Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 37, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 June 1924 — Page 5
SATURDAY, JUNE 21, 1924
VONNEG UT TO PRESENT MYSTER YMEL ODRAMA A T MURA T
'A .Voice in the Dark’ to Be Next Bill of Murat Players— Berkell’s Company to Offer ‘Broadway Jones' at English’s—Capitol Retains 'Abie,' "Walter Vonnegut will present the Murat players in “A Voice in the Dark,” a mvstery melodrama, at the Murat next 9 week. This drama of mystery and murder has never been presented in this city before and has just been released for stock production. Charles Berkell will present a George M. Cohan success, “Broadwav Jones,”.at English’s, opening Sunday night.
“Abie's Irish Rose" will begin its third week at the Capitol Sunday afternoon. The Aborn Opera Company closes its season today at B. F. Keith’s with a matinee and night performance of “The O'Brien Girl.” Under present plans the local Keith house will remain closed for the remainder of the present season. .!. _! J. „ * MYSTERY DRAMA OPENS MONDAY NIGHT AT Ml RAT “A Voice in the Dark,” a jrtelodrama of murder and mystery, will be presented by the Murat Players all next week at the Murat, A prologue precedes the play proper and at the rise of the curtain you find a coroner’s inquest going on at the office of Dr. Franklin, at Briarcliffe. Hugh Sainsbury, man about town, driver of a racing car, frequenter of roadhouses and wealthy but in the ne'er do well class, has been murdered. Seemingly the only witness to the murder is Mrs. Maria Lydiard, an invalid, crippled and stone deaf, who had been wheeled in her chair to the spot near a rock and adjacent to the spot where the murder was committed. • She persists that a girl, Blanche Warren, was seen by her standing over the body with a Revolver in her hand directly the shot was tired. She is over-persistent in accusing the girl of the crime, and Harlan Day, •who is the sweetheart of Blanche V arren, arrives on the scene following a hurried and hysterical message from his sweetheart, which, his le~al acumet tells him, means trouble, although the girl hung up the phone before fully acquainting him with the facts in the case. He determines to clear his sweetheart of the charge against her and he finds that earlier in life Sainsbury had done to Blanche Warren an irreparable injury, which caused her unjust suspicion. She learns that Sainsbury has caused her younger sister. Adele Warren, to become infatuated with him and has made her agree to marry him. Blanche is determined to stop the marriage and she seeks Sainsbury. asks her sister to leave them alone and she tries in every way to have Sainsbury release her sister from the promise she made to wed him. He refuses and —soon after he is found dead. Eventually Blanche comes to Harlan Day's office seeking his protection and she is apprehended there. Then the plot becomes darker. The cast will include Dana Desboro, Richard Thornton, Harold Vermilye, Jessamine Newcomhe. Claude Kimball. Julia Cobb. Duncan Penwarden, Thomas Williams and W. E. Watts. “ABIE” BEGINS THIRD WEEK OF FI N AT CAPITOL ‘‘Abies Irish Rose,” which is to remain at the Capitol Theater another week, making the third week of the engagement in Indianapolis, is a three-act farce comedy, founded upon Jewish-Irish antagonism, and although religious differences is one of the pivotal rhemes, it is handled with delicacy and gives offense to neither Jew nor Gentile. A Catholic girl of Irish-American parentage and a Jewish youth fall ardently in love while both are serving in the World War on the battlefields of France. Later on they are secretly married in New' Jersey by a Methodist minister. Then the trouble begins, for the boy’s father, Solomon Levy, is an orthodox Jew and fiefuses to even thing of a Christian 4aughter-in-law. The young people don't dare tell him of their marriage, and Abie, the son. introduces his bride, Rosemary Murphy, as his sweetheart. ”Rosie Murphiski.” His father falls in love with her and insists on an immediate marriage, of course, by a rabbi. Just as this ceremony is being performed in another room, the bride's father. Patrick Murphy, an Irish contractor from California, arrives on the scene. He Is furious when h# learns his daughter has become Mrs. Graham Levy, and the. two fathers-in-law get into a pitched battle, for Abie’s father is also maddened at the state of affairs. Murphy has come accompanied by a Catholic priest, who, at the sug gestion of the rabbi, during the temporary absence of the two fathers, and in an effort to quell the stormy scene, marries the young people in a third cebemony, which Murphy breaks in upon as the curtain falls in the second act.
In the third act baby hands serve to reconcile the warring elders, and everything ends happily. Besides these characters, there are Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Cohen, friends of the Levys, who contribute much comedy dialog and situations. -I- -!- -I"BROADWAY JONES" OrENS SUNDAY AT ENGLISH’S Containing all the customary' pep, speed and good humor, tempered with pathos that characterizes a Cohan show, "Broadway Jones,” one of George M. Cohan's best comedies, will be the offering of the Berkell Players at English’s next week. It's hero, Jackson Jones, is dubbed "Broadway" by his associates in the little Connecticut town in which he lives, because of his sartorial elegance and the fact that he is always talking about New Tork, and forever relating wondrous tales of Broadway. When Jones <enior, a candy mant; facturer, dies, young Jackson, who inherits a fortune, is free to do as he pleases. He loses no time in getting to New York, where he proceeds to show the denizens of Broadway that money is made solely to spend. Os course the inevitable climax
Tarkington ' Is in Maine Booth Tarkington, whose humorous writings have become outstanding American classics not only in book form, but also as contributions to the stage and screen, is now completing the scenario of anew comedy drama, in which Thomas Meighan, the paramount film star, will enact the leading role. It is tentatively titled “Whispering Men,” and will be filmed late this summer upon Meighan's return from Alaska, where he wall be engaged until the end of July in filming James Oliver Curwood's novel, “The Alaskan," under the direction op Herbert Brenon. Stoppings off in New York City only long enough to receive the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from Columbia University, and to confer with the production heads of the Famous-Players-Laskv Corporation regarding early production plans for “Whispering Men,” Tarkington has proceeded to his summer home in Kennebunkport, Maine, where he will remain, as customary, until fall.
that always occurs in the career of a spendthrift brings Jones to book in time, but luckily for him a girl back in the old home town had applied herself to keeping the candy factory on a paying basis, and it is to her that he turns when the ro mance of Broadway ceases to exercise a charm. Cohan himself created the title role which will be played by Eddy Waller. The girl who makes a success of the candy business will be portrayed by Jean Oliver, and the rest of the company will be cast in congenial roles. Breaking Ants-Star-Trust laws Eight National Productions, Inc. is breaking every statute of the anti-star-trust laws. This embryo organization, hardly over a year old, has already made a corner in leading men, leaving other producers standing by watchfully waiting. The first National lot today numbers seven of Filmdom's best known leading men. Lewis Stone, Lloyd Hughes and Wallace Beery are working under Harry Hoyt’s direction: Conway Tearle is playing opposite Colleen Moore in “Temperament:” Milton Sills, Lou Tellegen and Henry B. Walthall are in “Single Wives.” The feminine contingent consists of Colleen Moore. Corinne Griffith. Bessie Love. Kathlyn Williams, Winifred Bryson and Phyllis Haver. “Merton” Ready for Release James Cruze has completed the production of “Merton of the Movies" as a Paramount picture. Glenn Hunter, who is starred in the picture, has returned to New York and will resume the road tour of the stage version. Mr. Cruze will begin ■work soon on the production of “The Case of Fallen Angels,” a story by F. Leroy Scott.
StcLrtiKs 9Sto/idci2/ ^ \ 2 shows' [I:o oTO STANDARD VAUDE-VILLeTI . j Look at This Show!! Or kr ANZ & WHITE u in “JeorrsENSE” jl-. v ff Frsturn With "Hltrh y Koo,” "Pa.Mn* Show” mnd UH 5 Stop, Look and Listen.” |Tj ? f 'j 8 MIKI’TES OF RIOTOUS FCN ,1 C M Anderson "SALLY'S birthday”; DeWitt It A & *Burn* & tip B> Yveii i Torrence |f . STUART GIRLS * 8 [i i^sssso-fl ■ A 1 STARTLING'| r£veution i VtP*jr OF THE*yl &$ 0 o r ■ w&j ♦nßB L,FE of S
VAUDEVILLE, MYSTERY AND COMEDY ON THEATRICAL MENU
MARY PICKFORD MAY BE HONORED Barrie May Select Her to Play ‘Peter Pan,' By JACK JUNCMEYER "TT| OLLVWOOD. June 21.—Will | j Mary Pickford be “Peter Pan" o’ the films? Speculation long playing about her name in this connection has been given fresh impetus by the announcement that Sir James M. Barrie is to select the player for the title role in the Paramount screen version. Barrie is known to be desirous of having Mary interpret the character made famous on the stage by Maude Adams, and is said to have so ex pressed himself solicitously when Miss Pickford on a previous trip to England had tea with the author. Declaration that Barrie’s word would be decisive was made by Jesse L. Lasky, vice president of Famous Players-Lasky, just before sailing for this conference. Ho took with him the finished script of “Peter Pan.” to be produced this summer by his company. He also carried screen tests of the many aspirants for the role. They will be shown to Barrie in London, having been made by Herbert Brenon. who will direct the picture. These tests, gathered over a period of mon*>'. range from foremost star to • least known of screen players. Lasky denied that the purpose of his trio was to confer with Mary Pickford, now in Europe with her husband. D glas Fairbanks, on a vacation. But Mary had several consultations with Adolph Zukor. president of Paramount, while in New York. And this fact, coupled with the Lasky pilgrimage, has prompted Hollywood to definite prophecy. ‘‘Of course Miss Pickford has been mentioned for the part.” said Lasky, "and fronA th first we decided that Peter Pa”’ . leed not be selected from within our own organization—but the choice rests entirely with Sir James.”
AMUSEMENTS
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
No. 1. —White and Button in “Variety Itself,” at the Lyric for the week, opening Sunday. No. 2—Frederick'Forrester and Billy Fay in “Abie’s Irish Rose,”
Rounding Round Theaters With WALTER D. HICKMAN ONT want to be placed in the false attftudc- of scolding, because all people have the great right to buy the kind qf amusement they desire. But sometimes a worthwhile institution fails because of nonsupport. Tonight at Keith’s the Milton Aborn company will close its season of splendid musical comedy shows because the public did not support it in sufficient numbers. This company deserved better support than it received. Aborn and the Keith people deserved to have fiaying support, but it was not given. All the productions were costly and on the whole better presented than one has the right to expect for the prices charged. I feel we have passed up and permitted to perish the opportunity to have musical comedy with us during the summer months. I stand on that idea. Am not responsible for this "stirring" news story of our good acting friend John F. W> fiber, with “Abie's Irish Rose.” George Roberts, manager of the Capitol, is the author, and he insists that it is the gospel truth. I am glad that John didn't lose any jewels. But here is Roberts' story and he sticks to it: “John F Webber, who plays Father Whalen in 'Abie's Irish Rose' at the Capitol, feeling somewhat overcome with the heat the other day, approached a traffic cop on Illinois St. and asked him if he could advise a good real, quiet place where he could read his newspaper, a wav from the sound of the street car and automobile. The cop advised- him to take an Illinois St. car and get off at the cemetery. Webber followed instructions and soon reached a nice spot among the la*vns and # granite shafts, where he found a comfortable iron settee, then unfolding his pa-
SYMPHONIC ORCHESTRA ‘i'&kllf’t 10 ALL STAR INSTRUMENTALISTS 10 JlriilG JJBM -Up!' ran button grazer s lawler |fk “VARIETY ITSELF’ ARTISTIC MOMENTS rasso ■ Europe’s Famous Juggler Featuring the Wonderphone CURRIER AND McWILLIAMS } “THE ACT DIFFERENT” ROGERS AND DONNELLY ppif m 9 t “THE ITALIAN COUNT” Spat Family Comedy, “BOTTLE BABIES” —KINOGRAMS 3Wf Serial, “THE TELEPHONE GIRL.” Dancing in the Lyric Ballroom Afternoon and Evening
which starts its third week Sunday afternoon at the Capitol. No. 3 —Genevieve Addleman in “A Voice in the Dark,” at the Murat, opening Monday night.
pers, he started to enlighten himself on the topics of the day—when an automobile hearse and a carriage passed and interrupted his reading. Soon after another hearse passed with ten carriages and they continued to pass at every five-minute interval until Webber had counted seven coffins. Picking up ltls hat and paper he wended his way back to town and, stepping up tq thcop. he says: ‘Your advice was great; that cemetery may be quiet in the middle of the night, but In the daytime it is the liveliest dead place within the city limits.’ ” •I- I ’l’ Have beeYi asked to “recommend” current New York attractions which may be patronized by Indianapolis Democrats next week. Recommend the following: Keith's Hippodrome and any of the Keith vaudeville houses: “Chariot's Revue," at the Selwyn: Julia Sanderson !n “Moonlight,” at th u Longacre; W. C. Fields in “Poppy. ' at the Apollo; "Innocent Eyes,” at the Winter Garden, and "The Show-Off,” at the Playhouse. Colleen Wears Something New Colleen Moore, popular flapper star in First National pictures, wears what she terms “vamp” shoes in close-ups. When photographed alone she wears In r “short vamp" shoes. With anyone else, her “long vamp" shoes. Both pairs are old and disreputable, the “short vamp” being without heels and the “long vamp" with heels. According to Miss Moore, they are comfortable, they take my mind off my feet and allow me to concentrate on the emotions.” In the long shots she wears regulation shoes, of course Universal Plans a Big Movie Universal has decided to make another Lort Chaney picture on the scale of “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” which has proven so successful. It has purchased Gaston Leroux’s novel. “The Phantom of the Opera,” which Rupert Julian will direct on a gigantic scale. Production will start about Aug. 1.
AMUSEMENTS
No. 4 —The Stuart Girls at the Palace the first hali of the week. No. s—Jean Oliver in "Broadway Jones,” opening Sunday night at English's. Photo by Dexheimer.
Buys Rights Among the plays scheduled for early production by the Berkell players at English's is the mystery' drama, “The Last Warning," which was presented in Indianapolis by the touring company last Winter. Though it has not yet been released for stock Berkell has received assurances that he will be able to procure it, and is arranging his plans aceordinugly. It is probable that "The Last Warning” will be staged the week of July 6, following the Don Marquis comedy, “The Old Soak,” which is announced for the week of June 23. "The Old Soak" is a comedy dealing with the prohibition question without being either "wet” or "dry” propaganda in any sense of the word. It ran for over a year at the Plymouth theater in New York City, while two companies, one headed by Raymond Hitchcock and the other by Thomas A. Wise, presented it on the road.
Janies Boys to Visit Murat L. Lawrence Weber announces that his greatest musical comedy success, “Little Jessie James.” with the James Boys, a Paul Whiteman band, the James Girls, Broadway's ilancingest chorus, which gave to the > lusic loving world “I Lo%e You," :he season s greatest song hit, is coming to the Murat next season for i limited engagement. This play is nearing the first year of its run in New York .and will ronte here with the same production as that which playen in New York. To Film "Spring C!ea .ng" William De Mille, who lias been in New York for a month conferring with Clara Beranger, his scenario writer, on the adhption of Frederick Lonsdale's corned/, “Spring Cleaning.” has gone hack to the West Coast to begin filming the picture.
Concerning Wanamaker John Wanamaker, bass horn artist, with Alfred Evans and his University Orchestra, to be featured next week as a special attraction, at the Circle, went a long way from his home in Seattle, Wash., to enter as a student of the University of Michigan, and to become acquainted with classmates, with whom he was later destined to join forces in the organization of this remarkable orchestra. -John has had experiences under the direction of America’s foremost music masters. Several years ago he was a member t of Pat Conway's Military Band, in Atlantic City, N. J. Later he was placed in charge of the bass section P* the mammoth U of M Band under the leadership of Captain Wilson. “Wanny” went to France as a musician, but saw active service at the front as a doughboy. New Kind of Salt and Pepper Salt and Pepper, two boys discovered by Karyl Norman in a Detroit cabaret, made a big hit at the Palace. New York, last week with their "blues” and syncopated renditions. They are very likely to be booked as an act by themselves.
SLfidgfl l ! SIIW-WEP.&
II jS 8 B A ‘TP* Week, Beginning I¥lUif P\ i Monda y June 23 EVERY NIGHT MATS.—Weds., Thurs., Sat 8:15 2:15 Murat Players Present “A Voice in the Dark” A Melodrama in Three Acts—New York Cast The situation was baffling, but like a bolt from the blue, came “A Voice in th£ Dark" and the solution was at hand. NITE PRICES—2Sc, 50c, $1.00) _ MATINEES—2Sc and 50c ) It’s Cool to DANCE in the Lobby-FINE MUSIC WEEK OF JUNE 30TH, "KEMPY” SHRINE PARTY MONDAY NIGHT^,
ENGLISH’S wlek BERKELL PLAYERS IN GEORGE M. COHAN'S BEST COMEDY ‘Broadway Jones’ Matinees Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday. PRICES —Afternoon—2sc, 35c, 50c. Night, 25c, 50c, 68c, 90c. PLUS TAX. Reservations May Be Made for the Entire Season. Phone Cl rcie 3373 Week June 29th— ‘ ‘ THE OLD SOAK” '
RAYMOND FAGAN’S ORCHESIRA TOPS LYROTGRAI Fun Week to Be Observed at Palace All Next Week, frr-3 ITH the reputation of being the “world’s fastest melody vv unit,” Raymond Fagan's symphonic orchestra comes to the Lyric next week offering a program of popular and syncopated numbers interpreted in the Fagan way. The orchestra is composed of ten stellar solo artists. It has played in all the pretentious dance palaces in New York, and recently completed a highly successful engagement in London. Another feature of more than passing interest will be Big George, a genuine Siberian grizzly bear, standing seven feet, four inches, and weighing nearly 500 pounds. Big George has been termed the bear with the human brain. His accomplishments include a smart military drill, a wrestling bout with his trainer, dancing an Irish jig and performing a Hawaiian hula hula. The bill will include: ROGERS AND DONNELLY—Fun ! makers, harmony vocalists and danoers in an odd comedy skit called "Tha Italian Count.” GRAZER AND LAWLER — Two of America’s terpischorean stars In a dance divertisement styled “Artis- [ tic Moments.” WHITE AND BUTTON—Versatile i entCTtainers whose offering is right- ! ly billed, “Variety Itself.” " CUftRIER AND M’ WILLIAMS— | Who have something far and away | from the ordinary in their novel in- ; novation, "The Act Different.” RASSO —Famous Italian juggler, I who gives a marvelous exhibition of j skill and dexterity along -with the in- ; troduction of his unique “wonderphone.” ON THE SCREEN—Spat family j comedy, “Bottle Babies,” the serial, j "The Telephone Girl.” and the latest edition of Kinograms. FUN WEEK TO BE OBSERVED AT PALYCE The Palace Theater has booked | special fun acts for next week as 1 the Grotto convention will be hell : then. Opening the show is Kranz and AI White in their “Nonsense.” White jis an Indianapolis boy and was re(Ttim to Page 6)
AMUSEMENTS
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