Pitcaithley, Al 1976-03-10

At Clifford Ashby’s class and again over KFYO Al Pitcaithley discusses tent and rep shows, performers, and his career as a tent show performer.

General Interview Information

Interviewee Name: Al Pitcaithley

Additional Parties Recorded: None

Date: March 10, 1976

Location: Lubbock, Texas

Interviewer: Clifford Ashby’s class and Bob Nash

Length: 1 hour 40 minutes

Abstract

Tape 1, Side 1: Scrapbook items: Photographs and other memorabilia, described with accompanying anecdotes, Harley Sadler route card (1944), Christmas card from Neil Schaffner, Photographs of various sets and casts, "Shepherd of the Hills", Cold weather, Ways to keep the tent warm, Jolly Jack Jakes Show, Photographs of sets, "The Girl of the Golden Pheasant", Skeeter Keller show, Early career in show business, Hazel Cass Company, Photographs, Tex Ritter and Slim Andrews, Brunk’s Comedians, "Cheating Husbands," New York play, Anecdote: Henry Brunk, Mildred Harris Chaplin, First wife of Charlie Chaplin, Hoxey Tucker, Boss Canvasman on Hefner-Vincent Show, Mud Show, Photographs, Harve Haverstock, J. Doug Morgan Tent Show, Death of Morgan, Davis Brunk Show, Parody on Old Mother Hubbard, Roy E. Fox Company, Photographs (again), Neil and Caroline Schaffner (1929), Articles, Harley Sadler’s death, Tent Shows, "Hits in the Tall Corn", By Vance Johnson, Methodist Church doctrine, Photographs (again), Al Pitcaithely (again), Contortionist abilities, Costume worn, Suggestions for rehearsals, Al Pitcaithley’s show business career, Anecdote: Lyle Talbot, Chase Lister Show, North Brothers act, Michael North, Billboard ads, Picture of Harley Sadler’s daughter, Gloria, Harley Sadler’s death, Glamour in show business, Lynn Pitcaithley, wife, Courtship and marriage, Kindergarten teacher, Acting career, Charlie Harrison, wrote plays, Mother disapproved of Pitcaithley’s career, Beatrice, Nebraska, Robert Taylor, actor, Lynn Pitcaithley’s career ambitions, Article, Brunk Show (1922), Carlsbad, New Mexico, Harley Sadler, Article, Harley Sadler, Carlsbad, New Mexico, Sadler show advertisement (1923), Advertisement written by Harley Sadler, Chautauqua companies, Type of show, Length of stay, Moral themes, Anecdote: abbreviated words, Opposition from theatres, Anecdote, Tex Ritter.

Tape 1, Side 2: Neil Schaffner show, Learned three plays a week, Rehearsal time, Anecdote, rehearsals, Opposition from theaters (again), Pitcaithley played many parts, William F. Lewis Stock Company, Involvement with Chick Boyce show, The Merry Madcap Players, Wages, Hazel Cass show, Cherry Sisters act, Acting techniques, Exaggerated melodramas, Marion McKennon Players, Too many New York plays, Tent Show, By Zachary Ball, Burt Chipman, circus performer, Bad rep shows, Les Caal Show (1931), The Grandee Brothers Show (1931), Joined Schaffner show (1931), Problems with being stranded, Advance man, Responsibilities, Anecdotes, Les Caal, Comedian shows, Anecdote, stock companies.

Tape 2, Side 1: Beginning of show business career, Hazel Cass Company, Contortion act, Advertisements, Various shows, J. Doug Morgan show (1939), Brunk’s show, Jolly Jack Jake’s show (1927), Bill Roy’s Comedians, Importance of tent shows, Territory, Stranded by Jolly Jack Jake, Grouch bag, Advertisements (again), Repertoire and stock companies, Audiences, Outside noise during performances, Trains, Rain, Audiences (again), Television, Influence on people’s taste, Red Skelton, comedian, Only 12 basic jokes, Advertisements (again), Drafted into military (1942), Met wife on last show, Lives in Carlsbad, New Mexico, Texas Tech University tent show revival, Harley Sadler Show.

Tape 2, Side 2: Recopied interview.

Range Dates: 1920-1976

Bulk Dates: 1920-1950

Access Information

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