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

Page 151

151
(Carl D. Lothrop)
Boston Show, Week of Nov. 5, 1906.
Will Mead and his dog "Sparkle". On at 1 o'clock, 13 min, full stage. A very good act of its kind, but it is marred by the appearance that the dog has of fear of her master. All right for the 3-show section, would be O K in an early spot in the small houses.
Sisters Noble. On at 1.13, 10 min, in 1, 3 shows. These women make a good stage appearance, but there is nothing out of the ordinary in their work. They simply sing three duets and show no evidence of ever being above the mediocre. Had I known it was a straight singing act, would not have used it this week, because there is a great deal of singing in the bill. I thought they were on the soubrette order, with dancing.
Earle & Bartlett. On at 1.23, 15 min, full stage, could close in 1, 3 shows. Earle is a very good Irish comedian, while the woman sings fairly well and is a good feeder in the talk. O K for a 3-a-day or for an early spot in small cities, but in its present shape the act will never reach the real 2-a-day class.
Columbia 4. On at 1.38, 20 min, in 1, 3 shows. Time, money and talent considered, this is a find for the 3-show-a-day section. Could hold a much better position on the bill. The quartet is fully as good as many that are getting a great deal more money.
Sam Elton. On at 1.58, 12 min, full stage. It is a pity to put this act on so early, but it is impossible to do anything else with him this week. However, in this spot he gives the show a great opening. It is one of the cleverest conglomerations of crazyisms in vaudeville.
Lelia Taylor. On at 2.10, 11 min, in 1, 3 shows. Makes an attractive stage appearance and sings very well. Held this spot very creditably, being applauded at the close of each of her three songs, and taking bow at the finish.
George W. Wilson & Co. On at 2.21, 23 min, full stage. This is the act that I substituted for Cecilia Loftus & Co. Mr. Wilson is a great favorite in Boston and New England, having been a member of the old Boston Museum company. He is a capital actor, one of the best of the American character comedians. The sketch he is presenting, called "That Old-Fashioned Motto" is not worthy of him. Although it contains some good material, it needs rewriting. He plays the character of the type of Josh Whitcomb and plays it well. The act would not, of course, be worth the money we are paying this week, in any other house on the circuit, but I firmly believe that Mr. Wilson will draw us as much or more money than Loftus, and when the difference in salary is considered, I think it fortunate to have him this week in place of the rather unreliable Cecilia, although she always makes good here in her impersonations.
Harry Brown. On at 2.44, 18 min, in 1. this coon is really the hit of the show and I consider him one of the cleverest colored entertainers in vaudeville today. You can put him in any spot or place and he will make good. At his money he is the gem of the rarest water. On his showing here I should think it would be advisable to nail him at once for the circuit.


Kinetograph. On at 4.25, 20 min. I am holding the Honeymoon Trip to Niagara film a second week. It is certainly a corking series of pictures. The second picture, "The Rebellious Walking-stock" is a short comic of fair quality.
Prampin Trio. Not Prampkin, as most of the houses have billed them. On at 4.45, 14 min, full stage, can close in 1, if necessary; 3 shows. Two coons and a cooness, in a fair instrumental act. I had them open the first show yesterday, but it made my bill too late, so I shifted them to this spot. Might get by as an opening act in the small houses, but could not stand a harder place.
Cuts. Welch, Mealey & Montrose; "What the hell". Earle & Bartlett; the word "spit-box".
Comment. A show that is bound to give satisfaction to all who witness it. From 1.40 to 4.40, and from 7.30 to 10.30, it goes with a snap that is most refreshing. I have seldom seen a show with so many genuine applause hits.

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151 (Carl D. Lothrop) Boston Show, Week of Nov. 5, 1906. Will Mead and his dog "Sparkle". On at 1 o'clock, 13 min, full stage. A very good act of its kind, but it is marred by the appearance that the dog has of fear of her master. All right for the 3-show section, would be O K in an early spot in the small houses. Sisters Noble. On at 1.13, 10 min, in 1, 3 shows. These women make a good stage appearance, but there is nothing out of the ordinary in their work. They simply sing three duets and show no evidence of ever being above the mediocre. Had I known it was a straight singing act, would not have used it this week, because there is a great deal of singing in the bill. I thought they were on the soubrette order, with dancing. Earle & Bartlett. On at 1.23, 15 min, full stage, could close in 1, 3 shows. Earle is a very good Irish comedian, while the woman sings fairly well and is a good feeder in the talk. O K for a 3-a-day or for an early spot in small cities, but in its present shape the act will never reach the real 2-a-day class. Columbia 4. On at 1.38, 20 min, in 1, 3 shows. Time, money and talent considered, this is a find for the 3-show-a-day section. Could hold a much better position on the bill. The quartet is fully as good as many that are getting a great deal more money. Sam Elton. On at 1.58, 12 min, full stage. It is a pity to put this act on so early, but it is impossible to do anything else with him this week. However, in this spot he gives the show a great opening. It is one of the cleverest conglomerations of crazyisms in vaudeville. Lelia Taylor. On at 2.10, 11 min, in 1, 3 shows. Makes an attractive stage appearance and sings very well. Held this spot very creditably, being applauded at the close of each of her three songs, and taking bow at the finish. George W. Wilson & Co. On at 2.21, 23 min, full stage. This is the act that I substituted for Cecilia Loftus & Co. Mr. Wilson is a great favorite in Boston and New England, having been a member of the old Boston Museum company. He is a capital actor, one of the best of the American character comedians. The sketch he is presenting, called "That Old-Fashioned Motto" is not worthy of him. Although it contains some good material, it needs rewriting. He plays the character of the type of Josh Whitcomb and plays it well. The act would not, of course, be worth the money we are paying this week, in any other house on the circuit, but I firmly believe that Mr. Wilson will draw us as much or more money than Loftus, and when the difference in salary is considered, I think it fortunate to have him this week in place of the rather unreliable Cecilia, although she always makes good here in her impersonations. Harry Brown. On at 2.44, 18 min, in 1. this coon is really the hit of the show and I consider him one of the cleverest colored entertainers in vaudeville today. You can put him in any spot or place and he will make good. At his money he is the gem of the rarest water. On his showing here I should think it would be advisable to nail him at once for the circuit. Kinetograph. On at 4.25, 20 min. I am holding the Honeymoon Trip to Niagara film a second week. It is certainly a corking series of pictures. The second picture, "The Rebellious Walking-stock" is a short comic of fair quality. Prampin Trio. Not Prampkin, as most of the houses have billed them. On at 4.45, 14 min, full stage, can close in 1, if necessary; 3 shows. Two coons and a cooness, in a fair instrumental act. I had them open the first show yesterday, but it made my bill too late, so I shifted them to this spot. Might get by as an opening act in the small houses, but could not stand a harder place. Cuts. Welch, Mealey & Montrose; "What the hell". Earle & Bartlett; the word "spit-box". Comment. A show that is bound to give satisfaction to all who witness it. From 1.40 to 4.40, and from 7.30 to 10.30, it goes with a snap that is most refreshing. I have seldom seen a show with so many genuine applause hits.