Among dramatizations that he made in this year, or the next, are “Bleak House,”--prompted by the success of Mme. Janauschek, who had presented a version at the California Theatre, June 7,--“David Copperfield,” “Dombey & Son,” “Struck Blind,” and “The New Magdalen.” The latter was a variant of Le Roy’s version, which he made for his friend Ellie Wilton, and which was first acted at the California on August 7, 1875. On the 27th of that month “Lost in London” was acted at Maguire’s New Theatre, according to a prompt book made by Belasco, and on the 30th Reade’s “Dora” was brought out there,--“under my stage direction,” says Belasco, and adds: “I also did some work on the [prompt] book, so as to make the part of _Farmer Allen_ more suitable for James O’Neill.” On November 1 J. A. Sawtell made his first appearance in San Francisco, in one of Murphy’s many revivals of “Maum Cre.” “I recall _that_ night, perfectly,” writes Belasco, “because I then first met Sawtell, with whom I afterward travelled in many capacities. When I produced ’The Girl of the Golden West’ (1905), Sawtell asked me for an engagement--just so he ’could be doing something,’ as he put it--and I remember that he came up to me on the stage one night and said: ‘“Davy,” I was a big star in California and you were my boy assistant; now here you are with your own theatre and I’m playing a small part in it! How did you do it?’”
About the end of November Belasco left Maguire’s employment and took a place as assistant stage manager, prompter, and general helper under Charles R. Thorne, Sr., who, on December 13, opened Thorne’s Palace Theatre (it had previously been Wilson’s Amphitheatre), at the corner of Montgomery and Market Streets, San Francisco. That engagement lasted for about three weeks--Thorne closing his theatre on December 31, without warning. Belasco’s delight in acquiring experience was gratified in this venture, but it was not otherwise profitable to him, as Thorne was unable to pay more than a small part of his salary. Besides discharging his other duties Belasco acted, in this engagement, _Santo_, in “Gaspardo; or, The Three Banished Men of Milan”; _Signor Meteo_, in “The Miser’s Daughter,” and _Gilbert Gates_, in “The Dawn of Freedom.” “The Fool’s Revenge,”--Thorne as _Bertuccio_ and Kate Denin as _Fiordelisa_,--“The Forty Thieves,” “Who Killed Cock Robin?” and “Faustus, a Romantic Spectacle,” were also produced, and, in one capacity or another, Belasco took part in all those productions; but I have not been able to find programmes. On January 7, 1876, the house was reopened, as the Palace Theatre, under the management of Col. J. H. Wood, presenting Frank Jones, in “The Black Hand; or, The Lost Will,” in which Belasco performed as _Bob, a Policeman_. Jones’ engagement lasted for about three weeks: thereafter Belasco drifted back into the employment of Maguire.