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

Page 191

(M. J. Keating)

Boston Show, Week of Feb. 23, 1903.

Stereopticon, 15 min. in 1--Good selection of views, including a number of appropiate to Washington birthday anniversary.

James Kennedy and Belle James, 16 min. open full stage, can close in 1--This is a talking act, something on the order of Leroy and Woodford, but the material used is of a rougher kind. I was obliged to cut out several of his coarser wittisms. There is some fair singing and excellent eccentric dancing. From the old 3 a-day stand point the act is a good one.

J. Warren Keanr, 12 min. n 1--This young fellow has a pleasing personality and is "getting there"rapidly n his line of work. He can palm a billiard ball better than any other man in the business and his manipulation of cards is very skillful. He is worth a much better place in this house, where such acts are appreciated than I have been able to give him.

La Petite Adelaide, 9 min. full stage--From the salary stand point this girl is all right. I think she is the showiest toe dancer in vaudeville, and her costumes are rich and appropriate. Like all dancers, she is not much of a singer, and as a whole the act is one which is liable to go big in one city and only fair in another.

Biograph, 15 min. in 1--Notwithstanding they sent us an uninteresting lot of pictures this week, it made a big hit with the holiday crowd, most of the views being applauded as heartily as any act in the bill.

Ed. J. Rice, 15 min. in 1--He is a newcomer in vaudeville, of gentlemanly appearance and has a good delivery. His stories are of the better class and he appeals more to the lower portion of the house than balconies. His recitation of "Barbara Freitche" in broken dialect, as a Dutchman would do it, was capital. In the earlier section of the better part of the show he is all right.

Al Bellman and Lottie Moore, 20 min., open full stage, close in 1--Presenting their comedy sketch, "Hester's Promise", which has been done here before. It is going better this engagement than ever before, especially the burlesque singing and the intensely amusing tough boy and girl song and dance at the finish. An excellent act for about 2.30 and 3.30 P.M.

John Kernell, 18 min. in 1--First time in 3 years for this comedian at this house, and hw a little more than "got by". His material was hardly new, since it was old stuff presented in new form, but the best thing in the vocal line he had was Dick Knowles' song, "Love, Marriage and Divorce".

Warterbury Bros. and Tenny, 22 min. open full stage, close in 1--This team is always strong here and Tenny is responsible for almost as many laughs as any single entertainer on the bill.

Marshall P. Wilder, 18 min. in 1--First time in more than 2 years, but in the enterim he does not seem to have added a single line of new material. Notwthstanding, however, he certainly held his own remarkably , especially with the holiday crowd, which evidently didn't know him.

Tom Nawn and Company, 27 min. full stage--For his second week is presenting "Pat and the Genii", which can truthfully be said to have been scoring as big a laughing hot as it has ever done in this house, and is very much stronger than the old sketch, which he did last week.

Raymond and Caverly, 15. in 1--Well named the "Roger Brothers of vaudeville", a title which I gave them, I think. They scored the laughing hit of the show par excellence, notwithstanding they had next to the hardest place in the bill in which to make good.

Macarto Sisters, 15 min. full stage--There is notable improvment in the work of these thre girls, and the act is one of the neatest, most artistic and pleasing of its kind in the business.

Herbert andcWilling, 14 min. in 1--Blackface comedians, singers and dancers, and thoroughly satisfactory team. They held their own wonderfully well in a mighty stiff place in the show.

Gus Henderson and Eva Ross, 13 min. full stage--The woman os an alleged scubrette, who is anything but good looking, lacks voice, taste in dressing, and she would not be in the business at all if it were not for her husband. The latter is a clever and amusing performer, his bounding rope work entitling him to a better place on the programme, but is handicapped by the presence of the woman.

Nat Leroy and Minne Woodford, 16 min. in 1-The man is almost as clever a rapid fire comedian as Nat Haines, but his partner is simply "rank", as she lacks intelligence to fulfil the duties required in the role of a "feeder", and her singing is painfull.

Gagneux, 14 min. open full stage, close in 1--A pretty double juggling act, which fits in nicely in the early part of the show.

Comments:- To my mind, the show is one of the most satisfactory and well balanced all through of any we have had for some weks, and was really too good for the holiday, as the people could sit through the "repeats"and enjoy them a second time, It has a lot of comedy of diverse character, which is a feature always to be commended in the varisites. The "sight" acts are not so numerous as usual, which I think will be beneficial as it makes a change.

Saving...

(M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of Feb. 23, 1903. Stereopticon, 15 min. in 1--Good selection of views, including a number of appropiate to Washington birthday anniversary. James Kennedy and Belle James, 16 min. open full stage, can close in 1--This is a talking act, something on the order of Leroy and Woodford, but the material used is of a rougher kind. I was obliged to cut out several of his coarser wittisms. There is some fair singing and excellent eccentric dancing. From the old 3 a-day stand point the act is a good one. J. Warren Keanr, 12 min. n 1--This young fellow has a pleasing personality and is "getting there"rapidly n his line of work. He can palm a billiard ball better than any other man in the business and his manipulation of cards is very skillful. He is worth a much better place in this house, where such acts are appreciated than I have been able to give him. La Petite Adelaide, 9 min. full stage--From the salary stand point this girl is all right. I think she is the showiest toe dancer in vaudeville, and her costumes are rich and appropriate. Like all dancers, she is not much of a singer, and as a whole the act is one which is liable to go big in one city and only fair in another. Biograph, 15 min. in 1--Notwithstanding they sent us an uninteresting lot of pictures this week, it made a big hit with the holiday crowd, most of the views being applauded as heartily as any act in the bill. Ed. J. Rice, 15 min. in 1--He is a newcomer in vaudeville, of gentlemanly appearance and has a good delivery. His stories are of the better class and he appeals more to the lower portion of the house than balconies. His recitation of "Barbara Freitche" in broken dialect, as a Dutchman would do it, was capital. In the earlier section of the better part of the show he is all right. Al Bellman and Lottie Moore, 20 min., open full stage, close in 1--Presenting their comedy sketch, "Hester's Promise", which has been done here before. It is going better this engagement than ever before, especially the burlesque singing and the intensely amusing tough boy and girl song and dance at the finish. An excellent act for about 2.30 and 3.30 P.M. John Kernell, 18 min. in 1--First time in 3 years for this comedian at this house, and hw a little more than "got by". His material was hardly new, since it was old stuff presented in new form, but the best thing in the vocal line he had was Dick Knowles' song, "Love, Marriage and Divorce". Warterbury Bros. and Tenny, 22 min. open full stage, close in 1--This team is always strong here and Tenny is responsible for almost as many laughs as any single entertainer on the bill. Marshall P. Wilder, 18 min. in 1--First time in more than 2 years, but in the enterim he does not seem to have added a single line of new material. Notwthstanding, however, he certainly held his own remarkably , especially with the holiday crowd, which evidently didn't know him. Tom Nawn and Company, 27 min. full stage--For his second week is presenting "Pat and the Genii", which can truthfully be said to have been scoring as big a laughing hot as it has ever done in this house, and is very much stronger than the old sketch, which he did last week. Raymond and Caverly, 15. in 1--Well named the "Roger Brothers of vaudeville", a title which I gave them, I think. They scored the laughing hit of the show par excellence, notwithstanding they had next to the hardest place in the bill in which to make good. Macarto Sisters, 15 min. full stage--There is notable improvment in the work of these thre girls, and the act is one of the neatest, most artistic and pleasing of its kind in the business. Herbert andcWilling, 14 min. in 1--Blackface comedians, singers and dancers, and thoroughly satisfactory team. They held their own wonderfully well in a mighty stiff place in the show. Gus Henderson and Eva Ross, 13 min. full stage--The woman os an alleged scubrette, who is anything but good looking, lacks voice, taste in dressing, and she would not be in the business at all if it were not for her husband. The latter is a clever and amusing performer, his bounding rope work entitling him to a better place on the programme, but is handicapped by the presence of the woman. Nat Leroy and Minne Woodford, 16 min. in 1-The man is almost as clever a rapid fire comedian as Nat Haines, but his partner is simply "rank", as she lacks intelligence to fulfil the duties required in the role of a "feeder", and her singing is painfull. Gagneux, 14 min. open full stage, close in 1--A pretty double juggling act, which fits in nicely in the early part of the show. Comments:- To my mind, the show is one of the most satisfactory and well balanced all through of any we have had for some weks, and was really too good for the holiday, as the people could sit through the "repeats"and enjoy them a second time, It has a lot of comedy of diverse character, which is a feature always to be commended in the varisites. The "sight" acts are not so numerous as usual, which I think will be beneficial as it makes a change.