Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Showmen and Celebrity

Celebrity in American History

Revolutionary & Early National Period: Revolutionary War heroes as the embodiment of national virtue and worthiness

Early America (1820-1860): The "American Adam", a figure of innocence and promise, freed from the past and self-reliant

Civil War & Reconstruction (1860-1877): Combination of both previous periods

Turn of the Century: Hero-inventors reflecting the explosion of new technology

Early twentieth century: Mass urban culture replacing the genteel tradition of the Victorian age. Shift from "character" to "personality".

Harry Houdini b. Erich Weiss in Budapest, Hungary. Moved to Appleton, WI in 1878. d. 1926

The Conjurers Unveiled,Robert-Houdin

Houdini rope escape

Ringling Brothers: Albert, Otto, Alfred, Charles, John.

First performance, Mazomanie, WI, 1882

Orson Welles b. 1915, Kenosha, WI

War of the Worlds, 1938

Citizen Kane, 1941

Orson Wells interview

Liberace b. 1919, Milwaukee

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