II. The Knockout

(In Which Your Humble Author Attempts To Make Some Insightful Comments That Delight And Amaze You With Their Clarity)

The last slot before the intermission was traditionally given to a "knockout act" designed to wow the crowd so they’d be sure to return after the interval. This section is designed to validate your decision to keep reading to the end of this article.

In a strange way, vaudeville theatre seemed to act as a collective "temperature gauge" of the American psyche. As the United States drew in immigrants from all over the world, the prevalence of humorous sketches depending on racial stereotypes gave audiences a chance to laugh in a safe environment at the many changes all around them in the world.

Reflected back through the prism of theatre, vaudeville allowed Americans to come to terms with the changing nature of their country. Complicated issues of class were played out in sketches featuring the "toff" versus the hobo. The rich and the poor were equally lambasted, and the appearance of a sudden windfall could turn the most tattered bum into a tuxedo-clad gallant.

The peak of vaudeville was a time when Americans were wrestling with important questions that would determine nothing less than the future character of the nation. Would she be a country comprised of many small pockets of ethnic groups, living together but separately, or would she bring all these disparate groups together into some entirely new creature called an American?

 

III. Interval

(In Which Your Humble Author Takes A Break And Goes Outside For A Smoke)

It may be of interest here to reprint this note from a playbill circa 1890, in order to better understand the nature of this family-style entertainment. Apparently, the low element was still oftimes found in the audience, and so a few ground rules had to be laid:

A FEW SIMPLE REQUESTS

Do not use your feet to applaud.
Do not spit tobacco on the floor.
Do not eat peanuts in the hall.
Do not whistle or shout in applauding.
Do not stand on the chairs.

 

IV. Headliner

(In Which Your Humble Author Wraps Up With A Big Finish)

The penultimate place on the bill was usually saved for the biggest name act. This prime position, often called the "next to closing" spot, was generally considered the biggest star’s right.

Well, as we all know, America did in fact find a way to forge a somewhat unified country. Within a few generations, many of the children and grandchildren of the original immigrants had become "Americanized" – although of course the richness of America is seen in the many ethnic pockets that remain. Bits and pieces of all these distinct cultures are visible today in so many foods and words and customs that made their way from ghetto to mainstream, and the touring vaudeville players helped spread the culture of the cities to small towns all across the country.

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