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 90

GRAND OPERA HOUSE, PITTSBURG, PA., MARCH 15th, 09
QUINN & MITCHELL- "Lemon City Land Agent". Two special drops in one, 17 minutes. I think if the finish of this act was changed it would help it considerable. It is a laugh all the way through until their attempt at pathos at the finish, which in my opinion murders the act.
FRANCO PIPER-15 minutes, interior, closing in one 7 minutes. This act is too well known to need any extended criticism. All there is to say of Mr. Piper is that his act is about the same as always. He is going big as it is his first appearance here in three seasons.
[MONIE MINE?]. 12 minutes, olio. Singing and dancing. This act was booked in on a Tuesday on account of the non appearance of Vinie Daly. All of her songs were a little off color on her first appearance and even with them she did not go well. After we were compelled to eliminate two of her songs and substitute different ones she was far from being a success. She would have a hard time getting by later than eight o'clock.
MURPHY & NICHOLS in "The School of Acting". 24 minutes, full stage. In my opinion not nearly so good an act as "From Zaza to Uncle Tom" and I am sure we will not care for a repetition of "The School of Acting".
ALEXANDER & SCOTT- Olio in one, Two men, black face. One female impersonator. Scott is not a good singer but I consider Alexander one of the best in his line and at the finish when he removes his wig it is a bog surprise and they are forced to take three and four bows. A good act for almost any place on the bill. This is a very reasonable act and should be booked at once for next season.
GRIFF-"The Jolly Jovial Jesting Juggler". 15 minutes, full stage, closing in one 5 minutes. This man is not a juggler-simply attempts juggling during his monologue. It is a little different from anything we have had and I will be glad to play him a return. He is a hit.with us.
KITAMURA JAPS-Full stage, 17 minutes. A very good act, working about ten Japs. More comedy than any Jap act we play.
NAT WILLS-18 minutes in one, "The Happy Tramp". Entirely too much money and badly in need of new material. However, he went well with us.
REYNOLDS & DONEGAN-Roller skating. 8 minutes, full stage. Beautiful costumes and very clever skaters.

John P. Harris.

CUTS GRAND OPERA HOUSE, PITTSBURG, PA., MARCH 15th, 09.
WORTH & DELMAR-Please cut the line "Laid a knot holt".
HARRY HOLMAN-Kindly omit the story about "The man getting into the wrong berth" and the lines "Looking through the grating in the subway" and "God bless her" and God----"
GRIFF-Please do not talk to the audience about coming in or going out. Kindly omit "Some are salts" and "some are seidlitz powders".
QUINN & MITCHELL-Please do not use "To hell with your father" and "Pittsburg councilmen".
WILL H. MURPHY-You will oblige by omitting from your act the following lines and business.
"She didn't lay it"
"I will do the take off", referring to the Salome dance.
"She wants me to get her another husband."
"Can't I say 'War is Hell?"
The trick business of opening and closing Miss Nichols dress at the bust.
Business of losing the train of her skirt and holding her skirt above the knees as she exits.
Business of "Miss Angel" coming in in a sheet, whispering to you, and your getting her a pair of trousers taken from one of the supernumeraries on the stage.
Business of peeking through the walls when you refer to the soldiers dressing on the other side.
NAT M. WILLS-"Stork".
He can't find one of his own". Will shhot him right in the well--oh--. "When she sat down she was 2 ft. higher". "When she swallowed an olive everybody tells her how stout she is getting". "Peek-a-boo waist story". "What bust".

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GRAND OPERA HOUSE, PITTSBURG, PA., MARCH 15th, 09 QUINN & MITCHELL- "Lemon City Land Agent". Two special drops in one, 17 minutes. I think if the finish of this act was changed it would help it considerable. It is a laugh all the way through until their attempt at pathos at the finish, which in my opinion murders the act. FRANCO PIPER-15 minutes, interior, closing in one 7 minutes. This act is too well known to need any extended criticism. All there is to say of Mr. Piper is that his act is about the same as always. He is going big as it is his first appearance here in three seasons. [MONIE MINE?]. 12 minutes, olio. Singing and dancing. This act was booked in on a Tuesday on account of the non appearance of Vinie Daly. All of her songs were a little off color on her first appearance and even with them she did not go well. After we were compelled to eliminate two of her songs and substitute different ones she was far from being a success. She would have a hard time getting by later than eight o'clock. MURPHY & NICHOLS in "The School of Acting". 24 minutes, full stage. In my opinion not nearly so good an act as "From Zaza to Uncle Tom" and I am sure we will not care for a repetition of "The School of Acting". ALEXANDER & SCOTT- Olio in one, Two men, black face. One female impersonator. Scott is not a good singer but I consider Alexander one of the best in his line and at the finish when he removes his wig it is a bog surprise and they are forced to take three and four bows. A good act for almost any place on the bill. This is a very reasonable act and should be booked at once for next season. GRIFF-"The Jolly Jovial Jesting Juggler". 15 minutes, full stage, closing in one 5 minutes. This man is not a juggler-simply attempts juggling during his monologue. It is a little different from anything we have had and I will be glad to play him a return. He is a hit.with us. KITAMURA JAPS-Full stage, 17 minutes. A very good act, working about ten Japs. More comedy than any Jap act we play. NAT WILLS-18 minutes in one, "The Happy Tramp". Entirely too much money and badly in need of new material. However, he went well with us. REYNOLDS & DONEGAN-Roller skating. 8 minutes, full stage. Beautiful costumes and very clever skaters. John P. Harris. CUTS GRAND OPERA HOUSE, PITTSBURG, PA., MARCH 15th, 09. WORTH & DELMAR-Please cut the line "Laid a knot holt". HARRY HOLMAN-Kindly omit the story about "The man getting into the wrong berth" and the lines "Looking through the grating in the subway" and "God bless her" and God----" GRIFF-Please do not talk to the audience about coming in or going out. Kindly omit "Some are salts" and "some are seidlitz powders". QUINN & MITCHELL-Please do not use "To hell with your father" and "Pittsburg councilmen". WILL H. MURPHY-You will oblige by omitting from your act the following lines and business. "She didn't lay it" "I will do the take off", referring to the Salome dance. "She wants me to get her another husband." "Can't I say 'War is Hell?" The trick business of opening and closing Miss Nichols dress at the bust. Business of losing the train of her skirt and holding her skirt above the knees as she exits. Business of "Miss Angel" coming in in a sheet, whispering to you, and your getting her a pair of trousers taken from one of the supernumeraries on the stage. Business of peeking through the walls when you refer to the soldiers dressing on the other side. NAT M. WILLS-"Stork". He can't find one of his own". Will shhot him right in the well--oh--. "When she sat down she was 2 ft. higher". "When she swallowed an olive everybody tells her how stout she is getting". "Peek-a-boo waist story". "What bust".