AustLit

A follow-up autobiography to Treadmill to Oblivion (1954), Much Ado About Me is an account of Fred Allen's career and life up until the late 1920s,prior to establishing himself as a radio star. He includes a chapter about his experiences in Australia in 1916 ('Australian Comedy,' pp. 157-183), when he toured the Fullers' vaudeville circuit as Freddy James. This account includes insights into the Fullers' operations, Allen's travelling regime, his week in Toowoomba, Queensland, and his reception as an American citizen in 1916 (at that time the US had not joined the war). Allen also mentions some Australian vaudeville artists, notably Frank Herberte. The preceding chapter, "The S.S. Sierra" (pp.147-1569) details the sea voyage from America, while Chapter 8 ("Mark Leddy, Agent") provides some insight into how he came to secure his contract with the Fullers (pp.133-146).