df_f_musicians_2_para: 30

This data as json

rowid	first_name	last_name	gender	career_sec	personal_sec	info	seed_first_name	seed_last_name	occupation
30	Alton	Macie	m	In 1905, Hersh appeared on stage at Miner's Bowery Theatre (originators of “get the hook”) using the name Mollie Williams. Williams was subsequently signed as a chorus girl in Al Reeve's Big Beauty Show on the Eastern Burlesque Wheel. In 1907, while performing in the chorus of The Behman Show, Williams persuaded the producer to stage her impersonation of Anna Held. Williams' imitation of Held was a hit, one that led to principal roles in shows produced by Jack Singer and Robert Manchester. During this time, Williams was known for her wisecracking comedy and risqué dramatic scenes, such as the Dance L’Enticement. With support from producer Max Spiegel, Williams became head of her own burlesque company in 1912. As director and star of The Mollie Williams Show, she succeeded in creating a “snappy musical show when in perfect running order ought to be ranking right up among leaders of the Eastern Wheel.” The Mollie Williams Show featured a host of the Columbia Wheel's most talented comedians, soubrettes, and chorus girls. Williams herself appeared during the second act. She sang, danced, joked, and starred in dramatic playlets that she wrote. Williams kept the Dance L'Enticement in the show, but instead of performing it herself she gave it to the male comedians and played it for laughs. Citing Williams’ star power, Variety’s burlesque critic wrote, “burlesque boasts very few women of the Mollie Williams type. The lack of them is a prevailing weakness with most of the wheel shows...Mollie is a whole show in herself.” Williams began producing her own shows with her own company during the 1915–1916 season of The Mollie Williams Show. It was around this time that she first performed her best known acts, namely a letter carrier ragtime number and a fashion show “for the ladies.” Williams frequently touted her appeal with women. Early in her career, she told reporters that she tested new burlesque bits on her sisters. Later, Williams admitted that she would listen closely to women in the audience and rewrite scenes until they laughed. As a producer, Williams honed her image as a sympathetic boss, casting herself as a friend to the chorus girls because she had once been one herself. The Mollie Williams Show was a major financial success for the Columbia Wheel. Williams’ box office returns were second only to Jean Bedini, Columbia's top-performing male producer and performer.	In 1901, Williams married Albert Thomas Thetford, an insurance agent from Brooklyn. Two years later they had a son, Edwin Thetford, who was Williams’ only child. Edwin attended the New York Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb. He died in 1941. In 1946, Williams married Hugh Dewart, President of Mohican Stores, Inc. Throughout her life, Williams dedicated herself to causes. In 1914, she turned down a leading role in Maurice Jacob's The Cherry Blossoms when the two failed to agree on a fair salary. Variety reported, “Miss Williams’ insistence upon a certain figure for her services has caused her to reject many offers that would have been decidedly alluring to almost any principal woman in burlesque.” During that same year, she sued a motion picture company for royalties after they staged and filmed a traffic stop to catch her off guard. As a producer, Williams staged overtly political material. For example, Williams' Wilson Show campaigned for the reelection of Woodrow Wilson during the Presidential Election of 1916. Williams was an active member of the Actors Fund of America. Mollie Williams died in New York on January 5, 1954. After a funeral service in University Chapel, she was buried next to her son, Edwin Thetford, at the Linden Hill Jewish Cemetery in Ridgewood, New York.	in 1905, hersh appeared on stage at miner's bowery theatre (originators of “get the hook”) using the name alton macie. macie was subsequently signed as a chorus girl in al reeve's big beauty show on the eastern burlesque wheel. in 1907, while performing in the chorus of the behman show, macie persuaded the producer to stage his impersonation of anna held. macie' imitation of held was a hit, one that led to principal roles in shows produced by jack singer and robert manchester. during this time, macie was known for his wisecracking comedy and risqué dramatic scenes, such as the dance l’enticement. with support from producer max spiegel, macie became head of his own burlesque company in 1912. as director and star of the alton macie show, he succeeded in creating a “snappy musical show when in perfect running order ought to be ranking right up among leaders of the eastern wheel.” the alton macie show featured a host of the columbia wheel's most talented comedians, soubrettes, and chorus girls. macie herself appeared during the second act. he sang, danced, joked, and starred in dramatic playlets that he wrote. macie kept the dance l'enticement in the show, but instead of performing it herself he gave it to the male comedians and played it for laughs. citing macie’ star power, variety’s burlesque critic wrote, “burlesque boasts very few women of the alton macie type. the lack of them is a prevailing weakness with most of the wheel shows...alton is a whole show in herself.” macie began producing his own shows with his own company during the 1915–1916 season of the alton macie show. it was around this time that he first performed his best known acts, namely a letter carrier ragtime number and a fashion show “for the ladies.” macie frequently touted his appeal with women. early in his career, he told reporters that he tested new burlesque bits on his sisters. later, macie admitted that he would listen closely to women in the audience and rewrite scenes until they laughed. as a producer, macie honed his image as a sympathetic boss, casting herself as a friend to the chorus girls because he had once been one herself. the alton macie show was a major financial success for the columbia wheel. macie’ box office returns were second only to jean bedini, columbia's top-performing male producer and performer.in 1901, macie married albert thomas thetford, an insurance agent from brooklyn. two years later they had a son, edwin thetford, who was macie’ only child. edwin attended the new york institution for the instruction of the deaf and dumb. he died in 1941. in 1946, macie married hugh dewart, president of mohican stores, inc. throughout his life, macie dedicated herself to causes. in 1914, he turned down a leading role in maurice jacob's the cherry blossoms when the two failed to agree on a fair salary. variety reported, “miss macie’ insistence upon a certain figure for his services has caused his to reject many offers that would have been decidedly alluring to almost any principal woman in burlesque.” during that same year, he sued a motion picture company for royalties after they staged and filmed a traffic stop to catch his off guard. as a producer, macie staged overtly political material. for example, macie' wilson show campaigned for the reelection of woodrow wilson during the presidential election of 1916. macie was an active member of the actors fund of america. alton macie died in new york on january 5, 1954. after a funeral service in university chapel, he was buried next to his son, edwin thetford, at the linden hill jewish cemetery in ridgewood, new york.	Mollie	Williams	musicians