The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-07-27

that the age Of spoken drama and
vaudeville shows passed with the
coming Of the "talkies."
The history Of the stage proves
that whenever any particular style
production was found to be a winner
similar plays we're produced over
night When vaudeville was younger
the fad seemed 10 be for "freak"
acts, such as bridge jumpers, di-
vOrcees and sensation seekers. This
line Of attraction soon failed 10
click" and passed into the discard
along with leopard skins worn by
the professional strong men.
When a theater can dispense with
stage hands stage productions. or
chestras. and high-pOwered selling
campaigns and still get the same
price for its tickets it seems foolish
10 comment on why We have only
canned" entertainment
Owners Not Worried
Theater owners are not worried
about the future, for Just as soon as
q change seems expedient 1t will be
made and something else will be
presented as the piece de resis- I
lance"
Almost Jaily 7 am asked questions /
such as are We going to have Keith /
vaudeville next season." What's |
the matter with show business?" |
'Why don't we get the same shows /
that are seen in other Cities?"
I may not have the correct answer /
but at least it can not be much /
farther from the truth than many
other predictions that are being /
made.
However. I am one among a great |
many citizens who believes that the
coming season in the theatrical field |
should bring back to indianapolis
the regular Keith vaudeville. to-
eether with long season of theatre
cal productions. and the way to &C
complish this is for the business
interests Of the city to concentrate
on bringing it. about
It is sad commentary on the
city 10 have theaters idle the year
round and have the thought broad
cast that indianapolis is a poor
snow town" This is not a poor show
town but its people are seriously /
opposed TO poor theatrical produce
tons and other stage performances
that are not up to our standard.
Indianapolis IS typically an Amer
lean city with the traditions of early
American life and in many respects
has not grown like other Commun-
ities-it has an extremely small
"foreisn' population.
When IL comes to entertainment,
theatrical and otherwise, many of
us still breathe the Care-free aban-
don of young America and q large
percentage of our people prefer pop
ular melodies to grand opera and /.
would rather listen to Paul White
mans hand than = concert by Sousa.
Entertainment on the hoOf" always
goes big, hence the local success of
Circuses with their animals and
clowns.
What We Lack
Separate our citv's population into
ElQuktS dllAl VT 4lLlNl diiOlls HIS lCcAl-
ers Americas highest culture pre-
dominant This element, so neces-
sary to the educational and civic ad-
vancement of a communicate its
desire for Improvement - builds
beautiful structures, magnificent
boulevards, parks, Fairgrounds and
plazas.
1t reaches out into the field of /
commerce and selects many of its
leaders in manufacturing
In the realm of art and literature
Indianapolis stands near the top
and is still going strong. Only in
its theatrical fare has indianapolis
seemed to drift and follow the line /
of least resistance.
Because many Of the best and big .
geSt travelling companies do not ap- /
pear locally does not make Indian /
spolis a poor show town. Various |
explanations have been advanced to /
explain the lack OF patronage. Let !
some one build an up-to-date dra- I
matte theater and many of the other
problems Will be solved.
Due to the constantly increasing 7
cost OF travel, eXorbitant salaries 4
ADJUSTMENTS