Tales from a Scenic Artist and Scholar. Part 852 – George Damerel and Myrtle Vail, 1913

Copyright © 2019 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

In 1913, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “We did a hurry up job of ‘Girls’ – a burlesque show for Geo. Dameral [sic.].” Keep in mind that family burlesque was primarily parodies that followed a variety show format, like vaudeville. Burlesque included comically exaggerated imitations in a dramatic work.

In regard to the 1913 entry, it is likely that Moses was referring to Damerel’s production of “The Heart Breakers” when he wrote, “Girls.” Damerel toured with ‘The Heartbreakers” and “The Knight of the Air” that year. “The Heartbreakers” was a play was about the Heartbreakers Club, an organization of young men “formed for the purpose of lacerating the feelings of young women who [had] ruthlessly trifled with the affections of young men” (Nashville Banner, 7 Jan. 1913, page 5). The young men sought revenge after being jilted by kissing the young women who have wounded their hearts. In seeking one particular girl the leader of the club loses his heart. The musical was managed by M. H. Singer, and enjoyed a six-month run at the Princess Theatre in Chicago in 1913. This is likely when Damerel sought out assistance from Moses at Sosman & Landis. The burlesque show had already been on the road for five years prior to their stint in Chicago. The production was described by the “Nashville Banner” reporting, “”It is a question whether this play is a vehicle for good or bad influence on the stage, but it is a clever performance. Its doubtful air is offset by making a burlesque of what might be termed some risqué situations” (7 Jan. 1913, page 5).

In 1913, Damerel was also featured in the leading role for  “The Knight of the Air” (Star Tribune, 16 Nov. 1913, page 60). The operetta was written by Bela Jenbach and Leo Stein with music by Herman Dostal. The show satirized the current craze for “aeroplaning.” Damerel was quite a character and newspapers loved him.

In 1913, an interesting article appeared in the “Star Tribune” that provides a little insight into Damerel at this time (Minneapolis, Minnesota, 21 Nov. 1913, page 7):

“George Damerel has developed a dual personality. Oh, yes, he’s still matinee idol. The folks on the other side of the footlights won’t let him give up that side of his character. And he just couldn’t give it up even if he wanted to, which he doesn’t. He dances and sings and makes love as ‘Knight of the Air’ with much ginger as he did in ‘The Merry Widow.’ Because he’s just naturally a gingery person, his French ancestors are probably responsible for that. And he loves it. He declared so yesterday as he came dancing off the stage at the Orpheum at the close of the Vienese [sic.] operetta. And he’s going to keep right on dancing and singing and making love before the footlights until – to his own words – he’s too old. Imagine George Damerel too old! And right here’s where the new side of his character comes in. He is a businessman. He’s owner and manager of the tabloid opera he’s in this season and tremendously interested in the business side of it. He pays himself a salary and also gives his wife her pay envelope each week along with the other members of the company. And when all expenses are paid he pockets the profits, which is also interesting.

When he ceases to please – that is when he drops off the matinee idol side – he’s going in for the business end of the show business exclusively. The business side of the performance doesn’t occupy quite all of Mr. Damerel’s attention off the stage. For there’s little 5-year-old Donna Celeste Damerel who inherits a good deal of the vim of her lively father and demands a large chunk of his attention. Mr. Damerel says that if she wants to go on the stage when she’s older, he’ll raise no objection. ‘I’ll feel perfectly contented to have my daughter on the stage. The pitfalls and dangers are exaggerated. There’s no reason for objection. If one has talent, it’s smooth sailing. And my little girl has already shown that she has talent.”

In 1907 the Damerel married Myrtle Vail, mother of Donna. Vail was only 16 at the time and a vaudeville actress touring with Damerel in the “Heart Breakers.” In 1913, the “Coshocton Daily Times” included three separate articles on the popular vaudeville artist (11 March 1913, page 3).

One of the articles described Damerel’s dual roles as both actor and ball player:

“George Damerel who will be seen in the leading role in the ‘Heart Breakers’ the latest of musical comedies is under the management of Mort H. Singer, was a professional ball player before he took up the stage. He was a pitcher in the Great Northern League, having started with the Grand Forks team at the same tie that Deacon Phillipi was playing in the Fargo, North Dakota, club.

Damerel was finally drafted to the Minneapolis club, during the time that Perry Weedon was captain, and although he has been out of baseball for a number of years, yet he has never been released by Minneapolis. Each summer if he is not acting he takes about three weeks with the team and practices with them, as he thinks baseball is the best exercise in the world and that he is ready to put in another hard season of traveling. Mr. Damerel was asked why he gave up the profession of base ball and in reply said that he found out that he was not what you would call a wonder at the game and as he had a good voice, he had been advised to try the stage. Also another thing he found that actors were better paid than ball players unless they were top notchers. The young man is an ardent fan and can be seen at all times to back his judgment as for instance last season he cleaned up quite a tidy sum on the New York Nationals, winning the pennant and then came back and bet that the Red Sox would win the world’s series. This early spring he wagered that the Washington team would be in the first three at the end of the season and the way that they played ball shows that the young man must watch the game quite closely. Mr. Damerel is an all around athlete, being a fine swimmer and he has had the gloves on with all the fighters of any note.” 

On the same page, the “Coshocton Daily Times” included another article on Damerel, pictured with his wife Myrtle Vail (11 March 1913, page 3).  Under the heading “Footlight Flashes” the caption described, “George Damerel and Myrtle Vail Singing ‘Your Eyes, Your Smile and You’ in ‘The Heart Breakers.” This dance between Damerel and Vail in “The Heart Breakers” was said to have eclipsed his performance in the “The Merry Widow” waltz.  

Later in life, Damerel became best known as husband to Myrtle Vail. Vail achieved even greater fame as a vaudeville actress, film actress and writer. She was a well-known radio personality from 1932-1946, starring in the popular show “Myrt and Marge.” She created, wrote, and starred in the show, playing the role of the experienced chorus girl Myrt who takes the inexperienced chorus girl Marge under her wing. Vail’s actual daughter Donna paled the role of Marge. The radio serial was eventually transformed into a film, with the film’s plot centering on Myrt Spear’s touring vaudeville revue. Although Myrt’s show was full of talent, it lacked the necessary funding. In steps a lecherous producer who will help, but only if he can romance the young chorus girl Marge Minter. It doesn’t take much imagination to compare the tale with Vail’s own life as a chorus girl and early marriage to her husband in 1907 that subsequently resulted in their marriage and immediate birth of their daughter. Interestingly, Myrt, with the aide of Marge’s boyfriend step in to save the revue and the young chorus girl from the clutches of the producer. Other notable characters in the film were some comical stagehands, actors who were the famed Marx Brothers.

As an older actress, Vail became known for her roles in “A Bucket of Blood” (1959) and “Little Shop of Horrors” (1960), written by her grandson Charles B. Griffith.

To be continued…