Actress, singer and lecturer Mona Darkfeather made a special appearance at the Liberty Theater, 906-08 Pacific Avenue, during the week beginning on August 31, 1918. Advertised as an "Indian Princess," she was actually born Josephine Workman in California and due to her dark, exotic look, became an actress specializing in Native American roles. A small article in the September 5th Tacoma Daily Ledger stated that she had come from one of the oldest and best families in California. It indicated that her father was the owner of the first bank in Los Angeles and her grandfather owned Alcatraz Island. The Princess was said to be one of five heirs to the city of Puenta, California, a matter then being contested. Her name is misspelled as "Mono" Darkfeather on the large sign advertising a special movie feature, "Eyes of the World." Princess Mona, in her "rattlesnake" dress, appeared after each showing of "Eyes of the World" to sing and give advice to all girls with ambition to enter show business. G64.1-130 (TNT 8-31-18, p. 7-ad; TDL 9-5-18, p. 7-article)

Darkfeather, Mona; Costumes; Actresses; Singers; Liberty Theater (Tacoma); Signs (Notices);

Princess Mona Darkfeather appeared in person on stage at the Liberty Theater, 906-08 Pacific Avenue, for several days beginning August 31, 1918. Photographed in front of the theater dressed in an "authentic" Indian costume, Princess Darkfeather was born Josephine Workman in southern California. She became a screen actress after answering an advertisement, placed by movie producer Thomas Ince, calling for exotic looking girls to play "Indian maidens". She became a popular star in both one-reel Western melodramas and feature films often featured astride her famous pinto pony Comanche. Princess Mona spent several days in Tacoma in 1918, appearing after each showing of "Eyes of the World." She sang and gave lectures to aspiring young actresses. The woman to the right was not identified. (entertainment.msn.com & www.homesteadmuseum.org; TNT 8-31-18, p. 7-Ad; TDL 9-5-18, p. 7-article) G64.1-025, TPL-8837

Darkfeather, Mona; Indians of North America--Tacoma; Singers; Liberty Theater (Tacoma);

These nine fair maidens were part of Stadium High School's Senior Class play, "Sherwood," in May of 1922. "Sherwood," by Alfred Noyes, told the story of Robin Hood and Maid Marian in five acts. Directed by drama teacher Alberta Black, it played to packed houses on its two-day run. It was deemed a success by the News Tribune in their review of May 20, 1922, and acquired equal accolades noting "true talent combined with earnestness and enthusiasm" from the Tacoma Daily Ledger. The actresses in the above photograph were not identified. G64.1-051 (TNT 5-20-22, p. 7-article; TDL 5-20-22, p. 10-article)

Actresses; Students--Tacoma--1920-1930; Stadium High School (Tacoma); Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Stadium High School Senior Class Play. The Stadium Class of '22 presented "Sherwood" as the senior class play in May of that year. Dressed as jovial Friar Tuck and holding a sturdy staff is Edward Hamilton. He, along with Egbert Brix as "Little John," were noted by a News Tribune review for being "enjoyed particularly for the comedy which they added to the play." This photograph, and others, appeared in the 1922 Tahoma yearbook. (1922 Tahoma, p. 92) (TNT 5-20-22, p. 7-article) G64.1-050

Hamilton, Edward; Actors--Tacoma; Stadium High School (Tacoma);

The junior class of Annie Wright Seminary presented as its class play, "Innman's Ranch," in December of 1923. All the characters were played by the female students including the male roles. G10.1-098

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Annie Wright Seminary (Tacoma)--1920-1930;

Actor Harold Lloyd and his wife, Mildred Davis, in Tacoma on April 21, 1925, at Union Station. The Lloyds were on their way to New York from California and stopped in Tacoma for a few hours. Dressed primarily in white, including a white fur coat with white fox collar, white hose, white pumps and a small white handbag, actress Mildred Davis stands next to her famous actor/comedian spouse, who is sans his trademark hornrimmed spectacles. Miss Davis is formerly from Tacoma and was paying her first visit to her old hometown since her marriage in 1923. Desiring to show her husband the high school she attended, she and Mr. Lloyd caused a mob scene at Stadium High School where hundreds of students were excited to see the celebrities. Miss Davis had appeared with her husband in many of his comedies and was his leading lady in his best remembered film, "Safety Last." (1923) (TDL 4-22-25, p. 1) TPL-6689; G67.1-13

Actors; Lloyd, Harold; Lloyd, Harold--Family; Actresses; Davis, Mildred; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1920-1930;

April 21, 1925, saw the return of former hometown girl, Mildred Davis, and her movie star husband, Harold Lloyd. Miss Davis had been a student at Stadium High School prior to her acting career. She and her husband (on right) are posed at Union Station along with Director Joe Murphy and Mr. Murphy's wife. The Lloyds were on the way to New York from California and made a brief stopover in Tacoma. (TDL 4-22-25, p. 1; TNT 4-22-25, p. 1+-article only)

Actors; Lloyd, Harold; Lloyd, Harold--Family; Actresses; Davis, Mildred; Murphy, Joe; Murphy, Joe--Family; Railroad stations--Tacoma; Union Station (Tacoma); Railroad travel--Tacoma--1920-1930;

George A. Billings, the era's leading impersonator of Abraham Lincoln, posed in February of 1927 at the Narcissa Whitman memorial statue and drinking fountain in Wright Park. Mr. Billings, formerly of Tacoma, was best known for starring in the 1924 biopic "The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln." It was such a success that he continued to play Lincoln on vaudeville stages for the remainder of his career. The Whitman fountain commemorated the courage and devotion of the wife of missionary Marcus Whitman. The pair were massacred by the Cayuse Indians at their settlement near Walla Walla in 1847. As for the fountain, it disappeared from the park around the mid 1960's, the victim of vandals. (TNT 2/12/1927 p.1)

Former Tacoman George A. Billings, one of the leading impersonators of Abraham Lincoln, was convinced to "make up" and pose for the Tacoma News Tribune while visiting family in February of 1927. He had resided in Tacoma from 1907-08, working in the building and loan business and had returned to Tacoma in 1919 after serving in the first World War. That time he lived in Tacoma for 2 years with his brother Orville Billings. He soon left for Los Angeles where he was involved in various film productions. In 1924, he was approached to play Lincoln, to whom he bears an uncanny resemblance, in "The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln." He starred in the epic and continued to portray Lincoln in vaudeville for the remainder of his career. (TNT 2/12/1927, pg. 1)

George A. Billings, center, formerly of Tacoma, filled his later acting years with portraying Abraham Lincoln, to whom he bore an uncanny resemblance. He was in Tacoma in February of 1927 visiting family and friends and was persuaded to "make up" as Lincoln and pose for the Tacoma News Tribune. He is pictured with his niece Rhea Thompson and her husband L. L. (Lindsay) Thompson, a Tacoma attorney. Mr. Thompson had served as the Washington State Attorney General from 1919-1923. Mr. Thompson was the first Washington native to serve in that office and at 31 was one of the youngest. Mr. Billings was best known for his 1924 film depiction of Lincoln in "The Dramatic Life of Abraham Lincoln." He also toured the country's vaudeville houses portraying Lincoln. (TNT 2/12/1927, pg. 1) (Thompson identification supplied by a family member and www.atg.wa.gov)

The assembled and costumed cast of the patriotic pageant, "Democracy," appear on stage at the McCarver Intermediate School on May 6, 1927. Many were dressed in clothing reflecting their various cultures. 100 pupils participated on stage in episodes of American history. The pageant was written and directed by history teacher Zeta Dalton. TPL-1553 (TNT 4-19-27, p. 17-article)

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1920-1930; Costumes; McCarver Junior High School (Tacoma); Public schools--Tacoma--1920-1930;

Maid Marian modestly accepts the courtly bow of an admiring man in this June 9, 1928, production of "Robin of Sherwood." Smilingly, he has doffed his plumed hat. "Robin of Sherwood" was a production of the Mountaineer Players, a division of the Mountaineers Club, set in a natural amphitheater designed by William C. Darling and located near Bremerton. The site, located on 21 acres called the Kitsap Cabin, is owned and maintained by the Mountaineers Club. The Mountaineer Players have presented a spring show since 1923, with the exception of the war years 1943-1946, with the first production being "Robin of Sherwood."

Actors--Kitsap County; Actresses; Mountaineer Players (Kitsap County); Kitsap Cabin (Kitsap County); Open-air theaters--Kitsap County; Open-air theatrical productions--Kitsap County; Bowing;

The Mountaineer Players, a division of the non-profit Mountaineers Club of Seattle, portray Robin Hood and his merry men in a June 9, 1928, performance of "Robin of Sherwood" in an all-natural forest setting. The play had previously been performed in 1923 as the group's first reheased production; since then, a show has been presented every spring to coincide with blooming wild rhododendrons. Plays are still being performed on the 21-acre Kitsap Cabin property near Bremerton, home of the Forest Theatre, believed to be one of the oldest outdoor theaters in the United States. (www.foresttheater.com/theater/theater.html; www.kitsapcabin.org/index.php)

Actors--Kitsap County; Actresses; Mountaineer Players (Kitsap County); Kitsap Cabin (Kitsap County); Open-air theaters--Kitsap County; Open-air theatrical productions--Kitsap County;

Posed with Flying Cloud and Wolverine automobiles from the Winthrop Motor Co., Reo distributors, are the Maylon Players theatrical troupe. They are enjoying a sunny July day in 1928 at Point Defiance Park. The actors presented plays for appreciative Tacoma audiences including "Rain" and "Naomi of the North." G41.1-052 (Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-15-28, B-3-article; Tacoma Sunday Ledger, 7-22-28, 8-G, article & alternate photograph)

Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Maylon Players (Tacoma); Reo automobile; Point Defiance Park (Tacoma);

Will Maylon and Margaret Nixon of the Maylon Players theatrical troupe are parked in a vintage Winthrop Motor Company car in front of the Heilig (later Temple) Theater at 47 Saint Helens Avenue in June of 1929. The theater's huge arched roofed marquee and glassed-in playbill announce the troupe's appearance in Tacoma. The automobile, a 1904 Reo, was on display at Winthrop Motors; it was still functional and could reach speeds up to 20 mph. TPL-9778; G64.1-053 (T.Times 6-22-29, p. 23)

Actors--Tacoma--1920-1930; Maylon Players (Tacoma); Maylon, Will; Nixon, Margaret; Reo automobile; Temple Theatre (Tacoma);

Beatrice (Mrs. Harry) Houdini, on right, discussing a piece of patterned fabric with another woman, most likely Addie (Mrs. Ray) Gamble and Edward Saint. Edward Saint was Mrs. Houdini's personal secretary, a magician of note and the author of "The Life of Houdini," which was being produced as a film by Paramount in the fall. The piece of fabric is very likely a tea towel. In 1930, Beatrice Houdini ran "Mrs. Harry Houdini's Rendezvous," a tea room, in New York City. (T. Times).

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Saint, Edward; Gamble, Addie;

Beatrice (Bessie) Houdini, in white, is in Tacoma to visit Ray Gamble, left, and Gamble's wife Addie, right. Bessie worked alongside her famous husband as his stage assistant from the time of their marriage in 1894. Harry Houdini, the world renowned escape artist and magician, died in 1926. Mrs. Houdini visited with the Gambles on several occasions. Gamble, an industrialist by trade and a magician by avocation, is sitting next to Mrs. Houdini's personal secretary Mr. Edward Saint.

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Rowboats; Fishing; Saint, Edward; Gamble, Addie;

Beatrice (Mrs. Harry) Houdini being helped out of a boat. Ray Gamble stands on dock at left. Edward Saint (man in dark hat) steadies the boat. The woman seated in the boat is Addie (Mrs. Ray) Gamble. (T. Times).

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Rowboats; Saint, Edward; Gamble, Addie;

Beatrice (Mrs. Harry) Houdini, dressed in a long white coat and hat, photographed at the Hotel Winthrop where she is a guest. She is standing beside an elaborate table on which an ornate potted palm has been placed. Mrs. Houdini was visiting in Tacoma after attending the convention of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians in Seattle the prior week. As Harry Houdini's assistant for 42 years, she was the only living person who knew all the secrets of his famous tricks and she wasn't giving any away. Houdini had not been able to perform his greatest trick after death, the communication to his wife of a prearranged word and message psychically from the "Beyond." Mrs. Houdini planned the "Seance to end all seances" for October 31, the 10th anniversary of his death. Psychics would be linked by radio coast to coast in a psychic circle to wait for the message, but none came. (T. Times 7/14/1936, pg. 3)

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice;

Beatrice Houdini, widow of the famous magician Harry Houdini, with Tacoma's Ray Gamble seated at a restaurant booth. Caricature drawings on the wall in background. Ray Gamble was a Tacoma business magnate and a dedicated amateur magician. It is as a magician that he made close friends with the magic community as well as the Hollywood film set. He was also a world traveler and collector. TPL-5100, TPL-6693

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972;

College of Puget Sound Play. "The Petrified Forest" by Robert Sherwood. Major cast members on stage, character of Duke Mantee standing at center.

Actresses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stages (Platforms); Stage props; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Actors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

College of Puget Sound Play. "Petrified Forest" by Robert Sherwood. Full cast on stage, character of Duke Mantee is at far left in photo. (filed with Argentum)

Actresses--Tacoma--1930-1940; Stages (Platforms); Stage props; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Actors--Tacoma--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

ca. 1936. Magician Ray Gamble, seated facing the camera at near right, enjoying a meal with friends in Hollywood. Mr. Gamble and his wife Addie had apparently paid a visit to the famed Sardi's restaurant about 1936. Beatrice Houdini, widow of Harry Houdini, was seated in the next table along with Edward Saint. Caricatures of Eddie Cantor and Peter Lorre, and others, decorate the wall behind Mr. Gamble. From left to right are: Capt. Charles Howard of the Canadian Mounted Police; Mrs. Howard; Dr. J.E. Evedon of Hollywood; Mrs. Gamble; Mrs. Evedon; and Ray Gamble.

Magicians; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Gamble, Addie; Howard, Charles; Howard, Charles--Family; Evedon, J.E.; Evedon, J.E.--Family; Sardi's (Hollywood, CA); Caricatures;

ca. 1936. Beatrice (Mrs. Harry) Houdini, Ray Gamble and other guests sit around a restaurant table believed to be located in the famed Sardi's restaurant in Hollywood circa 1936. On the walls are caricatures of famous visitors . At the table, left to right, are Edward Saint, unidentified, Ray Gamble, Beatrice Houdini, unidentified woman and another unidentified male.

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Saint, Edward;

College of Puget Sound Homecoming play "Night of January 16th" by Ayn Rand. Popular play with a "hook"; the jury was selected from the audience before each performance and asked to find the accused guilty or not guilty of murder at the end of the staged trial.

Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1930-1940; Universities & colleges--Tacoma; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1930-1940;

Dolores Klaiber, as Gretel, Charlotte Sands, as the witch, and Harry Lue Aldrich, as Hansel, appeared in an operetta version of Humperdinck's opera "Hansel and Gretel" in March of 1939. Many of the original solos were transposed into prose to shorten the performance, and make it easier for the young singers. All three of the performers were elementary students. The operetta was presented by the Tacoma Schools' combined music departments for the entertainment of delegates to the Northwest Music Educator's conference in Tacoma. The young people gave four performances to capacity crowds at the Jason Lee auditorium. The conference was held March 28 through April 1, 1939. (T. Times 3/3/1939, p. 13)

Operas & operettas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Klaiber, Dolores; Sands, Charlotte; Aldrich, Harry;

These three children were the principals in an operetta version of Engelbert Humperdinck's "Hansel and Gretel" performed before large crowds at the Northwest Music Educators' March, 1939 conference in Tacoma. Harry Lue Aldrich (Hansel) has been lassoed by the wicked witch Charlotte Sands as Dolores Klaiber (Gretel) stands aghast. All three were elementary school students.

Operas & operettas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Klaiber, Dolores; Sands, Charlotte; Aldrich, Harry; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

Tacoma Schools' combined music departments presented the operetta "Hansel and Gretel" during the Northwest Music Educator's Conference in March, 1939. Hansel, Harry Aldrich, and Gretel, Dolores Klaiber, are pictured lost in the forest. Both of the performers are elementary students, Harry from Franklin and Dolores from Grant. The third child on the right was not identified. The operetta by Engelbert Humperdinck is one of only a few with children as the principals. It is based on the Grimm Brothers fairy tale. (T. Times, 3/3/1939, p. 13)

Operas & operettas--Tacoma--1930-1940; Klaiber, Dolores; Aldrich, Harry; School children--Tacoma--1930-1940;

ca. 1939. Actress and comedienne Lucille Ball rides in the back seat of a chauffer driven, open automobile in a field parade at a sports stadium. The event was perhaps a San Diego Padres baseball game which was held during the California World's Fair in 1939. Man beside Miss Ball and woman in front seat have not been identified.

Actresses; Comedians; Ball, Lucille, 1911-1989; Parades & processions--1930-1940; Stadiums; Grandstands; Automobiles--1930-1940;

Actress Shirley Temple rides with a man in the back seat of an open automobile in a field parade at a sports stadium. The California World's Fair event may be a San Diego Padres baseball game. A uniformed policeman stands guard over 11-year-old Miss Temple.

Actresses; Temple, Shirley, 1928- ; Stadiums; Parades & processions--1930-1940; Grandstands;