Following the pattern of the very popular Saga of Sagebrush Sal, Ragweed Cowboy Joe, and George Washington Swept Here, this play was designed to be staged easily with a minimum number of rehearsals, and to delight audiences who like to boo the villain and cheer the hero. The 4 are named Quickie Money Makers because their productions have brought in so much money for as few as 4 or 5 rehearsals.

However, this melodrama has a BIG difference. It is an old-fashioned melodrama with new-fashioned surprises: the villain and the hero are women. Dr. Jakey's medicine show is in dire financial straits when it hits town (your town, maybe). Mayor Hide and the female villain Dr. Fraidy try to get rid of this blot on their fair city. In the nick of time enter the hero—Mayor Hide's daughter Formalda. The conflict is abetted by the town gossip, Mrs. Yaksalotsky and a reticent romance between Dr. Fraidy's shy daughter and Dr. Jakey's even shyer lead singer.

It tells the tale of Dr. Jakey, an earnest, hard-working purveyor of patent medicines who tries to make an honest dollar by selling dishonest cure-alls. But it is not Dr. Jakey who motivates the show. No, it is that merciless merchant of mainstream medicine, Dr. Hooza Fraidy, the jealous-hearted, vile, man-crunching Villain! Dr. Fraidy is the only doctor in town, and she has no intention of allowing any other practitioner of the healing arts—licensed or otherwise—to invade her territory. Fortunately, though, our story has a hero—that beautiful, delicious daughter of Mayor Hide—the lovely Formalda. It is Formalda who protects the helpless Dr. Jakey when he needs help most, and it is Formalda who gives Dr. Fraidy the boot in the end. But this is not a play For Women Only. Men—even the hard-shelled chauvinists—enjoy it too. It's entertainment for the whole family.

A Director's Script (prompt book) is available from the publisher of this play. It contains drawings of costumes and set, details on all technical aspects of staging, discussion of characterization, plot, and theme. It also suggests the complete blocking and full stage directions for all movements and business.

Two acts; Set, a vacant lot in a small town; Time, the Gay Nineties, early twentieth century, or today; Typical costumes. Playing time is adjusted by adding music if desired.

"We did 'Dr. Jakey' twice and it was great."—Our Lady Mt. Carmel Church, Emmett, Michigan.

See also: Melodramas