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 225

Boston Show, Week of September 27th, 1909.    R. G. Larsen
(Monday, Sept 27th, Afternoon Show)
Overture. 1:50, five minutes.
Paul Stevens. On at 1:55, ten minutes full stage, first rate opening act; got a big hand, closed strong.
Arthur Cameron. On at 2:05, ten minutes in one. This young man billed as a singer of English nonsense songs has become quite a favorite in the picture house here but this afternoon fell down horribly. He failed to get the audience at all and this evening in the opening place did little better. The stuff was light, talky, might be called talking songs, but it was evident that they were not heavy enough for our audience.
Waterbury Brothers & Tenney. On at 2:15, twenty three minutes, one minute in one opening, and three minutes closing in one. This well known act went big all through, got plenty of laughs as well as applause.
Cressy & Dayne. On at 2:36, twenty two minutes full stage. this is their second week and "Town Hall To-night" got many laughs; finished quiet.
James Harrigan. On at 2:58, twenty two minutes in one. Harrigan was a scream this afternoon but to-night dragged.
The Eellinos. On at 3:20, fifteen minutes full stage. This is one of the best acrobatic acts that we have played and has nine people this trip and they warmed things up in good shape.
Tom Edwards. On at 3:37, following a two minute wait; twenty two minutes in three. Edwards is doing very much the same line of stuff as he did on his previous visit here. Outside of his baby stunt which is practically the same, he did not seem to go as well as Lester has done at this house. His finish with the baby however, was big, for Edwards is the greatest actor of them all. He introduces a crash while nursing the baby, the inference being that a pot has fallen in the adjoining room. He later explained that it was the water pitcher. We are going to have him make the explanation earlier to-night and if the result is not satisfactory, cut out the incident. The finish is very big.
Peter. On at 3:58, thirty minutes in full stage. This is the first week that we have Peter closing the show and he did it in grand style this afternoon.


Pictures. On at 4:26, "In Modern Algeria", a fairly good travel picture.
Comment. This is a case where a very strong show did not get as good results as a cheaper one. It is a case of all-star acts failing to build up to a good finish. It also seemed to prove that new acts are desirable, both Cressy and Harrigan in particular failing to land as they formerly did. Our audiences evidently want something new.
Cuts. Harrigan's "[Damn?] in Hell" and possibly Edwards' big joke.

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Boston Show, Week of September 27th, 1909. R. G. Larsen (Monday, Sept 27th, Afternoon Show) Overture. 1:50, five minutes. Paul Stevens. On at 1:55, ten minutes full stage, first rate opening act; got a big hand, closed strong. Arthur Cameron. On at 2:05, ten minutes in one. This young man billed as a singer of English nonsense songs has become quite a favorite in the picture house here but this afternoon fell down horribly. He failed to get the audience at all and this evening in the opening place did little better. The stuff was light, talky, might be called talking songs, but it was evident that they were not heavy enough for our audience. Waterbury Brothers & Tenney. On at 2:15, twenty three minutes, one minute in one opening, and three minutes closing in one. This well known act went big all through, got plenty of laughs as well as applause. Cressy & Dayne. On at 2:36, twenty two minutes full stage. this is their second week and "Town Hall To-night" got many laughs; finished quiet. James Harrigan. On at 2:58, twenty two minutes in one. Harrigan was a scream this afternoon but to-night dragged. The Eellinos. On at 3:20, fifteen minutes full stage. This is one of the best acrobatic acts that we have played and has nine people this trip and they warmed things up in good shape. Tom Edwards. On at 3:37, following a two minute wait; twenty two minutes in three. Edwards is doing very much the same line of stuff as he did on his previous visit here. Outside of his baby stunt which is practically the same, he did not seem to go as well as Lester has done at this house. His finish with the baby however, was big, for Edwards is the greatest actor of them all. He introduces a crash while nursing the baby, the inference being that a pot has fallen in the adjoining room. He later explained that it was the water pitcher. We are going to have him make the explanation earlier to-night and if the result is not satisfactory, cut out the incident. The finish is very big. Peter. On at 3:58, thirty minutes in full stage. This is the first week that we have Peter closing the show and he did it in grand style this afternoon. Pictures. On at 4:26, "In Modern Algeria", a fairly good travel picture. Comment. This is a case where a very strong show did not get as good results as a cheaper one. It is a case of all-star acts failing to build up to a good finish. It also seemed to prove that new acts are desirable, both Cressy and Harrigan in particular failing to land as they formerly did. Our audiences evidently want something new. Cuts. Harrigan's "[Damn?] in Hell" and possibly Edwards' big joke.