St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-08
Spectacular Dramas. Ballots and Other
Seaaty Apparel Shows the Rage
Among Iheater Goers.
Manager McYicker's Mayoralty AS
pirations and the Bearing of
these Shows Upon Them.
The Audacious Dime Museum Man Wants to
Exhibit the Liberty Bell-hcKee
Rank MS Bad Luck.
Carter Harrison and Nike NcDonald's Hold
on City Politics-Poor Prospects for
Election Reforms.
Special Correspondence.

Special Correspondence.
CHIcAeo, Feb. 5.-The shapely built show,
If may be pardoned for so termiug it, has
come into vogue again. When "Pinafore"
was produced, and Gilbert and Sullivan fol-
lowed up their initial success with other bril-
liant operettas, the doom of burlesque was
sealed. Tights and the luxurious display OF
feminine charms had begun to pail upon the
base public, aud they welcomed the Pima
forian Successors with all the ardOr of virgin
souls. They had enjoyed so much OF bur-
lesque blondes that naughtiness had satiated
them, and with all the zeal of newly made
converts they turned to the innocent fun Of
the Gilbertian librettos, aud for several
SEASONS reveled in their sprightly and witty
frolics. But alas the world and the flesh
are strong, and as Gilbert's pen gradually
lost its originality his librettos lost favor, and
tine public once more yearned for the flesh
pots of Egypt A revival of burlesque at
once followed, and the ''dizzy blondes"
again
HOLD FULL SWAY.
The campaign was opened by a revival of
"Orpheus and Eurydce, y and the adaptation
used was as coarse as the original French
version, and suggestive enough to make the
most hardened theater goer blush. So
successful was this aVant-c0a1ier Of
the burlesoue boom, that mana
gers all over the country fastened
t. ook attractions that boosted beautiful
we<nen and scant wardrobes. And now
disidbille per ormances are the correct thing,
and shap,ly forms, symmetrical limbs and
pretty faces combine to make paying and
popular form of attraction. And scant skirts
aud daintily trimmed lingerie are no longer
exclusively seen in the ballets. Every comic
opera company on the road, with possibly
one exception, dresses its female singers in
tights. We're having fine opportunity To
study this class Of performances in Chicago
this week. First there's "Zanita,'' at Nc
We ,er's, musical performance-withl little
music and lots Of performapce-enacted by
100 individuals, whose chief, charm is sup
posed to lie in lack of clothing. How the
poor creatures can stand it to remain for
three long hours ON a cold draugbtv stage,
with barely drapery sufficient to hide the
genuine flesh tints, cannot comprehend.
"FAlka,' done in rousing style at the Colum-
bia, has chorus of thirty people, and none
of the performers wear what ar. properly
called clothes except the male singers.
At the Grand KirAlty Bros. "Sebra" Is an
ether short dress performance. The com
panies are all making money, and appar-
emily everyone is satisfied.
~
But there are some people who object to
this class of entertain ment, and ! overheard
politician say the other night that If Nc
Wicker didn't quit giving so many leg
shows at his house the church element would
fgathim all along the line. McVicker wants
l. be mayor and is making a hot canvass
among the politicians, but if his money max
ing entertainments are to be rung in on him
In the fight, don't believe hen sacrifice his
business to empty honor, and give up tle
lucrative spectacular for an expensive and
trying official position.
--.-.-.- ----.--- 80
II the good citizens of Philadelphia we're
Mortified al the suggestion OF removing that
sacred emblem Of national freedom the
Liberty bell-to New Orleans, what will they
think OF the proposition recently made by
Chicago phiauthropists in the dime museum
busiuessi These entcrprising individuals
have formulated a scheme aud forwarded IL
TO Joseph Pulitzer. OF the New York World,
and their scheme is that when the Liberty
bell shall have fulfilled its mission in the
south, they would like 10 take IL and exhibit
II about the country, promising to donate the
net proceeds 10 the BLrthOldi pedestal fund,
which the World has been trying to raise.
These freak men say that If Pulitzer will
secure for them from the city of Philadelphia
the right TO exhibit the bell, they will give
bonds in any amount for its protection; will
provide n special car for ii, and will turn over
every cent taken In above actual expenses
They believe they could raise $50, 900 for the
psdt stall in three months. No answer has
vet been received from Mr. Pulitzer, but he
has probably gone ID the Quaker city 10 sub
nit the daring scheme to that horror stricken
. municipality. Pulitzer is the only man who
would dare breach such project in the
shadow Of Independence hall.
Mckee RIukin and wife, supported by an
''ail star" company, are presenting a lot Of
twaddle, entitled Notice 10 Quit at
Huolcys. The play ia new one not worthy
of the company playing ii, and is drawing no
better business tnan It deserves Mckee
snukin is a clever fellow, good actor and a
(. b,,ter friend, aud | hope he'll find play
worthy Of his talents and repair his fallen
fortunes. few years ago when he aud his
vile were coming money with that clever
play. The Danitcs,n no one expected they
would he travelling about the country as
members Of cooperative stock company,
as now The Rankius made a fortune with
the ''Danites," but when that was worn
threadbarc their luck seemed 10 desert them,
and all their ventures since have been losing
ones Their lucky play lost money for thcu
In England, aud "49'i made up but a small
portion OF their losses. Then Rinkin's
ambition led him 10 build the Third avenue
thrater Ia New York. aud he was CAD 20
turn it over 10 Kate ClaNton after brief but
disastrous season. Thea Shook 4 Collier !
secured his services as q leading man, but |
TO long service in the border drama
rendered Riuku unfit for society
PLAYS, and his STAY at the Madison square
was brief. Last season Gabriel Conruy" T!
failed him, aud then he set about organizing /
the present venture. Rankin is hearty, /
wGol, -soulel fellow whom everybody likes, !
and sincerely hope he'll "catch on" again. /
-
John Norton, Of 81. Louis. has secured the /
lease Of the new Chicago OPers house ami
hear that Edwin Booth has promised TO open /
the season for the new company. Dave /
Henderson. vel known newspaper man,
has hnger Ia the venture. and J. II. !
Meade, husband OF Lucille Western, is 10 be /
one % the active managers OF the new enter
prise.
With the completion OF this building there
viii be be FIVE "irst class" down town thea
tiers in this city. Allowing forty weeks Tor
the full season Of zach, aud therr are 400 /
weeks 10 be filled There are probably /
twenty-five or thirty attractions" that are I
recognized a. 'hrst-class," Wat then l. 10 I