Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-02-07
OLD IA VORTTES AND NEW CANDIDATES ON COMING BILLS
THE PLAYCOER'S
WEEKLY TALK
Dissertations OH Plays and
Photoplays Of Interest to
PhiladelphianS
THREE theatrical changes of billing

/
THREE theatrical changes of billing
Il next week will bring 'Rollo's Wild
Oat," a new cousAdy, to the Philadel-
phia, revue featuring Elsie Janis. to
the Garrick, which for a long time has
been staging comedies, and an old ia
vorite, Ben Hur,' to the Forrest,
4 MYTH the delightfully."- piquing title
w Of "Rollo's Wild Oat" the Selwyns
are to present a new comedy at the
Philadelphia Theatre, with Roland
Young, taken from his stellar part in
'Buddies." featured. The engagement
gives Philadelphians an opportunity to
pass judgment upon the newest Hummer
comedy ahead of New York.
Those who recall the clever lines and
the whimsical humor Of Good Gracious
Annabelle' and "a Successful Calam-
ity,' have some idea of what to expect.
As the title indicates the hero has but
a single, lone obsession which he per-
petrates upon sedate, conservative
family. In the sowing of his single
tare he harvests a romance as fragrant
as the real fields where real oats
abound.
A l.. ERLANGER is In Philadelphia
IA. this week putting final touches on
his new production of Ben Hur,
which will open its twenty first season
at the Forrest Monday night. This
spectacle; which was dramatized from ON
General Lew Wallace's novel, was the
first big achievement of the head of the
big producing firm, and he has always
had soft spot in his heart for it end
has had personal supervision of its pro-
duction. During the war and since the
armistice it was impossible for the rail
way administrat ton to furnish rolling
stock to transport the company with its
scenic effects and accessories from city
TO city.
T'HAT distinguished musician and
L conductor, Gustav Hinrichs, will di-
rect the music for the engagement of
Ben Hur,' which returns to the spa
cious stage Of the Forrest Monday night.
II was at the request Of Edgar Stillman
Kelley, the composer of ben Hur's'
colorful and impressive score, that some
years ago Messrs. Klaw and Erlanger
engaged Mr.. Hinrichs to conduct the
orchestra. Mr.. Hinrichs's name Is as
sociated with the history of music N
Philadelphia. His work as musical di-
rector Of the American National Opera
Co. and his memorable seasons of grand
opera at the Grand Opera House in this
city earna tpr him a debt of gratitude.
d OBSERVATIONS for the opening
IS performance Of Elsie Janis and Her
Gang at the Garrick next Monday night
indicate that this favorite of the public
and the A. e. f. will face an audience
composed very largely of graduates OF
the late unpleasantness overseas. and
it's likely that during her fortnight s
engagement in the Pennsylvania sector
many more will rush into the Garrick
dugout as fearlessly as they swarmed
over the Hindenburg line. Miss Janis
posts of the American Legion through =
out the country, and in all cities visited
has received marked attention from the
boys who wore khaki.
DTTY the poor harp player at the
4 Chestnut Street Opera House. He
certainly is playing in hard luck. Here
is the plight in which this esteemed
man of music finds himself. He is one
of the encourage of musicians that &C
companies the musical play, Some
body's Sweetheart
While the company manager. W. T
tMolitor, was standing in the lobby last
suight the harpist approached and askeC
she had been present at every perform
lance of Somebody's Sweetheart fol
a year, the musician stunned the man
ager with the reply that he wanted tht
night off in order to see the show. Th,
managers first thought at such an ap.
parently inconsistent request was IAN
other musician gone crazy; | guess II
have to humor him until the wagoI
comes
1,Lo- Al. Lo,a;s4 ,,,I. ,I.,r no,o1,
enough, that not once through his lonj
engagement with this piece had he seer
the show, strange as it seemed. H
explained that the cramped quarters o
the orchestra pit forced him to 81
throughout the performance, even whel
resting, with his back turned to tn
stage. The manager has promised tn
player night off when they play
one might stand after their engage
ment here. By the looks of business it
long way off.
LIVER so quietly, Alice Brady teste
her run in Forever After The ney
piece, entitled "Anna Ascends." is
melodrama by Henry Chapman Ford
and In it Miss Brady in the role of
Syrian girl who comes to America, Th
play, presumably, will he Miss Brady
vehicle for next season.
THE theatre did invaluable servic
J. back of the firing line. Anothe
player who made record is Mari
Dressler. the noted Comedienne, VIII
devoted more than three years to gov
ernment work and who has now re
turned to the stage in "Tillie's Night
mare" her success of a decade ago an
still laugh getter from persons not 10
sophisticated by jazzy revues.
Miss Dressler holds the indiyidut
record for bond sales of the workers i
the liberty Loan drives. During th