The Elks held their annual "Extravaganza" in March 1952. The stage is filled with men, men dressed as women, and women for the event directed by old-time vaudeville star Max Frolic. There were 15 attractions, including singers, dancers, dramatic acts and a 15-piece orchestra under the direction of Bert Kool. (TNT, 3/23/1952, p.A-14)

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Stage props; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

A group of musicians who will perform for the 1952 Elks Extravaganza are dressed in absurd costumes waiting backstage for their entrance. One of them is playing dead at the feet of the others and one of the musicians is playing an old toilet seat with strings for the occasion. Note: Lines in print due to diacetate film deterioration. (TNT, 3/23/1952, p.A-14)

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Stage props; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The Elks held their annual "Extravaganza" in March 1952. The stage sets show a western-style street scene with a "Keystone Cop" character and a gentleman wearing a top hat and carrying a cane on the street level and another character looking out from an upper window. Names of local businesses have been used for the store fronts. Another man can be seen behind the stage props, possibly making his entrance.

Men--Clubs--Tacoma; Fraternal organizations--Tacoma; Stage props; Fraternal lodges--Tacoma; Stages (Platforms); Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Tacoma Elks lodge band on the Spanish Steps, with two drum majorettes .

Organizations - Fraternal Organizations - Benevolent Protective Order of Elks Music Ensembles - Bands - Marching Bands

950 fishermen took part in the Elks 1952 salmon derby in Commencement Bay. A prize board was completed for the winning fish with fifty-four prizes. First prize, a 14-foot boat motor, was awarded for a 26 pound, 8 ounce salmon brought in by Frank Lippincott. H.H. Mounsey was runner-up with a 21 pound, 6 ounce salmon. (TNT, 9/9/1952, p.18)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1940-1950; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Awards; Fishing;

Ben Cheney, president of Cheney Lumber Company, at Elks Club with daughter Sandra. The young girl is wearing a crisp, striped dress with matching organdy pinafore. Her father is gently holding her gloved hand.

Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971; Cheney, Sandra; Cheney, Ben B., 1905-1971--Family; Fathers & children--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Elks Club held their annual Extravaganza in the spring of 1953. Elks members owned many businesses in Tacoma; view of billboard with signs listing individual member-owned businesses, many signs have caricatures. The largest sign is that of Jack Roberts, co-owner of Narrows Marina.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Signs (Notices); Caricatures;

The unidentified dancers in this chorus line from the Elks Club Extravaganza of 1953 were not afraid to show a little leg. The Extravaganza was produced and directed by Max Frolic (far right), well known former vaudevillian and band leader. Each of the heavily made up dancers has a distinct mole painted on his face, ala Marilyn Monroe. (TNT 3-24-53, p. 14)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Frolic, Max

The Tacoma Elks Club apparently had a wide variety of entertainers and skits in their annual Extravaganza. View of group portrait of Elks members in 1953; some are heavily made up and costumed. There is even a "hula" dancer to the far left of the picture, complete with lei, strapless top, and grass skirt. Well known vaudevillian, Max Frolic, produced the two-night extravaganza, with a cast of over 50 and a 35-piece Elk band. (TNT 3-24-53, p. 14)

Group portraits; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Four members of the Tacoma Elks Club await the call to perform in the 1953 annual Elks Extravaganza. While all four are wearing tights and skirts, apparently two are supposed to be more masculine in nature--witness the buckskin jacket and derby hat. There were a variety of skits presented during the evening's entertainment, to the amusement of the large audience. Max Frolic, former vaudevillian, produced the two-night extravaganza, with a cast of over fifty individuals and a 35-piece Elk band. One performance was for members only. (TNT 3-24-53, p. 14)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Elks Club installation of new Exalted Ruler. Group of men seated at banquet tables in this photograph dated April 1, 1953. Among those officials standing at rear is Burr (Burritt B.) Anderson who had been elected as the club's new exalted ruler. He is second to the left, next to his father Emmett T. Anderson (third from left) who was a past Grand Exalted Ruler and served as Lt. Governor of the State of Washington 1953-57. According to the News Tribune, Lt. Gov. Anderson was the installing officer, making it the first time in history that a national officer of the Elks had installed his son in the presiding position of a local organization. About 600 Elks members saw the induction. Burritt Anderson succeeded John S. Roberts (standing, third from right) as head of the Tacoma Elks Lodge No. 174. (TNT 4-2-1953, C-4, photograph of the two Andersons)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Men--Clubs--Tacoma--1950-1960; Banquets--Tacoma--1950-1960; Anderson, Burritt B.; Anderson, Emmett T.; Roberts, John S.;

Tacoma Police Department graveyard shift on the Spanish Steps at the Elks lodge. Police officers display beards and mustaches in keeping with the request for Tacoma men not to shave during the month of August. The city sponsored a beard contest as a part of the ceremonies celebrating the Northwest Territory Centennial. TPL-8748

Police--Tacoma--1950-1960;

October of 1953 was officially designated as "Restaurant Hospitality Month." The celebration in Tacoma culminated in a luncheon for the Tacoma Chamber of Commerce and industry leaders on October 21st at the Elks Temple. 400 guests were expected to attend the banquet sponsored by the Washington State Restaurant Assn. and Culinary Local No. 61. Pictured L-R behind a display of food are E.J. Zarelli, Poodle Dog Cafe & Pres. of the Washington State Assn., Joe Carbone, a national director of the Int'l Stewards & Caterers Assn., Jimmy Osenton, chief instructor Tacoma Vocational School culinary dept., Archie Douglas, sec. Culinary Local 61, C. Vern Powell, Vern's Sandwich Shop & pres. Pierce County Assn., Wes Jensen, Louise Davelaar, John W. Swan, Medical Arts Coffee Shop & past pres. Wa. State Assn., John Honan and H.B. Crawford, sec-mgr of Pierce County unit. Excess delicacies were distributed to three childrens' homes: Childrens' Home on the Hill, Girls Club & Dyslin Boys Ranch. (TNT 10-23-53, C-4)

Washington State Restaurant Association (Tacoma); Zarelli, E.J.; Powell, Vern; Carbone, Joe; Osenton, Jimmy; Douglas, Archie; Swan, John W.; Crawford, H.B.; Jensen, Wes; Davelaar, Louise; Honan, John;

Over 800 members enjoyed the seventh annual Elks club Extravaganza held on March 31, 1954. Members participated in skits, played in the Elks orchestra, sang and danced under the direction of well known vaudevillian, Max Frolic. View of "police officers" surrounding a well-dressed "lady" on stage; the Elks orchestra accompanies the skit. Pianist on left is believed to be Bert Kool, who produced and led the musical portion of the program. (TNT 4-1-54, B-11)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Elks club members dressed as policemen look on in amusement as a "can-can girl", complete with garter and bonnet, demonstrates a bit of the famous dance during the Elks club 1954 Extravaganza. The man in bow tie is believed to be Max Frolic, well-known old-time vaudevillian entertainer. Mr. Frolic directed the Elks Extravaganza for several years. The Extravaganza generally ran for two nights; the first night was for members only and always ensured a full house, while the second night was for ladies only. (TNT 4-1-54, B-11)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Elks club members participated with high spirits when requested to do so during the annual Elks Club Extravaganzas held each spring. Humorous skits, song & dance, orchestral music were all part of the program. View of two members on stage; one is dressed in Scottish kilts while the other man has a ragmop hairstyle and keeps one foot on an uprooted stool. Deliberate or not, the warped candles on top of the piano certainly would have caught the audience's eye.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

A very motley crew of entertainers pose on March 31, 1954, for the annual Elks club Extravaganza. "Uncle Sam", in the center, appears to be embracing representatives of various ethnic groups. This was probably the "United Nations Beauties", a big hit with the audience. The Elks Extravaganza was always greeted with much anticipation and provided hours of hilarious entertainment for its members. (TNT 4-1-54, B-11)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960;

The Tacoma Elks installed new officers in early April of 1954. Burritt B. Anderson, left, is the retiring exalted ruler. He has passed the gavel and symbol of office on to Arthur J. Emery. Both men are wearing tuxedoes and boutonnieres. Mr. Anderson was honored with a no-host party held recently at the Fircrest Golf Clubhouse with 250 people in attendance. (TNT 4-4-54, A-11, TNT 4-8-54, A-5)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Rites & ceremonies--Tacoma--1950-1960; Emery, Arthur J.; Anderson, Burritt B.; Tuxedoes;

Elks; ritualistic team on stage. The Tacoma Elks Lodge Ritualistic team won top honors at the state contest in Pasco in 1955. They would be competing at the national convention in July in Philadelphia. The trophy is for Washington State Elks Association championship ritualistic team (for 1949-1950, not yet engraved for the current year.) Team members wear tuxedos with ornamental neckpieces. Team members were as follows (listed in no particular order) : A.J. Emery, Exalted Ruler, W.E. Bysegger, leading knight, Norbert Grove, loyal knight, Swan Johnson, lecturing knight, Dr. Ray Magnusson, esquire, Frank F. Smith, inner guard, and Wesley Holmberg, chaplain. E.O. Johnson, lodge secretary, was the coach of the team. The man in the photograph standing fourth from the left has been identified as W.E. Bysegger. (TNT 1/22/1955, pg. 2)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Grove, Norbert; Johnson, Swan;

Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition. A man in a tuxedo, most probably show director Bert Kool, interviews a well dressed "lady" in front of the curtain. The "lady" is actually a fellow Elk dressed as a woman. The one and a half hour show featured many Elks dressing as the "other half" all in good fun, for the amusement of their fellow members and guests. The annual show featured music, magic, dance and vaudeville routines. The 1955 show was dedicated to former vaudevillian and previous years' director Max Frolic, who was recovering from an illness of several months.

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The cast of the 8th annual Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition. The two and one half hour event would take place at the Elks Temple March 30 & 31, 1955. The Thursday night performance would be only for Elks, their wives and friends. This year's cast is honoring Max Frolic, the director of the show in years past, who recently recovered from an illness of several months. Bert Kool served as entertainment chairman and musical director in 1955. The "Elks Dolls," the rather frumpy looking "women" in the back row opened the show. They are Mike LaVelle, Bob Morgan, Swan Johnson, C.J. (Bud) Weller and Jack Thomas. (TNT 3/27/1955, pg. B-8)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition, the hand painted opening curtain for the show. The curtain features advertising from many Elk-owned businesses, with Art Emery's American Outdoor Advertising featured prominently in the center. Many of the ads have caricatures of the business owners. Rinaldo Keasal's reads simply "Out of Business. Retired to the Farm on I Street. Take your problems some where else."

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

Elks Extravaganza, 1955 edition. The man on the right is possibly John Hreha, who listed his occupation in the 1955 City Directory as "magician." Hreha was the husband of the former LaMoyne Barcott, of the pioneering Tacoma restaurant family. The other man and girl are unidentified. The girl is being lifted into a box "house." Perhaps Hreha intends to make her disappear. The annual talent show was put on by the Elks for their fellow members, family & guests.

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

One of the skits for the 1956 Elks Extravaganza, March 14 & 15, involved a crooning duo, backed up by the All Girl Elks Band. Some of these "girls" look quite muscular handling those instruments because they are really Elks brothers. Once a year, Elk members could doll themselves up for the amusement of fellow members, friends and families. The Wednesday show, the more risque of the two, was viewed by members only. The Thursday show was open to members, ladies and friends. In 1956, the show was once again directed by old time vaudeville star Max Frolic, who had been prevented from participating in 1955 by ill health. (TNT 3-11-1956, pg. A-3)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

The entire cast of the 1956 Elks Extravaganza. Once a year, the Elks donned costumes, many masquerading as women, and cavorted for the amazement and amusement of their fellow lodge members, friends and families. This year, the cast includes some real women, as well as the Elks. The show in 1956 was once again under the direction of vaudeville and music star Max Frolic, who was unable to direct the previous year due to ill health. The show featured 20 outstanding acts. The backdrop depicts the "Damfino Saloon" and the Union Hotel, with the drawn window shades saluting Elk member businesses. (TNT 3/11/1956, pg. A-3)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1950-1960; Entertainers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

In June of 1956 six unidentified Elks members wearing sailors' hats, union suits and garters performed a 1950s version of the "Full Monty" as part of the entertainment at the Elks convention banquet. Over 3,000 Elks and their wives were in Tacoma for the 54th annual state convention held June 14- 16, 1956. The convention host, Tacoma's Lodge #174, was the third largest in the nation with 5,600 members. Statewide, the fraternal organization had 56,000 members. (TNT 6/10/1956, pg. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Burlesque shows--Tacoma--1950-1960;

Washington State Restaurant Association; lunch at the Elks Club. These are members of the Culinary Alliance and Bartenders' Union, Local #61 and staff and students of Tacoma Vocational School that served and prepared the meal. The free meal was offered to over 500 business, labor and political leaders to kick off National Restaurant Month. The annual hospitality luncheon was intended to give a clear impression of the gigantic strides made each year by Tacoma area restaurants in the preparation and serving of food. Over 17 billion dollars would be spent nationally in restaurant meals in 1956. The lunch consisted of baked ham, candied sweet potatoes, string beans, green salad and Bartlett pear pie. (TNT 10/4/1956, pg. D-3, 10/9/1956, pg. B-1, 10/11/1956, pg. A-4 photo- see caption for names.)

Cooks; Restaurant workers--Tacoma--1950-1960; Waiters--Tacoma--1950-1960; Washington State Restaurant Association (Tacoma); Culinary Alliance Union Local 61 (Tacoma); Elks Club (Tacoma);

The Elks Club appears packed on November 28, 1956, as members wait for promised entertainment on Old Timers Club night. The orchestra is seated, sheet music open and ready. The piano bench is empty although there is an organist at his keyboard. Elks members with 25 or more years of service were honored annually with dinner at the Elks Club plus an evening of music and skits. Photograph ordered by the Elks Club.

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma);

An unidentified beaming little girl clutched a reindeer made of balloons at the Elks Club 1956 Christmas Day party for children. Another balloon creature, a dog, faced the child from a chair. Each year the Elks Club sponsored a Christmas party for children; in 1956, 800 children were sent invitations to attend the party at the Elks Lodge at 565 Broadway. A Christmas tree, candy, nuts and fruit plus entertainment were provided. The girl in the photograph is wearing a pretty flowered dress and her hair is neatly parted and held back with a shell clasp. Photograph ordered by the Elks Club. (TNT 12-18-56, p. 9)

Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Charitable organizations--Tacoma; Community service--Tacoma--1950-1960; Balloons--Tacoma;

ca. 1956. Back view of a skit performed for the Elks Banquet. The Elk members appear in long johns, sailor hats, black socks and shoes; dancing with feather fans. The backs of their union suits are emblazoned with numbers or the words city and lake. They are using the fans as a modest covering for their, or others, privates. For the first time in 30 years, 3,000 Washington state Elks and their wives descended on Tacoma for the 54th annual state convention June 14-16. Lots of social and business activities, plus some high-jinks were planned for their three day stay. Although the Elks were noted for their ability to have a good time, they also funded much needed social projects, such as mobile cerebral palsy treatment and training, the blood banks, traffic safety and civil defense. (TNT 6/10/1956, pg. 1)

Fraternal organizations--Tacoma--1950-1960; Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, Tacoma Lodge No. 174 (Tacoma); Burlesque shows--Tacoma--1950-1960;