Prostitution and Brothel Drama in the Progressive Era

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Author Archives: Kathleen Johnson

Frohman Announces Production of My Little Sister

February 19, 2015by Kathleen Johnson

New York Producer Charles Frohman announced in 1913 that he was staging Elizabeth Robins’ My Little Sister.  His associate, Alf Hayman, made a well-publicized announcement after returning from Europe that he […]

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Elizabeth Robins, My Little Sister (1913) by Elizabeth Robins, White Slavery

My Little Sister Advertisements

February 19, 2015by Kathleen Johnson

Publicity for the book version of My Little Sister advertised it as “the story you can’t forget.”  Another advertisement proclaimed the book to be “the most widely-discussed novel in New York to-day.” […]

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Elizabeth Robins, My Little Sister (1913) by Elizabeth Robins, White Slavery

Ourselves by Rachel Crothers

December 12, 2014by Kathleen Johnson

The only prostitute play penned by a woman that was performed, Ourselves tells the story of what happens to prostitutes once they attempt the difficult process of reform.  The first scene […]

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Birth Control, Grace Elliston, Mattie Keene, Ourselves (1913) by Rachel Crothers, Playwrights, Rachel Crothers

Dealers in White Women Reviews

December 12, 2014by Kathleen Johnson

This 1904 melodrama by Martin Hurley portrayed the rescue of an unsuspecting daughter from the vice den of a white slaver.  There are three reviews.   Dealers in White Women […]

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Dealers in White Women, White Slavery

Comstock’s Crusade Against Obscenity

December 12, 2014by Kathleen Johnson

  Cartoon of Anthony Comstock waging war against the wicked flesh upon the stage.

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Obscenity & Censorship, Uncategorized

Mrs. Warren’s Profession Cartoon

December 12, 2014by Kathleen Johnson

  Cartoon portraying the volatile censorship of George Bernard Shaw’s American premiere of Mrs. Warren’s Profession in New York in 1905.  

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Obscenity & Censorship, Promotional Materials, Prostitution

Rediscovering Kate Carew

December 11, 2014by Kathleen Johnson

                          Kate Carew was a reporter and caricaturist who reported on white slavery, among other topics, in 1910. […]

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Current Conversations, White Slavery

The Fight Publicity Materials

December 10, 2014by Kathleen Johnson

One of the most infamous censored brothel plays of the 1913 season.

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Gender, Promotional Materials, Prostitution, The Fight by Bayard Veiller, White Slavery

Play a Hooker and Win an Oscar

December 9, 2014by Kathleen Johnson

                In this article, Bernard Weintraub notes that “the first Academy Award for best actress was given in 1928 to Janet Gaynor for her […]

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Current Conversations, Prostitution

Fay Bainter Publicity Photo

December 7, 2014by Kathleen Johnson

Fay Bainter as Ming Toy in East is West. Photo by Bachrach courtesy of David Shields.

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A Shanghai Cinderella (renamed East is West, 1918) by Samuel Shipman and John B. Hymer, Fay Bainter

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SEX FOR SALE: SIX PROGRESSIVE-ERA BROTHEL DRAMAS

Sisters in Sin: Brothel Drama in America, 1900 – 1920

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