Camden Show Business - Walter Stanton aka Walt Stanton

WALTER JAMES ALOYSIUS STANTON JR. was born on September 27, 1893 to Walter Stanton and his wife, the former Elizabeth Kelly. His father was well known in Camden as a baseball player. The family, which in 1900 included his uncle, Joseph Kelly, lived at 318 Berkley Street. His father was then working as a butcher. By 1906 they had moved to 522 South 2nd Street. Walter Stanton Sr. had by then joined the Camden Police Department. The following year saw Walter Stanton Sr. playing right field for the Camden Police Department's baseball team.

When the Census was taken in 1910, the family lived at 1139 Pear Street, which was late renamed Whitman Avenue. Also at home was younger brother Thomas, and maternal grandfather John Kelly. Walter Stanton Jr. was then working as a clerk, according to the Census, but he had other plans for himself that would take him to the vaudeville stage.

When it was time for him to register for the draft on June 5th of 1917 Walter Stanton Jr. and his parents and brother were living at 604 South 3rd Street. He was not working at the time. He joined the United States Navy on June 25, 1917 and served as an Able Seaman during World War I. The Stanton family had moved to 618 South 2nd Street by the end of 1919. After returning from the Navy, Walter Stanton Jr. had by this time established himself on the vaudeville stage, listing his occupation as "vocalist".

The 1924 City Directory shows that the Walter Stanton family had moved to 533 Fulton Place. They remained at that address through at least April of 1930.

By 1936 Walter Stanton Jr. had moved to 457 Carteret Street. He had married by 1942, when he again registered for the draft. He and his wife Rose were living at the Carteret Street address. He was then working on the 13th Floor of Camden's City Hall for the Workers Service.

During these years and through the mid-1940s Walt Stanton partnered in a variety act with Joe Hamilton, a veteran vaudeville and minstrel show entertainer who lived in Camden. The act ended with Hamilton's death in 1946.

By 1947 Walter Stanton Jr. was working as a janitor at Clara Burrough Junior High School at Haddon and Newton Avenues. He was still living at the Carteret Street address as late as 1956. By 1959 the Stantons had moved to the Crestfair Apartments by 1959.

Walter Stanton Jr. passed away on May 2, 1959. He was buried at Beverly National Cemetery in Beverly NJ four days later. His wife, Mrs. Rose Stanton, was by then living at 209 Beideman Avenue in Camden's Westfield Acres public housing project.

Father Walter Stanton Sr. served on the Camden Police Department from the 1900s through the 1930s. Younger brother, Thomas Stanton, also was on the force from the mid-1920s through at least 1947.

Camden Courier-Post - October 29, 1931

TWO CAMDEN STARS TO LEAD MUMMERS
Kathryn Hamilton, Walter Stanton Billed
for Ambassador's Masked Ball

Two well known Camden entertainers will aid and abet the spooks and the Ambassador Club in making tomorrow evening an enjoyable one for the 5000 mummers expected to attend the club's annual masked ball.

They are Miss Kathryn Hamilton and Walter Stanton, who will not only lead the grand march, but will "put on" their acts. Miss Hamilton is the talented daughter of Joe Hamilton, famous minstrel, and has appeared in this vicinity on numerous occasions as well as on vaudeville circuits. The petite songstress resides at 1317 Park Boulevard.

Stanton has just returned from an RKO tour. The Mack and Stanton act played all last Winter and Summer. He has been master of ceremonies, in which capacity he will serve tomorrow, at a number of famous clubs, and is now

enacting that role at the Stroller's Club in New York.

The· club, of which Steve Kirby is president, is holding the gala affair tomorrow night instead of on Halloween in order that dancing will not be discontinued until 2 a. m. Pat Riley's orchestra will present the dance program, while Harry D. Roselle will direct the grand march.

It will be an appropriate night for the "spiriks" to chase "Popeye”, the Courier-Post comic strip idol, as 200 newsboys who will be guests of the club, will vie for a cash prize to be awarded to the one whose costume renders him the best likeness to the hard-hitting sailor man. Other prizes will be awarded to the winners of the perfect form con test and various costume competitions.

Camden Courier Post - October 30, 1931

LOCAL GIRLS TO VIE IN BEAUTY CONTEST
Many Novelties Planned for Ambassador Club's Masked Ball Tonight

One of the outstanding novelties on the diversified program planned for the Ambassador Club's annual masked ball at Convention Hall tonight will be the "perfect form contest."

Modeled after the bathing beauty contest, it is open to any girl who

desires to compete. The contestants will be in bathing suits, and cash prizes will be awarded winners. Prizes will also be awarded to the winners in various classes of costumes and to the boy whose disguise renders him the best likeness to "Popeye," the sailor man of the Courier-Post comic strip. More than 200 newsboys, guests of the club, will compete for that award,

Prizes total $300 in cash and awards for the various contests.

The dance program, presented by Pat Riley's 12-piece orchestra, will continue until 2:00 A.M.. The grand march will be led by Walter Stanton and Kathryn Hamilton, who will also number among the entertainers. Stanton will be master of ceremonies, while Harry W. Roselle will direct the grand march.

Steve Kirby, president of the club, heads the committee in charge of arrangements.

Camden Courier-Post - October 31, 1931

'Everybody Happy?'- Yea! Yea!

Two of the hundreds of juvenile mummers who greeted Halloween early were snapped last night, as they wistfully paused in their quest of "cold pieces" to pose for the cameraman. At left is Alfred McLoughlin in Amish regalia. His demure companion, garbed as a Quaker damsel, is Bessie Cummins.

Gloom Vanishes, Joy Prevails As Halloween Is Observed
South Jersey Celebrates With Dances and Parties; Hundreds Attend Ball Masque at Convention Hall; 'Popeye' Impersonated by Newsies

Wrinkles and furrowed brows gave way to grins and broad smiles last night as Camden and South Jersey was gripped by a spirit of fun.

Today children will continue to laugh at the woes of adults. Grownups, too, will adopt the festival air characteristic of clowns in place of the depressing concern of the day. There seems to be greater cause to seize upon an occasion for fun this year and everyone is glad Halloween is at hand.

The height of jollity was attained last night at the Convention Hall where bathing beauties mingled with costumed dancers. The occasion marked the annual masked dance of the Ambassador Club. Prizes were distributed among the gaily-garbed revelers and more than 200 newsboys sprinkled laughter throughout the huge civic hall by their appearance in costumes impersonating "Popeye."

Nearly 2500 persons, nearly all of whom were costumed, attended. Outstanding among the throng were numerous imitators of Popeye and Olive Oyl, Courier-Post comic strip characters. Many attired as animals, cannibals and female impersonators attracted comment and attention.

Walter J. A. Stanton, vaudeville star, served as master of the fete, and accompanied Miss Kathryn Hamilton, popular singer, in leading the grand march. "Joe" Hamilton, father of Miss Hamilton and widely known as a minstrel performer, joined Stanton in one act. Warrington's Dancing Dolls, of 921 Broadway, and a chorus of ten, was another feature.

Music was furnished by Pat Riley's 12-piece orchestra.

Parades In Suburbs Tonight

Suburban towns will celebrate Halloween in fitting style tonight. Scattered throughout the county and other parts of South Jersey will be numerous parties and community fetes.

Cash prizes totaling $325 will be awarded mummers in Collingswood's annual parade, arranged under the direction of a committee of the fire company there. The march is due to form at 8 p. m. at Haddon and Pacific avenues. Hundreds of children and various civic and military organizations are expected to participate. Prizes will be distributed during a band concert to be held when the parade disbands at the fire hall. Fifty-nine cash prizes make up the list. Juvenile marchers will be given candy.

The tenth annual community celebration at Westmont also promises to present a Mardi Gras setting. Merchants throughout the borough have offered prizes to paraders. Jay M. Ackley, under-sheriff, heads a citizens' committee in charge of the event and will serve as parade mar shall. The American Legion bugle and drum corps and a band furnished by the Spanish War veterans will provide music. The parade will start and finish at the Westmont fire hall.

Gloucester Enjoys Parties

The annual masquerade party of the Christian Endeavor Society of the First Presbyterian Church, Gloucester, was held last night in the American Legion Home, 315 Hudson Street.

The Girls Friendly Society, of the P. E. Church of the Ascension, Gloucester, were hostesses last night to a number of young people at a masquerade dance staged in the parish building. Mrs. Walter B. Reed, who is the official "mother" of the organization, assisted the members in their program arrangements.

The 13 rooms of the Monmouth Street School, Gloucester, had celebrations yesterday afternoon. It was the annual masquerade party. Miss Ethel M. Costello, principal, visited each room.

Several amateur boxing bouts are scheduled to feature the annual masquerade party and dance of the Kirkwood Fire Company, which will be held tonight in the Log Cabin on Kirkwood Lake.

The affair is expected to be one of the biggest Halloween parties of the season in that vicinity, will be staged by a committee composed of George C. Rickards, Charles Goodman, Robert Smith and Ellis Burns. Prizes will be awarded for winning costumes in various classes. Refreshments will be served.

Members of St. Joseph's Council, Knights of Columbus, of Palmyra and Riverton, last night, gave a masquerade dance and party in the K. of C. Hall, Palmyra. William J. Eck, directed the committee. Prizes were awarded.

Camden Courier-Post * February 8, 1933

INJURED PLAYERS TO BE FETED BY DOOLEY A. A.

All plans have been completed for the dance and floor show to be held Saturday by the Dooley Athletic Association, which will turn the proceeds over to the football players who were inured while playing with the South Camden club last Fall.

The affair will be at the Licata ballroom, 417-19-21 Walnut Street. The Columbia Recording Orchestra will furnish the musical program. Walt Stanton, vaudeville performer, will be master of ceremonies. A vaudeville bill, headed by the Two Jays, will be presented.

The Young Men's Republican Club of Camden county will pay tribute to the injured players. Officers are James T. Scarduzio, president; Louis Bush, vice president; Ralph Vitolo, secretary, and Albert Di Giacomo, treasurer.

Members of the committee are Anthony Jennetta, chairman; Thomas L. Griffith, Harry Powers, Adam Slovick, Joseph Gentile and Theodore Messaro.

A contest, closing March 24, will be held to obtain a slogan for the Dooley A.A. Fifteen prizes will be awarded. Further details about the contest will be announced at the dance..

Camden Courier-Post - June 8, 1932


...continued...

...continued...

Central Airport - Stanley Theater