Saturday, July 19, 2014

That’s No Lady…

Alan gave us this intriguing photo for this week's Sepia Saturday challenge and invited us to "go to the ballet, or the dancehall, or the theatre or anywhere you find lots of chiffon and over-dramatic poses."
What he doesn't tell us is that the ladies depicted in the photo are not ladies—they are all men! That is the theme I have chosen for my contribution to this challenge.

 My grand-uncle Lee attended an all-boys school in Chicago from about 1938 to about 1941 when he enlisted in the Army. From all accounts, he was always a comedian and show-man, taking every opportunity to entertain those around him. The school put on a production where every single part was played by a male student. The family story says that Uncle Lee was so delighted with how well his costume and makeup turned out that he arrived at his mother's house in full regalia. She didn't recognize her own son!

 This is the entire cast of that play. The back of the photo is written: "Lee Jackson - second from left - an all boys school – Chicago."
This is a photo of Lee about the same time. What do you think? Is he the 2nd from the left in the school play? He's got a really pretty face, especially with those nice full lips.
Visit the Sepia Saturday blog to see what theme others have chosen to answer this week's challenge.

Thanks for dropping by.




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10 comments:

  1. AnonymousJuly 20, 2014 at 4:34 AM

    The one sex plays were quite the things in that era. I wonder which that particular play that was. The costumes look very realistic.

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  2. SherriJuly 20, 2014 at 12:14 PM

    I've always wondered what play it was, too. Unfortunately, Uncle Lee died a few years before I even heard about the story so we will probably never know. :(

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  3. Alex DawJuly 20, 2014 at 1:24 PM

    It's quite a big cast isn't it? I wonder if there was anything written up about it in the local paper?

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  4. anyjazzJuly 20, 2014 at 4:18 PM

    Good post! Amazing that you found a cross-dressing photo from your own family album!

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  5. Mike BrubakerJuly 20, 2014 at 8:20 PM

    I wondered how many Sepians would pick up the secret theme. That's very impressive that you had a perfect photo from your family history. Of course the theater has always had a long tradition of men playing women's roles.

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  6. JoanJuly 20, 2014 at 10:08 PM

    Great post. Quite a cast. I was intrigued by the fellow in the doorway --- and then by the young boys sitting on the floor. Those two make un know just how young the thespians were behind their make-up and personas. What a neat photo to have in your family collections.

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  7. Alan BurnettJuly 21, 2014 at 3:15 AM

    I think it is Lee. Whether it is or not, it's a great photo

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  8. Little NellJuly 21, 2014 at 6:27 AM

    It’s interesting that Mike should think it a ‘secret’ theme - it was’exposed’ on our Facebook page early on by Wendy. The Facebook page is a great way to learn more about Sepia Saturday.

    I think these boys did brilliantly - a great tradition - even Shakespeare’s theatre players had boys playing girls.

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  9. WendyJuly 21, 2014 at 6:52 AM

    Several of those "women" could be your uncle. They all look gorgeous! (Nice to see you on SS again -- it's been too long!)

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  10. AnonymousJuly 23, 2014 at 9:37 AM

    Really a convincing bunch of ladies with the hair and makeup and everything. So hard to tell if the 2nd from left is your grand uncle, but it certainly is possible!

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