DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903

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Keith-Albee manager reports, September 2, 1902 - September 3, 1903

Page 252

Boston Show, Week of April 27, 1903. (M.J. Keating)

Stereopticon, 12 min. in 1--Usual list of views.

Murphy and Andrews, 16 min. in 1--Comedy and singing sketch, which went very well as an opener when we began earlier, but proved to be a partial frost today as a starter for the show at 1.45.

Vitagraph, 20 min. in 1--Capital list of pictures, almost every one of which was encored, especially that illustrating the Story of "Jack and the Beanstalk", which will prove a big attraction for the juvenile patrons.

Frederick Brothers and Jessie Burns, 18 min. open in 3, close in 1--This team of novelty and comedy musicians was new here, and opened up a bit slow, but got them going strong before they finished, receiving more applause than any act of a similar kind we have had here of late.

Harry LeClair, 15 min. in 3 (can close in 1, if required) --First time here for several years of this clever entertainer. His burlesque imitations of actresses went strong, and the concluding number, a burlesque descriptive ballad in "Faust" costume, went fairly well.

Clarice Vance, 10 min. in 1-- Much to my surprise this ideal singer of coon ballads went tremendously strong, being compelled to sing two more songs than her schedule called for. In view of the fact that she was a little bit frosty on the occasion of her last engagement in this city, the only conclusion in the matter I can come to is that her new song are better than those she rendered during her previous visit.

Winchell Smith and company, 18 min. full stage --These people were making their debut here and presented a new, comedy sketch entitled "A Friend In Need". There are two men and a woman, and they are all fair actors. The piece is another twist of the mistaken identity idea, and is very amusing in dialogue and situations, although there are one or two points at which it drags a little. The two men come home to the residence of one of them, both in a semi-intoxicated condition, and the woman gets hold of her husband's friend, and then the fun begins in earnest. It went well here, and I can see where it will make an even bigger laughing hit in other cities. 

Florodora Double Sextet, etc., 15 min. opening in 1 closing in 3 -- As last week, the hit was scored by the "8.00 A. M. Duett". The women wore different costumes from last week, but it is evident that our audience cannot forgive the fact that they have no voices, even though they do make a presentable stage appearance.

Charles W. Littlefireld, 15 min. in 1 -- Mimetic and burlesque pantomimist. He scored a big hit with his imitation of a woman arranging her hair. At night he gives an imitation of a batchelor sewing on a button, instead of the afternoon number.

Flood Bros. 12 min. full stage (can close in 1, if need be) -- One of these men works straight, while the other makes up as a clown and does the comedy work. It is a fair act, the hit being scored at the finish by some clever foot juggling, when the clown tosses the other man about.

Delmore and Onedie, 9 min. [illegible] 
act, in which the man supports a pole by means of a belt around his waist, while the young woman does equilibristic feats at the top. It should not have been inn the bill this week, for it has been here twice before this season, the last time within a scant three months, and so far as Boston is concerned it is too good to bury, as I have had to do with it.

Conway and McFarland, 13 min. in 1 -- Irish dialect, conversational and singing act, which did not go very strong. I think I can see evidences, the owrk [work] of irish organisms against these sorts of turns and while they do not show any outward signs of disapproval, the silence with which they are greeted would indicate that there is some reason for it.

Dan and Molly Mann, 20 min. full stage -- Presenting their rural comedy sketch, "Mandy Hawkins", "which just got by". Rural sketches unless extra well done, do not make good in Boston, and these people are not good actors. They carry appropriate settings, and the ending of the act was effective enough to get a curtain call from a small house.

Emma Cotrely, 12 min: full stage -- Pretty little juggling act, and here in Boston could stand for a much better place. She does not do anything great, but has a neat stage setting, costumes in good taste, and the whole act is pleasing to look at. Got quite a hand at the finish.

Lavine Cameron Trio, 10 min. full stage -- Eccentric, acrobatic, comedy and singing act, which deserves a much better place than I can give them in this bill. After they came off from their first turn they put up such a holler and kick about being given this place in the bill, while others whom they termed "shines" were better taken care of, that I told themt they need not remain unless they wanted to. I had fully made up my mind to make a change, but inview of the facts of their kicking I will not do so now. The fellow who works straight stated that he had been in the business for 14 years and this was the first time he worked for Keith, and it would ne [be] 14 years more before he would work for him again. We can do without them and not close any of the theatres.

Comments:- The show is one of the best of the entire season, and only the extreme fine weather we are enjoying at present can prevent us doing a big business. Even "Crusty Bill", who has been our bugaboo on Mondays right along, came to me and volunteered the opinion that for nine years he been a weekly patron of the house, this was the best show we had ever given.
Whole show went big at night, before large audience. I am afraid we will have some criticism of Winchell Smith's act, but the vast majority will like it.

Saving...

Boston Show, Week of April 27, 1903. (M.J. Keating) Stereopticon, 12 min. in 1--Usual list of views. Murphy and Andrews, 16 min. in 1--Comedy and singing sketch, which went very well as an opener when we began earlier, but proved to be a partial frost today as a starter for the show at 1.45. Vitagraph, 20 min. in 1--Capital list of pictures, almost every one of which was encored, especially that illustrating the Story of "Jack and the Beanstalk", which will prove a big attraction for the juvenile patrons. Frederick Brothers and Jessie Burns, 18 min. open in 3, close in 1--This team of novelty and comedy musicians was new here, and opened up a bit slow, but got them going strong before they finished, receiving more applause than any act of a similar kind we have had here of late. Harry LeClair, 15 min. in 3 (can close in 1, if required) --First time here for several years of this clever entertainer. His burlesque imitations of actresses went strong, and the concluding number, a burlesque descriptive ballad in "Faust" costume, went fairly well. Clarice Vance, 10 min. in 1-- Much to my surprise this ideal singer of coon ballads went tremendously strong, being compelled to sing two more songs than her schedule called for. In view of the fact that she was a little bit frosty on the occasion of her last engagement in this city, the only conclusion in the matter I can come to is that her new song are better than those she rendered during her previous visit. Winchell Smith and company, 18 min. full stage --These people were making their debut here and presented a new, comedy sketch entitled "A Friend In Need". There are two men and a woman, and they are all fair actors. The piece is another twist of the mistaken identity idea, and is very amusing in dialogue and situations, although there are one or two points at which it drags a little. The two men come home to the residence of one of them, both in a semi-intoxicated condition, and the woman gets hold of her husband's friend, and then the fun begins in earnest. It went well here, and I can see where it will make an even bigger laughing hit in other cities. Florodora Double Sextet, etc., 15 min. opening in 1 closing in 3 -- As last week, the hit was scored by the "8.00 A. M. Duett". The women wore different costumes from last week, but it is evident that our audience cannot forgive the fact that they have no voices, even though they do make a presentable stage appearance. Charles W. Littlefireld, 15 min. in 1 -- Mimetic and burlesque pantomimist. He scored a big hit with his imitation of a woman arranging her hair. At night he gives an imitation of a batchelor sewing on a button, instead of the afternoon number. Flood Bros. 12 min. full stage (can close in 1, if need be) -- One of these men works straight, while the other makes up as a clown and does the comedy work. It is a fair act, the hit being scored at the finish by some clever foot juggling, when the clown tosses the other man about. Delmore and Onedie, 9 min. [illegible] act, in which the man supports a pole by means of a belt around his waist, while the young woman does equilibristic feats at the top. It should not have been inn the bill this week, for it has been here twice before this season, the last time within a scant three months, and so far as Boston is concerned it is too good to bury, as I have had to do with it. Conway and McFarland, 13 min. in 1 -- Irish dialect, conversational and singing act, which did not go very strong. I think I can see evidences, the owrk [work] of irish organisms against these sorts of turns and while they do not show any outward signs of disapproval, the silence with which they are greeted would indicate that there is some reason for it. Dan and Molly Mann, 20 min. full stage -- Presenting their rural comedy sketch, "Mandy Hawkins", "which just got by". Rural sketches unless extra well done, do not make good in Boston, and these people are not good actors. They carry appropriate settings, and the ending of the act was effective enough to get a curtain call from a small house. Emma Cotrely, 12 min: full stage -- Pretty little juggling act, and here in Boston could stand for a much better place. She does not do anything great, but has a neat stage setting, costumes in good taste, and the whole act is pleasing to look at. Got quite a hand at the finish. Lavine Cameron Trio, 10 min. full stage -- Eccentric, acrobatic, comedy and singing act, which deserves a much better place than I can give them in this bill. After they came off from their first turn they put up such a holler and kick about being given this place in the bill, while others whom they termed "shines" were better taken care of, that I told themt they need not remain unless they wanted to. I had fully made up my mind to make a change, but inview of the facts of their kicking I will not do so now. The fellow who works straight stated that he had been in the business for 14 years and this was the first time he worked for Keith, and it would ne [be] 14 years more before he would work for him again. We can do without them and not close any of the theatres. Comments:- The show is one of the best of the entire season, and only the extreme fine weather we are enjoying at present can prevent us doing a big business. Even "Crusty Bill", who has been our bugaboo on Mondays right along, came to me and volunteered the opinion that for nine years he been a weekly patron of the house, this was the best show we had ever given. Whole show went big at night, before large audience. I am afraid we will have some criticism of Winchell Smith's act, but the vast majority will like it.