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Keith-Albee managers' report book, February 4-September 9, 1907

Page 53b

Ford & Swor. On at 3.22, 16 min, in 1. Ford, formerly of the team of Ford & Wilson, working straight, Swor in a make-up rather reminiscent of Nat Wills. They do a good singing and dancing act, with a novel finish that is a surprise to the audience, and gets them a hearty round of applause. All right in any bill up to 3 and 9; as late as 3.30 and 9.30 on a pinch.

Julius Steger & Co. On at 3.38, 25 min, full stage. One of the best dramatic sketches of the season, interesting story with a capital climax. So much action is crowded into the brief length of time it runs, that it of necesssity seems rather overdrawn, when one starts to analyze it closely. However, it suited the audience and won three curtain-calls. I trust I will be pardoned for saying that Mr. Steger is the weakest actor in the cast. It is a peasure to state that he is thoroughly satisfied with his scene.

Americus Comedy Four. On at 4.03, 16 min, in 1. These boys have succeeded in giving us something practically new in a quartet act in 1, and went very strongly this afternoon. There is no question at all but what they would have done twice as well if we had already played Vesta Victoria and Bessie Wayne. I preferred playing them after Victoria but as she is to come in two weeks, it was my idea that their travestying her songs would serve to advertise her coming, and I still think it will do so.

Sunny South. On at 4.19, 10 min, full stage. The great fault of this act is that it lacks life and action at the start. It is the old story of a couple of coons swelling up and thinking that they can act and do something beside coon stuff. When the leading man and woman quit and give the real people a chance, the act makes good. I have given directions to have them cut out the first two numbers tonight, and begin where the real action starts. The Watermelon Trust and the Golden Gate Quintet can beat this act to death, as far as making good with an audience goes, for the simple reason that they go at things in the real old-fashioned coon way, and do not have the idea that they are presenting Senegambian musical comedy.

Kinetograph. On at 4.35, 25 min. I am holding "Daniel Boone" and "The Master's Tea Service" for a second week, for the reasons that they made very good last week, and the reel I received for this week did not appeal to me. From the way the pictures held the audience this afternoon, I am very glad that no change was made.

George E. Whalen. On at 4.57, 12 min, in 1. His baton-juggling is clever, while his monologue matter would pass muster. Well worth the $40 we are paying him this week. Will made good in a number two spot in the smaller houses, particularly in a week when there is a big feature in, and the rest of the bill will stand trimming down.

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Ford & Swor. On at 3.22, 16 min, in 1. Ford, formerly of the team of Ford & Wilson, working straight, Swor in a make-up rather reminiscent of Nat Wills. They do a good singing and dancing act, with a novel finish that is a surprise to the audience, and gets them a hearty round of applause. All right in any bill up to 3 and 9; as late as 3.30 and 9.30 on a pinch. Julius Steger & Co. On at 3.38, 25 min, full stage. One of the best dramatic sketches of the season, interesting story with a capital climax. So much action is crowded into the brief length of time it runs, that it of necesssity seems rather overdrawn, when one starts to analyze it closely. However, it suited the audience and won three curtain-calls. I trust I will be pardoned for saying that Mr. Steger is the weakest actor in the cast. It is a peasure to state that he is thoroughly satisfied with his scene. Americus Comedy Four. On at 4.03, 16 min, in 1. These boys have succeeded in giving us something practically new in a quartet act in 1, and went very strongly this afternoon. There is no question at all but what they would have done twice as well if we had already played Vesta Victoria and Bessie Wayne. I preferred playing them after Victoria but as she is to come in two weeks, it was my idea that their travestying her songs would serve to advertise her coming, and I still think it will do so. Sunny South. On at 4.19, 10 min, full stage. The great fault of this act is that it lacks life and action at the start. It is the old story of a couple of coons swelling up and thinking that they can act and do something beside coon stuff. When the leading man and woman quit and give the real people a chance, the act makes good. I have given directions to have them cut out the first two numbers tonight, and begin where the real action starts. The Watermelon Trust and the Golden Gate Quintet can beat this act to death, as far as making good with an audience goes, for the simple reason that they go at things in the real old-fashioned coon way, and do not have the idea that they are presenting Senegambian musical comedy. Kinetograph. On at 4.35, 25 min. I am holding "Daniel Boone" and "The Master's Tea Service" for a second week, for the reasons that they made very good last week, and the reel I received for this week did not appeal to me. From the way the pictures held the audience this afternoon, I am very glad that no change was made. George E. Whalen. On at 4.57, 12 min, in 1. His baton-juggling is clever, while his monologue matter would pass muster. Well worth the $40 we are paying him this week. Will made good in a number two spot in the smaller houses, particularly in a week when there is a big feature in, and the rest of the bill will stand trimming down.