davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1924-11-29
what makes them laugh?

p" nat IudhGS lHGLi lduBut
Percy Hammond, formerly dra-
matte critic on the Chicago Trib-
une, and now the theatrical ora
Gle of the New York Herald rib.
une, whose ebullient screeds indi-
cate that he has subjugated,
tanned and made friends with
every word in Mr.. Noah Webster's
invaluable tome, asked this Ques-
ton Of something like a dozen of
the foremost comedians in Amer
lea, and their answers appeared
in q recent issue of q popular
magazine. Among those inter-
viewed by Sage Hammond was
Harold Lloyd, who ought to be as
able as any other to answer the
riddle, since he has caused un-
counted millions to roll in the
aisles in all parts Of the globe.
This, in part, is what Doctor
Hammond wrote about hiss inter
: view with Mr.. Lloyd:
Il discovered Harold Lloyd to
be the most profound Of the comic
masters. The scene Of my inter.
view with Mr.. Lloyd was his floor
in the Biltmore, which contained
two rooms more than that of
Rupert Hughes in the same hotel.
Have you ever visited Holly
wood celebrity recuperating in
New York? Well, the picture is
busy one.
II met Mr.. Lloyd just after he
had come from a matinee per-
Torrance of Rain" The mem
bers Of his numerous retinde had
preferred ''Lollipop," but Mr..
Lloyd, a thoughtful fellow, had
selected Rain" though he had
seen it twice before. Mr. Lloyd
had to dress for dinner, the thea
ter, dancing, supper, etc., and he
seemed weary, though interested
withal. Telephones rang inces.
sanity, frequent messenger boys
brought dispatches, and the apart
ment was full Of Wallets and en-
tourage. While everybody and
everything appeared to be going
to and fro, in and out, and up
and down, Mr.. Lloyd gestured me
TRANQUILITY to an easy chair, and
said, Eyes, Mr.. Hammond, what
can I do for you?
MI. AlOyu, pledueu, ~, am
exploring the sources of merri-
ment, and / wish you would tell
me what makes people laugh. Is
it cruelty. funerals, neck-falls,
physical pain, juveniIity and other
distresses, or is it wit and humor?
Mr.. Lloyd replied that the
foundation of his success is his
ability to be natural in any alb.
normal situation.
Here, he continued, as some
The Washington times., 1924-11-29
AS THE DENTIST SAYS,
"A NERVE CASE

Miriam Hopkins. who plays the
role of Juliet" the married
woman who tries to deceive her
husband In l.. Lawrence Weber's
musical comedy, Little Jessie
James," which comes to Polls
next week following it's record
breaking run of one solid year in
New York, got her start in the
profession through sheer nerve.
Miss Hopkins Is from Savannah.
Ca, and came to New York to
study ballet dancing. 1t was
while she was dancing at a re-
cital at the Selwyn Theater In
New York. that somebody told her
to go to the Strand, large NOV
ing picture house on the Great
White Way. and try to get a posi-
ton as a ballet dancer in pro-
logues. This she did. and. much
to her surprise, was engaged.
Then she went to see Sam H.
Harris and asked for work in his
first Music Box Revue. She at
The Washington times., 1924-11-29

Bells first production, Broad.
way After Dark" has proved
one of the most popular and sue
cessful pictures of the season,
Bell brings years OF experience
as newspaper editor, writer, re-
porter and traveller. to his aid
in the direction OF pictures.
He came to Hollywood two
years ago as literary adviser and
publicist for Charles Chaplin.
worked with that comedian on
the making OF "A Woman OF
Paris.'s and then convinced
Harry Rapf that he was qualified
to direct. broadway After
Dark resulted. and proved to
be one Of the biggest successes
Of the year.
His second picture was How
to Educate a Wife" a light do
nestle comedy produced by
Warner Brothers. The merger of
the Metro, Goldwyn, and Louis
B. Mayer companies was then
effected, and Bell signed a con-
tract with the new concern.
The Washington times., 1924-11-29
Princess Debuts.

Royalty depicts royalty in
Janice Meredith" starring Marion
Davies, at the Columbia to-
morrVv.
In this thrilling perturbation
of the famous Paul Leicester
Ford story OF the same name,
Princess Marie, Of the royal house
Of Bourbon, first cousin to King
Alphonso, Of Spain, makes her.
screen debute in the role Of
Marie Antoinette.
Princess de Bourbon is mem
Der of the same royal line as
was King Louis XVI of France,
who is also impersonated in the
picture. She was chosen for her
part in Janice Meredith" be-
cause of her familiarity with
court functions.
one changed his tan boots to
pumps Of patent leather, here n
The Washington times., 1924-11-29
PRECIOUS PINS ON THE
RIALTO SCREEN

How many memories Of the the
atrical past will begin to func-.
ton at announcement that frankie
Bailey is cast for a part in "The
Lover of Camille" the screen
version of the "Deburan" play
coming tomorrow to the Rialto
for week.
In the good old days" when
frankie was premiere dancer
and musical comedy star, she
was known through the length
and breadth of the land. Her
popularity--or would it be bet
ter to say the popularity Of her
pedal extremities-was second to
none. Wilton Lackaye used to
tell story about a certain
show in which she appeared.
when frankie Bailey came
on the stage" he said. 'she got
two rounds Of applause one Tor
each leg"
Frankie was said to have the
best pair of limbs in captivity.
For them she was known, just
as Kitty Gordon was famed for
her back, Irene Franklin for her
red poll of hair, Charlotte Green
wood for her lack Of classic con-
tour, and a certain girl whose
name at this moment escapes
the writer, for the wasp, waist
that was seven or eight inches
in circumference.
In THE Lover OF Camille"
which Warren Brothers made into
a picture by arrangement with
David Belasco. Frankie Bailey
The Washington times., 1924-11-29
RAM PLAYERS In
AIN AUGUST
MANTLE

It has been said Of 1.-THE New
York Idea" that It has irony Of
universal Imports tang Of Resto-
ration drama. without It's blatant
vulgarity-a critical sense Of
values at once timely and for
ever true"
OF its author. Langdon Eiwyn
Mitchell. graduate Of Harvard
and Columbia Universities, AMI a
member Of the New York bar. It
may be said that with this play
he did sound q new Eote, in the
American theater. and for the.
first time a dramatist OF the
homegrown variety was adInlt-
ted. worthy confrere with the
giants Of the English drama.
Two celebrated American act
resses, Minnie Maddern Flsl5e, for
whom It was written. ana Grace
George, who revived It in 1875,
have sparlled brilliantly in the
leading role Of Cynthia Karslake.
Actors such AZ George Arliss,
John Mason and Dudley DiggHs,
! in the Fislxe production In 1906.
and LuHnsden Hare ana Conway
Tearle, with Miss George. have
spoken the gcintilIating lines Of
this timely American comedy Of
frivolity and divorce.
THE New York Idea Is =
portrayal Of the matrimonial
foibles OF our American smart
set" It tells the story of two
couples, q phlegrnatic Judge on
the bench, and Vida. his divorced
wife; John Karslake, lawyer. poll
tician and racing man, and mis-
divorced wife, Cynthia tantaliz-
ing. charming Cynthia, who ia
about to entrust herself to a
second sober choice But the
staid and solid family OF PhilIi-
more Is completely yet on edge
by charming Cynthia, the uncon-
ventional, even though the Rev
erend Matthew Phillimorea very
worldly bishop, is quite willing
to ''oblige'' In uniting her in wed
lock again, again-and even
again.
Josephine Hutchinson will play
the part OF Cynthia in his Latest
revival, beginning Tuesday night
In, the little theater at Ward
man Park.
The Washington times., 1924-11-29
WHEN FRA ELBER + US
MET THE BEAR

Louis Mann, who will be next
weeks attraction at the Shu-
bert Belasco, opening Monday,
tells a story about his old friend,
the late Ebert Hubbard. 1t
seems Ebert manifested his ex-
traordinary gift OF imagination,
which made him a world famous
writer, at very early age. In
fact, as soon as he. was old
enough to talk he told many
exaggerated, though harmless
stories which greatly worried his
parents, who were very religious.
One morning, when Ebert had
just passed his FOURTH birthday,
and his mother was busily en-
gagged with her household duties,
he rushed into the room all ex-
cited, exclaiming: Mother, a,
big black bear came in our front
gate walked all around the yard,
then went upstairs and stayed
The Washington times., 1924-11-29
Recitative.

Friday afternoon, December 5,
at 4:3O o'clock the Rams Head
Players will present Ellen Van
Valkenburg, the distinguished ac-
tress, in an initiative reading OF
the Maude Adams Company in
Sir James Barrie's comedy, What
Every Woman Knows"
This is the first of a series of
special matinee :ecitals arranged
by Robert Bell, to which all the
sustainers and subscribers of the
Rams Head Players for the sea.
son 1924-25 are invited. Also a
limited nuraoer Of seats are on
sale to the general public for
Miss Var Valkenburg's recital at
regular theater prices.
The Washington times., 1924-11-29

quite a while came back down
and went out"
His mother, speaking severely.
said: "Elbert, you know as well
as / do that was not bear at
all. 1t was a dog. You are
telling me a falsehood. / want
you to go up to your room and
get on your knees and ask God
to forgive you for telling such an
atrocious lie."
Ebert starts reluctantly for
the stairs, while his mother re-
sumes her work. A few min
, utes later she saw Elbert on the
porch, leisurely swinging in the
hammock. She questioned him.
Gilbert, did you do as 1 told
you?" Whereupon Gilbert replied:
No, mother, l met God on the
stairs and he said didn't have
to- apologize cause he thought it
was bear. too.,'
The Washington times., 1924-11-29
Player Folk Within
Our Gates

Grumpy and Aren't we ALP"
He is to be seen in this latter
comedy at the National next
week. .
? Herman Fay will be seen
for the first time in burIesque
with Happy Moments at the
Gayety tomorrow. Because OF
his peculiar fitness for such
parts he has been engaged to
assist Lew White in the fun
making. Fay appeared in light
comedy in several big musical
shows.
William G. Ewing, staff
artist, attached to the publicity
department of the Crandall Thea
tiers. under the direction OF Nelson
B. Bell, surprised his colleagues
last week by announcing his mar
riage on Tuesday morning to
Miss Fay Putnam, of Clarendon,
Va. in the Church Of the Cow
enant, this city. Mr.. and Mrs.
Ewing, who are receiving the
warm congratulations Of their
friends, win make their residence
in Washington and at an early
date will depart upon honey
moon trip by motor.
-" w. C. Fields, the famous
comic juggler Of the Zeigfeld Fol
lies, and now starring in the
New York musical success,
Poppy" gives one of his most
CONFUSING performances as Brit
ish grenadier with humorous ten.
denotes in Janice Meredith the
new Marion Davies starring pro-
duction, which will open its first
Washington engagement tomorrow
afternoon at Loew's Columbia.
e*$ "A rather daring under
taking musicaly is being attempt.
ed at the Rialto this coming week
by Bailey #. Alart, playing a spe-
cial scoring of the Finale OF
Tschaikowsky's Fourth Symph.
ony. This is considered the noted
composers greatest work and is
the finest piece Of modern or
chestral composition.
The Washington times., 1924-11-29

tanned her goal there and was then
engaged as premiere danseuse for
South American ballet theater.
While getting her passports, she
fell and broke her ankle and was
laid UP and had to give up the
idea of going to South America.
She later accepted a vaudeville
engagement.
While playing In New York she
heard l.. Lawrence Weber was
looking for a slender blonde who
could dance, sing and act. for his
Little Jessie James" company
and she applied forthwith. She
got the place and again kept UP
her record Of getting everything
she went after. She more than
made good in the part and has
been playing 1t consecutively since
July 10, 1923. She has made good
SO, emphatically that at the begin
ming of the new year she is to be
co-starred in a new American
comedy which Mr.. Weber will pro-
duce called ''Mr. Man"
The Washington times., 1924-11-29

has the role. Of maid to Marie
Provost, who is the Lady Of the
Camelias. Monte Blue is starred
as Deburan. The supporting cast
consists Of Willard Louis, Terrence
pat" Moore, Pierre Gendron,
Rose Dione, Rosa Rosanova, Tril-
by Clark, Brandon Hurst, Wini-
fred Byron and Rosita Malstini.
In this photoplay, directed by
Harry Beaumont, we have the
romance we failed to find as in
viduals; the achievements missed,
the adventures dreamed of but
never known.
The Washington times., 1924-11-29
Her Film Debut.

May Volxes, well known come
dienne, makes her motion pic
ture debut In Janice Meredith"
at the Columbia tomorrow.
Miss Vokes made her last APP
pearance on the dramatic stage
in THE Bat" She was In the
original cast of that big dramatic
hit and played throughout the
long Broadway run. She has
long been recognized as one Of
the best delineatOrs Of the comic
slavey type on the legitimate
stage. In Janice Meredith"
Miss Vokes also plays such
role. appearing as Susie. the ir,
repreaaihl0 nAaiA.
The Washington times., 1924-11-29
Looking a Week Ahead

POLISH musical play, Getty Leep written by Otto
Harbaeh Irving Caesar, Louis Hrsh and Con Conrad.
NATIONAL-A David Beasco production Ladies' of the
Evening" with James Kirkwood and others.
BELASCO-ThurstoIe the Magician, in a routine.
Idea"
GAYETY-Molle Williams and her new show.
MUTUAI-"Maids of Maryland"
STRANDAruro Bernardo proean artist featuring other
acts and feature film Another Mans Wife," with James
Kirkwood.
PALACE-Tom Meighan in Tongues of Flame"
RlALTO-Madge Belamy, in Love and Glory"
"Sandra" -
TIVoLI-NOrma Tamadge, in Secrets" first bill Of the
week. Nh
AMBASSADOR Midnight Express" sThree WOmen;"
''The Great Diamond Mystery" Roaring Rails"
CENTRAI"Passons Of the North" empty Hands, "7er
Love Story" married Firts;s HThe Navigator
The Washington times., 1924-11-29
What, Another?

The Hymeneal complex seems
to have taken as firm grip on
the personnel OF the Crandall
Organization as the yen for buy
ing motor cars. Ten days ago,
Paul Hurney, believed to be as
confirmed a bachelor as Johnny
Payette or Nelson Bell, was
granted brief vacation from his
duties as, assistant manager Of
Crandalrs Ambassador Theater,
and much to the establishment Of
Robert Etris, manager, was mar
lried. The ceremony was per-
formed at ST. Patrick's Church
by Father Hurnev. b1othor -
The Washington times., 1924-11-29
They've Both
Gone Ahead

Here's an odd coincidence
of the weeks theater: A few
years ago-five, to be ex-
act-Monta Bell was produc-
ing and managing stock per-
formances at the old Shubert-
Garrick Theater, with Earle
Foxe as his leading man
Tomorrow, on the screen Of
Loew's Palace Theater, a new
picture directed by Monta
I Bell will be presented as the
featured attraction while a
new Richard Harding Davis
comedy called paul Jones,
jr.," starring Earle Foxe,
will be the extra added at
traction. All of which in
spires the observation that
it's a small world after all.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-04-10
QUINCY MUTUAL FIRE INSURANCE.
COMPANY
Quincy, Mass

ASSETS DEC. Al. 1924
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-04-10
TELLS CLUB WOMEN OF
EARLY MAINE HISTORY
Educational Meeting OF SOrOsis Held
Monday Evening with b. L.
Packard as Speaker

The educational meeting of Skow-
hogan Sorosis was h4ld April 7th
with Bertram f. Packard, Deputy
Commissioner of Education delivering
the address. Owing to the heavy
rain, the attendance was small. The
arrangements were in charge of Mrs.
Vivian G. Woodbury., Mrs. Annie Gil
fillian, Miss Gail Chapman, Mrs. Mel
lie NJ Hopkins and Mrs. Martha L.
Griffin. Mrs Griffin and Mrs. Gill
lillian served as hostesses. During
the business session, the nominating
committee was appointed by the chair
and is composed of Mrs. Martha l..
Griffin, Mrs. Adelaide Ordway, and
Miss Clara NJ. Libby. Each member
of the club should forward a list of
the officers to this committee before
April 10Th. The annual meeting and
election of officers takes place at the
next meeting on April II and the com
mittee in charge will be composed of
Mrs. Ina c. Hill. Mrs. Birdina f.
Conant. Mrs Susie Lancaster, Mrs.
Vera B. Smith, Mrs. Ethel l.. Moore
and Mrs. Grace NJ. Poulin. The an
nual supper will be served and each
member will be solicited for fifty
cents or will be asked to furnish
cake. The club voted to give $40 to
the rest rooms. The music features
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-04-10
Serious Airllction of supt. BAH

Superintendent of Schools Charles
Z. Ball and Mrs. Ball of Bingham went
to Portland Thursday of last week to
consult specialist in throat diseases
regarding Mr.. Balls throat which has
been increasingly troublesome dur
ing the past nine months. The doctor
found that a fleshy growth that can
not be safely removed has closed
about two thirds of the gullet and is
certain to. completely close in time.
Nothing but liquid or semi-liquid food
can now pass through the opening.
After consulting an experienced and
general practitioner, they returned
Saturday to remain as long as Mr..
Ball retains his present strength.
After which he plans to enter the
Maine General Hospital at Portland
to have a tube inserted through the
wall of the stomach through which he
can be fed. The doctors assured
them that this has been successfully
done SO many times, that 1t is entire
ly past the experimental stage. Mr..
Ball is able to attend to few pro-
fessional errahds on the street and to
give his schools such supervision as
can be given from his home. This
he hopes to be able to continue until
the close of his official term June 30
next.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-04-10
Funeral OF Mrs. Mary A. Walton
Today

Funeral services for Mrs. Mary A..
(Perkins) Walton are to be held this
afternoon at one o'clock from the
home of Mr.. and Mrs. J. H. Grundy
on Mechanic street Rev. Herbert L..
Nichols, .pastor of the Centenary
Methodist Episcopal Church, who is
attending the Maine Methodist Con-
ference In Portland, is returning for
the service. The remains will be
conveyed to Salem Mass. accompani-
ed by Mr.. and Mrs Grundy, for inter-
ment in the family lot at Greenlawn
cemetery
Mrs. Walton was seyenty-six years
old the fifth of last September and
was the widow of J. Henry Walton
who died twenty eight years ago. The
deceased was born in Danville, Que
bee, but when about seventeen years
of age, following the death of her
mother, she came to Salem with her
older sister. Since her husbands
death she has lived with her daughter
Mrs. Grundy, the family coming here
from Salem about twenty years ago.
Mrs. Walton was highly esteemed
and was a devout member of the Cen
tenary Church. She was also a men,
Der of the Ladies Social Circle and the
Womans Relief Corps. She was
stricken with shock, while doing
Red Cross work at the local head
quarters five years ago and has never
fully recovered since that time. Her
last illness covered period of ten
weeks.
Beside the devoted daughter from
whom she has received solicitous at
tention, there Is one son. Burton H.
Walton of California and several
grandchildren.
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-04-10
Highway Conditions

The roads which had become fairly
good in some sections considering the
season of the year before the heavy
snow storm of last week and the rain
storm of this week, are considerably
upset. Automobiles are going
through to Waterville but there Is a
bad place and much mud at Shawmut.
On the Norridgewock road, about
mile and a half from the village there
is three mile stretch of bad road,
although Monday cars were going
through. 1t is believed that .automo-
bile traffic is safe as far as the white
schoolhouse ON the Athens road and
cars are reported as having gone
through to Canaan, even since the
rain. The Russell road is reported
passable for teams only. There are
some bad holes and the general CON
ditions OF the road will probably be
worse. before it is better. DIR. Rich
ardson made a trip by automobile to
East Madison Tuesday but got stuck
once and had to be hauled out. He
thinks he could have made 1t all right,
however. had he handled the car a
little more skillfully. Earl Patten
is going back and forth to his home
on the Norridgewock road every day
with an auto but Neil Hill is very bad.
Charles F. Koehler went by automo-
bile from Skowhegan to Auburn last
Sunday. He got through alright.
He states that the state road to Hinck-
ley was clear and good but that from
Hinckley to Shawmut the road was
very rough. There was one place
of about 200 feet near the electric
car line where it turns off the main
road to go to Shawmut village, that
it has been impossible and several
cars got stuck in the mud One
could detour through Shawmut village
to avoid this. The road from Water
Vile to Augusta was good and from
Augusta to winthrop likewise bslt
Sunday there were drifts from three
to four feet deep, ploughed out for
one car on the road from Winthrop to
Greene. Because of this, two cars
could not pass, only in spots where
the snow had gone. The trip of
seventytwo miles was made by Mr..
Koelher in three hours and forty min
utes. Wind and sun are needed for
The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1924-04-10

OF the evening Included piano trio
by Mrs. Rose Borden and the Misses
Edna Adams ami jeanette Jewell.
The encore was a duet played by the
two young ladies.
The subject of Mr.. Packard.s ad-
dress was "Rambles In Old Pes nal
borough" and was Interestingly gwen.
interspersed with interesting stories
and anecdotes. 1t was an historical
talk and Mr.. Packard said THE early
history of Maine Is replete with ro-
nance and tragedy. The early ex-
plorations of Weymouth. Sieur de
Monts, Popham, Gorges and others are
thrilling to the extreme In deeds of
daring and adventure. But no place
is richer in romantic interest, and its
settlement more replete with the dar-
ing spirit of pioneer days, than the
region of the Kennebec."
Briefly told Mr.. Packard gave
brief sketch of the Kennebec grants.
including the original grant of King
James First to the Plymouth Com
pany, the grant to William Bradford
and his associates. later grant to
Antipas Boies and. others, until the
conveyance in 1853 to the proprietors
of the Kennebec purchase. There
was an early trading post near Fort
Western in 1929, where the Pilgrims
carried on a profitable trade with the
Indians for many years. Shortly aft
err the Kennebec purchase, Fort Hall
fax was built in Winslow, Fort West
ern in Augusta land Fort Shirley In
Pownalborough. Mr.. Packard then
continued with a brief sketch of Pow
Marlborough where the first permanent
settlement was made, including des-
cription of the old courthouse and
early visitors TO this locality DR..
Sylvester Gardiner was the moving
spirit in the early settlement of
Pownalborough as he was later In
Gardiner. Here he built farm,
house, grist mill and saw mill and
was influential in building the first
church in those parts, st. Johns
Church of Pownalborough completed
in 1910.
Recounting the early difficulties at
tendant upon missionary labor In this
region was. Interestingly given and the
work of Rev. Jacob Bailey, the build
ing of the church and parsonage
house and his final fleeing the country
because of his devotion to his king
were also entertaining parts of the
discourse. Mr.. Packard gave brief
sketch of John Gardiner, the Oldest
son of DR.. Gardiner who lived In Pow
Marlborough, practiced law in the old
court house and was representative
to the Massachusetts, legislature from
this town, telling also of his genius
and eccentricities. Mr.. Packard
said the site of the old church, the
parsonage and the old cemetery are
now grown up to woods and bushes.
and can scarcely be found. Suitable
markers should be placed where the
ruins are still visible, the speaker adj
vocated. Mr.. Packard was pleasant
ly introduced by Miss Margaret M.
Chase, the club president.
Refreshments of tea, sandwiches
and fancy waters were served dur
ing the social hour. 80