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

Transcribe
Translate

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

Page 153

Boston Show, Week of July 5, 1909. Carl D. Lothrop.
(Monday, July 5th--Afternoon Show.)
Overture. 1.45, 15 minutes.
Sid Baxter, assisted by Beatrice Southwick. On at 2.00, 10 minutes full stage. Can do entire act in 1 1/2 if necessary. A rattling good novelty wire act, well presented. Excellent value at its present salary. Good enough to open anybody's show, and can hold a good spot in the small towns.
Brown & Ayer. On at 2.10, 20 minutes in one. This is practically their first appearance as a team. Brown is a corking good singer of comedy and dialect songs, while Ayer, who was formerly of the team of Morrissey, is a clever pianist, sings well, and writes catchy songs. A better act to-day than that of Morrissey and Ayer, with every indication of developing into an offering in one that will be much sought after. At present their opening gab is a bit slow, but they are to remedy this. Their songs are excellent, although one, "Divorce," was a bit spicy for Boston. I think these boys should be encouraged by giving them some time for next season.
Horton & LaTriska. On at 2.30, 8 minutes full stage, 5 minutes close in one, 13 minutes in all. La Triska's work as a human doll is as good as I have ever seen, her muscular control being simply phenomonal. Horton is a good eccentric dancer and presents La Triska in pretty good shape, although it seems to me that he could get a more fitting character than the one he plays at present. Was obliged to have him modify the work with the doll in the audience, as our people do not care to be placed in embarrassing positions.
Silbon's Novelty Circus. On at 2.43, 14 minutes full stage. An animal act that is considerably out of the ordinary run and one that is worthy a spot on any bill. The only possible objection that can be made to it is the fact that the comedy is forced and without unction. The work of the animals, particularly the cats, is simply great.
Haines & Vidocq. On at 2.57, 17 minutes in one. I had many misgivings about this act to-day when I looked over the house and found that we had a typical holiday audience of visitors, but much to my delight the patter hit them from the start and I doubt if the team ever went as well in this house. Haines has put together a characteristic bunch of nonsense, some old and some new, that kept his auditors in a gale of laughter. He is still hunting for the same thing that he has been in search of for twenty years--a fitting finish, something that would happen naturally and permit them to walk off the stage without the seeming abruptness of their present ending.
Vinie Daly. On at 3.14, 10 minutes. Special plush drop in 1 1/2. I am sorry to say that Miss Daly did something of a flop this afternoon. For some reason or other she is cheating on her dancing and seems to think she can charm the public with her voice. She can't, and the sooner she places more dependence on her legs, the quicker she will get back to her old standard.


and this act makes one of the greatest closing features I have ever seen for a vaudeville show. It will certainly cause a lot of talk in any city where it has never been pulled off before.
Later--At night the old act with the short opening proved to be the idea arrangement to follow "Our Boys in Blue."
Kinetograph. On at 4.37. "A Visit to the London Zoological Gardens"--An extremely interesting picture.
Cuts--Brown & Ayer--"Frog's legs" squib. "Divorce" song
Horton & LaTriska--Instructed not to do anything that might embarrass any one in the audience.
Haines & Vidocq--Requested to,change "Barber's itch" expression. Instructed to cut or modify the following squibs--"Wrapper" (cut)--"Look at pictures" (cut)--"Helen Somers" (cut)--"Female Firemen" (modify)--"Old maid's children" (cut).
John P. Wade & Co.--Cut use of the word "Hell"
Lillian Shaw--Instructed to cut the expression "Oh, you devil," and to make the opening in her sheath gown less noticeable.
Comment. An excellent summer show, one that seemed to appeal strongly to this afternoon's holiday audience.

Saving...

Boston Show, Week of July 5, 1909. Carl D. Lothrop. (Monday, July 5th--Afternoon Show.) Overture. 1.45, 15 minutes. Sid Baxter, assisted by Beatrice Southwick. On at 2.00, 10 minutes full stage. Can do entire act in 1 1/2 if necessary. A rattling good novelty wire act, well presented. Excellent value at its present salary. Good enough to open anybody's show, and can hold a good spot in the small towns. Brown & Ayer. On at 2.10, 20 minutes in one. This is practically their first appearance as a team. Brown is a corking good singer of comedy and dialect songs, while Ayer, who was formerly of the team of Morrissey, is a clever pianist, sings well, and writes catchy songs. A better act to-day than that of Morrissey and Ayer, with every indication of developing into an offering in one that will be much sought after. At present their opening gab is a bit slow, but they are to remedy this. Their songs are excellent, although one, "Divorce," was a bit spicy for Boston. I think these boys should be encouraged by giving them some time for next season. Horton & LaTriska. On at 2.30, 8 minutes full stage, 5 minutes close in one, 13 minutes in all. La Triska's work as a human doll is as good as I have ever seen, her muscular control being simply phenomonal. Horton is a good eccentric dancer and presents La Triska in pretty good shape, although it seems to me that he could get a more fitting character than the one he plays at present. Was obliged to have him modify the work with the doll in the audience, as our people do not care to be placed in embarrassing positions. Silbon's Novelty Circus. On at 2.43, 14 minutes full stage. An animal act that is considerably out of the ordinary run and one that is worthy a spot on any bill. The only possible objection that can be made to it is the fact that the comedy is forced and without unction. The work of the animals, particularly the cats, is simply great. Haines & Vidocq. On at 2.57, 17 minutes in one. I had many misgivings about this act to-day when I looked over the house and found that we had a typical holiday audience of visitors, but much to my delight the patter hit them from the start and I doubt if the team ever went as well in this house. Haines has put together a characteristic bunch of nonsense, some old and some new, that kept his auditors in a gale of laughter. He is still hunting for the same thing that he has been in search of for twenty years--a fitting finish, something that would happen naturally and permit them to walk off the stage without the seeming abruptness of their present ending. Vinie Daly. On at 3.14, 10 minutes. Special plush drop in 1 1/2. I am sorry to say that Miss Daly did something of a flop this afternoon. For some reason or other she is cheating on her dancing and seems to think she can charm the public with her voice. She can't, and the sooner she places more dependence on her legs, the quicker she will get back to her old standard. and this act makes one of the greatest closing features I have ever seen for a vaudeville show. It will certainly cause a lot of talk in any city where it has never been pulled off before. Later--At night the old act with the short opening proved to be the idea arrangement to follow "Our Boys in Blue." Kinetograph. On at 4.37. "A Visit to the London Zoological Gardens"--An extremely interesting picture. Cuts--Brown & Ayer--"Frog's legs" squib. "Divorce" song Horton & LaTriska--Instructed not to do anything that might embarrass any one in the audience. Haines & Vidocq--Requested to,change "Barber's itch" expression. Instructed to cut or modify the following squibs--"Wrapper" (cut)--"Look at pictures" (cut)--"Helen Somers" (cut)--"Female Firemen" (modify)--"Old maid's children" (cut). John P. Wade & Co.--Cut use of the word "Hell" Lillian Shaw--Instructed to cut the expression "Oh, you devil," and to make the opening in her sheath gown less noticeable. Comment. An excellent summer show, one that seemed to appeal strongly to this afternoon's holiday audience.