by Don Taylor
In the rich tapestry of early 20th-century entertainment, vaudeville performers like my grandmother, Madonna Montran (aka Donna Darling), carved out vibrant careers that often went unrecorded beyond local newspaper archives. Recently, I discovered a fascinating glimpse into her professional life through Florida Times-Union and Jacksonville Journal clippings documenting her performing at the Palace Theatre, Jacksonville.
Review
On October 27th, The Jacksonville Journal reported, “Donna Darling and her musical comedy revue is expected to be one of the big hits of the season. Miss Darling is a musical comedy ingenue and is established in the theatrical world. And she is supported by a capable company.”
Performance Details
- Venue: Palace Theatre, Jacksonville, Florida.
- Dates: October 28-31, 1923.
- Act: Donna Darling in Her Revue with her dancing fool—“Song and Dance Romance.”
- Other Acts:
- AMAC – “The Great Three-Card Illusion.”
- Billy Dooley & Co., Assisted by Violin Boturba, in “Vaudeville a la Carte.”
- George and Paul Hickman in “Darkness and Dawn.”
This archival discovery adds another rich detail to understanding the dynamic world of 1920s vaudeville performance, showcasing the creativity and artistry of traveling entertainment troupes during a transformative period in American show business.
Research credit: Genealogy Bank (Journal) and Newspapers.com (Times Union).
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