Historic Photo Gallery: 1921 to 1940
1926
Tennis champion "Big Bill Tilden" starred at the Walnut in
They All Want Something
in 1926. Born a son of privilege on Philadelphia's Main Line on February 10, 1893,
Tilden initially disliked tennis and even failed to make the college team on his
first try. Known for his outward homosexuality and theatrical presentation on and
off the court, he went on to become a shining light during sports' Golden Age in the
1920s. Although a thriving athlete, Tilden was a failed actor and novelist who
lost much of his personal fortune backing Broadway plays that were far less
successful than he was on the court. (Photograph courtesy of International
Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, Newport, RI.)
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