Life — December 28, 1911 — page 17: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

“LDPE « self-importance that have always char- acterized the showman. It shouldn't be tremendously difficult to devise a means to sell theatre tickets at a fair price to those who want to buy them at a fair price. CLEVER DEVICE OF A WIFE WHO OB- JECTS TO ASUS ON THE RUGS the State of New York has not waked up to the fact that theatres are public places, iicensed by the authoritics, invit- ing the whole public to enter their doors and enjoying the special services of po- licemen and firesen paid for by all the taxpayers. Another remedy would be that the public should refuse to patronize the theatres that do not deal fairly. It would be extremely difficult to separate the sheep from the goats in that matter and it would be folly to expect and un- reasonable to demand that the mass of the people should deny itself its princi- pal amusement. It is unquestionably true, though, that a very considerable number of persons who would naturally be patrons of the theatres cut off or limit their indulgence in theatregoing because of the annoyances and excessive cost which go with it. Perhaps this is the true reason of bad theatrical ebusiness rather than the wail so frequently re- peated by pin-headed managers to the effect that “there are too many thea- tres.” “SOV oy YD HE remedy for the ticket evil will come when we have the theat- rical business some of the same broad grasp of conditions that American busi- ness men put into the solution of other problems. And this will come when managers cease to be simply showmen unable to rise above the obsolete tradi- tions, small jealousies, petty rivalries, the absolute unveracity and exaggerated ¢ « a “ kd S Police Commissioner Waldo respon- sible for the safety of the theatre- going public against fire and panic? If not, who is? Metcaife, = LIFES GnxfioentaL o The THEATRES Astor—" The Red Widow.” Mr. Raymond Mitchcock in a more than usually amusing musical show. Relasco—" The Return of Peter Grimm.” The reappearance of a dead man in inter- esting play, well acted, with Mr. David War- field as the star, The Wedding T! Casino—"' Peggy.” Elaborate but not clever musical show, Century—" The Garden of Allah.” The Sahara and its neighborhood as spectacus lar background of the well-known novel in dramatic, version. Cohan's—" The Little Millionaire.” George M. Cohan and his whole dear fa in-a-musicals ally, funny and tuneful. Comedy —** Bunty Pulls the Strings.” Laughable and satirical Scotch comedy, most artistically performed. Criterion — Last week of“ Passers-By.” Rather interesting drama with well portrayed types of low life in London. Daly's—Margaret Mlington in Kindli Interesting and well acted drama of t ment house life, Empire—Ethel Barrymore in “ The Witness for the Defence.” Not very clever mystery play with the star not impressi Fat ip." Notice on—Mr. William Collier in “ Take My Just enough of a play te carry the rresistible fun-making. Geiety—Elsie Ferguson in “ The First Lady of the Land.” Clever and very well acted ‘American historical play of the times of Burr and Jefferson. MAKING A MAN OF HIMSELF MISS GRACE LA RUE AND ONE OF HER ADMIRERS Garrick—" The Senator Keeps House. Mr. William H. Crane and his abilities as a comedian in a not very brilliant play. Globe—" The Three Romecos.” Musical show with an abundance of fun-makers and their product. Harris—Last fortnight of Rose Stahl and “ Maggie Peppers Rather interesting devel- opments with a department store supplying the atmosphere, Herald Square— Betsy,” with Grace La Peue as the star. Agrecable comedy with mu- sical features and without chorus girls, _ Hippodrome—The big show with its bri liant ballet, spectacle and pictures of foreign parts. Hudson—" The Price.” Fairly interesting problem play with Helen Ware in the star part. Lyceum—Mme, Nazimova in “The Mari- oncites.” French comedy based on the do- mestic triangle, with the star interesting but as artificial as ever. Lyric— Little Boy Blue." Most agree- able musical show, picturesque and well done. Maxine Eliiott’s—Last week of the Irish Players in repertory. Pork—" The Quaker Girl” Dainty, pleas: ant and well presented musical show of the London type. Playhouse— Bought and Paid For." The unusual mixture of fun and pathos. in. a play of our own times, which holds the in- terest continuously, _ Republic— The Woman.” Strong, absorb- ing and well acted drama of life among the corrupt politicians of Washington, Tharty-ninth Street—* The Million.” Farce from the French, rough-house but very funny. Wellack's—“ Disraeli." Pleasant play of the Victorian era, with Mr. George ‘Arliss’s fine depiction of’ the title character. Winter Garden—Generous bill of vaude- ville and extravaganza, with Gaby Deslys and Annnette Kellermann heading the list comicbooks.com