A LITERARY ROMANCE BY MABEL MONTGOMERY BROWNE PRICE 25 CENTS Eldridge Entertainment House Franklin, Ohio ss^ Denver, Colo. 944 So. Logan Street Money-Making Entertainment Novelties for Church, School or Lodge Miss Nibbs' Novelty Shop By Alta Becker. This is a novel and humorous en- tertainment, introducing 'Liza Ann, Miss Nibbs, two traveling' salesmen, shoppers, mechanical dolls and mechancal maid of all work. A godd little stunt where a short, clean, humorous number is desired. Plays about 30 minutes. Price, 25c. The Brightville Indoor Chautauqua By Bessie Baker and Nellie Hanna. Mere is a brand new idea for an evening's entertainment. It is in 5 parts, each part representing a day at Chautauqua. Gives wide scope for introduction of large cast and many specialties. Complete programs suggested as follows: . Part 1, Chautauqua Concert Company; Part 2, Living Pictures; Part 3, Musical Entertainers; Part 4, Farmers' Night; Part 5, Coonville Jubilee Singers. Price, 35c. Sorepaw & Fells Indoor Circus By Margaret S. Bridge and Margaret H. Hahn. The Grand Annex and Musee, Freaks, Curiosities and Monstrosities, never were in it with the marvelous, amazing, mystifying array outlined in its pages. Ar- tistic, ambling, agile, 'andsome acrobats; cajoling, cadaverous, costly, curious, cunning clowns; Hee- Shee, the ,Monkey Girl of Yucatan; all of these and many others w^ill be seen in the Big Peerade before the show starts, ladies and gentlemen. Keep to the right — don't crowd. Price, 25c. As Ye Sew A "talking doll" missionary play by Dorothy Crich- ton. A lot of fun and some wholesome lessons are contained in the conversation of the dolls who dis- cuss the motives of their donors. Splendid for Young People's or Missionary Societies. 10 girls, 1 boy, or all girls. Time, 20 minutes. Price, 15c. Finding the Key A dialog and drill for 10 or 12 girls and boys. Suit- able for any religious program, but especially for faster. Time, 20 minutes. Deals with problems of youth, recreations, etc.; also with those of Commun- ity Life and the present spirit of Unrest. Interspersed with suggested songs. Drill very effective. 25c. Eldridge Entertainment House FRANKLIN, OHIO alsd DENVER, COLO. 944 S. Logan St. A Literary Romance A Pantomime-farce for Literary Classes and Clubs. By MABEL MONTGOMERY BROWNE Copyright, 1922, Eldridge Entertainment House. PUBLISHED BY ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE, FRANKLIN. OHIO DENVER, COLO. ICI.D 63214 OtO 30 *^^^ "vvfe CHARACTERS Miss Current Literature Mr. Current Literature Mrs. Current Literature Mr. Old Classics Mr. Up-To-Date Fiction Reader Scene — Living room in home of Mr. Current Litera- ture. A door at iipper right. Stairway at upper left. {This is made by printing S-T-A-I-R-S in large letters down a strip of ivrapping paper, tacked on a door or screen.) Entrance from behind it. Library table at cen- ter back of room. Chair at left of table. A large calen- dar, showing June, on back wall. A tvhite lace curtain, gathered into a roll, is spread on the floor across front of stage. "The curtain i.^ doinn." The pantomime may be given out of doors, on a laivn or in a park. In such case, make no attempt to have scen- ery. The S-T-A-I-R-S and calendar may be tacked on trees. A table, to hold properties, a chair, and a screen at the right, to hide the performers, will make a suffi- cient setting. INTRODUCTION (Reader enters, walks to front of stage, lifts end of curtain, and makes a deep boiv to audience. In introduc- ing the characters the Reader makes much of the farce of drawing hack the curtain as though for ayi actor to step before the audience. He closes it after each one and dravjs it hack ivith a hoiv for the next.) Reader — Ladies and Gentlemen: it gives me great pleasure to introduce to you the members of our com- pany. I have the honor to introduce to you our star. Miss Current Literature, who shines wherever she is. (Miss Current Literature hoics low, giggles, hacks atvay) Introducing her mother, Mrs. Current Literature, who is much of a society fan. (Mrs. Current Literature walks sloivhj and with dignity. She ivaves a large feather fan languidly.) Her father, Mr. Current Literature, who is a publisher by trade. (Father is grim, very business like. May wear a long string of block type around his neck.) Mr. Old Classics, a suitor for the hand of Miss Current Literature. (Mr. Old Classics, very feeble, makes low, stately how. Wears old-fashionel clothes, too large for him.) I now have the pleasure of introducing young Mr. Up-To-Date Fiction. (Very snappy bow. Wears blue serge coat, white flannel trousers; carries cane; wrist watch much in evidence.) A Literary Romance. ACT I. (Reader comes to left of stage, lifts end of curtain, throws it over arm and loalks to extreme right of stage. Bows to audience.) Reader — Act 1. The curtain is raised. The play is begun. (Reads.) Miss Current Literature is very much enamored of the Honorable Mr. Old Classics. (She enters from right. Dieamy. Sits in chair.) All her waking and sleeping dreams are of him. She fishes in her bosom for his last fond message to her. (Fishes ivith string and bent pin iiook on stick. Draws out yards and yards of narroiv paper such as ribbon is ivoimd on. Wi7rds it aboi't her as she reads.) Soon she is wrapped in it, and so great is her infatuation that she simply devours (she eats paper) his v/ritten words of love and devotion. She hears a footfall that she recognizes as his and joj'ously she TRIPS (stumbles as she iralks) to meet him. She knows that he is the grandest man that she has ever SET EYES upon. (She pins big letter I, or picture eye, on eith- er shoulder of Mr. Old Classics, who has entered from right.) They have only exchanged one word (the:y give each other ivord "Evening" cut from, ynagazine) when her father, who is a publisher by trade, bolts (Fathei^ enters from right. Carries big iron bolt or bolt of cloth or ribbon.) into the room. One glance out of the tail of his EYE (Uses tail from a fur piece.) and he understands the whole situation. Angrily, he stamps (Father sticks stamps on toe of his shoe.) his foot and orders his daugh- ter to her room. Being a dutiful child, she oi>eys. Be- ing an angry young lady she tears up the stairs (She tears half of paper STAIRS from bottom to near top and leaves piece hanging.) and out of sight. Mr. Current Literature then calmly begins to search out Mr. Old 5 A Literary Romance Classics' financial ability to support his daughter in the style to which she has been accustomed, (Searches through Old Classics' pockets. Finds string, bread, knife — anything but money. Throws things about the room.) He decides there is not enough money in Old Classics any more and turns a DEAF ear (ear of corn) to any proposals the old man tries to make. Just th3n, Mrs. Current Literature, \vho is much of a Society Fan, breezes ( Waves big feather fan.) into the room. Out of the tail of i:er eye lUs^s tail from fur piece.) she observes that the visitor is rather out of date in his general style and instantly knows that he wouldn't make any hit with the Society Set. She dscides to FREEZE him. (Gets piece of ice out of her hand bag.) Her husband introduces them, and the old man salutes (gives army salute of 1850.) her hand in a stately man- ner. The reason of his call is explained and both hus- band and wife agree that such a marriage is impossible and they drive Mr. Old Classics from the room. (Use old- fashioned shawl strap as reins.) Then Mother Current Literature RINGS for daugh- ter (w-rings end of bath towel. Have it plenty wet, so it ivill show stream of ivater) to come and hear the ver- dict. Daughter is still angry and she sweeps (sweeps with a broom.) into the room with a high and haughty air. She resents their decision and grates her teeth in rage. (Uses largest possible kitchen grater.) Seeing no sign of relenting in their attitude she tears up the stairs (Tears another strip from STAIRS.) to her room. Now, Mr. and Mrs. Current Literature are model parents, and having taken away one plaything from their child, they know they must replace it with another. But where to find another suitor! Father POURS (Walks about the room pouring water from large pitcher.) over the matter. Mother consults the cards. (Holds several posters in her hands. Sorts them like cards. Has a child's union suit, or combination, pinned to one.) Sud- denly she finds a combination.' (Shakes it out.) She calls to Father. Excitedly he crosses the room. (Makes crosses on floor with a stick or cane.) Young Mr. Up- A Literary Romance To-Date Fiction! Of course! How strange that they had not thought of him before. The affair is left for Mother to manage and Father warns her not to make any slip. {He slips on floor.) And this is the end of Act One. The curtain is down. (Replaces curtain on the floor.) ACT II. (Reader comes to front and lifts curtain as before.) Reader — And this is the beginning of Act Two. Financially, young Mr. Up-To-Date Fiction is as poor as a church mouse, but, being young and handsome, he has learned to be wary of mothers with marriageable daughters. But finally, by WAVING before him prospects of a good square meal, (She waves a poster made on a sheet of large paper. Picture of table set with every- thing to eat. Bright colors. He gazes at it as though in a trance and follotvs as she backs into the room from, the right.) Mrs. Current Literature entices him into her NET. (Puts hair net over his head.) Father sizes him up, (Measures him zvith tape measure or yard stick. Par- ticular attention to measurements of head.) and decides that although rather young and untried at present, his prospects far making a go of the future are all to the good. Mother RINGS (Same as before.) for Daughter. At the first glance. Daughter falls for him heavily. ( She falls on floor.) He gazes at such beauty with wonder in his eye and then presses her hand a little too warmly for style. (Presses hand tvith an electric iron.) They know, without words, that they cannot live apart. They shower Mother with kisses (Throw candy "kisses.") and Father SETS THE date (Sticks hatpin with a date on calendar.) in June, that there may be no misunderstandings. And the curtain falls upon a picture of complete happiness. (Daughter and Up-To-Date Fiction at left. Father and Mother in center. Old Classics hobbles in from right.) CURTAIN New JuvenOe Entertainments A-B-C-Capers By Soemple. Here is an attractive and novel number for the Primary Grades or Kindergarten. Little Tim's despair in not being able to master letters is turned to keen interest by the antics of the alphabet troupe. Plays about 20 minutes. Price, 25c. Emily's Dream By Mary Frix Kidd. This is the story of a Geogra- phy lesson, which, instead of being irksome, was, through the medium of a Good Fairy, made very in- teresting. This is done by presenting a Geographical Pageant. For a large number of children, who pre- sent drills, exercises, etc., in costumes of different nations. Time, about 1 hour. Price, 25c. The Love Flower By Bell Elliott Palmer. A very pretty exercise for 6 or 10 girls and 1 boy. Suitable for Children's Day or £aster, and can be given either in or out of doors. Time, 10 minutes. Price, 15c. The Silver Sandals By Banche Thompson. Ths is a charming new play for 6 boys, 5 girls, fairies, peasants, attendants, etc. The Princess is downhearted and refuses to be con- soled. The fiddler plays, peasants do folk-dances, fai- ries drill, but not until she gets the silver sandals is she contented. Plays 1 hour or more. Price, 25c. When Betty Saw the Pilgrims By Margaret Howard. A pretty story showing how dissatisfied Betty was cured by her mother, who tells the story of the hardships of the Pilgrims, which is illustrated by ten tableaux. Large numbers of chil- dren can be used. Plays about 30 minutes. Price, 25c, Princess Rosy Cheeks By Effie Sammond Balph. A "good health" play for children, which is very impressive. Introduces Fresh Air Fairies, Soap and Water Fairies, Tooth Brush Brigade, Food Fairies, Rest Fairies, and others. Good- sized cast required with two older children. Plays about 1 hour. Price, 3Cc. Queen Loving Heart By Jean Ross. A splendid children's play, teaching many good lessons. A pretty story of the crowning of Loving Heart, her capture by the Indians and sub- sequent release, because of her kindness. Can be used for May Day play. 11 speaking parts, Indians, etc. Plays about 45 minutes. Price, 25c. Eldridge Entertainment House FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 944 S. Logan St. HALLOWE'EN HILARITY HINTS Good Things To Keep The Ball Rolling A Bunch of Stunts for Hallowe'en A new book of doings, contributed by many wide- awake writers. Covers almost any kind of festival, party or entertainment you wish to give. Drills, games, stunts, decorations, etc. Price, 75c. The Fairy and the Witch A 1 -act allegorical sketch for Hallowe'en, by A. D. Nelson. 1 adult, male or female, and any number of children. In this very picturesque little play, the Black Witch of Hallowe'en falls under the spell of the White Fairy and superstition gives way to rea- son. Time, about 20 minutes. Price, 25c. The Frolic of the Witches By Juanita Mae Culp. This is a clever little drill es- pecially adapted for Hallowe'en. Introduces flash- lights and brooms, and is for 11 girls. Price, 25c. Guess Who Song and Drill Something novel. Price, 2Sc. The Haunted Gate By Edith Wormwood. A clever play for Hallowe'en. The capture of the ghosts furnishes a good climax to the play. 3 males, 7 females. Plays front 30 to 45 minutes. Price, 35c. Jimmy's Ghosts By Cecil J. Richmond. A sketch for children. Five speaking parts with chorus of witches. Can easily be given in any school room. Price, 15c Scarecrows A-Roaming An eccentric drill. Price, 25c. What To Do on Hallowe'en Compiled by Juanita Mae Culp. This is a really good collection of helpful suggestions for this occasion. Suggestions for decorations, menus, parties, games, stunts, recipes, a play or two, and other good things. Purchasers will find themselves relieved from worry and trouble concerning Hallowe'en. Price, 40c. - Fun With Fortune Telling Compiled by Mrs. G. L. Henson. Here is a book that will furnish fun and interest for any social gathering. Every one is interested in their "fortune" and this book is arranged to give you pleasure, either individ- ually or as a crowd. Price, 50c. Eldridge Entertainment House FRANKLIN, OHIO also DENVER, COLO. 944 S. Logan St. LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 017 400 454 7 € ANOTHER PATRIOTIC MONOLOG "WHEN MONTY CAME HOME FROM THE MARNE" By SEYMOUR S. TIBBALS ■"pHE STORY tells of a widow's son, apeace- * ful young farmer, who enlisted in the U. S. Marines and lost an arm, as his lather lost an arm at Shiloh. A stirring description of a gas attack and how the Marines won^ the fight. The climax is reached when Monty comes back and drives the cattle up the lane. Suitable for any reader and a number that will be welcome on any program. HE PRICE 26 CENTS THE ELDRIDGE ENTERTAINMENT HOUSE FRANKim, OHIO atsg t:£si, KNVER,G010.