DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book,, September 23, 1907 - March 12, 1908

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Keith-Albee managers' report book,, September 23, 1907 - March 12, 1908

Page 45a

bar and especially their comedy, which is uproarously funny. Caught the crowd very strong and held them to a big finish, with two curtain calls. could hold any spot even to closing the show.

[[underline]]MORROW & SCHELLBERG[[end underline]], "Happy's millions":-11 min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 8:38. Carry their own drop which is just a little bit seamy. Morrow takes the part of the cow-boy, and Miss Shellberg that of the Quaker maiden who has gone West to teach school. They recognize each other as former school friends. There is some love-making, and a good finishing song, whereupon the pair dance off, driven by a dwarf attired in fleshings and gold wings. This gives a very good close to the act. Two curtain calls.

[[underline]]A NIGHT IN THE HOUSE BOAT[[end underline]]:- 29 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 8:49. This is one of the most professional and literally ship-shape acts of an ambitious kind that we have ever played. In fact, it is as good as Jerome K. Jerome's short story wherein the workmanship is just as brilliant as if it were a long novel. The rise of the curtain displaying one of the most novel scenes ever seen in Vaudeville, gets a good hand and starts the house boat adrift in good shape. The characters do exactly the opposite from what the audience expects and there is a surprise and a paugh[[?]] at every turn. There is not a weak character in the cast and if the string of amusing episodes were run out to a two hour length I am sure that the audience would not tire. The man who plays the part of the Englishman,and the lisping "fluffy ruffles" are irresistible, and the illuminations ate the finish were a triumph of stage craft and got rousing big hand. The Morning Telegraph was right when it said this act was a model for Vaudeville features of this pretentious order. I see nothing but long continued prosperity for it and the people represented. There seems to be poor management in this act. The paraphenalia did not arrive in the city until after eight o'clock Monday morning, and did not get to the theatre until 12:30. In consequence there was great confusion and delay putting it on. More than that, there should have been a leader to give a first performance a good send off, as has been the case with other musical acts of like proportions. The consequence was that the afternoon performance went unevenly, and the finish, which would have been a big spectacular display, was a fizzle. The evening performance went O.K.

WILLIAM A. DILLON, Parodist:- 17 Min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 9:18 Well known on the circuit. His parodies are excellent, his manner of delivery likewise. He caught all parts of the house very strong, and they gave him encore after encore, with two curtain calls, after a smashing good finish. Held down this difficult spot with perfect ease. Press very laudatory this morning.

[[underline]]AL LEECH & ROSENBUDS[[end underline]]:- 11 min. F.S. close in 1. 2 shows. On at 9:35. This is our headliner of headliners this week, and it is certainly jilarious from start to finish. The three "Rosebuds" are all good singers and dancers, and their line of material is highly amusing. Leech's impersonation of the inebriated dancer gets a great laugh, and the close in 1 gives the act good finish with strong hand and a curtain call.

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bar and especially their comedy, which is uproarously funny. Caught the crowd very strong and held them to a big finish, with two curtain calls. could hold any spot even to closing the show. [[underline]]MORROW & SCHELLBERG[[end underline]], "Happy's millions":-11 min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 8:38. Carry their own drop which is just a little bit seamy. Morrow takes the part of the cow-boy, and Miss Shellberg that of the Quaker maiden who has gone West to teach school. They recognize each other as former school friends. There is some love-making, and a good finishing song, whereupon the pair dance off, driven by a dwarf attired in fleshings and gold wings. This gives a very good close to the act. Two curtain calls. [[underline]]A NIGHT IN THE HOUSE BOAT[[end underline]]:- 29 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 8:49. This is one of the most professional and literally ship-shape acts of an ambitious kind that we have ever played. In fact, it is as good as Jerome K. Jerome's short story wherein the workmanship is just as brilliant as if it were a long novel. The rise of the curtain displaying one of the most novel scenes ever seen in Vaudeville, gets a good hand and starts the house boat adrift in good shape. The characters do exactly the opposite from what the audience expects and there is a surprise and a paugh[[?]] at every turn. There is not a weak character in the cast and if the string of amusing episodes were run out to a two hour length I am sure that the audience would not tire. The man who plays the part of the Englishman,and the lisping "fluffy ruffles" are irresistible, and the illuminations ate the finish were a triumph of stage craft and got rousing big hand. The Morning Telegraph was right when it said this act was a model for Vaudeville features of this pretentious order. I see nothing but long continued prosperity for it and the people represented. There seems to be poor management in this act. The paraphenalia did not arrive in the city until after eight o'clock Monday morning, and did not get to the theatre until 12:30. In consequence there was great confusion and delay putting it on. More than that, there should have been a leader to give a first performance a good send off, as has been the case with other musical acts of like proportions. The consequence was that the afternoon performance went unevenly, and the finish, which would have been a big spectacular display, was a fizzle. The evening performance went O.K. WILLIAM A. DILLON, Parodist:- 17 Min. in 1. 2 shows. On at 9:18 Well known on the circuit. His parodies are excellent, his manner of delivery likewise. He caught all parts of the house very strong, and they gave him encore after encore, with two curtain calls, after a smashing good finish. Held down this difficult spot with perfect ease. Press very laudatory this morning. [[underline]]AL LEECH & ROSENBUDS[[end underline]]:- 11 min. F.S. close in 1. 2 shows. On at 9:35. This is our headliner of headliners this week, and it is certainly jilarious from start to finish. The three "Rosebuds" are all good singers and dancers, and their line of material is highly amusing. Leech's impersonation of the inebriated dancer gets a great laugh, and the close in 1 gives the act good finish with strong hand and a curtain call. 2.-