THOMAS D. RICE "Jim Crow" (1808-60)

The "stage Negro" was first popularized by a strolling player in 1828 at Ludlow and Smith's Theatre in Louisville, Kentucky. Thomas D. Rice appeared in blackface as "Jim Crow" singing and dancing in a solo turn of such charismatic appeal that his career became forever dominated by it. The routine was supposedly inspired by an old black man who limped around and sang a little ditty as he tended horses.

A distinctive dance step, "rocking de heel" was added and a craze was born. Rice quickly found himself in demand all over the United States. He became more highly paid than any dramatic actor of the time. Several shows were written to accomodate the character. His Bone Squash and The Virginnia Mummy were clearly precursors of the Minstrel Shows that were to sweep through America and England beginning in the 1840's.

At one benefit performance in Washington, he entered with a large, lump sack which he placed on the stage floor as he commenced his act. For his finale, he opened the sack and poured out a 14 year old Joseph Jefferson who was dressed like Jim Crow and, to the delight of all, the two sang and danced the finale.

To all of which can only be said: "There's no explaining popular taste." Which still holds true today...