Evening Star Newspaper, February 8, 1925, Page 53

Part 3—10 Pages JEANNE. N\ FAGELS National Current Entertainment of Both Earth and Air By Philander Johnson. The nearest thing to a musical play offered by the week just closed was “The Dove.” Officially de- scribed as melodrama, it is, in fact, a romantic play of the highly emo- tional school. It reveals in Judith Anderson an actress more convinc- ingly temperamental (using the word in its artistic and not its catty sense) than any woman who has been seen since vears. Belasco once said that he would have no musi In New York music has bred many quarrels in the theater, and even now his productions, too elaborate to dispense. with any artistic em- bellishment which might contribute to mold the mood of the spectator, ! employ music off stage and only| when it is strictly necessary. * o The veteran manager, who has un- questionably been through one of the ordeals of his remarkable ca- reer, returned to make his custom- ary curtain speech in response tc enthusiastic demonstrations nightly It is probably the briefest curtain speech ever devised. The people know it by heart and like to hear it over and over again with some- thing of the same mental attitude that children have toward a bit of rhyming or a fairy tale. * k% A part of the man's mastery of the theater—a mastery which it ha been the interested privilege of thi city to see brilliantly demonstrated at a moment in his affairs which n view of certain relaxations in public taste seemed critical—appears to depend on his intuitive recognition of certain phases of familiarity to which the public clings, together with a keen, uncompromising recog- nition of effects that have outlasted their novelty and are due for rejec- tion. * * o % Willard Mack's newest play has a vocabulary calculated to satisfy the most inveterate profanity chaser of seasons past. But today what might have been regarded as chili con carne in speech seems as mild as porridge. He tells a straightfor- ward love story with vigorous sen- tences through thrilling scenes and leaves to the art of the producer the responsibility of rendering plausible to enthralled attention episodes which might not stand with abso- lute security the test of intellectual analysis. In casting the play Mr. Holbrook Blinn is required to pro- | vide the burden of proof that the story ought to end, as popular sen- timent demands, in joyous union for lovers cruelly sundered. oo Blinn portrays excellently a role revealing interesting mental com- plexity. The closing scenes are made more difficult for him by the fact that the author has not taken pains to reveal a glint in the nature of Don Jose Tostado, the rich and ruthless voluptuary, any trace of noble impulse, not even the refine- ment of a superb vanity, which might quite account for his com- plete capitulation to an impassioned plea to sentiment or pride. It is Mr. Blinn's acting, together with that of Miss Anderson, and Mr. Harrigan who plays the lover, that conveys the impression of fact ac- complished. and the futility of en- deavoring to contradict what must be true, because the audience ha seen it with its own eyes. Aok ok Released from the spell so ac- curately woven about the senses, a cynical auditor might be tempted to reconstruct the closing scene in imagination, something after this mode, without effort, of course, at subtle elaborations: (Harrigan stands with his back to the wall, gazing squarely into the eyes of Blinn, with a look of calm fortitude combined with boyish in- nocence, such as shooting crap for a livelihood at Tia Juana could not efface.) Harrigan—Shoot ! Blinn—That is precisely what I have intended to do for the last hour or so, in case I caught you. I have a reputation to preserve as a type of pitiless unrefinement, Miss shoot. Anderson—Please do not Think of my feelings in the | matter. Blinn—I insist on turning loose the firing squad. Art consistency demands it. . Miss Anderson—Think of the feel- ings of all our mutual acquaintances. Blinn—TI still decline to think. William Norris (who has been lurking behind a gate post to con- ceal his struggle with a part very inferior to his abjlities)—Listen to the plea of sage experience. If you will not consider the feelings of any of us up here think of the feelings of those out i the auditorium who going to pay for the privilege of wing this magnificent creation of romance! Think, oh, think, of the feelings of yonder audience! Blinn (intensely moved)—You are right. We must be merciful and preserve the happiness of a good audience even at the sacrifice of my reputation as a bad man! (Wedding bells sound amid the clink of champagne glasses as the scene is turned over to a rewrite man, who struggles alone in silence while everybody else is hilariously happy.) *x x % x This uncompromising demand on the part of the public for an agree- able culmination of dramatic inci- dents is not properly to be consid- ered a reflection on taste so much as it is a_demonstration of that un- compromising optimism which keeps the world moving. The realistic play may be helpful as a diagnostic reminder of deplorable circum- stances and agonies of soul. Knowl- edge of these things may be neces- sary as a foundation for the pursuit of greater idealism; but only the poet of supreme eminence can express them in a way to earn welcome for leng, intimate thought. * %k ok * Belasco is a strangely modest man, in spite of the supremacy he holds in the attention of the play- going world. He is entitled to wear the ribbon of the Legion of Honor, but in New York some derisive ref- erences were made to the decora- tion and he removed it from his coat lapel. It was still absent when he appeared in Washington, a city where, more than any other, he should have worn it, as its signifi- cance is respected in diplomatic and official circles, and where many ad- mirers might be moved to wonder whether he was at heart indifferent to the distinction. As a matter of fact, his face lights with one of those rare smiles of his, rare pos- sibly because of his long patience as a teacher and his unrelaxing vigi- lance as disciplinarian—as he refers to this unique recognition' of Amer- ican greatness in an art upon which Europe particualarly prides herself. * % %k X Belasco was once an actor. He even played Uncle Tom, and the ac- tor's love of applause is still strong in him. He has the sportsman in- stinct, too, and backs a production with all his fortune as well as with all his brains. Experience has en- abled him to be calm under attack and to await the eventuality which compels ecither extinction or ap- plause when the public has rendered a final and uncompromising verdict. * k ok X His two previous plays, which were the outstanding points of in- terest of the season in this city, are acclaimed by two opposite types of opinion. “The Harem” is lauded by those who affect a gay, unmoral cynicism, while “The Ladies” (won- der of wonders!) brings him show- ers of commending letters from peo- ple interested theologically and so- ciologically in assisting the restora- tion of those types of humanity that have become soul-shattered, almost beyond recognition. In all the fer- rago that has been hurled about him in the wild rush to push a popular figure from its pedestal of theatric eminence—a pedestal for most men fragile at best—he has uttered no word of spiteful retaliation. It was once remarked that Belasco is a | monplaces of life shown with re- WASHINGTO D. C, HELEN FREEMAN l3BL/A :BELTON/ Mutual fighter. A correction is due here. He does not fight. He only works. P “Cape Smoke” is another, demon- stration of the uncertain touch with which melodrama is approached in the current theater. Incidents are obstructed with trivial elaboration | and spontaneity is sacrificed to the spirit of a practical joke. It has no reach into realms of familiar inter- est and dallies with ethnological ec- centricities in a2 manner that is often dangerously within the scope of low comedy. The snake doctor is a weird creation as artificial as the snake itself, which only comes to life when _industriously wiggled. James Rennie struggles along with visibly fading courage in one of those roles of an American who, in the imagi- nation of the author, must, to be truly American, become slightly un- grammatical * ¥ X X “White Collars” found approving audiences and suggested possibilities of a success approaching that of “Abie’s Irish Rose,” since it is a very homely play, in which impulses are frankly revealed and the com- morseless disregard of elegant ve- neer. The story is brought to a conclusion with a rapidity which seems a shade impetuous. It lacks Abie’s broad comedy and is rather direct in its censure of the white- collar man’s attitude toward society, which may not be relished as the avoidance of censorious observation is what leads people to insist on white collars in the first place. * K K x Earl Carroll, one of the youngest men prominent in theatrical produc- ing circles, is ill in Baltimore. That he should have done such prodigious work under circumstances necessa- rily involving anxiety without a fail- ure of health is remarkable. On the other hand, Florenz Ziegfeld, an old stager, calmly and comfortably closes down $125000 worth of “Comic Supplement” and takes the train for Miami, Fla., where he will plan future productions. Both Car- roll and Ziegfeld have faced storms of disapproval, but Ziegfeld has the physical endurance of a veteran and Mr. garroll will, no doubt, return to the scenes of that queer Broad- way struggle not only restored in health but better fortified in those philosophies of which a Broadway producer stands so much in need. * ok ok X The attacks on radio by organized theatrical producers and organized actors are incidental and inevitable demonstrations as new methods arise of conveying ideas from a few minds to many. When the phono- graph came into attention there was a bitter wail about canned music in- terfering with the market for tun The phonograph “rapidly became a valuable adjunct to the music pub- lisher’s business, and now joins in the apprehension that a still newer and farther-reaching device will hurt business. Motion pictures were viewed with horror. Marc Klaw solemaly reminded actors,that the films would have them appearing at thousands of theaters at a time and all for one salary. This came true enough, but if the indefatigable and voluminous press agents write even a percentage of facts in the matter the salaries have proved prodigious and very soothing. = Radio ‘is en- deavoring to adjust itself to a re- lationship with the theater, which, after all, must remain the source of supply for entertainment material. * K ok Eaile IRENE Paviorga. and "Rare ‘Marie” Gids ~ Polis ~ Radio has up to this time shown no creative value whatever and has been a somewhat depressing influ- Current Attractions At the Theaters This Week NATIONAL—"Rain,” drama. BELASCO—"Tangletoes,” a play ning. POLI'S—*Rose Marie,” musical p KEITH'S—Rae Samuels-Karyl afternoon. EARLE—"Pinch Me,” vaudeville. STRAND—James C. Morton, v GAYETY—"Good Little Devils," | MUTUAL Nationa]—"Rain." e star role of the attraction at the National this week, beginning tomorrow nght. Miss Eagels comes from New York, having made but two stops en route, Newark | and Philadelphia. “Rain” has been described as one of the most polgnant dramas ever conceived. It has received a salvo of critical applause. It is a tale of the South Seas, which has for its domi- nating characters a plaintive little American girl and an ascetic Amer- fcan missionary, a fanatic in his zeal for saving souls. It is this fanati- cism which proves his undoing, but the narrative of his attempt to save Saral’s soul from the hell he prates of has made pages in dramatic his- tory. “Rain” was concelved by W. Somer- | set Maugham, and has been prepared for dramatic presentation by John Colton and Clemence Randoiph. It is being presented by Sam H. Harris. One of the most realistic stage ef- fects is that of the Incessant fall of rain while a small company of bored travelers are marooned in the beach- comber hotel of a native trader, Joe Horn, in the little Island of Pago Pago, South Seas. It is in this locale that the wistful little blonde (Jeanne Eagels) from ths badlands of Hono- luly, finds herself the subject of the zealot of the cloth. His fight to save her soul and his succumbing to the repressed emotions of years make tense drama. Miss Eagles will be associated in the play with the following people who were with her during her hi toric run of over two vears in Man- hattan, Robert Kelly, Rapley Holmes, Fritz Williams, Katherine Brook, Emma Wilcox, Shirley King, Robert Elliott, Harold Healy, John Rogers, Jack McKee, Miriam Cordell, K. A. Fernando and Llano Panlo. Belasco—"Tangletoes.™ The incidental music used in Ed- mund Plohn’s production of Gertrude Purcell's new play, ‘“Tangletoes,” which will be the attraction at the Shubert-Belasco Theater th! week, commencing this evening, was spe- cially composed by Vincent Rose, and the dance number, rendered by Mil- ence in parading eccentricities of speech such as demonstrate that men may be eminent in important walks of life without being patterns for philological imitation. It has been the most reducing means of communication that ever reported a convention from Madison Square Garden. It holds out to talent pub- licity as an inducement and becomes a sort of colossal aerial billboard di- rected to the ear instead of to the eye. Radio is now about in the same stage of precocious infancy that the phonograph was at the time when people dropped a nickel in a slot and hooked a pair of rubber knobs into their ears in order to listen to the “Hamtown Quartet” or the “Last Wild Ravings of John Mc- Cullough”—that is to say, consider- ing the vastness of its possibilities, it begins where the phonograph, so highly developed as to have no further improvement to offer, now leaves off. Radio is still rudimentary in spite of its miraculous daily dem- onstrations, and one of its most seri- ous problems is that of developing a more consistent and intelligent re- lationship between the public and those whose privilege it should be to address the public on terms of mutual consideration. * k k X In finding radio talent there is a Norman, udeville. Stolen Sweets,” burlesque. in” with Jeanne Eagels in the | die Thompson, will be | Opens this evening. of American life. Opens this eve- lay. Opens this evening. . vaudeville. Opens this Opens this afternoon. Opens this afternoon. Opens this afternoon. Opens this afternoon. purlesque. dred MacLeod, | Julian Mitchell This new pla scheduled for a New Yord theater immediately fol- lowing its Washington enzagement. Mildred MacLeod and Morgan Far- ley, considered by many as two of the most popular players on the | American stage, will be seen in the leading Jjuvenile roles. This is the first time they have played opposite each other, although both Miss Mac- Leod a night New York succ ferent Vadja plays this season, “T! | Little Angel” and “Fata Morgana.” A special matinee will be given on Lincoln's birthday anniversary and on Saturday. The play will open tonight instead of Monday, as has been customary in the Shubert-Belasco. Poli's—"Rose Marie." “Rose Marie,” with one of the strongest organizations assembled by Arthur Hammerstein, will draw the spotlight to Poli's tonight. Broadway found it one of the deftest, and complete musical successes vears. So entirely different is Marie” in its departure from the standard patterns of musigirl shows that even Mr. Hammersteln himself does not know whether to call it & musical comedy, a light operetta, or a musical play. Irene Pavioska, whom Mr. Hammer- stein has taken from the Chicago Opera Company and who heads the organization, is one of the big operatic favorites, with her youth and per- sonal endowments, eminently fitted for light opera work Among the singers, dancers and comedlans are Guy Robertson, Charles Meekins, Phebe Brune, Charles Sil- ber, Beatrice Kay, Byron Russell, William O. Skavlan, Milton Nobles, Cora Frye and others familiar to every producer on Broadway. Fully 100 persons form the company, which includes a pretty chorus famous for its vocal abilities. “Rose Marie” has a coherent narra- tive that runs smoothly through the songs, tunes and dances. It concerns a French-Canadian lassie whom her brother wants to marry to a rich man, while ker own heart bids her go away with another whom her love has transformed from a bad man, He is has been arranged by is in “Rose peculiar privilege of bold experi- mentation. One of the boldest ex- periments was Roxie. But the re- sponse was immediate, and many far more pretentious exponents of art and idéa faded into silence while Roxie, gentle, human, straightfor- ward, unaffected, as, evidently a lover of his fellow man as Abou Ben Adhem himself, went unostentatious- ly ahead and found a welcome in every home. The magnetism of the human voice reaches far into con- sciousness, and Roxie, diffident, gen- tle, sometimes apologetic, never domineering, revealed week by week a discrimipation of taste and a knowledge of how to present ef- fects that proved irresistible. And now comes a rumor that Roxie has been admonished by some authority in radiocratic circles “to change his style.” For Roxie to change his style would mean “Exit Roxie.” It would offer a somber suggestion of what might happen in the remote | contingency of radio control of the theater. Roxie is a unique success n linking footlights with the vacuum tubes. He is a personality spon- taneously developed by new condi- tions. He should be studied scien- tifically and conscientiously, and with high respect as an example of personality asserting itself in direct response to the new demand, d Mr. Farley have made over- | | eternal original | SUNDAY MORNING, FEBRUARY 8, 1925. MARY Ervis- Gaely Newman—"Java and Sumatra.” “Java and Sumatra” is the Tra talk E. M. Newman will give this afternoon and evening at the National Theater. In a group of motion pictures and color views a_ strange and lovely world of wonders is revealed. No island is so resplendent in wealth and beauty as the Isle of Java. To reach this land where nature revels in one Summer 1t is necessary to make a journey half way around the world. Java of today is a land of railroads. telegraph and schools. New resources are being discovered and new indus- tries are developing. Sumatra, one of the richest i{slands of the Far East, atill has vast sections inhabited by savages that the Dutch are unable to subdue. Traveling in Java and Sumatra recently was a novel and pleasing experience to Mr. Newman, and in this traveltalk he gives to his patrons the benefit of the journey. accused of murder, and in order to allow him to escape she sends him away with a song that was to be the signal of her decision not to join him. In the end, as may be expected, every- thing turns out well. The music was written by Rudolf Friml and Herbert Stothart and is at a consistently high level throughout. The chorus tops its vocal register with the now famous “Totem Tom Tom” dance, and its surprising cli- max. A beautiful production, full of col- or and sparkle, is promised. Keith's—Rae Samuels, Karyl Norman. At B. F. Kelth's Theater this week a long list of luminaries is headed by Rae Samuels, whose mickname, “The Blue Streak of Vaudeville,” has stuck to her ever since it was awarded by Jack Lait, because of the speed and pep with which she puts over her num- bere. She will share headline honors with Karyl Norman, known as “The Creole Fashion Plate,” who returns in what iz said to be the most spectacular act he has ever presented. It is called “The Tuneful Song Shop,” and he is assisted by Keno Clark and Bobble Simonds, with' two pianos. It gives Mr. Norman opportunity to display his elaborate wardrobe and many new song hits. Ethel Sinclair and Marie Gasper will be seen in a new idea, written by Paul Gerard Smith and called “The /Long, Long Tra One of the most original and enter- taining acts. will be presented by Joe E. Howard, who calls it “The Gypay ‘Wanderera. It features Edward Stan- isloff and Gracie, two spectacular Rus- sian dancers, and the Six London Tivoli Girls. The act offers almost every known kind of dancing, with new scenery and beautiful costumes. Other offerings will include Frank Fisher and Eldrie Gilmore, in a laugh producer, “Her Bashful Romeo”; Gas- ton Palmer, the famous French hu- morous juggler ;. the Four Casting Stars, in a sensational aerial novelty, and one of the most thrilling acts of its kind, presented by the Six Famous Chinese Warriors, who come to Wash- ington to make their first appearance in~ America, ; in a. series of dexterous combats with swords, spears and bat- tieaxes. The S'm features, Aesop’s Fables, HARLES A. DILLINGHAM will| produce a revival of Barrie's “The Little Minister” soon. | Betty Compton has been engaged for | the Ziegfeld production of “Louis XIV," | in which Leon Errol will star. The first of a series of comedies was | started last week at the Little Theater, | New York, entitled “Don't Bother Mother.” Lind: and have been added to the " which opens in s month. Howard Humphreys cast of New York the 2 “Wisdom Tooth lay by Mare Connolly, which will be produced by Martin Beck next season, will have a preliminary try-out this Spring. The third company of *Rose-Marie" opened in Scranton last Monday and should be in great shape for the Wash- ington inaugural. The second com- pany, now on tour, will soon open in Chicago. “The Great I Am,” a comedy by Thomas J. Geraghty, well known in the motion picture field, will be pro- duced in Los Angeles two weeks hence, with Taylor Holmes as the star. Later the play will be taken to New York. {an Haroldine | he Good Bad Woman,” a play by | Toples of the Day and the Pathe News Weekly, will complete the bill. Earle pinch MC.“ Thres “headliners” are announced for the Earle Theater this week. Will J. Kennedy and company, in “Pinch Me,” that possesses much comedy | value, will offer an actor of merit and an exceptional group of plavers in “an episode of the streets,” wherein | a tramp, in an endeavor to find a warm home, tries to get “pinched.” “Wigginsville,” featuring Earle Moun- tain and Cliff Dixon, a second leader, is a comedy with music, In three scenes, that holds interest to the close The third offering, “Knick Knacks of 1925," {s a novelty dancing number, with Janis and Leland, which also features Dorothy Dierre, Fern Adain and Bel Wright. Other attractions will include Mae Francis, a musical comedy song- stress; “The Three Golfers,” a nov- elty, and Harry Freeman and Buddy Morton in “All Right,” a song num- | ber that is believed will be very | popular during the week. Another great stage play brought to the screen in “The Girl on the Stairs” is the motion picture feature of the week. The story centers around a sleep-walking girl, who is suspected of a murder. It features | Patsy Ruth Miller. Strand—James C. Morton. The two feature acts at the Strand Theater this week, beginning this afternoon, will present the famous comedian, James C. Morton, assisted by Mamie, Edna and Alfred Morton in brief, the entire Morton family in a witty and mirth-provoking skit | entitled “The Battles of 1925.” Milo, the mysterious, sporting a wardrobe by Mligy Dore, hats by Signor Rappl and shoes by M. Seratti, will be the coheadliner. Others will include Evelyn Philiips with Eddle Simms and Joe Devaney in “A Melodious Dance Achievement Sally Goldle and Madeline Beattie in a joyful combination of “Youth, Charm and Syncopation,” and Adair and Adair, noted horizontal bar artists. The photoplay will present Johnny Hines in “The Early Bird,” a romance of a milkman. Gayety—"Good Little Devils.” Bard & Pearl's “Good Little Devils,” this week's attraction at the Gayety Theater for the celebration of the 25th anniversary of Columbia,_ bur- lesque, opens this afternoon with a matinee. This attraction has received flattering notices in all the other cities where it appeared. Ben Bard and Jack Pearl, the pro- ducers, were formerly popular come- dians in Columbia burlesque, but for the past several seadons have been featured members of musical shows produced by the Shuberts, The producers are the authors of the “Good Little Devils” book; Ben Bard, in assoclation with Jack Stern, has written the lyrics and 18 melodi- ous gems. These musical numbers have been superyised by Le Roy Prinz | been | ducers of | In the Spotlight William J. McNally n New York tomorrow ni being produced by William A. Brad and A. H. Woods. Helen McKeller will have its leading role The Shuberts are planning to stage operetta called “The Vagabonds,” dealing with the Jife of Francois Villon Harry B. Smith and Harry Wagstaff Gribble are writing the book and lyrics and Sigmund Rombert the score. will open ht. The play is Russell Janney will put in rehearsal soon a musical version of “If 1 Were with libretto and Iyrics by W. H n Hooker, music by Ru- nd costumes by James Reynolds. Florence Reed 1 vaudeville in New York Jast week at Keith's Hamilton Theater. She appears in “Tinsel,” a dramatic sketch that she played at one of the Actors’ Fund bene- fits, her debut i Katherine Revner made such an im- pression upon Earl Carroll in “The Rat” here last week chat he signed the yvoung lady for a period of five vears. Mr. Carroll claims she is “a comer.” “The Little Dutch Girl.” a musical comedy, it is reported, failed to please the Boston theatergoers and it has withdrawn for a rewriting of the book. Phoebe Crosby was the pri- ma donna and Guy Bragdon staged the production. Mitzi has been having a vey suc- essful two-week engagement In Los ‘Angeles and reports have it that the little actress may appear in a movie picture before leaving that city Frank Craven is produce “Fool's Hill Gleason and rge Abbott, but finds his time limited as a producer, s he is playing a prominent part In New Brooms,” now in Boston getting ready to a play by James author of “Plgs," o appeared in “The Bat,” in New York, for more than two years, and was featured in many Broadway pro- ductions, has been engaged by Mar- cus Loew as leading woman for his new stock company. Anne Morrison Arrangements were concluded last week in New York with A. H. Woods whereby Lillian Foster is to appear in the leading feminine role of “Tin Gods,” the long awaited drama by ‘William Anthony McGuire, which goes into rehearsal within a week. Thomas W. Ross is under contract for the chief male part. “Ma Pettengill.” a comedy made by Owen Davls, from Harry Leon Wil- son's stories, will be produced in Chicago early in March, by George C. Tyler and Hugh Ford na May Oli- ver will have the title role. “Topsy and E has made such a big hit in New York that tentative bookings have been canceled and the production will stay in New York indefinitely. Bard and Pearl, authors and pro- od Little Devils,” the attraction locally celebrating the twenty-fifth anniversary of Columbia burlesque, were themselves featured comedians of Columbia burlesque sev- eral seasons ago. The Shuberts signed them for the New York Winter Gar- den shows and have retained them under contract ever since. Both ap- peared in Washington in “Artists and Models.” This week the Gayety Theater is celebrating the twenty-fifth anniver- sary of Columbia burlesque and at every performance ladies will be pre- sented with a souvenir. “The Masks” have issued invita- tions for “An Afternoon of Drama,” to be presented before the Dramatic Association of Central High School in the Central High School audito- rium Tuesday at 3 o'clock. Freeman and Morton, seen here this week, have a song that lasts through- out the course of their act, entitled “All Right.” There are innumerable verses with a comedy punch and each verse is acted. The lyrics are by Alex Gerber and the music by Dave Dreyer. ¥, Who wrote the plays “The Hero” and “Tarnish,” is the au- “Episode,” which opened last week in New York. Mr. Emery is in the cast. Jeanne Eagles, in “Rain,” is playing only nine cities this season—Phila- (Continued on Second Paged (Continued on Second Page.)