Liberty Theatres of the United States Army, 1917-1919

by Weldon B. Durham

Overview

The winter of 1917-18 found the United States in a general upheaval. A large percentage of the world's population was at war and the United States itself was fully occupied with an unprecedented mass mobilization of its military forces, which were rushing headlong into an era of modern warfare. It was in this setting that the Liberty Theatres were opened. Created by the War Department's Commission on Training Camp Activities, these theatres aimed to produce "morally uplifting" plays and movies as a form of entertainment for thousands of troops—ideally proving more effective than policing the camps. In actuality, however, Liberty Theatres became little more than public relations ploys. Ultimately, although the theatres endeavored to provide a constructive form of recreation and diversion, they—and CTCA—fell far short of what had been promised.

Compiled from a variety of government documents, camp newspapers and entertainment trade journals, this volume provides an in-depth look at the 42 Liberty Theatres created by the War Department during 1918 and 1919. It discusses the way in which these theatres were designed and run as well as the relationship between CTCA's somewhat idealistic leaders and the theatrical professionals who handled this day-to-day operation. Setting the military and the American theatre within their respective historical contexts, the book also explores the role of Liberty Theatres with regard to both entities. Appendices contain a listing of Liberty Theatre opening and closing dates; Liberty Theatre expenses; gross receipts and estimates of attendance; and the average weekly receipts of Liberty Theatres.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780786425396
Publisher:	McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date:	09/12/2006
Pages:	227
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.46(d)
Age Range:	18 Years

About the Author

Weldon B. Durham is an emeritus professor of Theatre at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is the general editor of and chief contributor to American Theatre Companies and the author of numerous articles and reviews in professional journals in the field of theatre history and criticism. He lives in Covington, Georgia.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Introduction     

1. The American Theatre and the U.S. Army on the Threshold of Modernity     
2. Old Soldiers     
3. Camp Life Reforms in World War I     
4. The Purpose and Form of the Commission on Training Camp Activities     
5. Commercial Theatres or Government Theatres?     
6. Mobilizing the Commercial Theatre     
7. Tents, Theatres and More Theatres     
8. Money Matters     
9. Discord     
10. The Iron Hand     
11. The Tightened Rein     
12. Camp Shows
Tent Chautauqua     
Musical Comedy, Tabloid Musical Revues and Burlesque     
Comedies and Melodramas     
Response to Touring Musicals, Comedies and Dramas     
Minstrel, Speciality and Concert Performers     
Motion Pictures     
Vaudeville     
Stock Companies     
Soldier Shows     
13. The Federal Government and the Entertainment Industry     
14. Demobilization and Army Theatre Since World War I     
15. Amateurs and Professionals: Conscience and Commerce     

Appendix A. Liberty Theatre Openings and Closings     
Appendix B. Liberty Theatre Expenses     
Appendix C. Gross Receipts and Estimates of Attendance     
Appendix D. Average Weekly Receipts of Liberty Theatres     
Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     

Editorial Reviews

fascinating...excellent...thoroughly researched...superb”—Theatre History Studies.

From the Publisher

fascinating...excellent...thoroughly researched...superb

Theatre History Studies