AUNTIE MAME - It's the Theatre, Dahling!
Mame Dennis (played by Rosalind Russell) is a free spirited woman living a bohemian lifestyle, whose mantra is "Life is a banquet, and most poor suckers are starving to death!" Her best friend and sidekick, Vera Charles (portrayed by Coral Browne), is (apparently) a well known actress on Broadway... so she likes to inform all who will listen. We often see her recovering in Mame's guest room, from a very good party.
Vera is currently starring in a real 'yawn' entitled, MIDSUMMER MADNESS. At the same time, Mame is having difficulties finding suitable work due to the 1929 stock market crash. Vera reveals that she may have a 'walk on' part that would be perfect for Mame. The two friends are thrilled at the prospect of revisiting their stage alliance.
Unfortunately for Vera and her cast, it turns out that some Divas are not adaptable to simple 'walk on roles.' Mame, being the confidant, free thinking woman that she is, decided to fill the two lines with added improvisation. "I just wanted to give Lady Iris some character," insisted Mame.
Her ad-libbing, coupled with the infernal noise from her bell bedecked bracelets, ruined the last few moments of Vera's play. (It was hilarious!) "You've destroyed me, there were critics out there. I am ruined!" yells Vera.
During this scene, pay careful attention - look closely to see film actress Margaret Dumont sharing the stage in MIDSUMMER MADNESS. Her uncredited role in AUNTIE MAME, is listed simply as 'Noblewoman in Play.'
Margaret was known for her dignified, albeit dowager, type-cast character roles. She may best be remembered as the high society, wealthy foil to the Marx Brothers in several of their films.
(typical banter between Margaret's character and Groucho in a film)
GROUCHO: I suppose you'll think me a sentimental old fluff, but would you mind giving me a lock of your hair?
DUMONT: A lock of my hair? Why I had no idea you ...
GROUCHO: I'm letting you off easy. I was gonna ask for the whole wig.
Duck Soup Margaret Dumont and Groucho Marx
CURTAIN DOWN - the Ghost Light is brought on center stage!
A Ghost Light, is a single light left burning when a theatre is unoccupied. Typically, the exposed bulb is mounted in a wire cage on a portable light stand. The principle reason for keeping a lamp burning is safety, since everything is turned off after a show. (The edge of a stage usually has a sudden drop off into the orchestra pit.) If someone should get into the theatre onstage, they'd be able to navigate their way safely to the stage lighting control console. Ghost lights have also been referred to as equity lights, possibly due to being originally mandated by the Actors Equity Association. **
The popular, albeit superstitious reasoning behind the use of a Ghost light, is that every theatre holds a ghost! There are two theories, the light will either chase away the mischievous beings in the theatre or it provides a light for which the ghosts may perform. This will (hopefully) ensure a successful stage performance, free from the ghost's sabotage of the set or production.
Speaking of ghosts ...
Broadway's New Amsterdam Theatre is known for the presence of a former Zigfeld Follies chorus girl. Olive Thomas, has been haunting the theatre since her suicide in 1920. Employees and staffers alike have experienced many unexplained phenomenons - a touch on the back, CDs falling, sightings of a young woman, etc. According to the theatre's Vice President of operations, Olive manifests so frequently, that her picture hangs at every entrance of the building. The theatre workers greet her when they arrive for work each day, ensuring that the spirit keeps her mischievous doings to a minimum.**
Olive Thomas
**[info taken from playbill]
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