans.) News



An Ideal Platformist
D. D. Dukes, Findlay, Ohio

Well, the expected has happened.  Ratto bombarded the old town Tuesday night for the second time and we all surrendered after the opening gun was fired.  We are all his.

In my opinion his program is just right.  Attack it from any angle and you will find no weak spots.  Ratto has all the qualifications of an ideal platformist.



Too Good to Criticise

Ratto was too good to criticise.  He kept his audience tightly bound to his every move and held them in the thrall of attention.  He kept laughter flowing frequently and an occasional eruption of Ratto into a community is like a tonic.  He met all expectations and so many good things were said of him in the advance press work that the anticipation was high but he met it.  His press agent, the only one in a generation, did not exaggerate the truth.
The Martinez (Cal.) Standard



Satisfaction in the Fullest
Basil E. Newton, Hope, Ark.

Mr. Ratto gave satisfaction in the fullest.  He has been praised by people until I am tired of hearing them.  He could come to Hope and command a very much larger audience than he had to hear him.  In fact, the people are demanding that we secure him for the next course.



The diversified and unique advertising on Mr. Ratto's work creates an interest that gives it a drawing power equal to a concert company.