The musical has a thin story designed to showcase Jolson, who was at the height of his popularity. Songs were added by several composers during the run of the show so that, by the end of the run, there were more songs by composers other than Romberg than by him. The success of the musical on Broadway led to a national tour.[1]
Plot
Setting: Genoa, Italy; Cordova, Spain; and San Salvador, El Salvador
Gus (played by Jolson in blackface) is a man living in Genoa, Italy in 1921 who finds himself transported back in time to Spain in 1492. Adopting the name "Bombo", Gus meets the explorer Christopher Columbus and becomes a slave whom Columbus brings along on his first voyage to the New World.
Al Jolson as Gus between Queen Isabella and Christopher Columbus in a scene from Bombo.
