Evening Star Newspaper, April 27, 1924, Page 53

Part 3—14 Pages "'A Picture Assumes Theatric Supremacyl By Philander Johnson. " has been the industrious desire of the motion picture promoters to assert their art on uncom- promising equality with that of the speaking theater. They have succeeded in doing this to a remark- able extent, in some instances im- pressing themselves as more satis- factory interpreters of certain phases of great literary works than the footlight drama cven attempts to be. Pictures are discussed in of crit competency by specialists who have learfred to measure details as to lighting, per- spective and all the other fine points pertaining to camera marksmanship in a manner that emnhances interest and insures intelligent appreciation. Even in the case of a great presenta- tion like “America,” which, in its second week, asserts complete supremacy_in this city's customary realms of spoken drama, there re- mains no new idea to be ventured as to the extraordinary merits of its technical craftsmanship. terms 1 Its bigness and vitality oi theme, however, carry it beyond compari- son with the usual studio output. In claiming recognition as a techni- cally fine picture it mcets only an elemental obligation, for its subject is so close to patriotic sentiment that shabby workmanship would have rendered it an effort worse than wasted. * k% ¥ Inevitably it has its hints of the shop. Heart interest is carefully introduced on conventional terms; vet in the presence of a nation's life struggle, even the portraiture of | “our hero” as a roughriding Romeo becomes a minor incident of an ab- sorbing story. Heart interest there must be, and no writer could be de- | pended *on more thoroughly to | provide it than Robert Chambers. I Yet if there is any portion of the film that may be conveniently for- otten in the lingering and power- ul impression, it is the artificiality of the superimposed romance. Lacking the vocal graces of poetic phrase and déclamation, the lover who climbs | from horseback to the window of a Juliet whose cosmetic arts suggest Fifth Avenue of today rather than | -olonial Boston becomes, amid heart- beats that thunder on long since the | artillery was stilled, a trific shallow. | i i | In the much too infrequent dis- cussion oi American thémes on the stage the highest results are at-| tained not by dramatic' ingenuities, but by faithful and sincere compila- tion. This was the distinguishing trait of “Abraham Lincoln,” which seemed to hold aloof, in reverential | modesty, from great displays of original inspirati The blank verse announcements by the herald in the Lincoln play were, of course, morc or less in the nature of personal spontaneities; but, like the love story in “America,” they did not count importantly in the sum total. * ¥k ¥ ¥ The management of has been liberal in extending | courtesies to disabled soldiers and to organizations whose membership has known first hand the experience of war. It would be impractical to attempt the magnificent philan- thropy of bringing it hefore every inhabitant of this continent whose | patriotism may have quivered with a touch of shell shock under a rak- ing fire of well aimed propaganda, or imong maladroit explosions of philosophic pyrotechnics. * ¥ k¥ The appeal is in the plain sim- plicity with which the sufferings of those who met the country's earliest | | | “America” | dignity of phrase. crisis are depicted. There is little need of words. School book recol- lections supply the speeches; or when words of historic significance are lettered on the screen to make sure memory has mot faltered, they seem transmuted into human utter- ance and to ring with an eloquence that conquers time itself. * k %k k ":\m‘ica’ gives the screen the most important function it has yet asserted. It enables the spectator to fcel that he is almost in the pres- ence of the men who spoke the sentences that have become a part of American life, as well as of those whose deeds interpreted them in courageous action. George Wash- ington steps from his familiar but scantly noted shrine on our postage stamp and becomes a breathing, human figure. Patrick Henry say “If this be treason, make the most of it,” precisely as you feel it should have been said, because your own imagination, stimulated till the scene | seems @ reality, is left to formulate the diction. You wagch the battle from afar, and were not the transi- tions of scene so swift, you would be on your feet cheering the victory. | * % You will applaud, though perhaps rot the actors of the scene, but the actors in the great human drama which was then so splendidly begun and which is still being enacted. And they were actors, those old patriots, with all posterity for their audience; jealous of re- putation, studious of deport- ment, and carefuk that the sig- nificance of serio thought hould fittingly sustained by They made little of the theater as a diversion. When a theater did evolve it re- flected for a long time the robust mood and the lofty sentiments of those who had unselfishly, and with no thought of sing praise, lived that they became models * be [ worthy the study and imitation of the world. “The Cat and the Canary” re- mained three weeks; which fact was again brought to the attention of the New York managers as a re- minder that the city is no longer normally limited to a few days’ pat- ronage. Washington provides good audiences, but the show must set the example. There are many who deny that the C. & C. is entitled to be called a good show; but multitudes have enjoyed it. and that amounts to the same thing. x % % % It is quite probably that so far as patronage is concerned there might easily have been a two or even three week Sothern-Marlowe engage- ment. Miss Mariowe’s illness was a sad disappointment to many play- goers. As things were, Sothern had a successful engagement. Washing- ton is a favorite city with him, and he has followed his custom of spending as much time here as pos- sible while completing preparations for a sojourn in southern France while Mrs. Sothern is recovering her health. £ % x % It would have been pleasant to [the players who presented “Cherry Blossom Time” to hear what Mr. Sothern thinks of the amatey; theater as an abstract propositiof He believes in it. He does not see many of its demonstrations, and was by« force of circumstances unable to extend the Blossomers his personal encouragement. dwellers, regardless of occupation, and acquaints them not only with the rudiments of theater art, but with some of the best literature, as doing a most practical and valuable work. ' American Theater Supreme FTER viewing all . 1 3] -iTke success in bringing imitat- the stages of the world, it the belief of Lionel Barrymore that the American theater is supreme. “The greatest acting is right in this country,” declares Mr. Barry- more, “and I am not saying this to be patriotic, but because I really believe to be so. “You often see a successful produc- tion abroad that would have a hard time lasting here. The best ideas originate here, and this supremacy is not_confined to the legitimate stage, as it embraces the musical comedy field as well. “Many people fecl that they are obliged to g0 abroad for fashions and a lot of other things, but it is not necessary to do so for the finest things in the theater, because they are right here. ‘Audiences, however, are just as much a part of the play as is the actor. I get much from them. They either play with me or there is no play. They take the scene from the first entrance to the last curtain. “Mr. Belasco directed my father in | many of his greatest successes. As a young man, Mr. Belasco was also associated with my mother, Georgia Drew Barrymore, and my grand- mother, Mrs. John Drew. “One might almost say it's a tradi- tion in our family to be associated with Mr. Belasco and I am very hap- PY to carry it on and to appear under his direction.” New Theme in the Tl’leater. LS the theater nothing succeeds ors. That is-the reason plays seem to run I cycles, Nke the bedroom farce, ertme-mystery and frankly-sex waves of recent memory. ~The profitable experience of ‘Out- ward Bound” may let us in for a pe- riod of other dramas dealing with the universal problem of what happens ! to us after we have shuffled off this mortal coil. The success of that play side of the theater. Some of the post- mortem guesses may be picturesque, or even melodramatic, but they are not likely to be cheery and perhaps it would be better to leave them in the churches where they belong.™ The Wall Street Journal. Pen Women and the Movies AT the initial motion picture con- ference held in connection with the Congress of the League of Ameri- has opened up a theatrical clientele Which the theater of our day never knew it possessed. As a counter at traction to spiritualistic seances and similar enterprises ‘Outward Bound’ must be playing hob with their reve- nues. One sees at performances of the play strange, speculative looking persons who are easily distinguished as not being regular theatergoers. One hears between the acts and among_the departing audiences a kind of talk which is far from being of the theater theatrical. It is deeply earnest and subdued in tone with a complete absence of the frivolous. “No one knows how many pl this school are now under discu or in way of production. 1If only a fractional percentage of persons with distinct ideas of what happens after death have been prompted to put them into what they think is play form the managers' shelves must be more crowded than usual with un- solicited manuscripts. Managers are not at all keen about thinking of what is going to become of them when they check out, so most of these manuscripts are likely to r u read and the plays unproduced, which will be a good thing for the sunny can Pen Women during the week a resolution was unanimously adopted Setting forth tliat as the writers and producers are working in co-opera- tion to produce the best in screen drama, closer co-operation is urged with the motion picture prolucers and distributors as a goal of the con- férence and setting forth that more encouragement and more construc- tive criticism should be given the writer of original seript: also provid- ing that the league shall hzve a per- manent script committee to read and recommend scripts to producers. It further provides that the perma- rent motion picture committee issue lists of indorsed films and that the league members pledge their attend- ance and urge others to support such films by their presence, “remember- ing that you can make your attend- ance your vote,” and also that the ‘women's clubs be urged to co-oper- ate, to see the indorsed films and to ask friends to support them. f He cites a neigh- | borhood theater in New York which | chooses its caste from the nearby | | | | The Swunday Star WASHINGTON, D. ¢, SU IRENE. PEN710R. amd LIONEL BARRYMORE. ~ National pla BELASCO—Mask and Mothers, | | i | POLI'S—Griffith’s KEITH'S. matinee tomorrow afternoon. TIVOLI—Photoplay, ballet and music. COSMOS matinee tomorrow afternoon. STRAND—“Polly’s Pe Current Attractions At the Theaters This Week NATIONAI—Lionel Barrymore, in “Laugh, Clown, Laugh,” Belasco Opens tomorrow cvening. Wig Club, comedy, Tuesday evening, remainder of week. ‘America,” photoplay. —Leviathan Orchestra, vaudeville. —“Watch the Drums,” vaudeville. vaudeville. tomorrow evening. “Dancing (Second week). New show opens with This afternoon and evening. New show opens with Opens this afternoon. GAYETY—"Whir| of Girls,” burlesque. Opens this afternoon. ational — “Laugh, Clown, Laugh.” theatergoers will afforded the opportunity of witnes ing Lionel Barrymore Clown, Laugh!™ by Tom Cushing, wh sents him at the this week, opening tomor Laugh, Clown, the most inter ing by Mr. Belasco. During its three ab- sorbing ac! an unusual and gripping story is unfolded that never permits the interest to falter. The leading role i aid to afford Mr. Barrymore “the finest opportunities of his career." His characterization has been called his most notable portrayal. Associated with Mr. Barrymore is Miss Irene Fenwick, with the original company that played during his New York engagement, and includes Henry }f:xrb"rh n Keith, dney Toler, Guy Nichols ynolds, Jose Yo- vin, Rose Morison, Vaughn De Leath, Agnes M Susanna Rossi, Leah Le Roux and Micheline Keating. Mask and Wig — “That's That.™ songs with a professional 2 ful costumes, graceful- dancing pretty “zirls” and scenery that is unusual and unique, are the promised hish spots in the Mask and Wiz production, “That's That,” which will come to the Belaseo Theater to- morrow evening. Between vocal numbers and terpsi- chorean distractions the plot emerzes from time to time in very distinct fashion. One of the features of th performance is the scene in which @ mill wheel, fifteen feet in diameter is revealed upon the center of the Washington Another spectacle is the mam- | h mah-jong box emerge human “tiles, ced to play the old Chi The costuming in the ber include mouche,” from which which pro- e game. “Book” num- characters from “Scara- The Lost Lady.” “Elood and Sand ava Head," “The Cov- ered Wagon” and_“The Moon and Sixpense.” “The Bandit Blues” a ganvu feature, is one of the best ance specialties the club presented. 1bihes evee James H. Prothero, jr, has t comedy part of a ocountry ma.!dehr: Henry Roberts, Edwin R. Cox, jr., and Raymond de 8. Shryock are numbered among the best “girls” in the Mask and Wig cast for many years. George 8. Raser and his accordion add to the music. The juvenile parts are in the hands of ‘Paul Thomas and Eugene C. Felt, while John H. Reliness, jr. I=j5aid to make a convincing poli- Belasco's — “Da ncing Mothers.” “Dancing Mothers,” a new Iroduction, comes to the Belasco next Tuesday for the remainder of the It is announced as a delicious of drollery, entertainingly nar- rated, played in good taste and acted With fine regard to contrasting hi- larious and modulated situations. Fdgar Selwyn and Edmund Goulding are the co-authors. Edgar Selwyn directed the rehearsals, . The dancing mother of the play is no relation to the artificial, jazz- struck grande dame who recently has become a popular subject with the cartoonists and comic artists. She is the mother who spends her entire time thinking of home. When she has devoted her best years to her task she suddenly learns that her husband i3 a gay old boy, inclined to roving from the hearthstone, while her idolized daughter has developed into a most unlovable, selfish slave to gayety. She wastes no time in tears and reproaches or ineffective moping. Since husband likes the vamps and since daughter is a bobbed-hair butterfly, she will be- gome one herself. She gives them a eral dose of the old- homeopathic kind. e n the cast are John Holliday, John Craig, Mary Young, Frances Howard and Eleanor Woodruff. W by S Poli's—Griffith's “America Tomorrow night at. Poli's Th D. W. Grifith’s new film !"pecet::‘fl:: “America,” will begin the second week of its Washington engagement. It 1s seldom_that a film, even from the hand of Griffith, is received with more enthusiasm and acclaim than that ac- corded ‘“America” daily during the past week! from the brilliant audi- ences, diplomatic anpd social, that greeted the first presentation of th picture last Mopday evening, 3 ‘I'aking as the period of his story the crucial time in the history of our country swhen the onists took a stand against the tyranny of George 111, Mr. Griftith has woven a patriotic tale, gripping in its intensity, warm in its romance and tremendous in its appeal to patriotism. Battle scenes, picturing the struggles at Lexington and Concord and at Bunker Hill, al- ternate with the most charming love interludes in the romantic environ- ment of Virginia. One of the most episodes is that picturing the midnight ride of Paul Revere. The ride never fails to stir the audience Selwyn jof Mr. | own company, in “Judgment. to a tremendous pitch of enthusiasm and it is not unusual for many to burst into cheers. The story of “America” is from the pen of Robert W, Chambers, and John L. S. Pell, recalled as the author of “Down to the Sea in Ships,” sponsible for the historical accuracy Griffith's spectacle. A cast of distinguished players por- trays the principal roles, including Carol Dempster as Nancy Montague, the southern beauty whose romance is played against the historic back- ground of Mr. Chambers’ tale; Lionel Barfymore, Charles Emmett Mack, Arthur Donaldson, Frank McGlvnn, jr.; Arthur Dewey, Louis Wolheim, Erville Alderson, Lee Beggs, R Hatch, Lucille La Verne, Edwin land, Harry O'Neill, Frank Walsk _nd countless others. Keith's—U. S. S. Leviathan Orchestra. Organized and rehearsed under the guidance of Paul Whiteman, and staged under the direction of Roy Burnside, formerly of the New York Hippodrome, the U. S. & Leviathan orchestra of the great American liner, will return to Washington for this week at B. F. Keith's Theater, with Morton Downey, the lyric tenor, features A travesty of classical dancing is the character of the offering to be prosented by James Watts, the mu- sical comedy star, in A Treat in Travesty Mr. Watts was one of the stars of the “Greenwich Village Follies,” and his performance is a pantomimic caricature. Others will include Joe Morris and mpbell in a funny act, *““The te-Her,” written by Joseph L. Browning; Valeria Bergere and her a dra- matic playlet presented with an_ ex cellent c: and staged by Miss Ber- “The Three of with a clever, original musieal by Charles Harrison and Sylvia Dakin, vith Billy Hogue, Mll Rhea and antoro, a versatile dancing team, in a unique series of unusual dances, with Alex Cross and Joseph Mach, jr,. and Alice Hamilton, in “a vaudville cameo, set in “Lavender and Old Lace,” writ- ten by Paul Gerard Smith, and Mul- rov, McNeece and Ridge follow in “Whirls and Steps,” a roller skating team that executes the most difficult dance steps. Topics of the day, Aesop’s Fables ’.',‘{'1‘{ the Pathe News will compiete th& Tivoli—Thomas Conkey and Eileen Van Biene. Ete. Crandall's Tivoli Theater, inrtead of curtailing its program this wsek, announces the most generous enier- tainment value ever brought to Wayh- ington at any comparable scale f prices. The photoplay feature will be Gas. nier's adaptation of Rida Johnsoa Young's “Maytime.” with Harrison Ford, Ethel Shannon, Clara Bow and William Norris in the principal roles. A musico-choreographic prelude has been arranged for this subject by S. Barrett McCormick, in which the ma- jor parts will be sung by Thomas Conkey and Eileen Van Biene, bari- tone and soprano, who createl_the stellar roles in the original New York production. The prelude bears the title of the song hit which featuics. “Sweethearts.” The Tivoli ballet will contribute a brief interiude to this picturesque offering. The program will include Arthur Flagel's concert on the Wurlitzer or- chestral unit pipe organ; the Tivoli Orchestra in a concert overture, “If 1 Were King,” conduted by Baliley F. Alart; the Tivoli Corps de Ballet. in a new divertissement, “In a Russian Village,” which will serve to intro- duce several newcomers and Aron Tomaroft, formerly with Paviowa and the Diaghileft Ballet Russe, will make his second appearance. The other ad- dition will be Joseph J. Shea of thu Metropolitan Opera Ballet; the Ti- voli's “Mirror of the Living World” and “Tivoli Wanderings,” news and scenic subjects and the Loos Brothers, in a new program of distinctive vo- cal syncopations. In “Maytime,” the two periods into which the tale divides itself make possible a wide variety of costumes and spectacular effects. The cast in- cludes Harrison Ford, Kthel Shannom, Clara Bow, Willlam Norris, Wallace McDonald, Josef Swickard, Robert McKim and Betty Francisco. Performances begin today at 3 o'clock, daily at 2 o'clock, and are continuous with the de luxe presenta~ tions at 3, 7 and 9 p.m. Cosmos— Watch the Drums’ Two novel headliners will top the Cosmos Theater bill next week, widely different in type but each with_an _established rcputation for its entertainment. The Jack Powell Sextet, in “Watch the Drums,” will bring a unique offering of comedy and harmony, while “The Four Horse- men,” not the big Valentino movie, will offer a new_surprise from the pen of William K. Wells, featuring Joe Jenny. It is one of those attrac- tions that must not be talked about too much in advance for fear of - ing its dramatic effect, but assurance NDAY ey | SSTHE MORNING, APRIL 2 In the S DREAM GIRL,” a musical comedy, with Fay Bainter as its had its inaugural last weeck in Walter Woolf is in the star, New Haven. cast. The Equity Players will soon offer a series of matinees in New York of “Heda Gabler.” The cast a musical of “Flossie.” | comedy soon to be presented, will, in- clude Ray Darby, Doris Duncan ind Sydney Grant. A melodrama by Henry Leverage, co-author of “Whispering Wires™ will be tried out this summer. “Top Hole” a musical piece. with Lynne Overman in th: leading role, opened last week in Providence. The presentation of “The Bride- groom,” in New York, has been in- definitely postponed. The play will be recast. 3 Dorothy Francis, formerly of thc Chicago Grand Opera Compary, has been engaged for the leading role « “The Purple Cow, the first produc tion of the Musical Comedy Guild. | _In addition to Montague Love an |Selma Morosco, the caat of “Schemer: will include Hans Robert. Marion Val- entine, Richard La Salle and Ruby Blackburn. | I. TLawrence Weber announces “ain and Mabel,” a musical comed by William La Baron and William 11 | Friedlander, based on a story by H. C. | Witwer, for next scason. A. H. Woods will place in rehearsal as soon as the :roublss between the managers and Bquity are acjuste “The Dreamers.” by Barry Counors. with Helen McKeilar as its star, and “Values,” by G. Marrion Burton and Geoffrey C. Stein. A play entitled “Whistler,” with O. P. Heggie in the title role, will start at Atlantic City May 17. It is the work of Mrs. Cavendish. “On the Raft,” a sketch from this year’s “Greenwich Village Follies,” is to be presented in vaudeville. Joe King, the photoplay acter, will is given that it is highly amusing and_entertainin: “The Town Ciowi out-of-tRe-ordinary offering. It is called_a_vaudeville classic and fea- tures John Orren, & noted mimic, and Lillian Drew, who has the distinction of being one of the great woman whistlers of the world. Will_J. Ward, the singing story teller, famous both for his songs and his stories; Van Cello and Mary, in one of those unusual skits in which foot jugsling is a feature, and the photoplay attractions will complete the bill. The photoplay for the week will feature Gloria Swanson, in “A Society Scandal,” Allan Dwan'’s screen version of the famous New York stage suc- cess, “The Laughing Lady,” by Al- fred Sutro, a story of New York so- clety high life, in which the radiant Gloria displays no less than fourteen wonderful fashion creations, with some unusual acting. The vigorous punch of the prize ring will be found in the new Billy Sullivan “Leather- pusher,” incident of the roped square, and the International News will pic- ture the happenings of the day. A fine bill of vaudeville will be shown today in continuous perform- ances running from 3 p.m. Strand—"Polly's Pearls.” The vaudeville portion of the bill of five acts at the Strand this week is headed by a merry musical farce, “Polly’s Pearls,” with George Taylor, the Sothern Sisters and Julia Dunbar as_the featured artists. Second in importance are the Three Rounders, exponents of seng and comedy, in “A Harmony Cocktail With & Dash of Mirth.” Others will include Caulfield-Ritchie and company in a diverting skit called “A Boy and Girl Revue”; Bell and Le Clair, in “The Tryout,” and the Bellis Duo, spectacular novelty gymnasts. The photoplay for the week will be William Fox's film version of “Cameo Kirby,” with John Gilbert in the title role. It ls one o‘f Eooth Tarkington's greatest stage - ceue-."'mtm in collaboration with Harry Leon Wilson, and concerns a dashing, square-shooting gambler of the old Mississippi River steamboat days. Minor films also will be shown. Gayety— "Whirl of Girls.” More than the usual number of comedians, singers, dancers and en- tertainers are promised in the cast of the big feminine.revue, “Whirl of Girls” at the Gayety this week. Vic Plant and Fred Binder are the fea- tured comedians. - “Whirl of Girts” is am entertain- ment in two acts apd twelve scenes * will be another 7, 1924 FloNe DEVERE. | Gayety | potlig’ht | mak New his Tk i rst sty “The ppearance in antrum.” | “The Eride,” Olivier and open May 5 in Wood has the a comedy by orge Middleton, New York.y Peggy Ileading role and the t includes Isabel Irving, Ferdinand Gottschalk, Donald Cameron and George Pauncefort. The Moscow Art Theater will p its farewell week in America the | week of May 5 in the Imperial Thea- | ter, New York. . “The Dust Heap, Bernard J. McOwen and Paul | put the Northwoods back o gitimate dramat a melodrama by | Dickey, | the 1 map at the Van- derbilt Theater New York. No, it is not a movie. | McGuire is con- with Joseph Ber- hould catch the | Englander with | ionate Puritan. William Anthony cocting a comedy nard Rethy which eve of the placid Ne its title of “The P: | Andre Charlot led yesterday from New York for Europe®to pre- pare a new revue for the Selwyns. Because of the illness of his banjo plaver, Roger Wolfe Kahn, son of Otto H. Kahn, played the banjo nightly with his _orchestra _in “Vogues" the new revue at the Shu- bert Theater. Mr. Kahn's orch |is billed as the “Rozer Wolfe phony Jazz Orchestra. Nora White, a cho light,” now in New York, who jumped into Elsa Ersi's role last week and became elevated to the niche of gen- eral understudy overnight, has re- ceived a contract from L. Lawrence Weber enabling her to jump into roles for three years to come. < girl of “Moon- | Lionel Atwill, star of “The Out- sider” at the Ambassador Theater, is ving a radio installed in his dress- ing room. Mr. Atwill has no partic- ular interest in the violin solos or bedtime stories, but is a great prize fight fan. Theatrical engagements have always kept Mr. Atwill away from the big July bouts; this year he hopes to enjoy a vicarious thrill through his radio at the Ambassador. that are said to“embody all the es- sentials of a musical revue, with a cast including Vie Plant, Fred Binder, Ray Yearwood, George Wiest, Hite and ' Reflow, Willie Schuler, Belle | Rich, Flossie De Vere and June Le Veal: specialties of song, dance and musical interpolations in syncopation by June Bobbie and her jazz babies, | and special scenic incidents of more than_ordinary beauty depicting “The avil's Inn.” “One Word Drama,” “Martha's Wedding,” “In Egvpt” and a realistic scenc on shipboard. Costly draperies and effective stage light ing cont=ibute to the artistic effect Thera is also a chorus of eighteen beautiful girls, with a gorgeous ar- ray of costumes. Arcade. Nightly dancing will continue at the Arcade. Tuesday evening, as a “special event.” a “ladies’ gala night” with a series of “Paul Jones" dances, will be staged. Shakespeare Somety— " A Cymbeline. . The Shakespeare Society will pre- sent a condensed version of “Cymbe- line” at All Souls' Church, Harvard and 16th streets, Wednesday evening at 8:156 o'clock. The main plot is used, omitting the two minor plots, making a concise story of dramatic force. Walter W. Beck, Mabel Owens Wil- cox, Eiton B. Taylor and James Otis Porter will have the leading roles, assisted by E. V. Wilcox, Karl Pear- son, Orme Libbey, E. M. Monroe, Ar- thur J. Rhodes, William E. Bryant, Charles E. Bennett, Rosemary Arnold and Emma Ware Anderson. The performance will be given in Plerce Hall of the church, with en- irance on Harvard street near 15th. Government Flyers in Film ‘O huge seaplanes, one of them a twin-motor ship with inclosed arters which will accommodate neteen men, and a large crew of government aviators under the com- mand of Lieut. Stevens and Lieut. Crist-of the Naval Air Service, with headquarters in San Diego, are work- ing in the Wilmington Harbor, be- tween the California Yacht Club an- chorage and the Bethlehem Shipbuild- ing docks, helping Director Al San- tell in filming some of the “thrill stuff” for “Fools in the Dark.” Permission was obtained from | a ‘Washington to have the assistance of the Naval Air Service in getting the difficult "shots” for the big thrill and laugh show. Automobh 1 *Plain Jane." “Plain Jane,” the new edy which comes to the week, has pretty music tumes are pret the dancing pretty and the girls—all of them are guaranteed pr The lines are said to sparkle with the diamond dust of genuine wit and there is not an “off-color” joke, scene or situation in the entire two acts and seven scenes. The book is by Phil Cook and Me- Elbert Moore, music by Tom John- stone and lyries by Phil Cook. The leading comedian is Joe Laurie, jr. Lorraine Manville plays the title part and wins the affections of the audience in her trials“and tribula- ions due to trouble started by her winning a contest judged 3 ould, who, of course, falls in love with the mistress of the doll, and ther. ngs the tale. Marion “Saki, Maurice Holland, Helen Carrington, Ralph Locke, Dan Healy, Lew Christy and Charles Mc- Naughton add to the gayety and the unfolding of the story. May Cory Kitchen is the premiere danseuse and Paul Oscard and La Torrecilla fur- nish thrills in an original and daring apache number. Walter Brooks has staged the en- tire production. *Sally, Irene and Mary” “Sally, Trene and Mary,” freshing musical comedy with Eddle Dowling as the star, will be pre- sented at the Shubert-Belasco Theater next week, beginning Sun- evening, May 4. It is heralded as one of the fastest-moving and liveliest musical productions ever com- ational next the co: the re- | produced. Izddie Dowling, who appears in the leading role of Jimmie Dugan, a youns plumber, wrote the book in collaboration With Cyrus Wood. The Ivrics are by Raymond Klages and the music by J. Fred Coots. It was by ~Frank Smithson, with numbers by Allen K. Foster. The entire production was made un- der the personal direction of J. J Shubert, The plot concerns of a young East Side York,” who masters the trade and then falls in love with Eroadway's leading musical comedy star. There is a riot of laughter in the ‘various situations and the song numbers are put over by a chorus of New York’s prettiest show girls. Prominent in the cast are Louise Brown. as Sally; Marguerite Zender, as Mary; Kathryn Mulqueen, as Trene: Josie Intropidi, Maude Odell, Clara’ Palmer, Grace Studiford George Eising, Herbert Hoey, Bur- ford Hampden, Frank Connor. D. J. Sullivan, Eddie O'Connor, Lois Arnold, fason, Patrick Henry and a t of trained dancers and larella Beauty Chorus. s Jane Cowl — Romeo and Ju]let. ne Cowl, the beautiful American will be presented by the Sel- and Adolph Klauber in “Romeo and Juliet” at the Shubert-Belasco the week of May 12 The gifted and popular star has arrived at the point described by the noted Mrs. Siddons, who was the first to say that the ideal Julict must pos- the rare combination of beauty, girlishness and mature artistry. Her Juliet has eclipsed all her other achievements. tollo Peters, noted for unusual set- tings during his asseciation with the New York Theater Guild, designed the scttings. He also assumes the role of Romeo. Frank Reicher, who attained his training many years ago in Julia Marlowe's company, staged the production. The entire New York ompany has been retained for the local engagement. the boy ambitions iles Coming’ Attractions i Four Broadway Favorites. The headliner at B. . ater next week brings greatest coll of celebrated dramatic_stars cver seen in vaude- ville in Janet Beecher, Olive Wynd- ham, Violet Kimble Cooper and Harr: Browne, in i comedy playlet, ‘Auartment to Lot by Elliote gent and Howard Lindsay. "BOI’I Tons." Next week the |the “Bon Tons" | twelve scenes, with score full of comedy the somewhat ds the cast | Sam Rayn uise | Z rnice La | B - Ackland fiteen, and Dor- othy Roye at the head of her original Chicago Jazz Band as a special at- traction. Jan Rubini, Swedish Vio- linist. Two offerings of exceptional merit will head the bill at the Strand Theater next week. The first will bring to Wash- ington Jan Rubini, the voung Swedish violin virtuoso, in' popular and _semi classical selections, with Miss Yvonne Marr at the piano. Featuring seven, the second headlin will present Armand K Honeymoone a musical satire in one act by Jack Lait Others will _include Frank Jones, “the Monopede Wonder” ; and Mathews, in “Around the World Danceland,”and another feature (o & announced ater and a feature photopla: Glen Echo Park. Glen Echo Park will open for the new season on Saturday, May 10. As usual, there will be dozens of amuse ment features. A big new one this vear will be Andy's Rythmonicers— an orchestra of ten pieces—playing thirty-two instruments! This should be good news for lovers of music and daneing. All the riding apparatus has heen rebuilt, assuring it is claimed, max- imum safets as well as thrill on top of thrill. Le Paradis Roof. PLANS for redecorating Le Paradis roof garden are now being worked | out at the Meyer Davis headquarters in | New York, and it is expected that the | spring refurbishing of the successful roof resort will be finished within a weeks. 1f weather conditions are favorable the Le Paradis roof will be opened abo the middle of May, with carnival fe: tures, to celebrate the “first birthday" of the dance resort. Confetti and joy will reign unrestrained While the famous Le Paradis Band will continue as the featured attraction, it is planned to introduce special num- bers of high type imported from New York. In addition, a program of feature evenings will be planned, embodying various noveltics Keith's The one of the tions ¢ v two the have with and Tody. different which in- in book and Almas Fashion Revue. Wednesday Leo Morrison, general mnaager to Ned Wayburn, will bring to Washington Ned Wayburn's com- pany of Music Box and Follies beau- ti Mr. Morrison comes here to direct the final rehearsal of the Ned Way- burn “Revusical Girlesque,” which will form an important part of the program at Convention Hall of the Almas Temple Merchants' Exposition and Fashion Revue, May 2-10. Youth Minus Hokum NG VIDOR has begun an ambi- tious task in his production of a version of Rachael Crothers' play, ry the Third.” the name of which will be chan He is to film a psychological study of the modern girl—and he says he is going to try to do it without the usual hokum Many writers have attempted to give a real picture of the modern youth, Vidor believes, and a few have come anywhere near the truth. Rachael Crothers in her play, *“Mary the Third,"” has come the nearest, he says. “Books have been written. plays have been staged, movies have been fitmed, all about the modern youth,” Vidor says. “Few of these have shown their subject correctly. In some the girl and boy of today—eay, at the age of twenty- one—are deplcted as hardened, sophis- ticated, cynical unbelievers, who do any rumber of things against convention, hold their parents in supreme contempt K! film Burlesque a HAVE vou ever seen the middle- amed matron with hair looking like the last word in despair, who rushes into the box at the opera very late, talks very loudly during the soft serenade and applauds briskly at the wrong time? Or the much overdressed, perfumed and jeweled woman who rushes past you at the handkerchief counter in the department stors gets into a vio- lent altercation with the saleswoman, and then suddenly decides that what she wants to buy is a dog collar, not a handkerchief? These and dozens of other foolish females of society are said to have furnished the model for the side-split- ting vamp, first depicted by James |and generally ¢ mess “The other thing lean the other w. girl and boy of twent as stupid morons, intelligence of a cf ing to be naughty ho “Neither of them is right. “The world is advancing, and the youth is advancing with it. The ad- vance has grown more rapid; youth has kept up the pace, and many of the eld- ers haven’ “The youth of today is more sophis- ticated than the youth of twent: years ago; youth sees things with a Clearer eye: reasons with a clearer mind; the youth of today is mot so ready to_accept the conventions, customs, the inhibitions, and the moral. which were in vogue when today’s par- ents, and their parents before them, were young. They want to study them, to debate about them; if they are good, they accept them: if they are not, they will throw them over.” t the Opera. Watts in the Greenwich Village Fol- lies and now a feature in vaudeville Watts has had plenty of chance study the type, for in London he was a favorite drawing room entertainer and is sald to have hobnobbed innumerable dowasger duchesses. successful were his parodies on pop lar favorites, in the opera and the theater, that he was sought out by Sir Oswald Stall and made one of the stars of “The esques,” a famous English group of ultra-modern play ers. Watts appearcd successfully ot the Coliseum also with “Grotesques © and then went to Ttaly to study for grand opera.. However, he decided in the end that it was a lot more fun fo burlesque opera &tars than to be one. and he returned to England in h's original travesties Watts came to this country in the how of Wonders.” in a devil of a at the same The modern one are shown possessed with tha of fourteen, try- and not knowing Dramatists’ TI:leater, Inc. THE Dramatists’ Theater, Inc., pro- ducers of “The Goose Hangs High,” encouraged by the success of their first production, now announce “The Rabbit’s Foot,” by Rida John- son Young, as their second offering. This play, described as a comedy of American ’life, had its premiere in Boston. The cast includes Tom Moore (late of the motion pictures), Eliza~ beth Risdon, Cyril Keightley, Sylvia Field, Mona Kingsley and Purnel Pratt James Forbes directed the new play, and the settings have been de- signed by Livingston Platt. Explains Some Superstitions UPERSTITIONS have always flour- ished to a handsome degree among stage and scréen folk, but, according to Edward Burns, these supposed harbingers of bad luck are not only inproductive of misfortune but their origin can be logically and simply explained. During the filming of a scene re- cently, Burns struck a match to light his pipe when his director and assis- tant director hurried up to et a light for their cigarettes, Not three on one match boy shouted. “That's match company propa- ganda,” explained Burns. “Every day 700,000,000 matches zre used In a prop “The Rabbit's Foot." like its com- panion play, “The Goose Hangs High," is by a playwright not associated with the Dramatists Theater, Inc When the organization was formed Edward Childs Carpenter, chairman of the board, declared that it was the intention’ of this association of playwrights to produce worth-while plays whether such plays were writ- ten by member-authors or by out- siders. Lewis Beach, who wrote “The Goose Hangs High,” is a non-mem- ber, and Rida Johnson Young also is not officially assoclated with the Dramatists’ Theater, Inc. the United States. This amount would naturally be decreased if men lighted their smokes from the same match. Some clever match company started the hard luck superstition. ou_all know the superstition about not counting the number of rriages in a funcral. Some family was poor and couldn’t afford many es, 80 to avoid comment that y started that superstition, Walking under dder is xnothe Common sense dictated the bicth of this one. It is plainly dangerous for the man on top and the one wto walks bepeath. ‘The brother of this superstition is the one about opening an umbrella inside the home. Some one, afraid of having an eye poked out, wisely con- cetved of the bad luck tie-up.” <