Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-04-28
Blossoms Debut

The first Vitagraph production in which
Robert Edeson will be seen is a picturiza-
tion OF "Mortmain or the Dead Hand"
from the story of Arthur C. Train. Mr..
Edeson, who will portray Mortmain. will
have in his support cast including
James Morrison as Forsythe, Donald Hall
rs Russell ]. Herbert Frank as Doctor
Crisp. Edward Elkas as Flaggs, GLADDEN.
James as Scalscope and Muriel Ostriche
as Bella The picture is being directed
by Theodore Marston under the personal
supervision of ]. Stuart Blackton.
'MortmaIn" as a screen story will be
doubly attractive because of its strong
dramatic action, and the scientific and
psychological elements that make of It
a decided novelty. Mr.. Edeson. as Mort
main, is shown being put to sleep under
the influence of ethyl-chloride, and as the
drug takes effect the sensations expert
enced by him under it's influence are
shown in vivid realism. He sees his own
head getting larger and larger until 1t
bursts. This Is succeeded by a falling
sensation as from a great height. and It
Is during this period the superman leaves
the body and wanders off into space. AS
the force OF the anesthetc is spent, and
the soul returns to its physical habita-
tion, Mr.. Edeson receives a sensation OF
q severe jerk and bump. The experiences
of the superman during its wanderlngs
dIIeT ledNlnB lne DOuy MAKE Ine STORY OF
"Mortmain," In which every scientific and
psychological detail Is pictured on the
screen with startling clearness. 1t is a
notable fact that this is the first time
anything of the kind has ever been shown
In pictures.
Another Contender
The long-distance debate between Billy
Ritchie and Charles Chaplin as to who
he mol In yiob In
an English Music Hall' has now become
three-sided with the entrance of Billie
Reeves, now leading comedian with the
Lubln Company, who not only announces
that he was the original drunk in the
production. but offers to separate him
self from 5000 II his claim isn't correct.
There has been a lot OF discussion as
TO who was the original drunk" said
Reeves, but after all the talk has sim
mered down you will find that I myself
played the part. 1 first played the
famous drunk part in an act produced
by Fred Karno. 1t was originally called
'Twice Nightly and later was called
'"The Humming Birds" In this country
It was called "a Night In an English
Music Hall" and played the well-known
part OF the drunk in the stage box. This
act was produced by Mr.. Karno at the
Star Music Hall, Bermonday, London.
England, In 1904.
"The cast at that time included Charles
Bell, the noted boy in the box; Arthur
Baltimore, as the wrestler; Miss Imy
Minister (now Mrs. Reeves) the original
soubrette, and Billy Ritchie. who played
the bum conjurer-Professor Bunco-
and the announcer for the wrestling
match. The act was played throughout
Europe, Australia and South America and
played the part OF the drunk.
''In 1907 had an engagement In Vienna
and | could not return to open in the
act as the drunk; and my brother. ALI
Reeves, the manager appointed Mr..
Ritchie 10 play the drunk. returned to
the States and introduced the drunk
character in the Ziegfeid Follies In 1905.
and continued in the Follies OF 1909, 1910
and 1911.
..Mr. Ritchie left the act under my
brothers management and was succeeded
by Harry Royston. Ritchie went to Gus
Hills buTlssque show, Vanity Fair OF
Around the Clock In this show he
played the business OF the music hall act
which act was copyrighted. Ny brother
sued Gus Hill and won the case.
'scharles Chaplin was brought from
England By my brother, Alt Reeves. about
i've years ago He was working in an
act called wow Vows" The music
hall act was In demand and my brother
put Chaplin into the act in the drunk
part. Chaplin played this part for about
three years and was very successful. He
closed the act in Kansas City in Noyem-
Asr. 1918. and went into pictures.
AFTER leaving the Follies, 1 went back
- Mr. Karne and went into the music
han act. After that l opened IN an act
called "A Lesson in Temperance" or
saFoo Full for Words" M which played
the drunk character. While l was play
lne this act at the Palais de Etc, Brus-
seie Belgium war was declared and
aas given "A hours 70 get out OF the
eonntry ] returned 20 the States and
opened With my act at the Fifth Ayenus
Theatre nav York"
Iasnased
4hers Ars any number OF photoplay
sz1aas We assert they saw Anna Nus-
50 laas before shs hseame Kalsm
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