Part 450: Thomas G. Moses and “Old Sleuth”
In 1903 Thomas G. Moses wrote, “We started the New Year with more work than last year.” The “we” was Moses and his partner Will Hamilton, having founded the New York studio of Moses & Hamilton. They used the paint frames at both the American Theatre and the 125th Street Theatre. In addition to the seasonal work at the two theaters, they also accepted a variety of other projects, such as touring shows that traveled across the country.
Moses recorded that they took the show “Old Sleuth” to Elizabeth, N.J. for its final rehearsals. This was common for most of the shows that Moses worked on during this time. The majority of shows both rehearsed and opened in a smaller venues, where they could tweak any scenic or mechanical issues. After these trial runs, the productions went eiter on tour, or headed to Broadway.
The opening of “Old Sleuth” was rehearsed for three days whole days in Elizabeth, New Jersey. Moses wrote, “Everything worked fine – not a hitch.” However, on opening night the panorama in the tunnel scene fouled and stopped. Moses continued, “the driving rod fell off the locomotive and the Falls of Niagara refused to fall. Which caused a big laugh from the audience, and some profanity from the producers. After the show, I wanted to go back to New York, but the producers insisted on my remaining there. I had nothing to do with the actual working of the mechanical effects, but had to see that they were put in good working order, which I did in two days.” What a nightmare for Moses. It also speaks of the complicated aspect of many scenic elements for melodramas.
“Old Sleuth” was a five-act melodrama written by James Halleck Reid. After rehearsing the show in New Jersey, the show opened on October 27, 1902 at the Star Theatre in New York City, and toured across the country. “Old Sleuth” was both the creation and pseudonym of Harlan Page Halsey (1837-1898), a “dime novel detective” that appeared in the 1860s. The use of “Old Sleuth” was the equivalent to the 20th century use of “Dick Tracy.” During thr late-nineteenth century, it became quite common place to see multiple references in newspaper articles reporting various crimes being solved “Old Sleuth” equivalents.
In 1874, the story “Old Sleuth, the Detective” was adapted for the stage in Manhattan at the Bowery Theatre. The Lebanon Daily News described the great detective play, reporting, “Old Sleuth is a character so well known to all lovers of sensational fiction further comment is unnecessary. The ‘Old Sleuth’ series of sensational detective stories from the pen of Chas. Garvice have been carefully dramatized into five thrilling acts and ten big scenes abundant with startling climaxes and intensely dramatic situations. Mr. Hal Stephens will portray the title roles and introduce his many lighting changes. He will be ably supported by a carefully selected cast of players, together with special mammoth scenery and marvelous mechanic effects” (Lebanon, PA, 1 Oct. 1902, page 2). A vehicle for lighting innovation and scenic effects, the play was packed with action adventure, including the rescue of the heroine from a burning bridge and another rescue in front of a speeding train.
The Philadelphia Inquirer reviewed the play when it was scheduled for the National Theatre, advertising, “A dramatic production which in its actions mirrors the caprice of temperament, sunshine, cloud, showers, raging storm and scented zephyr and has the atmosphere mingled and tangled over and over with thrilling and intensely powerful situations comes to the National this week. The play is labeled ‘Old Sleuth,’ a name familiar to those living in glittering palaces as well as to those that call a little hut in the desert their homestead, and where is one on the long plain that stretches from the Empire State to the Golden Gate, that has not read or heard of the cleverest of all detectives, ‘Old Sleuth?’ But non ever enjoyed the treat of seeing his doings realistically portrayed on the stage until Hal Stephens, surrounded by a cast of unusual excellence, went on a starring tour to move the many admirers of ‘Old Sleuth’ closer to him. The theme is so cleverly worked that sobs are followed by hearty laughs. The acting is startling, the scenery sensational and the mechanical effects of an order that will excite and thrill” (16 Nov. 1902, page 33).
The playwright “Hal” Reid was born in 1863 in Cedarville, Ohio. Interestingly, I found a few newspaper articles that placed his birth in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Although he remained an actor throughout the duration of his career, he is primarily remembered as a writer of melodramas. Reid was responsible for writing at least thirty melodramas between 1895 and 1908 that opened on Broadway. He later went to Hollywood were he worked as a screenwriter, actor and director. Reid was eventually associated with the Reliance Company, directing all of their productions. “Moving Picture World” reported that he was only director at the time to have filmed the President of the United States and royalty of the British reigning family (page 414). His son Wallace was also an actor, but tragically died of a drug overdose in 1923, only three years after the death of his father.
To be continued…
