The Ziegfeld Follies of 1919 was a revue produced by Florenz Ziegfeld Jr. Billed as the thirteenth edition of the Ziegfeld Follies series, it had a tryout at Nixon's Apollo Theatre in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on June 10, 1919Kimball, Robert and Linda Emmet (ed.) The Complete Lyrics of Irving Berlin (New York: A.A. Knopf, 2001), p. 184 and opened at Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre on June 16, 1919 and closed on December 6, 1919."Ziegfeld Follies of 1919", Internet Broadway Database, accessed ]August 13, 2019 It is often considered to be the best and most successful of the Follies series produced by Ziegfeld.Mordden, Ethan. Broadway babies: the people who made the American musical (New York: Oxford University Press, 1983), p. 41Van der Merwe, Ann Ommen. The Ziegfeld Follies: a history in song (Lanham, Md.: Scarecrow Press, 2009), p. 125Bordman, Gerald and Richard Norton. American Musical Theatre: a Chronicle (New York: Oxford University Press, 2010), p. 391
The revue's musical director was Frank Darling. Orchestrations for Buck and Stamper numbers were by Stephen O. Jones (1880–1967). Costumes were selected by Ziegfeld from creations of Lucy, Lady Duff-Gordon (known as "Lucile") for the following scenes: "The Harem," "The Drinks and Syncopated Cocktail" chorus gowns and Marilyn Miller's "Springtime" dresses. Schneider-Anderson Company executed designs by O'Neill, McGeachy and Cook for "The Salad", "Shimmy", "Minstrel", "Tulip Time", "Salvation Army", "Spanish", Widows (in Prohibition scene). Hickson designed costumes for "Sweet Sixteen Melody" and "Baby Arms". The costumes In Ben Ali Haggin's first act arrangement were made by Frances, New York. Men's costumes were by Dazian & Co. Uniforms were by Brooks Uniform Company. The scenic construction was by B. McDonald Construction Company.Theatre program, New Amsterdam Theatre, 1919
Program and songs Act 1Script for Ziegfeld Follies of 1919, available through Variety Stage English Plays of American Memory, accessed August 13, 2019
Episode 1: "The Follies Salad" Song: "The Follies Salad" sung by Eddie Dowling (as Chef) Cast: Lettuce: M. Sinclair, Spice: Marcelle Earl, Oil: Helen Lyons, Sugar: Kathryn Perry, Paprika: Lucille Levant, Chicken: May Hay, Salt and Pepper: The Fairbanks Twins, Follies Girl of 1919: Florence Ware
Episode 2: "Hail to the Thirteenth Folly," tableau by Ben Ali Haggin Cast: The New Folly: Jessie Reed, Her Twelve Sisters: Hazel Washburn, Martha Pierre, Bernice Dewey, Margaret Irving, Ethel Hallor, Ruth Taylor, Florence Crane, Betty Morton, Corene Paynter, Mary Washburn, Nan Larned and Simone D'herlys.
Episode 3: "A Pet" Cast: Mary Hay and Phil Dwyer
Episode 4: "A Spanish Frolic" written by Rennold Wolf Cast: Announcer: Eddie Dowling, Picador: Jack Lynch, Matador: Wesley Pierce, Toreador: Johnny Dooley, Carmen: Ray Dooley, Bull (fore): William; (aft): Willie Newsome
Episode 5: "My Baby's Arms," Song: "My Baby's Arms" music by Harry Tierney, lyric by Joseph McCarthy, Cast: sung by Delyle Alda, assisted by Lucille Levant, Kathryn Perry, Mary Haye, Florence Ware and the Fairbanks Twins.
Episode 6: "Sweet Sixteen" Song: "Sweet Sixteen" lyric by Gene Buck, music by Dave Stamper Cast: sung by Marilyn Miller assisted by Mildred Sinclair, Bernice Dewey, Mary Washburn, Marcelle Earle, Martha Wood, Lois Davison, Corene Paynter, Lola Lorraine, Monica Boulais, Mable Hastings, Madeline Wales, Minnie Harrison, Viola Clarens, Helen Shea, Olive Vaughn and Edna Lindsey
Episode 7: "The Popular Pests" by Gene Buck and Dave Stamper Cast: Waiter: Eddie Dowling, Janitor: Bert Williams, Subway guard: Gus Van, Hall boy: Joe Schenck, Check Boy: Johnny Dooley, Taxi Driver: Eddie Cantor, Servant Girl: Ray Dooley
Episode 8: "Tulip Time" Song: "Tulip Time" by Gene Buck and Dave Stamper Cast: sung by John Steel and Delyle Alda assisted by Misses Taylor, Foster, Jesmer, Fitzgerald, Squire, Young, Lamar, Kendall, North, Thomas, Page, Davis, Leisy, Barnes, Lamorte and Martin.
Episode 9: "He Seldom Misses" written by Rennold Wolf (with suggestions by George LeMaire) Cast: Sure-Shot Dick: George Lemaire, Jasper Slocum: Bert Williams, Prairie Nell: Emily Drange
Episode 10: "The World Is Going Shimmy Mad" by Gene Buck and Dave Stamper Cast: sung by Johnny and Ray Dooley assisted by Misses Clarens, Lindsay, Ray, Hastings, Bertram, Haver, Baron, Lorraine, Lyon, John, E. Wallace Johnstone, Warfield, Chittenden, Bryant and Lygoe.
Episode 11: "The Apostle of Pepe" Cast: Eddie Cantor
Episode 12: "I Want to See a Minstrel Show" Cast: Eddie Dowling
Episode 13: "The Follies Minstrels" words and music by Irving Berlin Song: "Mandy" words and music by Irving Berlin, sung by Van and Schenck, later by Ray Dooley Cast: Tambo: Eddie Cantor, Bones: Bert Williams, Middle Man: George Lemaire, Quartet: First Tenor: Joe Schenck, Second Tenor: John Steel, Baritone: Johnny Dooley, Bass: Gus Van, Entire company: Follies Girls and Boys, George Primrose: Marilyn Miller, "Mandys" headed by Doris Levant and Helen Shea, with Misses Haver, Vaughn, Clarens, Lindsay, Ray, Hastings, Garrick and Braham, "Dandys": Joe Evans, George Burggraf, William Shelly, Jack Lynch, Eddie Syms, William Mathews, John Ryand and Willie Newsome
Act 2
Episode 1: "Harem Life" by Irving Berlin, Cast: sung by Delyle Alda: Ladies of the Harem: Misses Davis, Squire, Martin, Barnes, LaMort, M. Callahan, and Foster, Cleopatra: Dorothy Richardson, favorite Wives (in order of their appearance): Misses Helen Leisy, Helen Jesmer, Gladys Colby, Ethel Callahan, Florence Crane, Ruth Taylor, Nan Larned, and Emily Drange, dancers of the Harem: Misses Clarens, Lindsay, Shea, Ray, Baron and Wallace, a Dancer: Doris Levant
Episode 2: "I Am the Guy Who Guards the Harem" words and music by Irving Berlin Cast: sung by Johnny Dooley
Episode 3: Songs: Bert Williams
Episode 4: "The Circus Ballet," music by Victor Herbert Cast: danced by Marilyn Miller; Ringmaster: Emily Drange, clowns: Misses Ray, Garrick, Lorraine, John, Wood, Johnstone, Chittenden, Bryant, Warfield, Douglas, Young and E. Wallace, bare-Back riders: Misses Vaughn, Clarens, Lindsay, Shea, Hastings, Garrick Lyons, Haver, Bertram, Johnstone, North and Baron
Episode 5: "A Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody" words and music by Irving Berlin Cast: sung by John Steel, Humoresque: Florence Crane, Spring Song: Ruth Taylor, Elegy: Dorothy Richardson, Barcarolle: Ruth Foster, Serenade: Helen Jesmer, Traumerei: Emily Drange
Melody, Fantasy, and Folly of Years Gone By, a picture by Ben Ali Hagen Cast: The Lady of Coventry (i.e. Lady Godiva): Gladys Colby, Her Handmaidens: Misses Larned, Foster, Lamorte, Davis, Vaughn and John, The Heralds: Fairbanks Twins, The Jester: Tracy Budington, The Guards: Joe Evans, George Burgraff, William Shelly, John Ryan, Jack Lynch, Eddie Sims, William Mathews and Willie Newsome
Episode 6: "At the Osteopath's" written by Rennold Wolf (with suggestions by Eddie Cantor) Cast: Dr. Cheeseboro Simpson: George Lemaire, Percival Fingersnapper: Eddie Cantor, Orchid Swan, a stenographer: Marie Wallace, A Visitor: Emily Drange
Episode 7 [part 1]: "Prohibition" words and music by Irving Berlin Cast: Father Time: Eddie Dowling, mourners: Misses Fitzgerald, Squire, Martin, Page, Lesly and Barnes, liquor lovers: Messrs. Chalmers and King, Jack Waverly, bartenders: Van and Schenck and Joe Evans, George Burggraf, William Shelly, Jack Lynch, John Ryan, Eddie Sims, William Mathews and Willie Newsome, "Chorus Girls": Misses Crane, Taylor, Drange, Larned, Foster, Jesmer, Lamorte and Richard, "The Working Man": Addison Young, "Our Boys From Over There": Barnard Carples, Ray Klages, Otis Harper, Kenneth Lawrence, Jack Waverly and Tracy Buddington Song: "You Cannot Make your Shimmy Shake On Tea", lyrics by Rennold Wolf and Irving Berlin, music by Irving Berlin, sung by Bert Williams
Episode 7 [part 2]: A Saloon of the Future Song: "The Near Future" words and music by Irving Berlin Cast: A Customer: John Steel, The Waiter: Eddie Cantor, Cocoa Cola: Florence Crane, Sarsaparilla: Nan Larned, Grape Juice: Heoen Jesmer, Lemonade: Emily Drange, Bevo: Ruth Foster, Lady Alcohol: Delyle Alda Song: "A Syncopated Cocktail" words and music by Irving Berlin, sung by Marilynn Miller Cast: China Dolls: Misses Vaughn, Clarens, Lindsey, Shea, Ray, Wood, Baron, Raylor, Lorraine, Lyon, Chittenden, Bryant and Haver, Total Abstainers: Misses Crane, Larned, Foster, Jesmer, Squire, E. Callahan, Kendall, Martin, Lamar, Lamorte, Thomas, Page, Davis, Leisy, Barness and North
Episode 8: Songs sung by Van and Schenck Cast: Gus Van, Joe Schenck
Episode 9: "My Tambourine Girl" words and music by Irving Berlin, sung by John Steel Cast: The Girl: Marie Wallace, Children: Fairbanks Twins, Salvation Lassies: Misses Crane, Lamorte, Foster, D. Richardson, jesmer, Drange, Larned and Leisy, Officers' Chorus: Tracy Buddington, Armand King, Jack Waverly, Kenneth Lawrence, Bernard Carples, Ray Klages and Addison Young
Episode 10: Finale: "The Salvation Army Girls" Scene: Victory Arch Song: "We Made the Doughnuts Over There" words and music by Irving Berlin.
Reception New York Tribune critic Heywood Broun remarked: "Among the most beautiful of the series. … present cast has an excellent voice. … The singing of John Steel was among the best features of the performance at the New Amsterdam Theatre last night. Particularly in the Irving Berlin number "A Pretty Girl is Like a Melody" his voice showed to excellent advantage. ... The comedy honors of the evening went very easily to Eddie Cantor. The knockabout sketch "At the Osteopath's" is among the most amusing bits of violence we have ever seen on the stage. ... Marilyn Miller dances entrancingly and sings very little. She was gorgeous in a minstrel number. ... The appeal to the eye is almost constant and Joseph Urban has never done better. The two tableaux arranged by Ben Ali Haggin are both eminently successful. ... The first night performance suffered from the usual Follies fault of being too long, and the evening was not free of dull spots which might be cut. A long dance number by Maurice and Walton seemed to us a bore. We were somewhat disappointed in Ray and Johnny Dooley. They were funny at times, but though they fall as hard and as often as their relatives at the Winter Garden and the Century Roof, something of the Newtonian inspiration, which possesses William and Gordon, is lacking. Bert Williams was exceedingly funny in a Rennold Wolf sketch, in which he plays the part of the assistant to a sharpshooter, but none of his songs in the first two-thirds of the performance was in the least effective. ... Ziegfeld should receive his annual tribute from those who write for the theatre because in his own field he does his work supremely well. He has been a considerable figure in bringing beauty and taste to American musical shows."Broun, Heywood. "Drama: New Edition of The Follies Lives Up To Tradition of Beauty", New York Tribune, April 17, 1919, p. 13