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 170

([M?]. J. Keating)
Boston Show, Week of Feb. 2, 1903.

Manley and Rose, 16 min., open full stage, close in 1--Of burlesque tragedy and attempt at comedy, with song by the man that was simply atrocious. One of the poorest acts that we have had for a long time, and not a good substitute for that which it replaced.

Stereopticon, 15 min. in 1-- Were obliged to run a lot of old pictures, as those scheduled for here did not reach us from Portland.

Wesson and Walters, 19 min. full stage--As this act has been reviewed in the other houses of the circuit, it is unnecessary for me to do so, further than to say that it is only good for an early place on the bill. The little boy makes the hit, and he went bog with the audience today, especially with his imitation of Billy Clifford.

Berol and Berol, 11 min. full stage-- A very attractive and artistic act, which was well received.

Biograph, 17 min. in 1--No new pictures in our list, but those shown were very good and several of them were applauded.

Clan Johnston Troupe, 13 min., open full stage, close in 1-- Dancing of this quartet is very good and the costuies neat and attractive, but the bagpipe solo is somewhat tiresome. About 2 and 7.30 are the hours that this act will go on here.

Keith's Orchestra, 7 min.--Played selections, receiving the usual encore.

Murphy and Bean, 10 min., full stage--This was a new act that I put on here, consists of 2 men in a contest on cycle racing treadles, which are different from the home trainers in that they permit of greater speed being attained. The novelty about it was the method of scoring, with a miniature track placed between the men and two small figures circling it. The announcer was bad and some of the mechanism got out of order, so that the act got a very bad send off. I would not recommend it for the balance of the circuit, but can keep it here because the riders are local men and will have some draft for that reason.

Ada Arnoldson, 8 min. in 1--Swedish vocalist. She shows tremendous improvement since she was last here, as she is singing better and dresses more becomingly. All her selections were enthusiastically encored.

Louis Simmons and Company, 25 min., full stage--Presenting "The New Coachman", which has been vastly improved since it was last presented here and is now one of the most laugh provoking farces in vaudeville. It went with a rush from start to finish and will go way down on night bill. There is a bit of work with a step ladder. that discounts two-thirds that done by acrobatic comedians. The act should go the circuit.

Carson and Willard, 12 min. in 1--German dialect comedian, who gave very watery imitationsof Rogers Bros. They just went fair.

Scott and Wilson, 14 min. open full stage, close in 1-- Acrobatic comedians. A fair act but not in the same class with Rice and Walters, who were here last week. It went well.

Klein, Ott Brothers and Nickerson, 20 min., open full stage, close in 1--One of the best straight musical acts in vaudeville. Made a bit hit.

Arthur and Jennie Dunn, 18 min., full stage--Presenting "The Bell Boy", a sketch they did for several years, which has been somewhat altered and brought up to date with new jokes and songs. Arthur, of course, is the whole act, and he certainlt made a big laughing hit.  The way in which that tumble from the piano stool was received would lead one to believe that the audience had never seen it before.

Stuart Barnes, 18 min. in 1--I think he is saying too much about women to his detriment with the fair sex, and his material, as a whole I do not consider as good as that he had when last here. He was pretty late, however, and will probably do better in an earlier place in the bill.

Three Millettes, 10 min. full stage--European tumblers and equilibrists working in full dress. It is a pretty sight act and most of the work is decidedly clever, though they did nothing extraordinary.

Rae and Broesche, 17 min. opening in 1, go into 3 and close in 1--Capital comedy act, scored the biggest laughing hit in this part of the show since we have made the change. They really deserve and wi get a better place in the bill.

Miller and Kresko, 12 min. in 1--Blackface dancing team, usual sort. They did not talk, simply open with a song and subsequent dancing.

Comment:- The show is not so strong as those we have been offering of late/ but it is in no sense bad, and like that of last week, will be 40% better with a rearrangment of the programme. It is a good show, but not a "great" one, and that is practically what we have been giving them of late.
The audience was immense in size, people standing on every floor, and was unusually appreciative, so there need be no fear that the business will keep up.

[along side]
Spaulding, 12 min. full stage--Acrobatic tramp and hand balancer. This is a capital act for the small part of the bill, as the young man is exceptionally agile and is quite a comedian. Has been going strong in a good place in the night show all week.

Saving...

([M?]. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of Feb. 2, 1903. Manley and Rose, 16 min., open full stage, close in 1--Of burlesque tragedy and attempt at comedy, with song by the man that was simply atrocious. One of the poorest acts that we have had for a long time, and not a good substitute for that which it replaced. Stereopticon, 15 min. in 1-- Were obliged to run a lot of old pictures, as those scheduled for here did not reach us from Portland. Wesson and Walters, 19 min. full stage--As this act has been reviewed in the other houses of the circuit, it is unnecessary for me to do so, further than to say that it is only good for an early place on the bill. The little boy makes the hit, and he went bog with the audience today, especially with his imitation of Billy Clifford. Berol and Berol, 11 min. full stage-- A very attractive and artistic act, which was well received. Biograph, 17 min. in 1--No new pictures in our list, but those shown were very good and several of them were applauded. Clan Johnston Troupe, 13 min., open full stage, close in 1-- Dancing of this quartet is very good and the costuies neat and attractive, but the bagpipe solo is somewhat tiresome. About 2 and 7.30 are the hours that this act will go on here. Keith's Orchestra, 7 min.--Played selections, receiving the usual encore. Murphy and Bean, 10 min., full stage--This was a new act that I put on here, consists of 2 men in a contest on cycle racing treadles, which are different from the home trainers in that they permit of greater speed being attained. The novelty about it was the method of scoring, with a miniature track placed between the men and two small figures circling it. The announcer was bad and some of the mechanism got out of order, so that the act got a very bad send off. I would not recommend it for the balance of the circuit, but can keep it here because the riders are local men and will have some draft for that reason. Ada Arnoldson, 8 min. in 1--Swedish vocalist. She shows tremendous improvement since she was last here, as she is singing better and dresses more becomingly. All her selections were enthusiastically encored. Louis Simmons and Company, 25 min., full stage--Presenting "The New Coachman", which has been vastly improved since it was last presented here and is now one of the most laugh provoking farces in vaudeville. It went with a rush from start to finish and will go way down on night bill. There is a bit of work with a step ladder. that discounts two-thirds that done by acrobatic comedians. The act should go the circuit. Carson and Willard, 12 min. in 1--German dialect comedian, who gave very watery imitationsof Rogers Bros. They just went fair. Scott and Wilson, 14 min. open full stage, close in 1-- Acrobatic comedians. A fair act but not in the same class with Rice and Walters, who were here last week. It went well. Klein, Ott Brothers and Nickerson, 20 min., open full stage, close in 1--One of the best straight musical acts in vaudeville. Made a bit hit. Arthur and Jennie Dunn, 18 min., full stage--Presenting "The Bell Boy", a sketch they did for several years, which has been somewhat altered and brought up to date with new jokes and songs. Arthur, of course, is the whole act, and he certainlt made a big laughing hit. The way in which that tumble from the piano stool was received would lead one to believe that the audience had never seen it before. Stuart Barnes, 18 min. in 1--I think he is saying too much about women to his detriment with the fair sex, and his material, as a whole I do not consider as good as that he had when last here. He was pretty late, however, and will probably do better in an earlier place in the bill. Three Millettes, 10 min. full stage--European tumblers and equilibrists working in full dress. It is a pretty sight act and most of the work is decidedly clever, though they did nothing extraordinary. Rae and Broesche, 17 min. opening in 1, go into 3 and close in 1--Capital comedy act, scored the biggest laughing hit in this part of the show since we have made the change. They really deserve and wi get a better place in the bill. Miller and Kresko, 12 min. in 1--Blackface dancing team, usual sort. They did not talk, simply open with a song and subsequent dancing. Comment:- The show is not so strong as those we have been offering of late/ but it is in no sense bad, and like that of last week, will be 40% better with a rearrangment of the programme. It is a good show, but not a "great" one, and that is practically what we have been giving them of late. The audience was immense in size, people standing on every floor, and was unusually appreciative, so there need be no fear that the business will keep up. [along side] Spaulding, 12 min. full stage--Acrobatic tramp and hand balancer. This is a capital act for the small part of the bill, as the young man is exceptionally agile and is quite a comedian. Has been going strong in a good place in the night show all week.