New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1905-05-14

opera" said Mr. White HE was of the riffraf
of the streets. gathered here, there or anywhere.
without any system, and utterly without care.
No wonder the stage world soon cut the digni-
fed name of supernumerary to super. They
were troublesome lot these unsolicited 'supers'
They stole everything they could get their hands
on, particularly the costumes handed out to
them. At times, in the mob scenes they would
get into trouble among themselves. and give
real, instead Of exhibition, fighting. Many
hne production has been marred by it's 'supers.'
The method of securing them in the old days
was to insert an advertisement reading some
thing like this in the daily papers,
Sy ppT f age mob hall hours & 90i
AT O'Clock there would be a motley array OF
humanity outside the stage door. The manager
and leading man would look them over. After
selecting those whom by stretching the magma
ton they considered at all possible, the actor
and manager would spend the afternoon drilling
them in their positions and moves. There were
always more or less novices in the super crowd.
men and women who had never been on the
stage before. They were afflicted with stage
fright, which took various forms and often in
tertered with the movement of the piece
The thing that troubled the managers most.
however, was the disposition the part OF
tnelr supers' TO steal everything they could get
their hands on. Stage wigs were worth $40.
ot05e SHOES ana DOOlS from % 10 % q pair, ana
If the tights which given the supers' could
not be sold they made fine underclothes in
the winter. That briefly the situation IN
the palmy days of the 'supers.' Just remember
that we have passed from super to extra gen.
teman. If you will sit in this office for an hour
and keep your eyes and ears open you will soon
see the difference"
The Tribune reporter had scarcely found a
convenient seat when a comely young woman
entered the office.
Il want to get down your books as an extra
lady" she explained. I've played the part OF
maid"
Mind wearing tights" was the question the
head of the trust shot at her. His tone was not
unkind, but it entirely business.
She looked down at her pretty figure and
smiled at him. Not in the least" she said.
He whipped out card which was printed and
punched to fit card index. He took down her
name and address and her nearest telephone.
There was a note on her voice. its range; her
complexion her height, her bust measurement.
In another column he put down secret
marks, his personal opinion of her beauty and
general appearance.
That's ALL" he said. Wen send for you
when get order you fit"
The card containing her "dope"-the trust
word for all this descriptive matter-went into
the index with several hundred others.
Then came a messenger boy from the manager
of a Broadway theatre He brought a written
order which read:
please have the following report at 3 o'clock
to-day: Two walters forty-five years, feet IL
years, 3 feet. 81 chest. Ten drawing room men,
who know how, in evening clothes, % to 80
Twenty-Five men for villagers, feet inches
to feet, chest 81 to 80. Fifteen for
villagers, assorted sizes"
1t was 10 o'clock when this order reached the
office Of the president of the Extra Gentleman
Trust" His office force got busy Immediately,
for there was no time to lose if they were to be