Strange Times 96: Actresses Should Wear Clothes

Today brings jewel theft, risque theatrics, and a bitterly pointless death. Zip up your own damn dress on…

April 6, 1921

• Representatives of the film industry offer to self-censor, promising a “clean sweep from coast to coast” if New York’s legislature drops a proposed censorship bill.

• Bombs are found scattered throughout Berlin, supposedly supplied to the Communists there by Max Hoelz, the “German Robin Hood.”

• 300 Croats attack a gang of Italian Fascists in the village of Carnizza, killing several, on the same night that Fascist leader Professor Benito Mussolini calls for a celebration of Fascist power on April 21 in Rome.

• The Weather: Fair today and Thursday, with continued mild temperature; fresh southerly winds.

In case you missed it, Raffles is a famous Victorian gentleman thief, and the woman at work in Chicago appears to be every bit his equal. May she never be caught!

CHICAGO, April 5.—A mysterious society woman “Raffles” is at work on Chicago’s “gold coast” and making a fine collection of costly jewelry, beaded bags, furs and other articles. The harvest reaped in the last few weeks at society functions exceeds $35,000. Scarcely a luncheon or dance is now complete without a report that some woman has been robbed of jewelry or other valuables. Some of the more recent thefts include a diamond brooch valued at $5,000, a diamond bar pin worth $1,275, earrings costing $750 and similar articles.

The thief is said to be a young woman who has the entree to all society functions. Officials of Lloyd’s Insurance Agency, which carried policies on much of the stolen property, were loath to discuss the numerous robberies. They said a thorough investigation was in progress, but that any discussion of plans at this time would upset all calculations and permit the thief to escape.

While I am disappointed in Mayor Couzens’ prudishness, I will say that I share his loathing for audience participation. No matter how nude their backs, there are few things more chilling than the sight of performers wading down into the seats looking for people to join the show.

DETROIT, April 5.—Mayor Couzens is inclined to the opinion that actresses should wear clothes and should put on these clothes in their dressing rooms and not trust to members of the audience to fasten the hooks in their garments.

The Mayor announced these views today after seeing a performance at the New Detroit Theatre last night.

“Tell them to get busy and put on some clothes,” he instructed Lieutenant Lester Potter, police censor.

At one point of the performance the chorus girls, rather carelessly attired, walked down the runway and invited members of the audience to “fasten their backs.”

“I gave them some latitude and they kicked over the traces,” Lieutenant Potter said. “So I have decided to solve the problem by a blanket order requiring all women appearing in theatres, cabarets or other public places, to wear tights.”

The order applies not only to the musical shows, but also to Grecian dancers. The only deviation allowed will be where national costumes such as the Scottish are worn.

A hideous, pointless death.

CLEVELAND, Ohio, April 5.—Robert Fischer was shot and killed when three youths held up a soft drink establishment here tonight. The bandits escaped in a taxicab, which they had engaged to take them to the place. Their loot consisted of $4 in cash and a check for $5.

Fischer, a patron, was shot when he approached one of the robbers, who had ordered him to throw up his hands.