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Show 1 THEATERS AT THE OGDEN. "The Battle Cry of Peace," filmed in eight reels by the Vitagraph company, com-pany, was presented In Ogden last night for the first time, by the enterprising en-terprising management of the Ogden theater. Three performances were given, beginning at 6:30 o'clock and, conservatively estimated, 4,000 persons per-sons saw the remarkable picture. Every Ev-ery seat In the playhouse was occupied occu-pied when the first picture was thrown on the screen and virtually the same condition prevailed when the final scene, in the third presentation presen-tation was shown As has been tho case in other cities, it is anticipated that the picture will draw capacity audiences during the entire week's booking. Thero is much to interest every typo of "movie" patron In "The Battle Bat-tle Cry of Peace," from the lover of tho sensational to the deep thinking student of the signs of the times. There is also a touch of comedy now and then to give it the human interest inter-est that Is needed to make the sermon ser-mon in It more a vision of necessity than a story built only for purposes of entertainment. The scenario is of absorbing interest and in the way of scenic embellishment, nothing more elaborate has even been seen in a local lo-cal theater. The story Is a sermon on the present pres-ent much mooted and vital question to America's "Preparedness for War." Tho inadequacy of the defense of this country is revealed by a presentation of statistics which gives a comparison of the armament of tho United States with that of other countries and many views of modern devices of war. These devices are shown in action In tho evolution of the play and the seriousness se-riousness of tho lack of America's ownership of them is portrayed with vivid force. The possible invasion ot the city of New York and the vast destruction de-struction that could be wrought is bi ought before the pictured thoughts are merely conjecture, tho possibility seen In them is made plainly apparent. appar-ent. The company that is seen In the production and tho evidence of tho material used marks it as one of the most expensive that has yet been produced pro-duced and every scene Is forcefully presented. The picture is commended by many prominent local people, among them being Mayor A. R. Heywood and Captain Cap-tain W. E. Kneass of Company B, Utah National Guard. In a letter to Manager Harmon W. Peery, Captain Kneass said: "Thanks to the enterprise of the Ogden Og-den theater, this city is having the opportunity of witnessing the moat wonderful and inspiring moving picture pic-ture in its history. The production of "The Battle Cry of Peace" has, wherever wher-ever shown, burned into the soul of its audiences, the realization of the terrible risks the richest nation In the world is running by failure to provide common sense Insurance against war." Company B, N. G. U., Is to attend one of the early performances In a body and two members will act as a guard of honor in the lobby, every night this week. AT THE ALHAMBRA. Madame Nellie Melba, tho noted Australian diva who held the musical world at her feet for many years as its greatest coloratura soprano, was heard last night in recital at the Alhambra Al-hambra theater. The beautiful play-houso play-houso was a fitting environment for the Introduction of even as great a theatrical personage as Melba and, appreciating it, at the close of the recital re-cital she said to Manager R. E. Skinner: "To you, Mr. Skinner, I must say that your theater, In this Ogden of yours, Is the most beautiful theater I have sung In, In the United States. And your Ogden audience has made me very happy." The audience that greeted the diva, numbered more than a thousand persons, per-sons, and while they did not hear the colorature of old, all were delighted with the admirably arranged program that was presented. In her singing, Madame Molba demonstrated that the ears have taken away a part of her power to thrill an audience with the thrilling that was her greatest asset and replaced it with the fine charm of a mature woman. All of her dra matic power, too, Is left, with the velvety vel-vety quality of her lower register and wonderful breath control. These make up in a great measure for the coloratura colora-tura tones that many of the recital patrons had longed to hear again, and her entire program delighted every one. bno opened tne program witn tne Mad Scene (Hamlet) by Thomas and her other numbers were "Ava Maria" (Othello), Verdi; "Addio" (La Bo-heme), Bo-heme), Puccini; "Les Anges Pleu-reat." Pleu-reat." "Chant Venetian," "Nymphs at Sylvain" (Bemberg)' and "Se Seran Rose" (Ardltl). In the Berberb group adn the Are Maria," the singer displayed dis-played an artistry that only a queen of song could express. In the "Mad Scene" and the Arditl waltz song, though the interpretation understanding understand-ing and power were there, the former silvery quality and smoothness of her thrills was missing. Each rendition won enthusiastically applause and at the following each group, Madame Melba, with gracious charm, responded respond-ed with an encore. The encores were 'Annie Laurie," "Comln' Through the Rye" and "Songs My Mother Taught Me " T ho noted singer is particularly fortunate in her choice of assisting artists ar-tists and accompanist for her tour, Frank SL Lergor, essaying the double dou-ble role with brilliant success. He is easily one of the finest pianists that has played before an Ogden audience and displays as even greater perfection perfec-tion of his art as an accompanist As solos last night, Mr. St Ledger played play-ed "Nocturne, Chopin; "Prelude G Minor," Rachmaninoff; "Londonderry Air." Grainger, and "Concert Study," Roscnbloom. He also played two encore en-core numbers in answer to ovations of applause. In addition to the treat of sharing the program with her pianist, Madame Melba gave tho local people the opportunity op-portunity of hearing Willard E. i Weihe, the well known Salt Lake violinist. vio-linist. Mr. Weihe contributed two big numbers, "Concerto E minor" (Andante-Finale). Mendelssohn, and "Russian "Rus-sian Airs," WIeniawski. As an en core he played the ever popular "Traumeril." by Schumann. The accompaniments ac-companiments for Mr. Weihe were admirably played by Miss Myra Chase of Salt Lake |
