Transcribe
Translate
Keith-Albee managers' report book, February 4-September 9, 1907
Page 27
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
27. Boston Show, Week of Feb. 25, 1907. (Tues. Feb. 26th) (Carl D. Lothrop) Thomas & Payne. On at 1.05, 15 min, full stage, 3 shows. Can do entire act in 1. Colored singers and dancers. The man is a pretty good performer, the woman fair only. Their dancing is their stronghold. Thomas does some very good novelty dancing on roller-skates. Will never outgrow the 3-a-day class in the world. Melville & Higgins. On at 1.20, 15 min, in 1. 3 shows. Comedy talking, singing and dancing act by a man and a woman, both in eccentric make-ups. This act was very much in the burlesque class on Monday afternoon, and I think that both performers would be more at home there than in vaudeville. In fact, it would be a hit with a Wheel show. Will probably get by in a number two spot in the smaller houses. The De Muths. On at 1.35, 12 min full stage, 4 min close in 1, 15 min in all; 3 shows. Why they attempt to do a so-called sketch in connection with their dancing I cannot understand, unless it is to get their wind or to lengthen their act, for the sketch part of it is anything but a success. The dancing is very good, while the man's contortion work in 1 at the finish is superlatively excellent. Ah Ling Soo. On at 1.51, 9 min full stage, 3 min close in 1, 12 min in all; 3 shows. Not a wonder as a magician by any means, in fact I am inclined to think that the only thing that saves him is his being a Chink. About the only incident in the act that made any impression was his hanging and swinging by his queue. Could not occupy better than the opening spot in a 2-show-a-day bill. Eckert & Berg. On at 2.03, 14 min full stage, 9 min close in 1, 23 min in all; The hit of the act is, of course, Eckert's piano-playing. The singing is fair, Miss Berg has some fine costumes, the special setting is quite effective, but the sketch is simply a shred. However, I think that the act will make a sure hit in the small houses. Felix & Barry. On at 2.26, 20 min, full stage. This act is going very strongly here and would make good much further down the bill, but I am compelled to use them here to set things going. Inclined to be a little vulgar in spots and need watching on this account. Jock Whitford. On at 2.46, 18 min, in 1. Scotch comedian, his first appearance in America. Personally, I rather like this man's work and think he is nearly on a par with Lorimer, but I am afraid that our American audiences are going to wonder what he s trying to do. Monday afternoon he opened in 1, then went to full stage, a snow scene, in which he sang a very good song, but I considered it too long and lacking in humor and action. Today I had him do his entire act in 1. He sang three songs, delivered quite an amusing lot of patter and did some eccentric dancing, doing much better with the audience than on yesterday. He is extremely anxious to make good in this country and is very willing to accept any suggestions that may be made to him. As this is his first week here, he will try a number of different songs and combinations of patter, and I hope that by Saturday he will have put together a turn that will prove acceptable everywhere. I do not think, however, that he will be a hit, excepting possibly in New York. I think it is a mistake to play him on the same bill with Semon, on account of the fact that Semon wears a burlesque Scotch costume during part of his act, while Whitford wears an exaggerated Highland dress throughout his turn. uncolored last week, but it went so well that I was pleased to get the colored one for this week. Was compelled to make the same cut in it; viz, that part showing the youngster with a lovely souse. Cuts:- Melville & Higgins. Flea story. "I wish the Lord had made me a man" squib. Wiping nose on finger. Scratching leg. "Rotten" gag. Cat story. De Muths. Use of slap-stick. Felix & Barry. Pulling up trousers leg. Pulling hair out of Miss Barry's arm. Pulling imaginary tooth and showing it to the audience. Wiping nose on finger. Thumb to nose. Instructed to make entire scene on couch less rough. Mazuz & Mazett. Spitting on block. Mazuz touching Miss Mazett on chest. Comment. I am disappointed in this show. Whether our audiences will be or not remains to be seen. I don't care much for the 3-show section, while the 2-show section is not as classy as those we have been having of late, failing to work the audience up to any great pitch of enthusiasm at any time.
Saving...
prev
next
27. Boston Show, Week of Feb. 25, 1907. (Tues. Feb. 26th) (Carl D. Lothrop) Thomas & Payne. On at 1.05, 15 min, full stage, 3 shows. Can do entire act in 1. Colored singers and dancers. The man is a pretty good performer, the woman fair only. Their dancing is their stronghold. Thomas does some very good novelty dancing on roller-skates. Will never outgrow the 3-a-day class in the world. Melville & Higgins. On at 1.20, 15 min, in 1. 3 shows. Comedy talking, singing and dancing act by a man and a woman, both in eccentric make-ups. This act was very much in the burlesque class on Monday afternoon, and I think that both performers would be more at home there than in vaudeville. In fact, it would be a hit with a Wheel show. Will probably get by in a number two spot in the smaller houses. The De Muths. On at 1.35, 12 min full stage, 4 min close in 1, 15 min in all; 3 shows. Why they attempt to do a so-called sketch in connection with their dancing I cannot understand, unless it is to get their wind or to lengthen their act, for the sketch part of it is anything but a success. The dancing is very good, while the man's contortion work in 1 at the finish is superlatively excellent. Ah Ling Soo. On at 1.51, 9 min full stage, 3 min close in 1, 12 min in all; 3 shows. Not a wonder as a magician by any means, in fact I am inclined to think that the only thing that saves him is his being a Chink. About the only incident in the act that made any impression was his hanging and swinging by his queue. Could not occupy better than the opening spot in a 2-show-a-day bill. Eckert & Berg. On at 2.03, 14 min full stage, 9 min close in 1, 23 min in all; The hit of the act is, of course, Eckert's piano-playing. The singing is fair, Miss Berg has some fine costumes, the special setting is quite effective, but the sketch is simply a shred. However, I think that the act will make a sure hit in the small houses. Felix & Barry. On at 2.26, 20 min, full stage. This act is going very strongly here and would make good much further down the bill, but I am compelled to use them here to set things going. Inclined to be a little vulgar in spots and need watching on this account. Jock Whitford. On at 2.46, 18 min, in 1. Scotch comedian, his first appearance in America. Personally, I rather like this man's work and think he is nearly on a par with Lorimer, but I am afraid that our American audiences are going to wonder what he s trying to do. Monday afternoon he opened in 1, then went to full stage, a snow scene, in which he sang a very good song, but I considered it too long and lacking in humor and action. Today I had him do his entire act in 1. He sang three songs, delivered quite an amusing lot of patter and did some eccentric dancing, doing much better with the audience than on yesterday. He is extremely anxious to make good in this country and is very willing to accept any suggestions that may be made to him. As this is his first week here, he will try a number of different songs and combinations of patter, and I hope that by Saturday he will have put together a turn that will prove acceptable everywhere. I do not think, however, that he will be a hit, excepting possibly in New York. I think it is a mistake to play him on the same bill with Semon, on account of the fact that Semon wears a burlesque Scotch costume during part of his act, while Whitford wears an exaggerated Highland dress throughout his turn. uncolored last week, but it went so well that I was pleased to get the colored one for this week. Was compelled to make the same cut in it; viz, that part showing the youngster with a lovely souse. Cuts:- Melville & Higgins. Flea story. "I wish the Lord had made me a man" squib. Wiping nose on finger. Scratching leg. "Rotten" gag. Cat story. De Muths. Use of slap-stick. Felix & Barry. Pulling up trousers leg. Pulling hair out of Miss Barry's arm. Pulling imaginary tooth and showing it to the audience. Wiping nose on finger. Thumb to nose. Instructed to make entire scene on couch less rough. Mazuz & Mazett. Spitting on block. Mazuz touching Miss Mazett on chest. Comment. I am disappointed in this show. Whether our audiences will be or not remains to be seen. I don't care much for the 3-show section, while the 2-show section is not as classy as those we have been having of late, failing to work the audience up to any great pitch of enthusiasm at any time.
Keith-Albee Collection
sidebar
