Life, 1905-03-09 · page 13 of 22
Life — March 9, 1905 — page 13: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page satirizes the **Theatrical Trust**, a monopolistic theater organization controlling major New York venues. The text describes how Life magazine criticized the Trust's methods, which the Trust then weaponized by falsely claiming Life was antisemitic and attacking "the entire Jewish race." The caricatures appear to depict **David Warfield** (left, as Joe Weber in "Jigglededy Piggledy") and a figure labeled as playing "Buster Brown" (right). The satire targets how the Trust exploited Jewish identity defensively—prominent Jewish leaders like Marshall and Schiff publicly supported the Trust, unwittingly defending a corrupt monopoly. The box listing theaters "under the control of the Theatrical Trust" explains Life cannot review their performances due to censorship pressure. **Context**: This reflects early 1900s battles over theatrical monopolies and how institutional power weaponized ethnic solidarity to suppress legitimate criticism.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
JON DREW PLAYED JOE WEBER'S PART IN :GLEDY PIGGLEDY.” and when popular prejudice was given to much brutal injustice, vid still live, and be so common that it is used almost uncon- sciously and without intention of offe But these methods are those of the Theatrical Trust, and Mr. Metcalfe was justified in criti- cizing them. Because Lire: has said this very thing, the T shrewdly raised th race. The leading Jewish publication of America was quick to dis- ver the trick and in unmistakable terms was quick to rebuke the Trust for its insolent claim that it and its members represented, or were eatrical Trust has cry that Lire was persecuting the entire Jewish even worthy members of, the Jewish race in America, Messrs, Marshall, Schiff and several other leading Jews of the better sort in New York were very prompt to resent publicly the anti- mitism attr uted to State Librarian Dewey, No one has noticed that Jews of this type hive come to the rescue of those downtrodden aad persecuted Jews who compose the Theatrical Trust R. OSCAR HAMMERSTEIN runs a variety show at the corner of Seventh Avenue and Forty-second Street. The show isn’t one-half as funny as its proprietor. Metcalfe. steademy of Music. “The Darling of the Gods.” famous Japancse tragedy, with Blanche Bates as the star. Belasco. Mrs. Leslie Carter in “Adrea.”” Impressive tragic drama, elabo- rately staged and well acted. Berkeley Lyceunt.—Frank Keenan -n one-act plays. | See opposite. Bijou Me. David Warfield in The Music Master.” Wellcast and well staged play of tears and laughter. Belasco and Long's Colonial. Vaudeville. Musical piece entitled * The Athletic Girl,” a clever pantomime, The Duel in the Snow,’ Diverting m sic hall'enter- tainment. Lyric.— Fantana."” Conventional comi Madison Square—"Mrs, Temple's Tete; farce comedy Manhattan.— Leah Kleschna, acted. Weber Music Hall.—Burlesque and music child actress, in her wonderful emotional scenes OWING TO THE FACT THAT THE FOLLOWING THEATRES ARE UNDER THE CONTROL OF THE THEATRICAL TRUST, WHICH IS ATTEMPTING TO SUPPRESS CRITICISM, LIFE 1S UNABLE TO DESCRIBE THE PERFORMANCES THEY OFFER = with Mrs. Fiske. S rong play adi ttle Mary Dressler, the Liberty. Hudson. Majestic y Amsterdam. Herald Square Wallack': Knickerbocker. Criterion Garden. Garrick, Empire. Lyceum, Resonate Thar PLL NEVER <BER Yipoisn Garacy, AGALN . THE DAVID WARPIRLD PLAVED “ BUSTER BROWN." comicbooks.com