Indianapolis Times, Volume 34, Number 284, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 April 1922 — Page 7

APRIL 8,1922.

KITTY DONER TO TOP KEITH BILL IN DANCING ACT University Students Will Appear in Revue at Murat. CHINESE TO BE AT LYRIC Vaudeville take3 the lead next week as the dominating class of entertalnment since the regular sea-j sons at English's and the Murat have closed. On next Tuesday night at the Murat, “The Jordan River Revue” will be presented by students from Indiana Uni- > rerslty in interest of the Million Dollar > War Memorial Fund of the school. Miss Kitty Doner will be the head- ! liner at B. F. Keith's next week. The | Canton troupe of Chinese wonder workers will be the chief offering at the i Lyric. Klondyke Belles will be the attraction at the Rialto next week. UNIVERSITY REVUE DUE AT Ml RAT TUESDAY. "The Jordan River Revne,” one of the most successful musical comedies put on , by Indiana University students in sev- j eral years will be seen at the Murat next ■ Tuesday night for one performance. The production is being brought here for the benefit of the Indiana University MU- ■ Hon Dollar War Memorial Fund. In the cast of more than a hundred students are about twenty young men 1 and women who live In Indianapolis. They are Dorothy Daugherty, Virginia Gates. Frances Adams. Jessie Soltau, Lawrence Bass, Margaret McClellan,, Emil Llnager, Coleman Isaacs, Walter Steiner. Katherine Rice, Louise Humps- | ton, Bernice Wilshlre, Robert Walker. 1 Virginia Caylor, Charles Mllholland, ■ Frank Cox and Jane Sickles. The Jordan River referred to, as every ' Indiana alumnus knows, is not the one of Biblical fame, but a stream that flows through the campus of the State University and is famed in college tradi- j tion. Many novelty acts feature the show, the plot of which is light in true musical : comedy style. A young woman dis- j appears from her home in an Indiana city under mysterious circumstances and her father starts a search with the aid of six detectives which leads around the world. Scenes showing a New York cabaret, a Spanish bull fight, Palestine, and other places and things of interest are shown. Finally the lost girl is found on the banks of Jordan River at L U. A romance is woven in the plot in an interesting way. The leading parts are taken by Robert Robinson and Lois Grimes. Katherine Rice cf Indianapolis wrote the lyrics and sings several songs. Charles Porter, also of this city, and Tort in Cooper of riainfi.eld, in eccentric dances furnish one of the best acts. -I- -I- -IKITTY DOVER TOPS NEW BILL AT KEITH'S. Kitty Doner, for several seasons featured with A1 Jolson's attractions, will bold stellar honors on the bill to be seen at B. F. Keith's next week. This will mark Miss Doner’s first appearance in vaudeville since leaving musical comedy. She will be assisted In a terpsichorean act under the title of "A League of Songs and Steps,” by her Sister Rose and brother, Ted Doner. Eddie Moran will act as their pianist Eddto Kane and Jay Herman will be another featured act. They will contribute songs and comedy in a turn which Is called "The Midnight Sons.” Billy Wayne and Ruth Warren, a pair of farceurs. will be seen in a playlet, “The Last Car.” The piece has to do with a boy and girl who Lave a love spat in which a prolonged argument makes them miss their last car. Harry Langdon, a versatile comedian who has pleased Keith audiences on previous visits, will be back in a vehicle, “After the Bali.” The ball in this Instance happens to be a golf ball which leads the -..embers of the act Into all Borts of comedy predicaments. Mr. Langdon will be assisted In his act by Rose end Cecil. Fatrlce and Sullivan will present an "Interlude of Melody," which consists of songs aud music. The Herberts, three in number, two straight men and a comedian, are aerlalists who do a casting act. On the screen will be 6hown the Pathe Kews Weekly, teh Topics of the Day and Aesop's Fables. *!* -I* -ICHINESE TROUFE AT LYRIC NEXT WEEK. Mystifying feats of magic, daring acrobatic and perch-climbing stunts, and Bome Juggling and watcr : splnning comprise the kaleidoscopic offering of the Canton troupe, Chinese wonder workers, who come to the Lyric next week. Many of the Chinese tricks of conjuring are centuries old, and yet they have never been mastered ty the people of other races, hence the Chinese magician always commands attention, and the illusions presented by the Canton troupe are said to be particularly baffling. Another featured attraction will be **ln Wigginsville,’’ an act typical of that distinctly American Institution, the ab breviated musical comedy. It is built around email town activities. A singing and dancing act will be Introduced by Barra and Trujillo, Spanish Gipsies, a recent importation from sunny Spain, and another melody offering will be that of Stein and Smith, two boys and a piano. Other acts will include Lanlgon and Haney's new "Vick Xacks of Vaudeville;" Johnson and Crane, in a skit, “Copped." and Bowen and Baldwin, la a surprise comedy divertlsement. On the screen, the Movie Chats, the Pathe Review and "Barnstormers,” a Sunshine farce, will be offered. -I- -I- -IKLOVDYKE BELLES AT RIALTO NEXT WEEK. Klondyke Belles, a musical comedy organization, will be at the Rialto next week. The comedy starts in a snow etonn In a small town ir. Maine. Among the characters present are a stern father, the chore boy, the town constable and ethers. The plot of the story concerns a show troupe which has been snowbound near the farm of Hiram Perkins. The story is taken from a story by David Higgins. “The Sheik," an Egyptian number. Is Introduces! during the action of the piny. The movie feature of the bill will be a screen version of "Uncle Tom's Cabin,” with Irving Cummings in the cast. The movie version has the bloodhounds and the Ice Just as the stage production had. -|- .j. .j. GEORGLA MINSTRELS AT PARK NEXT WEEK. The Columbia Wheel exhibiting t No. 1 burlesque shows will close its local season at the Park on the final showing of “Peek-a-Boo,” Saturday night. Next week, the Famous Georgia Minstrels will be on view at the Park. This is the thirty-third season for this organization.

PICK OF FILMS WILL BE SHOWN HERE NEXT WEEK Many Popular Screen Performers Scheduled in New Pictures. MUSIC IS THE FEATURE I Important 1922 movie releases will be reflected on the local screen next week. Local managers have made special efforts to present unusual and attractive photoplays next week. All movie houses will present special musical features. The movie line-up for next week is as follows: The Ohio—" Foolish Wives,” one of the most discussed movies of the year. Loew’s State —George Arhss in “The Ruling Passion." Alhambra—Bebe Daniels in “A Game Chi. ken." Mister Smith's —May MacAvoy in “A Virginia Courtship." Isis—" The Closed Road.' - Circle —Charlie Chaplin in "Pay Day.” The Circle and Loew’s State have planned special productions to illustrate the theme of the movies. "FOOLISH WIVES” BOOKED AT OHIO. “Foolish Wives,* by and with Erich von Stroheim, w ill open a limited engagement Sunday at the Ohio. Miss Maude George, one of the leadiug players In this movie, will appear In person all next week. This production actually cost more than $1,000,000, and has been over a year in the making, but contrary to many so-called "million dollar productions,” the expenditure in both time and ! money In "Foolish Wives” will be apparent on the screen. It is stated. A recent anlysls of the cost of the production shows $400,000 as the construction costs for the sets used. The replica of Monte Carlo built at Monterey 's j estimated at $120,000; the magnificent group of buildings erected at Universal City to show Monte Carlo from the laudside cost $150,000, and an Italian villa with its surrounding grounds, cost; $25,000. Fifteen Interior sets of unusual i splendor cost SIOO,OOO. More than 325,000 square feet of lumher was used in construction work at an approximate cost of $75 per thousand j feet. In addition to this, many new i stages had be built to contain the huge I settings. ! The entire expense of the production | was almost equally divided between | construction cost on the settings and the | expense of keeping the vast army of 1 players, assistant directors' aud extra peoj pie necessary for tile picture. There were ! as many as 2.000 extra people used at j one time in the big crowd scenes, all of them drawing from $lO to SSO a day, 1 while the salaries of the principal players and Von Stroheim's executive assistants totaled thousands of dollars a week. For use In the duplication of the Case de Paris, a shipment of $12,000 worth of glass was ordered. The front of the case facing the gorgeous square Is one maze of plate glass, which gives the diners an unrestricted view of the magnificent plaza, the Hotel de Paris directly across the square and the gambling cn- ! slno to the right. At a cost of SIOO,OOO this entire square was faithfully reproduced. Bo huge Is this set that long shots of COO feet from two absolutely different an- : gles were possible. For six weeks 110 ! carpenters, thirty-two plasterers an.l j twenty ornamental plasterers w orked on j this set. BEBE DANIELS j LATEST AT ALHAMBRA. i “A Game Chicken" is the title of the ! newest Bebe Daniels picture which will ; be presented at the Alhambra next week. It is described as a vivid tale combining j the dangers of rum running with the de- | lights of romance. Miss Daniels Is cast as Inez Hastings, the pretty daughter of Joshua Hastings ; and a Spanish mother. Reared in Cuba I in the best Spanish traditions of her j mother, Inez is expected to marry one (Jose I.avendera, her father's partner In j smuggling contraband liquor Into the i United States. While on a tomboy esi eaparle Inez meets and falls in love with i Rush Thompson, a young American, and ! Jose’s jealousy is aroused. To avoid j further complications her father sends j her to his cov a Hiram Proudfoot of ! Stony Point, V.ns. Hiram Ir tho Amerl- ! can agent for the rum-running combine, | but protects his interests also by being j president of the Purity League. | Rush Thompson, who Is really an | agent for the revenue department looking ! for tbe source of contraband liquor, comes to Stony Point and Jose follows. He reveals Rush's Identity to Inez and she betrays him Into the hands of the smugglers where she Is also made a prisoner by Jose. Pat O'Malley Is the leading man. ! Other program features will be the j Fox News Weekly, a Snooky comedy, | ''Hotre Run,” and Topics of the Day. - ! ' 'l' -1ARLISS FEATURED IN LOEW’S MOVIE. George Arliss in "The Ruling Passion” | will be the chief screen offering at Loew's j State next week. In “The Ruling Passion,” Mr. Arliss has the role of a philanthropist, a ■ wealthy, retired manufacturer of autoino-

On The Local Staae Next Week

ft

1— Robert Robinson, leading man with the Jordan River Review, at the Murat Tuesday night. 2 A Klondyke Belle, at the Rialto next week.

,t SCREEN FA VORITES TO BE SEEN HERE .4

• ' New York Has day to begin rehearsals for the spring j San Francisco engagement by Y. Ninov Draggy Week i: * i°pons in Cincinnati jj n interest of the Japanese drama sh9k| * iii Theaters lat the . | Critics' Attitude Puzzles Both will have a full eighteen week’s season j capital. Women, even of Japanese blr b t,'|w , ~ the Producers and the Gorge Patterson will be general press stugn of Japan. For In the celestial BHr / —— I '' ' —representative for the Walker enterprises kingdom, female roles, until a few yean V \ PllbllC. this summer. Kennyon Nicholson, for 1 afro, were played by young men and Wj yU- “ " - years press representative for the In- boys, as used to be tho custom in Europe \ : t - r P R y companion, an umbrella and a ... ~ _ dlannpolls, company, will be hero as us .and In the England of Shakespeare's j* cane are some of the accessories brought OIHLIi RIALTO NLl> o ual this summer In that capnclty. Walter ; ,la - v - I okio, the custom still persists c“ r 'N >r T ... NN&. >.' ) into play to provide excruciatingly funny I Vonnegut will be business manager for knxply comedy though lu tragedy the situations. „ the Walker companies. Mr. Vonnegut Japanese woman Is coming Into her owr Sydney Chnpltn. Edna Purvlauce, DIXIE HINES. has been playing un Important role for as an a‘'rroKß--c Uhyllis Allen and Mark Swain are some NEW YORK April S. —For the months in the New York company of According to Mr. Ninomiya, Shake ftf the* hlnvorj x.-Vwv r, 1.1 m.lt„ * * ’ "Mali " \fnVut. Monwla nloo If, HUfMITV 111 .IflminPSO translation. is

1— Charlie Chaplin taking a nap Ir a bathtub in “Pay Day,” his latest picture, to be at the Circle next week. 2 Erich Von Stroheim, as he appears in “Foolish Wives,” at the Ohio next week. 3 George Arliss In a scene from “The Ruling Passion,” to be at Loew’s State next week, 4 May McAvoy, who has the leading role in “A Virginia Courtship,” at Mister Smith's next week. 5 Bebe Daniels, as she appears in “A Game Chicken,” at the Alhambra next week. i biles who refuses to remain Idle In his retirement. Adventures multiply us James Alden assumes tho name of “John Grant" and mends automobiles in a garage In which he Is a ha'f owner with a young man who unwittingly falls In love with Alden's daughter. Doris Kenyon Is cast as Angle Alden and Edward J. Burns as Bill Merrick The picture has been elaborated by For- ! rest Halsey from the short story "Idle Hands,” by Earl Dorr Diggers, in “The Saturday Evening I'ost.” Another outstanding feature on the same program, Is "The Beggar Maid.” ' sugested by Tennyson's poem of the same : name. Mary Astor plays the title role. By arrangement with Mrs. Max I.eok- ! rier, Samuel Trotsky, tenor, will lie heard ■ in the ever popular "The Holy City" and Mias Freda Hughes will render BacliGounod "Ava Marla." i A comedy and Loew's News complete 1 the Holy week program. j CHAPLIN TO FROLIC AT CIRCLE NEXT WEEK. I Charlie Chaplin, in “Pay Day,” and i Katherine MacDonald In “The Woman's Side” will make up a double feature bill nt the Circle next week. In addition to these two features, a specially selected program of short screen subjects will bo shown and a musical program will bo provided by j tho Circle orchestra nnd tho radio. | In “Pay Day" Chaplin has his troubles ; as a laborer in the employ of a conI xtruction company. A burly foreman, a j freight elevator, a crowded street car, a

3 Helen Baldene, at the Lyric next week. 4 Kitty Doner, formerly with Al Jolson’s shows, will be the headliner at B. F. Keith’s next week.

INDIANA DAILY TIMES.

typsy companion, an umbrella and a cane are some of the accessories brought Into play to provide excruciatingly funny situations. Sydney Chaplin. Edna Purvlauce, Phyllis Allen nnd Mark Swain are some of the players who aid Chaplin. In "The Woman's Side," Miss Mac Donald has a story of the average j American home. I Miss MacDonald's supporting cast lu-' | eludes Wade Boteler, Ora Devereaux, | Dwight Barrows and Edward Burns. ... .j. .|. FAMOUS OLD STORY j MADE INTO A MOVIE. I "A Virginia Courtship,” which comes to Mister Smith’s Sunday, Is an adaptaI tlon of the old play by Frank I’resbrey ! and has been thoroughly modernized and brought down to the twentieth century as a vehicle for the May MacAvoy. As Prudence Fairfax Miss MacAvoy Is seen first as a little white topsy aud later as a young woman having her first nnd last romance with the nephew of I her guardiun, and being snved by him from a band of criminals Into whose hands she has fallen. Prue Is the adopted daughter of Colonel Fairfax, a bachelor, who had never married because of a misunderstanding with his boyhood sweetheart, Constance ; Llewellyn, who had lived on the adjolnI lng plantation. Constance married an- ! other man, but comes back to her old I home when she becomes a widow. Prue j attempts to consummate that romance | and in so doing develops one of her own. j The star Is assisted by a cast headed by Casson Ferguson and Including such I players as Kathlyn Williams, Richard j Tucker and Alec B. Francis. I "THE CLOSED ROAD” ! NEXT OFFERING AT ISIS. I Next week's attraction at the Isis will j bo "The Closed Road," a picture directed jby Maurice Tourneur and with House Peters and Barbara Tenant In the leading roles. it is a drama of prison life with Mr. Peters cast ns an Innocent man condemned to the death chair. The story carries the spectator through a swiftly moving narrative. The picture carries with It a lesson, ' teaching the folly of crime, and yet provI lng that many an Innocent man Is made j the law’s victim through the uncertainty jof circumstantial evidence. While not in any sense of tho word a preachment, j “The Closed Road” never-the-less adi vances many sound arguments ngatnst j conviction by tho courts on evidence that Is purely of a circumstantial nature. It is said. There Is a touching love theme with Miss Tenant as a charming heroine. The comedy feature of the program will be a Snooky farce entitled "Home Run."

New York Has Draggy Week in Theaters Critics' Attitude Puzzles Both the Producers and the Public. OTHER RIALTO NEWS By DIXIE HINES. NEW YORK. April B.—For the' first time thLs season no new play was unfolded to the overworked “first nlghter” of the metropolis. ; They have been of such frequent and 1 prolific occurrence in the past that j the present week has been devoted to “catching up," as It were, from past omissions. While the season has boon sadly deficient In some respects, it has not been for lack of i new entertainment. The plays have: not always proven successful, but J they have proven frequent. One of the most Interesting Incidents of j the week was the approval by the l'rodu- , ring Managers Association of tho plan of (lie Authors' League, the Actors' Equity Association, tho Drama League and the i Better Plays Movement Association to back tho voluntary public censorship ! plan. This is tho alternative to an official censorship which 1s threatened since the production recently of plays of tho calibre of the unsavory "Tho Rubicon.” This means the various organizations will meet and appoint a representative committee to puss upon plays of question- ; able morality, and their Judgment will be supported l>y tho combined influences. Something of tho sort is essential if tho stage is to retain the respect of decent ; people. Several plays have been produced re- j ceutly that merited the severest criticism, , and while the critics have done something in this line they have mystified tho gen- j eral public because immediately follow- j lng their censorious reviews of "The Kubi j con" because of its vulg irlty, they mildly pruised "Just Because," anew musical play, and damned it because it was absolutely clean. In fact there seems to be no logical policy followed by these ! quill drivers. The result is those who seek to give clean plays are damned tor It, and those who give the opposite sort are placed In a like category. No wonder tho producers are puzzled, FLAYERS' ASSEMBLY TO I'KODl'Cli ANOTHER I*LAY. The Players’ Assembly, a group of j players which produced with great sue- j eess a play called "Montmartre," now running on Broadway, lias decided to make another production for matinee purposes while "Montmartre" continues I Its popular run. They announced their j desire for new plays and many were submitted. One, "The Night Call," was ! eboseri. It Is a mystery play aud the I name of the author Is quite as deep a mystery as the first part of the play itI self. The players now find themselves \ seeking the Identity of the play they have ! selected, and if any one knows any one who has written a play called “The Night • 'nil,” they will confer a favor upon tlie Players' Assembly by communicating that fact to them. The season of tho Metropolitan Opera Company has been brought to an end, nnd next year tho field in this city will not be invaded by the hosts from the West. A short tour will lie made by tho company before disbanding, but many of the must prominent artists will begin an Immediate couocrt tour. Rosa Ponsolle, described by the late James lluueker as "a Caruso in Petticoats," has already begun her season, and u telegram from Kansas City tolls us that 7,000 music lovers heard her recently. It may bo recalled that this young singer of American birth and Italian parentage, was a sensation a couple of seasons ago when she made her debut. -I- -I- -INEW YORK HAS A GOOD MUSIC AI DIKNCE. Gabrilowltch, the noted Russian . 'st, has demonstrated by tils appearances in New York this season that there is an audience for good music comparable with the largest and most en thuNiastic audiences that may be gathered together for any event. Some time ago more than 6.000 people heard this master.pianist, and during a recent visit to New Y'ork he appeared dally for a week. Ilis engagements are Invariably restricted to one week because he is the conductor of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and this is as much time as is allowed him from his duties in the big town in Michigan. Heretofore it has been held that music made a limited appeal, hut in view of these facts that may be disputed. After an absence of two seasons, Walker Whiteside made his reappearance on Broadway in a modern mystery melodrama entitled "The Hindu.” The steller role is that of a powerful Oriental potentate, Prince Tamar, in whoso regal palace in far away Somnouth, India, the (Continued on .Page Nine.)

Mr. Stuart Walker and members of his Cincinnati (Ohio) nnd Indianapolis stock companies will arrive here next Saturday to begin rehearsals for the spring and summer seasons of stock. The Walker season opens in Cincinnati In the Cox Memorial Theater on Monday night, April 24, and the local season at the Murat on Tuesday night, May 2. Mr. Walker has assured Nelson Trowbridge of tho Murat that Indianapolis will have a full eighteen week’s season of stock. George Patterson will be general press representative for the Walker enterprises this summer. Kennyon Nicholson, fur years press representative for the Indianapolis, company, will be hero as usual this summer in that capacity. Walter Vonnegut will be business manager for the Walker companies. Mr. Vonnegut has been playing an important role for months in the New York company of “Main Street." McKay Morris also Is in that cast. It is understood that McKay Morris and Blanche Yurkn will head the Cincinnati company and will make frequent appearances lu Indianapolis. George Gaul and Regina Wallace will head probably the Murat Theater Company. It is known that Elizabeth Patterson will join the local company as soon as Itlllie Burke closes her season in "Intimate Strangers.” Judith Lowry and other favorites again will be on vlevf this summer. Mr Walker will not Invade Louisville, Ky , nt the present time, but will confine Ms activities to Indianapolis and Cincinnati. Mr. Walker for years has planned the operation of a cycle of summer stock in a number of cities. -I- -I- -IC. J. Bulliet, press representative for Robert B. Mantel!, actor of classic roles, sent fills department some additional Information concerning Mr. Mantell's proposed tour of Japan. Ten woeks in Tokio is a possibility of the tour next season of Robert B. Mantel! and Genevieve Hamper. An urgent invitation has been extended them by the Imperial Theater of the Japanese capital.

Inpljj JIJI (P J 7 U ot|T line uadi® of Vaudeville The Bijou Theatre, Boston, Mass., is the birthplace of vaudeville in America and was given its first showing at that theatre by B. F. Keith during the season of 1888. The instant success of his new venture enabled him to push forward to achievements of which h 9 had never dreamed in the earlier days of his theatrical career, until today the name “Keith Vaudeville” is known in all parts of the globe. Some of the most beautiful theatres in America are devoted to “Keith Vaudeville” and their success proves the far-sighted vision of this enterprising purveyor of popular amusement. Mr. E. F. Albee, President of the B. F. Keith circuit of theatres, has appointed the week of April 24th as “Third of a Century” Anniversary Week, and during that period there will be simultaneous celebrations illustrating the extent of vaudeville as an American institution. Bookings are being arranged so that all Keith theatres will present the most representative and the most significant acts during that eventful week, and the local managers everywhere, as well as the army of artists touring the circuit, are preparing for special demonstrations of their proud participation in the occasion. The programmes cf that week will reflect the years of constant thought and effort cf the management and artists of the Keith organisation to give the American public the best the world offers in refined and diversified amusement. Mr. Albee’s idea of making his numerous theatres into civic centers for the convenience and assistance of local activities has inspired many citizens and organizations to seek opportunity to participate in this “Third of a Century” celebration. Governors, Mayors, Churchmen, Chambers of Commerce, Business C'ubs, Civic Clubs, local Musical organizations and Fraternal bodies are demanding a part in this Anniversary Week and each expresses a genuine desire to contribute in some manner to the occasion, thus recognizing what the Keith theatres mean as civic forums. B. F. IHIfS THEATRE Indianapolis

accompanied by the promise of substantial financial guarantees. The invitation was delivered to the tragedian and his young leading woman during their recent San Francisco engagement by Y. Ninomiya, literary manager of the Imperial Theater, who was on a tonr of the worid in the interest of the Japanese drama. Should tiie arrangement go through, Miss Hamper will be one of the first white actresses to appear on the Japanese stage, and tho first to play an extensive Shakespearan repertoire in the capital. Women, even of Japanese birth, were, until recently, a novelty on the stage of Japan. For in the celestial kingdom, female roles, until a few years ago, were played by young men and boys, as used to be the custom In Europe and In the England of Shakespeare's day. In Tokio, the custom still persists largely jn comedy, though In tragedy the Japanese woman is coming Into her own as an actress. According to Mr. Ninomiya, Shakespeare, in Japanese translation, is already popular on the stage of Tokio. Japanese playgoers, he told Mr. Mantell, are very eager to see the dramas with which they are familiar done In the original language by a master. A sufficient knowledge of English, he nd<Jed, is possessed by tho cultured of the capital to make the Mantell performances a delight. All the Shakespearean plays have been translated into Japanese, he said, and are available In book form, and most of those customarily staged elsewhere In the world have been put on the boards. "Hamlet” leads In popularity, with "King Lear" a close second. Curiously enough, the feminine interest In “Hamlet” centers more strongly in the Queen Mother than In Ophelia. Mr, Mantell's theory of this Is that the Japanese reverence for parents and for ancestry In general Is called strongly into play. "King Lear's popularity may be explained on tho same grounds of reverence for parenthood, this tragedy being the most bitter expression of the lack of such reverence In world literature. If Mr. Mantell accepts the Invitation, be will sail for Japan early In the spring of 1923.

AMUSEMENTS

KEITH HOUSES WILL HELP IN WORTHYCAUSE Vaudeville Theaters Are to Be Used in Public Benefit Drives. Ever since the stirring days of 1917-18 B. F. Keith’s Theater has stood for more than Just a place of passing amusement and entertainment. It has come to be recognized as a civic Institution —a civic Institution in the broadest sense. This change In the public's attitude toward the theater Is due largely to E. F. Albee, president of tho B. F. Keith Vaudeville circuit. In every community in which tho circuit maintained a theater, Mr. Albee whole-heartedly and generously cooperated with every movo for the benefit of our fighters, whether overseas or on equally arduous duties here at home. His theaters were donated—for every worthy enterprise—bond drives, recruiting drives, Red Cross drives, educational drives—in fact every drive that had Its object in winning the war. And when the war was won and it seemed that our troubles had Just begun, his theaters were there for every worthy enterprise looking to the rehabilitation of tbe war’s victims. The Keith's local theater for example. Right at first when getting the men was all important, the theater was given over to recruiting. Displays were maintained in the lobby. Calls for enlistements were made from the stage, motion pictures of Army activities were shown, in fact every means of creating Interest in the Army, Navy and Marine Corps was used by the local management with the result that may recruits were added to our fighting forces. KEITH HOUSES AID IN ALL DRIVES. Then money became the pressing need, and again Keith's stepped to the fore. “Four Minute” speakers were given the privilege of speaking from the stage. Booths were established in the lobby for the sale of bonds, and ushers during waits or at times set aside especially received pledges for bonds, war savings stamps or what not from the audience. The artists, too, imbued with the spirit of their chief, helped the sale of war securities at every opportunity, thinking nothing of donating their time and talents freely. Along with activities In the theater, the soldier boys In the cantonments were remembered. Weekly vaudeville shows were arranged for their entertainment and. they were attended by from 7.000 to 10,000 men each week. This service was donated by the artists. When tbe wounded began to arrive ; from overseas, nothing was too good for them. Ft. Benjamin Harrison became a convalescent camp, and the policy of weekly vaudeville entertainments was^ ■ maintained for their benefit. y Remember the various movements Jor i the relief of war victims? Keith'a Theater was ever at the disposal of speak- ■ ers In any allied cause. Never a plea was turned down, and during the War I Chest drive, Keith's was the center ot I the campaign. Likewise, the Y. M. C. A. | benefited from Mr. Albee's policy of doi nating his theaters for community betI terment, and during the local drive an j extra performanace, after tbe regular night show, in which all the artists and house employes volunteered their serv- | ices, netted the organization nearly S4OO. During the war soldiers, sailors or marines in uniform were frequently enteri talned at the local house. Visiting sol- ! dlers here for one purpose or another | received every courtesy. NOTED MEN I*RAISE ALBEE. That Mr. Albee's policy was and Is appreciated Is now being proven by many messages and letters he is reI eeiving on the occasion of his “Third of a Century" Anniversary week, which will be celebrated In all houses of the Keith circuit April 24 to 29, Inclusive. They come from East and West, North and South.

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