The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1923-02-13
Mrs. Whiffen Is Madonna of the Stage
Because Eternal Faith Is in Her Heart
By WALTER D. HICKMAN
wv INTER has turned white the
~ hair OF Mrs. Thomas Whiffen.

w hair . OF; Of Mrs Mrs; Thomas II W Viii
touched her heart.
Mrs. Whiffen tells Eugene O'Brien
IN Steve that she has kept her
heart filed with water to keep It
fresh.
That really tells the story of Mrs.
Whiffen, who, at the age of II Cbless
her heart. she viii not find fault with
me telling you that is young in spirit.
Year after year, Mrs. Whiffen has
been before the American public. No
history is complete without a long
chapter on this grand old lady Of
the stage.
Mrs. Whiffen must have kept her
heart and soul mighty close to the
good things of life here and above
because her kindly face and her white
hair makes her the Madonna Of the
stage.
+ + +
7 seldom go back stage, but I asked
Nelson Trowbridge to take me back
to the dressing room of Mrs. Whiffen.
We went to the star dressing room.
Mrs. Whiffen was changing her
gown: will we waltz" we were asked,
and we did.
The door was opened by Miss Peggy
Whlffen. a daughter Of Mrs. WhIffen.
It was a beautiful picture-a mother
at II the intimate friend and compan-
ion Of her own daughter. Mrs. Whit
fen was dressed in the gown she wears
in the last act. Her daughter placed
a little lace cap on her white hair.
Let me tell you that wheQ one
meets this grand woman, one gets
the feeling that the proper thing to
DO is to kneeI and kiss her hand
That IS the way felt.
Happy? Yes, she was happy. Lies
long journey seems to have left only
smiles. At II she IS IN love with the
world and every one IN this wide old
world. Happy because her daughter
was with her. Happy because Mr..
O'Brien is so lovely to her. Happy
because so many people are crowding
the theater TO see the play.
Mrs. Whiffen viii never be COM
PEELED 10 say every day IN every
way. etc" because she has lived well
and good her many years This old
world today needs more women of
the character. the beauty and the
spirit and the faith of Mrs. Whiffen.
Why is she trooping at her years?
Her daughter told me.
Granny. well, Just as soon as she
can buy her peach farm she ex-
planned.
And may the best and the biggest
peaches grow on her farm.
i
Now, getting back to earth-what
about Mr.. O'Brien, Miss Vivian Og-
den and the play?
Here are my deductions
The show is playing to big business
because the producers have not
cheated by giving poor support to
movie star.
steve" is crowded full OF many
laughs, a good love story and lots Of
sunshine and moonbeams. q did not
say moonshine).
It is easily the best acted and the
most pleasing vehicle that a movie
star has revealed in this city.
Not a great show, but it is full Of
the things that most Of US like to see
and hear on the stage.
NIr. O'Brien has a chance TO live
up to his title as a perfect lover"
Not much Of "a play, but darned
oood theater.
Successful because Mrs. Thomas
Vhifen shines like q diamond in her
taces and her black gown. Because
Vivian Ogden makes every one howl
Because the entire cast is good.
Mr.. O'Brien has a pleasing vehicle
i'm Steve" Z believe that he g a
sure box office attraction, especially
among the women. He pleases.
NJ. O'Brien is much more success
full in his return TO the stage than
any Of the screen stars who have
been here this winter.
This show pleases. That is evident
At the AIurat today and Wednes-
day.