Eltinge, Julian

Eltinge, Julian [ William Dalton] (1883–1941), American actor, who developed the modern style of female impersonation. Abandoning the grotesque representations of comic servants and elderly women, he presented himself as a convincingly glamorous young lady, paying particular attention to his walk, hand movements, make-up, and clothes. He made his first appearance in a female part in the musical comedy Mr Wix of Wickham (1904), and from 1911 to 1914 toured in the dual roles of Mrs Monte and Hal Blake in The Fascinating Widow, a musical comedy specially written for him. He continued to appear in vaudeville and in films until his retirement in 1930, returning briefly in 1940 to work in night-clubs.

The Eltinge Theatre, on West 42nd Street, between 7th and 8th Avenues, was named after him, opening in 1912 with a melodrama. In 1930 it became a home of American burlesque, notorious for the daring of its strip-tease acts and its dubious jokes. It was closed in 1942, and a year later became a cinema.