100 years ago in the Record

Wednesday, Aug. 7, 1918

Two men are arrested at Proctor’s theater tonight for refusing to rise for the national anthem, The Record reports. Since the U.S. declared war on Germany in April 1917, it’s been customary for theater musicians to play “The Star Spangled Banner” during performances. It’s just as customary for audiences to stand when the flag is displayed during the playing of the song. Tonight, however, Benjamin and Earle Bullis refuse to get out of their seats. “When attendants requested them to rise they persisted in remaining seated,” our reporter writes, “and for a while there was a danger that the men would be mobbed.” Theater manager H. R. Emde calls the police before things get out of hand while ushers take the Bullis brothers into the boxoffice for their own safety. Emde asks them “why they did not rise in recognition of the patriotic anthem.” One of the brothers answers that “it was none of his d—n business why they did not rise.” Sergeant Thomas Dolan and Officer Thomas Quinn respond to the distress call. They take the Bullises to the Second Precinct station, followed by an angry crowd of theatergoers. Asked by the police why they didn’t stand, the brothers repeat that it’s “none of their d—n business.” The Bullises’ behavior “becomes more remarkable in view of the fact that the men accused are in the employ of the United States, or have been , working in the gun factory at the Watervliet arsenal,” our writer notes.

The brothers will be arraigned in police court tomorrow morning on a disorderly conduct charge. They could face federal charges under the Espionage Act, passed by Congress last May, for treating the flag disrespectfully.

Steppin’ Out

What had the Bullises come to see before the anthem annoyed them? Proctor’s is primarily a vaudeville theater but tonight’s program includes the feature film, “The Spirit of ’17,” starring Jack Pickford, brother of “America’s Sweetheart” Mary Pickford.

Headlining the live bill tonight are the team of Gallagher and Rolley performing “The Battle of Whatsishouse.” Another sketch act is Hyman Adler & Co., performing “The Schemers.”

Edith Clifford, formerly of Clifford and Mack, is “a brilliant blonde [who] makes a great hit as a singing comedienne.” Pianist Felix Bernard and violinist Jose Termini, who serve up “A Musical Highball,” are “two young men, so young that they might be referred to as boys,” but “what they lack in years is made up in ability.”

Finally, Ah Ling Foo is “an uncanny Chinese” who is “exceedingly proud of his various deceptions, because Foo is an oriental wizard.”

-- Kevin Gilbert