San Francisco dramatic review (1899)

THE SAN FRANCISCO DRAMATIC REVIEW January 16, 1909. Heard, But Not Seen, Are The Actors Behind Talking Picture Screen "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha ! " The mocking laughter of his Satanic Majesty echoes through the moving picture theatres in many towns just now, where the Actologue Company is playing The Devil. The Actologue Company is a small but energetic body that attends to the vocal part of the 'plays which are being presented on the moving picture screen. Presentations of " this sort form a new chapter in the history of the popular shows at these small theatres an enable their patrens to see condensed versions of well-known plays at an astonishingly low price. An interesting place is the small space behind the scenes. Directly behind the sheet is a small platform, on which the actors stand to deliver their lines. They are able to see the action transpiring on the sheet quite as well as the audience in front. Ingomar, which usually requires a cast of at least ten, exclusive of supers, is also given by an petulant little nioue when she sees how late it is. She certainly would be late for dinner! "Remember she i> my mother,'* she cries from the top of a ^epladder. where she is perched impatiently swinging her toes. And when Ingomar embraces her at those lovely lines : "Two souls with but a single thought ; two hearts that beat as one," he accomplishes something of a feat, for the ladv in question is at least three yards away. She does not seem in the least disturbed by his ardent embrace, but climbs nimbly down the ladder and makes for the door. As for Ingomar. he steps outside and ignites a cigarette. The "effect man" plays an important part in these productions. He sits at a little table at the side, provided with various sorts of noise-making apparatus, and especially in the farces is kept very busy. Whenever the unfortunate gentleman, falls clown, he must beat the table with a formidable mallet. He must ring doorbells, arrange for the clattering of horses' hoofs and the like. The actors help him out generously, especially in the farces, which they "rough house" so much that often January 2, 1909 January 2, 1909 ROSENER'S SUITS AND OVERCOATS $25.00 Values at $30.00 and $35.00 Values at $15.00 $20.00 Out of Town Orders Filled WAN NESS AVE. AT EDDY ST., SAN FRANCISCO that the many performances make my acting mechanical. I do just as well at the last performance as I do at the first." Miss Sprague told of a jay who wandered into the show one day. After watching the performance for some twenty minutes, he sought out the manager. "See here," he cried irately, "this here show is a bunco game. I watched them pictures careful, and I seen through the hull thing. No, siree, them pictures don't talk. You Actologue Company of three. It can readily be seen that the single actress must be extremely versatile to play the emotional, ingenue and character roles at one and the same time. Here at last is the golden opportunity tor the greedy star who insists upon having a one-part play. Ingomar especially is a host in himself, since he also impersonates his numerous barbarians. It is indeed an awful moment when the barbarians rebelled against Ingomar. Perhaps I may be forgiven for trembling for that intrepid actor. But he rises sublime over such minor difficulties, puts them to (light, and even fights a duel with himself, by means of two apparently harmless curtain rods. The company stands on the platform in the conventional attire of every day, and takes turns at sitting down in the one chair the platform boasts. During a pause in the action Ingomar takes off his coat, remarking that it was getting too hot for him, and appears in his shirt sleeves. The bombastic lines form a sharp contrast with the matter-of-fact behavior of the players. "Better death than dishonor," wails Parthenia in horror, taking out her watch with a they can hardly get their lines over, ■ for laughing. The seat of this infant industry is Detroit, where the companies are rehearsed and then sent out on tour. There are nineteen of these companies out at the present time. They play one or twoweek stands and give ten performances daily. The films are for the most part made abroad and the text fitted to them later. The actologue companies provide the text for most of the plays and have a considerable repertoire, including such standard successes as East Lynne, Monte Cristo, Way Down East and Michael Strogoff. New plays are constantly being provided, and the management expects to work into Shakespeare before long. A gigantic production of the Passion Play is now in preparation. Last summer these companies filled many of the largest theatres in Ohio. The actors are almost all carefully trained, with a stock or road experience behind them. "It is harder than ordinary acting," said Isora Sprague, prima donna extraordinary of one of these companies, "because you have to articulate so carefully and must play several parts, often necessitating a change in voice. P.ut I do not find got folks behind there what do the talking." Discovered ! Fire Ordinances in Sacramento The theatres of Sacramento are having trouble with the fire commissioners. It seems that all cities are at times inflicted with damn fool fire restrictions. Manager Ely of the Pantages has written a letter of protest regarding the attitude of the Sacramento authorities and his protest is eminently just. It is as follows: "The grand jury for some unexplained and apparently unexplainable reason has gone out of its way in its report to condemn the Pantages Theatre, complaining of inadequate exits and other imperfections in its construction. This seems strange in view of the fact that while it was being built the chief engineer of the fire department, Guthrie, was in constant attendance and pronounced it safe as to construction and well equipped with exits to cope with any emergency. The walls are reinforced with steel, and it is by far the best, safest, neatest, and most popular theatre in the city. I never saw a safer playhouse. I built several and have managed the Lyceum in Minneapolis, capacity 2,600; the Family Theatre, New York City, 1,500; Coliseum at Seattle, 2,400, and know something about the requirements to insure comfort and absolute safety. The Pantages is in firstclass shape. It does seem funny that after having been constructed under the direction of the fire chief and his assistant, and having been passed upon as safe by all preceding grand juries, that this particular body should single it out for adverse criticism. It is up to date in everything. To avoid being ever left in darkness by the electricity being accidentally cut off, the Pantages can be lighted with gas in an instant, by simply pressing a button. Thomas J. Townsend, assistant chief engineer of the fire department, said to me tonight in the presence of a number of gentlemen, that 'the Pantages is absolutely safe, the safest theatre in the town.' It seems to me that this grand jury report is absolutely unjust." The Ten Commandments as Viewed by an Advance A sent I. Hang around the office two weeks opening (without salary), as there are many errands to do. II. Get out of town (without excess) with a thousand pounds of pick-ups left over from last season. III. Force all local managers to play your show whether they care to or not. IV. Have all trains, on which company moves, leave at nine-thirty a. m., and arrive in time for dinner. V. Lse your own money for expenses always. VI. Always meet company at train and hand them their mail (manager first). VII. If stage is small and there are no dressing-rooms, be sure and be on hand that night to beg your company's pardon. VIII. If printing has not arrived, make some. IX. Have all theatres and hotels close to the depot, so that the company will not have to ride. X. Get half page in each newspaper gratis. The Valencia Theatre management has just had installed a complete steam heating plant, and now the commodious playhouse, both in front of and behind the scenes, is at exactly the right temperature on the coldest of nights and afternoons.