DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1907, part 1

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1907, part 1

Page 20a

2. FOUR FORDS, "The Dancing Carnival":- 14 min. F.S. 2 shows. Two men and two women who dance on a dancing mat. It is undoubtedly among the best dancing acts in Vaudeville. The star was rather mild, but the finish was so strong as to be an actual ovation. The girls are very pretty and amazingly skilful, as well as superb dressers. The character dances -- Rube, Milk Maid, Coon etc, were fairly well received, but the expert work during the latter half of the act brought round after round of applause, as it well deserved. These people are among the best,if not the best, in their line on the Vaudeville stage.
EARTHQUAKE PICTURES, SAN FRANCISCO:- 8 min. This series is the most thrilling and interesting of all we have had and we led the town in these pictures. Held the attention very closely.
SNYDER & BUCKLEY, Musical Comedians:- 23 min. F. S. close in 1. 2 shows. well known on the Circuit and just as big a laughing hit as ever. The musical work is about the same as previously, but they have introduced some new stunts that got the crowd very strong. At the close the received a good ringing hand. This is one of the best musical comedy acts in the business.
 CLAUDE GILLIINGWATER, "A Strenuous Proposal":-  39 min. F. S. 2 shows. For all its brilliancy in spots, its excellent acting, and the intelligence of two of the four people who take the leading parts, this sketch was not the unqualified success that we expected. In the first place, the theme is rather repulsive. It is a story of a man, who, in order to win back a girl he has lost, condescends to impersonate a rival in the state of intoxication so as to disgust his former fiancee. Drunk acts never did go well with our audiences, and there was a danger of its being overdone. However, it was carefully restrained, but it did not carry the weight which such artistic work by strong people should carry home to any audience. There were several laughs through the sketch and the close was fairly strong, with a recall. It may go better to-night. Both Miss Strelitz and Miss Hinkle are very pretty women and dress becomingly. The finish of the act is supposed to be full  of excitement, but it is very fakey. It is certainly disappointing that we cannot see such clever people in a much better feature. However, it may be said in extenuation that this is the first appearance of this sketch on any stage, and consequently not polished down as it will be later. Gilingwater realizes this himself, and proposes to cut out about seven minutes of the time and also to give it a m ore logical and stronger finish.
LATINA, "The Physical Culture Girl":- 11 min. in 1. A very difficult spot on the bill, which Latina failed to hold down as strong as some other sight act in 1 might have done. Her work is well known here, and although well dressed and making a good appearance, her act is some thing of a drop from the foregoing. There was some applause and a pretty good finish. It rightly belongs further up the bill, and will go there. 
SALERNO, The Great Juggler:- 17 min. F.S. Practically the same act as when here last. Salerno has neither improved nor has he gone back with his Winter's work. It is just as skilful and interesting as ever, Each one of his brilliant stunts got good applause and the finish was strong. It is a good feature on any bill. He deserves a good rest this Summer, when he will return physically more sure and skilful than ever.

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2. FOUR FORDS, "The Dancing Carnival":- 14 min. F.S. 2 shows. Two men and two women who dance on a dancing mat. It is undoubtedly among the best dancing acts in Vaudeville. The star was rather mild, but the finish was so strong as to be an actual ovation. The girls are very pretty and amazingly skilful, as well as superb dressers. The character dances -- Rube, Milk Maid, Coon etc, were fairly well received, but the expert work during the latter half of the act brought round after round of applause, as it well deserved. These people are among the best,if not the best, in their line on the Vaudeville stage. EARTHQUAKE PICTURES, SAN FRANCISCO:- 8 min. This series is the most thrilling and interesting of all we have had and we led the town in these pictures. Held the attention very closely. SNYDER & BUCKLEY, Musical Comedians:- 23 min. F. S. close in 1. 2 shows. well known on the Circuit and just as big a laughing hit as ever. The musical work is about the same as previously, but they have introduced some new stunts that got the crowd very strong. At the close the received a good ringing hand. This is one of the best musical comedy acts in the business. CLAUDE GILLIINGWATER, "A Strenuous Proposal":- 39 min. F. S. 2 shows. For all its brilliancy in spots, its excellent acting, and the intelligence of two of the four people who take the leading parts, this sketch was not the unqualified success that we expected. In the first place, the theme is rather repulsive. It is a story of a man, who, in order to win back a girl he has lost, condescends to impersonate a rival in the state of intoxication so as to disgust his former fiancee. Drunk acts never did go well with our audiences, and there was a danger of its being overdone. However, it was carefully restrained, but it did not carry the weight which such artistic work by strong people should carry home to any audience. There were several laughs through the sketch and the close was fairly strong, with a recall. It may go better to-night. Both Miss Strelitz and Miss Hinkle are very pretty women and dress becomingly. The finish of the act is supposed to be full of excitement, but it is very fakey. It is certainly disappointing that we cannot see such clever people in a much better feature. However, it may be said in extenuation that this is the first appearance of this sketch on any stage, and consequently not polished down as it will be later. Gilingwater realizes this himself, and proposes to cut out about seven minutes of the time and also to give it a m ore logical and stronger finish. LATINA, "The Physical Culture Girl":- 11 min. in 1. A very difficult spot on the bill, which Latina failed to hold down as strong as some other sight act in 1 might have done. Her work is well known here, and although well dressed and making a good appearance, her act is some thing of a drop from the foregoing. There was some applause and a pretty good finish. It rightly belongs further up the bill, and will go there. SALERNO, The Great Juggler:- 17 min. F.S. Practically the same act as when here last. Salerno has neither improved nor has he gone back with his Winter's work. It is just as skilful and interesting as ever, Each one of his brilliant stunts got good applause and the finish was strong. It is a good feature on any bill. He deserves a good rest this Summer, when he will return physically more sure and skilful than ever.