strike

Striking cast members of the Broadway show "At 9:45" parade down Broadway in the Actor's Parade on August 18, 1919. The banner suggests 100% of the company supports the strike by Actor's Equity Association. Actors joined by stage managers, stagehands, chorus girls, musicians, variety artists and musical artists went on strike forcing shows all over the country to shut down. It was one of the most significant strikes in labor history as it reshaped the definition of labor.

"The parade of the actors down Broadway was staged despite the drizzling rain, which kept down the numbers of those along the line of the march but did not in any way affect the numbers or spirits of those in the procession. It was led by Major Reginald Barlow and several hundred actors who had served overseas, many of them in uniform."  [1]

The biggest stars of the time locked arms with their lesser known brethren – several thousand strong – and paraded down Broadway in full solidarity. The parade kicked off a week of benefit performances for Equity at the Lexington Avenue Opera House. Eventually, the producers had no choice but to recognize Actors' Equity Association (AEA) as the bargaining agent for their performers.   [2]

"At 9:45", by Owen Davis was performed at the Playhouse Theatre on Broadway, June 28 - October 1, 1919. It starred George Backus (1857-1939), Clifford Dempsey (1865-1938), Madeleine King and Noel Tearle who are likely shown parading in this photograph. Other members of the company (who may be in this photograph) were Idalene Cotton, Marie Goff, Harry Green, Nedda Harrigan, John Harrington, Frank Hatch, Frank Hilton, Peter Lang, Leo Mielziner, Gustave Rolland, Edith Shayne, and Robert Thorne. "At 9:45" was directed by John Cromwell. This photograph is looking north on Broadway between 37th and 38th St. The bottom of the sign ("ANDIE") for the Hotel Normandie can be seen top, leftish. (This view was likely taken from the 2nd floor of the Regal Shoe Store at the corner of 37th Street). Just beyond the Hotel Normandie is the Casino Theater (1882-1929), said to be the best example of Moorish architecture in the country. It was the first theatre with a roof garden, the first to be entirely lit by electricity, and the first to feature a chorus line – the Floradora Girls, who included Evelyn Nesbit, over whom Harry K. Thaw murdered Stanford White (1853-1906). [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]

Comment from reader T. Edmonds: Meal being served at Carriage Works. The lads in aprons appear to be serving. The two carriages at right were built by Hudson Bros in 1884 as state carriages. After being replaced in 1908 they were rebuilt for the Commissioner’s Train. The dining car, which had been about 40% kitchen and 60% dining room became 40% pantry and 60% kitchen.

this is E. 86th Street, at 3rd Avenue in the Yorkville neighborhood. The Lyceum Hall, with entrance at right in the photo, is also pictured at the time of an earlier strike meeting there, at far left in the picture below: