What's Playing at the Martha?

Like to go see a movie this weekend?

Sure, what's playing?

Over at the Martha they have "The Fighting Blade." That's the one set during the English civil war. Richard Barthelmess plays a soldier of fortune who ends fighting for Cromwell. It's a historical drama.

Eh, everyone thinks he's so handsome; I don't think so. Anything later in the week?

Yeah, on the 16th and 17th they have "Trilby."

Ooh, is that based on the book about that Svengali who hypnotizes the maid and makes her a great singer? Isn't that the one that will indirectly inspire the long-running Broadway musical The Phantom of the Opera sixty years from now? Yeah, let's go see "Trilby"!

--Ypsilanti Record, January 10, 1924