If one asked several people what image they had of the 1920s, an answer that might head the list of characteristics is something having to do with craziness, for the nonsense stunts and silly activities that seemed to dominate the social scenes of the Jazz Age. (Allen, Preface, p. 4)
Several type of endurance contests were reflective of the craziness. One such contest was a transcontinental foot race from LA to NYC called “The Bunion Derby”. (TFC, Vol. 4, p. 241) Several hundred contestants started the 3,400-mile race, and, 84 days later, 55 runners arrived at the finish at Madison Square Garden in NYC. The promoter expected to reap profits from the sale of programs, souvenirs, product sponsorships, municipal subsidies, and the like. But, the expected crowds never showed up and sponsors reneged, so it was a financial bust. After paying out almost $50,000 in prize money, the organizer was in the red about $100,000. (Id. p. 243)
Flag pole sitting was another nutty phenomenon of the Twenties. (TFC, p. 244). Americans of all ages were inspired by Hollywood stuntman and boxer Alvin, aka Earl, “Shipwreck” Kelly, who gained his nickname from his habit of being “shipwrecked” against the ropes of a boxing ring. Kelly gained national attention by sitting on flagpoles for extended periods of time (hours or days at a time) at various places round the country. In 1929, he sat on flagpoles for 145 out of 365 days. Kelly was imitated by all kinds of people – kids, thrill seekers, publicity hounds, etc. In 1929, a Baltimore boy sat on a 22 foot pole in his back yard for 10 days, 10 hours, 10 minutes and 10 seconds, resulting in 20 other kids (17 boys and 3 girls) pulling the same stunt for various amounts of time. Kelly was memorialized in Tom Russell’s song, Shipwreck Kelly, from the album “Museum of Memories”. (I have been unable to find the audio or lyrics of this song.) Russell’s song imagines him to have ended up his days drunk (both punch and gin-induced) in a pub moping about his life’s failures.
The Marathon Dance craze, which reached its apex in the 1930s and is discussed in detail in the section of this work on the Depression, is another form of lunacy that had its start in the 1920s. Dance Marathons have had a resurgence in the 21st Century. These contemporary marathons are staged by collegians across the country to raise funds for charities. They lack the insanity of the marathons of the 1920s and 30s, as they typically last only over a weekend. Universities where dance marathons have been held in recent years include Northwestern, USC, Seattle, Indiana, Columbia, LSU and others. http://www.idsnews.com/article/2017/11/caiudm
“Everybody Dance”, written by John Kander and Fred Ebb, performed by the cast from the musical “Steel Pier” (1997), paints an accurate picture of the ballyhoo associated with the dance marathon phenomenon. https://youtu.be/kC2f1wxZwcE
(Couples spin around the dance floor, while others sign up for
the dance marathon.)Mick’s Picks: (on the bandstand)
Life’s a party
Why don’t you come to the steel pier?
No one’s ever gloomy or glum
At the steel pierLadies and gentlemen, your marathon host…Mick Hamilton!
Mick:
Live! From the glorious marine ballroom on the world-famous Steel Pier!
It’s the 1933 Atlantic City dance marathon! Coming to you tonight and
Every night on WFPG. You know, folks, I have run marathons from
Catalina to Kalamazoo and never have I seen a dance floor filled with
More confident couples! Each couple certain they can outlast the others
And claim that pot of gold worth $2,000! In just a few moments, this
Glorious marathon will get underway! And suddenly, everyone’s earthly
Cares and woes will vanish into ether as our boys and girls do what
The smart set does to pass the time…When you feel the
World is sitting
On your shoulders,
Dance!When your troubles
Feel as big as
Ten ton boulders,
Dance!Dance your blues off,
Tap bad news off,
Shag your shoes off
And worries waltz away.When you feel an anger deep inside
That smolders,
Dance!Dance, mister,
Dance, sister!
Come on everybody, dance!Gentlemen our clock is telling us you have just five minutes before
The starting gun. And while you’re claiming your girls – I’ll show
You mine! Meet Mick’s Picks! Come on, gals, let’s heat it up.Mick’s Picks:
Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!Mick: Mick’s Picks:
Dance your blues off, ahhh
Tap bad news off, ahhh
Tip tap tip tap tip
Shag your shoes off your shoes off
And worries and worries
Waltz away, waltz away,
Away… Away…Mick: Mick’s Picks:
When you feel an 0000
Anger deep inside
That smolders,
Mick & Mick’s Picks:
Dance!
Dance!
Dance, mister,
Dance, sister!
Come on
Everybody, dance!All:
Everybody dance
Everybody dance
Everybody dance
Everybody dance
Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!Mick:(to the band)
That’s right boys, give me some sass!Man from couple #46:
Hey hey, take a look at this? Brand new step!Mr. Walker:
All right, separate. You can bunny hug
But you can’t grizzly bear.Man:
But this is how we get a sponsor.Mr. Walker:
This is how we get shut down.Mick:
Everybody, rhumba! Well, wah wah wah, look who just joined up – let’s
Throw the spotlight on olympic champion Johnny Adel! And his partner,
And first time marathoner, Dora Foster. How about it, Johnny? You gonna
Break a few records for us? Ah, ah! Businessmen! Do you like what you see?
Sponsor your favorites. They get your vote of confidence! You get their
Backs. And while you’re deciding just who’s going to be your sweet patootie,
Why not consider couple number 17. Go on now – let that cat meow meow meow!
That’s brother and sister sensation, Bette and Buddy Becker! Now that’s
Floor polish. Come on everybody, let’s rip up the joint.Contestants:
When you feel the
World is sitting
On your shoulders,Rita:
Oh, it’s you again.Bill:
You’re still waiting for your partner, huh?Rita:
Yes, I’m sure he’ll be here any minute. But thanks for asking.Contestants:
When your troubles
Feel as big as
Ten ton boulders,Bill:
Because if your partner doesn’t show I’m still available.Rita:
Well, you’ll be the first to know. I promise. Thanks again.Contestants:
Dance your blues off,
Tap bad news off,
Shag your shoes off
And worries waltz away.When you feel
An anger deep inside
That smolders,
Dance! Dance!
Dance, mister,
Dance, sister!
Come on
Everybody, dance!