The Vaudeville Star and the Seattle Showdown
After her husband allegedly cheated her out of her share of a touring variety show, Blanche Norris took the business to court in Seattle—and won a $4,450 payout.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Blanche Norris, one of the professional beauties of the Vaudeville stage, has been given $4,450 in bank bills. The amount was received in full settlement of her claims for alimony and property rights against Andrew Orin, from whom she was divorced recently in Buffalo, N.Y. This transaction was concluded after Miss Norris made a hurried trip across the continent to Seattle, where she tied up the Norris and Bailey show, in which her husband held an interest. Several weeks ago, Miss Norris arrived in Seattle. She claimed a one-half interest in the show but stated she had never received a cent for her share. Learning that the show was bound for England via Seattle, and knowing that service could be served on them, she came here. The case occupied several days in the courts, with the result that she eventually acquired a total of $4,450 before the show was able to leave for Australia.
“She claimed a one-half interest in the show, but stated she had never received a cent for her share.”
This story highlights the precarious nature of touring labor and property rights in the early 20th century. Just as today's performers and workers struggle with wage theft and international contract enforcement, Blanche Norris had to leverage the local legal system—specifically by 'tying up' a traveling show before it could leave the port—to secure her fair share of earnings.
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