Archives Center, National Museum of American History

Guide to the Dewey Michaels Burlesque Collection

Summary

Collection ID:
NMAH.AC.0065
Creators:
Garbo (Chicago)
National Museum of American History (U.S.). Division of Community Life
Laverne, Gene (Buffalo, NY)
Kriegsmann, James J.
Michaels, Dewey, 1898- (theater owner, director, producer)
Maurice (Chicago)
Seymour, Mamie (New York)
Bruno (Bernard? of Hollywood New York City)
Bakchy, Boris (New York)
Dates:
late 1920's-1967
Languages:
English
.
Physical Description:
0.33 Cubic feet
2 boxes
Repository:

Scope and Contents

Scope and Contents
Newspaper clippings; advertising brochures; and photoprints of performers at the Palace Theatre (including studio publicity portraits). The majority of the items are silver gelatin photoprints. Some photographers are listed below as index terms. Subjects of photographs include strippers and comedians; photographs of women include portraits as well as full-length figures, nude or in costume.

Arrangement

Arrangement
The collection is arranged into one series. Arranged alphabetically by subjects' names within categories.

Biographical / Historical

Biographical / Historical
George Dewey Michaels (1898-1982) was owner, director, general manager and producer of the Palace Burlesque Theater in Buffalo, New York until it closed on September 29, 1977, when Michaels was 79 years old. Michaels started in the business when he was 19 years old. Through the years, he featured Abbott and Costello, Phil Silvers, Jerry Lewis, Red Buttons, and Sammy Davis, Jr. who was then a dancer with the Will Master Trio which included his father and uncle. The Palace Burlesque was part of a 40-city circuit. Michaels was married in 1920 to Phyllis Boasberg. She died in 1969, leaving two sons and one daughter. On December 4, 1980, Michaels donated a backdrop, used in the theatre, to the Smithsonian. The backdrop had a musical theme with a clarinetist and notes rendered in extravagant art nouveau. Michaels was then 83 years old. Other backdrops were distributed to other theatres and collectors. They were 60-100 years old, painted in Diamond Dye, and worth about $1,000 apiece.

Administration

Author
David E. Haberstich
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Collection donated by Mr. Dewey Michaels, January 31, 1981.
Custodial History
Collection transferred to the Archives Center from the Division of Community Life (now Division of Cultural and Community Life) , 7/26/83.
Processing Information
Collection processed by David Haberstich, 1991.

Using the Collection

Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Preferred Citation
Dewey Michaels Burlesque Collection, circa 1920s-1967, Archives Center, National Museum of American History
Conditions Governing Use
Collection items available for reproduction, but the Archives Center makes no guarantees concerning copyright restrictions. Other intellectual property rights may apply. Archives Center cost-recovery and use fees may apply when requesting reproductions.

Related Materials
Theatrical backdrops and director's chair located in the Division of Home and Community Life (now Division of Cultural and Community Life).

Keywords

Keywords table of terms and types.
Keyword Terms Keyword Types
Glamour photography -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Clippings -- 20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Striptease -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Stripteasers -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Buffalo (N.Y.) -- photographs -- 1920-1970 Geographic Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Photographs -- Black-and-white photoprints -- Silver gelatin -- 19th-20th century Genre Form Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Nudity in the performing arts Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Theatrical producers and directors -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Comedians -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Entertainers -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Musicians -- 20th century Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Burlesque shows -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Burlesque (Theater) -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Entertainment -- Photographs -- 1920-1970 Topical Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid
Palace Burlesque Theatre (Buffalo, N.Y.) Corporate Name Search Smithsonian Collections Search ArchiveGrid

Archives Center, National Museum of American History
P.O. Box 37012
Suite 1100, MRC 601
Washington, D.C. 20013-7012
archivescenter@si.edu