Variety (November 1911)

26 VARIETY CORRESPONDENCE Unlet* otherwise poted, the foBowmg report! arc for the arrert wteh. JOHN J. O'CONNOR (WTNN) CHICAGO V A BUTT'S CHICAGO OFFICE: SI SOUTH DEARBORN BTREBT 4M1 OaatraL MAJESTIC (Lyman B. Glover, mgr.; agent. Orpbeum Circuit).—Headed by Frank Keenan In seumas McManui'i powerful sketch, "The Oath," the local house ia offering this week the best all-around vaudeville show seen In Chicago in some time. Monday afternoon "The Dandles" failed to appear, because of delayed trains, but arrived in time for the evening performance. Of the nine acts, four are new to the east. "The Dandies" and Carlton are both English acts, having played the west for the Orpheum Circuit, while Grace Cameron commenced an Orpheum tour In San Francisco. James Callahan la a local And, a big favorite In Chicago, because of his dexterity with the horsehide. His popu- larity was doubled through his recent elec- tion to the management of the White Box, and because of the crushing defeat of the Cuba In the local championship series. Keen- an lived up to his billing and with the Musi- cal Cuttys shared the applause honor*. The Cuttys were welcomed with a rousing re- ception. Monday afternoon the Trovatore Trio opened with a aerlea of operatic numbers. One of the trio attempts comedy and later offers two aoloa on the violin. One would have been plenty. The singing passed safely, although some of the gestures could have been tabooed to advantage. Everyone guessed that "Chide Biddee Bee" would be the clos- ing number. It was. Rather a weak act for a Majestlo bill. Bedlni and Arthur were on early, but succeeded In making their regular Impreaalon. The Ellis Nowlln Troupe of acrobats cloaed the ahow and went aa wen aa usual. CORT (U. J. Herrmann, mgr.; Ind.).—A more generally capable and evenly balanced company of players would be hard to find than A. H. Woods A H. H. Frasee have as- sembled together In "The Msster of the House," the new four-act comedy drama, which had Ita first regular city production here Sunday night. There were times during the progress of the play when the work of several of the Interpreters shone with a bril- liancy that waa dassllng. Thla may truth- fully be said of Julius Staffer, Helen Relmer, Amelia Gardner, and Florence Reed. tSdgir Jamea, a dramatlat practically unknown to Chicago theatregoers, Is credited with the adaptation of the piece, which, according :o the house program, is produoed under the personal direction of one Guatav Von Sey- ferllts, by arrangement with Chaa Frohn'in. To the credit of the producer, the pla/ ia almoat faultlessly staged. The settings are rich, and the production runs uncommonly smooth and with olockllke regularity. In "The Master of theV House," Mr. James has a theme that Is daring In conception and powerful In effect. He has elected to tell a story of a wealthy landowner and capitalist In the aaat who la characterised aa an un- bearable grouch until hie nature aoftena by falling In love with the attractive hired com- panion of hla wife, and for whom he bold- ly sacrifices wife, children and honor to marry her. There Is nothing the matter with the construction of the narrative, and the dlaloglng is masterful In a way; but the Idea Is so abhorrent to the average defender of home sanctity that when the husband, with monumental selfishness, Informs his faithful and patient wife (In the second act) that he desires a divorce In order to wed the object of his new found happiness, the audi- ence shudders at the utter flendlshness and cruelty of the suggestion, leaving the cur- tain to descend upon a reception that Is frigid- ly cold. In the succeeding chapter, Frederick Hoffman, as the character Is programmed. Is seen with his new wife in a fashionable apartment in New York City, where he la dia- Uluaioned by Mrs. Hoffman No. 2, who shows him that the marrlago was merely for the sake of gratifying her ambition for wealth and social standing. It Is here that Mr. Steger (who essays the role of Hoffman) gives a masterful exhibition of dramatic ora- tory in a powerful denunciation of the ad- venturess wife. The laat act carriee the auditor to the home of the flrat wife and the children, where the repentent and again divorced huaband la Induced to go by a life- long friend of the family, and who haa loy- ally atood by the recreant huaband through all hia waywardncaa. Broken down In health and spirit. Hoffman's reception back into the family fold Is beautifully touching, and so powerfully dramatic that there were com- paratively few eyes In the auditorium that were not moist with tears, as well as sobs that were frequently audible. The Intensity of the pathos was so impressive that the audience was inclined to linger after the finale and clamored for curtain speech. It Is doubtful If Mr. Steger could ever have a character better fitted to him than Is this one. His Interpretation was a choice mor- sel of hlstrlonlsm. Miss Gardner played the part of Anna, his wife, and her characterisa- tion of the role was delightfully natural and sweet. Miss Reed, as Bettlna Curtis, the adventuress, scored a triumph. Dodson L. Mitchell had the role of Mr. Alston, the at- torney and friend of Hoffman, and his sup- porting work had much to do with making the success of the play a possibility. Ralph Morgan was seen to excellent advantage in the part of Harry, son of "The Master of tha House." Others who are deserving of their share of credit are Fred G. Hearn, as superintendent of Hoffman's estates; Robert T. Wilson, a servant; Ella Rock, as maid; Laurence Eyre, a music composer and lover of Bettlna; Eva Randolph, as Bettina's moth- er; Frederick Esmelton, as Senator Steven- son, the prospective father-in-law of young Hoffman; ttretche Hartman, sister of Bet- tlna. and Mary Servoss, daughter of tha H off mans. There was a generous slsed Brst night crowd In attendance. It Is prophealed that Wooda A Frasee have found a play In "The Maater of the House" that will go over. HEBO. STAR AND GARTER (Chaa Hoe. mgr.).— Before looking at tha program It can aafely and truthfully be recorded that up to thla week "Tha World of riaaaure" la tha best burlesque show from every standpoint that haa atruok Chicago thla aaaaon. From tha initial curtain Sunday night the entire house carried a amlla of contentment; and even at thla early Monday morning. It la touted aa tha beat ahow la town. It'a a Gordon A North attraction. They have certainly alipped one over that will laat. Equipped perfectly In every detail from prlnclpala to props, and armed with a eenelble book and some cork- ing good lyrics, there la every reaaon to be- lieve that aome time next summer when the ahopg begin to close for repairs It will be picked aa one of tha very beat. If not the one beat, bet of tha aaaaon. Tha place la In two acta and deals with the race track. Incidentally, one of tha prlnclpala. Tommy Mead (a former HUdreth protege) ahould be fully capable of putting on the finishing touchea, aince hla paat experience In tha aad- dle carried a eort of a melodramatic romance along with it. Tha principal comedlana are Will Fox and Harry Marka Stewart. Chaa. T. Raymond doing straight offered tha real acting of the show and was conspicuous throughout. Fox and Stewart remind one of Thieae'a "Rolllokera" with the ever peace- ful Cohen and Watson. Pbrynetta Ogden heads the female Hat Dora Andrea and Sally Stewart have parta aleo. but fall to make any Impreaalon, because of no opportunities. Miss- Ogden has one scene worth while and aeveral numbera Thla, a table ecene In the burlesque, la undoubtedly one of the beat aver staged. In thla effort ahe redeemed heraelf for an abeent voice. The bit, however, waa made to order for Fox and Stewart Tommy Mead, who through an Injury waa forced from the aaddla to the footllghta, haa developed Into a splendid little performer. (Too bad Matt Keefe can't aee him now). In the male dlvlalon, Eddie Foley leada In vocalising, handling the aong hit of the ahow, "What'a the Uae of Money." For aome unexplaln- able reaaon the management baa allowed Foley to handle thla aa a aolo. although Mlaa Stewart la on the atage with him. Had tha chorua appeared In the number It would have gone much better. Thla waa proven when the entire company rendered it at the Quale of the flrat part "Gay Coney Iale," led by Raymond, brought the moat encore, thanka to the way Raymond delivered It. while "Emancipation Day." alao led by Foley, went exceptionally well. Fox and Stewart Intro- duced aeveral parodlea during the action of the aecond part and walked away with a amall riot. "Me and My Friend Were Stand- ing There" and a new parody on "Alex- ander^ Band" were the beat of the several. Throughout the ahow there are any number of comedy situations, each a sure fire laugh in the hands of Fox and Stewart. While the first part is not quite as strong ss the bur- lesque. It keeps the audience interested when not laughing. Another principal woman with a big voice would do the show a world of good. Miss Stewart helps and Miss Ogden does well, but the show needs another. The costuming Is a feature. The chorus look pretty and attractive. It Is a dandy show, little short of a good musical comedy. Unless something exceptionally big strikes Chicago this season Gordon A North will ring the bell from this end. WYNN. AMERICAN MUSIC HALL (George Harri- son, mgr.).—Lew Fields all-star show Is re- ported to be catching on in the new musical, "Hanky Panky"; opening vaudeville Is to be replaced by burlesque on "The Littlest Rebel." AUDITORIUM (Bernard Ulrlch, mgr.; K. A E.).—Laat week of "Everywoman." which movea over to the Grand II; no regular at- traction announced aa aucceaaor. CHICAGO O. H. (George W. Kingsbury, mgr;. K. A E.).—Farewell week of the big- gest success of the season, "The Littlest Rebel"; 14, "Gypsy Love"; engagement In- definite. CORT (U. J. Herrman, mgr.; Ind.).—Open- ing week of Edgar James' new comedy-drama, "The Master In the House"; presented by Woods A Frazee; Indefinite. BLACK8TONE (Augustus J. Pltou, Jr., mgr.; K. A E.).—"The Concert" is still going big. COLONIAL (James J. Brady, mgr.; K. A E.).—"Naughty Marietta," lent week. Will be succeeded II by "Alma, Where Do You Live?" with Vera Mlchelena. '■faim nniversary . urn (OUT IN DECEMBER) WILL GIVE RESULTS - GOES ALL OVER THE WORLD The Best Kind of An Advertisement ■ VARIETY Brings Returns Because - - It Reaches Them All Any Ad., Large or Small, Is Read in VARIETY a Use the Anniversary Number to Record Something in MAIL YOUR ADVERTISING COPY NOW Mention Space Desired RATES: (For Players) One Page, $125; Half Page, $65; Quarter Page, $32.50. Cuts, Single Column (with 50 words of reading matter beneath), $15. Double Column (with 100 words), $25. Wkm ammoering advertisement* fydly mention YARIBTY.