DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Managers' report book, November 13, 1916-January 21, 1918

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Managers' report book, November 13, 1916-January 21, 1918

Page 77

REPORT ON KEITH'S PROVIDENCE SHOW FOR WEEK OF April 2, 1917.
The bill this week played exceptionally well. Every act got over, some of them particularly well. In spite of Holy Week, with a bill of this calibre we should do at least a fair weeks business.

Gere & Delaney
Skating act. Very attractive scenery and nice costumes with a couple of changes. Good opening act. 8 minutes full stage.
Lewis & White
Two young girls in an arrangement of songs put together in an unusual sort of way the novelty of which was recognized by the audience at once. Made quite a hit. 13 minutes in one.
Harry Holman & Co. in Adam Killjoy.
This is a rather funny sketch pretty well played by Mr. Holman who has a very indifferent support. A great deal of profanity had to be cut but the most offensive part of the act to my mind is the most palpable scheme of advertising. This is the most flagrant thing of the kind that ever came to my attention. As he has played the sketch all over the country, I hadn't any very strong rounds to stand on to make him cut the stuff out as he could easily show that it had been accepted in many of our houses. He plastered the stage full of advertising signs of various automobile concerns and finished with a motion picture that had no connection with the play whatever other than to advertis the Saxon Six. He admitted to me that he was collection $50 this week from our local dealers. That, with what he gets otherwise and from the Saxon people, probably brings him up to $100 a week on advertising. I think this should be taken up with him before any new contract are made. 22 minutes full stage. Very short close in one.
Yvette
Violinist and singer. Her act is presented in an attractive manner and while I think she is a very bad violinist, the fact remains that she got over very well indeed. 13 Minutes in one and a half.
3 Hickey Bros
These boys have come back with a rush with one of the best comedy acrobatic and dancing acts we have had in a long time. 12 minutes open and close in one. Please note the entire act is not in one. The biggest part of it is in two.
Irene Bordoni
Assisted by Anatol Friedland who replaces Melville Ellis who is ill. Of course the act worked under a handicap but the greatest stretch of my imagination cannot make me see that the act with Mr. Ellis is worth anything lik the salary that they get. 18 minutes full stage.
James J. Corbett
Monologue. Mr. Corbett got a great reception and went very big. His act is very clean and I should consider him a feature on any program. 15 minutes in one.
Mme. Doree's Celebrities
Best act she has ever given us and the great big hit of the bill. 24 minutes full stage. Can close in one.
The 3 Bobs.
Juggling act introducing a very intelligent dog. Good act. 10 minutes full stage.
CUTS
J. J. Corbett
"Damn fool."
Lewis & White
Joke about a bungalow for two or three or four, etc.
Harry Holman & Co
Several "Hells," "Damns", "Devils", "Old Crow and Old Taylor Whiskey." Allusion to local business houses.
Yvette
Put on tights. Don't appear in bare legs.

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REPORT ON KEITH'S PROVIDENCE SHOW FOR WEEK OF April 2, 1917. The bill this week played exceptionally well. Every act got over, some of them particularly well. In spite of Holy Week, with a bill of this calibre we should do at least a fair weeks business. Gere & Delaney Skating act. Very attractive scenery and nice costumes with a couple of changes. Good opening act. 8 minutes full stage. Lewis & White Two young girls in an arrangement of songs put together in an unusual sort of way the novelty of which was recognized by the audience at once. Made quite a hit. 13 minutes in one. Harry Holman & Co. in Adam Killjoy. This is a rather funny sketch pretty well played by Mr. Holman who has a very indifferent support. A great deal of profanity had to be cut but the most offensive part of the act to my mind is the most palpable scheme of advertising. This is the most flagrant thing of the kind that ever came to my attention. As he has played the sketch all over the country, I hadn't any very strong rounds to stand on to make him cut the stuff out as he could easily show that it had been accepted in many of our houses. He plastered the stage full of advertising signs of various automobile concerns and finished with a motion picture that had no connection with the play whatever other than to advertis the Saxon Six. He admitted to me that he was collection $50 this week from our local dealers. That, with what he gets otherwise and from the Saxon people, probably brings him up to $100 a week on advertising. I think this should be taken up with him before any new contract are made. 22 minutes full stage. Very short close in one. Yvette Violinist and singer. Her act is presented in an attractive manner and while I think she is a very bad violinist, the fact remains that she got over very well indeed. 13 Minutes in one and a half. 3 Hickey Bros These boys have come back with a rush with one of the best comedy acrobatic and dancing acts we have had in a long time. 12 minutes open and close in one. Please note the entire act is not in one. The biggest part of it is in two. Irene Bordoni Assisted by Anatol Friedland who replaces Melville Ellis who is ill. Of course the act worked under a handicap but the greatest stretch of my imagination cannot make me see that the act with Mr. Ellis is worth anything lik the salary that they get. 18 minutes full stage. James J. Corbett Monologue. Mr. Corbett got a great reception and went very big. His act is very clean and I should consider him a feature on any program. 15 minutes in one. Mme. Doree's Celebrities Best act she has ever given us and the great big hit of the bill. 24 minutes full stage. Can close in one. The 3 Bobs. Juggling act introducing a very intelligent dog. Good act. 10 minutes full stage. CUTS J. J. Corbett "Damn fool." Lewis & White Joke about a bungalow for two or three or four, etc. Harry Holman & Co Several "Hells," "Damns", "Devils", "Old Crow and Old Taylor Whiskey." Allusion to local business houses. Yvette Put on tights. Don't appear in bare legs.