Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-02-03
THEATERS
MURAr-"MoNTE CRIsro JR."

were as gay as they are in the Winter
Garden spectacle based upon that merry
story, we would all wish we had lived
then, rather than now, for frivolity
reigns supreme In the production show
ing this entire week at the Shubert Mu
rat theater, under the name of Monte
Cristo Jr."
The engagement which opened last
night was ushered in by the Shriners,
who gave a theater party. And every
one made merry during the piece, which
listed a good three hours. And not
only is 1t lengthy and full of mirth,
but It has q plot--a real -for-sure plot
that holds the attention of the observer,
even though it is interrupted any num-
Der Of times by the songs of that de
iightful group written by Sgmund Rom
berg and Jean Schwartz and arranged
by Allan X. Foster, and the many mon
o1ogue specialists which are more enter
tanning than any seen on a local stage
In many months.
Perhaps one reason why the plot is
not "lost" is due to the fact that the
music is based upon the story. the
strangely tantalizing tune of Monte
Cristo" running through the entire pro
1uction, after first being sung by John
Squires, who is seen in the role of Monte.
And the Watson sisters, Fannie and
hittie, both are singing their way
through this production in the same
pleasant manner that has always made
them interesting. They have any num-
Der of good tunes that must have been
written with these two condolences in
mind. They are typical Watson num-
bers. And the sisters go just as big in
their solo work as they do when playing
together Fanny nearly stops the show
with her "Pocahontas' song, and Kittie
has a clever number in Sugar Baby"
All three DOoleys are in the cast
Francis, William and Gordon, and their
comedy is still on the Dooley track
William and Gordon do their team work
wonderfully well, bringing just enough
slapstick into it to make things lively.
Their vampire dances and guard scenes
are particularly entertaining. J. Francis
does his work well. keeping the audience
in a continuous uprolr. He and Corrine
Sales are immense with their "Will Yer,
JIM JETgS
OHanlon and Sembouni are dancers
of unusual ability, giving two numbers
The Military Glide" and "The Jewel
Ballet" Virginia Fissinger is a dainty
dancer, who pleases her audience Lew
Hearn is a rare comedian. being seen in
the role of an old man, who has a high
squeeky voice.
The story of Monte Cristo, Jr.," CON
Germs a young chap, Monte, who pur-
chases book Of Monte Cristo" and sits
down at the railroad station to wait for
his train. He falls asleep and dreams
that he is living in the real days of Monte
Crsto. Gorgeous and colorful scenes are
shown, which take place during the
dream. Carnival at Rome, the barbor at
Marseilles, the ballroom of Mercedes
home and the gunken gardens.
The costumes are extreme and cleyerly
fashioned. During the engagement a
Wednesday and Saturday matinee will be
given.
Elmer r. Cay. the new imperial poten-
tate. was q member Of a party seated in
a box. which was deliberately decorated
with American flags. He was introduced
by John Saulter and gave a short greet
ing between the acts. special hunting
act was given by Roltalre Eggleston and
a partner and Harry Porter. The two
hunters were busy with a couple of hunt
ing dogs, searching for a grounding
which was supposed to be hiding in a
tree trunk. Mr.. Porter appeared as an
old farmer. who did his best to rout the
two men. Confetti was then thrown on
the party. The show was followed by a
dance in the ballroom.
ENGLTsH'S-THURS
rooster and a duck change heads, a
beautiful girl floats in the air, strange
faces and forms appear in dark cab
met and live ducks and pigeons are
taken from the coats of innocent and
unsuspecting men of the audience at
Englishs during Edward Thurston's en-
tertainment.
Those are a few of the many stunts
and illusions played by Thurston on mis-
audiences at Englishs all of this week
Thurston is again upsetting all the dope
of the wise boys of the theater This
season he played nearly two months on
Broadway and then went on tour The
wise ones said that he couldn't last on
Broadway, but he packed 'em in and
prolonged his engagement.
Last night at English's, which marked
the opening Of his engagement, Thurston
played to a capacity house. And how
that big audience laughed, applauded and
screamed approval at Thurston's fun and
magic.
Thurston has gone in for some Of the
big stunts" this season, as he carries
a real lion with him, In addition to
enough fowl to stock any farmyard.
He again includes the "Levitation of
Princess Karnac," which is described as
an hyponitc scene. With the present in
called spirit painting cabinet held chief
Interest Of the older members of the au-
dience. The spirit" cabinet exhibition is
one Of the biggest numbers on Thurston' S
varied program.
girl seated at a large plano is placed
on a platform in full view Of the au-
dience and the platform Is raised of the
stage ten feet While suspended in mid
air and curtain surrounding the girl
and the big piano, Thurston waves his
hand and both the girl and the piano
disappear. He works so fast in this act
that 1t def1es any explanation
Thurston closes his performance with
the famous Mystery of the Water Foun-
tains," which gives the performance
most sensational ending.
Thurston stands today at the head Of
his profession and his performances
show marvellous showmanshfp. He is a
delight to all the grownups as well as the
children.
The enga cement closes with the Satur-
day night performance.
ISL \
b. #. KEITHS-YAUDEVI
Vaudeville bills are peculiar things.
Ae rule good headliners come in groups
and unusually good acts come together.