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;

College of Puget Sound's Campus Playcrafters were performing their annual spring play in the Jones Hall auditorium. Student thespians were performing "If I Were King", this performance was open to the public. Leading roles were being portrayed by: Barbara Rowe, Dale Nelson, Harold Simonson, Robert D. Peterson and Gretchen Swayze. View of students on stage at Jones Hall (T.N.T., 4/27/49, p. 8).

Actors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Stage props; Stages (Platforms); Universities & colleges--Tacoma; Theatrical productions--Tacoma--1940-1950; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; College of Puget Sound (Tacoma)--1940-1950;

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;

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;

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);

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;

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);

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;

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, 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)

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)

ca. 1910. McClintock's World Famous So. Tacoma Band. Men dressed in costumes for a parade. The bell of one of the horns says "So. Tacoma Tigers - Pacific Coast Champions, 1910"

ca. 1908. McClintock's World Famous So. Tacoma Band. Men in costumes in parade on So. Union Ave. The vehicles and men cover from the sidewalk into the street. C.S. (Carl S.) Enger's hardware store, 5401 So. Union Ave., in background.

Lincoln High School orchestra, five girls with cellos. The girls are, left to right, Jessie Miller, Marilyn Atkins, Iva May Blish, Phyllis McClary and Joyce Rausch. All are wearing white shirts and dark jackets with skirts. (T.Times 11/29/1940 p.11)

Orchestras--Tacoma--1940-1950; Youth orchestras--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln High School (Tacoma); Violoncellos; Music ensembles; Students--Tacoma--1940-1950; Miller, Jessie; Atkins, Marilyn; Blish, Iva May; McClary, Phyllis; Rausch, Joyce;

On March 17, 1941, William F. Porter (center), a member of the Boilermakers' union employed at the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyard, bought five tickets from Donna Mae Jaden for a fund raising concert being given in Tacoma. The "On to Spokane" concert was being given to raise money to send Tacoma school musicians to the National Music Educators conference being held in Spokane at the end of the month. Oscar Williams (left) was chairman of the Young Men's Business Club committee sponsoring the concert. Donna Jaden, a member of the Stadium H.S. Girl's Glee Club, became the movie actress Janis Paige. (T. Times 3/19/1941 p.13)

Actresses; Paige, Janis; Jaden, Donna Mae; Porter, William F.; Seattle-Tacoma Shipbuilding Corp. (Tacoma); Williams, Oscar;

Beatrice Houdini, widow of the famous magician Harry Houdini, center behind sundial, and other guests at Ray Gamble's "Elephant House" during a visit to Tacoma in July, 1941. Mr. Gamble is at far right. He would be elected president of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians on July 25, 1941, at the group's ninth annual convention held in Seattle. Mr. Gamble and his fellow magicians would put on a show for 5000 soldiers at Fort Lewis on Saturday, July 26, 1941. ALBUM 7.

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972--Homes & haunts;

Beatrice Houdini, center, widow of the famous magician Harry Houdini admires Ray Gamble's elephant sundial during a party honoring her visit to Tacoma in July, 1941. Ray Gamble is to her left, Addie Gamble to her right. The sundial may have been made out of sandstone; it has the name "Joan" enscribed on the base. Mr. Gamble was known for his large collection of elephants; by the mid-1960's, his collection was viewed as the world's largest at over 3000 pieces. ALBUM 7.

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Gamble, Ray--Family; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972--Homes & haunts;

Beatrice Houdini, white-haired widow of the famous magician Harry Houdini, center rear raising glass, and other party guests at Ray Gamble's "Elephant House" during a visit to Tacoma, July, 1941. Mr. Gamble is at left rear by door. An avid amateur magician, he was foremost in establishing the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians and was elected president during their recently concluded ninth annual convention in Seattle. (TNT 7-27-41, p. 2-A) ALBUM 7.

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972--Homes & haunts;

Beatrice Houdini, widow of the famous magician Harry Houdini, tries her luck with the slot machines while attending a party at Ray Gamble's "Elephant House" during a visit to Tacoma in July, 1941. The man in the sports coat and light colored slacks who is playing the slot machine is Edward Saint. Edward Saint was described as Mrs. Houdini's personal secretary, a former outstanding magician and the author of "The Life of Houdini." Mr. Gamble was a very successful business entrepreneur with a keen interest in magic. He had just been elected president of the Pacific Coast Association of Magicians as the group met in Seattle. It is very possible that many of these guests were participants in the conference. (TNT 7-27-41, p. 2-A) ALBUM 7.

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972--Homes & haunts; Slot machines--Tacoma;

Guests try their luck with the roulette wheel while attending a party at Ray Gamble's "Elephant House" honoring Beatrice Houdini in July, 1941. The Gamble's basement featured celestial painted walls, a stage, and gambling machines hidden in paneled walls. Their view home on No. 30th St. featured a large collection of elephants, including sandstone elephants at the entrance to their rumpus room. ALBUM 7.

Magicians; Houdini, Harry--Family; Houdini, Beatrice; Business people--Tacoma--1940-1950; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972; Gamble, Ray, 1886-1972--Homes & haunts; Gambling--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Actress Lana Turner arrives at the Winthrop Hotel in Titus Motor Company's 1923 Lincoln Touring automobile during her visit to Tacoma for a War Bond rally. Mayor Harry P. Cain is pictured between the actress and her mother. A large "Welcome! Lana Turner" banner is strung over the entrance of the Winthrop. The very popular Miss Turner made appearances at Fort Lewis, Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards, and the new Liberty Center downtown. She raised more than $120,000 in war bonds in 24 hours. Miss Turner was not the only celebrity appearing in Tacoma on behalf of the government; child actor Johnny Sheffield of the Tarzan films would be coming to town a few days later. (TNT 6-11-42, p. 1, TNT 6-14-42, p. 1) ALBUM 5. TPL-144

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; Actresses; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Signs (Notices); Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln automobile;

Throngs gather at the new Liberty Center, South 10th Street between "A" and Pacific Avenue during personal appearance by Lana Turner for a rally to stimulate the sale of War Bonds. The center was dedicated on June 13, 1942, with Tacoma Mayor Harry P. Cain as Master of Ceremonies. An army band and army talent performed during the one-hour program. Miss Turner indicated that this was her first extensive personal appearance tour which she was enjoying greatly. Over $120,000 was raised during her brief Tacoma appearance which included visits to the Seattle-Tacoma Shipyards and Fort Lewis. (TNT 6-11-42, p. 1, TNT 6-13-42, p. 1, TNT 6-14-42, p. 1)

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; War bonds & funds; Crowds--Tacoma;

Actress Lana Turner sells War Bonds at the dedication of the new Liberty Center, South 10th Street between "A" and Pacific. 22 at the time of her visit to Tacoma, she had already made many appearances in films, including Adventures of Marco Polo, Love Finds Andy Hardy, and Johnny Eager. During the war, she participated in successful railroad tours to sell war bonds and wrote her own speeches. The MGM star personally autographed bond applications made during the noon dedication ceremony. A big kiss was promised to some of the extra large purchasers of bonds. (TNT 6-11-42, p. 1, TNT 6-12-42, p. 1, TNT 6-13-42, p. 1, TNT 6-14-42, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; Actresses; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950;

Actress Lana Turner, right, with Mayor Harry Cain and her mother, Mrs. Turner, in the back seat of Titus Motor Company's 1924 Lincoln Touring during Miss Turner's visit to Tacoma for a War Bond rally. Miss Turner is wearing a wide brimmed hat, patterned dress and a multi-strand necklace of pearls. She spent the war years, besides making films, helping raise funds for the Treasury Department through successful bond appearances. Miss Turner sold more than $120,000 in war bonds in 24 hours, including $25, 625 at the new Liberty Center's dedication. TPL-2335. (TNT 6-14-42, p. 1) ALBUM 5.

Turner, Lana, 1920-1995; Mayors--Tacoma--1940-1950; Cain, Harry P., 1906-1979; War bonds & funds--Tacoma--1940-1950; Automobiles--Tacoma--1940-1950; Lincoln automobile;