DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book,, September 23, 1907 - March 12, 1908

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Keith-Albee managers' report book,, September 23, 1907 - March 12, 1908

Page 232

232.
Report on show, Keith's Theatre, Providence, R. I., Week of February 17th, 1908. (Chas. Lovenberg, Mgr.)
The bill this week would be quite satisfactory if it didn't cost so much, even at present figures a few of the acts are decidedly overpaid, most notably Mr. Cunliffe. With a reduction to his salary of about $300.; a slice off of Henry Horton's Company; and Watson's Farmyard, and Knight Bros. & Sawtelle, the show would play at a reasonable figure. "The House Boat" also surely gets enough.
Onthank & Blanchette.
Acrobatic act and hand balancing. An act that should surely be booked by all the continuous houses at the figure Hr, 3 Shows. Their work while not great is most acceptable, better than the average 3-a-day acts that we get. 8 Min. in 2, 3 Shows.
Keene & Adams.
This is a very good little act. I don't think it quite merits all the praise that I have heard from it, but it is O. K. for 3 shows, or for an early position in the 3-a-day houses. 20 Min. in 2, can really work in 1, 3 Shows.
Mlle. Chester's Statue Dog.
Well known act that was appreciated in this spot on the bill, but because of continued repetition too many years, it's real value has gone by. 9 Min. in 3, 2 Shows.
Dora Ronca. The first part of Miss Ronca's act fell decidedly, but she managed to pull up at the finish with her "Dixie" and patriotic music; not because any part of her playing was good but because of the roll of her eyes and gyrations of her body. From the standpoint of a musician, Miss Ronca is exceptionally bad as a violinist. If Mr. Mascgani should hear her play his Intermezzo I think he would have her arrested, but she catches the boys and from the 3-a-day standpoint manages to get away all right, but I hate to hand her the money. 12 Min. in 1, 3 Shows. I don't care to use her in Southbridge or Norwich.
Chinko.
At times Mr. Chinko is an exceptionally good juggler, at other times he is as bad as he can be good, because of the way he drops things around on the stage. He also has an ugly disposition which shows through his work. I think a good spanking would make him a much better performer. Taking the act all in all, it can only be classed as fair. 10 Min. Full Stage, 2 Shows.
Hanson & Nelson.
Two young women who do a fair act which would be much better appreciated in a burlesque house than in a Keith's vaudeville establishment. They are decidedly coarse in their manner and such applause and laughter as they got today was principally from the upper part of the house. If isn't an act that I would want to repeat altho they got by fairly well. 18 Min. in 1, 2 Shows.
Minnie Kaufmann.
Miss Kaufmann does one of the best single bicycle acts that we get, surely the best offered by any woman. She makes a very pleasing appearance and does some difficult tricks. 10 Min. Full Stage, 2 Shows.
Knight Bros. & Sawtelle.
Singing, comedy and eccentric dancing. These people, because of a somewhat new idea, did very well although I think they are getting surely all that they are entitled to, as it is by no means a great act. In a comparatively easy spot they managed to gain a couple of re-calls. 20 Min. in 1, 2 Shows.
Henry Horton & Co.
In a rural comedy sketch. I think the sketch is good; I don't think Mr. Horton plays it well. Miss Hardenburg does fairly well and the other man has so little to do that it doesn't make much difference wehther he has ability or not. In the hands of a 


Fields & Moson.
A little character singing and dancing act, the woman playing the part of a newsboy, the man sort of a coster which is very valuable from the 3-a-day standpoint, at the price that we are paying it, SR. I think they can be had for the circuit at HR, 3 shows, and should be gobbled up for the continuous houses. The man does some very good wooden shoe dancing. 11 Min. in 1, 3 Shows.

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232. Report on show, Keith's Theatre, Providence, R. I., Week of February 17th, 1908. (Chas. Lovenberg, Mgr.) The bill this week would be quite satisfactory if it didn't cost so much, even at present figures a few of the acts are decidedly overpaid, most notably Mr. Cunliffe. With a reduction to his salary of about $300.; a slice off of Henry Horton's Company; and Watson's Farmyard, and Knight Bros. & Sawtelle, the show would play at a reasonable figure. "The House Boat" also surely gets enough. Onthank & Blanchette. Acrobatic act and hand balancing. An act that should surely be booked by all the continuous houses at the figure Hr, 3 Shows. Their work while not great is most acceptable, better than the average 3-a-day acts that we get. 8 Min. in 2, 3 Shows. Keene & Adams. This is a very good little act. I don't think it quite merits all the praise that I have heard from it, but it is O. K. for 3 shows, or for an early position in the 3-a-day houses. 20 Min. in 2, can really work in 1, 3 Shows. Mlle. Chester's Statue Dog. Well known act that was appreciated in this spot on the bill, but because of continued repetition too many years, it's real value has gone by. 9 Min. in 3, 2 Shows. Dora Ronca. The first part of Miss Ronca's act fell decidedly, but she managed to pull up at the finish with her "Dixie" and patriotic music; not because any part of her playing was good but because of the roll of her eyes and gyrations of her body. From the standpoint of a musician, Miss Ronca is exceptionally bad as a violinist. If Mr. Mascgani should hear her play his Intermezzo I think he would have her arrested, but she catches the boys and from the 3-a-day standpoint manages to get away all right, but I hate to hand her the money. 12 Min. in 1, 3 Shows. I don't care to use her in Southbridge or Norwich. Chinko. At times Mr. Chinko is an exceptionally good juggler, at other times he is as bad as he can be good, because of the way he drops things around on the stage. He also has an ugly disposition which shows through his work. I think a good spanking would make him a much better performer. Taking the act all in all, it can only be classed as fair. 10 Min. Full Stage, 2 Shows. Hanson & Nelson. Two young women who do a fair act which would be much better appreciated in a burlesque house than in a Keith's vaudeville establishment. They are decidedly coarse in their manner and such applause and laughter as they got today was principally from the upper part of the house. If isn't an act that I would want to repeat altho they got by fairly well. 18 Min. in 1, 2 Shows. Minnie Kaufmann. Miss Kaufmann does one of the best single bicycle acts that we get, surely the best offered by any woman. She makes a very pleasing appearance and does some difficult tricks. 10 Min. Full Stage, 2 Shows. Knight Bros. & Sawtelle. Singing, comedy and eccentric dancing. These people, because of a somewhat new idea, did very well although I think they are getting surely all that they are entitled to, as it is by no means a great act. In a comparatively easy spot they managed to gain a couple of re-calls. 20 Min. in 1, 2 Shows. Henry Horton & Co. In a rural comedy sketch. I think the sketch is good; I don't think Mr. Horton plays it well. Miss Hardenburg does fairly well and the other man has so little to do that it doesn't make much difference wehther he has ability or not. In the hands of a Fields & Moson. A little character singing and dancing act, the woman playing the part of a newsboy, the man sort of a coster which is very valuable from the 3-a-day standpoint, at the price that we are paying it, SR. I think they can be had for the circuit at HR, 3 shows, and should be gobbled up for the continuous houses. The man does some very good wooden shoe dancing. 11 Min. in 1, 3 Shows.