‘Out in force’ for Sarah Bernhardt

May 19, 1906: Sarah Bernhardt, the great French actress, concluded her Southern California tour, performing “La Tosca” at the Venice Auditorium. The Times reported that “as Floria Tosca, Madame Bernhardt puts forth her usual powers of intensity and emotional force” but added that the actress, then 61, lacked the “girlish spontaneity, physical vivaciousness and the youthful brilliance of voice that once was hers.” Still, the newspaper said, “society was out in force” to view Bernhardt on her visit. While in Venice, Bernhardt entertained near the Venice wharf in her private rail car, lent to her by the Vanderbilt family. The Times reported that Bernhardt’s three days of performances in Venice brought in $18,000.