THE BEE: OMAHA, SUNDAY, JANUARY SO, 1921.
5 D
Enter- 'Successful
Playwrightsa
Prof, and a Critic
By BURNS MANTLE.
WEW YORK (Special Corre
spondencesThe professors
of the drama seldom write
plays. Or, if they do, their plays
ilo not often reach production in the
commercial theater. Or in the sub
sidized art theater either, for that
matter. Possibly because, being
learned, they lack a common touch
with the crowd and those into whose
hands the crowd is seemingly con
tent to place its trust in the matter
ot supplying its theatrical entertain
ment. Or, because, having experi
mented they have found the ex
pcrieiite bitter and give up hope.
I'laywriting is a discouraging
business, even under the spur of en
couragement. And play-selling is
worse. We cannot easily picture
" ieorge Fierce Raker of Harvard,
for instance, peddling along Broad
way a play in which he has con
fidence, trying to convince the aver
age New York manager that it js a
good play and will surely act. " Or
William Lyon l'helps, or William
Norman Guthrie.
. Brander Matthews, when he was
.a younger man and before his
enthusiasms cooled, had a fling at
play.writing, and met with some suc
cess. In our time William Vaughn
Moody of Chicago university, thanks
to the persistence of Margaret
Anglin, who believed in him, pro
duced a success in "The Great Di
vide," and a quasi-success in "The
Faith Healer." Clayton Hamilton,
'now of the movies but late of Co
lumbia university, working with A,
E. Thomas as a collaborator, has
written several plays.
Critics of the drama have been
little more successful as playwrights.
Franklvn Fvlcs. a year ago, had sev
eral plays to lijs credit, the best of
tlieiu written with a collaboratcur,
however. Nym Crinkle was part
author of "The Still Alarm." Chan
ning Pollock became a successful
dramatist after serving time in the
critical chain gang. So did Victor
Mapcs. Paul Wilstach, Charles Fred
erick Nirdlinger. John McNally and
Earl Derr Biggcrs. But only Mapes
and Pollock have kept at it with
anything resembling consistent suc
cess. The critic, as a professional anal
yst of plays, soon becomes so con
scious of the shortcomings of his
'gwn work that he is easily discour
aged, even when he possesses a tal
ent for this most difficult of all
forms of literary expression.
Which adds interest to the fact
that one critic and one professor of
' the drama were represented in the
plays successfully produced. Wil
liam Archer's "Green Goddess" has
been voted the most interesting
melodrama of the year, and Mr.
Archer was long the respected dean
of Londan's dramatic critics. And
Prof. Hatcher Hughes, who lectures
on the drama at Columbia, appeared
as part author of "Wake Up, Jon
athan," which is Mrs. Fiske's new1
play.
"The Green Goddess" was the
gteatest surprise of the two; both
because it is the better play and be
cause it was not reasonably to be ex
pected that the author of a work
called "Playmaking." in which the
set laws of dramaturgy are carefully
written down, could so easily adjust
himself to the task of writing a play
in the popular melodramatic form.
It might be a perfect play con
structurally, we agreed, but it would
prove pretty dull entertainment.
What did an authority on the drama,
and the best known of the Ibsen
translators, know about melodrama?
What sympathy would he have with
the, reactions of the crowd that ap
proves melodrama, and the approv
al of which is necessary to its suc-
"liut Mr. Archer fooled us. He set
out to write a good show, rather
than a perfect play. His story is
that of an English aviator, an
amateur, who undertakes to pilot an
F.nglish major and his wife across
the Himilayas and comes to grief in
the kingdom of Rukh, when his air
plane smashes against a mountain
top in a fog, the particular mountain
top on which the shrine of the
Green Goddess has been erected.
The natives of Rukh are a semi
barbarous group of, fanatics, ruled
over by a rata, who has been edu
cated at Cambridge and returned to
his native country with hatred of the
"lords of creation" in his heart and
a fixed determination to be revenged
upon them for the indignities they
have put upon their Asiatic wards. ,
At the moment of his unwilling j
visitors' arrival he is particularly bit- j
ter because he has just heard that i
in London his three half-brothers
are about to be executed for having j
committed an atrocious murder.
This is his chance to be revenged. At i
the very hour his brothers are to be
hanged in London, he will turn his
hostages over to the natives that ;
their extermination may serve to
square the account. On second '
thought, he will save the life of the j
lady if she will agree to join his i
family and become the mother of a
future ruler of Rukh.
Artfully, and convincingly, the
suspense is sustained. The English
men attempt to escape J by com
mandeering the wirelessfand throw
ing the raja's operator out of a
castle window on to the rocks 100
feet below, but they are frustrated.
and the lady s husband is killed.
(Which helps to clear the plot, he
cause he is a cruel husband and she
is in love with the aviator.)
Finally the arrangements for the
death of the remaining two are pic
turesquely carried out. with all the
thrills of the torture chamber added,
and then, at the psychological mo
ment, help arrives and everybody is
reasonably happy.
A fascinating melodrama, made
doubly interesting by the art of
George Arliss, cast as the suave and
velvet-gloved raja the best part he
has had since "Disraeli," and the
beautifully complete and pictorially
effective production given the play
by Winthrop Ames. Olive Wynd
. ham and Cyril Keightley are in the
cast, and Ivan Simpson gives a fine
performance as the wireless man, a
serville English valet and a fugitive
from justice.
Professor Hughes' play, "Wake
Up, Jonathan," in the final prepara
tion of which he had the assistance
of Elmer Rice, who wrote "On
Trial," is an amusing satirical com
edy in which the familiar pro
tagonist of the modern drama, the
captain of industry who neglects his
wife during " -the accumulation of a
fortnue. is made a comic figure; a
"poor boob" unable to understand
Nfcs. a v rar
Maurice Clarke Says
He Was Bashful When
He Lived in Omaha
CATHERINE MULQUEEN c$
IBtNE" dl the 0RANDEIS
FJ.OGENE. BOTHER.
GAVTY
why women, who confessedly admire
"strong" men, prefer to be loved by
the gentler, more considerate, more
idealistic representatives of the male
sex.
This chap deliberately deserts his
family for 10 years, and then comes
home thinking to re-establish him
self in their affections by boasting
of his $100,000,000 fortune and his
success as a Napoleon of trade. He
finds his chifdren cold and his wife
of a mtnd to accept him as a joke.
He finds, also, that the ne'er-do-well
poet who" was his rival as a boy i3
the favorite of the family. And the
play leaves him with the germ of his
reformation working, while he
blunderingly tries to readjust him
self to the situation.
Mrs. Fiske does much to lift the
little play to theplane of high com
edy, and she is competently assisted
by Charles Daltou as the Napoleon
of business and Howard Lang as
the lovable failure.
What the Theaters Offer
TONIGHT will witness the offrnlng per
(ormance of tho idyl of the musical
comedy world, "Irene," which ths
Vanderbllt Producing Co. will present at
the Brandela theater fur- an engagement
of four nights and Wednesday matinee.
"Irene" Is a romance of a New York shop
girl, who in chosen to display th smart
gowns created by a dressmaker new to
the ultra-fashionable set. Joseph Mc
Carthy, who is responsible for the lyrics
has written & number of catchy songs,
each one to fit t lie situation and story.
Every member of I the company to be
soen in the presentation at the Branded),
served apprenticeship with the Hew York
company before they were given con
tract tor the present tour, to make sure
that they were fitted for .their parts.
The title role Is entrusted to Katherlne
Mulqueen, whose performance of the
role is said to be ideal; Amelia Sum
mervllle, Annie Hart, Nina Penn, Beatrice
O'Connor. Harriet Young. Grace I.aSallo,
Olive TempestA. Booth Howard. Garrett
Carroll, Eugene SiarGregor. Austin Clarke,
George Kising, James Curran and a
sprightly well-trained chorus. The pro
duction ot "Irene" is an exact replica of
that seen in New York during its long
run each and every scene and costume
being duplicated. The tuneful score will
have the advantnge of being interpreted
by an orchestra of 20.
urn he
I Fr
J- it.
WHEN t
at th.
rinv A
he Selwyns present "Buddies"
the Brandeis theater next Fri
day and Saturday, February 4 and
5 with matinee Saturday, theatergoers
will have an opportunity of seeing what
Is said to be tne smartest comedy and
hearing the most lilting music, which
New York produced last season. This
comedy, by George V. Hobart, with lyrics
and music by B. 0. Hilliam. The locate
of the play permits of picturesque set
tings, and it is said that the Selwyns
have taken full advantage of the op
portunity to provide an elaborate scenic
Investiture. A specially selected cast
will present the comedy. Including Jean
Moore, Jamea Marshall, Maurice Clarke,
I.ouia T.e Bey. Shirley Love. Clara Palmer,
Hedley Hall. Edward Menlove, G. L.
Whltcomb. Harry Stanley. Charles Has
song, 8. Kdwanl Ortega, Joseph H. Balrd,
Ann. Roos and I.niiae Clarke.
rnuE JUNIOR PARTNER." a one
I act comedy by -Rupert Hughes, is
to be presented at the Orpheum
thin week with William Gaxton in the
chief role. Business and romance are
combined in this sketch. The star is
supported by a Cdnipany of citpable play
ers. Headline honors will he shared with
the Cameron Sisters, whom critics extol
as being dancers of an unusual type. The
bill Is to have two featured acts, one
presented by Ole Olson and Chic John
son, while the other 's to be tho new
song production offered by Harriet and
Marie McConnell. Jack I.a Vler Is an
equilibrist and an entertaining jester.
Pcge and Green are eccentric funsters
wh do their comedy in pantomime. They
are exceptional athletes. In tho musical
act of Petty Hint and Brcher, the In
strument used is a series of bottles, which,
when struck by mallets, give out a great
variety of musical tones. Topics, of the
Pay will be a screen feature that displays
the fun of the newspaper paragraphers.
Kinograma will picture newa events.
THE Nw York Winter Garden "Pass
ing Show" returns to Omaha on its
east from California. The engagement
Is for four days, starting Thursday,
March 3.
S
B best Show in Town," headed by
Frank Hunter, is at the Gayety
theater for th week. It is a two-
act musical revue in tweNe scenea writ
ten by William K. Wells and called
"Here. Thero and Everywhere." Heading
the big aggregation are Frank Hunter,
Clarence Wilbur, Virginia Ware, Gussle
White. Ethel Costello, l.ou Turner and
Charles Ward. In the matter of pretty
girls this organization has always ex
celled and this season's assemblange of
beautii-H is said to eclipse any that has
heretofore been brought together. Ladles
matinee at 2:15 daily ' all week, starting
tomorrow. Today's matinee begins at
3:00.
OF 1930" a miniature
dancing and musical re
newest and latest vaude
ville production of Will J. Harris, comes
as the stellar act or ine new snow open
ing at the Empress today. Featured In
the act is Sulvia Snow, Dan A. Slgworth,
singing and dancing musical comedy
juvenile, and, Michel Kurzene, a violinist,
of international reputation. Featured on
the bill, are the Stratford Comedy Four,
who preaent "School Frolics," which con
sists of harmony singing, real Bnappy
dialogue and situations. Monroe Lockwood
and Felix Rush, will appear In "Two Old
Bats." the best of its klind. "Bits of
Sunshine." is to be presented by, I, a Rose
and Adams. Smart songs, up to the minute
patter 'and modern dancing promise en
tertainment and enjoyment.
T ID-BITS
singing,
vue, the
VAt
sta
ute
D
AUDEVILLE'S delightful character
star, Harriet Rempel, is to contrib
ute one ot the stellar attractions
at the Orpheum next week. She shares
the headline position with Mme. Doree's
"Operaloguo." A featured act of the bill
is to be contributed by Tom Smith. Miss.
Hampers vehicle is a romantic fantasy
written for her by Tom Barry.icalled
"The Story of a Picture." The 'Tipera
logue organization is made up of ten
vocalists. Popular arias are offered from
such grand operas as "Tales of Hoffmann,"
"Pagliacci," "La Traviata," "Carmen,"
"Faust." No comedian on the vaudevlllo
stage produces heartier laughter than Tom
Spilth, who will be recalled as one of the
funny team known as Smith and Austin.
W. GRIFFITH'S eighth art wonder
spectacle. "Way rown Fast," is
' the Rtiraction annoifceed for Sunday
night, February , tt the Brandlpis
theater of one week with matinees evry
afternoon find another performance each
night following the opening performance.
Griffith la not a preacher. He is an
Illustrator of fundamentals which find their
rarest expression In this enlargement of
a play whose worth was long since proven.
These attributes explain why "Way
Pown East Is the outstanding attraction
of the current theatrical season and It
will he as successful here as It has been
everywhere.
Mary's First Dressing Room
Mary Pickford's first dressing
room is still intact at the old Bio
graph studio in Yonkers. It was
specially constructed for her and is
a two-room cottage just outside the
studio where Mary's first starting
pictures were made. It is now used
for storing paints.
JT; Nuts and Fruit $
j p Raisins, pineapple, walnuts, ( , 7
1 Deanuts. brazil nuts, almonds.
if
Raisins, pineapple, walnuts,
peanuts, brazil nuts, almonds,
dates, orange all your favo
rite fruits and nuts, dipped in
the most delicious of McDgn
"ald Chocolate coatings await
the chocolate lover who selects
this assortment from among
the ten different varieties of
Roof Garden Chocolates.
THE PEREGOY & MOORE CO,
Distributors Omaha, Neb.
Mffe- S
Ullf 1 iTmr . I i
iilm,.,uMil:iiy
TEN DIFFERENT
VARIETIES
Guess His Eighth
Ambition Was to
Swallow Cyanide
Buster Keaton, Metro comedy
star, published recently a list of his
seven boyhood ambitions. They
were:
To break milk bottle over nurse's
head.
To play with T. N. T. and cus
tard pies.
To be "cut-up" in school.
To get a job asan "extra" in a
studio and have all the breakaways
fall on him,
While playing in New Orleans
recently, Maurice Clark, an Omaha
hoy, who is the leading comedian in
the iidwyns' musical play, "Bud
dies," which will be seen at the Bran
deis theater next Friday evening
and Saturday afternoon and evening,
was interviewed by a special writer
on the Times-Picayune of that city.
During the interview the writer
said: "In watching your perform
ance, one forgets that yon are act
ing the excruciatingly shy 'Babe.'
A lady sitting next to me said to
her companion, "I'll bet he is every
bit as bashful off the stage."
"Well, to be truthful," volunteer
ed Mr. Clark, "as a small boy I
was about as bashful before the fair
sex as 'Babe' is when he is supposed
to propose to 'Julie.' My parents
sent me to Miss Lillian Fitch in
the old Boyd theater for instruction
in elocution thinking to cure me of
this weakness.
"I enjoyed my work xwith Miss
Fitch,but it never occurcd'to me
that some day I would have to re
cite in public iiistead of in the little
quiet studio. Finally one day she
broke the news to me that the next
night I .was to recite at a large
church.
"From that moment the terrible
time flew. Too soon I found myself
in the big church, which was packed
to the doors. I was handed a pro
gram. Away down the list my name
suddenly came up and hit me in the
face: From then on I Jieard or saw
nothing. Numbers sped by and,
then, miles away, I heard my name
read as next on the program.
' "I did not feel my legs move un
der me, but in a moment I stoed in
the pulpit. A mist floated before
my eyes. My voice was gone. I
had a greater desire to be 'laid out'
ony the pulpit than to be standing
there. But suddenly the mist was
swept away and there clearly before
me were hundreds of pleasant, ex
pectant faces. I grew as confident
as Bryan. Words flowed out. When
I finished and the audience gave me
three encores, I was' transported to
the ethereal area.
"My late was scaled. 1 must be
some kind of an oratorperhaps a
lawyer or a politician. I had al
ways a great love for the theater.
Almost every night found me lean
ing over the highest rail in the old
Bovd theater.
"One night 1 heard some actors
rehearsing in a hall of the theater.
I tip-toed up to the door and lis
tened with awe. One of the girls,
who knew I was a pupil of Miss
Fitch's spied me and dragged me
into the room. The director thrust
a part into my hands. It was
Thisbc in "A Midsummer Night's
Dream.' Well, that was all there
was to it. The play was the thing.
I had to be an actor.
"As to whether or not my parents
cured me of my bashfulness, is hard
to say." I have no doubt if I ever
get into 'Babe's' prediciment my old
malady will come back to tne."
"Way Down East" a Mint
' There are said to be 13 prints
of "Way Down East" working night
and day in this country for Ihe
nrofit of David Wark Griffith and
his backers. It is also said that it
is a poor financial week when the
total receipts
$190,000 mark.
are not around the
"OMAHA'S FUN CENTER"
.Daily Mat., 15c to 75c
Nites, 25c to $1.25
JAMES E. COOPER PrtMnti
The BEST SHOW IN TOWN
With FRANK HUNTER, A Cptbt Cut and a
Blf Btauty Charm. It'l a Rlppln'. Plpoin. Rol
lickln' Ru.
LADIES' DIME MATINEE WEEK DAYS
EATTY'S
Co-Operative
Cafeterias
Par Dividends to Thosa
Who Do ths Work
4 Vaudeville .
Shows Daily
At 2:15, 3:30
7:30 and 9:00
Continuoua
' Evary Day
Performances
II to It
A BIG DOUBLE SHOW FOR THE PRICE
OF A PICTURE SHOW
CHRISTIE COMEDY
"WEDDIUG
BLUES"
Fun that Fita from
Six to Sixty
FOX NEWS
The Most Cbmplete
and Up-to-Date New
Weekly
TID BITS OF 1920
A Miniature Musical Revue
Will J. Harris' Newest Vaudeville Production
LA ROSE LOCKWOOD
& ADAMS & RUSH
In Predentin s
"BITS OF SUNSHINE" "TWO OLD BATS"
stratf6rd comedy
FOUR
"LAUGHS, COMEDY SONGS AND TALK",
PHOTOPLAY ATTRACTION
THE SKY17AYMAH
0 Featuring
Lt. Lormer Locklear
The man who gave the world it
Greatest Thrill
A story of life and thrills
above the clouds
See aviations most intrepid dare
devil perform stunt which
.made him famous.
TAMIPUT11"1 Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday
I UlVlUn I Matinee Wednesday r
(Is Piwed For Onb Solid Mem At Thb
VANDiRBILT THEATRE-New toRK.
Tlilr VAN DE REMIT PRODUCING CO. Pnsserih
th& Smart
Musical Combdv
CP
Japes MontQomey. - liusie ty Harry Tienzcy.
Imcs py Joseph WCsrthy Jlacd by fdward Royct
Interpreted by A Cast Of Artijtj
WHO ARE ifcLDOM itEN AWAY FROM
The New York Theatres
DDIOCC Evenings f 1.00, $1.50. $2 00, $2 50 and $3.00
r HI wE3"" Matinee Wednesday 50c, $1.00, $1.50 and $2.00
With Mall Orders, Add 10 for War Tax.
Thursday
Evening,
February 3
. at 8:15
The Tuesday Musical Club Presents
RACHMANINOFF pianist
Tickets $1.00 and $3.00 No War Tax
Stage, 2d Balcony and Extra Seats Available
and 5
Friday and Saturday RTRTD A
Matinee Saturday D Sf
THE SELWYNS OFFER
A Fragrant Romance, Studded With
Tuneful. Catchy Song Numbers
Direct from
Triumphant Engagements in New York and Chicago. , ,
0
0
A A 71 JL I 1 7 I
'tiff
THE MOST DELIGHTFUL MUSICAL !?LAY
PRESENTED IN YEARS "j
Maurice Clark of Omaha and a Cast of !
DISTINGUISHED MUSICAL COMEDY PLAYERS
Nights-Matinee
-Lower Floor, $2.00 Balcony, $1.50 and $1.00; Gallery, 50c
Lower Floor, $1.50; Balcony, $1.00 and 75c; Gallery, 50c
SEATS ON SALE
Mail orders filled now, if accompanied by check or money order and self
sddressed, stamped envelope for mailing of tickets. Add 10 for war tax.
3J7
I M all
VA
lsWjrrv(JOvfJUX
Week Starting Sunday, January 30
Matinee Every Day, 2:15 Every Night, 8:15
Joseph Hart Presents
WILLIAM GAXTON
& CO.
in "The Junior Partner"
By Rupert Hughes
CAMERON SISTERS
Society's Daintiest
Entertainers
Edwin Weber at the
Piano
rx x i
KN
JACK LA VIER
"All in the Spirit of Jest"
Ole , Chie
OLSEN & JOHNSON
Likable Lads Leaded with Laugh
PETTY REAT & BRO.
Assisted by 20 Li'l Bottles
PAGE & GREEN
Eccentric Silent Funsters
HARRIET and MARIE McCONNELL
in
The New Song Production
"THRILLS AND FRILLS"
By Hassard Short
TOPICS OF THE DAY
KINOGRAMS
Matinee 15 to 50c; some at 75c; $1 Sat. and Sun.
iNights 15c to $1.25. Patrons pay U. S. War Tax.
1
USaifSJII ewJ
Is
! JM Admission:
STRICTLY HIGH CLASS
DANCING CAFE
Meals and Refreshments At Popular Prices
fdl)AY
Continuous Dancing From 2 P. M. to 1 A. M.
2 JAZZ BANDS 2
Private Dafncing Lessons By Appointment
6 Lessons for $5.00
Special Children's Classes
mtruction by Mils, itlaxine
BIG INDOOR CIRCUS
Thursday, Friday and Saturday
Prizes for Best Character Costumes
Different Entertainment Every Night
Under Personal Direction of Jack Conners
Phone Tyler 5645
mom
w
m
si'
To The People of Omaha
Arrangements have been completed whereby David Wark
Griffith will present personally and under his own direction the
most remarkable motion picture production, and at the same
time the most notable artistic effort in the history of the theater
in this city. It is his latest and greatest "work, "WAY DOWN
EAST" and will be shown for eight days at the Brandeis theater,
beginning Sunday night, February sixth. There will be matinees
daily after the opening night.
In his treatment of "Way Down East," Mr. Griffith has
evolved a new art. It is a rare combination of painting, play and
story tensely interwoven into a fabric absolutely new in the annals
of the theater. '
This newer art form, combining music with its other attri
butes, is the sensation of the season in New York City, and at
present is playing there to the largest number of people ever at
tracted to a theater, with prices ranging from 50c to $5.00.
Following the opening performance in the metropolis, the
New York Herald stated :
"It is well worth ten dollars a seat."
Immediately following the enormous success in New York,
bookings were arranged for Boston, Philadelphia, San Francisco,
Los Angeles and then Chicago as fast as suitable theaters and
extended time might be secured. The plain record from these
cities, where this attraction is yet holding sway and being shown
to eager throngs that daily pack the theaters to capacity is that no
theatrical attraction ever drew such praise or attracted such
crowds, as has "Way Down East"
This would bear out the assertion of the New York Globe that
it is "the greatest spectacle ever seen on land or sea," or that of the
the Boston Herald, which editorially declared it to be "one of the
wonders of the 20th century."
Writing in the Theatre Magazine, Mr. C. Blythe Sherwood
says: "Mr. Griffith has created a new art." This would seem to re
move all standards of comparison and make it essential that you
see "Way Down East" to correctly estimate the wonders that the
producer achieved.
Arrangements for the Omaha engagement carry Mr. Grif
fith's assurance that "Way Down East" will be presented here
with the same care for detail and elaborate embellishment that has
marked its triumph in other cities. The presenting organization is
a large one and includes a special symphony orchestra under the
direction of Mr. Gustav Hinrichs, who will be remembered as
successor to the late Theodore Thomas in the directorship of that
famous orchestra, Mr. Hinrichs has recently been associated with
the Metropolitan Opera in New York, and also occupied a chair
in music at Columbia University. An important item of local in
terest is that the regular Brandeis theater scale of prices will be
charged for the local run.
P D I C E C. Nifthts and Saturday Matinee
1 lIVuiJi Daily and Second
SEAT SALE TOMORROW AT
Sunday Matinees ,
10 A. M. MAIL ORDERS
50c, $1.00, f 1.50, VlM
. .25c, 50c, 75c, $1.00
FILLED PROMPTLY