11,867 stories by "Trav S.D."
Today’s new Travalanche post for October 18, 2026 is about Millie La Mar, the Albino Mind Reader. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 18 (in no particular order) include ones on: BBC For…
Just a few words this morning about performer Millie La Mar (Emma Morrissey, 1863- 1905) who billed herself in show business as “the Albino Mind Reader”. Originally from York, PA. La Mar…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for October 17, 2026 are about Beverly Garland, Julie Adams, and Bill Minkin. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 17 (in no particular order) include ones o…
Actor and comedian Bill Minkin (1942-2026) passed away earlier this year. Minkin was known principally for three things: As Vaughn Meader was to John F Kennedy and David Frye was to Richard …
I don’t typically bundle biographies together into single posts, but these two actresses were born on the very same day and their careers have too many similarities to ignore. The Hallowee…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for October 16, 2026 are about hillbilly musicians Walt and Cal Shrum. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 16 (in no particular order) include ones on: Eart…
Numerous internet sources erroneously give July 4th as the birthday of Walt Shrum (1898-1971), but Find a Grave has the receipts and it is October 16th. Walt formed his musical outfit the Co…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for October 15, 2026 are about a new Vaclav Havel production; and the 100th birthday of Michel Foucault. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 15 (in no parti…
Born 100 years ago today: French philosopher and critical theorist Michel Foucault (1926-1984). More know the name than have read his books by orders of magnitude, I’ll wager. Despite my l…
Vaclav Havel would have been 90 this year, not the roundest of benchmarks, and somehow somewhat younger than one might have thought. Often categorized among the Absurdists, the Czech playwri…
Today’s new Travalanche post for October 14, 2026 is about E.E. Cummings. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 14 (in no particular order) include ones on: Harry Anderson Lux Radio Theatr…
We were sorry to miss Jonny Porkpie’s launch event at The Lambs a few days ago for his Burlesque 1937 trading cards, due to a dental emergency (you don’t know how sorry). We hope to part…
Today’s new Travalanche post for October 13, 2026 is about Sammy Fuchs and Sammy’s Bowery Follies. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 13 (in no particular order) include ones on: Bust…
Many Internet sources erroneously give July 4, 1884 as the birthday of Sammy Fuchs, but his grandson Charlie Katz (a very good friend to Travalanche) tells us that October 13, 1903 is the co…
As promised, a few days ago we attended the recently opened exhibition The Bowery: Devil’s Mile at the New Museum. Of course, we are delighted with the impulse to create such a show. See…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for October 12, 2026 is about the New Museum’s new Bowery exhibition. Here are Columbus Day posts. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 12 (in no particula…
Today’s new Travalanche posts for October 11, 2026 are about Jerome Robbins, Leo Reisman, and Clifford Fischer. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 11 (in no particular order) include on…
Wherever he is, Leo Reisman’s ears must be burning — I had caused to mention him here on Travalanche only yesterday. Reisman (1897-1961) was somewhat unusual in that he fronted the big b…
October 11 was the birthday of Broadway and ballet giant Jerome Robbins (Jerome Rabinowitz, 1918-1998). I was considering backdating this post (as I often do) for the centennial of Robbins�…
Clifford C. Fischer (ca 1882-1951) was, like Florenz Ziegfeld, Martin Beck, and Ike Rose, an important figure in international variety and someone who linked vaudeville, Broadway, and cabare…
Today’s new Travalanche post for October 10, 2026 is about the Johnny Green. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 10 (in no particular order) include ones on: Johnny Stompanato W.C. Field…
You’ve got your Johnny Mercer, your Johnny Williams, your Adolph Green and now you’ve got your Johnny Green (1908-1989). Green was a musical Jack of All Trades who left his mark on Broad…
Today’s new Travalanche post for October 9, 2026 is about Ruth Ellis, The Last Woman Executed in the UK. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 9 (in no particular order) include ones on: J…
Today marks the 100th birthday of Ruth Ellis (Ruth Nielsen, 1926-1955). The centennial arrives at a time of maximum resonance on several fronts, both in the wider world and on this blog. Con…
Today’s new Travalanche post for October 8, 2026 is about The Vanderbilt Cup. Earlier Travalanche posts for October 8 (in no particular order) include ones on: The Great Chicago Fire and t…
