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 307

307
(M. J. Keating)
Boston Show, Week of Aug. 10, 1903
Stereopticon, 3 shows, 10 min. in 1 -- Interesting collection of views of Newfoundland.
Hayseed Trio, 3 shows, 22 min. open full stage, close in 1--One of the poorest opening acts we have had in a long time. There is nothing particularly objectionable about it, the dialogue being simply inane. A couple of songs were well received, although wretchedly rendered. I have cut the act down to 15 minutes, in which form it will probably pull through for the balance of the week. The title certainly fits the act.
Gallando, 3 shows, 12 min. in 3--Artistic and comedy clay modeler, and a clever chap, who made a hit. Makes a capital 3-turn act.
Maxsmith Duo, 3 shows, 10 min in 3--This is something of a novelty, although it could never be featured a big act. They balance themselves on the tops of ladders, and while in this position juggle clubs and balls, and execute a cake-walk.
James and Davis, 3 shows, 14 min. in 1--Talking and singing act of small value and not strong enough for the place I am obliged to give it in this show. One of them works in white face and "yodles" fairly well, while the other blacks up, but is lame on dialect.
Fadettes, 2 shows, 34 min. full stage--Had a very fine programme today, the special feature of which was a duet from "Il Travatore" for the cornet and trombone, which was splendidly executed and had to be repeated. The organization is just as popular as at the outset.
Meredith Sisters, 3 shows, 13 min. open in 1, go to 3 and close in 1--These girls are good looking and shapely, and costume tastefully. They did not make much of a hit with their opening song, but went strong with "Hiawatha", which was rendered with special effects and in Indian costumes. They finished with a lively dance. The act is a good one.
Cook and Sonora, 2 shows, 16 min. open full stage, close in 1-- This act has deteriorated since it was last given here, and looks to me as if they were growing lazy as they grow rich. I understand he thinks he has conferred a favor on us by playing the week at all, which is a mistake,a s he is not making good for his salary.
Kennedy & Rooney, 2 shows, 13 min. open full stage, close in 1--Singing and dancing act, wit a little trick piano playing by the man. It is a very good little act but lacks the grace and finish of the Gleasons.
there can be no question about the superiority of the films.
Ziska and King, 3 shows, 21 min. open full stage, close in 1--First time here if this team, consisting of a fairly clever illusionist and his clumsy assistant. From a 3-a-day standpoint, it is a very good act.
Ely and Harvey, 3 shows, 18 min. open full stage, close in 100Comedy and singing sketch, neatly costumed, and quite amusing. It is one of the old mistaken identity ideas, worked up cleverly and not badly acted. Will move it up the bill.
Comment:- Coming after such a fast show as that of last week, this one seems particularly bad. It lacks snap and ginger, the principle falling off being in the act of Cook and Sonora, which did not in any sense realize my expectations. The Hayseed Trio and James and Davis I new nothing about, and they are both disappointments, the latter because I have to use it down where it does not belong. I am also handicapped, to a certain extent, in the re-arrangement of the show, by the fact that the material in one, or the acts closing in one, are so limited that I am obliged to stick to the original make-up.

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307 (M. J. Keating) Boston Show, Week of Aug. 10, 1903 Stereopticon, 3 shows, 10 min. in 1 -- Interesting collection of views of Newfoundland. Hayseed Trio, 3 shows, 22 min. open full stage, close in 1--One of the poorest opening acts we have had in a long time. There is nothing particularly objectionable about it, the dialogue being simply inane. A couple of songs were well received, although wretchedly rendered. I have cut the act down to 15 minutes, in which form it will probably pull through for the balance of the week. The title certainly fits the act. Gallando, 3 shows, 12 min. in 3--Artistic and comedy clay modeler, and a clever chap, who made a hit. Makes a capital 3-turn act. Maxsmith Duo, 3 shows, 10 min in 3--This is something of a novelty, although it could never be featured a big act. They balance themselves on the tops of ladders, and while in this position juggle clubs and balls, and execute a cake-walk. James and Davis, 3 shows, 14 min. in 1--Talking and singing act of small value and not strong enough for the place I am obliged to give it in this show. One of them works in white face and "yodles" fairly well, while the other blacks up, but is lame on dialect. Fadettes, 2 shows, 34 min. full stage--Had a very fine programme today, the special feature of which was a duet from "Il Travatore" for the cornet and trombone, which was splendidly executed and had to be repeated. The organization is just as popular as at the outset. Meredith Sisters, 3 shows, 13 min. open in 1, go to 3 and close in 1--These girls are good looking and shapely, and costume tastefully. They did not make much of a hit with their opening song, but went strong with "Hiawatha", which was rendered with special effects and in Indian costumes. They finished with a lively dance. The act is a good one. Cook and Sonora, 2 shows, 16 min. open full stage, close in 1-- This act has deteriorated since it was last given here, and looks to me as if they were growing lazy as they grow rich. I understand he thinks he has conferred a favor on us by playing the week at all, which is a mistake,a s he is not making good for his salary. Kennedy & Rooney, 2 shows, 13 min. open full stage, close in 1--Singing and dancing act, wit a little trick piano playing by the man. It is a very good little act but lacks the grace and finish of the Gleasons. there can be no question about the superiority of the films. Ziska and King, 3 shows, 21 min. open full stage, close in 1--First time here if this team, consisting of a fairly clever illusionist and his clumsy assistant. From a 3-a-day standpoint, it is a very good act. Ely and Harvey, 3 shows, 18 min. open full stage, close in 100Comedy and singing sketch, neatly costumed, and quite amusing. It is one of the old mistaken identity ideas, worked up cleverly and not badly acted. Will move it up the bill. Comment:- Coming after such a fast show as that of last week, this one seems particularly bad. It lacks snap and ginger, the principle falling off being in the act of Cook and Sonora, which did not in any sense realize my expectations. The Hayseed Trio and James and Davis I new nothing about, and they are both disappointments, the latter because I have to use it down where it does not belong. I am also handicapped, to a certain extent, in the re-arrangement of the show, by the fact that the material in one, or the acts closing in one, are so limited that I am obliged to stick to the original make-up.