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How the ‘worst act in vaudeville’ helped shape modern libel law
The Cherry Sisters were terrible performers. Critics were merciless. Their libel suit helped establish protections journalists still rely on today
During the vaudeville era, the Cherry Sisters of Marion, Iowa, built a reputation as the worst act to ever grace the stage. But that didn’t stop crowds from packing into theaters to watch them sing, dance, play musical instruments and perform dramatic readings — or, more accurately, to gawk at their unmistakable lack of talent.