January 4, 19 2 3
AMUSEMENTS
KNICKERBOCKER THEATRE b'־;l;SK:S8:is
Good Seats at Box Office—Buy in Advance Henry W. Savage offers The Comedy with Music Sensation
THE CLINGING VINE”
with PEGGY WOOD and a Brilliant, Singing Cast
Book and Lyrics by Zelda Sears	Music by Harold Levey
B’way at 51st St. “Subway to Door״ EDW. BOWES, Mng. Dir.
CAPITOL
World’s Largest and foremost Motion Picture Palace
Beginning Sunday, January 7.
SELZNICK Pictures Present
ELAINE HAMMERSTEIN and CONWAY TEARLEin
“One Week of Love״
CAPITOL GRAND ORCHESTRA
Erno Rapee, Conductor Presentations by S. L. ROTHAFEL
¿Paramount !Mcture£<-
Theaters under the direction of Hugo Riesenfeld
The RIVOLI BROADWAY AND 49th ST.
First Time at Popular Prices.
Direct from 151/2 Weeks Run at Criterion Theatre MARION DAVIES in “When Knighthood Was In Flower”
A Cosmopolitan Production
RIESENFELD’S CLASSICAL JAZZ. RIVOLI CONCERT ORCHESTRA
The RIALTO BROADWAY and 42A ST.
Second Week on Broadway GLORIA. SWANSON in
“My American Wile”
BIESENFELD’S CLASSICAL JAZZ. FAMOUS RIALTO OKCHESTBA Hugo Biesenfeld and Joseph Littau conducting
famous Legend of Sleepy Hollow. As a film, it will rank high in the year’s productions, and was very well produced; Will Rogers was tremendous. After the feature, Robert Davis sang the ballade, Sunrise and You.
The program opened with the Capitol Orchestra playing The Merry Wives of Windsor, as an overture. Evelyn Herbert and Erik Bye sang, as a duet, Bizet’s Agnus Dei, in a most effective manner. This was followed by a Christmas Fantasy, which was one of the most charming and interesting numbers seen in a long time at this theater.
May Johnson.
January Engagements for Glaussen.
Julia Claussen, the mezzo-soprano of the Metropolitan Opera Company, who resumes her connection with ■that organization in February, will appear in concert at Reading, Pa., today, January 4. January 23 she will sing, in St. Louis for the Morning Choral Club, and the following day at Fulton, Mo. January 29 she appears with the United Singers of Philadelphia.
Leginska Appearing in Detroit
Ethel Leginska who recently returned from abroad where she has been appearing in concert and recital, will play in recital in Detroit, Mich., on January 30. A busy February is scheduled for the pianist.
.made an honorary member of the Manuscript Society of New York and was presented on the concert stage at Chickering Hall, under direction of his old master, Anton Seidl. In addition to his many concert appearances, he wrote a number of musical compositions, not only for his favorite instrument and for orchestras, but also for the soprano voice and for the piano.
Mrs. Lent later became a pianist of note, having been chosen to appear as soloist with the Boston Symphony Orchestra at the concert arranged as a memorial to the composer Rubinstein.
William Burton Hoxie
On December 22, after a brief illness, William Burton Hoxie, a successful young musician of Grand Rapids, Mich., died in St. Louis.
Mr. Hoxie was born August 25, 1896, and received his first musical experience in The Press Newsboy Band. His rise from that organization through the Central High School Orchestra to the important position as oboist with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra was achieved through hard work and study, helped by the training received from Leo Ruckle, now with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. He was a member of the class of 1916 at Central High, and leaves many friends among younger people here.
_ Surviving are the parents, Dr. and Mrs. A. T. Hoxie, a sister, Mrs. C. C. Ozburn and the brother, H. A. Hoxie.
Eva Hemingway
Eva Hemingway, for over twenty years teacher and critic in local musical circles of Grand Rapids, Mich., died suddenly on December 24 at the home of her sister, Helen Lamb of Lapeer, where she had gone to spend the Christmas holidays. Funeral services were held the following Wednesday at Lapeer. Miss Hemingway had developed many singers who achieved success on the professional and operatic stage. She was also the leader of the Timely Topics Class of the St. Cecilia Society.
Mathilde Dressier
Mathilde Dressier, the cellist, sister of Louis R. Dressier, well-known organist and composer, died in a New York City hospital December 23, the funeral taking place at the Church of the Holy Communion, New York. Miss Dressier was leading cellist of the Woman’s String Orchestra, founded and conducted by Carl V. Lachmund, and was formerly frequently heard in concerts and recitals. Of late years she had largely transferred her artistic activities to drawing and painting, for which she had special talents.
Musical courier
Musical Comedy, Drama and Motion Pictures
Those readers, who are familiar with Offenbach’s delightful opera, Tales of Hoffman, will appreciate three more of the narratives. The first one concerns Kreisler, the musician, who loves the fair Julia; the second tale is Euphemia, and the third, Donna Anna. The part of Kreisler has been intrusted to that interesting actor, Jacob Ben Ami, and it must be said that he not only achieved a great physical feat, but also an artistic one as well. With rapid fire changing of scene, one can only picture the actor rushing madly down a pair of stairs (after taking part in a scene created up near the ceiling), dashing on his wig and long coat, continuing his story to a friend in a small room situated on the left of the stage. Most of the scenes are very artistic, particularly the full setting, Kreisler’s dream of Undine, and Prince Soden’s reception. Nothing more elaborate has been shown in any theater this season. At this point mention must be made of the beautiful ballet arranged by Fokine. Time and time again the audience interrupted with enthusiastic applause.
Throughout the entire _ spectacle an orchestra under the direction of Max Bendix really gave an awfully good accounting of itself. The music for the production was composed by von Reznick and has been slightly rearranged by Mr. Bendix, particularly the pantomime scene and a valse lente, which are original compositions by the conductor.
Lotus Robb plays the three parts—Julia, Euphemia and Donna Anna. She • is very beautiful to look upon and created unusually attractive pictures. The remainder of the long cast was capably handled. Perhaps one of the most impressive moments of the entire production was the stupendous undertaking of reproducing on the Apollo stage the inside of a theater showing the stage boxes and a scene from the opera, Don Juan. It was remarkable that on such a small stage this was accomplished with such splendid effect.
Of all the season’s openings, Johannes Kreisler is by far the greatest novelty, and as such should attract for a considerable time.
The Strand.
An unusually good program was offered here during Christmas week. The feature picture was Doctor Jack, with Harold Lloyd as the star. In fact, the comedian has made such a success that the management is holding the film over this week. The usual overture and an original ballet created by Fokine continued to be the musical features.
The Rialto.
The entire program took on the aspect of the Christmas holidays. Instead of an overture beginning the program, a quintet sang Yuletide. It was well rendered and was applauded considerably. The fresh young voices—Miriam Lax, Susan Clough, Adrian Da Silver, Hubert Caron and Fred Chapman—created a splendid effect. The next musical number was Selections from Faust, rendered by the Rialto Orchestra with Hugo Riesenfeld and Joseph Littau conducting. This was followed by one of Mr. Riesenfeld’s original jazz numbers, with Lillian Powell dancing to the music. After the feature Paul Oscard and Vera Myers gave a dance fantasy, Christmas Toys. It was very artistic. The feature was Booth Tarkington’s The Flirt. It was one of the most thoroughly enjoyable movies that the writer has seen in a long time. Theodore Roberts was never more sympathetic than was George Nichols, who created the part of Papa.
The Capitol.
The attraction here during the holidays was the feature picture of Will Rogers as Ichabod Crane in The Headless Horseman, or, in other words, the screen version of the
O B ITU AR.Y
Louis Rosza.
Louis Rosza, the Hungarian baritonej. died in a hospital at Detroit on Wednesday, December 27, of pneumonia, following a severe attack of what is said to have been ptomaine poisoning. Rosza had only been in this country about two years. He was well known in the Royal Opera of his own country at Budapest and also a favorite in Vienna. On coming here he was immediately engaged for the Metropolitan Opera, singing leading baritone roles in German opera there, and was to have rejoined the company in February for the balance of the season. His presence in Detroit was due to the visit there of the Dippel opera organization, to which he belonged. He was about forty-four years of age and is survived by a wife and one son, both of whom are in New York.
Ernest Lent
Ernest Lent, one of Washington’s best known musicians, who resided in that city for over forty years, died there on December 22, after a long illness. Funeral services were held at his residence, 1528 Corcoran street North West on December 24, the Rev. U-. G. P. Pierce, pastor of All Souls’ Unitarian Church officiating, but permanent interment will be postponed until after the arrival of Mr. Lent’s wife and young daughter, Sylvia Lent, the violinist, who has been playing with much success abroad, and who are now on the ocean, returning home.
Born in Brandenburg, Germany, Mr. Lent studied music in t Leipsic Conservatory of Music under Reineke, Klengel ai ¡scnroeder, masters of the violoncello. In addition to the cello also undertook the study of other instruments. Following his gra'du non from the conservatory he was appointed professor in t: Jvoenigsberger Conservatory, Berlin. Later he made a success! musical tour of Germany and Scandinavia, followed by furth work in Budapest and Switzerland.
Mr. Lent came to the United States forty-five years ago to I come first cellist in the orchestra at the Metropolitan Opera Hous Not long afterward he moved to Washington, playing in many co certs there and elsewhere. He married Mary Simons, a Washingti music student.
For a number of years he served as conductor of the Georgetow Orchestra and other local musical organizations. In 1891 he w
New Christmas Offerings.
Rose Briar.—Billie Burke’s newest comedy, by Booth Tarkington, came to the Empire Theater. Critics all agree that this is the brightest and cleverest production offered by Miss Burke in some time. Allan Deinhart and Frank Conroy are the assisting artists. Victor Herbert wrote the incidental music. Detailed review next issue.
Secrets.—Sam Harris presented Margaret Lawrence in this new play by Randolph Besier and May Edginton. Received fairly good notices. The kind of play that Miss Lawrence revels in, where she can weep and laugh to her heart’s content. At Fulton Theater.
The Lady Cristilinda.—A play by Monckton Hoffe, starring Fay Bainter, at the Broadhurst Theater. Ferdinand Gottschalk and Courtenay Foote, supporting artists. Received very good notices.
Why Not?—The third production of the season by the Equity Players offered at the 48th Street Theater. This proves to be one of the best comedies of the season and ranks most favorably with Jesse Lynch Williams’ former successes. Tom Powers among the artists.
The Tidings Brought to Mary.—Also the third production of the Theater Guild for the season at its theater, the Garrick. A mediaeval mystery play by Paul Claudel. A decidedly mixed opinion expressed by local critics. All agree, however, that the Guild has created a beautiful and artistic production. The play is rather grewsome and not overly well acted.
. The Egotist.—A play by Ben Hatch, offered at the 39th Street Theater with Leo Ditrichstein. This star is always entertaining and his newest play does not seem to have fallen below his standard.
Glory.—The authors and musicians who created Irene, the musical comedy sensation of two seasons ago, have introduced this, their newest one, at the Vanderbilt Theater. The criticisms were particularly good and many predict a success almost as great as Irene. The cast is headed by Patti Harrold, and includes Helen Groody, Flo Irwin, and Robert O’Connor.
The Dragon.—This comedy by Lady Gregory is being offered at a series of matinees at the Earl Carroll Theater. Lucile Watson and Dudley Diggs are among the stars.
Romeo and Juliet.—Arthur Hopkins presented his second Shakespearean production of the season at the Longacre Theater, with Ethel Barrymore as Juliet, and McKay Morris as Romeo. This, perhaps, attracted more attention than most of the other offerings of the week, due, of course, to the fact that Ethel Barrymore was to be Juliet. First honors seem to go to Basil Sidney; many critics and old-timers claim his to be the greatest portrayal of Mercutio seen in this country. From what one can gather he evidently gives a most satisfactory performance. There was not the same enthusiasm about Mr. Morris’ Romeo, nor did Miss Barrymore rise supreme. It seems that there were many different reasons expressed as to why she has npt created a great Juliet. Robert Edmund Jones is responsible for the production, which evidently was perfectly satisfactory from^ an artistic standpoint. Whatever may be the various opinions, the eight weeks’ run of Romeo and Juliet will fill the Longacre Theater. When Jane Cowl essays Juliet a week from now, with Rollo Peters as Romeo, there will be added interest, regardless of the merits of either performance.
The Clinging Vine.
Henry W. Savage presented Peggy Wood in a comedy with music at the Knickerbocker Theater on Christmas night. It should be said in the very beginning, this is one of the daintiest of the season’s musical offerings. Peggy Wood is beautiful to look upon and she sings astonishingly well, in fact her year’s study in Europe has wrought perceptible changes in her voice. She is quite in the prima donna class. Zelda Sears wrote the comedy and—a fact which is so rare among the musical offerings—she has created. a real comedy that could sparkle and trip along quite entertainingly without the music created by Harold Levey. It will be remembered, that it was this same two who wrote Lady Billy, for Mitzi, which, after a third season, gives no sign of its closing any time soon. Lady Billy is no better than any other musical comedy, the only difference is that when Zelda Sears writes the book and the lyric it becomes individual and original, therefore it is easy to prophesy Peggy Wood will be many months singing The Clinging Vine. Mr. Levey has written some singable music. It is rather difficult to say which number in the score will prove the greatest favorite. Perhaps the song from which the comedy takes its title will be in great demand. Home Made Happiness will attract attention, also Once Upon a Time.
Mr. Savage has given the comedy a most attractive setting with costumes which are particularly smart and colorful. He has surrounded Miss Wood with an unusually good cast. Louise Galloway takes the part of Mrs. Anthony Allen, the. grandmother, and gives an excellent performance. She was quite a “hit” in her one song, Grandma. There was a young dancer, Joyce White, who plays the part of the maid. (Was there ever a musical comedy without a maid and a butler?) This was the excuse to introduce Miss White in some excellent dance numbers. Reginald Pasch, the German singer, brought here for the revival of the Merry Widow last season, has a small part in this production. He has little opportunity to show off his good voice, nothing comparable with his debut.
Reviewing The Clinging Vine from every angle it would seem that here is to be found a musical attraction that can please all elements of theatergoers, one of the best of its kind, and one that will have few competitors during the season.
Johannes Kreisler.
Owing to several days’ delay in opening, this interesting spectacular play, imported from Germany, did not have its première until Saturday night, December 23, so it can rightfully be considered as among the theatrical Christmas gifts to this city. The Selwyns are the producers and have housed it in their Apollo Theater. There are forty-two changes of scenes during the three episodes. The whole novelty js made possible by elevated stages and a great ems to control a perfect labyrinth,
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