On one of his trips to Paris he was accompanied by Dillingham. Knowing Frohman's fondness for rich food, his friend decided to take him to dine at Durand's famous restaurant opposite the Madeleine. He even went to the café in the afternoon and told the proprietor that he was going to bring the great American manager. Great anticipation prevailed in the establishment.
That night when they got to the restaurant Frohman gave Dillingham the shock of his life by saying:
"I want to be a real American to-night. All I want is an oyster stew."
Dillingham instructed the chef how to make the stew. After long delay there was a commotion. In strode the chef, followed by two assistants, bearing aloft a gigantic silver tureen which was placed on the table and opened with great ceremony. Inside was a huge quantity of consommé with two lonely oysters floating on top.
Frohman regarded it as a great joke, and ever afterward when he met anybody in Paris that he did not like, he would say to them:
"If you want the finest oyster stew in the world, go to Durand's."
Frohman, who was always playing jokes on his friends, was sometimes the victim himself. He was crossing the ocean with Haddon Chambers when the latter was accosted by two enterprising young men who were arranging the ship's concert. Chambers was asked to take part, but declined. Then he had an inspiration.
"We have on board the greatest American singer of coon songs known to the stage."
"Who is that?" asked the men.
"It's Charles Frohman."