pT.™\ I The Omaha Sunday Jee I u™ . >_____•_^ ^ VOL. 53—NO. 39 PART FOUR OMAHA, SUNDAY MORNING, MARCH 9, 1924. 1—D - FIVE CENTS _I_ •* - -- ■ " ■ ■— ■ ■ ■■■■'■ • mm ' m --: Impending Joys What Omaha Theaters Of fer Patrons This Week Holds Much Attractiveness FTER a play develops Into an overnight success It Is always Interesting to learn that It has been turned down by veteran produc ing managers. 'The Cat and the Can ary,” coming to the Brandels theater tomorrow, for a return engagement, had such a history and wound up by making a fortune for a little known author, a young producing firm and a new theater In New York city. The general verdict of the experi enced men of the theater, after read ing the manuscript of "The Cat and the Canary,” was that it was “too strong meat.” Finally, the author, John Willard, sent the script to Kii boum Gordon, Inc., a combination of young and enterprising men who were not handicapped ty any fears as to what "the dear public" might not like. They accepted the play at once and produced It in a theater that had not up to that itme housed a winner. “One of those freak suc cesses,” said the managers who had rejected the play. "New York may fall for It, but wait till It hits the road." So Kilbourn Gordon, Inc., organized another company which went to Chi cago and stayed there 86 weeks. A third company went south and Mr. Gordon went to London where, in association with dirossmith & Malone, "The Cat and the Canary" was roy ally received at the Shaftsbury thea ter. In the meantime T. Daniel Fraw ley received the.rights for the orient and played it all the way from Cey lon to Manila. This season there are three com panies exhibiting “The Cat ahd the Canary.” The Chicago company, which is the one that played here earlier in the season, plays here. r . Ed Wynn and Gang Back to Brandeis | ___> Judging by the unusual interest displayed in the special return request engagement of Ed Wynn, "The Per fect Fool” at his new musical, laugh ing riot coming to the Brandeis the ater for the three nights, commenc ing next Thursday with a specially priced popular matinee on Saturday, Wynn will repeat the successful en gagement he played In Omaha a year and a half ago. There Is only one Ed Wynn. A. I*. Erlanger and Bert C. Whitney are sending back for this return engagement practically the same clever and complete organiza tion seen at the Brandeis upon ASTynn's previous visit. It must be iniiernbeied that Ed Wynn, himself, wrote the book, music and lyrics of his present vehicle, while Julian Mitchell, that master-hand of stage i raft, produced and carried out, with Wynn’s co-operation, the many new, unique and unusual terpsichorean diversions so prominently Identified with the tremendous success of “The Perfect Fool." Besides the star himself, Ed Wynn, the organization includes True Klee, Wynn's right hand bower and spoke In the fun wheel, assisted by Flo Newton, a prima donna new to Oma ha in the person of Nydia d'Arnell iby the way, an honest-to-guodness rcuntess In her own rights and name, and which fact the press representa tive has evidently overlooked), a re cent discovery of Wynp’s; Arthur F. Burckly, a tenor long Identified with Metropolitan musical auccesaes, ap pearing with "The Perfect Fool” for liis first season; John Dale, remark able dancer; Teddy Roberts. Estelle Penning and Anita Furman, those clever little Meyakos—a trio of cute Japanese children, pleasantly remem bered for their versatility; Edna Hamel, petite toe dancer; "That Girl Ouartet," Misses Ivey Kirkwood, Harrietts Keyes, Jeanette Fielding and Loretta Ferrati; Olive Birming ham, Jane McCurdy, Grace Russell, Arvla Smith, Betty Barclay, Edna Terry, and Wynn's Wynn lng Wynn some chorus of charm and beauty. In cluding the "Sixteen Dancing Daisies. Antonio Bafunno will con duct an augmented orchestra. Orpheum Offers Bill of Many Varied Features \_—--' Henry Santrey, with hla volumin ous baritone voice and surrounded by hie miniature symphony orchestra, la the headliner at the Orpheum this week. Since the Inception in vaude ville of the band act by Mr. Santrey soma years ago, he ha# developed and perfected this type of presentation until today hi# organization atanda for tha highest and most entertain ing music-singing combination in vaudevllla. Pert little Anna Seymour, who, with her brother, Harry, offer breezy hits of mirth and melody, will do a snappy after-pieca with Mr. Santrey. That tha times hava changed even for i urn! drama ifl demount rated by Harry J. Conley in hla new skit, •'Rice and Old Shoes." Mr. Conley portrays a "rub*" but not the kind of the ‘by gosh’ period. He makes his stage appearance on a motorcycle instead of on the hayrack. His many modern twists coupled with his ex ceedingly bright dialogue puts Ills skit In the winning class of vaude ville offerings. The Keno Four, a quartet or Ulna ha young men, who have appeared before Omaha cluba and at local en tertainments on many occasions, will make their debut on this week’s Or pbeum bill In an especially prepared act consisting of singing, dancing and gpniedy. The quartet prepared their act with a view of being looked on vh« Orpbeum circuit if their perform an< e plea*®*. Uanny Duggan l* an exhibition darnel- and as such has gained world fame. The Wilson Aubrey Trio are comedy wrestlers. This department's choice for Korn ,,, and Juliet remains aa ever, Ben I'm pin and Marie Dressier AT THE i 5 TRAN O | Carl A &oun<$ \ AT THE IMPRESS Tom oKix. and Get it u de. CUire at thf woqn tftniltf Tipi AT TM* BRAN Deis c Jda&s AT THE 8RANDEIS ■Cuaille v 'VanttiPord X^ at THe wont c/ntra Q tA'ZlssoK AT the RIALTO Jjtre J/crcc*' ANDc&Cf ue/ifjQ Godsden. at the muse Tay Tunis at the gave tv George 7ia.ckithorn. t *n» £loycL "Hughes at th« sum - — ■ —-V f—-;-;-\ Famous Cirrus Riders Top Bill at World v_!_ In circusdom no name command* more attention than that of the Han neford family. This famous organi sation of equestrians headlines the new six act bill at the World thi* week. George Hanneford Is regarded a* the world's greatest riding come dian. Artistic and thrilling bareback riding and laughable comedy mo ments make the family and the audi cnce satisfied to "let George do It.” Evans, Mero and Evan*, In "Bits of Mark Twain," impersonate three of the well-known Twain characters, Tom Sawyer. Huckleberry Finn and Billy the Kid. Especially laughable is the bit where one of the trio first learns to smoke. Dave Walters and Jack Stern offer ' The Syncopated Salesman," In which a lot of fun and harmony singing combine*. John Burke offer* "A Trad* of His Own.” song and talk with some surprising additions. John Heichen presents his wonder dogs, developed to an unusually high de gree of Intelligence. Mary Drew and company present a novelty that Is replete with out of the ordinary thrill*. Arthur Hays has another song nov elty for his usual weekly contribu tion to the bill. Collins and Harlan, phonograph stara, and Ruth Mix, daughter of Tom Mix, famous motion picture star, are co-headliner* on the hill *tarting Sat jurday. Powell's Closing Week to Give Empress Two Bills Halton Powell s "The Sins of Holly wood" under the title of "Midnight Rose” Is the attraction at the New Empress the first four days of the week beginning this afternoon, the last seven days of the Powell engage ment here. In the new vehicle Hal ton Powell departs from comedy and plays the role of a sinister schemer who seeks to ruin the good name of an Innocent young girl. Rita l.aw renoe, Earl Young, Billy M’yse, Elsie Esmond, Frank Vest and other mem bers of the company shine in roles that fit them like the proverbial glove. The musical Interpolations are snappy and up to the minute. Starting Thursday for the finale of their engagement here tIK Powell Players will offer a cyclonic comedy, "Oh, by JJngo.” Next Sunday the New Empress In troduces the Bert Smith Comedy PlayetV This organisation of 2* entertainers features VI Shaffer, Flo Desmond, Billy Van Allen, Joe Marlon. Stella Matson, Warren Fabian, Melvin and Curtis, the Oriole Trio and a chorus of 12 southern dancers. The opening bill described as a whirlwind of laughter, song and spectacular-weenie effects Is entitled "Oh Daddy Oh.” Happy Days at the Gayety Promises Much Hurtig ft Heamon’s "Happy Day*" ia at the Gayety theater till* weak. Five very clever and attractive young women fill the role* of prlma donna, aoubrcte, comedienne, ingenue and French character actre**. The*o are Kitty Glasco. F'ay Tunic, Mildred Campbell, Mabel McCloud and Glndya Darling. There la a promise of much comedy In the work of Will II. Ward and Frank (Ragsl Murphy. The Four Dancing Demons, colored enter tainer*, will Introduce a apedal vaude ville feature. There will ho a apedal matinee every day for the benefit of the women patrons. Still another tin usual feature i* tile noted Australian Impressionistic: rythmic dancer, Kee Wa-Nu, whose interpretations, while dm Ing and thrilling, me both artistic and lienuttful. Today s matinee starts at 8:00 Original Record Makers Booked for World on Bill for Next Week \:-y From almost tha inception of the phonograph perfected by Thmnaa Ed ison the recordbuying public has listened to comedy songs rendered by Collins and Harlan. 'fills duo were tha original singers of such old time numbers as “The Preacher and the Bear," “Bake That Chicken Pie,” “Ham and Eggs,” “Moonlight In Jungle i-and" and other character comedy tunes. Collins and Harlan are to be seen In person next week at the World theater with their company of phono graph artists. On# of the features of their performance Is the making of records on the stage which are, In turn, played before the audience. I.o cal singers and musicians wishing to have records made are Invited to par ticipate In this portion of Collins and Harlan's program. f She Hasn’t Any Freckles of Her Oum, but Thinks They Are Just Wonderful ____/ "Freckles are the algn poata to good nature,” Raya Mabel McCloud, the good looking Ingenue of "Happy Days" at the Oayety theater, al though this charming young lady la not the poeacaaor of any of these lit tle "beauty spots.” "They are also the enemy to vanity,” contlnea Mlaa McCloud. "Juat show me the man or woman who la plentifully endowed with the little brown aun apota. and I will show you one who la the soul of good nature. The good natured man or woman lovea the aunahlne, and remains In It aa much aa poa Bible. What care they for a little thing like frecklea or tan. Nor do they possess any vanity. To them freckles mean nothing and they ac quire a batch of them with a smile. On the other hand the vain or sour tempered person avoids the aun’a raya aa If they were a pestilence. To them they mean a disfigurement of white akin and a lot of discomfort: Therefore, they seek the seclusion of their homes, and lacking the health giving aunahlne, become soured and pale.” r ■ -\ | l.ltinffv and Brawn in Black and White Revue The Julian Kiting* end Tom Brown Black end Whit* Revue for J924 open* Be lore! three night*' engagement at the Brandela theater on Sunday, March IB. The ‘Kiting* and Brown revu* la a musical entertainment of modern type, possessing beauty, dnmiug, tunefulness, mirth and the newest costume creations so essential for suc cessful entertainment. T4ie organize lion of BO entertainer* contains Jullsn I0BInge, Tom Brawn, "Blackface" Kd die Rose, Theresa Valerio, Adeline Valerio. Bahetta Fuller, l’nullli* I,nr alne, Kstell* Winters and other* I’lenty of nimble loes will he evident dining the performance, aa the set, "Dancing Flenos" I* composed of IT> young dancers, whose emnest efforts have won them excellent praise from critics throughout the country. Aa nil additional musical feature, the revue carries a saxophone hand of 30 musician*, with the Inimitable Tom Brown ns leader. This Is I ho largest Via x< mil one bund in the world Company Coming to the ISetv Empress Promises Much in Way of Music l -> Tha moat pretentious musical com edy organization which the neve Em press has thus far presented makes Its how at that theater next Sunday, when the Bert Smith comedy players start an indeflnita engagement. Featuring Miss VI Shaffer, the original singer of ‘‘blues," and Billy Van Allen and Joe Marlon, comedians, the Bert Smith company numbers entertainers. Prominent In the cast are Stella Watson, Warren Fabian. Flo Desmond, the Oriole Trio, Melvin and Curtis, the Sunshine Girls and a chorfls of *12 southern dancing ex perts. The opening bill, which will con tlnue for six days, Is "Oh. Daddy, Oh," said to be a production of unusual elaborateness and a comedy of first quality. The Hat of plays which they will offer here Includes "Erminle," “Time, Place and Girl.” "The Haughty Prin cess," "The Three Twins," “Stop Thief,” "Wine, Women and Song" and others of similar caliber. Shutter Is Sending Mew Musical Comedy This Way I - — —' "Sally, Irene and Mary,’’ the New York Caalno theater musical comedy hit by Kddle Dowllnf, which the Messrs. Shubert will present In this city soon, has been called the peach of last season's musical comedy crop on Broadway. There are two acts and nine scenes In the play, ranaln* from the opening view of a lower Hast Side tenement district, to a wed din* at the famous little church around the corner. 0* Movie Titles So a peaks Mr. Robert R. Sherwood In the New York Herald: "The mental giants whose business It Is to concoct box office titles for moving pictures don't seem to he falling down on the lob. Although there la a visible Improvement In ibe label* on speels! feature fllnw, Ibe general run of title* *e*tn* to lie Just as ernss. Just ss vulgar and Jusl ns alluring as ever. "Observe these: "Week-End Husbands," "Daytime Wives." "Enemies of Children." "Waterfront Wolves," "A Woman Who Sinned," "Discontented Hus bands." "Flapper Wives," "Cause for Divorce," "(iHinbling Wives," "Land Me Your Husband,' "Love's Whirl pool,.rho Mansion of Aching Heart*," "One Law for (be Woman," "Pagan Passions." "Hestleaa Wives." "Why Men Leave Home," "Youth to Sell," "Damaged lleaile," "Why Oft Married." "Flaming Wives," "Is Lov# for Sole'.’" "Jealous Husbands." "South Sea Love,' "ChaatUy," "Flaming Passion" and "Borrowed Husbands." 0 “It aeeniA that the »frmt hu«* itM In tli# movie* I* lh« llt>«»i *il iii-«* of wive*. |iiinhaf»! Opportunity ia here! The first red of Local Laf# edited Ijy Tha Omaha Bee ia Ijeing shown in conjunction with the regular pro gram at the Sun theater thle week. Kvery laf Is contributed by a reader of The Omaha Bee. Kvery one la eligible. Just write out your Joke on one side of the paper, using not more than 30 words, and send It to 'he Ij»f Kdltor of The Omaha Bee. Fifteen prizes are ^ awarded each week. For the beat laf, $5; second, S3; thirxl. $2: then 12 prizes of $1 each. The prize winning lafs will be shown on he screen at the Sun each werk. r—---—;-> Tom Mix and Houdini Are Muse Offerings v_✓ Not only will Tom Mix hold out at the Moon this week, but his new pic ture. "Indies to Board”, will be, shown on the Muse screen today. Monday and Tuesday, however, "lloldane of the Secret Service,” with Houdini, the escape artist, featured, will be the attraction. A IjoIs Weber production, "A Chap ter in Her t.lfe.” a story of the home, will l>e shown Wednesday and Thurs day followed on Friday and Saturday by "When Odds Are Even ” Helen Ferguson lias IS'ose “Twisted,” Seeking Beauty Helen Ferguson, rlnema celebrity, who left home in Decatur, III., to tread the paths to silver sheet fame end who, a couple of weeks ago. had her nose "recontoured" hy Dr. Wll ■Um E. Balsiuger at the Hollywood Community hospital In order to make the road to stardom easier going gave a "nose parly” at her home here this week. The guests were the members of "our club,” of w htch Mtss Ferguson Is a member and whose president la Mary Plckford. The guests voted the new nose a work of art and preaented Helen many beau tiful handkerchiefs to go with her surgically evolved treasure. Wedding Bell* to Ring Out for Alice I,akc and Actor Wedding bells will ring out In llol I v wood soon for Alice leike »ml Hob ert Williams of the New York etage Miss I.ske admits It. Tbe couple met for the first time only a few weeks ago. but Williams' lllneas gave Cupid Bn opportunity to do Borne fast and effective work, with the screen celeb rlty as nurse. It was pneumonia and now that lie's on tbe road to recovery Williams admits It was lo\e at first sight. As for Miss I,ako "1 can’t live without him"—that’s all site has to admit. Murgucritc in Society. Marguerite Clark, who several .tens ago was one of the most popu I nr of all film slave, la now one of the leading social lights of New Orleans Mias Clark was married to Harry Wil limns, a wealthy lumber man. and re tired ffom the screen. Iler home on tit. Charles avenue. New Ortrsn*. 1* one of the show places of the city. .Inst previous to her marriage Miss Clark was offered s film salary of fd.OOO a week, which she tefused. \’ Notables Support Hunter at Strand — • Supporting Glenn Hunter in his first Paramount picture, "West of the Water Tower." opening today at the Strand theater, are three of the screen's best known character play ers. Kmest Torrence, George Faw cett and Zasu Pitta. All three have roles In this picture which give them an opportunity for some of tt}« beet work of their careers. Mr. Torrence, who in a little more than a yeaf ha* become one of the most sought after character actors In pictures, has the role of Adrian Plummer, the orthodox minister. He exudes personality all through his work and no matter whether he Is playing the part of a minister or that of a clown, he does not fail to give a masterful performance. Mr. Fawcett has been doing excel lent character work for so many years on the screen that It is no new thing to say that Fawcett ha* aoored again. Hi* work as Charles Chew an infidel In Homer Croy's dramatic novel, is no exception to the superb technique he always shows. Zasu Pitts, sometimes called "the l girl with the sad face.” out always able to get a laugh, has the thank less role of Bessie Arnhalt in the pic ture—thankless because in the end she is let out In the cold and does not win the man she loves. She a! most makes the grade, but the sce nario writers always fix»lt so Mis? Pitts gets a chance to look sad. other players in support of Mr Hunter in this production who are entitled to credit for excellent por trayals are May McAvoy. featured Charles Abbe. Anne Schaefer. Riley Hatch, Joe Burke, laiward Rlkus. Al len Baker. Jack Terry, Gladys Feld roan and Alice Mann. r ^ ^ Smart London Cafe Is Shown in W orld Film v-/ Grace Darmond plays poker, Defclys Perdue pound* a typewrit er. Katharine I„ewis eats candy. It's all in "Daytime Wives." at the World this week. Incidentally, the smartest night cafe In the world, the glittering Gat ti's of London, has been flawlessly reproduced as a part of this picture. There are three separate and dis tinct romances in “Daytime Wives," each just a little different than the other. The picture Is described ss a soul searching document of human emo tlons. And who should be back at the Moon this week hut Tom Ml*, not to mention "Tony," the horse which 1* almost as much of a drawing card as Tom himself. ‘Taidie* to Board" Is the name of the picture. The pictme i* a comedy and report ed to lie full of laughs, lint needle** to say. with Ml* on hand, it also ha* plenty of thrills and exciting situations. And—would you believe It" -the picture alko reveals a number of very beautiful coryphee* costumed by a gentleman with Ziegfeldian Inclina tions. Oh, yri, the storv ' \\ ell. Tom In herlt* an old ladles' hoarding house Hut why spoil It by te'lipg ths idot Enough to say it's a regular Mix picture Tlie I'nlverssl Klim ooinpanv * undecided as to whether or not tt will produce ' IVunni'd." a novel by Ethel M. Don-apoe Mrs Ibwiance insist* the bo. k is all right from a moral standpoint even If the publishers did equip It with a red cover Movies Tell Stories Now __ The purists may hoot and about their derision, but the fact remains that a renascence la under way In the Industry of flickering lights and shadows. Perhaps It's Will Hays, perhaps it's the renewed energy and artistry of the producers and director* perhaps it’s neither one of these, but unques tionably, the last few months has brought about Improvements In the quality of motion pictures distributed. The photodrama of today Is an ef fort to tell a etory and tell It well and In any Interesting fashion. No longer JA ths directors devote their attention exclusively to ths exploita tion of the physical attractions Of the star. The script is ths thing. Another point—and this you can readily see In ths number of all-star casts—Is that the director selects ths type of actor beet suited to the role instead of making the role fit the actor. There mev be lots of things wrong with ths movies, but at least they are becoming more Intelligent. r Housewife Wrote Film Play Showing at Sun V_ _/ Ethel Style* Middleton was & Pitts burgh housewife. She studied photo play writing by mail through the Palmer Photoplay corporation. Then one day ehe wrote a picture story. The Palmer corporation pro duced It and now it's running at the Sun theater. "Judgment of the Storm" is a grip ping drama and a scenic triumph, ac cording to reviewers. It seems more the work of a professional scenarist than th# wife of a Pittsburgh factory worker. A numl»rr of well known figures are in the cast, including Lloyd Hughes. Lucille Rlckson, Myrtle Sted man. Ph.lo McCullough and Caason Ferguson. Pel Andrews directed. Another feature of the Sun pro gram this week is a two-reel Valen tino picture. "A Society Sensation.'* This is a revival of a five-reel pic ture taken a number of years ago. and cut down to two reels. Valen tino at that time was just a "leading man." The picture shows him before he became famous. — 'I Rex Beach Author of “Flowing Gold” v__ — Rex Reach, whose novel* of the rugged outdoor* are eagerly read by million*, due to the virile creation* of his fertile brain, is the author of "Flowing Gold." * First National pic ture, produced by KtchanS Walton Tully, which opened a weeks engage ment at the Rialto theater today. Directed by Joe lie Gnuee. It 1* en acted by Milton Sills. Anna Q. Nils son. Alice Calhoun. Josephine Crow ell. Chsriee Sell on. Beit Woodruff, Cissy Fitzgerald and John Roche. "Flowing Gold" is tho phrase the author has coined for oil, by means of which thousands of persons have become millionaires. The scenes are laid in the oil country against a back ground of hundred* of derrick* Beach has written many stories of stirring adventure, but none with more action and suspense that "Flowing Gold." In the estimation of unbiased critics. Among the thrill ing episodes in the picture ar* th# burning of an oil well, a cloudburst, which spreads the burning liquid over the countryside, destroying all prop erty In it* path, and several breath taking fights among th* heroic char acters in the story. And there la a romance, with Milton Sills and Anna Q. Nilsson aa the lover*. r - — Big City. Back H ood*. Take Pick at Fm press y. - A story of the Great White Wav then a story of the Main* woods. That s the p. 'gram at th* Empress this week. Beginning today for four da's. th* Empress screen o 111 offer "Just Oft Broadway.” Beginning Thursday for three days the film at thta theater will tv "The Une Bandit.” The atory of "Juat Off Broadway * unfolds a story of th* underworld of Broadway and tells of counterfeiting, the secret service and love John Gilbert Is the star, supposed by Ma rian Nikon. Frederick and Kanre Hatton wrote it and William >V* Is the producer. The romance of The Lore Bandit* begins with the reavu* of a pretty girl and ends in a free for-all fight. It s a thriller of the out of doors and the cast includes IVtis Kenyon, Vie. tor Sutherland and Cecil Spooner with Chailes E Btaney directing