Donna Darling at the Riviera Theatre, Anderson, IN, 8, 9, & 10 April 1925.
Donna in the News 99 Years Ago by Don Taylor
“Donna in the News” is my reporting of newly found newspaper articles and advertisements regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s.
This week from the Anderson Herald(Anderson, Indiana) newspaper dated April 5th, 1925, I learned that Donna and the “Hollywood Motion Picture Bathing Girls” played at the Riviera Theatre in Anderson, Indiana.
Donna Darling and Bathing Girls to Appear at Riviera
BATHING GIRL REVUE COMING TO THE RIVIERA THEATRE WED- NESDAY. THE ORIGINAL PEOPLE IN PERSON FROM THE MOVIES.
Anderson (Indiana) Herald, April 5, 1925, Page 2.
Bathing Girls from the Western Motion Picture Studios will make a personal appearance at the Riviera Theatre for three days, starting Wednesday, April 8th. The star of this spectacular Hollywood Revue Is Miss Donna Darling, a winner of numerous beauty prizes in Madison Square Garden, The Hippodrome Theatre, New York and Boston. She played the principal role in the late musical comedy success, “Chin Chin.” Miss Darling is not only beautiful; she can sing and dance with unusual ability, and her presentations are so charming that she has been j justly called, “The Girl With the Million Dollar Personality.”
Before Miss Darling left the California Studios, she selected several accomplished Motion Picture Bathers to accompany her on her brief | tour of the eastern states. Tiny Anita Walker sings as well as she wears a stunning black and white satin bathing suit. Todd Watson and Clarice Allyn, as gypsy dancers, entertain with a difficult and spectacular number, which is followed by an acrobatic novelty by the talented movie star, Gerry Gene. Al Ross, one of the life-guards, is an eccentric dancer who also appears with Alyce Louyse in the comedy number, “1900 Bathers.” Alyce Louyse is at her best in the Hawaiian dance. Mildred O’Brien is a beach flirt who does a nifty song and dance.
This revue displays the different styles of bathing suits from Grandmother’s day in which Miss Darling appears in an elaborate silver and ! orchid gown; a comedy number of 1900, and on to the present day bather when Betty Bryant, late of Ziegfield Follies, appears in a scarlet bathing suit as “Miss America of Today.”
Much time and effort has been spent in selecting the stage settings and the elaborate lighting effects of this revue, and the management of the Riviera Theatre is to be congratulated for his ability to offer his patrons entertainment of such clean and enjoyable nature. In addition to the unusual attraction, a picture of rare merit completes the program.
FIRST TIME THE ORIGINAL BATHING GIRLS HAVE APPEARED! ON A STAGE IN ANDERSON DIRECT FROM HOLLYWOOD AND THE MOTION PICTURES. REMEMBER, WAIT AND SEE THE ORIGINALS IN PERSON AT THE RIVIERA WEDNESDAY.
The 1900 Census indicates that Timothy Daly was born in March 1866. His Naturalization Record from 1890 is the record closest to the event of his birth and indicates his birthdate as 21 February 1867. All documents other than the 1900 census are consistent with his birth being 21 February 1867. As such, I believe the 1900 Census is incorrect, and his birthdate of 21 February 1867 is correct.
Endnotes/Sources
[i] “United States Census, 1900,” accessed 23 November 2022, Timothy Darley, Biddeford city Ward 2, York, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 224, sheet 25A, family 424, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1972.); FHL microfilm 1,240,602.
[ii] “United States Census, 1910,” database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MR3L-CZP : accessed 23 November 2022), Timothy Daley, Biddeford Ward 2, York, Maine, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) ED 228, sheet 6B, family 91, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, 1982), roll 547; FHL microfilm 1,374,560.
[iii] “United States Census, 1920″, , FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF84-3D1 : Sat Mar 09 19:00:25 UTC 2024), Entry for Timothy Daly and Mary E Daly, 1920.
[iv] Find a Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/154681457/timothy-daly: accessed March 29, 2024), memorial page for Timothy Daly (1867–19 Jan 1923), Find a Grave Memorial ID 154681457, citing Saint Marys Cemetery, Biddeford, York County, Maine, USA; Maintained by Suki Davey (contributor 47883436).
[v] Maine, Cumberland County, Portland, Superior Court Naturalization Records – V 8, Petition No. 1-275 B, ca. 1890-1891. Film # 007351086 – Image 385, 386, & 387 of 825. Timothy Daly – Citizen – 4 Sep 1890.
Donna Darling at the Wild Opera House, Noblesville, IN, April 6-7, 1925.
Donna in the News 99 Years Ago by Don Taylor
“Donna in the News” is my reporting of newly found newspaper articles and advertisements regarding my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Montran and Donna Darling). I am always excited when I find a new venue for my grandmother’s exciting show business career of the 1910s and 1920s.
This week, from the Sheridan News (Noblesville, Ind.) dated April 3, 1925, I learned that Donna and her Bathing Girl Review played at the Wild Opera House on April 6th and 7th.
The Sheridan News (Noblesville, IN) Apr 3, 1925.
Wild Opera House
Wild Opera House Noblesville, Ind. Monday and Tuesday April 6th and 7th Personal Appearance from the Motion Picture Studios Donna Darling Bathing 12 People “GIRL REVUE” 12 People Featuring Donna Darling and her Life Guards Fast – Furious – Refined Singing, Dancing, and Music with Plenty of Comedy. This is one of the most Classy Girl Shows on the Road In connection with Screen production Thomas Meigham in “Coming Through” Prices 10¢ – 25¢ – 40¢
In the News” is my report of newly discovered newspaper articles and advertising regarding ancestors I am researching. The information found in newspapers ofte provides fresh insight to understanding an ancestor’s life.
This week’s news is from the Biddeford Saco Journal (Biddeford, ME), dated Feb 24, 1922.
MASTER WELCH CELEBRATES.
Little Friends Join In Observing the Day at Home of Grandparents.
Master Francis Welch, son of Mr. and Mrs. Welch of Shevenell’s court, celebrated his fourth birthday last night at the home of his grandparents, Mrs. and Mrs. Timothy Daley of Pool street. During the evening a handsome birthday cake was cut by Master Francis. The table was prettily decorated in pink and white. Dainty refreshments were served and Master Francis received many nice gifts.
I confirmed Francis Welch’s birth as Feb 1918.
I also learned that he and his parents lived at Shevenell’s court. That is across the street and down three houses or so from 30 Green Street where the Welch’s were living in the 1920 Census.
It also confirms that Timothy and Mary (Lyons) Daley/Daly lived on Pool Street in 1923 (The 1920 Census placed them at 73 Pool Street.)
Endnotes
Thank you Newspapers.Com for access to this clipping.
For Photo Friday, I examined two people and a house from the Linwood Dyer Collection. This collection includes hundreds of photos, documents, and genealogies of people who lived in Scarborough, South Portland, and Cape Elizabeth, Maine. I desire to analyze the images and reunite the photos with family members who may have never seen the picture. The Scarborough Historical Society holds the originals in this collection.
Elizabeth Hight Smith, 1896.
Elizabeth hight Smith, circa 1896.
The photo identifying information includes Elizabeth Hight Smith | Aunt Emaline Simpson’s daughter | 5 or 6 children. Photographer: Frees & Holland, 611 Washington St., Boston.
Why I believe this to be the individual.
This cabinet card was produced by Frees & Holland, 611 Washington St., Boston. A review of Boston City directories finds that the 1896 directory is the only year “Frees & Holland” is listed[i]. That dates the photo to 1896.
My search of Ancestry found Elizabeth Hight Smith in a photo in the 1900 yearbook for Smith College, Northampton, Massachusetts[ii]. I am confident it is the same person.
Family Search identified Elizabeth H. Smith, the daughter of Obediah Francis and Emily M. (Simpson) Smith, as profile 9M5F-8VQ. Elizabeth was born on 12 January 1877.
The 1900 US Census found Elizabeth living with her parents, Obed. & Emily, at 12 Northampton Road, Amherst, MA. Elizabeth is a student. Smith College is about 7 miles away from her home in Amherst.[iii]
Yearbook photo of Elizabeth hight Smith
Ancestry has one public tree that refers to Elizabeth H Smith, daughter of Obediah and Emily (Simpson) Smith.
The photographer is H. M. Smith, Portland, Maine. Handwritten on the back of the photo, it says, Lewis J Berryman | 14 months.
Lewis j Berryman, circa October 1901
Why I believe this to be the individual.
Family Search indicates that Lewis John Berryman was born on 2 August 1900 in Portland, Maine. His parents are James George and Annie Sarah (Libby) Berryman.
The 1900 Portland City Directory, Page 309, indicates only one person listed with the Berryman surname, James G. Berryman.
I am confident this photo is of Lewis John Berryman, taken in October 1901.
Ancestry has 14 public trees that refer to Lewis John Berryman, son of James George and Annie Sarah (Libby) Berryman. Family Search has profile LT6D-H2X for Lewis John Berryman (1900-1976).
I identified two individuals. Both have Family Search profiles, so I uploaded their images to their Family Search Memories.
I would love to hear your reaction if any of these photos are of your family member. Especially if this photo is of a loved one for whom you hadn’t seen this photograph before.
Due to software limitations, the images uploaded to Family Search and Flickr have higher quality than those linked here.
Endnotes
[i] Internet: Cabinet Card Photographers – Holland – https://cabinetcardphotographers.blogspot.com/2018/07/holland.html.
[ii] Ancestry – US School Yearbooks, 1900-2016, Massachusetts, Northampton, Smith College, 1900 (Image 32 of 140) Elizabeth Hight Smith.
[iii] 1900 US Federal Census, Massachusetts, Hampshire, Amherst, ED 615, Sheet 4B, Line 96, Elizabeth H Smith.
