Transcribe
Translate
Keith-Albee managers' report book, March 14, 1904 - November 21, 1904
Page 175
More information
digital collection
archival collection guide
transcription tips
175 (M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of Oct. 10, 1904. Stereopticon, 3 shows, 10 min. in 1 -- Usual selection of interesting home and foreign views. Mortimer Bassett, 3 shows, 18 min. in 1 -- Whistling soloist, and imitator of birds and animals. Nice, clean appearing chap, who always makes good in an early spot in the bill in this house. H. V. Fitzgerald, 3 shows, 13 min. full stage -- This man's act is too well known to need any description by me. He is a wonder in quick change work, but it lacks finish and he is absolutely without personality. Hence, he will never get out of the 3-show section in the better class of houses. Willie Gardner, 3 shows, 10 min. in 1 -- Novelty dancer on roller and ice skates. First time here and went big in this place in the bill. Vontello and Nina, 3 shows, 10 min. full stage -- Aerial performers on flying rings. Quite up to the average of such acts, which always go well here. These men were no exception to the general rule. Ray Cox, 3 shows, 13 min. in 1 -- Singing comedienne and storyteller. She is a clever girl, with genuine Southern dialect, and although she started off somewhat slow she had the audience with her in great shape when she finished. Charles Ernest, 2 shows, 16 min. in 1 -- Blackface comedian and singer. Never goes strong in this house, and would not care if we never had him. Cut out one or two objectionable things in his monologue, and also curtailed his act five minutes. He went bad the last time he was here and there was no improvement this trip. Clement De Lion, 2 shows, 14 min. full stage -- Manipulator of billiard balls and cards. He is a wonder and made a big hit. This was his first time here. Edgar Norton, 2 shows, 12 min. in 1 -- This young man had a monologue and songs which he called "Archie". He is unquestionably clever but made the mistake of selecting for imitation actors who are at present scoring hits in New York and have never been seen here in their new plays. Consequently, he did not go so strong as his merits warrant. When he makes changes I look for him to do as well as Harry Davenport. With the material he gave today he should do well in New York. Florella Sanford, 3 shows, 14 min. full stage -- Instrumentalist, performing on French horn, zylophone, cornet, etc. She is a rather attractive looking young girl and a fair musician. From the 3-per-day standpoint, the act can be classed as good. Comment - The show as a whole is a good one, it is a bit weak on comedy, yet I rather incline to the opinion that if we had more of that material it would prove a bad contrast for the other acts. The weak spots are Ernest and Norton, neither of whom are strong enough for the place in the bill. Perhaps, on rearrangement, this can be fixed up, as some of the 3-turners might fit in to better advantage in their places.
Saving...
prev
next
175 (M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of Oct. 10, 1904. Stereopticon, 3 shows, 10 min. in 1 -- Usual selection of interesting home and foreign views. Mortimer Bassett, 3 shows, 18 min. in 1 -- Whistling soloist, and imitator of birds and animals. Nice, clean appearing chap, who always makes good in an early spot in the bill in this house. H. V. Fitzgerald, 3 shows, 13 min. full stage -- This man's act is too well known to need any description by me. He is a wonder in quick change work, but it lacks finish and he is absolutely without personality. Hence, he will never get out of the 3-show section in the better class of houses. Willie Gardner, 3 shows, 10 min. in 1 -- Novelty dancer on roller and ice skates. First time here and went big in this place in the bill. Vontello and Nina, 3 shows, 10 min. full stage -- Aerial performers on flying rings. Quite up to the average of such acts, which always go well here. These men were no exception to the general rule. Ray Cox, 3 shows, 13 min. in 1 -- Singing comedienne and storyteller. She is a clever girl, with genuine Southern dialect, and although she started off somewhat slow she had the audience with her in great shape when she finished. Charles Ernest, 2 shows, 16 min. in 1 -- Blackface comedian and singer. Never goes strong in this house, and would not care if we never had him. Cut out one or two objectionable things in his monologue, and also curtailed his act five minutes. He went bad the last time he was here and there was no improvement this trip. Clement De Lion, 2 shows, 14 min. full stage -- Manipulator of billiard balls and cards. He is a wonder and made a big hit. This was his first time here. Edgar Norton, 2 shows, 12 min. in 1 -- This young man had a monologue and songs which he called "Archie". He is unquestionably clever but made the mistake of selecting for imitation actors who are at present scoring hits in New York and have never been seen here in their new plays. Consequently, he did not go so strong as his merits warrant. When he makes changes I look for him to do as well as Harry Davenport. With the material he gave today he should do well in New York. Florella Sanford, 3 shows, 14 min. full stage -- Instrumentalist, performing on French horn, zylophone, cornet, etc. She is a rather attractive looking young girl and a fair musician. From the 3-per-day standpoint, the act can be classed as good. Comment - The show as a whole is a good one, it is a bit weak on comedy, yet I rather incline to the opinion that if we had more of that material it would prove a bad contrast for the other acts. The weak spots are Ernest and Norton, neither of whom are strong enough for the place in the bill. Perhaps, on rearrangement, this can be fixed up, as some of the 3-turners might fit in to better advantage in their places.
Keith-Albee Collection
sidebar
