Jimmie is a ‘musicomedy’ by Herbert P. Stothart (music), Otto Harbach, Oscar Hammerstein II, and Frank Mandel (book and lyrics).
Jimmie is the story of a waif named James, a tomboy who strives for success in the cabaret world, despite her past.
The original production was produced by Arthur Hammerstein, staged by Oscar Eagle, and choreographed by Bert French. It starred Frances White in the title role.
Jimmie had its world premiere in Atlantic City NJ at the Woods Theatre on on the Boardwalk October 5, 1920, for a three-day engagement.
The ‘musicomedy’ was originally slated to premiere in Boston (one report) and Hartford (another report).
The Woods Theatre was originally known as the Savoy on the Boardwalk between Ocean and South Carolina Avenues. The structure was shared with the Dunlop Hotel (later the Belmont Hotel), which also housed Woolworths.
Jimmie did head to Bean Town right after its pitstop in Wilmington DE. It was billed as sporting “a bankrupting cast and 40 dimpled knees”!
The show began performances on Broadway on November 10, 1920 at the Apollo Theatre on 42nd Street (previously the Bryant, later the New Apollo). Architectural elements from the building were incorporated into the Ford Center in 1998. Jimmie closed on January 21, 1921 after 71 performances.
After its brief run on Broadway, White and those “40 dimpled knees” took Jimmie on the road, starting in Washington DC.
White touring Jimmie, Frances White was sued for $100,000 for luring Herbert Stothart, Jimmie’s composer, away from his wife and family. The suit was dropped when Stothart and his wife reconciled. Four years later, Mrs. Stothart poisoned herself at age 27, leaving behind a five year-old child. So perhaps all was forgiven, but not quite forgotten. Stothart received 12 Oscar nominations and won the 1940 Academy Award for Best Music, Original Score for The Wizard of Oz.
As she was finishing up her tour of Jimmie, White sued a dentist for over-charging for a gold tooth! Her next show, Phi-Phi, was a flop and closed in Washington DC. It began life in Atlantic City, which seems a good place to end this blog.
