Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1909-04-02

ben Hur."-The great success If
ben Hur' now in its 10th season has
been made possible only by the ap-
proyal of the public. and that approval
demonstrates that clean wholesome
dramas of the character of the Wal
lace-Young romance are appreciated
and will be enthusiastically supported
by the better element of every COM
munity where they are represented.
The Influence that Ben Hur'' has ex-
ercised in reconciling church and stage
can scarcely be measured. 1t has
reached millions of people, learned
and unlearned, upon all of whom it has
acted as an elevating influence.
Amidst all the ordinary theatrical pro-
auctions of the day it is a pure white
light set up along the dreary road of
mediocrity. This is the kind of stage
entertainment that helps American
boys and girls to a deeper conscious
ness of the meaning of Christ's eartn-
life and is at the same time enthrail-
Ing and instructive. Every detail of
It's makeup has been designed to give
the production an elaborate richness
and the dignity, the mystery, the fas-
cination and bewitching atmosphere of
the Holy Land have been set forth
with wonderful power, gripping and
holding audiences in it's spell At the
Burtis, Davenport, April is, 10 and 90.
Burns-Johnson Fight Pictures.-A
moving picture reproduction of the
Burns-Johnson fight. which occurred
In December at Sydney, will be the
attraction for matinee and night at
the Illinois theater April Z. This is
not local affair, but is travelling r
saniZatiOn under the direction of Hugn
ID. Mcintosh, the promoter and referee
of the fight, who is in America trying
to arrange match between Johnson
and Jeffries. and who has brought the
moving pictures with him. They are
being shown simultaneously in various
parts of the country. including the
Auditorium theater in Chicago. and are
attracting great deal of attention on
account of the fact that they were
made in the open air, and are said to
be the clearest of the kind ever az
tempted. There has been grear deal
of interest manifested in The fight be
tween Burns and Johnson, winch d..
cided the worlds championships. and
as it occurred in Australia, this is the
first time that Americans have bad an
opportunity of passing judgment of the
relative values of the two heavy
weights The nictnrpS show every de
tail, and are long enough to oocnpy an
evening in the presentation. There is
lecturer with the films who explains
the various interesting events.
At the Family.-Robert Burtram ant
company, in a comedy sketch, are
featuring the bill at the Family the
last half of the week There are thras
people in the company Gehan ant
Spencer. a clever clog dancing team
are also worthy to be termed feature
Billy Beard is making a lot of fun TO
the patrons Billy is as black as thu
ace of spades. and he terms himse!
"the party from the south" He ha
a number of good parodies and jnk
book that has no end. He has proven
himself a favOrite as an entertainer
Owing to the fact that one of the act
billed for the last half of this wee
failed to put in an appearance, q, e>
ira roll of film pictures has been pu
on. Manager Quinn is very much dis
appointed because things turned gu