Indianapolis Times, Volume 38, Number 117, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 August 1926 — Page 5

AUG. 21, 1926

IDABELLE ARNOLD AND LARRY SULLIVAN TO RETURN

Two of Berkell Favorites of Other Seasons to Wel- ’ corned Sunday Night at English’s in Comedy Roles in ‘The Love Test,’ by Arthur Chandler. The.Berkell players are bringing “ t The Love Test’’ to Indianapolis for the first time since it was released for stock. This play, which is a dramatization of a short story by Arthur Chandler, will be seen at English’s in ten productions, with matinees on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday afternoons, beginning Sunday night. In addition to the regular members of the local stock company, two old favorites are returning to participate in “The Love Test,’’ Idabelle Arnold and Larry Sullivan.

Miss Arnold will be remembered < for her splendid work in ingenue roles, while Larry Sullivan established l)is popularity in comic character roles. They will remain here for the balance of the season, playing in the three remaining shows. The Berkell Company closes its season here on Sept. 11 and will return to English's some time in the early part of April, 1927. “The Love Test” centers around rural folk, with rural happenings, both comic and tragic. The village folk, as usual, inject homey, honest heart appeal, sweet sentiment, oldfashioned and honesty bred in the old school. This play furnishes a Tlelightful love story enacted by two of the town's favorites, as well as a charming tale nf a recrook wooing a stranded New Work chorus girl. The town constable, who is also the baggage master, the ticket agent, and the mail carrier, carries a rich vein of humor throughout the entire play. A touch of pathos is interposed by a mother, whose heart is seen to be pure gold, as she strives to save her boy and his old-time pal from the result of yielding to temptation. A bit of the mysterious is injected by the town financier, and many surprises are iri store before' the end of the play which leaves one wfth a delightful remembrance of rural folk and their idiosyncrasies. The scenes of the play are laid in a small town hostelry in an Ohio rural district. Mr. Chandler, the author, evinces a knowledge of "Main Street” folks that is unsurpassed. His delineations of character are true to type, and the Berkell Players are delighted with this vehicle, which affords them opportunity to characterize such human types. Starting tojnorrow night, “The Love Test” will be seen the entire Week. The cast trill be as follows: Florence Lee Idabelle Arnold Mrs. Hudson Mildred Hastings Truman Buckmastrr Larry Sullivan Freddie (Spike) Tryon .. ./Robert St. Clair Harold Brenir.er Bob Fay George Spelvin J. F. Marlow Molly Collins Edythe Elliott Tom Hudson Milton Bvron August Brenizer Herbert Dobbins Deputy Sheriff William V. Hu*l -I- -I- -|- SISSLE AND BLAKE BOOKED HERE SOON Not since the days of William aryl Walker has any team of colored artists experienced such well merited | popularity as Npble Sissle and Eubie famous stars of “Shuffle ‘

ROUNDING ROUND THFATFRS With WALTER 1 1 PvIVO jj HICKMAN

With the Lyric theater complefing extensive alterations and improvements which gives this house a splendid lobby and with B. P. Keith’s now in the hands of painters and carpenters, indications are that vaudeville will be better housed this coming 'season than ever before. With the completion of the new- lobby at the Lyric the manigement is about through with its extensive program of improvements. #

For the last two years, the Lyric has been making many improvements, starting with th\p stage and under stage which gives it (some of the best accommodations for the ’artists of any theater in the Middle West. Roltare Egglestdh, manager of Keith’s, states that the Improvements now under way at his house will cost more than $40,000. Many changes will be made in the auditorium proper. The marble work on the side is being cut down and the walls will be covered with expensive silk. New carpets and draperies will be placed. ' Check room accommodations will be enlarged. %. new canopy and sign will be Installed over the lobby entrance and other improvements made in the lobby. Painters are now working on the auditorium proper. When thS' improvements are made, Keith’s will have a first-class appearance. Additional ventilating equipment is being placed. “We will have a beautiful theater when these extensive Improvements are completed,’’ Eggleston states. It' will require about four more weeks to complete the work now under way at Keith’s. • * • Understand that Bob Fay will play leads with the Berkell Players tills fall at Waterloo, lowa. 'Milton Byron will be leading man with the Davenport (Iowa) unit of the Berkell activities. Most of the payers now here with Berkell will be assigned to the two lowa companies this fall. His season here will not close until Sept. 11. • * * Bill Fields, after piloting the Stuart Walker Company to success

What Screen Will Offer APOLLO—“The Show-Off,” with Gregory Kelly. CIRCLE Love,” with Colleen Moore. OHIO “Fine Manners,” with Gloria Swanson. COLONIAL —“A ' Trip to Chinatown,” a farce. UPTOWN “Miss Nobdy,” for three days, starting Sunday* ISftS— ;’Hard Boiled,” the first half of the week.

To Play Leads Mary Brian, comes the announcement as quick as a Hash from Johnny Hines' celluloid, is that comedian’s choice as leading woman for his forthcoming First National picture, still tentatively titled, “The Knickerbocker Kid.” Miss Brian is facing the battery of cameras with charming grace, according to reports front our spies, and is bold enough to suggest an hilarious gag now and then, as it must be remembered that she is a veteran comedy troui>er, having played opposite Raymond (Jriftith in one of his mirthquakes, as well as with Wallace Beery and Raymond Hatton in “Behind the Front.”

Along,” who will appear at the Lyric the week of Aug. 29, Sissle, singer and song writer, the son of a preacher, was reared in Indianapolis, his father having been pastor of a Simpson Chapel, Eleventh and Missouri Sts., for a number of years. Blake, Composer and pianist, second to none as an .accompanist, is from Cleveland. Sissle and Blake’s partnership is the result of acquaintanceship and association during the war when they wfere members of Lieutenant James Reese Europe's colored regimental band which won distinction ovc rseas. Following the band's return to this country Lieutenant Europe took it on a Concert tour with Sissle and Blake p.s soloists. The tour, which created a furor in musical circles, came to a sudden end when Europe met a tragic death at the hands of one of his musicians who harbored a fancied wrong. Without prospect* of any sort Sissle and telake decided to Join hands Hi writing and producing a musical comedy. “Shuffle Along" was the result of their efforts. They are now the highest salaried colored team before the public as well as being recipients of substantial 'royalties from the publication of their songs and their phonographic records.

at Keith’s this summer, is now in Cincinnati, Ohio, 1 handling publicity for that branch of the Walker organization. Fields will remain there until the first of October, when he goes in advance of “The Greenwich Village Follies,” opening in Chicago. George Somnes, director ,of the Walker Company here, is now vacationing in Canada. He will go soon to Cincinnati to direct the Walker unit there for the balance of the season.

EIIPI ICU’C I PHONE I tNuLldn p I MAin 3373 LAST THREE WEEKS OF SEASON BERKELL PLAYERS WEEK OF AUG. 22ND. “THE LOVE TEST” Return of Idabelle Arnold and Larry Sullivan WEEK OF AUG. 29Th7 “THE FAMILY UPSTAIRS” FAREWELL WEEK SEPT STH. “What’s Your Husband Doing” NIGHTLY AT B:IS—MATS, WED., THURS., SAT. NIGHT PRICES—LOWER FLOOR, 00c ; BALCONY, 50c; GALLERT. 25c. GOVT. TAX ON 90c SEATS ONLY. THE BERKELL PLAYERS OPEN NEXT SEASON EARLY IN APRIL

Funny Fansler’s Orchestra TOMORROW NITE Featuring HARRY BASON, Piano BENNY BENSON, Saxophone GARRY ABBOTT, Saxophone BILL CHANDLER, Trumpet HAROLD BAILEY, Banjo "SNAPPY” MEYERS, Trombone FUNNY FANSLER, Drums Don’t Miss This Sunday Nite BROAD RIPPLE DANSE GARDENS

LOOKING OVER NEW EVENTS UPON LOCAL STAGE

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GETTING 1 EYE POLL OF BROADWAY THESE WARM DAYS Letting Gilbert Swan Take You -on a Trip to New York. NEW YORK. Aug. 21.—Seesawing up and down Broadway, came upon Tammany Young, who once was numbered among the two or three champion “gate crashers" of America. . . . And who now seems reigned to the life of an actor since, for an entire year he ha* been "atmosphere” in “Lulu Belle.” . . . Saw Jack Dempsey calmly watching John Barrymore making love to the beauteous Este’le Taylor Dempsey. ... In the films of course. . . . And Will Ilayes watching himself talk at tho premiere of the Vltaphone. ... Anew form of talking to oneself, <as it were. . . . And Otto Kahn, the banker, dilettante, who could well afford to spend the hot days at the North Pole did he wish, but who never seems to want-to be fore .than forty-five minutes from Broadway. . . . Quite content to swelter with the rest of us through the firstnights of new production. . . . Greater love for the drama has no man.

Helen Chandler, who only a few months back was the flapper Ophelia of the ’’modern dress" Hamlet, seated upon a stool in one of those drug-store-lunchrooms lunching on "quick u.id hasty" sandwiches. . . . And they tell me she is addict to those gosh-awful eating emporiums, appearing with the rest of the mob almost daily. . . . View with alarm the inroads of real estate men from all points upon the great highway Surely the Los Angeles and Florida influence is upon Broadway. ... At entral points one may see the slick gents wearing great signs in their hats reading "Mudflat Manor" and such. . . . Whereas the Pennsylvania and Grand Central stations of _a Sunday morning tire one vast array of silk badges, glaring buttons and blazing placards announc-

AMUSEMENTS

.THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

ing the wonders of "Umpville Heights." . . . Surely it does seem that all the unsuccessful Floridans have moved their camps. . . . And for all I care they can return to Florida to morrow. . . . • * * Without doubt the oddest door to be found in all these United States has been contrived by one of the big New York publishing houses. Just as various disguises are used by grog dispensaries, so this concern has built a door into the “sanctum sanctorum” that will baffle all but the Initiated. * The waiting room ip. obviously, a huge library. The door appears to be a continuation of the library shelves ar.d, until It is opened, only a practiced eye would be able to locate it. It is opened by grabbing the binding of a book which is glued to the woodwork and substitutes for a door-knob. The purpose, while partially for effect. Is chiefly for keeping out the usual crowd of nuisances who throng to publishers and have no hesitance in crashing through any visible gate. GILBERT SWAN. (Copyright. 1926, NEA Service. Inc.l

Lucky Number When Red Grange is seen on the screen in his first starring “One Minute to I'Tay," the famous “77” the number always worn by the "Galloping Ghost" in the gridiron. will I>e plainly seen. As a matter of fact Grange wears, In the picture, his own uniform that has- enveloped him in, his many brilliant runs on the football field. Before his arrival In Hollywood the story called for a number “22,” but Red read that out of the script. He said "77” or nothing.

SUN. MON.TUES.WED. ONLY M % GREATER MOVIE SEASON’S ■- . j , GREATEST MOVIE i. ni&iw* SP|€il£g.i. UW Iff deitetous-drft/- teMofef&stc/<3c±irc2l?/&. f? JjDorothij 6ish c<2/r?ojt t Sit wAscA sJtec2/z oict/tfje and/ w/tb vcz/n/teat <3 /e/jtd - - I ASfJV -£:O#0OW C±l£lcs> <acfx\-"One of the mast famous, ti-ue-litc, lova §1 #s /x Paramount Picture |ji HIOM- VJ3UJ3JSVJMJIJS . E EARL & RIAL REVUE “YOUTH, BEAUTY AND SPEED* ’ * FEATURING GOYNON & SCOTT AND MAURICE DELKPORTE HARRY MISS CUCDIIAU IfAII £ UViIJIII SULLY and RUTH SHERMAN, VAN & HYMAN In Their Latest Comedy Scenic Novelty Bl Mero a dious E Nons t e a n l se erß MARGOT FRANCOIS & PARTNER I FREEMAN & MORTON “A Phasing Surprise on Stilts” I "EVERYTHING WILL BE ALL RIGHT”

No. I—ldabelle Arnold, well liked with the Berkell Players, will make her first appearance of the season Sunday night at English’s in “Tile I-ove Test.” No. 2—Freeman and Martin will he among those present at the Palace the first half of the week. No. 3—Agnes Finlay will be among those present at the Lyric all next week, starting Sunday afternoon.

Some New Keith Events

! Gregory Kelley, late star of “The Butter and Egg Man," will tour in ' Keith-Albee vaudeville in “The Honeymoon." a comedy drama by the late Aaron Hoffman. In the least are Isabel Lamon and Tom , Fadden. This is Mr. Kelley’s first I trip into the realm of vaudeville since the dramatic stage has kept j him occupied with a string of sucIcesses that began with "Seventeen.” . . . | Ida May Chadwick, tap dancing champion of the world, with her I "Six Dizzy Blondep,” has developed [a dancing act second to none, and it has now started on a long tour of the major circuit. • • * Doris Maughn, the English singing comedienne, has landed with her new song kit called “The Barrymores and Me," and has accepted Keith-Albee booking. Murray Pullman accompanies her on the piano. • * - Edward V. Darling, the chief •booking expert of the Keith-Albee | circuit, is to return to this country I next week from a tour of Europe. He brings with him a sheaf Os conj tracts for many of Europe's great - ! est entertainers and novelties. Darling went far afield covering the cities between Madrid and Stockholm, London and Angola, with I dashes Into Russia and Greece.

AMUSEMENTS

RUSSELL JANNEY TO SEND OUT TWO ‘VAGABOND KINGS' New York Cast Will Remain in New York for Many More Months. It is rather interesting to note that Russell Janney's musical. “The Vagabond King." with a special company, will open in Chicago, exactly one year from the day this thrilling operetta was first presented on any stage. This initial performance took place in New Haven, and was to a certain extent a baptism, as Justin Huntly McCarthy's "If I Were King” at that time was given the name of “The Vagabond King.” The curtain went up under the difficulties which were enough to give a manager nervous prostration, but when the asbestos closed In the stage a little after midnight, it was crowned a success. Every one was delightad with the Friml score, the splendid story, and lyrics by W. H. Post and Brian Hooker, the stage settings and colorful costumes of James Reynolds. The latter had indeed set anew standard for the embellishing of a historical musical play. ' mange Necessary But there were many changes necessary. Richard Boloslawsky, the Russian wizard in staging large organizations, was sent for. Some few changes were made in the cast and in a little over one week's time such wonders were wrought that when it opened in New Yotk at the Casino

on Sept. 21 it was received by an audience that fairly rose from its seat when they shouted and applauded. The critics next day were unanimous in their praise, and when all the New Yoik critics agree, it is nearly a miracle. No wonder that Russell Janney was more than proud. Many weeks have gone by since that opening night, and the crowded houses at the Casino have become part of theatrical history on the street called Broadway. Even through the extreme heat of July and August the business has kept up remarkably well. Two Companies At the present time Russell Janney and his entire staff are in the midst of preparing two companies which will be just as good as the New York organization; one opens in Chicago on Labor day and is expected to remain there a'year; the other opens in Pittsburgh Sept. 27 and remains there three weeks and then goes to Detroit for eight weeks; later it plays two weeks in such cities as Buffalo, Cleveland, Cincinnati, Baltimore and Washington. When these are properly launched Mr. Janney sails immediately for London, where “The Vagabond King” is to be given in the early fall.

WHERE THE CROWDS GO fVric to H pjvl AMAZING! STARTLING!! ENTERTAINING!!! EUROPE’S LATEST SENSATION NATHAL “THE MAN MONKEY” A “KNOCKOUT” QUARTET ' EMPERORS OF SONG A SYMPHONY IN COLORS 1 WHEELER & FRANCIS MAHON & CHOLETE •The Tale Os a Shirt” “The Boys From Texas” BROADWAY FAVORITES DOUGLAS CHARLES & CO. .PRESENTING A SPARKLING REVUETTE “JUST DIFFERENT" LEO & GLADYS LAMBERTI Odds and Ends of Lambasting the Variety Xylophone DAREDEVIL AERIAL STARS BREAKAWAY BARLOWS “LAUGHS AND THRILLS” ON THE SCREEN CHARLIE CHASE COMEDY, “CRAZY LIKE A FOX”—KINOGRAMS —“THE LADY OF LYONS, NEW YORK” —PATHE-REVIEW

UNIQUE ARTIST WILL TOP NEW BILUT LYRIC Earl and Rial Revue to Be on View at Palace Sunday. Nathan, “the man monkey,’* Europe’s latest vaudeville sensation, a record smashing box office ati traction since reaching America, wllL be a novel feature of next week’s bill at the Lyric. Nathan’s performance differs from anything of its kind ever seen on the stage, and is said to furnish audiences with a* great deal to ponder over. The bill will include: DOUGLAS AND COMPANY—A popular Broadway comedian, Charles is appearing in vaudeville assisted by Peter Belli and Helen Douglas, presenting a sparkling revuette entitled "Just Different." MAHON AND CIIOLET —Eccentrics comedy duo, whose character delineations, songs and Inimitable dances place the act in the "sure* fire” hit class. EMPERORS OF SONG—A quartet of harmony vocalists, who offer a melody melange called “A Symphony in Color." LEO AND GLADYS—lndianapolis vaudevillians, who will make their first bow In a long time before “home folks" in a breezy mixture, Odds and Ends of Variety.” LA MB E R T I—Exponent cf strenuousness in the realm of music, whose specialty is “lambasting the xylophone.” FRANK WHEELER AND MILT FRANCES —A team of comedians introducing n lively laugh concoction entitled “The Tale of a Shirt.” BREA KAWAY BARLOWS— Aerial stars performing dare-devil stunts on a trapeze and a revolving ladder. ON THE SCREEN —A Charlie Chase comedy, “Crazy Like a Fox," Kinogram, the Pathe Review and a comedy. “The Lady Froth Lyons, New York." •I- -I- -IBIC. HEADLINE BILL DUE AT PALACE SUNDAY Dorothy Gish comes to the Palace Theater the first of next week Hi “Nell Gwyn,” the picture which sdts forth the adventures of the true Nell Gwyn, England’s orange girl, who rose to great heights as an actress, won the love of the country’s bachelor king—Charles It, and be(Turn to 7)

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