The New York herald., 1921-10-07
JOLSON IN HILARIOUS "BOMBO"
OPENS THEATRE NAMED FOR HIM
Shuberts Dedicate Playhouse
With Revue in Which Come
dian Is Whole Show.

In a curtain speech at the opening last
night of "8ombo." with which the Shu-
berts dedicated their newest house, Jol-
sons Fifty-ninth Street Theatre, to
the benefactlon or air those worn out By
the terrific grind OF theatregoing lower
down Broadway. Al Jolson pleaded with
the reviewers to remain for the second
act or the musical extravaganza, promls-
ing them that they would be we'll re-
warded by some cute things" for thus
doing violence TO their natures. But SO
iar as their journalistic activities were
concerned. the critics might just as well
have departed. for no matter what they
say one way or the other tire public will
probably swarm all over the place de-
manding their toll of songs. dances, Jokes
ana perspiration from this popular
comedian.
me Shuberts might have gone step
iurtner than naming their house after
niin-tney might have called the elab-
crate and highly chromatic production
We know You. AL" For raJolson was
the whole show. except for a few mo-
ments occasionally when some one else
was allowed to wave a fan or do the
split. Three years seems long time
between Jolsons, and when the come
dian made his first entrance on Broad
way Tor the first time in that period
tne audience gave him prolonged ova-
tlon that must have reminded Gov.
Miller in one OF the boxes of the acclaim
ne received on being nominated.
Announces His Last Season.
The worst of such absences by the
olacx-iace wizard Is that In the interval
one mas to endure limitations of Jo,son
But the audience rejoiced in the real
.hing. perhaps putting their shoulders
INTO their applause while they could.
For Jolson announced before the curtain
lhat this would be his last season. as
lie round the strain of first nights and
one night stands too great-just as
e.sesar must have found the embarrass-
ment OF acknowledging plaudits in the
amphitheatre was spelling his appetite.
In what might be his last opening night
solson. for his part. seemed determined
TO give OF himself prodigaliy, spending
energy like volcano. Songs, dances,
smart sallies coruscated from him.
Despite nervousness that made him
enrush his eyes when the audience
ti,.ndered its greeting. his faci,e quick
ness In slipping In jest did not desert
hi'n and h. was a Vesuvius of vivacity.
He sang-naturally he sang-and his
voice seemed all the better for having
experienced all the varying climates
throughout the country and having i'm
hired all tr. strong waters. Mineral, OF
course! There was a Dixie song. lest
the audience go away feeling cheated
we'll done melody urging one and all
TO wait til the clouds roll by. and a
Spanish tr1vesty of THE Barber OF Sc
ville." with a lively dance. that seemed
the best of all. though Jolson sang only
two verses of it in a sudden lapse into
hashfulness.
Should Jolson carry out his threat
and retire, 1t seems hard on Hiawatha.
Hendricls Hudson. Gulliver. Captain
Kidd and such lights Of history and
literature, for they will be cheated of
their chance to be immortallzed in musi-
cal comedy.
But. appropriately enough. Jolson
paid this country's obligation to Chris
topher Columbus by Incorporating him
In "Bombo.' and there are few better
ways OF celebrating the oncoming holi-
day than here. Jolson played the dis
coverer's cclored servant, Bo,nbo, and
displayed his customary power over
women. turning up in the sedan chair
of the Moorish princess. whom others
feared to gaze upon. Again. he was
suddenly d discovered asleep on the throne
of King Ferdinand Of Spain, and not
only mollifed the sovereign with few
quips but later won his royal shirt at
shooting craps.
Through all the fantastic romance
ran various Of the intimate ana current
witticisms that the comedian loves. 1892
being brought up to date with a joke