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The setting, not extravagant or unusually expensive, is an island. The “ocean” is in view through a poorly painted back drop. There are cannibals and pirates, the company being composed of four principals, four chorus men and four girls. The men “double” from the fierce to the ferocious, while the girls have a couple of changes, one a “kangaroo” number sung by Fanny Frankel, who also sings another.
John P. Rogers is Robinson Crusoe, with some good lines, and an excellent voice. His is the best part and playing in the piece. Ben Deely, of the team, as Rogers and Deely are featured, is the Man Friday in blackface. The "kangaroo" bit could be thrown into the jrtiinted ocean, and the drop along with it. in the general revision Mr. Deely might be restrained from saying "Is it?" This is an expression of Thos. J. Ryan's, of Ryan and Richfield. Mr. Deely repeats it so often one might imagine he had a proprietary right to the exclamation.
Jesse L. Lasky in "Robinson Crusoe's Island" has sought to combine a musical comedy with a miniature comic opera. He has attempted too much. It is about one-half of both, and not satisfactory in either. Mr. Deely is a likeable comedian, and on form the act should have been a success, as the girls are good looking and shapely. "Robinson Crusoe's Island," however, should have a lot of making over. As at present constructed the piece will just pass through, but is not high grade, nor will it attract more than passing notice.
Source:
Variety 10:2 (10/12/1907)