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 231

REPORT ON PROVIDENCE SHOW, WEEK OF OCTOBER 4th, 1909.
Charles Lovenberg, Manager.
The bill this week is not very satisfactory. It needed particularly another strong feature to back up the Kellinos, who, in themselves, are not sufficiently strong to head a bill in Providence, excepting with a strong act with them, as acrobatic acts are not the sensation here that they are in other cities. Had Lady Betty materialized and done what we expected of her, the condition would have been different. But Ward & Curran, who were put in to replace Lady Betty are not strong enough to hold up that end. Ray L. Royce, of whom I expected a lot according to reports, was not able to hold the bottom spot, the audience walking away from him in the middle of his act, and this in an early show. Ward & Curran are now put in the bottom spot in One, altho they cannot really hold it to satisfaction with their present offering.
THE CHAMEROYS  A little acrobatic comedy act which answers for an opener. 9 Min. F. S.
CARBREY BROTHERS  A well-known dancing act which did as well as usual. All right in this spot. 9 Min. in One.
Mme. ARDIZZONI  Operatic Sponaro. This woman has a very beautiful voice, but as yet has not gotten thoroughly into the vaudeville atmosphere. She seemed a little nervous at the afternoon performance and was afraid to let her voice out. In spite of all this, got plenty of applause for her three selections. Did 13 Min., working in One, but, as I have more acts in One than I require, I am giving her F.S. and cutting the act to 10 Min.
QUIGLEY BROS.  These men seem to grow worse as the years go on and have not given one bit of new material in this act, simply giving the best of several of their old acts. Went fairly well today. It is strange that these men can get a route for 40 weeks when such acts as Brown & Ayer and others that might be named, who are infinitely superior and will take less money, cannot get enough work to keep them going. Quigley Bros. 17 Min. in One.
THE PIANO FOUR  Three rather attractive young women and one man, who give an act similar - in fact it is no doubt a copy of - the Pianophiends. A very attractive act for the money. 18 Min. F.S.
RAY L. ROYCE  This man is doing the exact same stuff that he did ten or more years ago, not having changed a single line. When he was getting $75 a week and doing three shows I considered him great value, but even with the present inflation of vaudeville salaries I cannot see him at his present price and neither could the audience at any price in the bottom spot in One.
HARLAN KNIGHT & CO.  Rural comedy sketch, "The Chalk Line". One of the best sketches of the kind I have ever seen, and, with the exception of the Kellinos, will no doubt draw us more money than all the rest of the show together. 28 Min. F.S.
WARD & CURRAN  There is no question but that the average audience likes Ward & Curran much better than the average manager does. The old act used to be a scream in this house, but this afternoon, in the position of fourth from last, they were far from being a tremendous hit. But as they went so much better than Royce I am giving them the last spot in One. This act which they present as an entirely new act is some of their old stuff of fifteen years ago dug up. However, I don't believe the present vaudeville audiences will recognize it, especially in Providence as we have not been playing vaudeville that long. Some of the old timers who saw them with the Dazzlers might remember it. 25 Min. in 1 1/2
THE KELLINOS  One of the greatest acts of its kind in the world. 15 Min. F.S.
MOTION PICTURES  O.K.

Saving...

REPORT ON PROVIDENCE SHOW, WEEK OF OCTOBER 4th, 1909. Charles Lovenberg, Manager. The bill this week is not very satisfactory. It needed particularly another strong feature to back up the Kellinos, who, in themselves, are not sufficiently strong to head a bill in Providence, excepting with a strong act with them, as acrobatic acts are not the sensation here that they are in other cities. Had Lady Betty materialized and done what we expected of her, the condition would have been different. But Ward & Curran, who were put in to replace Lady Betty are not strong enough to hold up that end. Ray L. Royce, of whom I expected a lot according to reports, was not able to hold the bottom spot, the audience walking away from him in the middle of his act, and this in an early show. Ward & Curran are now put in the bottom spot in One, altho they cannot really hold it to satisfaction with their present offering. THE CHAMEROYS A little acrobatic comedy act which answers for an opener. 9 Min. F. S. CARBREY BROTHERS A well-known dancing act which did as well as usual. All right in this spot. 9 Min. in One. Mme. ARDIZZONI Operatic Sponaro. This woman has a very beautiful voice, but as yet has not gotten thoroughly into the vaudeville atmosphere. She seemed a little nervous at the afternoon performance and was afraid to let her voice out. In spite of all this, got plenty of applause for her three selections. Did 13 Min., working in One, but, as I have more acts in One than I require, I am giving her F.S. and cutting the act to 10 Min. QUIGLEY BROS. These men seem to grow worse as the years go on and have not given one bit of new material in this act, simply giving the best of several of their old acts. Went fairly well today. It is strange that these men can get a route for 40 weeks when such acts as Brown & Ayer and others that might be named, who are infinitely superior and will take less money, cannot get enough work to keep them going. Quigley Bros. 17 Min. in One. THE PIANO FOUR Three rather attractive young women and one man, who give an act similar - in fact it is no doubt a copy of - the Pianophiends. A very attractive act for the money. 18 Min. F.S. RAY L. ROYCE This man is doing the exact same stuff that he did ten or more years ago, not having changed a single line. When he was getting $75 a week and doing three shows I considered him great value, but even with the present inflation of vaudeville salaries I cannot see him at his present price and neither could the audience at any price in the bottom spot in One. HARLAN KNIGHT & CO. Rural comedy sketch, "The Chalk Line". One of the best sketches of the kind I have ever seen, and, with the exception of the Kellinos, will no doubt draw us more money than all the rest of the show together. 28 Min. F.S. WARD & CURRAN There is no question but that the average audience likes Ward & Curran much better than the average manager does. The old act used to be a scream in this house, but this afternoon, in the position of fourth from last, they were far from being a tremendous hit. But as they went so much better than Royce I am giving them the last spot in One. This act which they present as an entirely new act is some of their old stuff of fifteen years ago dug up. However, I don't believe the present vaudeville audiences will recognize it, especially in Providence as we have not been playing vaudeville that long. Some of the old timers who saw them with the Dazzlers might remember it. 25 Min. in 1 1/2 THE KELLINOS One of the greatest acts of its kind in the world. 15 Min. F.S. MOTION PICTURES O.K.