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

Page 297

(M. J. Keating)

Boston Show, Week of July 13, 1903.

Emerson and Omega, 17 min. full stage--Presenting "Don't Notice It", an act which they have been doing for the past nine years. It got lots of laughs and is all right as an "Opener" for the show.

Wilbur Amos, 16 min. in 1--Juggler, in place of John Harty, who was billed. He has a fair amount of ability with small articles, and is all right in the 3-show section of the bill.

Garritty Sisters, 10 min. in 1--Pleasing singing and dancing act, by two neatly costumed girls. From a 3-a-day standpoint an excelent turn.

Fadettes Orchestra, 33 min. full stage--Just as popular as ever, every number being encored. I would like to make them a permanent feature of the show here, as I am convinced they would draw more money in a year than anything else. Everywhere I go outside I have inquiries as to why we do not do this.

Joe Flynn, 16 min. in 1--Monologue comedian and parody singer. He never before went do strong in this house, and they applauded him well into the following act. His material was all new and bright.

James Horne and company, 30 min. full stage--Presenting an old time farce, entitled, "An Awful Fix", which Mr. Horne did here, with different support, about four years ago.
As I remember it, it went pretty well on that occasion, which was the reson why I was willing to have it return now, but the changing taste of vaudeville audiences was plainly observable in the slow manner in which the farce went today. It is too stiff for variety purposes, and the part is not one which fits Mr. Horne, who has a first class reputation as an actor in other roles. I would not advise if for the balance of the circuit, if it is not already booked. Support satisfactory.

Polk and Collins, 12 min. in 1--Two of the greatest banjo players in the world, though they did not go so strong today as during some of their engagements in the past. This I think is due to the Fadettes.

Bean and Hamilton, 10 min. full stage--Barrel jumpers and tumblers, presenting the greatest act of this kind in the varieties. Duplicated the big hit they made during their previous engagement in this theatre.

Moore and Littlefield, (formerly Moore and Hight) 22 min. open with men clearing after previous act, go to one, then to 3 for a dance by the girl, and back to close in 1--The act has experienced some slight alterations in dialogue and songs since it was here last, but is essentially the same. Miss Littlefield, daughter of Charles Littlefield, the mimic, is a bright girl, and, while in some respects not quite as clever in handling of the dialogue as her predecessor, makes good with a graceful spectacular dance. With the audience the act went just as strong as during previous engagement.

Keno, Welch and Melrose, 12 min. full stage--This act has imrpoved decidedly from what it was when they were last here, and I now regard it as one of the very best acrobatic comedy acts in the business. It made a big hit, both from the laughter and applause creating point of view.

Vitagraph, 20 min. in 1--Interesting and humorous set of views, many of which were applauded. "Scenes in the Life of an American Fireman" went as big as anything on the bill.

Silvers and Emerie, 9 min. full stage--Man and woman working on flying rings. Pretty spectacular act and worthy of a much better place than it is possible to give it in this week's bill. In fact it will be wasted once at least in the W"Supper show".

Howe and Scott, 14 min. in 1--This is an alleged Hebrew comedy act, but the make-up is discusting and the dialogue a perfect drivel. The cakewalk finish is all that received merited appluse. Some day the Hebrews are going to make as big a kick as the Irish did against this kind of burlesque of their nationality.

Stereopticon, 10 min. in 1--Very good collection of views. Only used once.

Comment:- The show is a capital one, as a whole, and the large audience this afternoon was enthusiastic, notwithstanding the heat. Such comments as I heard from those going out were all in prqise of the bill.

Saving...

(M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of July 13, 1903. Emerson and Omega, 17 min. full stage--Presenting "Don't Notice It", an act which they have been doing for the past nine years. It got lots of laughs and is all right as an "Opener" for the show. Wilbur Amos, 16 min. in 1--Juggler, in place of John Harty, who was billed. He has a fair amount of ability with small articles, and is all right in the 3-show section of the bill. Garritty Sisters, 10 min. in 1--Pleasing singing and dancing act, by two neatly costumed girls. From a 3-a-day standpoint an excelent turn. Fadettes Orchestra, 33 min. full stage--Just as popular as ever, every number being encored. I would like to make them a permanent feature of the show here, as I am convinced they would draw more money in a year than anything else. Everywhere I go outside I have inquiries as to why we do not do this. Joe Flynn, 16 min. in 1--Monologue comedian and parody singer. He never before went do strong in this house, and they applauded him well into the following act. His material was all new and bright. James Horne and company, 30 min. full stage--Presenting an old time farce, entitled, "An Awful Fix", which Mr. Horne did here, with different support, about four years ago. As I remember it, it went pretty well on that occasion, which was the reson why I was willing to have it return now, but the changing taste of vaudeville audiences was plainly observable in the slow manner in which the farce went today. It is too stiff for variety purposes, and the part is not one which fits Mr. Horne, who has a first class reputation as an actor in other roles. I would not advise if for the balance of the circuit, if it is not already booked. Support satisfactory. Polk and Collins, 12 min. in 1--Two of the greatest banjo players in the world, though they did not go so strong today as during some of their engagements in the past. This I think is due to the Fadettes. Bean and Hamilton, 10 min. full stage--Barrel jumpers and tumblers, presenting the greatest act of this kind in the varieties. Duplicated the big hit they made during their previous engagement in this theatre. Moore and Littlefield, (formerly Moore and Hight) 22 min. open with men clearing after previous act, go to one, then to 3 for a dance by the girl, and back to close in 1--The act has experienced some slight alterations in dialogue and songs since it was here last, but is essentially the same. Miss Littlefield, daughter of Charles Littlefield, the mimic, is a bright girl, and, while in some respects not quite as clever in handling of the dialogue as her predecessor, makes good with a graceful spectacular dance. With the audience the act went just as strong as during previous engagement. Keno, Welch and Melrose, 12 min. full stage--This act has imrpoved decidedly from what it was when they were last here, and I now regard it as one of the very best acrobatic comedy acts in the business. It made a big hit, both from the laughter and applause creating point of view. Vitagraph, 20 min. in 1--Interesting and humorous set of views, many of which were applauded. "Scenes in the Life of an American Fireman" went as big as anything on the bill. Silvers and Emerie, 9 min. full stage--Man and woman working on flying rings. Pretty spectacular act and worthy of a much better place than it is possible to give it in this week's bill. In fact it will be wasted once at least in the W"Supper show". Howe and Scott, 14 min. in 1--This is an alleged Hebrew comedy act, but the make-up is discusting and the dialogue a perfect drivel. The cakewalk finish is all that received merited appluse. Some day the Hebrews are going to make as big a kick as the Irish did against this kind of burlesque of their nationality. Stereopticon, 10 min. in 1--Very good collection of views. Only used once. Comment:- The show is a capital one, as a whole, and the large audience this afternoon was enthusiastic, notwithstanding the heat. Such comments as I heard from those going out were all in prqise of the bill.