The Sunday Oregonian., March 08, 1908, SECTION FOUR, Page 2, Image 36

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COMMENDABLE array of 'offer
ings was niade by- the playhouses
last week, - commencing with Hr-
bcrt Kcleey and Elfie Shannon in "The
Walls of Jericho" at this Hcilig and ex
tending all along down the line to the
lowest-priced place of amusement in town.
The latter half of the week witnessed tha
return of "The Virginian" for its third
annual engagement, which splendid play
.was thoroughly well acted. Paul Gilmore.
always welcome and always well worth
cultivating gave us "The Wheel of Love"
at the Marquam and the Baker forces,
with Iietta Jewel elevated to starring
honors, turned people away every night
with "Zaza," ' notwithstanding the fact
that the sensational Belaseo play has been
seen here time and again. At the Em
pire. Lyric and Star the bills presented
were: "No Mother to Guide Her." "By
Right of Sword" and "Way Out West" in
'the order named. These were unusually
meritorious, particularly :the lust two
named. Tho Grand and Pantages did
themselves proud in the way of fresh and
' interesting vaudeville,
t The coming attractions are: Charles B.
tlanford at the lleilig, commencing to-
. night in "The Taming of the Shrew," fol
lowed by "Antony and Cleopatra on Mon
day and Wednesday nights, while Tuesday
night and Wednesday matinee "The Mer
chant of Venice" will be offered. Friday
iii;ht the Heillg will present Mmo. Lillian
lllaiiv.lt. in concert, assisted by Albert
Kosenthal. the "cellist, and Edith Kellogg.
j.ianlKt. The following Sunday "The Black
Crook" comes for. two nights and under
lined for still later dates are, Mary Man-'
nering. in "Glorious Betsey" and "Coniin'
Thro tho Rye." a musical comedy. The
April musical festival continues to attract
the attention , of mueiclovers. With the
Chicago Symphony Orchestra and a num
ler of famous soloists the affair should
surpass all similaV.affalrs ever held in
the Northwest and it is to be hoped that
It will become, a. regular annual feature.
The Marquam will bo devoted to moving
pictures during; the week commencing this
afternoon- and tile management makes
some flattering .promises of what the en
tertainment will be. The particular fsi
ture is to be the "Marry Widow picttres.
The show .will be. continuous. Later at
tractions booked for tho Marquam are.
commencing next Sunday for a week, Joe
Weber's1 success "Dream City" with a
cast thai in. 'links Mary Marble and a
number of others well krtown. Still later
C'reston Clarke will bring his new play
"The Powers That Govern."
Something of unuaut interest will bo
"The Three of. Xls." which begins the
Haker week this afternoon with Blanche
Stoddard, the new leading woman, making
her lirst Portland appearance in tho role
of Rhy McOhesney. Next week George
Alison will be here to assume leads und
will open in "When We Were Twenty
pne." "Kaffles" and a number of other
Important plays aro in prospect for the
future.
The Empire will give us "A Royal
Slave" this afternoon and all week while
the Star will proffer "Anita, the Singing
tiirl." The Lyric continues with "By Right
of Sword' this afternoon and tonight,
changing to "Our New Girl" tomorrow
night. Orand and Pantagee change bills
tomorrow afternoon. . v
Manager George L. Baker is negotiating
with the. owners of "Zaza" to see if he
can give two extra performances of this
popular play this week. If the arrange
ments can be made, there will be special
matinees Wednesday and Thursday. Ow
ing to the unprecedented success of Miss
Izetta Jewel in the title role and the in
ability of hundreds of people to see her in
this production, it is desired to give the
two extra matinees, providing the owners
of the drama grunt permission. Should
Manager Baker be successful, announce
ment will be made In the dally press
later.
DEL1GHTFIL COMEDY TONIGHT
C harles 1J. llanfurU Begins Knguge-
liicnt ar lleilig Thenter.
Tho eminent actor. Charles B. Hanford.
comes to the Heilig Theater, Fourteenth
and Washington streets, tonitfht for an
engagement of four nights, including a
special matinee Wednesday afternoon.
"The Taming of the Shrew." "Antony and
Cleopatra" and "The Merchant of Venice"
constitutes tho list of plays he will offer.
" The Taming of the Shrew" will be his
play ton'ight, "Antouy and Cleopatra" on
Monday and Wednesday ulglits. and "The
Mcichant of Venice" Tuesday night and
lltu Wednesday matinoc. Miss Alice Wll
on will be seen as Katherine. Cleopatra
and Portia. The scenic equipment is said
to be tho most elaborate ever seen on a
Hanford tour. Mr. Hanford and his man
ager. F. Lawrence Walker, devoted many
months to the preparation of his spectac
ular . production of "Antony and Cleo
patra." which will be seen on Monday and
Wednesday night of his forthcoming en
gagement at the lleilig Theater. The play
has been the admiration of players, pub
lic and critics alike. Cleopatra, a supreme
ligure in the historic events of her day,
lias remained tiirough centuries the in
spiration of genius. The library, the pic
ture gallery and. the stage continue to re
flect her marvelous personality. In order
to give an adequate representation of this
play it is necessary to greatly expand
even the large equipment Mr. . Hanford
has been uceus-tomed to carry. A special
corps de ballet, accompanied by a premier
dnnseuse of rui1 race and aeevnnpltsh
ments. will arid pieturefqtieness and at the
same time r."Hsm to ' the' revelries with
which the Kiyptl in tJiitM-n was brought to
entertain the. miglrty Uoirfan conqueror
who h.vum.' her wiliinc captive. It is
confidently asserted that this production
ccllptH-s anything with which Mr. Hun
ford. In all lis salcinlld experience as a
tar and a prodO.Tr ft' piays. has been
Y.'l -
preted by Miss Alice Wilson, who, during
her American experience, for she is an
English, woman, jhas been prominent in
the support of Charles Hawtry, Otis Skin
ner, Viola Allen and Nat Goodwin. Seats
are now selling at the theater for the en
gagement. "MLltRf AV1IKJW" REPRODUCED
World Craze to Be Seen In Moving
Pictures at Marquam.
Moving pictures are no longer a nov
elty in Portland, but such remarkable
films as will be shown at the Marquam
for a week, beginning this afternoon,
have never heretofore been offered the
local public.
The feature Him will be a series show
ing "The Merry Widow." that wonderful
European comic opera which has become
a vorituble craze all over the world.
For over a year the "Merry Widow"
played in Vienna, then in London.i Ber
lin; Paris and Hamburg, and the tre
mendous reputation of the piece seemed
to gather strength dally. Finally when
It became known that It would be playtM
in America, so great was the enthusiasm
aroused and so great were the expecta
tions of the public that it was feared by
the managers of the company that no
production could live up to its heralded
merits. Just the same the "Merry
Widow" has taken New York captive,
like- every other, city in which she has
danced and sung.
The famous waltz to which the widow
and the Prince dance with such languor
ous grace is full of sensuous melody. The
song of the widow, the rattling ensemble
of the many choruses, the winging love,
song of the Frenchman and half a dozen
other parts of the operetta are the kind
of music which can be expected only once
in a decade, and as shown by moving pic
tures, is very pleasing and enjoyable.
Another film will show the beautiful
Japanese dance. "The Butterflies." Fea
ture music will be introduced to a'oeoTn
pany both "The Merry Widow" and "Tho
Butterflies." A third great film will pic
ture the famous old drama, "The Two Or
phans." which is too well known to need
comment. The show will be continu
ous from 2 to 10 P. M. every day during
the- week. In addition to the attractions
named, there will be a number of tune
ful illustrated songs. In view of the
low price of admission charged, the Mar
quam offering will be remarkable and
should command a heavy patronage.
"THE THREE OF ITS."
Blanche Stoddard, New Leading
Woman, Opens at Baker Today.
This week is an event of double Interest
and importance at the Baker, as It In
troduces to patrons of that popular place
of amusement Miss Blanche Stoddard,
the new leading woman, and also gives
them the first opportunity to see Rachel
Crother's splendid play, "The Three of
ls." at popular prices. The high stand
ard set by the Baker Company this year
has attracted a whole lot of attention
not before in evidence, and crowded
houses to be seen there at every per
formance is the subject of general com
ment everywhere. In securing . "The
Three of Us" to present for stock is an
other triumph, for it was but recently
that it was produced for the first time
here and at high prices. The impression
made on the minds of all those fortunate
enough to see it at that time was a trtft
delightful one. The leading character of
Rhy Macchesney is a thoroughly lovable
one and this beautiful girl Is the central
figure all through the play. She, to
gether with her two younger brothers. Is
holding a mining claim to Nevada their
only hope of better fortune, and in and
around their home all the scenes of this
intensely interesting and romantic play
are laid. One of the brothers is a young
lad of 12 and the other. Clem, a restless,
dissatisfied youth of about 20, to whom
Rhy has been sister and mother in one
and for whom her loving indulgence has
been inexhaustible. Two men have come
into her life, one, Stephen Townley, who.
like herself, is holding a mining claim,
while the other, Louis Berresford, is a
wealthy and polished man of the world
and represents rich Eastern syndicates
in constant search for good paying mines
to be bought at bargains. Stephen dis
covers a rich vein of ore and tells Rhy
of it. Clem, overhearing the secret,
sells it to Beresford, who promptly makes
a coup and buys it. Suspicion of hcving
betraved it falls upon her. but she ill
not defend herself at the cost of disgrace
to her brother. The third act scene be
tween Rhy and these two lovers, which,
takes place in Beresford's rooms, is one
of" the greatest emotional and dramatic
climaxes ever seen in a modern play.
"The Three of Us" is a Western play,
but it is different from any other and
was one of the greatest successes in New
York and in fact every place where It
has been presented by a capable com
pany. There will be tho usual Saturday
matinee.
STORY OF "A ROYAL SLAVE"
Beautiful Drama by Author of "The
Holy City" Opens at Empire. j
Clarence Bennett's "A Royal Slave" will j
be .the Empire's attraction for the week. '
starting with today's matinee. There will I
be the usual matinees Wednesday and
Saturday.
' It may be of interest to know that an
actual Incident furnished the author of
"A Royal Slave'" with the initial idea out
of whl.-h this great play was evolved. The
little item of new appeared in the dally"
papers' at that time. It Is as follows:
"A wealthy Mexican gentleman who was
known: to possess a vast hidden estate,
suddenly disappeared and was finally
f ' ' ' ' ': ''Hp
i.5ii'SB,lmJfJ b f':y.. a.-ygral years
TTTE SUNDAY OREGOXIA PORTLAND,
: - mid nmmifitf&cssbjm. - .... ... u
later a gang of celebrated bandits was
surprised and captured in their strong
hold and a poor. Insane man rescued. He
was taken to a hospital in the City of
Mexico, where an operation of trepan
ning the skull was performed on. him,
his reason returning. He proved to be the
long-lost gentleman, who had been cap
tured by the bandits, who. in trying to
force him to tell the hiding place of his
fortune, had struck him a severe blow
on the head, which dented the skull and
rendered him insane. He had been a cap
tive for years, the bandits hoping that
he might remember, in his half-lucid mo
ments, the much-coveted secret hiding
place, and reveal it."
Knowing this actual incident, it will be
all the more Interesting to the. public to
follow the play itself, and to observe how
much of this charmingly dramatic story
is due also to the splendid imaginative
and creative powers of the author.
"OUR "EV GIRL" MONDAY
Allen Stock Company in Hilarious
Farce at the Lyric.
."Variety's the very spi.ee of life." The
Lyric management believes this maxim
and that is the reason the stlye of bills
offered by the Allen company" week after
week are varied as widely as possible.
Tho change from turiling. romantic
drama, as In the case of "By Right of
Sword." to the funniest farce of the sea
son will be very agreeable to Lyric pa
trons beyond a doubt. There is no. plot
to the piece: it's Just a string of laughs
from'start to finish, which are caused by
domestic complications In the home of a
newly married couple and the blunders of
a atupid German maid,. Katrina, In this
character Verna Felton. will demonstrate
her unusual ability as a comedienne and
will be sure to please. Forrest Seabury
bas a typical Seabury comedy part, and
you know what that means. The fol
lowing cast will giv ean idea of what the
company will do:
Benjamin Brown, doctor and husband..
Forrest Seabury
Ernest Uuwnt. very jealous.. 11. D. Knneuy
Jesisih Perkins, father-in-law . G. L. Wallins
TVallie Wtst. a gulilelcsj youth ..
Rupert Drum
Miehl. a servant iliarlesArres
Jekson. an officer .- . .Bn Eekler
nats-y Oupont, very fly Marie Thomp?on
Edaa Brown, sweet and trusting....,,..
N-r- . . - - mffrAl ..." 4 1 . . , w
Ells
YnAlhAr.iTl.lltW
Tilda Perkins.
airs. LMTft Lt. AllKU
Birdie Nerve, fair and giddy
Miss Maud Maybury
Katrina, who obeys orders, "Our New
Girl".. Miss Verna Felton
The moving pictures between acts will
continue with the newest Pathe films.
First time for "Our New Girl'" Monday
night.
"By Right of Sword". Today.
This afternoon and tonight the beautiful
Palph Stuart romantic comedy-drama,
"By ftteht of Sword." will be repeated.
the engagement closing tonight,
been the hit of the week.
"A.VITA
SINGIXG GIRL"
Sew Attraction at the Star Theater
Begins Today.
"Anita, the Singing Girl," is the new
attraction for the Star Theater, wnicn
the French Stock Company will present-
It will be seen for the first time
In- th West this afternoon at tho
matinee and will continue all week.
This Is only one of the many new plays
which Manager Richard E. French has
been securing for his patrons at the
Star Theater and it will be one of the
beet.
In presenting "Anita, the Singing
Girl" the French Stock Company will
appear in a direct departure from the
class of plays winch nave been hold
ing the boards for so long. "Anita, the
Singing Girl" is a comedy, with a strain
of drama, and It has musical Inter
ruptions. This, as the thousands of
people who regularly attend the Star,
will recognize, is something out of th
ordinary, but it is the novel and new
that the theater-goers want aad the
French Stock Company is in the busi-
MARCH 8, 1903.
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H0uhton . ; L ' . 'M . Sn
v -lit - M
ness of pleasjnu the public and giving
the class of entertainment desired.
There is a line of magnificent and
attractive -paper" for "Anita, the Sing
ing Girl," and this has given the public
an idea of what the play Is like It is
rich in coloring and well . executed.
Anita is of Italian parentage. sup
posedly, and makes her living and sup
ports her Italian master by singing n
the streets, collecting coins from by
standers who are generous enough to
show their appreciation in this sub
stantial manner. Anita' Is the sort of
character which is common in the large
cities of the East and in Europe, but
unknown on the Pacific Coast.
The Idea of the plot Is novel and It is
worked, -out in an intelligent, interest
ing fashion. The management feels
assured that "Anita, the Singing Girl"
will""prove one of the strongest drawing
cards of the season. A large amount
of special scenery will be used and the
artists and carpenters have been work
ing on the sets for the past two weeks.
The costuming, of course, will be ap
propriate, as is the case at the Star.
There will be matinee of "Anita, the
Singing Girl" today, TuesMay Thurs
day aud Saturday.
"Dream City" Next Week.
Although he has a good singing voice,
Johnny Johnson, of the "Dream City"
company, prefers to recite his song, "The
Volunteer Fireman," because he says It
is more In keeping with his character of
the "Rube" chief of the suburban fire--fighting
corps. His rendition of the song
is one of the most amusing features of
the performance. Notwithstanding that It.
is all uttered in the jesting spirit of the
play, there were a few volunteer firemen
in some localities where "Dream City"
has been produced who wrote serious let
ters of objection to Mr. Johnson and
begged him to cut out the song, saying
it waB a serious reflection upon the cour
age and abilities of volunteer firemen in
general. "Dream City" will be the at
traction at the Marquam Grand next
week.
BLACK CROOK" COMIXG
Famous Spectacular Musical Extrav-
.agama at Heilia; Sext Sunday.
At the Hellig Theater next Sunday
and Monday nights, March 15 and 1,
Messrs. Miller and Polhn will present a
new version of "The Black Crook." one of
the greatest successes ever known to
America.
In reviving this notable spectacle, tha
management, while they have to some ex
tent followed tradition, have not hesi
tated to introduce much that is modern,
but not so much that "The Black Crook"
will lose its Identity. The version of the
play, for It Is unlike the new style of
extravaganza and can lay claim to tho
title "play," inasmuch as it possesses a
definite plot, is an entirely new and mod
ernized one. It is divided into three acts
and 15 scenes, and the story of Hertzog,
the "Crook," Rudolph and Amlna. tho
youthful hero and heroine, and the wicked
Count Wolfenstein, is carried out to its
logical conclusion. While the old idea
of a ballet has been discarded in the pres
ent production, there will be no lack of
femininity, as Instead of ballet dancers, a