News from the 1930s

DECEMBER 10, 1939. Arizona Republic. Two clippings.

Linde 002 Phoenix Theatre Dec. 10, 1939

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Arizona Republic, Dec. 10, 1939

By the late ’30s, movies had taken hold of the public’s attention so firmly that a touring stage play had to advertise itself as NOT A MOTION PICTURE! The producer was also quick to point out that the cast of 100 included “50 adorable dancing girls.” A cast of 100! With Equity salaries, etc., can you imagine what that would cost today? Can you imagine any touring company taking 100 people (plus who knows how many crew members and technicians) on the road? Never happen. Note: The cast included a very young Dan Daily Jr., soon to sign a film contract with MGM (and later 20th Century Fox), add an “e” to his last name and drop the Junior.

orpheum theatre 1939 001

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ARIZONA REPUBLIC, NOV. 24, 1939

early history 1939 001

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Phoenix dancer’s world tour is cancelled due to “unsettled conditions abroad.”

Arizona Republic, Sept. 26, 1939
Arizona Republic, Sept. 26, 1939

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The Mummy and the Mumps

Arizona Republic, Feb. 23, 1939
Arizona Republic, Feb. 23, 1939

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Arizona Republic, Oct. 20, 1938
Arizona Republic, Oct. 20, 1938

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Arizona Republic, Oct. 20, 1938
Arizona Republic, Oct. 20, 1938

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MAY 19, 1935. Wedding of a Catherine Henness, prominent Phoenix Little Theatre actress. Clipping from the Arizona Republic.Catherine Henness, PLT actress, wedding, 1935

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NOVEMBER 1938 Mesa Little Theatre, “Flight Over Taos,” play by Maxwell Anderson. Director: Harvey L. Taylor. Cast: Nadine LeSeur (reportedly a relative of film star Joan Crawford), Rulon Shepherd, Gladys Hayes.

Mesa Little Theater, November, 1938: "Flight Over Taos." (Photo, Arizona Republic)
Mesa Little Theater, November, 1938: “Flight Over Taos.” (Photo, Arizona Republic)