Evening Star Newspaper, November 1, 1927, Page 22

OPENING ATTRACTIONS IN WASHINGTON THEATERS NATIONAL—“The Barker.” ‘Whatever skepticism may have ex- isted concerning “The Barker's” au- thorship and east, there could be no doubt whatever that this muchdlis- cussed production has_ the best ad- vance agent in the world. No less a vocalist and publicist than Mary Garden herself sent a telegram to he posted on all the billboards. It was written after she saw the show in Atlanta and reads as follows: “‘The Barker’ is the finest th er I have ever seen. The players, the story, the way it is put on make it the most perfect entertainment 1 have ever wit- out to *get” Capt. McQuigg because the policeman’s rugged honesty was a Hving menace to the gunman’s ac- tivities. Demoted to an outlying station through the machinations of corrupt politicians, Capt. McQuigg was more than ever determined to put Nick Scarsi behind the bars and, most im- portant of all, keep him there. So it happens that the wheel of fortune drops into McQuigg's hands Scarsi’s young prother, brought in on a minor charge. Then is set into motion a series of maneuvers to get Nick aroused over the arrest and possible conviction of his brother. And into THE EVENING BTAR, WASHINGTON, course, but not of the revolting nature that has marked somewhat similar productions in the past. It is plain that the author and pro- ducer have tried to put plenty of ac- tion into their show, for almost con- tinuously throughout the play there are telephone calls, doors slamming, bells ringing, uniformed and plain- clothed police coming in and going out, bondsmen’s clerks and newspaper reporters sailing back and forth. Scarsi's end is both thrilling and un- expected. It furnishes a well con- ceived climax and one that is calcu- lated to send the audience away satis- fied with the outcome. The cast is a long one, with Alphonz Ethier taking first honors as Capt. McQuigg. Edward G. Robinson, as Nick Scarsl, gave a flawless portrayal of an underworld king, while Romaine Callender, former Natfonal player. won plause for himself as Welch, Last night’s audience evidently en- jryed the presentation. POLI'S—“Funny Face.” Catchy tunes and some excellent dancing were given merited applause at the opening performance at Poli’s last night of “Funny Face,” a new musical comedy with promise of con- tinued success. The product of the collaboration of Robert Benchley and George Gershwin was well staged, with Fred and Adele Astaire as the star performers. A varied comedy role was played by Wil- liam Kent. The work of Adele Astaire was notably amusing and praise- A i UESDAY NU'V upon which are strung the song -and dance numbers. Such numbers as “How Long Has This Been Going On,” “Let's Kiss and Make Up” and *’Swonderful” have about them an appealing tunefulness which insures that they will keep pianos busy in many frat houses and apartment houses this Winter. The jancing, particularly that of Fred Astaire, who plays the part of the youthful and harassed guardian of three modern maidens, is of the best. “Funny Face” in fact, is predomi- nantly a dancing show. The work of the large male dancing chorus deserves more than passing mention, particularly in the police sta- hardly on a with the so; :u‘: hw::r.udmg Winter. Taste in comedy, or rather susceptibility to comedy, differs widely. rovement may be expected as “Funny p!‘ue“ runs its course through the orthy. The character is that of a flapper,” charming but outrageously untruthful, who is supposed to at- tract men by the very naivete of her falsechoods. She succeeds in inducing a romantic young aviator to rob a safe tion scene, where Robert Benchley took the comedy in a fleld of delight- ful satire of the trend for “uplift.” The policemen are assembled for their weekly “singing drill,” with Victor Arden and Phil Ohman furnishing a estates. —_— “What You Should Know About Wills and the Conservation of Estates” So it is hard to say just where the props should be placed. located, Feyv people realize the importance c_)f will making and - the vital part a trust company plays in management of But the excellence of the singing and dancing more than compensates for this weakness wherever it may be plays of this character. Some, of when offered a bribe. Obtlin a copy. i /&A ND_TRO fl | 15th and Penna. Avenue Capital, Surplus and Undivided Profits Over $6,200,000 BRANCHES: Central—T7th and Mass. Ave. N.W. Southwest—7th and E Sts. S:W. Northeast—8th and H Sts. N.E. Northwest—1140 15th St. N.W. TOTAL RESOURCES OVER $38,000,000 might have imagined this country 5 McQuigg's station comes the elder |fhe assistant State's attorney. for her, and the resulting confusion ! feature plano number. nessed. Scars, bont_ on teaching tho poilce | "Irene Hayes, the sole female char- constitutes the slender thread of plot The comedy was well recefved. It A . S sl d s Fookl hick i After such distinguished compli-|true humility for their temerity in | ter of the play, was done to perfee. | e The American Securi as prepared a booklet whi { ment it is impossible to go further in|arresting a Scarsl. It is at this point|tjon by Marion Coakley, the little _— — ty prep 7 . b ! commendation. The only hope of an|that the audience gets its thrills in plond whom Washingtonians will re- . answers clearly over one hundred questions on this impore- ! original phrase must lie in a feeble|rapid succession. call in many fine parts. | b ) effort to find a flaw. There are two shootings, very ar-| Norman Foster as Dave Ames, a tant subject. i “The Barker” is what might “be|tistically done, and at no time are|cub reporter, who was ‘“green but { called a hard-boiled native dfl‘l)"m; It | there any beatings over n;‘el 1]1(«;1.1 ““3 game,” é'ndnt‘rihutgdmn !ovablle lch]arae [ 1s the kind of drama Charles Dickens, |ctybs, nmor any of the kicking and |ter, as did Pat Collins as Patrolman ; . > 4 > ! whilo writing his American notes,|cuffing that generally accompanies |Johnson, who slapped Scarsi's face || Call or write to any of our five convenient banking offices and would develop when it should forsake i English literature as its- model and o proceed to deal with the New World's LT own customs and personages. Smalf Cots The stage setting is the dressing tent of that type of show known as a carnival. The story deals with the show world far removed from the Ringling Brothers or Flo Ziegfeld, but still the show world—the show world peopled by 8o many who are heard of, it at all, only in the brief advertise- ments in voluminous magazines for “professionals” relating to performers who are “‘sober, neat dressers on and off and can double in brass.” “The Barker” attempts none of the poetic spirit that characterizes the plays which tell of humble player folk who roam through rustic villages. Here is no poet like the “Man Who Gets Slapped” to suffer amid refined perfidies. Instead of the conventional poet, “The Barker” is a sideshow shouter who addresses his persuasions directly to his public regardless of the lure of rhyme or meter. It resorts to the vernacular of the tribe. It mollifies no idioms. The dia- logue is frank and honest. It disarms all suspicion of deliberate coarseness. At the same time it disdains any ef- § forts at polite circumlocutions. The | charactrs, humanly drawn, simply ¢ speak for themselves. i It might be said that the play is so I simple in-structure that it is only a § story. It has little plot in the sense of . complicated-intrigue. What will hap- B S —— 3 Reasonable Rates. Phone Main 6900 for Estimates Merchants Transfer & Storage Co. || 920-922 E Street N.W. f pen from act to-act is easily antici- i pated. An unscrupulous girl of the tent group is persuaded by a bribe to make conquest of a youngster who is worshiped by his father. 'Her -mock love turns into a devotion even as real as his own, The father casts them out: t and finally forgives them. That is all. ¢, Yet the play of emotion is constant §' and the interest always tense. ‘The moment in the play that is not B e e e silk $7 2 : o Buy T in the acting, is the one in which the 1 $Y 27 Tots Panty Rayon uy Tomorrow Sove." "IV "ls Tt sudden, and sudr Hose Dresses %) Unde )Zhl s Pay in January TR G R The New National Seconds of Highpriced X RS As a feature of Hecht summate vamp find a little difficulty in recovering from a mood of cynical humor. From the “piece of poetry” on the front page of the program to the end of the spoken play the evening’'s en- tertainment is deflant of accepted models. ¢ The Barker is played by Walter ] ] H { ! Huston, who is the outstanding figure in the cast. Few artists could, after 80 much good actigg through many scenes, reserve the real. thrill ‘of his H i ] H i ] Month and an aid to early Christmas shopping we fosmeroy: Stizine have arranged that all Haavy qualliy!raon: charged purchases made Trimmed with nd in November may be paid oot s in January. This gives ors to choose from, you an extra month in which to pay. - 87¢c %) Cotton jersey and fast col prints. Several most delightful little styles. Trimmed with touches of em- broidery, or in tailored styles. 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PHILANDER JOHNSON. bl BELASCO—“The Racket.” Close attention: and - prolonged ap- plause indicated that the audience at the Belasco last ‘night was well pleased with “The Racket,” a brand- new play, setting forth an incident of _life among Chicago's gangsters, police and corrupt politicians. Tomorrow—A Boys’ Special Suits---Overcoats Mackinaws 55.97 Each 4-piece Suits. Sizes 7 to 16 years— 2 pairs knickers; sizes 12 to 15—1 pair * knickers and 1 longies. Well tai- lored Overcoats in sizes 9 to 17. Little Boys’ Overcoats, 23§ to 9 years in navy, chinchilla and plaid. Plaid Mackinaws, 9 to 17 years. New Fashions and F qbrics 2000 Smart Women’s and - Misses’ Fur and one police leutenant who ought to be fired instanter if they still are on the job. Of course, allowances must be made for the customary first night's delin- quencies, though Obtainable at All D. G. S. Stores Distributed by THE CARPEL CO., Inc., 1361 H Street N. E. No.2 which were in 5 evidence, Hot numerous. 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