William E. Ritchie Explained

William E. Ritchie
Birth Name:William Edward Ritchie
Birth Date:11 October 1871
Birth Place:Philadelphia, US
Death Place:New York City, US
Resting Place:Kensico Cemetery
Other Names:Billy Ritchie
Known For:Comedy tramp cyclist act
Occupation:Showman
Spouse:Liska, Madeleine

William E. Ritchie was an American trick cyclist who performed around the world, including the United States, England,[1] continental Europe,[2] [3] [4] [5] Africa, and Australia. He was one of the first to use the tramp cyclist routine on stage, where he appeared in vaudeville with Will Rogers and W. C. Fields.[6]

He is not to be confused with the tramp comedian William 'Billie' Ritchie.[7]

Early life

William Edward Ritchie was born in Philadelphia, United States, to George and Mary Ritchie (née May) on 11 October 1871.

Career

He initially found fame in New York, appearing dressed as a tramp riding on various bicycles.[8] His main bicycle was a Cleveland,[9] possibly a model 69 made by H. A. Lazier Company.[10]

In London in 1899, he appeared in two short films: Ritchie, Tramp Cyclist, produced by the Warwick Trading Company,[11] and Ritchie the Tramp Cyclist, produced by the British Mutoscope and Biograph Company.[12]

He performed at various times in combinations with fellow trick cyclists Madeline Kilpatrick,[13] May Villion, and W. H. Barber (aka 'Diavolo'[14]), in acts called the Ritchie Duo,[15] [16] the Barber-Ritchie Trio,[17] and the Four Ritchies.[18]

In both 1917 and 1918, he appeared in the Ziegfeld Follies alongside W. C. Fields, Marilyn Miller, Will Rogers and Eddie Cantor.

Death

On 12 May 1943, age 71, he died of a heart attack in his home at 2167 Haviland Avenue in the Bronx.[19]

Notes and References

  1. LONDON VARIETY STAGE. THE PALACE. . . 848 . 17 June 1897 . 14 . Mr. William E. Ritchie gave as smart and clever a comedy cycling act as we have seen yet. . Findmypast.
  2. "Passport application by William E. Ritchie at U.S. Embassy in London for the purpose of travelling on the Continent", 27 May 1898. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Emergency Passport Applications (Issued Abroad), 1877-1907; Roll #: 45; Volume #: Volume 085: England - via Ancestry.com.
  3. "Passport application by William E. Ritchie at U.S. Consulate in Budapest for the purpose of travelling in Europe", 20 Feb 1901. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Emergency Passport Applications (Issued Abroad), 1877-1907; Roll #: 25; Volume #: Volume 042: Austria - via Ancestry.com.
  4. "Passport application by William E. Ritchie at U.S. Consulate General in Barcelona", 14 May 1903. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: Emergency Passport Applications (Issued Abroad), 1877-1907; Roll #: 21; Volume #: Volume 035: Kingston, Jamaica to Montreal, Canada - via Ancestry.com.
  5. "Passport application by William E. Ritchie at U.S. Embassy in Berlin for the purpose of entering Russia", 18 March 1911. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA); Washington D.C.; NARA Series: General Emergency Passport Applications, 1907-1923; Volume #: Volume 130: France to Korea - via Ancestry.com.
  6. News: WILLIAM E. RITCHIE, TRICK BICYCLIST, 71. Vaudeville and Revue Artist Dies Here - Had Played With Will Rogers, W. C. Fields. IN STAGE TEAM WITH WIFE. He and May Villion on Tour for Many Years - Were in 'The Follies' of 1917-1918. . . 13 May 1943 . 21 . 2 August 2023.
  7. Death of Billie Ritchie. . . 2,106 . 28 July 1921 . 10 . The deceased gentleman must not, of course, be confused with Billy Ritchie, the well-known tramp cyclist, who is happily alive and well. . Findmypast.
  8. Tindal . Marcus . The Tramp Cyclist . . December 1897 . 4 . 24 .
  9. That Cycling Tramp . Cycling . 9 October 1897 . XIV . 351 . Ritchie's wheel is a Cleveland, bought and paid for, fitted with wood rims, and American single tube puncture proof tires, with five thicknesses on the tread . Findmypast.
  10. Web site: Cleveland Model 69 Bicycle, 1899 . . . 1 August 2023.
  11. Web site: Ritchie, Tramp Cyclist (1899) . . 1 August 2023.
  12. Web site: Ritchie the Tramp Cyclist (1899) . . 1 August 2023.
  13. That Cycling Tramp . Cycling . 9 October 1897 . XIV . 351 . He has worked for a time in combination with W. H. Barber, who is at present doing some very smart tricks at the Alhambra, along with Madeline Kilpatrick. . Findmypast.
  14. News: LOOPING THE LOOP. . . 7947 . New South Wales, Australia . 23 November 1904 . 2 August 2023 . 5 . National Library of Australia.
  15. News: NEWPORT EMPIRE, CHARLES STREET. . South Wales Daily . 2 November 1901 . 1 . From the Hippodrome, London [...] RITCHIE DUO, including W. E. RITCHIE. . Findmypast.
  16. News: Camberwell Palace of Varieties, CAMBERWELL GREEN. . South London Observer . 1 June 1904 . 5 . The Karno Trio, Ritchie Duo, [...] George Formby. . Findmypast.
  17. Sime . Sime Silverman . Barber-Ritchie Trio. Bicycle Riding. New York Roof. . 31 July 2023 . . III . 9 . 11 August 1906 . 6 . The trio is composed of W. E. Ritchie, formerly the tramp of 'In Gay New York'; Barber, a trick rider from the old days, and May Villion of the riding family of that name..
  18. Web site: The Four Ritchies . Vaudeville America . 2 August 2023 . Keith's Theatre, Cincinnati, OH . 1912 . Cyclists. 10 min., full stage. Act consists principally of the introduction of a large number of freak machines. Roars of laughter throughout, and a splendid closing act. Went big..
  19. Web site: 1943 Death of William Ritchie, database 'New York, New York City Municipal Deaths, 1795-1949' . . 31 July 2023.

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