"Little Italy" last appeared on Broadway on May 9, 1928, at the Frolic Theatre (later known as the New Amsterdam Roof). It was presented by a community troupe from Mount Vernon, and closed after the first night.

Looks something like the Italian drama portrayed in the first part of the first "Godfather" movie.

Stage actress Fiske also appeared in two silent films, "Tess of the D'Urburvilles" (1913) and "Vanity Fair" (1915). The acting style of a bygone era is referenced in "All About Eve" when Eve Harrington flings open the door and demands that Addison DeWitt get out, to which he blithely replies, "You're too short for that gesture. Besides, it went out with Mrs. Fiske."

What an interesting set! That quilt on the bed is incredible. I wish we could see it in color. I'll bet every stitch was put in by hand!

The garlic hanging on the wall is a nice touch, too. Were they planning to make sauce for their cast party at the close of the play, or were they keeping vampires away?

The knife on the floor explains the whole scene.

High Mediterranean melodrama, and not an Italian name among the featured players. Except for such classical artists as Caruso and Adelina Patti, performers of Italian ancestry had yet to make much penetration into the lively arts in this country.

Here, Italian immigrants are apparently the objects of patronizing sympathy ... poor, benighted souls! Primitive, true, but they seem to feel pain almost like a real person.

Within two decades, however, the age of Valentino and Ted Fio Rito and Toscanini and thousands of others will dawn.

Alice has overslept. Ralph and Norton and the neighbors are distraught.