1953 - 1954
The Red Mill
ACT I - At the Sign of the Red Mill
"Con" Kiddler and "Kid" Conner, two American Tourists, become stranded at an inn in a small town in Holland. To avoid paying their board bill, they attempt to escape from the inn, but are caught in the act by the Burgomaster, who orders their imprisonment, but the innkeeper agrees to let them work out their indebtedness by replacing some of the inn servants. Con is made an interpreter and Kid is given a job as a waiter. The two Americans contrive a scheme to save the Burgomaster's daughter from a distasteful marriage with the Governor, and to help her elope with her lover, Captain Karl Van Damm. The innkeeper overhears the plot and informs the Burgomaster who locks his daughter in the Red Mill, and places Franz, the Sheriff, to guard the door. The two Americans effect the rescue of Gretchen. This ends the first act.
ACT II - Hall of the Burgomaster's House
Act Two shows the Hall at the Burgomaster's house, on the day set for the wedding. The bride is missing and the Burgomaster offers a reward of innumerable gulden for her discovery. He even telegraphs to Hague for Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson to assist in the search. Con and Kid, disguised as Italian organ grinders, discover the telegram and soon arrive on the scene as the famous detective and his biographer. They order the arrest of the Sheriff for political reasons, and insist upon the release of Captain Karl, Gretchen's lover. In the meantime the Governor has arrived, and finding his intended bride missing, is perfectly satisfied to marry her aunt who is equally wealthy. The two Americans then restore Gretchen to her lover, who is found to be heir to a large English estate. The real identity of the detective and the doctor is discovered. Con wins the innkeeper's daughter, Tina, and all ends happily.
Producer/Director: Arthur Clare
Musical Director: Ralph A. Wetzstein
Cast
Betty Cowan
Bertha, the Burgomaster's sister
Charles Nicholson
Franz, Sheriff of Katwyk-ann-Zee
Des Gibson
The Governor of Zeeland
Eileen Middlestadt Armstrong
Tina, Bar Maid, Willem's daughter
George Wetzstein
Captain Karl Van Damm, in love with Gretchen