New Britain herald., 1929-05-04
VAUDEVILLE 'GAGS'
 CHANGE IN. STYLE

Mary Snsa Nov Rlvolit Tr'
 eA for Ylristy Actors
 Many residents of New Britain. in- cludinx some of the so-called older group and other of middle age. are reminded quite frequently of the per- tod in the city's history when certain streets aad localities were dubbed by ono distinction or another. not al- ways a characteristic which reflected credit on the section, yet one whose use never failed to convey to all who heard it the intent of the general public to give it means of identifi- cation.
 Especially through the growing practice of vaudeville performers who make light of Cherry street. have the days of another period been recalled to mind of late. Hardly . week passes, it is said. without some "hoofer". as the song-and-dance men of the stage are known, seeing fit to make reference to that thor oughfare which begins at Pine and end a. Ash street. or vice versa. and just as often as the reference ts made. the audience laughs. On the vaudeville stage in Hartford, the stock joke was about New Britain until it seemed to wear out from careless and frequent handling. while in Providence, the "wise crackers of the three-a- day circuits were able to make as big . hit with joke on Hartford. Likewise. in Boston. the audiences laugh at Providence. and in New York, it is always sure-fire to parade the Bean Town up and down behind the footlights.
 Giggle It Willow Street
 Two decades or 10 ago, Willow street in this city occupied the place now monopoiised by Cherry street. At the theater which h now the Pal- ace on Main street, any act that was lagging could get across with bang if the principals knew 8 gag that ap- piled in any way to Willow street. It might be necessary for the female member of a mixed team to ask her partner to see her home after the show because she was afraid to be out late, ana he would only be re- quired to jump at the chance. Then fhe would be fed the proper line for the comeback, with Willow street mentioned prominently. and every one in the house went into ecstasies.
 Hartford avenue, too, was always good for laugh. The avenue at that time was rapidly being changed into a business street, but there were still some residences occupied. The section was doomed for residen- tiai purposes, however, and the ,vau- devillians seemed to know 1t the first day they struck the city.
 Chestnut Street Trolley
 [ The Chestnut street trolley line has always been legitimate prey for the jokers, and few indeed are the acts that have played New Britain and not used it. Whether someone wear ing checkered suit and a plaid shirt was trying 10 put over a sporty stunt by inviting his best girl for a nice, long ride" from Central park, to Church street. to Elm, to Chestnut, Stanley and the rest of the route, or beginner hop ing to make the rafters ring with laughter and applause insisted on telling the folks of the relative who wanted to die and so reclined on the Chestnut street trolley tracks, where he developed infirmities incident to old age, waiting for car--those, incidentally, were not the worst jokes that went across-the trolley service was never forgotten.
 SesAl Alarm" From BOX 1T
 At one time, Box ~ at North and Oak streets was rung more often than dozen or more other fire alarm boxes together, 50 frequently in fact. that the flremen could head for that section as soon as the first haif h6d struck, and not make | mistake. There were numeroui wooden barns on Oak. Willow. Put nam and North streets and vicinity and they made excellent fuel fol carelessly thrown cigarette butts and hot ashes from pipes. Broken down humans. known everywhere al "tramps" but since then classified al "vagrants." were always sure of 2 place to sleep, whether it was in ar old wagon or sleigh under a shed, ol in the hay piles In the barns. and nothing was more natural than thai fires resulted.
 The vaudeville performers of that period knew of this condition and many a dying act was saved, tenn. porarily. at least, by the ringing of | bell in the orchestra pit. count oi "47" and the cry North and Oak as the "hoofer" grabbed his hat and coat and dashed off the stage amid salvos of applause.
 "HartfOrd Avenue and North
 The corner of Hartford avenue ana North streets was once a busy spot for policemen on night duty and numerous brawls took place there Saturday nights were especially pro. ductive with eight or ten arrests in a single group often being made The don't give your right name. joke, sprung to the accompaniment of the changing of a bell to initiate the gong of the police patrol, Wal we'll dove-tailed with the cry ol ''Hartford Avenue and North" to put . skit over to the satisfaction of the cash customers. Later. the corner of Broad and High streets became we'll known for the calls sent in from the police box there.
 Walnut Hill park, Niger Hill Dublin Hill and Sard Bank Hill were well exploited. not to mention East street, beyond East Main street which. before 1t was built up, had the reputation of a lovers lane