Linked from

The 130 pages that link to Vaudeville, each with the reason it gives.

• Minstrel showNarrower topic: Minstrel shows helped shape vaudeville, which later offered a broader and changing performance structure.

• Sketch comedyNarrower topic: Vaudeville’s rapid succession of comic turns provided a live-performance model for sketches.

• Drag performanceNarrower topic: Drag acts inherited performance conventions from the variety circuits where cross-dressing comedy appeared.

• Variety showNarrower topic: Its mixed bills established a live-performance model for variety shows.

• Buster KeatonNarrower topic: Keaton developed his stage timing and physical skills in this performance tradition.

• Mack SennettNarrower topic: Sennett drew on vaudeville’s performers and gag traditions when making screen comedy.

• Fred AstaireNarrower topic: Astaire developed stage timing and performance skills in this variety-show tradition.

• Cary GrantNarrower topic: Grant’s early touring work connected British music hall performance with American vaudeville.

• Double actNarrower topic: Vaudeville circuits helped spread short partnership routines to broad audiences.

• George M. CohanNarrower topic: Cohan’s childhood in a family act gave his musical comedy its quick pace and performer-centered style.

• Gypsy Rose LeeNarrower topic: Lee’s childhood performing with her sister began in the vaudeville circuit.

• Al JolsonNarrower topic: Jolson developed his act in the variety-show circuit before achieving Broadway and film fame.

• The Muppet ShowNarrower topic: The show's rapid succession of self-contained performances echoes vaudeville structure.

• Eddie CantorNarrower topic: Cantor developed his comic timing and energetic performance style on the vaudeville stage.

• Marx BrothersNarrower topic: The brothers developed their timing and routines in the variety-show circuit.

• Mickey RooneyNarrower topic: Rooney began performing as a young child in his parents’ vaudeville act.

• James CagneyNarrower topic: Cagney’s stage experience developed his timing and physical expressiveness before Hollywood.

• Mervyn LeRoyNarrower topic: LeRoy began performing in vaudeville before entering the film industry.

• Women in comedyNarrower topic: Its touring circuits provided paid stages for women comedians, singers, and comic duos.

• GypsyNarrower topic: The family’s early career unfolds in the vaudeville world that burlesque later replaces.

• Abbott and CostelloNarrower topic: The duo developed their timing and routines in the vaudeville circuit before national fame.

• Ethel MermanNarrower topic: Merman developed her early stage presence in variety performance before becoming a Broadway star.

• Fanny BriceNarrower topic: Brice developed her skills in the fast-changing performance format that launched her career.

• George BurnsNarrower topic: Burns began performing in vaudeville, where he developed the routines and stagecraft used throughout his career.

• Jack BennyNarrower topic: Benny developed his stagecraft in the touring variety tradition.

• Jesse L. LaskyNarrower topic: Lasky worked as a vaudeville performer before entering the motion-picture business.

• Mae WestNarrower topic: West learned comic timing and audience command in the variety theaters where her career began.

• Daisy and Violet HiltonNarrower topic: The Hiltons’ success and decline reflected vaudeville’s changing fortunes.

• Leo McCareyNarrower topic: Its performer-centered traditions formed part of the entertainment culture surrounding McCarey’s early career.

• Martha RayeNarrower topic: Raye grew up performing in the vaudeville circuit with her parents.

• Annette KellermanNarrower topic: Its stages gave Kellerman a venue to combine swimming, athletic display, and performance.

• Bill RobinsonNarrower topic: Robinson built his reputation on the vaudeville circuit before achieving Broadway and film fame.

• Don KnottsNarrower topic: Knotts’s early ventriloquism and comedy performances drew on variety-show traditions.

• Harold ArlenNarrower topic: Arlen toured as a pianist and singer in a vaudeville act before composing for Broadway.

• Harpo MarxNarrower topic: The brothers refined their routines in vaudeville before moving into films.

• Ma RaineyNarrower topic: Its circuits offered Black performers venues and audiences beyond local communities.

• Marie DresslerNarrower topic: Dressler toured in vaudeville, where her broad comic style reached audiences beyond Broadway.

• Milton BerleNarrower topic: Berle carried vaudeville’s rapid changes of act into television programming.

• Roscoe ArbuckleNarrower topic: Arbuckle trained as a performer in vaudeville before entering motion pictures.

• Sammy Davis Jr.Narrower topic: Davis learned performance skills in the vaudeville circuit as a child.

• Will RogersNarrower topic: Its variety-show format gave Rogers an early stage for combining roping and jokes.

• Drag showNarrower topic: Its sequence of contrasting acts resembles the variety structure of many drag shows.

• Novelty songNarrower topic: Vaudeville’s comic songs and eccentric performers helped establish novelty music’s stage roots.

• Thelma RitterNarrower topic: Ritter worked in vaudeville as a child, gaining experience in live performance.

• Bud AbbottNarrower topic: Abbott and Costello developed their timing through the vaudeville circuit.

• Eleanor PowellNarrower topic: Powell performed in vaudeville as a child, gaining early stage experience.

• Florence LawrenceNarrower topic: Lawrence performed on stage from childhood before moving into motion pictures.

• Gracie AllenNarrower topic: Allen and Burns developed their act in the live variety-show tradition.

• Jackie CooganNarrower topic: Coogan performed on stage as a young child before his film career took off.

• Lou CostelloNarrower topic: Costello and Abbott developed their act in the vaudeville circuit.