Percy
Hammond’s
E Letter
(Copyright, 1923.)
I EW YORK, March 17. — The
ways of the great actors arc
gome times as incrutable as
those of a man with a maid or a
serpent upon a rock. Here is Henry
Miller, renowned for his astuteness
as a showman, electing to appear as
Pasteur, the French physician, in a
biography of that noble chemist,
whose life, we gather, was largely
scientific.
Why, it can be asked, does Mr.
Miller thus bestow himself on a role
so absent from tlie routine glamours?
Pasteur was respectable though a
ruthless germicide, and his career
contained few of the elements of a
hero in the theater. Such dilemmas
as perplexed his existence were not
romantic. No women interfered with
his investigations; and there is no
woman in his play. His ardor in
■the pursuit of serums was dramatic,
of course, but it was of the laboratory
lather than the stage. He was not
as interesting as his work. It was
said on the opening night of the play
at the Empire that most Broadway
diama lovers believe Pasteur tb be a
brand of milk bottle, not a human
being. Few of them were aware of
his achievements in fermentation and
the antitoxins: and he was known
vaguely as something or other that
Henry Miller was going to play. You
may recall that Louis Napoleon
Parker, author of “Disraeli,” said
that American thought Disraeli was
a breakfast food until he came along
with his drama and enlightened them.
These are exaggerations, of course,
but even so, Pasteur seemed lack
ing in appeal to American show-goers.
In France, as written by the younger
Oultly and played by the elder, it
was a different matter. Mr. Miller,
desiring to impersonate a benefactor,
might explicably hate been attracted
by a drama called “Edison" or
“Hoover” or “Ford" or "Orville
Wright.” But he selected “Pasteur.”
and thereby added another to the
many mysteries of the theater. Some
time, no doubt, a play entitled “Wil
son” will be composed. It is interest
ing. is it not. to speculate on which I
Eugene O'Neill or Samuel Shipman of
ihat period will re-creat its great
(vents; and which fleorge Arliss or
Henry Miller will endeavor to imper
sonate its loading role.
•Pasteur.” however, has one subtle
idvantage. The compassionate healer
who relieves human suffering is ever j
an endearing figure. Stricken, as you ;
may liave been with an ailment, you
have found nothing sb heavenly as
i he physician who feels your pulse.
Kven though he be a surgeon, you
confidently entrust to him your wel
fare, sure that his amendments of
your person will be improving. The
doctor who has what used to he called
a good bedside manner is an auspici
ous spectacle, for the time being, and
he is among your best beloved. It Is
possible that Mr. Miller in choosing
Guitry's play as his this season's im
plement thought of that valuable qual
ity. At any rate, he represents
Pasteur as a sympathetic country doc
tor. with whiskers and baggy pants; >
! ot as a nerve bacteriologist. And at
♦ he first performance his audience put
its feverish little hand in his and trust
ed him very much.
Mr. Miller's reproduction of the
scientist is therefore at least a
thoughtful one. It inspires confi
dence. The play is in detached epi
sodes. after the fashion of "Abraham
Lincoln.” and it is a testimonial to
Pasteur rather than a play. It has,
nevertheless, its theatrical incidents,
One of these is the episode in which
Pasteur, addressing the Academy of
Medicine on the topic of smallpox, is
heckled by his reactionary colleagues.
These opponents are scattered
throughout the audience, and they
startle you by jumping up and shout- ;
Ing "I object!” proceeding thereafter 1
to argue v.-ith the lecturer about mi
crobes and vaccination. In my row
•ill the opening night many experi
enced theatergoers were seated—
hauneey Oicott. F, trees Starr, Mar
jorie Wood. Blanche Bates. Margola
Wllmore, .Margaret St. *Johu. .Mrs. Ar
nold Bennett. Ituth Cratterton. Alice
Brady. George Creel. George Jean
Nathan, .Inures Hamilton L wis. and
others. Tet they were all just ns (
much astounded as I wa : when a dig |
liifiod. quiet little fellow in our midst I
began to n.utter and curse under his !
breath and to shake his fists at
Pasteur uporv the stag*. That, at
least, was one of the thrills of the per- ,
forniar.ee. Another was in the episode
•where a small boy came to tlie labora
tory, his baii'ls anil legs law-rated by
e mad dog He was to be Pasteur's
first human adventure in the preven
tion of rabies. Mr. Miller was very I
*
jHdrriseif
' <rAYerrY7
5kMrfitt* & Vur-f
^ oePHzun
sincere in this scene. When he ex
claimed fearfully "I'm going to pour
hydrophobia into that child's veins"’
he was as far from Henry Miller as
I have ever known him to he.
"Pasteur" is an interesting experience
in playgoing—the more so because
you have to «.<k yourself "Why?'1
In "Morphia," a new cure is pre
scribed for those who are victims of
the deadly anodynes. At least I pre
sume it to he a cure, for at the end
of the play it seemed that Julian
Wade, a novelist and an addict, had
abandoned his hypodermics and was
about to begin life anew, unimpeded
by the drowsy gods.
Mr. Wade, acted with dexterity by
Rowell srterman, was on the down
ward patli when "Morphia" began.
Secluded in his studio, he fun nil f"t
getfulness in wassail with the opi
ates. A brilliant fellow withal, lie was
rotting himself away in a slough of
indulgence, much to the distress of
those who loved him. Fiction, it was
feared, was soon to lose one of its
most sightly practitioners: for the
naughty popples were in his blood,
forbidding him to pursue with proper
assiduity his chosen profession. When
it seemed probable that lie was doom
ed a childhood sweetheart appeared
(Miss Olive Telit, disguised as a nurse,
though she was a prominent actress.
He began to take himself seriously.
He banished the nepenthes and in
their place he substituted love. White
arms and red lips conquered the less
seductive toxics.
The play is by I.udwig TIerzer.
adopted by R Duncan McNah and it
is one of those showy, rocco things
in which Mr. Sherman excels.—Percy
Hammond.
Treat 'Em Kindly,
Says the Man ft ho
Knows (f ild Animals
Putting a dozen wild animals
through their pares and demonstrat
ing the ease with which such play
ful pels as lions, tigers and leopards
may lie handled is to Kichard Have
man comparatively easy. Havemnn,
who offers his wild animal act as the
headliner of the new bill at tlie
World theater, has achieved an in
ternational reputation as a trainer of
ferocious beasts.
In Ilaveman's opinion even with
wild animals more can he a . om
pllshed by kindness than by force.
"My lions, tigers and leopards are
all pets to me." says the trainer. “I
play with them several hours every
day and they seem to enjoy the frolic
as much as a family kitten. The
only time the animals ora really
ferocious is around meal time.
Then they s'-em to get bark the spirit
of their native jungles and would kill
on the slightest provocation, Itut
when it comes ilm for them to put
on their act tho animals seem just
as impatient to go out and show the
ivople in front that they know their
routine, as nru other performer. 1
have followed the profes loll of Willi
animal training for more thin • i
years and to me. at least, it is like
a fascinating adventure.'
Adaption of "Saloim Jane*
’X ill Be Placed on Screen
Waldemai Young has* begun the j
adaption c>f "Salotny .Tan#* ' from Paul
Armstrong’s play ban* <1 op Bret
Hart'll story. This will be fieorg#1 M(T
ford'ci next Paramount production, fol
lowing "You Can’t Fool Your Wife. '
now In production at the company's i
l.ong If land studio. "Halomy Jane"
will be produced on the west coast.
MATINEE DAILY, 2:15. EVERY NIGHT, 5:15
WEEK STARTING TODAY
The Distinguished Dramatic and Moving Picture Star
JOHN DAVIDSON
AND COMPANY OF 12 AMERICAN ACTORS
In the Brilliant and Abaorhing Drama
“CIRCUMSTANTIAL EVIDENCE”
The Miaaea
j BEATRICE GARDEL & RUTH PRYOR
in "Dancee of Here and There/' Aaaiated hy Miss Mnrcell White
BERT
F1TZGIBBON
The Orifinel Daffy Dil and Hie
Brother Lew
Percy—
BROtySON &
wi»»i«—BALDWIN
Present Themselves in
. *‘A HAPPY MEDIUM"
MADELON A PAULA M1LLEK
Youth and Varaatillity
FLYING HENRYS
Sinuliond AcrUiiiU
GEORGE WHITING & SADIE BURT
In "SEVERAL aPpOS
Asaop’s Fabian Topic* of tha Day Path* Naw* Weakly
COMING NEXT WEEK
Tha Sensational Parisian Dancers
Mila. Gar mains— MITTY & TILLIO -«■
MATINEES
j IS to 80c
I Pin I
| U S. T»« I
NIGHTS
18c t4 $1.00
What
the Theaters
Offer
A NOVEL and unusual attraction
will be presented at the World
theater this week as Us head
line feature in Richard Havemnan's
•■King nf th' Konst and Insert"
consisting of 10 lion«. tigeis and
leopards. Haveman, internationally
known as a trainer of wild animals,
has a vaudeville act that is crowded
with thrills and sensations.
Vnder the caption of ‘‘Miss No
body," a/ musical sketch is offeree! by
Ethel MrElroy and the Gotham City
Four. Miss McElroy is a clever danc
er while the quartet introduces a
series of harmony song numbers. Joe
Weston and Grace Kline offer comedy
imitations of members of the upper
. nd underworld with tnvezy < hatter
and song numbers. Two Jovial
feminine lestetV are Jewell and Rita
in a diversified program of comedy
talk interspersed with song "Mak
ing it Snappy,” is the title of the
r.ew offering to lie presented by Pei:
man and Lillian. At the organ Ar
thur Hays will again introduce on»
of his original comedy novelty nuru
bers, this time the tunes being of
Irish swing, He will play two
melodies nt nm- time includlrig"8tand
t'p and Sing" and "Annie Rooney."
The feature picture is r rib tickling
comedy drama • f newspaper life
called "A Front Page Story." It serves
to present a capable cast of screen
favorites including Edith Roberts,
Edward Horton ami Buddy .Messen
ger, last *"en as tlie mischievous boy
in “The Flirt."
A' the Oriiheutn this week a court
room drama. "Circumstantial Evi
dence,” is to be presented entirely
by men, with John Davidsdn heading
the company of 12 American actors
Comedy and pathos are aliout equal
ly | : - • ,| in the play. Mr. David
»i. .-.pi nd in Omaha wlih Doris
Keane in “Am'ne Lupin.” One of
his memorable engagements "as
with Kthe! Barrymore in “Lady
Frederick.” The bill is to have ttyrce
featured a is: George Whiting and
Sadie Burt in “Several Songs.” Bert |
FJtzgibbons. “the original daffy dil;“
and Percey Bronson and Winnie
Baldwin in “A Happy Medium.”
Whiting and Burt are known as two
of th* most effective entertainers and
singers of songs on the vaudeville
stage. Among comedian* « f the
“nut” type, Fitzgibbons i* in a class
by himself. His eccentric ftin mak
ing will be assisted by his brother.
Lew. “A Happy Medium, to Ik* pre
sented by Bronson and Baldwin, is s
combination of songs and clever
talk. A pleasing act. 'Dance* Here
and There.” is to be presented by
Misses Beatrice Garde!! and Ruth
Pryor. They will be assisted by
Marcell White. Madelon and Paula
Miller sing, dance and play tlm* violin.
Kxceptionnl feats on the trapese and
flying rings will be performed by the
Flying Henry*. On< ♦* again the
cartoon comic, Aesop's Fable* will Ik*
shown on the screen. Other film
features will he Topic* of the Day
and the Path© New* Weekly.
Tin- first of a series of musical
comedies v. ill lie presented at the
Empress starting today. The Naughty*
Naughty Mu»I>'hI« 'omedy company w ill
be the first of its kind to play in
Omaha at popular prices. They ^ ill
lie seen in two bills this week, the
first one lining ‘ Four Jolly Bache
lor*" which will run from today un
til Wednesday and on Thursday the
company will offer nil entirely new
show entitled “Oh! Baby.” Among
the principals are Fays Hammond.
Hay Parsons, late of Al. H. Field's
minstrels. Howard Harlow. Billy
Karle. William Basseoppl, Hoy liar
ris, Arline Walker and Kate Par ,
sons and a real singing and dancing :
chorus of 12.
Prof Ji -- Sutton pianist of
Sutton's All S'CI Empress Urdus'i a,
will surprise Empress patrons during
this week by pitying a novelty piano
\ OLOMM
dOHHSOHJ
Today’s Mat. at 3:00, Any Main Floor Seat, 50c reserved
THE NORTHLAND TRIO CONCERT
Scheduled for Thursday Night Will Take Placa at the
Omaha Auditorium, Sunday March 18,3:30 p. m.
Tickets are $1.00, $1.50, $2.00, plua tax. Now on sale at Auditorium.
The Tuesday Musical Club Presents
FRITZ
KREISLER
VIOLINIST
, Auditorium, March 23, 8:15 P. M.
Tickets $1.00 to $2.50 (no war tax)
Public Sale Monday, March 19th
Box Office Open Daily From 9 A. M. to 5 P. M
___
Down Go Prices for Front
Seats at New York Theaters
By SIMM SILVERMAN.
Written Exrluslirty tor l nLcrsal Service.
NOW' YORK. March 17.*—A sharp
and permanent drop in theater
admissions fot the new season
in the fall may he safely predicted. It
will affect the theater of the drama
and the musical comedy. One New
York producer of extensivc^lntorests
has admitted privately his intention
of observing the warnings of this sea
son. The public has balked at un
attractive plays at unreasonable
prices. The same producer Is sub
solo entitled "Pyrumyths" rnnifsiscd
by himself and which has become an
instant success. According to Jack
Mills, his New- York publisher, the
demand for "Pyramyths" cannot be
supplied. The first edition was soon
exhausted and another is to lie off
the press in a short time. Mr. Sut
ton has other compositions to his
credit, his latest one which he -has
called "Klti Klux Blues" is lo br'
published by an Omaha firm.
Jean Bedinl, master mind of the
burlesque world, and Ills latest ef
fusion, “Chuckles of d 323." is the cur
tent attraction at Old Man Johnson’s
On yet v. “Chuckles" is the identical
production that staWled Londoners
into shouts and cheers of approval
ill last summer at the Oxford theater.
London. Heading the cast are Cliff
Bragdon and "Coo Coo" Morrisey. two
boys whom Mr. Uedini has unearthed,
and who are revelations in the world
of comedy. Billy Wells and the Eclair
twins, latp features of the Coliseum,
London, and Alhambra. Taris, are
Australians who perform a neck
breaking dance routine. The Sterling
Sax Four, with Emmett Raker, are
internationally knowtr musicians,
while tile London Oxford girls, all
English, dance with grace and aban
don Chuckles Jazz band furnishes
syncopation in goodly numbers.
Elaine P.easley, the personality girl,
the ingenue prima donnV anil Mali
Howarth. the Australian nightingale,
head the female contingent. Not the
least of tho numerous novelties is
Leo, a real Nubian lion, who creates
laughter and applause in his own
way. Bediiii has personally sr-ln ted
the cast and staged this attraction,
which means much to the show-wise
Oayei v patron. Today s matinee
starts at 3. *
Premier da pee wonders of France.
Mile. Germaine Mitty and Eugene
TilSo come to the Orpheum next week
as the stellar attraction. They are to
presert a combination of the rlassb
dramatic and aerobatic phases of the
terpslchorean art.
It is said of Mile Mitty tliat her
dances express a freedom of thought,
a daring, brilliancy and a frankness
of motive which has m ’ been dupli
cated by any other artist. As for her
partner. Eugene Tillio danced for
19 years in the ballet of the
great Paris opera house. For several
seasons he was the premier dancer
there. m
Once again preparations aie on
foot f r the benefit arranged annually
for the National Vaudeville Art.sis
This year, in all variety theaters of
tlie United States and Canada, the
benefit will be held during the week
beginning April 1. At the Opheum
in Omaha there w.il be a program
of added events l>csidfs the regular
bill. Every effort w ill Is’ made to
achieve the most successful N V. A.
week that this theater has ever at
tained. Money derived from the bene
fit goes Into the general fund to pro
vide vaudeville artists w.tli free life
Insurance policies, with care in times
of illness and to safeguard their wel
fare.
mltting visual evidence of his belief
through presently opening in Chicago
a new comedy at the maximum charg<
of $2. lie says that is to be the box
office figure of the future us it was
, in prewar day s. The exception may
i be the extraordinarily costly show
'at $2.50.
Tendency toward a lowered scale
is again indicated by metropolitan
producers at popular price attrac
tions. They are seeking to form ro
tary circuit* of a vnriegpted assort
ment of plays to travel at a scale
of SI. The movement is predicated
upon the established and simple basis
that theatergoers will not pay pr?
vailing admission charges. Particu
larly in the hinterland have they
proved It. Their show tastes have
turned to local stock companies or
community players, the latter often
referred to as the little theater. Vau
deville and picture houses also hav
largely benefited.
The neglect If not indifference of
the New York booking offices to
“the road" with the consequent bar
renness of touring desirable plays at
reasonable figures have fostered stock
companies. The public at large, by
its absence from the theater, has re
sented the caliber of play presented i
and its scale, until the lesson has J
been fir inly driv en home to the show - i
man. Jt is that the countryside de
mands good shows at a proper charge
Without both it easily sidesteps Un
commercial theater.
The government Is reported to have
, promptly annexed $266,000 of the ’
$500,000 Jackie Coogan actually did
receive from a moving picture eorpor- |
. ation. It happened when an income
tax return Was made nut far the boy
of th< films and the half million en
tered as part of ids earnings for 1022.
The money was paid over to Jackie's j
father in lte- ■ ntber as an advance :
payment to cover four pictures the
toy is to make during 1023. It would
not have been earned until those
pictures were completed
New- York's Broadway is to have the
world's largest dance- hall, at Fifty - |
third sttect. Looked upon as another
menace to theater patronage, the |
dance palace has thrived and made
Inroads In other cities with New York,
comparatively. 4* ft alone by it. The
dance palaces usually deplete balcony i
and gallery attendance m the show !
hnuses. A new building will go up on
the Broadway site and the dance floor
space, capable of accommodating over
5,000 people, is tVnder lease at $75,000
annually.
-K
Salaries of the movie dire tors and i
actors in the flint colony of Los An- I
gclos and Hollywood have swiftly in j
cleaned of late, due to renewed acliti
ty* in picluro making. Capable di
rectors are mostly in demand, though
all ahl^ players are under engage
rnent. Lately out there a director left
one concern paying him $1.00# weekly
for directing, to accept a similar opei
tion with a competing producer at
*33,000 a picture and 35 per rent of
the net profits each picture makes.
His contract provides he shall not di
1 rect less than four pictures yearly j
during his agreement
The revival of "Che Merry Widow"’
in London provokes tremendous en
thusiasm nightly.
Walter Hampden, the player of
Khakespcarean roles, may have hi?
own theater on Broadway next sea
son. It will be the National, which
housed the long run of "The Cat and I
the Canary. ’ Early this week it j
seemed most likely Mr. Hampden
would secure the house on one year’s
lease at $100,000 rental. If the deal
i« consummated it will be New York's
only Shakespearean repetulre house.
FEATURE PICTURE AT MUSICAL COMEDY CO.
12. 2:30, 5. 7:30 and 10 p m_1 40, 4. 6 40 «nd 9 p m
12 TO II —CONTINUOUS SHOWS IN ROTATION 12 TO 11
I Phone
JA. 1416
Four Days—Starting Today
Phone
JA 1416
WILFRID LEDOUX PRESENTS
Bowker’s Naughty-Naughty Co.
25»People—25
IN THEIR MUSICAL COMEDY,
“Four Jolly Bachelors”
The biggest organisation in the U. S. A. playing at popular
prices. A full carload of scenery and effects. One of the
most charming entertainments imaginable. A flashy, hand
some, witty and enjoyable affair. A delightful treat for
young and old.
AND ABOVE ALL, ABSOLUTELY CLEAN
_ ■ ■■■■' * * - ■ I
a BIG CIRCUS OF FUN—WITH PRETTY GIRLS
FEATURE PHOTOPLAY.
“What Fools Men Are”
From the play. "The Flapper,” with
FAIRE BINNEY
AND AN ALL-STAR CAST
The dramatic consequences of a young girl's folly in flirting
with her sister's husband.
NO RAISE IN PRICES
gjgjfgrgag. 10c lo 50c 10c to 30c
ENTIRE CHANGE OF BILL THURSDAY
Empress to Have Musical c-omeay
_AlongWith Its Other Features
•'It is plain to see that the people
of Omaha are more or less saturated |
with the ready made shows offered
by the downtow n theaters," says Man
ager Ledoux of the Empress.
"All the recognized downtown
straight picture theaters are present- i
mg programs of the same routine,
namely, a feature picture, a comedy,
a weekly or educational, therefore.
It is evident that such stereotype sort
of bill* have lost, by this time, their 1
novel effect with many ehowgoci f i
It is to meet a demand for some*
tiling new that .Mr. I/cdoux, manager
Of the liiupn ‘■■s theater, is changing
ins policy of vaudeville and pictures
to t!i;,L of niuncal comedy with vau
deville features and pictures.
Musical comedy presented with
vaudeville features and the usual high
grade feature picture, will lie a much
more interesting and diversified show
and rliould prove a real novelty for
the people of Omaha at this tim*
They Just Talk
Hut They Act the
Heart Heating Taster
When is a song not a song?
When it is talked by Whiting and
Burt.
Tatrons of thfe Orpheum circuit re- i
member Whiting and Hurt and their
"Song-Sayings.'' This team does not
sing songs; they do not pretend to
sing them. They do not shout them, j
They have an entirely new series ;
of song sayings, which has been Writ
ten by Mr. 'Whiting, himself, who «
one of the- very fe-,v good writers of
popular songs who is equally success
ful In interpreting them.
And Sadie Burt! She ranks with the
very few who can walk upon the
stage in the most demure manner
and by force of she*, personality cap
ture the hearts of the patrons before
; he utters a word. Whiting and Burt
are true vaudevillians and have re
mained steadfast to the two-a-day
nearly all the time they have b> e n
partners, their only laps*-* being^
when they were featured in b:g musi
cal shows. They like vaudeville at i
vaudeville lik*s them.
1 VAUDEVILLE—PHOTOPLAYS f
Show. Today—2:00, 4:20, 6:45, 9:10
Other Day* at 3:20, 6:45, 9:10
Continuou* Daily From 1 P. M.
Night* and Sunday Matinee*, 10c,
ES, 10c, 30 c
Now Playing
The Ultimate in Vaudeville Sensation and Thrills
RICHARD HAVEMAN
Presents His “Kings of the Forest and Desert”
Consisting of
LIONS, TIGERS
and LEOPARDS
In a huge steel arena a half score of these ferocious
animals present unusual vaudeville entertainment
JOE WESTON &
GRACE ELINE
The Upper and Underworld Musical
Comedy Stars
. JEWEL & RITA
Jovial Jesting Comediennes
PENMAN & LILLIAN
in “Making It Snappy"
ARTHUR HAYS
An Organ Novelty of Tunes from
“Old Erin”
A Novel Musical Oddity
“Miss Nobody”
With Ethel McElroy and the Gotham City Four
The feature ph otoplay is bubbling
over with laughter
“A Front
Page Story”
With Edith Roberts. Edw. Horton
and Buddy Messenger
Saturday—McFARLARD SISTERS
Famous American Singing Stars |
COMING SOON
Canadian Northwest
VETERANS BAND
27 Musicians 27
