Booths and Barrymores

Two of America's greatest theatrical families - and one of Hollywood's most celebrated film producers - have owned or run the Walnut Street Theatre.

When actor John Wilkes Booth shot and killed President Lincoln in 1865, Booth's brother Edwin and sister, Aisa - also accomplished actors - owned and operated the Walnut. And throughout parts of the late 19th century the Drew-Barrymore family managed the theater. When nervous young Ethel Barrymore made her debut there in 1901, someone shouted from the gallery, "Speak up, Ethel! All the Drews are good actors!" Now, a Broadway theater is named after her.

When Louis B. Mayer, 28, purchased the Walnut with partner Ben Stern in 1913, the pair spent $6,000 fixing it up. Although successful in a season of booking plays that had already debuted on Broadway, they parted ways and Mayer went on to even better luck in Los Angeles, where the film production company he formed became Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer.

- Howard Shapiro