The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-05-21
THEATRES

With "The Third Degree" Thurs
day evening, the season of 19O9-1O
at the Grand sounded the final note.
What sort of season asks the reg
ular theater-goer.
Echo answers-A most successful
season from a standpoint of excel
lent attractions. and a most inglor-
ious one from an agile of finance.
Despite the prestige offered by the
names of frst-class producers, first
magnitude stars and notable Broad
way successes, the box office till has
been conspicuous for its emptiness
and Marion has once again earned
the reputation of being one of the
poorest show towns in Ohio.
The Grand has occupied unique
position in the theatrical world for
the reason that 1t Is one of the FEW
houses that have played independent
and trust productions. This desirable
situation was brought about by the
early booking of trust shows. Later,
when James V. Howell, manager OF
the Columbus Colonial, leased the
theater, Shubert attractions became
the rule. Many of the first-class pro-
ductions were sent directly from the
Colonial to the Grand. thus giving
Marion the advantage of first-class
city entertainment.
Looking backward, annals show
that the season opened I'm blaze OF
glory and promise with "Marcelle,
in which Louise Cunning was fea-
tured. This was the record house of
the season, with Mary Mannering In
"a Mans World" and Rose Stahi
AZ
Gentleman from Mississippi" with
honors. other noteworthy attrac-
tions included "Going Some" with
Lawrence Wheat and Walter Jones
"The Motor Girl" with Adele
Ritchie; 1.-The Blue Mousse Two
Women and That Man." with Henry
ID. Carey; "Billy," '"rhe Thief, "Thc
Travelling Salesman" featuring Rosa
lind Coghlan; "The Climax" "The
Burr Mcintosh and Will Deming as
CO. stars; Wilton Lackaye In The
Battle;" "Justlfication,' with Con
stance Crawley featured; Eddie Foy
I'm "Mr. Hamlet of Broadway; The
Servant in the House." and '"rhe
Third Degree" Add to this list
poodly number of medium and popu
lar priced shows and attempt to bal
ance II with the financial facts. The
answer is-Marion Is not show
town. Were 1t not for the out-of-
town patronage. which constitutes
about one third of the entire seat
sale, the answer would be, IA dark
house,
In lieu of the deficit, Manager
James Howell will probably not re-
new his lease which expires In Au-
gust. No disposition of the man
agement has been made for the COM
ing season although the Opera House
company is hoping ex-Managcr M. j.
Sullivan will take the house.
Plans of summer stock, vaudeville,
and amateur entertainment are be-
ing considered but none have as yet
offered a definite solution OF the
question of amusing the dear public
during the heated season. with only
one place of entertainment In the
city, II seems an excellent opportun-
ity TO bid for patronage.
The annual meeting Of the stock
holders will be held early In June
AZ which time the policy for the COM
ing season will be determined. The
intention In to make Marion show
town whether she will or no.
This is the bet for the early week
at the Orpheum. the one and only
place of amusement in Marion al
present aside from the motion pic
ture theatoriums: Creighton Broth
ers in fun frolic. "Relics of 81" a
big success on all the big time; Kai,
cratur and Robinson. who dance and
sing to humorous note and come
from eastern triumphsI Topack and
West In a few moments of comedy
woven into a storiette, and Viola Bob
shaw, chic little comedienne with
most engaging manner. There will
be feature film reeled off by the sun
Murrayscope to complete the high