Jus Addiss and Hayden Rorke "This is the Army" travel photographs
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Abstract
Photographs by and of Justus "Jus" Addiss (1917–1979) and Hayden Rorke (1910–1987), taken during their time in the U.S. military, while they toured in the Irving Berlin musical "This is the Army," which was performed at Allied bases in Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific during World War II. Addiss later became a well-known director of television programs ("Rawhide" and "Voyage to the Bottom of the Sea."). Rorke is best remembered for his role as NASA psychiatrist Dr. Bellows in the 1960s sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie." Rorke and Addiss were romantic partners who lived together until the latter's death in 1979.
Historical note
"This is the Army" was a World War II-era American musical (book by James McColl, music and lyrics by Irving Berlin) that was produced by the U.S. Army on Broadway over twelve weeks in the summer of 1942. During its run at the Broadway Theatre, the show—starring soldiers alongside professional performers and featuring such memorable tunes as "Oh! How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning"—raised $40,000 per week for the benefit of the Army Emergency Relief Fund. It next toured nationally and internationally, and in 1943 became a musical comedy film by the same title. In 1944–1945, under the auspices of the Special Services branch of the American military, the production traveled to Allied bases in Europe, the Middle East, and the Pacific, bringing along much of the same cast to entertain troops stationed there. The final performance of "This is the Army" took place on Maui, Hawaii, on October 22, 1945.
Two men associated with the show—and long associated with each other—were Justus "Jus" Addiss (1917–1979) and Hayden Rorke (1910–1987). Addiss served as stage manager for the touring productions of "This is the Army." He went on to a career directing television programs such as "The Twilight Zone" and "Mr. Ed." Hayden Rorke (born William Henry Rorke) was a prolific actor who appeared in the Broadway run of "This is the Army," and made his screen debut (uncredited) in the film version. He is best remembered for playing Colonel Alfred Bellows in the 1960s sitcom "I Dream of Jeannie." Rorke and Addiss were romantic partners who lived together until the latter's death in 1979.
Arrangement
The collection is organized chronologically.
Scope and Contents
This collection contains 139 photographs by and of Justus "Jus" Addiss (1917–1979) and Hayden Rorke (1910–1987), taken during their time in the U.S. military during World War II, while they were touring with the Special Service Division in the Irving Berlin musical "This is the Army." Each print bears a handwritten or typed caption on the back, identifying the places and people appearing in the view. Locations include Italy (May-July 1944), Egypt (August 1944), the Holy Land (August 1944), Iran (October 1944), India (November 1944), and the Philippines (March and May, 1945). (Refer to the container list for more specific location information.)
While the musical production itself is not represented by photographs, the collection does include some views of the stage under construction and completed (taken in the Philippines; see Folder 8), and of the dressing room (taken in Persia [Iran]; see Folder 6). And, along with Addiss and Rorke—who is identified by "Bill," as his birth name was William—a number of other men appear in the photographs, most of whom were fellow servicemen and performers. Some are fully named; others are identified only by their first names or nicknames. Many are listed in the Broadway and film credits of "This is the Army":
• "Alan"
• Allon Trio (or Flying Allon Trio): Angelo "Angie" Buono (1913–1996), Louis Bednarcik (1917–2008), and Geno Erbisti (1911–1974)
• "Art"
• Leander Eugene "Gene" Berg [a.k.a. Gene Nelson] (1920–1996)
• Irving Berlin (1888–1989)
• "Bert"
• Joe Bush
• Carl Fisher (1909–1974)
• "Gilmour"
• Alan Holmes
• Philip "Phil" Jones
• "Marcus"
• Ralph Magelssen (1909–1989)
• Jules "Julie" Oshins (1906–1956)
• Anthony "Tony" Ross (1906–1955)
• Frank Scadden
• "Washer"
• Cass Yaeger [possibly Casse Jaeger (1915–1996)]
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Access Restrictions
This collection is stored offsite. To arrange to view it, please go to www.nyhistory.org/library/visit.
Use Restrictions
Taking images of documents from the library collections for reference purposes by using hand-held cameras and in accordance with the library's photography guidelines is encouraged. As an alternative, patrons may request up to 20 images per day from staff. Application to use images from this collection for publication should be made in writing to: Department of Rights and Reproductions, The New-York Historical Society, 170 Central Park West, New York, NY 10024-5194, rightsandrepro@nyhistory.org. Phone: (212) 873-3400 ext. 282. Copyrights and other proprietary rights may subsist in individuals and entities other than the New-York Historical Society, in which case the patron is responsible for securing permission from those parties. For fuller information about rights and reproductions from N-YHS visit: www.nyhistory.org/rights-and-reproductions.
Preferred Citation
This collection should be cited as the Jus Addiss and Hayden Rorke "This is the Army" travel photographs, PR-462, Department of Prints, Photographs, and Architectural Collections, The New-York Historical Society.
Location of Materials
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Gail and James Addiss, 2023 (accession no. PPAC-2023-023).
About this Guide
Processing Information
Archivist Joseph Ditta arranged and described this collection in August 2023.