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Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

Philip Dodd and Earle Van Buren were the sons of Joseph Van Buren Ackerman (1848-1882) and Frances Talulah Dibble (1842-1916). Earle was two years younger than his older brother Philip, born on January 29, 1877, in Pensacola, Florida. Throughout the duration of his career, Ackerman was identified by a variety of names, including Earle Van Ackerman, Earle V.B. Ackerman, E. V. B. Ackerman and E. V. Ackerman and E. Van Ackerman. There is no indication of how, or why, the world of theater beckoned both Philip and Earle, luring each to New York. However, when they entered the scenic art profession opportunities were abundant and financial prospects high. Earle completed four years of high school before venturing north to New York.

The first mention that I have located of Earle’s scenic work was in 1897. That year, “E. Van Ackerman” was credited with painting a new drop curtain for B. F. Keith’s Union Square Theatre. The “New York Times” reported that Ackerman’s drop curtain depicted a “handsome interior with a view of a drawing room and distant conservatory” (Dec. 8, 1897, page 4). This was the same year that Earle married Rhoda Beatrice Snell in Brooklyn (1877-1953). His brother Philip also married his first wife Margaret in 1897.

Earle and Rhonda celebrated the birth of their son Robert on August 28, 1898 in Brooklyn, NY, the same year Philip and Margaret celebrated the birth of their daughter Emma. The two couples lived in Brooklyn, each man trying to succeed in the theatre business. The brothers sporadically worked together over the years, eventually forming Ackerman Bros. Scenic Studios by 1914. Unfortunately, the partnership never lasted long.

When they did work together, Earle functioned as a scenic artist and Philip as the supervising designer. It was Philip’s career that really took off by, with “P. Dodd Ackerman” appearing in one newspaper article after another. This may have prompted the two brothers to part ways; very little was published about the younger Ackerman’s scenic art and designs.

In 1909, however, the “Brooklyn Citizen” reported that E. Van Ackerman prepared twenty floats for the big Mardi Gras Carnival on Coney Island. Ackerman was working with Llewellyn J. Bruce on the project, and the carnival procession was estimated to be over a mile long, with 250 horses pulling floats and over ten thousand electric lights (Brooklyn Citizen, 25 Aug 1909, page 6). The 1910 US Federal Census listed Ackerman’s occupation as “artist” in “studio” as his industry.  He was living with his, wife, son and a boarder, John J. Redmond, who listed as a thirty-six yrs. old musician.

I wrote about Earle V.B. Ackerman in a past post while exploring the studio fire at Harley Merry’s old space in January 1912.  The incident had prompted me to track down a little information about Earle, the final renter of the studio space. His brother P. Dodd Ackerman had been on my radar for a while, but Earle was new to me. In 1911 Earle Ackerman partnered with J. Katser, also listed as Kapher and Kopher in newspaper articles. The two were renting Harley Merry’s old studio. Harley Merry was the scenic artist alias for British actor Ebenezer J. Britton. “The Brooklyn Citizen” reported “The Harley Merry Studios had been located on Franklin avenue for more than forty years. Harley Merry was an old-time actor and built scenery for Booth, Barrett and other well-known old-timers. Six months ago, Merry died and the business has since been carried on by E. Van Ackerman and J. Kopher” 9 Jan. 1912, page 12).

Here is a recap on the studio fire:

On January 9, 1912, the “Brooklyn Daily Eagle” reported, “The Harley Merry scenic studio in Franklin avenue, near Malbone street, in which the scenery for many of the greatest dramatic productions was painted, was destroyed by fire today. The entire contents of the building, including the completed scenery for one production and the partly finished scenery for another play, was lost.  The building loss is estimated at $3,000, while the loss of the contents will amount to $10,000.  The building and contents were uninsured. The fire was discovered at 10:30 o’clock by Michael Stabile of 27 Coffey street, who, with Frederick Snell of 8905 Fifth avenue, was in the building at the time. Stabile was in the cellar under the studio when he heard a noise which sounded like the drop of a heavy weight.  He ran up to the second floor, and as he opened the door leading to the stairway a cloud of smoke burst into his face.  He called for help and a policeman sent in an alarm.  Battalion Chief O’Hare, who was in charge of the fire engine companies to arrive, feared that the fire would spread to the adjoining building, which are all of frame construction, and to the Consumers Brewery across the street, and he sent in a second alarm.  Six engines and two truck companies were soon on the scene, but the fire was beyond control and their efforts were devoted to saving surrounding property. The roof fell an hour after the fire was discovered.  Ten foremen were in the building when the roof tottered and were warned by the call of Deputy Chief O’Hara.  All escaped before the roof collapsed. The flammable nature of the contents and the high wind are given as causes for the building’s rapid destruction. The building was originally used as a scenic studio by E. J. Britton, retired actor and scenic artist, who painted under the name of Harley Merry.  After his death last September, the building passed into the hands of his daughter Mrs. George Kennington.  It has recently been rented as a studio to E. Van Ackerman and J. Katser.”

In the fire, Ackerman and Katzer lost scenery for an upcoming production of “The Real Girl.” The article reported, “The [studio] contents included the completed scenery for the production of ‘The Real Girl,” a musical comedy which is to be produced on Broadway within a few weeks, and also the partly finished canvas for the farcical comedy, “Class,” which also has a Broadway booking…The loss of these two sets is estimated between $6,000 and $7,000.”  It was possible that this heavy loss without the safety net of insurance ended the Ackerman and Katser [Kapher/Kopher] partnership.

By 1913, Earle was working with his brother again, a likely result from financial devastation. They partnered to deliver scenery for “The Privateer” at the Star Theatre. Then Earle branched out again on his own, designing “Mlle. Modiste,” at the Globe Theatre. There was also a 1913 that advertisement that announced, “E. Van Ackerman, Scenic Studio, successor to P. Dodd Ackerman.”  This suggests a split, or the temporary departure of his brother. Yet his advertisement listed an address at 1576-1578-1580 Bushwick Avenue; his brother’s studio.

The 1913 advertisement also noted that the Earle’s studio was established in 1890. This date is extremely doubtful based on the ages of the brothers in 1890; they would have been 15 and 13 years old. In fact, in 1890, Earle V.B. Ackerman was working as an office boy for Kiser & Sparks while boarding at 242 Whitehall in Atlanta, Georgia. Keep in mind that attaching an earlier establishment date was not uncommon for scenic studios. Sosman & Landis and Volland Studio also added a few years to their establishment dates over the years, boosting the levels of their experience and longevity.

By 1914, “Ackerman Bros. Scenic Studio” is advertised in “Gus Hill’s Theatrical Directory.” The new firm is at the same location on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn.  The advertisement offers, “Scenery Painted and Constructed, Productions, and Motion Picture Theatre Settings.” Their partnership did not last long, and soon Earle was on his own again, partnering with other scenic artists to compete projects. On Oct. 19, 1916, “The Vermont Tribune” reported, “Two scenic artists from Brooklyn, N. Y., E. Van Buren Ackerman and Henry Schmidt, are boarding at W. D. Livingston’s.” (19 Oct. 1916, page 8). About this time, both Ackerman brother’s encountered marital problems, each separating from their wives. Earle never remarried.

Earle’s WWI draft registration card listed his physical appearance as similar to his older brother’s, fair hair, blue eyes, medium height and medium build. At the time, his occupation was noted as theatrical scenery and his employer H. Robert Law, at 502 W. 38^th in New York. Little is known of Ackerman’s life or career or personal life in the post-WWI years. Very seldom did his name appear in print; this was a marked departure from his older brother’s very public persona.

By the late 1920s Earle is working as a designer. In 1927 Earle designed the setting for “Tia Juana,” a melodrama at the Schubert Playhouse.  On November 5, 1927, the “Morning News” reported, “The Company is capable, the scenery elaborate, and there are no dull moments” (Wilmington, DE, page 13).  Ackerman’s design was built by the Vail Scenic Construction Company. Then he disappears again until the mid-1930s. By 1939, Earle only made headlines after a car collision. The “Courier-News” reported, “Car driven by Isador Gelbard, 43, of Davidson Ave., Franklin Township, was in collision with a car driven by Earle Van B. Ackerman, 57 Howard Ave. South Bound Brook, in Hamilton Ave. in front of the Brooks Theater Saturday afternoon. No one was hurt and no complaints have been made. Mrs. Isador Gelbard was in the car with her husband” (Bridgewater, CT, page 4).

In 1940, Earle was living in Franklin, New Jersey; lodging with another scenic artist and one-time studio owner, George W. Korb. Ackerman listed that he had been at the same residence since 1935, with his marital status still listed as divorced. The Korbs, however, became Ackerman’s new family and he would live with them for years.

In the end Earle outlived them all, his wife, son, brother ad both Korbs. Earle Ackerman passed away on April 29, 1970, in Phillipsburg, New Jersey. Ackerman shares a grave stone with George W. (1889-1957) and Theresa E. (1893-1947) Korb.

To be continued…

Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

Technical theatre history can pop up anywhere – even in a South Dakota Quonset building. In 2017 I stopped by the Heritage Hall Museum & Archives in Freeman, South Dakota. I was accompanying a colleague to see an advertisement curtain that needed some attention. While on site our Heritage Hall host mentioned a much older curtain stored in a nearby shed. Nothing could have prepared me for a series of Quonset huts, stuck in the middle of a field that hot fall day. After a brief struggle to find the correct key to open the massive doors, we wound our way past a series of antique cars and farming implements; this was off site storage for the Heritage Hall. At the far end of the Quonset was a tattered backdrop hanging from a warped batten. The influx of fresh air into the structure caused the old drop to rub against the corrugated metal. After all of these years, an old drop curtain had survived in this primitive building with a dirt floor and community of critters.

The opened doors at the far end provided just enough light for me to see the painted composition and a signature – Kaufman.

Heritage Hall Museum & Archive holds several fine art paintings by George J. Kaufman, as well as an advertisement curtain stored on site.

George Joseph Kaufman was a well-known artist in not only Freeman, South Dakota, but also neighboring towns. Kaufman was known for his fine art, murals, theatre scenery and excessive drinking. In regard to local Freeman projects, Kaufman was credited with scenery delivered to the Freeman Opera House (later the Freeman City Hall) and all of the scenery for the Freeman college auditorium. He also produced local murals for the Bethel Mennonite Church and the Salem Mennonite Church, as well as painting the picture in the dining hall room of the Shriver-Johnson Co. store in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. In fact Kaufman painted a variety of scenes in numerous South Dakota Towns, starting in the second decade of the twentieth century.

Unfortunately, Kaufman’s hometown primarily recalls his struggle with alcoholism. Notes by S. Roy Kaufman, based on conversations with extended family members, paint this artist as the town drunk. Online biographies for the artist report, “It was said that he sometimes wasn’t paid for a commission until he had finished it for fear that he would begin drinking and fail to finish the work.” Maybe it was the death of his first wife in childbirth, his failed career as a scenic artist in Hollywood, or the Great Depression that pushed him to find escape in a bottle. It doesn’t really matter in the end, especially as so much of the tale remains based on hearsay. Only a drop curtain, an advertisement curtain, one newspaper clipping, and a smattering of fine art pieces remain to show the artistic potential that this young South Dakota scenic artist had in the early twentieth century.

This drop curtain by Kaufman was likely completed prior to his move to California; before his dreams diminished and the Great Depression settled in to stay.

Kaufman was born on Sept. 28, 1889, in Childstown, Turner County, South Dakota. The son of Joseph Kaufmann (1850-1926) and Francis Graber (1852-1917). The 1900 US Census lists that young George was one of five children living at home; the kids were Peter (b. 1872), Mary (b. 1875), Henry (b. 1883), Lena (b. 1888) and George (b. 1889). Census reports provide one perspective, a small glimpse into Kaufman’s private life and painting career. In 1910, George was still living at home and attending school. As he was 20 years old at the time, this suggests some continued learning or trade. He first entered his father’s trade as a jeweler.

Kaufman’s 1918 WWI Draft registration card describes his appearance as brown hair, brown eyes, medium build and medium height. At the time, he was listed as married and a member of the Mennonite Church. He was listed as a self-employed “Jeweler and Opthalmic.” The 1920 census noted that George was back at home, this time a widower by age 31. Local histories suggest that his first wife died in childbirth. Unfortunately, there are quite a few George Kaufmans who were widowed between 1911 and 1919, too many to positively identify any particular one.

Kaufman soon remarried a local Freeman girl – Martha Lea Edelman (30 Nov. 1899-Sept. 1965). The couple celebrated the birth of their first son, Owen in 1922. At the time, Kaufman was working as a jeweler, but must have been doing quite a bit of painting on the side. In 1925 he left the jewelry business to pursue his passion of painting in California.

On Oct. 30, 1925, the “Argus-Leader” announced, “Freeman Artist Plans to Go to California” (Sioux Falls, SD, page 4). The article continued, “George J. Kaufman, who has become a well-known artist in many parts of the state has decided to go with his family to Hollywood to devote his entire time to the study of his favorite work. Mr. Kaufman has sold his entire stock of jewelry and also disposed of all his household goods. He is now planning to leave in a few days for California. Mr. Kaufman deserves much credit for the work done in the Freeman college auditorium. He painted the entire stage scenery and the school and community is justly proud of the appearance of the stage. Mr. Kaufman also painted the picture in the dining hall room of the Shriver-Johnson Co. store in Sioux Falls. He has also done work in many other towns of the state.”

The couple celebrated the birth of two more children after Owen; Betty Jean was born in 1926 and Virginia M. was born in 1928. Only Betty Jean was born in California, suggesting that the family had returned to Freeman by 1928 for the birth of Virginia Mae, or “Penny” as she later became known. By 1930, the US Census recorded that the small family was now living in Grandview, South Dakota. Kaufman was listed as a “painter” working in the painting industry.

I find it interesting that there are no records of Kaufman being called a scenic artist. This suggests a lack of adequate training that possibly led to his downfall in Hollywood. Based on his fine art and stage art, it is not of the same caliber as many other scenic artists at the time. Kaufman purportedly worked for a short time in Hollywood, painting sets before returning home to South Dakota. I have yet to confirm his work elsewhere.

George J. Kaufman passed away at the farm where he was born on 15 May 1958. He was only 68 years old. Kaufman is buried in Freeman Cemetery, a mile west of town.

Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

P. Dodd Ackerman’s wife from 1937 until his passing in 1963 was Helen. Helen’s maiden name was Helen M. Hamilton.  She married William Fling in 1918, becoming Helen M. Fling; her nickname was “Nell” at this time. In 1937, New Jersey married records list the union of P. Dodd Ackernman to Helen Fling. At the time of their wedding, the couple lived in New York, with Ackerman working as a well-known Broadway designer and running a scenic studio. The same year that they were married, Fling published a series of four marionette books under the name Helen Fling. It was at this time that the Ackerman’s life took an interesting turn when they moved south. This is a long post.

On April 21, 1939, the Fort Myers “News-Press” announced, “Mr. and Mrs. P. Dodd Ackerman of New York have arrived to spend a month in Fort Myers” (page 4). They soon moved to Florida, making Fort Myers their home. Their first Florida home was known as “River House,” being mentioned when the couple hosted Miss Elsie Knapp of New York, a well-known numerologist (News-Press, 16 Nov. 1940, page 3). Also called “Riverhouse,” it was the club-home of the Ackermans and a social gathering place for interesting characters (News-Press, 14 Jan, 1940, page 7). Guests over the years included well-known artists and marionette artists Tony Sarg of New York (News-Press, 28 Jan 1941, page 3) and Harry Archer, the well -known composer of music for musical shows, also of New York (News-Press, 7 Jan., 1942, page 3).

By 1940, the Ackerman’s were hosting the Fort Myers “Little Theater group” at River House (News-Press, 17 May 1940, page 4). Philip and Helen were two of the group’s founders and their home became the hub of activities (News-Press, 24 May, 1948, page 5)..A decade later, the Ackermans would still be integrally involved with the Fort Myer’s Little Theater’s, helping teach dramatic classes.  Still held at 8PM, the 1950 classes took place at the Ritz Theater in the Patio de Leon. There were both children and adult classes, with Mrs. Ackerman acting as chairman for registration and occasional instructor (News-Press, 12 June 1950, page 5). In 1946 the Little Theatre planned a new play at Thomas A. Edison college, “Claudia.” Mr. and Mrs. Ackerman were art of the committee that approved the production of the new play (News-Press, 4 Feb. 1946, page 1).

The 1940s ushered in a new age and new location for Ackerman, with the couple becoming increasingly involved in general community activities. By 1940, P. Dodd was 65 years old and Helen was 54 years old., each had made a name for themselves. It was a time in their lives when they both worked together as a semi-famous and semi-retired couple. In 1941, Mr. and Mrs. P. Dodd Ackerman were credited with fashioning an exhibit of soldiers and sailors out of fruit and vegetables (News-Press, 2 Feb 1941, page 3). They sought out a variety of new creative outlets, always making a splash in the papers.

In 1943, Mrs. Ackerman was the supervisor of the craft division at Edison Park School in Fort Myers. She was called a “handicraft artist,” supervising crafts and hobbies for boys ang girls in the area (News-Press, 1 June 1943, page 1). She was also in charge of the hobby bazaar, held in the storeroom on First Street, next door to the Western Union office. The event had a successful six-day run with 1000 people attending (News-Press, 15 Jul 1943, page 1). In 1943, Mr. and Mrs. P. Dodd Ackerman were contracted to renovate the Edison Park school stage with new equipment and scenery (News-Press, 10 March 1943, page 3). One foot in the professional world and one foot in a retirement community, they were extremely active.

There were also many other social and the humanitarian activities that the Ackermans participated in during this time. Mrs. Ackerman enrolled for nutrition classes at Florida Power and Light Sunshine kitchen, a skill that she would apply to her continued social work (News-Press, 29 Jan, 1944, page 5). In 1944, Mrs. Ackerman helped distribute clothing and bedding to the hurricane victims (News-Press, 9 Nov. 1944, page 2). This was likely the reason that the Ackermans also moved from River House” to the Bayside park development area in 1945, purchasing their new property on First Street in January 1945 (News-Press, 18 Jan 1945, page 1). They purchased one of six available homes in the new Bayside park development.  As with the previous “River House,” their new home on Bayside hosted a variety of social events. On Nov. 13, 1949, the “News-Press” announced, “Mr. and Mrs. P. Dodd Ackerman open new Mexican rancho-style home, “River House” (page 4).

In 1944, Philip, Jr., then age 23 yrs. old, was completing military training in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Philip Jr.  was the biological son from Ackerman’s previous wide Harriet. On May 30, 1944, the “News-Press” reported, “Second Lieutenant Philip D. Ackerman, jr., has been selected to attend the officers’ communication course of the field artillery school at this point. Lieutenant Ackerman is the son of Mr. and Mrs. P. Dodd Ackerman of 2226 Bayside parkway, Fort Myers (page 1). In 1946, the “News-Press” reported, First Lieutenant P. Dodd Ackerman, jr., arrived yesterday for a visit with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. Dodd Ackerman. Ackerman returned from Luzon in the Philippines and is now on terminal leave, after four years in the army. He will return to the University of Florida in Gainesville, Feb. 6, where he will graduate in June” (6 Dec. 1946, page 7). By 1949, the “News-Press” would announce, “Mr. Ackerman, who has received his BA and MS degrees at the University of Florida will receive his PHD at Columbia University next year” (3 June 1949, page 10). By 1953, the “News-Press” reported, “Capt. And Mrs. Philip D. Ackerman of New York City arrived by plane Sunday to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. P. Dodd Ackerman of Bayside Parkway. Capt. Ackerman is connected with Equitable Life Insurance Society. Mrs. Ackerman is doing research work with Cornell University Laboratories” (5 Nov. 1953, page 18).

The 1945 Florida State Census listed Philip Dodd Ackerman as an “architect,” with his level of education being “college art academy.” This is the first and only mention of Ackerman as an architect that I have encountered to date. The Ackerman’s were living at 2226 Bayside Rd in Ft. Meyers, Florida, with his wife Helen and “Theodore D. N. Ackerman.” No relation was listed for Theodore, but is occupation was U. S. Army. I have to wonder if the census worker got the name wrong, and it was really Philip jr., a distant relation, or a friend of Philips.

By the late 40s, Phillip Sr., Philip Jr. and Helen were living and working together. Around this time, Mrs. Ackerman became involved with the more feminine aspect of Fort Myer society; fashion shows, hair style shows and “charm school.”  A highlight at this time was the 1948 Edisonia Fashion show under the direction of Mr. and Mrs. P. Dodd Ackerman, who supervised and directed the event. Special lighting effects were provided by P. Dodd Ackerman, Jr.; this was the first mention that I have located about Philip Jr. being involved in any theatrical endeavors. An article in the “News-Press” about the event gave a little more information about Mrs. Helen Ackerman. It reported, “Mrs. Ackerman’s experience in theatrical work led to some of the pantomime sequences which were a real treat and quite different in a fashion show” (News-Press, 10 Feb 1948, page 3). She trained the models, both singly and in groups. This is also the first picture that I have been able to locate, showing Mrs. Ackerman working on the event.  Mr. Ackerman was also pictured in the same article.

In 1950, the Ackermans again partnered to direct an elaborate Hair Style Show at the Civic Center for the Hairdressers Association. It is hard not to think of behind the scenes clips form “Strictly Ballroom” here. They were accommodating a different type of clientele that sought increased theatricality for local and regional societies and events. In an article about the event, the “News-Press” reported, “Mr. and Mrs. P. Dodd Ackerman, well known theatrical producers directed the show” (8 May 1950, page 5). That same year, Mrs. Ackerman gave presentations on “The Art of Being Graceful and Charming” (9 Sept. 1950, page 5). She was the featured speaker at the meeting of the Beta Sigma Phi Sorority. “Charm school” became Mrs. Ackerman’s new passion, instructing young women in “courtesy, voice, personality, walking, standing, sitting, radio techniques and dancing – in short, in everything they would learn at smart finishing schools” (Miami Herald, 23 Jan. 1950, page 6). Girls between the ages of 16 and 22 were personally instructed by Mrs. Ackerman, now credited as a “former New York stage star and author of four books on marionette art that are the accepted texts in the field.” The most widely publicized accomplishment of Mrs. Ackerman’s school was a personal invitation from Arthur Godfrey for ten of her girls to appear for 10 minutes as guests on Godfrey’s morning radio show. The chance to be a “charm girl” became a local honor. They helped out the Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce in many different ways, such as serving tea.

By 1954, the Ackermans were still living in Fort Meyers, Florida, with the directory listing their residence at 1639 ½ 1^st Street. Unfortunately, there seemed to have been a falling out with the Little Theatre group and the entire Fort Myers community. A small dispute played out in the local newspaper. The editor published a lengthy response to Mr. Ackerman, asking at one point, “I would like to ask Mr. Ackerman upon what basis he can assume that ‘no thought whatsoever is given in the Fort Myers Little Theater’ to the matter of an institution not only of culture but one of considerable educational learning…as to whether or not Fort Myers is ‘ready to support and relish a Little Theater’; no community in this sense is ever ‘ready.’ You don’t get ready to soak up some culture simply by sitting around and waiting for it to happen. You do something about it. You lend your support in whatever group or organization is striving, in their blundering way perhaps, to serve up some culture, that is. You don’t suggest disbanding and dropping the only cultural straw to which we are clutching” (News-Press, 15 Nov. 1954, page 4). That may have been the final nudge for the couple to settle elsewhere,

In1955 the Ackermans left Fort Myers and headed north. On October 23, 1955, the “News-Press reported, “Mr. and Mrs. P. Dodd Ackerman will leave Wednesday for Hicksville, L.I., N.Y. to make their home. They will live at 25 Blacksmith Lane, near their son, and daughter-in-law. They have been residents for 18 years” (page 16). The Ackermans did not stay away long, as in 1956 the “New-Press” announced,” Mr. and Mrs. P. Dodd Ackerman, former residents, have returned from Hicksville, New York, where they spent the past two years. They are making their home at the Shadowlawn Apartments, Mr. Ackerman was a prominent stage designer on Broadway for many years and Mrs. Ackerman was an authority was an authority on puppets and puppet theaters. She is an author on several books of the subject” (6 Dec. 1956, page 15). By 1959, the Ackermans moved to their new home, back in Bayside Parkway at 2065. They stayed in the area and in 1960, hen living at 2053 Bayside Pkwy in Fort Myers, Florida.

Although they moved back to Florida, they never seemed to fit in again.  The Fort Myers community grew weary of the Ackermans’ self-promotion and constant comparisons with life in New York. The most telling was in a letter to the “New-Press” on Jan. 20, 1958. In a letter to the Editor, one Floridan wrote, “I think Mr. P. Dodd Ackerman needs to have his eyes examined if he can’t read the ‘walk and wait’ signs. I can read them across the street easily and I am an old lady. I think that they are just wonderful and give even an old person like myself plenty of time to cross. I sure hope they keep them. Why do people like Mr. Ackerman compare everything that happens down here with things up north? If it is so much better up there why don’t they stay there? We like to have visitors here but we sure do hate to have them compare everything, and unfavorably too, with some northern state and comparing Fort Myers with New York City makes me laugh. But maybe that is sort of a backhand compliment. I sure hope they keep the lights even if they are not as good as those in New York City” (page 4). Little else was published about the Ackermans after that. Philip Dodd Ackerman passed away at the age of 87 on Jan 9, 1963.  He is buried in Kings, NY.

Helen Ackerman, still residing at Bayside Parkway, passed away on August 25, 1979 in Lee, Florida.  She was 92 years old.

To be continued…

DIE VIERTE WAND #010 is now available. Many thanks to the editor Stefan Gräbener at Theatre Initiative Berlin (https://www.facebook.com/InitiativeTheaterMuseum) for all of his hard work to make this publication possible!

My article this year is “American Scenic Art: The Immigrant Contribution” (English, pages 88-97, and German, pages 172-177).  Scenic art in the United States began as a large melting pot of languages, traditions and techniques, with two dominant approaches emerging between 1850 and 1900.  For more, read the digital version online at https://archive.org/details/itheam_d4w-010_202009/mode/2up or https://issuu.com/itheam/docs/itheam_d4w-010 or download it as PDF http://www.initiative-theatermuseum.de/index.php/news-reader/items/die-vierte-wand-010-bilingual.html

The printed issue is also available for a nominal charge of €10 (plus €3 postage + packaging within Germany). Please consider ordering a copy, as all funds support the production of this wonderful publication http://www.initiative-theatermuseum.de/index.php/news-reader/items/die-vierte-wand-010-bilingual.html?fbclid=IwAR0E3SEAXgXpMOBcuIGaimdHJIF-4EoK7K_zVVDyVHfDtZzk2i0RNNJ95t4

Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

P. Dodd Ackerman married for a fourth and final time after Harriet Smith Ackerman’s passing in 1935.

His last wife’s maiden name was Helen M. Hamilton, but she was previously married, and her name was Helen Fling. Fling was an interesting woman, first working as a costumer in the theatre, and later specializing in marionettes and puppet theater; a marked departure from Ackerman’s previous wives and kindred spirit.

I initially had a difficult time tracking down either Helen M. Hamilton or Helen Fling down, until a small bit of information surfaced about her career in a 1956 newspaper article. That year the Fort Myers’ “News-Press” reported, “Mrs. Ackerman was an authority on puppets and puppet theaters. She is an author on several books of the subject” (6 Dec. 1956, page 15).”  That was the key that helped me track down Ackerman’s 1937 marriage license and Helen Fling’s marionette books.

Helen M. Hamilton was born on October 13, 1886 in Ohio. I have located little about her early life or when she entered the theatre.  That being said, I did locate a “Miss Helen M. Hamilton” in Zanesville, Ohio who matches the age and theatrical interest.  The dates all match up for this young woman who performed in class plays, was known for her soprano voice at musical concerts, and took a trip to visit her sister in California. There were other women known as Helen Hamilton in Zanesville too, muddying the research waters. And on top of everything else, there was also a younger Helen M. Hamilton from Dayton, Ohio; the niece of J. P. Morgan who married Arthur Woods and moved to New York in 1916 (Dayton, Ohio, 24 March 1916, page 13). Except for the age discrepancy, that would have tied up my tale in a neat little bow. Well, historical research is never that easy.

It was not until after Helen M. Hamilton married her first husband and became Helen Fling that I was able to positively identify Ackerman’s final wife in newspapers during the 1920s; at least she made headlines, making the search possible.

In 1937 Philip D. Ackerman married Helen (Hamilton) Fling in New Jersey. I knew little of a “Mr. Fling” until I came across mention of a “Helen Hamilton” in the Fling family tree, posted to ancestry.com. I was actually beginning to wonder if there really was a Mr. Fling, and if Hamilton hadn’t just adopted the “Mrs.” for some social and economic freedom. Here is what I have uncovered…Hamilton married William F. D. Fling (1884-1969) April 26, 1918, but little is known about her first husband, their relationship or later divorce. Everything lines up, except the first name of Nell. The Marriage license lists “Nell” M. Hamilton for the marriage that took place in Queens in 1918, New York. At that time, “Nell” was a nickname for Helen, Ellen, or Eleanor.

Keep in mind that women’s names were very fluid in historical records and their official birth name was not always provided; they were not always the one passing information along. I have noticed that women were often listed by what their husbands called them during a particular period; the husbands were the ones providing information to a census reporter, county official, judge, etc.

If William Fling and Helen “Nell” Hamilton were married in 1918, here is what I discovered about Mr. William F. D. Fling. He was born in Irvington, New York, Nov. 1884, the son of James Libby Fling (1854-1923) and Ella F. D. Drake (1856-1923). One of three sons born to the couple, his brothers were Arthur R. Fling (1892-1941) and Harry Comly Fling (1882-1969). William Fling moved to San Diego, California and passed away there.

In regard to Helen Fling’s work as an author, she wrote four books under the title “Marionette Hobby Craft.” These four volumes were combined into a single work and still available today.

Her four books include:  

“Treasure Chest of Marionette Hobby-Craft V I: Showing How You Can Make – Mould – Cast – Paint – Puppet and Marionette Heads”;

“Treasure Chest of Marionette Hobby – Craft V 2: Showing How to Make Marionette Hands-Feet-Legs-Arms and Bodies” ;

“Treasure Chest of Marionette Hobby – Craft V 3: Construction of Control, Stringing and Manipulation of Marionettes”; and

“Treasure Chest of Marionette Hobby-Craft V 4: Production – Stage craft, Direction and Preparation of Marionette Plays, Also One Complete Play.” 

Each volume was illustrated by Charles Forbell (1886-1946), a well-known illustrator at the time. Forbell made a name for himself with is comic strip “Naughty Pete that was published in the “New York Herald.” Here is a link to an artistic interpretation of his comic strip: http://painting167.blogspot.com/2009/09/naughty-pete-1913.html

Peter Maresca also includes Forbell in his “Origins of the Sunday Comics” and is well worth the peak, see (https://www.gocomics.com/origins-of-the-sunday-comics/2015/08/21). Forbell also did a number of illustrations for the original “Life” magazine.

Helen Fling’s marionette books were republished in 1973 by Dover; all four volumes combined and marketed under a new title, “Marionettes, How To Make Them Work.” Here is a link to the book: (https://www.bookdepository.com/Marionettes-Helen-Fling/9780486229096). The original publications were also copied and available at Kessinger as rare publications.

The beginning of each marionette book gives a little background about Fling, stating “Helen Fling, author of Marionette Hobby-Craft, is well known for her research, performances, writings and lectures about construction and display of marionettes. She served her apprenticeship under masters of the theatre and puppeteer field and under her magic touch of knowledge these quaint figures with their jointed bodies, grotesque expressions and incredibly human gestures become alive.”

By 1921, Fling was working as a costumer for the Garden Players in Brooklyn, New York. That year she was the costumer for “The Lancashire Lass,” a melodrama performed by the Garden Player of Forest Hills at the Community House (The Chat, Brooklyn, 5 March 1921, page 11). At the time, Fling was thirty-five years old. She was still working for the Garden Players in 1928, alongside Elton Clark, Bill Colton and Fred Kentner. The four were responsible for the show “Correcting History, The Lowdown on Napoleon Just Before He Went to Water Lou,” performed at the “Garden Varieties, ‘28” at the Forest Hills Theatre on Continental Avenue (The Chat, 28 April 1928, page 6). That same year, on May 12, 1928, “The Chat” announced the officers and committee members elected to the Garden Players that year (page 5). Fling and Patsy Renaud were the Garden Players membership committee.

In 1926, Fling traveled with Nancy Humpstone, Frida Scharman and Florence Tompkins. She was forty-years old at the time. They left July 1 to explore the western United States for about three weeks, visiting the Grand Canyon and various other points of interest. They then sailed from San Francisco to Honolulu, returning to Brooklyn by mid-September (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 16 May 1926, page 28).

At the age of fifty, Helen Fling assisted Miss Grace Wildern, supervisor of the Educational Puppetry Division of the WPA (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 17 June 1936, page 10). The Works Progress Administration (W.P.A.), later renamed the Works Projects Administration, included a story telling, dramatic and puppetry division in 1935. Founded on May 6, 1935, the WPA was an American New Deal Agency that sought to employ millions of job seekers to complete public works that included the construction of public buildings and roads. The initial appropriation was for 4.9 billion dollars, and between 1935 and 1943 8.5 million individuals were provided with employment, helping America recover during the Great Depression. We are still benefitting from their work today.

Of Helen’s education, all we know is from the 1945 US Federal Census. It listed her degree of education as “college, art academy,” the same as her husband’s at the time. I have yet to track down when or where she attended school for any artistic training. More on Helene and P. Dodd Ackerman’s live after they were wed in tomorrow.

To be continued…

Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

P. Dodd Ackerman’s name appeared in dozens of newspapers across the country in 1921. On March 27, 1921, Ackerman was featured in an article entitled “Modern Tendencies in Scenic Vesting of the Theater” (New York Tribune, 27 March 1921, page 48).  The article announced, “‘The day of the trick scenic investiture of plays is over. The futurist, the cubist and other reactionary painters of scenery have had their day, short-lived though it was, and are passing,’ said P. Dodd Ackerman, one of the leading American scenic artists.” The article continued:

“Mr. Ackerman has served a long and interesting apprenticeship in the creation of scenery for plays that have made theatrical history during the last twenty-five years. He was educated in the Georgia School of Technology and had art instruction at the Julian School of Beaux Arts in Paris and in the Huffe School in Munich. Returning to this country he was first associated with the old Lyceum Theater, when Daniel Frohman was its guiding genius. Afterward he was employed at the Empire Theater during the regime of Charles Frohman’s immortal stock company.

“Branching out for himself, he forged to the front and to-day his work is being represented on Broadway by no less than five attractions, among them being ‘The Broken Wing,’ now running at the Forty-eight Street Theater.

Mr. Ackerman as early as 1912 saw the coming of the modern decorative art into the theater of this country, an art that had been in vogue for some time in Germany, Austria, Russia, and to a degree in France and Italy. Feeling that the time would come when scenic painting and theater decorations would respond to the modernist movement and, in order to be fully prepared when this movement came, he went abroad to study.

“The new method, which is a simple one, arrives at an effect that formerly required great quantities of scenery, but which could be done in more artistic and effective way with a few set pieces, some drapes and some new lighting effects,” says Mr. Ackerman.

“In the early days of the theater scenery was given no consideration in the production of plays. The ancient Greeks depended for their background on nothing other than what nature provided. Whether or not the audiences were satisfied with what the author provided through the medium of actors, leaving the scenic environment to be created through suggestion, has not been settled even to this day.

“In the course of time a backdrop, or a curtain, usually of a somber hue, was employed to keep the minds and eyes of the audience from straying further than the limits of the stage before them. From time to time a more adventuresome playwright and produces added a bit of decorative effect, and thus we trace the evolution of stage settings.

“Then came a period when great artists like Raphael, Watteau, Boucher, Servandoni and Stanfield were eager to accept commissions to execute theatrical scenery. Even so great an artist as Alma-Tadema in recent times contributed canvases to the theater that delighted the eye and helped materially in the successful production of plays.

“The interest in scenery became apparent and the desire for absolute fidelity of detail was made a condition precedent to the acceptance of a play by the public. The reaction gave rise to the freak movement in scenic decoration. The aesthetic in art has its admirers where the canvas is small and the galleries are frequented by those who are thoroughly conversant with its aims and are in sympathy with its effects. But not so in the theater, where the audience is a mixed one, recruited from every social stratum.

“The scenic painter’s art is as exact as that of a composer of music. There is harmony of color that is as punctilious as that of music. The jarring note in music offends the ear, the jarring note of color insults the eye. With music the interpreter is secondary to the work of the composer. The scenic artist providing the scenery for a play presents a product that is but a minor detail to the work of the playwright as interpreted by the actor. The scenic artist’s work, however, must lend itself and blend into the effects created by light manipulation, and any scheme of color or form that is not a mirrored reflection of nature falls short of the purpose for which the scenic artist was employed and detracts in consequence from the value of the play to the audience.

“What is the modern tendency in the theater so far as scenery is concerned? To my mind it is toward the modified background. The moment scenery gets beyond a background it becomes scenery, no more, no less – just painted canvas, Yet scenery can be colorful without offending the eye or detracting from the actor in his work in delineating the character he is called upon to play or interpreting the intent of the author by the intonation he gives the lines he is asked to speak.

“As regards the carrying to the extreme the perfection of detail, why not elect the spectator to become a part of the performance by permitting him to use his reasoning process in completing the detail mentally through the germ of suggestion of detail without carrying it out to the extreme? That has been the trouble with our reactionary scenic artists. They have made scenery and color the principle feature of the entertainment, leaving the story of the playwright and the acting as the background. In Europe the suggestion of effect, which is to mind the modern trend, has been held by the great stage directors and dramatists over there as more highly satisfactory and far better than a mass production. This has been created through the use of false prosceniums or, as they are termed in Europe, portals. Through this medium attention is centralized on the artist and not on the scenery.

“Another Modern tendency in the theater has been to delegate to the scenic artist authority to decorate the stage with the essential drapes, rugs, furniture, objects of art and other properties demanded by the play. This will result in a higher degree of the artistic in productions, eliminating the chance of offending those who have good taste.

“Another trend of the times is to improve the lighting of stage productions. Our present methods have made little or no advance from what was obtained when gas was the illuminant in the theater. Our modern footlights, even though electricity is employed, are scarcely one pace forward from what was used in the theaters fifty years ago. It may shock you to known that there is not a perfect theater in America to-day – that is, a theater that gives to such lighting the perfection it derives – and this is because the inadequate and antique appliances to be found therein. The only theaters in New York that in a way approach a proper equipment for lighting are the Booth, Century, New Amsterdam and Metropolitan Opera House. However, the new Sheridan Theater, which is soon to open, will be the first theater in New York where it will be possible to get any light effect desired. The system to be employed is obtained through a switchboard, where the light effects are all arranged beforehand and by merely touching a push button they automatically change as desired and thus colors will melt into each other, creating effects that heretofore have only been seen on the Continent of Europe.”

To be continued…

Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

In the midst of both global and personal strife, P. Dodd Ackerman explored a new stage aesthetic at home and abroad.  Newspapers would later report, “Mr. Ackerman, as early as 1912, saw the coming of the modern decorative art into the theater of this country, an art that had been in vogue for some time in Germany, Austria, Russia, and to a degree in France and Italy. Feeling that the time would come when scenic painting and theater decorations would respond to the modernist movement and, in order to be fully prepared when this movement came, he went abroad to study” (New York Tribune, 27 March 1921, page 48). 

By 1920 Ackerman remarried and was on a different trajectory with new wife and young son in tow; he was becoming part of a theatre movement.

On May 1, 1921, the “New York Tribune” included an article about color theory for the stage, interviewing P. Dodd Ackerman (page 4).

“Colors Vibrate Same as Music, Designer Says” was the heading for the article.

Here is the article in its entirety:

“P. Dodd Ackerman Explains How Scenic Art is an Accessory to the Drama.

“There have been more radical changes in scenic painting for the stage in the last three years than in fifty years previous,” says P. Dodd Ackerman, who painted and designed scenery for “The Broken Wing,” now running at the Forty-eighth Street Theater.

“Where in the past color was thrown indiscriminantly on canvas and shadow lights were employed to give the outline of figure, all of which seemed to produced the illusion of naturalness, this situation no longer holds. Psychology, that science of mind which but a few years ago was understood by only the elect but to-day is understood by millions, has exerted an influence on the painting of scenery for theatrical use. It has brought about a realization that color affects human beings and synchronizes with human emotions if properly applied, and by this same token can create a disturbing element that makes for discord.

“Colors vibrate the same as music tones. The effect of color on the emotions of an audience is a subject that has long been a problem for serious study by the producer of plays, the costumer and the scenic artist. Why red should be the color to indicate danger or green safety no one knows, but still the fact remains that such is the case. Whether red, with its suggestion of fire, or green, of verdant fields, has anything to do with this still remains a matter of speculation. The emotional vibration sent out by red of the prismic ray is known to scientists to be the most powerful and excitiative, while the blue and violet are the most sedative. Lumière, the greatest of all authorities on color influence, after a series of tests covering many years, described the effects of color as the engine that propelled the various phases of human emotion to a perfect consummation of desired results.

“With the stage production reaching its present state of artistic perfection, the scenic artist can no longer paint his scenery merely to represent the outward appearance of the requirements in the manuscript. He must read the manuscript as carefully as the producer, who determines on his reading whether he is willing to make a presentation of it. The artist must make a serious and analytical study of the script and determine the predominating emotion of each act and choose his color scheme for the scenery in order to attain a perfect synchronization of color and emotion. By this means alone can a happy blending of scenery and dialogue, together with the acting of the company, produce the effect hoped for by the author and the manager to obtain complete success for their efforts.

“Speaking in an elementary way, for the purpose of providing simple experiments of color influence, the reader can easily determine the effect of amber in creating depression. By the use of pink exhilaration is promoted. A room done entirely in green simulates morbidity, while on the other hand blue is soothing. It has been discovered that the deeper and darker the tones of blue used as a decorative color scheme the more soothing and peaceful and cam is the influence on human emotion. Brown is a non-emotional color. It creates a sense of firmness and solidity. These suggestions can be utilized to as good advantage in home decoration as they have been in stage scenery. A sombre setting, with a flash of color, upsets synchronization of emotion, with the color scheme of a setting, just as awkward words clash in a musical score with notes intended to be complementary thereto.

“Lighting is so closely allied with stage settings that if there is not a unity of purpose between the two the audience gets the discord, which in this instance is unpleasing to the eye. In consequence thereof the play fails to satisfy and good acting is curtailed of effect.”

To be continued…

Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

P. Dodd Ackerman married his first wife Margaret 1897. He listed May Ackerman as his second wife in 1918. Two years later, the wife that Ackerman listed for the 1920 census was Harriet Mary Smith (1890-1936). It is possible that Miss May Smith was Miss Harriet “Hattie” Mary Smith, but there is a discrepancy in age between the two. May Smith was a school mate of Ackerman’s daughter Emma. Emma was born in 1898. Miss Harriet Smith was born in1890; hardly the “child” that the newspapers during the 1916 scandal. In 1916, Harriet Smith would have been twenty-six years old. Interestingly, both Miss May Smith and Miss Harriet Smith worked as stenographers, but there was still the eight-year age gap between the two. In 1916, May Smith was either seventeen or eighteen years old, with P. Dodd Ackerman aged forty-one.

Harriet Mary Smith was one of two children born to Albion W. (1861-1924) and Anna M Smith (1861-1936).  She went by “Hattie” most of her life. The 1910 census listed that the Smiths had been married for 23 years, and their two adult children still living at home. Hattie was 20 yrs. old and her brother Arthur H. was 21 yrs. old.

In 1915, at the age of 25, the New York State census listed Hattie’s occupation as a stenographer, still living with her parents. She was not going by any name other than Harriet or Hattie at the time.

By 1920, Harriet was listed in the US Federal census as 30 years old; Philip was 43. As many women at the time, she ceased working after getting married. Ackerman was the sole breadwinner with “stage designer” listed as his profession in the theatre industry.

They couple celebrated the birth of a son, Philip Dodd Ackerman, Jr. in October 23, 1921. Philip Jr. passed away only two years ago in 2018. The same year that he was born, the elder Ackerman contributed to an interesting exhibit hosted by the N.Y. Drama League.  “Brooklyn Life” reported, “An interesting exhibit of stage scene models has been arranged by the New York Drama League to be held from Dec. 5^th to December 10^th at the League headquarters, 29 West 47^th Street. Among the contributors are: Robert Edmond Jones, Norman Geddes, Boris Anisfeldt, Joseph A. Physioc, Sheldon K. Viele, Willy Pogany, Claude Bragdon, John Wenger, Dorothy McDonald, Warren Dahler, Carmine Vitolo, W. Herbert Adams, Lee Lash, P. Dodd Ackerman, Edward H. Ascherman, Novelty Scenic Studio, and others” ( 3 Dec 1921, page 16). By this time newspaper article identified Ackerman as the “famous scenic artist, “that famous master of scenic art,” “master scenic artist” and “scenic genius”. The “Standard Union” added, “The novel ideas as to the lighting, stage setting, etc., which are being used on the stage to-day calls out much originality and individual work and should make the collection by these well-known designers of marked interest” (4 Dec. 1921, page 35).

This was a turning point for Ackerman. In 1920 On Feb. 29, 1920, Ackerman announced, “Work of the Scenic Artist Has Advanced Materially” (New York Tribune, 29 Feb 1920, page 34).  In an interview Ackerman was quoted, “Theatrical managers are now accepting designs from men who do not make the scenery…Ackerman does not believe in this and has come to be one of the pioneers in coming out against the practice. He believes that the man who is the artist, who is practical, who understands stagecraft and has education can do the type of work now required in the theater, although he has been a member of the old school of stage design.” The following year Ackerman was quoted as saying, “The day of the trick scenic investiture of plays is over. The futurist, the cubist and other reactionary painters of scenery have had their day, short-lived though it was, and are passing” (New York Tribune, 27 March 1921, page 48).

He was hanging with a new crowd; no longer part of the Thomas G. Moses and Lemuel L. Graham crowd. During the 1920s, the Ackermans were often in the company of stage stars and Senators. The attended many social gatherings, including the housewarming party for Mr. and Mrs. Alf T. Wilton, the well-known vaudeville representative (The Standard Union, 7 June 1925, page 7).

By 1923, Ackerman was also among an interesting group of studio owners who joined the Scenic Artist’s Union. On July 14, 1923, the “St. Louis Star and Times” reported, “Joseph Urban. Robert Law, P. Dodd Ackerman, Joseph Wickes, Joseph Physioc, Frank Gates, Walter Harvey, Evna Ackerman, Walter Street, William Castle and Edward Morange are among the scenic studio owners recently joining the Scenic Artists’ Union. Robert Edmund Jones, Lee Simonson, Livingston Platt, Norman Bell-Geddes, Cleo Throckmorton and Watson Barratt will join. The action follows the failure of the International Theatrical Association to back up studio owners” (page 4)

By the 1925 NY State Census, Harriet was now listed as “Mary” S. Ackerman, suggesting that Harriet also went by her middle name, with the “S” signifying her maiden name of Smith. Most often, however, Harriet went by “Mrs. P. Dodd Ackerman.”

The 1930 US Census listed the couple living at 20 Circle Drive in North Hempstead, New York, with Harriet’s mother, Anna Smith” and their nine-years-old son Philip Jr.

Harriet passed away on Aug. 1, 1935, at the age of 45. I have been unable to uncover any information about the cause or circumstances.  What makes this confusing is that another Harriet Ackerman, born in 1893, who died in 1936 was buried on Nov. 13, 1936 in Green-Wood cemetery

To be continued…

Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

In 1908 P. Dodd Ackerman delivered scenery for the musical farce “Too Many Wives.”  The show featured Joe Morris and his company, with Ackerman designing and painting the settings at his Bushwick Avenue studio in Brooklyn. The play was later turned into a movie by 1937. I chuckled when I read the title of the show, as it foreshadowed the next decade for Ackerman. Ackerman’s scenic success was not necessarily reflective of his marital status; he would list three different wives by 1920. Ackerman seemed to always be in the right place at the right time for scenic work; just not with women.

On July 16, 1897, P. Dodd Ackerman married Marguerite “Margaret” Meyer in Manhattan, New York. The couple celebrated the birth of one daughter in 1899, Emma “Emmie” Bella Ackerman. At the time, the small family was living in Brooklyn, New York. However, the marriage was not meant to last. Although, the couple was still listed as living together in 1915, their marriage was on the rocks. In 1915 their daughter also graduated and began a life of her own. I have to wonder if the first Mrs. Ackerman lived the “if I can just hold on until my daughter graduates” mindset.

In 1916 Margaret M. Ackerman filed for a legal separation, asking for a $100 per week alimony. In the legal suit, Mrs. Ackerman submitted letters between her husband and daughter’s young friend May Smith. At the time, Philip Dodd Ackerman was 41 years old. Mrs. Ackerman filed proof of correspondence between his husband and Miss May/Mae Smith. Some newspapers announced, “Mrs. Philip Dodd Ackerman Charges Husband is overly friendly with Mae Smith, submits letters to girl” (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 16 March 1916, page 2). The “Brooklyn Daily Eagle” article elaborated, “Mrs. Ackerman’s complaint is that her husband is over-friendly with a girl named Mae Smith, who is so young that she was introduced into the family originally as a companion to Miss Emmie Bell Ackerman, who is still in school. Ackerman and Miss Smith, the wife charges, live in the same house in Rockville Centre, L. I., and that Ackerman has made efforts to adopt her as his daughter. Ackerman, according to the charge, pays Miss Smith’s expenses. Ackerman and Miss Smith both deny the wife’s intimations, and Miss Smith says she is a stenographer, thoroughly capable of earning her own living and does not need Ackerman’s support, nor does she get it. The wife introduced in her affidavit for alimony some letters which she said her husband wrote to Miss Smith and which indicate a friendship which Ackerman was unable to break off, because of his fondness for the girl.” How horrifying for all, especially when your personal life makes headlines.

“The Standard Union” reported “Ackerman denies flatly any familiarity with May Smith. Who, he says, was brought into his home at Rockville Centre by his wife. The couple were married in 1897 and have one child, Emmie Bell Ackerman. The girl attended Packer Collegiate Institute up to the early part of the year, but Ackerman refused to pay her tuition longer, because, he said, her mother was continually keeping her home. Ackerman’s scenic studio is at 1576-80 Bushwick avenues, and he does work for the Schuberts. The couple lived at 499 Washington avenue, Brooklyn, also” (March 16, 1916, page 5).

The “Buffalo Times” published some of the letters allegedly written by Ackerman to Smith (24 March 1916, page 2). One, dated May 21^st, 1915, read, “My Dear Little Girl: I hate to recall the sad-eyed look you gave me last night when we parted – I hope and pray only temporarily – but I want you to feel just as I told you, dear. I do not want to place you in a position wherein your mother is not aggregable to you; and yet, dear, I cannot give you up. I cannot do this. I love you so dearly. Forgive me writing you, dear. I cannot resist it. And possibly you want to forget me too, and yet I will do these things to you to ever remind you of me. Some sad, old day today. I am glad I have many things to think of, and I am sorry you have not too many things to do that would relieve your mind. With all the love in the world to you dear. Your sweetheart, PHILIP.”

In the same article Mrs. Ackerman asserted her that husband also wrote, “My Dear May: You little rascal. Here I have been in the studio all day and you did not call me up. Did you forget me, dear? It is nearly 6 and I am pounding away at a sketch. I would love to be with you, dear, but if I stick at this and finish it can be longer with you tomorrow.” Mrs. Ackerman further accused her husband of lavishing Miss Smith with vanity purses, hats and plumes. She also reported that Mrs. Ackerman believed her husband had introduced Miss Smith as his secretary, his cousin, his niece and even once as Mrs. Ackerman. She also added that he “got his mother to take out adoption papers for Miss Smith, so that the girl may pass as his daughter.” What a tale to tell the newspapers; it certainly brought the entire family into the public eye.  In response to his wife’s accusations, Ackerman denied his wife’s charges and said that Miss Smith visited their home as Mrs. Ackerman’s friend. The newspaper article reported, “He admitted calling Miss Smith ‘my dear’ facetiously and only in his wife’s presence.”

Although Ackerman denied familiarity with the girl, two years later he listed Mrs. May Ackerman as his wife on his WWI draft registration card. The couple was residing at 140 West 39^th St. At the time, his occupation was listed as a theatrical scenery manufacturer, running P. Dodd Ackerman Studios Inc., also at 140 West 39^th, NY, NY. Ackerman’s physical appearance was described as medium height and medium build with light blue eyes and blond hair.

This had to have been an extremely awkward time for the Ackermans. As drama encircled the couple, their daughter was forging ahead in life, finding love and a marriage all her own.

In the midst of scandal, their daughter married Howard Turner in 1917.  She is listed as Emma B., Emmie, Emily and Bell. in various historical records. Her wedding announcement in “Brooklyn Life” announced, “Miss Bell Ackerman’s marriage to Mr. Howard Turner has just been announced. The wedding took place in Jersey City on the thirteenth of last month. The bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Dodd Ackerman, formerly of Rockville Centre, and a Packer girl of the class of 1915. Mr. and Mrs. Turner will reside at 275 Ocean Avenue” (Brooklyn Life, Oct. 17, 1917, Vol. LVI, No. 1441, page 15). She later remarried and was listed as Mrs. Fred Barrett at the time of her father’s passing.

To be continued…

Copyright © 2020 by Wendy Waszut-Barrett

Philip Dodd Ackerman (1875-1963) was an actor, scenic artist, designer and producer. He became an extremely well-known and well-respected Broadway designer, and has numerous entries in the Broadway Database (https://www.ibdb.com/). Ackerman is credited with ninety-one productions from 1897-1939, but this is just a small percentage of his work throughout the duration of his career.

In 1929, the “Daily News” announced, “P. Dodd Ackerman who has created the settings for 800 productions intends to become a full-fledged producer. He is reported to have been the nameless angel of more than one show, but now he comes out in the open and announces that he will stage “Montana Fury” by David Davidson, jr. It is all about an idiot hill-billy, and the role will fall to Barry McCollum. Ackerman’s 800 scenic production is A. H. Wood’s German play, ‘Hokus Pokus.’ His first play was Harrison Gray Fisk’s “The Privateer” (NY, 28 Jul 1929 page 162).

Philip Ackerman is quite an interesting character, and possibly one of the more fascinating personalities that I have encountered to date. The 1880 US Federal census listed the Ackerman family living in Mobile, Alabama. At the time, Joseph Ackerman (b. 1848) was a salesman. His wife Frances and two young sons, Philip and Earle, were living with him. Joseph came from a relatively large family, one of eight children born to Joseph Chandler Ackerman (1812-1867) and Sophia Belinda Vanburen (1821-1892). Joseph Ackerman was born in Mobile, Alabama, in 1848. At the age of twenty-six, he married Frances T. Dibble in 1874. Philip was born in Atlanta, Georgia, on June 16, 1875, Phillip was the son of Joseph Van Buren Ackerman (1848-1882) and Frances T. Dibble (1842-1916). Two years later, his brother Earle Van Buren Ackerman arrived was born in Pensacola, Florida, on July 29, 1877. E A. Akerman (1877-1970) also became a scenic artist. There is no indication of how, or why, the world of theater beckoned both sons, luring each to New York. However, when they entered the scenic art profession opportunities were abundant and financial prospects high.

Ackerman became a scenic artist when he was about twenty years old. Typically, scenic artists began their careers at the ages of sixteen or seventeen. Later advertisements suggested that his studio was founded in 1890, but the 1892 New York Census listed Ackerman’s trade as a “gilder”; he was seventeen at the time  It is possible that he took an interest in painting and art in 1890, but wouldn’t enter the theatre for another five or six years. Ackerman repeatedly cited that his first stage show was “The Privateer” Harrison Gray Fiske. Lew Morrison purchased Fiske’s melodrama in 1895 with the intent to produce it the following season (The Richmond Item, 18 Feb 1895, page 3). By 1897, Fiske took Morrison and Abram to court for violation of their contract with “The Privateer,” citing that they failed to provide “adequate scenery and a competent company” (Democrat and Chronicle, Rochester, NY, 22 Aug. 1897, page 15). Fiske asked for a temporary injunction for Morrison and Abram to have the opportunity to live up to their contract. Therefore, Ackerman either delivered scenery for the failed attempt in 1896 or the revised production in 1897.

Regardless, 1897 was a turning point for Ackerman. He married Marguerite “Margaret” Meyer in Manhattan, New York on July 16, 1897.  At twenty-two years old he was rapidly making a name for himself, and soon became associated with the Empire and Novelty Theatres. The couple celebrated the birth of one daughter by 1899, Emma Bella Ackerman. At the time, the small family was living in Brooklyn, New York.

In 1898 Ackerman painted special scenery for the James-Kidder-Warde Company’s productions of “The School for Scandal.” When the three-star combination toured Lexington, “The Morning Herald” reported, “Special scenery from the brush of Mr. P. Dodd Ackerman, scenic artist for the Empire Theatre, New York, has prepared for all of the plays” (Lexington, 29 Oct. 1898). That year Ackerman also painted scenery for the “A Fair Rebel” at the Novelty Theatre. The “All the scenery necessary for the production has been under the direction of P. Dodd Ackerman” (The Brooklyn Citizen, 4 Dec. 1898, page 10).

By 1899, “The Gazette” described Dodd’s scenic contribution to Howard Hall’s “A Soldier of the Empire” (Montreal, 21 Sept. 1899, page 5). The review reported, “The costuming is of the Directoire fashion, while the elaborate scenic investiture is perfection of the artist’s skill. The latter is by P. Dodd Ackerman whose work for the Frohman productions, particularly “Under the Red Robe,” called for so much praise in the past.

At the turn of the century, newspapers refereed to the scenic artist as “that international famous artist, P. Dodd Ackerman” during his work for “The Honest Blacksmith” (Courier-News, Bridgeport, NJ, 8 Nov. 1900, page 2). During this same time, he was also responsible designing scenery for the revival of “M’liss,” a comedy drama of western life, produced by A. J. Spencer of Jacob Litt’s office (Democrat and Chronicle, 13 May 1900, page 14). Ackerman was quickly becoming a rising star in the scenic art world.

The 1900 US Federal Census listed Ackerman as an artist and living at 878 Driggs Avenue I Brooklyn, NY. That year, he briefly partnered with Homer F. Emens to deliver scenery for the production of “Aria” at the Columbia Theatre (Evening Star, Washington, D.C., 17 March 1900, page 20). Reviews noted, “’Aria’ is to be very big scenically, and the picturesque settings by Homer Emens and P. Dodd Ackerman.” The partnership continued into 1901 with the pair designing and painting scenery for “The Power Behind the Throne” (Brattleboro Reformer, 17 Sept. 1901, page 1).

By the fall of 1901, Ackerman was again working solo with assistants. The “Brooklyn Citizen” noted that Ackerman and his “assistants” were the scenic artists for the Orpheum theatre, and delivering scenery for all the upcoming shows at the Gotham Theatre, formerly the Brooklyn Music Hall, after its renovation (15 Sept. 1901, page 10). They were responsible for new scenery. He also designed scenery for the Elite Stock Company’s production  “All the Comforts of Home” (The Brooklyn Citizen, 10 Nov. 1901, page 10), as well as scenery for “Russian Serfs,” a melodrama dealing with the Crimean War (The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 29 Dec, 1901, page 16).

In 1902, business was going so well, that Ackerman bought a house on Warwick Street in Brooklyn from Catherine Rose (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 18, Jan 1902, page 16). “The Buffalo Review” reported “Four complete sets” for “The Lily and the Prince” were being painted by Homer Emens, P. Dodd Ackerman, L. W. Seavey and Church & Wheeler (17 Feb 1902, page 5).

It was in 1902 that Ackerman formed a partnership with Lemuel L. Graham, Thomas G. Moses’ former business partner. Purchasing a studio on Bushwick Avenue in Brooklyn, New York. The property was described as “s w s, 100 n w n e 56.3; John C. Schenck to Philip D. Ackerman and Lemuel L. Graham” (The Standard Union, 13 Aug. 1902, page 10).  By July 1903, ownership of the property was transferred from Graham to Ackerman (The Standard Union, 22 Jul 1903, page 10), effectively forming the P. Dodd Ackerman Studio. The same property would be transferred to Louis Jacobs by 1904 (Time Union, 4 May 1904, page 13), yet Ackerman’s business address would remain the same.

1903 productions with scenery by Ackerman included “Mayor and The Judge” – with the Scranton “Tribune” reporting the show was “painted by the celebrated artist P. Dodd Ackerman of New York City” (The Tribune, Scranton, 9 Dec. 1902, page 6). Ackerman was also credited with the Gotham Theatre production “Pearl of Savoy” (Brooklyn Daily Eagle, 20 April 1902, page 52), the Elite Theatre Company’s “The Unknown” (16 March 1902, page 24); “Tracy the Outlaw” (Brooklyn Citizen, 5 Oct. 1902, page 16); “Beacon Lights” (Times Union, 8 March 1902, page 17); “A Rough Rider’s Romance” (Brooklyn Citizen, 22 Feb 1903, page 16)’ “Deserted at the Altar” (Times Union, Brooklyn, 14 Nov. 1903, page 13); and “The Lost Paradise (The Standard Union, Brooklyn, 18 Jan. 1903, page 15). When “Deserted at the Altar” appeared at the Novelty Theatre, newspapers reported, “P. Dodd Ackerman, the celebrated scenic artis, worked three solid months on scenery for the ‘Deserted at the Altar’” The Fall River Daily Herald, 28 Nov. 1903, page 2).

That same year P. Dodd Ackerman was listed as the scenic artist for both the Gotham and Orpheum Theatres in Brooklyn, NY (The Brooklyn Citizen, 22 Feb. 1903). He advertised in “Julius Cahn’s Official Theatrical Guide” under “P. Dodd Ackerman, Scenic Artist” adding, “now occupying my large Studio building devoted exclusively to this business.” Ackerman’s business address was still listed as 1576 to 1580 Bushwick Ave. He advertised, “Productions carefully prepared and models designed from Author’s descriptions,” offering “estimates gladly furnished for both Painting and Constructing scenery, properties, electrical apparatus, etc.” Ackerman expanded his firm the next year, changing the name to “P. Dodd Ackerman & Co.” The company was advertised as “Scenic Artists and Constructors.”

1904, the scenery for Burlington’s New Theatre was credited by P. Dodd Ackerman & Co., of Brooklyn, NY (Burlington Clipper, 15 October 1904, page 5). By 1905 the firm’s services included “Electrical scenic productions for parks, etc. scenery for theatres, halls and exhibitions, act drops and asbestos curtains, fireproof scenery and storage.”

In 1905, Ackerman transferred the Warwick St. home to his wife, Margaret M. Ackerman (Times Union, 6 May 1905, page 9). This is likely the year that marriage troubles accelerated for the young couple. Yet their marriage seemed to struggle along for another decade. That same year, P. Dodd Ackerman’s studio and the studio of Gates and Morange delivered scenery for “The Lightning Conductor” (Courier-News, Bridgewater, 18 Dec. 1905, page 4). In 1906, the “Greensboro Dispatch” reported P. Dodd Ackerman was part of a team dispatched to Alaska’s Klondyke country to gather images of atmosphere and scenes for “The One Woman” (17 Oct, 1906, page 8) – “The hunters after atmosphere and scenes spent three weeks wandering about the Alaska goldfields and returned to New York City with enough stuff for half a dozen shows…The three scenes in Alaska are actual sketches from life and will be recognized by many who have visited the Klondyke. The electrical effects, which include the play of the aurora borealis on the sky, and its reflection on the snow-capped mountains, the lurid gleams of red and blue lights on glaciers and the snow drifts, the curtain of light, the Alaskan cloud effect, the sun shining at midnight, and the prayer fires of the Esquimaux, or ‘witch lights,’ as the miners call them – with the usual stage lights make an unusual equipment.” The stage electrician that went on the trip was Charles Hayman.”

On Aug. 24, 1907, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle listed P. Dodd Ackerman’s purchase of a new home from Edwin G. Wright in Nassau County, in Riverside Park, Rockville Centre (page 20). By 1910 Ackerman moved to Hempstead, New York. He seems to have been living with his wife and daughter again; daughter Emma was eight years old at the time.

By 1911, the studios of Ackerman and John H. Young delivered scenery for Paul Wilstach’s dramatic version of “Thais” (The Gazette, York, Penn, 14 Feb 1911, page 9). John H. Young was also a close friend and colleague of Moses whom I have covered extensively in past posts. By his point in his career, Young was also a well-known and well-respected Broadway Designer.

In 1912 the “Washington Herald” reported Ackerman’s involvement with “The Chimes of Normandy.” The article reported, “Edward Temple, formerly stage director of the new York Hippodrome, had staged the production, while Reisig, late of the Metropolitan Opera and P. Dodd Ackerman have built the succession of cyclorama scenes, and the armor and costumes have been imported from France especially for this production (20 Oct 1912, page 22). “The scenes have been built on a cyclorama plan” (Burlington Free Press, 22 Sept. 1913, page 6).

Then there was a decided shift; a shift in his life, his marriage and his career. It is not that he began failing in his career, but his love life became quite complicated.

By 1914, Ackerman partnered with his brother E. A. Ackerman, establishing Ackerman Brothers Scenic Studio. Previously, brother Earle was also running his own studio, renting the old Harley Merry space in Flatbush until it burned to the ground in 1911. The 1914 “Gus Hill’s Theatrical Directory,” included an advertisement for Ackerman Bros. The ad stated, “scenery painted and constructed,” also offering “motion picture settings.” Their studio was listed on Bushwick Ave.

This is about the time when everything changes for Ackerman and his first wife; their marriage appears to start falling apart, with their separation making the newspapers by 1916. That will be a separate post tomorrow.

To be continued…