Boxing History News 1
A column, updated monthly and focusing on topics in boxing's illustrious history.
By Christopher Tarr
Vaudevillian Pugilists
Champions of the squared circle often found themselves walking out suddenly into a glare of light and facing an audience without any ropes to protect them. Pugilists turned actors frequently, for some reason that only their managers could explain. Usually, and always excepting Gentleman Jim Corbett, they didn't do so well, except in the box-office phase of the art. Gentleman Jim acted all over the stage in a dramatization of George Bernard Shaw's "Cashel Bryon's Profession*". In the "Naval Cadet" too, Corbett made hamburger of a ham eight times a week.
Long before Gentleman Jim became a vaudeville actor, John L. Sullivan toured the country in "The Lottery of Life", a curious opera with a sock in it. Ruby Robert Fitzsimmons, too, had a blacksmith drama "A Fight For Love*" with a good fight in it.
And do not forget Terry McGovern in "The Bowery After Dark", and Packey O'Gatty's "Ringside". Both struck a blow or two in the vaudevillian days of the past when prize ring drama translated to box office success with a fistic flavor.
*The following items pertaining to newsletter are for sale:
-Corbett, Jim J. Signed and Inscribed photos (images below). ea. $745 or framed cut signature $325
-Shaw, George Bernard. 1906. Cachel Byron's Profression. 1st Ed. Ex-lib. Book in VG condition. $120
-1890's Bob Fitzsimmons Boxing and Theatre Program. 3 round exhibition and "A Fight For Love" (9"X12") with centerfold poster of 18"X12". This ultra-rare program is in very good condition and is pictured above. SOLD
-O'Gatty, Packey. Inscribed photo training with Jack Dempsey, for Dempsey's Bill Brennan fight. - $60.00