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

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

Page 257a

257

New York Show.--May 4th, 1903.

YRR.--AL BELLMAN AND LOTTIE MOORE in their sketch entitled "Hester's Promise." The sketch is, as it always was, a very artistic it of work. The woman is neat and dainty, and Bellman himself is a good singer and a fair comedian. The tough dance at the finish is especially strong and closes the act in great shape. 23 minutes, full stage.

GYH.--JOHN FORD.--Undoubtedly the best dancer in the country. Made a big hit this afternoon. 9 minutes in one.

YRR.--COLE & JOHNSON.--Two colored men in a singing act with artistic piano accompaniment and solos by Johnson. It is hardly necessary to say that this act made a big hit. 21 minutes, full stage.

YRR.--JOHN KERNELL.--Kernell introduces a lot of new material this time and went very strong indeed. 15 minutes in one.

GHR.--ZAZELLE & VERNON.--Two men in a comedy bar act. One of them made up straight and the other comedy. It is a very funny act, and aside from that they do some pretty good bar work and conclude with some burlesque boxing that is laughable. 17 minutes, open full stage, close in one if necessary.

NH.--BROOKS BROS.--In a regulation talking act. One man in white face, and the other black. These people are reliable at all times, and while it is not at all a great act, they always manage to please, and this afternoon was no exception to the rule. They got a lot of laughs and held their audience closely to the finish (and they were on quite late). 18 minutes in one.

GRR.--BURKE'S DOGS.--This is a very good dog act; the only "out" about it being the appearance of the man himself. The dogs work well, and the play is really extremely cute and pleases the ladies immensely. 15 minutes full stage.

NH.--FRANK WHITMAN. The dancing violinist. This man does some trick work on a violin which is all right, and closes his act with a violin song and dance which really makes quite a hit. He is the only performer, whom I ever saw attempt this specialty, who could come any where near doing it. 11 minutes in one.

GRR.--JOHN AND LILLIAN HOOVER.--A man and woman in a comedy juggling and dancing act. As a small act, form a three-a-day show standpoint, it is a good turn, but while I was obliged to give them two shows this trip around in order to get them at any reasonable sort of salary, it is not by any means a two show a day act, but is all right in this place on the bill. 10 minutes, full stage.

NH.--JOHN CHINEE LEECH.--It has been a great many years since we have played Leech, and I don't think we shall be very anxious to play him again. He does a turn of stories and imitations, but does not make a great deal of it, for it depends entirely upon the "kindly-give-me-your-kind applause" idea, which gets very tiresome before he gets through. 15 minutes in one.

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257 New York Show.--May 4th, 1903. YRR.--AL BELLMAN AND LOTTIE MOORE in their sketch entitled "Hester's Promise." The sketch is, as it always was, a very artistic it of work. The woman is neat and dainty, and Bellman himself is a good singer and a fair comedian. The tough dance at the finish is especially strong and closes the act in great shape. 23 minutes, full stage. GYH.--JOHN FORD.--Undoubtedly the best dancer in the country. Made a big hit this afternoon. 9 minutes in one. YRR.--COLE & JOHNSON.--Two colored men in a singing act with artistic piano accompaniment and solos by Johnson. It is hardly necessary to say that this act made a big hit. 21 minutes, full stage. YRR.--JOHN KERNELL.--Kernell introduces a lot of new material this time and went very strong indeed. 15 minutes in one. GHR.--ZAZELLE & VERNON.--Two men in a comedy bar act. One of them made up straight and the other comedy. It is a very funny act, and aside from that they do some pretty good bar work and conclude with some burlesque boxing that is laughable. 17 minutes, open full stage, close in one if necessary. NH.--BROOKS BROS.--In a regulation talking act. One man in white face, and the other black. These people are reliable at all times, and while it is not at all a great act, they always manage to please, and this afternoon was no exception to the rule. They got a lot of laughs and held their audience closely to the finish (and they were on quite late). 18 minutes in one. GRR.--BURKE'S DOGS.--This is a very good dog act; the only "out" about it being the appearance of the man himself. The dogs work well, and the play is really extremely cute and pleases the ladies immensely. 15 minutes full stage. NH.--FRANK WHITMAN. The dancing violinist. This man does some trick work on a violin which is all right, and closes his act with a violin song and dance which really makes quite a hit. He is the only performer, whom I ever saw attempt this specialty, who could come any where near doing it. 11 minutes in one. GRR.--JOHN AND LILLIAN HOOVER.--A man and woman in a comedy juggling and dancing act. As a small act, form a three-a-day show standpoint, it is a good turn, but while I was obliged to give them two shows this trip around in order to get them at any reasonable sort of salary, it is not by any means a two show a day act, but is all right in this place on the bill. 10 minutes, full stage. NH.--JOHN CHINEE LEECH.--It has been a great many years since we have played Leech, and I don't think we shall be very anxious to play him again. He does a turn of stories and imitations, but does not make a great deal of it, for it depends entirely upon the "kindly-give-me-your-kind applause" idea, which gets very tiresome before he gets through. 15 minutes in one.