Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett
A small step unit was uncovered at the Tabor Opera House in Leadville, Colorado, while I was on site from September 21 to 27, 2020. It was clearly identified as part of the setting for Julius Cahn’s production of “David Harum.” A shipping label from the Globe Express Company noted the intended delivery from Leadville to “David Harum Co. c/o Tabor Grand Opera House, Denver, Colo.”
Why or when the “David Harum” step unit was first placed in the attic of the Tabor Opera House remains a mystery. Was it simple a touring piece left behind, never forwarded to the next venue? The piece likely dates from 1901-1905; my estimation based on newspaper advertisements, the shipping labels and actual construction of the piece. For over a century, this scenic orphan was hidden in a pile, disguised under a layer of dust, until this fall.
It is hard not to consider the history of the step unit. When it first toured, how many thousands of people witnessed a favorite stage personality pause on this very piece? How many stages provided the foundation for the step unit before it was abandoned in Leadville? Although many questions remain unanswered, “David Harum” was an extremely popular piece during the first half of the twentieth century. I knew nothing about this production until my visit to the Tabor Opera House this fall.
There is a famous line from the show that accompanied many 1905 advertisements for the production: “Do unto the other feller the way he’d do unto you. But do it first.” The line was delivered by Harum, a small-town banker from the 1890s. The simple character captivated western audiences, especially when the show toured the western states. Edward Noyes Wescott’s 1898 novel was dramatized for the stage by R & M. W Hitchcock in 1900. At the time theatre critics commented, “There were many misgivings as to the possibility of making a successful play from a story which was so thoroughly a character sketch” (Carbonate Chronicle, 24 June 1901).
The initial touring production starred William H. Crane. Crane continued in the role for a few years before being replaced by William H. Turner. “David Harum” first appeared in Leadville during 1900, then starring Crane. By 1901, Julius Cahn was linked with the touring production of “David Harum” and by 1904, Cahn’s “David Harum” featured William H. Turner at the Elk’s Opera House in Leadville. That February, the “Herald Democrat” reported, “Mr. Julius Cahn will present W. H. Turner in the dramatization of Westcott’s widely read book, “David Harum,” at the Elk’s opera house next Thursday evening. The play is now nearly three years old, and since its production it has been a phenomenal success. For sixteen weeks it ran in New York, for six weeks in Chicago, for two months in Boston where it proved to be a record beaked in point of attendance, and for six weeks in Philadelphia” (February 7, 1904).
The show returned to Leadville again the following year. On March 12, 1905, an article in the “Herald Democrat” stated, “Mr. Cahn personally superintended the getting up of the production, and paid much attention to its cast…its success has been extraordinary” (March 12, 1905).
On March 24, 1905, and advertisement in Leadville’s “Herald Democrat” announced:
Elk’s Opera House. Wednesday, March 29. Julius Cahn Presents DAVID HARUM.
The Play That Won’t Wear Out. The Epic of the “Hoss” trade. Quaintly Delightful. An Excellent Company.
WM. H. TURNER as David Harum. Mr. Cahn utilizes the same production here as see at the Garrick Theatre, New York. DAVID HARUM SAYS:
“Do unto the other feller the way he’d do unto you.
But do it first.”
Prices: 50, 75 and $1.00. Advance sale
opens Sunday, March 26, as West’s Cigar Store.
Another “Herald Democrat” article reported, “Nearly all of the familiar sayings, quaint philosophy, and amusing incidents of the story are in the play. One of the best things in the book and one of the best things in the play is the horse trade, which takes place in the opening act” (Feb. 19, 1905).
The first act setting was later described in detail: “The opening scene of the play is an exterior. On one side is Aunt Polly’s house with its trellis-covered veranda and old-fashioned garden. On the other is David’s bank, and in the background is the big barn. In this act Harum sells the bulky horse to Deacon Perkins – the horse that would “stand without hitchin’ ” (Herald Democrat, Leadville, 12 March 1905). David’s horses were kept in the barn.
The “Herald Democrat” noted, “The second act, which is laid in Harum’s bank shows the old chap as a businessman. The act contains the incident of the counterfeit five-dollar bills, the tussle with Bill Montaig, the village tough, and the securing of the mortgages on the Widow Cullom’s home” (Feb. 19, 1905). The setting included the counting room in the back office of the bank.
The third act was placed in Aunt Polly’s sitting room on Christmas. The action included the telling of Harum’s visit to the circus with Billy P. Cullom and the engagement of Mary Blake and John Lenox. After Christmas dinner the act ended with the comical uncorking of a champagne bottle.
Of the 1905 production in Leadville, the “Herald Democrat” reported, “The company, which is under the direction of Julius Cahn, contains a number of clever character actors, and unless the indications are very much astray they will be greeted by a crowded house for Mr. Cahn will utilize the identical production seen at the Garrick theatre, New York City” (Feb. 19, 1905)
On March 29, 1905, the “Herald Democratic” reported, “The presentation of “David Harum” which is to be made at the Elk’s Opera House Wednesday, March 29, should prove highly diverting…The success of the play has reached an extraordinary pitch, and, judging from the things said of the work, there is no reason why results should be otherwise. The play is clean, it is wholesome, its atmosphere is redolent of the country and its humor is of the healthy kind…In dramatizing “David Harum”, every effort was made to return all of those things which made the book so entertaining. The play is remarkable in one way, and that is, that it has been said again and again by competent critics to be an improvement upon the book. As a rule many dramatizations have failed to thoroughly catch the spirit of the novels from which they were taken. This is not the case, however, with “David Harum,” and it is the most satisfying comedy of its class now before the public. Wm. H. Turner has the role of “Harum” and his work has been praised highly.”
On March 28, 1905, the “Aspen Daily Times,” provided a little more information about the leading actor in the production, William Turner. The article reported, “On Tuesday evening Julius Cahn presents at the Wheeler Opera House “the play of book plays,” “David Harum.” Mr. William H. Turner will be seen as “David. Mr. Turner has been under Mr. Cahn’s management for the past twelve years, during which time he has appeared in many notable Metropolitan successes, scoring personal hits in many productions among which are remembered, Rufus in “Held by the Enemy,” Mr. Austine in “The Faint Card,” Mr. Watkins in “Sowing the Wind,” Black Michael in “The Prisoner of Zenda,” John Wotherby in “Because She Loved Him So,” and Dr. Pettypont in “The Girl from Maxims.”
The story of “David Harum” remained popular for the next fifty years, standing the test of time and translating to film. The first film adaption occurred in 1915, but Will Rogers later starred in the 1934 version.
By 1936, “David Harum” became a radio serial that lasted until 1951. “David Harum” even became the name of an ice cream sundae, consisting of vanilla ice cream, crushed strawberry, and crushed pineapple, whipped cream and a cherry.
Who knew that such a small scenic piece could tell such a large story.
To be continued…
