Evening Star Newspaper, August 23, 1925, Page 51

Theaters Part 3—14 Pages [ —— he Sunday Shae WASHINGTON, D. €, SUNDAY MOR Kenyon News and Comment By W. H. Landvoigt. EW seasons may come and new seasons may go, even the Greater Movie Season may overwhelm the public interest with announce- meifts of novelties, superspecials and what not, but the fact re- mains that right here in Midsummer, the past week, Miss Leneta Lane gave Washington a genuine theatrical thrill and made herself the Kendall Green and its northeast beyond to where the rippling waters of the Potomac kiss the shores of Analostan Island. None of the highbrows of the dramatic world ever takes a stock company seriously. Its players | are mere puppets imitating what the truly great have done before them. | 1f they ever happen to put over anything that savors of the magical term | “hit.” it is an accident—and after all's said and done, what's the use of spreading one’s self in a brilliant review when the eyes of New York are not Bt admitting all and several, as the lawyers say, of the to the contrary, a young woman who has been grudgingly de- nied the honor of being anything more than merely handsome, perhaps, took the bull by the horns, reached into David Belasco's stock of masterpieces, and for one of them, “Kiki"—one of the most difficult, too, by the way—put over a characterization that made everybody sit up and take notice. More than that, she started a discussion that has persisted throughout the week. She took the dear, old public into her confidence, showed it the best she had to offer and then sat back and smiled while the “critics,” without exception, capitulated. Isn't life wonderful? EE ND while the radiant light of a new star begins to gleam in the East, there comes from the far West, even beyond the Rockies, another sen- sation. But it isn't a thrill. Ann Pennington, she of the pearly mouth, the smiling eyes and the dimpled knees, wafts this message eastward: “Give my regards to Broadway, but I am not going back.” Think of it! Ann has quit'ghe revue for the soil—and the movies. She has bought her a farm in nhc‘rm open spaces, even San Fernando, Calif., where earth- quakes are thicker than bees in honeymaking time, and henceforth she will consort with horses and cattle—and the movies. Ann also confides that “some of these broad-shouldered young ranch owners look mighty good to me.” And who can tell what is likely to happen? The emotions tise; the hand falters. Who, at such a time, can do more than simply sob, *Farewell, Ann! We shall miss you!” * K Kk ok ROM the wilds of Wisconsin, where Manager L. Stoddard Taylor and his family have been spending the Summer. come tidings that the Bhubert-Belasco will open its new season Monday evening, September 7, Khen William Elliott will present a new play by Augustus Thomas, en- titled “Still Waters,” with Carroll McComas, Georgie Drew and Edward Emery in the cast. September 14 David Belasco will present E. H. Sothern in a new play called “The Advocate™; September 21, William Harris, jr., will offer a new play as yet unnamed; September 28, probably, will bring “Mercenary Mary,” another new play, and October 4, “Is Zat So was a last-season sensation in New York and Chicago. * %k %k %k HE Greater Movie Season swooped down upon the National Capital last week with the first instaliment of its sensational output, and the pic- ture fans of Washington had the pleasure of witnessing four excellent picture dramas of various types and charms. There was something for every wholesome taste, and nothing to give offense to any. Surely this is istinct advance. The clash of rivalry has not consumed all the time of the picture producers, nor has it made them forget their good resolve to do better things. There has been, and perhaps still is, in the movie field a turbulent element that has its own ideas of what the public wants. The real conservators of the art of the motion picture, however, are determined, if net to weed them out of the business, then at least to make them.be- have themselves. This is the time to encourage, not to knock, the movie. Faults will still continue in a greater or less degree, but it is morally cer- tain that the big producers are determined, in good faith, te lift,the photo- play out of the rut which it long occupied and put it on the high level where admiration and not the censor will furnish its welcome. * % X X OW that Harry M. Crandall, ignoring the injunction that money is the root of all evil, has yielded to the temptation to become a multi- illionaire and has parted with his theaters'to the Stanley Co. of America, some one is going to rise up and say it is just like bringing a stepmother into the home. Mr. Crandall's personal activities as a public-spirited citi- zen of the National Capital have been many and highly appreciated. They will be sadly missed if the new alliance should affect them. x ok kK "TH announced by Famous Players-Lasky as Pola Negri's next offering on the screen. It will be directed by Hal St. Clair, the director of the popular picture, “Are Parents People On the other hand, Gloria Swan- son, the other pre-eminent of the same producing company, during the week, went to the little town of New Martinsville, W. Va., to make scenes for her new picture, “Stage Struck,” and the reports say the 4,000 inhabi- tants unfurled their flags and draped their homes with bunting in honor of the event. That none of the joy of the occasion might be marred, the report states that Gloria’s husband went and still abides with her. Miss Swanson was and still is visibly affected, as a matter of course. And in far-off Ireland, while all this is happening here, Thomas Meighan, with due ceremony and in ancient form, “kissed the Blarney Stone” at precisely 5 minutes after 2 o’clock last Tuesday afternoon. Now look out! * ¥ Kk X P UT that isn't all. Now comes the news from the great metropolis that Washington is really going to have another “premiere.” Not only that, but it is to be the premiere of “Lovely Lady,” the creation of Jesse Lynch Williams, journalist, novelist and dramatist, who, last week, was named the holder of the Michigan Fellowship in Creative Arts, which pro- vides residence for one year at Ann Arbor, Mich., during which time his views of life are to be given to the university students. And yet, even with all that, Mr. Williams is coming to Washington for the premiere of his comedy dealing with present-day people, at Poli's, Monday evening, September 14. A further sensation is promised in the new twist given by this distinguished playwright in dealing with the mercurial moods of three women, cach entirely different in defining right and wrong. Bruce McRae and Carlotta Monterey, the latter a stage and screen beauty, are going to be the stars of this production. Why, surely, thrills and surprises are coming to us thicker than spots with the measles! : * Kk ok x OTHER poser to close the chapter is the announcement that Gene Buck. “one of the most famous song writers in America,” long asso- ciated with the Ziegfeld Follies, is to become a play producer this season, Wwith four productions cut out for him. one of them “Gunpowder,” an American comedy, written by thé well known J. C. and Elliott Nugent. The announcement came in a red-hordered envelope with the sign-manual of Ziegleld in the upper left-hand corner. upon you? arguments TATTOO COUN bject of the small talk from Anacostia to the heights of Kalorama, from | S.” Carl Van Vechten's popular story, is | Metzopolitar_ pet | G, AUGU musements A, MILTON S1LLS Mutual BEULAH BAKER 1oLa LomowD Gayety ‘ Tivolt ‘}Jol’m Warner, Leading Man. | | THOSE who saw Alice Brady in “Forever After” in Washington | several years ago were able easily to identify John Warner, new leading | man of the National Theater Players. Mr. Warner remained in support of Miss Brady during the two-year run | of “Forever After,” the longest en-| gagement in his career. Warner is a recruit from liville to the legitimate ranks. | gan his career with his father in an act billed as “Warner Brothers.” After this he went under the Cohan and Harris management in “Officer 666" and in “Stop Thief.” For three seasons he carried the Lewls Stone role on tour in “The Bird of Para- dise.” followed by a seafon in the| Brieux morality, “Damaged Goods." | and then he went to “Forever After, which ran one year in New York an# a year in Chicago. Stock is no new fleld of endeavor | for Warner. He has played Summer | repertoire in Philadelphia, Brooklyn, Richmond, St. Paul, Des Moines and St. Louls. Broadway producers have cast proselyting eves at the National's leading men this Summer, weaping away both Minor Watson and John MacFarlane. Warner was captured with a contract that bound him to remain with the National Theater Players until the end of the season, He assented, but on the day he began rehearsals for “Kiki" came a sub- stantial offer for a Fall engagement, which, of course, he had to decline. | This week he received notice that the role will be held open for him un. til his contract here expires. | vaude. He he-{ Apostles of 'Go;JfiMusic. | THE fact that the members of the | three quartets, the Harvard, the Pilgrim, and the Weber, which com- pose the roster of “The Meister- | singers,” that group of singing Bos- tonians that is featured in vaude- ville here this week, were brought to- gether by a common love for the very Best in music is evidence that Ame ica is stepping right to the fore in the world of arts. | Many of the vocalists are teachers | |of music in Boston. Others are busi- ness men who turped to music “just as a hobby.” Still others are seri- ously interested in the advancement of American chamber music, so that the aggregation, which tours the Keith circuit each Summer, is quite out of the ordinary run, in that it entered vaudeville- after it had achieved a reputation as a concert| attraction in and around Boston. | Like all great organizations, it started In a minor way, gathered strength over a period of years, then suddenly awoke one morning to dis- cover that it had become “noted” and “successful.” { Not many moons ago_there sprung to life in musical circles in Boston three separate quarters. They were then called the Harvard, the Schubert and the Weber. (The Schubert has since changed its name to the Pil- grim.) Lovers of music created these three “fours” as outlets to their own vocalistic enthuslasm. In fact, the professional side did not concern these twelve at all. In time the Harvard, Pilgrim and Weber Quartets began to tour through the New . England country during the Spring and Fall concert seasons. And in this same time they acquired reputations in a non-profes- sional way. Locally, the three male “fours” be- came Boston institttions. Then they united and today they are famous in the weorld of music, Current Attractlons At the Theaters This Week NATIONAL— ning. KEITH'S—Florence O'Denishawn, vaudeville. “High Hatters,” EARLE noon. STRAND—"“Brevities,” vaudeville GAYETY—"Rarin’ to Go, MUTUAL—"Naughty Nifties,” noon. Ben Meroff's NATIONAL—"Kiki.” After 15 weeks of strict adherence to the policy of “One show a week— No extensions,” the National Theater Players, succumbing to an avalanche at the box office, have been forced to abandon their policy for the coming week, and so “Kiki” is announced for what looms up as a second prosper- ous week. Up 40 the new week “Twin Beds” has held the record for receipts at the National for the Summer, but “Kiki" has so far upset those beds, in a financial way, that nothing short of an extension of the engagement would suffice. Leneta Lane, praised for a dozen or more fine accountings, has eclipsed all previous efforts in her handling of the role of the little French mis- chief-maker which Lenore Ulric made tamous under direction of David Belasco. Washington critics were unanimous in their praise of this, the finest of all the players' efforts. Not a dis- senting voice was heard on any_de. partment to the presentation. Miss Lane was singled out for fulsome trib- ute and_generous things were said of the direction of Clifford Brooke, the supporting cast and the scenic investiture. “Quinneys,” which was originally scheduled for the new week, will not be played this season. The final week, following this extension of “Kiki,” will reintroduce to Washing- ton playgoers the farce-comedy “Why Men Leave Home.” KEITH'S—Florence 0'Denishawn. Florence O'Denishawn will top the bill at B. F. Keith's Theater this week with Nelson Snow and Charles Co- lumbus, all three late stars of the “Music Box Revue,” offering a per- formance replete with music and dance. The original triple quartet, Meistersingers,” will be featured in “At the Club.” The personnel of this famous Boston group of singers will be as follows: Tenors, Harold S. Tripp, Allan C. Prescott, W. C. Johnson, Rob- ert MacKenzie, ‘Arthur F. Cole and Lester' M. Bartlett; basses, Franklin G. Field, John R. Jones, Fred M. Mac- Donald, Willlam M. Weigle, A. C. Steele, W. E. Davison; Willlam Eliis Weston will be at the plano. Others are Stella Mayhew, “cheer- iest of comediennes, who will be heard in a group of songs written for her by Paul Gerard Smith and Billee Taylor; Miller and Mack, “The Bing Boys,”'a pair of eccentric singing and dancing comedfans. Galla Rini, who will be heard with his sisters in “Mo- ments Musical”; Reynolds and Done- gan company offering a musical com- edy revue and Edwin Roth'and Edna Drake in their dainty aerial oddity. The screen features, Aesop’s Fi Topics of the Day and the Pathe Ne will complete the bill. ‘‘The Kiki,” comedy drama. burlesque burlesque. | Performance tomorrow eve- Opens this afternoon. vaudeville. Opens this after- Opens this afternoon. Performance this afternoon. Performance this aifter- ARLE—Ben Meroff's “High Hatters.” Ben Meroff and his “High Hatters" are announced by the Earle Theater management as their headline at- traction this week. Meroff and his “bunch” are a feature of the res- taurants and vaudeville theaters of New York and this is their first ap- pearance out of the big town. Others appearing are Diamond and Brennan, old vaudeville favorites; Frank Hunter in his one-man sketch, “Moving Days”; Shanon and Van Horn in songs and story; Rose Per- tect, styled the “American Nightin- gale” and the McBarnes, open the program. The photo play will be a screen verson of Ina Claire’s play “The Aw- ful Truth,” featuring Agnes Ayres. STRAND—"Brevities.” Headlining the bill at the Strand Theater this week is a Broadway re- view, “Brevities,” ‘with George Griffen and company, and Miss Sylvia Rich heading the cast. Featured will be Trovato, a musical genius, who will entertain with his inimitable imita- tions on the violin. Other numbers include J. C. Lewls, jr., and company in a singing and comedy novelty: Frank Albright and Eleanor Harte in a repertoire of new songs, and a comedy skit entitled “Helping Hubby" with Pierlet and Scofleld. ‘The photoplay offering is Trio Pro- duction’s “The Breath of Scandal.” featuring Betty Blythe, Lou Tellegen, Forrest Stanley, Patsy Ruth Miller and others It is a screen version of Edwin Bal- mer’'s story concerning a neglectful mother, o philandering father, an im- petuous daughter and a hapless wom- an wafted by the breath of scandal. It is said to be a new kind of triangle picture of smart American soclety. Short subjects, including a comedy and educational reels, together with orchestra selections will complete the bill. GAYETY—"Rarin’ to G The Gayety Theater, Washington home of Columbia burlesque, which opened the 1925-1926 season last night with Ed Daley’s black and white sen- sation, “Rarin’ to Go,” will continue that attraction this week with two performances today and twice daily hereafter. “Rarin’ to Go” has a cast of 75% players, 35 white and 354 colored, the one-half being a colored midget. Heading the white contingent is Billy Foster, Dutch comedian, assisted by Elmer Redmon, Hebrew comic; Sid Garrison, Jack B. Wright and Jack Gray, and others including Lilllan Ed- brooke, prima donna; Midgie Gibbons, |- soubrette; Lola Lamond, ingenue, and a chorus of 18, augmented with 20 extra Washington girls. The colored half of the show is headed by Jimmie Ferguson, late star of the “Chocolate Dandies”; Ti nd Gertie Moore, formerly with “How who will | Automobiles ! &1 - 23, 1925 \¥/ JOHN WARNLR_. National PATPy RUTH MILLER Strand Fred Stone in “Stepping | Stones.” [¥ an entertainment described sweet as a hymn and as rollicking as a circus, Fred Stone will pay his tri ennial visit to this city on Sunday as engagement at the National in ‘“‘Step- ping Stones,” the big musical comedy which has for the past two years been delighting_audiences in New York, Chicago, Philadelphia and Boston. Fred Stone is the Peter Pan of clownland. He never grows old and October 4, when he opens a week's | | | { never feels too tired to invent new means to keep old friends and win new | |ones. He has an almost uncanny and | | mysterious gift for doing anything | | under the sun in magic deftness by | way of entertainment. and in “Step- | | ping Stones” he has some brand-new | stunts to perform. A superclown of | | tremendous magnetism ana skill, he | dances in every conceivable way fun | | can contort and rhythm conduct. | The newest star of the Stone family. | daughter Dorothy. will make her first | | professional appearance in this city on this occasion. She is a beautiful | 18-year-old girl, who has created con- siderable of a sensation by her bril- liznce of talent, grace and comedy gifts Charles Dillingham, under whose management Mr. Stone appears, prom- ises the original New York cast and production will be seen here. Robint Foade i Dalass - No More. PARADE of ghosts was staged at the Pickford-Fairbanks lot the other day. There was great confusion in Not- tingham Palace. Royalty was panic stricken, ladies in waiting fled in ter- ror, brave knights strove to protect their ladies fair, and Robin Hood was here and there, lending words of cheer in the midst of disaster. It all happened when the king's pal- ace of Douglas Fairbanks' ‘“Robin Hood"” was wrecked to make room for a set in “The Black Pirate,” Doug's next picture. The pride of the studio lot for the past two years, which has been viewed by thousands, lies a twisted and crum- pled wreck. It will take workmen days to clear aw the debris. Over 30,000 feet of lumber had been used in its construc- tion, together with tons of plaster and other material Come"; Henry “Gang” Jines.of Shuf- fle' Along™; Florence McClain, Lena Wilson, “blues” singer; Ferguson and Smith, dancers; Lena Liggett, Alexan- der Kent, from “Runnin’ Wild"; Danc- ing Dave, “I Thank You; Joe Jordan and his Tennessee Ten, jazz band, and the ten original Plantation Revue Girls from the Plantation Revue in Chicago. The management announces a spe- cial midnight gambol Friday night, August 28, to which professionals ap- pearing in Washington may go after thelr night's performance. The public may also attend. 3 MUTUAL—“Naughty Nifties.” The Mutual announces as its open- ing attraction “Naughty Nifties,” with Jim Bennett as the featured comedian, su ed by Dolly Dale Morrissey, Beulah Baker, Helen Harris, Ray.| King, Lou Rice, Arthur Lines and a dancing chorus selected for.their true value in' rhythm and action. Cemmencing tomorrow, matinees will be given daily. 5 MAYFLOWER. Dinner dancing to the sparkling rhythms of the Spencer Tupman Mayflower Orchestra is a popular at- traction of the presidential room at the Mayflower Hotel, where brilliantly orchestrated numbers are a feature, with striking saxophone and sousa- phone arrangements. ¥ RICHARD VIRGINL VALLI BARTHEIMESS Rialto Central e L METROPOLI and eveni PALACE—"The Unholy COLUMBIA—"Not * evening RIALTO TIVOLI— evening. AMBASSADOR— evening. EARLE ROOF—*“Everyman’s Wif; CENTRAL- and evening. LINCOLN (colored)—' noon and evening. “The Hali-W Three.” So Ag Long iege.” Shown this af The Making of O'Mal The Half-Way ght Life COLUMBIA—"Not So Long Ago.” Loew's Columbia_will offer as this week's attraction, Betty Bronson, the 17-year-old girl-star of “Peter Pan,” in Sidney Olcott's production for | Paramount of Arthur Richman’s play, Not So Long Ago." Ricardo Cortez appears opposite the | star in this_charming comedy of the | days when Littie Old New York was | young, when. Times Square was a pas- | ture and Broadway little more than a | cowpath, while the supporting cast in- cludes Edwards Davis, Julin Swayne | Gordon, Laurence Wheat, Jacqueline | Gadson and Dan Crimmins. | The central role is that of the daugh- | ter of an impoverished inventor who is | trying to make come true his dream of a horseless carriage propelled by steam. Taking employment in a rich | uptown_ family as a seamstress, the | girl falis in love with the son of the| house, who is engaged to marry a girl | of his own set, and when the little | seamstress is accused by her bully of | an admirer with being in love with | “that uptown dude,” she not only ad- | mits it but glorles in it. This results in her immediate dls charge, whereupon “the dude” discov- ers that he, too, loves the little seam- stress and that the girl he is en- gaged to loves another man. In the meantime the seamstress has of- fered to marry the bully if he can beat her father’s invention in a foot- race, and this leads up to a hilarious climax. Added attractions will in clude Mack Sennett's “The Iron Nag,” the In- ternational News Reel and orchestral embellishment by the Columbia Or- chestra under Leon Brusilof. METROPOLITAN— 2 Girl “The Half Way Girl,” the First National's production, to be shown at Crandall's Metropolitan Theater this week, is said to be one of the most thrilling action dramas ever filmed. Directed by John Francis Dillon, with Doris Kenyon and Lloyd Hughes in the leading roles, the sup- port includes Hobart Bosworth, Tully | Marshall and Sam Hard) Other at- tractions will be “Hot and Heavy starring_Eddie Nelson; the Metr politan World Survey, and a musical program by the Metropolitan Sym- phony. The locale of “The Half Way . is laid in Singapore, where a strand- ed American actress is forced by cir- cumstances to accept a position as professional hostess in a smart ho- ‘The Half Way Steele of the Mounted Police.” ay Shown this afternoon Shown this afternoon and eveni 0.” Shown this ernoon and ternoon and evening ley.” Shown thi afternoon and Girl.” Shown this afternoon and e.” Shown this evening. Shown this afternoon of New York.” Shown this after- tel. Here she meets the derelict son of the prefect of police, and a warm affection springs up between them Disfllusioned, and his nerves shat- tered by the Great War, he inspires the girl's pity. Then come the events that move the father to maroon the girl in the invidious precincts of Malay Street” after she has helped his son escape the penalties of a shooting scrape Thus is laid the foundation of a climax that has a= its high light the destruction explosives and sink- ingof a 00-ton steamer. The press recently carried extensive news stories devoted to the activitias of the Coast Guard cutter Seneca In compelling the producing unit to “clean up the ocean” after the film ing of this sequence that left the sea cluttered with wreckage. The orchestra will offer as the over- ture Verdi's “The Force of Destiny” (“L.a Forza Del Destino”), the theme melody will be “Magic Love, by Bradfor and the popular hit “Co-ed™” will be the exit march PALACE—"“The Unholy Three.” The attraction at Loew’s Palace this week will be Lon Chaney In “The Unholy Thre romantic drama of the underworld, in which the star is ¢ Matt Moore, Mae Busch .aglen, Harry Earles and Matthew Betz Tod Browning produced “The Un- holy Three” for Metro-Goldwyn from the story by C. A. Robbins, and Waldemar Young made the adapta the star of “The Miracle “reasure Island” and “The Hunchback of Notre Dame,” assumes the role of Prof. Echo, a sideshow ventriloquist, who conspires with the sideshow dwarf and giant to commit a serles of amazing crimes, aided and abetted by a girl crook. The cun ning of the ventriloquist, the strength of the giant and the minfature stat ure of the dwarf make possible a series of robberies that balk detection The time comes, howeyer, when the giant and the dwarf, committing a robbery single-handed, becomes in volved with the police, and attempt to shift the blame on an innocent man who ha ptured the deep re gard of the girl crook. When her lover is placed in danger the girl turns on her associates and not only forces Prof. Echo to seek the straight and narrow path but brings about the fortuitous death of the giant and (Continued on Third Paged