DIY History | Transcribe | Keith-Albee Collection | Keith-Albee managers' report book, October 27, 1913-May 11, 1914

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Keith-Albee managers' report book, October 27, 1913-May 11, 1914

Page 140

PITTSBURGH, PA.
GRAND OPERA HOUSE.
FEB. 16th, 1914.
TWO TOM BOYS.
8 minutes, full stage. Girls doing a sort of Rice & Prevost knockabout acrobatic turn. Fast, clever work; worthy of any spot on the bill.
HENRY & FRANCIS.
16 minutes in One. "Nonsense." The comedian works like Byron of Byron & Langdon, "The Dude Detective." A very amusing act, winding up in a bit of comedy that is a little bit rough and after the style of the burlesque show, but so well done that its coarseness is much mitigated.
LORRAINE & DUDLEY.
15 minutes, special interior. "The Finish." A most unhealthy sketch, poorly played. This is really the poorest excuse of a playlet that has been handed to us, and though in the evening we put it on to open our show, it has done more damage to the bill than any act we can recall in all our experience. By no stretch of the imagination can it be considered fit for big time vaudeville.
KRAMER & MORTON.
19 minutes in One. Blackface comedians, singers and dancers. A big hit, and the most evenly matched team of men this season has brought forth. They have a line of new patter with some old stuff and mix with it some grotesque dancing and songs.
RIGOLETTO BROS.
35 minutes, special settings. This is the most varied act that has played American vaudeville. They do a little bit of everything that is vaudeville and do it well. The immensity of their act and the diversity of their talents make this attraction impressive and pleasing.
"THE GIRL FROM MILWAUKEE."
10 minutes in One. Remarkable singer with a tremendous range and a very attractive personality. This girl sings the "Kiss Me" number from MLLE. MODISTE as well as Fritzi Scheff sang it, and the "My Hero" number from THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER better than Ida Brooks Hunt, the original, sang it. We regard her one of the best single singing acts we have ever played, and certainly the best vocal number that has come to us without reputation.
"THE PORCH PARTY."
19 min., full stage, special set. Mr. Rolfe has given the act a beautiful setting, but spoiled a splendid idea with a company that has practically no talent. The principal woman, a pretty little blond, lacks personality and evidently is without professional training. Her voice is so thin it does not get over the foot lights. The principal man is fair. The dancers are good. Except with regard to its setting, "The Porch Party" isn't anywhere near the class of "Arcadia," or any other Rolfe attraction that has come this way.
RYAN & LEE.
19 minutes in One. A young couple, newcomers to us, in a "nut" act; both very clever-- the girl especially so. They hold down this spot in spite of all the similar stuff that has gone before and come off with the principal applause honors of the show.
SAHARET.
10 minutes, full stage. Assisted by Senor J. Florido, in four dancing numbers. Saharet is a very pretty, graceful girl, but her dancing arouses no enthusiasm. It is a pleasing act, but not by any means worth $600.
MOVING PICTURES.
For want of a good comedy, we returned, temporarily, to the Pathe Weekly and find it still as hackneyed and monotonous as of yore.

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PITTSBURGH, PA. GRAND OPERA HOUSE. FEB. 16th, 1914. TWO TOM BOYS. 8 minutes, full stage. Girls doing a sort of Rice & Prevost knockabout acrobatic turn. Fast, clever work; worthy of any spot on the bill. HENRY & FRANCIS. 16 minutes in One. "Nonsense." The comedian works like Byron of Byron & Langdon, "The Dude Detective." A very amusing act, winding up in a bit of comedy that is a little bit rough and after the style of the burlesque show, but so well done that its coarseness is much mitigated. LORRAINE & DUDLEY. 15 minutes, special interior. "The Finish." A most unhealthy sketch, poorly played. This is really the poorest excuse of a playlet that has been handed to us, and though in the evening we put it on to open our show, it has done more damage to the bill than any act we can recall in all our experience. By no stretch of the imagination can it be considered fit for big time vaudeville. KRAMER & MORTON. 19 minutes in One. Blackface comedians, singers and dancers. A big hit, and the most evenly matched team of men this season has brought forth. They have a line of new patter with some old stuff and mix with it some grotesque dancing and songs. RIGOLETTO BROS. 35 minutes, special settings. This is the most varied act that has played American vaudeville. They do a little bit of everything that is vaudeville and do it well. The immensity of their act and the diversity of their talents make this attraction impressive and pleasing. "THE GIRL FROM MILWAUKEE." 10 minutes in One. Remarkable singer with a tremendous range and a very attractive personality. This girl sings the "Kiss Me" number from MLLE. MODISTE as well as Fritzi Scheff sang it, and the "My Hero" number from THE CHOCOLATE SOLDIER better than Ida Brooks Hunt, the original, sang it. We regard her one of the best single singing acts we have ever played, and certainly the best vocal number that has come to us without reputation. "THE PORCH PARTY." 19 min., full stage, special set. Mr. Rolfe has given the act a beautiful setting, but spoiled a splendid idea with a company that has practically no talent. The principal woman, a pretty little blond, lacks personality and evidently is without professional training. Her voice is so thin it does not get over the foot lights. The principal man is fair. The dancers are good. Except with regard to its setting, "The Porch Party" isn't anywhere near the class of "Arcadia," or any other Rolfe attraction that has come this way. RYAN & LEE. 19 minutes in One. A young couple, newcomers to us, in a "nut" act; both very clever-- the girl especially so. They hold down this spot in spite of all the similar stuff that has gone before and come off with the principal applause honors of the show. SAHARET. 10 minutes, full stage. Assisted by Senor J. Florido, in four dancing numbers. Saharet is a very pretty, graceful girl, but her dancing arouses no enthusiasm. It is a pleasing act, but not by any means worth $600. MOVING PICTURES. For want of a good comedy, we returned, temporarily, to the Pathe Weekly and find it still as hackneyed and monotonous as of yore.