Read about It and Listen to It -- Vaudeville as Variety Entertainment in the Extreme

Vaudeville: Variety Entertainment in the Extreme

From the 1880s through the early 1930s, Vaudeville was one of America's most favored forms of popular entertainment. As variety entertainment a typical Vaudeville performance featured a number of diverse acts, such as trained animals, comedians, musicians, singers, magicians and so forth. In a single night, viewers could expect to enjoy at least one of the many acts that were offered.

Click on the following link and review some of the history of Vaudeville in America.

Link Links to an external site.

Some local history: The Fox Theater in Spokane opened in 1931 during the time when Vaudeville was still around and talking movies were beginning to take off. Hence, in addition to a projection booth and big screen, the Fox was also built with an orchestra pit, dressing rooms, a proscenium arch stage, a scenery loft, and an elaborate Wurlitzer pipe organ. However, Vaudeville was nearing its end. As talking movies captured America's attention, Vaudeville could no longer compete. Soon, it disappeared. As for the Fox Theater, it easily transitioned into a movie theater and concert venue.

What One Could Expect to See at a Vaudeville Performance

As mentioned above, Vaudeville offered a highly mixed bag of entertainment. Often times performers simply performed the same act over and over for a number of years. These acts were often well honed and polished. Click on the following link to view some of the Vaudeville acts that were around back in the day.

Historic Footage- Vaudeville Acts 1898 to 1910 (Part 1 of 2) Links to an external site.

Here is a more detailed documentary on the origins of Vaudeville, featuring some of the early acts that catapulted this form of entertainment into popular culture:

Vaudeville, Pt. 1 Links to an external site.

"Take Me Out to The Ballgame": An Example of Illustrated Song in Vaudeville

The song "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" became a Vaudeville hit as an illustrated song. Illustrated songs were often performed by a pianist and sometimes a vocalist as part of a Vaudeville show. While the music played, glass slides were shown to accompany the music.

Read a brief history of this type of Vaudeville entertainment and watch a recreation of what "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" might have sounded and looked like when it was shown in a Vaudeville production.

Link  Illustrated Song, Wikipedia Links to an external site.

Take Me Out to the Ball Game Links to an external site.