Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 142, Indianapolis, Marion County, 3 November 1928 — Page 5

NOV. 3, 1928

FRANK CRAVEN OPENS MONDAY NIGHT IN GOLF COMEDY

Ad F, Miller Books 'The Silent House,’ a Thriller, for a Week's Engagement Soon —'Hit the Deck’ Will ) Be Thanksgiving Day Event,

IT has been many years since as enjoyable a comedy has come to the stage as “The 19th Hole,” by and with Prank Craven, which opened a year ago this September and soon went into New York, where it had highly prosoerous engagements at the George M. Cohan and Little theaters. It* Chicago engagement at the Erlanger was not ended until a few Weeks ago. Now, with the same cast surrounding Craven, “The 19th Hole” is once more on tour and will be presented at English’s the week of Nov. 5, starting Monday night. The story of the comedy revolves around a literary man, Vernon Chase (played by Mr. Craven), ——

whose thoughts and ideas are all on stained glass windows and other such trivial subjects. m order to devote his time to WriiTg and p re p ar i n g lectures on architecture he, and his wife, moved to a quiet country town and find themselves in a nest of wild-eyed golfers, who live and talk and eat little more than the Scotch game. Chase is dragged into the golf club. From then on his chosen life work suffers. He gambles, unwittingly, and loses, but he tames the best golfers in the organization despite every effort his wife makes to keep him at home. The final curtain finds her with a stick in her hand and a ball on the living room floor, and there is every indication that she, too, finally has been bitten by the golf bug. Craven has an excellent supporting cast, identical with that of last year, including: Dorothy Blackburn, Rae Martin, Marion Abbott, Robert Wayne, Homer Barton, Walter Downing, Harry Lewellyn, Howard Sidney, John Harwood, Jay Adair Young, Russel Morrison and Beecher Zebbs. v tt tt BIG MYSTERY THRILLER BOOKED Although melodramatic fictions, Whether of stage or printed page, have long been indulgent of timeworn expedients to promulgate thrills, there is neither sign of a buzz-saw nor a villain with a long, sleekly-curled mustache anywhere evident in “The Silent House,” the internationally popular drama *'f blood-quickening adventure, which the Messrs Shubert will present at English’s the week commencing Monday evening, Nov. 12. London applauded this "thriller” for more than a year; Broadway alternately shrieked and laughed throughout its performance for nearly as long; for four months this original American company has been delighting Chicagoans, and now comes here as the festive dramatic offering of the season. The main setting of the play is within a truly “silent house,” an abode of sinister aspect and awesome happenings. Here it is that the canny Dr. Chan Fu, an Oriental of evil eye and blood-chilling demeanor, comes to pursue his weird machinations. And thus starts an evening of jolting excitement, unheard of crimes, heroism, romance, love, struggle, sudden death and high-powered adventure. One moment the theater is rocking with heartiest laughter, the next the audience is yelping, terror-stricken, at the deviltries perpetrated beyond the foot lights. Such a play,'with its constantly fluxing moods, demands an assemblage of unusually expert and versatile thespians. Such a company the Messrs. Shubert have gathered, sending here, in fact, the identical cast that so long enchanted New York and Chicago playgoers. These actors include Howard Lang, Peggy Keenan. Dodd Mehan, Gerald Oliver Smith, Charles McNaughton, Harold De Becker, Emile Littler, Waldo H.

AMUSEMENTS

DANCING HICHTLY EXCEPT MOHDaV

MAKE YIP YIP AT THE Gala Radio Ball TONIGHT DICK POWELL Will Award a Beautiful Atwater Kent Radio (MODEL 52) To Some Happy Person Tonight! You May Be the One to Get This Marvelous Instrument! C’MON UP TO THE ROOF! Dance to Music of Dick and the Boys ! LADIES, 50c GENTLEMEN, 730

1 1 INDIANA BALLROOM ROOF ATOP INDIANA THEATRE

■MUTUAL The Only Recognized Burlesque Theatre in the State of Indiana Playing Attractions of the Mutual Burlesque Association of New York. Showing in 48 Principal Cities of the United States and Canada. HIGH-CLASS BURLESQUE Cal CLAIRE DEVINE PiUESENTB “JERRY” K THE GIRL WITH IT AND HER * BIG REVUE q With FRED REEB—LILLIAN DIXON—GEORGE MURRY v s BEAUTIFUL GIRLS StrUtt pROMENADE 4 Election Returns Read From Stage Tuesday Evening

Sanford, Arthur Boyer and Louis Tanno. The play was personally directed by Dr. Carl Hunt, casting director for all Shubert productions. a a u “HIT THE DECK” BOOKED AT ENGLISH’S. That most popular of all musical comedies, “Hit the Deck,” comes to English’s the week of Nov. 26, with special Thanksgiving matinee on Thursday, Nov. 29, and the regular Saturday matinee. There will be no matinee on Wednesday. The Story is about navy “gobs” and their girls, and leading this crowd of larking, mischief-making youngsters will be those favorites, Queenie Smith and Charles Purcell, remembered by nearly every theater patron for their many admirable performances in other notable successes. In this comedy Miss Smith will be seen as the keeper of a coffee shop on the naval dock in Newport, R. 1., where the sailors make their rendezvous. Popular, happy little “Looloo” is beloved by all the sailor boys as a “good fellow” and in return she pets them like big brothers. Os course there is an exception—a “Bilge” Smith, played by Charles Purcell—and on this companionship is based the sentiment of the plot. “Looloo” inherits a fortune represented by a present to her mother from the showman, P. T. Barnum, and when “Bilge” and all her other boy friends steam away to China she closes up her little restaurant and follows them. The scenes change to the deck of the United States war ship Nebraska in a Chinese port and then again to some very beautiful interiors and' exteriors in that country during the recent rebellion. Especially in its musical setting is “Hit the Deck” unique and attractive. There are several very pronounced seng hits, and particularly effective is that melody, “Hallelujah,” which the broadcasters have made so well known in every nook and corner of the country. Another appealing number is entitled “Sometimes I’m Happy,” a duet in which Miss Smith and Mr. Purcell render. Besides being the composer of this work, Mr. Youmans is also the producer. The book v<as written by Herbert Fields, the son of the favorite comedian, Lew Fields. There is a company and ensemble of seventy-five.

Reel News

Charlie Chaplin has decided his funny little tramp shall not be heard, though other players in “City Lights” will be talking. Mary and Doug and Gloria are going to speak. Camilla Horn just got back from location with Barrymore and Lubitsch, near Banif, Canada This girl must like to travel. Nursing a sprained ankle, she reached Hollywood after a 12,000-mile trip to Germany and in two days she lit out for Canada and 6,000 miles more —ankle and all. Alan Crosland, who directed “The Beloved Rogue,” is going to film “Say It With Music,” Harry Richman’s “singie” by lev Berlin.

I' 1 Ona B. Talbot Fine Arts Enterprises i MURAT MON. EVE., NOV. 12 a m ‘<3*# A SYMPHONY CONCERT | ■ SUPPORT THE ORCHESTRA CONCERTS I PHILHARMONIC! SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA WILLEM MENGELHERG, CONDUCTOR Single Tickets Now All Concerts Selling Orchestra Prices: $2.00-$2.50-$3.00-$5.5Q EXTRA ANNOUNCEMENTS PROFESSOR LEON THEREMIN SENSATIONAI “MUSIC FROM THE ETHER” PRICES: $3.00 —¥2.50 —*2.00 —$ 1.50—51.00 ROLAND HAYES, TENOR PRICES: $3.00—52.50 —$2.00 —$1.50 —$1.00 Inclose self-addressed stamped envelope for return of tickets ONA B. TALBOT OFFICE 910 Hume-Mansur Bldgr. The STEINWAY is the official Piano of these concerts

1— Dorothy Grau and Dodd Mehan have important parts in “The Silent House,” coming 3—Nancy of Marty and Nancy at the Lyric ail next week in “Talking Feet.” to English’s the week of Nov. 12. .... 2 Frank Craven opens Monday night at English’s for the week in ‘‘The 19th Hole.” * Lillian Dixon will be seen in "The Big Revue. ’ starting Sunday at the Mutual.

Booked Here

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Willem Mengelberg On Monday night, Nov. if, at the Murat, Ona B. Talbot will open her orchestral series by presenting the New York Philharmonic orchestra, with Mengelberg directing. Sets Release Date In response to hundreds of inquiries from every part of the country, Sam E. Morris, general manager of distribution for Warner Bros., has announced that the national release date for A1 Jolson in “The Singing Fool,” will be Jan. 1. At present the production is playing pre-release engagements in many large cities and is consistently smashing the box-office records previously held by the first Jolson film, "The Jazz Singer.” Just in Reel Life Father neal Dodd, pastor of Hollywood’s “Little Church Around the Corner,” married Alice White and Jack Mulhall recently. But it. was only for their picture "Ritzy Rosie.”

AMUSEMENTS

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

ROUNDING ROUND THFATFRS with Walter 1 n IpIV O A HICKMAN

THIS department is always ready to encourage and call attention to dramatic activities in colleges and public schools and even churches. Indianapolis has many fine organizations of this nature. The Little Theatre, the Drama club, Thespis, the honorary dramatic organization at Butler university, are good examples. This organization at Butler will open its season at the Playhouse of the Indianapolis Little Theatre on Monday and Tuesday nights, Nov. 19 and 20, by presenting “Nabott’s Vineyard,” a Biblical production in three acts.

I am told that this is rather an ambitious attempt on part of _the Butler organization as the show' is a heavy one from a production standpoint. The Thespians are making their own costumes. The play also calls for a large number of mechanical devises and other elaborate stage sets. The play is being directed by Mrs. Eugene Fife of the public speaking department. Many new members will be given a chance to make their first appearance in this production. Several members of the Little Theatre have parts in this play. They are Hamilton Clark. David Clark, Helen Vennard and Hardin Callihan. Other important parts are to be taken by Pearl Bartley, Robert Dunlavy, Bruce Savage, Curtis Hunter, Ruth Benef.el, Mark Ashley and Ed Greene. a a tt Roltare Eggleston, for years manager of the B. F. Keith’s and for the past several years head of the Keith interests in Atlanta, Ga„ was in town this week for sceveral days Eggleston is giving up his Keith connections in the south and will return here to make his home here. And that is good news because Indianapolis needs such public minded citizens as Roltare Eggleston. tt B tt If my information is not wrong, more people paid money to see A1 Jolson in his four weeks engage-

I Today America's Greatest Revue Prices Mat. GREENWICH VILLAGE „.00 x, ”, 3 .00 and FAI I BFC .oo“ T .o Nile ■ Lb iShas 8 Seats Selling rypi |o n o all week tNuLlon 0 A. L. ERLANGER Presents The Domestic Comedy Hit “THE 19TH HOLE” BY AND WITH FRANK CRAVEN I DIRECT FROM ITS RUNS AT THE GEO M. i COHAN and LITTLE THEATRES, NEW YORK, I AND THE ERLANGER THEATRE, CHICAGO 8) DDinCC. NIGHTS— BOc, 7fle, SI.OO, $1.50, $2.00, $2.50. WED. MAT.— fc I Hi w E.V. 50c, 75e. SI.OO, $1.50. SAT. MAT.—3Oc, 750, SI.OO, $1.50, $2.00.

A GIGANTIC ROLLER-COASTER OF EXCITEMENT! TERROR! LAUGHTER! Prices: Eves., 50c to 52.50; Wed. Mat., 50c to $1.50; Sat. Mat., 50c to $2.00. MAIL ORDERS NOW—SEATS THURSDAY. Note: Ail Mail Orders Must be Accompanied by Remittance and Self-Addressed. Stamped Envelope.

ment at the Apollo in "The Singing Fcol” than for any other picture. There is no question that he holds the long run record in this city. Even up to the last minute of the engagement last night, crowds were waiting to get into the theater. tt a a Have been asked by many if we get the New York Theatre Guild production of "Porgy.” I am not sure. But if you want to see it, then write me letters and I will turn them over to Ad F. Miller at English’s. More letters the better.

Theatre Guild

In addition to Winifred Lonihan and Dudley Digges, already announced for the cast of the Theatre Guild’s forthcoming production of Shaw's “Major Barbara,” the following players will also be seen: Fercy Waram, Eliott Cabot, Helen Westley, Charles Courtneidge, Gale Sondergaard and Douglass Montgomery. Mr. Cabot, who is at the p r esent playing every other week in “Arms and the Man” on tour, will play his role in that for the last time next week in Baltimore and George Gaul will take up the part when “Arms and the Man” begins playing in Philadelphia, which will be more than a month hence. Mr. Gaul is at the moment in "Faust,” which will be succeeded at the Guild Theater by "Major Barbara.”

AMUSEMENTS

ENGLISH’S

WEEK Gem. Mon., Nov. 12 MATINEE WED. SAT. The Most Thrilling of Thrillers! “THE SILENT HOUSE”

ORIGINAL COMPANY Direct from a year in New York and four months in Chicago.

Big Revue to Open at Mutual Clair Devine Heads the Cast of Burlesque Events. ON Sunday afternoon at the Mutual, “Big Revue” with Clair | Devine, prima donna. The engage- j ment is for the week. Clair Devine, who has been as- j sociated with Raymond Hitchcock ! and the “Greenwich Follies,” pre- ! sents in “Big Revue,” Lillian Dixon. ingenue formerly with White’s | “Scandals”; Jerry McCauley, shimmy artist, Jane Vitali, Italian soubrette, 1 Fred Reeb, German comedian and I George Murray, a whirlwind dancer, ! both Reeb and Murray are featured, i There are others entitled to special mention, especially the chorus. In Movie Operetta Myma Loy will play one of the featured rcles in the first Vitaphonc operetta. “The Desert Song,” ac-: cording to an announcement from J j L. Warner Studio with Roy Del i Ruth giving directorial orders. The j leading roles in “The Desert Song” j are being plaed by Carlotta King, John Boles and Louise Frazsnda. li' addition to Myrna Loy, the supporting cast includes Johnny Arthur, Edward Martindel, Otto Hoffman, John Miljan and others. Heilbron Signs Contract Adelaide Heilbron has been signed [ by First National Pictures to do the i adaptation and continuity on “Hot Stuff,” Alice White's next picture. 1

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To Sing

John Charles Thomas The guest artist for the opening concert of the Mendelssohn Choir will be John Charles Thomas.

liibmU LAST TIMES TODAY AT THE LYRSC

AMUSEMENTS

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Waites to Top Vaude Program Five Members of a Family Toiai 2,700 Pounds Oa Scales, Twenty-seven hundred pounds of talent, distributed among five members of the Waite family, father, mother, two daughters and one son, make up the feature vaudeville act appearing at the Lyric next week. The heavyweights sing and dance and have a novel way of entertaining. This family is said to be the heaviest group in the world. Mr. Waice, father, weighs 614 pounds; Mrs. Waite, 624 pounds; the two daughters, “Tiny” and “Baby Doll," 294 and 547 pounds, and “Happy” Jack Waite, largest member of the family, weights 640 pounds. The bill will include: Dan Coleman & Co.—Present a humorous sketch entitled "The New Stenog.” Dan, former burlesque comedian, assumes the role of the new stenographer. He is supported by a capable company. Gilded Cage—Mile. Betty rides in the cage out over the audience and gives a program of songs. Marty and Nancy—Originators of the tap dancer boxing match, have a versatile offering entitled “Talking Feet.” They introduce a clever piece of male impersonation, do some snappy stepping, and a bit of boxing. Trout and Hess—Two dusky mirth manufacturers with a line consisting mostly of southern hoke and melodies. Leroy and Lytton—Present mirthful melange of comedy talk and songs entitled, “Over the Fence.” On the Screen—Columbia’s "The Street of Illusion,” the feature picture for the week, is a drama of life and sorrow along Broadway. It reveals a play within a play and presents the sunshine and shadows in the lives of the players. Th 4 production has been made on an elaborate scale under the direction of Erie C. Kenton, who has numerous outstanding successes to his credit. It may safely be said that “The Streets of Illusion” is Kenton’s masterpiece. He has given to the stage an atmosphere that is real. The action is laid for the most part in and about the theater. The way a play is cast, the rehearsals and the opening night are shown in detail. There is a backstage banquet after the show, a glimpse of the Players Club,

AMUSEMENTS

COLONIAL New York-111. ht*. STARTING TOMORROW JACK KANE—PRESENTS ‘‘BARE FACTS” —WITH—BERT WHEXXICK MIDNITE SHOW THE, NOV. 6 AU Election Returns Here Mat. f Nights, Sat., 1A OfflOo | Sun., holidays Picture _“BACK TO LIBERTY” This theatre employs union help.