Evening Star Newspaper, April 19, 1925, Page 51

Theaters Part 3—14 Pages SILVERS and Plots Unmentionable _ Or Inde: By Philander Johnson. The play titles indicate a growing pride in our free vernacular. Our lang, as it crystallizes into dic- tionary dignity, begins to find hon- orable recognition on the programs and ne on the billboards. We have d “The Old Soak I'he Sap.” and f comes along “The Poor Nut.” I'hese titles do not indicate the same defiant attitude that the rough-and- tumble dialogue discloses in more serious drama. On the contrary, it makes a modest appeal to the plain person and assures him that the best possible is going to be done to give him a little laughter on his own terms of mental relaxation. * ok ® % “The Poor Nut,” like a large num- ber of those colloquially entitled farces, is likely to suffer from its own modesty, as did impression being created that what ie in reality very clean and ligh some comedy is an aggressive spec - men of unpolished joshing. “The Nut” was well appreciated and proved to be one of those produc- tions tha put the worst foot forward in the black type of the program. S e “Baby Blue,” on the contrary, has w very delicate and appealing name which does not prevent it from wai ing rather dismally for occasion moments like a naughty child. It is impossible to govern the nature, or influence the future, of a play by the selection of its title, just as it is im- possible to insure a truth-telling reer for a small boy by christening him “George Washington.” How- ever, a man in some lines of employ- ment to be honest must not be se- verely and categorically truthful. George Washington Lederer is one | of New York’s most industrious and capable publicity experts. * v L Into the President Theater, a tem- ple of current art, which for a while cemed destined {o be a permanent yme for the innocuous hilarity of Abie's Irish Ros play which, like our most prevalent motor, urned the “Anvil Chorus” into a brass band for its glorification— comes a new claimant for the dis- tinction of a record stay in this cit “White Cargo” is mighty unlike “the Rose.” It has hung over the community for a long time like 2 dank, torrid, miasmic threat.. The pictorial printing with which it at- cked attention promiscuously the highways fairly announced its ndependence of all standards such governed public expression a dec- ade ago. As a book the work fared hut ill at the hands of authority in arious instances. The effort to re- pudiate it created a demand for it which could not be supplied. The play, however, meets with no ob- struction. It is gratifying to note that whatever may be the demoral: ition to which the mechanisms of ¢ theater must lend themselves rom time to time, our linotype is <till held to accountability and must maintain itself, if not always an ex- ample of discriminating elegance, at least as a pattern of purity. * kKK Some of the best acting of the week was done not on the stage but 1 the theater lobby. Donald Galla- her is an actor who has found ap~ preciation in numerous roles before is city's audiences. He yearned or deeper thrills than the footlights afford and decided to become a pro- ducer. He backed his judgment with purse, on a new and unusual manuscript entitled “The Gorilla.” No finer example of suppressed emo- 1ion has been secen than that given hy Mr. Gallaher during the rehear- his <als’ and the early presentation of | s extraordinary play; extraordi- nary in the fact that it utilizes al- s flaunted with boastiul irank- | he Sap,” the | in — o Indescribable most every familiar effect known to the crime and mystery drama and yet gets its thrills and surprises | from moment to_moment with un- varying accuracy. The play will inevitably revive the word “hokum,” which has attained through a series of financial successes the reverenced status of a commercial mascot. Through all this ordeal Mr. Galla- her was as calm, suave and convinc- | ing as he ever was when engaged in | foiling a villain or discovering the lost will. His faith in the manu- script appears to have been vindi- | cated, since the patronage oi the play increased at a rate warranting an extension of the engagement to two weeks. Only a portion of this week is available, owing to previous | contracts which the theater was un- able to cancel. P Mr. Gallaher was asked about what | eemed to be a glaring omission—the | failure to ask people not to explain | the plot to their friends at the risk of spoiling the surprises. Mr. Roy- | ster pointed out that while the story | is perfectly clear in its footlight un- | folding, anybody who tries to ex- plain its multitudinous intricacies | would merely result in heightening | the mystery. People are encouraged to ask questioms in advance. The | publicity method is in accordance | | with the favorite remark of Her- mann, the magician: “Please look closely; as closely as you like. The more vou look. the more you don't see something. | * ok ox % | The play is by Ralph Spence, who announces the viewpoint of the au- thor in a spirit of optimistic sweet- ness. The young man with a manu- script is welcomed with open arms by a business man who assures him that he is perfectly willing to listen for several hours and who, further- more, brings out 2 box of cigars and other reireshments. It is the most gladsome note of encouragement vet sounded for the benefit of young ; authors. The play is as variegated in its wares as a Christmas tree with jack-in-the-boxes, torpedoes, firecrackers, zoological mimicries, and, in fact, every mechanical toy calculated to delight the human mind, which never quite recovers from the childish pleasure, mixed with fear, of having somebody sud- denly jump out of a dark corner and say “Boo!” * ok ok ok | In order to get the fullest possible thrill from “The Gorilla” the play- goer should request a seat on the aisle, for the audience is called into the action as a mob of innocent by- standers, among whom the gorilla, having escaped from his keeper, dashes madly in quest of wider free- dom toward the main entrance. This hint necessarily discloses some of the plot. Yes! they have a goril- la! That is to say, of course, not a real gorilla, but an' actor very care- fully made up as one. And there is another gorilla known to the crimi- nal authorities for his audacious cruelties and earning the sobriduet by his practice of leaving the marks of a monkey paw on the breast of the victim. This is the real gorilla, who manages to baffle the radio announcer and put his warnings in stalwart bass across the microphone. And besides this assas- sin there is another gorilla in the | play, one whose exploits are copied irom those of the radio terror. In addition comes the complicating consideration that.the father of the girl whom the playwright loves, is | disclosed as the gorilla himself, with a huge Simian left hand, which, in Ihis respectable associations, he keeps carefully bandaged. As a matter of | fact, the kind parent or genial host only thinks he’s the gorilla through ‘ he Sunday Star WASHINGTON, D. C, DAPHNE. POLLARD -~ Palis Y5SOBEL ARNOLD TFarle National Theater Stock. T is well understood in the theatri- cal business that the success of a stock company depends to a large ex- tent on the director. “The National Theatre Flayvers,” therefore, who ve completed ar-| rangements for a season of stock at the National Theatre beginning Mon- day, May 18, with “The Nervous Wreck,” naturally feel highly elated | in having secured the services of Clifford Brooke to direct and stage the various plays to be presented by them this summer. Mr. Brooke is said to be the only | living director to hold the honor of having five successful plays run on | Broadway at one time. This signal| honor came to him back in 19 plays being “Peter Ibbetson. break,” “Over the Pho; Three” and “Glorianna. Although born in England, Mr. Brooke is thoroughly Americanized. He was an actor for ten vears and for the last fifteen yvears has devoted his time to stage directing. He has di- rected and staged productions for James Barrie, Pinero, and Dion Bouclcault, and in London he directed such successes as ‘“‘Friendly Ene- Welcome Stranger,” “The Warning” and “East is West.” The latter play he originally staged in this country. One of his famous productions in America was “The Circle,” with a cast headed by John Drew and Mrs. Leslie Carter. “‘Fiddlers ORD comes from New York that Ruth Chatterton will make her appearance in the next two or three weeks in a new play, under the di- rection of the Shuberts. Miss Chatterton terminated her con- tract with Henry Miiler a few months ago, but shortly afterwards appeared as a Charles Dillingham star in a re- vival of J. M. Barrie's “The Little Minister.” It was made known at the time that Miss Chatterton was planning an important production for the present Spring, but only today has word come that this production will be made under Shubert auspices. The new play is sald to revert back to the tvpe of comedy in which Miss Chatterton has achieved her most sub- stantial successes, such as “The Rain- bow,” “Daddy Long Legs,” “Come Out of the Kitchen” and ‘“Moonlight and Honeysuckle.” It is of especial interest that the new play will be staged in Washing- ton, probably at the Belasco Theater, during the first days of May. No word comes, however, as to the name of the play or its author. a psychological process partially in- duced, no doubt, by the balmy influ- ence of the cigars and other refresh- ments. * Xk ¥ X The above summary is a fair ex-| ample of an effort to explain the plot to a friend. It sounds interest- ing, but you are not expected to un- derstand it unless you see it for yourself in a spirit of juvenile an- ticipation subordinating considera- tions of literary expertness or hu- man analysis to the quest of thrills for the thrills’ own sake. It helongs to the dramatic school established by “The Bat,” but outbats “The Bat.” SUNDAY At the Theaters This Week NATIONAL—Ethel Barrymore, Opens tomorrow cvening BELASCO—"The Gorilla,” evening. 3 —Greenwich Village Follie DENT—"“White Cargo,” drama. KEITH'S—Florence Reed, vaudeville. EARLE—The Scranton Sirens, vaudeville. Stars of the Future,” GAYETY—"Hippity Hop,” burlesque. MUTUAL—"Step Along,” burlesq National — Ethel Barrymo;c | The appearance of Ethel Barry more at the National Theater to- morrow night, under the direction of Arthur Hopkins, in her revival of Sir | Arthur Wing = Pinero’s celebrated play, “The Second Mrs. Tanqueray,” should be occasion for some of the largest and smartest audiences of the season at that playhouse. It is now nearly two years since Miss Bar more has played in Washington—a period of time altogether too long to suit the local countless admirers of that delightful star. There will be both Wednesday and Saturday mat- inees. Perhaps in no other role in which she has come before the public has Miss Barrymore been so happily cast as in that of Paula Tanqueray. Both in New York City and in Chicago, where she has played extended en- gagements this season, and- in_the citles visited by her between those engagements, none but the most laudatory critical comment has been advanced concerning her portrayal of Pinero’s unhappy heroine. It is a part that makes great demands upon the actress. Mrs. Patrick Campbell first_interpreted it in London. “The Second Mrs. Tanqueray” was written by Pinero when his art was at its maturity. Thirtv-two have elapsed since its first perform- ance at the St. James Theater, Lon- don, but its story is just as fresh and moving today as it was then. Miss Barrymore will be surrounded | by a capable cast of players, includ- | ing Henry Danlell, Willlam_ Kershaw, J. Colvil Dunn, Jane Wheatley, Helen Robbins, George Thorpe, Oscar Sterling, Rhy Darby, Edna_Peckham, Walter Howe and Harold Webster. The staging is that of Mr. Hopkins and the settings were designed by Clara Fargo Thomas. Poli's — Greenwich Village Follies. The fifth annual edition of the Greenwich Village Follies comes to Washington for its yearly visit to- night and will remain a week, with matinee performances Thursday and Saturday. The current Greenwich Village Fol- lies is declared the handsomest and most amusing show vet presented in this ornate and pretentious series. Its humorous material and person- alities include Dzphne Pollard, a di- minutive singing comedienne, in two sketches, “Everybody Welcome,” a travesty on the woes of the immi- grant when he encounters the red- of the quota, and “Wanted— the bucolic conversations of Lionel Page, 1ap Ma: melodrama. vears | “The Second Mrs. Tanqueray. Performance tomorrow s. Opens this evening. Performances this evening. Opens this afternoon. Opens this afternoon. vaudeville. Opens this afternoon. Opens this afternoon. ue. Opens this afternoon. | Tom Howard and Joe Lyons, in “The Hold-up” and “The Greenwich Village Circus,” two more sketches which give Mr. Howard ample opportunity to establish his merit as a droll clown: the burlesque by William and Joe Mandell of the classic dances and the muscular routines of the acrobats; The Briants, in their lu- dicrous pantomime, “The Moving Man Dream,” and the exception- ally comic stepping of John Wells and Buster West. Highly comic, too, are such song and dance epi- sodes as “The Bustle” and *“Cock- A-Doodle-Doo.” Conspicuous in the pageantry and plctorial phases are “Kama's Gar- den,” an_opulent pantomime founded on the Indian love lyrics of Law rence Hope, and “Moonlight Kisses. The singing and dancing are expertly cared for by Irene Delroy, Martha Graham, Delima and Marita, Al Sexton, 'Gregory Safronic, Jean La- Marr, Barrie Oliver and Billye Wes- ton, and a group of 30 comely artists’ models who frame the antics of the featured players. This “Follies” was devised and staged by John Murray Anderson, its music is by Con Conrad and Louis Hirsch, and its lyrics are by Irving Caesar. Its many comic sketches were staged under the direction of Lew Fields. The show is presented in 2 acts and 22 colorful scenes. Keith's—Florence Reed. A great array of artists will be offered at B. F. Keith's Theater this week, beginning with today's mati- nee. The bill is headed by the dis- tinguished star and Washington fa vorite, Florence Reed, who will be Seen in “Tinsel a bit of tense drama written by Reginald Goode, in which the action takes place in the dressing room of a legitimate star during a first night perform- ance of “Antony and Cleopatra.” Following will be Ted Trevor and Dina Harris, whose artistic and original dancing has been the sen- sation of England, and who will be seen with one of the best orchestras of the day, Paul Fried's Chicago Ramblers. € Next in line comes another great Washington favorite, Lilllan Shaw, arch enemy of gloom, and origina- tor of her own inimitable style of entertainment, and others appearing are Eddie Kane and Jay Herman, | “The Midnight Sons™; Carlton Emmy and His Mad Wags, eighteen Scotch terriers; the Mitchell Brothers, “Singing Banjoists From the South Joe Fanton & Co., in "Sensational Seconds”; and Rose Irene Kress & Co., in terpsichorean wheels. Framing the bill will be the usual MORNING, APRIL 19, 1925 Contest for World War Play. 0 obtain a play on a phase of the World War not hitherto dealt with, the American Women's Over- seas League of New England has started a play contest, which will close July 1. A prize of $100 and production of the play that wins, for the benefit of the fund for the league’s work with worthy ex-service men and women in need, will be the reward of the suc-| cessful playwright. All plays submitted must be origi- nal, not adaptations: all manuscript submitted should be typewritten, signed with a pseudonym and ac- companied by a sealed envelope bear- ing on play and the pseudonym, and inclos- ing the author's real name and ad- dress. A stamped self-addressed en- velope, carrying sufficient postage for the return of the play, if not accept- ed, should also accompany the manu- script. Manuscripts are to be sent to Miss Emily Woodward, Play Contest Com- mittee, Boston 34, Mass. The New England league is a branch of the ,National Women's Overseas Service League. screen feature: ‘Topics of the Day News Pictorial. Belasco—"The Gorilla.” The pressure for seats for ‘““The Gorilla,” since it has been reshaped at the Shubert-Belasco Theater, has become so great that in spite of the fact that the play had been booked ahead, it was deemed wise {0 make arrangements for its continuance this week, with performances tomorrow, Tuesday and Wednesday, matinee and evening. ““The Gorilla” is described as “an unusual play,” by Ralph Spence. The reviewers of Washington paid their respects to it as it appeared at its premiere Monday evening. Since then, however, it is said to have been ma- terially improved both'in the work of its cast and in the smoothness of its performance, and especially by a new thrill which was born In Washington and eame from a source most unex pected. Playgoers have been quick to reconize this and since then capacity audiences haye been the rule. The cast remains the same and in- cludes Stephen Maley, Frederick Trues- dell, Betty Weston, Robert .Strange, Clifford Dempsey, Frank McCormack, Frank Beaston, Harry Southard, Joseph Guthrie, Harry Ward and George Spelvin. President—"White Cargo.” In view of the extraordinary de- mand, *“White Cargo” -will be con- tinued at the President Theater an- other week, starting tonight. This will be its-iast week In the Capital. according to announcement. * Leon Gordon dramatized the ‘story from Ida Vera Simonton’s book, “Hell's Playground.” The company will give but two matinees this week, Thursday and Saturday. Aesop’ and Fables, the Pathe Eade—-The Scriiiior Sirins The Earle bill, opening with a mati- nee today; is headed by the Scranton Sirens, under the direction of Willlam Lustig, and known as “The Dancing Carnival Orchestra. Sharing feature honors is Mollie Fuller, 2 star on the American stage for more than 40 years. Miss Fuller i= stone blind, and the sketch in the outside the title of the | 1125 Commonwealth avenue, | ;§°ceue fiom WfliTE CAQGO"- President In the Kate Horton, was New Haven last the Shuberts and ARVEST,” by | H produced in | Monday night by John Cromwell. Alan Brooks has succeeded Frank Conroy in “The Sapphire Ring" which opened in New York Wednesday night. Irene Fenwick as its stars, opened in Néw York, Tuesday night. “Trouble Island,” one of those South Seas affairs, by Len D. Hol- lister and Leona Chapman, will be produced by season. Cyril Maude, it is announced, will retire at the end of the next theatri- cal season. The announcement of his withdrawal at the end of the cur. | rent season was premature. Rosalie Stewart, will hereafter pro | Auce as Rosalie Stewart, Inc.. instead of using the firm name of Stewart & which she appears, “Twilight,” was | written especially for her by Blanche Merrill, who has given many vaude ville stars their Fuller’s blindness & in no way no ticeable from “out front,” which is another demonstration of this player's artistry. Others listed are “Canary Opera," a novel combination of the human | voice and feathered songsters; Hay | den, Hall and Snyder, who as “The Three Senators” are styled “Repre- sentatives from Laugh Lapd’: Jim McLaughlin and Blanche fivans, a character study, Street,” and Al Bayes and Speck, in “London Johnnies." Viola Dana is the screen star, “material”’ Miss Harvey in a contests at Atlantic City, entitled “The Beauty Prize,” which tells a tale of life behind the footlights. The usual features, including the organ recitals on the Kimball Grand organ; the comedy, the Farle News and Floyde Wheeler's Orchestra, will be presented. Strand—'Stars of the Future’ The headline attraction announced ginning today, is “Stars of the Fu- of Broad including Do- girls picked from several way's musical successes, Shirley Mallette, Berta Gilbert, reen Keegan, Hazel Romaine, Lubow and Marion Stevenson, who will be heard in song and dance, solo and ensemble numbers. Paul Burns and Walter Kane. two popular comedians, will provide an added attraction in their latest skit *‘Broadcasting."” Others include Kendal, Byton and Slater, in a moving picture episode, “At the Studio”; Ubert “Black on White,” and the Three “The Best of Kccen The photoplay is “The Midnight Girl,” Lila Lee's latest picture for Trio Productions, written especially for the star by Garrett Fort. It is the story of a girl who seeks fame and fortune behind the footlights, the background of which is provided by the night life on Broadway. Charlotte Walker, Bela Lugosi, Ruby Blaine, John D. Walsh, Willlam Har- vey and Sydney Paxton complete the supporting cast. A Fox comedy, “Lion Love,” and a news reel, with music by the Strand Orchestra, under Arthur J. Manvell, complete the bill. Gayety—""Hippity Hop." The Gayety Theater announces a this week's attraction Peck & Kolb's “Hippity Hop.” There are 12 scenes, 4 of which are said to be especially worth while. The (Continued on Second Page.) “Taps,” with Lionel Barrymore and | Kilbourn Gordon next| in | “On a Little Side | photoplay based upon the prize beauty | for the Strand Theater this week, be- | ture,” a sextet of pretty and talented | Mae | Carltonin, | Gareth Hughes, Dolores Cassinelli, | potlight | French. In the Fall | will present “Craig’s Wife. | Kelly and a dramatization | Enchanted april | | Five new players 1 | night, entered the cast of “\White (o | 1ars,” now playing in New York. The | were Cbarles Catherine Di Owen, Lillian R Louise Carter jand Leward Meeker. I =5 Miss Stew by Geo of Mond les, Seven new plays opened fn N | York last week, all of which favorable showings in nearby and towns. cities has not acted 1 seasons, Eileen Huban, who in New York for seve have the principal feminine role “Great Scott.” which Thomas Wilkes will produce in Breoklyn a week hence. “Little Miss Bluebeard,” with Irene Bordoni as its star, opened at Wynd ham's theater, London, Monday night Winnie Baldwin piayed the title role in ‘‘Mercenary Mary,"” recently seen in this city, when that music: comedy opened in New York, Monday night. Joseph Santley and Ivy Sawyer (Mrs. Santley) will sail for Europe after the close of the “Music Box Re vue” tour, in Boston, May 9. Louls O. make ¥ Macloon has contracted tc ific coast production of Arthur Hopkins' productions. The | first will be the New York success “What Price Glory,” which will open in Los Angeles May 24 “Wapping What, will be staged by the League Players | of New York tomorrow night. It is the work of Charles S. Brooks H. Wdods has decided to start work June 1 on “The Pelican,” the play now current in London, with | Josephine Victor as leading woman | The production will be confined to | try-out, however, according to present plans. Ann Harding was to have had the chief feminine part. ('hmmklin Bruce Gordon and \- an have been added to e cast of “Makers of Men.” Ken | neth McDonald’s new starring vehicle | according to announcement of 1. .1 Bud Barsky, independent producer { These, with the exception of the girl | to play the leading feminine role, prac { tically complete the list a pirate comedy, A | Lillian Wilck, one of the graduates | from the “Follles,” has heen added tc Ibert von Tilzer's production of “Three Doors,” which opens in New { York this week. Miss Wilck is of the Ziegfeld's class of 1919, and a sister of Laura Wilck, one of New York's suc cessful play brokers | Daniel N. Ruben of Columbla, S {C., & newcomer to the heatrical | world, 1s the author of “The Lion | Trap,” which has been purchased by | A. H. Woods, und will have its Initial showing in Atlantic City May 11 A E. Anson, Marjorie Rambeau and Felix Krebs have been engaged for the leading roles. Mr. Ruben's work as a dramatist has attracted the at tention of New York producers be cause of its originality and ingenuity The Greenwich Village Follies Cor- poration has secured the lease for |years of the Forty-elzhth Street | Theater, New York, and will move | there at the end of July. The Actors | Theater Corporation, that' occupied | this theater for the past three vears, has been offered two other houses, as | there is no thought of disbanding the | company. | Ann Pennington has left the “Fol | lies” by permi: on to appear for four | weeks in San Francisco in connection { with the opening of Zander the {Great,” a new Marion Davis film. She will return to the “Follies™ at the end |of the Pacific coast engagement.