Tutt Brothers facts for kids
Salem Tutt Whitney (born Salem Tutt; November 15, 1875 – February 12, 1934) and J. Homer Tutt (born Jacob Homer Tutt; January 31, 1882 – February 10, 1951) were known as the Tutt Brothers. They were American vaudeville producers, writers, and performers. Vaudeville was a popular type of entertainment with many different acts, like singers, dancers, and comedians. The Tutt Brothers were very important in black vaudeville. They created over 40 different shows called revues for black audiences.
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The Tutt Brothers' Early Lives
Salem Tutt Whitney and his brother J. Homer Tutt were born in Logansport, Indiana. Salem was born around 1875, and J. Homer was born in 1882. Even though they called themselves brothers, they might have been half-brothers. Salem first wanted to be a minister. But he later decided to become a performer and left college. He studied at the National School of Journalism. He also gained experience in acting, comedy, and writing.
Traveling Shows and Early Success
From 1888 to 1905, the brothers performed in their traveling tent show. This show was called Silas Green from New Orleans. A tent show was a type of traveling theater. It performed in a large tent, often in rural areas. This show continued until the 1940s. The brothers later sold the show to a circus owner, but they never received payment.
In the 1910s, they started their own company called the Smart Set Company. From 1910 to 1925, Whitney and Tutt created more than 40 revues. These shows were for black performers and audiences. The brothers wrote and performed in these shows themselves. Some of their performers became famous. For example, the blues singer Mamie Smith danced in their Smart Set shows when she was a teenager.
Popular Plays and Broadway
One of their most popular shows was a musical comedy called George Washington Bullion. Salem Tutt Whitney starred in it as a tobacco plantation owner. This show was a big hit and ran for 20 years.
Their musical Oh Joy! even played on Broadway in New York City for four weeks. Broadway is famous for its large theater shows. The singer Ethel Waters first starred in Oh Joy! when it played in Boston. But when the Tutt Brothers found a theater space in New York City that was just a tent on a tennis court, Ethel Waters left the show. She was replaced by Ethel Williams. Both brothers also acted in a play called The Green Pastures in 1930.
Acting in Movies
The Tutt Brothers also acted in movies. They appeared in both silent films and talkies. Silent films had no spoken dialogue, only music and captions. Talkies were movies with sound and spoken words.
Their movies included:
- Birthright (1924)
- Marcus Garland (1925)
- The Broken Violin (1927)
- A Daughter of the Congo (1930)
Salem Tutt Whitney passed away in Chicago on February 12, 1934. J. Homer Tutt died in Los Angeles on February 10, 1951.
Family Life
Salem Tutt Whitney was married three times. His first wife was Emma A. Baynard. They got married on May 6, 1903. Emma was a talented singer. She had performed with a group called the Oriental Troubadours.
