Mollie Williams (born Mollie Hersh; March , â€" January , ) was an
American burlesque artist and producer. She was best known for
producing, writing, and starring in her own revue, The Mollie Williams
Show.Mollie Hersh was born on March , , in Manhattan, New York City.
She was one of four children born to Adolph Hersh and Henrietta
(Miers) Hersh. Both Adolph and Henrietta descended from German Jewish
immigrants and the family lived in East Harlem.In , Hersh appeared on
stage at Miner's Bowery Theatre (originators of “get the hook†)
using the name Mollie Williams. Williams was subsequently signed as a
chorus girl in Al Reeve's Big Beauty Show on the Eastern Burlesque
Wheel. In , while performing in the chorus of The Behman Show,
Williams persuaded the producer to stage her impersonation of Anna
Held. Williams' imitation of Held was a hit, one that led to principal
roles in shows produced by Jack Singer and Robert Manchester. During
this time, Williams was known for her wisecracking comedy and risqué
dramatic scenes, such as the Dance L’Enticement.With support from
producer Max Spiegel, Williams became head of her own burlesque
company in . As director and star of The Mollie Williams Show, she
succeeded in creating a “snappy musical show [that] when in perfect
running order ought to be ranking right up among leaders of the
Eastern Wheel.†The Mollie Williams Show featured a host of the
Columbia Wheel's most talented comedians, soubrettes, and chorus
girls. Williams herself appeared during the second act. She sang,
danced, joked, and starred in dramatic playlets that she wrote.
Williams kept the Dance L'Enticement in the show, but instead of
performing it herself she gave it to the male comedians and played it
for laughs. Citing Williams’ star power, Variety’s burlesque
critic wrote, “burlesque boasts very few women of the Mollie
Williams type. The lack of them is a prevailing weakness with most of
the wheel shows...Mollie is a whole show in herself.â€
American burlesque artist and producer. She was best known for
producing, writing, and starring in her own revue, The Mollie Williams
Show.Mollie Hersh was born on March , , in Manhattan, New York City.
She was one of four children born to Adolph Hersh and Henrietta
(Miers) Hersh. Both Adolph and Henrietta descended from German Jewish
immigrants and the family lived in East Harlem.In , Hersh appeared on
stage at Miner's Bowery Theatre (originators of “get the hook†)
using the name Mollie Williams. Williams was subsequently signed as a
chorus girl in Al Reeve's Big Beauty Show on the Eastern Burlesque
Wheel. In , while performing in the chorus of The Behman Show,
Williams persuaded the producer to stage her impersonation of Anna
Held. Williams' imitation of Held was a hit, one that led to principal
roles in shows produced by Jack Singer and Robert Manchester. During
this time, Williams was known for her wisecracking comedy and risqué
dramatic scenes, such as the Dance L’Enticement.With support from
producer Max Spiegel, Williams became head of her own burlesque
company in . As director and star of The Mollie Williams Show, she
succeeded in creating a “snappy musical show [that] when in perfect
running order ought to be ranking right up among leaders of the
Eastern Wheel.†The Mollie Williams Show featured a host of the
Columbia Wheel's most talented comedians, soubrettes, and chorus
girls. Williams herself appeared during the second act. She sang,
danced, joked, and starred in dramatic playlets that she wrote.
Williams kept the Dance L'Enticement in the show, but instead of
performing it herself she gave it to the male comedians and played it
for laughs. Citing Williams’ star power, Variety’s burlesque
critic wrote, “burlesque boasts very few women of the Mollie
Williams type. The lack of them is a prevailing weakness with most of
the wheel shows...Mollie is a whole show in herself.â€
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