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

Page 195a

This is a very happy and pleasing act, but it is a long ways from any such piano and parlor feature as we had last week in "Irene Franklin & Burt Green." At their figure, it is a distinct disappointment. Whereas Miss Barrison makes a cute picture and her songs and work generally is good, as is also the case with Joe Howard, nevertheless, it falls short of requirements as their exhorbitant price. Four Hundred dollars name or no name, is what the act is intrinsically worth to a house like this. Good applause throughout and a fairly good finish, but not strong enough to justify their close in one, which was omitted for lack of encouragement on the part of the audience. The act may pull up during the week, but it does not look as if the material was there.
FRED LINDSAY. 13 min. F. S. As a novelty act, this is one of the most interesting features we have had in a long time. It is far more interesting than Will Rogers will his lasso, besides being admirably staged from a showman's standpoint. A moving picture of broncho-busting in Australia opens the act. Lindsay has a good announcer who makes a preliminary speech, and when the  curtain goes up, it discloses an Australian scene at sunrise which is very stunning and gets an advanced hand. The announcer then introduces Mr. Lindsay who goes right to work with his whips in a style that instantly wins confidence and interest. The crowd likes a noise and the rifle-cracking of these whips is really quite thrilling. The manner in which he puts out lighted candles, cuts candles and whiskey bottles in two and does other feats of strength, and a moment later winds the lash around the woman's arm and neck, snatches a revolver from a man's hand and lassooing him with the lash to make him helpless -- all of this is mighty skilful and interesting and has never been done in this country. Every feat got a big hand. His interview with Pres. Roosevelt las Saturday we are exploiting to the limit. For press material, Lindsay is second only to Houdini. Beside that, he is most accommodating and willing to use his best efforts in behalf of the management. This act would thoroughly make good anywhere in the world.
KINETOGRAPH. Bryan & Taft Pictures. Same as last week. II. Chas. & Mary in the Country. A good comedy film.
TOM BATEMAN. Dancing. 12 min. in one. This man sings well and dances better. His skipping the rope while he dances a jig is really very skilful and got a good hand.
PAUL STEVENS. One-Legged Acrobatic Wonder. 8 min. F. S. This man is really a remarkable athlete, considering the fact that he has only one leg. this gives him the sympathy of the audience right away. He seems to make the best use of his other three members and does gymnastic work on his hands and afterward slack-wire work on the one leg, pole jumping, etc. This act makes a good opener.
"ALTHEA." 10 min. in one. A very pleasing little vocalist and dancer and good for anywhere in the three-a-day section. Was very well received.
GENERAL REMARKS. While the show this week is not quite so strong in headliners as last, it really is a cracking good show; has a number of features that will be talked about and plays off well. Commencing with tomorrow, Election Day, we look for big business, which undoubtedly will follow for the balance of the season with President Elect TAFT soon to go into the WHITE HOUSE.

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This is a very happy and pleasing act, but it is a long ways from any such piano and parlor feature as we had last week in "Irene Franklin & Burt Green." At their figure, it is a distinct disappointment. Whereas Miss Barrison makes a cute picture and her songs and work generally is good, as is also the case with Joe Howard, nevertheless, it falls short of requirements as their exhorbitant price. Four Hundred dollars name or no name, is what the act is intrinsically worth to a house like this. Good applause throughout and a fairly good finish, but not strong enough to justify their close in one, which was omitted for lack of encouragement on the part of the audience. The act may pull up during the week, but it does not look as if the material was there. FRED LINDSAY. 13 min. F. S. As a novelty act, this is one of the most interesting features we have had in a long time. It is far more interesting than Will Rogers will his lasso, besides being admirably staged from a showman's standpoint. A moving picture of broncho-busting in Australia opens the act. Lindsay has a good announcer who makes a preliminary speech, and when the curtain goes up, it discloses an Australian scene at sunrise which is very stunning and gets an advanced hand. The announcer then introduces Mr. Lindsay who goes right to work with his whips in a style that instantly wins confidence and interest. The crowd likes a noise and the rifle-cracking of these whips is really quite thrilling. The manner in which he puts out lighted candles, cuts candles and whiskey bottles in two and does other feats of strength, and a moment later winds the lash around the woman's arm and neck, snatches a revolver from a man's hand and lassooing him with the lash to make him helpless -- all of this is mighty skilful and interesting and has never been done in this country. Every feat got a big hand. His interview with Pres. Roosevelt las Saturday we are exploiting to the limit. For press material, Lindsay is second only to Houdini. Beside that, he is most accommodating and willing to use his best efforts in behalf of the management. This act would thoroughly make good anywhere in the world. KINETOGRAPH. Bryan & Taft Pictures. Same as last week. II. Chas. & Mary in the Country. A good comedy film. TOM BATEMAN. Dancing. 12 min. in one. This man sings well and dances better. His skipping the rope while he dances a jig is really very skilful and got a good hand. PAUL STEVENS. One-Legged Acrobatic Wonder. 8 min. F. S. This man is really a remarkable athlete, considering the fact that he has only one leg. this gives him the sympathy of the audience right away. He seems to make the best use of his other three members and does gymnastic work on his hands and afterward slack-wire work on the one leg, pole jumping, etc. This act makes a good opener. "ALTHEA." 10 min. in one. A very pleasing little vocalist and dancer and good for anywhere in the three-a-day section. Was very well received. GENERAL REMARKS. While the show this week is not quite so strong in headliners as last, it really is a cracking good show; has a number of features that will be talked about and plays off well. Commencing with tomorrow, Election Day, we look for big business, which undoubtedly will follow for the balance of the season with President Elect TAFT soon to go into the WHITE HOUSE.