Indianapolis Times, Volume 36, Number 115, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 September 1924 — Page 5
SATURDAY, SEPT. 20, 1924
NOR WOR TH HEA DUNES FIRST BILL OF SEASON A T KEITHS
Big Time Vaudeville House to Open on Sunday, Sept, 28 With Important Names on Bill —Glenn Hunter Will Open English’s Oct, 2 in Comedy Success, Roltare Eggleston, manager of B. F. Keith’s, today announced that the big time vaudeville season will begin here on Sunday afternoon, Sept. 28. Jack Nonvorth, well-known actor, will have headline position on the opening bill of the season which will contain other names of importance. Glenn Hunter in “Merton of the Movies” will open the season at English’s on Thursday night. Oct. 2.
Opening next Monday night at the Murat will be a new comedy, “Apple Sauce.” This play is on its way to | Chicago. Both Murat and English’s have important bookings for the first four months of the season. -I- -I* -INORWORTH HAS HAD BUSY STAGE CAREER Celebrating his twenty-fifth anniversary as a member of the theatrical profession by a tour of the U. F. Keith vaudeville houses, Jack Nor- j worth, actor, singer, playwright, producer and song writer, who will headline the opening bill at B. F. Keith's Sunday. Sept. 2S, looks back on a tjuarter of a century of widely varying activities. He started in the same branch of .the profession as he is now in—vaudeville; but vaudeville was different then, and so was Jack. His first etunt was a blackface act with songs and dances and topical chatter. That was in 1898. For nine years he played In vaudeville. attaining considerable prominence In that field. Then he entered musical comedy, and was seen in a number of successes, including "About Town,” "Little Miss Fixit” and others of that period. Eater he 6pent two seasons in the Ziegfeld "Follies,” and after that essayed a r'-vue of his own authorship, in which he appeared w:*h Lillian Lorraine. That was "Odds and Ends.” Norworth has had one try at legit: mate comedy. After the death of Clifton Crawford he as -weed the leading role in Nvitrav & Winslow's comedy success, "My Lady Friends." At present he is considering, upon the conclusion of his vaudeville engagement. appearing in another play by the same authors, called "Honeymoon House." Some of the popular songs of their day were written by Norworth. j Among them are “Honey Boy.” "Smarty, Smarty,” "Harvest Moon" and "When It's Apple Blossom Time In Normandy.” He has not written any songs recently, and explains it by saying that the song writing business is a closed corporation. "There's no use writing a song nowadays,” he said, “unless you're connected with a publishing house. A few weeks ago I wrote, with another man, a song for my own use's, It was the sort of song that rr.-ght go very wqll if put on the market, •so we took it to a big and very well•known music publisher. He said he •would publish it if we would let two of his employes work over it, have their names on the cover and get half the royalty. What's the use I'd rather not have it pubjished at all,” he stattes. "MERTON OF THE MOVIES" TO BE PRESENTED HERE “Merton of the Movies.” is coming to English's Opera House, three nights and Saturday matinee beginning Thursday, Oct. 2nd for Us first -visit to this city. The comedy is made from HarrV Wilson's famous story of the same title, published in the Saturday Evening Post, by two young dramatists, George S. Kaufman and Marc Connelly, who wrote "Dulcy,” "To the Indies." and “The Beggar on Horseback." The play follows the Wilson story closely. The first act is laid in Simsbury, 111., where Merton Gill is a clerk In a general store. The rest of the play takes place in Hollywood, where Merton has gone to become a motion picture actor, and, if possible to act with Buelah Baxter, a movie queen, with whom he has fallen desperately in love. The comedy is in four acts and six settings. Glenn Hunter is now the star of the attraction. He created the part of Merton Gill and will be seen in it here. and will be supported by nearly all of the able cast of players seen with him in the long New York run at the Cort Theater. Prominent among them are Jean Ford, Romalne Callender, John Webster, Edward M. Favor, Fanchon Campbell and Bert Melville. Kirkwood to Play lakul James Kirkwood will play the leading male role In "Top of -the World,” Alan CroslAnd's forthcoming production for Paramount, according to an announcement made by Jesse L. Lasky, first vice president In charge of production of Famous Players-I-asky Corporation This story is by the famous English author, Ethel M. Dell, and in it Mr. Kirkwood plays a dual role. Jack Cunningham is making the adaptation. Menjou Ready for More Work Adolphe Menjou, who recently completed a role as a philanderer in William de Mine’s production for Paramount, "The Fast Set,” a screen adaptation of the stage play. “Spring Cleaning," has been chosen to in “The Swan” In support of Elsie Ferguson. Dimitri Buchowetzki is to produce this picture. ■ AMUSEM .^. TS . KothF^X f OPENING OP TUB- \ (nwmmih tinAfttiE&TREfEBVKTttaS I \ MfimNSTAKtH / \ BOX OFFICE OPEN / V DAILY 9To 6 / 7H.NA/N-3077 / V THE WORLDS
A Question Who will bring Gilbert and Sullivan to the screen? The question is asked by B. P. Sehulberg, producer of Preferred Pictures. Mr. Sehulberg is now working overtime making a screen version of “White Man," by George Agnew Chamberlain, but he can’t stop dreaming of seeing his beloved operas eomique translated into motion picture terms. “It's quite possible to do it,” he declares. "Now that 'Peter Pan’ has gone the way of ail good literature, there is no reason why we can't enjoy the delicious humor and melody of those incomparable collaborators. “I say melody advisedly. It should not be difficult to retain the music of each operetta adapted to the films. Nearly every theater has an orchestra of some kind, and instead of the ordinary film accompaniment the original score could be used. “Imagine the possibilities contained in a delightfully humorous little tale like 'The Mikado.’ There a producer would find fantasy to his heart's content. And the ‘lass who loved a sailor’ from 'Pinafore' is winsome enough a role to suit any star.”
NEW COMEDY TO BE AT MURAT THEATER Herndon Sends 'Apple; Sauce' for Week, Richard Herndon's latest production. "Apple Sauce,” comes to the Shubert Murat next Monday night for a week's engagement, with mat- j inees Wednesday and Saturday. It was written by Barry Conners, and the featured players are Allan Dinehart and Clailorne Foster.* with j a supporting cast that inrlures, | among others. Walter Connolly, George Karnum, Jessie Crunimetto, Carrie Weller and Jules Farrar. Herndon, the producer, it will be remembered, was the sponsor of “Kempy," "The Potters.” “Cheaper to Marry” and other successes. The story of "Apple Sauce” is one that concerns every American of .either sex, because the characters might be any of us who live in either large cities or small towns. The play begins when a young man and woman become entqjg- and. and lasts as regards the passing of lime, until one year has elapsed since the marriage vows were spoken. Vakutino to Study New Role A copy of the first, cut print of !"A Sainted Devil” has been for- | warded to Rudolph Valentino at Juan Pins. Antibes, Francs. Valentino sailed the day following the ! completion of his work in the proi duction at the Paramount Long | Island Studio.
AMUSEMENTS ' Him the Question Nearest Your Heart & I DINUS-BELMONT PLAYERS —“A MUSICAL FRAPPE” t ft KAUFFMAN & LiLUAN ROLAND TRAVERS ROSS & EDWARDS J hj* Furs and Feathers Illusionist Extraordinary Original Ball-Uarians TN MARY’S PONY BOY BAYLE & PATSY * JHafV /i&Jb HARRY LANGDON IX A SETWFTTT COMEDY Q&W “EtTCK O' THE FOOLISH”—JACK DEMPBEiY ' P lit Xw DANCING IN tel! tYRIC BAT,T, ROOM <K OC
MANY BIG STARS ARE BOOKED FOR LOCAL SHOWINGS
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BROADWAY WAITS FOR REAL PLAYS OF NEW SEASON Seventeen Shows Make Entrances in One Week's Time, By The NEA Play Jury N<~ "1 >; \V YORK, Sept.. 2f>—Broadway is restless. It is lml___ patient. It is unwilling to accept the early, unsatisfactory plays as a criterion of what is to come. It knows that behind the barrage of early productions lies the Pig Favorite Due NORMA DANFORTH When “Blossom Time,” returns to the Murat for its third visit, beginning Monday night, Oct. fi, the cast now in Chicago will be present. It includes Miss Norma Danforth, Ralph Soule, William Danforth, Edith Thayer and others.
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
No. I—Polly Moran, funny wornartof the screen, in person at the Palace the first half of the week. No. 2—Jessie Crummette, Claiborne Foster and George Barnum in "Apple Sauce,” opening Mon-
Berthas—the really good productions : of the season of 1924. Seventeen plays came two weeks ago. Thirteen a week ago. Five | more last week. Put those who pay : know that the Big Berthas, the i heavy artillery lie behind. "Thoroughbreds,” a drama of Kentucky life, came to the Vanderbilt. Ann Harding, to this juror’s mind the most beautiful young girl on Broadway, plays opposite that veteran actor George Marion. The piece centers about a horse- ! thief (Marion) and his daughter (Miss Harding) whom he left in the care of relatives when a tot. The girl who has become a lawyer, is appointed ; to defend the horsethief. The punch ; comes when they realize the identity of each other. To a veteran theatergoer it seemed ; that one person wrote the first, two j acts, then turned the third act over | to another. Seldom does a play fail in quality so quickly ns the "Thoroughbred,” between the second and third acts. Another Failure William Faversham opened ir. “The Mask and the Face," a free translation from the Italian corn edy, “La Mascera E II Voto." Continental humor is one tiling an 1 American humor another. The two will rot jibe.' Faversham plays a eount who sensitive to the ridicule of others. Ho vows before his friends that should his wife prove unfaithful he will kill her, but let tman go free. Suspicion is cast upon the wife, quite unjustly, but the count feels h'> must go through with his threat. Instead of killing her. lie sends her .away, tells his friends he strangled her and threw the body in the lake. He is arre-sted, spends ten months In prison and finally is tried and acquitted. To his amazement he returns to normal life to find himself a hero. In the end the wife shows up an 1 that’s all there is to it. Continentals take their humor ■ seriously Perhaps it is too subtle for Americans, used to hearty I laughter. If so, we re out of luck. At : any rate, half of the laughter in the (audience seemed to be laughing at j the actors, rather than with them. Ts Favershlim continues to ac- ! cept roles in plays like this one it I will not be long until his drawing power will vanish Other new productions were; Earl Carroll’s “Vanities of 1924.” anfeable musical comedy; “High Stakes,” a Wizard Mack play; "Conscience." a serious piece snatched from Greenwich Village by A1 Woods.
day night for a week at the Murat. No. 3-—Mabel Haley in "Red Pep per Revue” opening Sunday at the Capitol. No. 4—Jack Norworth and Dor-
I Rounding Round Theaters With WALTER D. HICKMAN Ball activities connected with _____ this business. I have attempted in the years I have been telling you about the theater to attend personally the legitimate attractions, vatidevijle in its various forms of presentation, music, dancing, burlesque. photoplays and even lectures. I have not neglected the municipal theater. To me it seems that it is necessary for the head of a dramatic desk to know all forms of entertainment in the theater. I g.o where the people go. I may not agree with *you, and you have that same wonderful right on the merits of presentation. Among the tanking successes on the American screen today (not all have been nresented here) include “The Sea Hawk. Ihe Thief of Bagdad," "The Iron Horse,” anew Fox special which seems to have caught on easily in New York; "The Ten Commandments." which is still in demand in New Yorw: "Monsieur Beaucaire,” "Captain Iilood” and others Instead of the film productions becoming smaller both in production and cast, 1 find that the big spectacle is stiil demanding leading attention in this country. The success of "The < 'over* and Wagon" and the repeat engagement quality of "The Birth <f a Nation." prove this statement. Even the so-called program releases
AMUSEMENTS j jgß&k OPENING MONDAY EVE. I ALL NEXT WEEK 'seats "now* selling * % J "HP PICHARD HERNDON Prints ft (k NOTABLE SUPPORTING CABT l J CAP CONNOUY, OfOROE BASNUH, A PLAY FOR YOUNG MARRIED FOLKS, OLD MARRIED FOLKS AND THOSE CONTIHPLATING MATRIMONY WEEK-October 6th JSESS I MESSRS. siHUBERT ANNOUNCE GALA RETURN ENGAGEMENT GREATEST MUSICAL SUCCESS OF THE CENTURY 1 i Soar*: Fran* Bchu berti Oxen MmtU ipM Btori/: Fran* Schubert’ Oxen Romance W Price* Eve. 50c, sl, $1.50, $2, $2.50 j 8 ' pa* 50c, SI.OO, V V jL tDU $1.50, $2.00 Balcony, 50c, sl, $1.50 All plus Tax Same Great New York Ambassador Theatre Cast Seen Here Last Year MAIL ORDERS NOW * SEATS SEPT 30TH
othy Adelphi, who will headline on Keith’s opening bill, Sunday, Sept. 28. No. s—Kathryn Lillian In a comedy with music af thus Lyric all next week.
being presented at this time ha#' 1 this "big time” quality. For instance consider Gloria Swanson in "Man- , handled.” Here we see the comparison in the lives of shop girls and j night butterflies. The picture was j done on a lavish scale. Although the spectacular feature i seems to be In the lead, we must not j overlook \Vhat is known as the two- ! reel comedies ’ and supplementary : movie features. This class of en- ; lertainment has become a fixture I on photoplay bills, especially the comedies, short reels, and novelty features. I have noticed that the short length comedy films are getting somewhat better as regards material. There is still room for big improvement. It seems that the “taste” ol legitimate theaters in New York is undergoing a radical change. The success of "What Price, Glory,” a war play stated in the strongest language ever used on the*American tage, is now the chief sensation, both as to material and box office, in New York today. It seems we who go to the legitimate theater desire “honest realism.” This may account for the success of "Rain" and “White Cargo.” The following data has been sent to me: "An exhibit of interest to the general public as well as to teachers will i>e held at the Central library beginning Monday, Sept. 29 and conj tinuing for two weeks. The display , is devoted to music, the library and | the public schools cooperating to !.-hnw both the wealth of material j available in the library for the study ! of music, and the many phases of | music instruction in the schools of I Indianapolis. "A recital on Friday afternoon
100 Years Old The oldest vaudeville star in the world is going into movnig pictures, 100 years old and still as spritely and entertaining as ever. Minnie has played the big time as well as circuses the New York Hippodrome and other world famous stages for a matter of fifteen or twenty years. „She numbers among her friends all big vaudeville headliners; James J. Morton, Cressy and Dayne. Marjorie Rambeau, Walter J. Keiley, Billy Gould, Sarah Barhhardt, Eva Tanguay, Eddie Leonard, James J. Corbett. And although Minnie isn't overweight, she scales around two tons. Minnie is an elephant. Minnie was formerly the central figure in Max Gruber's animal act. and has been purchased as a permanent fixture in Universal’s Zoo.
at 3:30 o'clock will be a feature of the exhibit. The program will consist of selections chosen from the State Music Memory Contest list. Ernest Hesse.r. director of music; Miss Goldie Low-man. supervisor; W. E. Tallentire, instrumental supervisor and Mrs. Lenore Coffin, music appreciation supervisor, all of the public schools will take part in the program. They will be assisted by the Shortridge trio and choruses from Schools No. 66 and 17. The recital will be held in Cropsey auditorium at the Central Library.
AMUSEMENTS k ’®° F V “LAUGH WEEK” | PERSONAL APPEAR AN CE OF THE SCREAM OF THE SCREEN m POLLY MORAN I THE FAMOUS NELL OF THE MOVIES “THE HOLLYWOOD CHATTERER” 1 FARRELL, TAYLOR & CO. g “THE AFRICAN DUKE” INTRODUCING I EDITH SWAN THE CELEBRATED LADY TROMBONIST I ' LUCY [bud & ELEANOR I I GILLETTE COLL 1 1 “THE GIRL FROM UNIQUE MUSICAL P DELFT” DANCE OFFERING g| THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PRESENTATION I “THE SPIRITJF BUDDHA” | I “JOVITA” I PHANTASIES OF THE FAR EAST FEATURE FUN FILM 1 “A SELF-MADE FAILURE” | With the Joy Gang, Including Lloyd, “Ham” Hamilton, Patsy Ruth Miller, Matt Moore, Dan Mason, Mary Carr, Vic Potel and Ben Hamilton. I MORE LAUGHS THAN A MILE OF MIDWAYS 1
CRYSTAL GAZER AND MAGICIAN IN VARETY SHOWS Both Lyric and Palace Will Present Mysterious Attractions. Mystifying feats of magic which were known at one time only by Fu Tong, a Chinese magician, who has been dead for four hundred years, are woven in "The Spirit of Buddah,” which with Polly Morgan, ex-leading lady for Ben Turpin, Start the Palace bill off next week. The bill is as follows: FARRELL TAYLOR AND CO All in blackface appear in "The African Duke” is responsible for much humor. POLLY MORAN Otherwise known as “Hollywood Chatterer,” and "Sheriff Nell’ ’of the movies appear in the same act. "JOVlTA”—Dancer in the "Spirit of Buddah,” which is an act made up of various illusions handed down from an old Chinese magician. LUCY GILLETTE AND COMPANY—Present a Dutch revue In which all the characters wear typical Dutch clothes and execute the native dances. Just as Scotland has its bagpipes and Hawaii its ukulele so does Rusria Jove its ballalaika. This will be proven at the Palace the last half of the week when Will Higgle presides over his ballalaika orchestra, which is composed of nine men and one woman. Silky collies and beautiful greyhounds, together with a little monkey, will be seen in the Norris “Springtime Follies,” which will be put on by Cal and Ethel Norris, late of the Greenwich Village Foollies. “ ‘Nuts’ So You Can Notice It” is the title applied to Dave Walters and Sam Gouid, whose talent lies in comedy songs. Sampsell and Leonard will be in the "Woman Haters' Club,” where they prove their point by comedy. While building a pyramid of chairs and keeping up a steady flow of talk to his assistant. McLinn will present his "Chair Up." On the screen arq* "A Self Made Failure.” with Ben Alexander; Matt Moore, Mary Carr and Patsy Ruth Miller, the first half of the week, and "What ShaiJ I Do?” with Dorothy Cackaill and John Herron the last half. Pathe News, a comedy and a fable are in the entertainment, .j. J. .|. ALLA AXIOM HEADS NEW BILL AT LYRIC Presenting his demonstration of psychic phenomena. Alla Axiom, (Turn to Page 1)
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