Today we circle Scollay Square, for the Old Howard no less than the New Lecture Hall is an integral part of Harvard life. A poll of a Senior Album several years age reported that the average scholar in the Class of 1940 had attended three Boston burlesque performances (including one midnight show.) The questionnaire also found some 20-odd men who had been present for more than a dozen exposures. One member of the Class was employed there as an usher for six months during his final term at Harvard. And a few years ago the Old Howard even appeared in a Geography 1 midyear exam question--the correct answer being to note the theatre's ideal location midway between Harvard Square and Charlestown Navy Yard. But that strategic site has not always been the convening place of sailors on leave and students on sprees.

A Moat Sacred Start

In 1841 Father Miller built his Tabernacle there and won wide fame by convincing a large Boston congregation that:

"The end of the world will surely be in Eighteen Hundred and Forty-three."

Unfortunately for the prophet, in 1844 he had to revise the calculation and his fickle flock deserted him. A group of prominent Bostonians bought the building and converted it into an opera house after changing the name to the "Howard Athenaeum." There, in 1846, genuine Italian opera had its New England premiere with a performance of Verdi's "Ernani," and Sheridan's "Rivals" played to toney audiences from Beacon Hill until a fire gutted the wooden auditorium.

Restored, But Slipping

The Athenaeum was soon extravagantly restored. Its new, heavily-gilded proscenium and cushioned seats (the first in any Boston theatre) led an inspired advertising agent to boast in billboard posters:

"As Rome points proudly to her Collseum So Boston treats her Howard Athenaeum."

But the aria and buskin yielded to the sock and tassel. In 1854 someone rented the stage for an exhibition of live Indians. Pentland's Circus and then a group of Chinese jugglers followed. During this transition period touring features such as Zavitowski's Juvenile Ballet still played the Athenaeum. By 1868, though, only cheap variety shows appeared; and the name of "Old Howard," already in common use, was officially adopted.

Restored Again, but Fallen

Last year the entire theatre was redone. The inroad of termites on the old seats in the second balcony was checked, and the ornate walls were repainted a clear cream color. But the Old Howard with its translucent stench rising to a few feet above the sea level on the ground floor is changing its cosmetics, not its complexion. This week as every week the stage show deals a knockout punch--a foul jab strictly below the belt. Rumor for years has claimed that the chorus of 30 beauties 30 is recruited from rheumatic jitterbugs on the list of retired University employees, but no one goes to see the chorus anyhow. It's the blue-lighted anatomical solos which bring the crowds past the box office.

In these days the Queen of Beantown Burlesque since your Dad's college days, Ann Corio, is doing war relief work. Her local agent quoted her as declaring, "I'd give the skirt off--" but lot the bare facts speak for themselves.

Now at It's Lowest Ebb

Once in a while the long arm of the law reached out to hold up a slipping brassiere strap and occasionally competition has threatened the leadership of the Old Howard, but never did its loyal following of beardless youth and balded following of beardless youth and balded age fall away as did the Millerites. Here, with a bottle of Scotch and large eigars, fresh-from-prep-school Yardlings matched their manliness against each other. Crimson CRIMSON candidates pushed into backstage interviews. Roverent Yale men dropped in on their pilgrimages to the nearby Waldorf where a plaque marks the birthplace of Eli Yale--across the street from the current Crawford House. At the Old Howard the dregs and the cream of society found a common denominator. And, quite different from Bostons' more pretentious musical revues, dress was informal even on opening nights at the friendly little theatre off Scollay Square.