The San Francisco Dramatic Review (1908)

i THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW January 31, igu THE SAN FBANCISCO Dramatic Review Music and D»ma CKAS. B. FASBEI>I>, Editor Issued Every Saturday Address all letters and money or- ders to Til* Ban Tranolsoo Dramatlo BeTlsw 1095 Ms/ket Stret t Cor. Seventh Room 207 Talsplion*: Market 8639^ p^orpd at San Francisco as Second-class Man Matter. Eslal.Ushea 1854. Bess Sankey On the American stage there is no future value to wornout names, passe celebrity, "Broadway favor- ites," or well-known "stars." As Oliver Morosco says, "Youth must be served." It is the day of youth, because the nation is young, and it demands youth, the verve of vital and unspoiled sincerity is necessary in all the arts and—most of all—in the art of the stage. Bess Sankey, the leading woman in The Traffic, is an example of the desire of Amer- ican playgoers for youth; typifying the zeal of it, the beauty of it. the sincerity of it. She is "youth" ex- ploiting youth—feminine American youth—in the strangest, saddest and most compelling phase of our nation- al life. A mere girl, fragile as a flower and terrific as a tempest, this young actress in one of the most difficult roles of the time, leaped at one bound from the fixed limitations of a well-acted character part, what is called "a side bit," in this now fa- mous play to a fixed and well-de- fined position as a brilliant emotional actress. In The Traffic, Miss San- key discloses a gradation of true emotional acting that has already amazed and captivated some of the most captious critics of the country. The pitiful and—in place—hideous experiences of Agnes Berton, as im- personated by Miss Sankey, have been a revelation to those who doubted that the grace of the actress and the infinite pity of the story could make a dramatic classic of what might have been mere melo- drama in hands less capable. Bess Sankey has done that seemingly dif- ficult thing. She has made Agnes Berton a memorable, a historic and a classical character in the history of the American stage. This play, The Traffic, is already famous. It has been the puzzle and the surprise of all theatrical offerings. Showing the most audacious and sincere .stage disclosure of a national dishonor, it has won its way over all obstacles straight to the hearts and the con- sciences of the American people. The Agnes Berton of Miss Sankey is as frail as Dresden china and as terrible in truth as the angel trans- formed into a termagant. A piteous figure she—piteous until the cumu- lative grief, dishonor, rage and shame piled into the great third act drive her to the wild anger of a wolf-mother making the last des- perate stand for her "cub." And in this play the "cub" is the little sis- ter. "He tried to make her what he made of me—and so I killed him!" When you have seen and heard Bess Sankey in that scene, you will have witnessed a wonder- ful bit of genuine acting. The Traffic is the first answer that the stage has made to the American women who ask : "Of what use is the franchise?" It is the first instance in which the theatre has come boldly, cleanly and honestly to the support of press and pulpit in the new battle for the uplift and sus- tainment of the fallen women of so- ciety. It contains the pith and sub- stance of all the industrial and so- ciological problems influencing the so-called "social evil" and—as pre- sented by Miss Sankey and the ster- ling company of actors supporting her—it has commanded and will command the alert attention and re- spect of everyone wlio has the wel- fare of American womanhood at heart. Not Appendicitis. But Indi- gestion CHICAGO, Jan. 23.—"Indigestion. Not appendicitis at .all. No operation ncces.sary." These words of cheer from Dr. Gustave Futterer greeted Julia Marlowe in Chicago today, when slie arrived on a transcontinental trip. New York bound, where she expected to submit to the surgeon's knife. The "race for life" became a race for health and the actress beamed her delight after the diagnosis of the Chicago phy- sician, as though she had practically won her race when the half-way lap had been completed. Exclusive of medical fees, nur.ses and food, the ex- pense of the trip from Los Angeles to New York will be nearly $3000. Miss Marlowe arrived on the Santa Ee at 7:35 a. m. She occupied a private car. With her were her personal rep- resentative, Julian Colfax, two maids and a nurse. Visalia Plans for $25,000 Auditorium VISALIA, Jan. 24.—Plans are now- taking form for the construction of a \'i.salia auditorium to cost upward of $25,000 and wliich will be available for general gatherings of every na- ture. To purchase the necessary realty and to secure the funds with wliich to construct the proposed build- ing, a stock comj)any will be formed, the stock to be sold among the busi- ness men and all others interested. The recent citrus fair, as well as re- cent conventions and county gather- ings, have shown the need of such a structure. As far as the public .senti- ment has been canvassed it is appar- ently favorable to the project. Everything Serene at Gaiety With Marie Dressier and husband Dalton. who generallv is some boy when it comes to mixing up with wifey's business dealings, in the pos- session of a 40-weeks" contract calling for $2500 a week, everything is serene around the Gaiety Theatre. Last week it looked otiierwise. G. M. Anderson announces the Dressier show will go on next Tuesday and all differences have been patched up. The trouble started originally when Miss Dress- ler's contract allowed her to boss everything on the stage, and husband Dalton came into view with an idea that he should have charge of what star can carry a show, especially a was left of the house. Stars are un- certain qualities at best and a good strict stage director is generally very useful. And another thing, no one musical show. Like The Candy Shop, every show must have a number of clever people of the first rank. rnllimhlA THEATRE Geary and Ma.son Phone Franklin 150 Second and last week begins Sunday night, Feb. 1. Matinees W'ednesdays and Saturdays "Dainty; Frasrant; Tuneful; Cast of Ex- cellence"—Ezamiser. "A Musical Triumph"—All Critics. The French Operetta In Three Acts Adele Great Cast—Enlarged Orchestra Last time Sunday night, February 8th. Monday, February 9th, the comedy drama MILESTONES GAIETY O'FABBEZ.1. OPPOSITE OBFHEUM Phone Sutter 41) i Positively opening Monday, Feb. 2. Seats now selling The One Big Talk of the Town Marie Dressier in llie f rolicksonic. gladsome, handsome niusjoal revue The Merry Gambol Supported by a splendid company of over 7<i clev.r jienple. incluilinK:Cliarle» Judela, Alf. Gouldlngr, Frank Hayes, Charles Par- cell, Cha's. A. Mason. Alice McComb*. 0«ne Iinneska, Gladys Oouldin?, Warren Ells- worth, Jeanne Iiansford and the Marvel- ous Millers: musical direi tor.Frank PaUma. ■ All tlie Wnrl.l T,o\es a I,augher" I.AST 2 DA-7S AT 2:15—8:5 I'ndying Story of Capt. Scott MOTION PICTURES, EVENINGS AT 8:15 Kxplanatiiry Leoiure by Cha*. B. Hanford Reserved seats. l'5c, 50c. NOTE — There will be FBEE DAirCnrQ ON THE STAGE After Every Performance. Starts Sunday Traffic in Souls OrpHeum O'Farreli Street. Bet. Stockton and Powell Safest and Most MagnitlcenC Theatre in America Week Beginning This Sunday Afternoon Matinee Every Day DELIGHTFUL VAUDEVILLE WII.I.A HOLT WAKEFIEI.I), the lady at the piano; first time In white-face, EDDIE IjEONAKD, the minstrel, assisted by MABEI. BUSSEI.I.; CI.AUD and FANNIE U3HEB in The Straigrht Path; DB. CABI, HERMAN, the electrical wizard; GOIiE- MAN S EUBOPEAN NOVELTY, harmonis- ing antag'ouistic domestic animals; THE FOUB OBIGINAL FEBEZ; WOBLD'S NEWS IK MOTION VIEWS; WALTEB LAWBENCE and FBANCES CAMEBON, in A Bit of Broadway; return for one week only, NANCE O'NEII. and COMPANY in the famous "Curse Scene" from The Jewess. livening prices: 10c, 2Gc, 60c. 75c. Box Seats. $1.00. Matinee prices (except Sun- lays and Holidays): 10c. 2Bc. BOc. PHONE DOTJOI.AS 70 Conferrina on Contracts The committees appointed by tJ i National Association of Theatric Producing Managers and the Actor Equity .Association to confer upon tl new contract submitted by the acto met last week in New York in tl rooms of the producing managers. Tl actors were represented by Franc Wilson, Wilton Lackaye, Howai Kyle, William Sampson, JefTerson < -Vngelis. Albert Bruning and Charli Coburn, while Wm. A. Brady, Wii throp Ames, Sargent Abom. F. I l Whitney and Hollis E. Cooley; repii sented the managers. The meetin was most harmonious and there every prospect that both conimittii will reach an agreement. A. Mayo Bradfield's A Bachel Honeymoon Company opened new theatre at Lind .sav last Mon %^\Jm\. \^ BUla Md Market Its. Phone, Sutter 2460 Second and last week starta Monday Matinee.s Wednesday and Saturday E. H. SOTHERf Monday and Tuesday nights and W. ^lnesda and Saturday matinees, IP I WEBE KIB( '■. Welnesday and Saturday nights, HAMLK ! Thursday night. MBBCHANT OF VENICII Friday night. TAMING OF THB 8HBBV! Curtain at 8 sharp nights, 2 sharp matino) Next, Sunday Feb. 8th, Mclntyre and Heal I in The Ham Tree Alcazar Theatni Q-Tk nm , ST., VBAS powax.i; Phone Kearny 2 Commencing Monday night, February 2» i Continued Success of the Season of Irish Plays The Eminent Irish Singing Comedian Andrew MacU Supp.Mte.l by His Own Company and tl Alcazar Players in a Magnificent Revival of " Arrah-Na-Pogue' riiiiii liourirault's Iminiirtal Irish Play Prices: Night. 25c to $1.00; Mat. 25c to 5» Matinees Thursday . Saturday^^and^^undaj Empress Theatrii Direction Sullivan A Consldlne Sid Qrauman. Manager i Frank H. Donnellan, Publicity Manager i Vaudeville that is a Bear February 1, 1914 "BIG JIM," the dancing- bmln; MAUBIO FBEEMAN and COMPANY, presentlnir tl character comedy playlet, Tony and tl Stork; a trio of roUickinir songster FBOSTICK, HTTME and THOMAS; CHAl C. DBEW and COMPANY, in a breeiy bit < song and patter, Mr. Flynn from Lynn; tl musical merrymakers, WILLIAMS aa WABNEB; DAISY TAYLOB, comedlsnai OTHEB FEATUBES; ESSANCEE8COF] Showing the latest views from the motie picture world. J. m. aAHHBLC ■J. R ITOCHC E C L. MOLBKR Francis-Valentine Co. PRINTERS or POSTERS 7 7 7 MISSION ST. 777 MISSION ST SAM FUANCimCO We Rrint Everything HEADQUARTERS FOR THEATRICAL AGENTS Sand Blllm ot Lading to us, wa will take earc of your Paper Jt; Sutter I »3* \^Hom» ja7T7 il