DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, December 11, 1911-September 9, 1912

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, December 11, 1911-September 9, 1912

Page 100

CRITICISM.
FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE, NEW YORK CITY.     WEEK OF FEBRUARY 19th, 1912.
The Changes.
THE ASTAIRES: Boy and girl in a talking, singing and dancing act. Very Mild. Closed Monday.
FAY, 2 COLEYS & FAY: Talking, singing and dancing. This act did not live up to the endorsement of other houses and is only good for an early place. Closed, refused to work in second place.
BELLECLAIR & HERMAN: Was compelled to use in one, but they refused. Closed Tuesday.

The Show at Present.
LIVINGSTON BROTHERS: (Wartenburg Bros.) Well known and really a new act at this house. Novelty musicians. Very good. Full stage 7 minutes.
BOYLE & BRAZIL: Two young men of pleasing personality, working in full dress, some dancing and a wee bit of singing. A splendid dancing act and fully able to hold down a more important position on any bill. 12 minutes in one.
JESSIE HAYWARD & CO.: In the alleged comedy "Holding Out" rather a rough vehicle for a house of this kind. Some laughs, although scattered. Finished weak, full stage, 14 minutes.
"LEIPZIG": "The Royal Conjurer" Well known. An elegant number, interesting with strong applause on the finish. 17 minutes in one.
AMELIA STONE & ARMAND KALISZ: In the musical romance "Mon Amour". Well known and went fully as strong as before. Twenty-three minutes full stage.
MARIE FENTON: Rather surprised in the manner this young lady was received, considering that she is following a big singing and dancing skit. Her selections are very good, each receiving a good hand, with big applause at the finish. Twelve minutes in one.
THOS. A. WISE & CO.: Presenting "A Chip of the Old Block" by Byron Ongley. "The scene of this skit is laid at the Actors Fund Home on Staten Island, with Mr. Wise as an inmate who in his younger days was a favorite old Bowery Tragedian and was about to become famous as a Tragic Star, grew fat and funny and was forced to take the comedy role, the public not taking him seriously, ruined his life, he seperated from his wife and became a cranky old man. After years travelling with medeocre companies, comes to the home to spend his declining years. His ray of hope is his son who he has not seen for many years and knows he is leading man with a repertoire company. The boy notifies his Dad that he is coming. The Father is excited, makes preperations, but to the old man's horror, when the boy arrives, he is fat as himself. A scene of comedy and pathos follows. The curtain falls with the old man gazing at the picture of his grand-son who he thinks will surely be a Tragedian."
A splendid sketch, rather novel in construction, with good comedy and a wee bit of pathos. Received a rousing hand on the finish. Twenty-three minutes, full stage.
WILLIE WESTON: Well known; filling this place to perfection and a hit. Eighteen minutes in one.
DOUGLASS FAIRBANKS & CO.: Presenting "A Regular Business Man". Mr. Fairbanks portrays the character of a young lawyer, who on account of his weak business ability - his stenographer and fiancee decided to resign - he begs for time - six months, three months, one month and finally an hour is granted, he gets busy and by good luck makes $50,000. in an hour. The sketch is full of good bright up-to-date lines, with many laughs, exceptionally clever and well played. Twenty-two minutes, full stage. At every performance the two former Co-Stars Tom Wise and Douglass Fairbanks join hands, their appearance is the cause of spontaneous applause from all parts of the house, which necessitates both making genuine first night curtain speeches. The publicity given the two Co-Stars in all the papers has been tremendous with the result of S. R. O. at every performance.

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CRITICISM. FIFTH AVENUE THEATRE, NEW YORK CITY. WEEK OF FEBRUARY 19th, 1912. The Changes. THE ASTAIRES: Boy and girl in a talking, singing and dancing act. Very Mild. Closed Monday. FAY, 2 COLEYS & FAY: Talking, singing and dancing. This act did not live up to the endorsement of other houses and is only good for an early place. Closed, refused to work in second place. BELLECLAIR & HERMAN: Was compelled to use in one, but they refused. Closed Tuesday. The Show at Present. LIVINGSTON BROTHERS: (Wartenburg Bros.) Well known and really a new act at this house. Novelty musicians. Very good. Full stage 7 minutes. BOYLE & BRAZIL: Two young men of pleasing personality, working in full dress, some dancing and a wee bit of singing. A splendid dancing act and fully able to hold down a more important position on any bill. 12 minutes in one. JESSIE HAYWARD & CO.: In the alleged comedy "Holding Out" rather a rough vehicle for a house of this kind. Some laughs, although scattered. Finished weak, full stage, 14 minutes. "LEIPZIG": "The Royal Conjurer" Well known. An elegant number, interesting with strong applause on the finish. 17 minutes in one. AMELIA STONE & ARMAND KALISZ: In the musical romance "Mon Amour". Well known and went fully as strong as before. Twenty-three minutes full stage. MARIE FENTON: Rather surprised in the manner this young lady was received, considering that she is following a big singing and dancing skit. Her selections are very good, each receiving a good hand, with big applause at the finish. Twelve minutes in one. THOS. A. WISE & CO.: Presenting "A Chip of the Old Block" by Byron Ongley. "The scene of this skit is laid at the Actors Fund Home on Staten Island, with Mr. Wise as an inmate who in his younger days was a favorite old Bowery Tragedian and was about to become famous as a Tragic Star, grew fat and funny and was forced to take the comedy role, the public not taking him seriously, ruined his life, he seperated from his wife and became a cranky old man. After years travelling with medeocre companies, comes to the home to spend his declining years. His ray of hope is his son who he has not seen for many years and knows he is leading man with a repertoire company. The boy notifies his Dad that he is coming. The Father is excited, makes preperations, but to the old man's horror, when the boy arrives, he is fat as himself. A scene of comedy and pathos follows. The curtain falls with the old man gazing at the picture of his grand-son who he thinks will surely be a Tragedian." A splendid sketch, rather novel in construction, with good comedy and a wee bit of pathos. Received a rousing hand on the finish. Twenty-three minutes, full stage. WILLIE WESTON: Well known; filling this place to perfection and a hit. Eighteen minutes in one. DOUGLASS FAIRBANKS & CO.: Presenting "A Regular Business Man". Mr. Fairbanks portrays the character of a young lawyer, who on account of his weak business ability - his stenographer and fiancee decided to resign - he begs for time - six months, three months, one month and finally an hour is granted, he gets busy and by good luck makes $50,000. in an hour. The sketch is full of good bright up-to-date lines, with many laughs, exceptionally clever and well played. Twenty-two minutes, full stage. At every performance the two former Co-Stars Tom Wise and Douglass Fairbanks join hands, their appearance is the cause of spontaneous applause from all parts of the house, which necessitates both making genuine first night curtain speeches. The publicity given the two Co-Stars in all the papers has been tremendous with the result of S. R. O. at every performance.