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

Page 75

75.

Boston Show, Week of April 1, 1907.
(Tues. April 2--Afternoon Show)
(Carl D. Lothrop)

Overture. 1.30, 9 min.

Green Bros. On at 1.39, 10 min, full stage; 3 shows. Baseball jugglers. An excellent opening act and better than the average of 3-a-days. Their manipulation of baseballs, bats and bases is very good, particularly the rapid-fire work with the bats. Comedy element is not particularly strong.

Harry Breen. On at 1.49, 10 min, in 1; 3 shows. Rather disappointed in this chap, said disappointment being due to the fact that I had been led to believe that he was a wonder. He is a singing comedian with a not particularly pleasing voice that is rather nasal. His first song is in the line of imitation of George Cohan, and the other two are English comics, fairly well sung. I have an idea that he might hold an early spot in the smaller houses satisfactorily. He will certainly do no harm at the money we are paying him.

Quaker City Quartet. On at 1.39, 17 min full stage, 6 min. close in 1; 23 min in all. Not the Quaker City Four of the old days by any means. Their singing is not up to the old standard, and they have cut out all instrumental work except Ernst's guitar-playing. John Healy has incorporated his monologue almost bodily into the act and he succeeds in getting a number of laughs. Would hardly stand a better spot than one or two in the big houses, would probably get by at three or four in the smaller. Of course, the length of time they do is a point in their favor, also the fact of their closing in 1.

Beaumont's Ponies. On at 2.22, 15 min, full stage. This act is retained from last week, on account of this being vacation week and also because the act has scored heavily. As I said before, it is as good as anybody's pony act, and is a find at the price. I think it a valuable act for blanket booking.

Rae & Brosche. On at 2.37, open in 1 5 min, full stage 6 min close in 1, 5 min; 18 min in all. This bright, lively talking act is an emphatic hit. The material is not very new, but is so well presented that the audience surrenders in a body. I do not think that they would ever fall down anywhere.

Geo. W. Wilson & Co. On at 2.55, 25 min, full stage. Presenting a sketch by Will H. Cressy and Ira Dodge, entitled "My Old Kentucky Home". It seems to me that about all Cressy has done for the sketch is to allow the use of his name, for I feel that if he saw it he would suggest a number of changes. The action is a little slow, it is talky in spots, the setting seems to suggest Louisana instead of Kentucky, but with all these faults it yet contains the germ of an excellent sketch and could be made worth $250 of anybody's money. Mr. Wilson himself has no superior on the vaudeville stage as a character actor, and when he gets the proper vehicle nothing can prevent him becoming a favorite and drawing-card everywhere. His support is excellent. Personally I prefer the sketch that Mr. Wilson did here before, "An Old-Fashioned Motto", in which he plays a Josh Whitcomb character, and think that it has greater possibilities for him and for us, if whipped into shape.


Kinetograph. On at 4.41, 25 min. "Ten Little Scamps" and "Tommy at Play", both very good comedy films, abve the average. "Cinderella", a very pretty film, great for children's weeks.

Perle & Diamant. On at 5.16, 8 min, full stage; 3 shows. Two rather good-looking girls who are extremely good exponents of Spanish dancing. Their dancing costumes are very rich and attractive. They can snap the castanets in great shape. Their singing does not amount to a whole lot, but their dancing will carry them by.

Comment. This show has apparently mad a hit in its entirety to say nothing of the individual hit made by Victoria. With Easter vacation and everything else combined, we are on the road to a big week. No cuts, caused probably by the fact that Miss Victoria was told before she opened not to sing "Billy Green" nor "Man, Man, Man".

Saving...

75. Boston Show, Week of April 1, 1907. (Tues. April 2--Afternoon Show) (Carl D. Lothrop) Overture. 1.30, 9 min. Green Bros. On at 1.39, 10 min, full stage; 3 shows. Baseball jugglers. An excellent opening act and better than the average of 3-a-days. Their manipulation of baseballs, bats and bases is very good, particularly the rapid-fire work with the bats. Comedy element is not particularly strong. Harry Breen. On at 1.49, 10 min, in 1; 3 shows. Rather disappointed in this chap, said disappointment being due to the fact that I had been led to believe that he was a wonder. He is a singing comedian with a not particularly pleasing voice that is rather nasal. His first song is in the line of imitation of George Cohan, and the other two are English comics, fairly well sung. I have an idea that he might hold an early spot in the smaller houses satisfactorily. He will certainly do no harm at the money we are paying him. Quaker City Quartet. On at 1.39, 17 min full stage, 6 min. close in 1; 23 min in all. Not the Quaker City Four of the old days by any means. Their singing is not up to the old standard, and they have cut out all instrumental work except Ernst's guitar-playing. John Healy has incorporated his monologue almost bodily into the act and he succeeds in getting a number of laughs. Would hardly stand a better spot than one or two in the big houses, would probably get by at three or four in the smaller. Of course, the length of time they do is a point in their favor, also the fact of their closing in 1. Beaumont's Ponies. On at 2.22, 15 min, full stage. This act is retained from last week, on account of this being vacation week and also because the act has scored heavily. As I said before, it is as good as anybody's pony act, and is a find at the price. I think it a valuable act for blanket booking. Rae & Brosche. On at 2.37, open in 1 5 min, full stage 6 min close in 1, 5 min; 18 min in all. This bright, lively talking act is an emphatic hit. The material is not very new, but is so well presented that the audience surrenders in a body. I do not think that they would ever fall down anywhere. Geo. W. Wilson & Co. On at 2.55, 25 min, full stage. Presenting a sketch by Will H. Cressy and Ira Dodge, entitled "My Old Kentucky Home". It seems to me that about all Cressy has done for the sketch is to allow the use of his name, for I feel that if he saw it he would suggest a number of changes. The action is a little slow, it is talky in spots, the setting seems to suggest Louisana instead of Kentucky, but with all these faults it yet contains the germ of an excellent sketch and could be made worth $250 of anybody's money. Mr. Wilson himself has no superior on the vaudeville stage as a character actor, and when he gets the proper vehicle nothing can prevent him becoming a favorite and drawing-card everywhere. His support is excellent. Personally I prefer the sketch that Mr. Wilson did here before, "An Old-Fashioned Motto", in which he plays a Josh Whitcomb character, and think that it has greater possibilities for him and for us, if whipped into shape. Kinetograph. On at 4.41, 25 min. "Ten Little Scamps" and "Tommy at Play", both very good comedy films, abve the average. "Cinderella", a very pretty film, great for children's weeks. Perle & Diamant. On at 5.16, 8 min, full stage; 3 shows. Two rather good-looking girls who are extremely good exponents of Spanish dancing. Their dancing costumes are very rich and attractive. They can snap the castanets in great shape. Their singing does not amount to a whole lot, but their dancing will carry them by. Comment. This show has apparently mad a hit in its entirety to say nothing of the individual hit made by Victoria. With Easter vacation and everything else combined, we are on the road to a big week. No cuts, caused probably by the fact that Miss Victoria was told before she opened not to sing "Billy Green" nor "Man, Man, Man".