Evening Star Newspaper, January 22, 1928, Page 55

Theat er, Screen and Music Part 4—12 Pages e AMUSEMENT SECTION he Sunday Stas. WASHINGTON, ELSIE JANI Keiths E. M.NEWMAN- : [\lafional S- Wicked Ol({ Civilization | In Contrast to the Present BY PHILANDER JOHNSO! A new play vied with an estab- | lished success, with one of the conventional revue revelations as a conservative background. A| thoroughly sophisticated public | no longer contemplates the revue* as a startling exhibition, but ac- cepts it as a well formulated type of entertainment. The interest consists largely in selecting high | points in the way of a musical and comic episode. | ‘The galaxies of girls and the | rainbow aerialism, of fluttering | costumes are taken as matters of | course and much of the criticism | addressés itself to a study of a| period of time which may have| elapsed since the ‘most recent visit of the cleaners. s 2% x “Scandals” is not a very cheer- ing watchword for a performance. As a matter of fact, the effort to be scandalous is based largely on the ideas of wild life that they obtain in Cedar Rapids or Coshocton; and the show de-/ pends upon the industrious and conscientious efforts of the or- chestra leader, the dance director and the patient chorister. % %% Revues linger on regardless of the apparent loss of interest on the part of Florenz Zeigfeld. The new idea is the presentation of large musical and spectacular ef- fects in legitimate association with consistent plot with an ele- ment of literary reputation to! lend encouragement to the more bookish patronage. % % A defiant demonstration of the quest of novelty was made by the | rlzy “Six Feet Under,” brought nto competition with no less completely established a theat- rical creation than “The Shang- hai Gesture.” No title could be more depressingly mortuary than “Six Feet Under” It was a re- minder at the outset of that riotously irreverent ditty and the modern app n in undercur- rent advanc lk ran “Over in the cemet they've been making preparations for a new made grave for Harry” . It was Harry Delf who had the show all his own way, enjoying the prestige which the success of ““The Family Upstairs” brought to an author who frankly as- serted himself as a student of every-day life of those who toil and struggle and in the face of all discouragement strive 1o keep up appearances. As his human document, Mr. Delf selected the member of a household who s willing and eager o assume all its burden and pathetically silent with reference 1o the cruel, though unintentio impositions w which he cls himself o the the some queer little The family name employed 15 “Nebblepredder,’ and a question li| v appeal 1o every hard worked auditor is sented in such phrases as ° you a Nebblepredder?” or, more briefly, “Are you just a Nebb?” The publicity printer relieveg anxiety as w the fate of Elmer shown at the final curtain still struggling with his responsibili- ties. by the statement “They tried 10 lay poor Elmer away hu!, El- mer was & tough guy o kill” PR In addition o writing well, Mr Delf acts well. Not since the| pley “John Ferguson” has there {,n-n & more close and intimale study as w the amount of trou- ble a man can acquire in one brief lfetime. It lacks the mel-| lowing haze of distance which enables the observer to soothe his mind with the thought Lhat while all this may be true, it 15 going on in a circle quite remote Srom our own end is nothing o be deeply concerned about This! In acdition play evoives calch phrases title, |evening’s entertainment. | Florence Reed. It does not breal series of pictures affords em- | phatic reminder that the brave and unequal struggle of the mem- | ber of the family who is so for- | tunate, or rather so deserving, as to have a steady job may be go- | ing on just around the corner. R The underworld play has been featured in the American theater ul) ant;xtienxt“thal cmtte‘d suspi- cion al les were about ethlst.«ed!’m::l new ltmo.s-1 phere is afforded the pictures of unrestrained wickedness and ty- | rannical graft by bringing the an- | cient civilization of the Orient into evidence. “The Shanghai | Gesture” is a reminder that the age-old moral hnosoghy of S:e e Chinese is counterweighted by influence of age-old .vice assert- ing itself in every historic civili- zation. | * ¥ % % 1 In xpl'.gno( all that had been | read and-told about “The Shang- hai Gesture,” the well prepared for the play itself. ‘The most expert descriptions could not prevent comparisons with previous Oriental drama.| The fact that the production is by A. H. Woods recalled one of | those old-time thrillers when a | dollar was considered quite a lib- | eral payment for an Al Woods It was entitled “The Queen of the Opium Ring,” and was a blunt sgecxmen of realism designed to show the spectator everything the human imagination could invent in the line of exotic terrors. “The Gesture” has nothing to do with this bygone sensationalism. While a melodrama In the technical sense, it slips neatly into gear | with the current tendency to ab- | stract speculation relative to| ethnological distinctions and con- | trasting soclal customs. | e It recalls several great presenta- tions of Oriental drama without | lending itself to a close or ac- curate comparison. In scenic beauty and tensity of interest it is, though less elaborate in stage settings, associated in remem- brance with “The Darling of the Gods,” In which Blanche Bates made a sensation scarcely less than that now being caused b ublic was not away from the customary Euro- pean methods of the theater, as did “The Yellow Jacket,” yet it has something of the same quaint manner of fatalism which meets human events as expressions of superhuman and immutable will, e “The Gesture” is not a melo- drama in the old sense of the | term. It has no reminder of vir-| tue rewarded, although it is im- placable in its punishment of vice by the most soul-torturing methods. If there is any admoni- | tion intended as & moral to this | thrilling story, it must be that | which was linked with such beau- tiful pathos into the story of | “Madame Butterfly.” “The Ges- | ture” expresses the feminine sense of justice grown militant, and the play might have heen called “The Butterfly’'s Re- venge.” v It is a remorseless study fin | retributions and carries out the | meaning of varlous adages re- lating to the warning In sacred writing “Vengeance is mine” It has been many times written that & deliberate effort at revenge would seldom be undertaken if the full effect of the undertuking could be clearly foreseen v ‘This play, which Florence Reed as greatest Enj ers, revives the emotion (vlwinu [3 he cast establishes one of the ’llm-mflklnu &lly- ?m new im nee al drama xcellent, various members of nes not permit a mo- [ D; @, SUNDAY ! ‘Motors ' Motor Touring and MORNING, JANUARY 22, 19:8. N._ “Diplomacy,’ FOLI.DW'INO his custom, inaugurated with the sesqui-centennial produc- | tion of Sheridan’s comedy, “The Ri- | succeeded by “Trelawny of the | " Georgé C. Tyler, on Monday, February 6, will launch Sardou’s “Di- plomacy” as the third of his annual all.star classic revivals, with a cast which is declared one of the most bril- | lant ever assembled on the American | ‘l:’l:lt. at the National Theater in this| Y, | Margaret Anglin will be seen in the role of Lady Henry Fairfax; Jacob Ben- Ami, foremost of the younger trage- | dians of the Yiddish Art Theater, as Count Orloff; Helen Gahagan, remem- bered as Rose, in “Trelawny,” and | Laura, in “Young Woodley,” as Count- ess Zicka; Charles Coburn, who created the role of Ole Blll, in the Bairnsf; ment's doubt of the pre-eminent responsibility resting with Miss Reed. Her career and her ances- try have peculiarly fitted her for a performance which may be re- arded as the triumph of a life- ime. The daughter of the late Roland Reed, a player whose methods were conservative and effective, she retains evidences of the influence of the consclentious training of the theatrical family. 8he has been specializing in large derrce on plays relating to Mon- golian civilization. The way was well paved for her to a task as extraordinary in its magnitude as it is brilliantly performed. PR The intensity of her dlalect be- | comes at time almost grotesque.| It is not always easy to catch all the meaning. And yet It evinces close intelligent study and con- veys ‘that subtle assurance of fidelity to truth that is always present in a work competently performed The author, John Colton, who is mentioned as co-author of “Rain,” appears to have an espe- clal gift in concentrating atten- tion upon a single character. This concentration 1s comfortable enough for the star when the play A greal success, as in the case of “Rain” or like “The Ges- ture,” In which Miss Reed pre- sides so completely supreme. But it represents a large responsibil- ity, often with past reputation and future opportunity at stake, LR A laggard theatrical season was early predicted. ‘The offer- fngs in evidence have proved that the forecasters are quite as likely to go wrong in the theater as in the Weather Hureau, It has been a most remarkable sea- son, with merits not always hand- | written. somely rewarded, but with novel- ties ranking side by side with classic presentation that must compel recognition with great re- spect, " February 6. ther play, “The Better 'Ole,” will ap- pear as Baron Stein; Rollo Peters Julian Beauclerc, Cecelia Loftus, inter- nationally known as one of the greatest mimics on the stage, as Marquise dc Rio Zares: Tyrone Power, the distin- guished Shakespearean actor, as Mark- ham; Georgette Cohan, daughter of George M. Cohan, as Mion; Georges Renavent, as Antoine; Antony Holles well-known English actor, as Algy Fair- fax, and Ralph Bunker, as Sheppard Of this cast there are three artists | who appeared in previous productions in Mr. Tyler's annual series. Helen Gahagan and Rollo Peters played in relawny of the Wells," and Georgette Cohan was seen as Lucy, in “The Rivals. Margaret Anglin and Willlam Faver- sham played in the all-star revival of ‘Diplomacy” at the Empire Theater, | New York, in 1901, the former in the part of Dora, assumed in the present revival by Frances Starr, and the latter in the role of Henri Beauclerc “Diplomacy” is perhaps one of the greatest drawing-room melodramas ever It is the work of Victorien author of “Robespierre,” “La R dame Sans-Gene,” “Fe- dora” and “Divorcons.” It was written in 1877 and its first American perform- ance took place in New York April, 1878, with Maude Granger and Lester Wallack in the leading roles been revived in the most distinguished manner from time to time and has won immense popularity both in Eng- Iand and the United States. - . Bardo Newman—"Soviet Rui E. M. Newman begins his nineteenth season here this afternoon at the Na. tonal Theater with "Moscow,” the first | streteh of his “Soviet Russia” trip, In & group of mation and still colored ple- tures, all of which are sald to have ercuped censorship, the traveler 18 to show what Is happening today in the Hovlet capltal He promises that the veil of mys tery that has covered the activities of the Communistic government since the revolution 15 to be lifted and many striking changes revealed, Instead of the gorgeously uniformed officers of the regime, will be seen the unpreten- Uous uniforms of the Red army. The extravagance and tentation of pust have been repla suming proletariat. Palaces have come hospitals and schools and the land has been divided and handed over to the pensants Art treasures have heen preserve and Moscow's theaters are still uns passed for artistic productiona and re- markable actors, iU 15 olaimed. ‘The boat music s heard In concerts and at the opera, The population of the city has doubled uur‘ la atreets teem with life, Within the Kremlin, in which all the reminiscences of Mosow's past are united, now sits the Unlon Congress of Boviets, the supreme organ of authority on Russin, Where the Csara firal re- celved the asanction of the church, where they were crowned, married and burted, 18 now the seat of the most radical government the world has ever known, b} 1t has | the | d by (he unaas- | DOWLING -National Week of JAN-30 - CLAUDETTE "~ COLBERT- National Discoveries Rare in Theater. "THE theatrical find” is termed “a rare bird” nowadays in that pro- fession. Embryo actors who have talent to do a certain thing, and to do it well, dis- cover themselves and their value. Pro- ers are always looking after novel- ties and have scouts or agents going the rounds of all classes of entertainment to spot them. They are few and far between, how- ever. Eddie Dowling, who is said to ha an eye and an ear for the unusual ad one in Kate Smith for h!‘n“::_es: has “stopped the show™ at every per- formance since her professional appear- ance in the premiere of “Honeymoon ; Lane” at the Garrick Theater in Phila- delphia 15 months ago. Eddie Dowling first saw Kate Smith at an_entertainment in this city—her home town—where as an amateur had attracted some att Notes of the Stage and Its People. Rehearsals of David Belasco's next production, ‘The Bachelor Father,” started last week, with June Walker, C. Audrey Smith and Geoffrey Kerr in the loading roles. in & revue with the current “Follies’ which are playing this week in Newark Edward Ellis, the stage director of “Cock Robin,” is to direct the play writ- ten by his sister and to be played by | “The Mystery Man,” a melodrama a group of Yorkville actors. by Morris Ankrum and Vincent Duffey, ! will soon be produced by Gustav Blum Allan Dinehart and Helen Chandler jolncd the cast of “The Silent House™ in Philadelphia last Monday night ‘The play is due in New York next week. Anne Shoemaker, instead of Mary Ryan, will have the leading role in the forthcoming Cohan comedy. “The Mischief Makers," which is scheduled to open In New York the last of this month, Minor Watson, Helen Flint and Alan Mowbray rence Langners play. “These Modern e been engaged for Law- | women.” which MacGowan and Rock- | | more are producing | Tou Ripley, Emlly Lorraine and Pat | Barrett have been engaged for Michael Kalleser's play, arriage on Aprmv o | It will be staged by George Smithfie i “57 Bowe Edward Locke's play, which C. William Morganstern is pro- ducing, #8 announced to open tomorrow night in New York | “Snare Drum.” Louise Closser Hale's play, will be tried out in the Spring by | Earle Boothe, who has purchased the [option on it from Luclle Webster Gleason . | to appear in an original American play Rehearsals began last week with Miss | Bordont in_“Part" & story of the | French capital by Martin Brown, who wrote “Cobra” and “The Lady." Songs la. | the principal | | | | | | | For the first tme, Irene Bordoni is | | and Incidental musie are being com- | posed by Cole Porter, und a prominent night club orchestra will supply the | muste. Qiibert Miller E Ray | Qoets are the producers. and ‘The Emplre Theater, New York, has Dewn seloghed for the opening of Pau- | line Lord in “Salvation,” the evangel- istie play by Bidney Howard and Oharles McArthur. The date of vro- duction has been set for January 31 A comedy trom the Itallan, entitled “Ho Am L" will be presented in New York this week. The |‘\Ilv wis given | a8 “The Cocoon” at the Intimate Thea- ter there, and among the original pia: ora retalned for the present productio are Betty Linley, Loulse Carter an | Walter Kingsford rge Kelly's plays are recelving attention 1y Kurope 9 0" has had recent produe- tlon in Parls, Berlin and Vienna. “Dalsy Mayme" I3 to be produced in Rerlin Pebruary 18, and next Summer “The w-Off" 1a 0 be revived In Buda- Eddle Cantor will Be seen next sea- S0 10 & new musioal play, (o he writ- fen by Willlam Anthony MeGulve Oantos 1s wmaking his last appearance ' the sgeen. icm as did “Nanook of the North* “The Mischief Makers” is the new title of M. s impending comedy, hitherto known as “His Friend and Her Friend.” With Gutherie McClintic directing the company that is going to London to present “The Trial of Mary Dugan started rehearsals last week in New York. Genevieve Tobin and Morgan Farley have the leading roles. “The Greenwich Village Follies” opened its season last Monday in New- ark, and Dr Rockwell well known to vaudeville patrons, made the hit of the show, which will be pruned to get within the time lmit. * A play, as yet without a title. writ- ten by Walter Ferris, has been accepted by Messrs. and Wiman for early presentation, with Basil Rathbone in role. “Peaches.” the attractive young wom- an featured with this week's !ur.me attraction, “Lafin’ Thru,” is the orig- inator of a dance which she dedicated to the “Spirit of St. Louls” It is a combination of the hula-hula and a COeylonese dance. “Peaches” has her own orchestra, the Monte Carlo Jars Band of 12 musiclans with her. Pictures Real South Seas. ing his Irvi The cast of headed by Claudette Coldert, being called one of the finest of the YOunger actresses theater. George Nash. who will have a prominent role, will be remembered for fine performances and ospe- clally his role of Charlie Young ‘The herv of the way will be plaved by Paul ‘Wright. son of Harold Bell Wright. “East is West.™ MUSIC A D DRAMA. NATIONAL-—“La Gringo.” drama. Tomorrow evening. BELASCO—"Chicago,” comedy drama. POLI'S—"“The Vagabond King." musical play. ning. KEITH'S—Elsie Janis, vaudeville GAYETY—"Laffin’'s Thru, ning. NATIONAL— “La Gringo.,” a romance wbh trasts the warm devotion of the Mex can nature with the cool-headed lations of New England. will be “la Gringe.” MArrow by the country. man, ing, Clara Ceell Ko “la Gringo” Tom produced here by Charles L and Hamilton MacFadden ner is the producer of “Tl n which Richard Bennett is now tour- will tn the who bu be American Others are lsabel T, who s also Mr. MacFw Blandick, Eva Condon Marie’ Haynes. Jesste Graham, Sylvester. |and Willlam Lovejoy. “La Qringo” has been divected by | Hamilton MacFadden producer of the play Frank Arline Francis P doten was, until fts dissolution, head of th N “Moana” is at last seen the real South Seas. Many times they have been deseribed in song. story and fable, but it rematned for Robert Flaherty, that intrepid ad- venturer who filmed “Nanook ef the North," to actually take his cameras and pictuve equipment to Samoa, where, n the company of his wite. three little girls and his brother David, wevre shot the six reels which compose “Moana " featured this week at the Little Theater Flaherty determined to fake Samoa the seat of his activities and cast oft all tles holding him to the States so that he might remain until a picture had been produced which would never be forgotten and which would help to perpetuate the story of & noble race for generations to come. “Moana™ fs his answer—the outecome of his dreams. ho) andambittons It bids fatr to eatablish as great a sue- ng the leave them," declared Robert Hlevenson MANY Years agw grow gray where they alighted; theue! palm shades and the trade wind fans | easns under cently Assoclated with Ny Lowell Spider”; the Stage Lighting Qompany. Kelog: Qary; g wit the American Labaratory Theater ceval Harker and Arvam Kasanian photographer of who's wha. The romance and drama that - volves Carlota, the Mexican girl Bowditeh, Spr Hedford. | course fram the convent at La Rincona, Mexion, to the little New England whal. How the love of Carlota tor \ st season b} Vaugh, Chown, he has Brentano John Hig! Richard 8 wiue, the headw Nass, soh town. young sehout rEYImore he them 1l they dle, perhaps cherishing | WV Belasco 1o the last the faney of & visit hame. which s varely made, mare vavely en foyed, and yet more ravely repeated " | s KRN Theater Gutld Schoal of Acting meorporated hiy n W s fem -author ham, presides Aldrih ¥ master of hool, motivates master works THARAgement iste Yanh Re et~ a Aaran the sea captain, and Caled & New [ out forms the greater pare of u:n-:\ WAy written :\\ Al Who wiote Otis Skinners play, * jand Sand” a few :rx\u\:“bml.m:\‘\: whose “The Devil in the Cheese” ran “Few men who come to the istands | 07 Over eight maonths i New Yk | 1 He & abo the authar of Lawgh* W which Lio- Abpearad for several the same wman o Janis will headiine the bit at Perhaps that was what caused Robs B OF. Kefth's Theater this week, bl ert Flaherty. after producing “Nanook | g with her not only her wany welt [ quuuu\u ot of the North” 10 g to these myatic | known twy 0L New mater alanda and Wwansfer their beauty | Er‘\un Fun will be oftered by Teok Murdhek | docasion, This evening Tomorrow eve- This afternoon and evening. sque. This afternoon and eve- and company in an act ealled om. Dick and Harry.” which features Ke: vy with Marion Meredith and Adele Webster. The dook is dv Harry Charles Greene. and the music by Charies Maxwell Smith Ouhers are w ver dog. with Ed Ford i a ton. “Benevolence . with Ross Wyse, new ed A Steriny and the Misses Stanton an lores, who affer. “Girl. Nevertheless * Completing the dll will de Aesops Fadles, Topics of the Day and Pathe News. GAYETY—"Lafin’ Thre." “lafin’ Thru" this weeks attraction At the Qayely Theater. is & new Untted Burlesques hroduction. - featurtng Peach~ o8, talented dancer In additton there are the N Carlo Jass nd of 12 musiclans, Joe Vana, ecventnic comic. Althea Quater, prima don Mae Serpas. Don Froe tor, Juw Serra. Rilly De Qray each SONgN, dances clalties JANET RICHARDS. Tomectow. Among the vital questawms o Dour to be discused By Mis O Richards af her weekly talk oo padle QUESTRIN TORNNTOW Ienmg &t e Masanie Tengule, Thivteenth street and New York avenue, at 10 43 owlek, wil De the ress Teaciiug (@ the Prosidient's Havana speech. doth — al home and abivad. will the Spansh epuding “wos operate’ With the Mone dovirie? Starny davs i e United States Sens ate, Wakih power Teslution and What it ahns 0 mvestigate, folowed Dy & brief congressional TRVRW 10 date The “high lghn" afars Buropean WHE b be touched W CLUR b The nghily attracihon at the O Lk the Hamilton Hotel aight oy | the Lty Band, foaturing it dram- wer, Rmory Daugherty, t dance and dinner Wusk, whie nahis, which are ‘n‘m:mwul -u&\uun e alwar [ evidence. generally & “sarprese* A new variely Ne o caeh w‘