Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About The Sunday Oregonian. (Portland, Ore.) 1881-current | View Entire Issue (Sept. 11, 1921)
- . 2 - ' '., THE SUNDAY OREGOXIAV PORTLAND, SEPTEMBER 11, 1921 . .tt . ziys' ' T h"-' .J' srg. twm Ife.w." ' tt-"' 1 V -',:".v ' H BY LEONE CASS BAER. rriHAT the best laid plans of mice I and men "sans aft- agley" is nowhere evidenced so emphati cally and so often as in the theatrical world. . Plans made, hopefully and in ' earnest In mid-summer may have grone "aft ag-Iey" before the frost is on the pumpkin. Witness the array of booking's con tracted for in August a year ago and the changes in bookings that took place before the season had run Us, length. Fay Balnter, for instance," was to have traveled to the coast In "East Is West" Frank Bacon was booked in "LightninV Margaret 111-ing-ton was to have visited us In "The Bad Woman.' Robert Mantell prom ised to Include us in his season of Shakespeare, v Leo Deitrichsteln was to have played here. In each case the contract was signed, sealed and de livered, but a two weeks' notice can cancel any contract in the show game and all of these were canceled from New York. In each instance the reasons were legitimate and had J to eerve us. Fay Bainter's manager found her run a continued and phe nomenal success and did not even I move her from New York until sum raer, when he took her into Chicago, which city had been clamoring for her for a year. She is still playing ttvra to stupendous business. She had planned a vacation in Europe this summer and her closing had been announced, when her manager reconsidered and kept her playing in "East Is West. He has promised her to this coast after Christmas. She may come and again she may not. If her popularity and that of the play continues as it has done with an unbroken record of success, she may play steadily on in the east ern cities. Philadelphia wants her for an Indefinite run, so does Boston. Frank Bacon Is another proof of the pudding. He has played steadily for more than three years in "Lig-htnin"' and his managers booked him for this - coast. Including Fort land. Then Chicago refused to accept any actor substitute in "Llghtnin"' and the Pacific coast also refuses to take anyone but Bacon. It so happens that Bacon him self, being a Californian, wants to bring his play out here ana repeat his tr'umphs where his old and tried friends may see him, and so we will have to wait for "Llghtnin' until the Chicago run begins t warrant closing. frankly, mis is monins away, for Bacon opened there a few weeks ago and the theater is sold out until past Thanksgiving. Another instance of mislaid plans was in the Illington engagement "The Bad Woman" got badder as she progressed west and In Montana was closed. Prior to its closing miss 111 ington had returned to New York and so had Robert Edeson and Wilton Lackaye. - "Smilin' Through" was booked directly for London after the engagement on this coast, and when Jane Cowl was Interviewed here she was planning- on playing to London audiences. While she was in Port land bookings were completely changed and the play was taken directly to Chicago, where it ran until late this summer and all Jane Cowl saw of London was a vacation there In August .Forbes Robertson canceled book ings because he wasn't well, Julie Opp's death caused changes in the plans of her husband, William Faversham, and Robert Mantell de cided to stay in the east on his Shakespearean tour. Leo Deltrlch Bteln's play was a fli er, and only now has he reached his ' stride in -Toto," playing to good houses In Chicago. , On the other hand, several plays not booked early In the season came to us. Among these was "Chu Chin Chow," and the Fanchon Marco revue, which wai organized in San Fran cisco and which, under the title of "Sun Klst" 'was a huge success in the Edna Goodrich In "Sleeping Part ners" was another (and a sad one) that developed late In the season and an English production "Little Red Riding Hood" was booked by tele rniiL Dlayine in Portland as the first American city, following a tour of Canada. It was an "English pan tomime," which had run in London the previous Christmas. Margaret Anglin tried out her "Woman of Bronze" along this coast and early in. the summer season, between sea sons, one might say, brought it here, booked by telegraph. Later she took the play Into New York where it played all last season. These are a few picked at random and will suffice to bear witness that there is many a slip between the original bookings along in the mid dle of the summer and the season's end. This season the new bookings sound roost interesting and these, too, havei been contracted .for. in-all faith. Whether they come to us in the sea son or fall by the wayside is, of course, on the laps of the gods, the booking gods who live in Manhat tan. The International Theatrical Man agers' association, as now organized, in which every city and section of the country is represented, promises to stabilise ana ilx tne Dusiness standards already in practice by the established managers. No greater service can be accorded to the legiti mate theatrical business than the ex clusion from it of the temporary ad venturers, the "wild cat producers," the fly-by-night speculators in the show game, who have done a great deal to bring the theatrical game into disfavor with the financial and com mercial world. Most of tlie broken contracts and repudiated debts In this business can be traced directly to - the wild and varied attempts of Inexperienced out siders to break Into the show busi ness. Every one of us should be eager to uphold the hands of the real theatrical managers as united in this new association. No greater service just now can be given to the Ameri can theater as an Institution than to put its code of business ethics and its credits upon a firm and permanent basis. - 1 Here then are the plays booked for this new season. The opening play Is, as already announced, "The fa mous Mrs. Fair," a capital comedy In which Blanohe Bates and Henry Miller ar co-starring. Their en gagement opens at the Heillg on Sep tember 15, continuing for three days. In . the list are "The Bat,". Ethel Barrymore in "Declasse," a ' play which was promised last season, but wnich was canceled owing to the ill ness of the star, Chauncey Olcott who may come and who may not come, because he has announced that he wants to retire; a return engagement or -irene," "Angel face," the old stand by and "The Bird of Paradise, which makes money for its owners when Disraeli with George Arliss will starve, for lack of support. Nance O'Neil, in her latest piece, "The Pas sion' Flower, is booked; "Ladies' Mght "The Beggar's Opera," "French Leave" and "Erminie" with De Wolf Hopper and Frances Wilson in the cast are booked here. "Robin Hood' will return, David Warfield in one of his old successes is coming and "Abraham Lincoln," John Drinkwat- er'a big play, Is promised. "Aphrodite Is another booking and "East Is West is another. Others are to be added to the list The Baker stock opened susdI ciously and the company gives every inaicauon oi Deing- a splendid work, lng organization,. Business for the opening' week was excellent, according to the box office folk, and the sale of season tickets is reported to be even larger than last season at this time. A farce-comedy has been selected for the second week's bill.. It la called N'gbtie Night" and was here last January as a road show. Marjorie foster win be the vounar wife and Telmer Jackson the husband, with all tne otner players In the supporting cost. The play opens this afternoon. The Orpheum will onen at the Heillg this afternoon with a show that is almost all comedy. The head. luers of the opening show are Francis X Bushman and Beverly Bayne, who are making- their vaudeville debut af ter deserting the cinema world, in which they were long notable and pcpular. Bushman and Bayne are ap pearing in -fOor men Man, a satlr ical comedy written especially for them by Edwin Burke. Carl Reiter, manager of the Orpheum at Seattle, Charlie Murray, scree- cone Ulan, to appear at Pantnges. i:l (7 1 VJ ' " ' ") - . -i . I oroicona. .n exoluslv Orpheum f- hrt when Billy loams that Ma 'a " S" i - t iy-g' , 7 I ture ahowinj Oresron acenery In color, friend Trlxle la none other than tha f I v,. v ... . . sv- , . . , , I II Special mualo will be played by the actreM-peraonflnancee of tho a.ipar. says the inaugural show Is a "hum dinger," which Is regarded as great praise, as the Seattle showman does not have descriptive phrases for shows his patrons are not wild about Reports from Seattle are to the ef-' feet that the Bushman, and Bayne show did tremendous business and the same record is predicted by the Orpheum management In Portland, as the seat sale is said to be very heavy. This show will close with the after noon performance next Wednesday and the Orpheum artists then will proceed to San Francisco, where Bush man and Bayne, the stars of this show, will appear for two consecutive weeks. J. A. Johnson, manager of the Pan tages theater, promises his patrons a programme of unusual variety, com mencing with tomorrow matinee. The Pantages opera company, offering se lections from the famous operas, is the headliner. Joe Whitehead, who has always been a favorite here; Ara sisters, in "dance creations"; King J. Sauls, premier artist wjth several Other European novelty acts, will give the Pantages patrons a well-balanced vaudeville nrogramm. "Here and There" is the title of the musical melange which goes on at the Lvrlo this afternoon, with Al Franks and Eddie Wright In the roles as principal fnnmakers. CHASBXAE MXTRiKAV IS OOMTXX; Famons Maok Sennett Comedian . to Appear at (Pantages. Charlie Murray, famous Mack Sen nett comedian, has found his voice. For nine years he has been the most eloquent of Celtic comedians before the public, but he has been dum he has been a film star. Through the efforts of Alexander. Pantages the hilarious funster has been re stored to the use of his vocal cords, which is to say that he has been engaged for a tour of the Pantages circuit and will arrive in Portland next week. The last time Murray was seen upon the stage in Portland, was with the Joe Weber production of "Alma, Where Do You Live?" at the Heillg theater, in which he surprised his many friends and admirers, who had previously seen him In the slap-stick Irish comedy role. He was the s nior partner of the firm of Murray and Mack, in which they delighted millions of persons all Over the country In the farce comedy, "Fln- nigan s BalL1 Mr. Murray is restored to the speaking stage once more and will appear at Pawtages theater, com menclng Monday September II, in a monologue which he calls "Movie- land Gossip." Murray considers his vaudeville tour as a sort of vaca tion, after nine years in silent drama, and now is speaking to the aud iences direct and entertaining them. It s great fun, and I used to call this work," said Murray last week. FAMOUS MRS. FAIR' COMEDY Play Coming to Heillg Kert Thurs day Wim Two Stars. The Famous Mrs. Fair," . already warmly received In New York, Chi cago and Bostonv will give Portland theatergoers an opportunity to ex tend it a greeting on Thursday night, when it opens a three-day engage ment at the Heirig theater, on that date inaugurating the new dramatic season in Portland. : Apart from the fact that two of our most distinguished stars, Henry Miller and Blanche Bates, appear in the principal parts and, therefore, command foremost attention, the play, written by James Forbes, author of f' x ' Js ' 4 "; direction of George E. Jeffery. who fcaa, In Blllya temporary absence.! X , , 4T - !'. i. , has teen conductor at the Orpheum actually rented the Moffat apartment 1 V ,TVl 1 ' - ' ' ' ZZ ' - for the past five years and who has for the vacation seaaon from Philip I t -" ,,' 1 1 .1- W ? K f retained his musical orranlxatlon in- burton. Billy's over-iealous brother. , . H': -y . ,4"- M fe"! a In S tact. And when the Moffau unexpectedly I I - 'ST'V .L Sjit, 'ft r kj i I return ana rina tne inierioper in- k. : vv-kV Htrfei1?.: - ;. l,JflGHT,E XI3MT m,CEI1 PIAT SSSr?.' 1,ome-we,, th"''-y , '? -fii s'A . I f jt Xl " Guy Klbbe has the role of Pf. ! - r JC'. rJSV f VI tjTr" Comedy Said to B Replete With Bentley. friend of the family; Lora1 II li. '.i- Jri .XV .-V aI iVU? i I I Roa-ers Impersonates Nora: William I l ' 'Tf ' - 4 V ii i. r r i I niiwciwow mu. Lee i, a porter; iSA l-fa iL -ieli Ar-f ; i L......6M.,S5'JSIV; i- r mi The Ctiorus Lady," "The Traveling Salesman." "The Show Slvop" and other successes, can hardly be called of secondary Interest "The Famous Mrs. Fair" may right ly be called an American comedy. fitting so perfectly, as it does, the situation an dialogues that might creep into any American home. There is a strong appeal to the p'ausibili ties, The story is not theatrically imaginative, but consistently proba ble, and. the playwright has not only appealed to the heart, but to the common sense. Whether or not a woman can suc cessfully manage a career and a home which. In this case, includes a husband and two grown-up children Is the theme of the play and it is delightfully handled. The world war gave many women a chance to do a great many things that they never dared to do at home. Mancy fair, the heroine Of Mr. Forbes' play, did heroto work and did it so magnifi cently she was decorated with the croix de guerre. Mn Miller gives a superb perform ance of the husband and Miss Bates is brilliant as the fame-seeking wire. They are surrounded by an excellent cast and the production Is reflective of Mr. Miller's good taste . and un erring Judgment The only matinee during the en gagement will b on Saturday. ORiPHECM W'lXiL OPEN" TODAY Franeia X. Bushman and Deverlj - Bayne Headliners. The Orpheum season will open at the. Heillg theater with the matinee this afternoon, a specially ' selected road show for the inaugural having been assembled with the moving pic ture stars, Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne. as the headliners. This show will be at the Hellig for only three nights Sunday, Monday and Tuesday and four matinees Sunday, Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. The show will close with the performance Wednesday af ternoon and tne artists will depart Wednesday night for San Francisco. Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne, the luminous headliners, are appearing:, in foot Kich Man," a satirical comedy written especially for their vaudeville debut by Edwin' Burke. The act is said to show the 'Sreg.. '-yis v ..-?. talents of this notable couple at their best and is staged artistically. Bever ly Bayne is one of the beauties of cinema and footlight stagedom and Francis X. Bushman was proclaimed "king of the movies" at the San Francisco exposition several years ago. "Taxie," an extraordluary dog actor, te the extra attraction of the opening show. This dog Is presented by Ed Allen in a novelty playlet Remaining acts are Ohio Yorke and Rose King In "The Old Family Tln- - TICKET OFFICE SALE HEILIGT THIS Fit I WEEK AM SAT. ENRY LANCHE i it The Famous Mrs. Fair BT JAMES The Supreme Success of Recent Years PRIDES ADD 10 PER. -EVENINGS- Entlre Lower Floor J3.00 Balcony, first five rows... J2. 50 Balcony, next four rows.. .12.00 Balcony, last 13 rows 1.B0 Gallery, rea and adm fl.00 r type"; George Watts and Bell Haw ley In laughs coated with melodies; Henry and Moore in "Escorts Sup plied"; the Clifford Wayne trio, American Indians in full dress fea turing the 20th century squaw, and Master Karlh. the world's greatest Indian child artist; and Barbette in a versatile specialty. Ths ploture section of the show will include Topics of the Day, Aesop's Fables, a comedy cartoon, and the Pathe News Weekly. All these films will be accompanied by the OPENS TOMORROW rSept,15,16,17MAf;,sAT, MILLE FORBES. CENT WAR TAX. 8P3CIAI. SAT. MAT- I Entire Lower Floor $3.50 Balcony, flrse five rows... $2.00 Balcony, next four rows... $1.60 Balcony, last IS rows $1.00 I Gallery, res. and adm.. ..$0.77 AT ES In the bands of a stock company for the first time. "Nightie Night' that hilarious farce that drew such universal praise on Its tramcontl nental tour last January, will be pre' sented by the Baker players for the second week of the new season, open lng with the matinee this afternoon. "Nightie Night" is said to be as different from the average play of Its kind as a circus Is different from opera, for It lays claim to complete originality of line and of situation and brings delightful comedy to a thoroughly acceptable. If somewhat surprising, climax. Indeed, its re viewers declare, climax after climax Is worked Into the racy plot of this happy-go-lucky piece in an unusually pleasing way. Miss Marjorle Foster, new leading woman of the Baker players, wir have the role of Mollle Moffat, who Is ths fluffy little wife of the hapless Billy Moffat portrayed by Selmar Jackson. leading man. It is when Billy meets Trlxle Lorraine, imper sonated by Jane Gilroy, a charming friend of his unmarried days, that circumstantial evidence begins to pile up .gainst him, especially when his own sister, Ernestine Dare, portrayed by Mayo Methot conspires against him. Billy has often imagined the havoc Jealousy might cause in his house hold, but he never pictured the ter rors through which the world puts him when he faces It and the wrath of an outraged wife all at once. Jlramle Blythe, his best friend. In the person of Leo Llndhard, even put the fear of death Into poor Billy' !-. iJ' ' 1 IHH Bn ITwlT!! fun All. W- I the part of the waiter is Uken by Irving Kennedy. and Lawrence Keating is a passenger. "Vl-fetl- Viirht" lm Honkud ta the Baker a a comedy full of action, re- ' plet with wholesome fun and con- J taining no objectionable 11ns a i the onjA no-mD TiimLrroa x Baker to Present 3fytery Drama' After "Mjrhtio Xifftit, With "NUrhtie Night" off the boards J at me riaaer meaier aner mi- wmb. the Baker Stock com sent staffing with th Sunday, "The Oulja Wilbur's thrilling melod tery. It was Crane who first played the role of Detective Barney McCare and solved, through a , series of gripping srenes, the mystery of the murder of Richard Annixter. I no isuija xtomrv is in mrc ww pany will pre- L e matinee next 1 Board," crane f rama of mrs- 1 Wilbur, in fact I lag, mm I ' nmmv iiuhm iuuii. n -ntlr-lv modern tons and, aettlna. 6 PANTAGES ACTS IW VHRGKNT Vaudeville Programme Is Spiced "O'itii Variety. Solced with the variety that brings V a vaudeville programme Its greatest charm, the bill which will open Mon- day matinee at the Pantages theater offers such widely divergent sets ai that of the Pantages Opera company, (Conclude on Pa I