Indianapolis Times, Volume 34, Number 140, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 October 1921 — Page 9
TARKINGTON’S ‘WREN’ IS SEEN ON BROADWAY ' New Gotham Offerings Are of the Better Class—Hines Gives Opinions. By DIXIE HINES. NEW YORK. Oct. 22—The local theatrical atmosphere la becoming clarified, and the plays we are asked to pass upon are becoming more Worthy of serious attention. Last \reek the English “A Bill of Divorcement'' was brought over, and it proved to be a drama of upusual strength but of doubtful American appreciation. “Ambush,” at the Theater Guild, was a gloomly but tensely acted drama, and "The with little Helen Hayes, a light comedy without body, but interesting for the time. “Love Dreams," by Oliver Morosco, is a mixture of comedy and music, and down in Greenwich Village they continue to do strange things. It is Arnold Daly this time who begin*: a season of "repertoire" with tWo plays, a sanguinary adolescent drama called “The Children’s Tragedy” and his own light “The Van Dyke.” For the latter many thanks, but we could dispense with the former. From out-of-town we hear of Mae Marsh and her stellar debut as a dramatic actress in "Brittle,” by Robert Dempster, which was visited by a large delegation of Broadway critics and passed upon with favor, and later the American premiere of “Thrf Title,” with Lumsden Hare, which proved to be a delightful British satire on the institution of "Honors.” Both of these are due to come In very soon. “The Wandering Jew,” is the latest Belasco production which opened this week out of town, and So did "Chickens” and “Good Morning, Dearie.” The close association of these two titles was entirely unintentienal and in no sense suggestive. TARRINGTON BIDS FOB BROADWAY FAVOR. "The Wren,” by Booth Tarkington which brought to Broadway once more the elusive and delightful little Helen Hayes, Is as light in texture as eiderdown. It is, however, a thoroughly appealing study of a little mother who “bosses” the household and directs the destinies of all who cojne within her province. “The Wren” is little “Seeby” Olds, schoolmistress in the winter and housekeeper for her Invalid father In the summer. To their home near the sea come summer boarders, including a young artist who, the first year, shows
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At Last David Belasco’s “The Concert” And the picture has the same piquant, spicy charm that made the stage comedy as played by Leo Ditrichstein so internationally famous Presented by Lewis S. Stone and an all star cast [AMERICAN HARMONISTS'! Music That Charms LIBERTY SEXTETTE. J ALL NEXT WEEK AlwaysWor fcKV/hfle fP
j^imM RUSSELL Colorado rPiuckr l Thrills a plenty—A host of smiles —and grit galore in this story of a true son of the West. HAROLD LLOYD in “I DO” ALL NEXT WEEK The Hou of ItxrLUo. Rywo
the good taste to prefer the little housekeeper. The next year, however, it la a flashy wife of a master of industry who Intrigues him, and it is the duty of little Seeby to circumvent this new alliance to her own benefit, as well as that of the husband and the artist whom she realises is but infatuated. She succeeds, leaves the audience to infer that all will be happy, reinstates the wife in the family of the husband, and creates added consternation among the two servants and the invalid father by her ability as a manager. Not much of a story, but appealing in its simplicity. The cast is a small one, but it is excellent. There is little Mlbs Hayes, George Fawcett, who Is the father, an Irascible, good natured old retired seadog, Leslie Howard as a personable artist, Marlon Abbott and Sam Reed as original servants, and John Flood and Pauline Armitage as the husband and wife who are reconciled I George C. Tyler and A L. Erlanger pro- ! duced it. ENGLISH DRAMA IS OF THE BETTER STUFF. "A Bill of Divorcement,” an English drama by Clemence Dane is now, and has long been, a London success. Charlie Dillingham brought it to this country with a number of English actors, and : last week it was presented by him with unusual success. It is a play which is more suited to England than the United States, but it is withal a powerful drama and skilfully acted by Allan Pollock, Janet Beecher, Ada King, Katherine Cornell, Charles Waldron, Lillian Brennard, i Arnold Lucy and John Astley. “A Bill of j Divorcement” has to consider the British laws of of divorce. You are asked to assume that a recommendation of the commission on divorce has become a law and that a wife whose husband has been pronounced incurably Insane is by that fact entitled to her freedom. These conditions are the basis of the play. Then the problem is clearly and simply stated. A war marriage of a girl of 17 and a young soldier has been followed by the wounding of the young husband. He Is declared Incurably insane. Years have passed. The wife has obtained a divorce. The wife is deeply In lore and engaged to be married. The husband unexpectedly recovers. He returns home. He is utterly broken, but his mind is whole. What is the wife to do? The problem is squarely faced and fairly solved through the daughter of the couple—f,nd, after all Is said and done, It remains the daughter's drama and the daughter's triumph. As stated, it is brilliantly acted especially by Mr. Pollock and Miss Cornell. Mr. P-olloek was tense In the role of the husband whose sanity Is restored
fTßuraiuJllr’ Far away from the Western plains and ranch houses that afford the customary settings for his photoplays Bill Russell steps out as a nobleman in this picture and cuts a mighty swath in his fight for love and honor. Folly Comedy, ‘‘Mummy's Nightmare”
6Glc MaryMilesMinter The story of a serious young author who thought he understood women, and a clever girl who knew she understood him. Pathe 4 ,£S Pathe xr-__ A RIDE ON A RUNAWAY XT News TRAIN News V ■ -y
and who returns, unsuspecting, to hir former home to find so great a change in its atmosphere. “Love Dreams.” adapted from a comedy originally called “The Gilded Cage,” by Anna Nichols, was offered by Oliver Morosco. Mr. Morosco, it may likewise be recorded, has written the lyrics for the new offering and Werner Jannsen has cpntriDUted the music. It is not a musical comedy, Mr. Morosco preferring the description of “musical play.” Somewhere between the opening and closing there Is a plot, but it is of less interest than the contribution of the cast, selected to give honor to the slogan "a typical Morosco east.” There are Tom Powers, Vera Mlchelena, Orrin Johnson, Harry Morton, Maude Eburne, Marie Carroll and a score of others, surely enough to give full value for the new scale of prices adopted here. It is highly amusing, the songs are tuneful and the dancing clever. Altogether is is a play with music that should appeal and probably will appeal, very strongly to those who like this sort —and Broadway has a lot of them. "Ambush,” by Arthur RUbman, was the first production of the season for the noted Theatre Guild. Engaging a cast lu which are Frank Reicher, Florence Eldridge, John Craig, Catherine Pro -tor and Jane Wheatley, with, others, it achieved a greater artistic than substanth 1 success. It is a stern and uncompromising study of circumstances —a story of ideals attacked from without and eventually abondened when the press of events becomes too great. Specifically, it tells the tale of a middle-aged and middle-class clerk who fights desperately against the ©nrushing tide of a scheming (laughter and a conniving wife, and who finds himself forced to give up the struggle in the end. It is but fair to say that though the play is unpleasant and gloomy, it will make a strong appeal to that fast growing group of playgoes who seek acting of a high class and a production of good taste. It is less appealing than the average Theatre Guild production, but the skilful casting and direction atones for much of its unpleasantness. Arnold Daly has established himself as a manager and actor in a repertory theater, opening with an unsavory moss , called “The Children s Tragedy,” which i is so depressing, unhealthy and alto- ! gether* unworthy of serious production i that not even “The Van Dyke,” which j follows and In which he acts himself, can j remove the unfavorable and depressing j impression. Mr. Daly has burst into > firlnt on frequent occasions with the deearation of his artistic principles, but this Is the first chance to execute them. Execute is the word, they should bb If the present is the realization.
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INDIANA DAILY TIMES, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 22, 1921.
LITTLE THEATER TO OPEN FRIDAY Doubln Bill Will Bo First Offering of New Season.
MR. J. LLOY'D WAYNE. The fall season of the Indianapolis Little Theater will open Friday, Oct. 23, with a double bill, “The Dragon,” by Lady Gregory, and “Release,” by Edward H. Smith. “The Dragon” is a wonder play In three acts, requiring elaborate scenery and the creation of a huge and terrible dragon. J. Lloyd Wayne, who has made a distinct success as a Little Theater actor, takes the part of the food-loving and and badly-heckled father of the princess. Jeanette Parry, who has also appeared in several Little Theater plays, has the role of the princess, who is destined to be eaten by the dragon, while Jack Harding plays hero in the role of King of Sorcha. Mr. nardlng has been prominent
Cvj^^oi'etftefo°UlQ'MsslT£\VasjQzapaftinov > af2e<l'M':i' e ati * \ 1 J3ui offstabe she ms only fizzle parsons from fteiO <3isjland //.( \ l|g|| \ And then fizzle's ideal man had to q'o and /all in love nlilhi 7 j |t||i JBM i , Liza and her passim mys! _ - _ - - | illaggili \ Allthe Q'lamout of backslaqe is in this inside story of a sta/-} E : the sbtV 0^ the ttje thegnblk net/er e\>en hears about. I ' =i| gjg|9i = Beautiful Jmck Creations in [feptctui'e,- j Continuous ShortsJfom 1 tollp.M,
in theatricals at Wabash College and at the University ot Wisconsin. Tickets for the October bill will be on sale at the Kauta stationery store, 110 North Pennsylavnia. The payment of the *lO membership fee entitles members ot the Little Theater Society to all the privileges of the organization, including attendance at the performance. Membership blanks may be secured from Harry W. Glossbrenner, 4037 Guilford avenue. CONCERNING ‘THE WHITE PEACOCK' (Continued From Page Seven.) velous “soused” acting of E. L. Fernandez as Rafael, and the beautiful sets. We can agree on one thing, that tue show is handsomely mounted. New, after holding the jury out for some time, I am ready to vote. I vote for "withhold judgment.” This play will have to be doctored and given strong doses of strong stuff if it is going to live. As it now stands it can not live long. Although my opinion of “The White Peocock” Is far from flattering or even satisfying, I still Insist that lime. Petrova is, personally, a marvelous woman. I believe she could write a good and a strong play for her talents, but I think she has failed to be Petrova in this instance. “The White Peacock” is on view this afternoon and evening at the Murat.— W. D. H. COSTLY BILLS SCHEDULED IN MOVIE HOUSES (Continued From Pago Elfht.) Longaere.” ,It was produced by Fox and directed by George E. Marshall. This is a romantic film and is full of escapes and the like. It concerns a runaway princess from a mysterious country. Tbs princess fled from her native land because sho was being forced to marry a chap -whom she did not love. HOUSE OF DEAD ROBBED. CHICAGO, Oct. 22—While his wife was lying dead in the house, burglars broke into tho home of Jarvis W. Ledbrook, at Glen View, and stole *250 worth of jewelry and silverware.
‘Four Horsemen 9 Booked at Murat
RIDOLFH VALENTINO. Rudolph Valentino, the dark, stalwart hero of the famous story of “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse,” the Hex Ingram production for Metro, adapted to the screen by June Mathis from the Ibanez novel, has had a wide and varied
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career In other fields than moving pictures. Mr. Valentino was born in Italy twenty-seven years ago. He received his early education in the public schools of Italy, later attending the Royal Military Csllege of Agriculture at Genoa. At the age of 18 he came to the United States, intending to put into practice some of the knowledge of farming acquired at the agricultural college in his native land. But his ideas of farming are theoretical only, for they never materialized. Instead, he turned his attention to dancing, and soon gained an enviable reputation as a professional entertainer. He was the partner of Ronnie Glass, famous dancer, with whom he appeared at Recto"’*. Later, they appeared at the Winter Garden, where their success was so marked that they were signed for a vaudeville tour on the Orpheum circuit Mr. Valentino's first picture appeerancs was with Mae Murray in “The Big Little Person,” and “The Delicious Little Devil.” He appeared in numerous other pictures, including “Eyes of Youth” with Clara Kimball Young, and ’’Man, Woman and Marriage” with Dorothy Phillips. When Rex Ingram began casting for a suitable player to enact the difficult role of Julio, the hero of “The Four Horsemen,” he immediately sought Mr. Valentino, who in appearance exactly personifies the type as described by the Spanish author of the story. With his remarkable skill as a dancer, he fits the role perfectly. Since the completion of the picture, and owing to his splendid portrayal of the part he enacted, Mr. Valentino was selected by Nazlmova to support her in her forthcoming production of “Camille.” “The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse” will open a week's engagement on Sunday night, Oct. 30, at the Murat GOLDEN STATE HOPS PRODUCER Despite Prohib.Jon, .. Cali* r forma Keeps Up Big Yield. SAN FRANCISCO. -Oct 22.—“ Despite the fact that prohibition was supposed to put an end to the chief use for hops, California hop ranches, which have the highest yield of any in fie world, last year produced about 21.000,000 pounds of hops, which sold for approximately *5.000,000. This was revealed In a statement here
by E. Clemens Horst, hop and barley' expert who has been studying tha la-' dustry. “California is the greatest hop-pro-r ducing State of the Union in point of 1 | tonnage and the greatest in tha world ini average harvest per acre and modern l methods of culture," said Horst “In the harvesting of hops California i has made the greatest advance in that It 1 has developed the hop-picking machine j which is now used on many of the large> hop ranches not only in California but in other parts of the world, j “When hops are picked the vines are ; cut from the trellis and hauled in wagons ■ to tho hop-picking machines, where they! | are fed into machines at the rate of i about 12,000 vines per ten-hour dayj which means the picking of about 30.000' pounds of undried hops per day. The' labor saving by the machine figures roughly about 10 per cent of what would | be required to do the work lees itioness fully by hand. “After the hops are picked they are, laid on the k’la floors or drying floors* where they are kept from twelve to j twenty-four hours for drying. They are! ; then moved into cooling houses, where ; they are kept for one or two weeks* time* | land put into bales weighing 200 pounds! each. For export business these hales ' ; are very frequently recompressed into j j bales of one-half to one-third their or-] . iginal size. This recompressieg not ! better preserves the hops, but also j feets a very substantial saving tn freight | rates. ] “Regarding the rank among the ton 1 , States which grow hops on a commas- i I cial basis, California is first, Oregon seecond, Washington third and New Fork fourth. “The average production per acre tn j hop growing is official!., reported as follows: England, 900 pounds; Germany, 600 pounds: United States, 885 pounds ; California, 1,500 pounds. The counties which lead la California's i hop production are Sacramento, Sonoma, Mendocino, Yolo, Tehama, Yuba and Placer, in the north central part of tha State. GERMAN EAGLE REMOVED. NEW YORK. Oct. 22—One of the haughtiest of the Prussian stone eagles ! which have perched for thirty-two years' on the roof of tha Army and Navy Club ' building is missing today. It was be- { headed with a crowbar. An American i eagle will take its place.
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