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The theaters have presented but few attractions during the past week, and the attendance in general has been small, save in the ease of the Californians where W. F. Cody (Buffalo Bill) has drawn well, especially to the upper seats of the house. The border-life drama with its poorly developed and inartistic plot, embellished, however, by the usual realistic effects pertaining to the favorite dime novel, evidently has a great hold on the affections of many of our pleasure-seekers, and although this style of drama may not tend to elevate the standard of the stage, the management would be foolish not to enter to such public taste if is can fill his coffers with the presentation of Buffalo Bill and his Indians in their thrilling feats, rather than lore money with a Union Square or any other excellent and talented combination that fails to draw. During the next week, W. F. Cody will appear in a new drama, written expressly for him, entitled The Knights of the Plains, in which the dashing handsome scout and his Indians will shine to the greatest advantage.
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The California Theatre.
The border drama, with Buffalo Bill as the bright, particular star, in the play of "May Cody, or Lost and Won," has been attracting excellent business to this theatre. The drama itself differs but little from the ordinary specimens of its species. There are the forsaken sister, the desperate villain, the idiotic lover, the comic Irishman, stage Indians, war-whoops, fancy rifle-shooting, real horses, gun and pistol firing, and Buffalo Bill always turning up to rescue innocence. There is a novel interlude of whip-cracking, and a representation of the Mountain Meadow Massacre. In brief, there is a close dramatization of a "dime novel." The attempt to represent Mormon manners, however, is not happy. For John D. Lee to address Brigham Young as "Holy Father," is simply ridiculous. The scene in the Endowment House has not the least semblance to the truth. This is inexcusable, as numerous books on Mormondom have described the usual ceremonies. But to go into any real criticism on "May Cody," is like breaking a butterfly on the wheel, and we desist.
Buffalo Bill's engagement is only for two weeks, and this is his last.
To-morrow evening, Buffalo Bill appears in the new melodrama of "The Knight of the Plains, or Buffalo Bill's Best Trail." Mr. Cody appears in four characters.
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HEUCK'S OPERA-HOUSE,
Cor. Thirteenth and Vine Streets.
T O - N I G H T.
First appearance and extraordinary engagement of
BUFFALO BILL!
(HON. W. F. CODY)
AND HIS MAMMOTH COMBINATION,
In the Great Sensation,
KNIGHT OF THE PLAINS.
Reserved seats at Perry & Morton's 16 Vine st.
Box-office open from 11 A. M. to 4 P. M.
VINE-STREET OPERA-HOUSE.
IMMENSE AND CONTINUED SUCCESS!
ENTIRE CHANGE OF PROGRAMME.
PINK DOMINOES (Improved),
TO-NIGHT.
Old Favorites and New Faces!
The French Minuet Still the Hit!
Riley will Spread Himself!
PRICES-15. 25 and 35 Cents.
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FRIDAY, APRIL 11.
BENEFIT TO MABEL SANTLEY. BUFFALO BILL and a Host of Volunteers in a Gigantic Programme, Last two Matinees, WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY. Seats secured at the Box Office.
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"Buffalo Bill" seems to be somewhat addicted to the "ardent." The San Francisco Post says: It was noticed at the initial performance of the "Knight of the Plains," at the California last Monday night, that the revolver with which "Buffalo Bill" was to shoot Mr. Bock did not go off. Mr. Bock fell dead, however, and nothing was thought of it till the curtain went down, when Mr. Cody, who was "a little off," coolly explained that he had inadvertently replaced his stage revolver with the howitzer which he carried in private life, and that as he was about to fire at Bock it occurred to him that there was a ball cartridge under the hammer, so that he concluded not to shoot. Mr. Bock did not see the joke, however, and refused to play the part thereafter, unless he could be allowed to personally examine the pistol or unless other conditions were observed.