Percy Hammond* s Letter New York, April 21.—Playgoing at present seems to be a more respecta ble avocation than It has been for many years. Not so long ago the town was full of pious tub-thumpers, railing against the drama as the most Incorrigible of the amusements and calling for the police to rectify It. Naughty plays abounded upon Broad way, and naughty playgoers In great numbers visited them shamelessly. The matinees of “The Rubicon," for instance, were crowded with avid flap pers desiring to misbehave vicarious ly; and the magenta entertainments of the pagan, Mr. A1 Woods, were nota ble for their popularity. The loose females of Mr, Avery Hopwood’s Peeping Tom farces played strip poker in public; Gerty's Garters wrre dis played and discussed unblushingly upon the Rialto, and numerous nice people found enjoyment by Invading the shapely privacies of a Turkish bathroom as In Mr. Hopwood’s "La dles' Night.’’ It is no wonder that the godller were dismayed, for at that time the drama seemed to be street walking and to be deaf to the help ful tambourines, trombones and me lodlans of the local Salvationists. That we have recently improved in our theatrical morals is suggested by the career of "The God of Ven geance." This, perjians. is the wicked est of the dramas, performing, as it does the oldest sl^S1 in the newest ways. It had the advantage, when produced, of a dignified continental reputation; and its star, the elder Hhlldkraut, was a renowned figure In (he opinions of what Mrs. Athevton, in "Black Oxen," balls the sophisti cates.” At its first performance in Greenwich village It was so daring an exposition of wrongdoing and its re wards that even the more knowing of us were appalled. 1 may have told you that one of our most eminent lady slars swooned because of its audacities and had to he removed to the outer air by a friendly dramatic critic. Mr. Mantle. "The God of Vengeance,” having caused talk, was promoted from Greenwich village to the Apollo thea ter, In Forty-second street, an impor tant Selw-yn playhouse. All the cus tomary devices of publicity were em ployed—controversy, indignation, in dictment, injunctions and arrest. Vet despite these labors ,the play was so moderately attended that It had to give way last weejc to a show called "How Come?" the performers of which are musical and dancing ne groes. Next door to "The God of Vengeance" was Mr. Channlng Pol lock’s sanctimonious "The Fool,” a gaudy and effective combination of St. Francis and the Ringling Bros. Mr. Pollock's “The Fool" persists and at each performance hundreds of holy liersons are turned kway. Virtue now prospers, while impropriety and Inde corum are banished to the storehouses, and the change has been made with out the Interference of a censor. Several managing editors of the Journals to which I contribute oc casionally. write me that what their readers needs Is advice. Forced to visit, for commercial and other rea sons, this sole and unparalleled me tropolis, the reluctant pilgrims from other feints wonder w hat they can j do to ease the New York anguish of their after-business hours. The fish eyed hotel ticket agencies are apt to direct them here or there, indiffer ent to their comfort, but eager to sell them the seats that they have the most of. This morning I shall tell you the last week’s plays which I, were a visitor, would not go to "The Exile' 'is one of them, a mushy sil houette of the French Revolution en gaging such a good actor as Jose Ruben and auoh a fine singer and so inept a player as Miss lpleanor l’ainter. I should not go to Leonid Andreyev’s lugurlous "anathema," nor to that game odd author s "The Life of Man.” as performed with many campus gestures by the youth of Har vard and Radcliffe. Last week’s j m-grold play, “How Corne?” I am In formed, is not altogether as it ought to be. If T were coming to New York i on business bent I should choose as my relaxation the entertainment t amesed by the Choy Ling Foo trio. Chin ose entertainers, whose act is s'^’ lingly different. Arthur Hays wtf?. present another one of his original organ sole novelties. The picture feature presents • Vila Dana as the star In a quaint story of the south called "Crinoline and Ro mance." The World theater's first ! annual laugh week with nine fun pro- j duclng features Is scheduled for the [ week starting next Saturday. Now for the final show of the Or- i pheum season, a show with four fea j j tured acts. In addition to the hesdllpe j attraction, and also a very hilarious j afterpiece. Music and dances are to, be pleasingly combined in the stellar | event. That will be the united per- j formance of Ren< e Robert, and of the Giers Dorf aymphoidsta. In the Giers j Dorf organization there are five, boys and five girls, who claim Omaha end Nebraska as their home. Miss Pantages Vaudeville—Exclusive Photoplays This Ends Weel ^ Fri. A superior six-act bill that travels at top speed from first to last • NORTON & MELNOT Musical comedy stars in a spectacular song and dance novelty Thalero’s Carnival The fastest act in vaudeville Elsie Clark Okeh Record Girl i - - Choy Ling Trio Chineae Sensation Adams & Guhl Rare Funmakers Major Rhoads “The Street Urchin” VIOLA DANA The clever picture star in a delightful comedy drama, “Crinoline and Romance" NEXT SATURDAY-WORLD THEATRE’S FIRST ANNUAL LAUGH WEEK Robert, the solo dancer ha* attained high distinction as a dancer. The musicians associated with her have been selected not only with the Idee of a fine ensemble effect but with strict regard for individual talent. The attraction was staged by liert French and the musical arrangement* were done by Jack D. Allyn. The protean act. "Bill Sikes," as presented by Owen McGiveney; Zelava, the not able pianist and wit; William and Joe Mandel in the skit. "An Unusual Oc currence;” Bert and Betty Wheeler, In "Bits of Everything." will contribute the featured elements of the bill. As for the afterpiece. "The Wager," it will include everybody In the entire show, and Is to he a great carnival of fun. Dotson, the colored entertainer. Is glibly amusing in his comedy, but the swiftness of his varied dancing steps is what is especially notable in his unusual act. The daring aerial lsts, the Valentines, a man and a womgn, conclude their performance with an exceptional feat which they call the optical loop the loop. Aesop's Fables, the cartoon comic, w ill be dis played on the screen, along with Topics of the Day and the Rathe New* Weekly. Bright, Indeed. Rppear* the menu for the third week of the Fred W"li ster musical comedy company open ing this noon at the Gayety In con junction with the first run feature pictures. For the first half of the week patrons are Invited to witness "The Dress Rehearsal." Fred Webster will portray the role of "Able," the stage director—and you know that means "ain't we got fun?" The song number* will include "Carissima,” "At Yuur Service," "Roll Them Bones," "Martha," "Nobody’S Dar iinsr.' ’ ‘I/eaves Come Tumbling Povn,” “Tuck Me to Sleep,” and " ladder of Rose*," which will be sung by the principal* and the chorus of 16 youthful *lrl« The first new photoplsy to be shown tn con junction with the musical comedy t* William Farnum In "Moonshine Val ley." For the second half of the week, Rtartlna Thursday, the musical comedy Hotel Pontenelle Sunday Evening Concert Dinner The Main Restaurant Six to Nine Two Dollars Per Cover MENU: Hors d’Oeuvres, Varie Strawberry Cocktail Crab Lump, Louis* Creme Reine, Margot Essence of Fresh Tomatoes, Rosa Celery Queen Olives Radishes Jumbo Whitefish, Saute, Hearts of Artichoke* with Fresh Asparagus, Hollandalse, Pommes Half Moon Broiled One-half Young Guinea Hon with G!at#d Poach Raspberry Jam Assorted Cold Meats with Chicken, Salad Olga Fresh Hawaiian Pineapple Sherbet ■ , —— Fresh Golden W’ax Bcnns New Pbtatoes in Cream Salad Belle Hour, French Dressing Frozen Nesselrode Pudding with Macaroons Cafe Parfait with Assorted Layer Cako Alhambra Ice Cream with Petit Fours Swiss Cheese Toasted W'afers Coffee SPECIAL SUNDAY CONCERT LUNCHEON Main Radaurant _81.50_ m INDIAN ROOM SUNDAY DINNER Noon Jo 9 P. M. *1.50 m company and Its admirers will em bark on a voyage of mirth and song that Fred Webster has christened "All Board.”' In this production the program calls for the rendition of "You Tell Her T Stutter;” "Red School House Blues,” "Coal Black Mammy,” "Sailing, Sailing,” "Lena From Pallsteena" and "Down In Mid night Town.” Special scenery and elaborate wardrobe will be used In both bills. Colleen Moore In "When Dawn Came” will constitute the fea ture photoplay the last half of the week. Four stags performances will be given Sunday at 1:40, 4, *:40 and 9. Arthur Harrison's big Lyric Revue will make It appearance at the Em press next Sunday, April 29, for an engagement of one week. Harri son's Revue carries a company of 25 people and each one helps to make the show the big success that It Is. The chorus can both dance and sing, while the principals are far above the average. Antonio Morelll, piano fiend, and Billie Emerson, the "blues" sing er. will render some very delightful special numbers. "Morgan’s Dangerous Girl" Musical Comedy company will open a week's engagement at the Empress today. Lew Morgnn. sponsor of this show, has left nothing undone to make It one of the cleanest, snappiest and most versatile shows presented In this city in years. The splendid chorus is also well drilled and costumed and will prove a feast to ths eye. Many ■vaudeville offerings will be presented during the action of the play. This company will present two complete shows during their stay here; the first starting today, end the second starts Thursday. On the aame pro gram will be presented Charles Chap lin’s latest and greatest comedy, "The Pilgrim.’’ Imagine Charlie Chaplin as an escaped convict, helping him self to a minister’s clothes, and as a result finding himself the unwilling occupant of a pulpit. Let your Imagi nation run a bit and It will tell you that here’s1 Charlie at his funniest. And your imagination will not lie. An unusual treat la in store for local playgoers. In the advent on Tuesday May 8 at the Brandels thea ter of "The Changelings,’’ a comedy by Leo Wilson Dodd, celebrated novelist and playwright. Henry Mil ler, who brings the play here and who plays ons of the principal roles, has assembled a cast that reads "like a benefit." In addition to himself, there Is Blanche Bates, Ruth Chat ter-ton, I.aura Hope Crews, John Miltern, Felix Krenibs and Geoffrey Kerr. "The Changelings” la de scribed by Its author as an American comedy, with a universal theme. The story Is modern, of present day New York and reports have It that Its lines crackle with wit and Us sitna lions strike a new note In pungent satire. The characters, w# are told, are strongly drawn and all are of major Importance, her.ee the splendid cast assembled by Mr. Miller to In sure proper Interpretation. The en gagement of "The Changelings’ Ms limited to two days opening here on Tuesday and closing on Wednesday. There will be a matinee on Wednes day. The seat sale opens on Tues day May 1, mall orders will be filled In order of their receipt. The outstanding event of the local theatrical season will be the appear ance of Otis Skinner at the Bmndels theater In Booth Tarkgigten's charm ing comedy of American life. "Mister Antonio." Of all the splendid char acter portrayals that Mr. Skinner haa given In the many yeare of his notable stage career, perhaps no one of them haa so completely won Its way Into, the people's hearts as that of the lovable, kind hearted philoso phical organ-grinder Antonio Camara donlo. To see Mr. Skinner's per formance In "Mister Antonio" brings the realization of how fortunate Is the American theater of today which can still boast of a dramatist of such un erring skill In character drawing as Booth Tarklngton, and an actor cap able of auch flawless Interpretations as Otis Skinner. Mr. Skinner's en gagement hero will he for three days beginning Thursday May 10 with a matinee on Saturday. — Clothes Are but Veneer to Express Individual Nature -■ "The secret of being well-dressed rests In the ability to express your own Individuality In the things you : wear,” says Betty Wheeler, who Is appearing at the Orpheum this j week. "The girl or woman who has the happy faculty of combining style | and charm has the keynote to good dressing. I mean this Regardless ! of how fashionable, according ,to the j reigning style, a gown might be, I ! would not wear It If It did not suit my personality. For that reason I de sign my own gowns. Thus my I clothes are an expression of my j thoughts, and they please me. I feel I happy In them and I'm Rlways sad when the time comes to discard them. { They seem so much like friends. Oft- I times I run across a gown which I have lain aside months ago and I get It out, send It to the cleaners, and wear It many months longer.” For her entrance Miss Wheeler wears a pearl and a silver costume which has a long, snaky train trimmed with a band of real ermine. With this costume she we^rs a beau tiful headdress of rhinestones .and white paradise. That particular gown took six weeks In the making. Special sketches were first made by Miss Wheeler and every detail w-as | executed under her supervision. “Life's Collateral” to Be Shmm at Orpheum "Life's Collateral,” an Interesting bit of film depicting the value of home ownership, 1* one of the fea tures of the Orpheum enetertatnment this week. The story tells of two young men, each of whom come Into possession of a small sum of money. The more sober minded invests his in I | a lot In his home town and plans for j j the future, while the lighter-headed i youth puts hie into an automobile ; and for a time ae«>me destined to win the heart of the girl In the case. He. however. Is led astray In the pursuit 1 ! of gayety and the home owner wins 1 j the girl. I^ler, when both are mar ried, a party celebrating the two weddings Is held—all are nearly ar rested in a raided resort and try to 1 spend the night in the city apart- : | ment of the downtown dwellers. The advantages of the home owner are pictured very cleverly and In the end all are happy because the way- i ward one sees for himself the advisa bility of "owning his own.” The film is receiving the endorse ment of real ee»ate men and of people Interested In the solid growth of cities : everywhere, and is being brought to Omaha through the efforts of real j estate men here and The Omaha Bee. ! Chaplin at Empress in "The PUgrimT 2:25 2:40 2:47 ! 2:59 3:17 3:35 4:05 4:19 4:31 4:43 Topics of the Dey—Aesop's Fables—"Life's Collateral" THE SENSATIONAL VALENTINES Presenting "The Optical l-©op-the*l.oop” DOTSON In Lightning Steps and Laughs OWEN McGIVENEY The Distinguished Protean Actor Preaonts "Bill Sikes" ZELAYA Music—Wit—Philosophy A New Era In Music and Dance RENEE ROBERT & GIERS DORF SYMPHONISTS BERT and BETTY WHEELER In Bite of Everything | WILLIAM and JOE MANDEL In "An Unusual Occurrence" Extra—Fun—Fun—Fun— Extrn “THE WAGER” A Great Burlesque Afterpiece Participated la by the Artists on tbs Bill Path# News Weekly | 8:15 8:30 8:37, j 8:49 ' ~ 9:07 -- . 9:25 9:55 10:09 10:21 10:33 I MATINEES I Be to 50c riu. I U. S. Taa | NIGHTS 15c to $1.00 Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra Henri Verbrugghen, Conductor Anne Roselle, Soloist Prices, 75c to $2.50, Plus Tax __ Empress Will Shotv Chaplin s “The Pilgrim ’ Charlie Chaplin, he of the uneasy feet, will appear In hla lateet release 'or a second showing In downtown 3maha at the Km press today. "The Pilgrim,” which Is Charlie’s latest con rlbutlon to the laugh-making end of the film business Is undeniably Char lie Chaplin all through It. The comedian la first an escaped xmvict with a wary eye for all of ficers bound to respect and keep the peace. He finally gets a chance to joard a train westward and dlBguised • e a minister starts on the Journey, tils adventures In the clerical garb are funny and as Charlie himself has ex pressed it are laughing with the ;lergy and not at It. All the "hokum” to make up a successful series of laughs are ln tluded in "The Pilgrim." There Is :he solemn and dignified citizen, the tough guy, the sheriff with a keen :ye and a fericlous manner toward criminal, the four-flushing bad men ind finally the pretty girl, always not forgetting a little fellow who al though he isn't a second Coogan fur nishes a laugh or two In aiding Charlie to "do his stuff." Muse Will Open "Oregon Tran" Tuesday. Featuring the starting of Art Acord In "The Oregon Trail" serial as Its feature attraction this week, the Muse Is offering a four picture bill. To day's feature in "The Drug Traffic" which is also being played at the Moon. Monday and Tuesday the ripening of the "Oregon Trail" is the attraction, with "Thelma" which has Just finished at the Sun on the fol lowing two’days. The final two day picture is "The Midnight Guest" star ring Grace Darmond. Dance and Music Features of Great Act at Orpheum Renee Roberts, gifted end versatile dancer, has pooled her talents with the Olers-Dorf Syrr.phonlsls and will appear at the tirpheum next week. Miss Roberts Is a star whose artistry in the execution of the classic, dra matic, acrobatic and eccentric steps fairly electrifies her audiences, and in ths modem ballroom style she has few peers. The Giers Dorf Bymphonlats ars among America's most gifted expo nents of Instrumental music, both classic and ragtime, in the highest artistic sense. It is, in fact, a bril liant new type of musical genius: fus ed In the crucible of syncopation end weird melodies, that m^kes this or ganization distinctive. There Is a company of 10 musicians—four of whom are young women—and eight out of the IQ, are relatives. Old and New Are Combined to Make This Act Popular Dixie Norton and Coral Melnqt, who have featured In musical comedy pro ductions, present one of the headline attractions in the new bill at ths World. These girls are said to offer one of the cleverest song and dance oddities in the varieties. Their cycle of song and dance atarts in the days of 1830, with one of ths women assuming the garb of a gen tleman ''dandy” of that period. Then they portray song* and dances of their mothers' flay, following the close of the Civil war, and close their artistic offering with impressions of a Broad way "cake ea'er" and a "flapper” of our time doing a song and dance as lit is performed in 1923. 3"" WEEKO AVlIV hilt IeasonUAYlI iNoonili; Musical H Comedy TODAY everyDnite BIGGEST SHOW VALUE IN TOWN TnniV •« I#- 4:00, 4:4*. | | || II A T 9:00 *n| suiting Thursday at I:00i COLLEEN MOORE in “Whn Ds«« Caw* NEW SHOW TODAY MORGAN'S DANGEROUS GIRL MUSICAL COMEDY CO. olf*r ■ Fast and Flashy Musical Show with Vaudeville Headed by a splendid chorus of charming maids. On the Same Program Big Chaplin Feature “THE PILGRIM" Oaife Ox* *. Tlx nurjv I PRICES I Night* and Sun., lO^ t«* 50<* I Waahday Mat. . lOfMo^Of ( Engagement Extraordinary Tuesday and Wednesday May 8-9 Matin«« Wedaoaday Henry Miller, Blanche Bates, Ruth Chatterton, Lairs Hope Crews, John Milter*, Geoffrey Kerr, Felix Krenhs ia ikw nrw comedy, “The Changelings” Bt !_•* Wiliwi Podd—Directiu Hnn Mill**. Mul order* l»ow. Tkir»t, Monday, April 30. Thr** Day*. Start 1b* ThurwUy. Mar *• Malta** Saturday Charles Frohman Presents OTIS SKINNED In Booth Tarh.ny to*'* Aatr .rai C*eva a Groat Pta^!— Mall