Evening Star Newspaper, June 20, 1926, Page 64

2 AMUSEMENTS. Have You Ever Met Him’ PLAYS of American home life have been plentiful enough; some of them have been good ones, too, but much too serious for the American fancy. It is only when the playwright de- velops humor in the characters that they count. This. together with the faet that he has drawn his types true to life, is the open secret of the phe- nomenal success of George Kelly's comedy gem, “The Show Off.’ One who sits through a perform- ance can readily understand why this “transcript of life” continued to draw capacity audiences for two years at the Playhouse in New York. Its very simplicity is the thing that appeals. The story concerns a Philadelphia family, the head of which works Ir the mill, the mother of which presides in orthodox fashion in the home, while the daughters toil until mar- L] Paramount SO THE has ¢ Lasky o greatest picture Paramount produced,” says Jesse terbert Brenon's “Beau ure, which was in 40 reels Brenon brought it East cood, has now been re- duced to 15 reels with working titles. There is considerable editing yet to be done on it before it is suitable for theatrical presentation. The picture represents four months' work, and Mr. Brenon took an army of 2,000 people into the American desert in Arizona to photograph the Sahara scenes. “‘Beau Geste. " said Mr. Lasky, “ts unlike any other picture we have ever made. It is at the same time an absorbing mystery, a thrilling ad- venture story. a love story, and run- riage takes them out of the office. Into this family as a suitor for the hand of Amy, the younger, comes one of those easily recognized blowhards, who exaggerates the amount of his salary as much as he exaggerates his importance by wearing boutonnieres and patent leather shoes, a loud vest and a walking stick. Though he's but a clerk in the rallroad office, he leaves the impression that he owns the road. Nothing feazes him; he is impervious to insult and jibe. When he enters the room other members of the family leave it Only Amy believes in him, and her patience even at times is taxed. He wins Amy in spite of her folks, and through sheer accident attains a de- gree of success. “Isn’t he wondarful?” asks Amy. The shrewd, knowing mother simply sighs and says: “God help us all from now on!” 5 Greatest. ning all through it is the romantic color. of life in the French Foreign Legion in Africa. Mr. Brenon, save for certain omissions that were neces- sary to adapt the story to the screen, has followed P. C. Wren's novel exact- ly as written, and the picture he has obtained after months of the most arduous work will be not only a mile- stone in.his career, but will be an outstanding feature of the picture business for many years to come. “While every one of the cast, which includes Ronald Colman, Neil Hamil- ton, Noah Beery, Alice Joyce, Ralph Forbes, Willlam Powell, Mary Brian and Norman Trevor, has given a great performance, the work of Mr. Colman as Beau Geste and Mr. Beery as the brutal sergeant of the French Foreign Legion is outstanding.” “Film Mgkefirfis Waking’ Up. AT Broadway stage producers who have been holding up the motion_picture companies for fancy prices for the screen rights to their plays will in the future find the movies rather “slim pickings,” in so far as at least one of the biggest com- panies is concerned, was forecast at a tuncheon of the Associated Motion Picture Advertisers in New York last weelk The guest of homor and principal speaker was Richard A. Rowland, gen- eral manager of First National Plc- tures, elected some time ago by his hosts as one of th welve im- mortals” of the film industry. Mr. Rowland pointed out that First National has purchased only two plays this year for production and asserted that the company would go very slowly about buying any more. “Take the average stage piay.” he sald with much feeling. “The average producer thinks that when he has a production on Broadway all he has 0 do Is sit back after the play has vun for three or four months. and mome sucker producer of motion pic- tures will come along and pay from $30.000 to 375,000 for it “T do not sec where play which has had a run of four months on Broadway any more than story might be worth, unless the stage production has a particular value for a particular star which we would be willing to pay a big price to_build up. “In many cases the most successful the average hiree or worth the average short | picture is not made fron: stage ma- terfal. In some cases it is made from a short story or even an original story.” Mr. Rowlind held that a good novel had a far greater publicity value than the average play, that it had wider circulation, and caused more comment and discussion, printed and otherwise “And vet,” he said, “the play pro- ducers invariably demand a great deal more for screen rights. But the pic- ture companies are awakening to what & trimming they have been get ting in the buying of plays. “The fact is,” he added, “that three months' play on Broadway doesn’t even echo across the Hudson River. In the production of pictures the element of lu is a tremendous angle,” said the speuker, pointing out that three or four pictures had started out to be just average pic- tures and as they developed showed possibilities and were made into special product; “Then, on the other hand,” he continued, “we know of pictures which were started with the idea of being inade into special productions and as they developed were finally made into—just pictures. This i the cace again and again, and you can see that the element of luck is strong in this business.” Mr. Rowland declared that the | serious drama will not be in much demand this year. “Our tendency,’ he said, “is to find the lighter theme, the entertainment with the comedy element in it. T see a lighter line of stuff for at least another year.” Art of Slap-Stick. ID you kiwow that there is an art to pie-throwing There never used to be, but now, it new theories have developed regarding its proper uss as a plot perpetrator. Tt s not a dead art. That is what Harry Langdon, who himself used to sling pies, believes, but now he has nade such an amusing classic of his *#sap” character that he no longer de- pends on the basic principle of slap- wtick for his comedy. Aocording to Langdon. none of the w14 slap-stick is dead. But today It 1s given new treatment It is being modernized. In the old days when they made two-reel slap-stick come dies the comedian picked up the first thing that was at hand. re; ardless of its relation to the stor) It might ave hes L chair. a or A pie. Pies were used general because the awful mess that resulted from the ms. ase contact with the vietim wus supposed to cause greater laughter. ow, take that same pfe t declares Langdon. * of thrown at random, as it usec scene is huilt up bit by bit to a ¢ The audience is inveigled into an ex pectant mood, uncertain whether the ple will be thrown or not. Finall when it is thrown the laugh that fc lows is more spontaneous than it would have been if the pie had been thrown casually. . In “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp,” Lang- don’s recent feature picture, there fn a scene in which he hangs over a cliff from a high board fence, wh! is one of the funniest scenes in the produe- jtion. Tn the story he jumps the fence | to escape from the sheep. The fence, {the plot and was not thrust in with out reason. It is a good illustration of the comedian’s theory that “uot is a dead It is the treatment that varies rt Reverepf Film Daring. NECIL, B. DE MILLE has an- nounced “The King of Kings’ as fpis next pictorial achievement. The “Life of Christ with all of its tremen- dous dramatic import will be an in- wegral feature of this newest master ‘plcture. This modifies insistent rumors that the producer of “The Ten Command- ments” and “The Volga Hoatman” would film a biblical subject from the 7itle *Thirty Pieces of Silver,” and it also s the first intimation of his im- mediate plans since his decision to mbandon the filming of “The Deluge” hecause of its interference with a plcture Warner Brothers plau to pro- states De the humanity as well of Christ. He will not be suggested by a beam of light American Movie Not So Bad. **IT fe only when one has been in Europe and attended motion ple- tures in different lands that one be- £ins to realize the very fine motion pictures we have here at home,” sa John F. Moore of the Young Men's Christian Association. who has re- cently returned from an extended trip abroad. “In contrast with those of Furopean production, they are far, far ahead “From the standpoint of cleanliness ©f theme and treitment we are im measurably ahead of most of the Fu- vopean countries. 1 saw foreign made pictures which would not be tolerated on Broadway and yet I saw them in some of the finest theaters, mnd theaters that were proud of them.” One of the fiercest scraps of the camera In & long _time was enacted by Yarry Williams, former Sparring part- ver for Jack Dempsey, and Jimmy Dime, a Pacific Coast lightweight, for “The Rainmaker,” Clarence Badger's Paramount production. A raging fire, and a spectacular cloudburst are pther thrillers of the screen drama. B YA Wiasins Sepn Uri-. 8 n.w. on.. hestra. v, lesson h ““l’?f‘l';‘lr. . 1600, _ 2! and P. X, 7 7§ Teach % dance cor- DAVISON'S T oo & s so %Y‘l"ll] private: any hour. e dupce” Saturday s £ &l or a glowing Lalo but will be seen as e living, breathing, lovable man. “I approach with humility the greatness of this subject. I know I have with me the faith and hopes of millions, and with these behind me I am confident of presenting to the world an effective and lasting screen portrait of the greatest, the most lovable, the moet dramatic life ever known.’ De Mille contemplates giving en- larged screen portraits of the many interesting personalities whose bib- leal descriptions are meager, ‘Whether, as in “The Ten Command- ment: there will be a biblical and modern portion has not yvet been de- cided. No players have as yet heen cast for “The King of Kings,” nor has a definite date been set for its start. O'Brien's Irish Up. EUGENE O'BRIEN is glad he's an actor, all right, but instead of playing the sleek dilettante, it is said he strongly nurses an ambition to be @ gent of the open spaces, wear a wide somibrers and ride a. horse. “I want to play a cowboy role,” O'Brien complains. “Why must T always be a soclety man?” he moans. “Why can't I be a robust, swashbuckling hero of the wide open spaces? I'm tired of being forever a sleek dilettante! T was born in Boulder. Colo., and T was a hard-riding kid,” O'Brien adds. “I came East to go on the stage when 1 was a lad, and I've never been on a horse in_the movies since then. The nearest I've been to it was in a pic- ture called ‘Frivolous Sal,’ with Mae Bush. That was a ‘Western,’ but I was a weakling actor from the East even in that role. “And_there’s another pet peeve of mine. Why must I always play un- wholesome fellows? I'm wholesome and I just want some one to tell me different!” Acrobats in Pathe Revies: ’I'HE great Colleano family, acrobatic stars of Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Balley's Circus, are featured in a new issue of the Pathe Revl The stunts photographed by the ‘‘proce camera” of Alvin V. Knechtel, depict stunts on springboards and from the turf outdoors such as have made this family world famous. The ‘‘process camerd’ caught the Colleanos in midalr in unusual twists and turns. The Colleano family have 1,311 tricks in their repertoire, and a conaiderable of the life of each “mdt troupe ts spent in the | therefore. had a legitimate place in | THE SUNDAY STAR, 'WASHINGTON, D. C, JUNE 20, 1926—PART 3. In the Spotlight “ ACE IN THE HOLE,” a comedy by James P. Judge, will have its premiere in Brooklyn tomorrow night. £ Estelle Winwood and Farle Lari- more will replace Lynn Fontaine and Alfred Lunt in “At Mrs. Beam's” at the Guild Theater, New York, in July, when the latter pair sail for Kurope. Antoinette Perry has the leading role in “The Ladder,” by J. Frank Davis, which Brock Pemberton pro- duced in New Haven last week. “The Last of Mrs. Cheney,” which had its premiere in this city, passed its 250th performance mark recently and is sald to be still going strong, with Ina Claire in the star role. Oscar Shaw has been engaged by Aarons & Freedley for the new George Gershwin musical comedy for Gertrude Lawrence. Mr. Shaw will also be featured in a musical version of “Hawthorne of the U. S. A.” The cast of “The Phantom Ship,” which Al Lewis will present for the first time tomorrow night in Asbury Park, will include Ruth Gordon, Id- ward Arnold, Stella Larrimore, Eva Condon, Charles C. Wilson and Edith Von Cleve. Ernest Truex has completed ® comedy called “‘Short Skirts,” which Boothe, Gleason and Truex expect to produce next season. This is said to be the first play which Mr. Truex has written alone. Claude Cooper, last seen in *‘Juno and the Paycock,” and Frank Syl- vester have been added to the cast of “Black Velvet.” Philadelphia has been selected for the Summer residence of Grace George in “Arlene Adair.” This is the new play by Charles Richman, upon which she started rehearsals last week. It is expected to catch the Sesquicentennial trade, instead of closing after a tryout at Asbury Park this week. B. Friedlander announces production a new musical omedy by H. C. Witwer and Willlam Le Baron called ‘“Cain and Mabel.” The story deals with motion pictures, with the scenes laid in Hollywood and New York. Frank Craven will play the leading role in “Going Home,” the George Barr McCutcheon comedy, which A. L. Er- langer will try out in Brooklyn tomoi row night. Mr. Craven did not origl nally intend to act in “Going lHome."” which he is staging, and probably will appear only at the try-out. William for Fall Arthur Hammerstein last week sold the French rights to ‘‘Rose Marle" to Isola Freres of the Theater Sarah Bernhardt, Paris. DeWolf Hopper will play the role of Willlam Penn in “Freedom,” the spec- tacle which R. H. Burnside is produc- ing for the Sesquicentenni xpost. tion at Philadelphla. Belle Story will have the principal feminine part. BEdgar Selwyn next month will try out “The Imaginative Girl” by Rol Bryant and Harry Durant Eddie Buzzell been engaged for a comedy role in “Lady Fair,’ an operetta which Schwab and Mandel will produce early in the Fall Lady Fair" is the work of Otto Harbach, Oscar Hammerstein, 2d; Frank Man- del and Sigmund Romberg Mary Baton, recently featured in “Kid Boots,” will be sturred next sea- son by Charles Dillingham, through an arrangement with Florenz Ziegfeld, in a musical comedy by Otto Harbach and Anne Caldwell, with music by Jerome Kern. A well known comedian is to be starred with Mise Eaton. Bugene O'Brien, motion picture star, will soon appear in a road tour of “Steve's Return,” a comedy by Laura Hope Crews and Harry \Wagstaff Cribble, under the management of Miss Crews. Iddie Dowling in “Honeymoon Lane” will be a major item on the producing schedule of A. L. Erlanger next season. Mr. Dowling has writ- ten the book, as he did for “Sally, Irene and Mary.” James Hanley has written the music and the show goes into rehearsal next month. SR SR, Warner Pictures for Summer. ARNER BROS. announce for the Summer months and the greater lmovie season. among the productions hat will be ready the latter part of June, Rin-Tin-Tin, in *“Hero of the Big Snows"; “The Passionate Quest,” “Broken Hearts of Hollywood,” Foot- loose Widows,” “So This Is Paris” end *“The Homeymoon Express.” “Hero of the Big Snows" has already | been completed and will show War- ners’ dog star in another of the Northern thrillers. “The Passionate Quest” is an K. Phillips Oppenhaeim story, scenarized by Marion Constance Blackion and directed by J. Stuart Blackton. Lou- ise ¥azenda, May McAvoy, Willard Louis and Gerdner James have the leading roles. “‘Broken Hearts of Hollywood” is already under way under direction of Lloyd Bacon. Prauctically all the Warner stars and contract players will be seen in it. “Footloose Widows"” will have Lou- ise Fazenda In the leading role, and was made under the direction of Roy Del Ruth. In the cast are Jacqueline Logan, Arthur Hoyt, Neely Edwards, Jason Robards, Douglas Gerrard, Jane Winton, Mack Bwain, John Mil Jan, Eddie Philips and Henry Bar- rowes. / Hn—Seen Better Days. RE'S a little touch of pathos in even the funniest picture some- times, and this little touch came in connection with W. C. Field's picture, “It's the Old Army Game. Times change in the theater, and while the press agents of Paramount are hymning the praises of Fields, the former comedy star of “The Follies," an even greater comedy star of other days, Blanche Ring, once a top-liner of the legitimate musical stage, is simply mentioned as a member of the cast. However, there are still many who remember Blanche Ring in her hey- day. ‘When Blanche was in Florida mak- ing exteriors for “It's the Old Army Game” the company gave a farewell supper at Ocala to celebrate the com- pletion of work. A number of Ocala townspeople were present, and some one called on Miss Ring for some of her old songs. It was a thrilling moment for Miss She responded heartily and gave them such songs as “Rings on Her Fingers,” “Yip 1 Addy I Aye,” “Bedelia” and “Waltz Me Around Again Willie,” each winning an ova- tion of applause. Best Dreesed Man. LER BROOKE, whom Hal Roach “disoovered” on the musical com- edy ptage and engaged for his Pathe mmsdlelhm the reputation of being one of the best dressed men in the theatrical profession, and he has scores of suits in his costume ‘‘reper- toire.” . Following six years of consistent stage success, Brooke joined the movies, and he has found full measure of succ':‘u in his new fleld. On.;‘?t his nent uxun.nul ‘was e in Bara's short feature comedy, “Madame Mystery,” {had married Tom | suit. had achieved some fame in Holl | wood Capital Side Shows SWANEE-IN-THE-AIR. The Swanee Syncopators have been augmented at Suwanee-in-theAir, the Meyer Davis dance resort on the roof of the Harle Theater. The new mem- bers are Johnny Rousseau, banjolst of the cayenne sort, and Martin Reuben, special entertainer. Rous- seau sings a Dbit in addition to being 4 banjo virtuoso, and Martin Reuben has a volce of exceptionally wide range for ballads and jazz ditties. In case of showers or an occasional too cool evening, the gayeties are transferred to the Swanee ball room under the Earle Theater. LE PARADIS ROOF. On the Le Paradis roof dance music is played by the Le Paradis Band under the direction of Jack Golden, presenting the newest dance numbers. Bert Bernath, violinist, is one of the stras of the Le Paradis Band. CHATEAU LE PARADIS. Impromptu frolic re scheduled for Chateau le Paradis Thursday, when “Surprise Night” will be staged, and the big parade of fun for the evening will include theatrical folks from both Baltimore and Washington. Director Phil de Williams of Chateau Le Paradis Band is sald to play dance music that leaves nothing to desire. Outdoor Attractions. GLEN ECHO PARK. Visitors to Washington are hitting the trall to Glen Echo Park on the ‘Warm evenings, ‘The fast and pleasant car ride along the banks of the Potomac. and the :;all\'nl of fun at Glen Echo draw em, Carriers’ Association, Thursday. and the Sunday schools of Trinity Episco- pal Church and Central M. E. Church South Friday. MARSHALL HALL. Marshall Hall is a pleasant river re- sort, for Summer days and evenings, At the big free amusement park |Free dancing to music by McWilllams’ there’s an amusing device to suit every taste—and dancing every eve- Band fs a pepular feature, while thrill- ing rides and fun devices and shady ning in a beautiful ballroom, to the |picnic groves with tables and benches strains of “Happy” Walker’s Orches- tra, from 8:30 until 11:30 o'clock. Among the fun devices are the new “Humming Bird” dip, which from start to finish is over 4,000 feet of excitement, and the “Caterpillar,” an- other new ride. Last season's feu- tures, brought up-to-date, include the derby racer, skooter, frolic, whip, old mill and many others. CHEVY CHASE LAKE. Myer Davis dance music is fea tured on both upper and lower dance pavilons at Chevy Chase Lake. The :u::id‘ l;d W0 Ben Levine s holding forth on the upper pavilion, and the band on the lower pavilion s led by Tommy Thompson. Vaudeville stunts are specialized by the former. The Lake electric light festooned is one of the lovely spots in the vicinity of the Capital. ~Scores of benches on the banks are provided for those who do not dance, CHESAPEAKE BEACH. Girls won't go in bathing unless they can wear distin. © buthing suits, according to J. M. Rector of the Chesapeake Beach Railway Co., who has Just returned from New York with 500 colorful suits for his bayside re- sort. They include flaming reds, bright oranges, yellow-kid vellows and grassy greens. The full Summer excursion sched- ule of trains to and from the Beach became effective yesterday. Four or- ganizations will hold outings there this week—the Northeast Business Men's Assoclation, Wednesday: the Letter The Moving Picture By Robert E. Sherwood HE amateur astrologer who studies the heavens in Hollywood. sees many strange sights through the lens of his telescope. The movements of the stars are capricious, and often not easy to foretell. The chart of the skies is subject to change without notice. Let us climb up to the observatory and examine the stars that have ap- peared within the past year. Most prominent among them are these: John Gilbert, who had been moder- ately conspicuous as a result of sev eral Fox plctures (including ‘“Monte Cristo” and “Cameo Kirby'™), shifted to Metro-Goldwyn to play in an Elinor Glyn drama entitled “His Hour.” He made a substantial hit in this as a romantic hero, and followed it with positive triumphs in “The Merry Widow” and “The Bix Parade.” He has subsequently slumped back & little in “La Boheme,” but will prob- ably recover the lost ground when “Bardelys the Magnificent” is released If Mr. Gilbert is to continue his rapid advance, however, he must not con | centrate too heavily on consctously r | mantic roles | recognizable He needs more realisti characterizations like that of the gay doughboy in ““The Parade.” Renee horus girl who d. ax a re doree. an ex Moore was obscured in small parts until “The Big Parade” marched forth Miss Adoree was the foremost feature of this fine production, and has proved subsequently that her performance was no flash in the pan. In “The Black Bird” and “La Boheme" she has added to her laurels, and she shoul g0 far next season, provided she ad- heres to & rigorous diet. She is fn- clined toward the plump side, and ex- cessive avoirdupols is fatal to a star. Richard Dix, although technically star for the past two years, did not come into his own until “The Van! ing American” was presented. —That offered him his big chance, and he made the most of it. Since then he has appeared {n a series of program pictures—good enough, as average offerings, but thoroughly undlstin- guished—which have not helped him any. He needs another big picture or he will lose his hold. Harry Langdon, picked ville by the amazingly Mack Sennett, achieved instant recog- nition &s & two-reel comedian. At the conclusion of his Sennett contract he decided, as_Charlie Chaplin, Harold Lloyd and Buster Keaton have done; to devote himself to feature length comedies. His first long product, “Tramp, Tramp, Tramp' 1s a mild success, but Mr. Langdon will have to follow it with more emphatio hits. He |uyove's Magio will do well to watch carefully the | udeville life, Big | make it adaptable for family outings. The steamer Charles Macalester leaves daily except Sundays for Mar- shall Iall, at 10 am., 230 and 6:30 p.n., on the morning and afternoon trips stoppins at Mount Vernon. Sunday schedule i3 10:30 a.m.. 2:30 and 6:30 pan. COLONIAL BEACH. Colonial Beach with its score or more seashore attractions is a famous resort for a day’s outing on the week end holiday as well as for a more ex- tended vacation period. Salt-water bathing, fishing and crabbing, danc- ing and the new concrete boulevard, which replaces the old boardwalk, with smaller fun features are popular at- tractions, i The steamer St. John's leaves every Saturday at 2:30 p.m. and Sunday at 8 wm., with free dancing on the spa- clous dance deck to and from the beach. Every evening except Saturday and Sunday at 7:15 o'clock, the St. John's carries pleasure seekers on a_delight- ful 40-mile moonlight trip, for free dancing to music by Sokolov’s Band RNIVAL. nt in Pet al, will be at Grant July 15, July ST. GABRI A blg annual Summer ev worth, St. Gabriel’s Carn held in the church grounds Circle, beginning Thursda; and continuing until Saturday 24. All the usual carnival features will be provided for the amusement of guests, and several new ones added. No admission to the carnival grounds will be charged but there are few leading men who hold greater promise. He has contrib. uted magnificent performances to two pictures this season. “Memory Lane’ and “Brown of Harvard,” and the chances are that he will have his greatest opportunity in “Tell Tt to the Marines,” in which he is to appear (with Lon Chaney) next year. Raymond Griffith, after long experi ence us & gag man for Mack Sennett and other comedy producers, and as 4 reliable character actor, has emerged s a star and scored emphatically. In “Paths to Paradise,” “A Regular Fel- low” and “Hands Up” he has dis- played positive brilliance. “Wet Paint,” his latest effort, represents a slight retrogression. What Mr. Grif- fith needs most is more time to work on each picture, and considerably more discrimination in the selection of his stories. Norma_Shearer. stories. Her success in “Lady of the Night,” “A Slave of Fashion” and “The Tower of Lies” was achieved by her own personal efforts, and largely in spite of lLer surroundings. But beautiful and capable as she may be she can't last long unless she is equipped with gzood pictures. None such appears for her on the imme- dlate horizon The following stars, with one suc- cess to their credit, will be watched with interest: Joan Crawford. who has fust rung the bell in * Lois Moran, Vilma Banky, William Collier derer.” H. B. Warner, a veteran actor who has flashed forth with a great per- formance in “Silence.” too, needs better The Dark Angel ir. of “The Wan from vaude- | TiVIng at the rate of 200 a day. perceptive | § William Boyd. of “The Volga Boat- man. Gflda Gray, of “Aloma of the South Seas.” W. C. Fields, whose first feature d [comedy, “The Old Army Geme,” is now on view. Next week we shall turn the tele- scope on that portion of the heavens where dwell the directorial luminaries. Thess are of even greater importance than the stars, as the directors them- Werk on “Old Ironsides” is fust sbout completed, with the picture in the titling stage. . . . Two of the Charlot Revue stars, Beatrice Lillie and Juck Buchanan, are working at he De Mille studio in Hollywood, in Corporal Kate.” . . . There are 22,800 movie actors fdie in Hollywood and more ambitious prospects are ar- {ah. |selves will be glad to tell you. tay East, young girl; stay East. Gloria Swanson announces that she will never make another picture in Hollywood, preferring the atmosphere of New York as more stimulating to artistry. . . . California papers please copy. (Copyright. 1926.) Lobeaartg Florence Vidor, who was starred in an original story of will shine later {n the a dramatio construction of his comediee: | ;11 role of “The Gallant Lady, he is apt to be too vague, too incohe- |, ovel by Margaret Widdemere. rent, in his gags. He needs a good, sxperienced, hard-boiled technician— Harold preferably a graduate of the Harold| ;g breakneck: stunts in Lloyd school—to collaborate wi Dolores Costello made what {s prol ably the most sensationally rapid ri to stardom on record. Her first two pictures, “The Sea Beast” and “Man- nequin,” were released almost simul- taneously, and established her as a popular favorite. Since then she has fallen back in & series of drab pro- gram pictures. Like Richard Dix, she needs another big, smashing sucoess. ‘William Haines is not a star, —_———— MARSHALL HALL Located on thg Beautiful Potomac Steamer Chas. Macalester Tth St. Whart Leaves 7th St. W Kbax EMIL, JANNINGS “QUO VADIS?” NOW PLAYING Three Shows Daily. 3:00—7:00—9:00 Beginning Tomorrow ival Weok Re"'l.'cl !‘lJDhll Barry- Buck Jones revels in hard-riding “The Man " a story of crookedness, and romance on the Florence Gilbert is the much-desired. ATIONA $1.10,75¢c&50 Glhe NATIONAL T DIRECTION. CLIFFORD BROOKE OFFER. The Best of All_American Comedies BY GEORGE YEARS PULITZER.-PRIZE PLAY - ‘CRAIGS WIFE” The Greatest Play Ever Written in the History of the Theater “‘LIGHTNIN’" NEXT WEEK The | Coming Attractions NATIONAL~"Lightnin".” “Lightnin’,” which, next to “Abie’s Irish Rose,” holds the long-run record on Broadway, will be the offering by the National Theater Players next week, beginning June 28. This tragi- comedy, which elevated Frank Bacon, its author, from obscurity to national prominence, ran for 1,291 perform- ances on Broadway, topping “The Bat” by 400 performances. Its Chi- cago and road runs justified its label a8 the nearly-great American play. The National Players are particu- larly fortunate in numbering in their ranks Percy Winter, who has played the central role, Bill Jones, the affable old liar, for close to 1,000 performances on the road. Mr. Winter understudied ¥rank Bacon during the Broadway run, and, following Mr. Bacon's fatal illness fn Chicago, took over the part in the original company. “Lightnin’ " is a fairly familiar story. It revolves about a lovable old fellow, & Civil War vet, who has a penchant for gentle fibs—not fibs that harm any one, but small imagi- native concoctions that get him into trouble and extricate him from it. The locale of the play is unusual, cen- tering about the boundary line be- tween Nevada and California. Light- nin’s wife runs a hotel, and the center of this hotel is on the boundary line 50 that one side of it is in California and the other in Nevada, making it a paradise for easy-divorce seekers. Though Lightnin’ Bill Jones is a ne'er-do-well, fond of his liquor and of his stories, he is fond of his family, too, and, though measured by ortho- dox standards, worthless and weak, he is lovable, sympathetic and, in the end, triumphant EARLE—Louis Mann. Louis Mann, actor-author-play- wright, will headline next week’s bill at the Earle Theater in an offering well fitted to his distinctive talents. The photoplay will be Producers’ { turization of Max Marcin's play lence,” with a cast led by H. B. War- | ner, Raymond Hatton, Rockeliffe Fel- | lowes, Juck Mulhall and Virginia Pear- son. Benefit Episcopal Home | for Aged. { The performance of “The Show- Off” at the National Theater tomor- row night will be for the benefit of the Episcopal Home for the Aged. Mrs. Coolidge heads the list of patronesses and Secretary Mellon has donated a hox for the ladies of the home. Kenator Phipps. Harry Rust and others also have purchased boxes for the Louise Home, the Epiphany Church Home, on Massachusetts ave- nue, etc. Proceeds will go to the purchase of udjoining land to the Ipiscopal Home for the Aged, 3315 Wisconsin | avenue, which was given to the Dio- | cese of Washington one vear ago by, Mrs. Caroline Jones. g . Rare "Pircrture Find. A FRAMED picture, believed to be | an ordinary piece of stage prop- erty but in reality a valuable paint- ing by one of the old English mas- ters, was discovered recently at the Paramount Long Island studio. It| was purchased with an odd lot of an- | tiques from the New York firm of | Di Saloo Brothers by C. D. Chap-| man, head of the property depart- | ment, for use in a setting in the new Thomas Meighan production, “Tin | Gods.” Not until the picture w being hung was it recognized by Chapman as an original cunvas by Sir Peter Lely, court painter to Charles II of England, and, next to | Vandyck, one of the most renowned portrait artists of his day. It bears the signatureand plate of Lely, 1618-1680, with the name of the subject, Miss Elizabeth Norbonne, beneath. It shows a middle-aged woman, seated, dressed In a gown of deep red, with white flounces at neck and sleeves; one arm leans gracefully on « table bLeside her the other Land rests in her lap. cording to experts it may belong to | the famous ser led tles"—portruits of the ladfestin- ! ing to King Charles II's court—which now haug in Hawmpton Court Pulac London, Several years ago Lely's paintings including “The _Beauties,” were transferred from Windsor Castle to their present place at Hampton Court Palace. Sir Peter Lely was born in 1618 at Sbest, Westphalin. He worked un- der Charles I and was the court fa- vorite following the death of Van- {dyck. Fis portrait of Charles I. { Cromwell and Charles 11, who | knighted him and made him state | painter, are among the finest in the | British collections. His work wa noted for graceful postures of heads, delicate rounding of hands und broad- folds of draperies. Pepys character- ized him as “a mighty proud man full of state.” He died in London in 1680 and a monument now stands in Covent Garden Church Humfl; En}nfimét Ring. SOMETHING entirely new in the line of the spectacular will be seen in “Mismates.” It is a human engage- ment ring. A huge diamond was constructed. Then the ring was made in proportion. The diamond i8 fn & Tiffany setting. But in place of platinum prongs, Di- rector Brabin has substituted six of the most beautiful artist models that could he found in New York City. The effect is indescribable. Incldentally, there is a jewel parade in this picture in which thousands of dollars’ worth of jewels of every kind are displayed. Zitt's famous Casino, in Central Park, New York, has broken into the movies in Tirst: National's “Subway Sadle.” C. . Zittel, owner of “Zitt's Weekly,” the theatrical paper, is pro- prietor of the Casino, and he closed the doors to all business for an entire day so Director Santell could have the place for the picture. 40-Mi] & MOONLIGHT Trin, Tomorrow Night 7:18—Steamer ST. JOHNS Ith St. Whart FREE DANCING BEG. MO! NIGHT WED. MAT. ALL SEATS 50¢ Sat. Mat., 75¢, 50¢ HEATRE PLAYERS W-Off KELLY AUTHOR. OF THIS SEATS SELLING By FRANK BACON {val pictures have made long runs, be- AMUSEMENT Pledg’eiFaith in Movies. N celebration of the fourth anniver- | sary of the definite co-operation which exists between the public and the motion picture industry, members of the public relations committee ten dered Will -Ii. Hays, president of the Motion Picture Producers and Distrib. utors of America, a luncheon at the Waldorf, at which time co-operation | was re-pledged to Mr. Hays | Important steps and developments, improvements in advertisingz, steps taken to keep certain offensive books and plays from becoming motion p tures and the general rise of the mo- tion picture to its present plane were discussed Dy those present. Foundation, speakers were James I scout executive of the Boy America; the Daughter ution; Community Moore of the McMahon Welfare Confe MeGoldrick olic: Andrews Chur public Lee F. Hanmer. of the presided a Russell Sage among st. chief couts of aldwin American Reve cher of the Ine n F A Natior . Mrs of the Inte Alumnae, the Rev. George Reid of the Federal Counc « hes of Christ in America, Jasor director of the department of relations, and Mr. Hays Mrs. of How Service. Y. M. C of the tlonal Cat} Colors in the Movies. By the Associated Press PICTURE directors of filmdom sre divided on the use of color pho- tography. “The Black Pirate,” which ecritics pronounced as one of the outstunding plctures of the year, was done in color throughout us a result of the carefully arranged plans of Douglas Fairbanks and Albert Parker, his di- rector. Color photography is exceedingly dangerous,” Parker said, “but when properly used lends beauty and force. There are only certain types of pic- tures in_which it can be used effec- tively. Those of great adventure, like ‘The Black Pirate,’ example, demand the use of color. “If color is to be used it must used throughout the film. Snatches of color here and there are too abrupt and shocking for the eye. They break | into the play's coherence, thereby de- | tracting rather than adding to the in-| terest." On the other hand, James Cruze of Famous Players-Lasky, whose histori- | lieves color photography has not ad vanced the industry ‘One reason for this is that the pub lic is not educated to it. Color photog raphy is something new and we are so | attracted to the beauty and newness of the picture that we lose all se of story judgment and acting Sidney “Olcott of Inspiration tures, does not consider tints on screen practical because they %intrude on the dramatic action of the story or interrupt the persistence of vision, upon which the cinema is dependent .A\luh’t)hn St. Clair, director of Po i and Adolphe Menjou in a nur of presentations, i firm in the liof n white dra vant ev that blacks. whites tnd shade he charm of metion pictures. “Some of our t artists have de their m ck ane do no the screen def and shape, fo the I's pi ings ry object same re; ture of a persan or strect or anythin. else is more plea g than the actua object concedes that colors they will take Marshall Neilan. producer-dir in pictures but does not ti place of black and used frequently white tography long way Phused Jexy romance und |y [t not con ous for so ing present it & at best a trial a | til the « | de Cecil De Mille, belley olor permanent. fecls it | to go before perfec @ decade will have to have sut it is a big job 4 time for accomplishment erbert Brenon. “This great deve cat cannot perform real Pt tion, ets it universal hin “We e sot il taks are o 1 Svdy n, one ton ared n usee of the in color ill perfect size outstand r photog marve D. W ces effects that car riffith. It p color photograpi it process, but anticipates elopment o 10d that will flicu ts for use in e in design work, for at d error arrive at the col he explained v which we Gene Tunney Movie-Making (GENE TUNNEY is now in the midst of movie-making in Hollywood in “The Fighting Marine,” the working | title of the famous boxer’'s Pathe serial effort | The big screen Coast have given ( and are helping him to 2 ing "-paint accessories entino recentiy up points for Rudolp} few make. he e movie camera. and return Gene showed tudy” @ few things about boxing Tunney i said to be taking to camera like a veteran . Says Libraries Are Lacking The American Library has been making an int. of the countrv's publ These, it ia found. number & and as they include more than 60,000,000 people, about half our population, i their ministrations, it will see that the country is by no means | overstocked. The money expended for thess libraries each year 32 cents for each person our entire ponulation. As t braries, all tol house nearly 000 volumes there i® alightly more than half book apiece were the aggregate to be collected and divided after the man- | ner of the Bolshevik commissurs. Nearly half the population of the United “States and Canada s still | without public lbrary facilities There are 60 citles in the United ates with a population between 0.000 and 100,000 which have no such repositories of literature. And there more than 650 places ranging be- *n 2,500 and 10,000 in population these factlities for outh nearly $.000.- | not within reach ¢ ve I e hir the Association | © study libraries is readers. In the 000 negroes are a public library ee Bad Men a_vear to make under the direction of John Ford, is now heing cut und titled in York. As many as 25,000 persons were used at one time | in this epic of the Northwest land | rush in 1877 | Film Booking Office has purchased | whick the screen rights for Alberta Vaughn, | to “Colleglate,” by Jean Dupont, and “War and Helena,” the foint work of Lila Gidley and Kay Clement. ——————————————— Let’s Go! d ARLINGTON BEACH PARK 100 AMUSEXENTS DANCING—BATHI%G AI,L the stir his part of Hans Ws Iy stars on the West | i ene the glad hand | ing n understand- | ¢hen of the intricacies of the studio|of the val 1 . their ased in the heav wa Has Jousting Bouts. details of a tournament : The e shown ersion of nee of There are ny armor who take jousting contes catapulted horses the mounted knights part in hair-rais during which from the backs nees of the: nent risk of nbs and Not expert ride but t ed for the p the cor sport. Tr who i€ mie for the Prince sen, Sidne of Geol this dange ted a biz w thre T wn heavi scessary s before the obtained—and ell the tale. Pilsen” is directed CHESAP BATHING AND ALL BOARDWALR Wash. Ry. & Elec Cabin John or Glen Feho Cars Direct TO WASHINGTON'S GREAT BIG FREE ADMISSION AMUSEMENT PARK Offering for Your Pleusure FIFTY FINE FEATURES Consisting of Nine Big Rides. Forty Other Attractions and the Best Music Hereahouts for DANCING “Happy” Walker in Person Playing and Directing KEMALBee VAUDEVILLE THE GREAT ARTISTS BEGINNING SUNDAY MATINEE, JUNE 20 Another Double Headline Star Bill 8tar and Beavty end Oo. Offers “THE SNOB’ 4 Comedy Bstra Added Attraction Wo.-SEABURY & IRVING-Narg. And Co. Muwsloal Comedy Danoing Stars NAMILTONS & FORDYCE In “Playtime" "l " - Romping Aot FRALEY & PUTNAM In “A Breese From the W ARS0OP'8 FABLES, TOPIC| KEITHE KOOLIES (. America’s Greatest CONCERT VIOLINIST “Keith's” Takes Grem Pride in Presemting This Distimgudahed Artist Special Comedy Feoture CARL MeCULLOUGH 4n Irvosteitle Ohop “Bright Bite of Travesty” CARROLL, CALVERT and “'GINGER" PHILLIPS Bong and Dance Brevities RAYMOND PIKE Veraatility Personified OF THE DAY, PATHE WNEKLY 'ves Tos Cream) at All Mal Phones: Main 4434, 4435, 6323,