The Contributions of James F. Neill to the Development of the Modern Ameri Can Theatrical Stock Company
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This dissertation has been 65—1234 microfilmed exactly as received ZUCCHERO, William Henry, 1930- THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JAMES F. NEILL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MODERN AMERI CAN THEATRICAL STOCK COMPANY. The Ohio State University, Ph.D., 1964 Speech—Theater University Microfilms, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan Copyright by William Henry Zucchero 1965 THE CONTRIBUTIONS OF JAMES F. NEILL TO THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MODERN AMERICAN THEATRICAL STOCK COMPANY DISSERTATION Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By William Henry Zucchero, B.S., M.A. * * * * * $ The Ohio State University 1964 Approved by PLEASE NOTE: Plates are not original copy. Some are blurred and indistinct. Filmed as received. UNIVERSITY MICROFILMS, INC. PREFACE Appreciation is extended to the individuals, named below, for the aid each has given in the research, prepara tion, and execution of this study. The gathering of pertinent information on James F. Neill, his family, and his early life, was made possible through the efforts of Mrs. Eugene A. Stanley of the Georgia Historical Society, Mr. C. Robert Jones (Director, the Little Theatre of Savannah, Inc.), Miss Margaret Godley of the Savannah Public Library, Mr. Frank Rossiter (columnist, The Savannah Morning News). Mrs. Gae Decker (Savannah Chamber of Commerce), Mr. W. M. Crane (University of Georgia Alumni Association), Mr. Don Williams (member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon— Neill’s college fraternity), and Mr. Alfred Kent Mordecai of Savannah, Georgia. For basic research on the operation of the Neill company, and information on stock companies, in general, aid was provided by Mrs. Alice B. Hook (University of Cincinnati Historical and Philosophical Society), Miss Catherine M. Kilcoyne of the Cincinnati Public Library, Mr. Eugene J. Wespesser (Deputy Clerk of Courts, Hamilton iii County, Ohio), and Mr. George Freedley and his assistant, Mr. William Anderson, of the Theatre Collection of the New York Public Library. Discussions with Mr. Ernest Willert (Aurora, Ohio) and Mr. Harlowe Hoyt (Cleveland, Ohio) also proved valuable. The impetus fdr this study resulted from a sug gestion by Dr. Richard Wickman (Carthage College). Per sonal aid was provided by Dr. John C. Morrow (The Ohio State University Theatre Collection), and staff of the Kent State University Library (particularly Mr. John B. Nicholson, Mrs. Helen Kaltenborn, and Mrs. Peter J, Zucchero). Mr. Louis 0. Erdmann, Mrs. Helen E. Wynn, and Mrs. Nancy W. Zucchero were particularly helpful in the final stages of preparation of the illustrations and text. The writer is also indebted to the members of his committee--Dr. John H. McDowell, Dr. Roy H. Bowen, Dr. Walter S. Dewey, Dr. Everett M. Schreck, and Dr. Francis L. Utley— for their guidance and counseling. The time provided by those named, and their en couragement, have helped make this study possible. The efforts are deeply appreciated. VITA May 26, 1930 Born - Morgantown, West Virginia 1952 ............ B.A., Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 1953 ............ M.A., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 1954-1955 .... Instructor, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 1955-1957 .... United States Army, Artillery 1956-1957 .... Instructor, University of Maryland Overseas Program, Frankfurt, Germany 1957-1959 .... Instructor, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio 1959-1960 .... Graduate Assistant, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio 1960-1964 .... Assistant Professor, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio v TABLE OF CONTENTS Page PREFACE............................................. iii LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS............................... x Chapter I. INTRODUCTION ............................... 1 II. THE STOCK COMPANY TRADITION ................ 5 Development and Change ..................... 5 Evolution of the term "stock company" The transitory nature of the term The "old stock company" period: 1752-1820 The reign of the "visiting star": 1820-1868 The "combination" system: 1868-1894 The establishment of the modern company: 1894-1932 Characteristics and Practices ............ X — 21 The theatre proprietor The stock company proprietor The acting company The change of bill and weekly routine Growth of the modern system and its decline Summary............................... 30 III. AMERICAN THEATRE PRACTICE: 1894-1904 .... 32 Contemporary Artistic Conditions .......... 33 The lack of competition Popular stage successes The Need for a Training Ground for Actors • • 40 Conditions blamed on the "combination" system vi A solution found in a return to the stock tradition The Need for Increased Employment............... 44 Economic conditions affect employment Attempts to solve the unemployment problem The Need for Inexpensive Production............. 50 Financial burdens of the traveling company Inexpensive production offered by the stock company The Need for Extended Entertainment Outlets . 57 The changing nature of the audience The rise of new entertainment forms The stock company fulfills a need The Establishment of the Theatrical Syndicate . 64 Events which prompted the establishment The nature of the agreement and its results Organized opposition to the Syndicate The stock company versus the Syndicate S u m m a r y ........................................... 79 IV. JAMES F. NEILL: THE MAN AND THE ACTOR .... S3 Neill, the M a n .................................. #4 Neill, the A c t o r ................................ S3 From amateur to professional From apprentice to featured player Neill as a "stock" actor Neill and Mrs. Fiske From stock to films Neill’s Style and Technique ................... 10S S u m m a r y .......................................... 114 V. THE MANAGEMENT OF THE NEILL COMPANY: 1S94-1904 .................................... 117 Neill, the Manager and Dire ctor................ US Neill’s relationship to the company Neill’s relationship to the public The Giffen-Neill Partnership ................. 130 The formation of a stock company vii The expansion of a stock company The end of a partnership Ten Years of Stock: 1894-1904 137 Denver and the beginnings "The Winning Triplets" The return to Denver The summer of 1897 Neill stock in Columbus The first season in Cincinnati The summer of 1898 The second season in Cincinnati The move westward Extended tours and expansion The Neill-Morosco Enterprises S u m m a r y ........................................19# VI. PERSONNEL OF THE NEILL COMPANY: 1394-1904 . 201 The Gentlemen of the Company....................203 "Second leads" and "general business" "Heavy" and "light" comedians "Juveniles" General "utility" men The Ladies of the C o m p a n y ..................... 223 Leading ladies "Character women" "Ingenues" "Soubrettes" Child performers S u m m a r y ........................................239 VII. REPERTORY OF THE NEILL COMPANY: 1894-1904 . 261 Sociely-Drama ............................... 262 Representative playwrights Neill company successes Farce-Comedy ................................. 274 Representative playwrights Neill company successes Historic-Romantic Drama ..................... 285 Representative playwrights Neill company successes S u m m a r y ........................................303 viii j VIII. GENERAL SUMMARY AND CONCLUSIONS ............... 303 APPENDIX A. Company Roster: 1394-1904 ............... 313 APPENDIX B. Weekly Itinerary: 1394-1904 ............. 321 APPENDIX C. Sample Plots: Scenery, Properties, and L i g h t i n g ............................. 362 APPENDIX D. Sample List of Properties ................ 366 APPENDIX E. Sample Financial Records ................. 370 BIBLIOGRAPHY ........................................... 373 9) ix LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Plate Page I. Frontispiece................................. ii II. Harrison Grey Fiske, Champion of the Stock Company Movement ................... 76 III. James F. Neill, Pioneer of the Modern Stock Company Movement ................... 85 IV. Savannah (Georgia) Theatre Program for April 11, 1 3 3 2 ........................ 39 V. Savannah (Georgia) Theatre Program for July 3, 1332 .......................... 91 VI. Port Jervis (New York) Theatre Program for August 31, 1332 93 VII. Savannah (Georgia) Theatre Program for June 13, 1835 96 VIII. James Neill and Minnie Maddern Fiske in Marie Deloche (The Queen of Liars). 1896 ............ ............... 104 IX. James Neill as Captain Swift ............... 110 X. James Neill as Colonel Kerchival West in Bronson Howard’s Shenandoah ...... 112 XI. Lyceum Theatre (Denver) Program for September 24» 1894 .................... 139 XII. Full-Page Advertisement in The New York Dramatic Mirror. May 4, 18^5 • • • ~ ... 147 XIII. Pike Opera House (Cincinnati) Program for December 25$ 1897 164 XIV. Full-Page Advertisement in The New York Dramatic Mirror. June 2, 1900 7~... 182 x Plate Page XV. Herschel Mayall, "Second Lead" ••••••• 205 XVI. Emmett Shackelford, "Heavy Comedian" • • • • 209 XVII. Joseph B. Everham, "Light Comedian" .... 211 XVIII. George Bloomquest, "Juvenile" ............. 214 XIX. Charle-s F. Wyngate, "Juvenile"............. 216 XX. Donald Bowles, "Second Lead" • ......... • • 219 XXI. Robert Morris, "Stage-Manager" ............. 221 XXII. Walter Clarke Bellows, "Stage-Manager" . 224 XXIII. Henrietta Crosman, "Leading Lady" ......... 231 XXIV. Edythe Chapman, "Leading Lady" ............. 233 XXV. Agnes Maynard, "Grand Dame" ............... 239 XXVI. Lillian Andrews, "Character Woman" ......... 241 XXVII. Blanche Bates, "Ingenue"