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About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 26, 1919)
BY LEONE CASS HAA. K. THE enactment of feminine roles, in sists Julian Eltinge, with excellent reasoning and reasons, must be held as legitimate, true art, since it was for beardless yoJth of the early theater In Shakespeare's day that the master dramatist of all the world wrote some of his most immortal lines and dedicat ed to the uses of his Corledias. his Juli ets and his Portias. Julian Eltinge, however, needs no de fense for his art. "It stands," wrote a recent critic, "on the secure founda tion of a Nation-wide popularity a popularity as much the property of Julian Eltinge the man, as of Julian El tinge the impersonator of feminine type" Mr. Eltinge has a tremendous follow ing in Portland, where he has appeared at the head of his own organizations on several occasions since he made his Ilrst advent, about nine years ago one of the attractions with Harry Lauder's show. Mr. Eltinge on that occasion, at the Armory, proved quite as much of an at traction as the little Scotch ballad singer, and a much more amiable at traction, for the Armory was cold and Mr. Lauder said so in quite positive and not gentle terms. Mr. Eltinge must have felt the breezes and dampness in the Armory quite as much as did Mr. Lauder, in fact ILarry was quite warm ly clad, save for his knees, and Mr. Eltinge did a snake dance in little else than barbaric jewelry and emotions. However, Mr. Eltinga said nothing aibout being cold, but smilingly pro ceeded to give us of his best entertain ment. Harry said he couLan't sing, in a barn and chopped his programme in spots. Both artists are now once more un der direction of William Morris, al though 'as individual attractions. Mr. Lauder has onlj recently returned to the United States to launch his latest farewell tour, and Mr. Eltinge, after manv months awav from the sta&re dur ing which time he has beef being made into iums, win oe seen at tno 1 this week, beginning hi engagement on Thursday night. This greatest im personator of feminine roles ofl the stage comes at the head of a notable company of American and European artists, touring under the management of William Morris Reviewers say that Eltinge has never appeared with more brilliant effect than on his present tour. A sketch written by himself in collaboration with June Mathis. and called "Happy Ever After" has as its chief aim and end the display of all the curves in Eltinge's art and body, and to present his newest characterization in an at mosphere of melody and an environ ment of luxury. The company support ing Mr. Eltinge in this sketch is com posed of Marjorie Bennett, sister to Enid Bennett, of motion picture fame, and said to be equally as beautiful; Betty Lamb, whose impersonations on the screen have for their climax her characterization in Griffith's "Intoler ance"; Arthur Shirley, a star of legiti mate luster, and Togo Euro, who in the role of a Japanese butler gives a vividly natural performance. The sketch was staged by Fred Niblo, who needs no Introduction. Eltinge's new songs have been writ ten by Cora McGeachy, who also de signed his new gowns. Miss McGeachy Is well known. as the designer of the wardrobes for Ziegfeld's Follie3 and Winter Garden shows. Among the members of the company are such well-known artists as Dainty Marie, of the rings, who played There last In vaudeville; Sidney Grant, who has been for several seasons with "So Long, Letty," and now has an entirely new line of material; Cleo Gascoigne, the diminutive prima donna, last sea son with Harry Lauder, in a new se lection of popular and operatic songs; the Arnout Brothers, musical clowns; the Dancing Lavars and others of equal note. The high spot on he programme will of course be occupied by Mr. Eltinge in his sketch and in new song specialties, among his impersonations will -be "The Vampire," "The Bride," "The Bathing Girl," and "In Society." During the course of the progremme he "-ill offer "Polly of the Follies," "The Slien Vam pire,'' "Don't Trust Those Big Gray Eyes," and other lilting, merry songs of the whistling and catchy variety. All the theaters in the city, excepting the Heilig and Pantages. open with new bills today. Pantages new vaude ville bill opens tomorrow afternoon. Both stock theaters are putting on Attractive plays for the week. At the Alcazar we will see the late Paul Arm strong's "Deep Purple," an always fas cinating study in psychology. Crook comedies come and go, but a brand of crooks are met in "The Deep Purple" differing from any of the others in the underworld. This play wears well and the Alcazar players will give It a note worthy presentation. The Baker stock company will pre sent a mystery play in Horace Annes- ley Vachell's drama "The Mysterious Camber Case, renamed from the Lon don play, "The Case of Lady Camber.' American producers deem the newer ti- Tie stronger. ine piay, wnicn is an extremely modern drama, is built around a peculiar phase in Lady Cam ber'.? physical condition, and Is said to have an unusual mystery appeal. Baa Samuels, "The Blue Streak of Ragtime" will make her annual ap pearance at the Orpheum this week. It will surely be like Old Home Week to see Miss Samuels jazzing around at lightnin' speed, for the reception she is always sure to receive here must make it seem like home to her. She is a product of the Mlddlewest, having been discovered a few years ago by the Orpheum circuit management singing in a picture house. There was a peculiar attractiveness about her. That she possessed ability could not be doubted, but it was an, entirely differ ent matter to clasify that ability. It was by far easier to say what she could not do and what she was not, than to try to explain why it was thai she was such an attraction. From her first appearance on the Or pheum circuit, Miss Samuels has carved an enviable reputation for herself both in vaudeville and the musical comedy field, but she returns each year to re conquer, if possible, the audiences that were so cordial to her at the begin ning of her career. This year she brings with her a catalogue of new songs and recitations that are calcu lated to set a new laugh-making rec ord at every house where she appears. Lee Kohlmar, who Is the extra Or pheum attraction, has been identified with various stage productions, having been with "Potash and Perlmutter" in America and in London for so many years that the association has dimmed his other work. Previously he was seen as "the buyer" with Rose Stahl in "Maggie Pepper" and with David War field in "The Music Master." He is lauded as one of the best character ac tors on the stage and is said to be at his best in his role in "Two Sweet hearts," his present vaudeville sketch. w w m "The High Sign" opens at The Lyric this afternoon. It is a musical farce written around the mysteries and initi ations of he order of Moose and is said to have been inspired by an actual visit to the local lodge one night last Win ter. It seems that Dillon and Franks ere invited to a stag party and while there got pointers for the plot which they subsequently worked into a very laughable farce and named it "The High Sign." It will run all week. V Lorenz. magician, who has new illu sions and tricks of legerdemain, is the vaudeville headliner on the strand The ater's new "photovllle" bill opening to day. The picture, "Hitting the High Spots," introduces Bert Lytell as author-actor. NOTED IMPERSONATOR COMING Julian Eltinge and Company to Be Seen at Heillg Theater. After an absence of many months from the stage, during which he has duplicated on the screen his footUght triumphs and has extended in films his vaudeville fame, Julian Eltinge Will be seen at the Heilig Theater, Broad way at Taylor. Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights, January JO and 61 and February 1, with a special matinee Saturday. The greatest impersonator of feminine roles on the stage comes at the head of a notable company of European and American artists touring under the management of William Morris and booked only at the high est class legitimate playhouses. Never before has Eltinge come so brilliantly to a local audience. A sketch written by himself and June Mathis and called "Happy Ever After" is designed to dis play all the curves of Eltinge's squar ing art and to proffer his newest char acterizations in an atmosphere of mel ody and an environment of luxury. New songs have been provided by Cora MacGeachy whose genius has also been expended brilliantly in the ward robe. Her celebrity as a song writer is only equaled by her gifts as a cos tumier, she having been selected by Flo Ziegfeld, most sagacious of creators of feminine shows, to design the "creations" wherewith his coryphees of the "Follies" are garbed. Some of the artists in the company are the dancing Lavalls. who will show agile grace in the latest developments of the art of Terpsechore; Sydney Grant whose National popularity was established when as co-star with Char lotte Greenwood he appeared in Moros co's "Canary Cottage"; dainty Marie, charmer of the rings, who was one of the features with "What Next?"; the Arnaut brothers: Cleo Gascoigne, late prima donna of the Metropolitan .rana Opera forces In New York, and others equal note. MISS SAMUELS AT ORPHEUM "Tho Blue Streak of Vaudeville" Is Attractive Show. Miss Rae Samuels, "The Blue Streak of Vaudeville," and one of the moat popular songstresses in the vaude ville world, is. the Headline r of the new THE SUNDAY I III HI I WSf . I HB. ,A Orpheum show opening at the Heillg this afternoon. Miss Samuels makes an annual visit at the Orpheum, and in each succeeding year she is a greater drawing card than ever. In her act this year she is offering songs especially written for her by Herbert Moore, re nowned vaudeville composer. Her gowns represent the latest modes from Broadway, and from start to finish, say the critics. Miss Samuels' act of 1 ' 1 '- is the best she has ever presented. Lee Kohlmar. of "Potash and Perl mutter" fame, is the extra attraction in "Two Sweethearts," a comedy gem, in which he is supported by a capable little company. "Two Sweethearts" was written by Samuel Shipman and Clara Lipman, who have several vaudeville successes to their credit. Mr. Kohlmar' s reputation as a character actor is as surance that "Two Sweethearts" as pre sented by him is a treat, and an added guaranty is the fact that the playlet is staged under the direction of Louis Mann. The third big-type act of the new show is that offered by John Robinson's military elephants, the latest and big gest animal act of the season. Robin son's elephants perform tricks Incon ceivable of these monsters. Of special interest In Portland In con nection with the Or'pheum's new show is the announcement that Cleveland Bronner. with his "Dream Fantasies," is one of the big acts programmed. Mr. Bronner is well known in this city, having played here as leading juvenile man under Warda Howard. He is in Portland's list of "matinee idols." "Dream Fantasies." as offered by Mr. Bronner, Is a spectacular act. and Is registering a hit everywhere. Other acts of the new show are Harry Jolson, operatic blackface comedian' William Smythe. the new American tenor in songs of the people: Sansone and Delila in something original- the Orpheum Travel Weekly and the Offi cial War Review. m This show closes with the matinee v ednesday. HERE COMES BRIDE' AT BAKER Funniest Farce of Season Opens With Matinee Next Sunday. It looks as if Portland is at last going to see the noted Klaw & Erlan ger farce, "Here Comes the Bride," as Manager Milton Seaman, of Baker Stock Company, has secured the rights mm :in. ii nere ana announces it for the week following "The Mysterious Camber Case," opening next Sunday matinee. Some theater-goers will doubtless re member that It was extensively adver tised to appear at the Heillg about the time Uncle Sam took over the rail roads and the difficulties of traveling companies became so numerous that the tour was cancelled. Now we get it in stock, at much less cost of admission and no dnuht luat as well played and produced as it would nave Deen at tnat time. "Here Comes the Bride" is described as one of the funniest farces of the day and as stock lovers have shown an especial fond ness for laughing bills this season ft wtll doubtless tax the capacity of the cosy playhouse at every performance. MYSTERIOUS PLAY AT BAKER Production, Direct Prom East, Brought Here for First Time. Baker Stock Company will offer an other production, entirely new to Port land, starting this afternoon. It is "The Mysterious Camber Case." which was first produced in London by H. B. Irving and later in NeTw York at the Lyceum, with Lyn Harding and Mary Boland In the cast under tltta of "The Case of Lady Camber." " Lady Camber, who was formerly a burlesque queen, now married to Cam ber, was evidently allowed to ruu to seed, as the saying goes. Traces of her former self are evident now and then, but barely apparent un der her ample coating of camouflage and her badly distorted disposition, I caused. by. tho neglect of her h-uabanU. OBEGOXIAX, PORTLAND, " . atirfrr I She has lapsed into a state of invalid ism, and at the beginning of the story is being turned over by Dr. Slufter, her old family physician, to a noted specialist. Dr. Napier, as Slufter ap pears to consider the case hopeless. .-sapier conaents to take the case if the nurse, Esther Torke, will assist him. It Is apparent that there is some thing mysterious about Miss Yorke and that she and LoH Camber have met and had some sort of affair In the past. -Napier, who has a strong attachment for her. has discovered a powerful drug. and it Is around this drug, together with the sudden and unexpected death or the patient, the secret of Esther Yorke and Lord Camber and the ex posure of it that the plot revolves. It offers splendid opportunities for Albert McGovern, Olive Templeton, aa the nurse; Lora Rogers, Verna Felton and the other popular members of the popular stock company. Matinees to lay, Wednesday and Saturday. "DEEP Pl IU'I.i:. ALCAZAR I! I I.I. Paul Armstrong's Rogues' Gallery Will Be Seen on Local Stage. When Paul Armstrong wrote "Deep Purple" he gave to the stage a play which Is a perfect rogues' gallery. "Deep Purple." will be offered by the Alcazar plssyers for the current week, beginning with a matinee today. While JANUARY 26, 1919. ' c 1 r7 ... the plot centers around the efforts of a white slaver to make a victim of a minister's daughter. It hus many rami fications, which expose the methods of the nimble-brained gentry who make a dishonest living by imposing on the Innocent public. There is the oily old man with re spectable appearance whose' epeclalty ts swindling and, using the Bible as his method. There are the operators' of the badger game and there is the confidence' woman and the Western "killer," who is seeking refugo from the law by burying himself In New York. All these types of criminals are brought together by the author in a series of exciting and dramatic situa tions and of all the crooka i.n the play. jj IP I H fir- 8t : the most popular Is the Western bad man. who really Isn't bad, but has a record. Nor are the authorities overlooked, for grafting detectives and honest po licemen also appear. "Deep Purple" fs well known to the patrons of the stage as one of the best and most interesting plays of recent seasons. Matinees will be Wednesday and Saturday aa well as this afternoon. ROYAL DRAGOONS AT PANTAOES America's. Only Singing Band Is Headliner of New Bill. Music lovers are due for one of the treats of the season when the Royal DraaToons. America's only singing band comes as the featured attraction at 1. images for the week commencing with the matinee tomorrow. The organization Is widely known In the world of music and each mem ber is a star In his own right. One of the features of the extensive pro gramme is the "Jasz" drummer who Is Internationally famous for his remark able ability. Al Sweet, the famoua bandmaster, is at the head of the body. Ha has ap peared as the leader of some of the best known bands in the country. Selections ranging from the classics to the latest popular band hits are to be found on the extensive programme. The bandsmen art not only excellent instrumentalists but stellar vocalists and they appear in the striking white uniforms of the Dragoons. Walter Fishter, author and star. Is seen In his latest farce, "Baby Bugs." supported by his own company. Mr. Fishter has hit on an exceptionally happy theme for his comedy, the story involving a young matron who seeks to adopt an orphan baby from an in stitute. The fun is smart and rapid Mr. Fishter In the principal role is seen to his best advantage while his company is all that could be destred. Kathryne and Nellie Durkin are heard in songs and musical selections. Both are young and charming and most pleasing entertainers. Their act bears the marks of originality and the per sonality of the clever girls add much to their performance. Shirll Rives and Billy Arnold are seen In the hilarious farce entitled "A Big Sale," in which Miss Rives (a seen as an expert young saleswoman, while Mr. Arnold Is a traveling man. They meet and the respective methods In which they exploit their wares make great comedy. A dance or two adds life to the performance. Sergent. and Lewis are best known as the American Duo in the world of vaudeville. They sing well and their selections on guitar and ukelele are well received. The latest in the movies from all parts of the world will be shown by the Pantages pictures. On ol tureuu a latest and greatest sensations will be one of the special attractions. This is Samoya. the Span ish wonder, in his death-defying cloud swing, in which he performs far above the heads of the audience. Hill's Comedy Circus, with its doers. ponies, monkeys and baboon, will be seen for the cloee of the local engage ment jplth the continuance perform ance today from 1:30 to II o'clock IRISH CHARACTER PORTRAYED Ban Russell In "The Fifth Anniver sary" at Hippodrome. In "The Fifth Anniversary." the por trayal of a delightful old Irish char acter, one blending pathos with the richest kind of wit and humor. Is Dan Kusaell as Michael Mooney In the suc cessful playlet of that name. Capably assisting Mr. Russell are Marjorie Ray, a pretty girl, as Mooney's daughter, and Howard Barlow, a clever young juvenile, as her persistent admirer. Jake Maivern. whom many may re member, as he was born and raised in Portland, comes with a revival -of the old acrobatic pantomimic novelty. In which the old trick house is utilised iu a ludicrous comedy number entitled "A Day In Bumpville." "A Study in the Poetry of Motion." as applied to roller skating, is an artistic presentation of Collier and De TA aide. Many new and original move ments and figures, demonstrations of grace and artistry, will be shown by this duo. King and Wyse. frankly styling their act "All Foolishness." are presenting a number In which Lirlesque dancing is the Important feature. Jack Symonds, in the character of "The Man of Ease," will portray the wanderer overflowing with good hu mor, rare jokes, and up-to-the-minute stories gathered during his wanderlust. Charles McNaughton, endowed with quaint mannerisms and lively wit. will offer character stories of actual oc currences, witnessed by him in hia travels. His recitations will inclade choice selections of famous authors, with just enough comedy to offset the Intensely dramatic. W. W. Ely announces that beginning Sunday, February 9, a series of Sundsy noon converts have been arranged to be given by a 20-ptece orchestra, led by S. W. Rosebrook. LYRIC PRODUCTION 1 SCREW "The High Sign" Teems Willi Laughs and Funny Situations. One night last year Al Franks, of the comedy team of Dillon and Franks, of the Lyric Musical Company, was Invited to a Moose stag party. Al made such, a hit with the boys that night that they elected htm an hon orary member of the famous order on the spot. He and Ben Dillon wero talking about It during the Summer vacation and Ben got an Idea for a comedy, which they proceeded to write between fishing trips. As a result, it will be put on at the Lyric this week, starting today. They have named it "The High Sign." and it Is said to disclose some dark and terrible secrets conjured up in the Imaginative brains of the-,, two past masters of gigglo invention. Ike is a Moose and Mike is a Mooss and there are a lot of other little Bull Mooses In the plot, who get the slgna mixed up in a weird and remarkable manner. Ike also has a wife( who runs him ragged, his only refuge being his manifold duties at the lodge. It works so well all his friends start In to use it, and troublea begin to pile up for all of them, wires get crossed and for a time it begins to look as if tho grand old Order of Moose is going to bo responsible for a domestic tragedy or two. But, of course, just when matters become the most serious, a sudden turn brings them out to the happy satisfaction of everyone. The usual song numbers will be In troduced, in which all the principals and the pretty Rosebud Girls are at their best. Matinee every day. BERT LYTELL AT THE STRAND New Adventure Story With Gripping Plot in "Hitting the High Spots." A new adventure story, with intrigue and romance closely interwoven in a gripping plot, will be shown in "Hit ting the High Spots." a Metro photo play starring popular Bert Lytell at the Strand Theater commencing today. Following his recent photoplay suc- ConcludeJ n lagei 5T