Burlesque in Falls City, NE

Long before Falls City became known for quiet streets and prairie charm, it played host to a livelier, more provocative chapter of American entertainment history. Burlesque—equal parts satire, spectacle, and subversion—once flickered across its vaudeville stages and traveling tents, offering rural audiences a taste of urban glamour and risqué wit. This article traces the forgotten footprints of burlesque in Falls City, exploring how itinerant performers, local impresarios, and shifting cultural norms shaped a legacy that still shimmers beneath the surface.

Falls City Opera House | 1880

The Brownville Pinafore Company presented the burlesque opera Pinafore to the delight of a full house. Miss Cora Gates was the favorite, who played “Josephine”, the captain’s daughter. Her singing was reported as “faultless.” Women played all the roles regardless of gender. After the show, local musicians played dance music into the wee hours (midnight for 1880s standards).

Owl Club of Atchison at the Cains Opera House | 1881

In January 19th 1881, the “Owl Club of Atchison” produced a new operetta called Hash at the Cains Opera House in Falls City.

“It is the late and popular style of dramatic amusement, consisting of a little minstrelsy, a little tragedy, a great deal of burlesque, and a fair share of music. It is a humorous farcical and well gotten up burlesque, on the show business.”

The Falls City Daily News continues, “We hope that our citizens who are fond of intellectual fun, and with to pass an hour or two in soul refreshing merriment, will give our Atchison friends, on this occasion, their liberal patronage and a numerous attendance.”

– Falls City Daily News. Page 3. January 13, 1881

The World Theatre | 1916

The infamous Charlie Chaplin’s burlesque film on Carmen was shown at the World Theatre in Falls City in September 1916.

(The Falls City Journal. “Charlie Chaplin in Burlesque on ‘Carmen’ in 4 Acts.” Page 3. September 7, 1916)

“That Chaplin’s ability is not confined to Slap-stick comedy is demonstrated in this burlesque on ‘Carmen.’ In this four act Essanay-Chaplin feature film he combines real dramatic situations with most comic efforts, and from the contrast comes the humor of the piece. His burlesque will be appreciated by picture patrons, whether or not they have seen the opera. Edna Purviance, his leading lady makes a delightful Carmen.”

Gehling Opera House/Theater | 1919-1926

(The Falls City Journal. Ad for Sliding Billy Watson at the Gehling Theater. October 25, 1919)

The Gehling Theater was managed by a man named Gilman. He guaranteed ‘clean and good’ burlesque.

(The Falls City Journal. Ad for Gehling Theater. Page 2. November 8, 1919)

Newspaper advertisements give a thorough brief of the entertainment:

“Here is an Original Girly Burlesque Show”

“Assisted by A Chorus of Dainty, Dashing Beauties…One of the best girl shows of the season and one everyone should see.”

Censorship at Gehling Theater

The City Council of Falls City listened to a group of ‘ladies’ who brought the question of censorship of the ‘Gehling Opera House’ due to its showing of ‘picture shows.’ A general talk went underway and an understanding was met. Manager Gilman “stated his position gentlemanly and emphatically ad asked for the assistance of the ladies as to the Gehling attractions.” The Daily News noted Gehling had overstepped on two or three shows, “submitting some disgusting stuff.”

None the less, Manager Gilman stuck by his laurels and said he thought ‘clean burlesque’ was alright and a majority of his shows this season were “free from lude antics.” A policing of women on stage seems to be looming. The ladies made an objection, stating the billboards for the shows at the Gehling showed “girls in tights”. Gilman argued that the same objection could be made to illustrations for underwear advertisements at department stores.

Falls City Mayor Lyford stated he thought the manager could depend upon good judgement for business. Manager Gilman then stated, “after this week the burlesque shows will be billed in the Chicago routing for St. Joseph, cutting out Falls City. The local situation had no bearing on this position, however. The discussion ended at that, and everyone seemed content.

– Falls City Daily News. “The Censors.” Page 1. December 3, 1919

Last Burlesque at the Gehling?

(The Falls City Journal. Ad for Gehling Theater. Page 2. December 6, 1919)

The last burlesque show of the season in 1919 was Jazz Babies with Frank Silk and a chorus of 50 people. December wrapped up with a bang! The show was a hit–so much so it was talked about a month later, still, in January 1920.

Ticket prices were raised to $1.10 (instead of the 50 cents to $1 plus tax) at the Gehling.

“I wonder why Falls City people don’t attend good shows like this one tonight. It seems that $1.10 is a big price to pay when it comes to seeing a good clean attraction, but now with a burlesque they fall over each other to get into the theatre. Now is it the country people that attend these shows? The majority of the people were new to me in attendance at the burlesque shows, anyway they may have been from neighboring towns. The theatre tonight could have been filled with Falls City people alone.

I wonder where the members of the censor board are. Are all of the members here? Well, I guess they think they have but one duty to perform and that is not to push a good thing along. Say if we have to blame our country neighbors for liking the burlesque, how are we going to educate them to more cultured things when they won’t attend? The big question was left right there, unsolved.”

– “What About Your Neighbor?” Falls City Journal, Falls City, NE. Page 2. January 7, 1920

But Burlesque Didn’t Stop

(The Falls City Journal. Ad for the Gehling Theater. Page 2. March 29, 1926)

The Girls’ Reserve of the Y.W.C.A | 1919

In December 1919, the Girls’ Reserve of the Y.W.C.A threw a Mother’s Party which entailed an elaborate dinner of veal, mashed potatoes and gravy, baked beans, Waldorf Astoria salad, coffee, pie, ice cream and cake.

Entertainment was provided by the Woman’s Club where a dancer named “Miss Larimore” performed an Egyptian dance, which was “most cleverly done.” Clearly an appropriation of an Egyptian belly dance, which were popular at the time. Dances such as the Dance of 7 Veils were repeated endlessly by white performers across the United States and parts of Europe during the 1910s-1920s. (The Falls City Journal. “Social Events.” Page 1. December 20, 1919)

Censorship in Falls City | 1924

(Falls City Daily News. Page 4. September 14, 1924)

The brief statement above, provided by Sheriff Young, denotes there were nude dances being performed in Falls City during the 1920s. If none were happening, no admission of attempting to stop them would be needed! Law enforcement during this time period would be a constant battle between ‘lewd behavior’ and ‘public decency.’

The Rivoli Theatre | 1929-1943

(The Falls City Journal. Page 2. December 9, 1929)

Moving pictures of burlesque and other stage shows were on the rise. The Hollywood Revue included a chorus of 200 people and 25 dancing stars.

Tobacco Road Stage Show | 1938

The infamous stage play, Tobacco Road, caused a stir in Nebraska. Omaha Mayor Butler censored the show before it could be shown to Omaha audiences–a major blow to free speech in the theater. The play was written by Jack Kirkland and based on Erskine Galdwell’s novel by the same name. At this time, the play had the longest run for any American play, with its 5th year on Broadway in 1938.

Tobacco Road is a realistic portrayal of the lives of poor share-croppers who live in the ‘back country’ of Georgia. It was called ‘the epic American play’ and had Congress up in arms–inciting an investigation into the living conditions of poor people in the South. The Julius Rosenwald Fund was created to set aside a special sum of money for improving living conditions.

From February 25-27th 1938, the show was staged at the Rivoli Theatre in Falls City. The Shubert Citizen newspaper stated, “The appearance of Tobacco Road will bring to Falls City a play that has created history in the American Theatre.” (Shubert Citizen. “Tobacco Road’ to be Staged at the Rivoli Theatre.” Page 1. February 17, 1938)

Charmaine at the Rivoli Theatre | 1939

(The Falls City Journal. November 4, 1939)

Charmaine was billed as an exotic dancer in “Club de Femmes” co-starring Danielle Darrieux.

Lin Chan at the Rivoli Theatre | 1940

(Falls City Journal. Ad for Lin Chan at the Rivoli Theatre. Page 2. March 1, 1940)

The exotic dancer Lin Tsen Chan, a Chinese-American burlesque dancer, performed in Falls City in March 1940. She was billed as “The Girl Who Set the Japanese Soldiers Daffy! She’s Different!” She was also accompanied by “The Philippine Serenaders” and the ‘Casino de Paree’ Chorus. The moving picture “Escape to Paradise” was shown on screen. Lin Chan performed

(The Falls City Journal. Ad for Lin Chan at the Rivoli. March 12, 1940)

(Palladium Item. “Will be on stage.” Page 11. January 26, 1941)

Electric Theatre | 1929

(The Falls City Journal. Ad for the Electric Theatre. Page 2. December 9, 1929)

Oil City Theater | 1943

(The Falls City Journal. Ad for Ann Corio in “Sarong Girl” at the Oil City Theater. Page 2. October 1, 1943)

In October 1943, the Oil City Theatre in Falls City showed the film “Sarong Girl” starring burlesque beauty, Ann Corio.

Salem’s Big Red “N” Club | 1978

In Spring of 1978, Salem’s (a town near Falls City) Big Red “N” Club was under investigation for alleged nude dancing inside. It was a ‘bottle club’ and was raided on a Tuesday night. The owner, John Marr of Salem, hired a dancer named Carmen Phillips (23 years old from Topeka, KS) to dance nude inside the club.

Carmen was arrested and had to pay $200 in fines on charges of indecent exposure and disorderly conduct. The criminal activity brought a charge against the owner, and their liquor license was suspended.