Jack Osterman

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Jack Osterman apparently was the “draw,” though Florena Tempest was the headliner. If a reception signifies anything, Osterman was the headliner and the rest of the show “added features.” It is difficult to analyze exactly what power this youngster has over Chicago audiences. There is much talk about his father, J.J. Rosenthal, “making” him. In a measure that is true. But no man could build up any act as Osterman has done here except the man who acts it. J.J. is only one theatre manager. He cannot swing and deliver housefuls of people time after time. And this is not the hometown of the Rosenthals, as many believe; they have lived here scarcely a year. Osterman, however, makes entrances that sound like Harry Lauder, and is dragged back and back again for encores and speeches. Why? The kid “has it” – at least as far as Chicago is concerned. He showed some new matter in his routine, but it did vary from his familiar act. He sang a song about Chicago and a new musical show he was doing. When he mentioned his mother someone in the balcony called, “Where is she?” and he pointed her out, whereupon the spot was thrown on her and the beauteous Kathryn Osterman took a gracious bow, all flushed with pride and happiness. This may be going beyond the front door any, for it got plenty of applause, and it was not humanly possible that even half of the people in the seats knew Jack Osterman’s family.

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