davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
WHEN NOTHING SUCCEEDS LIKE
FAILURE

You've seen those farce comedies where, start
ing off with some slight complication, the hero to
extricate himself gets in deeper and deeper until,
for the life of you, you can't how he'll ever pull
out
Now Premier Mussolini of Italy is no farce
comedy hero. And there is nothing either farcical
or comical about the drama unfolding thrill
ingly On the italian stage. Nevertheless every day
seems to complicate the situation still further for
the dictator and for Italy until the crowd in the gal
lery holding on to their seats wondering what
will happen next
The bombs and bullets of woud-be assassins
are not only danger Mussolini today There
is another altogether different but every bit seri
GUS, SO far as his political life is concerned in
entirely new direction-namely what is happening as
a result of the rise of theIlira.
There is such a thing being too successful.
When the Ira slumped with the French franc and
some other European currencies it brought good luck
to italian industry. You could buy whole lot more
for your doar-say 80 lire-than you could for your
dollar when 1t was five lire. So business in Italy
fourished accordingly. Her foreign trade doomed
magnifcently just foreign trade always does
when the exchange favors the buyer. The failure, SO
to speak, of Italys money spelled success for Ita
ian commerce.
But imitation is like long and happy Jag 1t
may be great while 1t lasts but, OH what headache
after And there must be sobering-up sometime
else the D. IT'S Russia, Germany and several other
old world countries had economic D. It's as result
Of imitation following the war; and one of Doctor
Mussonrs jobs>was to keep Italy from having them.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

The first question is easy. The
others require more thought. Cor
rect answers to these questions APP
pear on page 16:
Who is the football player shown
in the accompanying picture?
2-Where is radio station
WBBM?
3-Who is football coach at Stan
ford University?
4-Who was Edward Grieg?
5-Who is king of Roumania?
6-When it's II o'clock noon in
New York, what time is it in Paris?
I'm what city is the University
of Missouri?
Show many balls are used in a
game of billiards?
9-What is the popular name for
students of the United States Naval
Academy?
10-Did the Allies or the Central
Powers have the great number of
casualties during the World War?
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
There are several out
Il TIL 2 VT = % u VI y U " .
formances in "Ben-Hur."


formances in "Ben-Hur."
1. The sympathetic understanding
of Ramon Novarro as Ben-Hur. He
seems to symbolic the spirit Of his
near being the ideal Hur. the youth
who, by suffering the torments of
hell in a Roman galley in the living
death hole Of a ship, played the
game until he learned the message
of the Christ.
2. Francis X. Bushman as Mes
sala, who at first was loved by Hur,
and on becoming a Roman reminded
the Prince of Hur of his race. 1t
is Bushman and Novarro who ride
hub to hub in the most exciting adj
venture the screen has ever pro-
duced-the chariot race. Perfect
photography, the weird and tricky
handling of the eyes of many ca
meras, the haunting appeal Of the
orchestra, all go to make one of the
greatest scenes the screen has ever
reflected.
8. Claire Mcdowell as the Princess
of Hur and the mother of Hur. In
the "unclean" scenes, it is this WON
race, who actually puts the big dra-
matte touches to the last part of
the photoplay. She has the aid of
May McAvoy and Betty Bronson.
4. The dramatic conception of the
role Of Simonides by Nigel de Bru-
lier. Here is real dramatic acting.
5. Carmel Myers as Iras. a vamp
who was so dangerous that even a
sheik welcomed her as the compan-
ion of his guests at his wild parties.
Here is vamping with very few
beads on.
The entire cast fits magnificently
into the spirit and purpose of the
story.
There are many big scenes in
"Ben-Hur," but the two most spec
tacular are. those devoted to the
chariot race and the fight of a Ro-
man fleet with the pirates. These
two scenes are unsurpassed in the
history of the screen.
"Ben-Hur" always will remain as
one of the finest achievements of the
screen. It's theme is lofty. 1t is
spiritual. 1t is thrilling theater. 1t
tells of the worlds sweetest and sad
est story. 1t thrills as no other pic
ture has ever thrilled.
"Ben-Hur" is the screens gift to
the best possible entertainment be.
fore the public today.
"Ben-Hur" remains on view all
this week, a matinee and a night
performance daily, at English's.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
Criminal Fraternity

With wholesale pardons, honor
farms and a police force without
centralized power, or dependable
records, our penal system has
operated in such a way as to create
a criminal fraternity.
There is not a great center in this
country but what Is infested with
ex-convicts, who were let out or
escaped before their time.
They are not only ready to go on
with the game, but to assist others
Of their kind who may be in trouble.
Red tape and shyster lawyers add
to the confusion. Every State has
it's ring of pardon specialists, and
every prison is surrounded By gangs
to throw guns over the wall, or
smuggle them in.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
Cotton Situation

The cotton situation is a chal.
lenge to our intelligence A million
farmers with their families and de.
pendents are suffering simply and
solely because Providence has been
kind because the wind and rain com
bined to produce an abundance while
the worms laid off.
Things have come to n pretty pass.
when farmers can not hope for pro-
perity except through a short crops.
and when an extra 10 or IA per cent
cuts the price to less than half.
Cotton is an imperishable COM
modify. There is no reason why too
big a surplus can not be withdrawn
fro mthe market and held to make
up the deficiency of poor years
that are bound to come, yet with
all our boosted cleverness, we have
no machinery with which to do this.
Only when n portion Of the acreage
is ruined by hail, wind. drought of
bolr weevil can the cotton farmer
hope for n reasonable price.
So much cotton has never been
raised but that the world finds It.
self without a surplus every five
years or so.
The only thing needed to stabilize
the price and steady markets Is 10
devise some method Of holding the
surplus Of the good season until
there is a lean one.
Without such a method, the crop
and the fate of those who raze II
will remain at the mercy OF ruthless
and unwholesome speculation.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

dust" while his
horses piled up a total loss. And
saw that same audience become as
hushed as a silent pipe organ in
a great church during prayer as
the picture indicated the journey
of the Christ to the cross. am
telling you about the movie version
of "Ben-Hur" as being presented
at English's all this week. 1 want
you to remember the banner
under which 1t is presented
Metro Goldwyn-M Mayer. Also the di'
rector-Fred Niblo. You know that
the novel from which the photo
play was made was written by Gen
eral Lew Wallace.
I am not going into the history
and the adventure at this time in the
gigantic task of actually making
this picture. L am concerned only
with the finished product.
"Ben-Hur," movie version, is the
benediction of the hour in the
theater. It is as beautiful as its
theme. AT times it becomes a
symphony grand Of the moving
spirit of Christianity. 1t is the most
satisfactory combination Of theater
and a great spiritual fact that l
have ever encountered in the world.
"Ben-Hur" is theater and has been
for years. The movie version with
the beauty employed by the director
in the art Of making movies, be-
comes both a symphony of beauty as
we'll as gigantic theater.
We come into the world at least
with the promise of hearing the
story Of the Christ. That is the gift
of Christianity. And yet it is a most
dangerous experience to put into a
theater this God given theme and
place a certain price on the seats.
And yet, I am sure after hours of
reflection that "Ben-Hur" as a
movie will become a universal
pulpit. The director has most wise.
ly indicated" the Christ. The hands
indicate the King. This was a
masterful stroke and perfect pho
Biography and direction obtain the
results of a complete understanding
of what the author intends to
convey.
The word masterful is rightly ap-
piled when entertainment captures
the spiritual beauty of the world S
sweetest story, and with good taste,
sincerity of purpose, unoffensive
showmanship and a fine regard to
the purpose of the author render a
product which is the highest type
of entertainment.
have seen Ben Hur" upon the
stage but the movie version is cen
turtles a head of the stage version
Most of us have seen the stage
version Of "Ben-Hur" and we rightly
may compare the two products. The
movie is absolutely unlimited.
The movie director catches the
glory of the heavens when the Christ
child is born. Art photography has
been used to capture the hymn of
faith and hope which was given to
the world that night. Again the
beauty of the camera is used to
show the Wise Men making their
journey to the scene of the birth OF
the Christ. Art, beautiful and sym
pathetic art, shows the Christ at
supper with his disciples. Perfectly
indicated just as a great painter once
painted this fact of history.
And then when the story is told
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
restraining the free interchange


toto check imitation and get the Ira back a
sound basis before too late.
This the dictator has done, at least partially.
But the cure is not yet complete and is becoming ter
rtbly painful to the patient The Ira is worth
between four and five cents, whereas couple of
months ago it was down almost to three
Complications setting in Business is com
planning. Folks not buying so much nowadays.
If buy Italian products today with your dollars
quite obviously you have to pay at least rs per cent
more for them than formerly, because your dollar
now purchases 25 per cent less Italian money.
Quite naturally, therefore, orders are falling off.
Iays foreign trade rivals have the advantage Very
often they enabled to undersell her Industry is
slowing down There have been some rather alarm
ing business failures There is almost bound to be
unemployment And lot of people-big business
men as we'll as the laboring casses-will suffer if
this sort Of thing keeps up
What to do? Will Mussolini keep hammering
at the Ira? Will he keep up the cure? Will he be
strong enough to hurt the big fellows we'll as the
small ones and take the gaff? Above ALL will he be
able to get away with it-his on top of all his other
troubles?
If he is then he's every inch the wizard his
partisans say he is and then some. .,
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

by a living actor. Astor uses full
stage and a special set. This isn't
necessary. but it does give vastness
and atmosphere to his offering. Prob
ably nobody will challenge his de-
served claim to being a remark
able English ventriloquist." 1 have
never seen anyone who can sur
pass Rim.
The second winner is Cardini, a
manipulation Of cards, balls and
pieces of silk. He has the trick Of
very near letting you in on the
trick only to give a flash of the
hand, completely unsetting your idea
of how the trick was done. Here
is one man who does not attempt to
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09


is the best I have seen. This man
is an artists Of individual worth.
Robert Reilly and his Kilkenny
Queens have an Irish, song and
comedy skit, well favored with 70.
nance, which is pleasant to see and
hear. The youngest member of the
organization has a fine voice.
This act has the necessary ele.
ments to make it popular entertain.
ment. Act is nicely staged
The Zip, Zip, zap Hangers is
composed of ten former service men
during the war. The comic of the
organization gets his laughs with
ease. The singing voices are good.
This act has been seen in this city
before. Still a mighty pleasing bit
Of entertainment.
Two female impersonators make
up the team of Gibson and Fox.
Rather extreme at times. Farrell
Taylor trio has the services of two
blackface comedians and a woman.
The fun is often loud, but yet it is
good fun. The sketch, If it could
be called that, tells the story of a
fake medium. Burns and Churchill
feature an old-fashioned waltz clog
in their dance routine. Bill includes
the Four Hartinias. Movies make
up the remainder of the bill.
T. 4 +
Other theaters today offer: Zone
Minute to Play" at the Circle; "Pri-
vate Izzy Murphy" at the Colonial:
1.-THE Four Horsemen," at the Apollo;
1.-THE Strong Man." at the Uptown;
Alta Boy" at the Ohio; burlesque.
at the Mutual, and mo Mans Cold"
at the Isis.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
In Pennsylvania

William B. Wilson, Democratic
candidate for Senator, did not get a
single vote in thirty Philadelphia
precincts while William S. Ware, 10
Republican opponent, polled mot :.
than 5000. v
Even the "solid South" would find
1t difficult to duplicate that record,
and Tammany couldn't come within
q mile of II
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
Stage Verdict

PALACE-The Syncopation
Show lives up to it's name the
first half and contains much in
the way of melody, syncopa-
ton and fun.
LYRIC-Frank McConville
again proves what personality
OF the right kind and good
showmanship may accomplish.
MURAT-"Abie's Irish Rose"
is still "Abie's Irish Rose"
ENGLISH'S - ben Hur,"
one Of the greatest pictures of
all time.
KEITH'S-A. C. Astor. ven.
triloquist, makes the biggest
impression IL this bill.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
JUST A COUNTRY YOUTH

Johnny Arthur is seen as the rus.
tic Country youth who outsmarts a
city slicker in THE Humdinger, ."
new Observation-Disclosures comedy, in
which he is featured The Educa-
tional comedian, who is now playing
a principal role in THE Butter and
Egg Man." an outstanding stage sue
cess in Los Angeles, is supported by
Lucille Hutton. Anita Garvin and
George Davis.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
A Light Error

Professor Albert A. Nicholson has
discovered that light travels thirty.
six miles slower second than was
formerly thought.
Considering that light travels
more than 10000 miles a second.
this difference would seem of ma
great Importance.
But the greater astronomical dis.
tances have been computed on the
sneed Of light, and in figuring tho
distance Of star which is 1000, 900
light years away. thirty-six miles
second would make quite an error
At all events, astronomers are
quite willing to concede that II
Nicholson is correct. most OF their
problems Will have to be done over.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

he had never seen
able" and had
never read Main
Street, I know
that he has passed
up a mighty funny
a n d wholesome
experience in the
theater. Able" is
the pace setter
for everything on
Broadway as it is
now in it's fifth
year. Last night
at the Murat on
its return trip to
this city. "Abie"
proved it drawing
power by getting
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

and / am sure I
would recall him
with ease because
his first part of
his act relies near
ly upon personal
ity to put 1t over.
His strength Of
personality per-
mits him to do the
unusual and it is
not long that the
audience is willing
to accept him al
though he is diff
ferent. He makes
his final bid for
general apprecia-
ton when he gives
his impression of
90 -
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
AN INTERESTING
PERSONALITY AT LYRIC

1t has always been my contention
that personality and showmanship
have lot to do with the individual
success of any person on the stage.
1 am more convinced than ever
after seeing Frank McConville.
do not recall ever seeing him before
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

audience. A rainy night and box
ing exhibition as we'll as "Ben-Hur."
were stiff opposition, but able"
came out with flying colors.
1 am satisfied with the cast this
time, because the actors do not go
to the extreme as members OF the
first cast seen here. The characters
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

even Idlf. L am
going to award the
first prize" my
best Judgment to
A. c. Astor, an
English ventrilo-
quist, who uses
the best bass voice
I have. ever heard
in a dummy"
His artistry is so
sustained, rounded
out and full in
tonal value that
the soused chauf-
feur who wrecked
his bosses automo-
bile in a secret joy
ride. is as COM
plete a character
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

The show moves
along somewhat
similar to the re-
vue type and yet
e a C h different
number has it's
o W n members,
which gives the
performance the
rather novel effect
of being both
vaudeville and a
revue at the same
time.
Larry Vincent,
the fun maker of
the show, had a
hard time of 1t at
the time Of review
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
Urn
| racY
MoIIycoddIing of Crimi7
nails Blamed for Prison
Riot Epidemic,
BY NJ. e. Tracy


The Ohio prison break is but one
Of too many.
Scarcely a week passes without
convicts staging such a fracas in
one or more of our penal institu.
tons.
Last Thursday the Tombs was
shot up" with, four deaths and two
casualties as the result.
Three days later several desper.
ADDE'S, whom the law had excused
from harsher punishment on the
ground that they were mentally de.
fective, escaped from the Napanoch
insane asylum.
Now comes this most spectacular
ARRAY Of them all at Columbus.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

and the Christ has made His final
journey on foot to the cross-then
we have the most terrific flash the
screen has ever witnessed-the bleed
ing footprints of the Christ to his
death"
Now let us consider the medium
of expressing this story. First the
cast. 1t is as follows:
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

story. L saw men
and women of to-
day weep quietly
at certain chap
tiers of the story
unfolded as enter.
tainment. 1 saw a
magnificent audi
ence rise to the
theater at the mo-
ment when the
chariots drawn by
horses went flying
around the course.
l heard that audi
ence applaud the
victor and gasp
when MESSIAH in
the race "bit the
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
BULK ENTERTAINMENT
is OFFERED AT KEITH'S

Bulk vaudeville entertainment is
being served at Keith's, this week
where ten acts of vaudeville is be-
ing offered.
On bill of such length 1t is natural
to expect that some acts are very
good and some are far from being
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
LOOKING OVER
NEW EVENTS AT PALACE

A variation from the usual is pres
ent on the Palace bill for the first
half Of the week in that the show is
unit company billed the "Syncopa-
ton Show" numbering about twelve
separate acts in itself.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
A FEW MORE
WORDS ABOUT ABLE

, I haye always contended that
"Abie's Irish Rose" was good and
great theater.
once heard man say that he was
different from the others, because
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09
Movie Version of Ben-Hur Catches Beautiful
Spiritual Theme of One of the Most Loved Stories
By Walter D. Hickman

Mothers way of telling the story of the Christ when
yOungster masterful
At her knee received Introduction to the greatest fact
in the worlds history
She graphic and plain that she made mental movie
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

out OF the story OF the CHRIST.
More than thirty-fve years after
she told me that story, 1 sat In an
audience which nearly taxed the
capacity of a theater and I saw a
movieN version Of the same great
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

appear more lie like and possible
But the fun and the great laughs
are just as frequent as before.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

Thelma Machine Laverne Sawyer
Train Bearer ............ Helen Osborn
able" remains on view all week
at the Murat.
The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1926-11-09

toto check imitation and get the Ira back a
sound basis before too late
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-06-10
Proclairns Laughter
an Effective Tonic

Barry Corners, who wrote the COM
edy "Applesauce," scheduled for chau-
tauqua, admits that he gets a big
thrill out of making people laugh.
"When writing my plays" states Mr..
Corners. Il always keep in mind the
fact that above all else audiences
want 10 be entertained. Laughter is
the only effective tonic l know for all
human ailments. l am willing to let
the other fellows turn out the serious
dramas"
Incidentally, Mr.. Corners is an un-
usual type Of playwright He is
a sturdy young giant, with pair of
big broad shoulders that he has put
to good use since leaving college.
After graduation he decided to turn
vagabond and see the world. He
started for the highest mountains and
found himself with his paint box and
brushes in the Cascades, with enough
money to buy fish bait, gunpowder and
bird shot, but not enough to keep a
pony or run bicycle. He sat down
and made beautiful Christmas cards,
sent them to Denver, Seattle and
other cities. where they went like hot
buckwheat cakes. Often he trudged
day and night over the mountains
dreaming fair dreams and occasionally
putting some Of them into black and
white. By and by he looked up civil
lization and found himself writing
plays-plays 50 human and full OF
wit and rich humor that there mas
been constantly open market for his
offerings.
1t Is said that Corners, either
through modesty or superstition. never
attends the first night performance OF
one of his plays. That modesty Is
responsible Is indicated by his atti
tude in wondering II someone is MOI
joshing him when wreaths Of hopl
stretch his way and pleasln. com
Belington progressive. [volume] (Belington, W. Va.) 1912-1927, 1926-06-10

Chautauqua's closing afternoon will
bring William Pryor, banjo songster
and blaekface comedian, along with
the DuMond Serenaders. Pryor plays
lot of instruments, sings, tells sto-
ries and does little dancing. For
three seasons he was one of the fore
most artists with the famous Eddie
leonard company. He offers a re-
fined entertainment, suitable for pres
sntation before the most fastidious
audience He will be liked best, per-
naps, in his song-stories, with banjo
accompaniment.
In addition to his afternoon pro-
gram, Mr.. Pryor will be heard on
chautauqua's closing night with the
DuMond company. Theirs will be a
Joy night program, calculated to ban
tsh old man gloom from the sacred
precincts of chautauqua.