Iconic photos of a changing city, and commentary on our Collections & Exhibitions from the crew at MCNY.org
Broadway is a magical place. Through the dreams, combined talents, and sheer luck of a group of people, audiences are transported into another world brought to life right before them. At least that’s the plan. Sometimes things go horribly, splendidly wrong. While cataloging images of the theater production files at the Museum of the City of New York, a project generously funded by the Institute for Museum and Library Services, we have come across some productions that have truly earned the moniker of “flop”.
In 1929, a young unknown actor was cast in the pre-Broadway tour of Blind Window, produced by the legendary David Belasco. The Baltimore Sun had this to say about the actor who played one half of a murderously and madly in love convict couple: “Clark Gabel [sic] does excellent work as convict No. 27.” The misspelling of Clark Gable’s name, both in the newspaper and more embarrassingly in the Playbill, was only the first of many clues as to why this production closed after only 24 shows before even reaching Broadway. (Six years later Clark Gable won the Oscar for It Happened One Night.)
White Studio (New York, N.Y.). Clark Gable and Beth Merrill in “Blind Window”. 1929. Museum of the City of New York. 37.399.764.
White Studio (New York, N.Y.). [Clark Gable and Beth Merrill in “Blind Window“.]. 1929. Museum of the City of New York. 37.399.778.
Friedman-Abeles. [“Anyone Can Whistle” theater still.] 1964. Museum of the City of New York. 68.80.4120.
United Press International. Michael Kidd and Mary Tyler Moore during a rehearsal for “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”. 1966. Museum of the City of New York. 81.54.3968.
United Press International. [Mary Tyler Moore during a rehearsal for “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.]. 1966. Museum of the City of New York. 81.54.3969.
Friedman-Abeles. [Richard Chamberlain as Jeff Claypool and Mary Tyler Moore as Holly Golightly in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.] 1966. Museum of the City of New York. 81.54.3946
Friedman-Abeles. [Richard Chamberlain as Jeff Claypool in “Breakfast at Tiffany’s”.] 1966. Museum of the City of New York. 81.54.3952.
Unknown photographer. Betsy Joslyn as Nora and Peter Gallagher as Otto in “A Doll’s Life”.] 1982. Museum of the City of New York. 92.52.39.97
So next time you find yourself judging the creative teams behind this season’s under-performing shows, remember: the next Clark Gable may be in the cast! To look at all the theatrical productions we’ve digitized so far, including both huge hits and more flops, please visit our Collections Portal here.