Evening Star Newspaper, January 18, 1925, Page 59

Theaters Part 3—10 Pages Duct de KEREKJARTO Keiths e HELEN MANNING ~ Ear Fhe Costar Plos: Do At Least Good-Natured By Philander’ Johnson: Everything dey tener and observer. “The comedian who congratul his audience on having behaved \beautifully was not far wrong. stage pict fair 1 somer fanel ds on the fis-| d| The moving 2 tle ong but seldom, with an | atic turn t crystallizes in recollection. If offense is given it passes qui d if the element of cleverness is present, is overwhelmed by the course of action, * x % x One of the most remarkable phe nomena of the hour is the bitterne with which rival theatrical influences are reviling the improprietics of competitors. Pots assail kettles with almost weeping anxiety about the danger of smirch to the proprieties \and the sensibilities of the play- going public. It has become appar- ently a regular part of publicity duty to denounce in terms of pious repre- hension the flagrancies of competi- tors. In what has been an exceed- ingly rough competition the losers have, at least, the satisfaction of proclaiming the opinion that each winner in turn of the literary gar- bagemen’s trophy is no gent. Sl Every week that passes leaves the habitual downtown-theater roamer | with a feeling that he might better | have put in his time at the Ram's | *Head Players, who have carned the | fullest credit for following the most | exacting professional lines, so far as presentation is concerned, while ab- solutely refusing to concede a syl- Jable or a gesture to the current standards of so-called realism. * o % x . If what is now offered is true real- ism the poet was in a depressing mood when he wrote, “Life is real, life is earnest.” But it is still de- kently possible to contend that most of the realities of life are pleasant enough, if intelligently managed, and | that in order to be earnest it is not necessary to be abjectly profane. The | situation has been peculiarly em- | barrassing to the patient scribe who, | in trying to form an adequatc word picture, is restrained by a certain lingering respect for the rules of grammar and is forbidden by the jrules of the typographical union ever to letter the word in full, in- stead of using the time-honored, dash after the big, big D—. *ox 0% % These remarks are hardly apropos of anything that passed before at- teation during the week just closed, | except as they relate to the habit | fostered by the stage of searching for some sinister suggestion, even when it is not made perfectly ob- ) vious ¥ R William Grew, who has been heard from in vaudeville, provides a do- mestic comedy in “The Sap,” which tells of a good-natured ne’er-do-well who feels morally compelled to rob & bank in order to pay the rent and save the family honor. Its plot may be outlined without fear of wearying attention, for a great many people | did not see the play. This is a state of affairs which means, in cases of undesirable drama, a sort of auto- matic safeguard for the morals of a community. We are shocked at the presence of a crowd of people at questionable entertainment and by the knowledge that there will be crowds in attendance many evenings rmasre. We do not take proper com- fort in considering the vast number of people who never see the per- formance. *oK K * There is a more or less defined clientele for the playhouse, and even this clientele does not always turn out in full force. It requires a won- derful production to play to full houses for two weeks in a city of less than 500,000, as “Ben Hur” used vto do. * x *x “The Sap” depends for interest on its central character, introducing R:{mond Hitchcock as a gentle, vislonary young man so devoted to pis wife that he would rather hang £ | puzzle. | gles =" cs around home n work. It a curious departure. Several min-| utes are required to settle down | to the acceptance of a Hitchcock performanc no chorus, no| The ex- be mate | ¢ son amusing. once. nated to the There are even love | and we might have been mpted to permit the eye a trace sentimental moisture if we had riectly sure the chief player would not throw the scene to the winds with some atrocious drollery and romp down to the footlights to laugh at his audience for taking him seriously tei * ok k% You leave with the impression that it has been a bright, clean comedy, without an idea or a phrase on which to hang suspicion of offense. This simply cannot be! Conscience protests that the fiend must be lurk- ing somewhere in the story. This lovable chap was capable of great courage and when he had money was exceedingly good to his folks. As for a triangle, there wasn't even one in the orchestra. But where did he get this money with which to be génerous. Hal Ha! The wicked undercurrent is discovéred! He stole it. His sweet affability was such that we quite forgot that he became a party to the proceeds of crime and that it was only by spec- ulation in the Chicago market that he was able to buy the bank, foil the Government examiners and come back in the last act to pay the over- due rent. There you have it. An underworld theme, calculated to pal- liate an offense which society should not condone! You can always find it if you look closely. * K ok % At any rate "The Sap” is entitled to credit for presenting the drama as something other than a cuss-word * % % Wallace Eddinger turns the tables. An important hit in his early career was “The Third Degree,” in which he impersonated a patient, rather dull youth, who was browbeaten by the police. In the “Haunted House,” which enjoys the distinction of hav- ing been written by Owen Davis, a Pulitzer prize playwright, Mr. Ed- dinger takes the center of the stage, in a slightly bullying mood and ques- tions everybody in an effort to dis- cover the perpetrator of a homicide which happened not to have been committed. There are many laughs in the play, which is not yet even as well knit together as Mr. Davis “Nervous Wreck” was when it left Washington last season for a pros- perous New York run. One of the best lines in the presentation occurs in the author’s program note an- nouncing a departure from the cus- tomary request not to divulge the plot, and giving the audience full permission to explain all the hap- penings of the play—if they can. * ok % % The joyous musical comedy at Poli’s accomplished a feat worthy of note. Mr. Choos presented author- ship and composership of Mr. Rug- Mr. McDonald, Mr. Bright- on, Mr. Melford, Mr. Furber, Mr. Rosemont, Mr Bragdon and Mr. Bennett; all neatly co-ordinated and displayed within the space of two hours. Following the old English musical comedy custom, a list of au- thors is likely to become as long as the cast of characters. Janet Richards Tomorrow. Miss Janet Richards will give her usual weekly review of public ques- tions, home and forelgn, tomorrow morning at 10:45 in the auditorium of the New Masonic Temple, 13th street and New York avenue. In these talks Miss Richards brings up to date each Monday the latest developments in questions of outstanding interest in_the world's work. Tomorrow she will speak of im- pending political changes in Wash- ington following the regrettable resig- The Sunday St WASHINGTON, D. C, o e ACKIE. ADDISON " Mutual New Belasco play Corning. David Belasco will present Hol- brook Blinn in the premier of “The Dove,” a romantic melodrama writ- ten by Willard Mack, based the story by Gerald Beaumont, with Ju- dith Willard Mack, Wil- liam Harrigan and Willlam Norris, at the National Theater the week of February 2. This will be Mr. Belasco's fourth production of the season, and with its premier V. ashington theatergoers will have witnessed all the Belasco productions of the present season previous to thetr New York opening. “The Dove” Is sald to unfold an absorbing story In four ac and is peopled with interesting characters. The supporting company includes John Harrington, Sidney Toler, Wil- son Reynolds, Willlam Boag, Joseph- ine Deffrey, Ruth Dayton and Bea- trice Banyard. The play will be produced under the personal direction of Mr. Belasco, who will be here for the premlier and remain during the engagement. Tunis Dean, Mr. Belasco's repre- sentative, is now in Washington per- fecting arrangements with Manager Fowler for the engagement. on Anderson, Bloch's Newest Play. IN Bertram Bloch’s newest play, “The Man Who Was Dead,” the Ram's Head Players are making thelr very first try at a modern mystery play. Last year they by Bloch called proved a success. D entermance on any stags of “Ceoily Ann” and was written espectally for the Ram's Head folks, The new play is alio to be a first production, and Bloch, who is now in New York City scenario writing for Famous Players, has been working overtime all winter to have it in readiness, a8 Robert Bell was de- termined to do another of Bertram Bloch plays this season. It presents, however, a striking contrast to “Ceclly Ann."” A man is killed and three other men try to find his mruderer — Gordon King, his host; Capt. Fernine, his friend. and the county sheriff, Swan- son. The fact that the actlon occurs off in the hills, in a secluded log hut but adds to the possibilities of the play and the amazing denouement planned by the young author, who has come down to personally attend the final rehearsals of “The Man Who Was Dead.” —_—e Arcade. The orchestra at the Arcade is ap- propriately playing Dreamt I Dwelt in Marble Halls” in celebration of near completion of the beautiful new marble entrance and wainscoted stairwayea. The special attractions this week will be a ladies’ gala night, Tuesday, when the fair sex will be guests of the management and when several old-fashioned “Paul Jones" dances will add to the charm of the occasion. Friday evening will usher in another popular high school dance, the mem- ave a play written “ecily Ann,” which It was the first nation of Secretary Hughes, She will also review forelgn affairs, bers of Eastern High being speclally invited, SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 18, A a3 \CHRISTENE CONNIE, v« National 7 74 Current Attract;ons At the Theaters This Week BELASCO—*“Cconscience,” drama. NATIONAL—Ziegfeld's “The Comic Supplement,” review. Tuesday evening. WARDMAN my. KEITH noon. tery play. EARLE—Leonora Biben Orchestra, vaudeville. noon. STRAND—“A Man About Town GAYETY—Barney Gerard’s Show, Opens tomorrow evening. Opens PARK THEATER—“The Man Who Was Dead,” Opens Tuesday evening. —“The Test"—Kerekjarto, vaudeville. Opens this after- Opens this after- Opens this afternoon. burlesque. Opens this afternoon. MUTUAL—“Hurry Up,” burlesque. Opens this afternoon. National—Ziegfeld's “The Comic Supplement.” Opening Tuesday night at the tional Theater, with matinees Wednes- day and Saturday, Florenz Ziegfeld. the noted producer, will present “The Comic Supplement,” all-Ameri- can Review, w. Fields. The book and Iyrics are by J. P. McEvoy and the music is by Henry Souvaine and Con Conrad. The costumes are by John Held, jr., cartoonist, and the settings by Norman Bel-Geddes. The cast includes Rae Dooley, Martha-Bryan Allen, Alice Hegeman, Brooke Johns, Clarence Nordstrom, Joyce White, Hansford Wilson, Henry Sherwood, Elise Cavanna. Luclle Byrne, Danzi Goodell, D. Blakemors, Geneva Mitchell and Florence Mason. The ochorus is composed of American “pre-eminent beauties,” and, it is an- nounced, “are the most beautiful girls Ziegfeld has ever glorified.” The book of the play has been staged by Augustin Duncan. Julfan Mitchell staged the dances. Wardman Park—"The Man Who Wafl Dflad." A modern play of myste; “The Man Who Was Dead,” written by Bertram Bloch especlally for the Ram'’s Head Players, will be presented Dy them es the fifth production of the current season, beginning Tuesday evening, for two weeks. The scene 1s laid In a log cabin in the New Hampshire hills, the home of Gordon King and his wife Carol. To thelr home comes Dr. Trent, and while in their cabin is found mysterfously murdered. King puts himself to work to solve the problem, as does also the county sheriff. Then Capt. Fernine, a friend of Trent, appears on the scene, determined to avengs the death of his an with c friend. A series of serious complica- tions follow in rapid succession, pre- senting innumerable thrills In the three acts. Ranald Savery appears as Gordon King, Josephine Hutchinson, as Carol, his wife; Richard Elwell, as Capt. Fernine; Arthur J. Rhodes, as Sherift Swanson; Vinton Haworth, as Ernest Morrison, and George Mather, a new- comer in the Ram's Head ranks, as Dr. Trent. Robert Bell has person- ally directed the produotion, and James Reynolds has designed the sets, which Robert Byrne has executed. Keith's—"The Test"; Kerekjarto. The current bill at B. F. Keith's Theater this week, beginning with the matinee today, contrasts twin headliners with an unusual, mystify- ing offering entitled “The Test,” said to be the biggest surprise hit of vaudeville In many seasons, and an “international royal violinist,” Duci de Kerekjarto, of extraordinary tal- ents, who has the happy faculty of blending excellent playing with a fine selection of music. He will be ac- companied by Maurice Eisner. Others will include the old favorite, Roger Imhof, with Marcelle Coreene and company, “In a Pest House," one of the funniest acts in vaudeville; Ruby Norton, once a dancer, now a star of song, in a versatile program written expressly for her by Clarence Senna, who also entertains at the piano; Dora and Ed Ford, assisted by Lottie Ford and Bob Adams, in every known kind of dancing; Bert Lahr and Mercedes, in “What's the Idea"; the Rath Brothers, with their study in_endurance, are finished American athletics; the Duponts, in “A Study in Nonsense”; Aesop's Fables, Topics of the Day and the Pathe News Weekly. Belasco—"Conscience.” Not only the high quality of the play itself, but the circumstances of its purchase and production, it is claimed, has made “Consclence” one of the most interesting theatrical events of the season. It wHl appear at the Shubert-Belasco Theater to- morrow evening for a week's engage- ment This is the play that Al H. Woods discovered at a dress rehearsal at the Cherry Lane Theater in_ Greenwich Village, New York. Mr. Woods pur- chased the play after watching the rehearsal, and brought it uptown to the Belmont Theater, whera it scored a distinguished success, running for the entire season. It also served as a means of intro- ducing to Broadway brilliant acting talent In Miss Lilllan Foster, who had never appeared on Broadway before, but who awoke to find herself famous the morning after the premiere of “Conscience.” She was received with a tumult of praise. Alan Dale called her another Duse. “Consclence” is a story simply and movingly told, of the love between an idenlist and a dreamer and 2 girl who tried very hard but could not enter the man's {deal. The cast includes Crane Wilbur, Rosemary King, Robert Robson, Ho- bart Cavanaugh and S. K. Fried and others. Don Mullaly is the author. Earle—Leonora Biben Orchestra. Entering upon its second month, the newest of Washington's theaters, the Earle, for this week offers Leonora Biben and her, orchestra as the fea- tured attraction. “Personality, plus melody and steps,” 1s the manner in which the act is billed. Ranking equally prominent is Nat “Chick” Haines, with his company, in “Yes, My Dear,” one of those “high-power” comedy ' affairs that should oreste laughter. The management announces still another star attraction in Miss Helen Manning, former prima donna of the Bostonian Opera Company, who is ns- sisted by Leon Le Motte and Humbert de Pasquale, in “Hello, Tony. Judson Cole, funmaker, works with his audience as a “conjuring magician of laughter*; Bllly Kelly and Kath- erine Dearborn will appear in “Plck- ing a Peach,” a musical comedy, brief in running time, long in tunefulness and fun, and Crissie and Daley will present eccentric comedy In a novel way. The Stanley photoplay will be Richard Dix, in the latest Paramount picture, “Man Must Live"; showing for Washington. Strand—"A Men About - TOWII. The vaudeville program at the Strand Theater for the week begin- ning today, is headed by Jim Toney and Ann Norman, in 2 modern sketch entitled “A Man About Town. Sharing headline honors will be seen the Eclair twins, assisted by Billy Wells, in “Mirth, Modes and Melodles,” a revue in which the trio appeared recently in Paris and Lon- don. Others will include Frank Cook and Jean Vernon, in “Sassie’ Susie”; Al Raymond and Walter Kaufman, in 1925. Automobiles Wardman Park. Theater Coming Attractions Newman, “Burma,” Today.| M. Newman's traveltalk, at the | E. Nat evening, deals with Golden Pagodas.” In motion pictures and exquisite color views this fascinating journey leads to old and new Delhi, to Cal- cutta, the metropolls of India; Be- nares, along the Holy Ganges, past the gorgeous palaces, temples and ghats. Mr, Newman entered the jungle to photograph the sport of kings, and & group of mensational motion pictures will be shown of the hunting leopard, or cheetah, in full action. Views of the Himalayas, Kinchin- junga and Mount Everest, the world's highest peaks, will be shown. The ac- tual start of the {l1-fated Mount Ever- est expedition appears in this journey. This traveltalk describes the bits of India which have served as a back- ground for XKipling's son and storles. nal Theater this afterncon and “Burma, Land of “Marriage and Divorce in Three Rounds,” and the Aerfal De Groffs, “Speedy Gymnasts.” ‘Ramshackle House,™ a photoplzy adaptation of Hulbert Footners novel, is the screen feature. It is said to be a colorful story of love, mystery and adventure, laid In Florida, many of the scenes being laid in the dan- gerous Everglades, a setting sald to be used for the first time in this pic- ture. Betty Compson heads the cast, the company Including Robert Lowin John Dayidson, Willlam Black, Henry James, Josephine Norman and Duke Pelzer. A comedy, entitled “Inbad, the Sailor,” the latest Fox News reels and orchestra numbers complete the bill 0 Gayety—Barney Gerard's how. This week's attraction the Gayety Theater will be Barney Ger- agd’s New Show, starring Joseph K. Watson and Will H. Cohan, reunited after several years in what is sald to be one of the funnlest shows ever produced. Joseph K. Watson, left burlesque two years ago to appear in Keith vaudevills and was persuaded to return by Mr. Gerard, who realizes the value of the team Watson and Cohan to burlesque. They are her- alded as the Weber and Fields of the present generation. As Slitkin and Slotkin, Teal estate manipulators, the two comedians are provided with a number of very funny scenes, written by Joseph K. ‘Watson. The cast includes Ada Lum, Olive de Clalr, Gladys Darling, Casey Jones, Manning and Ball, Joseph Murphy and Rastus Wilson. The songs were written by Owen Murphy and Jay Gorney, composers of many Broad- way successes, The chorus. of 20 pretty girls is well trained in dancing and ensembles. Special attentlon is invited to the gowns and costumes worn by the feminine members of the compann at Belasco—"She Wanted to Know."” Miss Grace George, undoubtedly one of the finest and most subtle come- diennes of the stage, will to Washington, at the Shubert-Bel next week, in “She Wanted to Kno by Paul Geraldy, in whose “To Love' Miss George starred two seasons ago. With her delightful sense of humor, Miss George, it Is explained, saw limitiess possibilities in her present vehicle, and her only regret is that she has been unable to see the pro- ductfon, which has been running in Paris for the past eight months at the Theatre Danou, with Marthe Reg- | | nler starring. Strangely enough, the French star is distinctly the opposite in type from Miss George, being rather | tall and dark. However, Miss George's fair charm w ing wife who McRae play lerS"-“T})e Rat. ' Sunday evening, January 25, Carrol will offer the Parisian melo- drama, ‘The Rat,” at Poll's Theater. The fact that thiswill be the Ameri- can premiere of this play, now In its seventh month at the Garrick Theater, London, adds interest to the Wash- ington engagement. “The Rat"” is described as “the story of an Apache,” in four acts and five enes, and was written by David Lestrange. Its locale is the under- world of Paris, and it features that section most frequently visited by tourists. Teddy Gerard, internationally known American girl, long {dentified with the London stage, heads the cast as Zelle de Chaumet. Horace Braham will be seen as the Rat, now being played in London by Ivor Novello. Others are C. H. Croker-King, late of “Bulldog Drummond”; Florence Gerald, Ralph Stuart, Louise Poe and De Fay and Nanine, Apache dancers. Keith's — Herman Timberg. | Herman Timberg, who has been away from vaudeville for some time, will share headline honors at B. F. Keith's Theater next week with “The Rebellion,” a “mellow"” drama, which he is presenting with Sammy Tim- berg. Herman Timberg will be seen in “Little Bits.” *“The Rebellion" is a dramatlc satire on the craze for syncopation and will be presented with a large company. Lily Morrls, English comedienne; Ted and Botty Healy, Pepito, the Spanish clown, and the Kismet sisters are other attrac- tions. Mutual—"Whiz Bang Babies.” Next week the Mutual Theater will offer Bllly Gilbert and his “Whiz Bang Babies,” sald to be one of the best of the Mutual Circuit show! National—Earl Carrol's “Vanities. National Theater of F For next week announces Carrol's Joe Cook 108 girl. ed —*the largest, funniest, fastest sho of the season.” “Compliments of the Season.’, nounces for next wee Season popular price scenes, Wwith a The Earl its feature attract Compliments of novelty from Kel vaudeville, in fou cast of capable pla Additional attra Love Boat" with nd_compan Cavanau ova. ba te; who sing and t i Dunigan, opening iren of Seville feature program Priscilla Dean, in “S will be the motion picture trom the Stanley Company Strand—Sunny Brook Orchestra. Winter Garden dancer Young and Harry nnybrook Orche: song and n al ac will head the vaudeville offerings at the Strand Theater next week, tb added attraction presenting Jimmy Lyons, the “Ambassador,” and lately featured with the “Land of Fantasie.” Others will be Bobby Jackson and Ida Mack, in “The Book Shop”; Fro: and Morrison, in “You'd Better Sing.” and the McDonald Trio, in “A Cycle of Beauty and Daring.” The photoplay will be C. Gardner Sullivan’s “Cheap Kisses,” the cast including Cullen Landis, Lillian Rich, Vera Reynolds Lincoln Stedman Phillips Smalls Louise Dresser, Jean Hersholt and Bessie Eyton Vie Quin assisted t Quinn, with the , in a dan. Gayety— Town Scandals. Le Van, in “Town ibed as an annu feast of fun and frollc, fast and furlous, will come to the Gayety next week. “Hickey,” who s said to im- prove with age, besides his unusual comedy talents is noted for his plano playing. Lottie Bolles, a pretty in- genue, is his leading woman and his supporting cast is declared all new, including Joe Yule, eccentric”; Johnny Kane, “straight” man; Helen Curtis, comedienne; Es- telle “Arab” Nack, Thelma Harris, Corinne Wilson, _the “California Nightingale,” and 20 dancing beau- ties, with Harry Le Van and Lettie Bolles in comedy piano and song specialties; Kohn and De Pinto, jazz musicians, and Harrls and Rooney, novelty dancers. “the stuttering Struck Oil After Years ] FLLIAN FOSTER, whose jump to stardom was made In “Con- sclence,” was born in Ponca City, Okla, of Irish parents. The fact that she comes from the Ofl State practi- cally accounts for her success on Broadway, after trying vainly to gain a foothold for elght long years. The fmportant fact is that she is out- standingly expert in her chosen pro- fesston. In 1916 she deserted the parental table for the footlights, with her father's ringing denunclation of the stage still sounding in her ears. After coming to New York and making the weary rounds of Broadway theatrical offices, she managed to secure a part in “The Ingrate,” a play being tried out on Long Island, which lasted one week. In 1917 she again stormed New York, having gained courage from the safe distance of Kansas City, where she had been playing in stock. This time she secured a role-—to play o the road, In “Fair and Warmer. Avery Hopwood saw her on tour, and liked her work well enough to offer her the ingenue lead In @is new play, “Double Exposure.” WHNen the play reached New York, however, Francine Larrimore had the part. Miss Foster had the consolation of seeing that play also die the first week. For several years nhe played in stock in_various places ing America Mutual—"Hurry Up. Mutual burlesque offered at the Mutual Theater this week, beginning this afternoon, will be the “Hurry Up"” show, declared to be one of the smartest and merriest on the circuit. It is headed by Harry Pepper and George Brennan, eccentric character comedlians, supported by Jessis Ma: Donald, dancing soubrett Ambark All, comedy grotesque; Vi Penny, in- genue prima donna; Bernie Clark, Frank Devitt and Al H. Fox, with a chorus composed of girls who are personally attractive and who sing @nd dance with tunefulness and spirit, - first.” land, Oreg., and s_Yonkers. Broadway, however showed {ts usual complaisance about recogniz- ing its acre of diamonds. To Don Mul- lally, the author of the play in which she is now appearing, must be given the credit of discovering Miss Foster to New York State. He offered her the part of Madeline, when the Cherry Lane Theater accepted his play for production. A. H. Woods, who hap- pened to be present at the dress re- hearsal, bought the play with a check and a b0-cent cigar. Subsequently the play was brought to the Belmont Theater for its open- ing night With considerable fanfa- rade the dramatic critics recognized the latest theatrical Cinderalla, and forthwith proceeded to fit her with the crystal slipper. Says It Himself. J P. McEVOY, who wrote “The * Comic Supplement,” describes his work thus: “I have taken the typlcal American people and run them through an en- tire circle of American life from morning until midnight—American life In speech, song, ballet, dance, pantomime and action. I have done away with all the poetic superflulties that are so prominent in other play: In other words, I have presented the love scenes In the vernacular and I have not hesitated to say ‘set’ Instead of sit when that word was the one that the American people would use. Nor are there beautiful moons in my love scene, for my people speak Aracr- fcan. The music covers also the whole ra; of American life, going trom the simple folk song to modern syncopation and en operatic heights.” She got as far west as Port- as near New York Performances of “Big Boy." have been resumed at tho New York Win- ter Garden, with Al Jolson fully re- stored to health.