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Keith-Albee managers' report book, March 9-December 14, 1908

Page 124

Boston Show-August 31st.-#2
Paul Florus. On at 8.34, 12 minutes in 1. This man fully comes up to his billing. "The Xylophone Virtuoso". He is a remarkable performer, with wonderful execution, well choson selections and a pure toned instrument. One of the hits of the show. XX1.
"The Naked Truth". On at 8.46, 43 minutes, full stage, special set. One of the biggest feature acts vaudeville has ever known, in fact in my oponion it could be made absolutely the greatest. It is indeed a pity that we are forced to accept Phyllis Rankin in the cast, for she should be playing character women instead of posing as a soubrette. A bright, pretty young girl in the part would make a great difference. Another blemish is the acting of Graham Marr, but his beautiful voice almost makes up for it. Harry Davenport as the Scot is simply perfection, one of the best performances I have seen in many a day. I regret very much that we have it for one week only, and also so early in the season. It is a shame to have Rankin murder the "Honeymooning" song. Watched both the afternoon and evening audiences closely to see if there was any offence taken at any of the situations and am pleased to say that nobody drew a long face. XX1. (With a better cast would be worth unlimited X's.)
Empire City Quartette. On at 9.29, 26 minutes in 1. It is so long since "The Cooper Union" has played this house that these boys seemed like an absolutely new act. Went very well both afternoon and evening, but by no means a riot. Consider $500. a very long price for the act. They did no song boosting here. XX1.
The Charles Ahearn Troupe of Cycling Comedians. On at 9.55, 20 minutes, full stage, special drops. This act was a disappointment to me in the afternoon, for it worked slowly and did not hold the audience. In fact I seriously considered a re-arrangement of the bill, but decided to wait until after the night show. Am delighted to say that it picked up remarkably and proved itself worthy the good words it got in Philadelphia. The finish is absurdly funny. Ahearn is a capital grotesque comedian, as well as a great rider. XX1.
Kinetograph. On a 10.15. "Scenes at the Quebec Tercentenary Celebration". Very interesting. "A Young Magician". Pretty good comic.
Comment-A very good show, indeed. About the only fault to be found with it is that it is almost too good for so early in the season.


work. The dog is wonderfully intelligent and capitally trained. Altogether a very good novelty act. Nobody will regret playing it, I am very sure. Deserves a better spot. XX1.
Melnotte Twins and Clay Smith. On at 8.01, 20 minutes in 1. To my way of thinking this is a better act than when Whiting was in it. Smith is a dapper looking young chap and is free from Whiting's Rathskeller airs. Did not care to play the act with Whiting but will be pleased to repeat it with Smith. Would make good for us as late as 9.30 and would play it much further down the bill if I could this week. XX1.
Myers and Rosa. On at 8.21, 13 minutes, full stage. (3 shows) One of the best values in vaudeville today. An act for $100. that will make good on any bill. They look well and both the man and the woman are blessed with personalities that attract an audience. Their juggling work is out-of-the-ordinary, while their tricks with lassoos are as good as I have ever seen. A breath of novelty that is most welcome. XX1.

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Boston Show-August 31st.-#2 Paul Florus. On at 8.34, 12 minutes in 1. This man fully comes up to his billing. "The Xylophone Virtuoso". He is a remarkable performer, with wonderful execution, well choson selections and a pure toned instrument. One of the hits of the show. XX1. "The Naked Truth". On at 8.46, 43 minutes, full stage, special set. One of the biggest feature acts vaudeville has ever known, in fact in my oponion it could be made absolutely the greatest. It is indeed a pity that we are forced to accept Phyllis Rankin in the cast, for she should be playing character women instead of posing as a soubrette. A bright, pretty young girl in the part would make a great difference. Another blemish is the acting of Graham Marr, but his beautiful voice almost makes up for it. Harry Davenport as the Scot is simply perfection, one of the best performances I have seen in many a day. I regret very much that we have it for one week only, and also so early in the season. It is a shame to have Rankin murder the "Honeymooning" song. Watched both the afternoon and evening audiences closely to see if there was any offence taken at any of the situations and am pleased to say that nobody drew a long face. XX1. (With a better cast would be worth unlimited X's.) Empire City Quartette. On at 9.29, 26 minutes in 1. It is so long since "The Cooper Union" has played this house that these boys seemed like an absolutely new act. Went very well both afternoon and evening, but by no means a riot. Consider $500. a very long price for the act. They did no song boosting here. XX1. The Charles Ahearn Troupe of Cycling Comedians. On at 9.55, 20 minutes, full stage, special drops. This act was a disappointment to me in the afternoon, for it worked slowly and did not hold the audience. In fact I seriously considered a re-arrangement of the bill, but decided to wait until after the night show. Am delighted to say that it picked up remarkably and proved itself worthy the good words it got in Philadelphia. The finish is absurdly funny. Ahearn is a capital grotesque comedian, as well as a great rider. XX1. Kinetograph. On a 10.15. "Scenes at the Quebec Tercentenary Celebration". Very interesting. "A Young Magician". Pretty good comic. Comment-A very good show, indeed. About the only fault to be found with it is that it is almost too good for so early in the season. work. The dog is wonderfully intelligent and capitally trained. Altogether a very good novelty act. Nobody will regret playing it, I am very sure. Deserves a better spot. XX1. Melnotte Twins and Clay Smith. On at 8.01, 20 minutes in 1. To my way of thinking this is a better act than when Whiting was in it. Smith is a dapper looking young chap and is free from Whiting's Rathskeller airs. Did not care to play the act with Whiting but will be pleased to repeat it with Smith. Would make good for us as late as 9.30 and would play it much further down the bill if I could this week. XX1. Myers and Rosa. On at 8.21, 13 minutes, full stage. (3 shows) One of the best values in vaudeville today. An act for $100. that will make good on any bill. They look well and both the man and the woman are blessed with personalities that attract an audience. Their juggling work is out-of-the-ordinary, while their tricks with lassoos are as good as I have ever seen. A breath of novelty that is most welcome. XX1.