Evening Star Newspaper, May 11, 1924, Page 55

KEATON -Palace WASHINGTON, D. C., SUNDAY MORNING, MAY 11, 1924 _The Drama Tunefulness . By Philander Johnson. HE closing the season was sigunalized by g bursts of song. Pretty pla with “girl titles” gambolcd through incidents that recur from ycar to year with the regular; of the crocuses and the Johnny-jump-ups. Incidentally a few signals of hope were fluttered for the encourage- ment of the tired business man, who has been led to f{ear that the haughty attitude of radio toward mechanical rights for musical enter- prises may discourage melodious genius so that the art lover will be deprived of his daily abundance of fox trots and blucs. of regular d Both “Plain Jane” and allie, Irene and Mary” gave sweet assur- ance that there will be no nced to loiter on the golf links far into the evening for lack ofi opportunity to dispel the cares of the day by means of graceful foot work to vivacious | rhythm. The two musical plays by hitherto unheralded talent assure us that even should the recognized sources of song that have stood the test of years retire to opulent dignity amid a moody silence, there will still be somewhat to inspire the trap drummer and the saxophone. * % % x ‘Sallie, Irene and Mary” shows the introspective inclination of the iroadway theater. It is all about the crowded side streets and the beautiful lights on Broadway. It is reminiscent of palmy days, too, and idealizes with the touch of senti- mental recollection the old song about “me and Mamie Rorke who tripped the light fantastic on the sidewalks of New York.” The song, when it first hit popularity, was re- garded as rather rough and tumble artistry, but its appeal was instantly human. To this day the searcher for New York sidewalk atmosphere l1as found nothing to take its place. So serious an effort as Eugene O'Neill's “Chillum Got Wings” is forced to hark back to it in estab- Jishing the suggestion of locale. It may become an important duty of playground associations to provide new and more or less grammatical ditties for the growing youngsters. Proper discipline may demand it, Jor the juvenile opinion of ancestral waste should be as high as possible. * % k& A peculiar interest attaches to the production, for it is an effort to Utilize material of local origin both i to theme and execution. It re- veals no London slavey nor Paris model whose hearts of gold count jor a greater stake in the game of 1iic than hereditary advantage. The poor little girl is there; so is the scrappy but affectionate lad who might_have grown up to be a Little {ord Fauntleroy if he had had half a chance. It'was not found necessary 10 import the types. In drawing a Jdramatic contrast between poverty and affluence, it at least gave us a study of indigenous indigency. ¥ % * % The entire production is under the crsonal direction of Mr. J. J. Shu- P Who is ebviously on’the right track in seeking a basis_of sub- itantial interest. His “Blossom Time” showed this. To gild a homely ‘subject with fanciful appeal requires delicacy of imagination and a practiced pen. C. M. C. McClelland was a master of this style of crafts- nanship. as his “Lady Slavey” and “Belle of New York” proved to entire popular satisfaction, B. Smith bad less pungent flippancy . but greater romantic adaptability, and was more prolific than precise. g e authorshig of both “Plain Jane” Harry | in May time i and “Sallic. lrene and Mary” is -omplexly composite and affords liope for the coming season, when the summer stormg no longer sweep Broadway. “America” proved the wisdom of its manager, who regarded it strong enough to extend an engage- ment over several weeks. Washing- ton no longer prepares for a general exodus at’ the call of the first robin. It is a little strange that when the streets are crowded with auto- mobiles all summer long the theaters should lose courage even before the appointed season arrives in Nature's program for the shrinkage of modest | violets. Of course there is a great deal of urgent business in New York, cal- culated to distract the attention of art. But the bad news does not all come true. The ansouncement was made in this city that Mr. Ziegfeld contemplated giving up the Follies, but there is still hope. The adver- tisements still keep the trade mark in attention, and heralds are no less industrious_than of yore in impress- ing its claims to rank as a moral and instructive enterprise, as well as alluring entertainment. * ok x % Grand preparations are being made for the entertainment of the throngs during the Democratic na- tional convention at New York, and the lawyers who have now taken precedence in the formulation of theatric expression have employed their most eloquent pathos- in -an effort to prevent producers from spoiling what promises to be an extraordinary opportumity for sum- mer business. But a theater quarrel is a tenacious affair. Mr. Marcus Klaw and Mr. Abraham Erlanger, who separated years ago, are still disputing in court over a trifle of $200,000. There was a considerable play of wit and repartee when the actors and managers held their previous Equity argument. Mr. Dil- lingham went so far, when the Hippodrome was closed by strike, as to post a notice, “Nothing Doing Twice Daily.” Which showed that there was still an clement of good nature in the background despite the intimations that the actors might be treated like Danbury hatters. This time there js an evident disposition to make the long speeches serious and dispense with the comedy relief. This of itself may facilitate a prompter settlement and let the work of evolving new material &o on. Search for “Peter Pan.” THE great wide world will be the fleld for picking “Peter Pan,” ac- cording to Herbert Brenon, who has been selected to film Barrie's fantasy. ‘We have not decided on any one to play the rolemade famous by Maude Adams,” he explained. “We are searching for some one who can give us the combined qualities of elfishness and wistfulness that the role demands and also lend the child note to the part. This person may be a boy or a girl, a man or woman— there are no lines drawn. He or she, as the case may be, may come from without the ranks of motion picture players. There is a possibility of 2nything happening .in the selection of a player for this very mportant role.” Mr. Brenon was asked who he con- sidered ideal for the part, and ex- plained that Mary Pickford of seven years ago filled the bill exactly. Jackie ‘Coogan of ‘a year'ago would have been ideal, but I'm afraid that he has become a little too sophisti- cated,” he continued. Everybody in the organization, east and west, i5 looking for an idcal Pe- ter Pan, and when one is found there New Play for Jane Cowl. ANE COWL has a new play which will be produced for her by the Selwyns, in association with Adolph Klauber, her manager. Neither the | title nor the name of the author has been disclosed. Gossip has it that | the production will be made after | Miss Cowl's spring tour | and” Juliet” in “Romeo closes in Brooklyn, May 31, ‘As Miss Cowl will be appearing in Newark, N. J.. the week of May 19, she will be living in New York dur- ing that week and the week follow- ing, with all the facilities available for engaging a company and rehears ing it while acting in her pres medium. To Pose for Sculptor. NEIL HAMILTON, the new D. W. Grifith star in the romantic na- tional picture “"America” has been asked by Henry H. Kitson, the sculp- tor, to pose for a statue which has been ordered as a memorial for Washington's headquarters at New- burgh, N. Y. Mr. Kitson is the sculptor of the famous statue of the Minute Man at Lexington common. . Before starting his work Mr. Kit- son came from his studio at Framing- ton, Mass, to New York to seec “America” ‘with the idea of getting inspiration for his work. After seeing Hamilton in the hero's role he selected him as the ideal type of young American manhood and asked him to pose as a model liligeres o altetie Picturing History. RY relates that the little band of American patriots who, S R S CARMEL, MYERS and JOEN BARRYMORE Riakio Current Attractions At the Theaters This Week BELASCO—Jane Cowl, in “Romeo and Juliet.” evening. NATIONAL— photoplay evening. Opens tomorrow fary Pickford, “Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall,” hown this afternoon and evening. POLI'S—“America,” historical photoplay. Shown this afternoon and KEITH'S—Clark and McCullough, vaudeville. New show opens with matinee tomorrow afternoon. TIVOLI—Dorothy Seegar-Henry White, vaudeville. this afternoon and evening. STRAND—“Cheating the Grave afternoon and cvening. GAYETY—"Queens of Paris,” burlesque. noon and evening. Belasco—Jane Cowl as Juliet under Capt. George Rogers Clark of Virginia penetrated 200 miles acroes the mountains in the deed of winter to expel the British and thelr Indian allies from ol Fort Vincennes, suf- fered Mncredible hardships before they ever won through to thetr goal Director Edwin L. Hollywood, who directed the picturing of this historic incident in “Vincennes,” the third in the “Chronicles of America™ serfes, for the” Yale University Press, be- lieves that some of his actors suf- fered almost as much as Clark’s men did before the filming of this thrill- ing story was completed. For “Vincennes” Hollywood kad assembled a lirge company of actors to portray certain episodes of Clark’s march. In order to make his scenes realistia he had to re-enact the scene in the dead of winter, and he was fortunate enough to find an Indian swamp sufficiently like the real thing to serve his purpose. Historical re- search revealed that when Clark’s men came to such a place and found themselves upable to go around it they plunged in, bolding their rifles and powder high, and made the best it it until they gould build fires on the other side and thaw ou Director Hollywood ordered his men to do the same and he carried his_entire troupe through the muck and half-frozen mud of this swamp, over fallen and sunken logs until he finally got them out on the other side, half frozen, indeed. Clark’s men, by reason of their hardy life in the open, were clearly better equipped to undergo_such hardships than their century-later imitators. In the end, however, they brought home to the American people, in this film, a realis- tic and impressive idea of what the original Americans of this continent went through to win it for a some- times forgetful posterity. Wilson Normal Players May 15. The Wilson Players are giving their last play for the season, “Mr. Pim_Passes By, by Milne, May 15, at Wilson Normal, 11th and Harvard. This group of players has been together for two years and has put on worth-while plays so successfully that they are commanding much at- tention. . Thogs ‘who: saw “The Lucky One,” given last month, will remember the work of Paul Mallon, Willard Miller and Frank Lowman, 2l of whom are in the cast of the new pay. KElizabeth Dyer- plays ‘the ‘part of Olivia, and Virginia Dudley that of Dinah, and Lady Marden is played by Arista Huber. The Washington College of Music will be genuine rejoicing, for the casting of this role presents one of the hardest problems that has ever confronted the film industry. wiil furnish vocal and instrumental numbers. ‘The players are under the direction of Aurora M. E. Poston. Jane Cowl will come again as Juliet tomorrow evening, this time to the Shubert-Belasco Theater, where Wednesday and Saturday matinees will be given. As presented by Miss Cowl and her 1arge company, which numbers sixt: “Romeo and Juliet” has all the a peal of a modern play. It is acted as if Shakespeare’s characters were real people of flesh and blood. Never in her long list of successes has Jane Cowl ever appeared to such great advantage as in the role of Juliet. And never, and for once the critics and the public are agreed, has Juliet been done more beautifally. The star will be surrounded with a splendid cast, which inclufies in the principal roles Rollo Peters as “Romec”; Dennis King, Louis Hector, Romeo; Dennis King Kelso, Robert n. George Carter, J. Sayer Crew- ley, Milton Pope, C, Bailey Hick, Lionel Hogarth, Jessie Ralph, Grace Hampton, Mary Holton, Edith Van Cleve and Marion Evenson. Frank Reicher staged the produc- tion, which was designed by Rollo Peters. An idea of the elaborateness of “Romeo and Juliet” as presented by Miss Cowl may be imagined from the fact that it requires twenty-five men to handle the scenic and lighting effects and three baggage cars to transport the scenery and properties. The play is given in four acts with sixteen scenes A special musical score, arranged especially for Miss Cowl by Max Bendix, is a noteworthy feature. PO i, 9 Poli’'s—*“America. D. W. Griffith's nistorical film spec- tacls, “America.” enters, with the matinee today, upon the fourth week of its Washington engagement to meet the steadily growing demand for seats. The enthusiasm that marked the first ‘Washington presentation of “America” is still in evidence and has been repeated at the matinee per- formances, especially when the thea- tor is filied with school children, when it ofttimes reaches the point of robust cheers, as well as the usual juvenile applause. The favorite scene with such audi- ences appears to be the thrilling ride of Paul Revere, the revolution- ary hero, hurdling over hedges, fences and_stone walls, across brooks and madly racing down moonlit country roads to spread the alarm that the British were coming. The Scenes pic- turing the battles of Lexington and Concord ana Bunker Hill fhect with jalmost equal enthusiasm. Robert W. Chambers has woven into the story of “America’ a ro- mance between the voung Boston post rider, Nathan Holden, played by Neil Hamiiton, and a charming south- ern beauty, Nancy Montague, por- trayed by Carol Dempster. Other im- portant roles were played by Charles Emmett Mack, Lionel Barrymore, Ar- thur Dewey, Lucille La Verne, Arthur Donaldson, Lee Beggs and Riley Hatch. In the battle scenes more than 1,800 players appear. Performances vaudeville. Performances this Performances this after- National—"Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall.” At the National Theater this after- noon and every afternoon and evening thereafter for a limited engagement, Mary Pickford, in ber latest, and pro- nounced as her greatest, photoplay, “Dorothy Vernon of Haddon Hall,” will be revealed in all the medieval splendor and romantic atmosphers characteristic of the perio@ and. story. In fact, it is asserted that the screen adaptation is much more colorful and spectacular than the fascinating novel or the impelling drama of the same name. In visualizing Charles Major's beau- tiful and charming heroine, Mary Pickford discloses a finer semse of histrionic _artistry than she has shown in any of her former triumphs. Prominent in her support are Al- lan Forrest, Clare James, Mme. Dau- mery, Estelle Taylor, Lottie Pickford Forrest, Anders Randolph, Marc Mac- Dermott. Wilfred Lucas, Courtney Foote, Collin Kenny and Eric Mayne. More than 1,000 supernumeraries and 500 horses wero utilized in making this picture, which is said to be the most expensive ever made for or by “America’s Sweetheart.” Keith's—Clark and McCul- lough. B. F. Keith’s Theater for the car- rent week promises smiles, laughs and screams, for Clark and McCul- lough, funny men, hold the headline honors. These stars of Irving Ber- lin's “Music Box Revue™ will be seen in two bits, “The Interview” and “The Bath Between.” They bring a large supporting company, includ- ing Leila Ricard, Irvhlgmmg Herbert gofli Gus Buell and junny” Moore- ea Marcelle and his trained sealion, said to be unlike any other of its fam- ily, in singing, talking, juggling and imitating ability, who understands commands in six languages, is an- other big feature. Marga Waldron, daughter of an Army officer d a popular member of Washington's younger set, returns to Washington a premiere danseuse in a program of numbers created and arranged by Porta Povitch, assisted by Josef Martin, pianist. Others will include Craig Campbell, who is playing a short vaudeville en- gagement before returning to grand opera fleld; Willlam Burr and Daphne Hope, artists from England, with a beautiful production, with lilting songs, “A Belle, a Beau and a Bal- cony”; Willie Solar, international musical comedy star, in “The Laugh Factory”; Arthur Millard and Minna Marlin _appear in “Honeymooning, full of fun and melody, and the Zelda brothers, Maurice and Dan, in unique aerial frolics. Aesop's Fables, Topics of the and the Pathe News Weekly complete the bill. The Circus. i STON boys and girls arci There's a very good reason— | Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bai- | ley circus, which boasts the title, “The Greatest Show on Larth” ar- rives in town today. Before nightfall the monster tents will be pitched on the Camp Meigs showgrounds, 4th street and Florida avenue. Perform- ances will begin with the matinee to- morrow and continue until Wednes- day night, after which the circus moves to Baltimore. “Bigger and better than ever” is a time-worn circus slogan, yet if re- ports coming in from New York and | Philadelphia are to be believed, Washington youngsters will see a circus these next few days such as they never enjoyed before. New acts, new stars and new stunts will be un- folded in a bewildering assortment when the signal is given at 2 o'clock tomorrow afternoon. Right hundred of the world’s foremost arenic stars are promised, to say nothing of the biggest menagerie and sideshow ever carried on tour. Of particular interest will be John Daniel, 2d, the famous gorilla. who arrived in America only a few week: ago, the only one now in cdptivity May Wirth, the famous somersaulting equestrienne, again a star with the show; Lily Leitzel, the aerial queen; Berta_ Beeson, the high-wire artist; the Reiffenachs, Rooneys, Bradnas, Ballenbergs, Miss Stark, Nelsons, Loyals, Clarks, Ernestos and the Hulings. As customary with the Ringling- Barnum system. thers will be no street parade on Monday. Tivoli—Dorothy Siegar, Henry White, Etc. Crandall's new Tivoll Theater, at 14th street and Park road, for this week annoances variegated and de- lightful entertainment The featured artists are Dorothy Seegar. soprano, late star of “Blossom Time,” and Henry White, baritone, last heard in “The Gingbam Girl,” who will con- tribute a cycle of duets with full orchestral accompaniment. The Guatamala Marimba Serenaders, a group of native Guatamalan mas- ters of the sweetest toned of percus- are another big sion instruments, feature. Arthur Flage! will be heard in con- gerts on the Wurlltzer grand organ. d Bailey F. Alart, conductor, with the Tivoll Orchestra, will provide the orchestral setting for the pictured features and a concert overture. The photoplay will be “Innocence.” featuring Anna Q. Nilsson and Earle Fox, former _ Washington _stock favorite, with Wilfred Lucas, Marion Harlan, Jessiec Arnold and Vera Lewis. The story concerns a woman's life of intrigue, scandal and unjust suspiclon. The biil also will include shorter films, “Tivolls Mirror of the Living ‘World" and the “Tivoll Wanderings™ —news and scenic subjects. Miss Seegar and Mr. White are recognized stars of the light musical stage and will lend the Tivoli's cur- rent program a touch of genuine dis- tinction. Performances will be continuous, from 3 to 11 today and 2 to 11 p.m. week days. Strand — “Chea_ting the Grave.' The Strand Theater for the week beginning today will offer as a nov- elty feature Raffies, the master cracksman, who, under the title of “Cheatinf the Grave,” performs seem- ingly impossible feats, one of them being an escape from a steel air- sealed burial vault. An added headline attraction will be Marie Stoddard, late star of “The Dancing Girl,” in “Songs, Smiles and Impressions.” Others _on the bill include Barr, Mayo and Renn, in a laughable skit entitled “She Cares for Me”; Con- nell, Leona and Zippy, in “Varieties a la Carte,” and the Three Wheeler Boys, gymnasts. “The Law Forblds." a Universal production starring Baby Peggy, will be the photoplay offering for the week. Baby Peggy in this pleture voices a plea for all the little boys and girls whose parents have been divorced and whose side of the story has never been told before. She pleads for their right to the love of both parents—a moral if not a iegal right. The tiny star is supported by a capable cast, Including Robert Bilis, “Early to Bed.” “Early to Bed,” a new comedy, which comes to the Shubert-Belasco Theater next week, is described as a very intelligently funny combination of incidents which is_winning high favor on tour before being taken to New York. Its managerial sponsor is George Choos, who produced “Mr, Battling Buttler,” the English farce now running at the Times Square Theater, New York. The list of names announced for the cast includes Ada Lewis, Jose- phine Drake, Mildred Florence, Jose- phine Whittell, Florencs Lorraine, Helen Stewart, Lisle Leigh. Minnie Stanley, Frank McCormick, Harry C. Bannister, Robert Adams, William leconard, ~Basil West and Joseph Guthrie. Tn the matter of grows and scene sotting Mr. Choos has been credited with liberalify and taste. Van and Schenck. After a successful season with the “Follies” Van and Schenck, “the pennant winning battery of Song- land.” will return to B. F. Keith's Theater next week, where they will top the bill in a new program of inimitable numbers. Allan Rogers and Leonora Allen, the distinguished singers., will be featured in favorite melodies iComing Attractions Strand-——patsy Shcuy and Erny Holgrem. Patsy Shelly and Erny Holgren dancers, with their entertainers, in cluding a jazz band, will be the stars of the program booked at the Strand for next week Others appearing will be Al Roms and Harry Bolton in “The Extremes” Frank McGreevy and Viola Peters in a sketch, “Bright and Oily.” and Howard Nichols, the “Ace of Hoope ™ The photoplay offering will be “Poisoned Paradise,” a film adapta- tion of Rabert W. Service's novel, with a cast including Carmel Myers | Clara” Bow. Kenneth Har | mond Griffith, Josef Swik | de Beranger and Barbara Tennant | _ Short films and orchestral numbers will complete the showins. “Wine, Woman and Song. “Wine, Woman and Song” is the at traction announced for the Gaye next week. Everything is new in t show this season, aithough three fa Vorites are retained among the prin- [cipals, Bert Bertrand, Hebrew co- median; Gertrude Ralston, prima don- |na, and Harry S. LevVan, assistant Jaugh-maker. = Also promised is pretty and talented ensemble of danc- |ing and singing girls, with costumes | of beau Outcloor Attractions Le Paradis Roof Ipens. Le Paradis roof garden will have a gala opening Thursday to mark the first anniversary of the smart dance resort New musical numbers by Le Paradis band and novelty surprise features are a part of the special treat promised the roof garden pa- trons. Newest jazz ideas are em- bodied in them and orchestrations with special reference to the Le Para- dis line-up of instruments, including stunts in rhythm with saxophones and the sousaphone. Decorations for the roof were orig- inally worked out by Lawrence Bot- tomley, noted New York architect. ‘While the general effect is not ma- terially altered, a number of minor changes have been made, chiefly with a view to enhancing the comfort of patrons. 1f the weather should be unseason- able, the entertainment will be of- fered in the main dining room of Le Paradis cafe. Chevy Chase Lake. Chevy Chase Lake will open its season Thursday .evening with May- time decorations festooned every- where. Dance music by two Meyer Davis bands on the twin dance pavilions will be the star attraction. Those who do mot care for dancing or bowling, but wish only to listen to the music, will find comfort on the hundreds 'of rustic benches which grericok the electrically illuminated ake. Dowling, Ned Sparks, James Corri- gan, Eva Thatcher and William E. Lawrence. Short films and orchestral selec- tions will complete the bill. Gayety—"Queens of Paris” “Queens of Parls” this week's at- traction at the Gayety, gives promise of a savor of the boulévards, the mu- sic halls and .dance palaces of gay “Paree,” with pretty girls, bright lights, ‘attractive scenery and enappy dances. I B. Hamp is_the featured come- dian and the only one in burlesque that aftects the Swedish dialect. As- sisting will be Bob Startzman, a spe- cialist in black-face comedy, and Jack Callahan, an eccentric comedian. Ann Myers, Gertrude Beck and Ro Roselia, are the “Queens of Paris and their attendant sirens of song and dance number eighteen, Scenes of note are '“The Spanish Court,” “Barnum Was Right,” “Say It with Songs,” “Art in Living Forma- tions” and scenes depicting life on Broadway. Two special features in- clude the Six Rockets of Belgium, an imported act for the current tour of this attraction, and the Frazier Trio, who harmonize instrumentally and Glen Echo Park. Glen Echo Park, Washingior popular amusement resort, whic opened yesterday, is now ready fo the 1924 season. Everything is spic and span; th buildings and riding apparatus have all been rebuilt and repainted; the walks have new gravel, and every thing has been put in thorou condition. The picnic groves are beautiful and as inviting as ever | 'Kiddies and grown-ups alike wil | find the thrill of the big dips, roller | coaster, caroussel, whip, midway. ol | mill and skooter. autiful ballroom, th T il ring with ja. tunes by Andy’s Rythmonicers, Man ager Schloss’ feature surprise for this season. This is an organization of ten pieces playing thirty-two instru- ments every afternoon and evenini throughout "the season, offering pro grams of classic selections for lovers of good music, as well as jazz pro- grams for dancing Glen Echo is reached by fast elec tric cars that run along the Poton or by auto over good roads. A ‘restaurant also provides meal served at city prices for those w go for a day’s outing. Chesapeake Beach. Half the boardwalk at Chesapea Beach will be new this season, as i |result of extensive repairs following the fire at the fun mart last summer The section is in the very heart of Amusement Fairyland, where the new dancing pavilion, the new Japan garden and the new concessionnair: building will be located. Both the boardwalk and the new | buildings will be in readiness for the grand opening of the season May 30 Alll the amusements arc being over hauled. the buildings are being re- painted, the picnic grounds put in order and the bathing beach being |combed and groomed. The Carolin fans will furnish music again thi year. Steamer St. Johns. The management of the steamer Johns announces the opening of t 1924 season for Colonial Beach and the steamer St. Johns, which has been renovated and put in order for this season, including new paddles o th wheels to increase the speed, and a new dance floor on the decks. The big surprise will be a seven-piece Meyer Davis' Orchestra, which will play on every trip, both o Colonial Beach and for the forty-mile moonlight trips Colonial Beach will open for the 1924 season Thursday, May 29, when | the St. Johns will make 'her first trip leaving the 7th street wharf at 2 p.m.. and returning the same night: again Friday morning. May 30. at § am., a gala day at Colonial Beach | Saturday, May 31, : 0 p.m again Sunday morning, June 1, am The popular forty-mile moonl reproduce Hawaiian music in native Elinor Pair, Winifred Bryson, Joseph style. trips will be resumed at an early day.