It may be of interest to know that during Mr. Eltinge’s Cadet Days; he played male juvenile roles equally as clever as when encompassed by skirts and those other things that it is said females wear.
Recently, while fulfilling an engagement at the American Music Hall in New York City, Mr. Eltinge performed his specialty a la minstrel.
Julian Eltinge was born in Boston, Mass., May 14, 1884.
Al. Jolson (Albert Joelson). Seldom in the annals of minstrelsy has a performer risen to such heights, and achieved such success in the brief period that this brilliant young performer has accomplished. Three years ago he attracted the attention of Lew Dockstader, who saw him perform in the South on several occasions.
Subsequently the latter engaged him for his (Dockstader’s) company, and in the Summer of 1908, Mr. Jolson made his first appearance with the latter’s minstrel organization. His success was instantaneous and pronounced.
He remained with Dockstader all that season, and part of the next; afterwards making his appearance in vaudeville, where if anything, he was even a greater hit. In the vernacular of the Rialto, Mr. Jolson was a “riot.”
Like everything and everybody, he had to have a beginning, and Mr. Jolson’s first professional appearance was with Al. Reeves’ famous Beauty Show. Subsequently with his brother Harry, and Joe Palmer, as Jolson, Palmer and Jolson, played vaudeville. Up to this period Mr. Jolson was working in white-face.
At Keeney’s Theatre, Brooklyn, N. Y., he first applied cork; and cork it has been ever since.
Mr. Jolson is a comedian by nature born; his monologue, interspersed by clever whistling solos, fully merits the approbation it receives.
Al. Jolson was born in Srednick, Russia, May 16, 1885.