OMAHA HIT IT JUST RIGHT
The Condemnation Passed Upon an Indecent Song in "Aladdin" Drives It Out.
San Francisco Compels the Discontinuance of "Her Golden Hair Was Hanging Down Her Back."
A Warfare on This Tough Production, Begun by Mrs. Peattie, Results in a California Uprising.
When Dave Henderson's glittering extravaganza appeared in Omaha, a few weeks ago, Miss Boyd, the plump and pleasing prima donna, sang a song, "Her Golden Hair Was Hanging Down Her Back." She half chanted this ballad, which recited the exploits of a maiden from the rural districts, who met and drank with a stranger, who supposed her to be unsophisticated, but who found, upon leaving her, that he had been despoiled of his valuables. The song was full of disgusting insinuations, and was felt by many who listened to it to be of the sort that could appropriately be sung only in the place. However, the gallery whisbled, the decent young men in the dress circle blushed, the young women looked absolutely bewildered, and certain positive minded members of the Woman's club were with difficulty restrained from hissing.
MRS. PEATTIE BEGAN IT.
The World-Herald had a half column article by Mrs. Peattie upon the impropriety of singing such a song in the presence of respectable and pureminded ladies and gentlemen. This started conversation concerning the matter, and it was quite generally agreed in certain circles that if the song was attempted here again, the manager would be requested to eliminate it from his program.
That is exactly what has been done in San Francisco. "Aladdin Jr." was presented at the Baldwin theater in that city, and the women, who formed 80 percent of the audience, were shocked, and a deputation waited, on the manager and asked him to have the ballad out out of the program.
Miss Boyd was very much astonished and said: "I didn't see anything improper in the song, but I was told some of the society ladies of San Francisco though it was broad and so I was glad to stop it. It really seems to me though, a case of to the pure all things are pure," I expect to sing the song when we go east again, but if San Francisco thinks it is improper I'm sure I don't want to appear in a wrong light before anyone."
OMAHA WOMEN WERE AROUSED.
This statement of Miss Boyd's was shown Mrs. Peattie today.
"Miss Boyd," said this lady, "is mistaken as to the beginning of opposition to the song. Had Aladdin Jr. remained a day longer in Omaha the same opposition would have been offered her Miss Boyd will search in vain for any person so pure that a ballad of street flirtation, drinking and theft, with all attendant insinuations, can be made to seem innocent.
"The dramatic critics do not, as a general thing, object to such songs, because the audiences appear to be entirely acqulescent, and the critics have no warrant for saying that these vicious ballads are offensive to the public. As they may or may not be offensive to the dramatic critics, comment is usually avoided.
"I see that in San Francisco the critics seem to have kept clear of the discussion, but the men about town are clamoring to have the song restored."
Mr. Henderson is confident that the east will not object to the song. He said: "When we go back to Philadelphia, Boston and New York we will put on that song again. There will be no complaint there. I know those cities well enough to predict that. The truth of the matter is San Francisco has too many restaurants which tolerate improprieties and too many back rooms to the saloonds. So some of the people see impropriety where none is intended."
MR. HENDERSON'S IDEAS.
"Mr. Henderson," said Mrs. Peattie, in relation to this, "seems to think that where there are no back rooms to saloons, theft and the drinking together of men and women unacquainted with each other would bot be regarded as an impropriety. Perhaps not. He might try the song at Tabor, Ia., for example where there are not and never have been any saloons, and see how it is regarded there. The brialliant tout ensemble of the modern spectable hangs on the ragged edge of indecency at any time - the magnificent scenery, esthetic costumes charming hodge podge of music and clever specialties making an alluring background for these artistic and moral pyrotechnics, "But in the opinion of most "Her Golden Hair Is Hanging Down Her Back" did not linger for one moment on the ragged edge of decency. It bounded over with magnificent bravado, and was thoroughly indecent - and glad of it."
