Part 437: Thomas G. Moses and “Shadows of a Great City”
In 1902, Thomas G. Moses created scenery for Chas. Jefferson’s production of “Shadows of a Great City.” He wrote that the action necessitated the use of real water in a big tank, making the show “very melo-dramatic.”
Moses was talking about Charles Burke Jefferson (1851-1908), the first of four children born to Joseph Jefferson and named after his father’s half-brother, actor and comedian, Charles Burke. Although an actor in his own right, Chas. Jefferson primarily worked as a theatrical manager; first as father’s business manager and later as the manager of his own shows.
“Shadows of a Great City” was advertised as “a new domestic sensational drama,” or melo-drama. The show premiered at McVicker’s Theatre on July 14, 1884. At that time, Charles Jefferson and another brother managed the show as it toured the country (Detroit Free Press, 21 September 1884, page 6).
The play was written by Livingston Robert Shewell (1833-1904). The Perry Pilot reported the production was “written by the experienced actor Mr. L. R. Shewell at his country seat in Kent county, near Tolchester Beach. The merit of the work so impressed Mr. Joseph Jefferson that he entered into partnership with Mr. Shewell for its production (The Perry Pilot, 6 August 1884, page 6). C. B. Jefferson, L. R. Shewell, and T. Jefferson copyrighted the story in 1884. Here is the link to the story of the play and the proposed original cast and premiere: https://archive.org/details/shadowsofgreatci00shew
“Shadows of a Great City” was first brought to Chicago, before it toured other Western cities, “drawing large audiences “(The Baltimore Sun, 24 Oct. 1884, page 2). The original cast included Joe Jefferson, Frederic Paulding, Miss Belgarde and Mrs. Annie Yeamans (Chicago Tribune, 6 July 1884, page 6). By December of that year, advertisements promised the show to be, “Realistic and original. Magnificent scenery, startling mechanical results, superb stage settings and scenic effects” (The Critic, Washington, D.C. 5 Dec. 1884, page 3).
The play is set New York, opening in a pawnbroker’s shop on Catherine Street. The second act takes place on Blackwell Island, with the third and fourth acts on the Harlem River. The “big tank of real water” that Moses mentioned in his memoirs was used to represent the Harlem River setting. The setting for the fifth, and final, act is in the mansion of the city banker, Thos. Benson. The scenery was painted at McVickers while the show was rehearsed in New York, before everything was assembled in Chicago for the July 14, 1884 premiere (The Inter Ocean, 6 July 1884, page 13).
The 1902 revival was solely managed Charles Jefferson (Detroit Free Press, 29 July 1902, page 4). Interestingly, it starred Mrs. Annie Yeaman, again, as the principal comedienne for the revival. While researching the play, I came across a fascinating article about the various activities of the Jefferson family in 1902. It provides a wonderful context for that year, especially as Moses worked on of two Jefferson productions mentioned in the article– “Shadows of a Great City” and a brand new version of “Rip Van Winkle.”
The Chicago Tribune commented on the Jefferson Clan and Charles B. Jefferson’s production (26 Jul 1902, page 18). “If the Jefferson family would unite in a grand revival of “Rip Van Winkle” there would be no necessity of paying salaries outside the home circle. Being independent Americans, however, they prefer to make their money in their own way, and are already preparing to favor every section of the country where the name of Jefferson is known next season. Joseph Jefferson will present his usual repertoire during a brief season which may not last more than twelve weeks, and will in all probability be divided into fall and spring tours of six weeks each. While he presents “Rip Van Winkle,” “The Cricket on the Hearth,” and “The Rivals,” his sons, Thomas, Joseph, and William will each arrange to cover territory which their distinguished father will find it impossible to traverse. Thomas Jefferson’s tour in “Rip Van Winkle” is to be a distinct and separate venture. He will play in the far west, while his father appears in the east. The tour of Joseph and William Jefferson in “The Rivals” will not begin until the middle of November, after their father has closed his preliminary season. Young Joe Jefferson is to play Sir Lucius O’ Trigger, and William will play Bob Acreas, a part in which he has already won distinction. The Jefferson boys will manage themselves, as well as their father’s affairs. Charles B. Jefferson, the oldest son, not to be outdone by his younger brothers, is said to be figuring on a revival of the old melodrama “Shadows of a Great City” with Mrs. Annie Yeaman as the star.”
“Shadows of a Great City” was later translated into film by the English in 1913 and the American’s in 1915. The American version was filmed in New York City and released on April 5. The director was Herbert Blaché and the film starred Thomas Jefferson and Adelaide Thurston.
To be continued…
