New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-08-31
THE H|PPODROME
"AmeriCa" a Succession of
Gorgeous Scenic Surprises.
MAGIC LIGHT EFFECTS
New York to the Grand Canyon
Via Panama-Novelties and
an Apotheosis.


departure from the previous spectacles
at the Hippodrome. II proved to be all
that, and much more. At its first per
Torrance last night 1t is an amazing
exhibition OF the technical resources or
the mammoth stage OF this place OF en-
tertainment. an exhibition that progresses
from first 10 last In ever increasing
measure That Is. indeed, one OF the
great features OF America" It's effect
upon the spectator is cumulative.
Where there is so much 10 be seen, so
much TO be spoken OF, It Is difficult to
know where 10 begin. First place must
be given however, 10 the magic light ell
fects achieved in this show by means
OF a darkened stage. with groups In the
centre under varlously colored spotlights.
one OF the finest OF these effects is seen
al the end OF the New Orleans levee
scene. Another dim picture makes
truly unearthly impression. when al
nisht I'm the Pueblo village. the spirits
stalk abroad. Hundreds OF girls crouch
round the rim Of the stages apron thei'
writing arms producing an erect that
is positively uncanny. Nothing IKE
has ever been shown here; nothing more
impressive, could possibly be invented
And down the dark aisles hutter oiih'
roiseless white shades. There is I'M
acination in this scene. in fact the whole
production is instinct with II. All honor
/ to Arthur Voestlin. who conceived
America, All honor. also. 10 william
J. Wilson. who staged his conceptions.
There are broader effects a-plenty. Inc
Transitions from scene TO scene throusn
eurset and a moments darkness, are UNI
/ fornlv successful And the scenery Is
I GORGEOUS The Culebra cut I'm the true
ugbt OF the hour before dawn In the SUD
trouics. is hlled with atmosphere the nrs'
steamer 10 pass through the canal Is
/ full-dedged ocean liner with four run
nels her portfolios afame with elect'lc
lights The great National Reservation
/ in wyoming. Montana and Idaho the
I Pueblo village. and the Grand canyon
on the Colorado are no less beautful uh-
der their increasing lighting This lS'
/ indeed seeing America first and see
ing II beautiful. Truth 70 tell, the iur-
/ Their We get away from New YORK Inc
more beautiful America grows. stu III
/ the Lower East side scene there Is re-
msrkahle crowded realism ana an az
nirable handling OF masses. The mao
dash Of a fire chief, an engine nose
cart and a hook and ladder wagon ior
fire is stu another demonstration OF Inc
huge size OF the Hipr odrome stage. Iheh
/ there is a New England farm with more
| livestock than one can count ana
more chickens and ducks than Ne"
Workers. ever see. even on their Vaca-
lions. and the Alamo, with troop OF
cavalry. and Panama, where natives All
| I'm red and orange and purple ana WhlIe
dance the tango. and the Ponce de Leon
/ whore take place the novel ballets OF
rstionaI sports. that OF yachting, with
It's human racing sloops under full sail
and Of aviation. with it's clouded view
OF biplanes at full speed. being espe-
! cially fine The bicycles WIN 'he"
wheels alight furnish another pleasing
spectacle. on horseback. too, the All
J. American chorus is worth beholding' IN
deed these hundreds Of comely. gracelui
American girls add much 70 the interest
/ Of this method OF seeing America hrsl'
There are suffrage parades and military
narades an Indian Harvest Dance
/ danced by a troop Of Pueblo Indians
buck and wing dancing by the New Or
leans roustabouts, and trained horses
and acrobats. and the Aquila orothers'
one OF whom gives AN amazing eXi'Ol-
! tion OF sheer muscular strength. But
10 return TO national sports there Is
nothing quite so breathlessly exciting as
the woodchopping contest In the thIrd
scene. II grips ones attention ught
while II IS going on another novelty
| worth seeing.
NJ course. there is a story. II has been
written bv John p Wilson. and Manuel
Klein has furnished the music The plot
&c concerned with the theft of the plans
~ tho fortincations for the Panama Canal
from an officer OF the United States En-
cheering Corps. and with long chase OF
tho thieves. who always manage to escape
lust As the pursuers arrive William -
| Reid is the hero. Maybelle Mcdonald the
heroine. The villains are played by Albert
Froeme and james Redman; Elsie balru
! is their companion I'm crime. involved IN
J the Mot are army officers. Secret Ser
vice man. n Western sheriff. and all kinds
~ neople. including even college pro-
! fefsor.
Finally. there is the Court of Honor
Columbia I'm her golden temple receiving
her American sister republics, marchlhs'
with their colors flying, up us marole
steps. Here again the general color ef-
>oct Is excellent in it's simple dignity
And 10 make new Hippodrome show
complete. there is the tank, with tens and
scores OF America" girls marching
down into It's waters and disappearing be-
low them. 10 emerge ten minutes later
dripping but smiling still
America" fulfils all the promises that
were made for It in advance OF It's produc-
t,en. II is IA novelty, and 1t Is novelty
on a gigantic scale. But 1t is also beauu-
ful The Imagination that gave 1t FORM
appeals to that OF the spectator ana can
not fan TO receive an admiring reply