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Doddridge of the 1920s Part 4

Doddridge of the 1920s Part 4

In turning to other matters of the 1920s, it will be found that there actually were a few other things for people to do besides run up and down the road in their cars. For example, the traveling tent shows found Doddridge to be a profitable place to put down their stakes. Western silent movies were their “stock in trade,” with a one-reel comedy tacked on at the end. Comedies of the time featured such inimitable artists as Buster Keaton, Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd, Ben Turpin, and the Keystone Cops. On occasion, a tent show would come which featured live stage productions. These would be a series of comedy acts, slapstick, acrobatics, dancing, or a three-act fast moving play. Although the acting was always superb, serious drama or tragedy was never presented in these shows simply because audiences wanted to laugh and have a good time. Perhaps to these audiences’ heavy drama was not entertainment. Life was hard enough without having tragedy piled on top for good measure.

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