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Keith-Albee managers' report book, March 9-December 14, 1908

Page 139a

2
"The Love Waltz". On at 8.32, 37, minutes full stage. Second and final week of this really great act. Went even better than on last Monday. It is a pity that the comedy can not be strengthened which would make it practically an ideal act. XX1
Mullen and Corelli. On at 9.09, 14 minutes in one. As these boys first presented their act at my suggestion in one, I was greatly pleased to have them score heavily at both performances. The line of talk with which they open is bright and new and their acrobatic stuff exceedingly well done. A sure fire success for any show. XX1
Nikolai Sokoloff, accompanied by Madame Izadora Martinez. On at 9.23, 13 minutes full stage. A Russian violinist who is an ex-member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, in itself a guarantee that he is a capable musician. He is a really great violinist and a master of technique, but his stage appearance is not attractive and his personality is not magnetic. There is no question in my mind about Mr. Sokoloff's success as a concert player, in which field he would naturally always have the advantage of an audience thoroughly in sympathy with him. I have my doubts, however, as to his success in vaudeville outside of Boston, Pittsburg, Philadelphia and possibly two or three other cities. XX
Ezra Kendall. On at 9.41, 23 minutes in one. A more bitter disappointment than Kendall proved to be in the afternoon, I have seldom experienced. He seemed absolutely to have lost his wonderful facility in handling an audience, as well as much of his unique method. He had some new material, but his points did not reach the audience. When he walked off the stage, after doing about 18 min., fully two hundred people started to leave the house, and when he returned to do an encore it was hard for him to retain the attention of the audience. A night he changed considerable of his stuff and went much better. His reception at both performances was nothing startling, showing that he has been almost forgotten by vaudeville patrons. Kendall has grown very stout and seems to have become heavy in wit as well as in flesh. In fact, to state it in a few words, he has lost his personality. At his present salary he is a prize gold brick. If he picks up and goes better through the week, shall be pleased to send a supplementary report. (Everything considered X1
"The Hazardous Globe." On at 10.06, 8 minutes full stage. Did not create one tenth part the excitement that it did when first shown here about two years ago. It seems to me that a partial explanation of this is, at that time motor cycles were a novelty, while now they are almost as common as bicycles were ten years ago. However, the act will create a lot of talk in any town where it has not been previously seen.


M Kinetograph
Cook and Stevens. Were late in arriving from New York on Tuesday afternoon, so had to change them with Mullen and Corelli. On at 3.33, 19 minutes in one. Two real coons, one made up, as a Chinaman, the other a la Bert Williams. Proved to be just what was needed for this bill, their singing and comedy work scoring emphatically. A corking good turn for the money and can cordially recommend them.

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2 "The Love Waltz". On at 8.32, 37, minutes full stage. Second and final week of this really great act. Went even better than on last Monday. It is a pity that the comedy can not be strengthened which would make it practically an ideal act. XX1 Mullen and Corelli. On at 9.09, 14 minutes in one. As these boys first presented their act at my suggestion in one, I was greatly pleased to have them score heavily at both performances. The line of talk with which they open is bright and new and their acrobatic stuff exceedingly well done. A sure fire success for any show. XX1 Nikolai Sokoloff, accompanied by Madame Izadora Martinez. On at 9.23, 13 minutes full stage. A Russian violinist who is an ex-member of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, in itself a guarantee that he is a capable musician. He is a really great violinist and a master of technique, but his stage appearance is not attractive and his personality is not magnetic. There is no question in my mind about Mr. Sokoloff's success as a concert player, in which field he would naturally always have the advantage of an audience thoroughly in sympathy with him. I have my doubts, however, as to his success in vaudeville outside of Boston, Pittsburg, Philadelphia and possibly two or three other cities. XX Ezra Kendall. On at 9.41, 23 minutes in one. A more bitter disappointment than Kendall proved to be in the afternoon, I have seldom experienced. He seemed absolutely to have lost his wonderful facility in handling an audience, as well as much of his unique method. He had some new material, but his points did not reach the audience. When he walked off the stage, after doing about 18 min., fully two hundred people started to leave the house, and when he returned to do an encore it was hard for him to retain the attention of the audience. A night he changed considerable of his stuff and went much better. His reception at both performances was nothing startling, showing that he has been almost forgotten by vaudeville patrons. Kendall has grown very stout and seems to have become heavy in wit as well as in flesh. In fact, to state it in a few words, he has lost his personality. At his present salary he is a prize gold brick. If he picks up and goes better through the week, shall be pleased to send a supplementary report. (Everything considered X1 "The Hazardous Globe." On at 10.06, 8 minutes full stage. Did not create one tenth part the excitement that it did when first shown here about two years ago. It seems to me that a partial explanation of this is, at that time motor cycles were a novelty, while now they are almost as common as bicycles were ten years ago. However, the act will create a lot of talk in any town where it has not been previously seen. M Kinetograph Cook and Stevens. Were late in arriving from New York on Tuesday afternoon, so had to change them with Mullen and Corelli. On at 3.33, 19 minutes in one. Two real coons, one made up, as a Chinaman, the other a la Bert Williams. Proved to be just what was needed for this bill, their singing and comedy work scoring emphatically. A corking good turn for the money and can cordially recommend them.