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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 10, 1916)
THE STJXDAT OREGOXIAX, TORTXAXD, DECE3IBER lO, 1916. ANNA HELD "COMES BACK" WINS SUCCESS IN PRODUCTION "FOLLOW ME" , HER BEST PLAY Actress of "Come and Play .Wiz Mew Fame Delights as of Yore New York Spurns Sex Plays but Takes Kindly to Happy Themes--SeIwyns Hare Two New Plays in Rehearsal. lies?"- I ' -. "i( 3 ( -I ' f . I - - p - "- U k. ir '-' litres I t'jt' . r-.: ' .( ' y - a- .. ' , 1 -'r 1 " - $ , K , ' 1 - i ; y n "op II BY LJjOTD F. LOXERGAX. . I NEW YORK,' Dec. 9. (Special.) .Anna Held came back" Jn a new conceit entitled "Follow Me." Critics agree that it Is by far the best musical comedy she has had since the good old days when she was "the maid en with the dreamy eyes" and asked the audience to "come and play wiz me." The Shuberts have given an ex ceptionally beautiful mounting to the piece and the chorus is up to their standard. The story has a Viennese setting and Miss Held is a famous star of the Varieties who controls the des tinies of the assorted lots of married couples and young lovers of the plot. Needless to say. she manages things satisfactorily and the supporting com pany is excellent. A number of 'the leading funmakers are new to Broad way. Possibly Portland has some old ac quaintances among the list, for they are beter known on the road than here. Henry Lewis, for instance, is a well known vaudevillian from' the Orpheum circuit and made a great hit in his comedy role in "Follow Me." One critic predicts that Cawthorne and others had better look to their laurels. Syl via -Jason, a clever little lady, made another sensation. Miss Held was gen erous with her support and did iot in sist on taking calls alone, in the man ner of some stars today. There are some tuneful melodies in the new piece and the Shuberts as well as Miss Held have scored an unqualified success and the many admirers of the French artist will rejoice that she has come into her own after so long a silence. "Such la Life' Makes Hit. "Such Is Life" was also produced by the , Shuberts. a. few days' previous to the Held opening. Sam Sothern. brother f. E..H. and star of "A Pair of Silk Stockings," had. the leading role . and the comedy was well received. The story deals with the absence from home of the wife of an eccentric author and his trusted friend. As a matter of fact the wife has gone to see her pub lisher and the friend has been on busl- ness entirely apart from the lady, but they return about the same, time and give unconvincing reports to explain their absence and the thread of simi larity leads to suspicion. Eventually everything works out all right, but for a time things look black for all con cerned. Sam Sothern as the friend of the ec centric author haa a fine comedy role and his performance is finished and amusing. Ferdinand Gottschalk' is the author and Cathleen Nesbitt (last seen in "Justice") his wife. Laurette Taylor's appearance in "The Harp of Life" did not cause the de sired sensation. As told in these I umns last week, the story deals with the subject. of sex hygiene, and while Miss Taylor's performance delighted, the play itself did not score. "The Woo ing of Eve" and "Happiness" will be presented later and the chances are that they will make up for the delin quencies of "The Harp of Life." Cheerful Play Wanted. The real trouble, possbly, is that at just this time the cheerful, happy play is the thing. "Turn to the Right" con tinues to pack in the crowds and there is talk of extra matinees in addition to the regular holiday ones. It is a wholesome comedy, with Just enough melodrama to make it worth seeing. Someone said that it was "The Miracle Man" in a new dress. It does contain some of the wholesomeness of the for ner, but still is different. Emma Dunn's "Old Lady 31" has a delightful little history. Seven years ago Lee Kugel. who . produced it, read the original story in a magazine which he found while waiting in the dentist's oiffce". The possibilities of it impressed him and he took up the matter with the late Henry B. Harris, whose press rep resentative he then was. Negotiations were then undertaken and the discov ery made that the author had died shortly after the publication of the story. Mrs. Janet Ward, of New York, owned the dramatic rights, but refused to dispose of them, as she had started play based upon the story. Mr. K.u- gel, whose motto" is "never give up. kept after the owner of the Tights and after she had been discouraged by the failure to sell her play, secured pos sessison of the story and Rachel Croth ers made the dramatization of "Old Lady 31," which will probably fill the Thirty-ninth-Street Theater until the end of the season. PoJIyanna" has announced dates In Brooklyn, or rather the programmes of the Montauk announce "Coming Pol lyanna " but the glad little lady does not seem inclined to move on at all. Captain KIdd. Jr.," with Its mystery and love story combined, is to give place to a series of children's matinees during Christmas week. These mat nees. however, will be on the "off days" when "Captain Kidd" Is not to be seen. Alice Minnie Herts, Kather ine Lord and Jacob Heninger are spon sors for the eight holiday matinees and have chosen one new play and one re vival. . . "Editha's Hnrjclar" Revived. Editha's Burglar," a play much be loved by two generations of children. will be the old-new play, with Otto Kruger (from "Captain Kidd. Jr.") as the burglar and the rest of the cast to be I announced later. Lady Gregory s play. The Traveling Man." an amusing leg end, and a - new Christmas play by Mary Hunter Austin will make up the programme. . Owen Davis, author, of many plays and melodramas, is the author of "Mile A Minute Kendall," which was pre sented for1 the first time in New York at the Lyceum Theater. ' The story tells of a young man who becomes in volved in an unattractive love affair the culmination -of a reckless ca reer. The story of his self-redemption Is cleverly worked out. There were many clever lines but the theme failed to attract the first-night audience. ' It should take well outside New York for it deals with the superiority of the country over the small city and the superiority of that for the very large city. Helen Lowell. last seen in Broadway and Buttermilk," has a sort of "Miss Hazy" role in the village pessimist, William Sampson is a grouchy old miser, John .Flood, the hero's father," Tom Powers - the hero, Adele Blood the adventuress and Edith Lyle the heroine. Besides their road companies (mean- ng out of New York, companies of Twin Beds and Fair and Warmer") the Selwyns are busy these days. "Our Little Wife" is pleasing at the Harris with Margaret Illington and Walter Jones as the leading fun makers, while 'A Woman of Today has been put into rehearsal with Janet Beeches, late star of "Under Sentence," as the heroine. Others in the cast will be H. E. Her bert, Georgie Lawrence, Zeffie Tilbury, Sidney Shields and Gladys Fairbanks. Georgie Lawrence had a clever role in Rich Man. Poor Man, which ha's Just gone on the road. -As the buyer from the Middle West who' had concluded that everything not New York was provincial, ' she scored a distinct hit and her new part is said to be a good one in the James Forbes play, n The latter will be recalled as author of "The Traveling Salesman," "The Chorus Lady," "The .Show Sho" and other successes. Then, too, "The Long est, Way Round" is being planned and the cast includes: Louise Randolph, Ruth Sinclair, Frances Savage, Edward Lynch, Walter Horton, Irma Lerner, Kenyon Bishop,, Betty Bellairs. Wallace Owen and others.- Edwin Milton Royle, the author, wrote" "The Squaw Man." Grace .Georsre's Season to Open. Announcement of the opening of Grace George's season is anxiously awaited. Her yIans are being kept quiet but some" time soon there should be announcement from the William Brady joffice about her plans. Last season was a brilliant one ana tnis year should duplicate her success. "The Man Who Came Back,", is probably re sponsible, for the delay as it has.made good and the management cannot very well let it go just now. The outcome of the suit for posses sion of the Lyceum Theater has been decided in favor of Oliver Morosco. The New York Season Company, organized to present Nazimova in "Ception Shoales." alleged that they had entered into an agreement with the Charles Frohman Company, and others to use that house for their production. In some way they were delinquent in of ferine their security and in the mean time. Oliver Morosco stepped in and secured the house for the Owen Davis play. The court decided that Mr. Mcrosco was entitled to the use of the theater and Alia Nazimova's manage ment will have to secure a theater else where. In the meantime, "War Brides," the picturized version of her celebrated sketch, continues to pack in the crowds at the Broadway Theater with a top price of $2. Herbert Brenon, the pro ducer, has tltf distinction of having two productions at $2 rates only a few blocks apart, "War Brides" at the Broadway and the Annette Kellerman feature, "Neptune's Daughter," at the Lyric New York was shocked by two sud den deaths a short time ago. William Harris, Sr.. father of the late Henry B. Harris, who went down on the Titanic, and William Harris. Jr.. whose latest production was "The Thirteenth Chair." died very suddenly at his home at Bayside. Long Island. He had been associated with the theatrical pro fession since 1850. and was the silent partner of his sons in their successful theatrical careers. With the late Isaac Rich in the late '70s he was responsible for bringing out May Irwin. James. T. Powers, Pete Daly and other prominent stars.. His charities were many, but in relation to"his whole" career: were kept up quietly' without ostentation or pub licity. He will be sadly missed. Joseph Brook's death caused another sensation. Mr. Brooks recently re tired from the theatrical business, be cause of ill health, but he seemed greatly improved and many expected that he would soon be back In the field. He was killed by a fall from the window of his apartments on the eighth floor. Mr. Brooks was well known in theatrical circles and had been producing Independently for two seasons. Portland's Only Exclusive Home of the Spoken Drama Broadway and Morrison Sts. Blilton W. Seaman, Mgr. Permanently Located THE ALCAZAR PLAYERS (All $1.50 attractions at popular prices) Week Opening Sunday Matinee, December 10, Today If ; II i ' f ti I! ' r-X4l i U ' - i: It 1 At f ! S III 1 I 1 I I 1 i 1 1 . II . 3 ' f " " - -1 1 hi s i . h - il -ai, ' v 1 I . w A v 5 g THE M1P Ad F v nn'A t v r- v m iA m A comedy of deeper purpose. First time in Portland. ft Dramatized from the novel of Frank L. Packard by GEO. M. COHAN. Staged Under Direction Walter B. Gilbert. Tuesday "Hotel Greeters" Special Night Evenings 25c, 50c, 75c. Matinees 2oc, 50c. Monday Night, Wednesday Mat. All Seats 25c -JCtv; xNk"xVvSy, "Mary, Mary, I can walk! I can walk!" Next Week THE PRICE V T. McDonald, Uniontown candidate for! Democratic Presidential elector, has filed a statement of expenses, certify ing to payment for one 2-cent stamp in answering a letter from National Chairman Vance C. McCormick "assur ing him of his eligibility to the office of Presidential elector." Mr. McDon ald certifies that he received no con tributions and made no other pay ments. A. F. Cooper. Uniontown. Re publican elector, certified to spending $50. John Haj-s. Carlisle, Republican elector, certified to -use of three 2-cent stamps, costing 6 cents, in his campaign. the construction and maintenance of roads in the surrounding territory. CITY REBUKED BY FARMERS Toll Gates Put Up When. Town Will Not Aid. Roads. WASHINGTON, Dec. 3. A conspic uous example or wnac nappens iu county roads When a city, the center of heavy automobile traffic, fails to con tribute toward the building and main tenance or country roads is found in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, accord ine to specialists in road economics of the United States Department of Ag riculture. ' - " The country districts of Spotsylva nian Connty some years ago issued $170,000 of 4 and S per tuejit bonds to improve their county roads Under the Virginia law the cities of the state are not taxed for county purposes, although they may aid in the improvement of roads for a distance of ten miles from the city limits if the City Council so elects. The city of Fredericksburg, in Spot sylvania County, however, contributed no part to the financial burden of maintaining the county roads. The heavy automobile traffic emanating from that point has proved to be a very destructive element to the county road system, and it was found that rapid deterioration was taking- place. In the county roads, and insufficient funds existed with which to meet the situa tion. ( , The county authorities, accordingly, estballshed tollgates on the pricipal roads and sufficient revenue thus was derived, not only to maintain the roads, but actually to extend their construc tion a short distance. This reversion to a system long since abolished by most countries was partially due at least to the upkeep of the roads, which residents of that city use extensively for automobiles. The writers of the report suggest, in view of the rapid development of motor vehicles in ' the past decade and the prospects of much more widespread use of this means of transportation In the future, the desirability of making pro visions so that the cities may aid in ELECTION WORRY IS FATAL Postmaster's Relatives Say Suspence Over Vote 'Kills Him. PORTLAND, Me., Dec- 3. Undue ex citement, and worry during the period of doubt following the Presidential election is held responsible for the death of Patrick J. Smythe, postmaster of Berlin, N. H-, which occurred here recently.- It was known that Mr. Smythe was greatly disturbed over the possibility of a change in the Admin istration. Which would have meant his retirement next Spring, the end of his four years' term. He came to Portland for a short stay, and was apparently in the best of health. Mr. Smythe, previous to his appoint ment to the postmastership of Berlin, was for nine years City Clerk. He was one of the city's most prominent citi zens, a party leader, and was promi nently identified with the Knights of Columbus. .A wife and four children survive him. - Wireless waves have been utilized to light and extinguish gas lamps in Ger- 1 many. Campaign Cost Is 2 Cents. HARRTSBURG, Pa.. Pec.' 3. Daniel home: of the bio shows. IPPODROME Formerly, the Orpheum Broadway at Yamhill. Starting Today for Four Days 6 All-Star Vaudeville Acts 6 I Raskin's Russians! Petrograd's Famous Musicians. Singers and Dancers with the , Koyal.Balaklara Band First American Tour. "JllL RUSSELL AND BELL Protean Comedy Act - . CARLOTTA . The Human Dragon CIXEMA FEATl'RES Two-Hrrl Drama. "THE BESCBRECTION"! PATHE NEWS, and a Comedy. "LIKE, RAJiK IMPERSONATOR," CONTINUOUS TODAY, 1:15 to 11 P. M. Other days. 2-5. 8:45-11. Matinees daily, except Sunday and Holidays, 10c; Nights, 15c DO TOITI HIPPODROME SHOPPING EARLY IN THE WEEK. EARLY AT MATI.VEKS, EARLY AT MGHT BUST SEATS GO TO EARLY BIRDS. TIRED FROM YALE" Laughing Comedy Playlet WILLIAMS AND FULLER . Those Funny Fellows GLADYS VANCE The Stunning Girl in the Mirror Gown COMING JULIA Heilig Theater December 30 PRICES: Floor A2.O0. S&JiO. Balcony 32.00, l0. Sl.OO. 75c Gallery, Reserved. 75c. MAIL ORDERS NOW Send orders, checks and self addressed stamped envelopes to Steers & Coman, Columbia Building. Concert Extraordinary Baby Geraldine Peterson PIAMSTE AND COMPOSER. 3 years of age. Piano, Song, Dance Friday, Dec. 15, 8 o'ClockP.M. THE LITTLE THEATER Twenty-third .and Wasbingrton Sts. Admission 25 cents. Reserved seats 50 cents. Tickets on sale at Filers and Graves Music Co. lfK , Sunday k . f l . ; Dec. 10 .-'V V 1 9 jost i Matinee p - fr h) Jf3 . 5 m Daily L,-; . AV " , a so i s " . : Nights - -- , - I - j 10c-25c ; iL , - v. , : 50c-75c 1 1 Prince of Minstrels Eddie Leonard & Co. The Minstrel's Return Assisted by Anthony Howard and Fred Mayo IN Homer B. Mason AND MargueriteKeeler In "MARRIED A One-act Play by Porter Emerson Browne MABLE RUSSELL & MARTY WARD & CO. , NELL O'CONNELL, A. ROSEBUD F SONG JAMES SILVER & HELEN DUVAL MLLE VERA SABINA & CO. . Orpheum Travel Weekly Concert Orchestra 6 Water Lilies 6 WELL-FORMED GIRLS, ALL EXPERT SWIMMERS y - . AND DIVERS TT ANT AGE t'neqnnled "Vande-rllle, Broadway at Alder. Matinee Dally, 2:30. Twice Niiently, 7 and . Popular Prices. Boxen and Imogen Reserved. Week Commencing; Monday Matinee Dec. 11 The Merry Metropolitan "Movie" Musical Melange "Mr. Inquisitive 99 Music' by Leo Edwards Lyrics by Cavanaugh & June Staged by Jack B. Loeb With EARLE CAVANAUGH, RUTH TOMPKINS and a Bevy of Broadway Beauties. RUCKER & WINFRED The Bony-Hued Entertainers Send your friends'THE COLUMBIA A moit beautiful book, a truly inspiring Oregon menage. KILHAM'S, 5th and Oak. SEN. FRANCIS .MURPHY . The Chairman of the Committee JENNIE MLDDLEVTTCH The Maud Powell of Vaudeville Three KEATONS Three Fun's Funniest Family BURKE & BRODERICK The Dance Creators "THE LASS OF THE LUM BERLANDS" Seventh Episode Continuous Today 2:15 to 11 Last Performances George Primrose and an All-Star Vaudeville Programme