Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-04
THE PLAYCOER'S
WEEKLY TALK
Observations on Plays and
Photoplays Of Interest to
Philadelphians

many of the older generation of Phiia-
delphia theatregoers memories of the
brilliant days of black-face minstrelsy
years ago when Philadelphia perhaps
was the leading city ror this popular
FORM OF entertainment. All the more
famous minstrels were then seen here
and some remained for years at time
a. resident companies with permanent
theatre homes. That so famous a
minstrel as "Hughey" pougherty. who
died recently in Kirkbride's. spent half
OF his professional years right here in
his home town. speaks volumes for the
one-time popularity of this form of
amusement. Thousands of Philadel-
phians, now gray-haired, have tuckeo
away in their memories some Of the
jokes, the stump speeches." the clogs
and dances and ban o-bones-tambourine
selections with which the apostles OF
mirth and merrlment created miles OF
smiles for their patrons
Minstrelsy of the variety made popu-
lar by scores of the noted old-timers no
longer can boast OF popularity Me-
Intyre and Heath, for example, have
turned aside from the old form of fun
making to more modern musical pro-
auctions written around their stage per-
sonalities. No longer 40 they open
"the show" with an array OF "darkies'
in evening clothes. seated in semi
circle with the all-important Inter
locutor" in the center, giving his time
honored traditional formula for the
beginnig OF the fun: Gentlemen. be
seated" Instead. the sole relic of the
old days here in Philadelphia Is Du-
monts Minstrels. Frank Dumont, VINO
controls the company. is one of the old
timers of minstrelsy. Yet there was \
time when such names as Sanfords 4
Minstrels, Carncross' Mlnstrcls, earn
cross and Dixey's Minstrels, Frank
Rivers Melodeon, Simmons & Slocums
and others, were household words with
Philadelphia theatregoers.
A 8 A RULE the engagements OF the
"A famous minstrels were extended
ones, yet even Hughey r,ougherty. who
spent about half his performing life
here with Dumonts Minstrels was an
extensive traveler-nay, even CLONE
trotter. His stage career began In lS5S
at the famous Eleventh Street Opera
House and In 1860 he went 10 Frank
Rivers Melodeon. Later ne appeared
with Skiff and Gaylord's, simmons 4
SlOCurn ~ mere III lHllduflplllsi' 'i''l -
Thatcher, Primrose and West. ana
Hooley's Minstrels, In Brooklyn and
Cleveland Morris Brothers, in Boston !;
and yohnson's and Slavin's and Moore
and Burgess's, in London.
As tn @ head of Dougherty, Wild.
Barney and Macs Minstrels he gave
his first performance as an impresario
In 1869. A few years later, after or
ganlzing n minstrel show with Harvey.
Leslie and Braham, he made an cx-
tensive tour of Africa. Then in 1877
he opened the Alhambra Palace, here In
Philadelphia.
As for Mcintyre and Heath, these In.
terpreters of the humor of the southern
darkies have played together since their
accidental meeting in San Antonio, Tex,
in 1874 Heath, who furnishes the vein
of optimism in contrast TO Mcintyre $
funny pessimism. is product of Phtla
delphla He was born here August H.,
1853 He first appeared AT the Theat-
orium. in New York. In 1867 and after
learning the trade of bookbinder became
the programmer for Joseph Murphy IN
Help" in 1872. That same year he
entered into partnership with George
Howard and did a black-face song and
dance act all over the country until he
met Mcintyre in 1874 and formed the
partnership which has continued 10 the
present day.
McIntyre was born in Kenosha wis"
on August s, 1857. and prepared HIM
self to become a minstrel, IT is said, on
trains on which he was a candy
butcher" He spent his leisure time be-
tween the rounds Of the coaches dancing
in the baggage car for the entertain
ment OF the train crew, with his songs
and iokes. In 1863 he hogan his stage
career In Chicago After various af-
fliations with companies In all parts
OF the country. including n pedestrian
tour with Billy Fleming and an engage
ment as valet to a number OF horses
and mules in a livery stable at Hendcr
son. XIV. ne finally struck san Tone and
met Heath. From that time on fortune
has smiled upon the pair. with the
passing OF the popularity OF straight
minstrelsy Mcintyre and Heath entered
vaudeville and played 'her" un'u l9O0
when they made their hit in The Ham
Tree" which furnished them with q
vehicle for three seasons. Since then In
"In Hayti." and other plays written
around their pecuiiar talents. they have
exenplifed the transition from tho old
art in which they began their stage
careers, Hello Alexander their pres
ent vehicle. Is hut another oNamnlc NJ
.he passing Of the old form of mins,rclsy,
THE first theatre ever constructed
for minstrel company was
erected in this city who" Sam Sanford
built n home for his own COMPANY AT
twelfth and Chestnut streets The thea,
ire was opened August I, 1888. ana was
destroyed by fire on December or th'
same year. Fewer than two years 'a'"'
Sarford's minstrels opened NJ the E'"v'
.nth Street Opera House and continued
playine thor" until 1852. SuhseGue0'l'
sanford had other theatres here and one
in Harrisburg, lie also had a rumh"l
Of travelling minstrel companies, Wit
this city rs their home
Cool White. one of the nion"crS NJ
r,instreIsv. sang songa in h'a"kf1C" ho