Part 443: Thomas G. Moses and “The Gay Mr. Goldstein”
In 1902, Thomas G. Moses recorded working on a production called “The Gay Mr. Goldstein.” This was play, written by Thomas Ignatius Keogh of New York, had vaudeville acts interspersed throughout the production. Keogh also starred in the title role, was advertised as the “stock star” at Henry Greenwall’s American Theatre, N.Y. (17 Feb. 1902, page 2). Keogh later copyrighted the story on April 12, 1901. “The Courier-Journal” reported, “this comedy is not a burlesque on the Hebrew, but on the other hand, the characters drawn by the author are of a refined type” (16 April 1902, page 4). The show starred Thos. J. Keogh (1873-1925) and Mary Hampton as Mr. and Mrs. Goldstein.
The production was described as a “novelty farce, inasmuch as it depicts the refined Hebrew among refined surroundings, and not the illiterate type that has been so much used for stage characterization. The theme used by the author is based on the association of the Hebrew with the Christian, both of the higher social circles, and is a series of laughable complexes, situations and incidents that arise from the fact that the Hebrew is sporting proclivities though poor, marries for money, and if afterwards allowed by his rich wife only one dollar a week spending money. His contrivances and schemes to get more create the humor of the play, and keep the audience keyed to a continued pitch of merriment” (The Daily Times, Davenport, Iowa, 21 February 1902, page 9). “The Iowa City Press” advertised Greenwall’s production of “The Gay Mr. Goldstein” as “a refreshing and refined comic surprise” (17 Feb. 1902, page 2).
“The Iowa City Press” advertised, the entire production was “carried complete” with “high class vaudeville introduced” (17 Feb. 1902, page 2). Seven vaudeville acts were included with the production and billed as “seven splendid specialties” (Green Bay Press, 29 Jan 1902, page 7). “The Eau Claire Leader” provided a little more insight into the vaudeville acts appearing in the production, “While ‘The Gay Mr. Goldstein’ may be described as a legitimate and refined comedy, it nevertheless permits the introduction of a series of high grade specialties, all of which are presented by artist of the first rank.” (1 Feb. 1902, page 8). The company included a number of “fine specialty artists, whose ‘acts’ are introduced during the action of the play, adding no little merit to the performance as a whole” (The Cornell Daily Sun, Volume XXIV, Number 75, 21 December 1903, page 4).
Both of the leads in the show performed with a variety of first-class companies. Mary Hampton was a well-known actress who was popular with American playgoers for both her personal charm and artistic capabilities. She toured with Palmer’s Company, Frohman’s Company, and the Keogh Stock Company. Her first notable success was “Mad Money” at the Standard Theatre, later joining the Madison Square Theatre Company. In 1902, “The Gay Mr. Goldstein” was advertised a “The one big success of the new century, introducing America’s greatest leading lady, Mary Hampton, for five years principle star at Chas. Frohman’s Empire Theatre, N. Y. and the “Modern Method’ comedian” (Iowa City Press, 17 Feb. 1902, page 2).
Thomas J. Keogh was well-known as “a comedian of the first note- his early experience with the best stock companies qualified him for the more important position of ‘star’ that has since marked his career. After a long run with Mabelle Gillman in “The Mocking Bird,” Mr. Keogh was starred in “The Gay Mr. Goldstein.” In 1909 Keogh and his company were presenting a comedy sketch entitle “The Ward Healer”(The Oregon Daily Journal, 14 Feb 1909, Page 48).
“The Quad-City Times” reported, “The hit of the piece is made by Mr. Keogh in a pantomime representation of a woman dressing and preparing her toilet – an act lasting 10 minutes and keeping the audience, and particularly the ladies, in convulsions for that length of time” (23 Feb. 1902, page 4).
To be continued…
