G. D. Sweet Famous Players

The G. D. Sweet Famous Players was a theatre company that performed in tent shows and opera houses. The company was founded by George D. Sweet and was based in Storm Lake, Iowa. Its performers included Sweet's family members.

Founding

George D. Sweet may have spent his childhood in Early, Iowa, and Storm Lake, Iowa. Sweet moved from Storm Lake to marry an actress, later working in opera houses in small towns and repertory theatre tent shows. His wife was able to sing well and the two of them played one-night performances in opera houses. Sometime between 1910 and 1920, Sweet founded the G. D. Sweet Famous Players. Storm Lake was Sweet's headquarters and where he lived during the winter. Sweet was described as "a showman" and "a large, imposing man, given to cigars and pearl-gray hats worn jauntily".[1] He rode a black Kissel limousine throughout Storm Lake and his actors would also ride along. Because Sweet was not a performer, much of the praise went to his wife and daughter. However, Sweet had a few minor roles such as a sheriff.[1] Author Marjorie Holmes wrote, "'Hi, G. D.!', those who claimed to know him would call eagerly; and no honor swelled the bosom more than to receive his nod and be grandly waved in free."[2]

Performances and later years

While Sweet owned the company, performers included his wife, his daughter Marjorie, and his brother Lorenzo. It is unknown how many performers there were from the 1920s to the 1930s and each performer had multiple jobs within the company.[1] Holmes wrote, "Sometimes it was Mrs. Sweet who reigned, white-haired, diamonds flashing like some grand duchess of fairyland. She was rich-voiced, rollicking, flattering, but she seldom let anyone in without paying." She continued with, "Mrs. Sweet was the undisputed star."[2] Robert Vaughn toured with the company during the summer when he was 12 years old.[3] Other performers were recruited from multiple stock companies.[4] The performances were named "Sunday school" shows because they were family friendly; words like "hell" or "damn" were never used.[1] Beyond Sweet, the other directors were Billy Lee and Frank Marlowe. The company performed well-known Broadway pieces including Abie's Irish Rose and Up in Mabel's Room.[1] Most performances were in tents with three-day runs and four to five acts. The scenery changed with each act.[4] The company performed in multiple towns throughout Iowa, in which they were well-known.[1] Sweet died on November 30, 1936, from injuries due to a traffic collision three days prior.[5] The shows originally ended following his death, and Frank Gifford took over the company until 1941.[1] The company toured Iowa in summer 1941.[6] At some point, Vincent Dennis took over the company and held performances in Spencer, Iowa, in May 1947.[7] On February 17, 1951, Dennis tried to recruit performers in a Billboard advertisement.[8]

References
  1. Glenn, George D.; Poole, Richard L. (1993). The Opera Houses of Iowa. Iowa State University Press. p. 65–66. ISBN 978-0-8138-0984-7.
  2. Holmes, Marjorie (1978). Love and laughter. G.K. Hall. p. 211–213. ISBN 978-0-8161-6548-3 – via Archive.org.
  3. Heitland, John (December 15, 1987). The Man From U.N.C.L.E. Book. Macmillan. p. 22. ISBN 978-0-312-00052-3.
  4. "National Register of Historic Places Multiple Property Documentation Form". National Register of Historic Places. August 20, 1993. p. 24. Retrieved November 7, 2021.
  5. "George Sweet, Well Known Operator of Tent Shows, Dies". The Globe Gazette. December 1, 1936. Retrieved November 16, 2021 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Sweet Shows at Clay Fair". The Lake Park News. August 28, 1941 – via newspapers.com.
  7. "Tent Showmen Swap Ideas at Roberson Home". Billboard. March 29, 1947.
  8. "Wanted". Billboard. February 17, 1951.
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