Julia Sanderson
Encyclopedia
Julia Sanderson was an actress and singer. Her father, Albert Sackett, was also a Broadway
star. She was born August 20, 1888, in Springfield, Massachusetts
. She appeared in the Forepaugh Circus (based in Philadelphia) as a child and in her early teen years with her father. She then moved to Broadway
, where she appeared in Jerome Kern
musicals. She was a hit in England, but returned to the United States.
experienced father and her mother. At the age of 18 she was in a show called Brewster's Millions. She then played in the chorus of Winsome Winnie and as understudy to actress Miss Paula Edwardes. She was also considered for a part in a show called "The Motor Girl", considered appropriate because of her interest and ownership of the early automobile
. 1906 continued to prove busy as she went into the part of Mrs. Pineapple in "The Chinese Honeymoon". After this she was retained to play Mataya in "Wang" with De Wolf Hopper. Then she played a part in Fantana. She then had a cast part in "The Tourists" but resigned from the company in December 1906 . She played in "The Dairymaids" opening in Atlantic City in August 1907, then at the Criterion Theatre New York
and on tour in the 1907 season before going across to the United Kingdom
, having been engaged by Charles Frohman
.
, a jockey
, on 22nd September 1907. She sought and obtained a divorce from him in 1912. Sanderson's second marriage was to Navy Lieutenant Bradford Barnette, head of the US Navy Hydrographic Department, and son of Rear Admiral W.G. Barnette USN. Her third was to ukelele singer Frank Crumit
. They met in 1922. Sanderson, 38, was sued for divorce in September of that year by her then-husband, Barnette, with Crumit, 33, named as co-respondent
. Crumit was married to a Connecticut woman at the time.
Crumit and Sanderson were married in 1928, and they retired briefly to Dunrovin, their country home near Springfield. Two years later they began working as a radio team, singing duets and engaging in comedy dialogues. They performed as the "Singing Sweethearts." In 1930, they continued with a popular quiz show, "The Battle of the Sexes," which ran 13 years, Crumit and Sanderson drove from Massachusetts to New York City, a four-hour trip, twice a week to do their radio show. Their final broadcast was aired the day before Crumit's death of a heart attack in New York City on September 7, 1943.
was named after her in Springfield and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
.
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
star. She was born August 20, 1888, in Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield, Massachusetts
Springfield is the most populous city in Western New England, and the seat of Hampden County, Massachusetts, United States. Springfield sits on the eastern bank of the Connecticut River near its confluence with three rivers; the western Westfield River, the eastern Chicopee River, and the eastern...
. She appeared in the Forepaugh Circus (based in Philadelphia) as a child and in her early teen years with her father. She then moved to Broadway
Broadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
, where she appeared in Jerome Kern
Jerome Kern
Jerome David Kern was an American composer of musical theatre and popular music. One of the most important American theatre composers of the early 20th century, he wrote more than 700 songs, used in over 100 stage works, including such classics as "Ol' Man River", "Can't Help Lovin' Dat Man", "A...
musicals. She was a hit in England, but returned to the United States.
Stage career
She was first managed within the family circle as a child and teenaged actor, with assistance from her BroadwayBroadway theatre
Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...
experienced father and her mother. At the age of 18 she was in a show called Brewster's Millions. She then played in the chorus of Winsome Winnie and as understudy to actress Miss Paula Edwardes. She was also considered for a part in a show called "The Motor Girl", considered appropriate because of her interest and ownership of the early automobile
Automobile
An automobile, autocar, motor car or car is a wheeled motor vehicle used for transporting passengers, which also carries its own engine or motor...
. 1906 continued to prove busy as she went into the part of Mrs. Pineapple in "The Chinese Honeymoon". After this she was retained to play Mataya in "Wang" with De Wolf Hopper. Then she played a part in Fantana. She then had a cast part in "The Tourists" but resigned from the company in December 1906 . She played in "The Dairymaids" opening in Atlantic City in August 1907, then at the Criterion Theatre New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
and on tour in the 1907 season before going across to the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, having been engaged by Charles Frohman
Charles Frohman
Charles Frohman was an American theatrical producer. Frohman was producing plays by 1889 and acquired his first Broadway theatre by 1892. He discovered and promoted many stars of the American theatre....
.
Marriages
She was married three times and had no children. Her first marriage was to Tod SloanTod Sloan (jockey)
James Forman "Tod" Sloan was an American thoroughbred horse racing jockey. He was elected to the National Museum of Racing and Hall of Fame in 1955.-Early life and U.S. racing career:...
, a jockey
Jockey
A jockey is an athlete who rides horses in horse racing or steeplechase racing, primarily as a profession. The word also applies to camel riders in camel racing.-Etymology:...
, on 22nd September 1907. She sought and obtained a divorce from him in 1912. Sanderson's second marriage was to Navy Lieutenant Bradford Barnette, head of the US Navy Hydrographic Department, and son of Rear Admiral W.G. Barnette USN. Her third was to ukelele singer Frank Crumit
Frank Crumit
Frank Crumit was an American singer, composer. radio entertainer and vaudeville star. He shared his radio programs with his wife, Julia Sanderson, and the two were sometimes called "the ideal couple of the air."...
. They met in 1922. Sanderson, 38, was sued for divorce in September of that year by her then-husband, Barnette, with Crumit, 33, named as co-respondent
Co-respondent
In English law, a co-respondent is, in general, a respondent to a petition, or other legal proceeding, along with another or others, or a person called upon to answer in some other way.- Divorce :...
. Crumit was married to a Connecticut woman at the time.
Crumit and Sanderson were married in 1928, and they retired briefly to Dunrovin, their country home near Springfield. Two years later they began working as a radio team, singing duets and engaging in comedy dialogues. They performed as the "Singing Sweethearts." In 1930, they continued with a popular quiz show, "The Battle of the Sexes," which ran 13 years, Crumit and Sanderson drove from Massachusetts to New York City, a four-hour trip, twice a week to do their radio show. Their final broadcast was aired the day before Crumit's death of a heart attack in New York City on September 7, 1943.
Retirement and death
After Crumit's death, Sanderson retired from the stage, and returned to live in Springfield at the estate, Dunrovin. She died in Springfield January 27, 1975, aged 86.Legacy
The Julia Sanderson TheaterJulia Sanderson Theater
Julia Sanderson Theater is an historic theater at 1676-1708 Main Street in Springfield, Massachusetts, Built in 1926 out of part of the grand Massasoit Hotel at a cost of over $1 million, the Paramount Theater was the most...
was named after her in Springfield and is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
.
External links
- "Julia Sanderson" at the IBDb.com database
- Article & Photo, National Magazine, October 1905
- Julia Sanderson papers, 1913-1935, bulk (1913-1928) in New York Public Library Theater Division
- Julia Sanderson portrait gallery New York Public Library Billy Rose Collection
- Julia Sanderson recording of Why Do Stars Come Out At Night ca .1930s (with Frank Crumit introducing)
- Julia Sanderson University of Washington, Sayre collection