San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

January 15. 1910 THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW 5 Dick Ferris u a Versatile Showman — Witness His Successful Direction of Air-Ship Week at L.OS AngeleS LOS ANGELES, Jan. 12.— Aviation Week is absorbing all tlie time and talents of one Dick Ferris and among interested spectators are noted Morris Meyerfeld and Martin Beck, president and manager respectively of the ( )rpheum Circuit, the latter, they saw is vastly interested in flying machines. They will, however, take time enough to turn earth tor the new Orpheum. plans tor which are about completed. Arthur A. Lott, formerly manager of the Los Angeles Theatre and lately here in advance of A Gay Musician, is in town. Eleanor Kent, who will be remembered as prima donna with the Edgar Temple Opera Company at the Auditorium several seasons ago. is in town with King Dodo. On Tuesday Miss Kent was a guest of the Women's Press Club, on which occasion she sang several of her own compositions. Oliver Morosco is making the Burbank Theatre one to "shine forth into the. night" by placing 1,000 new lights on the exterior. George Edward Graham, for many years one of the best known local musical and dramatic critics, died in this city on January 7, and is widely mourned. H. Percy Hill, one of the best known advance men in the business, is in town ahead of The Alaskan. On January 14, at the Goldberg * Bosley Assembly Hall, takes place the long heralded ball to be given by the Theatrical Treasurers' Association. This is to be attended by all leading lights and lesser ones of the local dramatic world. The Essanay Moving Picture Company, who will open a studio at Santa Barbara, numbers among its members Frank Hall and Clara Williams, both well known in this city. Blossom Seeley returns to the cast at the Olympic Theatre after a long illness. Albert Leonard also joins this company this week. Frank Blair, well known stage manager and producer, has been in town for several weeks. Max Steinle and wife (Mattie Hyde) have returned to town and cast their lot with the players at Fischer's. Edna Lorimer, new prima donna for the Hartman Company, has arrived from New York and is rehearsing for their next week's production of Woodland. Fay Bainter has returned to the Burbank stage, having been engaged for their presentation of Men and Women. John Blackwood and Captain Jones of the Belasco Theatre are in San Francisco on business. Harry Fox, playing at the Orpheum this week, was "in a seventh heaven" when, on Wednesday, he took a trip in the Curtis aeroplane as a guest of Colonel Frank Johnson. AUDITORIUM— On three days of last week did Scotch humor invade the town, in the form of one small man from the highlands. Record breaking houses filed in each night to hear Harry Lauder sing For She's My Daisy and to listen to his , delicious stories, told in that thick, broad dialect of the canny Scot. What the ear failed to catch was made understood and laughable by the wonderful personality of this fascinating little Scotchman. Next in importance and enjoyability was Julian Eltinge in his female impersonations. With lavish costumes and perfect make-tip, he swiftly transformed a bathing girl into a stately "Nell Brinkley" and merged this creation into an Oriental dancer with a marvelous rapidity and perfection that was most artistic. Ably assisted by a well balanced company, these two stars gave one of the most enjoyable bills of the season. BELASCO— The Genius, from the pen of Cecil and William C. De Mille, was once the vehicle which carried Xat^Goodwin on his successful way. This week it is serving the Belasco Company in good stead, for it is so filled with delightful fun and good lines "that even the company enter into it with zest and good spirit, seeming to enjoy every minute of it, and infusing their audience with the same enjoyment. The play handles geniuses, or those imbued with the artistic temperament, in a hand ball fashion, and the poor "artist" is dealt many a telling blow. Jack Spencer, just an ordinary mortal, wishes to absorb some artistic atmosphere for reasons of love, and takes into his confidence three "genuine articles" in the shape of a musician, a French painter, and a sculptor. The troubles that his attempts to fool the public bring upon him are many, and the laugh creating role is .played by Lewis Stone, who lets not one opportunity slip past to add to the fun. Mr. Yearance, as the Musician; Mr. Camp, as the French artist, and Mr. Vivian, as the sculptor, each do splendid work. Mr. Scott, as Percival Clutterbuck., a critic, is most amusing, while Charles Ruggles, as an aspiring, stuttering artist, is capital. Miss Magrane looks very beautiful as the artists' model, and Miss Farrington pictures the esthetic Josephine Van Dusen, in a most effective style. Beth Taylor's giggling school girl is a good bit of work. In truth, this is one of the best farces the Belasco Company has had in some time. BURBANK— The Heart of Maryland, David Belasco's drama of the Civil War, is being revived by the company at this house, this week, with scenic equipment, costuming and a cast that could not be excelled. The uniforms, the atmosphere of powder smoke, villainy, and the strong heart interest make this play one of the old time favorites, and one always vigorously applauded. Frances Nordstrom, as Maryland Calvert, displays her emotional ability in a forceful style and gives a finished presentation, Mr. Beasley, as Col. Alan Kendrich, gives a dignified and effective picture of the Northern officer in love with Maryland, and Mr. Hartford is excellent as the spy. Ethel Von Waldron, a new member, makes Nanny McNair an effervescent and charming creature, while Lovel Alice Taylor is as picturesque as usual, in a small part. ( Hher members of the company have many choice character parts which they do in the excellent manner we have learned to expect of them. The cast is a long one, the scenery is exceptionally good, and altogether it is one to be compared favorably with the original production. MAJESTIC— John Cart's elaborate revival of King Dodo is thoroughly first-class in every way. Last seen here some six seasons ago, it has been revised and renewed in many ways with new scenery, new costumes, and a most satisfying company to present it. Tlie music is as entrancing as ever and the chorus is one that shows carefully trained voices and well drilled feet. William Friend is a mirth provoking King I)mi1<), William Herman West is a very creditable Dr. Fizz, while Charles J. Udell doubles as Mudge, the court historian, and Bonialla, prime minister to Queen Lit. Eleanor Kent has ample good looks as well as a superbly trained voice, making a most artistic Piola. Zoe Harnett, as Anette, shows vast improvement since her last appearance here and her song. The Tale of the Bumble Bee, makes a great hit. Louise Mink and Laura Millard do creditable work. With clever ponies, dashing show girls and lavish scenery, Kig Dodo merits great praise. MASON— The Shepherd King is being presented by the author and actor, Wright Lorimer, on a large scale. The story is a Biblical one, founded on incidents described in the ( )ld Testament, and told in a melodramatic style, and merits the popularity it has had for these several seasons in the East. The tale of David is an interesting one. and as Mr. Lorimer pictures it, is one of great beauty. Mr. Lorimer, as David, is sympathetic and appealing and makes his character one of intense interest. The remainder of the cast includes Daniel Gilfether, Alison Skipworth, Brigham Royce, Irving White, Frederica Going, Helen Singer, Eugene Mack, and W. R. Hodges. Also a large number of local people. A company of dancers, together with special music, wonderful lighting effects, and beautiful stage settings make this a production of great beauty and high moral tone. GRAND — Ferris Hartman is presenting The Idol's Eye in a high grade manner. Mr. Hartman plays Abel Conn, a part that is considered among one of his best, and one in which he enters into with all his heart. Walter Catlett creates great amusement as Jamie MacSnuffy, Joseph Fogarty is an excellent Don Pablo de Tabasco, and Walter DeLeon is a convincing Ned Winner. Myrtel Dingwall is airy and dainty, as Maraquita ; Josie Hart makes an imposing Damayanti, and Muggins Davies is a fascinating Lieut. Desmond. The piece has an East Indian setting which has been well executed and they are new and attractive. The chorus work is very good and The Idol's Eye is being splendidly produced by this strong company. ORIMIEl'M — The Klein Family, seven in number including four comely girls, are a German importation and have many wonderful feats to perform, which take well. The Fays and the Coleys seem to be the favorites with the audience if one can judge from the laughter they produce. In From Uncle Tom to Vaudeville, this quartette of whites in black face succede in getting off good jokes with several songs. The Four Readings offer a new variety of stunts and are especially good in their flying leaps. Carl Noble, the Scandinavian ventriloquist, employs figures of life size in his act, making it most effective and funny as well. Eva Taylor appears in another -ketch by Lawrence Grattan. called Dreamona. which is not up to her sketch of the previous week. Florence Bindley also remains, as does Stella Morrisini and Harry Fox with the Millership Sisters. I.( )S ANGELES— Carlntta and her loop the loop act finally arrived and after a deal of trouble and a large amount of carpentry work had been done, was presented with all the thrills. Tom Linton and his jungle girls give a musical sketch including a Zulu festival of songs and dances. Von Mitzel and Maynard have a playlet entitled Cupid's Coincidence which is vastly entertaining. A troupe of Italians are a high-class number on the bill while W. C. Hoeftler in his cycle humorisms and Grace Everett with her imitations fill out a good bill. FISCHER'S— A Day at College, from the pen of Mr. Justi, the musical director of this company, is a clever bunch of nonsense. The fun is carried on in a college presided over by a German professor portrayed by Max Steinle, a capital comedian. His life is made miserable by one Irish boy, a role assumed by Billy Onslow. Esco Ives, Annie Bauman, Gale Henry and Nan I Ialperin help to make the occasion a joyous one and the chorus has many new numbers, which they sing and dance in a sprightly manner. Illustrated songs and motion pictures supplement the musical comedy. OLYMPIC— In The Belle of Boston. Blossom Seeley returns to the Alphin-Fargo Company and receives a warm welcome in a role that she has heretofore made popular. A feature number is the Aviation Song with a machine and electrical effects. Miss Melien, as a charming widow, is making herself popular, while Laurel Atkins Blair, Jules Mendel, Leonard Brisbane, and Walter Spencer add material support to an excellent program. UNIQUE — The Earl-Ranworth Company has raised the gloom from this theatre and are disporting themselves in a rollicking comedy, Brown's Troubles. Numerous complications, laughable situations and a fast moving comedy give the members of this company a chance to prove their versatility. Harry Earl, as the lying husband, succeeds in tangling things up a bit and it takes the united efforts of Herbert Cramer, James Spencer, Grace Ranworth, Lelia Noel and Delia Earle to straighten matters out. which they do in an able and convincing manner. WALKER— The LeMoyn'e players offer a play entitled Out of the Fold), in which the members of the company are congenially cast, and are giving a creditable performance. FLORENCE EMERY. Morns Theatre for Los Angeles "Ground will be broken next week for what will be the finest theatre in Los Angeles," is the statement made Sunday in Los Angeles by William Morris. The theatre will scat approximately 2,200 persons and will be one of seven to be built west of the Mississippi river. It looks. very much as though both the Orpheum and the Morris people would have keen rivalry to be the first to open their new theatres to the Southern people, for the Meyerfeld people are busy getting ready to start their beautiful new house there.