Indianapolis Times, Volume 37, Number 282, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 March 1926 — Page 5
MARCH 1926
GEORGE ARLISS TO BE SEEN IN ‘OLD ENGLISH’ NEXT WEEK
tfhe Big Parade’ to Open Here for Limited Engagement —Haresfoot Club to Stage College Musical Play. pTIEORGE ARLISS, following his year and a day in London. VJ where he acted “The Green Goddess” with such success and his 200 performances of John Galsworthy’s “Old English” in New York, will be seen in the Galsworthy play finder the management of'VYinthrop Ames at the English’s for three days only, beginning on Thursday night, April 1, with a matinee on Saturday.
In *'Oid English” Arliss has a character unlike any he -previously has acted, that of Sylvanus Heythorp, an octogenarian ship-owner of Liverpool, who faces social and financial adversities with stoic fortitude, and, when he finds doom inevitable, makes his escape in a manner that at least satisfies his intense pride. Heythorp is a bit of a rake and a Bit of a scoundrel, but he Is a heartwarming creature, blunt, domineering. successful, ever commending respect and frequently winning affection. Here Galsworthy Is not a crusader, but a story-teller in the form he always is most effective in. the theater.. The author assembles contrasting groups of characters, drawn vividly and sharply. And while once agahn Arliss appears in the role of a villain, it Is a villain who is so human, so touched with the fraility as ’tfell as the strength of mankind jhat he becomes of the warp and ■oof of life, rather than of the obvious mechanism of the drama. Winthrop Ames, who produced two other Galsworthy plays in America, has brought this new' Galsworthy drama to the American theater. The cast includes all the players who impressed New York during the two hundred nights ‘'Old English” was acted there. Irby Marshal is leading woman for Mr. Arliss.
ROUNDING THEATERS
HE problem of what to do with the Municpial Theater in Garfield Park right now is demanding the attention of Emsley AY. Johnson, president, members of the park board and R. AY alter Jarvis, superintendent, as well as Jesse P. McClure. Under the former administration two professional stock companies were operated during the summer. Professional from the viewpoint of having paid legitimate actors as well as a paid director.
It is a problem with limited funds to know just what to do this season. The municipal theater has cost considerable money. Personally, I believe in varied entertainment in the public parks. I firmly believe in park band concerts. I believe in community entertainment in the parks, meaning Iby community all sections of the fcity. wThere Is a splendid Little Theater *oup in this city as well as a splendid Theatre Guild. Why could not uhree weeks be allotted each to these societies? Why would it not he possible to have a week of pageants in the park, using the dramatic societies of the various churches? Why not have several weeks of one-act playes, giving the younger folk of all communities a chance to become familiar with make-up and what may be accomplished behind the footlights? Why can we not have nights of harmonica and old fiddlin’ events in the municipal theater? It has been my conviction that it is not the duty of the theater to conduct a dramatic theater in the parks. 1 may be wrong in that. Ido believe in community events in a municipal theater in the public parks. I firmly believe that there is enough talent in this city which would welcome a chance to contribute their bit toward park entertainment. By getting neighborhood interest of all sections in Indianapolis, it might be able to get the real value out of Garfield Park, a place of real beauty. Indianapolis is not using this park as it should. Community interest would, I believe, help to create an added reason in visiting the park on summer nights. Am not finding fault with what -Carlton Guy accomplished in the theater. One can hear "arguments on both sides of the
SUNDAY, MONDAY, TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY THE TOWNSEND BOLDS FEATURED DANCERS OF HENRY W. SAVAGE’S “LOLLIPOP CO.” WITH THEIR ROUMANIAN SERENADERS ROY LA PEARL & LILLIAN GONNE “QUEEN OF DIAMONDS” I CHAS. & GRACE KEATING ■ IN “THEIR FIRST LOVE” A WILLIAMS & YOUNG ■ “KOONTOWN TOPICS” ■ BROSIUS & BROWN “THE BRAINLESS WONDERS” PHOTOPLAY FEATURE m MEMORY LANE With ELEANOR BOARDMAN and CONRAD NAGEL OFF ON THE BIG ADVENTURE! B bride who didn’t look back down memory lane to the first ldss, the first qnarre! - : the day she told the other boy she liked him as a friend, hut . . Where waa what was he doing?
; Ivan P. Simpson will be remembered for his portrayal of Watkins, the butler, in "The Green Goddess.” Others in the company are Cecile Dixon, Molly Johnson, Ethel Griffies, Henrietta Goodwin, Murray Kinnell, Robert Harrigan, Henry Morrell, Gilbert Cowan, Gordon Mcßae, Guy Cunningham, Perry Norman, Lewis A. Sealy, John Hall Edward Cooper, M. Murray Stephens, John Parrish, Arthur Viliars and Thomas Donnelly. Maude T. Howell is stage manager. -j- -|- BIG FILM 1)1 E AT ENGLISH’S SOON The biggest film sensation of the decade, “The Big Parade” which is now running to capacity business in New York, Chicago, Boston, Philadelphia and Los Angeles, will open at the English's next Sunday night, April 4, showing twice daily thereat fer. It will be shown here exactly as presented in those cities, with the original orchestral score played by a special orchestra of twenty. John Gilbert in his first starring picture is ably and charmingly supported by Renee Adoree as a little French peasant girl, who is won by the doughboy portrayed by Gilbert. Two other characters new to the screen are she two buddies
ROUND With WALTER D. HICKMAN
question. I believe that a municipal theater must have general appeal, reaching beyond just the residents near the park. If we could afford a great week with Margaret Anglin, Nazimova or other great ieaders as guest stars,, then I believe that a dramatic theater in the parks would be more than worth while. I attended a meeting of the park board the other night, just an informal little meeting, at the home of Mr. Johnson. We discussed the various points at issue. The board will meet soon to determine the future of the municipal theater. Kindly write and let me know what you want to see in the municipal theater. • * • George Arliss told a reporter in Cincinnati that the theater where he was acting vas turning away hundreds of people not because he was being starred, but because John Galsworthy’s “Old English” is an attractive play, according to Ray Henderson. “No star's name is strong enough to draw a constantly profitable business,” Arliss is reported as saying. "A good actor can aid a mediocre play and attract moderately good patronage, but it requires a good actor in a good play to maintain success. “In cosmopolitan cities like New York and London there is a large residential and transient audience which will support stars in bad plays and ordinary players in dramas that are beyond all comprehension. If you bewilder this type of crowd, If you turn down lights so it sees nothing, if you are morbid, if you say things that sound clever, but mean nothing, this cross section will worship you. It believes theatrical art is made up of darkness, immodesty and morbidity. It is unintelligibly intelligent.”
AMUSEMENTS
LOOKING OVER RARE EVENTS ON INDIANAPOLIS STAGE
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played by Karl Dane and Tom O’Brien, who with John Gilbert, form a trip somewhat similar lo Kepling’a "Soldiers Three." “The Big Parade” was written by Laurence Stallings, and was directed by King Vidor. In the big scenes over five thousand men are employed, most of whom arc veterans of the late struggle, and who are merely reproducing the conflict in which they took part in France. However, big and important the ensemble scenes, the chief claim is its comedy, which is of an entirely original brand. -I- -I- -I* COLLEGE IL\Y TO BE GIVEN AT Ml RAT A. John Schwartz, head of the botanical department of Ell Lilly & Cos., again heads the general committee of the University of Wisconsin Alumni Association of Indianapolis, which is preparing for the annual appearance of the Wisconsin Haresfoot Club. The club will appear in an original
In ‘Big Parade’
Renee Adoree
One of the biggest photoplays of many years, “The Big Parade,” will open an engagement at English’s on Sunday night, April 4. Renee Adoree is cast as “Melisande.”
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
musical comedy, ‘‘Mary Ann,” on April 13 at the Murat Theater. The committees which will have charge of the arrangements, appointed by William B. Florea, president of the local alumi 1 body, follow: Patron —Reginald W. Garstang, chairman; Mrs. R. R. Maplesden, Miss Gertrude Brown, Paul Buchanan and Harold W. Taylor. Boxes —Robert Schmuck, chairman; Mrs. Earl Haessler, Mrs. W. L. Thompson, Miss Viola Swain, C. Leroy Austin and Carl T. Liebe'r, Jr. Publicity-—Robert T. Miller, chairman: Miss Kate Huber, G. A r ance Smith and Vilas J. Boyle. Reception Nelson Fairbanks, chairman; John Fuller. Mrs. Frank A. Garten, Miss Mildred Blacklidge, Miss Vajen Hitz, Max Reeker, Stuart Bishop and James P. Woods. Transportation Richard Stout, chairman; Wendell Paine, Edwin W. Camp and Joseph Connell. SOCIETY GIRL ON STAGE Eve Cartier, a young society girl of Portland, Maine, recently scored such a hit with her dancing at a Portland Elks’ benefit entertainment that she was offered a route in Keith-Albee vaudeville which she has accepted. She began her professional career In Providence this week.
riNGLISH’S TODAY— ” A T T E ,NEE ROSE MARIE PRICES: Nite—sl.lo to $3.30. Mat.—sl.lo to $2.75. ryP| IQIPO Thursday at 8:20 muUon 0 WIXTHROP AMES Presents A GEORGE RLISS In JOHN' GALSWORTHY’S OLD ENGLISH , Nights and Sat. Mat.: sl.lO to $2.75
King Vidor • Picturization of startup Laurence Stallings’ Stirring J o^ll Gilbert World Story iW Adore. is coming Beginning Sun. Even’s, April 2 -OH /'TWICE DAILY\ Q-Ofl OU VTHEREAFTER/ O.OV/ mm —soc, 51.00 and 5L50. Pqa+ Calq Thjif rmULO MATINEES—SOc, 75c and SI.OO. uMI OdlC lIIUI. A Ms tro-Goldwyn-Mayer Production
No. I—George Arliss as he appears in “Old English," opening at English’s on Thursday night for three days. No. 2 —l)r. Rockwell will he the chief event at B. F. Keith’s all next week. No. 3—Charles I>. Keating will be present at (he Palace the first half of next week. No. 4—. lane Bodwell will be seen at the Lyric next week with Lou Zoeller.
“MY WIFE’S FRIEND” The play by Patrick Hastings, “The River,” is being adapted for First National by Leonard B. Fowler, who has just completed scenarization of “Paradise,” by Cosmo Hamilton, for the same company. According to John McCormick, general manager of First National's West Coast units, the play will he placed on the next year’s production schedule under title of “My Wife's Friend.” DICKSON TO RETURN HERE Dorothy Dickson, who left New York seven years ago for London, and has l>een over there since, established herself in the forefront of English stage favorites, is expected to return to American vaudeville for Keith-Albee at the conclusion of her current appearance In “Peter l’an" In London.
AMUSEMENTS
ENGLISH’S]
Variety to Observe N. V. A. Week
The National Vaudeville Artists, celebrating Jubilee Week, April 4 to 11. are commemorating the tenth anniversary of the most remarkable fraternal organization In the history of the theater. The slogan for that week of carnivul and rejoicing is “Visit a Vaudeville Theater During Jubilee Week," which also is easier. That invitation is addressed to all the public, a public which for a decami more has known and enjoyed the ceaseless betterment of vaudeville and watched the endless cooperation of-the artists and managers of vaudeville with every form of charitable, patriotic and educational endeavor. Jubilee Week' is, of course, the tenth milestone in the progress of the N. V A.. Hut it stands for more in the meaning of that period of celebration. It means that in nearly three hundred cities, towns and neighborhoods of this country and Canada, tiie vaudeville theaters will have special programs, local carnival feat ares and eolerful decorations.
THE TIME —I to M-P.M.
"Society Swnums *A SMART SONG AND DANCE REVUE WITH THE Gauthier quartets nifty steppers e 3 SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT OF"' IKAMOS HEMMesr “THE MERRIEST COMEDIENNE” Hibbett & Hartman ROtoT LITTLE ELLY la m a 1 World s Greatest Girl Juggler 10* ZODE W DWELL Stars of Syncopation, THE SCRANTONS Jazz Specialists > " 1926 Caper.” and Entertainers o , Ralph Graves in a Sennett Comedy, “Funny Mooners”
The hills everywhere, In the smallest as well as in the largest theaters, will he reinforced throughout Jubilee Week. Last year many artists of drama, musical comedy and opera made special and gratuitous appearances in as many vaudeville theaters as they could reach in the places where they happened to be. I was in Chicago, but 1 did my stunts in several vaudeville houses between my regular performances in "Stopping Stones.” “There is to bo no advance in the cost of admissions during Jubilee Week, the public has come to look upon this annual celebration as a feature of the season and the slogan, ’Visit a vaudeville theater during Jubilee Week,’ Is a good tip for the wide-awake people who want to see the most eventful programs of the season and who are eager to express their approval of the N. V. A., its generosity to others, Sts works of mercy to every laudable philanthropy, its years of service in the cause of others.”
AMUSEMENTS
PAGE 5
BERKELL WILL PRESENT ‘WHAT PRICE GLORY?’ Stock Players to Offer Many New York Successes. Charles Berkell of the Berkell Players who will open their summer stock at English’s, Sundiy night. April 18th, has been play shopping in New York preparatory to the Indianapolis engagement of his company, and advises that he found no dearth of good material. To ths contrary Mr. Berkell believes he has contracted for the beet line of plays his company has ever offered here. Foremost among them will bo the sensational New York hit, ‘‘What Price Glory,” one of the most discussed dramas in years, and which ■’as Just been released for stock at figure that sots anew high mark n royalty prices. Os more than passing Interest too i the announcement that the Bervc*ll Company will revive two of the itggest hits the American stage has ver known, David Warfield’s "The Music Master," and that colorful conn nee of Hawaii, “The Bird of l’uralise.” The plays this far produce,! by Mr. Berkell include I.enore Ulrich's success, "Klkl," “Cheating Husbands,” "Silence,” “The Lnrl.v Next Door,” "Dancing Mothers.” "Spring Fever,' “The Family Upstairs," "My Son," ’•The Four Flusher," "Meet the Wife.” "One of the Family." "Never Say Die,” "Smooth as Silk,” "The Broken Wing,” "The Love of Su Shong ” "The Outsider,” "The Haunted House,” "Loyalties,” und "The Witch Doctor."
Did You Know ThatThislsTrue
James Cruze always wears knickers? Ernest Torrence Is the best golfer in Hollywood? Jack Holt is an expert polo player and a member of tho champion Midwick team? George Bancroft is one of the two enlisted men ever appointed to Annapolis? -- William Collier, Jr„ is the son of the famous playwright of the same name? Allan Pwnn was once a professor of mathematics? Richard Dlx once worked In a bank? Adolphe Menjou is a collector of rare stamps?