DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 21, 1903 - March 14, 1904

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, September 21, 1903 - March 14, 1904

Page 80a

80
Fred Gillet Trio, 2 shows, 12 min. full stage--These people were making their American debut and can truthfully be said to have scored one of the hits of the show. There are two men and a woman, the latter not having much else to do but look good, which she certainly does, and help dress the stage. One of the men makes up as an eccentric comedian, while Gillet works straight. The stage setting is supposed to represent the interior of a swell barber shop, the backing and sides being of rich blue velvet, with large mirrors hung at intervals. The comedian seemed to score the strongest with his funny business this afternoon, though Gillet did some remarkable feats of hand balancing. The finish is an upright stand by Gillet, supporting his body on the index finger of one hand, on the center spear of a bunch of candelabra, the latter being lighted up. It is an effective act and a novelty, and should made a hit everywhere.
Joe Flynn, 2 shows, 16 min. in 1--Did not go so strongly as last time here, and will have to be moved up, Gus Williams taking his place. His new material does not seem to be so good, and he was too rough in contrast to the entertainers who preceded and followed him.
Bon Cole and Rosamond Johnson, 2 shows, 20 min. open full stage, close in 1--Changed nearly all their selections today and went bigger than they did last Monday.
DeWitt, Burns and Torrence, 2 shows, 15 min. full stage--A decided novelty for vaudeville; an act that should be a hit with both young and old. There is a special stage setting, representing a toy store at Christmastide, with a lot of toys and a large tree, conspicuously displayed. The girl is made up as a French doll, one of the men as a tin soldier and the other man as a jack-in-the-box, popping up when the girl releases the lid. There is some capital acrobatic work done by DeWitt and Burns, who also introduce their well known perch specialty. The girl is rather pretty, and does some neat and graceful dancing. The act should go the circuit and it will be a lucky house that has it Christmas week.
Biograph, 3 shows, 20 min. in 1--The very best series of pictures we have had yet, including an ascending panorama of a Norwegian waterfall, Love in a Perilous Place, a European trained animal act, and How Bees Make Honey, the latter being retained from last week.
Burto-Lowando Bijou Circus, 3 shows, 18 min. full stage--Improved and better in every respect than ever before, and went exceptionally well, considering the difficult place it had on the bill. It will be a tremendously pleasing act for the juveniles during holidays.
Comment:- The show, like that of last week has no big spectacular feature, but there is an even value held throughout that makes it most pleasing. With the exception of Hume, Ross & Lewis and Joe Flynn, it is one of the most refined shows we have had in a long time, and for that reason I expect it will do a big business this week. Judging by the way in which the Swedish Quintet and the Fred Gillet act went here, I should say there were many good reasons why these European acts should open in Boston, if at all feasible. They get a better newspaper work, are stage more showily, and in every way have more auspicious opening than it is possible for them to receive elsewhere on circuit.

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80 Fred Gillet Trio, 2 shows, 12 min. full stage--These people were making their American debut and can truthfully be said to have scored one of the hits of the show. There are two men and a woman, the latter not having much else to do but look good, which she certainly does, and help dress the stage. One of the men makes up as an eccentric comedian, while Gillet works straight. The stage setting is supposed to represent the interior of a swell barber shop, the backing and sides being of rich blue velvet, with large mirrors hung at intervals. The comedian seemed to score the strongest with his funny business this afternoon, though Gillet did some remarkable feats of hand balancing. The finish is an upright stand by Gillet, supporting his body on the index finger of one hand, on the center spear of a bunch of candelabra, the latter being lighted up. It is an effective act and a novelty, and should made a hit everywhere. Joe Flynn, 2 shows, 16 min. in 1--Did not go so strongly as last time here, and will have to be moved up, Gus Williams taking his place. His new material does not seem to be so good, and he was too rough in contrast to the entertainers who preceded and followed him. Bon Cole and Rosamond Johnson, 2 shows, 20 min. open full stage, close in 1--Changed nearly all their selections today and went bigger than they did last Monday. DeWitt, Burns and Torrence, 2 shows, 15 min. full stage--A decided novelty for vaudeville; an act that should be a hit with both young and old. There is a special stage setting, representing a toy store at Christmastide, with a lot of toys and a large tree, conspicuously displayed. The girl is made up as a French doll, one of the men as a tin soldier and the other man as a jack-in-the-box, popping up when the girl releases the lid. There is some capital acrobatic work done by DeWitt and Burns, who also introduce their well known perch specialty. The girl is rather pretty, and does some neat and graceful dancing. The act should go the circuit and it will be a lucky house that has it Christmas week. Biograph, 3 shows, 20 min. in 1--The very best series of pictures we have had yet, including an ascending panorama of a Norwegian waterfall, Love in a Perilous Place, a European trained animal act, and How Bees Make Honey, the latter being retained from last week. Burto-Lowando Bijou Circus, 3 shows, 18 min. full stage--Improved and better in every respect than ever before, and went exceptionally well, considering the difficult place it had on the bill. It will be a tremendously pleasing act for the juveniles during holidays. Comment:- The show, like that of last week has no big spectacular feature, but there is an even value held throughout that makes it most pleasing. With the exception of Hume, Ross & Lewis and Joe Flynn, it is one of the most refined shows we have had in a long time, and for that reason I expect it will do a big business this week. Judging by the way in which the Swedish Quintet and the Fred Gillet act went here, I should say there were many good reasons why these European acts should open in Boston, if at all feasible. They get a better newspaper work, are stage more showily, and in every way have more auspicious opening than it is possible for them to receive elsewhere on circuit.