Donna Darling Headlines “Bathing Girl Revue” in Defiance, Ohio (June 10, 1925)

In the News
by Don Taylor

Introduction

In my continuing effort to document the vaudeville career of my grandmother, Donna Darling, I have identified a new engagement placing her at the Valentine Theatre in Defiance, Ohio, on June 10, 1925.

An advertisement in The Crescent News provides a detailed look at the program and offers new insight into the structure and presentation of her show during this period.

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Performance Details

• Venue: Valentine Theatre
• Location: Defiance, Ohio
• Date: June 10, 1925
• Headlining Act: Bathing Girl Revue featuring Donna Darling
• Billing: “The Personality Plus Star”
• Program Format: Motion pictures followed by vaudeville

The evening’s entertainment combined a feature film (A Thief in Paradise) with a full vaudeville bill beginning at 8:30 PM. Donna Darling’s revue was clearly the featured live attraction.

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The Revue

The advertisement describes the show as: “A tidal wave of songs, dances and comedy, elaborate gowns and special scenery.”

Supporting performers included:

• Todd Watson & Clarice Allyn – “Dancing Gypsies”
• Al Ross – Eccentric dancer
• Amelia – Hawaiian bather
• Gerry Gene – Acrobatic bather and toe dancer
• Nettie Bennis – “Beach Flirt”
• Betty Bates – “Miss America of Today”

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Newly Learned Insights

This advertisement provides several important additions to the historical record:

• Confirmed Date & Location: Establishes Donna Darling in Defiance, Ohio, on June 10, 1925—helping refine her touring timeline.
• Named Production: Identifies the show as the “Bathing Girl Revue.”
• Headliner Status: Donna is clearly the principal attraction, reinforcing her prominence on the vaudeville circuit.
• Ensemble Structure: The named cast confirms a multi-performer revue, with names not previously known. (It appears that Amelia may have replaced Alyce Louyse as the Hawaiian Bather.)
• Production Value: References to elaborate costumes and scenery indicate a relatively sophisticated touring show.  

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Context & Significance

By 1925, vaudeville was evolving alongside the growing popularity of motion pictures. The Valentine Theatre’s program—films followed by live performance—illustrates this transitional entertainment model. Donna Darling’s prominent billing in such a program underscores her continued relevance and drawing power during this period.

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Conclusion

Each newly discovered engagement helps refine the broader picture of Donna Darling’s career. This Defiance, Ohio, appearance not only confirms a specific date and venue but also provides valuable detail about the structure, branding, and scale of her performances in the mid-1920s.

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This article was researched and written by the author. ChatGPT was used as a research and drafting aid, and Grammarly was used for editorial review and copy editing.