Toward an oral history of Cape Ann : Merwin, Evelyn (Ellsmore)

4 sound files, digital, MPEG3 file

Some names and terms used in this interview: Annabelle, Ziegfeld, Girl Act, Floretta, Mayo Bros., Tremont Theatre, Earl Carroll's Vanities, Charlotte Krishman Club, Rudolph Kosloff, Mrs. Bartlett's Kinder Camp, Ruth St. Denis, Emerson, Mr. Silverman Strand Theatre, Peto (Pavlova), Marilyn Miller, Robert A. Merwin, Jr. & Sr., Nibbol and Spencer, Gypsy Tenor A & P Gypsies, Helen Hayes, Bertha Lindsey, Mrs. Cooney, Fifi of the Toy Shop, Marie Ware Laughton, Jack Donahue, Guy Currier, Frank Morgan, Buzz (Busby) Berkeley, Earl Langer, Gene Kelly, Dime Dunn, The Mashed Potato (dance), Peppico Paste, Harry & Marge Fitzgerald, Crystal radio, Rev. Albright, Dr. Lundberg, Harry Fitzgerald, Grace, Eline and Weston, Madame Fitzu, ? and Fuller, Fanny Brice, Nibbol and Spencer, Golden, USO shows, Damariscotte, Gladys Glad, Mrs. Weyone's, Rosalie, Frank Parker, Rockport Players, Vagabond Lover, Betty Ford (Mrs. Gerald), Good Morning Show, Javanese dancing, Hattie Anna, Yankee magazine, Burnett Vanilla, Alba Keith Theatre, Crockwell WORL, Bing Crosby, Bobby Agnce, The Shag (dance), Beatrice Lilly (& Clifton Webb), Elizabeth Montgomery, Alice Apt, Edward's Inn, Boston Ballet, Retina tear, Oh, You Son of a Gun, Actor's Equity, Globe Democrat, Leon Erroll, Videll's, Masking piece, here's How, Wolenske, Mary Arden School of Dance, Medomic, Ted Shawn, Loomis, She's My Baby, Yankee Clipper, Broadway Gypsy, Arthur Fiedler, Canterbury Shaker, Marha Graham, Peterborough, NH, Gloucester Theatre, Marie Arden, Boyle Dancing School, Mac n'Ernie's Band, Margaret Hale, Crooner, Aronson Freely, Crazy Rhythm, Jack Harden, Billy DeWilde, Mrs. Amero, Freeman, Longee School, Cambridge, Elizabeth Ramsey, Oyster Shell.

Linda Brayton and David Masters, principal oral historians.

CD 24. TRACKS: 1. Mrs. Merwin's first meeting with Gloucester and her return to Gloucester to live -- 2. Mrs. Merwin's beginnings in show business, vaudeville, burlesque, modeling, formal training -- 3. Introduction to Ziegfeld, the opportunity to study in Paris was passed up -- 4. Mrs. Merwin suffers a broken neck from accident, camp cooking and use of soy beans, nursing -- 5. Addison Gilbert Hospital, illness in Gloucester -- 6. Show Business is a hard life, Mrs. Merwin's marriage to singer-writer Robert A. Merwin, the Gypsy Tenor -- 7. Comments on Mrs. Merwin's aunt who is a Canterbury Shaker, other family and childhood recollections -- 8. Recollections of show business, stage fright -- 9. Gloucester theatre contacts -- 10. Show business, values and attitudes then and now -- 11. The theatre in Gloucester, comments on fishing, aquaculture -- 12. Doll collection, family recollections. CD 25. TRACKS: 1. Robert Merwin Jr., collection of his father's records -- 2. Acquaintances in show business, director's expectations, personalities of the stars -- 3. A typical day for a show girl, presentations at night clubs -- 4. Finances during show business career, dancing experiences, people met -- 5. Husband, Robert Merwin. singer, style of various singers -- 6. Mrs. Merwin's favorite shows, dancing then and now, work experiences -- 7. Other show business acquaintances, famous people who have come to Gloucester -- 8. Famous people visiting Gloucester (cont'd), Gloucester's attractions, personal recollections -- 9. Comments on Poplar Park Housing Project -- 10. Comments for aspiring theatre people -- 11. Meaning of Ziegfeld girls, clothing and dress -- 12. Further comments on Poplar Park.

Originally issued on sound cassettes and transferred to compact discs.

Institution: Gloucester Lyceum & Sawyer Free Library

Massachusetts--Essex (county)--Ann, Cape

Merwin, Evelyn Ellsmore, Interviewee.

Brayton, Linda, Interviewer.

Masters, David, Interviewer

1978

audio/mpeg

image/jpeg

eng

[Gloucester, Mass] : Sawyer Free Library

Anecdotes

Manners and customs

Ziegfeld, Flo, 1869-1932

Musical theater

Oral history

sound recording-nonmusical

Sound recordings

2 sound discs : digital, stereo

4 3/4 in.

Gloucester Oral History Collection

OH13.jpg

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