San Francisco Call, Volume 114, Number 126, 9 October 1913 — WHISPERING in the WINGS... [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

WHISPERING in the WINGS...

Kitty Gordon, she of the gorgeous gowns and the dazzling beauty, has captured San Francisco. The famous prima donna has found as much favor in the eyes of local theater goers as she did In New York, to say nothing of her hordes of admirers across the seas. There is no one on the stage quite Hke Kitty Gordon. She has a "different sort" of personality. She radiates charm and lovabllity and she corrals all eyes the moment she makes her appearance. It is easy to understand why so many superlatives have been used to sound her praises. "The Enchantress," which is her medium of introduction at the Cort, is an opera comlque with a real plot and some genuine characterizations. Victor Herbert's music is always tuneful and always appreciated. Seats go on sale today for the second and final week of Misb Gordon's engagement, which begins Sunday night. » * » ' The Trail of the Lonesome Pine," with Charlotte Walker as June, is enjoying a splendid business at the Columbia. The audience in attendance at the opening performance last Sunday night taxed the limits of the seating capacity of the playhouse and many were turned away. This same state of affairs has existed practically at each succeeding performance and no doubt will continue, for the advance seat sale for the remaining

performances of her engagement, which is to continue for" a second and final week beginning next Sunday night, !s even larger than it was for the first week. Miss Walker came to San Francisco almost a stranger, but when she leaves she will carry with her the appreciation of the many who have enjoyed her splendid work as June, the wild, untutored mountain heroine of the beautiful drama. * *• # The season of light opera at the Tlvoll opera house is rapidly drawing to a close, and "Glrotle-Girofla." I«e---cocq's charming comic opera, which has mads a great hit, will bo presented for the last times Saturday afternoon and evening. On Sunday the Tlvoll Will be devoted to rehearsals and on Monday night the Western Metropolitan Opera company will inaugurate a season of grand opera. This organization is made up of artists of worldwide fame, and their advent has created a tremendous stir throughout the musical community. The chorus includes 60 young and well schooled voices, the orchestra numbers 50 master musicians and there will also be an excellent ballet. The repertoire for the opening week has been chosen with a view of displaying the various principals at their best. * * * Elmer Harris, the California playwright, will personally direct rehearsals of his latest comedy success, "Your Neighbor's Wife," which Is to be the Alcazar's offering next Monday night and throughout the week, with Charles Ruggles specially engaged for his original role. Both the author and the actor are well and favorably ! known here, Mr. Harris having graduated from the University of California and done his earlier work for the stage in this city, and Mr. Ruggles having been the Alcazar's light comedian an entire season, during which he played many parts and won a strong following.Frultvale, Alameda county, is the locale of "Your Neighbor s Wife." * # » Lulu Glaser, the favorite comic opera star, will head the Orpheum bill next week in a play entitled "First Love," by Raymond W. Pec. Miss Glaser is said to have no superiors In her particular type of sparkling comedy. She first came into prominence as leading woman for Francis Wilson In "The Little Corporal." Swor and Mack will present their realistic impressions of southern negroes. They sing good "coon" songs and do eccentric dancing. The Langdons, Rose, Harry and

Tully, will submit their spectacular travesty, "A Night on the Boulevard." Kluting's Entertainers, consisting of trained pigeons, rabbits, dogs and cats, will perform some remarkable feats. Emily Darrell and Charley Conway will appear in a little comedy entitled "Behind the Scenes," which abounds In extraordinary complications, and is rich In wit and humor. Next week will be the last of Maude Lambert and Ernest Ball. Ed Wynne and company and Charlotte Parry, the famous protean Actress.

The exceptional program being presented at Grauman's Imperial theatea!

this week, including two great plays in ftlmatized form, has resulted In crowded houses at all performances. Nero and Britannicus, a natural colored film in four parts is the big drawing card. Another exceptionally fine feature on the bill is a ftlmatized production of Count Leo Tolstoy's famous drama, "The Living Corpse." Commencing next Sunday matinee, Lillle Langtry, the celebrated actress, with a strong company will be seen at the Imperial in a filmatized version of the tense dramatic play, "His Neighbor's Wife."

* » » Charles Rellly in "A Bit of Old Ireland" is renewing acquaintances at Pantages this week. Rellly is a great favorite in San Francisco, where he played several seasons In musical comedy at the American. Mattle Townsend is making a success in the playlet, "The Prophecy," a timely sketch full of interesting scenes. The entire bill this week Is good. Next week there will be a brace of top liners entitled "Fun in Hl-School" and "Mr. Green's Reception."

Karno's London comedians, in "A Night in a London Club" and a playlet entitled "When Women Rule," continue to please capacity audiences at the Fmpress this week. A fine bill Is promised for next week, when Happy Hearn's seven comedy "bike" riders will be the chief attraction. Another feature will be a play entitled "The Tamer," played by Mabel Florence and Beresiord Lovett. A big added feature of the program will be a production in 10 scenes of the Barbary Coast at night.

* * # "Overnight," the clever farce comedy now playing at the new Oriental. Is meeting with popular approval, and nightly the handsome playhouse is filled with merriment. The members of the excellent stock company are particularly at home In comedy. Monday night will mark the final performance of "Overnight," and on Tuesday night "The Confession" will be produced. This play has caused much discussion in church circles. Miss Vera McCord has been engaged to play 1 the principal role. She was formerly leading woman with Henry Miller and James K. Hackett. She Is a San Francisco girl and she has been highly successful In her profession.

* » » The new Gaiety theater in O'Farrell street will be opened with a big musical revue, "The Candy Shop" Saturday night, October 18. The company, composed of artists of distinction, has' been working westward from Cleveland to dedicate the new musical comedy playhouse, which is being put through the finishing touches this week. In the future the Gaiety, backed by G. M. Anderson of "Broncho Billy" fame, will be the home theater of allied playhouses In several cities and will produce new musical comedies which will later make the circuit.