[Hollywood] Fields, W.C. (1880 - 1946)
1899 Debut Juggling Program
5 x 7 inch booklet published in Brooklyn, New York on November 6, 1899, entitled THE OPERA GLASS, Vol. 1 No. 7, listing the programs at various theatres in the city for the upcoming week. There is a page of short articles of interest to the theatrically inclined (six Chicago men have shown up and are beating the New York ticket scalpers at their own game in getting ahead of them and purchasing the best tickets for Henry Irving’s appearances at the Knickerbocker Theatre, etc.). At the Gayety at Broadway and Throop Street, Marie Dressler was the star in a spot called “Dresslerisms” in a mixed show with six other acts, while at the Empire Theatre at Broadway and Bedford Ave. was appearing Fred Irwin’s Burlesquers, opening with The Sisters Tedwyn in their up-to-date songs and dances. Then….."The tramp juggler W. C. Fields – Different from All Others.” Two more acts, then “Mlle. Marie, In Artistic Poses with Electrical Effects,” then two more acts.Fields was then 19 years old, and in his first year of vaudeville. This is a rare early memento of one of the truly great and original entertainers. (5238)
Program, unsigned Theater