VaudevilleVaudeville1870-19201870-1920
Because of the Industrial Because of the Industrial Revolution…Revolution…
More leisure timeMore leisure timeMore money to spend on More money to spend on
leisureleisureCraze for sportsCraze for sportsIntroduction of snack foodIntroduction of snack foodSpirit of funSpirit of fun
US = more urbanUS = more urbanSeek entertainment in & Seek entertainment in & out of cityout of city
New commercial recreation New commercial recreation industryindustry
Designed to supply Designed to supply inexpensive entertainment inexpensive entertainment for all Americansfor all Americans
Performances & RecreationPerformances & RecreationVaudeville and Minstrel ShowsVaudeville and Minstrel Shows
MoviesMovies
CircusCircus
Amusement ParksAmusement Parks
SportsSports
Vaudeville and Minstrel Vaudeville and Minstrel ShowsShowsInexpensive variety showsInexpensive variety shows
Comic sketchesComic sketchesSong and danceSong and danceMagic acts Magic acts VentriloquistsVentriloquistsJugglers Jugglers AnimalsAnimalsEtc.Etc.
MoviesMovies
In 1908, 8000 nickelodeonsIn 1908, 8000 nickelodeonsNickelodeon = theaters that charge Nickelodeon = theaters that charge
a nickela nickel
Mostly slapstick comediesMostly slapstick comedies
No sound, live piano playersNo sound, live piano playersSome theaters had full orchestrasSome theaters had full orchestras
CircusCircusCircus Train (1872)Circus Train (1872)Advance MenAdvance Men
Recruit boys to advertise Recruit boys to advertise beforehandbeforehand
Big Top goes upBig Top goes upCircus ParadeCircus ParadePaid PerformancePaid Performance
At the turn of the 20th century At the turn of the 20th century the Circus was the Circus was thethe premier premier entertainment spectacle. entertainment spectacle.
No other show could match its No other show could match its extravagance and scale. extravagance and scale.
The Barnum and Bailey Circus – The Barnum and Bailey Circus – “The Greatest Show on Earth” “The Greatest Show on Earth” presented acts as varied as:presented acts as varied as: dancing elephants, equestrian seals, an army of dancing elephants, equestrian seals, an army of
clowns and aerial specialists, acrobats and high clowns and aerial specialists, acrobats and high wire performers wire performers
Amusement ParksAmusement ParksTrolley TechnologyTrolley Technology
Steeplechase, Ferris Wheel, Roller Steeplechase, Ferris Wheel, Roller CoasterCoaster
Trolley ParksTrolley ParksHalf days on SaturdaysHalf days on SaturdaysMusic, skill games, vaudevilles Music, skill games, vaudevilles Bathing beaches, ridesBathing beaches, rides
SportsSportsBoxingBoxing
Horse-racingHorse-racing
BaseballBaseball
FootballFootball
BasketballBasketball
BaseballBaseball1860s = “clubs” become 1860s = “clubs” become
popularpopularAppeal? – speed, daring & Appeal? – speed, daring &
split-second timingsplit-second timingEntrepreneurs enclose fields Entrepreneurs enclose fields
= money= money1869, first pro team 1869, first pro team
Cincinnati Red StockingsCincinnati Red Stockings
FootballFootball
Adapted from European rugby Adapted from European rugby (1880s)(1880s)
BasketballBasketball
Only major sport of Only major sport of exclusively American originexclusively American origin
1891, PE teacher James 1891, PE teacher James NaismithNaismithKeep athletes fit in winterKeep athletes fit in winter
WomenWomen & Sports & SportsBicycling (safety bikes)Bicycling (safety bikes)Basketball (women’s rules)Basketball (women’s rules)
Stiff competition & physical Stiff competition & physical exertion were unhealthyexertion were unhealthy
Tennis, gymnastics, swimmingTennis, gymnastics, swimmingAll had stiff dress codesAll had stiff dress codes
What People Were ReadingWhat People Were Reading
BackgroundBackgroundWhy were more people reading?Why were more people reading?Increased literacy Increased literacy Compulsory educationCompulsory education
Writers and publishers take Writers and publishers take advantage of new, larger audienceadvantage of new, larger audience
NewspapersNewspapersNew technologyNew technology
Typesetting machineryTypesetting machineryNew featuresNew features
Comics, Sports, Women’s pages, etc.Comics, Sports, Women’s pages, etc.PicturesPictures
1870 to 19001870 to 19002.6 to 15.1 million copies/day2.6 to 15.1 million copies/day
YellowYellow Journalism JournalismLurid details of murders, Lurid details of murders,
scandals, etc.scandals, etc.ExaggerationsExaggerationsAnything to sell papersAnything to sell papersCaused by heated competitionCaused by heated competition
NewsiesNewsiesAged 8 to 15 Aged 8 to 15 Independent business ownersIndependent business ownersBought papers & sold for small profitBought papers & sold for small profitStiff competitionStiff competition1899, Newsies go on strike1899, Newsies go on strike
Anyone seen the movie? Anyone seen the movie?
MagazinesMagazines18791879, Congress lowers rates, Congress lowers ratesIncreased circulationIncreased circulationMcClure’s, Cosmopolitan, McClure’s, Cosmopolitan,
Munsey’sMunsey’sStories appeal to worker’s desires Stories appeal to worker’s desires
to succeedto succeed““rags to riches” rags to riches”
Reminded working poor of Reminded working poor of opportunities available to themopportunities available to them
Popular Popular FictionFiction““Dime Novels”Dime Novels”
Local colorLocal color
Describes people and places of Describes people and places of particular regions of the US in detailparticular regions of the US in detail
Gives readers info about other Gives readers info about other areas of the countryareas of the country