The Brooklyn Daily Eagle from Brooklyn, New York • Page 42

THE BROOKLYN DAILY EAGLE. NEW YORK, SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 1915. THEATER NEWS, VIEWS AND CUES ft? j4r r-W WITH "PEG O'MY "Jack's Romance," "Hypocrites," "Peg," And Fine Stock Productions Here EDITH I 8. sK i I "Sissy -V' J-liwaa Fiske O'Hara at the Broadway "Peg o' My Heart" Returns to DeKalb Edith Taliafferro at the Grand Majestic Has Feature Film "The Yellow Ticket" at the Crescent, A dele and Augustus Pitou Jr. will present Fiske Farrington.

Dixie others. O'Hara in bis latest play, "Jack's Ro FOOTLIGHT REFLECTIONS mance," at Teller's Broadway Theater the coming week. This play, like all of the others presented by Mr. O'Hara, Comic column conductors find their last line the hardest. Finishing up is said to be of a refined order.

The carries its own inspiration for us. It is the beginning that is difficult SdEKE TROM in tx i bpoidmay 1 1 MYPO- CR1TES MHJEfTjC. story opens at Castletown, in the County Kildare, Ireland, about the middle of the Eighteenth Century. Jack Connolly, the hero of the tale, has just returned from the Hudson Bay country, where he has spent several years. Ho rescues the Lady Constance Butler from a highwayman, who has held up her coach, but gets into the hands of an irate mob, who believe he is the robber, until they aro shown their mistake by the lady he rescued.

He discovers that his brother's wife has bo-come infatuated with and is preparing to fly with her husband's secretary, Edmund Farley. He saves her from her own imprudence and then finds out that Farley 'i other than tLe robber who wavlald the coach of Lady Constance. When Jack's Identity is revealed, the Duke of Ormonde, who has heen furious at the thought Of his But we are over that now. Still it is not easy to be bright in summing up a week that had only "The Rented Earl" and a war play for inspiration. The maxim that remoteness is an essential of good drama is particularly applicable to the war drama in Europe.

There will doubtless be some great war plays, based upon the present conflict, produced about 1950. Meantime we have "Androcles and the Lion," which treats the underlying principles very interestingly, with enough humor to make, it engaging for the lovers of first-rate farce. This brings us to Granville Barker, who declares that every country gets what it deserves in drama. We must have been very deserving to get This intelligent and energetic manager remains the most dynamic topic of the season, producing the melancholy reflection that some of our most astute and successful theatrical managers will go down in history as among the greatest real estate operators of their era. Dramatic history will be entirely indifferent to them.

One of the most interesting, inclusive books on the subject of the theater that has been written of late, contains over, three hundred pages, and mentions only two American managers. Are Klaw and Erlanger and the Shuberts Willing to See Brooklyn Theaters Ruined If So, They Are Pursuing the Right Policy in Booking Attractions Here A Few Plain Facts Submitted in Evidence. daughter's being paid attentions by a ARC KLAW, A. Tj. Erlanger.

Lee, and possibly J. Shu-bert, are the men responsible for a condition which, if con is the motto "Let the other fellow produce the plays in our theaters" of Easy Street in Theaterdom. It is an epic of Broadway. ditions are being shown to the rest of the country. When, we would like to ask, will Brooklyn be allowed to see Cyril Maude in "Grumpy?" or Mrs.

Patrick Campbell? "The Passing Show" and some other "shows" of that character will doubtless come here in a few months with the scenery the worse for wear, the principals drafted into other productions, and the chorus divinities limping, after giving Chicago and points West a little Broadway twice removed. Theatrical managers know more about their own business than we will ever know, but we know more about Brooklyn. We are convinced that the time has come for all concerned to examine conditions in the light of the facts. Brooklyn must be considered as a separate, unique community. There is only one way that Brooklyn theaters can be assured of prosperity, and only one way that managers can be assured of uniformly successful engagements for their attractions in this borough.

They must come here direct, or shortly after closing in Manhattan, with the original, or capable, casts and adequate productions. It would be a simple thing for Klaw Erlanger or the Shuberts to test this theory, if any further test is necessary. If they would announce such a policy, or allow the local theaters to announce it, and live up to it. giving the local playhouses dependable attractions, as often and as soon as possible, another profitable week could be added to the run of any play in New York, which would in no way affect the drawing power of that attraction when it goes to Chicago, Boston or any other city. It would cost less to bring the play here direct from Manhattan than to bring it back, here, once it has gone on the road.

possibility that they will do the latter. The present season has been very illuminating. It started out most hopefully. Many of last season's successes were sent over here direct, and they prospered. It was not long, however, before the managers of local houses had to announce second-rate productions or close up.

This is especially true of the Montauk Theater, which has been closed for many weeks "because there are no attractions available." We will come back to that later. The Montauk has just had a single prosperous week with Maude Adams, only to close again for an indefinite period. The past week was not a "big" week, even for Maude Adams, but perhaps there is a reason. It has been many months since "The Legend of Leonora" closed in Manhattan, so that it was more or less "stale." This is the least successful of the Barrie plays in which Miss Adams has recently appeared, and the fact that it was found necessary to add a second play to the bill "on the road" would indicate that commoner, is quite appeased and gives his consent to the marriage of the young people. Mr.

O'Hara will be hei.rd in several songs, including "You and "The Highwayman," "Colleen Machree," "Killarney" and "Beauty Eyes." Ethel von Waldron, Marie Quinn, Lou Ripley, Lisle Bloodgcod, J. P. Sullivan, Don Merrifleld, James E. Miller, Daniel Lawler, Charles McHenry, William T. Sheehan, Gerald McCoy and Charles Leach are in the supporting company.

"Hypocrites" Film at Majestic. The latest Boswortn feature film, "H-pocrites," written and produced oy Lois Weber (Mrs. Phillips Smalley), twill be shown at the Majestic Theater this week. The pictures are the same as those now being presented in Manhattan, first at the Longacre Theater and now at the Princess. "Hypocries" tells a story dealing with smug, people, who condemn the seeker for truth.

Through it is woven an allegory, in which Margaret Edwards gives an interpretation of the Spirit of Truth. The cast is headed by Courtenay Foote, as Gabriel the ascetic. The other roles are taken by Myrtle Stedman, Herbert Standing, The work of Del Clawson nnd George W. Hill, in this picture, resulted in th achievement of some fine photographic efHects. One scene chows twelve exposures, the film passing through Ibe camera twenty-four times, "Peg o' My Heart" at the DeKalb.

Oliver Morosco's production ot .1. Hartley Manners' comedy, "Peg o' My Heart," will come to the DeKalb Theater this week, and will give Brooklyn-ltes one more opportunity of seeing this play, the most successful in recent years. Miss Florence Martin, recently seen here at the Majestic, will play Peg. and the company known as the Boston organization, contains several members of the original Cort Theater cast, which supported Laurette Taylor during the long run at that playhouse. Edith Taliaferro at the Grand.

In presenting Miss Edith Taliaferro In the title role in "Rebecca of Sunny-brook Farm," this week, the Grand Opera House engagement offers one of the highest' class attractions ever promised by a stock company here. This is an achievement well worthy ot note and brings the sphere of the stock theater to a higher plane than it has ever attained in this borough. "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm" la among Miss Taliaferro's greatest successes. So well known Is the plot that it is almost needless to tell the story ot Rebecca, the willful orphan, who through her association with the charms of country life blossoms forth into beautiful womanhood. The Grand Opera House players who achieved a success in "Panthea" last week with Olga Petrova in the title role, will play with Miss Edith Taliaferro In "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." "Tlie Yellow Ticket," Crescent.

Robert Gleckler, who established a substantial following while a member of the Greenpoint and the Bushwick stock companies, has been engaged as new leading man of the Crescent Players and will make his first appearance this week at the Crescent in the role of Julian Rolfe, the American newspaperman In Michael Morton's play "The Yellow Ticket." This is the part originally played by John Barrymore. Since his last appearance in Brooklyn, Mr. Gleckler has teen leading man of the endowed Pitt Theater in Pittsburg and also leading man of the Baker Stock Company in Portland, Oregon, where he concluded a successful engagement one week ago. "The Yellow Ticket" deals with Russian injustice to the Jews, the main incidents of the story being founded on facts. Marya Varenka.

who has stolen the identity of her dead friend in order that she may escape the tragedy ever impending over the Jewish girl In Russia, is the role originated by Miss Florence Reed, and In the Crescent revival next week, it will be played by Miss Leah Winslow. Ainsworth Arnold will play the part of Baron Andrey, originated by John Mason, and Miss Isadore Martin, Miss Clara Mackln, Miss Beatrice More-land, Charles Schotield, William Evarts, Charles C. Wilson and Arthur Mack will have good parts. "Wltliin the Law," Gotham. This week the Gotham Players, with Theodore Friebus, will present the most popular of recent stock releases, "Within the Law," by Bayard Veiller.

which had a record of an eighteen months run in Manhattan. The play tells tho story of a shop girl who is accused of a theft and sent to State prison for three years. The rest of the play is devoted to the story of Mary Turner's revenge. Theodore Freibus and Miss Ann Mao-Donald will be cast for the parts originated by Miss Jane Cowl and Mr. Caldera.

A number of well-known people have been added to the east, there are many good parts in the play. this attraction was not breaking records anywhere. It was the Leo nora" bill that was weak in drawing power here. The revival of "Quality Street" went "big." There is un illustration of the Brooklyn theatergoer's discrimination. The Majestic Theater has been doing Eagle Guide to the Theaters wen tor the past few weeks, with worthy attractions.

William Faver- sham, in "The Hawk," came hero direct from Manhattan and added another lucrative week to his New York run by merely crossing the bridge. "Peg o' My Heart" returned to piny BROOKLYN. a prosperous weeks engagement not Walter Princhard Eaton's epigram, "The greatest triumph of Napoleon was when Roosevelt stood silent at his tomb, and the great triumph of Granville Barker was when Belasco turned out his footlights and covered his decorations with burlap," is very clever, but is it just or fair? Mr. Belasco, in an interview in The Eagle last Sunday, says he abolished footlights thirty years ago. Incidentally the Drama League, of which Mr.

Eaton is a member, has put its O. K. upon Belasco's latest production, "Marie-Odile." Vituperation is not vindication. Why generalize in giving praise and specialize in finding fault? No one man is responsible for conditions which Mr. Eaton condemns.

Mr. Eaton, at the Drama League meeting on Tuesday, was a little vague in his reasoning. He said some very good things about our theaters being devoted exclusively to "best seller" plays; and made the point, after Mr. Barker, that if our publishers conducted their business on the same principle would have only those books which would sell in the hundred thousan Uioies. There would be no books by Meredith, Conrad, or other writers or he few.

We are convinced that the average play is on a par with 10-cent magazine fiction, appealing to the "vaudeville mind." But Mr. Eaton then took up the failure of "Children of Earth," which, we assume, he considered to be superior to the "best seller" play. He said it was "a shame" that this play was to be withdrawn. Isn't it a little too much to expect a superior play to attain the run of a "best The Drama League should not be discouraged. The wonder is that "Children of Earth" was presented at all in a "best seller" theater.

Mr. Eaton was disingenuous in his explanation of the failure. He placed the blame upon the newspaper critics. Mr. Eaton is a magazine critic.

It is very flattering to think that newpapers reviewers could have made a success of "Children of Earth." Very few of them were severe, and many of them were enthusiastic, in praise of the play. Perhaps Mr. Eaton thinks the play would have been successful if the papers had condemned it. We timidly suggest that the average newspaper review is as good as the average play. Newspaper reviews do for the public at large what the Drama League bulletins do for the members of that organization.

Honest criticism is based upon individual conviction and understanding. The negative criticism and estimate made by the Drama League playgoing committee is a collective opinion, a' majority verdict of a group of individuals not always in accord. Still, the Drama League is doing good work and deserves high praise. We only take exception to the attitude of certain speakers, who never lose an opportunity to lampoon the poor newspaper reviewers. They don't object to the principles of criticism for they are critics themselves.

They report only the superior play. The newspaper reports all plays. The informed public decides which will become a best seller. Mr. Eaton was more profound when he said that every successful $2 attraction is a tax upon theatergoers, who must pay back to managers the money they have lost on failures.

This raises the very pertinent question: Why should theaters have set prices for attractions of unequal merit? Incidentally, the speaker pointed out the fallacies in the theory that the theater is the most democratic of institutions. Theaters where seats cost $1 and are not democratic. Broadway drama is entertainment exclusively for people in comfortable circumstances. Granville Barker has the right idea in producing best seller plays along with tho. which have a limited appeal.

As he wisely said, he iiiay produce some failures in the lot, but the public would never know it. tinued, will mean the complete ruination of Brooklyn's best theaters. These men, who control the theatrical attractions of the country, are business men, and. strange to say, they also are the men who will lose most in the process of destroying the first-class theatrical business here, just as they would be the greatest gainers if in seme way they could be brought to realize the folly of a system or policy to which they have blindly adhered for many years. Unprecedented economic conditions are doubtless responsible for the poor theatrical business throughout the country, just as they unquestionably hastened the breakdown in.

the theatrical "system" which has produced general chaos, but there are certain phases of the matter peculiar to Brooklyn which make it possible to differentiate between theatrical conditions generally and purely local conditions. As a matter of fact, Brooklyn theaters ore not suffering from a temporary spell of "bud business." They are, generally speaking, extremely prosperous. The numerous vaudeville houses aro simply breaking records; the stock companies are doing the same, and the standard bouses have made a fine showing In spite of "hard times," every time they have been able to offer fhoir patrons attractions worth while. Brooklyn theaters, therefore, are not to be lumped with those of Manhattan and other communities and judged to bo suffering from the effects of the gi'iierul depression. They have shown none of the symptoms of the general complaint.

They have an ailment all their own, and it is neither vague nor general. It is simply an overdose of stale goods, administered by the booking oHlces that have long considered any old thing good enough for Brooklyn. We have said this before, but it will bear repeating. And while we are at it we may as well it peat some more facts: The men responsible for these conditions have remained completely blind to one of the most phenomenal community developments in this country. Brooklyn, to judge by the way her theaters are ratPd in the booking ortices, is still regarded as in a class with Middle West villages.

There, is absolutely no recognition of the fact that, this is a community of nearly 2,000,000 inhabitants, a community of homes, of people ot culture, intelligent and prosperous, who are keenly alive to the call of the (heaters. These theatergoers are likewise discriminating, unusually well informed as to current attractions, and their interest is continually stimulated by the proximity of Manhattan, where the best plays ure offered. Brooklyn is not to be considered as merely a borough of Mew York City, in the came way as the Bronx, and Brooklyn theaters should not be treated like the Bronx Opera House, although they frequently are treated worse. Is there no significance for those in the booking orttccs in the fact that Brooklyn supports the Metropolitan Opera Company in many weeks of the best opera every season? The Bronx does not do that. Brooklyn also supports some twenty-five high-grade vaudeville and motion picture theaters.

What is offered to fill the kup between grand opera and motion RIJou I.oew vaudeville. Ilrondway "Jack's Romance." Bilhwlck-B. F. Keith vaudeville. CrhIiio Tollies of the Day." Cri-Koent "The Yellow Ticket." o- My Heart." Empire "Girls From Happjiand." Flittbimh A'audevllle.

Fulton I.oew vaudevil. (inyoty "High Life the Ur." Orill-Flth Taliaferro In "Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm." Keeney's Keeney vaudeville. "lnjealc "Hypocrites." (Irphram-B. F. Keith vaudeville.

Prospect B. F. Keith vaudeville. liubrt Loew vaudeville. Stnr "The Gay "Widows." MANHATTAN NEW ATTRACTIONS Monday "Le Eclaireuses," Century Lyceum.

Tnomiay "A Mldeumtner N'tght's Dream," Wallack't. long since and last week "The Lilac Domino" came hero direct from Manhattan with the original organization conditions which assured a successful week. Now comes a break. The Montauk closes again, and the Majestic, becomes "movie" theater for a week. Potential patrons of dramatic entertainment are driven away and a now clientele is to be drummed up.

In a week or so, perhaps, they will have other attractions in these two plavhouses. hen they come the management must try in some way to get back the pa-Irons. It is increasingly difficult to do this. Meantime, the Grand Opera House, a few blocks from the Montauk Theater, is offering Edith Taliaferro in "ltebec-ca of Sunnybrook Form." an unusual and highly commendable attraction. Around the corner from the Majestic, tho Crescent Sock Company Is offering "The Yellow Ticket," and uptown the Gotham Theater hns "Within tho "Immer fest drult," Irving WrdnMday- Place, Tlinrnaay "Maid in America, Winter Gar- more does some of the best work of her career.

Forty-fourth Street Robert B. Mantell In Shakespeare and classic repertoire. Forty-eighth Street "The Law of th Land." A new melodrama by George Broad-hurst, which tells a lurid story dramatically. Well acted, with a punch at one end and some amusing comedy at the other. Beds." A lively farce, with plenty of situations, old and new, which ere diverting.

Clever dialogue and acting. Gaiety "Daddy Long Legs." A charming little play of the "Peg o' My Heart" type, with Ruth Chatterton as delightful Judy. Globe "Chin-Chin. A new Montgomery and Stone extravagania, In which they are at their best. Thoroughly enloyable.

Harris "The Lie." An interesting new play bv Hnry Arthur Jones. Familiar theatrical material used very effectively. Featuring Margaret Illlngton In an emotional part. Hippodrome Winter circus. Hudnon "The Show Shop." A highly entertaining play of the theater.

Delightfully acted by Douglas Fairbanks and a capable company. Irvlna; Place Excellent German Stock Company. Kniekerboeker "90 In the Shade." A new musical comedy featuring Marie Cahlll and Richard Carle. Diverting. Liberty 'Tne Silent Voice." An Interesting new American play with an original Idea, presented by a company beadud by Otis Skinner.

l.lltle "A Pair ot Silk Stockings." A rare lace and lingerie affair capably presented. I.oniraere "Inside the Lines." An Interesting melodrama of the war, capital comedy and good acting, as well as dramatic suspense. Lyeeom "Outcast." An Interesting, but not a very dramatic play, in which Ferguson appears to advantage. Lyric "The Only Olrl." a new musical piece by Victor Herbert and Henry Blossom. Entertaining.

Manhattan Opera Hons "Life." Quite the biggest spectacular melodrama Aw York has seen. New Amsterdam "Watch Tour Step." The liveliest song and dance show New York has seen. Splendid singers, dancers and comedians. Park "polygamy." An Interesting and well acted play dealing with Mormonlsm. Plarhonae "Hlnners." A very human play of decent sentiment and engaging humor, well acted by an exceptional cast.

Pnncb and "The Clever Ones." A diverting satirical comedy bv Alfred Sutro. presented in unique little playhouse. Republic "Kick In." A melodrama that tells an absorbing story with humor. Weil acted by John Barrymore and a good company. Sliohert "Tonight's the Night." An Eng.

llsh musical comedy featuring a big chorus. Thirty-ninth Street "A Mlx-lrp." A. crude and amateurish farce which Marie Dressier tries very hard to make amusing. and the Llon' ni "The Man Who Married a Dumb den. Friday "The Trap," Booth.

PLAYS NOW RUNNING. Aatnr "Hello, Broadway." New George M. Cohan revue, with the author, William Collier. Louine Dresser and a bg company, A lively show, with clever entertainers in delightful burlesques of Broadway play Caviar for the initiated. Belaitco "Marie-Odite A new play by Edward Knoblauch which la at once the most unusual and poetio play of several seasons.

A notable piece of work (freatly enhanced by the splendid acting of Frances Starr and a capable company. Mr. Belasco's most beautiful production. Candler "On TrlaL" A remarkably constructed and absorbing melodrama, plan didly stated and acted. Casiino "Experience." A splendid production of a modern morality play that is big and moving.

Well acted and Intensely Interest-log. Cohan' "It Pays A capital farce, "built for laughing purposes only," which la made enjoyable by a company of competent actors. MONTAUK TO REOPEN The Montauk Theater is to reopen on February 22 with "The Misleading It Is announced that following the engagement of this attraction others will be found to keep this theater open for the remainder of the season. "Th Misleading Lady" Is the story of the taming of a "cave man," which had a long run at the Fulton Theater in Manhattan. It has been seen at the Broadway Theater here, but this will be the first engagement down town.

OPERA AT THK MAJESTIC. A week of grand opera Is announced by the Majestic Theater management for that theater the week of February Law," while the vaudeville theaters and the motion picture houses are offering tempting programmes for those seeking entertainment. The stock companies down town are this week presenting more substantial attractions thin the regular theaters. This is in every way desirable and Ihe stock theaters deserve patronage, but we would not like to feel that Brooklyn must come to depend upon them for theatrical fare. "lint," the booking offices may reply, "we haven't the attractions.

We must fill in with motion pictures nnd road companies. It has been a bad year, and there are not enough first class attractions to go around. We are doing the best we can." That is only partly true. It has been a bad year, hut we remember good years, and ordinary years, when the same conditions prevailed here. It is easy to prove that the booking offices are not doing the best tboy can for Brooklyn.

The Montauk Theater is "booked" by Klaw Krlanger. There are many good attractions now playing out of New York which have never been to Brooklyn. Charles Frohmnn's two productions, "The llirl From Utah'1 and tho star revival of "Diplomacy" have never been seen here. They are pleasing Chicago and other cities. "The Phantom Rival" is being offered Bos- The Casino Theater in Brooklyn has decided to abolish billboard advertising, using the newspapers exclusively to announce attractions.

This is good for the newspapers, but it is also good business and good common sense. David Warfield has almost completed a season's tour throughout the country, during which time he has ii'iver failed to nlav to standing room only. He 22. The San Carlo Grand Opera Com few really first-class at- has not used a single billboard, relying entirely upon newspaper advertising, ap, pictures? A Comedy "The White Feather." A new play pany, numbering 100 people, and em many onerings that must bracing some twenty well-known bp classed as stale goods. dealing wun uwnin npira in ivngiana.

a melodrama with interetlng and exciting momenta, but not very convincingly handled. singers of the opera worm, nas Deen secured, and nine performances will Cort "Under Cover." Swift moving melo Robert B. Mantcli's surprising success in "Richelieu" is not, as some people have said, proof conclusive that Shakespeare is growing in popularity. Billy Sunday may decline the offer of $2,500 to attend a performance of a Broadway attraction on the ground that it would be encouraging There is not a theater in Brooklyn where patrons may go, assured of high-class dramatic entertainment, week after week. They may find a worthy attraction occasionally, but they are sure to be disappointed the next time they go, and join the growing con be given.

The list of operas chosen Includes: "Martha," "Airta." "Lucia," "Faust," "Cavallerla Rusiicana" and. "Pagliacci," "Rigoletto." "La Gin-1 conda," "Tales of Hoffmann," drama or myetery, tnrins ana romance, cleverly acted and entertaining. Eltinore "The Srmg of Snogf Edward Shel. don's dramatization of Hermann Suder-mann'B novel. A dlpfruxttng exploitation of filth, employing a splendid cast.

A rare tui vumrny flntNhftd actlna and Intelligent staring fur Trovatore." Giuseppe Angellni, tingent that hns decided either to go to Manhattan when they want to attend 'ton; and other attractions that Brook- last paragraph before we started. We nlshlng an evening of pleasurable enjoyment. "A Midsummer Night's Dream" 1 to be added to the repertoire TmjJ Empire "The Shadow." A somber play of former director of the Melba Graadi Opera Company, will conduct, matter of fact, we had our here to fill out. As a jwl it in theater or stay at home, with tho lyn would like to see under normal con- sueuinta intret in wnicn juinei wit-.