Part 597: Fred Thompson’s “Polly and the Circus”
In 1908, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “I started “Polly of the Circus” for Fred Thompson. When completed I went to Troy, New York, to put it on. Everything was good. “
There is an entertaining tale that tells of the play’s origin. I am including it in its entirety today, as it provides some historical context. Here is the article written by Matthew White, Jr. and published in “Munsey’s Magazine” (Munsey’s Magazine, Vil. 32, page 846).
“I tell you a play ought to please over here,” said an American whom I met in London. “That’s ‘Polly of the Circus.’”
Without committing myself in respect to this prophecy, I have no doubt that Londoners would like Mabel Taliaferro, whose personal charm, in its ability to reach out over the footlights, bids fair to rival even that of Maude Adams.
By the way, I have learned of a pretty little romance in connection with Miss Taliaferro and ‘Polly of the Circus.’ It seems that ‘Polly,’ like so many other recent successes was originally a one act play. When Margaret Mayo – it’s author, and wife of Edgar Selwyn, the actor – developed it into three acts, an actress who wished to star became interested in the thing, but her manager could not see it, as the phrase runs on the Rialto. This was some three or four years ago, and meanwhile the piece awaited production, passing through various vicissitudes in its manuscript stage, until finally Mrs. Taliaferro, Mabel’s mother, heard of it and thought it might suit her daughter, who was then playing with Henry Miller in “Pippa Passes.” So an arrangement was made that Miss Taliaferro should dine one night with the Selwyns and hear all about the play. Just before she arrived, Mr. Selwyn received a telephone message from his friend, Fred Thompson, founder of Luna Park and manager of “Brewster’s Millions.”
“I’m coming to dinner tonight, Edgar,” he said. “It’s alright, I hope?”
“Y-e-s,” answered Mr. Selwyn; “only we are having a young actress to see about one of my wife’s plays, and we shall have to talk that almost exclusively at the table. You won’t mind, will you?
“Oh, that’ll be alright,” replied Mr. Thompson.
In due course the self-invited guest arrived in his automobile, and he was presented to Miss Taliaferro as they sat down. As soon as he heard that the play under discussion had a circus in it, he became interested, for it must be remembered that Mr. Thompson built the New York Hippodrome and managed it for two seasons.
“What’s the name of the piece?” he inquired.
“Polly of the Circus,” he was told.
“Splendid!” exclaimed Mr. Thompson. “I’ll take it and star you as Polly, Miss Taliaferro.”
“But you have never seen me act,” protested the girl in astonishment.
“And you have never read the play,” added Mrs. Selwyn.
“Don’t have to do either,” insisted the manager. “I have seen you, Miss Taliaferro, and I know the play is about a circus. That is all I consider necessary. Now that that’s settled, let’s talk about something besides business for the rest of the evening,”
“But Mr. Miller may want the piece,” Mr. Selwyn ventured to interpose. “Miss Taliaferro is now playing under his management.”
“He hasn’t signed for the play, or said in so many words he would take it, has he?” Mr. Thompson inquired.
“No, but do you really –“
“I’ve said I want to produce it, and I will, if Miss Taliaferro will be Polly.”
Miss Taliaferro was delighted to accept, and after dinner retired to her corner with Mr. Thompson to discuss- well, as the manager had said he was tired of business, it was probably not circuses or acting. In any event, when it was time to leave, Mr. Thompson took her home in his car; and three days later the Selwyns were electrified to receive a telephone message to the effect:
“You people come around and celebrate to-night. Mabel and I have just been married!”
As all playgoers know, Mr. Thompson kept his promise. He produced “Polly of the Circus,” last winter, and it ran in New York for five months. Mabel Taliaferro’s younger sister, Edith, is to play Polly in the piece this autumn, while Mrs. Thompson prepares for her début in the new version of “Cinderella,” in which her husband is to star at Christmastime.”
To be continued…
