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

Page 214

(M. J. Keating)

Boston Show, Week of Mar. [March] 16, 1903.

Stereoptican, 15 min. in 1--Interesting set of pictures.

Ostrado, 9 min. full stage--Aerial acrobatic and contortion work on flying wings and trapeze. A fair act and went well in this place in the show.

Keith's Orchestra, 10 min.--Popular selections, which were so well rendered that they were applauded.

Willis P. Sweatman and Barry Maxwell, 22 min. full stage--This was the first time here for these two men as a team and they did not go so strong as I expected they would. Sweatman was just as artistic and funny as ever, and the other man seconded his efforts fairly but for some reason the sketch seemed to drag, and did not go in the way in which one would expect it to. Personally, I think it is great, but the supremem court was not in accord with me. Would rather have Sweatman in monologue.

Biograph, 16 min. in 1--Interesting lot of views, some of which were applauded.

Harry Smirl and Rose Kessner, 17 min. full stage--In an acrobatic and dancing specialty, something on the lines of O'Brien and Havel's work. The tumbling of the man is the best of the kind seen on this stage in some time, but the act is somewhat handicapped by the homeliness and gawkiness of the woman. Smirl's tumbling carried it out in good shape.

Adelina Pavlona, 14 min. in 1--Violin soloist, a pretty and self-possessed young woman who plays well on the violin. She certainly made a hit with this audience.

Montrell and Comedy Assistant, 20 min. open in 3, close in 1--One of the most successful and skilful [skillful] jugglers in the business excelling with small articles, and his assistant, in blackface is a real comedian. Went big.

Dave Genaro and Ray Bailey, 24 min. open in 3, close in 1--Presenting their comedy, singing and dancing sketch, which never before went so strong in this house. At the close they had three recalls and the act was certainly one of the biggest hits of the show.

The Three Nevarros, 14 min. full stage--Two young men and a young woman in acrobatic specialties. This is one of the neatest and best "sight" acts in the entire range of vaudeville, and always makes good here. It went pretty strong with today's audience.

Culger's Loop Wheel, 10 min. full stage--I can unqualifiedly say that this act will be the biggest hit of the season in this house and will cause more talk before the week is out than any act that has played here. It is simply impossible to convey an adequate idea of the sensation that takes possession of one when the men make their first round of the Loop. I saw dozens of people in the audience this afternoon just grip the arms of their chairs and hold on as if they themselves were about to be thrown somewhere. Gather it in for the circuit quick. The men were called twice before the curtain after it had dropped and hidden them from sight.

Cahill, 18 min. in 1--Scored an immense laughing hit, held his audience intact, following the Loop, notwithstanding the show had overrun its time by several minutes. Mr. Lovenberg's opinion that he would make good in this spot in the bill was justified.

Milton and Dolly Nobles, 35 min. full stage--Appearing in, "A Blue Grass Widow", which has not been done here for three years. Like everything which these clever people present, the sketch met with a distinct success, eliciting laughter and applause from start to finish. The sketch is too long, however.

Tom Moore, 12 min. in 1--Coon shouter and a good one too. It was a shame to have to put him in this spot in the bill but I really had no alternative. Under the circumstances he did splendidly.

Lawrence Crane, 18 min. in 1--This man is a clever magician and sleight-of-hand entertainer, but somehow or other he lacks personality and his manner is at times almost offensive. He made a great hit with those who occupied the galleries.

Gram and Grant, 13 min. in 1--This team of colored entertainers and dancers is an excellent one and worthy of a much better place in the bill. Tomorrow they will be shifted in between the Nevarros and Culver's Loop Wheel, where there was a slight wait today, and will surely make good. They dress neatly and work hard.

Comment:- The Four Rianos, acrobatic comedians refused to work in their place in the bill, which cut them out of the orchestra entirely, I allowed them to close. Their places will be taken tomorrow by the Meeker-Baker Trio, whose work is practically the same.
I am indebted to Genaro and Bailey for doing a third show for me, thus filling in time that it would have been very difficult to have secured under the circumstances, as there was nothing available to put in the show. It is worthy of note, perhaps, that this team has the best place in the bill they have ever had in this house, and they distinctly made good before the audience in the afternoon.
The show is a lively and laugh-provoking one, and woke the Monday afternoon audience up.

Saving...

(M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of Mar. [March] 16, 1903. Stereoptican, 15 min. in 1--Interesting set of pictures. Ostrado, 9 min. full stage--Aerial acrobatic and contortion work on flying wings and trapeze. A fair act and went well in this place in the show. Keith's Orchestra, 10 min.--Popular selections, which were so well rendered that they were applauded. Willis P. Sweatman and Barry Maxwell, 22 min. full stage--This was the first time here for these two men as a team and they did not go so strong as I expected they would. Sweatman was just as artistic and funny as ever, and the other man seconded his efforts fairly but for some reason the sketch seemed to drag, and did not go in the way in which one would expect it to. Personally, I think it is great, but the supremem court was not in accord with me. Would rather have Sweatman in monologue. Biograph, 16 min. in 1--Interesting lot of views, some of which were applauded. Harry Smirl and Rose Kessner, 17 min. full stage--In an acrobatic and dancing specialty, something on the lines of O'Brien and Havel's work. The tumbling of the man is the best of the kind seen on this stage in some time, but the act is somewhat handicapped by the homeliness and gawkiness of the woman. Smirl's tumbling carried it out in good shape. Adelina Pavlona, 14 min. in 1--Violin soloist, a pretty and self-possessed young woman who plays well on the violin. She certainly made a hit with this audience. Montrell and Comedy Assistant, 20 min. open in 3, close in 1--One of the most successful and skilful [skillful] jugglers in the business excelling with small articles, and his assistant, in blackface is a real comedian. Went big. Dave Genaro and Ray Bailey, 24 min. open in 3, close in 1--Presenting their comedy, singing and dancing sketch, which never before went so strong in this house. At the close they had three recalls and the act was certainly one of the biggest hits of the show. The Three Nevarros, 14 min. full stage--Two young men and a young woman in acrobatic specialties. This is one of the neatest and best "sight" acts in the entire range of vaudeville, and always makes good here. It went pretty strong with today's audience. Culger's Loop Wheel, 10 min. full stage--I can unqualifiedly say that this act will be the biggest hit of the season in this house and will cause more talk before the week is out than any act that has played here. It is simply impossible to convey an adequate idea of the sensation that takes possession of one when the men make their first round of the Loop. I saw dozens of people in the audience this afternoon just grip the arms of their chairs and hold on as if they themselves were about to be thrown somewhere. Gather it in for the circuit quick. The men were called twice before the curtain after it had dropped and hidden them from sight. Cahill, 18 min. in 1--Scored an immense laughing hit, held his audience intact, following the Loop, notwithstanding the show had overrun its time by several minutes. Mr. Lovenberg's opinion that he would make good in this spot in the bill was justified. Milton and Dolly Nobles, 35 min. full stage--Appearing in, "A Blue Grass Widow", which has not been done here for three years. Like everything which these clever people present, the sketch met with a distinct success, eliciting laughter and applause from start to finish. The sketch is too long, however. Tom Moore, 12 min. in 1--Coon shouter and a good one too. It was a shame to have to put him in this spot in the bill but I really had no alternative. Under the circumstances he did splendidly. Lawrence Crane, 18 min. in 1--This man is a clever magician and sleight-of-hand entertainer, but somehow or other he lacks personality and his manner is at times almost offensive. He made a great hit with those who occupied the galleries. Gram and Grant, 13 min. in 1--This team of colored entertainers and dancers is an excellent one and worthy of a much better place in the bill. Tomorrow they will be shifted in between the Nevarros and Culver's Loop Wheel, where there was a slight wait today, and will surely make good. They dress neatly and work hard. Comment:- The Four Rianos, acrobatic comedians refused to work in their place in the bill, which cut them out of the orchestra entirely, I allowed them to close. Their places will be taken tomorrow by the Meeker-Baker Trio, whose work is practically the same. I am indebted to Genaro and Bailey for doing a third show for me, thus filling in time that it would have been very difficult to have secured under the circumstances, as there was nothing available to put in the show. It is worthy of note, perhaps, that this team has the best place in the bill they have ever had in this house, and they distinctly made good before the audience in the afternoon. The show is a lively and laugh-provoking one, and woke the Monday afternoon audience up.