Life, 1909-03-18 · page 15 of 32
Life — March 18, 1909 — page 15: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page of *Life* magazine (undated, early 20th century) contains theatrical reviews and satirical commentary on New York theater: **"A Millinery Opening"** (left): A sketch mocking frivolous theater-goers, depicting a woman in an oversized hat—satirizing both pretentious audiences and the fashion excesses of the era. **"Lost—Two Kopecks Reward"**: A biting satirical "notice" mocking corrupt theater moguls and aldermen. References to "kopecks" (Russian currency) invoke contemporary Progressive-era concerns about graft. The piece sarcastically offers rewards for a missing "crook" (theft mechanism) and vanished "virtue" in the press—implying collusion between theater owners Klaw & Erlanger, corrupt politicians like "Timothy Drydollar Sullivan" (likely Tammany Hall-connected), and a complicit media that ignores theater-ticket scalping. **"The Sheep and the Goats"**: Commentary on *Life*'s theatrical guide censoring "indecent" plays, dismissing moral panic about semi-nude performers as outdated prudishness. The overall tone critiques theatrical corruption, political graft, and hypocritical moralizing.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
t ee =W iGreen A MILLINERY OPENING the intelligence of its playgoing public is none too great, but even New York audi- ences cannot be expected to patronize, even in the penitential season, such in- anity as “The Richest Girl.” A Former Favorite Back Again be some who did not sce “Brewster's Millions” during its long up-town run. They now have the op- portunity at the Academy of Masic, and its breezy fun is worth the trip to that ancient temple of the dramatic and operatic muses. In times when not all of us are blessed with untold wealth it is pleasant to see the miseries of one There may cursed with its possession and the ne- cessity of spending it. Mr. Abeles, who interprets the leading character, is an excellent comedian, but his support is evidently of the kind tha helps to make profitable in a money way the road tours of New York successes N Practical socialists will find some valuable hints in Mr, Montgomery Brewster's demonstrations of the meth- ods that may he employed by million- aires intending to bring themselves down to the condition of the man in the bread- Stokes, Hunter, Brisbane d Mr, Brewster's level- definite one, and, if ay find sug gestions for some really practical legis rich men and line. Messrs nd others will ing process a very they will witness the play, 1 lation to he applied to their fortunes. Lost—Two Kopecks Reward One kopeck will be the return to the Theatrical Managers’ Associa ter New York of one perfectly good cruss speculators int theatre crusade Messrs. reward paid for ion of Gre inst the street tickets. When somewh Klaw Erlanger and the office of the Hon. Timothy Drydollar Sullivan. It is suspected that the New York Board of Aldermen know something of its where last seen this was between the safe of inside “LIFE abouts, and any alderman returning it safely to the Managers’ Association will receive an additional reward and no questions asked. One kopeck reward will be paid for a hysterical spasm of virtue lately run- ning at large in the columns of the New York daily press. It has disappeared completely and no traces of it can be found. It is perfectly harmless and no one need be in fear of it. Finder will please address Miss Innocence. care of Messrs, Klaw and Erlanger, Proprietors of The New York Theatre. The Sheep and the Goats N Lire’s “ Confidential Guide" the plays at will be found under a new sub. head, “N for the Young Person.” distinction means nothing more than what and is de in defer- ence to suggestions from those who con- sult the guide. It is not made to be in any w y on the artistic qualities of the performances, and in the classification “will not be attractions which do not Jong there certain theatres This it says, a comment. included any obviously be- Some extremists might hold that all the comic operas and burlesques should fall under the description, but it would seem as though the semi-undressed young female person has become such a conventionalized institution that she has lost the power for evil attribuied to her by the pulpit in the days of “The Black Crook." She may not be has become familiar art, but she uous through general y with her alleged charms, The classification will be based on outright inno indecency or on a too frank discussion of subjects in which most parents do not care to have their young persons edu- cated through the medium of the stage. Metcalfe, of | Music.—" Brewster's See opposite. e Man from Home." Th ausing den hat Indiana is as clever as Europe. Belasco— The Fighting Hope.” Blanche Rates and good cast in interesting drama of contemporary from Mississippi.” wellacted drama based on 1 life Stubborn Cinderella.” Musical comedy of the stereotyped kind. Casino—* Havana." Musical comedy im: yorted from London. Mr. James T. Powers and the dainty “Hello, People” octette. Marie The Richest See opposite Daly's—Miss cess of Reason.” French Terror i Empire—" What Broadway—" A crion Doro in a, Marlowe in “ The God- Well-acted drama of the Knows.” Every Woman 367 Mr. Barrie's witty and satirical comedy of Scotch character. Garden—" Meyer and Son." intermarriage question not very al The Patriot.” ed. by © Jewish treated Garrick ‘omedy enlive i Grace George in “.\ Woman's Pleasant comedy’ very well Hackett Way.” Very done. Herald Square—Bertha Galland in “ The Return of Eve.” Notice later. Hippodrome—Air-sl ballet AML good. Hudson—" The Third Degree.” Absorb- ing drama of New York life admirably acted headed by Helen, Ware. Twins.” Musical use—Grand opera served a la Hammerst Savoy—" The Battle.” | Mr, Wilton Lack: aye presenting the negative argument in the socialistic debate Wallack’s—" Votes for Women." Notice later, PERSON NoT FoR THE YOUNG rclo—"* The Moulin Rouge.” Vulgar r Laughable an by Mr. Theatre—* This Frank discussion of sex natic form by Stuyvesant acted” and York's demi-world Weber's—" The Girl from Rector's.” very amusing effort to be naughty. New Not niteresti Notice To ee tIBES CALIFORNIA READERS News Com- panies’ entire Call ipment of Lire. for March fourth was destroyed by fire in a train wreck, The issue is exhausted for the present, but later on readets who require copies to com plete their files will be able to secure them from their newsdealers or from The fornia sh is office. . T guess) Je Pore c in New York pleurer de tendres: comicbooks.com