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WINNETKA WEEKLY TALK, SATURDAY, JANUARY 19, 1924 15 HERE AND THERE ON STAGE AND Reviews of the Week By Thespian STAGE "TOPSY AND EVA" With the Duncan Sisters Selwyn Theatre Another loop show has "caught on" as they say on Randolph Street and now all Walter Duggan has to do is to count the sheckles that come rolling in. For the Duncan Sisters have found a black diamond in their oyster shell and the beaten path is in the direction of the Selwyn these nights. "Topsy and Eva" is more or less self explanatory, being a musical comedy based on "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in which Miss Rosette Duncan essays the role of Topsy and Miss Vivian Duncan that of Eva. The thread of the familiar story runs through the proceedings and albeit sometimes a bit different than our child- hood reading of the plot, it is entirely satisfactory. There are too many tune- ful tunes, too much dancing and. too good comedy to worry about plots. There is Basil Ruysdael as Uncle Tom with a magnificent voice and Fred- tic "Simon Legree," Asrley Cooper, a "Mariette." Frank Wallace is a realis- tic "Simon Legree," Asrlep Cooper, a comical "Lawyer Marks" and Wilbur Cushman, a satisfactory Augustine St. Claire. i But the real delight of the show is the Misses Duncan, one as beautiful as a dresden doll and the other about the funniest female you ever saw and cer- tainly the best of that species in black face. One readily believes her when she exclaims that her mother was Al Jolson. She is a cut-up of the wildest sort and the audience had difficulty in getting enough of her. The songs they sing together are the hits of the piece and "Do-Re-Me" had to be repeated over and over again. One should also make mention of the best looking chorus seen in these parts in many moons. They would lend much grace to a Ziegfield show. Then there 1s a deal of fine dancing culminating in a toe dance by Harriet Hoctor that is a revelation. Altogether a most pleasant evening is in store at the Selwyn and "Topsy and Eva" bids fair to be with us for some time. cm mt cn Mo A tt tt SCREEN "BLACK OXEN" First National Picture Chicago Theatre Somehow I couldn't get wildly ex- cited about this screen version of Ger- trude Atherton's much discussed book. There is something so unreal about it; something that makes you wonder why they put so much time and energy into such material. Probably as well known as any recent story, we find the woman of sixty, an Austrian of power both socially and diplomatically, rejuvenated to the ap- pearance of a young woman. A young American falls in love with her and wants to marry her even after she re- veals to him her true age. She is will- ing until a former Austrian suitor con- vinces her that a youthful appearance is not enough and that love alone at her age and with her experience behind her will not suffice for perfect contentment. | The direction of the picture is almost beyond reproach and the way it is handled helps to carry the interest through to the end. Corinne Griffith is cast as the young "old" woman and is really quite capable. Conway 'Tearle portrays his usual type of ardent lover. Clara Bow, who is an impossible flapper, would be very acceptable in slapstick comedy. "TO THE LADIES" Paramount Picture McVickers Here is my idea of a real pleasant evening's entertamment. No sumptuous Theatre + scenes or clashing swords but an inter- esting tale, well told. The ladies, particularly, will enjoy it because it's a story about their influence It gives the inside dope on how much the female of the species really has to do wth affairs even though they may be pull.ng the strings from behind the scenes. 'The play, itself, was a con- siderable success and this picture version should not {all far beh.nd. I'm not going to give the plot here and thereby spo:l the fun but you'll like the excellent work ot the grand old man of the screen, Theodore Rcberts. Louise Dresser and Helen Jerome Eddy are capital as the two principal female "string pullers." Some will think that Edward Morton is somewhat too mild and unsophisticated but he's a good comedian and strives to please. There's much good comedy, a smooth running picture and no playing up to an outstanding star. I think you'll like "To the Ladies." a» SCREEN "THE EXTRA GIRL" With Mabel Normand Here is a story by Mack Sennett that has in it a little of everything. He seems to have had in mind to mix all the ingredients together with the idea of pleasing everybody with something. There are the plain, honest small town folks with the daughter (Mabel Nor- mand) concerning whose prospective husband there is much talk and subse- quent action. There is the home leaving, the journey to Hollywood, the oil stock salesman who gets the folks' hard-earned cash and the ultimate marriage with the poor but honest young man. But there is action all the time and Mabel Normand is the dead center of it all. As a harum scarum girl she has no equal and her ability to express a mixture of feelings is something to mar- vel about. You may conclue that the story is impossible, disjointed and not of any particular calibre, but you'll be so interested in watching Miss Normand's changing moods and deciding that she is one of the real screen actresses that it really won't matter. The support is good including George Nichols and Ralph Graves while the direction of the picture by Richard Jones is above reproach. "THE ETERNAL CITY" First National Picture Roosevelt Theatre It is quite probable that The Eternal City will make much money for some- one and will be of interest to those movie attendants who are thrilled by spectacu- lar scenes, especially when they have a foreign flavor. Personally, I was not particularly impressed. The title really signifies nothing unless it refers to the fact that the scenes were made in Rome and revolve around Italian history. There is little resemblance in this pic- ture to Hall Caine's story from which it was adapted. Here they have inserted the world war and the subsequent radi- cal troubles. Everything is political, nothing religious, There is a love story going to war and being reported killed. Dona, thereupon, accepts the patronage of a Baron, innocently believing that her ability as a sculptress is what. is winning her tame. Of course, David wasn't killed, and comes back to become the leader of the iorces trying to drive out radicalism. [that Dona is the pure and virtuous maiden she holds herself out to be but nn the end all 1s well. The story might have been laid in any other country. In fact; pictures have had their settings in. this country that were not far irom' the general drift of this one. There are scenes in the Coliseum, before St. Peters and elsewhere mm Rome, with several mob scenes that are spectacular. Bert Ly- tell, Barbara LaMarr, Richard Bennett and Lionel Barrymore are given lead- ng parts, the last named being by far the best of them all. Taken as a whole, it is not to be compared with the many other spec- tacular films that have been shown here in recent months. At the Hoard Soon Blanche Sweet is"Anna Christie concerning. Dona and David, the latter |, He has a hard time proving to himself | pe [ Neighboring Theaters NEW EVANSTON Richard Barthlemess and Colleen Moore were the attractions at the New Evanston this week. To be sure, they were not in the self-same picture, though the combination would be quite delightful, rather they divided honors, Dick appearing in the fore part of the week in "The Fighting Blade," while Colleen provided a pleasant week-end in "April Showers." An "Our Gang"-comedy did the funny work for the patrons. "April Showers" continues through Saturday, January 19. Starting Monday, January 21, the New Evanston presents Tom Moore in "The Big Brother," a story by Rex Beach. Larry Semon provides the comedy entitled "Horseshoes." HOWARD Tom Mix will be the principal at- traction at the Howard on Sunday, January 20, in his latest thriller, "Eyes of the Forest." On Monday, Tuesday and Wednes- day the Howard presents "Anna Christie," starring Blanche Sweet. This film enjoyed a record run in the Loop and is said to be an accurate interpretation of the famous stage success of that title. The booking for Thursday, Friday and Saturday of next week is "Spider and the Rose," starring Gaston Glass. The musical programs at the How- ard are' of uniform high quality and provide a feature of the entertainment that is not overlooked by the play- goers of the north shore. ADELPHI William S. Hart will be seen at the Adelphi on Sunday and Monday, Jan- unary 20 and 21. "Wild Bill Hickock" is the vehicle and is said to be one of Mr. Hart's best performances. It is the first Hart picture produced in two years. "Blow Your Own Horn," starring Johnnie Walker, and "The Love Pirate," with Carmel Myers in the leading role, will provide a double- bill entertainment at the Adelphi on Tuesday, January 22. zal On Wednesday and "Thursday of next week, Adelphi patrons will be offered "The Green Goddess," in which George Arliss has the principal role, ably supported by Alice Joyce THE NEW Evin STO "The Big Pictures First" Thursday, Friday and Saturday COLLEEN MOORE "April Showers' and OUR GANG "Tire Trouble" Starting Monday TOM MOORE mn REX BEACH'S "Big Brother" and _ LARRY SEMON "HORSESHOES" MATINEE EVENING 2 to 5:30 7 to 11 ESTABLISHED 1854 C.H.JORDAN & COMPANY FUNFRAL DIRECTORS FOR 69 YEARS 164 N. Michigan Ave. 612 Davis Street, Evanston, Ill. Phones Randolph 1346-1347 Phone Evanston 449 PROMOTE BIG BROTHER IDEA Arden Shore "Grads" to Aid Rest Camp Boys Mrs. Joseph J. Siddall of Glencoe, Mrs. Grant Ridgway of Kenilworth and Mrs. George A. Mason of Highland Park, president and members of the Arden Shore association, gave a party for the "old boys" or graduates of the winter camp, at the Union League Boys' club, 19th and Leavitt streets, Chicago, on Wednesday evening, January 16, at 6:30 o'clock. The boys were given a good supper, there were moving pictures, games and a regular talk-fest with their old friends of Arden Shore. This was the first of a series of par- ties or reunions planned for these boys and is part of the follow-up work by the Arden Shore association. An effort is being made to provide each boy as he leaves the camp with a "Big Brother." Some one who will give him a word of advice and a bit of help in carrying out the ideas of, health and fair dealing that he received at Arden Shore. It is hoped in time to have a well or- ganized club of Arden Shore boys in business in Chicago who will spread the gospel of Arden Shore and, in their turn, help other boys to a high standard of living. REACH THE BEST Our Want Ads get the eye and ear of the best people on the north shore. These little salesmen are welcome in every home. So, when you want to sell something, engage a Want Ad to do it for you. OWARD N. W. "L" Station at Howard Sunday TOM MIX "Eyes of the Forest" Mon.-Tues.-Wed. BLANCH SWEET "Anna Christie" Thurs.-Fri.-Sat. ALICE LAKE GASTON GLASS "Spider and the Rose" NEWELL & RETCHIN Pick of the Pictures DELPH 7074 North Clark St. A I Sunday and Monday WM. S. HART "Wild Bill Hickock" Tuesday -- DOUBLE FEATURE DAY -- JOHNNY WALKER "Blow Your Own Horn" CARMEL MYERS "The Love Pirate" Wednesday and Thursday GEO. ARLISS "The Green Goddess" The North Shore's Most Representative Theatres is ih Control 'Victrola at once. f 554 Center St. Winnetka . Phone 1793 their musical tastes It is a wonderful privilege to be able to d give your children the world's greatest music on the Victrola by the world's : greatest artists on Victor Records. The best of it is, you will enjoy your Victrola as much as they will benefit When you hear our convenient terms, you will probably decide to have your own Shall we send yours out today? NORTH SHORE Talking Machine Co. 603 Davis St. Evanston Phone 4523 from it. »: Still better -- you can buy a real b Victrola on our payment plan so easily. # | RR