Los Angeles herald., 1908-10-27

with discretion, and Howard Scott
gives an amusing portrayal of the
country clergyman. Miss Beatrice
Noyes seemingly is not at all suited
| to the role of Dorothy, though in truth
| the part itself is an ungracious one.
The staging is good and the costum-
| ing picturesque.
| The Phantastic Phantoms, who head
| this weeks Orpheum bill, present
novel dancing and acrobatic act. Ihey
are first shown as so many Skeletons
| that appear and disappear in myst1fy-
| ing fasnion-very simple, of course,
| but fetching till one thinks how 1t is
done. Then there is a dance by eight
pairs of wnlte legs, with nothing else
| in, sight-also very simple, but odd ana
bizarre. Finally the troupe appears
| in dazzling white costumes against
black background.
Besides the skeleton dance, the per-
| formers present clever acrobatfc
| dance with chairs; the girls do poses
p,lstioue In another dance; and Hila-
rion and Rosalia Cebeiles contribute
some individual and double dancing
| that is remarkable for agility and
| skill.
Vinie DAILY proves herself a skillful
| dancer, though her voice is nothing to
boast about. Her dancing is her strong
point. Especially is it clever in her
| depletion of the dances of various
| sorts, showing the time honored va
riety' steps, the clog, and tho later
editions. She wears some stunning
| gowns.
The third new act is perhaps the
| ost strenuous, from a scenic stand
| point. that the Orpheum has ever OF
| fered. 1t is called Lucky jim, ana
| is presented by Jane Courthope ana
company. The scene shows a gulch IN
| al. los
is utilized, and long runway is erect
ed, clear to the top in the back, While
| a waterfall in miniature is also shown.
| Miss Courthope's sketch is melo-
drama in tabloid form. The principal
role is played by her small son, Master
Ross, a clever little chap, who acts
naturally, though he speaks in con-
strained and STACEY voice. This, how
ever, is a common defect of the en-
tire organization. Charles Forester,
who plays Jim has a bad attack OF
it, and Miss Courthope, herself, is not
free from the same tendency. Despite
this fault, however, the sketch is
worth while as a scenic production IN
miniature. If nothing else.
The holdovers include the Yuilians,
and the Reiff boys, who have some
new stuff, including good hard shoe
dancing; the Pianophiends; Claud and
Fanny Usher, not to forget Sparertbs,
the forlorn canine, in "Fagan's Deci-
sion," which improves with every
hearing; and General Ed LaVine'
who never grows wearisome. New mo-
ton pictures complete a satisfactory
bill.
Murray K Hill presents q slSit at
the Los Angeles theater this week
which he has entitled "The Last Sur
vivor." the reference obviousl. being
to himself as survivor from min
strelsy. Mr.. Hill, however, is too mod
est by far. He is not survivor. He
is successor. His act is novel, origi-
nal and clever. He has an assistant in
fnn making whose name does not APP
pear upon the program, but who con-
tributes in no small measure to the
success of the piece, appearing alter
nately as the police force, the t1re de-
partment, tie militia, the letter car
rier and the messenger boy of the par
ticular jay town in which the old-time
rinstrel man finds himself stranded.
college Days." tabloid musical
comedy, presented by Frederick V.
Bowers and his company of seven, Is
the most pretentious number on the
program. The comedy Is amusing and
the musical interpretations of good
quality. Moreover, it is well staged
and picturesquely costumed. Mr..
Bowers himself has pleasing voice
and his support is effective. A burles-
>.ue Salome dance, performed by a lit
tie negro boy, brings the piece to a
hilarious close.
Armstrong and Davis contribute an
amusing travesty in which the usual
stage automobile explodes with the
G. stomary results. The dialogue, how
ever, is good and both Mr.. Armstrong
and Miss Davis prove themselves com
edians of ability. Their parody on
"The Merry Wido' Waltz" made a
big hit with the audience. Ouda, on
the trapeze; Don and Thompson, sing
ing and dancing comedians; Sam
Holdsworth, picture balladist and the
usual assortment of motion pictures
complete a strong bill.
Whether or not you believe in mind
reading as science you may be both
entertained and mystified by the stunts
gentleman styling himself "Tatum"
is doing at the Empire this week. His
eyes, first fastened shut with court
plaster, and then covered with volum-
inous bandages, he acomplishes SEEM
ing marvels. Starting his exhibition
by pouring water from pitcher to a
glass until the fluid just reaches ethe
brim without a drop overflowing, the
mystery worker runs the gamut of
finding articles hidden by the audience
answering both spoken and unspoken
questions and ends his seeming i'm
possibilities by shooting a small rifle
at a target placed at will about the
stage by committee of investigators
from the audience.
Marie Celestine, a pleasing young
woman of undoubted dancing ability,