The San Francisco call., 1908-08-10
ORPHEUM SKETCH
CLEVER, But STOLEN
"DObbs' Dilemma Is Taken
Line for Line From "Mrs.
Temples Telegram"
By Walter Anthony

Only one fault may reasonably be
urmed against this weeks Orpheum bill,
ana that does not involve the merits
OF the program, but merely a ques-
tion of ethics. Aside from this fault,
be il said. that the bill is excellent
vaudeville farce, portion of it be-
ing a little strong, but all was ac-
eeptable yesterday afternoon to the big
audience which bought out the house.
The question of ethics grows out of
Franklyn Underwood's sketch, "Dobbs'
Dilemma" 1t is a bright, breezy play
let, much above the average, and is
well enough played; but who wrote it?
If ''Dobbs' Dilemma" is not cut out
bodily-lines, business and all-from
Mrs. Temples Telegram" which was
played a month or, two ago at the
American, then my memory is no
longer than a burnt match and as re-
liable as last years timetable. For
straight away plagiarism "Dobb's Di-
lemma" is the limit of audacity, and
the play pirates prize.
TELLS PLAUSIBLE LIE
This is the story common to both.
A young married man is detained from
home over night His excuse is rea-
sonable and true, but his suspicious
wife will not believe it, so the hubby
tells her lie-but a plausible one. He
declared he went to a friends home
IN the suburbs long lost friend-and
missed the last train. Friends name?
John Smith. Address? Well there the
sketch parts company from the play
and introduces bit of originality. for
the friends home is San Mateo in the
sketch and a New York suburb in the
play. So the wife wires to the al
legged friend, who, of course, has no
existence. to find out the truth OF
otherwise in hubby's yarn.
At this juncture another old friend
| of the husband arrives and agrees to
| impersonate said John Smith. This he
does, and the wife. never having seen
him before, doesn't know the differ
ence and begs her husbands. forgive
ness, which is granted. Here endeth
the sketch, but the play gets an
other act out of the complications
| which are brought about by the arrival
seeking to know what the message IL
all about. Thus more trouble ensues
for the husband, who finally tells the
truth about where he was the nigh
before, and the play ends.
Not only is the plot the same in the
sketch, but line for line situation fol
/ situation, and scene for scene. are iden
tical. Next weeks program should a
least give credit to the original from
which the sketch has been drawn bod
| ily It would do the sketch no harm
4 and inspire confidence in the minds o
those whose memories run as far bacl
as a month or two.
Underwood and his little compan.
were well received in the playlet.
FAY CARRANzA's DEBUT
Miss Fay CarranZa, a native daughte
and a pupil of Wanrell, one of Sal
Francisco's well known singers, mad
her debut on the vaudeville stage yes
terday. She exhibits pure sopran
(which, like mountain scenery, gets bet
ter as It ascends and good presenc
and delivery. Her shortcomings wer
manifest in her songs, which lack tn
obviousness which audiences demand 0
vaudeville artists A little more dasf
some more top tones and the expires
sion Of what is surely a pleasant per
. sonality will add in other songs to tn
. tentative success gained yesterda,
Vocally, she is delightful, in her con
: cert impersonal art.
; The Tennis trio closes the bill in som
extraordinary juggling with tenni
! balls and rackets, Indian clubs, plate
and other elusive things-a dollar, 70
! instance, which the male member Q
: the trio spins about on Japanes
, umbrella in an amazing way. Thei
act is prettily staged and is classy"
Will NJ. Cressy and Blanche Dayn
change their sketch this week to "Bi
Bliffln's Baby which is conceived /
Cressy's best style. Mike Bernard an
Blossom Seeley do a ragtime and dan,
ing act of rather more than usual vigo
: and speed, while the holdovers, includ
: ing the dancing MitcheIls. the Militar
octet. and Ines and Taxi are we
come to remain another week. TIL
pictures are novel and good