First Night Stage Performances
Mean Heaps of Work for Theater Folk
Snappy Orchestral Accompaniments and Speedy Scene
Shifting Don t Just Happen; Hours of Rehearsals
and Patient Instructing
Are Required.
By WILL M. MAUP1N.
It looks easy, doean't It, when you
go to the Orpheum and see how
smoothly tha orchestra and tha vauds
villians work together?
You attend the opening et the Sun
day matinee, and you think that it
all Just happened. But It didn't.
Sunday morning, and even until an
hour before the matinee curtain goes
up, the actors and the actorlnes—
pardon ue, the actresses—are drifting
In from Chicago, Minneapolis, Kansas
City or St. I»uls. Their trunks are
on the way, hut they carry the music
for their acts in brief cases.
The actors merely shed their coats,
while the actresses doff fur coats and
traveling hats, and everything is
ready for the rehearsal.
Tlie stage isn’t set. Every stage
property is plied back against the
walls and the huge stage looks as
hare as a big ball room tha next
morning.
But the orchestra is there, all right.
Arno Iluster, the director, doesn't
look quite so spruce as he will when
the audience is there. Now he wears
his hat and puffs his cigaret between
instructions from tha entertainers.
Klbow Wiggling Cue.
“When I say ‘Just like that,’ you
get your cue.” Then Director Huster
reaches Into his pocket for a stub of
a pencil and makes a mysterious
mark on the music. The other mem
bers do the same.
"When I wiggle this elbow you get
the cue for Miss Ryan’s dance.”
More cablllstic marks by the or
chestra members.
“Now, once more, please, and you,
Mr. Trap Man, give me a crash at
the end of that forte paesage. Fine,
that’s fine. Thank you.”
Whereupon the man at the trape
smiles and makes some mysterious
marks on his music.
By the way, did you ever get up
dose to the traps and make note of
the outfit he has to have to keep up
with the stage folk? He only hhe
four drums—snare, base and two ket
tledrums. If he is thoughtful and in
clined to be economical he might use
those kettledrums for copper wash
tubs on Monday. The heads are not
hard to remove.
But drums are the least numerous
of the equipment. Cymbals, bells,
xylophone, triangles, bird calls,
whistles, tambourine, gongs, casta
nets, flyswatters, cocoanut shells,
ilgar boxes, sandpaper, blocks of
wood, believe ms the trap man Is a
mighty busy Individual in a vaude
ville orchestra.
Bark to Pianissimo.
"Right her*,’’ says the artist on
the stage, leaning over the orches
tra pit and pointing to the music,
■ is where you Increase the tempo,
swelling quickly Into fort* and slow
ly going back to pianissimo.”
Director Muster nods, makes some
more marks on the music, and then
they go through it again.
"That’s fine; thank you. Now once
more and we’ll have it."
Thus the whole bill Is run through
rapidly. Meanwhile, the trunks and
special scenery have arrived, and
while the orchestra la rushing
through the cue music all by,Itself
the stage artists are explaining how
they want their particular acts set.
The stage manager and his assis
tants make a few notes, nod their
heads and then start to juggling the
stage properties around. Then comes
the work of arranging the acts In
order.
Vaudeville acts do not Just happen
one after another. It takes a lot of
diplomacy to get them Just right. It
would be a violation of all vaude
ville acts to, have two consecutive
numbers In tine. That, by the way.
Is the furthest down stage an set
can be placed, and Is almost always
s street scene. That’s where the mon
cloglsts work; also the team that doe*
the patter and singing, but little or
no dancing. It would be almply "aw
ful" to have one of these following
the other, both working In one.
It must be arranged so that while
on* act la on the stage, the *tnge can
be eet Tor the next one, and that's
no easy matter sometimes. The stage
hands do not have time for a re
hearaal like the orchestra. But their
compensation comei from the fact
that they don’t have to go back and
do it all over again because they
didn't get It right the first time. And
If there is any complicated scenery
to set, the artists are usually right
there to see that It le set just the
way they want It.
Now we have rehearsed ihe music,
and arranged the acta In order. We
know Just how the stage is to be set
for each act, too. But there is a
lot more to do. The electricians must
be rehearsed. Don’t think for a min
ute that all the electricians have to
do Is to open and close switches at
random. They must get Instructions
just where to put the spots and flood
lights.
They must know what colors to
use, and when. They have their cues
Just the same as the men In the or
chestra. The man in the balcony who
makes his big spot follow the artist
around must be an artist himself,
with a long head. If he doesn’t get
the bright light on the artist Just at
the right time he has made an enemy
for life. A careless or Inefficient spot
light manipulator can knock a hard
earned reputation Into a cocked hat.
Dressing Room Problem.
Back of the stage are the dressing
rooms, and there Is always a problem
shout them. If perchance Manager
Hartung should give Madame Skedu
zlkn a dressing room deemed by her
to be inferior to the one assigned to
Mile. Hikirkerupsky, there would he
weeping and walling and gnashing
of teeth.
These artists are so temperamental,
don’t you know.
But quite a bit before 2:30 p. m.,
the orchestra Is all ready, the stage
hands know Just what comes next,
the electricians are there with theli
spots and flood* and other contriv
ances, and everything Is all set.
But all the time these things are
going on there Is a lot of activity
elsewhere. A corps of caretakers Is
sweeping out the big theater, care
fully wiping the dust from the chairs,
rearranging things In the boxes and
getting thinga ready for the opening.
And above the music of the re
hearsing orchestra, the scraping of
properties on the stage, and the di
rections of ths artists, is ths sound
of a hugs vacuum cleaner propelled
fcy a well-muscled gentleman of color
over the carpets In aisles, foyer and
boxes. »
The emooth performance you see at
the Sunday matinee doesn't Just hip
pen to be smooth. It took a lot of
polishing while you were asleep, per
haps. Sunday may be a day of rest
for you. but It Is Sunday for the the
atrical folks.
At the Grand.
Blanche Sweet and William Rus
sell in the Pulitzer prize play, "Anna
Chrlatie,” la the feature offering of
the Grand, for today. Monday and
Tueaday. "Anna Chrlatie” la a total
ly different aort of motion picture
and one that has received pages of
comment. A1 St. John la also of
fering one of his comedies. Richard
Talmndga In a comedy drama "Watch
IHm Step” and Ruth Roland In “Ruth
of the Range,” chapter 10, comes for
Wednesday and Thursday. .Tom Ml*
In a western full of action and speed,
“Mil# A Minute Romeo,” finishes the
week.
Teuton Film Coming.
"Destiny,' a highly successful Ger
man picture, Is due to be shown In
ths United States In the near future.
At preterit It is playing In London,
where the showing has caused much
comment. The story Is symbollo of
the victory of love over death, and
according to reports from London the
theme la handled with "Teutonic
ghastliness.”
20,000,000 People
Have Loved
This Story
•'"Tok”
M f0TT«»\,*cV,tb0TO«
f*-*' *
NEXT
SUNDAY I
—
Who Wouldn't Go Into the Gymnasium Business?
Anyone who thinks this business
of being a movie actress is all ginger
pojf and skittles Just take a look at
these pictures!
lip there In the left hand corner,
astride the horse. Is Beth Darling;
ton, loading woman for Hal Roach's
comedian, Charley Chase. The young
lady hanging lo the rings with her
feot on the same old horse, Is Blanche
Mehaffey, the follies beauty who Is
leading woman In Mr. Roach’s "Some
r
where In Missouri.” Resting grace-1
fully on her toes, with her arms ex-'
tended as If she were going to fly
or eomething Is Ena Gegory, leading
woman for Stan Laurel. Then down
lh the lower left hand corner are Miss
Mehaffey, Mis* Darlington and Marie
Mnsqulnl, leading woman for Will
Rogers.
It seems that the matter of keep
lng In proper trim for the movies 1a
asmoat as difficult as breaking into
the ranks of the stars.
t—-----;-n
Four Films Comprise
Prorgam for Muse |
v_/
"The Man From Brodneya” la to
day's attraction at^the Muse theater.
Monday and Tuesday the Muse
screen will show "More to Be Pitied
Than Scorned,'' followed Wednesday
and Thursday by "Ths Mask of
Bopez," with the week concluding
with a two-day showing of "Bights
Out.”
"More to Be Pitied Than Scorned"
features Alice Bake, Rosemary Theby
and J. Frank Glendon. Fred Thom
son Is the star In "The Mask of Bo
pez,” and "Bights Out" la a crook
story taken from the Broadway stage
success.
At the Lothrop.
Betty Blythe, she of the wondrous
shoulder, heads the week's program
at the Bothrop In "The Darling of
the Rich,” showing today and Mon
day. "Fighting Blood" round eight,
a comedy; "Wise Crackers,” snd the
Pa the News are Included. One of
Peter B. Kyne'a stories, "The Go
Getter," Is featured Tuesday and
Wednesday and also Mildred Kara In
"Go Get Her.” Alice Brady Is billed
for Thursday in her picture made
In Canada, “Ths Snow Birds," with
the addition of George Hopkins In
"No Wedding Belles." John Gilbert,
starirng In “The Madness of Youth"
and Ben Turpin In "The Pitfalls of a
Big City,” complete the week.
At the Boulevard.
Jackie Coogan and a full fledged
three-ring circus In "Circus Days,"
with Jackie as a peanut and Ice
o ream vendor, ia on the Boulevard
screen for today and Monday. There
la also "Fighting Blood" and a
comedy. Minor Glyn’s love story,
"Six Days," which is also full of ac
tion and thrills, is featured for Tues
day, Wednesday and Thursday, with
the chapter play "DayR of Daniel
Boone” and a comedy completing the
program. A newspaper story, pro
duced by Thomas H. Ince, "Her Repu
tation.” will bo featured the final two
days of the week with a scfeen
comedy snd also a vaudeville bill.
Mae Busch has bought a new home
In ths Hollywood Hills.
t-„
Dorothy Scorns
Use of Makeup
- —— —1 •
DOROTHY" DEVORE
Dorothy Devore, Christie'# scintil
lating comedy atar. Dorothy la one
of the very, very fa wreal comedlennea
pn the acreen. Khe playa her perta
"atralght,” without recourse to freak
makeup, pigtail bralda or alap-atlck
methods. Dorothy la Just aa funny In
a Fifth avenua creation aa she can
be—so why deprive her af the fun
of wearing good clothes?
Hollywood—Goodby!
According to one of the most prom
inent executives In the motion pic
ture business, SO per cent of the film
producing will taka place In New
York within five years. Only these
producers who are tied up with a
lot of property and have completely
settled down In Dob Angeles will re
main in California, it is belltved by
this man, who la already planning
to bring all Vis own companies to
New York.
This will save a lot of car fare for
all the New York glrla who want to
break Into the moviea.
SECOND WEEK
*
*
r
FIRST TIME IN THE WEST
AT POPULAR PRICES
LAST SIX DAYS
f \
Glitter of Orient
Brought to Screen
___f
All the glitter of the orient le
brought to the ecreen in a remark
able etory of romance, "The Man
From Brodney'e," at the Moon thea
ter. In thla Vltagraph special pro
duction will be seen eeveral hundred
Mohammedans In native costume.
They plan an Important In the se
quence of the film, which la an ad
venture etory set on the Island of
Japat, In the South Seas.
J. Warren Kerrigan playa the lead
ing role. In the all star oast also are
Alice Calhoun. Miss HuPont, Wanda
Hawley, Pat O'Malley and Kathleen
Key.
Cheer? Yes, He Will!
Mr. Emory Johnson has changed
the name of hie picture, "Sworda and
Ploughshares." to "The Spirit of
America." T.iis will no doubt be
pleasing news to Mr. D. W. Griffith,
the producer of "America."
Going to the
ORIENT?
Investigate A meric an Ships First
IT you feel the call of the far Rest, If you ever dream
of langorous day* in Japan, China or the Philippine*,
tend the information blank below today. Make ydv
plan* now to go thi* summer and be *ure to investigate
American ships first. Round trip rate* are: $600 and
up to Japan. $692 and up to Shanghai, $750 and up to
Manila or Hong Kong.
Send in the coupon below today for free illustrated
literature. Find out about the great U. Si Govern
ment ship* operated by the Admiral Oriental Lina
over the "Short Route" from Seattle and by the Pacific
Mail 8teamship Company over the "Sunshine Belt'*
from San Francisco via Honolulu. Ports of call: Yoko
hama, Kobe, Shanghai. Hong Kong and Manila.
Admiral Oriental Line
L. C. Smith BuOdiag . . Seattle,Wash.
112 West Adams Street . . Chicago
17 Stats Street .... Hew York City
Pacific Mail Steamship Co.
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Consult Yaur Local A rant
Managing Operators tor
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is
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INFORMATION BLANK
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Oonraant Booklet (irlag travel
facta. I an -nai'lmaa a trip to tha
Oriaat
From Saattla □
From San FrandacaQ
Nam__
Addnw_
> Tl"' ■ — y . -•*
EaEEffu^
WEEK FRIDAY
An Extraordinary Vaudeville Event,
.‘SYNCOPATION WEEK’
Headed by thn famous queens of song,
COURTNEY SISTERS
Accompanied by their "Ultra String Quartet"
Cyclonic supporting show, including
ROBINSON'S SYNCOPATORS
10 Harrtony Hounds from Dixie
Hreel remarks I
By M. P. KDITOR.
jtetty Wythe was horn in 1*9*.
Theda Bara continue* to "reat" in
Hollywood.
Louise Glaum ha* disappeared en
tirely from picture* of recent vintage.
Constance Talmadge la younger
than her sister Norma by three year*.
Josephine Lovett, famou* scenario
writer, 1* the wife of John 8. Rob
ertson, the director.
Jackie Coogan's "A Boy of Flan
ders" has been completed and the
star Is about to begin the filming of
an unnamed original story by Wil
lard Mack.
William Farnum haa taken posses
sion of a bungalow on the Lasky lot
In Hollywood and Is kept busy read
ing stories deigned ss starring fea
tures for him.
Irene Rich, Willard LOuls and
Pauline Garon have been cast for "Pal
O’ Mine," which is to be a Harry
Cohen production for independent re
lease.
Sunshine Sammy, the cute negro
boy screener, has quite Hal Roach,
due to a difference in salary demand
on a new contract and may essay a
trip Into vaudeville.
Dinky Dean. 5-year-oid star of "A
Prince of a King," and protege of
[Charlie Chaplin, through hla guard
i»n*. ha» Just signed a four-year eon
tract to star In Dinky Dean Produe
tlone, Inc.
Norma Talmadge will hare *b«
benefit of the direction of Fred NIWo
In a picture to be made during the
current eeaeon.
Mary Newcomb, stage player, suc
ceeded In her divorce suit againat
Robert Edeeon on the grounds of non
■upport and d*«^rtton.
A recent high wind In Hollywood
blew down a tree In front of Carmel
Myers’ home. Her automobile, from
which she had Just alighted, was
pinned under It.
Walter Hlera, for seven years with
Paramount as a stock actor, baa
signed with Metro for a role In
"Along Came Ruth.” starring Viola
Dana.
Malt Moore and Patsy Ruth Miller
have the prinripol roles In “Fools In
the Dark,” now being produced for
Film Booking office release.
Sidney Chaplin, Frank Mayo, Mary
Carr and Phyllis Haver are support
ing Colleen Moore In "Tha Perfect
Flapper," now under production.
Lauretta Taylor will begin the film*
lng of a J. Martler Manners story.
‘A Night In Rome,” at the Metro
studio In Hollywood some time this
month.
Henry Walthall will be Ruth Ro
land's rlgh bower In the filming ef
“Dollar Down," her first feature pic
ture under her own producing belle
ner. _
T j Feature
ioday .* 11,20,
and 1:20,3.20.
■nU 3:20, 7.20,
AH Week I
The Wonder Picture of
New York’s Main Street
AN actual mirror of the great
metropolis and a thrilling,
tense story of celebrated figures of
sport, art, theater and the news
paper world. 4
The most realistic and inter
esting reproduction of musi
cal comedy, the prise ring,
the race track and of night
life on Broadway ever
filmed.
From
the story,
“Cain and
Mabel”
by H. C
Witwer
No One Ever Dreamed
of Such a Cast
Anita Stawart
Dora Davidson
Tax Rickard
Gaorya McManu*
Wiaaar MeCajr
Earl Saada
Jaa Humphries
T. Ray Baraaa
Hal Farda
Irvin S. Cabk
H. C. Witwar
Billy Da Back
Harry HerahfieM
“KM” Bread
Oscar Shaw
Harry Watsoa
Ned Wayhora
• Damon Runyon
Nell Brinkley
Johnny Gallagher
Tom Lewis
Stanley Forde
“Bogs” Baer
and the entire “Zieg feld Follies” chorus
It’s the Life
Geo. Haupt
ruriM
"Whan Light*
Ar* Law"
Rialto Orchoatra
Ptayl««
“Norw*|i*n Rk«p»®dy"
Cliff*
Bowes
In
Don't
HtiiUt*
The Mistreso of Emotion
POLA
NEGRI
"Shadows' of Paris’
A Story of Paris Upper and
Underworld
NEXT NEXT
SUNDAY SUNDAY