DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903

Transcribe
Translate

Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903

Page 5a

Snith, Doty and Coe, 2 shows, 18 min. open in three, close in one--This is a fair instrumental comedy act. Did not make any remarkable impression.
Lillian Burkhart and company, 2 shows, 22 min. full stage- Playing "Love and the Ticker", a comedy sketch done here before under another title. There is no question as to Miss Burkhart's personal work, which has always been very good, although it has a sameness, but her support continues steadily bad, only differing in degree of badness each time she appears here. This sketch she played is a capital one, chock full of laughs all through, but the chump actor who is assisting her should be sawing wood instead of attempting to act. She should be compelled to furnish better actors.
Fields and Ward, 2 shows, 16 min. in one--This team went about the same as always, but a good line on acts such as theirs cannot be got with the afternoon audience, as they are practically "night entertainers." Practically all their stuff was old, the same as the have been doing for a couple of seasons, and their songs were ditto. They can no longer hold the place in the bill the they formerly did.
Marvelous Merrils, 2 shows, 17 min. full stage-- One of the best trick and comedy bicycle acts in the business. Made a big hit.
John W. Ransone, 2 shows, 15 min. in one--I must confess Reasone was somewhat disappointing, although he may go better in the evening shows than he did this afternoon. His dialect and material did not seem half so funny as when heard in the "Prince of Pilsen", and it is another instance of how one may be deceived in the value of a bit of character work when seen under the advantageous surroundings of a good show that plays up to it all the time. At that, he will probably be worth what we are paying for it, as our expectations of the act were undoubtedly placed a little too high.
Batty's Bears, 2 shows, 14 min, full stage--Considering the difficult position in which the act was placed, closing the show, it can be considered to have made good, and will probably go stronger during the remained of the week, as under the rearrangement of the show it will be on much earlier both afternoon and evening. It is a very good act to entertain the children, while pleasing the grown folks as ell.
Comment: The entire show is a tremendous improvement on that of last week, especially in the three show section, and we should do a big business.

Saving...

Snith, Doty and Coe, 2 shows, 18 min. open in three, close in one--This is a fair instrumental comedy act. Did not make any remarkable impression. Lillian Burkhart and company, 2 shows, 22 min. full stage- Playing "Love and the Ticker", a comedy sketch done here before under another title. There is no question as to Miss Burkhart's personal work, which has always been very good, although it has a sameness, but her support continues steadily bad, only differing in degree of badness each time she appears here. This sketch she played is a capital one, chock full of laughs all through, but the chump actor who is assisting her should be sawing wood instead of attempting to act. She should be compelled to furnish better actors. Fields and Ward, 2 shows, 16 min. in one--This team went about the same as always, but a good line on acts such as theirs cannot be got with the afternoon audience, as they are practically "night entertainers." Practically all their stuff was old, the same as the have been doing for a couple of seasons, and their songs were ditto. They can no longer hold the place in the bill the they formerly did. Marvelous Merrils, 2 shows, 17 min. full stage-- One of the best trick and comedy bicycle acts in the business. Made a big hit. John W. Ransone, 2 shows, 15 min. in one--I must confess Reasone was somewhat disappointing, although he may go better in the evening shows than he did this afternoon. His dialect and material did not seem half so funny as when heard in the "Prince of Pilsen", and it is another instance of how one may be deceived in the value of a bit of character work when seen under the advantageous surroundings of a good show that plays up to it all the time. At that, he will probably be worth what we are paying for it, as our expectations of the act were undoubtedly placed a little too high. Batty's Bears, 2 shows, 14 min, full stage--Considering the difficult position in which the act was placed, closing the show, it can be considered to have made good, and will probably go stronger during the remained of the week, as under the rearrangement of the show it will be on much earlier both afternoon and evening. It is a very good act to entertain the children, while pleasing the grown folks as ell. Comment: The entire show is a tremendous improvement on that of last week, especially in the three show section, and we should do a big business.