Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 55, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 July 1923 — Page 5
SATURDAY, JULY 14, 1923
GRAND PLAYERS CLOSE SEASON ON •SATURDAY, JULY 28 Stuart Walker to Present ‘Spite at Murat With Big Cast. . THE GRANT) PLATERS at Engglish’s will close their first Indianapolis season on Saturday night, July 28, Charles Berkell, manager of the company, stated today. This decision was reached when Berkell and his players found it impossible to obtain a theater for a winetr enagament here. Because Eddy Waller and Jean Oliver have been playing for fifty-two weeks, it was decided to give the company a much needed vacation before opening at Davenport., la., Sept. 9. Next week at the Murat, Stuart Walker will present “Spite Comer,” a comedy, for the first time in this city, with Donald Macdonald playing the part which he created in New York. -I- -I* + Berkell Expresses Appreciation for Support Announcement was made today by Charles Berkell, manager of the Grand Players at English’s, that the Krrent run of his players in dramatic >ck in Indianapolis would end Saturday night, July 28. In making this announcement Mr. Berkell said that the seventeen weeks that the Grand Players had been at English’s had been highly successful in every respect, and further stated that plans for a return to this city in the spring of 1924 were alreadv under way. “When we opened rather cold in IndAnapolis almost five months ago it was full knowledge that Indianapolis was a very discriminating city in matters pertaining to the theater,” Berkell stated. “Os this we were aware before we had decided to come here. But we wanted a season away from our home theater where we would have an opportunity of presenting the best that could be had In modern up-to-the-minute plays with some assurance that such plays would be appreciated. And, to stale it briefly, Indianapolis responded gloriously.” For the next to last production they will make in Indianapolis this season the Grand Players have chosen “She Walked In Her Sleep,” a farce comedy by Mark Swan. This play, which will open Sunday afternoon, deals with the complications that follow the arrival at a fashionable hotel of a young lady who is a confirmed sleep-walker. She does all sorts of things in a manner that makes for almost endless comedy and provides laugh after M|ugh as her meandering about into the situations guests, clerks, maids, policemen and detectives. The climax arrives when at 3 o'clock in the morning she finds her way into the room of a young husband and wife on their honeymoon. For the last week of the season, the Grand Players will offer “My Lady Friends,” a farce by Emil Nyitray and Frank MandeL
"Spite Corner” to Be Next Offering at Murat The Stuart Walker Company •will on Monday night appear in the first Indianapolis presentation of the recent Broadway comedy success, "Spite Corner.” Frank Craven, who wrote ‘‘The First Tear,” is the author of ‘‘Spite Corner.” Asa character study the play is a unique and uriusual piece of playwriting. Old Anne Coolidge, one of the characters in the piece, affords an opportunity for the most distinctive piece of character work of any play of the season. Anne, a spinster -who remains loyal to the heroine of the piece, when every one’s hand is against her, Is from the sturdy and hardy stock who first made our country a safe place in which to live. She doesn’t want to see the stately trees of her community cut down to make way for raw telegraph poles. Life to her seems to have lost its old-fash-' ioned savor in the snap ar.-l go of the jazzy age. She represents a vanishing race. The setting of the play a small New England town, and it depicts rural life with a naturalness and realism that/can only be written by an author wao, himself, has lived the scenes and is a very part of what he attempts to portray. Frank Craven, the author, spent his youth in just such a town and among just such people as he has put into his play. The cast will include Donald Macdonald, who will appear in the role he created when the piece was presented in New York; Ruth Hammond, who scored such a decided success in "Nice People” two weeks ago; Elizabeth Patterson, Judith Lowry and Aldrich Bowker, all Stuart "Walker Company favorites of long standing; Teresa Dale, Beulah Bondy, Jean Spumey and others. The Orloff Trio will furnish intermission music at all performances of the play next week.
COMING ATTRACTIONS AT CIRCLE THEATER An Imposing list of attractions is announced for showing at the Circle in the coming weeks, among which are Richard Walton Tully’s production of De Maurer’s immortal play, “Trilby;” John Golden and Mitchell Smith's “Three Wise Fools,” one of the finest comedy dramas of recent years; Jackie Coogan in “Circus Days,” adapted from the book, “Toby Tyler,” will return this delightful kid to the screen again; Colleen Moore in anew kind of photodrama, “The Huntress;” the new version of Rex Beach’s Alaskan mining camp story, “The Spoilers;” Richard Barthelmess in “The Fighting Blade,” and Constance Talmadge in “Dulcy,” made from the stage success of the same name.
ON LOCAL STAGE FOR THE NEXT SEVEN DAYS
DEANPICKSTWELVE BEST NJfJOVIES Two of Booth Tarkington’s Movies on Honor List. By JAMES W. DEAN NEW YORK, July 14.—1 t is customary for the professional reviewer of pictures to pause at the middle of the year and issue a list of “the ten best," or “the twelve best” pictures of the first half of the year. Pausing thus, I submit the following list: “The Covered Wagon.” “By Lantern Light.” “A Pleasant Journey.” ‘Othello.” "Safety Last.” ‘The Christian.” “Grumpy.” “Trailing Wild African Animals.” “Enemies of Women.” “The Famous Mrs. Fair." ‘Alice Adams.” “Penrod and Sam.” That is a very unorthodox list. “By Lantern Light” is only one reel long. Such pictures are usually considered too short for consideration in a list of the best, yet I hold that a picture is a picture, regardless of its length. I doubt if any picture ever made has achieved the high artistic level of “By Lantern Light,” unless it be “Jenkins and the Mutt” or “Moonblind,” companion films in the Bruce series. If it is maintained that “By Lantern Light” is too short, then I argue that "Enemies of Women," which cost a million, is too long. And so is D. W. Griffith’s very excellent “The White Rose.” “The Covered Wagon” is also a very long picture, but It deserves its length: it is a sermon. To me it seems the biggest picture in concept and treatment ever made. It is an inspiring document on Americanization. It should be preserved for every generation of America that is to follow. Gives Reasons for Picking “Journey” Comedy "A Pleasant Journey” is only two reels long. I place it on my list because it is the most entertaining comedy I ever saw. It is one of those hilarious comics played by Hal Roach's troup of kids. Each of the pictures in the list is there because it fulfilled the true function of motion picures better than other pictures. That function is to tell a story, to create entertainment In the manner which is dittinctively of the medium employed. Other pictures of the first half of the year which seemed above the average were; “Poor Men’s Wives,” “Bavu,” Prodigal Daughters,” “No-
M THE FAVORITE FARCEURS CHARLES HOWARD & COMPANY In a New Comedy Absurdity, “HOW THINGS HAVE CHANGED” fHOPE VERNON INTERNATIONAL SONG ARTIST RENO SISTERS A FANTASY OF DANCE AND MUSIO HARVARD," holt AND KENDRICK LAWSON & VIOLET NOVELLE BROTHERS !HLo JANSLEY TROUPE WORLD’S GREATEST RISLEY EXPERTS \fp OUR GANG COMEDY “BOYS TO BOARD” Dancing in the Lyric BaDroont - (Ifternoon an 4 Evenings 2^*
Left, to Right—Grace Alden at the Lyric next week. Beulah Bondy in "Spite Comer,” at the Murat next week.
Taking a Wee Peep Into Our Fall Season
By WALTER D. HICKMAN WHAT WILL BE WHAT in tho legitimate theaters in Indianapolis this fall and winter? This question has been fired at me many times In the last few days. My Idea of legitimate conditions for the coming fall and winter season is most promising. Unless there is a strike, a war or a flood or something along that line, the New York producers will send on tour many productions next season. Nelson Trowbridge is on his way to New York to get his complete plans for the 1923-1924 season at the Murat. Indications are that the Shu-
body’s Money,” “Canyon of the Fools,” “The Ne'er Do Well," “This Way Out.” While the Pot Boils," “Daddy,” “Within the Law,” “Peg o’ the Movies” and “Shadows.” This list Is called up from memory. Better films may have been overlooked. Several exceptionally poor pictures are also recalled. They are “Daughters of the Rich,” “Soul of the Beast” and “The Ragged Edge.” However, Oscar, the elephant in “Soul of the Beast,” contributed one <f the best bits of acting of the season. Defends “Slapstick” In the Movies Many who cffered suggestions to the Authors’ League for the improvement of the movies advocated the elimination of slapstick comedy from the films. They took the wrong attitude. Slapstick stuff has a definite place on the screen, just as it has on the stage. “Backfire,” anew Jack White comic starring Lige Conley, is made up entirely of slapstick and is an exceedingly funny and entertaining comic. Havelock Ellis in his new book, “The Dance of Life,” holds that anything \fhich is an expression of self, of life. Is art. Measured with that standard, “Backfire,” with all* its slapstick antics, must be considered a great work of art, even by our highbrows. In short, it is the story of a plebeian flivver rejuvenated with new x! lves, winning a road race against aristocraticmotors. It is the expression of seli-sufficiency that rests in the bosoms of all flivver owners. Had “Backfire” been released before July 1, it would have been included in the list of the twelve best pictures of the six-months' period.
AMUSEMENTS
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
Jean Oliver in “She Walked in Her Sleep,” at English’s next week, opening Sunday matinee. Ben Beyer at the Palace the first half of next week.
berta will send “The Dancing Girl,” now playing to big business in Chicago, to the Murat as the opening attraction on Labor day afternoon. Stuart Walker will close his summer season on the Saturday before Labor day. I have been informed from New York that Indianapolis will have the following attractions next season, of course subject to many changes: “The Dancing Girl,” "Blossom Time,” “Up the Ladder,” a return trip of ‘Kempy,” Harry Lauder, “The Fool,” 'Abie's Irish Rose,” “The Merchant of Venice” with David Warfield, and many others. Manager Miller of English’s has made no definite announcements, but he is assured of an Important season. “Merton of the Movies” is scheduled to be one of his attractions.
Concerning the many questions esked regarding Elizabeth Patterson—last season she appeared ,n New Y'ork in William Harris’ production of “The Lady Christalanda,” and also appeared in the try-out performances of “Magnolia” at Atlantic City. “Magnolia" is anew Booth Tarkington comedy which will be presented on Broadway this winter. She will be in the cast. Last season Miss Patterson appeared for two week3 in Louise Closer Hale's role in “Peer Gynt." The season before she played thirty-two weeks with Billlle Burke in “Intimate Strangers.” •!■ -I- T George Berkell and his Grand Players will soon terminate a seventeeenweeks’ season at English's in stock. His top price has been 75 cents. I believe that the values he gave Indianapolis would have stood a $1 top without Injuring his box office record. Berkell closes his season at the peak of his success here on July 28. The only reason for stopping is that his players must have a rest. No one can play for fifty-two weeks with only a week's vacation. Berkell has given Indianapolis many popular successes. The high lights of his season have been “Six Cylinder Love” and “The Gold Diggers." Berkell and his players will be welcomed back next spring. These players have built up a large personal following. -1- -I- -ITom Powers, a Stuart Walker player, is getting ready to take an Important role in a New York production in August. George Gaul is still on Broadway in "The Seventh Heaven.” Gregory Kelly and Ruth Gordon are planning to appear in "Bristol Glass,” a Booth Tarkington comedy on Broadway next fall. They tried this play out with slight success In Chicago last winter.
BABY PEGGY HAS RECREATION PERIOD Working Schedule of Young I Star Permits Hours of Play. When Baby Peggy has removed the grease paint from her little face, usually about 2 o clock each working day, she immediately becomes Peggy Jean Montgomery the child. Her day of work Is over and she no longer is Baby Peggy, the 4-year-old star of Century Comedies Her daddy soon has the ruddy face ; shining, and a few moments later she is lying down taking her daily nap. This nap is part of a painstaking schedule to preserve little Baby I Peggy’s vitality and strength. Work, ,as a rule, never commences until 10 o’clock in the morning, so Baby Peggy’s entire working day is no more than four hours. ; At about 3:30 or 4 o'clock Peggy awakes from her sleep and she and her sister Louise go into the garden or on the spacious lawn and play their little children’s games. Louise, it might be known, is two years older than Baby Peggy, and is her constant playmate and comrade. Playing tag, hiding from one another, playing with Rex, the dog who | caused Baby Peggy’s almost fatal illness when he ran away several months ago, bouncing and catching their soft balls, riding their kiddie cars and tricycles, looking through books with many photographs, are among tho diversions of Louise and , Baby Peggy. It Is almost an ironbound rule that | Baby Peggy seldom plays so exten- : eively unless Joined by Louise. Just before the evening dinner, ; Baby Peggy’s mother reads some of i the fairy tales to the children. The : folk stories are read and discussed by | the children. Many of the pictures are explained by Mrs. Montgomery. I and the children are taught small verses which they memorize. Baby Peggy can recite at least twenty of the popular nursery rhymes witn ease, and knows a like number of the better known fairy tales by name and story. New Story for Hoxie Universal has chosen "Wyoming,” a novel by William MacLeod Raine, for Jack Hoxie’s next feature following “Men in the Raw.” The larier picture, an adaptation of the novel by W. Bert Foster dealing with the Montana cattle country, has just been completed at Universal City.
Continuous 1:00 tc 11:00 P. M. MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY Blossom Heath Entertainers A MERRY MUSICAL COMEDY CARMEN ————— MARIKA Dawson Sisters ASSISTED BY JEAN JACKSON In “GO IN TO YOUR DANCE” W. Cornfield LATE OF ELSIE JANIS AND HER GANG In “TRIX AND CHATTER” JESS FRANCINE Block and Dunlop In “BROKE” A COMEDY ROMANCE IN SONGS AND STORIES Ben Beyer “A CYCLE OF MIRTH” PHOTO FEATURE MARSHALL NEILAN PRESENTS “ MINNIE” WITH LEATRICE JOY AND MATT MOORE
TALBOT PLACES NOTED VIOLINIST UNDERGONTRAGT Willy Burmester Engaged as Soloist of Symphony Concert on Nov, 12From the general interest of the music-loving public and civicaliy spirited citizens in the success of the Indianapolis Symphony Society concerts, of which Ona B. Talbot is the managing director, there Is every reason to believe that the hundred guarantors subscribing SIOO each for the SIO,OOO fund against loss for the three orchestra concerts to be given by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra on Nov. 12, Jan. 28 and March 24, will be reached before the opening of the season. More than half the sum has already been subscribed. One of the many, reasons of gratification of the Symphony Society, is the unsolicited SIOO guarantees that are being made, as well as many regular subscribers’ renewals of season tickets. Max Reiner, conductor of the Cincinnati Orchestra, writes from Italy, ! where he is spending the summer at the Gerster Villa, the estate pf Mrs. Reiner’a mother, who was the fa-
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WILLY BURMESTER
mous soprano Gerster of a generation ago, that he is preparing some splendid progiams for the Indianapo lis series. Announcement is made that Willy Burmester, famous violinist, will be the soloist at the first orchestra concert on Nov. 12. Burmester, who has not been in America for a number of years, is now in the maturity of his art. and is one of the outstanding figures of the continental concert stage. The noted artist arrived In Seattle recently from a tour of the Orient, and sailed for his home in Graz. Steiermark, Austria, a few days later. He will return to America in October, opening his concert season In recital in Carnegia Hall on Oct. 20. The international reputation of Willy Burmester is shown from the accompanying photograph, which gives us some idea of the medals with which he has been honored by all the crown heads of Europe.
AMUSEMENTS
Takes Vacation by Acting in Comedy
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CAROLINE PHILLIBER Most little girls prefer to play with their dolls during the summer. Not so with Caroline Philliber, granddaughter of Charles Berkell, manager of the Grand Players. She likes to "act” on the stage. This week she is playing one of the children roles In “Daddies” at English’s.
“Wild Oranges” to Have 5 in Cast The smallest cast which has ever appeared in any feature motion picture will be In Goldwyn’a film of Joseph Hergesheimer’s novel, “Wild Oranges,” which King Vidor will direct. There are but five characters in the story and cast. There are no mob scenes In “Wild Orangea” or scenes in which even a “bit” player appears. Four men and a girl constitute the entire cast. They will all be star players, according to Mr. Vidor. In addition to adopting the story to the screen, Vidor is making numerous trips in search of suitable locations.
, Murat Music In arranging the musical program for next week In the Murat with the Stuart Walker Company presenting “Spite Corner,” by Frank Craven, the Orloff Trio will present masterpieces of some of the world’s greatest composers, but compositions familiar to the world at large. There Is not a number programmed that the patrons of the Walker company will not know and appreciate hearing by this splendid trio of musicians, who are as much an institution in Indianapolis as the Stuart Walker Company itself. The following Is the complete program: “Gavotte” from “Mlg-non” Thoms* “Son** My Mother Taufht Me” Dvorak “Canzonetta” Godard —First Intermission— Hungarian Dance No. 6........... . Bra ims ‘'Ortentale” Sul “Salut d'Amour” Elgar —Second Intermission— Selection* from “Aida''— Grand March Verdi “Celeste Aida”... Verdi Anltra'* Dance from “Poer Gynt Suite” Grieg
Forget the Heat of the City— Come Out Where the Fun Begins BROAD RIPPLE PARK and BATHING BEACH Spend your vacation in this delightful park—Dancing every night except Mon. and Fri., Connie’s orchestra. Masons, don’t forget the York Rite Picnic, Friday, Aug. 10
ENGLISH’S m L ‘. S E T E
ALL WEEK BEGINNING SUNDAY MATINEE CHARLES BERKELL Presents THE GRAND PLAYERS —IN—“SHE WALKED IN HER SLEEP” By MARK SWAN
Matinee Tomorrow, Wednesday and Saturday Mat. Prices, 25c, 35c, 50c. Nite Prices, 25c, 50c, 75c. Tax Included. NITES, 8:15. PHONE Circle 3373. MATINEE, 2:15
500 Staata at BEGINNING MONDAY NIGHT 50. In FRANK CRAVEN’S Comedy \ “SPITE CORNER”/ (FIRST TIME HERE) “Favorites—Favorites All” S Elizabeth Patterson Ruth Hammond / THE comedy Don3,d MacDonald Beulah Bondy M u RAT __ OF NEW ENG- Aldflctißowker Judith Lowry one'of the LAND RURAL AND THREE COOL. LIFE BY THE AU- OTHERS S THREE COOLTHOR OF "THE FIRST EBT THEATRES IN YEAR.” AMERICA.
TUttES TODAY ‘A VERY GOOD YOUNG MAN’
BICYCLES USED IN BASKET-BALL GAME AT LYRjGTHEATER Palace Theater to Offer Two Variety and Movie Bills Next Week, One of the strange sights to be seen next week at the Lyric will oe the playing of basket-ball on bicycles. Harvard, Holt and Kendrick will be the players who will mount bicycles on the stage of the Lyric for the purpose of giving variety fans a new thrill. The Palace next week will make complete change of bills on Monday and Tuesday afternoon. -I- -I- -IMany Thrills Offered At Lyric Next Week Backet-bay on bicycles is an athletic novelty that will be presented at the Lyric next week by Harvard, Holt and Kendrick. They give a whirlwind exhibition of this popular sport, and promise basket-ball fans ail the thrills of a championship game magnified to the highest degree. Another “thrill” act in the bill will be that of the Jansley troupe, sensational tumblers, balancers, risley artists and daredevil gymnasts. The Jansleys are circus stars of worldwide fame who have long been in a class by themselves in their particular line of work. The bill will include: CHARLES HOWARD AND COMPANY—One of vaudeville’s favorite comedians, presenting a laughable comedy sketch called "How Things Have Changed.” It is a fast moving farce In which Mr. Howard is ably assisted by James Graham and Alberta Fowler. HOPE VERNON—A dainty miss known as "The International Song Artist.” She introduces a charming cycle of songs and vocal imitations. RENO SISTERS AND ALLEN—A trio appearing in an artistic fantasy of dance and music. LAWSON AND VlOLET—Versatile entertainers, who offer an amusing assortment of songs, talks and steps. NOVELLE BROTHERS—Acrobatic musical clowns, who have a unique fun divertisement. ON THE SCREEN—Our Gang comedy, “Boys to Board,” and the Literary Digest’s “Fun From the Press.” -]- -MTwo Big Variety Bills Due at Palace A colorful musical revue, presented by a youthful cast and a jazz band, will head the two shows to be seen at the Palace Theater next week. The “Blossom Heath Entertainers,” coming here direct from Palm Beacn, have for vaudeville purposes combined a twelve piece Jazz band with a specially staged miniature musical comedy produ tlon. Other acts M uday will be: BLOCK ANL DUNLAP Jess Block and Francln>. Dunlap will be remembered here for their recent success in "For Goodness Sake.” They offer "Broke," written by Harlan Thompson. BEN BEYER—A comedian and wheelman who is on his seventh tour of the world. He calls his act “A (Continued on Page 7)
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