The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-09-18
ANNIVERSARY OF
VARIETY FEATURED
Continued From Page 81

Continued From Page 81
Royal of Cleveland, Harry T. Jordan
of philadelphia, Clarence Wallen,
representing the Proctor Circuit;
Walter Vincent, representing the
Kilmer & Vincent Circuit; P. Alonzo,
representing the Poll Circuit; Jules
Delmar, representing the Southern
Circuit3 Carl Hoblitzelle, represent
ing the Texas Circuit; M. Shea, Fred
Schanberger, Edwin G. Lauder, Jr.,
J. j. Maloney, Maj L. E. Thompson
and Mark A. Luescher.
This season marks one hundred
years of variety in America, and a
gigantic cross-country celebration of
this fact is to be launched simultan-
eously from the Atlantic to the Pa
cific Coast ane carried out with an
elaborate program of special events
and features adequate to the occa-
sion.
A century ago there began in the
American theaters, the first self
conscious groupings Of a form OF
entertainment destined for world
wide popularity. In December of
1925, In the city Of New York, at
the Lafayette Theater, Laurens near
Canal ST., there was offered for the
first time IN Manhattan, a real va
riety program, collection Of divers
brief acts, such as had in previous
years served as interludes between
the acts of legitimate productions.
It was an interesting and important
experiment, soon followed by other
New York houses, notably the Mount
Pitt Circus on Grand st. in 1927.
In other towns around the coun-
try boasting theaters, old newspaper
files show that the idea seems to
have struck in numerous places
about the same time.
Concentrating the birth of the
variety idea in America, in cities
throughout the Keith-Albee, Or
pheun, Proctor, Moss, Poll Wilmer
81 Vincent, Interstate, .Butterfield
I'D other allied, circuits, gala cere-
W1gbnies will be planned this coming
season, with local and other promi-
nent officials participating.
In some cities, upon the sites
where once stood their earliest va
riety house, plaques with suitable in
scriptions will be unveiled in order
to preserve the identity of the spot
Local Chambers of Commerce, H.
braries, and other civic institutions
and bodies, are cooperating in this
movement, and will assist in compil.
ing an authentic and accurate rec
ord Of all theatrical activities in each
city. Such records will be of in.
estimable value in tracing the
growth and development of 'the
American theater and the collection
will be presented to libraries.
During the entire season of 1926
81, special weeks will be observed by
way of marking the various mile
stones in the progress of variety
from its humble beginnings to it's
more distinguished position now as
vaudeville, sharing with the moving
picture. the vast allegiance Of the
peoplc
An important recommendation
made at the meeting of the managers
above named was to make this festi-
val period time also to foster and
develop young and new material and
talent. A special bureau is to be es-
tablished for the encouragement and
help Of young aspirants and new at
fractions. This will be under the
personal supervision Of Edwin G..
Lauder, Jr., Edward v. Darling and
Max Gordon.
A series of prizes viii be offered
for the best ideas and for the man
ayers and bookers who devise the
.xnAost unique program and schedule
eeents for the centennial year.
BY and large, it looks like Red
Letter year in the annals of vaude-
Vile and one which will be as i'm
portant to future theatrical history
rs the years 1925 and 1927 were to
Che past.