The Daily Worker Newspaper, May 21, 1927, Page 12

<e— 5 The Resurrection of “Thi Alice Brady and Lionel Atwill Bring HAT happens when a mediocre play is skillfully produced is superly illustrated these days at the Ritz Theatre in the hands of Alice Brady and Lionel Atwill. Stated in terms of comparison one is naturally led to say that the re- sut is far happier than when a good play is poorly produced and acted. “The Thief,” a drama of the draw- ing room and bourdoir school of dramaturgy, is a typical exhibit of the work of Henri Bernstein, boule- vard playwright and emotional titil- lant. A country home—a drawing room —the host announces that a large sum of money has been stolen—a private detective announces that the host’s son, a romantic youngster of nineteen, is the culprit. He con- fesses to the theft before the first curtain—but the audience, through the kind graces of Bernstein, dis- covers that—well, it’s one of those plays. Under Mr. Atwill’s marvellous direction this banal story and most obvious mechanical claptrap took on flesh and blood. In spite of the fact that the play ignores the social forces which drive men and women to emotional and spigitual heights or depths, and sub- situtes cheap theatrical tricks in their stead, due to its perfect cast and direction the play takes on a sem- blance of reality. Miss Brady read something into her lines that Bernstein never dreamed of when he wrote “The Thief.” There can be no doubt that the present, revival of this piece will be a financial success, which means that it will be some time before we see Miss Brady in a vital effort. Her performance in “The Bride of the Lamb” still remains her outstanding interpretation. In the supporting cast Mona Kingsley’s capable work stands out most. intrugively and under circum- stances which call for great praise and admiration. Anthony Cooper as the romantic youth is a good deal more than adequate. ~ While the production as a whole offers little to the seeker of native proletarian theatrical art it affords a lesson in conventional dramatic art and craftsmanship.—C. Y. H. who revived “Kempy” at the Hudson theatre Wednesday night is planning to put on “The Fortune Hunter,” “Turn to the Right,” “The Melting Pot,” “Cap- tain Applejack,” “The Boomerang,” ‘Lombardt, Ltd,” “Wedding Bells,” “The Ghost Between,” and “Lawful Larceny.” Murray Phillips ———. Winthrop Ames has a new play for George Arliss, and will bring it out early next season. He is also plan- ning to show Galsworthy’s “Escape” sometime in the fall. “Talk About Girls,” the new musical comedy which Harry H. Oshrin and Sam H. Grisman, are producing, opens at the Garrick Philadelphia, Monday evening, May 23, prior to the Broad- way premiere two weeks later, Charles Dickens’ “Pickwick,” which has been touring since February and is now playing in Boston, will be seen here next season. Roscoe Arbuckle, known to film fans as “Fatty” is coming to Broad- _ way in a stage revival “Baby Mine.” _ The play, which will be presented by '* John Tuerk, is scheduled to open here June 9, is the work of Margaret Mayo, and was done here in 1910, Henri Bernstein to Life. NYDIA WESTMAN An important feature of “2 Girls Wanted,” the Gladys Unger comedy at the Little Theatre. THE MISSING LINK There are redeeming features to this mediocre comedy. These are par- ficularly evident in the pantomine of Syd Chaplin who brings his excellent mimicry to the movies from the Eng- lish musie halls. It is there, together with his artist brother Charlie, that Syd Chaplin got his training. In jus- tice to Syd Chaplin, he has developed his own movie style, and has become a comedy: star second only to his brother. As a noted explorer, with whose fame as a big game hunter the na- tives are tremendously impressed, Syd acts as a referee in a fight between two natives. The winner is to be- come his bodyguard. He explains the rules in pantomime, according to the Marquis of Queensbury boxing rules: no hitting in clinches, break clean, and no hitting with the opponent on the ground, It is excellent fun and the following fight in which the rules (as usual in boxing) are absolutely disregarded, is more good fun. Other occasional bits of excellent work plus the laugh-provoking antics of Akka, a chimpanzee with pants on, are the only redeeming features of this inane ~ and rather dull picture. “The Missing Link” is a far, far cry from that excellent comedy “The chimpanzee as around Syd Chaplin, gave us the hiccoughs from laughing in his splendid characterization of Old Bill. The gags in “The Missing Link,” built ‘as much around the Chimpanzee as around Syd Chaplin, were by large rather stupid. No op- portunity was given this excellent comedian to show his real ability to advantage. Chuck Reisner, director of “The Better ’Ole” also directed this film which will add no credit to him- self nor the star. Ruth Hiatt takes the part of the blonde who is always evident in the comedies for no reason at all. Let us hope that the-Warner Bros. in their next Syd Chaplin com- ie, will give us something better than this rehash of stale slap-stick acted im the jungles that so evidently never grew in Africa. With the presence of authentic pictures like “Chang” even we arm-chair travelers tan get wise to fake movie props. Additional compensation on the program including the “Missing Link,” at the Colony Theatre in New York, are the Vitaphone presenta- te ——-————=—- The Theatre Guild Acting Company in ALL NEXT WEEK “The Second Man” GUILD THEATRE 52nd Street, West of Broadway. Eves at 8:30. Matinees THURSDAY and SATURDAY at 2:30. Week of May 30th—PYGMALION ALL NEXT WEEK PIRANDELBLO’S RIGHT YOU- ARE IF YOU THINK YOU ARE GARRICK THEA 65 W. 35th St. * Mats. Thurs, & Sat. 2:30. Evs, 8:30. ? Week of May 30th—MR. PIM PASSES BY “The Silver Cord” JOHN GOLDEN THEATRE, 58th St., East of B'way. | CIRCLE Matinees THURSDAY & SATURDAY. 5679 Week of May 30th—NED McCOBB’S DAUGHTER $500 AWARD for the article of 200 words or less judged to be best on the play “The Ladder.” Contest for seventh week closes Monday at 10 a. m. Money refunded if you do not like the play. Not necessary to see the play to win the prize. “THE LADDER” WALDORF THEATRE 50th St. E, of B’way—Mats. Wed. & Sat. “Tth Heaven” Coming to ! Harris Next Wednesday “Tth eHaven,” The seréen version of stage play by Austin Strong, will be presented by William Fox at the Sam H. Harris theatre next Wednes- day night, succeeding “What Price Glory,” which closes this Sunday evening, after a run of more than six months. Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell essay the prospective roles played in the stage version by Helen Mencken and George Gaul which ran more than two years on Broadway. Frank Borzage, directed “7th Heaven” from a scenario prepared by Benjamin Glasser. “7th Heaven” was almost fourteen months in the making and represents a cost approximating $1,- 300,000. Some 2,000 people take part in the big scenes. Emil Jannings in “The Last Laugh“ will be the screen feature at the Cameo beginning today. A new Will Rogers picture “The Fruits of Faith,” will be included in the program. “The Yankee Clipser{ will drop anchor on Monday fot a week’s stay at Moss’ Broadway TheStre, with Wil- liam Boyl, Elinor Fair and Walter Long, and Junior Coghlon as the chief actors. Murray Phillips, who ls reviving “Kempy,” at the Hudson Theatre at popular prices, is planning to make “The Old Soak” his next production with the author, Don Marquts, in the title role. eesti estsnn tions, ,No matter how dull a program may be presented, the Vitaphone is always intriguing in its demonstration en vision of future possibilities. —wW. Cc. The New Play Norma Shearer’s new starring film, “After Midnight,” has gone into pro- duction at the Metro studios, under the direction of Monta Bell. Neighborhood Playhouse 466 Grand St. ea 7516 Grand Street Follies ,2%, Every Evening (except Mon.) Mat. Sat. peta Mir Pte BH Set te een aE a nate , 149th Stree Bronx Opera House }/*th , Street, Pop. Prices. Mat. Wed. & Sat. BLOSSOM TIME’ The Musical Hit of Ages sxD CHAPLIN '’ THE MISSING LINK oss COLONY Sener. . eeenntiemnenenentiaeintn Sam T West 42nd St. H. HARRIS fy ce Daily, 2:30 & 8.30 WHAT PRICE GLORY Mats, (oxc. Sat.) 50c-$1. Eves. 50c-$2, MONDAY “PATIENCE,” Gilbert and Sullivan’s operetta, will be presented by Peter Hamberg, Monday night at the Theatre Masque, Vivian Hart, James Watts, William Langan, Dudley Marwick, Beatrice Kneale, Eleanor Edson and Bernice Marshon are in the cast. . Robert Milton staged the production and Clark Robinson designed the costumes.