Donna Montran and “Chin Chin” play at the Lyric Theatre in Allentown, Pennsylvania on 3 May 1920
The cast of “Chin Chin” arrived in Allentown on May 2nd. Some of the cast, including Donna, performed at a church benefit “Sacred Concert” that night. (See post.) On Monday, the cast and crew continued with their regular schedule with a performance at the Lyric Theatre in Allentown, PA.
Preshow Advertising
The earliest advertisement I’ve found for the show was on Saturday, April 24th. It said:
“Chin Chin.”
The Morning Call – 23 Apr 1920, Page 10.
Seven gorgeous settings make up the stupendous production of Chas. Dillingham’s “Chin Chin” which is scheduled to appear at the Lyric or the evening of May 3rd.
In this musically rich show such numbers as “Violet,” “The Grey Moon,” “The Love Moon,” “Good Bye Girls, I’m Through,” and the comedy song “Go Gar Sig Gong-Ju” always receive spontaneous applause.
The riot of fun, feast of music, bevy of feminie ????ity with pret-dresses, swift and grotesque dancing, lots of prankish amusement including Tom Brown’s Clown Band as the famous Saxophone Sextette, promises a most enjoyable entertainment.
Additional articles on April 27th and 28th, further described the show, Walter Wills and Roy Binder are in the lead. The show has practically no plow. In the first act, Aladdin and Violet Bond and the remaining acts occur because of the lamp found in the tea shop of Widow Twankey. The show makes you think you “awakened in a Hong Kong dream bazaar.”
On the 29th, we see our first display ad for the show. That ad was carried on in subsequent display ads.
The day of the show, besides the display ad there was a short article:
IN THE THEATRES LYRIC “Chin Chin”
Chas. Dillingham’s famous musical comedy, “Chin Chin” comes to the Lyric this evening. Do you remember when you were just a tiny chap, how you would read the “Thousand and One Nights” or the wonderful adventures of “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” and “Sinbad, the Sailor.” And all the rest of those fascinating characters, and how from out of them all emerged “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp” as the prime adventure of them all? And now Alladin—a very modern Alladin—very much in love with an American girl appears in Charles Dillinghan’s “Chin Chin” which comes to the Lyric for just one performance. In this musical concoction everything comes Aladdin’s way upon wishing and rubbing the wonderful lamp, thereby causing many strange and wonderful situations.
Walter Wills and Roy Binder, as the two slaves of the lamp keep the audience in constant laughter through seven scenes and the three acts that cover one hundred and fifty minutes of the most enjoyable fun.
Reviews
There were no published show reviews.
Post Show Info
The next stop for the show was the Grand Opera House in Wilkes-Barre for a Tuesday performance.
The Lyric Theatre
Lyric Theater, Allentown, PA ca. 1905
Originally built as a Central Market in 1896, it was converted to a theater in 1899 and named the “Lyric Theater” as the result of a naming contest.
During World War 1, the theatre was updated to be able to show films. In the early 1920s, the theater went back to be being the showplace for vaudeville. That is when “Chin Chin” played there.
1920 Specifications for the Lyric Theatre, Allentown, PA[i]
Proscenium opening: 32×29 ft
Front to back wall: 40 ft
Between side walls: 70 ft
Apron 2.5 ft
Between fly girders: 50 ft
To rigging loft: 64 ft
To fly gallery: 27 ft
14 Dressing rooms
Nearby Hotels: Allen, La Fayette
Newspapers & circulation
Chronicle 5,900
Item 6,275
Democrat 3,600
Reader 3,500
Call, 10,652
Welt-Bote (German) 7,000
What happened to the theater.
During the Depression, the theater stayed alive by hosting boxing matches and burlesque shows. During the 1940s the theater became a mixed venue acting as a home for the Allentown Symphony Orchestra and burlesque. In 1959, the theater was saved by Donald and Sam Miller from becoming a parking lot when they purchased the building and renamed it the “Allentown Symphony Hall.”
Major restoration projects began in 1991, 2006, and 2011 saved the deteriorating building from becoming a parking lot.
Today
Miller Symphony Hall (formerly the Lyric Theatre) in Allentown, PA. Photo by Ken Roe, 2015 via CinemaTreasures.Org
In 2012 the name was changed to Miller Symphony Hall and the theater is in operation today with music and stage productions.
Endnotes
[i] The Julius Cahn Gus Hill Theatrical Guide 1913-1914, Page 563, Allentown.
This week for Montran Monday[i], I found two short Montran mentions.
The first one is from the Redondo Reflex (Redondo, CA) dated 16 Sep 1921 on page 7.
Mrs. M. H. Babcock, of 304 Francisca avenue, is expecting her mother, Mrs. M. W. Montran, to be here shortly from her home in Los Angeles for a few days’ visit.
The second one is from the Redondo Reflex (Redondo, CA) dated 2 Dec 1921 on page 8.
Mrs. M. W. Montran, of Los Angeles, spent the weekend with her daughter, Mrs. H. B. Babcock.
From the two notes I learned:
In September 1921, Thelma M. (Montran) Babcock (wife of Minor Howard) lived at 304 Francisca Ave, Redondo, CA.
In September 1921, Maude was living in Los Angeles, CA.
In December 1921, Thelma was living in Redondo.
In December 1921, Maude was still living in Los Angeles.
ENDNOTES
[i] Montran Monday – My grandmother’s father was John Montran. She used the surname, as a young child and again when she began in show business. The name is uncommon and most of the Montrans I see in the newspapers are my grandmother during her early vaudeville career. However, with the constant flow of newly digitized material, I often learn of new articles which contain the Montran name. I pay attention to the finding and try to determine a possible relationship of any Montrans to Donna’s father, John Montran.
Donna and members of “Chin Chin” supported a “Sacred Concert” at the Lyric Theatre in Allentown, Pennsylvania, on 2 May 1920
I might have missed that my grandmother, Donna, helped a “Sacred Concert” at the Lyric Theater on Sunday, May 2nd, 1920, because the newspaper so mangled her surname, “Maritram.” Luckily, they mentioned “Chin Chin,” so I was able to discover a series of articles about how some of the cast of “Chin Chin” performed for a Sacred Concert.
The cast of “Chin Chin” played at Mannoy City on April 30th. I don’t know if the show played somewhere on May 1st, but I now know that the cast moved on to Allentown and was able to support a concert on Sunday evening, May 2nd.
On next Sunday evening the members, friends and well wishers of St. Catherine’s new Catholic church will enjoy a sacred concert which is to be held in the Lyric Theatre. A program thoroughly in keeping with the day and the cause will be carried out. The talent to appear will in the main be composed of professional entertainers, close friends of the men in charge of the affair, who will journey here to lend their aid in proper entertainment and assist in the commenting of the citizens in general. It is to be a gathering of citizens, regardless of creed or class of worship, you are invited to enjoy this music, song and reading festival the program of which is at once entertaining and of a distintive quality.
Prominent among the many artists, more than fifty have so far volunteered, appear the names of the famous Tom Brown saxophone sextette; Alfred Hoffman, cellist, who will be remembered by those who witnessed the performance given by Chauncey Olcott a few weeks ago. (Mr. Hoffmn will journey from Pittsburgh and will arrive here in time for his contribution); Francis Leedom Hess, a humorous reader of prominence, John Devlin in a like number, Mr. English Cody, tenor, Miss Donna Maritram [sic], prima donna, members of the Charles Eillingham’s [sic] “Chin Chin” company, and an orchestra composed of twelve musicians form a partial list of the ladies and gentlemen who have volunteered their services. The complete program will be announced in a few days.
Invitations and reservations of seats for the occasion will be made ready at the Lyric box office on Wednesday and thereafter.
On Thursday, before the show, the Morning Call had the following article:
The Spring music and song festival to be held in the Lyric on Sunday evening under the suspices of St. Catherine’s new Catholic church gives every evidence of being one of the most appropriate and pleasing affairs given in the city in some time.
The musical part of the program seems to have been selected with great care. Conspicuous in the listing of events appear the twelve musicians who will comprise the stringed instrument orchestra, Tom Brown’s saxophone sextet, from the “Chin Chin” company; Alfred Hoffman, ‘cellist, from Chauncey Olcott’s company; Mr. English Cody, Tenor and Miss Donna Montram [sic], prima donna with the “Chin Chin” company; John Devlin, humorist; Frances Leedem Hess, reader; Carl Wallender, violinist; a quartet composed of the fine voices of William Morrison, William Porter, George Reese and Clarence Reinert, will render selections.
Another local quartet of much ability, comprising the voices of Robert L. Wheeler, baritone; Wesley hawk, bass; Harold Snyder, first tenor, and Allen Conrad, second tenor, will contribute toward the making of this nothing short of a grand concert. The orchestra will be under the direction of Donald Voorhees.
Prospective patrons are requested to attend to the matter of securing reservations without delay.
The Saturday Morning Call has a short article, SPRINGTIME CONCERT AT LYRIC SUNDAY NIGHT, that mentioned “Donna Montram.” [sic]
Monday, after the concert, there was an excellent article about the Sunday night concert. It called out Donna specifically.
Large Audience Delighted With High-Class Numbers on Program
A large audience last evening gathered in the lyric theatre to witness the splendid program that featured the spring time concert that was given under the auspices of the membership of St. Catherine’s Catholic church, the new congregation that has lately sprung up in the western part of the city. It was a program composed largely of musical numbers and with interspersed with reading apropos to the occasion; in fact, it was a program that was pleasing to even the skeptical and most fastidious. The proceeds of the affair are to be used as a part of the building fund for the new church.
A number of the members of the “Chin Chin” company, which plays at the Lyric tonight, assisted greatly in the make-up of the program. The success of the affair is due largely to the willingness with which these performers, as well as the others on the program, volunteered their services for this occasion. Included in the personnel from the company on the program was Miss Donna Montram, the prima donna, who favored with a beautiful vocal solo, and as an encore sand a selection of her own composition entitled “My Mother.” The latter part of the program was ably held down by Tom Brown’s Saxaphone Band. Their performance attested to this fact. Another member of the company on the program was English Cody, who gave a vocal selection.
Alfred Hoffman, cellist for the Chauncey Olcott company, played the Irish Fantasy, his own composition, and later delighted with the “Nocturne” and “The Rosary.” Carl Wallander, leader of the Lyric Orchestra, gave a violin solo. Meditation from Hais; John Devlin delighted with a number of humorous stories. Humorous impersonations of two ladies trying to buy theatre tickets were given by Frances Leedom Hess, of Philadelphia.
Selections were given by a male quartet, composed of R. R. L. Wheeler, baritondl Wesley Hawk, bass; Edward Hagenbuch, first tenor, and Harvey Snyder, second tenor. The Aeolian Quartette, of this city, also favored with several selections. The member of this quartet are Wm. Morrison, first tenor; William Porter, second tenor; George Rees, baritone; Clarence Reinert, bass, and So. W. Unger, accompanist. The members of the orchestra, who rendered several selections, interspersing the other numbers are as follows, Donald Voorhees, conductor Messrs. Wallander, Wavrek, Hoffman, Schatlein, Heintzleman, Wavrek, Brian, Meyers, Schlicher and Schaffer.
Donna registered her song, “Beautiful Mother of Mine,” in 1923. Could this “My Mother” song of hers be an earlier version of “Beautiful Mother of Mine,” or could it be a here-to-for unknown song written by Donna before May 1920. I’ll continue looking for the music of Donna.
St. Catharine’s Catholic Church
St. t. Catharine Chapel, 1920-1927 – Photo courtesy St. Catharine of Siena website
In October 1919, Rev. John C. Phelan was appointed founder and first rector of a new parish in Allentown. A month later they purchased land, with a house, and set to convert the home to a rectory and acted as a temporary place of worship. In November, they celebrated Mass in the new rectory; by the end of the month, they performed their first marriage.
By the spring of 1920, the parishioners began converting a stable and carriage house into a chapel. The concert to help raise money for the church took place in May 1920. By September, thy completed the carriage house conversion to a chapel. The chapel served the parishioners until 1927 when a new church and school were built.[iv]
I’m proud that Donna helped, through her talents, to raise money to build a new Catholic church in Allentown.
Endnotes
[i]The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania) · Mon, Apr 26, 1920, · Page 5 – “Sacred Concert at the Lyric on Sunday Night,” via Newspapers.Com
[ii]The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania) · 29 Apr 1920, Thu · Page 5 – “Music and Song Festival for the benefit of Church,” via Newspapers.Com.
[iii] The Morning Call (Allentown, Pennsylvania) · Mon, May 3, 1920, · Page 5 – “Sunday Concert is Enjoyable Affair – Large Audience Delighted with High-Class Numbers on Program, via Newspapers.Com.
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It was an okay week for my photo analysis project. This week, I looked at nine photos I scanned previously. I identified three of them; there are six others I’m not sure of.
Family Search
For three of the photos, I was able to determine who they were, and I uploaded the images to the memory section of the individual profiles on Family Search.
Nellie A. Weymouth, Luetta Katie Bridges, & Katie Farrington Starrett
Uncertain Photo Identification
I was not able to determine who the other six were.
“Frances Sarah Bragdon,” Born March 9, 1904, Rec’d Sept 17,” was photographed at Marshall Studio, Westbrook, Me. A female Bragdon child was born in Westbrook, Me on April 1, 1904. Daughter of Ernest J. and Jennie F (Smith) Bragdon. I suspect this is the child, and the birthdate on the photo is incorrect.
“Mr. and Mrs. Hansen – English People” was photographed at Davies Studio in Rockland, Me. Sadly no first names.
“Bruce Levett – Leavett” was photographed at Hanson Photography, 12 Monument Square, Portland, ME. The back indicates both spellings. On an outer cover sheet, it says “R. B. Leavitt | Portland Me” From that, I’m fairly convinced this is probably Robert Bruce Leavitt who was born 3 September 1874 and died 7 August 1949.
“Eugene Moulton 21-Oct. – 1900” was quite perplexing. The photo was taken at Crockett Photography in Rockland, Me. This is probably Henry Eugene Moulton, born on 3 May 1880, but I can’t be sure. There are several other Eugene Moultons of that time/period.
“Edward Rand Thurman – Feb 12, 1899 – Feb 12, 1900.” I have searched at length and have been unsuccessful in determining who the child was. The child was photographed at H. M. Smith at 478 Congress Street, Portland, Me. If, as the back of the photo suggests, the child died on his 1st birthday, that is sad and might explain why there are no other records of his life.
“Jennie Young” was photographed at Gendron, 13 Tremont Row, Boston. It looks to be from the 1880s or 1890s, in terms of dress and photo type. There are so many Jennie Youngs in Maine and Massachusetts that it is impossible to determine which one this is.
Mr. and Mrs. Hansen, Jennie Young, Frances Sarah Bragdon, Eugene Moulton, & Edward Rand Thurman
These photos, in 1200 pixel width, have been posted to Dead Fred.
I’d love to hear from you if you are related to these families and can help identify them. Likewise, if you are related to the three individuals in the first group, I’d love to learn if you have seen these photos before.
* The Scarborough Historical Society holds the original of this photo in the Linwood Dyer Photo Collection.
Arvid Frithiof Carlin(1876-1959)
Updated 30 Jan 2020[1]
Arvid was born Arvid Frithiof Karlsson-Karlin[1] in Värmskog, Värmland, Sweden on 27 November 1876.[1] From his naturalization papers, it was unclear where in Sweden he was born. In my original post I asked for help in deciphering that location. A genealogy friend, whose skill in Swedish immigration I highly respect, provided that it was Degerbyn. She also provided a source for his Karlsson part of his surname.
Värmskog is a tiny village (2000 population of 65 people) in Värmland (a historical province), which is about 180 miles west of Stockholm (about 40 miles from Norway).
Childhood
Nothing is known about Arvid’s childhood. When he was 23, he immigrated to the United State. On 8 September 1900, he left Southampton, England aboard the SS New York. The trip took 8 days having him arrive in New York (Ellis Island), on 16 September 1900.
SS New York – before 1903 – Source: Wikipedia.
Initially built as the SS City of New York in 1888, the ship saw service as the USS Harvard during the Spanish-American War. After her wartime service, she was renamed the SS New York and returned to civilian service in January 1899.
Arvid was living in the tenements at 228 East 20th when he entered an “Intent to become a US Citizen” in 1903.
In 1909, Arvid was living at 156 East 39th Street. It also was probably a tenement. Today that location appears to be a three-story walk-up that was built in 1920. Arvid was a tailor.
Following the American Dream, in February 1912 he filed his first patent request for a new type of clothes hanger. Between 1912 and 1954, Arvid was granted 18 patents for a variety of items including toys and toilet paper holders. Also, in March 1912, Arvid submitted his petition for naturalization and in June took the oath as a citizen.
Marriage
In 1915, Arvid married Pauline Van Damm in New Jersey. Certificate 05445 applies.
Arvid and Paulene had three children. They are:
· Name
· Born
· Walpole
· Apr 1917 – New York
· Virginia Pauline
· 1924 – New York
· Vivian
· July 1928 – New York
In 1918, Arvid registered for the Draft. From his registration card we learn that he and Pauline were living at 2174 Amsterdam Ave. The apartment where they lived was built in 1900 and is still standing.
2174 Amsterdam Ave. New York City – Photo courtesy Google Maps.
He at that time, he worked for Jas H. Yell as a tailor in the Garment District. His work was about a mile and a half away at the corner of West 39th Street and 5th Avenue. Today, at that location is a Payless Shoe Store.
Arvid was of medium height, medium build, had blue eyes and light brown hair.
In 1920, Arne (Arvid) and Pauline were still living at 2174 Amsterdam and Arvid was still working as a tailor.
Sometime between 1920 and 1923, Arvid and Pauline moved away from Midtown Manhattan about 18 miles to Mamaroneck, about 5 miles from Connecticut.
The 1930 Census found Arvid, Paulina, Walpole, Virginia, and Vivian at 43 Keeler. A separate household at the same address was the Gustave Melesk household consisting of Gustave, his wife Helena, and daughters Bertha and Helen. Gustave owned the house valued at $8000, Arvid rented from him for $35.00 per month.
1110 Keeler Ave. Mamaroneck, NY – Photo courtesy Google Maps
The 1940 Census confused me for a while. It indicates they were living in the household of Gustave Malesk at 1110 Keeley. A review of the neighbors indicated that in both the 1930 Census and the 1940 Census the Waters family lived on one side of the Malesks and the Doyle family lived on the other side. As such, I’m sure the street went through a renumbering sometime between 1930 and 1940. A bit more confusing, 16-year-old Virginia was the person the census taker spoke with. She reported that Pauline was the sister of Gustave and her father was the Brother-in-law of Gustave. This seemed very odd. In the 1930 Census, I learned that Gustave and his wife Helen have been born in Poland, this Census, Gustave, and Helen were reported as being born in Germany. Additionally, the census taker entered Walpole, Virginia, and Vivian as being the children of Gustave. Ignoring the relationships of the kids, if Pauline is Gustave’s sister, then Pauline’s maiden name is likely to have been Melesk. That Gustave was born in Poland/Germany and Pauline born in Holland suggests that the Melesks migrated west to Holland sometime between 1887 and 1897. Something about these relationships doesn’t seem quite right. I will look more closely into the relationships when I research Pauline.
Death
Marker – Arvid Carlin – Photo by Ellen Bruster via Find-a-Grave.
Arvid died on 2 July 1959 in the Bronx, New York. He was buried in the Greenwood Union Cemetery, Section South, Lot 007e, Grave 9, in Rye, Westchester County, New York. He was survived by his wife, Pauline, and his three children, Walpole, Virginia, and Vivian.
Events by Location
England, Hampshire, Southampton – Ship’s port of embarkation to the United States.
New Jersey – Marriage.
New York, Bronx – Death.
New York, New York, Manhattan – Immigration Arrival, Residence 1909, 1912, 1916, 1918, & 1920.
New York, Westchester, Mamaroneck – Residences, 1930, 1935, and 1940.
New York, Westchester, Rye – Burial.
Sweden (Possibly Segerbyn) – Birth.
Further Actions / Follow-up
Get a copy of the marriage certificate for Arvid Frithiof Carlin and Pauline van Damm who were married in New Jersey in 1915. Certificate #05445.
[1]Thanks to my friend, Lois Knight, I learned that Arvid’s “Emigration Location” was Degerbyn.
Also note: Lois’ information confirmed that his surname was Karlin when he lived in Sweden. However, I use “Carlin” as that was the spelling used later in his life and is the name “carved into stone” on his grave marker.
Sources
1920 Census (FS), Family Search, Arne Carlin – Manhattan Assembly District 23, New York, New York. “United States Census, 1920,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MJ1L-L21 : accessed 22 January 2020), Walford Carlin in household of Arne Carlin, Manhattan Assembly District 23, New York, New York, United States; citing ED 1494, sheet 14A, line 42, family 317, NARA microfilm publication T625 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1992), roll 1226; FHL microfilm 1,821,226.
1930 Census (FS), Family Search, Arvid F Carlin – Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York. “United States Census, 1930,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:X VGF : accessed 20 January 2020), Arvid F Carlin, Mamaroneck, Westchester, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 174, sheet 26A, line 21, family 652, NARA microfilm publication T626 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2002), roll 1661; FHL microfilm 2,341,395.
1940 Census (FS), Family Search, Gustane Melesk (Head) Arvid Carlin Brother-in-law – Mamaroneck, Rye Town, Westchester, New York. “United States Census, 1940,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:K7S4-9FB : 28 July 2019), Vivian Carlin in household of Gustane Melesk, Mamaroneck, Rye Town, Westchester, New York, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 60-105A, sheet 1A, line 17, family 3, Sixteenth Census of the United States, 1940, NARA digital publication T627. Records of the Bureau of the Census, 1790 – 2007, RG 29. Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 2012, roll 2805.
Find a Grave Memorial, Find a Grave, Arvid Carlin – Memorial 172514188. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 22 January 2020), memorial page for Arvid Carlin (unknown–2 Jul 1959), Find A Grave Memorial no. 172514188, citing Greenwood Union Cemetery, Rye, Westchester County, New York, USA ; Maintained by Ellen Brewster (contributor 47921251).
New York City directory, New York Public Library Digital Collections, 1919-10 – Page 222 – Carlin, Arvid F. Irma and Paul Milstein Division of United States History, Local History and Genealogy, The New York Public Library. “New York City directory” New York Public Library Digital Collections. Accessed January 22, 2020. https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/items/db79fb30-7cee-0134-709c-00505686a51c.
New York Passenger Arrival Lists (Ellis Island), 1892-1924, Family Search, Arvid Karlin – 1900. Database with images, dated 20 August 2019, accessed 20 Jan 2020. https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QGPQ-2CHP.
New York, Southern District, U.S District Court Naturalization Records, 1824-1946, Family Search, Arvid Frithiof Carlin. FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QP76-92JP : 14 August 2019), Arvid Frithiof Carlin, 1912.
S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 , Various, Arvid Frithoif Carlin – 12 Sep 1918. Registration State: New York; Registration County: New York; Roll: 1786807; Draft Board: 148.
Additional articles on April 27th and 28th, further described the show, Walter Wills and Roy Binder are in the lead. The show has practically no plow. In the first act, Aladdin and Violet Bond and the remaining acts occur because of the lamp found in the tea shop of Widow Twankey. The show makes you think you “awakened in a Hong Kong dream bazaar.”Chas. Dillingham’s famous musical comedy, “Chin Chin” comes to the Lyric this evening. Do you remember when you were just a tiny chap, how you would read the “Thousand and One Nights” or the wonderful adventures of “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves,” and “Sinbad, the Sailor.” And all the rest of those fascinating characters, and how from out of them all emerged “Aladdin and the Wonderful Lamp” as the prime adventure of them all? And now Alladin—a very modern Alladin—very much in love with an American girl appears in Charles Dillinghan’s “Chin Chin” which comes to the Lyric for just one performance. In this musical concoction everything comes Aladdin’s way upon wishing and rubbing the wonderful lamp, thereby causing many strange and wonderful situations.
Walter Wills and Roy Binder, as the two slaves of the lamp keep the audience in constant laughter through seven scenes and the three acts that cover one hundred and fifty minutes of the most enjoyable fun.
“Bruce Levett – Leavett” was photographed at Hanson Photography, 12 Monument Square, Portland, ME. The back indicates both spellings. On an outer cover sheet, it says “R. B. Leavitt | Portland Me” From that, I’m fairly convinced this is probably Robert Bruce Leavitt who was born 3 September 1874 and died 7 August 1949.
