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“A case of Arson” – (Protean) – 20 min. F.S. 2 shows. On at 8:40. With all deference to Mr. De Vries as an artist, it must be admitted that William Courtleigh, when he stole De Vries’ thunder, infused into it a lot of his own precious lightning. His work was an artistic success in a way, and received respectful attention throughout and some applause. The finish was fair, with two curtain calls, but he did not make the impressive hit that was expected of him. More than that, De Vrie’s support in the persons of the magistrate and the usher were much weaker than by Courtleigh’s. The most lamentable falling-off however, is in swiftness of action as well as strong differentiation of the characters. In this regard Courtleigh seemed to have him beaten by a mile. De Vries is somewhat handicapped by his dialect. As a protean feature R.A. Roberts has it all over De Vries. As an ordinary two-a-day right-thirty act it would get by, but as a loud-trumpeted, heavily-billed topliner, De Vries is a distinct fall-down
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Keith-Albee managers' report book, February 4-September 9, 1907