A Star for a Night: A Story of Stage Life

"A Star for a Night: A Story of Stage Life" by Elsie Janis is a window into the vibrant world of theater, probably from the early 1900s. The story centers on people’s lives, like Martha Farnum, a hopeful actress, and "Marky" Zinsheimer, a showy character, as they try to make it in show business. Expect stories of big dreams, love, and the struggle to succeed on stage. The story starts in French Lick Springs, Indiana, where Zinsheimer, an important person in New York theater, is both bothered and interested during his time at a hotel. Soon, Flossie Forsythe, who dances in the chorus, wants help for her friend Pinkie Lexington. Martha Farnum, who is with an older hotel guest, dreams of being on stage and finds her dreams mixed with the lives of the more experienced characters. The beginning sets the stage for a funny but real look at the complicated and attractive world of theater.