Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1918-12-01
REAL COMEDY
WILLIAM HODGE
b.

n OYD'S theater will have for its
attraction tnnipht for four

~ ~ - tHCdlCl VIII nave lOE It's
X attraction tonight for four
- days with matinee Wednes-
day, that well-liked comedian, Viii
liam Hodge, in his new comedy, "A
Cure for Curables." This driest and
drollest of American comedians re-
turns here with his latest successful
comedy, "a Cure for Curables," d.
rect from a three-months run in
Chicago, where the play was de-
cleared to be the best that Mr..
Hodge has had since his memorable
triumph, "The Man from Home"
"A Cure for Curables," is the joint
production of Earl Derr Biggers
and Mr.. Hodge and was suggested
by short story by Cora Harris
Mr.. Hodge, who today fills niche
in the temple of histrionic fame SIM
liar to that the beloved Sol Smith
Russell once occupied will be seen
in the role of young Kentucky
physician, Doctor James Fender
grass. who inherits sanitarium in
the Blue Ridge mountains of Vir-
ginia. But the will OF the eccentric
uncle who bequeaths him the prop
erty stipulates that he must affect
the cure of ten patients within a
month, or the sanitarium will pass
to another heir. Young DR.. Fender
grass is a strong believer in the ef-
ficacy of fresh air and simple diet
as remedies for most human all
ments, consequently he antagonlzes
the wealthy patients who are guests
at the Rest Cure, and these imagin-
airy invalids rebel against his course
of treatment. By an ingenious ruse
in making them all work in the
garden, so that they become fatig-
ued in a natural way, he convinces
them that they have nothing organi-
cally wrong with them. Incidental
ly, he illustrates scheming rival
who tries to get the sanitarium away.
from him and he wins the Heart and
hand of lovely heiress.
Mr.. Hodges natural drollery and
the sincerity of his own acting are
enhanced by the many amusing
studies of character furnished by
his associates in the cast. His lead
ing woman this season is Clara
Moores. a young actress of charm
and beauty; and the supporting
company, which is numerically and
artistically strong, includes Carson
Davenport, Brigham Royce, Charles
Erin Vesner, Clarence Dellair,
George Luhd, Edith Shayne, Adelyn
Wealey, Edward Wonn, the veteran
James H. Lewis, Arthur Sprague'
Jerry Hart and others of equal note.
vt has become a firm belief in
theaterdom that whoever plays
the title role in "The Bird of Para
disc, the actress is bound to make
great name for herself.
Bessie Barriscale, now high sala-
ried screen star, created it, when the
( play was originally produced in Los
Angeles eight years ago. For the
New York premier, Laurette Taylor
was the unfortunate princess. Her
success in "The Bird of Paradise,
led to her engagement in Peg o.
Ny Heart She is today one of
Americas leading actresses.
Then came Lenore Uric, whose
Interpretation of the role won her
fame and recognition from the At
lantic to the Pacific. David Belasco
obtained her services after seeing
her perform in the part and she is
now starring in the Belasco pro-
duction THE Tiger Rose" one of
the present big New York successes.
Then followed Carlotta Montery,
who married one of the wealthiest
men in Oakland, Cal. Next came
May Buckley, the we'll known stock
actress, who returned to the Anti
podes where she is adding fresh
laurels to her name in the Tully play,
and other American successes. Last
season Marion Hutchins played the
part Now she has lucrative con-
tract with Los Angeles Motion
Picture company. AT the Boyd
next Thursday. Florence Rockwell,
one of the tried actresses of the
stage, is to essay Luana. Miss Rock
we'll is an actress of we'll established
reputation, and has played vast
variety of roles.
described as vivid glimpse of
the war zone, where Things Hap
pen" is to be presented this week
at the Orpheum. The action of the
one-act play. carries the audience to
No Mans Land, and also discloses
scenes of dressing station and be-
hind the lines. During her so years
on the stage Mrs. Thomas Whiffen.
another headline attraction, has
portrayed 800 roles. In vaudeville
she is appearing in the comedy
called Foxy Grandma Whether
the Creole Fashion Plate" is
man or a woman is question likely
to be debated. In reality this per-
former is an extremely clever fe-
male impersonator, The three
O'Gorman girls, Kathryn, Billie
and Margaret. present military
melange. Marguerite Farrell is
delightful exponent of character
songs. From clerical vestments to
vaudeville has been the unique ex-
perience of the Rev. Frank w.