Eugene David
...The One-Minute Pundit

Sunday, May 08, 2005


In 1898, a young German Jewish immigrant posted a cross-hatch trademark above his door in New York City - four X's, representing a W superimposed on an M - and went into business as "William Morris, Vaudeville Agent." During an illustrious history that spans three centuries, the William Morris Agency plays an integral role in shaping the face of entertainment.

By the time WMA formerly
[SIC] incorporated in New York State on January 31, 1918, Morris was joined by son William, Jr., and office-boy-turned-agent-turned-partner Abe Lastfogel as directors of the company. Vaudeville was king, but the Agency didn't hesitate to aggressively identify, understand and develop business in new and emerging areas, a trend that continues today.

As silent film grew into an exciting new form of entertainment, Morris was quick to encourage his performing clients to experiment in the new medium while the competition held fast to vaudeville. Stars such as Al Jolson, the Marx Brothers, Mae West and Charlie Chaplin helped forge the Agency's dominance in New York and Hollywood.

The momentum continued to build during the 1920s. Clients included such luminaries as George Jessel. The nascent medium of radio provided yet another frontier to explore.

By 1930, after some 32 years at the helm, Morris passed leadership of the agency to his son and Abe Lastfogel. With Morris, Jr. heading the new office in Los Angeles and Mr. Lastfogel running the operation in New York City, the Agency featured an impressive roster of clients, including such superstars as Jimmy Cagney, Louis Armstrong and Will Rogers.


Now the agency owns Lollapalooza. No wonder it's in trouble.

P. S.



I'm putting this in just for the hell of it.

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