18 " ak " 1 S vJtW "S 'TVJ . , 5. fc ftEWS OF INTEREST TO LOCAL THEATREGOERS EVENING LEDGER-PHILADlilLPHIA, SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 22, 1917 I MELODRAMA STILL VERY MUCH ALIVE L'Thrill Plays ,by Expert Work- man eicioin run w Appeal 'furfo joiii Jac' Dnlton' Take Hint fni thal-nml that!" "gtanil bacK, Vllltum Ainnm-e ai jour -Look out for the rrI. Jim. I'll altcna. hlm-" tut alive." "Tou'xo ruined my life, but my little sis !,,r Miall not be your lrtlm." you BCounOrcI. you hhull pay for thl. Shades of our boyhood melodrama 1 IIx t,rm'lonn llko the nboxo Iiao always been woclatcd with melodrnma, the theatrical fare so popular In our fathers' dais, that halcyon period when tho celling ranR with tha Dlaudlta of the rcliolnB galleries and their peanui-tnuiis, -..i-v.w. ....,, .........., .bulllenl outhful Roils of Roro and thun dtr Those daH of tho old miy by the river the papier macho locomotho leaping toward tho ("light form tied to the Irnek. the tank of re.il wet watcclnto which tho rero dlc to sae tho tightly drowning llrrolne. and of such plas h "Bertha, the Kfwlng Machine Cllrl.7 "Tho Beautiful Cloak Model," and the "Queen of tho Opium nine " are not so distant ns to bd forgotten, nor the beatltlo thrills which they Inspired. It Is true that when tho crtlietlojcuU has the floor ono would suppose that melodrama ero the maverick of the tlieatre. Yet wherf the eo-styled' high-brow playwrights hac tihausted their supply of cash and the faith of managers tvlth their high-class Blaj-8 they do turn to melodrama and reap the rewards of crowded houses and replcn Ishrjl exchequers. To bo a writer of good elusvrama '' "" rt lhat ,s execcd,r,s,Jr Tako Bayard Velllcr, whose "Within the .utJ! H ft c1bq of melodrama, which uurlnir Its tenure ot the largo theatres was " ' cmP "o, lilt. I there nny of the le ,Z .Z . theatrical writers who aro seek fUM, i,ub0.rrpa,atlon- nl i balloon Sit ' .h0 dle,,al" I1 Klft of Invention of U. . tersc pow" of dialogue? And hr.. at onco afraln ,,e "" "It tho popular uJi .? rcs.0Un""K thwack tho while he ... i ' l".1'1'' flrm but velvety hand with such n triumph of suspenscful, gripping drama a-, "The Thirteenth Chair." when hey pronounce It a "melodrama." who sav8 tho bumptious and supercilious will voice tho word disdainfully? "JACK'S" EXPLOITS IN FAIRY PHOTOPLAY U was a delightful Idea to make films of famous fairy tales. Tho aerage person half remembers, half forgets them, and thero Is n distinct wish to hao them vis uatlzed. -William Ko realized tho Indellblo place, that they havo In tho brains and hearts of all normal people, and ho knows that they have the same strong appeal to now generations that they possessed for former ones, But there Is a, new way of telling tales In these days. The child has his claim on progress as well aa the man, and this claim must bo recognized, Enchanting legends from a misty past lend themselves wonderfully to the creation of beautiful pic tures. "Jack and the Beanstalk," the first of the fairy tales that William Fox has made, to be Bhown at the Arcadia Theatre October 1, required a specially built city for children, a castle Tor a stant and a royal court, and, of course, tho beanstalk Itself that reaches Into the sky. Six hundred thousand dollars waa ex pended In making of "Jack and the Bean staSk," and 1300 children have a part In IL There Is n fascinating child, surely born for the part, who onacts the rote of the hero who kills tho giant. There Is real Bplendor In the royal court, while tho army that Jack marshals when ho goes In search of the giant suggests tho crusading legions of the Middle Ages. The giant himself Is eight feet Blx Inches tall. PET PEEVES Dirty hands nro my pet nvcrslon Crane "Wilbur. 0 A. SI. TO 11)15 r. M. nr.ssirBR'H onrnnsTnA METRO WEEK MONDAY. TUESDAY anil WEDNESDAY Francis X. Bushman and Beverly Bayne IN METIIO HUPKn-FEATURU "Their Compact" riiOJI THIS ORIGINAL HT.0,ur Uy CHAKLES A LOHUE TIIIRSDAY. l'RUJVY and NVTUUDVY rutsT siiowimj or Mme. Olga Petrova IN M.AIR HALL'S ."The Silence Sellers" KlVn AfTS OP EXri.USlVB DRAMA IV HKRT Ol' SIIOI'I'INU IllSTRirT IUNTL.NLOUM II A. M Tl 1 V. M. 10r. ISe. "25- 35r nroixMNi miivdw mativi:b riiiMDKi.riiiA'H MSfl WRITER K. W. W01.V 1'rct.cnt" lh Rio of i'ull Bob i " n' Jazz Hsll land Tin- Mun Ulio Com IxfnehSiniKutn irriler White on Walt. Direct from Ihles worth Hotel. At liuitle .Clt. Greiit i.le tTonet mid WUlle MUfK. IITIIKK l'KATUUi: ACT LfO 'JtlKATIti: MSA tout TIIKATRC Market below ouih Street 'J:30. inc. tSe MATl.Nfch DAILY BVBNIXtm 7 fc II. Hon., 'Inr-.. Wed. J!. W. WOJ.V rretent?i I bo Inrctral 1'liijlet Poor John I rnliirlnc ttenutlfiil Slorj llarnri Ullllmim I Culrli Sons . Mnrgtirrt Arnohl I lunefnl Muwle oriIKU 1"E.TURIS ACTS TUnr., I'rl.. Sat. Joe Cooper lreienlt A Comedr Ullh Moale. "Till: Bachelor Dinner MiJiFin msr Wdr Broad and Snyder Duily 2:15. 10c. 15c Tvff. C:45 & 9, 10c, 20c, 30c Moil, Turn.. Wed. JpSKl'll COOI-Fll'l MuMeal l'nrrc, llw Back Thurn., l.. Sat, K. . MOI.F'M One-Aet Comedj- Poor Dinner X Jellelitful Storjr. . t utelu hon ll stvh lAST "nil 1'roJuctlon John A Riot of Fun Harney tWIIIunii Jlnritnret Arnold K Oilier l'aiorlte I'bolonlur l'eature Jeraldiuo Farrar ''Joan lh Wmnnn" l'liotoplaj Feature British (Tanks In Action OTHER KTAJOIABD ACTS fSXISISBI H ftnrau B Alon., lura.. Wed, . iui,r I'rurnts Five Foolish Fellows A Camedr Riot Caller A Uoulden lanarunK's m. THEATRE Main and Carson Sts, Manayunk. Pa. Ttmrn., f rl.. Hat. l'rnts hp's To HJame7 Tabloid Mualeal Comedr, Hiw!ul ACADEMY OF MUSIC SAT I3VO. SCrT. 22 TONIOHT. 8:15 KnritivitTr'i ititiv fi.it. ,. ni ii ra iriiinun MARY riCKKOHD In a War Upeclal. "Tent of Loyalty," In r, rrt ADA TURNUR KURTZ Noted Voctllst ." "A X 1IUXH UU I.J.RMAN Celobrated Conertlt HAHN QUAnTrnTn Symphony Xlualo Ono Emt. Only. Tonltht. 8:18 eeais xx. ooc, 7.V, MOO, J 1X0. 12.00 BROAD SAMUEL F. NIXON &-&?' FRANK NIRDI.INaEn, ButinetJ Manarer Two Week! Only MTiMTkAV "WT"TI'P At Mallnen Beiinnlnr ivn-iii muni BiIS WtJ. Eat. 3:13 ARTHUR IIOrKINS and F ZIKOrELD. Jr.. Preienl MISS BILUE BURKE IN CLARE KUMMr.R'S NEW TIAY The Rescuing Angel Seats for tho liat vrtrk on aala Thursday SJ vn",.Frohman MAUDE ADAMSfeRaSK,.. Attraction FOR BENEFITS AT TIIH FORRKSr, I1ROAD AND OARRICK TIICATIIBS AI'PI.Y TO FRHD 0. NIXON-NIRDt.lNOUn (Nlion-Nlrdllnner Uldt-.), 1BJ0 WALNUT ST. Do You Believe in Spiritualism? "Most of 'the Time It's Fake" YOU WILL BE THRILLED AND MYSTIFIED BY 13 WITH vtlAIK Margaret Wycherly AT THE ADELPHI DECLARES ROSALIE LE GRANGE, BUT SHE SOLVES A MURDER MYSTERY AFTER THE POLICE HAVE FAILED fHaliaaaV''il7 aHBriBwlio' BHBBWMeBBSiyff?Br0jj!fe' llaHIHaaaaaaaPS!laWaaaaam(aaaaaiHnk G ARRICK SAMUEL F. NIXON '&" HAM'I, T. E, NIXOX-NIRULIMJnR. n. 5fer. OPKNINO OF TIIK REOUian DRAMATIC SE.RON MONDAY NIGHT FOR 2 WEEKS ONLY MOIITS AT 8:15. MATIXEK. VEDNESDAY and ATH.t . S:15. (FOl'ULAK WED. JIATS. BOe TO Sl.50) ffmmas BCB3ENT JMwtxar WEoW its V4aV afafiVk jfflajl g 3kPSa lrtS3f The ISweotQSt Lovo Story or rho Lcntury v A Play everyone? oupht 16 .r?? ' - ti.y. TIME A PAMTACY OF JAPAN Ru AMPMD $ MfiMSOAf &YOP2S Direc-tr From half a uear in New York wih FAY BAINTER SR5 ilb I KUHULI IAN UP) ' V7feY,frVV,a25i'X ' A rr.l va ' XViAt3 . 3ii fid XJ514B& : NEXT ATTRACTION fefcgBBW "CHEATING CHEATERS" VSfeMaW hi) if! . Hz I I JOL J JtJk. A X. Xy TII05IAS M. LOVE. Da.lneaa Jlanaser FIRST TIME, TUESDAY, SEPT. 25 CHARLES DILLINGHAM rRESENTS THE ACKNOWLEDGED KING OF MUSICAL COMEDY FRED STONE WHO MADE FAMOUS " THE WIZARD OP OZ, THE RED MILL, THE LADY OF THE SLIPPER, CHIN CHIN N. NOW IN JACK O'LANTERN TIT ANNB tAUlWELI. unflB. H. BUBNBIDB-M13BI0 fcr ITaW OABTIJ. , A NEW MUSICAL COMEDY WITH- 20 NEW WHISTLY TUNES NEW URBAN SCENERY ANQ 80 PRETTY GmLS. MATtNEES WEDNESDAY AND SATUKPAY-SEATS FOy SECOND WEEK ON SALE THURSDAY Never in the History of the City of Philadelphia Have such crowds gathered around any amusement placo In such numbers, or clam ored for tickets so energetically as the theatregoers of this city havo gathered and ' clamored in the lobby pf the Metropolitan Opera House, on North Broad Street, during the past three days. It seems impossiblo for tho attaches of the theatre to sell tickets fast enough to satisfy all of the thousands and thousands of people who want to see the most talked of play of this day and generation, the greatest success ever known in the history of the American stage-rthe gigantic and overwhelmingly stupendous pro duction of the gorgeously staged drama of Biblical life, entitled "The Wanderer," written by Maurico V. ijamucls, staged by DAVID BELASCO, and presented by William Elliott, F. Ray Comstock and Morris Gest. m ' There Are Times When Words tail And this is one of them. The mere use of superlative adjectives cannot begin to convey an adequato idea of the immense "knock-out" hit which has been achieved by "The Wanderer." Never before in tho history of Philadelphia have the critics of this city printed such overwhelmingly enthusiastic criticisms of any theatrical attraction ever brought here. The eight daily newspapers of Philadelphia, on last Friday morning, ' voiced a unanimous opinion that beyond all question this superb and colossal production is the most beautifully staged and the most impressively acted drama ever presented to the theatregoers of Philadelphia. Read These Wonderful Criticisms and Marvel: It is with no desire to pile tho Ossa of Adulation upon tho Pelion of Praise that we reprint the extraordinary extracts from the published' criticisms of the dramatic critics of Philadelphia. These criticisms on this great and magnificent drama aro herewith assembled in the interests of preserving intact theatrical annals which will henceforth figure as dramatic history in Philadelphia. There are eight daily newspapers published in Philadelphia. Herewith will be found lengthy extracts from ALL EIGHT NEWS PAPERS, with not one word misquoted, all eight criticisms bearing wonderful testi mony to the merits and tho overwhelming success of this great play now being presented at the Metropolitan Opera House: H. T. Craven of The Evening Ledger Wrote : An audience vast enough to honor Caruso filled tho great auditorium. Biblical spectacle at the Metro politan inspires reverence and rapt attention, A cast of rare quality. Reverent and attentive waa tho spectators' attitude as tho new gray curtain roso and disclosed a scene that in composition and atmos phcro was as fine a tribute to tho art of DAVID BELASCO as any setting that ho has ever supervised before the footlights. Nnnco O'Ncil established a claim for consideration as ono of the most gifted artists extant. Any ono who believes that tho "palmy" days of acting havo forever vanished should behold and hear what she docs. James O'Neill's ripe experience was triumphantly displayed. The great assemblage of spectators was mora respectful in attitudo than showily noisy in thoughtless plaudits.' Thero could be no better tribute to the design and purpose of this ambitious footlight offering. James 0. G. .Duffy of The Press Said : Parable of tho prodigal son is staged with art and lavish magnificence. An impressive crescendo of tho unusual made epochal dramatic history at the Metropolitan when the gigantic and gorgeous stage spectaclo, "The Wanderer," was given its fiVst presentation here. Nover before has tho hand of timo been moved back centuries with such masterly art and reality. Never, it is safe to say, has stage production within tho memory of tho present generation so completely defied description, or so vivified with the significance of simple truth, the most glowing superlatives in the vocabulary of the honest reviewer. Never before have so many elements of histrionic and, artistic appeal been made .homo geneous, been made to link hands in compelling tho utmost of popular and critical approval. And crown ing achievement of all, not in a long, long timo has such sumptuous magnificence of staging been combined with such potency in acting. Herman Dieck in The Record Said: "The Wanderer," a marvel of art Expectationsof spellbound audience surpassed by merits of produc tion. Cast of superb players. First performance hero of spectacular Biblical Drama wins approbation. The most remarkable and beautiful production of a Biblical play ever seen in Philadelphia. It is doubtful whether any dramatic offering has been more carefully prepared or more magnificently en dowed. The audienco that filled the vast auditorium to its farthercst reaches sat enthralled. As a spectacle alone, "Tho Wanderer" would be notable, but thero is something greater still because of a superior prescntatiqn. Tho actual presentment went far beyond any expectation. Harry Knapp Wrote in The Inquirer : A stage spectaclo eclipsing in grandeur anything ever seen here. B.eautifully told story, rich in realism, interpreted by a Company of sterling artists. So much in praise of this production had been published in advance that the playgoer anticipated something out of the ordinary in the drama. Nor was ho or she disappointed, for a new high standard of opulence in spectacular stage settings was set with "The Wanderer," to say nothing of tho brilliance of the galaxy of intelligent players employed in the presentation, or of the beauty and impressiveness of tho story. Nothing approaching in realistic perspective jLhe first scene of this play has been seen here. In a word, "The Wanderer" is a marvelous production, and will doubtless remain here for a long while. C. Howard Bonte of The Public Ledger Said : "The Wanderer," beautifully staged and acted, tells tho prodigal son parable. A remarkable stage version. Embellished with all the artistry modern stagecraft has at its command, and which DAVID BELASCO knows so well how to utilize. A spectacle which fills the eye with delight, makes wonderfully vivid the great story of repentance. Tho gifted and unusually versatile Nance O'Nell portrays the mother with sympathetle charm, her glorious voice being wonderfully attuned to the material measures of the part The players concerned in this interesting and beautiful spectacle have been chosen with rare discrimination. Harold P. Quicksall of The North American Said : In tho magnificence with which it has been staged, "The Wanderer" out-Ben-Hurs "Ben Ilur." Through purely theatrical methods, it obtains stronger effects than its illustrious predecessor by means of thou sand times less palpably theatrical than a chariot race. The victory of "The Wanderer" and the men who produced it is a victory of superior acting and ivincible methods of staging. The acting fits like a rare gem In a rich but unobtrusive setting. More sincere work than that of James O'Neill, in the part of Jesse, would be difficult to find. Nance O'Neil, in tho role of the mother, reveals a character almost equally rarified. With posture and vocalism, particularly In the scene with tho boy, she thrilled her audience. The Critic of The Evening Bulletin Said : A story of deep human interest and dramatic appeal is presented in "The Wanderer" aa revealed in all tho splendor of a notable spectacular production. This Biblical drama ha a all the elements which, as in such former productions as the perennial "Ben Hur," have been able to attract large numbers of people who do not make a practice of visiting the theatre, while holding at the same time much to fasci nate and to satisfy the habitual theatregoer, in its forcefulness as mere drama, its unusual magnitude and magnificence as a stage spectacle, and the excellence of its acting. The performance is not only rich in spectacular splendor, in tho strength of its cast and the impressiveness of the number of people that appear, but in the dignity and solemnity ot purpose that Is apparent A noblo and impressive figuro, indeed, is Miss Nance O'Ncil ns the mother of boundless love. In depth and richness of voice, beauty of eloquence and majestic pose and attitude, the portrayal is ono of intense appeal and dramatic strength. Mr. O'Neill is scarcely less Impressive in his splendid impersonation of the patriarchal Jesse. Much as tho production depends for Its undoubted success as -a spectacle, however, even more does it owe the potency of ita appeal to the work of the members of the cast. Blair Jaechel of The Evening Telegraph Said : "The Wanderer" is a splendid spectacle. Drama, at the Metropplitan, a Remarkable Production of the Days of tho Bible. As a scenic triumph. "The Wanderer" proved itself everything that ita sponsors claimed it to be. No details, no magical effects to inject the audience with the atmosphere of Palestine in those historic times, escaped tho vigilance of DAVID BELASCO, who personally staged the piece. METROPOLITAN gSfSi , PHILADELPHIA EVENINGS AND SATURDAY MATINEE, 50c TO $1.50 SATURDAY EYE., BOe TO GOO FIRST FLOOR SEATS ALWAYS $L00 BARGAIN MATINEE EVERY WEDNESDAY, BEST SEATS, $1 SEATS AI.BO OK BAU3 AT DOWNTOWN TIOKKT OWO B, tlOS CHESTNtTT ST. MAIL OBDBBS ACCEPTED IF ACCOMPANIED BY PBOPEB KElUTTANCaV KAME CHOICE OF TWO DATES TO INSURE OETTINQ PBOPEB ACC9MMM9ATION. posrrrvELY limited engagement get tickets at "THE WANDERER 3 NOT A MOVING 4V iff"' 4 v -?M 3k m&& mjbh ffUBiM rwiaWii WW jylTHBGRiMreWlTOWr-a ..Mil I - M aMaiupiiMPiiiiii I I x " . ' M . a m,yS$TVATji m ?Jffiiri . r J
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers