The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-10-16
Neil O'Brien's
Entertainers

/ Blackface vaudeville Git used to be
called a negro minstrel SNOWY
drew a crowded house at tht Grand
last night when the organization Of
comedians, yocalists and dancers
which has been led for the past five
or six years by that prince of fun
makers, Neil O'Brien, opened the
theatrical season of 1917-1S in Keo-
kuk. O'Brien never becomes stale
| himself, although he permits some of
the performers in his company to
perpetrate season after season wit
ticism so familiar that they have
been memorized bp many theatrego-
| ers. Nevertheless, the ancient stories
always bring laughter in their train,
which is the end sought, and so the
men behind the footlights should be
satisfied and the audience, too. The
first part departed from the practice
OF recent years in that all the per-
formers were blacked, and the music
furnished by the orchestra was great
ly above the average, although the
vocalists We're not numerous and
neither were they of a particularly
robust type. There were two sketches
and one dancing number, O'Brien
himself appearing in the former. AS
usual, Eddie Ross, accompanied by
mis- hant2 secured more applause andl
W' 1A,.n any of the other" ~
bers Of the troupe. Mr.. Ross man
ipulation of the darkies' favorite
musical instrument is that of an ex-
pert and his droH stories, albeit
some Of them rather old class him as
an entertainer extraordinary. OBrien
appeared in a sketch written by him
self and the program was concluded
with comedy-singing-d dancing mum
Der in which all the members of the
company participated.
"Very Good Eddie"
Theatregoers of this city are not
having to wait for the season to adj /
vance very far before they are
offered the choicest attractions Of the |
year. One of the early bookings is
the big musical comedy success,
Every Good Eddie" which will ap-
pear at the Grand Thursday. This
smartest and brightest of recent
musical comedy hits was to have
come here last spring, at the end of
its Chicago run, but the engagem ent
in that city lasted longer than was
anticipated. After filing its original
booking of three months at the Chi.
cago theatre the demand for Every
Good Eddie" continued so undated
that the show was moved to the
theatre where it stayed two
months longer. BY that time it was
too late to send the show here: but
there are some shows well worth
waiting for, and very Good Eddie"
Is one of them. It's smart book by
Bartholomae and Bolton, it's splendid
cast OF farceurs, singers and dancers.
its score Of fascinating melodies by
Jerome Kern and its swagger fashion
chorus are interesting units in
combination that ranks as the last
word in high class musical entertain
ment.-Advertiseme nt
Frederick in "Double Crossed"
The great Pauline Frederick is well |
suited to modern society plays, where
in she best displays her wondrous
beauty and some dazzling gowns, and
Double Crossed" was especially
written for her talents.
One of the new and always highly
Paramount-Artcraft dramas.
In her new play the star has the part
of young society matron, dead in
love with her husband, for whom she
sacrifices her honor and position to
save him from disgrace. 1t is widely
different from any character she has
recently portrayed, and gives her
opportunities. She is sur
rounded by a cast of particularly clev-
er players. included In which arc
Chauford Kent Clarence Handyside,
Riley Hatch and Harris Jordon. The
story is AN original one by Hector
Turnbull Every photoplay fan re,
the wonderful production,
rhe Cheat, which he wrote. This is
even better.
Pauline Frederick, the star in this
is undoubtedly the great.
sst emotional actress on the screen.
Her drawing power and popularity is
lot equalled by any actress Of her
class. She has always been a great
attraction and is more loved for her
work than any emotional actress on
tage or screen
Double Crossed" is at the Grand
oday and tomorrow at prices of 5
md 10 cents at matinees, 10 and Is
ents at evening shows. Children are
Omitted at 5 cents in the evening"
"PolIy of the Circus" a Hit.