The farcical story concerns two American vaudevillians who wreak havoc at an inn in the Netherlands, interfering with two marriages; but all ends well.

The musical premiered on Broadway on September 24, 1906, at the Knickerbocker Theatre and ran for 274 performances, starring comedians Fred Stone and David C. Montgomery.

In a village in the Netherlands, two American vaudevillians, Con and Kid, who have been travelling in Europe but itch to get back to New York, are stranded penniless at a little inn.

At the wedding festivities (which are missing the bride) Con and Kid appear disguised as Sherlock Holmes and Watson, and "help" the Burgomaster find his daughter.

When Bertha's identity is then revealed, it turns out that Captain Van Damm is heir to a large fortune, and her father allows Gretchen to marry him.

[1] For the original Broadway production in 1906, producer Charles Dillingham made theatrical history by placing in front of the Knickerbocker Theater a revolving red windmill powered and lit by electricity.

[1] A 1927 silent movie version starred Marion Davies and was directed by Roscoe "Fatty" Arbuckle under the pseudonym of William Goodrich.

The recording featured Eileen Farrell, Wilbur Evans, and Felix Knight with a chorus and orchestra conducted by Jay Blackton.

This version was released on CD in 2008 as The Music of Victor Herbert (Anteater Records AECD-1004), along with selections from Naughty Marietta and Sweethearts.

In the 1920s, Chandler Goldwaithe "recorded" selections from The Red Mill on a paper roll for use in an E. M. Skinner player organ.