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 160

Boston Show, Week of May 24th, 1909. Carl D. Lothrop.
(Monday, May 24th--Afternoon Show)
Overture. 1.45, 7 minutes.
Hastings & Wilson. On at 1.52, 8 minutes full stage. A very good acrobatic comedy act, something on the Collins and Hart lines. One of these men is a really remarkable performer and will be heard from if he happens to get a better partner with a more original routine of stuff. Did very well in the opening place to-day and would undoubtedly go much better about No. 3.
Ida O'Day. On at 2.00, 14 minutes in one. A dainty and charming girl who sings a couple of songs acceptably and plays the banjo very skillfully. A pretty little turn that we could use at No. 4 to good advantage.
Edgar Allen & Co. On at 2.14, 23 minutes full stage. A helter-skelter sketch, seemingly without rhyme or reason, played in a helter-skelter manner. This afternoon's audience did not care for it, neither do I. Once is plenty.
Frank Morrell. On at 2.37, 16 minutes in one. Morrell did not do as well as I hoped he would this afternoon, although I think this largely due to an audience that was much in need of a spring tonic. I am confident he will be a hit with the night houses.
Edwin Stevens. On at 2.53, 21 minutes full stage. Doing his "Evening With Dickens," assisted by Miss Tina Marshall, a thorough little artist, by the way. This offering made its customary capital impression to-day. Mr. Stevens has changed the manner of introducing his characters somewhat, and has also reduced the running time about 8 minutes by cutting out one of the characters. This may be an improvement for some houses, but Boston would willingly had the additional time.
Frosini. On at 3.14, 11 minutes in one. Held over a second week on account of Paul LaCroix's illness. While not an ideal act for this spot in this bill, still Frosini went fully as strong, from the applause standpoint, as anything in the show. He changed a couple of his selections from last week. I hope to have him two weeks the coming season, for he is a great bargain at his salary.
Irene Franklin. On at 3.25, 22 minutes full stage. Miss Franklin brought us a couple of new songs and went amazingly well with our bunch of May flowers. So well that I have induced her to add another song for the rest of the week.


Kinetograph. On at 4.17. "Dr. Wright's Invention."--A fair comic. "The Elixir of Dreams"--Rather a pretty colored film.
Cuts. Hastings & Wilson--Kick in seat, accompanying business and remark "You have broken my heart"
Edgar Allen & Co. --All suggestions of the word "Hell." ("What the---" and "Go to----!) "Honest to God." All suggestions of the word "Damn" and "Damned"
Frank Morrell--Use of the expression "I love my wife but O, you kid."
Charles Ahearn Troupe--Business of feeling knees.
Comment. The loss of Paul LaCroix from this show, makes, I think, a vast difference, slowing it up considerably. With another act in place of Edgar Allen and Co., and LaCroix in his intended spot it would be about as good a cheap show as one could ask for at this, the toughest business period of the theatrical year, so far as Boston is concerned.

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Boston Show, Week of May 24th, 1909. Carl D. Lothrop. (Monday, May 24th--Afternoon Show) Overture. 1.45, 7 minutes. Hastings & Wilson. On at 1.52, 8 minutes full stage. A very good acrobatic comedy act, something on the Collins and Hart lines. One of these men is a really remarkable performer and will be heard from if he happens to get a better partner with a more original routine of stuff. Did very well in the opening place to-day and would undoubtedly go much better about No. 3. Ida O'Day. On at 2.00, 14 minutes in one. A dainty and charming girl who sings a couple of songs acceptably and plays the banjo very skillfully. A pretty little turn that we could use at No. 4 to good advantage. Edgar Allen & Co. On at 2.14, 23 minutes full stage. A helter-skelter sketch, seemingly without rhyme or reason, played in a helter-skelter manner. This afternoon's audience did not care for it, neither do I. Once is plenty. Frank Morrell. On at 2.37, 16 minutes in one. Morrell did not do as well as I hoped he would this afternoon, although I think this largely due to an audience that was much in need of a spring tonic. I am confident he will be a hit with the night houses. Edwin Stevens. On at 2.53, 21 minutes full stage. Doing his "Evening With Dickens," assisted by Miss Tina Marshall, a thorough little artist, by the way. This offering made its customary capital impression to-day. Mr. Stevens has changed the manner of introducing his characters somewhat, and has also reduced the running time about 8 minutes by cutting out one of the characters. This may be an improvement for some houses, but Boston would willingly had the additional time. Frosini. On at 3.14, 11 minutes in one. Held over a second week on account of Paul LaCroix's illness. While not an ideal act for this spot in this bill, still Frosini went fully as strong, from the applause standpoint, as anything in the show. He changed a couple of his selections from last week. I hope to have him two weeks the coming season, for he is a great bargain at his salary. Irene Franklin. On at 3.25, 22 minutes full stage. Miss Franklin brought us a couple of new songs and went amazingly well with our bunch of May flowers. So well that I have induced her to add another song for the rest of the week. Kinetograph. On at 4.17. "Dr. Wright's Invention."--A fair comic. "The Elixir of Dreams"--Rather a pretty colored film. Cuts. Hastings & Wilson--Kick in seat, accompanying business and remark "You have broken my heart" Edgar Allen & Co. --All suggestions of the word "Hell." ("What the---" and "Go to----!) "Honest to God." All suggestions of the word "Damn" and "Damned" Frank Morrell--Use of the expression "I love my wife but O, you kid." Charles Ahearn Troupe--Business of feeling knees. Comment. The loss of Paul LaCroix from this show, makes, I think, a vast difference, slowing it up considerably. With another act in place of Edgar Allen and Co., and LaCroix in his intended spot it would be about as good a cheap show as one could ask for at this, the toughest business period of the theatrical year, so far as Boston is concerned.