Maybe the Indianapolis, Indiana Photography Studio "National Studio" doesn't seem to appear on the "We Do History" website of the Indiana Historical Society because the photographer was inept? FOCUS! A circa 1935 photo stamped on the reverse "National Studio, Indianapolis, Indiana, Illinois Building" but I can find no other documentation. Still, this 8 x 10 original glossy would indicate the photographer was functioning enough to get photo gigs.
Sheesh. A whole stage of dicey and politically questionable folks! Minstrels, Cross-Dressers, rural Fiddlers and a group of somewhat flamboyant male dancers in mini-skirts. What the hell is going ON here?
Whatever this is, I reckon Indiana owns it. We can blame one of the participants for moving his head (one of the "end" performers, where they usually stood in minstrel photos) but still one would think a professional photographer would take time to focus. Would you pay for a school portrait of your kid with this quality?
Now, as for the content? What can I say? In this case, pictures don't lie and they don't sugarcoat the past. Whatever wing ding this was, at the least we can suspect the state of our new vice president was a happening place back then. WTF? Did they all DANCE after the photo was taken?
Now a good portion of the country had minstrel shows, but there does seem to be an inordinate amount of minstrel activity in Indiana. In fact, the very same Indiana Historical Society which hasn't yet documented the National Studio has a nice spread for the sheet music "Down at the Old Minstrel Show" which was published in Indiana. Ahh, yes. I do love to hear them play the songs of yesterday.
Now, as for all the apparent happy cross-dressers here? I dunno. There were lots of men who made a living performing as women in minstrel shows. HERE are a dozen of them! One of them is described as the "best genteel wench that ever trod the boards" and his passing with late-stage syphilis is noted! But these fellows are probably just local yokels having a bizarre laugh. The ones in pixie costumes on the right? I just don't know. Either they are professionals, or they got there very early for make-up.
Seriously, I cannot claim Indiana was more racist (or more dressed in drag) than any other state when it comes to entertainment.
Original photograph circa 1935? Stamped on reverse "National Studio, Indianapolis, Indiana" Collection Jim Linderman
There are numerous studies and photographs of blackface in the American theater, but it is a bit less common to see women…and I guess even more unusual to see young women and children. A series of cabinet card photographs circa 1910 of young vaudeville performers in burnt cork. These were essentially among the first "publicity photographs" and sold at the stage door following performances.
Original cabinet card photographs by Frank Wendt circa 1910 (Wendt was the understudy of Chas Eisenmann, famed circus freak photographer.)
Collection Jim Linderman
Well, what can you say? We COULD be generous and speculate the masks are green and they were going for a spaceman mystery zombie rock vibe, but who knows. Whether minstrel or mishap, it is quite a photo one must admit.
Circa 1955 anonymous snapshot collection Jim LindermanJIM LINDERMAN BOOKS AND EBOOKS ORDER HERE
To those who study or simply enjoy old time music, the interplay between minstrel shows, blackface and musicians has been understood a long time. Musicians give up prejudice as soon as someone tunes up. Some recent hyped controversy over fashion models with too much make-up points out again that race and racism is real and for the most part, like always, still manipulated for profit and power. If you think some arbitrary distinction between race matters, or even exists anymore, I suggest a train ride into Manhattan from Queens at 7 am. There IS no white or black. We are all of the human race and at 7 am all equally miserable.Anonymous Snapshot Untitled (Children musicians practice for crappy minstrel show) 1956 Collection Jim Linderman
