Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1919-04-07
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INK OF the season at the Odeon. sun
! day evening. Catherine Chisholm
Cushlng's comedy. "Pollyanna,' based
on the Eleanor N. Porter novel OF the
| same name, was Witnessed by an
audience of but fair size. The attrac-
ton was departure from the usual
run of Sunday night shows and pos
sibly did not appeal to the Sunday
night theatergoers, but those who did
attend showed deep appreciation OF
the clever play, the excellent cast and
especially of Miss Claire Mcrsereau,
the l1-year- old actress, who appeared
in the title part.
Pollyanna Is the story OF n glad
girl" born and reared in a mission in
the OZARK mountains, who Is orphaned
at the age OF IL, and who carries her
''gla dness" to New England town,
which is festered with "grouchiness.
Her insistence that everyone In the
village, even the sick, the halt and the
blind, should have something to be
glad for transforms the community.
She heals the chronics OF the village
and effects reconciliations between
families long "st OUTS Even when
she Ia the victim of an automobile
accident and is believed to- be
paralyzed she finds a way to be glad
and TO make those about her happy.
Five years treatment by specialists,
however. effects a cure, and she re-
turns to the village TO plight throth
with boy who ran away from an
orphan asylum and became a devotee
OF the glad" doctrine.
Miss Mersereau, altho young in
years and stage experience, made
Pollysnns a natural every day girl
filed with the eNuberance of youth
and faith. From the romping harum-
scarum waif TO the refined young
woman OF II, as from broad comedy to
the big dramatic scenes she passed
succe ssfully and her portrayal thruout
was artistic.
The cast was one of the best seen
in the Odeon in several years, includ-
ing several WELL known metropolitan
actors. Gordon tombstone, as John
Pendleton. the hermit" christened
the king" ny Pollyanna. wearing the
insignia of overseas service in the
world war gave finished per-
Torrance OF the leading male role,
and John Webster was delightful as
the jovisl DR.. Chiffon, Pendeltons
friend. Thomas Deely, as the orphan.
Jimmy Bean, and George Lindsay as
Jimmy grown up" acted the boy
parts naturally.
One of the real comedy bits of the
play was that of the first act, at the
meeting OF the LADY aiders," in which
three wonderful old actresses. Misses
nj n IolI
Weathersby appeared Miss Ripley,
who has grown old on the stage, has
appeared here before in comedy
characters. usually of a black faced
type.
Miss Fanchon Campbell. as Miss
Polly Harrington. a slave to the
genealogy resea rch and aunt of Polly
anna, was always 'in character
Clever character bits were contributed
by Miss Katherine Rober, Miss Pollys
Irish servant and A. w. Fleming. as
Bleecker. Pendleton's man.
"Pollyanna' is deserving of a better
reception than it received Sun day
| night and should 1t play a return en-
gagement undoubtedly would be &C
| corded a capacity business.
At the Casino.
Theda Bara, siren of the screen rev.
els in intrigue at the Casino. where
| she may be seen today and Tuesday
in ''Salome", an imposing spectacle. so
| ponderous it of necessity drags a,
camel pace thru myriad of opening
scenes, gathering force until the whirl-
wind climax is reached in the dynasty
wrecking dance Of the seven wells and
the death Of the royal seductress. Ad-
! mirers of Miss Bara are given oppor-
| tunity to see much of her in this elab
| crate production in which Salome. q
| child Of nature, reared in the most
profllgate court of her age, dominates
| Herod, the Pagan king. gaining her
every wish with ease. until she sees
the holy Saint John. the Ba ptist. In
able to captivate him, she dances for
| Herod to win his head on a charger
to crafty an insane desire to kiss his
! lips, which brings down terrific
storm of wind, rain and lightning that
! so terrfies the supe rstitious Herod, he
| orders Salome's life ended by Roman
| spears.
| The picture is a triumph Of page
antry, housing meager story in prop
critics totaling many thousands of dol
lars, with respondent trappings. seen
cry, costuming. and architectural
structure. Many people take part in
Its spectacles making it's production a
| vast one. It's title suggests that the
| play is concerned mainly with one per-
sonage, which is true Of the picture
Salome moves in her sphere master OF
all situations Naturally it is a YAM
pire picture. as one might expect with
Miss Bara in the leading part.
| Many people crowded the Casino to
see the picture Sunday. Every one
will not like "Salome", but the devo-
tees Of artful intrigue. gorgeous page
ant, and respondent scenery will fine
ir this spectacle complete satisfaction
| The censor has passed the picture
| lightly by, and rightly SO, for there il
nothing in the production to offend
| the eye.
At the Strand.
| In Captain Kidd, Jr," now at thu
Strand, Mary Pickford plays another
almost grown up young lady role ant
the well-known stage comedy provide.
her with one of the most delightful
characteriZanons Of the Scotch eve
shown on the screen. As a Scottish
lassie, Mary Mac lavish, who runs &