The Sunday Oregonian., July 22, 1917, SECTION FOUR, Page 2, Image 46

THE SUNDAY OltEGOXIAX, PORTLAND, JULY 22, 1917.
is based on the tribulations that ensue I
when two newly married couples, j
starting on their honeymoons on a j
Hudson River boat, become mixed up
and find themselves paired off not in
accordance with their marriage certifi
cates. Thestory keeps the audience
in constant laughter except when they
are applauding the musical numbers,
the dancing specialties and the hun
dreds of surprising novelties that dot;
the performance. And throughout is
evident that atmosphere of "class" that
truly makes "Very Good Kddie" a mu
sical show that's different.
In the cast to be seen here are Den
man Maley, George Mack, Harry Myers,
Theodora Warfleld, Edna Bates, Flor
ence Karle, Helen Raymond, Harry
Linkey, Jean DeBriac, Klaine Ford.
Ralph O'Brien, Bess Mulligan. Irma
Chase and others most of them new
to the West, but all Broadway favo
rites. NEW PANTAGES BILL SNAPPY
"Oil, Please, Mr. Detective," Is
BAKER THEATER
ONE WEEK
BEGINNING
TONIGHT
NIGHTS. 5e TO 3 SATURDAY 1IATIXEE, BOe TO 1.50 MATINKE WGDXKSDAY, BEST SEATS, et.OO
THE MUSICAL COMEDY TREAT! OF THE YEAR JUST FUN JOLLY TUNES PRETTY GIRLS
; f-M v sv IL y::'""'
musicaC. 'comedy fi PRINTESS"THEATRE
BT LKONK CASS BAER.
TIIH opening of "Very Good Eddie"
at the Baker Theater tonight will
introduce to Portland playgoers
one of the youngest of American the
atrical producers and at the same time
the moat successful.
I'ifteen years agx K Ray Comstock.
not yet out of his teens, was selling
tickets in the box office of the Star
Theater, in Buffalo. Now he has the
distinction of never having- produced a
theatrical failure.
When one considers that in the
world of the theater only one produc
tion out of four is a success and that
the manager who bents this average
Is fortunate, they will marvel that
Oomstock's producing average should
he 10U0. While all of his productions
have not been quite as successful, as
Very Good Kddie,' "Nobody Home."
'Oh, Boy." "Kitty MacKay" and "The
Wanderer, It is still a fact that he has
never produced a failure.
One of the secrets' of hl3 success,
according to Mr. Comstock's own
opinion, is the fact that he tries out
all his productions In stock before sub
mitting them to a Broadway audience.
Among his holdings are three theaters
outside of New York in Albany, Syra
cuse and Cleveland. Every Spring,
when the regular Kastern theatrical
season is over, he installs a splendid
stock company in each of these houses,
the members selected so as to include
musical as well as dramatic talent.
Dozen Are Select eil.
Out of the many manuscripts sub
mitted to him during the season he
selects a dozen of the most likely ones
and produces them in stock. He figures
that human nature is pretty much the
same all over, and if the people in
Albany or Cleveland approve of a
piece it is likely to be just as well re
ceived in New York. So he has the
advantage of most other New York
managers by getting a line on his
wares before he offers them for met
ropolitan consumption. That is how
he tried out "Kxperience," "Oh, Boy"
and "Very Good Kddie." A few weeks
ago lie tried out a musical version of
"The College Widow" with li is Cleve
land stock company and it was so well
received that he will produce it in New
York in September.
Another secret of Comstock's suc
cess, as will be noticed by those who
ee "Very Good Kddie" this week, is
bis elimination of the chorus girl.
Not that femininity of the youthful
and nifty variety no longer finds a
place in his musical comedy produc
tions heaven forbid but they are no
longer chorus girls. There are a score
of girls in "Very Good Kddie" who
sing and dance, hut any of them would
to grossly offended if she were re
ferred to as a chorus girl. Kach one
has some individuality and distinction,
and each one is given a bit, however
small, to give her a feelingr of im
portance to the production.
IndlvidnnlltT I Kept.
"It is impossible," said Mr. Coin
Block recently, "for short girls and tall
girls, dark haired girls and dazzling
blondes, lively girls and quiet girls,
stately girls and iolly little cut-ups to
have, the similar personalities, and
raeh om must be treated and costumed
differently. For that reason no two
costumes in "Very Good Kddie' resem
ble each other.
"Kach girl wears a model gown es
cially designed for her particular style,
coloring and personality, and, although
there are a dozen changes of costumes
in the performance, the same rule is
adhered to.
"I hate the word 'chorus girl.' It
stamps a person as belonging to a
tinioii or company, all banded together.
Whenever 1 see 20 or 30 young women
In a musical production, all dressed
alike, all going through the same
movements and all swaying exactly
to the same measure, I get the same
eort of feeling one does when a class
f poor little orphan children pass by
In their gingham aprons. In my com
pany eacli girl gets a chance to dis
play her individuality- and I have dis
covered much latent talent among the
cirls that might otherwise have gone
lo waste."
Importers' Models I et.
Anfl speaking about dressing the
chorus the praise agent, Charles Hertz
man, tells me that the New York im
porters of Parisian frocks have recent
lv sought permission from some of the
tiigbet class musical comedy produc
ers to permit their feminine members
to wear some of their choicest models.
A gown well displayed ia half sold, is
a maxim among modistes and costum
ers. and while there are plenty of live
models that can be had for reasonable
salaries, the models used in the show
i rooms of the business, yet there are
;Vodels even more desirable as to per-
lection of form and more favorably en
dowed for the purpose by generous
I rature. whose services have the added
' advantage of great publicity.
How many women are there whose
. -hief delight in the theater is gained
bv viewing the creations of Paris
-
modistes as displayed on the stage by
popular favorites? And where can such
beautiful gowns be seen to better ad
vantage, with all the Improvements
made bv expert lighting and artistic
backgrounds?
It is no wonder, then, that the mak
ers and importers of high-class cos
tumes are anxious to display samples
of their wares on stage models. And
it happened this Spring when the im
portations arrived in New York a lit
i later than usual on account of con
ditions abroad there was a rush on
the part of the importers to get some
of their models placed where they
could get the benefit of the best dis
play. Naturally V. Ray Comstock. who
owns the swagger Princess Theater,
whs among the first to be sought. They
discovered that his musical comedy.
1 5, "
'A '
-45 - I
'Ay
. : ::
v
, 'i J , ,i
i
Kvelya Kharo. ratter Artist on
Blew Bill at Strand.
"Very Good Kddie," haa four weeks yet
to run in Chicago, and would then
start for a tour of the principal Western-
cities. One importer had li ex
ceedingly smart models of various sport
costumes, embraring all sorts of out
door diversion from polo to tennis, and
Mr. Comstock was able to secure the
entire lot for the "fashion number" in
"Very Good Eddie. Of course, the pro
ducers of musical comedy do not de
pend upon this source for costumes.
The "Kddie' costumes were designed
by Klsie De Wolfe and by the late Mel
ville Kills: but the sport costumes ar
an advance hint of what the ultra-
fashionable at Newport are wearing
this Summer.
At the Strand, home of vaudeville
plus pictures, Al Hallett and company
present a comedy sketch, Lreams. as
the headllner. with a Butterly photo
drama. "Speed King." a comedy featur
ing Jack Mulhall as a second drawing
card.
The Hippodrome, too, offers new
vaudeville and pictures today. Ned
Nestor and Charles Moore, with a bevy
1
oaf JYzfj? o at ro m a. o
cal comedy, top the bill, with five
other interesting1 acta and a new pic
ture featured.
BROADWAY STARS TO BE HERE
'Very Good Eddie" In West After
Solhl Yeur In New Vork.
There is scarcely a playgoer in. this
city who has not heard a great deal
about "Very Good Kddie," the smart
and bright musical comedy success.
which ran an entire year at the Prin
cess Theater, New York, followed by
six months in Chicago, and which came
direct fram that city for a brief Sum
mer tour of the West. The engage
ment at the Baker beginning tonight
and running for the entire week will
be played by a metropolitan cast.
With the possible exception of "Chin
Chin" there has not been a musical
comedy produced in New York in 10
years that won the unanimous praise
of press and public and attracted such
huge attendance for such a long time
as has been the case with "Very Good
Kddie." Where most musical comedies
fall short of humor, "Very Good Kddie'
has for its foundation an irresistible
farce by Philip Bartholomae and Guy
Bolton, which supplies it with an end
ess succession of bright lines and
laughing situations. Where the aver
age musical comedy depends for suc
cess on one song hit, each of the 16
musical numbers' in Very Good Kd
die" in a distinct furore, and; the entire
score has been the. dancing craze of the
country for months. "Babes lit, the
Woods." "On the Beach at Le Lei Wi
l Love Them All." "If I Find the
Girl." "Wedding Bells Are Calling Me.'
Some Sort of Somebody, When You
Wear a 13 Collar" and "Old Boy Neu
tral" are only a few of the entrancing
melodies in the piece. And "Very Good
Kddie" boasts of the most swagger
fashion chorus ever seen on any stage
all personally selected by Klizabeth
Marbury. trained by Frank McCormack
and gowned in frocks from Paris and
designed by Klsie DeWolfe.
The action of ' ,-Very Good Kddie.
which is In two acts and three scenes.
riTv AND
MAIL
COUNTRY
TJ17TT IP BROADWAY f 11 17. 14 MATINEES
OClLllVj AT TAYLOR AUu. t0 1 I WED.&SAT.
HENRY MILLER PRESENTS
RUTH CHATTERT0N
With Bruce McRae and a Strong Cast in
"C0MEOUT OF THE KITCHEN"
A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS
By A. E. Thomas, author of "Her Husband's Wife" and
"The Rainbow."
Farce AVith Dashing Appeal.
Striking features on the programme
t the Pantages for the week com
mencing withi the matinee tomorrow
promise to make It one of the most
attractive of the season.
"Oh, Please. Mr.. Detective." the dash
ing musical farce with songs and show
girls, will be the headlined attraction.
George Choos, the well-known New
Y'ork and Chicago producer, will pre
sent the production.
Bobby Wollsey, the musical comedy
star; Betty Evans and Hudson Free
born are among the principals and
there is a chorus of pretty girls who
sing and dance in such a way as to de
light everyone. The musical numbers
are many and tuneful, while the lines
are clever and filled with laughs.
Will Norris, the ragged entertainer.
In "Tattered Talent," has one of the
funniest acts in vaudeville. He is a
cycling comedian of remarkable ability
and he has been one of the hits ia the
East.
"Woman Proposes,' one of the last
works from the pen of the late Paul
Armstrong, will be presented as a spe
cial attraction by the Armstrong Play
ers, eight in number. .The sketch la a
powerful one in which Mr. Armstrong
puts forward the theory that woman
and not man is responsible for matri
monial proposals. The theme Is clev
erly handled, yet In a satirical vein.
Mr. Armstrong was noted as the author
of "The Deep Purple," "The Grey
Hound" and other popular plays, and
he was also known as a novelist. The
Armstrong Players form a company of
Eastern stars from dramatic companies
who handle the roles in capable man
ner.
Montrezra is an excellent accordion
ist who has many melodies on his fin
ger tips and who is a clever musician.
fetuart. the male Patti. is a wonder
ful impersonator of female roles. He
has a wonderful voice and his songs
are admirably handled. The costuming
of the act is striking.
Green. McHenry and Deane in their
act entitled "From the Farm to the
Cubaret." a production which includes
songs, dances and amusing divertise
ments. "The Neglected Wife" in its ninth
episode has come to one of the strik-
ng climaxes which grips those whn
have followed the intensely interesting
Pathe serial.
"Honeymoon Isle." with Its nrettv
girls and its clever players, will close
wiin me continuous performance torinv
from 2 to 11 o'clock. Pantages offers
many inducements to those seeking to
cowaw me ueai, ror its ventilating sys
tem and its coolness make it one of
the most pleasant amusement places in
the city.
NEW "HIP" BILL IS LIVELY
Nestor and Moore- and Their Sweet
hearts Feature Programme.
Ned Nestor and Charles Moore, with
their sweethearts, will head the new
Hippodrome bilL.which opens this aft
ernoon. The girls are said to be
among the prettiest in the eountrv
and appear In. the most exquisite and
tasty costumes. The act consists of a
repertoire of songs, comedy patter and
late dance steps. Nestor and Moore
are capable entertainers and the act
promises to be one that will be-extensively
popular.
Edwin and Lottie Ford. late of the
"Four Fords." offer a terpischorean
revue that promises to be a pleasing
and entertaining number. Both are
reputed to be very clever entertainers.
A unique offering, under the title
of "The Admiral's Reception," will be
presented by William IeHollis and
company. The act consists in the main
of juggling, with comedy interspersed.
"Bungalow Love" is the self-stvled
vehicle run by Melville and Milne. The
two people are said to have good
voices and they both know how to
use them.
Singing, talking, dancing and com
edy will be offered Hippodrome pa
trons by Sherwood. "The Nurse and
the Scout" is the title of the offering.
This couple seem to be able to play
every kind of a brass instrument. The
act haa a military touch.
Henry Rudolph, a high tenor of
prominence, seems to bo billed wrong,
as he is called "The Vagrant Tenor,"
but his list of vocal solos shows noth
ing but high-class offerings and they
are reported to. be rendered beauti
fully. "The Marionettes" will be the new
O'Henry drama which will be shown.
SPEED AS CURE IS FEATURED
Novel Film Play Balances Vaude
ville at Strand.
Speed is the watchword of the Amer
ican temperament, and Jack Mulhall,
the dynamic Butterfly photoplay favor
ite, is the very incarnation of it in the
leading role in the photodrama. "High
Speed," which will balance the vaude
ville programme opening at the Strand
Theater this afternoon.
Mulhall belongs in that vigorous and
lovable group of typical American
movie men with Fairbanks and Farnum.
and his career this season has been one
that haa made him a top-notch favor
ite with photoplay fans wherever the
pictures go.
As "Speed King," the hero of the
photoplay that will run at the Strand
Sunday, he is at his very best.
It is the story of a girl who comes
back from finishing school utterly blase
and apathetic. Her father, a million
aire pork packer, regards this as a dis
ease instead of an accomplishment, and
in his efforts to shake his daughter out
ORDERS REC'D N0Wn
COMPLETE CAST
of the mood, introduces ker to King,
who looks to him like the best remedy
for apathy available.
The cure proves effective and the de
velopment of the story is through a
series of deliciously comical episodes.
Al Hallet and company in the
comedy sketch, "Dreams, are the fea
ture of the vaudeville programme, with
an act that is one of the best bits of
comedy that haa come over the circuit
this season.
Shelby sisters are a classy couple of
harmony duetisrts, with an original and
attractive offecing.
Willie Karbe is an "upside down mar
vel" with a djaszling array of clever
acrobatic and hand balancing stunts,
done with exceptional grace and finish.
Shaw and Sriarp, a pretty girl and
clever man, have a line of comedy
songs and patter and character work
that is most attractive.
The 15th episode of "The Voice on the
Wire," concluding this serial, will run
as an additional attraction on the bill
Monday and Tueiday.
Girl Sues for $25,000.
CHICAGO. July! 15. WilliaVn M. Ras
mussen, deputy teller of the Pioneer
States Savings. Rank at 4601 West
North avenue, was sued for $25,000 In
ii sr nfts
SPEND
THE DAY
AT
ST. JOHNS
CHAUTAUQUA
SUNDAY PRO GRAMME
2:30 Musical Arts Quartet
3 :00 Dr. Frank Bohn
Dr. Bohn, European correspond
ent of the New York TirAes, one of
the best posted men in the country
on the Central Powers, will deliver
a powerful lecture on
"The Mind of
Germany"
8:00 Musical Arts Quartet
8:30 Monta ville Flowers
Montaville Flowers, one of the
greatest lecturers on the American
platform, will give his masterly
treatise on the reconstruction after
the world war,
"Rebuilding: the Temple"
ST. JOHNS
CHAUTAUQUA
Sc Carfare
Central High
School Grounds
NEW SCENIC RAILWAY 1
TODAY!
Council Crest
BRING YOUR COFFEE POT
AND PICNIC IN THE OLD
ORCHARD.
DANCING TONIGHT
BASEBALL
RECBKATIOM PARK.
Coraer Vaughn and Twenty-fourth Btm.
VERNON
vs.
PORTLAND
Jll.Y 17, 18. 19. 20. 21, n.
Game Beiia Weekday at f. M-
Muadayn. 2i0 P. M.
Reserved Box Seats for Sale at Edwards
Cigar Stand. Sixth .xnd Washington Bts.
LADIES DAY8l
Tneadaya. Wedneadaya. Thuradaya aiakd
Krfdaya (Except Holidays.
Boys Under IS Free to Central Bleacbr
ra Wadoasday.
ORIGINAL PROUCCTIOX SWAGf.K
tUe Circuit Court here by Miss Faye
Smith, -of Omaha. AG the office of her
attorneys, Messrs. Owtorne, Cloud and
Stephens, It was said the, action is for
alleged breach of promise to wed. Ras
mussen. It was said. courted Miss
Smith for several years, both by visits
and correspondence, and. they were en
gaged to be married.
Chile Grabs College Graduates.
WASHINGTON', July 1.1 Tn his an
ANTAGE
L'n equaled V au devllle llrondirar at Alder.
Matinee Uaily. 2:iO. Tvrlce Xlarhtly, 7 and O.
Popular Prloea Boxes and Loxca lleacrved.
WEEK COMMENCING TOMORROW'S MATINEE
(XORCE CHOOS PRESENTS
TTje Ianghlng Saeceaa of the Twentieth Century.
"Oh, Please, Mr. Detective"
With Bebhy Woolaey, Hetty Ewna, Hudaon Kreebora and One of the
iilggewt and Prettieat Choruses.
Will Morris Green, McHenry and
The Cycling Comedian, In liflTlf
"Tattered Talent.-' J-,l"",w
j" from the Farm to the Cabaret.
Montrezza Stuart
The Delightful Accordionist Th" Male Pattl.
Pantages Orchestra The Neglected Wife'
H. K. Evenson. Director. The Ninth Episode.
SPECIAL, ADDEI1 ATTRACTION
"WOMAN PROPOSES
Written by the late Paul Armstrong. Author of "The Dep Purple," "The
Graybound" and Other Successful Plays, und Presented
by the Armstrong Phiy.'rs.
NOTICE The Curtnla VIU Rtne for the- Continnnnn Performance Prompt
ly at 2 w'lo-k. lfoorN Ouen al I. I.nat Appearance of
"liuarr muuu Isle" and an All-Ktar Hill.
HERE IT IS
PORTLAND'S GREATEST
FREE AMUSEMENT
Willis G. West Musical Extravaganza Co., and
The Ginger Girls
A side-splitting musical hodge-podge in which dancing, sing
ing, dainty girls, beautiful costumes and elaborate stage set
tings vie with each other in the first Western presentation
of a clean satire, entitled
THE SOCIAL WHIRL
Commencing Sunday, July 22, and presented free every after
noon and evening at 3 and 8:30 to Oaks patrons in the auditorium.
Spend your vacation here 30
acres along the winding Wil
lamette, covered with rustic
vine-covered picnic upots,
rides, new and startling at
tractions, dancing, swimming,
a free kitchenette for the rof
fee pot free swimming les
sons every weekday between
1 and 2 a safe place for be
ginners to learn a happy
place for little and grown-up
ojmoi
IOE30I
HIPPODROME
FOUR DAYS COMMENCING SUNDAY
NED NESTOR & CHARLES MOORE
"WITH
U "SWEETHEARTS"
"A MUSICAL CO.MKOV
n Melville & Milne
O . , a.
'UUDKOIU-T aw V wra
Wm. De Hollis & Co.
The Admiral's Reception.
D Henry Rudolph
"Claaatcal and Popular &eaa;a.
Matinee Daily, 1 :30-5, 10c Evenings, 6 :30-ll, 15c
Continuous Performance Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays
ot Tftr "Tr"""
It FASHION CHORIS
nual report, recently made public, the
rector of the University of Chile shows
that during the last 25 years more
than 50 per cent of the graduates from
the engineerine; courses have entered
the service of the government of Chile.
He gives a list of 258 graduates. Of
these 148 are classed as public servants,
or employes, of the government; SI as
belnR engaged in mining or other in
dustries, and the remaining 79 are
either engaged In contracting or have
retired from active life.
I
children to keep and regain
their health in nature's
beauty spot the playground
of Portland.
5c carfare from any" part of
the city, transferring to spe
cial trains at First and Alder
hard-surface paving for
autos all tho way via Spokane
avenue, and plenty of free
parking spacu on the giounda.
30ES0I
locao
Til KIR
Edwin & Lnttip Ford D
Sherwood & Sherwood
"The Bugler and the Red Croaa
7 u re.
rilOTOPLAY
The Marrionettes D
rt - O
mm v". airnr uii
"' m-TAr rT-r
n
o
D
of pretty maids ia a miniature must
1