The Ghost of New Amsterdam Theater

By Crusader1307

 Built in 1902, New York City's ''New Amsterdam Theater'', was a Mecca for early Theater Stars. It's floors saw more than it's fair share of Stars and Starlets who would go on to ''create'' the early ''Silent Film Age'' Greats. One of them was Olive Thomas. A beautiful girl even in Her Childhood years, Her talent was noticed early. In fact, it was none other than Florenz Ziegfeld who ''saw Her'' and decided to make Her His ''Star'' Thomas performed on The Stage of The New Amsterdam in many of His famed ''Follies''. Olive became such a ''Darling of The Stage'', that She was soon tapped to star in a new Genre of Entertainment – ''Moving Pictures''. She photographed well and was an overnight Hit. Her fame went into Her private Life, becoming sought after by many ''well bred'' and ''celebrity'' Men. One was the Brother of another Film Great, Mary Pickford. Thomas fell in love and She and Jack Pickford were married in 1916. But Jack had problems....even ''demons''. He was a hard and unrelenting drinker, who added to this vice with womanizing. He caroused and carried on with abandon. This ''unhappy'' life began to show on Thomas, who became more and more depressed. When Jack was diagnosed with Syphilis, it was the ultimate insult. He was given a strong and (if misused) treatment of Mercury Dichloride.

Trying to ''make things work'' with her Husband, Olive and Jack went to Paris, France in March of 1920. The Couple partied and enjoyed themselves, coming back to their Hotel Room quite drunk. When Jack woke up the next morning, Olive Thomas, at 26 years – was dead. She had taken an overdose of Jack's ''medicine''. She died very quickly it was learned. But for many, they saw something very odd about Olive want to ''kill Herself'' over Jack. Some stated that She was going to Divorce Him when they returned to The United States and concentrate on Her Film Career. This no doubt would have made Jack angry (especially the vast amounts of money Olive made). Without an ''income'' what would (or could) Jack do? Some felt that He killed Olive by forcing the pills into her mouth when She was ''passed out''. Others say that Olive had just ''had enough'' and may have even contracted Her Husband's deadly disease. The ''pills'' were a way ''out''.

Several hours later (well before the News of Olive's death could even hope to reach America), during a performance at The Ne Amsterdam Theater, many Backstage, noticed a familiar face. It was Olive, wearing her ''trademark'' Jade Green Dress. She was said to have ''smiled and even waved'' to those She knew....but did not speak. After the performance, The Stage Manager gather The Cast together to tell them the sad News of Olive's ''passing''. But how could this be? ''She Was Just Here!'' Since then, ''Olive'' has become a ''Legend'' at The Theater. MANY have said they have ''caught a glimpse'' of a very ''radiate, beauty in a Green Dress'', standing off the Stage. Most who don't know, would assume it is a Company Support Cast Member or Family or even Friend. It's not....it's only Olive!