Understanding Vaudeville and Early Film Influences

Did the movies kill vaudeville? Some believe that vaudeville and early film are so closely connected and influenced by one another that to state that film in any way negatively-influenced vaudeville would be absurd. Others believe that the introduction of films into the entertainment industry was actually what would go on to kill this form of entertainment. So, what really happened? 

What is Vaudeville?

Vaudeville represented a collection of various acts. Typically a mix of comedy, circus acts, dancing and sometimes even animal acts. Which targeted families throughout the 1800s. The acts took place in theaters which eventually would come to be controlled by a few businessmen.

Eventually, in the 1900s, vaudeville would become the title given to entertainment entrepreneurs which delivered refined performances in auditoriums which were directly attractive to middle-class white women and children. 

Eclectic

Vaudeville entertainment was powerfully unique and by best definition, eclectic. A typical vaudeville bill would span between 9 and 12 acts which included great variety and would keep everyone engaged.

A mix of circus acts, burlesque dance routines, musical comedies, and even famous boxers and baseball players would make appearances on vaudeville bills over the years as would motion pictures. 

Silent Films

Silent films were often shown as the final act for a vaudeville bill. In fact, this became the chosen standard because silent films were much more affordable than live acts.

And since viewers often left during the closing act, exhibition owners largely opted to deliver the motion picture in order to minimize overhead and maximize revenues.

Did Film Kill Vaudeville?

Contrary to what people may believe, vaudeville and early film were seemingly popular as a pair and worked well together. Vaudeville was not killed or otherwise wiped out by silent cinema.

But, cinema is still powerfully popular today and vaudeville not so much – so doesn’t this mean that silent films killed the vaudeville acts?

Not really! 

What Happened to Vaudeville?

Vaudeville wasn’t killed by film, it was impacted by changing audience interests which evolved over time. As audience interests changed, filmmakers adapted and created new and improved works to accommodate changed interest.

However, vaudeville didn’t change much along the way. In fact, vaudeville managers, and performers, were largely against change and didn’t want to adjust to public desire for something new. 

So, while vaudeville and early film worked well together, film surpassed vaudeville entertainment largely because vaudeville failed to see the need for adaptation that was necessary.

In order to continue to appease a diverse audience the way film did. And, in time, vaudeville acts became less and less desired