Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-10-20
THE FRENCH QUEEN OF COMEDY.
Something About Madame Anna
Judic, Who Startled Paris by
ssDOn't Tickle Me-,

A well-informed Partisan feuillitonist
said: "Judic's pathway to fame was
thorny way" From the beginning it
was a toilsome, wearisome, heartsore
journey. Regnier, her taskmaster at the
Conservatory, did nothing out of the
ordinary way to encourage her. He failed
to detect her great genius. Her tasks
were out of harmony with her spirit.
Pages of Alexandrines, dry and dreary
acts of long-dead tragedies, and unin-
teresting duties were her daily declama-
tory work. For eight long, weary months
the embryo comedienne listened and de-
claimed to Regnier. But her soul was
elsewhere. Music was her solace. She
entered upon her musical studies
avidiously. She loved music, and never
tired of perfecting herself in the art.
Regnier sighed when the uncle of the
young pupil withdrew her from the Con-
servatory. 1t was sigh of relief. The
uncle, Marignv, manager of the Gymnase
Theatre, was not disappointed. He had
placed her under Regnier simply 'sto
bring her to her Senses" SO he told the
mother. "She has no talent" Not for
the dry bones of the drama. Her talent
lay in another direction, but Marigny did
not observe the slightest scintillation Of
it. "Would he give her chance at his
theatre? Well, yes-a small part" The
young girl failed, as her uncle predicted.
"You will never be an actress" he said,
with sad shake of his gray head. And
so the earlier career of the future Queen
of Comedy wss clouded. Disappointment
and disheartenment encountered her.
Discouraged, almost despised by her
natural protectors, she found the fight a
bitter one. 'sAnd yet shall fight it to
the end" was the brave determination.
The odds were overwhelming, but she
courageously met the issue. 1t was an
other "folly" which alienated her from
the strained affections of her relatives.
She was married to M. Judic on April %,
1867. Marigny was astonished. Mother
Damien was indignant. She had now to
fight LIES battle in deadly earnest. The
doors of the Gymnase were closed to her.
There was no powerful friend to extend a
helping hand. The managers of the the
aires did not want her.
She sought the Cafe Chantanes. Her
reception at the Ell Dorado was not en-
couraging. "Let you sing on my stage p
said the manager of that famous cafe.
ssThe public wouldn't listen to you. Let
YOU try? Well, you shall have fair
trial. If YOU are allowed to finish your
song I'll talk with you" The patrons Of
the FL Dorado were accustomed to sug,
gestiveness, commingled with song and
mirth. And it was here poor little Judic
budded as a chantanse When she bowed
from the stage of the Ell Dorado there was
| a refinement of innocence and modesty
blended. The first words of 'tNe mt
] chotellaz" Don't tickle me) awoke the
slumbering sensibilities of her hearers to
| life and compelled her to respond to five
encores. Her success was the success Of
art. Her first triumph was triumph o.
modestv over coarseness. She became
! the rage at the Ell Dorado. The manage;
engaged her at the modest weekly salary
Of. 100 francs. Judic's next engagement
! was in Brussels. Entering the Belgian
CAPITAL unknown and unheralded sht
Quickly became "the rage" Her earning
were beyond the widest dreams: Instead
of the weekly 100 francs at the Ell Dorado
Judic now commanded thousands. Slit
grew rich. =,
j i She dispensed her wealth with liberia
hand. The poor knew and loved her
The sobriquet, Queen of Chansonnettes,
by which she was known at the cafes
shared another title. Judic departe'
from Brussels loaded with honors AM
wealth.. She then visited other cities o
Europe, where she repeated her trlumphs