DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, December 28, 1908 - October 18, 1909

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, December 28, 1908 - October 18, 1909

Page 74

Boston Show, Week of March 1, 1909. Carl D. Lothrop.
(Monday, Mar. 1--Afternoon Show.)
Overture. 1.30, 12 minutes.
Spissell, Meers and Adolph. On at 1.42, 11 minutes full stage. This act is almost an exact copy of Spissell Brothers and Mack's in the tricks attempted, the comedy and the routine, but it is only a copy, for it is far behind the original, although it will undoubtedly work into a pretty fair offering. They are using a special drop, showing a military camp, which has no connection with the act, that I can see, except they they wear military uniforms. This act needs a lot of work and some competent stage management before it will be in shape to play the big cities.
Anderson and Goines. On at 1.53, 17 minutes in one. These two colored comedians present an act that is good enough to hold a spot in any bill. I would not be afraid to give them any place that I would give Avery and Hart, Cooper and Robinson or Cook and Stevens. One of the best values we have had this season. Anderson is a particularly good eccentric dancer. His imitation of the coon with bad feet is an extremely droll piece of work. Should be booked for next season.
Hugh J. Emmett, assisted by Hildred Emmett. On at 2.10, 18 minutes full stage. Can close in one if necessary. This is another great value. Emmett is one of the best ventriloquists I have ever seen. His figures, of which by the way, he only uses two, are very good, and his patter is bright and entertaining. Mrs. Emmett makes a fine appearance, her piano accompaniments are well rendered and give distinction to the act. Should be booked for next season.
Harry B. Lester. On at 2.28, 20 minutes in one. Lester has improved wonderfully since I saw him last, and is now doing a rattling good turn in one. His great fault seems to be a tendency toward suggestive material, the kind that some audiences seem to crave, but the kind we don't care for here. He is clever enough to do stuff to which no objection can be taken. His imitations are up to date and well done. A next season's prospect.
The Josettis and their Lilliputians. On at 2.48, 11 minutes in one. A great gymnastic act that can hold a spot in any show.
George Whiting, assisted by the Clark Sisters. On at 2.59, 17 minutes in one. The idea I formed of this act this afternoon is that it is a better offering than that of Whiting and the Melnotte Twins. These girls are without the affectation and the squeaky voices of the Melnottes, but are not dressed quite so well. Their first costumes are not particularly attractive. However, this can be easily remedied. Whiting is a wonderful deliverer of popular songs and the act made a very strong hit to-day. Next season for me.

it impossible to play here on account of rehearsals.
Kinetograph. On at 4.44. "On the Zambezi"--A capital scenic film. "Saved by his Dog."--A very good picture. "It's Only the Painter."--A fair comic.
La Rose Brothers. On at 5.12, 9 minutes full stage. Two fairly good acrobats in an old fashioned trick house affair that has no particular merit. Would not care to play them again.
Gates and Blake. On at 5.21, 18 minutes in one. Parody singers, one straight, the other a Hebrew character. Have some good stuff and should be valuable for the small houses.
Cuts.--Hugh J. Emmett--Reference to "bad girls," "joints", "whiskey" and "you should see her when she gets up in the morning." Harry B. Lester--"Married but not to each other." "Laying eggs." All material about sheath gown. "Run down in the middle of the night" Jeff De Angelis & Co.--Use of the word "God" La Rose Bros--Mock prayer.
Comment--While I am not particularly pleased with the way the show went this afternoon, I still have confidence that it will look like a different affair to-night. Have made several changes which I trust will make it run better.
(Later) It did, and seemed like a real show.

Saving...

Boston Show, Week of March 1, 1909. Carl D. Lothrop. (Monday, Mar. 1--Afternoon Show.) Overture. 1.30, 12 minutes. Spissell, Meers and Adolph. On at 1.42, 11 minutes full stage. This act is almost an exact copy of Spissell Brothers and Mack's in the tricks attempted, the comedy and the routine, but it is only a copy, for it is far behind the original, although it will undoubtedly work into a pretty fair offering. They are using a special drop, showing a military camp, which has no connection with the act, that I can see, except they they wear military uniforms. This act needs a lot of work and some competent stage management before it will be in shape to play the big cities. Anderson and Goines. On at 1.53, 17 minutes in one. These two colored comedians present an act that is good enough to hold a spot in any bill. I would not be afraid to give them any place that I would give Avery and Hart, Cooper and Robinson or Cook and Stevens. One of the best values we have had this season. Anderson is a particularly good eccentric dancer. His imitation of the coon with bad feet is an extremely droll piece of work. Should be booked for next season. Hugh J. Emmett, assisted by Hildred Emmett. On at 2.10, 18 minutes full stage. Can close in one if necessary. This is another great value. Emmett is one of the best ventriloquists I have ever seen. His figures, of which by the way, he only uses two, are very good, and his patter is bright and entertaining. Mrs. Emmett makes a fine appearance, her piano accompaniments are well rendered and give distinction to the act. Should be booked for next season. Harry B. Lester. On at 2.28, 20 minutes in one. Lester has improved wonderfully since I saw him last, and is now doing a rattling good turn in one. His great fault seems to be a tendency toward suggestive material, the kind that some audiences seem to crave, but the kind we don't care for here. He is clever enough to do stuff to which no objection can be taken. His imitations are up to date and well done. A next season's prospect. The Josettis and their Lilliputians. On at 2.48, 11 minutes in one. A great gymnastic act that can hold a spot in any show. George Whiting, assisted by the Clark Sisters. On at 2.59, 17 minutes in one. The idea I formed of this act this afternoon is that it is a better offering than that of Whiting and the Melnotte Twins. These girls are without the affectation and the squeaky voices of the Melnottes, but are not dressed quite so well. Their first costumes are not particularly attractive. However, this can be easily remedied. Whiting is a wonderful deliverer of popular songs and the act made a very strong hit to-day. Next season for me. it impossible to play here on account of rehearsals. Kinetograph. On at 4.44. "On the Zambezi"--A capital scenic film. "Saved by his Dog."--A very good picture. "It's Only the Painter."--A fair comic. La Rose Brothers. On at 5.12, 9 minutes full stage. Two fairly good acrobats in an old fashioned trick house affair that has no particular merit. Would not care to play them again. Gates and Blake. On at 5.21, 18 minutes in one. Parody singers, one straight, the other a Hebrew character. Have some good stuff and should be valuable for the small houses. Cuts.--Hugh J. Emmett--Reference to "bad girls," "joints", "whiskey" and "you should see her when she gets up in the morning." Harry B. Lester--"Married but not to each other." "Laying eggs." All material about sheath gown. "Run down in the middle of the night" Jeff De Angelis & Co.--Use of the word "God" La Rose Bros--Mock prayer. Comment--While I am not particularly pleased with the way the show went this afternoon, I still have confidence that it will look like a different affair to-night. Have made several changes which I trust will make it run better. (Later) It did, and seemed like a real show.