Indianapolis Times, Volume 35, Number 66, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 July 1923 — Page 5

SATURDAY, JULY 28, 1923

C. of C. Members Increase Symphony Concert Fund

Success of Ona B. Talbot’s Second Orchestral Season at / Murat Assured When Citizens Respond With Cash for Tickets, By WALTER D. HICKMAN tjIEEDING a petition sent to the members of the Indianapolis M Chamber of Commerce, which has gone on record as favoring yearly orchestral concerts in Indianapolis, many members of the chamber are not only buying season tickets, but are becoming guarantors by buying SIOO yearly memberships in the orchestral series. ■' ✓ The splendid response being received by General Secretary John B. Reynolds from a request to support the concerts, assures Ona B. Talbot a successful orchestral season.

The recognition and support given by the Chamber of Commerce aifd its Members to next season's orchestral concerts again shows that the organization is taking advantage of an opportunity to aid in giving Indianapolis symphony music. Ona B. Talbot Is the recognized source of such concerts as she risked everything last year in giving Indianapolis a splendid orchestral series. The same organization, The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra, with Fritz Reiner conducting, will give three concerts at the Murat this fall and winter under the direction of Mrs. Talbot. Orchestral concerts cost thousands of dollars but that did not frighten Mrs. Talbot last year or this spring 'when she was making her fall plans. When the Chamber of Commerce Rhrough its membership can lend its Influence to promoting and maintaining good orchestral music, it is evidence that the new and greater Indianapolis has arrived. Letter Sent to Members Brings Splendid Response Mrs. Talbot has been Informed that the letter sent to the members of the Chamber of Commerce has not only resulted in many season tickets being sold, but that new SIOO guarantors have been received. The letter sent to members of the Chamber of Commerce Is in part as follows: “You undoubtedly know of the great artistic success of the past season of the Symphony Society of Indianapolis attendant on its three concerts presented by the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Mr. Fritz Reiner, at the Murat Theater. “The Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra has made a most entlable reputation for itself in musical circles. This splendid aggregation of well trained musicians will appear again in 19231924 concerts and will be accompanied, as was thq case in the past series, by soloists who are artists of international fame. "A group of interested business men guaranteed the venture against loss last year, and the same Individuals are Interested in the forthcoming season. It is necessary, however, to Broaden the scope of the support In border that the great benefits to the public generally of such an organization as this may be extended. "The advisory board of finance, and the board of directors, and Ona B. Talbot, managing director, are making this appeal to the large number of Chamber of Commerce members, representing, as this membership does, the very best elements of the city of Indianapolis, for their help, encouragement and assistance, and urges each member of the Chamber of Commerce to make his reservation for the season tickets far enough in advance to insure the success of this enterprise. "There are enough lovers of good music In our midst to ■warrant an increasing activity along musical lines, and If those who are interested will take advantage of the opportunity now offered to buy season tickets at the prices indicated, there will be no question as to the furthering of this phase of life which is so Important to this community.” The thing that I like best about Mrs. Talbot's orchestral plans that the season seats are so arranged that the price will fit pocket books of all sizes. Main floor tickets for the three concerts are as follows: $9.90; $8.25; ?6.60 and $3.30. The balcony prices for the three concerts are $9.90; $8.25; $6.60 and $4.95. These prices Include war tax and admit the holder to the entire three orchestral concerts. The board of directors of the Symphony Orchestra Society of Indianfapolis Include: Frederic M. Ayres, Arthur V. Brown, Hilton U. Brown, Fred M. Dickson, J. I. Holcomb, Robert Lieber, James W. Lilly, Albert E. Metzger, Meredith Nicholson, G. A. Schnull, Booth Tarklngton, Dr. T. Victor Keene, and Harold Taylor. The board of finance Is made up of: Louis C. Huesmann, chairman; J. P. Goodrich, treasurer, Henry F. Campbell, Hugh McK. Landon, Albert M. Rosenthal and Charles B. Sommers.

BEGINNING MONDAY NIGHT In Gilda Varesi’s London-New York-Chicago Comedy Success ENTER MADAME / (First Time Here) Mat-, 500 Downtown Box Office at Eves., 500 Seats at Merchants Heat and Light Seats at L 25C Company. u t2t peter ibbetson Today With McKay Morris and Julia Hoyt \

FIRST NATIONAL ANNOUNCES 29 NEW FALL PHOTOPLAYS Every Variety of Screen Entertainment Included in Schedule, First National’s list of twenty-nine productions, w r hich constitute the first part of its program for 1923-24, will Include eveijg variety of screen entertainment. Three oostume plays, each of unusual magnitude, are Included in the twenty-nine. They are Norma Talmadge's “Ashes of Vengeance,” a story of 16th Century France, and “The Fighting Blade,” a Richard Barthelmess picture of Cromwellian days in England. Both of these are romantic dramas, while the third period picture, "The Dangerous Maid,” in which Constance Talmadge will star, is a romantic comedy of 17th century England. In the field of drama First National will offer “Black Oxen,” Gertrude Atherton's famous novel, "Ponjola," Cynthia Stockley's story of South Afdica, which Is being directed by Donald Crisp; "Anna Christie,” Eugene O’Neill’s play which Thomas H. produce, "Tbundergate,” a story of China and America; "The Eternal City,” a George Fitzmaurice production to he presented by Samuel Goldwyn and the Thomas H. Inee production, "Her Reputation," "Country Lanes and City Pavements,” and "The Just and the Unjust.” Many Dramas Due on First National Schedule The company’s dramatic entertainment will be Increased by "Flaming Youth,” In which Colleen Moore will star; “Trilby,” a romantic Idea pro : duced by Richard Walton Tully from the renowned DuMaurler novel; “Secrets,” a forthcoming Norma Talmadge picture; "Against the Grain." a Frank Borzage production, and "The Swamp Angel,” a Richard Connel story. First National’s feature comedy entertainment ranges from Jackie Coogan’s "Circus Days” to Samuel Goldwyn’s “Potash and Perlmutter,” a story of-New York’s "women's wear” Industry. A third comedy drama will be “The Bad Man,” a_Carew production, Which has as Its central character the picturesque and amusing Mexican enacted by Holbrook Bllifn. "Why Men Leave Home/’ a Jcfrn M. Stahl production. IS*-a satirical comedy with a New York background “Dulcy” starring Constance Taliitadge, is a humorous character study of a girl who is Just a "delightful dumbbell,” and "The Huntress,” with Colleen Moore, is a comedy drama moving against the background of the High Sierras. "THE WANTERS,” a John M. Stahl production, is a dramatic entertainment with a strong society flavor.

What’s World Coming To? Rex Ingram s Metro production of “Scaramouche” Is a story of the French Revolution, yet no guillotine figures in the action! “The Eagle's Feather,” an allstar special which Edward Sloman Is directing. Is a story of the West, but there Is nofcone--single scene in which gun play occurs! “Rouged Lips,” starring Viola Dana, Is a story of the stage, still there is no villain who offers the heroine success and who Is beaten by the hero! And Bull Montana is kissed for the first time in his screen career In "Hi(Hi Society,” which Hunt Stromberg Is directing!

AMUSEMENTS

BROADWAY RUSHES OLO SEASON OUT OF WAY FOR NEW ONE # — V t Dean Tells of Pians for Fall i Season in New York City and on the Road, By W. DEAN “| EW YORK, July 28—The showmanship of the various Broadway producers will be put to the test In these next few weeks. Much of the success of a production depends on w'hen and where it is opened to the public. Sometimes a good play fails because the circumstances of time and place are against it. Sometimes a poor play succeeds because the reverse condition meets its premiere. A certain playwright i.old me the other day that he had refused to sell his play to one of America’s foremost producers because it would not be produced this year and that he knew If it were held over to another year for production it would not be a success. In this connection there Is an interesting race on between those two good Irishmen, George M- Cohan and William A. Brady. Cohan is rehearsing a comedy called "So This la Broadway!” Brady is planning to open his season with “So This Is New York!” The one who first has his play ready for public audience will hold a decided advantage. Cohan Opens New Show on Broadway Cohan Is opening “Two Fellows and a Girl” this week, while William Harris Jr. Is trying to get an even break with “In Love With Love," a similar play. Other plays that have been trying out "in the sticks” are moving closer to Gotham so that they may be ready to Jump Into a Broadway theater as soon as the weather permits the season to ‘open. While the jockeying for position by the various producers goes on, L. Lawrence Weber Is playing "Little Jessie James," a musical comedy. In Long Island towns not more than forty-five minutes from Elsa Petersen came to America from Denmark three years ago. She couldn’t speak a word of English. She has Just been promoted from the ensemble of the Follies to the role of prima d,onna. She succeeds Mary Lewis, who has graduated to grand opera. All of which’ goes to prove, girls, that ervery step on Broadway Isn’t a pitfall. Helen Westley Takes Much Needed Vacation Helen Westley has gone to Europe for a vacation. For ten years she has been playing on Broadway without a break. She has played twenty-six roles In four years, nineteen of them in Theater Guild productions, and when she returns she will start rehearsals In "Windows," a John Galsworthy play which will ope: the Guild season In October. The second play on the Guild calendar will be “The Failures,” with Jacob Ben-Ami in the lead. It is a translation from H. R. Lenormand’s "Les Rates.” David Belasco has accepted a play by Mrs. Ethellyn Brewer De Foe, widow of the late Louis De Foe, dramatic critic of the New York World. Fall Movie Program Announced Vitagraph has announced that daring the season 1923-24 It will release twenty-six special productions of the same high quality as its two current releases, "Masters of Men” and "The Ninety and Nine.” The first will be "The Man Next' Door,’’ by Emerson Hough, a Victor Schertzinger production; and following this will come "The Midnight Alarm,” by J. W. Harkins, a David Smith production; “Pioneer Trails,” by C. Graham Baker, a David Smith production: "On the Banks of the Wabash.” a J. Stuart Blackton production: "Let No Man Put Asunder,” by Basil King, a Harry Sherman production; "The Man From Brodney’s,” by George Barr MeCutcheon, a David Smith production; "The Leavenworth Case,” by Anna Katharin"@f Green, a Whitman Bennett production, and "Borrowed Husbands,” by Mildred K. Barbour, a Harry Sherman production.

MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY ONLY Jim McCool 8c Tommy Reilly Assisted •by Katherine Murray c.:l“ n “Those Were The Days” „ Dan 7 7 7 7 7 STANLEY, STA a, ley ARABIAN KNIGHTS * 7rZ B Br o ' ATTRACTION WaUh Ae fLh' Engagement - LADY TSEN MEI A CHINESE NIGHTINGALE PHOTO FEATURE THAT’S ABSOLUTELY DIFFERENT “DOLLAR DEVILS” With Joseph Dowling, Eva Novak and Cullen Landis

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

NEW OFFERINGS ON LOCAL STAGE NEXT WEEK

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H. S. STUDENTS TO MARE PICTURE Los Angeles Students to Start Work on Photodrama Soon, Its Interest awakened by the recent International Congress on Motion Picture Arts to the tremendous educational and cultural possibilities of motion pictures, the Los Angeles High School Players association has decided to produce a photodrama early next teriq. It will be the first picture ever produced by an American High School, It Is stated. The Los Angeles High School will make a complete plcturs within the ccin.lnes of the stndent body, with the exception of the printing of the film. Many technical and literary studies In the school will be combined In Its production, studies In art. laboratory work, carpentry, literature, dramatics and motion picture photography contributing. The scenario will be written by one of the students and the actors, directors and technical men will'also be drawn frop heir ranks. Large Membership Makes Up Players Association.. The Players' Association at the school has a membership of 1.300 while there are 700 students In the jjeenery art classes making a total of 2.000 students directly Interested In dramatics and motion picturs production. The organization w r as formed in November, 1921 and during the past year >315 students have actually played parts In the twenty-eight plays produced while . twenty-three have acted as directors. The students are well euqipped to produce a photodrama. Motion picture film 13 developed In the laboratory and cameramen’s classes and students are taught to take professional positions as cameramen on completion of the course. Many Students Have Played In Mir.or Many of the students have taken minor parts in pictures at studios In Hollywood during the summer vacation and others have held posts in technical departments of various studios. This experience is expected to be of valuable use when the production of a motion picture Is undertaken next term. The students have also tried their hands at scenario writing. A contest was held recently In which Mrs. E. K. Adams of the scenario department of Paramount’s West Coast studio was the Judge. Cecil B. DeMille placed his entire scenario reading department at the disposal of the school for the purposes of the Contest. The chool is also well equipped ljpr the premiere of their first production.

AMUSEMENTS

No. I—Gene Austin and Roy Bergere at the I'aiace tne last nail of next week. No. 2—Regal and Moore at the Lyric all next week.

Few Serious Thoughts on Important Questions

What does the public want? That is not anew question, but it is as old as the mour.tains. It Is a question which is answered by no fixed rule v < The public has the right to decide the question in as many ways as it desires and as often. I have maintained that Stuart Walker would strike his stride earlier In the season If he would give us heavier plavs. This week "Peter Ibbetson’' Is breaking ail attendance records for the season. There is nothing light about this play because it demands much of the actor. I realize that McKay Morris, Julia Hoyt. Elizabeth Patterson, Aldrich Bowker, George Somnes and Judith Lowry are In the cast. It Is In the heavier productions like "Monna Vanna,” "The World and His Wife," "The Girl of the Golden West,” "Peter Ibbetson” and othef plays this type in which Walker and members of his company appear to the best advantage. I know that It Is difficult to get actors like Morris, George Gaul, Miss Patterson. Bowker and the others, because they are in big demand. Miss Patterson leaves In a few days for New York to begin rehearsals In Booth Tarklngton’s now play, "Magnolia.” ' -I- -J- -I* I believe that If such old-time favorites, such as Mrs. Lowry, Bowker, Somnes and Mias Patterson, were given heavy leads to play earlier In the season Instead of so much light comedy, the result would he a complete attendance of Walker fans oarller'ln the season. This fact remains—Walker has not had the attendance earlier In the present season which he has a right to expect. Judging by former seasons. We do not remember Walker for his presentations of “It’s a Boy,” "Banco” and the like, but we do remember him for his exquisite "‘My Lady's Dress,” "The School for Scandal,” "Peter Ibbetson” and the others. It Is some job to select plays which will uphold Walker's artistic standards, but I sincerely feel that Indianapolis looks to Walker to supply us with dramatic plays instead of so much comedy. And yet on the other hand, the Grand Players have had their big-

There is an auditorium capable of seating 1,800 persons and the stage Is as large and well equipped as that of a big commercial theater. Fiction and educational films are exhibited here once every two weeks, while scientific films have also been purchased by the school and are used for Instruction In technical subjects.

No. 3—Lucile Nikolas in “EnterMadame,” a Stuart Walke#production, opening Monday night at the Murat.

gest box office returns from light and often silly comedies and farces. "Getting Gertie's Ggrter,” “She Walked in Her Sleep" and “Up In Mabel’s Room,” all hopelessly worthless plays from a standpoint of playwriting, did big business at English’s. That proves to me that we look to Walker for the heavy drama and a few exquisite light comedies of good manners and to the Grand Players for box office successes. My words in no way reflect discredit upon the Grand PlayeFs, as I admire Eddy Waller's ability to "sense” what the public will buy. Waller does know what the people will buy in the summer. A summer without Stuart Walker would probably prove a sad experience, but If public support does not get better at the Murat during the summer months, it will not be very long until Waiker packs his trunks and moves away from us.* I often do not agree with Walker’s choice of plays, but this I admit— Walker Is one of the most artistic producers In this country today. Often he has taken a weak play and lifted it to dizzy heights by fine acting and exquisite sets. Chicago wants Stuart Walker. The truth is, Chicago is crying out loud for summer stock of the artistic worth of Walker. Cincinnati is giving Walker wonderful support on the plays w r e have rejected here. And yet, I can nearly forgive Walker for so many comedies in one season when we have McKay Morris and the others In "Peter Ibbetson." (By W. D. H.) Colonel llawley at Work in West Col. William E, Hawley, a veteran of the early days of the great Southwest., and mayor of Casper, Wyo., when Owen Wlster came to that town to gather data for his memorable story, "The Virginian,” Is actively engaged in helping to transfer the famous tale to the/Screen. . He is now in Los Angeles holding daily conferences with Director Tom Forman and B. P. Schulberg, producer, to whom he is supplying suggestions to assure a maximum of accuracy in detail.

VAUDE’raXE C GEM “MARRIAGE VS. DIVORCE” FEATURING GEORGE AND MAY USHER WITH ANN ENGLE AND MARGUERITE FARRELL PRINCETON and VERNON “BROWN DERBY BILL” “extra I ELLIOTT- JOHNSON REVUE attraction: I SNAPPY SONG AND DANCE SURPRISES HORIiHUGO lutgens rjr% w I “THE SWEDE BILLY SUNDAY” I GIULIANI TRIO ORIENTAL IS SOCIETY SOLOISTS MASTERS OF H ACROBATICS I PAUL KLEIST & CO. IN THE LAND OF DREAMS W. HALL ROOM BOYS COMEDY, “MY MISTAKE” pC"~ Dowtfm/ in the Lyric Ballroom - r UV 'Qilemoon ants Evenings • >%£ —*.

WALKER PRESENTS ‘ENTER MADAME’ 1 Indianapolis to See Varesi Comedy for First Time, One of the recent New York comedy successes will be the Stuart Walker Company presentation for the week beginning Monday night at the Murat Theater. "Enter Madame," a play by Gllda Varesi and Dolly Byrne, and in which Miss Varesi was starred some seasons ago, will be presented for the first time in Indlanapojls by the Walker company. The theme of the play is decidedly different from anything that has been done by the Walker company thus far this season. Though a familiar enough one, the characters are people who are seldom pictured on the screen or stage. The play has to do with a grand opera prima donna and her struggle to retain the love of her husband, but there is many a shrewd touch In the telling and many brilliant lines and amusing situations. Mme. Lisa Della Robbia, the lady about to lose her husband, has brought him romance but no comfort. Her long tours of the country and her feeling of careless affection for him when she Is at home causes him to become enasooured of a blonde living in the same apartment house. Upon the return of the singer a struggle ensues for the love of the husband, who contemplates divorce and marriage to the blonde. How the triangle is finally worked out and peace and happiness restored to all concerned forms one of ftfee most unusual comedy narratives unfolded on any stage In many seasons. "Enter Madame” will bring back to the Murat Spring Byington and Coates Gwynne in the leading roles of the play. The cast will Include Kay Strozzl, Beulah Bondy, Corbet Morris, L'Estrange Mlljman, William Evarts, Teresa Dale, Ludle NlktiOs and others. Blackton to Honor Indiana J. Stuart Blackton has announced "On the Banks of the Wabash" as his first Vitagraph special production since his return from Europe. The story is based on the famous song classic by Paul Dresser, and its locale is on the banks of the Wabash in Indiana.

AMUSEMENTS

COMEDY PLAYLET TOPS NEW BILL AT LYRICJEATER Palace to Offer Two Novelty Vaudeville Bills on Monday and Thursday, 1-— I HE LYRIC’S SHOW for next week will have as its principal 1 feature attraction “Marriage vs. Divorce,” a comedy playlet. It is presented by George and May Usher, farceurs of repute who are aided by Ann Engle and Marguerite Farrell. The plot is amusing depicting a heart affair through the various stages of life from the engagement period to the altar, honeymoon flat, and then a strenuous time when the divorce court looms in the offing. The bill includes: HENRY REGAL AND SIM MOORE —A pair of vaudeville’s funniest comedians in a brand new act—a side show skit, consisting of singing, dancing and burlesque gymnastics. HORI TRIO —Japan’s “greatest” jugglers, acrobats and high perch gymnasts intijpducing their sensational thrill sturtt of riding a bicycle up-side-down, suspended in mid-air. ELLIOTT-JOHN SON REVUE—A snappy mixture of song and dance surprises. HUGO LUTGENS Monologist known as “The Swede Billy Sunday.” Character stories and songs. GIULIANI TRlO—High-class vocalists, well known throughout musical circles, in an artistic song recital. PAUL KLEIST AND COMPANY— Offering a spectacular and mystifying "black art” production called “The Land of Dreams.” ON THE SCREEN—HaII Room Boys comedy ‘‘My Mistake,” Educational subject and the Literary Digest’s "Fun From the Press.” -I- -I- -IChinese Singer Tops New Bill at Palace Lady Tsen Mei, a protege of American musical circles, who was born in Canton, China, twenty-four years ago and recently has won favorable comment from American critics, will be the headline attraction at the Palace the first half of next-week. At the completion of her musical education in a large conservatory at Pittsburgh, Lady Tsen Mei went to Ney York to take up a law course. She received a diploma after ,four years’ study. Then she- was given a concert contract. Other acts are: AL BIRNES AND DON STANLEY —Eccentric dancers with a wide assortment of dances and routine wit, who dress their steps in a skit called “Two Bright Lights From Broadway.” SEVEN ARABIAN KNIGHTS—A super acrobatic attraction featuring whirlwind tumbling and pyramid building against a colorful background. “SUSIE’S DREAM” —One-act playlet about a modern American girl who ate too heavily at a midnight meal and then told mother all about Harry. PHELPS AND HERSHEAU—In a ten-minute comedy skit, "One Minute Before Midnight,” present In songs and chatter. Higgins and Blossom’s Revue tops the show opening at the Palace Thursday. Helen Higgins and Edith Blossom are dancers who were recently with Harry Carrol in “Varieties.” Now they are tripping the light fantastic in their own show, offering a program including a "Sing Dance,” "Acrobaticque,” “Nautch Dance,” "waltz” and popular medley and jazz steps. They are assisted by Horace Bentl* at the piano. The movie feature Monday will be "Dollar Devils” with Eva Novak.

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