Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-09-05
" MADAME SPY" STARTS
INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT
Opens 109'h Season at Historic Walnut.
Knickerbocker and Orpheum Offerings

knickerboCker and Orpheum Offerings
Madame Spy" was the debutante of the
walnuts 109th season. and with ycster-
days matinee this historic playhouse again
devotes itself to the housing of popular
priced attractions. Lee Morrison and Harry
Clay Blaney have written modernized
version of melodrama of the old stolen
plans. foreign-spy ana Government.hero
type. with the preparedness films and the
European war news to draw from. their
play abounds with little speeches from the
hero such as. "One that comes first before
you-my country" and zone step more
and fire. In it's present form it is too
long and talky, but with careful pruning
it can be made into n play that should
find place amorg the higher.class melo.
dramas. 1t is well staged
Herbert Clifton is the featured one He
will be recalled as having recently appeared
at Keith's In his delightful lmpersonations
of feminine types. and his high register of
notes In well.chosen songs lends "A further
charm His real stock-in.trade. however. is
an infectious laugh. To William A. Tully
and Florence Pendleton belong the honors
of excellent character studies and real abil.
ity. along with n presence showing a thor.
ough understanding of the requirements of
their parts. The comedy intrusted to
Margaret Vollmer, while Carolyn Humph-
ries supplied the girl atmosphere. Lewis
Shea, Victor II. Beecroft and Edward ].
Shoben each gave a faithful portrayal OF
their characters as did Hilda Clare in a
small bit as the phone operator,
-
Tho current season at the Knickerboclser
Theater got off to running start yester-
day afternoon with musical comedy, THE
Funny Mr.. Dooley," as the attraction While
the plot, as usual with such musical me-
langes pulled n charley-horse early in the
first act and staggered on n bit lame to the
finish. II gave Paul Quinn as Mr.. Dooley
and Joe Mitchell as DIR. Joliem SIX mem
full scope for their comic Abilities and that
all the audience asked or could have
wished, for they utilized them to the utter
most.
The supporting cast was efficient through
out. with Emil Heusel as Hans Kinlelsp ell
deserving of special mention the chorus was
lively and well trained. the gowns of Miss
Hilda Bertin, the leading lady. as Minerva,
were as attractive to the audience as to
Doctor Skinnem, her dramat affinity. and
the dancing of Billy Shean as Noah Lott
merited all the applause 1t received.
With William w. Miller again man
ager and George w Barber as director, the
Rnickerbocker will offer musical and dra-
matte attractions at popular pr ces, featur-
ing where possible one or another of their
pNOSh LlNOTlltS Ol ldSl year. III
of this policy. Ted Bracket will be seen
next week in THAT Other Woman"
The Orpheum began with Little Peggy
O'Moore," which, while essentially play
about politics In an American city, is in
fused with Irish love. simplicity and frank
ness which has an appealing interest The
play is woven about little Irish girl. an
orphan, left by her guardian, Dan Murphy,
who Genes to America and meets with
success both political and financial, Little
Peggy. through lonesomeness and want of
friends. comes TO America and visits the
Mayor, Dan Murphy, who is her guardian
Ed Clarke Lilly, as Howard Richmond
the opposing candidate in the coming
mayoralty election. falls in love with her,
but is refused. Guardian and ward finally
become man and wife. The main character
parts, which are acted by Ada Girard as
Little Peggy O'Moore. and Oscar O'Shea,
as Dan Murphy, the Mayor, are well fitted
to both.