DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, December 28, 1908 - October 18, 1909

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, December 28, 1908 - October 18, 1909

Page 50

Boston Show, Week of Feb. 8, 1909. Carl D. Lothrop.
(Monday, Feb. 8th--Afternoon Show.)
Overture. 1.31, 11 minutes.
Burt and Bertha Grant. On at [1.32? would be wrong time, if overture was 11 minutes], 16 minutes in one. A rattling good coon act, both being clever performers. Would willingly give them a spot up to 8.30, later if necessary. A bargain at the money.
Steely and Edwardes. On at 1.58, open full stage 16 minutes, 4 minutes close in one, 20 minutes in all. These men are very good instrumentalists, but are a little antique in their comedy. However, I would not feel worried if I had to play them as late as 2.30 and 8.30, for I think they would surely hold up.
The Angelus. On at 2.18, open 12 minutes in one, close 7 minutes full stage, 19 minutes in all. Special drop in one and special set. This act went much better than I anticipated. However, I do not think it worth the extra amount of money it costs over the salary we paid "The Village Choir." Personally I do not care for the mixture of vaudeville and religion, but the audience seemed to like it this afternoon. The old "Village Choir" part of the act in one. made good emphatically.
Brown, Harris and Brown. On at 2.37, open in one 5 minutes, full stage 15 minutes, close in one 5 minutes, 25 min. in all. This act made the same old hit. It is a bunch of nonsense of course, but Harry Brown certainly can make an audience laugh. I have yet to see this act fall down.
Watson's Farmyard. On at 3.03, 20 minutes full stage. Always welcome in this house and always a big hit. Sammy has his act up to its usual standard.
Violet Allen and Co. On at 3.23, 20 minutes in one. Special drop. A great idea for a very novel act in one, but I do not think Miss Allen and the man assisting her begin to realize its possibilities. The man in particular could be greatly improved. $300 is from $50 to $100 too much for the act in its present shape. With real people it could hold a hard spot on any bill, for the idea is much out of the ordinary.
Laura Burt and Co. On at 3.43, 20 minutes full stage. Special set. Playing "The Order of the Bath." Was considerably disappointed in this act, as it did not do as well, as I hoped it would, from reports seen and heard. Possibly Mr. Stanford's absence from the cast has a lot to do with it, although Mr. Stallard seemed to answer the requirments of the part. The sketch certainly slumped this afternoon, and I am moving it up the bill for to-night. N. B.--An entirely different act at night, went finely on at 8.33, and can be scored a hit. So much for a change in position on a bill, sometimes.

Kinetograph. On at 4.37. "Winter Sports At St. Moritz"--An excellent picture. "A Football Fiend"--A fair comic. The subject is deserving of better treatment. By this I mean a crack-a-jack picture should have been made from this idea.
Cuts.--Violet Allen & Co.--Reference to the lady wearing pajamas.
Laura Burt & Co.--Use of the word "Damned," and "God bless us."
Comment. There were several surprises in this show and really only one disappointment, Miss Burt's act not holding the spot ahead of Tanguay as stated. The show has been rearranged and will run as follows to-night;-- Burt and Bertha Grant; Steely and Edwardes; "The Angelus", Violet Allen & Co., Laura Burt & Co., Brown, Harris and Brown, Mirza Golem Troupe; Eva Tanguay, Sam Watson's Farmyard and the Kinetograph.
The idea of closing with Watson is that it is better for the audience to start moving out on him than on the Mirza Golems, and it also enables us to get Tanguay on at a better time.
N. B. The show went great at night. Watson did himself proud in the closing spot.

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Boston Show, Week of Feb. 8, 1909. Carl D. Lothrop. (Monday, Feb. 8th--Afternoon Show.) Overture. 1.31, 11 minutes. Burt and Bertha Grant. On at [1.32? would be wrong time, if overture was 11 minutes], 16 minutes in one. A rattling good coon act, both being clever performers. Would willingly give them a spot up to 8.30, later if necessary. A bargain at the money. Steely and Edwardes. On at 1.58, open full stage 16 minutes, 4 minutes close in one, 20 minutes in all. These men are very good instrumentalists, but are a little antique in their comedy. However, I would not feel worried if I had to play them as late as 2.30 and 8.30, for I think they would surely hold up. The Angelus. On at 2.18, open 12 minutes in one, close 7 minutes full stage, 19 minutes in all. Special drop in one and special set. This act went much better than I anticipated. However, I do not think it worth the extra amount of money it costs over the salary we paid "The Village Choir." Personally I do not care for the mixture of vaudeville and religion, but the audience seemed to like it this afternoon. The old "Village Choir" part of the act in one. made good emphatically. Brown, Harris and Brown. On at 2.37, open in one 5 minutes, full stage 15 minutes, close in one 5 minutes, 25 min. in all. This act made the same old hit. It is a bunch of nonsense of course, but Harry Brown certainly can make an audience laugh. I have yet to see this act fall down. Watson's Farmyard. On at 3.03, 20 minutes full stage. Always welcome in this house and always a big hit. Sammy has his act up to its usual standard. Violet Allen and Co. On at 3.23, 20 minutes in one. Special drop. A great idea for a very novel act in one, but I do not think Miss Allen and the man assisting her begin to realize its possibilities. The man in particular could be greatly improved. $300 is from $50 to $100 too much for the act in its present shape. With real people it could hold a hard spot on any bill, for the idea is much out of the ordinary. Laura Burt and Co. On at 3.43, 20 minutes full stage. Special set. Playing "The Order of the Bath." Was considerably disappointed in this act, as it did not do as well, as I hoped it would, from reports seen and heard. Possibly Mr. Stanford's absence from the cast has a lot to do with it, although Mr. Stallard seemed to answer the requirments of the part. The sketch certainly slumped this afternoon, and I am moving it up the bill for to-night. N. B.--An entirely different act at night, went finely on at 8.33, and can be scored a hit. So much for a change in position on a bill, sometimes. Kinetograph. On at 4.37. "Winter Sports At St. Moritz"--An excellent picture. "A Football Fiend"--A fair comic. The subject is deserving of better treatment. By this I mean a crack-a-jack picture should have been made from this idea. Cuts.--Violet Allen & Co.--Reference to the lady wearing pajamas. Laura Burt & Co.--Use of the word "Damned," and "God bless us." Comment. There were several surprises in this show and really only one disappointment, Miss Burt's act not holding the spot ahead of Tanguay as stated. The show has been rearranged and will run as follows to-night;-- Burt and Bertha Grant; Steely and Edwardes; "The Angelus", Violet Allen & Co., Laura Burt & Co., Brown, Harris and Brown, Mirza Golem Troupe; Eva Tanguay, Sam Watson's Farmyard and the Kinetograph. The idea of closing with Watson is that it is better for the audience to start moving out on him than on the Mirza Golems, and it also enables us to get Tanguay on at a better time. N. B. The show went great at night. Watson did himself proud in the closing spot.