Raymond Hitchcock (1865-1929), American actor, as he was seen in London for the first time upon appearing in the title role of Mr Manhattan, which was first produced at the Prince of Wales’s Theatre, on 30 March 1916
(photo: unknown, USA, circa 1915)
‘MR. RAYMOND HITCHCOCK
‘The famous American character-comedian, who made his first appearance in England in Mr. Manhattan at the Prince of Wales’s Theatre last week. Mr. Manhattan sounds American but it is an all-English musical comedy, for the book is by Mr. Fred Thompson and Mr. C.H. Bovill, and the music by Mr. Howard Talbot. The piece had a successful trial trip at Blackpool before coming to London.’
(The Tatler, London, 5 April 1916, p. viii)
* * * * *
‘Hitchcock’s Home Burned.
‘The two-story frame dwelling owned by Raymond Hitchcock, about three miles from Great Neck, L.I., was destroyed by fire which started from some unknown cause early last Tuesday morning. The loss is estimated at from $30,000 to $40,000.
‘The fire spread so rapidly that when it was discovered there was little or no chance of saving the building. A fire call was sent to Great Neck and Alert Engine Company responded, but they could do little to extinguish the flames, although able to prevent the flames from spreading to the home of W.A. Chandler, close by.
‘Two women servants where were asleep on the second floor were slightly injured in leaping from their bedrooms.’
(The New York Dramatic Mirror, New York, Saturday, 11 September 1909, p.11c)
Raymond Hitchcock made a number of gramophone recordings in New York and London between 1910 and 1922, for several of which see the Internet Archive.
Footlight Notes 