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About The Omaha morning bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 1922-1927 | View Entire Issue (Feb. 22, 1925)
-- Bank Roll Gage Belasco Measures His Drama on Boxoffice Basis and Wins Point. v—-----_/ By PERC Y HAMMOND. New York, Feb. 51. IT IS said of Mr. Belasco that his losses last year In such worthy pursuits as “The .Merchant of Venice’ were upward of $300,000. These, of course, are Broadway fig ures and are therefore not certified. Ilut It is known that the master's savings were considerably If not ruin ously depleted, and that at three score and 10 he heard snarls of the wolf at his door. That unhappy condition is now amended, and the hollow cheeks of Mr. Belasco's neediness have become dimpled with prosperity. Abandon ing what are called “the better things'' he turned his attention to en terprises less haughty. First “The Harem" replenished his vacant coffers and then “C.adles of the Evening.” While increasing his fortune these ventures subtracted from his pres tige. Accustomed to praise, he found himself an object of curses. One prominent New Y'ork journalist re ferred to him editorially as “a cheap skate on Broadway.” Mr. Belasco, 1 hough wounded in Ills feelings, dis regarded the epithets as merely one of the disadvantages of thrift. The jingling of the guineas healed the hurt that honor felt. Few of us are qualified to censure Mr. Belasco in the circumstances. The temptation was great, and showmen, through their contact with theater goers, become cynical. So I shall re frain from scolding Mr. F.elaseo. I even suspect that some of the holy ones who scourge him might them selves do as lie does In a similar pre dlcament. An odd feature of the cam paign against Mr. Belasco is that the New York newspapers which are most indignant at his misbehaiior print advertisements of his harmful plays. They share with him the revenues of his shame. From every baleful action that occurs on Mr. Belasco's stages the crusaders get their bit. Again T suspect myself incompetent to sit in a court of denunciation. Mr. Belasco's newest argosy is "The Dove," a lively circus by Willard Mack, emphasizing the vividness of night life on the Mexican frontier. In it HolbrooTt Blinn with unerring de tail performs as a lecherous raballero, rich beyond the dreams of avarice, and ambitious to possess the person of Dolores (Miss Judith Anderson), a chaste singing girl in the Purple Pigeon cafe. Opposed to his lustful quest is Johnny Powell, a young and upright Yankee gambler (William Harrlgan). Though a crap-shooter, Johnny Powell has a mind above what he calls “the Memphis tennis courts." He is fond of Dolores and Is anxious to make her his wife—an aspiration In which she f is an accomplice. But Don Jose, the evil caballero, the owner of govern ments and fertile oil wells, intervenes. Until the final moments of the play he has them in his power. Few things can thrill my primitive sensibilities more than to see William Harrlgan Vhlp out his gun and kill a noisy actor In a role entitled Pancho Gonzales. I envied him the other night his aptitude for cold sarcasm, his ability at eloquent, honest insult and Ids quickness upon the trigger. "The loud words, the bang! liang! the quiv ering corpse, the hushed crowds ill Bravfield's gaming house and the po lice filled me with pleasant tremors. There, thought I, is the Ideal exist ence. For I suspected that Dolores would try to make the ultimate sacri fice for Johnny and would promise to give herself to Don Jose In exchange for ljer lover’s safety. Kven when, near the end of the play, they backed Johnny up against a wall and pre pared to shoot him T had a drama lover’s confidence that they would not do so. and that as the curtain fell Dove would prove itself. a« usual, omnipo tent. The play, as Mr. Blinn described it in hl» curtain speech, is a return to the old "theater”—romance touched with realism, it is a good show, and Mr. Belasco may add its receipts to his income without blushing. Other violent melodramas of the week are "Gape Smoke" and "Thg Rat.” both of which are full of loud exciting noises. "Gape Smoke” de picts some wild episodes taking place on the South African veldt, with na tive witchdoctors putting the curse nn white men and venomous reptiles inserting their fangs into quivering humah flesh. Involved In Us troubled romance are James Rennie as a charming oil man from Texas, and Miss Ruth Shepley as a beautiful Knglishwoman, to whom, at the end, lie became betrothed. You should see Mr. Rennie when. In a crisis, he dashes off a check for a hundred thou sand pounds! "The Rat," which hails from Tam flon, may best he described by its scenario. The time Is today, the place is the Paris of the apaches. Thus—The Rar of the White Coffin . . . The Rat’s lodgings, three weeks later . . . The baron's study . . . The apartments of Zelle de Ghaumet . . . In the lamp light ... A oorrldor. The characters Include Alphose. a waiter, and Mou Mou, Paulette. Marcel and Gaby, habitues of the Parisian underworld. The knowing ones soy that "The Dark Angel" Is the work of Guy Hol ton, operating under the pseudonym of “II. R. Trevelyan.’ It Is rather an Ingenious soldier story told in nn old-fashioned way, with long refer ences to Mah Jong and other obsolete atmospheres. What, it propounds, will a Rritisb captain do when, re turning blinded from the wars, he Is confronted with a problem In ro mance? Will he ask the woman who has loved him to share his dusk misery or will he pretend to he dead upon the battlefield, as reported, and permit her to marry another, com pleter man? With two such pleasant I performers as Mr. Reginald Mason and Miss Tatrica Pollings imitating the principal roles, It Is not easy to forecast the conclusion. The blind koldier renounces his rights to the lady and she marries the other man. Blow, shifting nt^ carefully worded. It la at least p1effia.ntly sad. In addition to playing leads In rhiletle comedies, Jlmrnie Adams Is ■ song writer of considerable pupu lerity In California., ^Heaters 7 oecoudsMn ^languevag' coming to flrazicUi? ^-eor*)ie fee Tlal* in U^dLitt' Braudei? I “J*et'.« Go," this week’s twice daily attraction at the Oayety theater, Is said to he one of the snappies, fun niest and most colorful revues pre sented this season on the Columbia Wheel. Chief comedy responsibility lies lightly on Manny King, who, when he Is not getting roars of laughter from his comedy line* and droll mannerism*, 1* making his trusty "fiddle" do It for him. Then there are songs by Nan I’alon, dances, songs, pulps and what-not by Arnette Creighton, Fay Tunes and Helen Flynn—wiih interludes by one of the most gorgeously costumed choruses Fred Clark ever assembled. Among the vaudeville acts is Walter (I’epi Smith in a song and story. Harry Peterson, robust vocalist, will be present. Today's matinee start* at U. Tuesday occurs the customary “surprise night," which doesn't mean a thing except a new, long laugh that should make you roll off your seat. Friday w II b» “Garter night,” during which festivities the pretty choristers will distribute a total of $ IS cash to lucky patrons. f Why Burlesque Managers Lose Their Beaulv SU>ep v_—I-/ “Patience la not only a virtue In whipping a burlesque show into shape—It's almost kk ppr cent of the requisite qualifications,” says Fred ('lark, producer of "l*el's Go," now at the Gayety theater. That such Is a fact Is easy <to understand, espe cially when one considers the chorus. Any man who h«s been in the army can tell you just how difficult It is to teach or learn even the simplest* drill movements—even to keep In step while marching. Imagine, then, ■ CLEAN “L-TwieeDailyw^,, *J|| t-adias' Bargain Mat., 2:111 Wk. Days 81 Original Summer Run Sucrrn Direct ■ From Columbia Theater, Broadway I i«r‘Let’s Go!’ 9 With ■ MAMMY KINS (“loLoitk") g And an Aaaiating Cotarla of Ml CTavar Funmakara ffl arc THE FUNNY HROADCAST INC STATION. 9 THE MARCH OF THE WOODF.N ■ SOLDIERS. ■ TUES —“SURPRISE NITE” 9 Saw Cut-Up Stuff tn Malta l.augha 9 FRI—“GARTER NITE” ilk S1S Caah ItUtributad to l.urhy ||k Patron, by Pratty I horHtara 9 SEE THE PRETTIES ON ■ THE TWIN RUNBOARDS Jmj Hondrada of 25c A Site Aaata Nightly Today’s Bargain Mat. at 3:00, P BoatSaat^0^£^j£r trying to get a couple of dozen tern peramenta I young ladles to dance ac curately “In step." However, thatV what must l»e done, or your chorus will look like Coxie's army after a hard day's hike. And when it cornea to training a group of girls who do the most difficult dance movements in perfect unison, you’re up against a proiKjsitio’n that means many tedi ous hours of drilling. And if you should be unfortunate enough to lose one of the members of the group— you have to start tlte whole thing over from the beginning.” r---- * Orpheum Of fires Hill Made Up of Many Forms of Amusement ---' The 1'. H. S. Leviathan orchestra will he the headline attraction at the Orpheum theater this week, under personal direction of Nelson Maple; and with the well known tenor, Km mett O'Mara, as features soloist. Mr. O'Mara has appeared with the Boston Symphony orchestra, the Boston Opera company and the Metropolitan Opera onmj>any, as well as on the conceit stage. The Lev lath An or chestra scored a. tremendous success in this theater last year and has been tendered ovations in every city on its return engagement this season. Another stellar attraction will be celebrated little Italian prims donna. Mine. Kiunia Trentlnl, and the end nent oonoejrt pianist. Eric Zarde. Mme. Trent ini will be remembered as the star of “The Firefly," “Naughty Marietta" and “The Peasant Girl." Since her last Appearance In thlf country three years ago, tlie famous soprano has been singing in grant! opera In Milan, Italy. Krtc '/.ardo Is knuwn from coast to coast as a con cert pianist of genuine ability. A1 and Harry Klyln are funny men. Howard Kyle, an actor of long and wide experience, will Is* seen In e dramatic playlet entitled "The House at the Crossroads Bert (Jordon and Alice Knowlton have a musical skit, introducing a line of comedy, fun and good music. Helene Heller and Heorge ltlley have good voices, per sonalltles and a knack of getting things over. Althea Lucas and com pany are superior gymnasts. They perform their feats artistically and dextertously, f-—-■ s Last Time Hound Come Durable Comics, McIntyre and Heath v_I-J James McIntyre and Tom Heath have decided that It Is about time to bid fsrewell to the scenes with which they have been so closely associated for so long i time. So this famous blackface leant is making Its final tour of vaudeville, and for their last appearance at the Orpheum theater next week they will give "The Man From Montana,” one of the better known of their many comedy sldte. Last season McIntyre and Heath celebrated their golden anniversary of stage partnership on the Orpheum circuit. Their tour was a regular tslumplml procession. This, their last appearance In the twoaday. should prove an even more signifi cant engagement. Event Extarordinary! FIRST TIME IN HISTORY Meet Them Dance With Them Pernonal Appearance of 12-Movie Stars-12 Cosmic Production Corp. -- -.. Prawn18 z Phyllis Haver Wanda Hawley Bryant Washburn Cullen Landis ‘Anna Mae Wong Helen Holmes Kathryn McGuire Carl Milled Ruth Stonehouse C Ena Gregory Jack Daugherty Joe Murphy Harry Tighe Shrine Movie Ball and Revue Tickets I Revue 8:30 to 9 P. M. $2.00 Informal Dance 9 to 12 P. M. __ Muni - Auditorium * • f-X Mitze in “The Mafic Hinf" at Brandeis Tun l)a\s v___/ The American stage offers less than a dozen popular feminine musi cal comedy stars nt the present time. Ami nf this few. igi better liked mem ber can he found than the Inimitable little Mitzl Th<^ announcement of her forthcoming engagement in this city nf -the Brandeis fur three per formances on Tuesday and Wednes day next in "The Magic Ttlne," her latest musical play success, is theie fore an event. "The Magic King" best described as a fantastic comedy with music. ■ » said to be the most pleasing starring vehicle roughlsh Mltzi has ever had to display her rare entertaining talents. it is by Zelda Seam and Harold I<evey. well remembered as the authors of "lately Billy,” Mitzl* last stage offering, and It Is declared to even excell that ex reliant work. Mitzl and her splendid company come to this city closely following their triumphant engage ments In New Tork, Boston, Bhlla delphta and Chicago. The cast is oT the metropolitan variety with Boyd M arshall, Sidney CJreenst ret. Jean nette Mm !lonnld. Carolyn West, and others prominently displayed. Jack White, producer and super vising director of Kduratlonal Mer maid comedies, Is in New York con ferring with K. W. Hammons, presi dent of Educational Film Exchanges, Im ., and looking over the field for comedy talent for next year's produc tion. Week Starting Today's Mat UNITED STATES SHIPPING Aboard presents the HOWARD KYLE 60RD0N & KNOWLTON "TrH«SMHOADi* 1HK !■ “A RECITAL CLA8»IA|fB* KLEIN BROS. '• »«*««> HELLER & RILEY |_ ALTHEA LUCAS A CO. nil I’BLKRSATip LlFro rniM\ iminn a MME. EMMA TRENTINI M;ir <n' “lh». llrcflj" "Aniwlily Murid I*"- “Thr IVmmnt (»lrl" and ERIC ZARDO isqi-o i Ajfijm rorii s hi i'hk nn rum >» «s t-\l b.thrl Harry more in Pinrro Piny C.orning to Hrandeis ^ | The appearance of Ethel Barry-J more at the Hrandeis theater on March 6 and 7, when Arthur Hop kins presents this popular actress in Sir Arthur Pinero's celebrated play, J "The Second Air*. Tanqueray’’ will arouse the keenest interest. The lo- i cal visit of Miss Barrymore follows almost Immediately this star's highly successful performances of the Pinero play at the Cort theater. New York, and at the Blackstone theater, Chicago. Miss Barrymore combines a genius for light comgdy wifh a power for expressing emotion which is very rare, and in her portrayal of Paula Tanqueray she Is required to display all those brilliant gifts which have previously been revealed in a series of widely varying and compelling characterizations. Paula, has been enacted in America by several fam ous actresees. notably Mrs. Pat Campbell, Olga N’ethersole. Mrs. Madge Kendall, and it will be most interesting to watch Miss Barry tuare’s performance in this role, for slw! Is without doubt the leading American actress of today. "The Second Mrs. Tanqueray” Was written by Pinero when his art was at it* maturity. Thirty-one years have elapsed since Its first perform ance at the St. Janies theater. Con don, but its story is just as fresh and moving today as it was then. Miss Barrymore will bo surrounded l>y a distinguished cast of players, including as it does, Henry Banfell, JJonel Pape, Margot Kelly, J. Colvil Bunn, William Kershaw. Jane Wheat ley, Helen Robbins. George Thorpe, Harold Webster. Oscar Sterling, Walter Howe and Edna Peckham. London String Quartet Si ext on List of the Tuesday Musical Club vI/ "The London string quatert lias brought ensemble playing to about the highest imaginable point, certain ly the best on the concert stage to day," wrote the critic of the Phila delphia Public Ledger on the occasion of the last visit of this organiza lion to Philadelphia. The Jamdon string quartet. will appear on here on Thursday evening, February 26. at the Brandeis theater under the auspi'-es of the Tuesday Musical club. The critic goes on to say 'There Is a sincerity about their play ing which Is unique and the sole aim of the four artists is to give the best Interpretation possible, without any attention whatever to personal achievement, although this very thing demands playing of the highest type. It is always more difficult to sub merge a personality than to magnify It." "Rain" ff ill Prevail Tonight in Extra Show at Brandeis v-/ With an extra and final perform1 snee this evening, 'Usin'' will end Its stay at the Brandeis theater. Oma ha has greeted this remarkable drama wilh large attendance and It is safe to say that the play has lived up to all expectations that its unusual reputation had created, Seldom Is such a ast of players of high repute and Broadway distinction assembled In one organization. Much was promised in advance and it is agreeable to state that the word of the producer, Ham H. Harris, has been lived up to. 'Rain'' can he set down as one of the really worthy attractions of recent years. Orville Caldwell was severaly in jured during the filming of "Sack cloth and Scarlet." the Henrj’ King production, when his horse shied. The actor's left leg was caught In the stirrup, wrenching the knee so l>ad)y that lie I* now wearing a plas ter cnsl. a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a • m m Bring the Family to \ THE TIFFIN ! ; Omaha's Refined Dining ; • Room • m WELLINGTON HOTEL - • 1819 Fama in • I • . m • SPECIAL SUNDAY ■ DINNER J m m 12 Noon to 8 o'CIook • PRICE 75c ; • 1 “ m " Phono AT lantic 1601 for " Rosorvation • • • • I TONIGHT - 8:251 Omaha Join. I New York in of toe decade— _ I By a I Al MM I MX MX M A FLAY THAT THRILLS. | MX ■ ■ X WRITTEN IN THE I _ . LANGUAGE that 1 Last Performance reQPLE ^ SPEAK- I T-O-n-i-g-h-t IDEAL CAST OF PLAYERS— J Good Seat. Ae.il.bl. .1 50c, $1.00, Sl-50. $2 00 »»•“__ I Tu^d.y .nd Fe|,ruary 24th and 25th I „enry W. Sn,.«. Offer. Lh. On. .nd On., Ador.hl. I In Her Moil Triumphant of All Mu.ic.l Corned... § I “THE MAGIC RING” 1 | Guaranteed Ori.m.l New York Ca.t .nd Ch.ru. 1 The arrival of the only, inimitable Mitzi in a new musical production is more than a mere theatrical occurrence, it is a joyous, momentous occasion. Since this small star who sings, acts and dances with equal brilliance, first endeared j herself to playgoers in “Sari,” she has season by season j increased her following, until today she occupies a unique position on the American musical stage. There is only one Mitzi! “The Magic Ring” is the fantastic title of the new pro duction in which piquant Miss Mitzi will be sponsored by the manager who “discovered” her and has ever since guided j her stage career, Mr. Henry W. Savage. The play is de scribed by its author. Miss Zelda Sears, as a “fantastic comedy-with-music”—the music for the occasion having been composed by Harold Levey. Miss Sears and Mr. Levey acted as author and composer for Mitzi in her last play, j “Lady Billy,” and they more recently conquered Broadway by the sparkling success of “The Clinging \ ine. j ! In these scenes a motley group of picturesque person- j alities—a shopkeeper, his wife, a young fom poser, * the- j atrical manager, a career-seeking debutante, with her mod ern mamma and their coterie—-are vivified by the presence of Mitzi in the role of Polly Church, an organ-grinder. Polly's feet are firmly planted in the New York streets, i but insidefcher golden head lie hopes, adventures, dreams. The cast surrounding Mitzi in every instance reflects Henry W. Savage's discriminating and fastidious judgment. > The ensemble includes singing beauties, a girls' instru mental sextette, a group of remarkable boy singers, and bevies of lively dancing girls and boys. Every detail of the scenic production, the costumes, stag ing and orchestral effects, has been perfected under Mr. Savage's persona! supervision. . Show Begins Promptly j No One Will Be Seated Nights, 8:15. Matinee, 2:15 During the Prologue D D I P C C • Nights, 50c, $1. $1 50. $2. $2.50 and $3 Plus R I V L V ■ Matinee . . 50c to $2.50 Tax I NOTE—2d balcony at night: First 3 rows $1.00, 3 to 12 rows 50c aBnBBHHnnasBniBHS^mHHeHBBnHHnBnBnBBiBHHn Thursday Night, Feb. 26 at 8:15 O’Clock l - Theiondon String Quartet James Levey. 1st violin: Thomas W. Petre. 2d violin; H. Wdldo Warner, viola; C. Warwick-Evans. cello. j Public Sale Tomorrow. 10 A. M.—Tickets, 50c. $1, $2 and $2.50 jj T-o„?r FRIDAY and SATURDAY, MARCH 6-7 Matinaa Saturday Tha Saaaon'a Suprama Eaanl Arthur Hopkin* Praaants thel Barrymore In Pinero’s Masterpiece | j “The Second Mrs. Tanqueray” w . it Prical: Errninga—$1.00, $1.50, $2 00, $2.SO s'.nnrnc and *3 Saturday Molina*- 50*. $1.00, ORDt.KS $1.50. $2.00 and $2 50. Saat* on aala Mon NOW day, March 2. 9 3 DAYS, March 1-2-3 WAGENHAIS AND KEMPER PRESENT Tb. Biatoat. Meat O.arwhatinia, Dtaaullc Hit In HUIory al Sta,a “THEr T” j H> V|ary Rob.it. Rirab.il and A.ais Hapwaod NIGHTS MH to MOO Pnpvlot MATINEE TVENPAV. *0r I* II W Wbm (bdfri.1 bv Mall Add 10 P.| t'piit lot W at Ta.