DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1907, part 1

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, April 30, 1906 - February 4, 1907, part 1

Page 153

153
Cleveland Show Week November 5, 1906.
COMMENT-- The show this week is the most expensive in 12 months. It was also the worst running show. From all the dope that could be worked out on paper it would appear to be a crackerjack. There are two bad waits in the show because performers refused to close in one, and this fact added to the Gems forgetting to check their baggage from Baltimore and being compelled to work in some very ordinary street clothes, and the fact that the show was held 20 minutes so as to allow the Four Melvins to get here from Milwaukee, Wis., all contributed to giving the newspaper critics a very bad opinion of the show. It seems strange that The Gems would leave the looking after of their baggage to the theatre. One of them explained to me that if he had gone to the station to check the trunks it would have kept him up as late as a quarter to twelve. They seemed to think that it was up to this theatre to pay all the long distance telephoning and telegraphing for their baggage, and they also seemed to think they would receive their full salary if they didn't happen to go on until Wednesday. After a few witty remarks on my part - at which they did not laugh and during which I informed them that they would be docked for every show, they seemed to get very busy, although they could not understand why they should not be paid even if they could not locate their baggage until the middle of the week.
THE ADELMANNS-- Man and woman. Work on the xylophone. I thought that these people worked in one and they say that they cannot and will not. That settled it and I gave them a palace in four. 12 min.
NOTE-- Two minutes wait for the Gems.
THE GEMS-- Three men and two women in a condensed musical comedy. Has been described on the circuit. The act opened with a short speech in which the chief push informed the audience that their "blooming" baggage had been led astray. The audience seemed glad of it for they applauded the speech. The act needs no criticism. 16 min. Palace in four.
THE PHAYS-- This is the preliminary to the expose. Seven minutes was consumed in writing questions on pads. Drop in one.
FOUR MELVIN BROTHERS-- Acrobats. One of these boys is one of the original Four Bards. I believe this troupe to be the equal of any I have ever seen. They were greeted today with thunderous applause and I would consider the act excellent. F. S. 7 min.
TWO CRANE BROTHERS-- Poor "Special Announcement" is dead and his loss cripples the act. They are doing a sketch called "The Mud-Town Lock-up," using a special drop in one. This act contains a great deal of their old stuff with just a few new jokes and enough new talk to make the new drop consistent. The general opinion today seemed to be that the act was a decided fall down from the old act. Drop in one. 14 min.
WYLIE'S CIRCUS-- One of the best dog acts I have ever seen. They work in special scenery showing the interior of a circus tent. The dogs are well trained and the act can be classed as excellent throughout. F. S. 7 min.
COOPER & ROBINSON-- Two men. Probably the best coon act in vaudeville. A decided hit. Drop in one. 15 min.
THE PAHSY- - Part Two. this act has been repeatedly described. They managed to inject a great deal of comedy into their act today and the greater part of their work was received with roars of laughter. C.D.F. in three 31 min.
NOTE A wait of three minutes to set special trick stuff for Morris Cronin's troupe.


H. A. DANIELS

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153 Cleveland Show Week November 5, 1906. COMMENT-- The show this week is the most expensive in 12 months. It was also the worst running show. From all the dope that could be worked out on paper it would appear to be a crackerjack. There are two bad waits in the show because performers refused to close in one, and this fact added to the Gems forgetting to check their baggage from Baltimore and being compelled to work in some very ordinary street clothes, and the fact that the show was held 20 minutes so as to allow the Four Melvins to get here from Milwaukee, Wis., all contributed to giving the newspaper critics a very bad opinion of the show. It seems strange that The Gems would leave the looking after of their baggage to the theatre. One of them explained to me that if he had gone to the station to check the trunks it would have kept him up as late as a quarter to twelve. They seemed to think that it was up to this theatre to pay all the long distance telephoning and telegraphing for their baggage, and they also seemed to think they would receive their full salary if they didn't happen to go on until Wednesday. After a few witty remarks on my part - at which they did not laugh and during which I informed them that they would be docked for every show, they seemed to get very busy, although they could not understand why they should not be paid even if they could not locate their baggage until the middle of the week. THE ADELMANNS-- Man and woman. Work on the xylophone. I thought that these people worked in one and they say that they cannot and will not. That settled it and I gave them a palace in four. 12 min. NOTE-- Two minutes wait for the Gems. THE GEMS-- Three men and two women in a condensed musical comedy. Has been described on the circuit. The act opened with a short speech in which the chief push informed the audience that their "blooming" baggage had been led astray. The audience seemed glad of it for they applauded the speech. The act needs no criticism. 16 min. Palace in four. THE PHAYS-- This is the preliminary to the expose. Seven minutes was consumed in writing questions on pads. Drop in one. FOUR MELVIN BROTHERS-- Acrobats. One of these boys is one of the original Four Bards. I believe this troupe to be the equal of any I have ever seen. They were greeted today with thunderous applause and I would consider the act excellent. F. S. 7 min. TWO CRANE BROTHERS-- Poor "Special Announcement" is dead and his loss cripples the act. They are doing a sketch called "The Mud-Town Lock-up," using a special drop in one. This act contains a great deal of their old stuff with just a few new jokes and enough new talk to make the new drop consistent. The general opinion today seemed to be that the act was a decided fall down from the old act. Drop in one. 14 min. WYLIE'S CIRCUS-- One of the best dog acts I have ever seen. They work in special scenery showing the interior of a circus tent. The dogs are well trained and the act can be classed as excellent throughout. F. S. 7 min. COOPER & ROBINSON-- Two men. Probably the best coon act in vaudeville. A decided hit. Drop in one. 15 min. THE PAHSY- - Part Two. this act has been repeatedly described. They managed to inject a great deal of comedy into their act today and the greater part of their work was received with roars of laughter. C.D.F. in three 31 min. NOTE A wait of three minutes to set special trick stuff for Morris Cronin's troupe. H. A. DANIELS