“Oh,
mamma, mamma, I'm dying, I'm dying. Take me out of here."
Those were the cries of little Montgomery Reynolds during a performance of King Lear at the Van Ness Theater in 1908. What!? It happened and was reported in the San Francisco Call on Wednesday, May 20th 1908.
Here's the story. Shirlie's grand-uncle was T. S. Montgomery. His daughter Coralie Montgomery Reynolds was visiting the City that May of 1908. She and her four year old son Montgomery went to the Van Ness Theater to see a performance of Shakespeare's King Lear ... Taking a four year old to see King Lear has to be a questionable choice! ... The youngster was apparently not impressed.
Here's the story, as reported in The Call:
BOY'S WAILS VIE WITH KING LEAR'S
“Oh, mamma, mamma, I'm dying, I'm
dying. Take me out of here."
The audience at the Van Ness theater
started in its seats last night when these shrill cries resounded through the
orchestra. Robert Mantell, as sad old, mad old King Lear, was just in the act
of bemoaning “how sharper than a serpent's tooth it is to have a thankless
child" when the outcry came. Mantell paused in the midst of his simulated
misery and the audience craned its neck.
Up and out ran aisle ran a frightened woman, leading by the hand a small boy in
a Buster Brown suit. Outside the wails of the "dying" boy attracted
Patrolman Frederickson."^' An automobile was at the curb. The officer
seized the all but moribund youth and tossed him into the big machine. In
hopped the woman and down the streets they went whizzing to the central
emergency hospital.
The boy was Master Montgomery Reynolds, aged 12 (actually age 4). The woman was his mother (Coralie Montgomery Reynolds). They live in southern California, but
are visiting at 1235 Laguna street.
At the hospital Dr. Pinkham informed Master Montgomery that he was suffering
from a neuralgic attack of the muscles of his juvenile chest. He advised Mrs. Reynolds
to place a hot water bag upon the offending muscles at bedtime, and mother and
son hiked back to the Van Ness and the woes of Lear.
Forty-five minutes later Master Montgomery
emitted another yelp of agony and mother and son again sought the central
emergency.
Dr. Pinkham gazed feelingly upon Master
Montgomery and advised his mother to resort to the ancient cure of "the
laying on of hands," specifying the portion of the boyish anatomy most
likely to be affected beneficially. Then mother and son walked out into the
night, but not back to the Van Ness.
I do like the second prescription ordered by the wise doctor ...
Here is a copy of the actual article:
