The Marietta High School newspaper, The Original, published an article on Dec. 8, 1941, concerning a play, "Double Door," which was put on by the school drama club, The Orange Masque.
It was full of congratulations for the club's presentation, a held the afternoon and evening of Nov. 28 at the Betsey Mills Club.
To quote the leading paragraph, the following statement was made: "The exciting play held the audiences' interest from the moment Victoria began torturing Anne until she mumbled over the pearls in her final defeated and unhinged sate of mind."
The high school had some very talented actors and actresses in the 1940s, some of whom went on to professional success. In this play Helen Burton, as Victoria Van Bret, represented a wealthy dowager who succeeded in creating a despicable personality that was amply hated by the audience in her domination of those who she contacted. The writer stated: "We hope Helen can display her talent as a more pleasant character next time."
Shirley Dunn effectively portrayed Caroline, the weak and compromised sister who finally asserted some will power in the ultimate collapse of Victoria's cruelty. Others in the cast included Barbara Singleton as Anne Darrow, a good bride with the poise necessary for her almost defeated husband; Tom Trout served as Rip Van Bret, a tool in Victoria's hands; and Miles Edwards was a fine Dr. Sully with his sincere and pleasant voice.
The writer stated the supporting cast also performed their parts well. Charlotte Stephan made a good housekeeper, Alfred String had excellent bearing for a butler, Helen Hewson played a sweet, but not too ambitious maid, Dick Hille's role was that of an able young footman, Randall Metcalf was the kindly, old representative from Tiffany's, Gwynne Myers enacted a forceful Mortimer Neff, Lowell Chamberlain with due sobriety was detective Lambert, and Keith Bell was the minister behind the scenes.
The article went on to state Mr. Rittenour and Mrs. Derry Bird were responsible for the very fine performances; Helen Lackey was production chairman; Mason Lindamood, stage manager; Keith Bell and Sam Bender were assistant stage managers; Mary Schramm, costumes; Patty Burns and Elaine Riggs, properties; Tom O'Brien and Bill Sargent, stage crew; Elaine Riggs, Dick Huling, Robert Wening, Ed Stacy, Tom O'Brien and Robert Strecker, tickets; Lloyd Siewers, Carolyn Hayes, Sam Bender, Nina Muscari, Mary Lou Angert and Jean Patterson, publicity (news articles); Betty Crawford, Patty Burns, Ruth Billeter, Bill Sargent, Sam Bender and Mason Lindamood, publicity (posters); Randall Metcalf, Gwynne Myers and Helen Burton, publicity (announcements); Betty Wigginton, June Ost and Barbara Quigley, programs; Jean Rice, head usher.
Those who did not enter the acting field later in life, found the experience they had in drama helped them in whatever business they eventually entered.
Among the interesting ads in the Dec. 8 copy of the Original was one of Broughtons that stated "Hot Chocolate with Whipped Cream and Wafers, 10c."
The Hippodrome ran an ad that stated:"HEY! LOOK AT THIS ON THE STAGE TOMORROW ONLY! COLE'S FAMOUS CIRCUS. Presenting JUMBO. The Famous Elephant Used in the New York Production of "Jumbo." Daring Aerialist .... Hilarious Clowns .... Horses .... Camel Ponies .... and Dogs 25.... People 25.
On the screen: Mexican Spitfires Baby.
The Marietta Times ran an ad that was as follows: "Many of the Nation's Ace Sports Writers appear daily on the Sports Page of The Marietta Daily Times.'
The August Weber ad read "IF ITS GROCERIES, MEATS OR PRODUCE CALL AGUST WEBER CO. THIRD AND SCAMMEL STS.
Many of you might remember Pinkerton's dining hall at 235 Second St. "A Good Place To Eat."
How about: "Try Brunicardi's for a good lunch. 224 Putnam St."
The Shop Smart Magazine ran a column in April 2011 with a title of "Now You Know." The first bit of information was as follows:
M&Ms - The chocolate candies were named after Forrest Mars and R. Bruce Murrie, their inventors. The first "M" was printed on M&M's candies in 1950.
A&W ROOT BEER - in 1919 at a parade honoring returning World War I veterans in Lodi, Calif., Roy Allen set up a roadside stand to offer a new thick and creamy root beer. It was such a big hit that he partnered with Frank Wright and combined their initials to name the beverage A&W Root Beer.
TRISCUIT - Henry Perky, creator of Shredded Wheat cereal in 1892, came up with the cracker in 1902 using the same technique he used for the cereal. He named his new snack Triscuit, a riff on the word "biscuit."
STARBUCKS - Starbuck is the name of the first mate in "Moby Dick" who unsuccessfully tried to talk sense into Captain Ahab. The company says its name is meant to evoke the romance of the high seas and the seafaring tradition of early coffee traders.
Well, folks, on Tuesday I was hit with a scam in an attempt to get me to send money to Peru. The entire thing began with a young man who phoned, and in a tremulous voice stated he was my grandson and he was in jail. I asked why he was in jail and he said he had been in a car with two friends and the police in Huntington (where he lives) pulled the car over and found drugs under the front seat. He said he had had a couple of drinks but did not use drugs. Well, in order to get out there was a need for around $1,000. I was to take the money, go to Western Union, and send it to a Miss Cruz in Peru. I'm telling you that voice sounded exactly like my grandson, and because his mother was working, he didn't want her to know. Well, it got me so upset, that I went to the bank and withdrew some funds, but the cashier warned me to be careful about sending the money. That's when I went to the police station on Putnam Street, and a very knowing young policewoman said don't ever send money via Western Union for something like this. She said they receive money to get prisoners out of jail in the office and not through Western Union, and I added certainly not through Peru. She also said they don't put 14-year-old boys in prison either. At that time it began to be funny, but I was not a happy camper. I called my daughter, and she hustled home from work and found her son asleep. I was to have a second call from a person who said he was my grandson's lawyer. If he called, I never received it - I wasn't home. There was a call from a city building, so I figured it was the pretend lawyer - Frank. Frank and I never talked again.
These scam artists are anxious to get older people involved in parting with their money. Don't listen and don't send. If you have caller ID, don't answer. I get a lot of requests on my computer and they're from England, Peru and everywhere. You know it's a scam from the requests.
Joan Pritchard is a longtime columnist for The Parkersburg News & Sentinel. Contact her at joprit@sbcglobal.net
