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To many in the industry, the city of Buffalo was synonymous with Shea. In honor of his golden jubilee celebrating 50 years of show business, Variety magazine surprised Michael Shea with a feature article, interviews, and well-wishers from many friends and fans. But only a few months later, the news would be filled with posthumous tributes.
Photo Credit: Variety - January 2, 1934
Photo Credit: Variety - January 2, 1934
In January 1934, Variety honored Mike Shea for surpassing his golden jubilee anniversary in show business with a two-page spread and a smattering of accolades from his peers, friends, and stars of the stage and screen.
Photo Credit: Variety - January 2, 1934
Photo Credit: Variety - January 2, 1934
Yes, it's that Mae West - although as far as we know, she never performed at a Shea's theater!
Photo Credit: Variety - January 2, 1934
An RKO film wouldn't have played at Shea's Buffalo (as a Paramount studio).
Photo Credit: Variety - January 2, 1934
May 16, 1934 - Michael Shea Dies
Mary's Scrapbook
Photo Credit: Buffalo State Archives & Special Collections Department, E. H. Butler Library - July 6, 2016
Shea's theaters:
From Michael Shea's Last Published Interview:
“Mike Shea was a decent man and a great showman and the best liked and most popular theatrical manager in America. He was my friend for 40 years. He did all his own booking and in an amazing manner. Now here was a man, a simple soul from upstate, no continental sophisticate, and yet he's come down to New York and pick a foreign act at the snap of his fingers - and that act never failed. Why in those days his bills made his house in Buffalo the finest show shop in America. He had an astonishing flair for picking what the public liked.”