Tales from a Scenic Artist and Scholar. Part 1045 – Katzenjammer Kids, 1920

Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

In 1920, Thomas G. Moses wrote, “The first of February we closed with Gatts for a $2,000.00 Katzenjammer Kids production.”

Moses had worked with Gatts on a few Katzenjammer Kids productions prior to 1920. In 1917, Moses wrote, “Closed a contract for two scenes with Gatts and Company, $825.00 for ‘Katzenjammer Kids.’  We hustled it out.” Later in 1917, Moses added, “Another order for Gatts and Company.”

This was actually Gazzolo, Gatts, and Clifford Inc., a production company that formed in the fall of 1916, filing corporation papers in Chicago, Illinois. The company copyrighted the Katzenjammer Kids by 1917 when the Katzenjammer show went on the road. By 1920 the Katzenjammer Kids, Hans and Fritz, were played by Henry and Pau Washer and noted as “miniature men of considerable ability” (Greenville News, 7 March 1920, page 6). Mrs. Ludwina Katzenjammer played the mother of “mama’s angel children” and William J. Hoyt portrayed the Captain. The scenery and costumeds were also highlighted in newspaper reviews.

The Katzenjammer Kids was a comic strip concerning two mischievous little German fellows, Hans and Fritz, first appearing in 1897. This comic strip was first turned into a stage play in 1903. In 1917, the Katzenjammer Kids was advertised as a “cartoon musical comedy” produced by Gazzolo, Gatts and Clifford. Hans, Fritz, Ma Katzenjammer, Der Professor, Der Captain and the other characters were featured in the production. Donald M. Bestor composed the music and Virgil M. Bennee choreographed the musical numbers. The play was staged in three acts, the first showing a hotel, the second a dock scene and the third the Hawaiian Islands. Of the 1917 production, “The Indianapolis Star” reported, “Particular care has been taken with the staging and costuming of the Katzenjammer Kids. The fashion plate chorus is gowned in various fetching evening gowns, all of which match harmoniously with the beautiful stage pictures and novel electrical effects” (15 March 1917, page 3).

Only the name was changed during the war years, when all things German were suspect. By 1920, the “Albany Democrat” commented, “How soon we forget. Already the name Katzenjammer Kids appears again. On account of prejudice, during the war, it was changed to the Shenanigan Kids” (6 Aug. 1920, page 4). On March 31, 1920, “The News and Observer” reported, “Hans and Fritz of cartoon fame and with whom every man, woman and child are acquainted either as ‘The Katzenjammer Kids,’ ‘The Katzies” or ‘The Shenanigan Kids,’ will present the latest edition of ‘The Katzenjammer Kids’ at the Academy  of Music this afternoon matinee and tonight. The offering is a delightful musical comedy with book and lyrics by John P, Mulgrew, and music by Donald H. Hester. Tunes of mellow deliciousness abound in this appealing comedy, and will rock with laughter at the mirth-provoking doings of ‘Hans and Fritz,’ the Captain and Mrs. Katzenjammer. Clean, healthful comedy, free from salacious and indecent, is a feature of the performance. A 99-year guarantee is handed out with every ticket that the performance will turn a sober, staid citizen into a twin cousin of St. Vitus or a Charley Chaplain” (Raleigh, North Carolina, page 7).

On August 30, 1920, the “Albany Democrat” reported, “The Katzenjammer Kids is a rapid-fire comedy of mirth and laughter. The beauty of feminine members of the company is enhanced by costumes and the latest designs. Twenty-three musical numbers are rendered during the action of the comedy High-class specialties and original novelties are agreeable features of the performance. It is the most enjoyable cartoon musical comedy of the season, and if you have a laugh left in your system, go and see ‘Hans and Fritz’ and their friends and be sure to take the kiddies for they know how to laugh” (page 4). By Nov. 15, 1920, “The Pantagraph,” announced, “Katzenjammer Kids is the most massively and magnificently mounted and costumed cartoon play ever produced. One of its features is the big fashion parade. The beauties of the chorus in the ensemble number are gowned in the latest feminine fashions that are up to the minutes, which will surely prove an interesting feature for the ladies” (Bloomington, Illinois, page 5). In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the “News-Journal,” noted, “The beautiful scenic pictures” of the Katzenjammer show (9 Dec. 1920, page 2).

To be continued…