- ' THE SUNDAY OREGONIAX, PORTLAM), JANUARY 18, 1914. ' : ;i r ( - (.MA oVv x . . V vx : 1? - 1 ,111 - wCli -J XV?f ,-v -V- . " ' - '7' .is I . Xt J - L x i. v . X4V'-I' - - V X ; v s 11 ftu ' i 1 :-vX ' - I Os7 l W w s - X; X f , n cuJITt x- , . 5 i -ixx-,- - - i 3 . - M Y 71 . BY LEONE CASS BAER. " : IN the strictly robust roles ot Shake speare there Is no actor on our stage who can compare with Robert Mantell. Nona other can reach any where near his masterly interpreta tions of Kinp Lear or hia Macbeth. In the opinion of followers of Shakespear ean literature and students of' his plays as presented in the theater K. H. Soth ern, of our American actors, provides the best-roundel Impersonation of Hamlet, tho crucial character of all Shakespeare's fine character drawings Of the Engrlish actors Sir Johnston ForbeB-Robertson's Hamlet even over shadows Sothern's. Both of these actors are fitted physically for the role, Sothern following- the traditions of Hamlet's personal endowments and Forbes-Robertson excelling Sothern be cause he has not only the physical en dowments, but as well an intellectual dominance, akin almost to melancholy, that makes him a poetical ideal. But neither of these could play Lear or Macbeth or Lytton's Richelieu as Man tell plays it. Add also KinK John. One speaks of Mantel! s Lear in su perlatives only. It Is a masterly in terpretation. Nature has blessed htm for the role with Benerous gifts of in sight Into its essentials, a dramatic vigor In his acting, a physical fitting for the role and a deep voice, vibrant with power. t For more seasons than one can count offhand Mantell has brought. Shake spearean repertoire to the Pacific Coast. And whether it is true or not that in terest in Shakespeare i.t flagging:, lie has always made financial successes of his tours. Which, according to managers, is a test of success. It is the box office nowadays that is the puis of the theater. Occasionally other artists have joined Shakespearean ranks with disastrous results. Marga ret Anglin spent a fortune In four comedy productions of Shakespeare and made a signal failure. William Faver sham made an excellent presentation of "Julius Caesar," but not a financial Fuccess. Only last September John Irew. having nursed a desire to play Benedick in "Much Ado About Noth ing." put it on in New York with a uplendid cast. Despite his own popu larity as an actor and his social prom inence, people stayed away from his theater and In two weeks the play was taken off. It had cost a nice little sum to stse, now It's in the storehouse. And there are others. These are but a few picked at ran dom from recent tours. The answer. It would seem, is that Robert Mantell strikes the right chord. All of his drawings are true to Shakespeare's writlnir. and human. If we see him play Lear, then we want to see how he presents Macbeth. Having seen Mac beth, we want to see how he Interprets King John. Truly Mantell has his fol lowing. So also has that splendid combination of actors, K. IL Sothern nd Julia Marlowe, who are coming to the Heilig February i. We are this season to have a Shakespearean festi val. During their engagement Sothern and Marlowe will give eight perform ances of their repertoire, comprising even Shakespearean plays, as well as Justin Huntley McCarthy's romantic "rama. "If I Were King." Miss Mar lowe will appear In all the Shake spearean plays, but will not be seen with Mr. Sothern in "If I Were King." in which play he impersonates Francois Villon. Mr. Sothern was seen for the "rst time in Mr. McCarthy's drama in 1301 and achieved a memorable suc cess. "If I Wre King" was added to the Sothern and Marlowe repertoire this srason and it Is likely, considering Us immense popularity, to remain a per manent feature. The following is the arrangement of the Sothern and Mar lowe repertoire for their Portland en gagement: Monday night, . "Taming or the Shrew." Tuesday night. "Romeo and Juliet." Wednesday matinee, "If I Were Jving." Wednesday night, "Much Ado About Nothing." Thursday night. "Twelfth Night." Friday night, "The Merchant of Ven ice." Saturday mRtinee. "An Tou Like It Saturday night. "Hamlet." The last appearance of Mr. Sothern and Miss Marlowe In this city was in May. 1911. All of the plays of their present repertoire were presented here t that time with the exception of Shakespeare's romedy, "Much Ado About Nothing." and Mr. McCarthys romantic play, "If I Were King." The only two plays In the Southern Marlowe repertoire that Mr. Mantell presented last week were "Hamlet" and "The Merchant of Venice." Tonight "The Blindness of Virtue," one of Cosmo Hamilton's plays, opens at the Heilig. Jt Is a plea for the edu cation of young people In the mysteries of sex. In a story clothed In an at mosphere of purity Mr. Hamilton shows the dangers that result from failures on the part of .parents to. tell their chil dren the truths of nature. Prudish ness. miscalled modesty. In attacked fearlessly by the . author. "The Blind ness of Virtue" has been well received by pulpit, press and public and is good entertainment, notwithstanding it teaches a powerful lesson. The en gagement is for four nights, with a matinee on Wednesday. The company is an entirely English one. On. Thursday night May Irwin, the J as) 4 , 1 t53fc3?f v Wv-1 ""'H y plump comedienne, who hasn't left New York In eight years for a road tour, comes to the Heilig to finish out the week and stays over for a last per formance on Sunday night. At the Baker today James Forbes' "The Traveling Salesman" opens for a week with all the company called Into active service and cast in happy" roles. Ixuls Leon Hall has the title role. This play is for. laughing purposes only. May Irwin is as well known as any nursery rhyme. She brings a comedy, "A Widow by Proxy." After her engagement comes dear, delightful "Little Women" for one whole week, with matinees on Wednes day. Thursday, Friday and Saturday. - After the "Traveling Salesmtn" at the Baker is "The M'oman in the Case," in which Blanche Walsh made a great success. Willa Holt Wakefield" will headline the Orpheum. Big Jim. the dancing bear, tops the Empress, Teddy Mc Namara and Eva Pollard, in the Tol lard Opera Company, are the big act at Pantages in "A Millionaire for a Day." At the Lyric "Rosinsky Dream" is the bill, featuring Ed S. Allen, comedian. "A Daughter of the Hills" and "David Garriok" begin a Week's stay at the People's today. IIKILIG HAS EXtJLTSH PLAY "The Elindness ot Virtue," Vltich Ha Aroused Comment, Here. "The Blindness oT Virtue." by Cosmo Hamilton, a noted Englishman of let ters, is a new play that has been at tracting considerable attention, . and which has received the endorsement of the branches of the Drama League, in other parts of the country. It has been commended because of certain lessons it contains that at the moment are be ing agitated by some of the foremost scholastic, medical and clerical minds both in England and America, that In sufficient thought is being given by parents to educating their children in the knowledge and responsibilities of the sexes and that the time has. come when this information should be Im parted to ttiem either In the borne or in public school. "The Blindness of Virtue" will be presented by William Morris. all English company at the Heilig Theater. Eleventh and Morrison, tonight and the three following nights, with a "special matinee Wednesday. - The story concerns principally a vic ar, his wife, their 17-year-old daughter and a young man who has been sent by his father to be tutored by the vicar. Effie Pemberton, the daughter, has been allowed to grrow up to woman hood in utter ignorance of the mean ings and temptations of sex. The boy, Archie Graham, has sowed some of his wild oats but has a good-sized spark of manhood In him for all that. He and Effie fall in love with each other and the girl in her Ignorant innocence tempts the young fellow almost be yond endurance. They are found, by her father In each other's arms in the boy's bed room, and the boy Is accused of the worst by the terrified father. Archie denies it and upbraids the vicar in a furious outburst of indignation ' for having slowed his daughter to- remain in total ignorance of her womanhood and its powers The vicar In turn re proves his wife for having broken her I. ft 3 promise recently made him. to initiate her young daughter into the mystery of sex. The same lesson is taught again through a minor character in the play. Mary Ann, a little village girl, who has "got into trouble" because of her ig norance. I It is understood that Mr. Hamilton has handled the sex hygiene question in an adequate manner. There, is noth ing objectionable in the play, nothing in the dialogue or situations to give offense. "TRAVFXIXG SALESMAN" HERE Baker Players' to Present TVrbes' Drama of "Drummer" Life. James Forbes author of "The Chorus Lady" and "The Commuters." has achieved his best efforts in his "The Traveling Salesman." a dramatic glori fication of the commercial-man, which the Baker Players will present for the week beginning this afternoon. It contains not nly a highly Inter- 7e JYsjvjgz-eJ? iiHIIW 'iii 1? vt ' '- s-; Vis s. , xicw-. 5 T mill ii . . a. : -i esting and dramatic love story, but Is especially noted for Its breeziness, buoyancy and bright, crisp dialogue and situations. The hero Is Bob Blake, a somewhat stout specimen and a good-natured, up-to-the-minute expounder of, the vir tues of a certain line of women's gar ments. He gets "stalled," along with several other members of the profes sion, in a small Indiana town. While hanging around the depot ha becomes acquainted with the pretty telegraph operator. Something about the big fellow wins -her confidence and after sharing her lunch with him, she tells him of the attempts of an old money shark to wrest from her her little land holding-adjoining the station. The up shot of it all U that Blake becomes interested in the game, which leads to all sorts of trouble before he gets through. But he not only saves the land, but loses his heart and in the end there is a broad suspicion of real wedding bells. One of the best situations in the play la the now-famous poker game la XT" ir : 1 . iX.' 1 . l . .. - . 1 ,1 i I 4 5 iM ,V K ' "it - " : 7 - ' s 2L Blake's rooms at the hotel between a nierry bunch of commercial travelers with a collored porter adding to the hilarity and the suddenchange from carefree comedy to a situation of tense drama. Louis Leon Hall will play the role of Blake and the entire company will be well cast. The usual matinees will be given Wednesday (bargain day) and Satur day and the bargain night performance Monday. ORPHEUM II AC TWO STARS Eddie Leonard, Minstrel, and 'Will Holt WakeHeld on Bill. The Orpheum, commencing with next Monday matinee, will offer another double headline bill, with Fiddle Leon ard, the famous minstrel star, assisted by Mable Russell, and Willa Holt Wake field with her stories at the piano. This is the first, appearance in white face of Mr. Leonard. His assistant. Miss Russell, is a clever and vivacious en tertainer, and their offering will prove very acceptable. Willa Holt Wakefield is no stranger in Portland, and a return engagement Of this remarkably magnetic and charming Southern woman, with her "song stories." so simply and cleverly told at the piano, will be awaited with Interest. In these days of sensational scientific disclosures, there is keen interest In Just such demonstrations as that which Dr. Carl Merman gives. He Is seeming ly absolute master of this marvelous force, and thrills the audience by per mitting heavy charges of electricity to pass through his body, leaving him un injured. Claude and Fannie Usher, with the little dog, "Spareribs." are returning to Portland, but this time they have charming little sketch, "The Straight Path," in which the love of a small girl for her big brother Is exploited as the motive to aid in keeping him straight. It -is a wholesome, natural and very lovable little tale, and Miss Usher is a dainty and appealing ybung woman. Everybody knows that certain types of domestic animals are by nature an tagonistic to one another. Thus, when rare stories are told of affection be tween a cat and a dog, a cat and a bird, etc., it Is apt to occasion some In credulity mixed with surprise. But Herr Goleman has not only managed to overcome these natural antipathies in his pets, he shows them on the stage, actually working together In the most harmonious manner. "Between Decks" is the name of the breezy little nautical sketch presented by James McCormack and Elenor Irlng. If Nelpon and Nelson worked just like ordinary acrobats their feats would be considered difficult and unusual, but they have added enormously to the haz ards they take by doing the perform ance on stilts. POLLARD S TO BE AT PAXTAGES Local Favorites Are Headliners at Vaudeville House. Friendships will be renewed at Pan tages next week, when the Pollard Opera Company, with such local favor ites as Teddy McNamara, Eva Pollard and Queenie Williams, will appear In the large cast that will present the hilarious musical comedy, "A Million aire for a Day." The Pollards will open with) their engagement tomorrow matinee, but seats may be secured in advance for every performance. The act is but one of numerous feat ures on the programme, but its magni tude is sufficient to make it a feature In Itself. It ls( one of the most pre mi : if m mm - J , V- I c - , f" ft v, :v.i. j ',v:: ;r . . .. ,. x a :. xy tentious offerings seen in vaudeville, and the scenic effects have been well completed. Numerous song hits will be heard. including "Help." "Green Bugs." "The Rose of Honolulu." "Can't Ju(itr a Woman by Her Clothes," and the delightful melody. "Do You Re member the Last Waltz? The cast will Include Teddv and Nellie McNamara, Willie and Eva Pol lard. Queenie Williams and a large chorus. The act will be produced under ine personal direction of William Pol lard. An artistic production presented by Miss Gertrude Dean Forbes and com pany is "A Wild Rose." the added at traction on the programme. Tire act is cleverly written, and the situations change rapidly from nathos to comedy and then to thrill. Miss Forbes is a re'. markably clever actress, and in the part of Wild Rose she has a role that permits a full delineation of her win some personality. In "A Lesson in Aviation" Kresco and Fox have a whirlwind offering that Keeps tne audience in a pleasant mood from rise to fall of curtain. Numerous well-rendered songs will be heard, and the clever patter of the couple will lurnisn numerous laughs. Lightning-like acrobatics will be of fered by the DeForrests. recently of the principal Eastern circuits. Their work is that of experts and will pro vide many thrills and sensations with their daring feats. Enjoyable entertainers are Roche and Crawford. The Pantagescope will show new animated events, and Pantages' Orchestra will offer attractive musical numbers. The Riding Castellos will be seen for the concluding performances this afternoon and tonight, the late stars of Ringling Brothers Circus hav ing enjoyed a most successful week here. DANCING BEAR AT EMPRESS Bin; Jim, Pet Bruin, Headllncr of Show Having Four Orpheum Acts. Indicative of the merit of the show to open at the impress tomorrow af ternoon It is announced that every act but one is a former Orpheum act. The headllner is Big Jtm, a pet grizzly bear, that has been trained to dance the tan go, turkey trot and sevoral, other lively modern steps. Big Jim also wrestles and" an interesting feature of the enter tainment offered by the bruin is its challenge to any man in the audiece to wrestle with it. Big Jim has been booked along the Empress chain of the aters particularly for the delight of children. The extra attraction of the new show will be "Tony and the Stork," a playlet to be presented by Maurice Freeman and company. Nadine Winston ia the principal support of Freeman in the sketch, which Is a happy mixture of comedy and pathos. "Tony and the Stork" has filled prominent place in an Orpheum programme here. It is list ed as one of the classic playlets in vau deville, ranking with "Dinkelspiel's Christmas" as a dramatic gem. Another Orpheum act is that offered by Charles C. Drew and company. The skit is called "Mr. Flynn from Lynn." It Is hodge-podge of merry patter and song brought about by the mixups of Drew as Mr. Flynn with a station agent. This act was an applause hit at the Orpheum last year. The third former Orpheum entertain ment in the new Empress show is rep resented by Williams and Warner, mirthmaking musicians, whose make up alone suffices to set the audience laughing. Williams and Warner are the inventors of the slapophone. a mu sical instrument from which melody is extracted by the use of leather straps. Williams and Warner get tunes from odds and ends, one of their Instruments j being a doll piano played by Williams, who is more than six feet tall. The final farmer Orpheum act is pre sented by Frostlck. Hume and Thomas, rollicking singers, whose repertoire in cludes the latest songs. This trio scored a tremendous hit last season. Archie Goodall in his novelty, "Walk ing the Hoop," will appear for the la?t time tonight at the visual three Sunday night, shows. Seats for the matinee today may be reserved either at thu box office or by telephone. PEOPLE'S SUBJECT IS L'MSIAI, "A Daughter or tho Hills," Frobman Production, Heads Bill. For "A Daughter of the Hills," which will be presented at the Peoples Thea ter today, the Frohman Famous Play ers delved into the past, back alone the dusty roads of time to ancient Rome and the days of Nero. With tran quil simplicity, the story relates how a gentle shepherdess weds a brutal gladiator, and through her his savage impulses ure checked. The story is a Strong one and a distinct departure from the general trend of Roman sub jects. .There are many seenea that will rivet the attention. Wellington A. Pluyter is the gladia tor. Frank Van Huren's characteriza tion of .St. Paul is reverent and im pressive. Miss Sawyer has never been seen to such good advantage. Iri her . love passages she will charm. As tho wife of the Roman gladiator In his pal ace, surrounded by slaves and attend ants, she still remains the simple, un affected girl of the hills. There are many strong situations. The arena scene, in which the tri umphant gladiator, standing beneath the Emperor, played by Mr. Nares, asks the verdict. Is wonderful. The vicious, leering face of tho brute which looks down on him. Pictorially It is beyond question one of the most charming screen productions imaginable, while, the iiulnvtaking and careful depiction of the various roles gives a perfect understanding to a most harmonious whole. The added feature is "David Garrlck," one of the strong things of current filmdom. David Garrlck was an English actor and a young woman of society falls desperately in love. Her father docs not want her to marry an actor and seeks out Oarrick and secures his promise to attend a private social func tion and behave In a manner to disgust the tender sensibilities of the girl. Garrlck. at great personal sacrifice, ac cedes to the father's request, but so far from accomplishing the object, h. wins over the father and captures the girl for his bride. The two distinct , three-act productions complete a pro gramme standard in quality and excel lent throughout. The bill will run for the entire week. WAGNER STORY" IS THRILLING Pictures of Great Composer's Life Lavish Biography. Stirring drama that Is almost melo drama in the tenseness of its greater situations, swiftness of action and call upon the spectacular, hardly would be looked for in a motion picture feature bearing the quiet title of "The Life and Works of tho Immortal Composer Richard Wagner." The Wagner pictures form a lavish ly prepared biography of the wonder ful composer, told in four parts, each of which fills more than a quarter of a. mile of film. ' There are nearly 20u scenes and all the great characters with whom the great master was close ly associated at one time or another are seen in wonderful likenesses". These include Liszt. Von Bulow, Lud wlg of Bavaria, "Minna," Frau Cosima Wagner and many others. The extra ordinary pictures will be on view at the Majestic Theater beginning today at 11:30 and continuing throughout the week. It is said that Kaiser Wilhelm was so deeply Impressed by the wonders of the motion pictures, "The Life and Works of the Immortal Composer Rich ard Wagner" that he immediately re solved to arrange for a production In private of a. story of his reign to be made in practically the same manner. The Emperor, it Is said, was convinced that in this manner could be left to coming generations the most truthful and Intimate impression of a human career possible to record. In the case of the Wagner film, however, the pic tures are more than a biography: they amount to a collection of plays, for In the intensely interesting career of this wonderful man each successive turn brought a development which nearly always would have been sufficient mo tive for a great drama. It is due to this fact that the pictures have won such tremendous general popularity In New York, where they are now being shown. "LOCAL COLOR" AT NEW STAR Vitagraph Drama of Mountain Feud Feature at Movie House. The programme at the new Star Theater today is one of unusual merit. Local Color" Is a Vitagraph drama in two complete acts. The -story is that of an actor who goes to the southern mountains to acquire the speech and mannerisms of the mountain ters. He disguises himself as a mountaineer and travels through the wildest part of the country. He Is overcome with fatigue and is Discovered oy Dan Moore, an illicit whisky dealer, who. upon seeing a signet ring on the actor's finger, mis takes htm for a revenue officer, and de cides to leave him there to die. A pretty mountain girl finds him, and takes him to her home. He Is re ceived as a mountaineer and shown every hospitality. The young mountain N A