Part 556: Julian Greer’s Return to the Studio in 1906
In 1906, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “Julian Greer, one of the old paint boys, now an actor, author and manager, visited us for the first time in many years.”
Julian Greer was born in London, England during 1870 and passed away in 1928 at the age of 58. He was a well-known actor, artist and war correspondent. Greer’s life appears to have been shadowed by a series of scandals. His first marriage was to the leading lady of Dillon’s Company, Ida F. Solee in 1891. At the time, Greer was associated with the Frohman company (Los Angeles Ties, 23 June 1891, page 3). In 1896, newspapers reported on his relationship Mrs. William Frederick Holcomb. Wife of an aged physician, she was served papers in a suit for absolute divorce, naming the co-respondent “Julian Greer, an artist” (Washington Republican, Washington, Kansas, 24 June 1896, page 7).
Greer and Mrs. Humphreys ran away to Europe together. However, by that fall, he was advertising in the London “Era” – “Wanted, juvenile Lady, to look Sixteen; Juvenile light comedian, two young Lady dancers, for minuet. Address, with photo and exact age and height, Julian Greer, 264, Vauxhall-bridge-road” (London, England, 10 Oct. 1896, page 25)
Less than a decade later, Greer was back in America and playing in the production, “The Tie That Binds” by Hal Reid. Advertisements promised, “unlike most melo-dramas, does not depend entirely upon its sensational effects, there being a beautiful story of heart interest running throughout the entire four acts. In addition to many other sterling qualities embodied in the play, Mr. Julian Greer has added a number of high class specialties and gotten together and exceptional strong company of players, making the attraction particularly enticing” (The Morning Call, 8, Feb. 1906, page 4).
Greer was also in the touring production of “Man’s Enemy.” The “Omaha Daily Bee” reported, “For three nights, starting Thursday, Mr. Julian Greer will offer ‘Man’s Enemy,” a big melodramatic production to the patrons of the Krug theater. The play deals with the evils of drink, but contains a very pretty heart story running throughout” (Omaha Daily Bee, 18 March 1906, page 27). The show was billed as “a combination of romantic comedy and tragedy.”
He was also planning another project, one that likely bought him to the Sosman & Landis studio looking for a scenic artist. The “Albuquerque Citizen” reported, “New York Productions for Casino -Summer Theatre to open May 15 with company of sixteen people in cast – on Way from New York now.”
Greer was visiting Albuquerque, New Mexico, to visit his brother, Col W. H. Greer, who was president of the Albuquerque Traction Company. Greer was considering the Traction Park Casino as a venue for his show. The newspaper commented that Greer was an actor and painter from New York City Greer (Albuquerque, New Mexico, 7 March 1906, page 5). The remainder of the article is quite interesting.
“Julian Greer is here for the purpose of getting the colonel to accompany him to Omaha, Neb. Where he expected to show his performance of the theatrical company that will open the Traction Park Casino on May 15. The company was organized in New York, of excellent talent, and is now working west, playing at the most important cities en route. The troupe is expected to reach Omaha by the time the colonel and Mr. Julian Greer reach that place by leaving here tonight, which will probably be on Saturday. In speaking of the company and the people who compose it, Mr. Julian Greer said: ‘Nestor Lennon, one of the best known actors of the American stage, and the man who succeeded Nat Goodwin successfully in ‘When We Were Twenty-one;’ Virginia Anderson, only 17, but a woman of charming personality, Maud Adams’ beauty and art, a coming star, is our leading lady. And she is certainly a wonderful young woman. There are many strong characters and specialty people among the sixteen persons, and I am not exaggerating when I say that it is one of the strongest troupes on the road. I am taking the colonel back to Omaha to witness the performance of the company.’”
“‘Oh yes,’ continued Mr. Julian Greer, ‘I expect to return with the company, and we will be here all summer. We hope to reach here in time to open by the middle of May. We carry our own scene painter, a very capable man. Who will furnish scenery for any production we may care to make. Our shows will include the best New York productions, with scenic effects.”
Mr. Julian Greer expressed himself as surprised and pleased with the elegance and adequacy of the Traction Park Casino. He said that it would be a compliment to a city of 100,000.”
However, there must have been a change in plans along the way. By April, his brother had turned the entire management of the Traction company over to W. M. Wortman, a manager of amusement parks in Pueblo, Colorado, and El Paso, Texas (Albuquerque Citizen, 7 April, 1906, page 5). That summer, the Casino was be billed as a combination house, playing a diversity of attractions. The Albuquerque Citizen, commented, “the house will probably open May 15, with a large stock company in a repertoire of modern plays, their run will be but a short time, after which they will give way to some other attraction. This plan will be followed out all summer, thus giving a variety of attractions that will relieve the monotony of a stock company for the entire season.” In the end, Wortman proposed to place El Paso, Albuquerque and Las Vegas on a summer vaudeville circuit (Albuquerque Citizen, 2 May 1906, page 8).
Interestingly, Traction Park Casino also hosted number of free attractions that summer, including balloon ascensions, parachute jumps, and a circle swing. Wortman was planning on working closely with Mr. Houston, manager of the local baseball team, assuring, “The base ball sport for the summer will not be neglected.”
To be continued…
