New Britain Herald Newspaper, December 2, 1922, Page 4

NEWSY NOTES OF THE SPOKEN STAGE, THE SILENT DRAMA AND MUSIC - L] NIXW BRITAIN DAILY HERALD, SATURDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1922, AAAAAAAAAAAAAANANANAS UNDER TWO FLAGY OPENS MON., FOX'S “Rags to Riches” Comes Thurs- day--Carnival of Happiness Week Next week is “Carnival of Happi- ness Week' at Yox's theater and in eonnection with the vaudeville pro- gram and accompanying specialties and novelties, two pictures of unusual merit will be shown. Monday through Wednesday, Priscilla Dean, in “Under Two 1'lags' one of the six greatest tragedies ever written, will be the feature; while for the last three days of the week, freckled Wes- ley Barry will star in “F'rom ‘Rags to Riches.” Sunday night's double fea- ture presents Dustin Farnum in “While Justice Waits” and Willlam Duncan in “The Silent Vow," a tale of the great northwest. The Monday, Tuesday and Wednes- day vaudeville bill is a humdinger. One number, a miniature musical comedy sketch with special scenery, pretty girls, etc., is “Fun in a Drug Btore.” Another is “Fild" Gordon, billed as “the fiddling fool,”" a violin- st extraordinary. The Steward Sis- iters feature all the latest songs and also give some good harmony num- bers of their own, while the I'lorence Duo is an artistic treat, a distinct nov- elty. Her left arm reached slowly around the sheik's neck, her lips pressed slowly against his; a slow smile of victory spread over his face. Cigar- ette's right hand reached for the dag- ger at his waist, a quick blow and the tearing, clawing Cigarette had her re- venge and proved herself a true sol- dier of TFrance. This is but one of the big scenes in the powerful cinema version of “Under Two Flags,” which originally starred ' Blanche Bates. Cigarette, the daughter of the regi- ment, was no dainty girl of respecta- “bility and she possessed the passion- ate, selfish, jealous nature that a wom- an nurtured in the lap of fate might _ bé expected to ha “Rags to Riche: adapted from Charles A. Taylor's celebrated stage play, centers about young Marma- duke Clarke, a wealthy little child, who frets under the artificial formal- fty of his home and yearns for real action. He gets his chanve upon dis- covering & burglar in his home and offers to show wheére thé wealth is . kept in return for being allowed to join the gang. Marmaduke pursues the burglar and becomes his pal. The two roam the country, ehadowed by @ gang of kidnappers who wish to capture the child in hopes of obtain- ing a rich reward. How the lad helps corral the crooks makes for a climax which is exciting and refreshing. Harold Lloyd's first five reel com- edy, "Grandma's Boy” will be brought to Fox's theater for an early showing. This is something new in Lloyd com- edy and he appears in the comic role of a ''fraid cat” boy Who is his grandmother’s pet. S W ST. JOHN'S FATR 8t. John’s fair still proves a center of attraction as was proved by the crowd which was in attendance at the State armory last evening. Th'e program rendered by St Joseph's winstrels under the direction of Mrs. A. C. Sundberg was especially pleas- ing. Those taking a leading part in the entertainment were Irank Dev- anzo, Olivia Madden, William Kiniry, George Scheyd, Sadie McGuire, John ‘McNamara, Thomas Danohue, Mary MecEnroe, Charles Haggerty, Madeline Kendelan, Edward Connelly and Jos- Ferrony. e’ghls l.fl.e!:-noon was children's aft- ernoon at the fair and many gathered at the Armory to enjoy the program planned for their benefit by James Crowley, chairman of the entertain- ment committee. This evening's pro of solos sung by John James Ringrose, Irank orchestra will play for dancing. Chairman John Sullivan announced last evening that the fair will come to & close on Monday night. gram will consist Kiniry and Sullivan's Theater managers often advertise a play or picture as coming to !P:p\r respective theaters direct from New York but one of the first .trul‘ in- gtances of this will appear in Hart- ford next week. The “Cat and the Canary” closes at the National 'hr'-‘ ater in New York tonight and opens its engagement on the goad at Par- gons' theater on Monday night. Three Automobiles K Grotto Carnival Fox Theater Building Admission 25 Cents ROSA PONSELLE REALIZES DREAM OF THE DAYS OF HER CHILDHOOD “ROSA PONSELLE Josh Billings once remarked, “Re- member the postage stamp, my son, its usefulness consists in its ability to stick to one thing until it gets there.” Rosa Ponselle, star of the Metropol- itan Opera Company, whose appear- ance here at the Fox theater under the auspices of the New Britain Mu- sical club, Dec. 10, is the subject of much comment in the local musical circles, is a firm believer in " the humorous advice of the quaint Mr. Billings, “I started singing, so my mother tells me, before I could 1isp a word,” says Miss Ponselle, “and as I grew older my determination to be a professional singer became a sec- ond nature to me. I never gave any other walk in life second considera- | tion. But 1 want to confess that grand opera and prima donna roles were not in the forefront of my thoughts. They were there, of course, but in a nebulous, hazy sort of way like a far.off fog bank at sea—there, but intangible, unreal, i BROADWAY HIT AT PARSONS' Charming Peggy Wood in the musi- cal play, “The Clinging Vine," will bid farewell to Hartford tonight at Parsons’ theater. No more enjoyable, wholesome and tuneful offering has been seen in that theater this season. Unlike most musical plays the plot of “The Clinging Vine" is definite, de- lightfully told and holds the atten- tion until the final curtain. i A large company has been given its | interpretation by Mr. Savage, among whom are many well known players of ability, and a chorus of the pret- tiest girls imaginable. Seats for “The Cat and the Can- ary” which will be presented at Par- dons’ theater next Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday are now on sale at the box office. The management ad- vises that, owing to the big demand and interest shown thus far, reserva- tions be made early for this play, which is hailed as the greatest of all mystery dramas. There are thrills a-plenty in “The Cat and the Canary”, mystery, deep and absorbing, enthral- ling suspense, delicious comedy and beautiful romance--a rare combina- tion of sensations that readily account for its success. The plot of “The Cat and the Canary” revolve about the reading of a will made by an eccen- tric millionaire who died twenty years before the opening of the play. The “Cat and the Canary” comes direct from a two-seasons’ run at the Na- tional theater, New York, that will end tomorrow night and Kilbourn Gordon, Inc., sends it to Hartford without the slightest change in either the metropolitan cast or production. The only matinee will be given on Wednesday. New Britain’s First Class Theater R | b¥, ¥ YC “Not until the spring of 1918 did I begin to think of some day stand- ing in the limeiight on the Metropol- itan stage. It was during a vaude- ville engagement with my sister Car- mela at the Riverside theater in New York that my!teacher first heard me and induced ‘me to give up all my en- gagements and place myself under his direction with operatic honors in view. Even then, that great pile of brick and stone down on Broadway was like an image obtained by look- ing through the wrong end of a tele- scope. But, encouraged by the faith of my teacher, I buckled down to work in dead earnest and made life miserable for my instructor. I was there at his studio early and late de- manding additiopal “tasks and in a [few months had accomplished what it had taken other years to do. The reward, however, was worth it all. I | had hitched my wagon to & musical star and hung on until I arrived.” Six Vaundeville Acts and “Movie” Lyceum Features The Lyceum'’s policy of six acts of high grade vaudeville backed up by the usual comedies, news reels and travelogues and then a big feature picture is meeting with popular ap- proval. For tomorrow night, Sunday, Dorothy Gish will be seen in “The Ghost in the Garrett” ‘‘Dangerous Lies” in the other picture. For the first half of next week the |six acts of vaudeville will be of the highest calibre, the management as- sures. The opener will be Marguerite and Hanléy in a sensational aerial novel- ty det. Violet Woods, billed as “sell- |ing songs,” has a fine selection of pop- ular songs and ballads which she sings with pleasing effect, and the Junior Follies are rated as among the best in vaudeville. Jordan and Marsh have a comedy dialogue num- ber in which some good Italian char- acter work is done by one of the principals. For those who love Irish gongs and selections, and they are legion, Willlam O'Clare and His Shamrock Girls will be a fine attrac- tion. They are known as “Erin's Own,” and their offering abounds in Irish wit and humor and a collection of the best songs of old Ireland. Monday,, Tuesday and Wednesday's picture brings two of the stage's most famous actors, Lionel Barrymore and T.ouis Wolheim. The former needs no introduction, and many have seen the latter in “The Hairy Ape.” The pic- ture is “The Face in the IFog,” a great {crook melodrama. ¢ Jor the last three days of the week “Youth to Youth” will be the picture. 1t is a.photoplay abou a girl who didn’t know she was bad and is EUM Where Everybody Goes MONDAY, TUESDAY, WEDNESDAY Dramatic, Thrilling and Intensely Appealing THEFACEINTHEFOG All-Star Cast Headed by LIONEL BARRYMORE and SEENA OWENS LYCEUM VAUDEVILLE William O’Clare ‘and His Shamrock Girls “ERIN’S OWN” JUNIOR FOLLIES—Best Kids on the Stage 4—~0THER ACTS—4 See BILLIE DOVE in Thursday, Friday, Saturday “YOUTH TO YOUTH” A Story of a Girl Who Didn’t Know She Was Bad. Sunday Night “DANGEROUS LIES” with DAVID POWELL “THE GHOST IN THE GARRET” with DOROTHY GISH played by a distinguished cast headed by Billle Dove, The feminina contingent in the audience will be especlally delighted at the gergeous costumes that are worn, d Although the management has nothing definite to announce at pres- ent, it fs practically assured that with. in the: next few: weeks some excep- tionally good plays will be presented at the Lyceum. These may be either road companies or musical comedy troupes. FEATURE AT PALAGE “The Man Who Saw Tomorrow” Tops Bill Picturesque isles of the South Seas, England, India—all these are_em- braced in the peculiar plot of Thomas Meighan's latest Paramount picture, { “The Man Who Saw Tomorrow,"” which comes to the Palace theater for three days, beginning Monday next. And some of the hardest acting that the good luck star has ever done is included in this story, which deals with a problem of divided affection in a most unugual manner. An unusual cast surrounds the star. Leatrice Joy is leading woman. Eva Novak, June Elvidge, John Mil- tern, Laurence Wheat, Theodore Rgb- erts, as a trick trader of the South Seas; Albert Roscoe, Alec Irancis, Robert Brower—are some of the best known names. / % The Keith vaudeville bill for the first three days at the Palace will have an excellent line of entertain- ment as the headline attraction is Jessie Blair Stirling’s “Seven Glasgow Malids,” seven pretty lassies who bring echoes of Scotland right to one's very door. The Sunday night bill will present two very good photopiay attractions with popular stars in their new pic- tures. Bebe Daniels will be seen in “‘One Wild Week,” a mighty interest- ing story with a punch and with an all star cast supporting her. The oth- er will introduce Gareth Hughes' new success, ‘“‘Don’t Write Letters.” Starting next Thursday, ' Rodolph Valentino will be offered’in his new- est production, “The Young Rajah.” P Caroline Lazzari, Metropolitan Opera singer, will give a benefit con- cert 'at Woolsey hall in New Haven this evening for St. Raphael's hospi- tal. Her appearance in New Haven is her own contribution to the sur- gical staff of St. Raphael's' and es- pecially Dr. William F. Verdi, who-by the supreme surgical art, saved her from death several months ago. Miss Anna Fagan of Kensington, is a nurse at the St. Raphael hospital. A local theatrical man, & former private secretary to Al Jolsop, one of the world's greatest comedians, for an entire season during his appear- ance in “Sinbad" sald to be his great- est production, gives a few glimpses into the life of this great stage per- sonality, As far back as can be remembered Al Jolson has never mide a stage ap- pearance in New Britain although he is known to hundreds of local people who have seen him in various produc- tions in which he has played at the Parsons’ theater in Hartford, the Shu- bert in New Haven or in New York. He 1s the son of a Jewish rabbi and has'one other brother, Harry, who ig also an actor but s confining his tal- ents to the vaudeville stage, The cor- rect names of the two brothers is Al- bert and Harry Yaelson. Jolson always had a desire to go on the stage and when a small show played in Washington, D. C., his home town, many years ago by mere luck he was asked by the manager of the troupe to take the part of a street urchin, _This he did and from that day on the theater “‘bug” was imbed- ded in his mind. When the show closed he ran away from home and joined a circus, touring with this for more than one season. While with the circus he worked as a waterboy and did all sorts of odd jobs. 4 Later he decided tp go into vaude- ville and it was while playing in this branch of the theater game that he was discovered by one of the Shubert brothers who offered him' a position in one of their Winter Garden pro- ductions. This he accepted and in 1912 was starred in his first piece with Gaby Deslys, famous French actress. The play was called ‘The Honeymoon Express,” This was dur- ing the 1912 and 1913 theatricak p2a- son. Since that time his three gseat- est successes have been' “Robinson Crusoe,” “Sinbad” and “Bombo,” in which he is playing in Chicago at the present time,’ He appeared in “Sinbad” for three full seasons dur- ing that time making two appear- ances in Hartford. While the local man was acting private secretary to Jolson, the show played in New York, Boston, Phila- delphia, Washington and Atlantic City. During the engagement at Philadelphia, the local man recalled an incident yesterday which is quite amusing. Jolson, who off stage is of a quiet nature, does not like cheap publicity nor does he like to have people on the street staring at him. In order to effeet a disguise in Philadelphia he told the local man that he was going to act thé part of a deaf and dumb mute and go into a store to pur- chase a pair of,spectacles. The local man was to act as interpreter. Jolson tried on several pair of glasses and .each time nodded his head that ‘they were not just what he wanted. -After seven or eight, .dif- ferent attempts he was given a pair MONDAY—TUESDAY—WEDNESDAY, “Carnival of Happiness’” The Picture Magnificent !'! i PRISCILLA DEAN As “Cigarette” the daughter of the regiment, the best role of her career in ‘““Under Two Flags™ Big Vaudeville Show Featuring “FUN IN A DRUG STORE” A Miniature Musical Comedy with Special Scenery. Florence Duo—Stewart Sisters—“Fid” Gorden THURSDAY—FRIDAY—SATURDAY Wesley (Freckles) Barry “RAGS TO RICHES” Supreme Vaudeville, Featuring * “THE SIDEWALKS OF NEW YORK” “Our Gang” in “Saturday Morning” Watch for and Don’t Miss ——HAROLD LLOYD— in “Grandma’s Boy” A _UNIVERSAL | § PRISCILLA DEAN w'UNDER TWO FLAGS" IEWEL OICTUR® FOX’S—Monday—Tuesday—Wednesday of spectacles which pleased him and were evidently what he wanted. Be- cause he was anxious to keep .the glasses which fitted him so well he forgot to nod.his head but exclaimed “Those are fine,” According to figures collected at the New York Hippodrome, 643 of the 1082 performers in “Better Times' have other means of livelihood than the theatrical profession. Only 131 Hippodrome people are jthe children of theatricel -people. This is account- ed for by the fact that the great per~ centage of the performers are-Ameri- can born. Europeans are more likely to. be performers -generation. .after generation than Americans. “The Beryl Coronet” will be the next subject in the Educational Pic- tures series on “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes."” * -PALACE- Sunday Nighf—D()uble Features : Bebe Daniels in “One Wild Week” Gareth Hughes in “Don’t Write Letters” - Thomas Monday, Tuesday; Wednesday Meighan With a Grand Array of Stars, Including Theodore Roberts—Leatrice Joy—-John Mil- tern—Eva Novak—dune Elvidge —Alec Francis _“THE MAN TOMORROW” KEITH VAUDEVILLE | “It Means the Best” Featuring T—CGlasgow Maids—7 Don’t Miss These Bonnie Lassies in = “ECHOES OF SCOTLAND” Other Good Acts ! WHO SAW Thursday—RODOLPH VALENTINO in “THE YOUNG Parsons’ Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday—Mat. Wednesday-—Dec.. 4, 5, 6. Direct From Two Seasons in New York., * RAJAH” HARTFORD'S FIRST-CLASS THEATER. AND THE