Nov 04 2020

Kleiner’s Korner: Taking “The Vanderbilt Cup” Musical on the Road


Besides Elsie Janis starring in "The Vanderbilt Cup" on Broadway, the musical comedy was performed throughout the United States with the automobile race scene and drivers often promoted as the main attractions. 

Art Kleiner

The Novelty Theatre in San Francisco began its run of "The Vanderbilt Cup" on Oct. 27, 1907 featuring "plenty of pretty girls" and "two monster racing cars".  (The Argonaut, Nov. 2, 1907)

Residents of Paducah, Kentucy were also treated to Barney Oldfield and the "greatest effect ever seen on the stage, far surpassing the Famous Chariot Race in Ben Hur".  (The Paducah Evening Sun, Feb., 25, 1907)

"clever satire of the Smart Set and their motor enthusiasts" and a "score of beauties in the smartest automobile toggery"  (The Paducah Evening Sun, Feb., 25, 1907)

La Junta Theatre (Colorado) - "The Fastest Musical Play Ever Written with Barney Oldfield's Great Automobile Race Effect".  (La Jaunta Tribune, Sept. 14, 1907)

Los Angeles - not everyone seemed to give a positive review!  (Los Angeles Herald, Oct. 8, 1907)

"A fairly good 50 cent show at $1.50 prices."  (Los Angeles Herald, Oct. 8, 1907)

San Francisco - similar language was used to promote the production in different cities, most probably provided by the show's producers.  However, this one gave more detail surrounding the plot.  (The San Francisco Call, Oct. 27, 1907)

The Pendleton Sisters opened in Seattle's production of "The Vanderbilt Cup" on November 17, 1907 at the Seattle Theater.  (J. Willis Sayer Collection of Theatrical Photographs, lib.washington.edu)

These two advertisements are for the 1907 Boston Pops Concert Series which produced "comic operas and musical comedies" for the Pianola piano and The Victor".   Wonder why no 8-tracks!  Anyone know any of the other compositions? 

 . . ."The Spring Chicken", "Babes in Toyland", "The Time, the Place, the Girl . . ."

Coming back to New York 20 years later, Rogers Peet used "The Vanderbilt Cup" and Elsie Janis to advertise its "fashionable motor livery for chauffeurs, in addition to male house servants".  (Rogers Peet History of the New York Stage, 1930)



Comments

Leave a Comment