South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1921-05-09
OLIVER.

The power of the screen to bring
the familiar aspects OF native drama
before modern audiences in finely
illustrated in the Maurice Tourneur
production of 1.-THE County Fair"
which opened weeks engagement
at the Oliver theater yesterday. As
is quite well known, this production
is founded upon the famous rural
racing drama OF the same title
which Neil Burgess made an insti-
tuition on the speaking stage. On
the stage there were hints and in
cidents which set off the simple
lives and methods of a typical New
England farm community, btu in the
picture version it is all presented
with a realism that embraces every
aspect Of the plays suggested pos
sibilities.
The escenes showing the county
fair are exact applications Of this
American institution. Wesley Barry
chases the creased ply and climbs
the slippery pole and the others en-
ter into the sports and excitements.
and popcorn vendors and lemonade
the shrill cries Of the barkers boost
ing their wares.
And then comes the climax when
the thoroughbreds prance TO the
starting post and whirl off TO the
best horse race that was ever pic
tured on the screen. with Cold Mo-
lasses winning the purse that saves
the old farm for Aunt Abigail.
Tourneur has pictured all the events
faithfully and set the action against
an attractive background. 1t is one
Of those simple. appealing stories
that never fails 10 enlist the SYM
pathy and interest Of all. David
Butler and Helen Jerome Eddy play
the leading characters
ORPHEUM
Manager Scharnberg Of the Or
pheum. who has succeeded In In
stalling some life into recent Or
pheum programs. comes across in
fine style this week with an all
around good bill which, If one is TO
judge by spontaneous applause. is
about as good as can be procured
for popular priced house.
ole Olson and Chick Johnson head
the bill with an original and clever
act. It had 20 be good when one
considers the five others on the pro-
gram, not counting the Kinos or
Pathe. These two lads. figuratively
speaking. tore the house down. Good
natured foolishness in which mem
hers Of two other acts joined them
earned for them almost a dozen cur
tain calls-a rare thing at the Or
pheum. Even Spikes Connell. the
property man. helped put the act
over. Big timers. both Of them.
The Black and White revue. a
modern minstrel show in miniature.
also won popular approval. It fea-
tured Miss Nelson. who with Miss
Herman. sung a duet and later in
the act gave a clever toe dance. Two
black faced comedians. four good
/ looking girls and an interlocutor
make up the act. The quartet num-
Der sung by the girls is immense.
Jack Clifford. character comedian,
and "Fid" Johnson. the latter an ex-
/ cellent violinist. find favor with their
funny line and droll mannerisms.
They possess just that quality that
helps TO make a first class bill.
Ferguson and Sunderland. a sing
ing and dancing team. start the pro-
gram Mr.. Ferguson l. a clever
eccentric dancer and is ably assisted
I by Miss Sunderland. They put the
audience in good humor.
Frear. Baggett and Frear get their
stuff over big with a nonseical Jug
Cling act. in which straw hats are
brought into play. Their act Is