Samantha's Special Talent is part of the Short Stories collections, focusing on Samantha Parkington.
Characters[]
- Samantha Parkington
- Mary Edwards
- Ida Dean
- Eddie Ryland
- Edith Eddleton
- Clarisse Van Sicklen
- Helen Whitney
- Miss Stevens
Only in Samantha's Special Talent[]
Story Summary[]
Meet The Author[]
Looking Back: Great Acts in 1904[]
Discusses vaudeville acts in turn of the century America. Topics include:
- What a vaudeville show was, and the different variety acts that would perform.
- How theater managers made sure anyone could enjoy their shows, from lowering ticket prices to banning certain words.
- Why Bert Williams was expected to wear blackface makeup on stage, and instead of mocking his own race he chose to show situations that everyone could relate to.
- How Lillian Russell's shows were considered very different from Eva Tanguay's, even though both women were considered as very successful vaudeville singers.
- The different magicians that performed on vaudeville, and the many dangerous things that Harry Houdini would do on stage, many of them being escape tricks.
- The amateur night performances that allowed children to test their talents onstage, and what would have happened if it was either a good night or a bad night.
- The lives of Fanny Brice who entered vaudeville when she was fourteen years old and young acts likeBuster Leaton who were actually born into vaudeville and their performance talents.
- The rising popularity of movies in New York, which eventually brought about the end of vaudville.
Activity: Learn to Juggle[]
Learn how to juggle scarves.
Items associated with Samantha's Special Talent[]
Trivia[]
- While the story states that the meeting is on Saturday May 5th, 1905 was a non-leap year starting on Sunday; thus, May 5th was actually on a Friday. 1906 had May 5th on a Saturday, but this story could not have taken place then as Grandmary is not married to Admiral Beemis yet.
- In American Girl Magazine, Samantha is illustrated in a unique red and lace dress similar to her Cranberry Party Dress. This was edited to Samantha's Talent Show Dress when the story was republished as a short story volume.