Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 166, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 December 1928 — Page 5

DEC. 1, 1928.

ALEXANDER GRAY HEADS CAST OF “THE DESERT SONG”

Noted Company Will Be Seen in One of Biggest Musical Successes of Several Seasons —‘The Wooden Kimono’ Opens Monday at English’s. "'T'HE Desert Song,” the musical sensation which thrilled New York A for fifteen months, Chicago for nine months and recently finished a two seasons run at the Drury Lane theater, London, will come to English’s on Monday night, Dec. 10. direct from a four months’ summer engagement at the Cass theater, Detroit, bringing its large orchestra and singing ensemble of 100 golden voices. “The Desert Song” is a thrilling romance of northern Africa during the Riff rebellion and is rich in colorful atmosphere and stirring incident. The book is by Otto Harbach, Oscar Hammerstein II and Frank Marjdel, and the score is by Sigmund Romberg, composer of “Blosson Time,” “The

Student Prince” and “My Maryland.” The production is by Schwab and Mandel, who are responsible for “Queen High,” “Good News” and other big musical hits of the last few seasons. Alexander Gray has the leading role as the “Red Shadow,” a mysterious leader of the native tribes, but who is really the son of the French governor of the province. The principal comedy part falls too Bernard Granville in the role of the timorous war correspondent. The leading feminine role, that of the young French girl whose ideas of romance run to sheiks and hot desert sands, is sung by Bernice Claire. Other important players in the cast are Harold Stanton, Sslly Sloan, Edna Torrence, Philip Ryder, Ben Hendricks, Carlotta Miles, John Ehrle, A1 Baron, Larry Lawrence, Grace Carroll and Jack Spiegal. The music of “The Desert Song” Is the most entrancing heard in years, including such numbers as "The Desert Song,” “Once Alone,” "One Flower in Your Garden,” “It,” "Romance,” “The Riff Song” and many others. tt n MYSTERY PLAY HERE MONDAY After a year at the Fulton theater, New York, and six months at the Cort Theater, Chicago, George E. Wintz, the New York theatrical producer, is presenting on tour in all important cities of the country, the mystifying comedyd r a m a-thriller the “Wooden Kimono,” which comes to English's Monday night for the week with a cast of twenty Broadway players, and the original New York scenic and technical production. Right now the "Wooden Kimono” is an emphatic hit in London, and is Boon to be produced in Australia and in Germa .y. Not since the days of the “Cat and the Canary” and “the bat,” it would seem, has the theater-going public acclaimed so unreservedly a mystery play as in the case of the “Wooden Kimono,” for reports have preceeded this play of the success meted out to it in other cities. Not only mystery and thrills abound in the “Kimono,” but also such hilarious comedy of a most unexpected nature. The leading role is played by May Ward, well-known London actress, whom Mr. Wintz has brought to America for this part. Among the other players will be found such successful artists as Edmund Dalby, Vera Temple, Elizabeth Dunne. George Bogues, William Balfour, Richard Beach, Thomas Collins and others. Started Asa Beauty Corinne Griffith, First National star, is one of the few stars of the first magnitude in the films, who entered pictures through winning a beauty contest.

M|| DAT SUNDAY nPP Q AT THREE lYllinnl AFTERNOON ULU. 0 O’CLOCK THE MUSICAL EVENT OF THE SEASON The World’s Favorite Artist MHI fritz H KREISLER GREATEST OF ALL VIOLINISTS Seat Sale Opens Monday, Murat Box Office (PHONE Lincoln 7951) Prices: $3.90, $2.50, $2.00, $1.58, SI.OO Mail order accompanied by remittance and self-addressed stamped envelope will be given prompt attention. COMING—SUNDAY AFTERNOON, JANUARY 13TH RACHMANINOFF CELEBRATED COMPOSER-PIANIST

MUTUAL HIGH GLASS BURLESQUE DIRECTION OF MUTUAL BURLESQUE ASSN. OF NEW YORK THE CIRL WITH THE $100,000.00 LEGS ,1 CARRIE FINNELL ■ The Greatest of All Shimmy Shaking Syncopators i-GIRLS \ HAPPYLAND WITH IRVING SELIG, ALICE DUVAL, FRED REESE, NAT TUCKER, BEN LfJRNER, VERA THORN, ROSE LEE AND A “PIP” OF A CHORUS

Somnes Prepares A Comedy ‘At Mrs. Beams’ Will Be Next Little Theatre Play. VTEW YORK first-nights are usually marked with the presence of the playwright, whether or not he thrusts himself visibly upon the expectant audiences—and particularly when the specific dramatic opus' has been prov> i successful. However, C. K. Munro, author of “At Mrs. Beam’s,” which will be presented for the first time in Indianapolis on Dec. 11 and the week following by the Indianapolis Little Theatre, had the unique experience two years ago of having two of his plays arrive on Broadway simultaneously, but he was not among those present at either production. The reason for this was primarily because the Britisher was thousands of miles distant, across the ocean—either because he preferred to enjoy the spectacle vicariously from the British Isles, or possibly because he couldn’t decide which performance he should attend. At any rate, the plays thrived happily in the states, even without their brain-parent and ran successfully in New York during the spring of 1926. Pair of Works This pair of dramatic works which Mr. Munro was responsible for consisted of “At Mrs. Beahi’s,” produced by the Theatre Guild with Lynn Fontanne, Alfred Lunt, and Jean Cadell; and “Beau Strings” (called “Storm” in London), presented on the same evening, April 25, 1926, at the Mansfield theater with Estelle Winwood and Joan Maclean. Munro is held in great esteem as a dramatist in Great Britain—is a great listener, with keen, penetrating eyes, and is decidedly non-the-atrical. During his London rehearsals, he watches proceedings carefully and shrewdly, plays the role of observer, helps whenever he is needed, but for the most part, quietly comes and goes in a modest, shy, unobtrusive manner. Both George Bernard Shaw and Somerset Maugham regard him as one of the keenest of contemporary playwrights. He is known upder the name of “C. K. Munro” to all those with whom he comes in contact in his dramatic

AMUSEMENTS

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1— Alexander Gray and Bernice Claire as they appear in “The Desert Song,” opening Monday night, Dec. 10, at English’s. 2 May Ward and Edmund Dalby in a scene from “The Wooden Kimono,” opening next Monday night at English’s for the week. .

At English’s

Kr Mr a-

May Ward The leading player in g“The Wooden Kimono,” mystery* play, opening at English’s next Monday night, is May Ward.

and literary affairs, although the name really belonged to his grandmother. His corresponding grandfather’s name was Mac Mullan. Produced Here “At Mrs. Beam’s” was brought to this country by Lawrence Langner, director of the Theater Guild of New York. He first saw it produced by the Stage Society of London in 1923, and later at the Royalty theater. After finding the elusive and unsocial Mr. Munro, Langner purchased the play for the guild and produced it as the last play of their 1925-26 season. Jean Cadell, who created the famous role of the spinsterous, delightful Miss Shoe, came to the states to appear in the same role. Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne were chcsen to play the unctuous brigands who caused so much interest and excitement in Mrs. Beam’s respectable boarding house. Munro has considerabld talent for the expression of character, and when he utilizes it on a serviceable plot, such as he has in “At Mrs. Beam’s,” the audience nets very delightful and continuous entertainment. George Somnes, director of the Indianapolis Little Theatre, has chosen this play as the second offering of the winter season, and will present it at the Playhouse on Dec. 11, and for five consecutive nights thereafter. Cissy Is Signed .Cissy Fitzgerald has been assigned a role in the First National mystery play “Seven Footprints to Satan,” which Benjamin Christensen is directing.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

ROUNDING ROUND THFATFRS with Walter 1 n D. HICKMAN

IN my journeys to other cities to see plays that do not visit Indianapolis, it happened that I was present this week for “The Command to Love” at the Shubert in Cincinnati. I am going to make no plea for this show to visit Indianapolis be-* cause I know it is impossible because the tour is completely arranged. To many people “The Command to Love” is just plain dirt wonderfully served. To me it is the smartest and most sophisticated thing I have seen in years.

It is blessed with the perfect cast, including such real names as Mary Nash, Thomas Louden, Henry Stephenson, Voilet Kemble Cooper, Basil Rathbone, Ferdinand Gottschalk, Anthony Kemble Cooper and others. "The Command to Love” must be understood to be enjoyed. For all that is holy, don’t take this smart thing as drama. It is just a laugh and every situation is a laugh. This play was over a year on Broadway and has just closed a most satisfactory run in Chicago. I will prove that 1 the theme is just a laugh. Here is the proof. We are concerned a French military attache, played by Rathbone, stationed in Madrid. He is supposed to be the most rapid devil with women that ever walked, and because of that quality he was sent to the Spanish court to give certain married women the thrill of their lives. The attache in Madrid starts to lead such a pure life on the surface

BIIBH p 1 BEULETjWmi -R \ added attraction, / / q yj%ei* B0I " IER * POWERS A A 1 With VOVGb** fASR ton It’s* Picture

3 Bonner and Powers, late feature of Ziegfeld’s Follies, will be seen at the Lyric starting Sunday afternoon. 4 Alice Du Val is one of the chief players in “Girls From Happyland,” opening Sunday matinee at the Mutual.

and refused to even cast a look of appreciation at any of the lovely ladies that the French ambassador to Spain served notice that Gaston, the attache, must have a real affair with the wife of the Spanish minister of war because the minister was preventing the signing of an important treaty between France and Spain. The French Ambassador did not know that his wife was No. 1 on Gaston’s list of affairs and that it was his own wife who blackmailed Gaston into not looking at other women. The fun starts when Gaston starts to carry out the instructions of his government. Os course the scenes are hot, but they are marvelously played. No wonder this play was the smartest thing on Broadway last season. Ace Berry, former manager of the Circle and Indiana, is in town for a few days. He is now located in St. Louis with the same firm that owns the Indiana and Circle.

AMUSEMENTS

At Colonial pWMBk. s***. jJlraS Buddy Kane The Colonial is featuring Buddy Kane, comedian, in its stage shows.

Circus Movie

The A1 G. Barnes circus, now wintering in California, has been placed at the disposal of Columbia for the exterior scenes of “The Sideshow,” which features Marie Prevost and Ralph Graves. Unlike the usual run of circus

pictures which invariably throw the spotlight on the clown, this is ♦ a tale of the ballyhoo artists, sword swallowers, crystal-gazers and the rest of the army of freaks who comprise the glamorous and mysterious sideshow folk of the carnival and fair. Pat Harmon and Alan Roscoe, who joined the company for these scenes, complete the cast of “The Sideshow.” Erie C. Kenton is directing.

MURAT THEATRE, WED., DEC. 12 SEAS? VICTOR HERBERTS “NAUGHTY MARIETTA" NEW YORK PRODUCTION AND A GREAT CAST INCLUDING FERDINAND ZEGEL ERA BRIGGS AIMKE TORRIANI DAN MARBLE JULIA I)E REVUELTAS JAMES BLAINE Exceptional Singing and Dancing Chorus Gorgeous Ballet Special. MARIETTA Orchestra Mail Orders Now—rßox Office Opens Dec. 6 PRICES MATINEE, *I.OO, *2.00, $2.50 EVENINGS. *I.OO, *2.00. *2.50, *3.00

Trt r> A V VINCENT VOUMANS PRESENT MAT. Hit The Deck™ MITF WITH Mat. Il I Queenie Smith and Charles Purcell *I.OO to *2.50

fe. curl icu’qall week cn- * E,fly LlOn V COM. MON. V/| MAT., WED., SAT., Fflffflr Allan Pop ,n his most Hr L,u s dr jfVUdll 1 UC HECTIC MOMENTS EW-jV&Y Never Conceived Situations More Bizarre, Amazing and Creepy Than Those in IM “WOODEN It \ KIMONO” A SYMPHONY OF CHILLS, THRILLS. LAUGHS gjPjßy With MAY WARD and a BRILLIANT N. Y. Cast. WHr and a direct froui one year’s run at the Fulton Theatre, N. Y. The greatest masterpiece of theatrical mys§w jjlfiy Mk ticism over given the American public. Now runjKjning with unprecedented success in London. -■I iwi Prices: Nite. 50c to $2.00 ( No Mat., 50c to $1.50 (Tax ENGLISH’S mi ■ mi—

WEEK COM. MON. EVE., DEC. 10 PUBLIC SEAT SALE OPENS NEXT THURSDAY AT 9 A.M. Schwab and Mandel, producers of “THE NEW MOON” and “GOOD NEWS,” ANNOUNCE THE GREATEST MUSICAL ROMANCE •OF ALL TIME “T H EITo o voicfs DESERT SONG” Presented by the Great New York and Chicago Cast Including ALEXANDER GRAY asasr BERNARD GRANVILLE Th Adorable BERNICE CLAIRE Frlma Donna Prices: Nites, sl, $2, $2.50 and $3) Pop. Wed. Mat., sl, 1.50, $2 T N ° Sat. Mat., sl, $1.50, $2 and $2.50 > MAIL ORDERS NOW! LOCAL AND OUT-OF-TOWN PATRONS ARE ADVISED TO SEND ORDERS BY MAIL BEFORE OPENING OF SEAT SALE, AND NAME TWO PERFORMANCES TO INSURE A SELECTION OF GOOD SEATS. SEND REMITTANCE AND SELF-AD-DRESSED STAMPED ENVELOPE. ppiL liir-Ctf of Continuous Playing DDLIi VVLLn Since Leaving New York and Same Cast That Played 38 Weeks in Chicago and All Summer in Detroit

Favorite Due at Mutual New Edition of ‘Girls From Happyland’ Is Engaged. • A BRAND-NEW edition of an old favorite is promised at the Mutual Sunday when “Girls from Happyland” comes to open an engagement. Little, but the title, remains of last season’s entertainment, although some of the favorite players have been retained, but with all new material and with a production especially designed for this year’s "Happylanders.” Irv’ng Selig, the rotund comic, again heads the mirth division. Never has he been more humorous than in the impending show and never has Selig been provided with as clever material. Aiding him in the fun section is Ben Lerner, an experienced Dutch dialect fun-creator, who wins laughs galore through his unique eccentricities of wit. Fred Reese is the straight man of the piece and Nat Tucker has much to do as the snappy juvenile. A trinity of pretty young women head the all-essential feminine element. Rose Lee is the prima donna whose blues songs are always welcome. Aliie Duval is the little French Ingenue, a winsome miss who sings and dances and makes herself a general favorite throughout the offering. To Leona Reed goes the soubrette role. The chorus numbers sixteen and is reported one of the liveliest on the circuit. Movie Out of Infancy Mervyn Le Roy, First National director, arises to remark that one great benefit of talking pictures is that they have finally taken the silent films out of their far-famed “infancy.”

AMUSEMENTS

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