davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Washington times., 1927-11-12
1r. Ziegfeld's New Opera On Our Threshold
FATHER
AND MOTHER
AT DEBUT

Norma ferris, young Ameri-
can girl from the Southwest. is
selected by Florenx Ziegfeld to
play Magnolia, the heroine of
Show Boat" An almost un-
believable number of leading
women coveted this colorful
part in the rausical version of
Edna Ferber's famous story.
Some of them were stars. Three
have registered as London ia
vorites,
Miss ferris was not born on
storm tossed Mississippi River
show boat. but in a tranquil
Kansas home at Columbus. In
infancy she was removed to
Lagrange, upon the hills over
looking the Missouri, tributary
to the tawny, tigerish Missis.
sippi. and as restless and teach-
erous in it's moods. The 7O's
were gone, of course, but their
legends live. The girl drank
them In with the passionate
fervor that inspired the Mag
nolia Of Edna Ferber's creation.
She loved the river and some
times feared its angry flood
time outbursts She be me
saturated with the spirit of the
tickle waters.
1t was at Lagrange College
that she was educated-an ex.
tensive institution, the chief as
set of a small Missouri Main
Street town. Her maternal
grandfather was merchant who
loved dancing and taught 1t as
side line. Her paternal grand
father was at the head Of the
college and his wife was a
teacher. Norma's mother was a
professional concert singer, wide.
~ known in the Southwest. So
much for heredity. 1t has sig.
nificance.
Norma yearned for the stage.
She was brought to New York
by her cousin. deceased wife of
Sidney Drew, younger brother
Of John Drew. They. too. have
passed.
1t was in the Ziegfeld Midnight
Frolic seven years ago that Miss
ferris was given first engage.
ment in the chorus. FIorenz
Ziegfeld's brain holds an indie
lible card index of every person
TO whom h. has given opportunity
in the past quarter century. He
il always seeking talent worth
developing. He never forgot Miss
ferris.
On tour with road companies
she has brilliantly filled many
leading parts that she did not orig
mate in Metropolitan musical sue
cesses. Now, strangely enough, a
turn of fortunes wheel, and q ges-
ture' of the long hand Of Ziegfel.
dian intuition, give her opportunity
to create the great dramatic role
for which she has hungered ever
since she read the SHOW Boat"
story.
Mother" she used to cry, "it 1
could play Magnolia. the great
dream of my life would surely be
realized"
Miss ferris, with her striking
brunette beauty, big wistful brown
eyes, and a personality fairly
quivering with emotions, seems to
be almost reincarnation of Mag.
nolia.
1t is interesting TO know that
grandpa, the Lagrange school
president, now So years old, and
his good wife. have arrived in the
East as Norma's guests to he
present at the Show Boat" pre-.
miere, hoping for full realization
Of her long cherished ambition.
The Washington times., 1927-11-12
Personalities

Clara Bow and Josef Swickard
together are in the new picture,
Get Your Man." the first pro-
duction in which they have as
ISOLATED since "Maytime"
Anne Nichols, author of "Abie's
Irish Rose" now peing produced
in films by Paramount, has writ
ten twenty-five plays. ..
Gary Cooper will be the leading
man with Florence Vidor in her
next starring picture, "Dooms.
day." based upon the novel by
Warwick Deeping .. Will
liam Austin, eccentric English
comedian, has been cast for an
important part in "Red Hair"
=. Diamonds and emeralds
are the favorite jewelry combina-
ton of Ruth Taylor, the blonde in
Gentlemen Prefer Blondes"
The Washington times., 1927-11-12
GERSHWIN MAKES
GOOD; STARS
FAILURES

Antipodal critical opinion on
Funny Face" Polls bid for fame,
intimates that George Gershwin's
fast and furious dance opera Is in
staggering condition. In short, a
lot Of fixing" Is due and a bad,
inept book is blamed.
Whether Mr.. BenchIey, who col
Elaborated on the book of the show
with Fred Thompson is at fault
remains to be seen. But the fact
that BenchleY's authoriaT lahors
fail to find high favor when teamed
with Gershwin rhythms recalls the
parallel fate of George Kaufman.
whose librettoing antics, coupled
with this same Gershwin's tunes
In Strike Up the Band" brought
about a withdrawal Of that musi.
cal piece in Philadelphia q scant
few weeks since.
In both cases. Gershwin. dean
OF dowager.like syncopation.
found himself associated with two
front.rank American humorists.
Kaufman, a successful playwright;
Senchley, a wit Of the magazine
inkpot.
In both cases. too. one discovers
Gershwin sharing the actual lob
OF deVlslng musical numbers with
his brother, Ira. highly touted as
. Underwriting fellow of striking
talents.
In both cases, one might
further add, the Gershwins have
indicated by two numbers that
their hit-writing genius is still
active.
But what of the weak. inept
Hbrettos, these highly-touted
American humorists have de.
HveRed. In the terms of the
younger Gershwin in Funny
Face"-"how long has this been
going on?"
The Washington times., 1927-11-12
WILL ROGERS
INTERESTING
REMARKS

VIII Rogers job in the movies
acting and writing subtitles-
has officially ended and he In
on a vacation" pending the pre-
miere in New York City OF "a
Texas Steer" in which he is
starred.
The cowboy-humorist has in
formed Sam f. Rork, producer
of "A Texas Steer" for First Ma
tional Pictures, that he now has
to catch up on his "official' du-
ties. The National Press Club,
through its president, Louis Lud-
low, has wired Rogers for his
first report as Congressman-at-
large of the United States, and as
this is his maiden effort as a
Congressman, Will is giving con-
siderable thought to the Nations
affairs.
In "A Texas Steer which is
based on the Charles Hoyt stage
success, Rogers has the part of a
cattleman elected to Congress
against his wishes. What he
thinks OF his job as a reel Con-
gresham is best explained in
some of the subtitles he con.
cocted, as follows:
There ought to he a tax on
every man that wanted poll
tical office or Government ap-
pointment and in two years we
could pay our national debt.
Half the people in this country
would rather get dollar from
the Government than earn 10
honestly"
I'm a Congressman-a local
bandit sent to raid the National
headquarters for something for
my own district; il get enough,
l become a statesman"
The cast of "A Texas Steer
includes Louise FaZenda. Ann
Rork, Lilyan Tashman. Douglas
Fairbanks. jr.; George Marion, sr.:
Sam Hardy. Mack Swain. Lucien
Littlefield. William Orlamond,
Arthur Hoyt and Bud Jaimison.
Richard Wallace is the director.
The Washington times., 1927-11-12

III AAUliy WOOu.
Mr.. Pearson went TO California.
to confer with Cecil B. DeMille
and other executives of the com.
pany and to discuss plans for
product for the coming year.
Il was immensely pleased by
the Quality of the product that
l saw" he said. THE produc-
ton staff has attained result;
that reflect great credit upon Mr..
DPMille and William Sistrom,
general manager Of the studios.
Several of the pictures re.
Gently completed at the DeMille
studio were screened for me. am
specially enthusiastic over Dress
Parade the picture that was
made at West Point, The Leonard
Lady The Forbidden Woman
The Main Event and Chicago
Dress Parade reflects great
credit upon the ability of Director
Donald Crisp, William Boyd, TIE
star. and everyone else in the
company.
The Main Event is another
picture of which l expect great
things. 1t has novelty. For in.
stance, there is a travelling shot
in which the camera follows the
star without a break down
street, around a corner, into a
cabaret. through the place. nm
some steps, along a hallway.
upon an elevator, into a dressi1r
room and even into a bathroom
l don't know how they did it.
ny the way, the camera used,
IN TINS work. which is a new
device originated by Director
howard and Rochus Gliese. the
German art and technical director.
WIN be used by the Pathe marty
mat is to make picture in the
strand Canyon, traversing the en-.
tlre length of the Colorado River
from Lees Ferry to the Needles"
The Washington times., 1927-11-12
A FIERY
REBEL, AND 50
PROVES IT

Winnie Lightner, the popular
Coincidence who is appearing at
the Fox Theatre next week, is a
fiery rebel by nature. She proudly
proclaims that were she power
ful enough to WELD scepter over
the theater she would make the
most radical changes Imaginable.
For instance" says the pretty
Miss Lightner. the late star of
Gay Paree' and George Whites
Scandals" Il would give the
villains of musical comedies a
break For years the heroes
have had their own way in win
ming the girls of their choice.
Under my regime / would let
the villain occasionally marry the
heroine before the final curtain.
/ know this would disrupt the
plot. but what of 1t?
Il would also hand out a
printed set OF lyrics SO those in
the audience who have voices or
think they have, could step up
on the stage and join in the
chorus. This would b. better
than having some people hum
so loud that those nearest them
feel annoyed. And then, too, why
shouldn't some of those who raid
for their seats have the oppor-
tunity Of publicly singing y song
to the beautiful heroine of the
play?
Another change l would in
sist on would be to haSe the
critics who give unfavora;.le criti.
cisms to play see the show
every night during It's run SO the
cast can extract a fair measure
of revenge.
And lastly. I would cast my
self in the role of beautiful
heroine. I have never been
heroine in a musical con- ady. In.
variably, am comedienne. Be-
cause l happened to be something
of a success when 1 was quite
young in singing comedy songs,
the manager catalogued me as a
comedienne and coincidence I
suppose / always shall be, no
matter, how much I yearn to be
pathetic and serious"
The Washington times., 1927-11-12
Alice Joyce Again

The addition of Alice Joyce
and Robert T. HaineS. the latter
an old time stage actor who has
appeared in q number of films.
marks the completion Of the east
supporting Richard Bartheln1ess
in his new First National picture.
''The Moose" from Willard Mack
and II. H. Van Loans play.
The Washington times., 1927-11-12
Next for Conklin-Fields

Quick Lunch" by the entire
writing staff of the Paramount
Hollywood studio. will be the
next vehicle for w. c. Fields and
Chester Conklin. The comedy
team will start work in the new
production Immediately upon com.
pletion of Two Flaming Youths"
their current feature. No direc.
tor or supporting cast have vet
been selected for Quick Lunch"
The Washington times., 1927-11-12
A London Story

Milton Stills. First National star,
having completed camera work on
The Valley of the Giants" from
Peter b. kyne's novel, will at
once begin work on his succeed.
ing picture. Burning Daylight"
from Jack I.ondon's novel.
The Washington times., 1927-11-12
Nicholson PLAY

1.-TWO Weeks Off," a play by
Kenyon Nicholson and Thomas
Bafrows, is to be filmed. Doro-
thy Mackaill will appear in the
production.
Nicholson also is the author of
The Barker" which First Ma.
tional Pictures will make, with
Milton Stills as star.
The Washington times., 1927-11-12
Pathe Official Finds
Improved Quality

Decided improvement in the quality of product in eff
cheney, In economicsin brief in the
entire motion picture indusry-is the impression
gained by Elmer Pearson first vice president of Pahe
Exchange Inc, during his recent threeweek stay
The Washington times., 1927-11-12

King Directing Barton
Louis King is to direct Buzz
Barton in The Fightin' Red
Head the 1S.year-old stars
next for f. r. o.
The Washington times., 1927-11-12
Creelman Writing Script

James Crefiman is writing script
OF or The Red Dancer of Moscow
The Washington times., 1927-06-22
COOLIDGE SEEN
AS RA|NMAKER
BY GEORGE E. DURNO
international News service


RAPID CITY. $. D., June a.
The Back Hills. according to the
natives, have suffered from sewers
drought for three years past.
If so, and they undoubtedly are
telling the truth, those same ma
tives owe a large vote. of thanks to
President Coolidge. AS a rain
maker he is unexcelled. It has
since he has been here, hailed once
the eastern visitors in a consider
sally forth in white flannels or
slickers. Those accompanying Mr..
Coolidge have come to the con-
ability to bring on downpoIr from
last year, for at Paul Smiths in
1925 almost the same condition pre-
vailed.
The rain is not helping the fish
ing any. driving the trout under
the banks and mudying the streams
as 1t does, but it isn't deterring
the President any from trying his
hand at the sport. In the past
two days he has been Joined by
Mrs. Coolidge, who suddenly de-
cided that chasing the not so elu-
sive trout afforded about as much
excitement as anything else in the
Black HILLS.
Meanwhile, a long waiting public
is about to get an eye picture OF
President Coolidge, hip boots, rod
and creel, wading about in Squaw
Greek. After lodging the movie
men and photographers for a
whole year, he apparently has de-
cided he has become sufficiently
proficient fisherman to permit &C.
ton pictures and he has promised
the boys an early engagement on
the banks of the creek.
The Washington times., 1927-06-22
$47O,OOO Libel Suit
On Patents Drowned

The libel suit for $4,000 against
Thomas E. Robertson, United States
Commissioner of Patents, filed by
Alexander j. Wedderburn, jr., editor
of Patent News" was dismissed
yesterday by the District Circuit
Court because of insufficiency of a
just cause for action.
Weddenburn alleged in an original
and later in an amended suit that
the Commissioner issued statements
contained in the Patent Office
Gazette which reflected upon him
and his method of doing business
with inventors.
The Washington times., 1927-06-22
Man, 81, and Child, A,
Hurt in Auto Mishaps

When his automobile collided with
taxicab and overturned on North
Capitol st. between H and I SITS.
late yesterday. James B. Mcdonald,
81, 1919 Allison st. N. W., suffered
a broken arm. He was taken to
Sibley Hospital. The cab was
operated by Ernest Mullen, 81, SIS
M ST. N. w.
Austin Hammond, 4. 1922 o st.
n. W., received decorations to the
knee when he was knocked down
in front 2507 9 ST N. W., by an
automobile operated by Herbert E.
Carnes. 80, 1855 Taylor st. N. w.
He was treated at Garfield Hos.
pital,
The Washington times., 1927-06-22

Another intensely interest
ing installment of Ruth sny-
der's own story tomorrow!
Watch for it!
The Washington times., 1927-06-22

the bodies of their executed dead,
followed them to . grave for which
they shaved to pay and would pay
installments for years, and sank ON
the ugly mounds and wept and tore
their hair.
Yes, Sing Sing is a hard school,
but 1t graduates its pupils with many
teachings that-are not in the books
Of the whole worlds Libraries.
1t brings them down to where they
can see the elemental-the raw prod
uct of life's implanted and unadorned
realities.
There is no pretense in these walls.
That is left outside. This is a. man.
sion of truth-much of it bitter and
burning truth, but all of it truth.
Prison Levels Humanity
1t is place that brings through
the test and to the surface the basic
qualities. They cannot be CLOSED
over, touched up with mental or
physical or social cosmetics.
Here you can quickly and surely
read humans. You know at once
whether they have courage, kind.
ness, sincerely, sympathy.
We are all. equals here. Fuller
and MCGEE, said to have millions,
our recent additions, are just the
same as a thug who killed bum
boat keeper or a CRATER who robbed
a poorbox.
We haven't even names. We are
numbers.
Society has cast us out and Gagged
us in. We cannot make pretenses
of social superiority, financial al.
vantage, or political power. We ara
all sinners, caught at 1t. who
couldn't get way with it.
So we start on common level.
A prison Is the only place / know
of where that is possible.
But still We are not equal any
more than we are free.
The individual qualities stand
out more in high relief here than
in the outer world where so much
sham and fake can alter facts.
Much Honest Humanemess
And not all these revelations are
unpleasant at all. One Is amazed
to encounter so much honest hu.
maneness, so much steadfast af.
lection. so much kindly under.
standing.
The life ia not. therefore, as
monotonous and gnawing as one
might think who has never en-.
dured it.
1t should be a fascinating labor.
atory for scientists-for instance,
some of those wise experts" who
Analysed" my soul, and who know
as much about my soul as a
hooking bird knows about cooking.
II they want to study humanity,
here it is for them-stripped down
to its naked hide.
Another intensely interest
ing installment of Ruth sny-
der's own story tomorrow!
Watch for it!
The Washington times., 1927-06-22
Everybody Loves
Clear, White Skin

You might fail to notice most
anything else, but never the woman
who keeps herself irresistible by
preserving her skins rosy clear.
ness, free from even the tiniest
speck of discoloration. Her pres.
ence is felt instantly wherever she
goes.
This charm is not impossible for
you. Most of the women you ad.
mire so for their youthful com
plexion will tell you it is easy to
keep your skin clear and as soft
as the petals of a rose.
Just squeeze the juice Of two
lemons into a three-ounce bottle of
Orchard White and massage this
entrancingly fragrant lotion into
your skin. It Is marvellous how
quickly it clears away all freckles,
tan and discolorations. It is simple
and so. inexpensive. Two lemons,
and a bottle of Orchard White
which you can get from any dealer.
The Washington times., 1927-06-22
Ruth Snyder's Final
Appeal for Public
Sympathy and Mercy
Condemned Slayer Relates In
! Detail Her Side of Story
CHAPTER Is
By RUTH BROWN SNYDER
Condemned TO Death With Henry Judd Gray for
Murdering Her Husband.
med to Death With Henry Judd Gray for
Numbering Her Husband.
Copyright. 1920


OssINING N Y, June 22-The first really days Of
have All that penetraes the deathhouse
of Sing Sing to tell heat The lovely sunlight the
caressng breeze the of the BIRDS the fresh
flowers the blue sky-those blessings denied here
1t must be very beautiful "out'' today!
year ago did not give those gifts of God much notice.
though then they mine to enjoy and will Today
would give all but my soul for them
The Washington times., 1927-06-22
Worst Corn Goes
In ; Minutes

Three minutes. ends the toughest,
most painful corn or callous when
you use Shur.Off. This amazing
new remedy stops all pain the In.
slant it is applied; positively will
not irritate or affect healthy skin,
but so quickly softens the corn or
callous that in a few minutes you
can easily take It out-root and all.
Why use old.time preparations
which 90 often irritate and require
several days treatment. Get Shur.
off at Peoples Drug Stores (all over
town., follow the simple directions
and enjoy real foot comfort at once.
The Washington times., 1927-12-31

A closed car win answer All trana-
portatien needs IN cold. winter weather
bur one today fhrUugh the Une1
Car ads In Classified.
The Washington times., 1927-12-31
OIL IN STORAGE.
INCREASING

Ry w. 9. COUSINS

An increase in both production
and consumption of oil, with produc.
ton outstripping consumption by
6S, 900 900 barrels and adding that
much to an already large volume of
oil in storage, was the feature OF
1927 in the oil industry, according to
Walter C. Teagle. president Of the
Standard Oil Company of New
Jersey.
Developments in the new west
Texas fields, according to Mr..
Teagle. will result in a 500, ,000-barrel-
per-day shut in production in that
field. While west Texas produced
81, 900, 900 barrels of crude oil this
year, it is estimated that it will pro.
duce three times that much In 1928.
Through a. six-fold increase in pro-
duction at Seal Beach, and q deep
sand discovery at Long Beach, said
Teagle, California assumed prorni-
nence In production and may furnish
250, 900 barrels day, compared with
recent production Of 100000 barrels.
''The gain in consumption was
46, ,000, 900 barrels in the past IL
months" Said the head Of the coun-
try's largest refiner and distributor
Of petroleum. '"This very consider
able addition to demand" Teagle de-
clared, was without effect on prices,
because Of an increase of lao, 900 900
in nrOdilctionn -
The Washington times., 1927-12-31
Army Officers to Pay
ReSpectS to Coolidge

Major General Summerall. chief Of
staff, today issued orders for the
formation Of officers Of the Army to
pay their respects to the President
on Monday. The order includes Of
ficers Of the Regular Army stationed
at Fort Myer and In Washington, Of
the District National Guard and Of
the Reserve Corps.
They are directed to assemble In
columns OF two at lilo a. m. ON the
second floor OF the War Department,
and win enter the White House by
the east entrance. Retired officers
viii line up with active officers.
The prescribed uniform consists of
saber, gloves, decorations and
medals. and, in case Of inclement
weather. oyercoats.
The Washington times., 1927-12-31

quantity Of sales Is very high.
The same economic principle win
animate other companies In the
loW.priced field. Manufacturers
win accept slim profit margins
in an effort to hreak down pub
lie apathy. Novel lures and
charms win b added to the new
cars to make old models seem
obsolete, and 10 stir the buying
impulse among owners whose
present cars. though old-fashioned
IN appearance, stin are useful
vehicles Of transportation. As
prices for cars decline. there is
an increased tendency to trade
iI serviceable cars earlier.
The opening q week from today
Of the twenty,eighth annual Ma,
tional Automobile Show IN New
York win be more than q routine
trade event. This drama Of en-
gineering creations win reveal to
! the public the manner and meth
turers hope to maintain or inn
prove their position IN the Indus
try. The trend Is rapidly. In the
direction OF placing an tncreas-
ing share Of the total business
In the hands Of fewer manufac.
turers. In 1924. General No.
tors produced one car ont o1
every six made in this country:
in 1925, one car out Of tive: in
1925. one car out Of four, and
in 1927. more than one out Of
three. Inasmuch as Ford was
out Of production during more
than half Of the current year,
General Motors has probably
gone as tar in this direction a.
It win for some time, but tn
major executives believe that IN
1923 the corporation win get
4 stilI larger proportion OF the
non.Ford business.
Large Volume
Speculative Wall Street IN re-
cent stock market sessions has
expressed It's view that 1928 u
likely to be one Of large volume
for the aitomotive industry. The
absence of Ford from the market
for many months and the result
ant public hesitation, accumulated
q pent-up demand for cars, and 20
some extent created shortages. Ac.
cordingIy. John j. RasI1cb, the sa.
acious chief financial officer be
the General Motors Corporation,
recently predicted that, Il the
Ford Motor Corporation could get
into maximum production early
enough, 6,000,O0O cars and trucks
would be made and sold IN 1898.
It Il now apparent, however. that
the Ford company cannot get into
full speed until after the first
quarter. From present prospects.
Ford sales in 1878 will be limited
chiefly by production facilities.