Evening Star Newspaper, August 22, 1926, Page 55

DEL RIO Mefropolfta}u News and Comment By W H. Landvmyt. OR some time, wise heads, doubtless disturbed by erratic weather pre- dictions, have heen speculating on what's coming next. This with respect to the world at large and its caperings, as well as the world | of mimicry on screen and stage. There is a warm discussion in progress now as to whether the sun’s spots or the radio have caused | effects that make the usual seasonal reckonings out of the question; the enal men are scaring the timid with possibilities and somebody has raised the price of bread. In both political angd commercial ficlds “all sorts of forccasts are being made as to the future. With. such derangement of conditions generally, it is not a matter of surprise that some uncertainty should be felt about the theater and its deaf-and-dumb sister, the movie. Yet, above all, one thing is absolutely certain: “The Greater Movie Sea- son” is now on with a vengeance. Tireless picture fans in large numbers are finding something “bigger and better” every week, while the press agent romps with mad abandon in telling what is to follow. Yet, withal, there is still a feeing of uncertainty as to what may come. All signs fail in dry weather, it is true, but there scems to be a sort of instability even in the wet and dry news. Should this state of affairs perturb the md]hlu calm of the ~p!r|| for any particular reason, solace may be found in the recollection that “The Greater Movie Season” always comes with the dog days * ok ok kK % HE Greater Movie Season is not unloading much of greatness in way of pictures as yet. Some very pretty and some very interes phnlr)p\a\\ have made their appearance in the big movie houses. ones. of course. And in the smaller houses, where the prn:c of admis: is but little more than the cost of an ice cream soda, both pretty and in- teresting pictures, not so new. but, mevertheless, as good as they ever were, also are being shown. On the whole, the programs are unusually good when one considers the risk of presenting costly pictures to near empty theaters, even when the air has been frigidized. The fact also is indisputable that both picture and play audiences have been wonderiully loyal. If one galaxy of the rich and haughty has forsaken the shows for Europe, the mountains or the scashore, others have taken their places | day aiter day and night aiter night, despite weather conditions, that the box offices might always be happy. Washington has given its stage and screen entertainments splendid financial and spiritual support. ¥k IT is rather carly yet to expect the appearance of the big “presentations” and “prologues,” of which so much has been written in recent months. In all probability, they will not arrive in-their full glory until Mr. Fox ctarts his new theater in the new National Press Club Building. Then things will begin to buzz. All the big movie houses downtown have their eve at the lookout, and at the first sign from anybody the whole -machmc will get into operation. Until then it is most likely that the “extras” offered \\\m the pictyres will take the form of vaudegille acts already familiar to theatergoers, or newly constructed to meet the Situation. Mean- | while, the press agents will pour out their announcements in much the | ame way that they claim the extra added attractions™ will be staged. | 11 the trade papers may be relied upon for a correct prognostication, i things are going to he very different this year. Keith-Albee has linked up | the Producers” Distributing Corporation, which is behind the Cecil De Mille product: Paramount and Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer are going | for short films. Maude Adams is going to have a practical test of her Kodachrome™ color process, and Harold Lloyd, elsewhere in the tand, | is hiding free tickets to his show in packages ‘of merchandise. Indeed. the purchaser of a stray doughnut these days can hardly tell beiore (lw bite what he has gotten with his run-around with a hole in it. * % IME was when the blase could hunt around for and ascertain some sort of an ..[r,. of what the amusement purveyor had on tap. When vaudeville and 1he pictures begin to commingle and presentations and pro- logues make their appearance. and short subjects are freely handled by Paramount and the Metro-Goldwyn establishments, to say nothing of the piausible publicity that is mruulvlv cven the \\ND‘.[ man will have to ask. when he gets to the theater. “Well. what have you?” with the moral cer- tainty that they won’t tell him because, until the potpourri is unrolled, they won't know themselves. Mr. Lloyd's trick of drumming up patronage with prize packages may become so cxaggerated as the days go by and | competition inc es that he may lay aside comedy, which is so hard to produce. and rely upon the prize packages to draw the crowds. Maybe the sun spots are responsible for this condition of affairs in the amuse- ment world, but the Weather Bureau doesn't say so. L IFE is jus hing after another, and the “big interests” won't be- have. Indecd, the affectionate interest of the latter in the amusement field lately has sent the Butter and Egg Man back to the rural districts as a ).r,p\m idiot in the uplift of the drama. There is a strong suspicion | afloat that because there s more money in the movies the speaking stage | must die. Most of us know how hard it is to invest our surplus capital. Well. the big interests are having the same trouble, and just now they | arc seeking solace in movie salve. When vou take the cash out of the box office. art for art’s sake,must perish, and the same is true if you hold it/ hack before art has a fafr chance to get started. But we are a high-strung | people. and. like the man in the song, "We*want what we want when we want it® Painting has long ceased to interest, and sculpture, save in the | cometeries, isn't worth considermg. Music we have swapped off for jazz | and ~The Prisoners Song.” and why shouldn’t things dramatic also slide | into the shadows. Free men too long have been circumscribed by the | rigid rules of art, and the other fellow will have to take care of himself | as hest he mav. Why not turn him over to the uplifters and watch the | fun? It pays to be am the ing B in E ated to great M than mor for mexel gulld * because the radio is really entertainmen has. this colzmn needs must put over a note or two on The nightly pleadings of the broadcasters—and there are broadcasters and broadcasters—clearly indicate that but few of us who have bought expensive receiving sets. warranted to bring in the Pacific Coast, if not Cuba and the Balearic Isles. pause long enough in the static nnd ecstatic intervals afforded by the 12-hour programs to send a word of appreciation to the artists. or to the stations that broadcast, or to the advertiser who has “engaged their facilities.” And yet when penitently we make up our minds to atone we stand aghast at the duty beiore us, How can we find words properly compensate for the delights we have had in drinking in lassics from the lips of the professional ar- tist, who knows t tu but has forgotten the words and vet goes thro +he motions as if he were singing them? And what shall we s to the amateur haritone, p 4 pupil of the $4-an-hour teacher, who tries to make up for the deficiencies of the professional, and whose favorite is the prnluguc from “Pagliacci,” and his fall-back the tenderly crooned melo- dies like “Mother ‘Oh’ Mine”? He has made the welkin ring in the back- woods with orat cven though he may not quite make the rifflc with operatic reci 13 (’m metropolis. Think what it is to be forced by circumstances to the paltry lyrics that hate he.ped to make Johu McCor- mack famous! How, too, sk we address the ambitious soprano whose whoops so often have shown Galli-Curci what she cannot do. or the gen- erous, if attenuated, tenor, whose tunes will get tangled with his tonsils? l.et us stop to nk what we owe the promoters of the bromo-laxative, ginger-pop programs: the receiver manufacturer, who doesn’t have to and probably never does listen in: fhe ensemble that ranges from two voices |E! I i1l schie 1 iy g ' < Emil 10 a tumult and the “orchestra” that really hadn’t ought to! It may be (=T0 vear. OMEONXNE ou: cause no or the radio program. ght to, A New al movi Thea tonia; idea, first film N Man,| lishment train a pr spear “I think that this fund is required the purpose but a real, living, without would be {the service rendered by ganization would be world-wide, sider it proper that all English-speak ing nations should contribute to its support.” . SRR Movie Guild to Stay of Dr. Caligari,” est picture turned out by organization of Germany rano de Berger: zimova's Eugene O h WASHINGTON, Shakespea Press, of a tors and ent the est dramatist Sothern’s plan is the project to 1 theater s birth. actresses play’ of e 1y which usele: brick and an tablishing a brick ang mortar theater, cting organization, i he sald such an or- fund Sl’lal(espearean Fund H. SOTHERN American {according to a report by the is advocating the estab- | million-doliar promote a world-wide organization to adequately of England’s the distinguished actor, ssoci to a step further establish a in the town of Shake: me. not mor “Since I con- the Mov management after h sented revivals of great pict ing the poorest season of the picture The results, It is representat York City at present being made to t fol than Machat. who has b e *guild at the is confident assist in ter, that ns will is interested th himself, in as he, released. Wardni Sidered a permanent adaition to W ington's movie houses, comes 1 is no con om th ving pr re: at the sh hac n W bringing the great products of filmdom. Machat he 1 past great pictures when they His connection in the s dur- have been so satisfactory that the guild started booking pictures for the F and early Wint of the guild is in tempt- UF, Efforts a; ring to this city ng i the CLIFPORD BROOKE 108 D. C, SUNDAY Na’tton al ¢ Sundy Staf [reomories | MORNING, AUGUST 22, 1926. S\ NEIL { to N m: ea fo th |k | pr {th enact t wee! h- | se! of | the n! (»m | pre wi | collector. ing to secure for Washington's little .\fl’m'l%x“ picture house a print of “The Cabinet A quaint said to be the great A |'ser he is that type which people pi | th N se Park ! shing here evival has exhibited were | business goes back to the time when he was a competitor Loew': s shooting gailery on in New York City. *“Salome."” 1M s nna Jamnings and Pola “Dr o h M th r. ¥ farc street In the short time the guild has been | presenting revivals here it has shown “The Miracl 1vde Christie, Negri in | th M sel mi m Vi a ke | will present a pro National new week The piece w nesiey |lighted aundiences at the Haym Then it toured the provinc 1nq theme there is that provocati eal for sympathy ricella goes Current A NATIONAL—“( \ KEITH'S—The Meistersingers, ning. EARLE —Joe Fehr and orchestra, evening. STRAND—Eva Fay, vaudeville. GAYETY—"Broadway Brevities,” evening, MUTUAL—"Hello, Paree,” National Players—*Quinne; A comedy whimsy, totally unknown the American public outside of | York, is “Quinneys,” which the | Players will' offer for the | mencing Monday night. written by Horace An- chell, produced at the Ha ater in London during the period and staged by CIif- who will here assume e arket Th rly war rd Brooke, e title role. For six months “Quinn and again last_yvear s re- i in London. It is inviting to| now that Clifford Brooke staged the oductions here and abroad, acted e nanre piece in New York and w 1t same part for the new | heme and s the treat g Ahfix is both P novelty, ‘Quinneys"” As a tting the s at old curlosity shop that distingu nglish antique show, a rather un- offable gallery of bricabrac to hich old Quinnéys, once a cclebrated is so deeply attached that his for all else are sublimated. character, a lovable one and e sort that instills pathos in the ob- er. Though apparently content, | “Quinneys” is on the bocks for a | ew York revival either this coming son or the next. | HKEITH'S—"The M Che bill at B. F. Keith's Theater | week is headed by the famous | eiste whose abilities to pre. ' nt_vocal volume and uch to music lover ent needs no embe La Torricella, Spain’s ersingers. color mean The announce- | hment. | noted dancer, de the bill with Castillian flash and | high degree of artistry. La Tor commandingly through | her company includes | v, Jamie Delval and the psy Stringed Harmonists. Nat D. Aver and Margaret Wilson | m of songs, gar- er dance: Mr. At the Theaters This Week vaudeville. T burlesque. | Hery |a three-cornered farce with songs. i deal v | powers. and her international players, will pro. | | Otto Walker, Ray Kossar, Eileen La HAMILTON ttractions. Lincolw . | New Belasco Play Coming. Full.(x\\'l\'n; his usual custom of presenting many of his new at- tractions in Washington immediately preceding their New York prernieres, I Belasco is to present Fannie Brice in “Fanny.” a melodramatic comedy by Willard Mack and David Belasco, here the week of Septem- ber 6. Miss Brice is making her /first ap- pearance under Mr. Belasco's direc- tion in “Fanny.” which has been espe- cially written for her by My. Mack and Mr. Belas A careful elected cast will ap- pear in Miss Brice's support. includ- ing Warren William, John Cromwell, Spencer Charters. Louis Mason, “rancis Plerlot, George Sherwood, Samuel 8. Lee, Thomas Reynolds, Ruth Dayton and Jane Ellison. Tomorrow evening. This afternoon and cve- vaudeville. This afternoon and his afternoon and evening. burlesque. This aitergoon and Opens next Saturday. burnt cork monologue; Joe Keno and Rosie Green in “A Hilarious Hodge- . a series of subtle character under the head of “Feminine By Claudia_Coleman: Baby diminutive dancer, and | Klin and_Ruby Royce in | “Tritles With Rifles,” displaying pre- cislon of eye and keen nerve com- mand, with the usual supplementaries. | EARLE—Joe Fehr and Orchestra. Joe Fehr and his orchestra will sup. ply the headline attraction at the Earle Theater this week, beginning this afternoon. This organization is claimed to be one of the liveliest and most expert on the vaudeville stage. The extra attraction wiil be Muilen ! and Co. in a sketch, "My | v Jeome Schwartz, a | 'n hero worship, Which in fact is studic Type: Henders with Gertrude Astor, Robert { Frazer, Mary Carr and Lincoln Sted- man_ heading the c: Subsidiary attractions and orches- tral numbers-will round out the pro- gram. GAYETY—"Broadway Brevities." The opening attraction of the sea- son at the Gayety Theater, which opened yesterday with a week's run, is “Broadway Brevities,” produced by Ed E. Daley, with « cast headed by Mike Sacks, Hebrew comedian. As chief aid in his fun making he has Jack Kenney, eccentric comic, and their support includes Tom ust a Boob”; Edna Torrence, as-|Rrisky, straight man and tenor sisted by her brother Johnny, a violin- | ginger, and Herman Ferber, juvenile ist, with Joo Cebu at the piano, in | singer of character-songs. “Dance Oddities.” Idna Torrence is At the head of the feminine division a dancer who brings something new iis Ethael Albertini, -Itallan prima to this type of entertajnment. .. | donna, who sings in Spanish, French The photoplay will be First Na-|and her own tongue as well as Eng- tional's production of “Puppets.” fea-|lich, and améng her supporters are turing Miiton _Sills, with Gertrude | Svd’ Burke, called “the vest pocket Olmsted. In addition there will be the | adition of Lena Daley"; Inez Marvin, usual news reels, short comedies and | ingenue violinist and bluies singer. other film attractions, with an organ | Rector and Cooper, specially engaged recital by Alexander Arons. | for the production, are colored tap N STRAND—Eva Fay: | dancers of note. o oy | A chorus of 20 vivaclous girls wear Beginning today, the Strand Theater| a¢tractive costumes and were selected offers a bill by Eva Fay, announced d|for their singing and dancing ability. as the “High Priestess of Mysticism, The scenic effects ara by Cirker & in u display r"lwl:\llr;.t] rsmlxlrfix‘nbfll'!' Robbins, the book is by Ed E. Daley Fva said to able to tell the past and the musie and 1 .l, v e explain the present and read the fu: b e Phillips includes “Indian Maid,” ture as though it was an open book, { “Eighteen Years Old” and "My baffling &cientists by her uncanny | Lingerie Girl. = MUTUAL—*“Hello Paree. “Hello which Is the sea- by William K. W e”fi'\ son’s opening attraction at the Mu- followed by “‘Secrets of 1926, | tual Theater, coramencing next Sat- vue with many specialties by jurday, August 28, is described as a and Newhoft with a cast including | musical comedy with vaudeville in terspersed. and| The author has utilized a theme | about a party of tourists who visit esty Others will include Phil Roy and Roy Arthur in “China.” a juggling act with many odd angles and a great of comedy; Holden & King in Murray Gordon and Ben Pierce will | pear in a song and dance number, Don't Care, Coure, the Four March and Lind. Troupadors | from |ing | face of Horton, jaces and the joker in a poker game H Automobiles l | i APLANTE Rualto Photoplays At the Photoplay Houses This Week METROPOLITAN—"Pals First.” COLUMBIA--Forlorn River.” RIALTO—"Poker PALAC Battling Butler.” TIVOLI—"The Show Off. AMB “Pals First.” CENTRAL—"Silver Treasure.” WARDMAN PARK—"Peter the ( LINCOLN (colored)—"Variety.” This “Pals First” Theater METROPOLITA randall's Metropolitan this week offers two major features of exceptional interest, First Na- tional's release of BEdwin Carewe's production, “Pal's * adapted from the novel by I liot, and the play by Lee Wilson Dodd, with Lloyd Hughes and Dolores del Rio featured, and Waring's Pennsyl canians, under Fred Waring, with Tom Waring at the piano, semble this time augmented to 18 In addition there will be a com- edy subject, the Metropolitan's World survey. and a musical program by the Metropolitan Symphony, under Daniel Breeskin, with a scenic subject and, on week days, Sunday excluded, a pro- gram by the néwly organized Metro- politan Ramblers, a group of 12, | comprising popular hits adapted from the classies. “‘Pal’ is the story of the boy who risked a million to find out that his friends were just three, an old derelict, a hobo and a beautiful South- ern belle, his sweetheart. Waring's Pennsylvanians will be heard in_a program never before of- fered in Washington, of vocal as well as instrumental novelties. In addition to Waring's Pennsyl- vanians the Metropolitan Symphony will offer its usmal concert numbers in accompaniment of the features dur ling' the hours when the Metropolitdn | Ramblers are not heard. The Ram lers will play from 11 te 1:30 and to 7:30 daily except Sunday. to accompany the short reels and por tions of the feature. The Symphony will play during the other hours. mak continuous orchestral music, not duplicated in any other Washington house, from 11 am. to 11 pm. The Sunday performance will be as usual and daily, after Sunday, the doors will be open at 10:30 and the performance of the Ramblers at 0. Music and screen presentations be continuous, including the War- ings, until 11 at’ night. The usual admission charges will prevail. 'Forlorn Rivel author of vivid Western screen fiction, has contributed an- other drama of the outdoors in “For- ."* John Waters' production Paramount, which will be shown at Loew’s Columbia this week, start ing this afternoon is an adaptation s azine serial. George (" Hull is (xo(llled with the adaptation and C. Edgar Schoenbaum embel- lished it with scenery of great heauty tional Park and Bryce Canyon, Utah. It is a story of the Utah and Ne- vada cattle country, in which Jack Holt, as a mystery man known as Nevada, and who is a fugitive from justice, as an outlaw, deserted by Bill Hall in a flight from a sheriff posse, and left to die on the des is rescued by a young rancher. He meets Ida Blaine, a frontier girl, who is devotedly loved by er, with betray but who quickly falls in Nevada, and he, rather the rancher, sends away. Nevertheless, the misinterprets his motives, the girl is caught by rustlers led by Nevad less partne: it s evada who in vades the rustlers’ camp at the risk | of his life and shoots his way both in and out to rescue the girl and pave the way for an appealing romance. Arlette Marchal, discovered France by Gloria Swanson during the making there of “Mme. Sans Gene," is the heroine; Raymond Hatton is Arizona Pete, a tramp cowpuncher, and Edmund Burns is the young,| rancher, while Tom Santschi and’| Christian J. Frank are cattle rustlers. A shortlength comedy, the Intern: tional ‘newsreel. a scenic of beauty and musical embellishment by the Co. lumbia_Orchesira, under Leon Bru silof, will complete the bill. RIALTO—"Poker Faces. Laura La Plante comes to Rialto this week, starting today, starring with Edward Everett Horton in Universal's comedy farce, “Poker Faces,” the title, as well as the story, bulit around the blank, dumb, poker who could hold four love than the girl ranchman and band of cattle s former faith- the without blinking an eve Jimmy (Horton) is caught gazing at a circus parade from his office win. dow by his boss, who threatens to fire him. He goes home to lunch and upon entering stumbles over a rug, T T the en- | the young res. | when | in | co- | This afternoon and evening. This aiternoon and cvening This afternoen and evening This afternoon and evening afternoon and evening. his afternoon and evening. his afternoon and evening. i This afternoon and evening. This afternoon and evening. decides to go back to work and earn her own money Jimmy returns to the office to make out his resignation, only to find his boss has decided he has a wonderful business face and has made him a junior member in the firm. e in vites Jimmy and his wife, whom he cgr seen, to dinner to help him n a prospective customer, but, |as Betty has left, Jimmy is forced to | hire an actress’ to take her pla Betty, having secured a position as to Jimmy's boss, is also at *is from the pen of nd was directed by The cast includes Tom Ricketts, Tom O'Brien and Dorothy Revier. 1 - eimospheric prologue. featuring Senora_ Milla Dominguez. the Internation: ews and the over ture “Women's Love and Life,” by Fi von Blon, will complete the progran. PALACE—"Battling Butles Buster Keaton. frozen-faced fun maker of the screen, has assumed a new guise in a new role in “Battling Butler,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer pro duction of the play of the same name, which is announced for Loew's Pal ace Theater next week | Keaton directed “Battling Butle imselt besides playing the title role |¢ O'Neill, who rode overnight to fame in Marshall Neilan's “Mike,” fs his leading lady and gives the fem inine motive power to the hilarions goingson in the story. The cast includes Snitz Fdw ancis Mac Donald and Mary | Buster has the | highly inoffensive alls in love with finds his suit oppe who desire no’ “in red-blooded dicap, Buster c Pollar d. Is rien role of a rich bur young man who pretty girl and ed by her family. aws" who are not To offget this han uses his valet to an { nounce that he is really Battling But ller, the pugilist heavyweight con | tender, in retirement prior to his hig ‘vh.nnmun\hm fight. The real Battling Butler obliges by winning the fight, and Buster returns to his sweetle in triumph, only te have his hopes dashed by a meeting with the real Battler. who. to expose Buster, claims that the latter s the real fighter and s already preparing to fight a new contender. The train ing for this fight, under the tutelage of the Battler's assistants, nearly kills Buster, but st before the big |fight the real attier obliges by |taking on the challenger. and when | Buster goes to thank him for it the | Battler takes him inte a room and | starts to mop up the floor with him Then the worm turns and proves his fistic pro <s 1o the re ives, hi ing rried his sweetheart during a lull in the action. Added attractions will Sennett comedy, the Pathe Day and include the “A Sea Dog's Tale’ newsreel, Topics of the an overture and score by » Orchestra under Thomas ‘The Show and tomorrow this weex ndall's Tivoli Theater “The Show Off,” featuring Ford Sterling in the leading role, supported by Lols Wilson, Louise Brooks, Gregory Kelly and Claire McDowell; also o Sennett unmed “Hay Foot, Straw Foot" Tusldn\ and Wednesd: Up_in Mabel's Rooni.” featuring Marie Pre- vost, Harrison Ford and Pl 18« Haver; an_Aesop Fable, Pathe T view and Topics of the Day; Thurs | day and Friday, “Desert Gold,” = Saturday, ‘“‘Seno: Daredevil,” First National's first star ring vehicle for Ken Maynard. and | Walter Hiers in “Fresh Face: An added attraction will be the Loomis Twins, Virginia and Maxine, singers dancers and comediennes, AMBASSADOR—"Pals First.” “Pals First,” featuring Lloyd Hughes and Dolores del Rio, the first three days this week. begin- ning today; Wednesday and Thurs Ken Maynard in “Senor Dare- and Al St. John, in “Sky Friday, Emil Jannings, in Mack Sennett's “Hay " “Toplik of the icreen Snapshots’; Sat Ford Sterling and Lols Wilson he Show-Off.” ‘“Buster Helps latest of the Buster Brown and a Lyman H. Howe “Hodge on. devil, Bound" “Varlet Short reels and special pipe organ |music will complete each dai gram. “Pas obin aove The i Tubit production, Douglas Fairbanks in * Pickford In “The imil Jannings in | nished with humor. Aver is a British composer and Miss Wilson. has | scored in musical comedies with an ex ceptional voice. Others will include Mel Klee in a Others are Burns and MclIntyre in which reminds Betty, his wife, that they need a new one. With the loss of his job staring him in the face, but not wishinz to ell her, he apposes the idea and after a terrific battle she | “Paree” and has injécted catchy songs “Golden Volces,” and Bert Redford and clever dialogue, interspersed with id Joe Wallace in “Versatile Mo-| various specialties. ments” 4 jukgling aect, The cget is auzmented by 16 attra The photoplay attraction is “Dame | tive singing and dancing girls, embarrassing to an amusement secker to be thus confronted with his neglect, his ingratitude. but how can we cxpect to be entertained if we are ! <o thought Can it be that the peep, peep, pecp of the time zignal man i to blame: CENTRAL—"Silver Treasure.” “Silver Treasure,” starri (Continued on Third Page.) e I