Monadnock Moment No. 140

Era 7: Emergence of Modern American - 1890 to 1930

George Polley, Dare-Devil

In late March of 1923, a number of broadsides were posted throughout the city proclaiming, in large print, that "George F. Polley, famous dare-devil of the movies, will climb Gurnsey Block. To-night at 6:45 he will climb the Highest Building in this city."

George Polley was one of Hollywood's early stunt men. He appeared in the thrillers "Dare-Devil Dan," "The Span of Life," and "A Desperate Chance." He originated many of his own stunts and was well known for standing on his head on the wings of airplanes and escaping from a straitjacket while suspended upside down from the roof of a skyscraper. A short time before coming to Keene, Polley had climbed the ten story Sun Building in Lowell, Massachusetts.

On the evening of March 28 more than 2,000 spectators gathered around Keene's Gurnsey Block. Polley addressed the crowd and told how he had begun his stunts at age fourteen. He then climbed to the top of the four story building without the use of any mechanical apparatus. Polley then made his way across the roof to the center of the building where he climbed upon the stone arch peak. Finally, he walked to the very corner of the block and stood on his head.

These stunts were probably part of a publicity tour to generate more interest in the movies. Keene's Scenic Theatre was showing the latest Hollywood films at that time and the Latchis Theatre was about to open. No matter what the reason for the trip, many Keene youngsters were thrilled to see George F. Polley, famous dare-devil of the movies, climb Keene's Gurnsey Block in March of 1923.