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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 13, 1908)
J ' . THE SUNDAY OREGOSIAy. PORTLAND, SEPTEMBER 13, 1908. . " - i mp - "i- 1 " - I Frank Sheridan Has Found Himself in Play "Paid in Full" Character Actor Well Known in Portland Achieves Triumph What Wil liam Winter Says About Him in Part of Captain William. BT ARTHVR A. GREENE. FRANK SHERIDAX. a. man of In finite personal charm, one of the biggest so'ils I know and the logical aspirant for first honors among present day character actors, has found himself. This bit of Information Is not : exactly what news writers call "live stuff" for It has been several months since he set the country talking about his consummate characterization of Captain "Williams In Paid in Full." Sheridan arrived, here la Portland during the Fair three years ago and endeared himself to many of the right sort through his splendid gifts of mind and his heart capacity. At that time he had done some things worth while but the planets seemed conspiring asaint him. A year later, however, -ne rctnrnpH a the most Important factor In RWnrhe Walsh's Droduction of "The in th Case" and we. his friends. rejoiced for him. It remained for him to meet lia firrat chance in the production of Eugene Walter's .virile play "Paid in rull." In New York last Spring. His work In that instance is now history, ana con tlmiA it where ho may he will And. him- slf pstfiblished beyond a peradventure. No les an authority than "William Wla tr. ripLn And ease among- English writing critics, recently paid him the following tribute in the esteemed New York Tribune. It i almost an unprecedented tribute comlnff from Mr. Winter, whose conservatism is common Knowjeage. In referring to his work the master says: Mr Shridan' Impersonation of William, while horribly truthful. Is artistically maff niflpnt Th Ator seems to be. Dhysically. united to the cart, by reason of hia bulk and srature. bis solidity and poise, while, mentally, he has Identified himself with it. by a judirlouc. firm, fine and decisive use of his histrionic faculties. He possesses power, authority and repose. He shows that he has formed a clear Ideal of the character to be assumed, and. in his as ..imntinn rr it ti r)oi not. even for an ln Ft ant, lapse out of Its personality. He domi nates the .scene, whether speaking or re maining silent, by intrinsic command by belnjr what he assumes to be. That Is Im personation. He possesses exceptional skill (n ths art nf "maJte-un. Williams Is a sailor, advanced in years. Mr. Sheridan's discretion has rightly prompted him to avoid use of hair on the face an expeaieni ai . i- trt h avoided when nosslble. and es pecially Inadmissible in such a case as this where, nevertheless. It would ordinarily be emploved. . The actor's eyes are larg;e, dark, and exceedingly expressive, and his use of them Is brilliantly expert, for the promotion of dramatic effect. His vocalism is wonder fully well modulated. His exposition of the traits of a sailor (such as the slightly rolling- walk, as of a person Ions; habituated to the motion of a vessel at sea; the peculiar handling of bis pipe; the slow grinding of the tobacco between- his palms, and the careless scattering of an excess of that powder upon the floor). Is, in effect, spon taneous and natural. His consistency of de meanor and movement that of a person of great strength, who Is beginning to become somewhat unwieldy is steadily preserved. His actifcg endures the merciless test of soliloquy and of Its attendant solitude on the scene. The manner of a human being when alone Is the complete revelation of his character. No ordeal la so difficult for an actor as that of thinking aloud. Mr. Sheri dan shows himself to be one of the actors (and they are few) who can meet that ordeal. aklng all the time that la neces sary to create the purposed effect, without ever, for an Instant, losing his hold upon the absorbed attention of his audience. There are mcments In his personation of Williams wtvn the spectator becomes un conscious of acting and is enthralled by the Illusion of iu:ur. The scene between Williams nd Mrs. Brooks, abstractly con sidered. 1s loathsome, lr. Its sinister Intima tion of impending brutality; but the acting of Mr. Fherldan. by its unusual captivating use of transparency, redeems the effect of that situation, and causes the grossness of It to be almost forgotten. The preliminaries through which that scene Is contrived are Irrational, forced, clumsy. In actual life a husband unless a monster would not ask i Frank Sheridan mm Captain Wil liam In "Paid la FaH." his wife to intercede In such a manner, nor would the wife consent to his request. Once contrived, however, the scene Is theatrically effective, and Mr. Sheridan's acting in it makes Its effective theatrical quality bril liantly conspicuous. Artistic strokes abound in it. The abrupt transition from good-humor to cold, harsh, peremptory menace, when Williams exclaims "What's your proposition have you got the money?" affords one specially fine example of art. A colloquy occurs between Smith and Williams. In which the former warns the latter, with reference to his treatment of Mrs. Brooks: "I've known her," he says, "ever since she was In short frocka She has always looked up In my face and smiled. When I come back, if she's not able to look up In my face and smile. I'm coming to see you, Williams, and I'm coming heeled." "What particular kind of heel do you wear. Smith?" Inquires the Captain. "If you should ask the man that makes m.M re plies Smith, "he would tell you that the article Is a forty-five Colt." The manage ment of that colloquy, by Mr. Johnson and Mr. Sheridan, is quite Indescribably felici tous; in fact, it is perfect. As Smith goes out Williams says: 'G'night," using a bland, gentle tone, that is full of serious significance and also of humor. Then, alone, after' a moment of rumination, he says, in a wonderfully expressive accent: "And he'd do H. too. If he thought he ought to." Another fine stroke is the pleased, ap proving tone tbat Mr. Sheridan uses when ever Williams has to mention nonesty in the conduct of other, persons a, tone that Implies profound approval of the old maxim "Speak of a man as you find him": a tone that Indicates the goodness, yet unextin guished, notwithstanding a life of much evil. In the fabric of that old sinner. "Al ways f ur and squaar; always treated me faar; always did what you said you'd do. and did It In a pleasant way," says the dangerous Captain. The part is not a dif ficult one to comprehend ; it is perfectly obvious; not In the least subtle; but It re quires acting of a high order to make It effective; and that requirement Mr. Sheri dan has fulfilled. If such a performance as he gives had been given here by a for eign actor, speaking a foreign language by Slgnor Novell!, for example, or M. Co- quelin, or M. Max It probably would have been received with hysterical acclamation. As such things go, it is taken as an or dinary achievement: precisely as Mr. Theo dore Roberts' extraordinary performance e taken, when he acted, so magnificently, "The Right of Way." Great Tenor Who Charms Thousands With Tear-Bringing Songs of Yesterday Jose's Visit to Portland Revives Tender Memories in Public Mind. BY ARTHUR A. GREENE. IN a crowded downtown elevator yes terday one of the passengers began humming "Silver Threads Among the Gold." An elderly man, whose hair was full of silver threads, remarked: "I'm glad Dick Jose brought that good old song back to town. It recalls many memories to me." The hard-headed business man's eyes were suspiciously moist as he said it, too. A younger man contributed, rather hesitatingly: "I heard Jose aing it last night. I'll admit it made me foolish. My mother used to sing me to sleep with that song more than a thousand years ago." These two men voiced the sentiment of hundreds who went night after night to hear the great "popular" tenor sing the songs of yesterday, and the memories which cling to those misty yesterdays are revived. All of us with a vein of senti ment get a melancholy pleasure from the forgotten ballads and a genuine thrill of enjoyment from the singer's singing. An interesting feature of Mr. Jose's visit is discovered in the fact that Dr. C. W Cornelius, of Portland, brought out Jose more than 21 years ago. It seems that it must be longer and that Jose must be ; much older than 33. It seems that he's been going up and down the country for ! a generation, at least, but I have the : figures for it. Dr. Cornelius was In tne theatrical business in those days. To ! gether with Charlie Heed he had just opened the Majestic in San Francisco and was looking for talent for Charlie Reed's Minstrels, of which, he was half owner. The treasurer of the theater said to Cor nelius one day: "There's a young Cornlshman up at Reno that can Just naturally sing the spots off these fellows you're engaging. He's a blacksmith and can certainly war ble. Why dont you give him a chance?" Cornelius answered that he didn't want . to take any chance as an lmpressario of musical blacksmiths. The treasurer was insistent, however, and finally offered to pay the railroad fare if they would send for the boy blacksmith. The doctor re luctantly consented. "When I got that telegram offering me a place on trial with Reed's min strels I grew dizzy," said Mr. Jose last night. "It came on a Saturday night and at the close of work Monday, I threw my leather apron over the anvil and put my hammer on it First With Minstrels. "I'm going to hang up the hammer and go on the stage. I told the other men, but take care of my hammer. I may need It again. 'Of course, you'll need it again.' was all the satisfaction I got. I Joined the minstrels at Sac ramento. They were returning from an engagement here In Portland. I bad my tryout in Sacramento and seemed to suit. After a week of one night stands we went into San Fran cisco to open the Majestic. Mr. Cor nelius he wasn't a doctor In those days after hearing me sing came around to talk business with me. I was only 18 and not very promising looking. I suppose. Only because I made the audience applaud did I seem to appeal to him. After some prelim inary sparring he offered me $12 a week. "I accepted with the understanding that I might get more later. People began talking about the young black smith with the contra tenor voice, and I was considerable of a card almost from the start. A little later, six weeks, to be exact. Birch & Cotton made me an offer of 50 to go on the road with a minstrel show they were organizing. That seemed like all the money In the world to me. "The doctor couldn't figure out how I was worth fifty per, so he let me go. Tou can put this down as a cer tainty, however, I've never ceased to be grateful to him for giving me a chance and we ve been having a genuine old- fashioned reunion since I came. That was in April, 1887, and in the Fall I received an offer from George Lederer to go to New York at $125 a week. He paid me $150 the second season and then I went to "The Old Homestead at $:00. You. will remember that "The Old Homestead" ran for three solid yearB, and during that time I didn't have my trunk out of the theater. Loves the Old Songs. "Since that time things have been pretty comfortable for me. I was with Billy West's minstrels for a time and then went into vaudeville. I sing the old songs because I love them and because there are so many singing the new ones. That is my greatest pleasure. To pre serve the old-time ballads, to refresh the memories of the older generation and to. if possible, teach the youngsters something of their beauty. "Speaking of 'Silver Threads' reminds me of an experience I had a few years ago in Philadelphia. I found out that D&nks, who wrote it, was living in cheap boarding-house in the city, a very old man and in dire poverty. He didn't have enough money to buy a ticket to hear me and I was told that he was heartbroken over it. I invited him to be my guest, sent a carriage for him, gave him one of the best seats in the theater and went out to supper with him after ward. We both enjoyed the meeting thoroughly. He had In his room an old organ on which he had composed "Silver Threads, and every morning It was hia custom to play. One morning, shortly after I had seen him, the other tenants missed his morning concert, and. upon Investigation, found the old gentleman BASEBALL RECREATION PARK Cor. Vaughn and Twenty-fourth Sts. LOS ANGELES vs. PORTLAND September 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. Games begin weekdays 3:30 P. M.; Sunday, 2:30 P. M. Admission Bleachers, 25e; Grand stand, 50c; boxes, 25c extra. Chil dren: Bleachers 10c, Grandstand 25c LADIES' DAY FRIDAY Boys under 12 free to Bleachers Wednesday. sitting at his organ, his head on the key board, dead." The present tour of "Dick" Jose is a picnic with him. for be it known that be Is rich enough to spend all his days In luxurious Idleness. During the last two or three years he has spent most of his time at his beautiful California home. But in spite of the fact that he is almost In the millionaire class, the old delights of "trouping" lure him out once in awhile for a tour. He speaks of the present trip, which will extend only to Denver, as if it might be a farewell. But it won't. As sure as he lives he will take another year or two off. looking after his big Interests, and then "hit the road" again. And there's no earthly reason why he shouldn't. He's always sure of tilling theaters and even If he shouldn't. It doesn't make any difference to 'him, so long as he retains his marvelous voice, ... He can afford to take chances with bad seasons. He supports his . aged mother and a number of brothers and sisters, who still live on the Welsh coast, and once in awhile he goes back to Sing again in the little church where he sang in a boys' choir many years ago. Mrs. Jose accompanies him- on the present tour and they are making a reg ular holiday excursion of It. Here's hoping that Jose will remain true to hia resolution to sing none but the old songs and that he'll keep that voice tuned up for many years "to come. DARING HORSEMEN COMING Buffalo Bill's Riders From Many ' Countries to Thrill Crowds. The rough rider contingent of Buffalo Bill's Wild West Show is the most re markable assemblage of equestrian ex perts ever presented to the public In one exhibition. They have been gath ered from all parts of the world and comprise . the most skilled horsemen of the various nations they represent. Their saddle 'methods are many and varied, ranging from the daring of the Russian Cossack to the military state liness of the Royal English Dragoons. Prominent among the rough riders will be American Indians, cowboys and Western girls. There will also be Jap anese cavalry, now seen for the first time In public; Mexican vaqueros. In their picturesque attire; South Ameri can guachos, the dandles of the exhibi tion; German cuirassiers, Arabs, the Irish Lancers, and other representative horsemen.' Never before have so many nations been represented in a publio exhibition, and leading them all twice dally Buffalo BUI will appear, rain or shine, the most i dashing horseman of them all. The horse will also play his original role in the big battle scenes which form a'part of the Wild West exhibition, and in other scenes he will re-enact the Important part he took in helping to redeem the Western wilds to the uses and advantages ot civiliza tion. In . the cavalry drills, in "The Great Train Hold-Up." In "The Battle of Summit Springs" and in other parts of the Wild . Went exhibition .the horse will be put forward as. the most im portant and essential factor in the entertainment. JEWISH LEAGUE ORGANIZED PROF. M. F. KXOX, At Red Men's Hull, Portland, 10th and Washington sts., founder ot the Mental Rrlenc CoLletce. the most successful and .noted lecturer, teacher and healer today In the world, will deliver 4 tree lectures. 1st. Sundav, Sept. 13. 8 P. M.. "How to Over come Poverty and Accumulate Wealth." 2d. Monday. Sept. 14, 2:30 P. M., "The Law of Mental Heallnr." 3d. Monday, Sept. 14. 8 P. M., "Adaptation." 20 children delineated. Seats Free see rrot. b.eox at iiotei ijres lin. Room 5'i. New Society Establishes Headquar ters on Front and Caruthers. The Hebrew Educational League was recently organized in this city. Its purpose is to spread knowledge of He brew thought and Hebrew literature among the Jewish youth, and also to unite the different elements Into a solid body, that they may work together for the good of the country and the benefit pf humanity. A library and reading room will be established in the near fu ture. Magazines and daily papers from all parts of the world will be received. Frequently lectures will be given by prominent men and women, and there will be debates and literary evenings. The clubrooms are at 614 H Front street corner of Caruthers. An address will be given today at 3 P. M. by D. Soils Cohen. Everybody is invited. BUNGALOW . PHONES MAIN 117 1 4224 Empire Theater Co. (Inc.) Lessee, Geo. L, Baker, General Manager. Portland's Fashionable, Popular-Price Playhouse. Home of the famous Baker Stock Company. SPECIAL ATTRACTION-ALL THIS WEEK Starting Sunday Matinee, Today, September 13, 1908 The correct version of the greatest theatrical sensation of two continents. THE DEVIL Adapted From the Hungarian of Fereno Molnar THE PLAT THAT IS THE TALK OF EUROPE AND NEW YORK Strange witty, satirical and full of unusual scenes and situations. Spe cial scenery. While Intensely human, an atmosphere of weird unreality pervades the entire drama. Stage nnder tne direction of Donald Bowles. Seats should be secured at once. Matinee Saturday. Evening prices: Me, 88c, BOc Matliveea, 15c, SSe. NEXT WEEK A GILDED FOOL, THE STAR Phones MAW ..148 Playing Only the Stair-Havlin Eastern Road Attractions Commencing Sunday Matinee, Sept. 13th, 1908 Frank G. King Presents the Magnetic Little Actress Chie Perkins In the Newest Western Play The Little Prospector A Typical Story of Mining Life in the Far West. An Ad mirably Balanced Company. Original Scenic Effects Magnificently Staged. Matinees Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Night Prices: 15c, 25c, 35c, 50c. Matinees: 15c, 25c, 50c. Next Attraction, Nell Gwynne, Sunday, Sept. 20th HEALED BY SIMPLE FAITH French Wizard Who Blazed Trail for Mrs. Eddy Is Dead. Christian Science Is no new thing, and Is no American invention. An old wizard of So. who has Just died in Auvergne, practiced the doctrine successfully for half a century along the unsophisticated peasantry of that country. He did not call his method Christian Science, but gave out that he "healed in secret, ana seems sometimes to have been as good as his word.' When 'called he never touched a patient, prescribed no medicine and advised no change In diet or manner of living. All he asked was, "Have you faith? Are you persuaded that the Al mighty can cure you?" If the patient said "yes," the healer merely urged him or her to bear up and "to put faith in God, who cures the sick." He then went home to pray and his patlenta were cured. ' Some of them, at all eventa, say they were, and their number was enough to make the wizard's reputation. When he had become known all over Auvergne his fame spread abroad. Of late years pa tients had come to him from all over Europe, chiefly from Switzerland and Germany, and even from America. His death Is looked upon as a public calamity In Auvergne, where all the peasantry mourn him. The ancient healer, whose name was Vlgner, was at any rate sincere. He never took any fee for his "consultations" and PANTAGES THEATER NEW BILL MONDAY ADVANCED VAUDEVILLE-STARS OF ALL NATIONS Week Ending Todayi Tour last chance to see Leon Morris & Co.'s Troupe of High School Shetland Ponies; John Hodge and the wrestling ponies. Banner & Madison, positively the greatest comjdy animal act In America; and five other big feature acts. WEEK, Commencing MONDAY MATINEE, SEPT. 14 The Four Musical Hodges IX A SPECTACULAR MILITARY MUSICAL ACT Special Added Attraction TATUM THE WIZARD OF SECOXD SIGHT MAVD ROCKWELL, Comedian and Character Singer. BARNEY FIRST, Hebrew Comedian. THE HELSTO.VS, Presenting 'The Stenographer and the Office Boy." THE TWO ZOLARS. Fashion Plate Song and Dance Artists. MYRTLE VICTORINE, La Petite Soubrette. ELLIOTT BEAMER, Baritone Soloist. The Blograph, presenting the latest Animated Picture, direct from the Manufacturer. Matinee prices: 15 cents. Evening prices: 15 and 25 cents, and Box Seats 60 cents. THES 5? 3 Swimming's Good GRAND REVIVAL OF SKATING AT RINK Free Gates Today Till 6 P. M. ? Last time tonight, the burlesque extravaganza, "THE SCHOOL GIRL 99 Brilliant scenic and electrical investiture, big song hits and novelty dances by Curtis Dancing Girls. Farewell Week of Curtis Players, Com mencing Tomorrow Night, in "Jakey, Mikey and Ikey" Concluding a record-breaking run in this city. Skating sessions all day in the big, airy rink Dancing Pool Laughing Rides on the Tickler The Scenic Mill Coaster and Chutes. Twenty other popular amusements. Cars First and Alder; 15-minute ride. 5? IS steadfastly returned even gifts sent to him by patlenta whom he had cured by faith. Tries to Burn Flour-Mill. SACRAMENTO, Cal., Sept. 12. An at- Vaudeville de Luxe Week of MONDAY MATINEE, September 14th, 1908 Variety of the thoroughly pleas ing kind, is the keynote of the Grand's new bill nest week. It is headed by that well-known Eastern star, Frederick V. Bowers Late of "Ham Tree" Company, in a one-act musical comedy, "COLLEGE DAYS" Play by Charles Horwitz, music by F. V. Bowers, staged by Jo seph Hart. Special Added Feature, J. K. EMMET and VIOLA CRANE In a One-Act Comedy, A South Dakota Divorce TOM MOORE ' Singing Comedian. Willie Hale 8 Go. Premier Jugglers. MRS. JDLES LEVY and Family In a Musical Melange. Stevenson & Nugent Eccentric Comedians, Singers and Dancers. FRED BAUER Portland's favorite, rendering, by request, "She Was a Grand Old Lady." GRANDISCOPE New Motion Pictures. Dally Mat. (ex. San.-holl.) 15-25-ROc J Dally Mat, (ex. Sun-boll.) 15-25-50C V A Phones Main 6 and A 1020 THE A TER Payinr Particular At tention to the Enter talnmant. Comfort and convenience of Ladies and Children. FORMERLY MARQCAM. GRAND ADVANCED VAUDEVILLE WEEK COMMENCING Preientlni at all Times the Best of. European and Ameri can Vaudeville Attractions. MONDAY MATINEE, SEPT. 14 FOLLOWING ALL-STAR FEATfRB ACTS Jane Courthops 6 Co. "EKAiKF , AFTER SCHOOL." In a Thrllllnr Story ot the Sierra Nvaaa. SWOR BROTHERS " LUCKY JIM " Impersonator of the Southern Neitro, ty McPHEE 6 HILL KKlM Wf ELiCH In the New Aerial Creation. w w . "The Clown and the Tired MM." In ol Original Italian and Hebrew Imper.ouat.on.. . MAURICE COOKE BELLE HATHAWAY'S siMiAy playmates. OmgOM nONJCTURES PERFORMANCES EVERY EVENIXO AT Sil5 MATINEE DAILY AT t:I5 a EVENING PRICES 1S-25-S0-75C EVENING PRICES 1S-25-50-75C Dally Mat. (fi. Sun.-aoll.t 15-85-SOo Dally Mat, fex. Sun.-holl. lB-SS-SOe THE LYRIC OTH PHONES MAIN 4885 1 HOME 10S. Starting SUNDAY MATINEE, SEPT. 13 THE BLUNKALL COMPANY WILL. OFFER THE WORLD'S GREATEST DRAMATIC SENSATION TIE 11 iU THE TALK OF TWO CONTINENTS First Time Outside of New York Full Strength of Company in Cast Matinees Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday Prices 10c and 20c EVERY EVENING at 8:30 Prices 10c, 20c and 30c tempt to set Are to the wharf and plant of the Pioneer Flour Mills, valued at J150.000, was frustrated just in time last night to avoid a serious conflagration. The plant to situated In the heart of the railroad and shipping section, and bad a serious blaze spread, the loss would have been tremendous. A bunch of oil-soaked waste was found by a watchman blazing in the center of the storage-ronm. SStta and Ralrlgh PORTLAND, Only Two Daya 25 and Two Continents Have Applauded The Whole World Has Contributed HOME AGAIN. AFTER FOUR YEARS IN EUROPE And Rough Riders of the World PRESENTING WITH MATCHLESS FIDELITY PICTURES DRAWN FROM AMERICAN HISTORY and Shown in Animated Scenes; Recalling Barbaric Warfare, Early Life' on the Plains and Events of Later Date; United with an Ex hibition of Horsemanship Surpassing Anything Ever Attempted Save with this Monarch of Arenic Entertainments. THE BATTLE OF SUMMIT SPRINGS An F"gf'ng Display of Military Force and Indian Warfare, Bad upon Historic Fact and Acted by a Typical Cast. Including Some of the Originals. THE GREAT TRAIN HOLD-UP Thrilling Representation o Depredationn by Western Brigands and Introducing the Bandit Hunters of the Union Pacific. A Body of Fearless Men Trained to Daring Deeds and Sworn to Uphold the Law. Hay Thompson's HIGH SCHOOL WESTERN RANGE HORSES Including JOE BAILEY The Most Wonderful Saddle Horse in the World ATTACK ON AN EMIGRANTTRAIN Showing the Perils of Early Pioneer and Plainsman Days. FOOTBALL ON HORSEBACK A Grotesque Comedy Equestrian Performance by Indians and Cowboys. For the First Time Presented in any Arena. A HOLIDAY AT " T- E " RANCH Introducing Ray Thompson's Trained Western Horses. Together with Feats of Equestrian Daring by THE ROUGH RIDERS OF THE WORLD Combining in one Perfect Whole an Entertainment of Impelling Interest, Historically Accurate and Displaying All These Features The Entire Entertainment Originated. Perpetuated and Directed by COL. WM. P. CODY. ( " BcrTALO Bm." ), Who will Positively Appear at Every Performance. TWICE DAILY. RAIN OR SHINE. 2 8 P. M. Admission (Including seat) 50 cts. Grandstand Chairs (including admission) tl.00 on sale day of Exhibition at Sherman, Clay & Co.. Sixth Morrlnon S. Children under 10 years half price. All Beats protected from sun and rain by Immense Canvas Canopy.
