In 1927 the Franchon & Marco’s vaudeville show featuring the Sunkist Beauties performed at the Rialto theater in South Pasadena. The ostrich farm in town supplied the ostrich feather plumes for the dance troop’s extravaganza Indian Summer Idea.
South Pasadena’s Cawston Ostrich Farm was a major supplier of ostrich feathers for actress costumes and accessories for the stage and film. The farm enjoyed the publicity, and the actresses loved to pose in specially-made extravagant feather fashion.
According to local history author, Glen Duncan, “The vaudeville producers Fanchon and Marco used the Rialto theater in South Pasadena as an important tryout stage for new talent before booking them into their top house, the Paramount in Los Angeles.”
Throwback Thursday is written and produced by Rick Thomas