Evening Star Newspaper, February 12, 1928, Page 61

~} Thga ter, Screen and Music Part 4—14 Pages AMUSEMENT SECTION he Sunday Skt WASHINGTON, D. C, | Motors Motor To SUNDAY MOR and uring CounT BeErRNI ViCI- Keiths Crime Waves That Are . Polite and Otherwise BY PHILAND S he secks to establish A tweeen a liberal church spirid and an idealistic at- titude toward the su;nd- ard and self-re: ting modern theater, George ler again as- serts himself as a leading reviv- 'u':"liere is a difference between a revival and a resuscitatiou. Strictly aking, a genuinely f!ood as permanent anima- on r‘él:gy i0 zsien itself when- ever occasion calls for it. x %% Take for example Sheridan’s | been ub- om “Bchool for Scaniel.” It has revived so regularly that the lic has learned to expect it season to season and to feel sense of disappointment should the old play permit an entire year to elapse without a visit. A linger- ing sense of reverence for the antique causes a play by some by- gone r of his art to be re- garded, in the light of traditional comment, as something like a bit of old lace curyin"g lthensé::;n ?: reminiscent lave % swvmly" into thought of old-time theater parties, en belles and beaux donned formal attire and awaited the work of a celebrated author and a up of favorite players with polite but intensely sincere enthusiasm. R atmosphere of undue rev- ereAr?c); was glspclled be{'ore the Girst act of “Diplomacy” which swung into the stride of straight- forward interest, securely and without hesitation, to tell the story of the purloined diplomatic document and the detective skill saved a young friend from dis- grace, as well as from the heart- breaking result of false accusa- tion against his young wife. Opv of the pl.euurf..s incident to the “yevival” is the manne: in which 1t provides fitting exploitation for a favorite like Faversham, en- abling him to slip gracefully inty the maturity which players of un- substantial quality often dread P Our plays dealing with lawless enterprises have become more and more rough and emphatic in themes and characters, “Diplo- macy” carries the auditor on a re- freshing journey to the theater that regarded romance 3s some- thing to be defended by sword play, relegating the pistol largely 1 the satirical dueling ot Sir Lucius OTrigger. A pistol shot was rather a confession of weak- ress in story telling and was r1c served for audiences whose nerves were not so delicately adjusted that the loud report might have e effect on gentle sensibilities by the players in “Midsummer Night's Dream,” should the lion be permitted Lo roar his ulmost The purning ver of against steel, on the coptrar seemed Lo have a certain soothing guality along with the thnll It 2% nob w0 much, apparently, the ead o homicidal encounter that astressed Lhe feminine s much as the sudden ezplosion which caused something of the vame physical shock as if some one hsd suddenly carted from behingd a dour in the boudolr and shoutea “Boy “IAplomacy” represents come play (n its highe fine ment, I deals with emasnglement which, though of the most repre hensible nature, loses s direct, oftense because of Lhe extreme polish of manner and intellectual hrijliancy of those who reduce the hig Arama of political plot Lo the cimensions of an evening's the elric entertainment Nevertheless, it is u "crime play”’ of e own Kind, and 1t will he Vard, even for very diligent re search. v discover @ drami, out side of farce, which 1 ot .. The ciime play of our own time . - v compsred o thst of & more (1L ds often almost hinpossihle L0 fmusical progrem of cathedral quality. working relationships be- | | the tastes of patrons who enjoyed | {great emphasis. | Al ER JOHNSON. | decorous theater; draws the dis- tinction between physical shock land a psychological stimulation. {1t is a revival on its own account | 'of the stage when pistols were used and mines exploded in ap- | | peal to audiences inured to abrupt effects. | One detonation was usually enough to provide the climax for an entire evening's entertainment. {Two “big noises” were so liberal |as to require skill in their man- |agement to prevent the idea of overlavishness. More than two |would be dangerous, as arousing question of whether the show was not getting too rough, even for * % % ¥ There has been from time to | time more or less whimsical dis- pute between romping residents iof Chicago and New York con- | cerning an assumed rivalry on the part of each to rank as the | wickedest city on the continent. | The difference has never been set- | tled and its discussion is being | |transferred from the columns, which dealt in amiable satire, to the stage, which handles it with rough-and-tumble exuberance. | After seeing “The Racket” and “Chicago” as exemplifying the abandonment into which the Lake | City’s underworld has fallen, New | . York, using the title “Broadway,” | comes forward with a revelation | of forwardness that makes the Atlantic seaport a powerful con- tender for total depravity laurels. M Just what type of player will be developed for future seasons from | the underworld study now re- quired is problematical. An actor: who spends his time memorizing | the lines of the classics, whether | of wit, romance or tragedy, edu- cates himself to standards of | taste which may be considered as | among the compensations for! arduous and not always well re- warded tofl. The dialogue of the | crime play calls for emotional energy. but a vocabulary which,! even as it relapses into atroclous | mutilation of grammar, leaves the ear thankful for a respite from | shrieking profanity | Yet “Broadway” is a very hu- man play, with a detective in it who 1% capable of genuine intelli- gence and honest sympathy, and | with no “reporters” who chatter a5 people w{m know little of the tribe imagine they might talk if they were youthtful journalists. ‘There s s splendid emotional | role in “Broadway,” and it is fine- | ly enacted by a young woman | whose work hag not hitherto heen | known here. Her role, that of the sweetheart of a hootleg leader | who has been murdered by a nvulf gangster, 1s one calling for the | greatest artistic restraint to pre- | vent it from being only an empty | affectation of emotionality. What | ie 15 Jikely to do in the future 15 | 1 more interesting than what | she 18 dolng al present | v | A success in a crime play Is nu: Lo @4 career in the classics. shown by Jane Cow), whose portrayal of the leading | cter of “Within the Law" | did not prevent her from being | recognized i as the greatest | Juliet of her time. Of course, Broadway” 15 much tougher in! flalogue thun “Within the | and, therefore, may make | the transition o poetic cadence | more difficult. 16 s curlous that 'hoth plays utilize the Maxim sileneing device in the hands of the gunman. ‘This 18 quite lkely Lo be regarded by Lhe supersti tous iteratd of Broadway as (sumething of a muascot R | One of the irritutions of the theater 18 Lhe praclice so general- Ly tollowed of omiting all descrip- Uve references from the cast of Characters and referring Lo per- song of the drama only as listed ‘i the order of thelr appearance.” it | ¥ ED MULROY- Earl EDiTH DAvis- Rizl+o LENETA LANE- Who returns with /\l ational Jheater Players assoclate a character, conspic- uously well played, with the actor who 1is delivering the work. The list of names in one column 15, not very intelligently co-ordinated with the names in the others, and many a first-rate player may as well be anonymous if he has not et made his way to heavy type n the foreground. It required some research to locate the char- acter of the young man delineat- ing the optimistic vanity, as well as the sentimental loyalty, of a | very young actor as Walter Glass, | and no less research to identify one of the smoothest and most inexorable villains that had trod the stage in many a week as Matt Briggs. . w o ‘The story of the blackface per- former who forsook good compen- sation in order to gratify ambi- tions toward legitimate art 1s no longer to be told save in distant reminiscence. As our favorite monarch of the realms of burnt cork, Al Jolson, announces his intentions to ap- | pear in a play written for (and | l)mulbly to some extent by) him, t s made plain that the films are affording a royal road to real drama where once the path to | stardom lay through hardships. B{y appearing In the screen ver- slon of “The Jazz Singer” he is brought to an equal status in at- tentlon with no less remarkable an artist than George Jessel, and in maintaining himself so well in the comparison gives his public a new idea of his more serlous capa- ! bilitles. » Jolson has gone far since was selected by Lew Dock; as an end man, whose ¢ complishment appeared Lo be an | ability to say “Plttsburgh” with | a sort of quack like that so much ! affected by French clowns. Every- | thing that came to his hand l’l’l‘,‘ did well und he has always trust- | ed his public; sometimes to a | degree that appeared almost In- kenuous as, in order Lo make sure of having his audience with him, he rushed boldly across the foot- lights with both arms extended | and simply gathered it in | . . he stader | ef ac- | New Stanton Has Pipe | Organ, | | F LAWRENCE PHILLIPS, the well | % known base ball announcer wt the Grmeh Stadium during the Bummer, s | w movie magnate on u small soale when | Giroult for s lengt the lust man I8 out b the Doal game and the balls and bats are slored awny wguinst the coming of Juck Frost Tawrence 18 owner of the New Hlan- ton ‘Thester in the northenst section of anugum, and although it enjoys the distinetion of hetng one of the smallest theaters in seating capacity in the Na- tional Capital, he hus Just caused It to be equipped with “the newest achigve- ment in pipe organs,” which, under the deft manipulation of "Dolly” Weather- hee ould afforad additional delight to pleture funs of the nelghborhond The fivst peep 0f the new plpe orgws wan sounded yesterduy, und henoeforth the New Btanton will take its place with the big fellows in having o 4-|le | Storm," JERRY MCCAULEY- IN THE SPOTLIGHT Notes of the Stage and Its People. “Inheritors,” which was produced last season by the New York Civic Reper- toire ‘Theater, was revived by that or- ganization last night Harold Vermilyea and Adelyn Bush- nell will have the leading roles ‘Killers,” which 15 expeeted to open in New York during the week of Feb- ruary 27, Clatborne Foster will be featured in the first program of the new enter- | tainment policy at the Greenwieh Vil- | lage Theater which opens tonight She will appear In “Tryst,” a one-act play by Garrett Fort A “Laughter 8] the and by comedy, by John George Picket, will be mweph M. Gintes, ‘The rote “The Silent House new n Brandon produced George Jensel will appear next seus son in & play of his own which he wrote In collaboration with Hen Hecht ‘The new plece, entitled “Salute,” will be produced by Albert Lewls With the revival of “Diplomacy” be- g recelved with much enthusiasm, George C. Tyler hax deelded to revive wnother famous play, this to he Ollver Goldsmith's_comedy, “Hhe Stoops Lo Jonquer” With Iy Halnter in the role of Kate Hardeantle CHlenn Hunter as Tony Lumpkin, the revival will open I the early part of March 1 is possible (et Mary Eilis and sl Bydney may take the entiro New York production of “Phe Taming of the Bhrew” o Kanas City to play four performances for the Bhakespearean featlval of the Diama League of Amer- lew on April 23, the anniversayy of tihakenpente's birth AL Jolson I5 appearing on the Loew hy perlod, opening I HL Louls last night, He s sald o re Celve 840,000 w week and mny appear in Washington In the early Hpring. He is W have & new play written for him for use noxL season ‘The neweat hox office hit In New York s "Strange Interlude,” the The- ater Gulld offering, Regardod as some- thing of & frenk play hefore it opened, the drama beoame & booming, sought- i | wthors also | L moN” o Willlam A after wttraction almost Immedintely when tekets for 10 weekn In adyanoe were placed on sale, 1t will requive ven weeka' performmnces to oare for heater Gulld subscribers alone. “The Behavior of Mis. Orane a play hy Harey Segal, 18 announced for . early production by Walter O. Lindsey and Eugenc W. Parsons. They expect to present it in New York commencing saster week. “Somehow," Presnell, will soon be produced by Bela Blau. Rehearsals are scheduled art In two weeks. Mr. Blau has onnected with the business man- agement of the New York Theater Guild and the Provincetown Playhouse. ool W TR LG Mountatus, | Fritzi Scheff and Frank Keenan are | folning Chamberlain Brown's company | in New York and will be seen in the forthcoming production of Holmes,” which opens a week from to- morrow night Willard Mack 15 expected to deliver his dramatization of “Upton Sinclair's Brady this week. Mr. Brady plans to give the play a Spring tryout. Mr. Mack Alxo helping to rewrite “Bpring $100." Tuylor mes will appea star role of "“The Great Necke by Elmer Harts successtully produced at Lox Angeles last season. In addition to Mr, Holmes the cast will include Marjorle Gateson. A short while ago Owen Davis, fr., son of t playwright, made his debut upon the New York' stage. Now an- other' playwright's son 1 to be seen in | an important role for the first time this to be ftussell Clleason, 10-yeav-old of James und Luclle Cleano - and feature players of Hhannons of Hroadway," now running In New York Sl Five O'Clock G a current hit of the theater I New Yok, will have w london presentation shortly under the management of Lee Ephram of Engliah metropolis Work on the Eng Hah production 15 now under way. Johi Harwood went ahead to do the casting | Miry Baton and Oscar Bhaw will ve maln with the Ameriean company Kugene O'Nelll s in Del Monte, Oalif, writing & new play called "I)\'un(» itend - produotiog of || Laughed " 'This will be the fivat time the play has been produced in - Ameriew, llmunh Moscow and Germany have al- vendy noen it “Wolves," the John Hunter Hooth ,nluy whioh James W. Kot s produe New Yoy g, Wil go into vehearsal tomaow in 1 the cast will be Rohevt Leanard, Mone Kingeley and Banniater, Hany a comedy by R R | “Sherlock | 1s e & o 1 ‘ Another Great l Production. | | | \ ASHINGTON theatergoers, especially those who formed the capacity audiences that greeted the fine production of “Diplomacy” its wonderful cast last week, will be more than interested (o know that its producer, George C. Tyler, who has ‘hrm\ A pioneer in the movement to bring great plays back to the American | theater, already has placed in rehearsal | an especially fine production of “She Stoops to Conquer,” Oliver Goldsmith's splendid comedy, with a cast of notable {artists, Including Fay Bainter. Glenn Hunter, Lyn Harding and | { She Stoops to Conquer” s also an- (nounced as the attraction for the Na- tional Theater the week of March 19 N § B 5 | Barthelmess' New Picture. l'l'lll‘I VALLEY OF KINGDOM COME,” the region in Kentucky which was the locale of John Fox, jr.'s | has been reborn in California. ‘The cabins of the mountaineers, the | stables, rail fences and all the Tl‘lll- esque features of the old Kentucky of | CIvil War days have arisen as if by | magic at the hands of motion plcture techniclans ‘They are located in the Californie hills where Richard Barthelmess and & big company from First National Stu- dios made scenes for “The Little Shep- herd of Kingdom Come,"” the screen version of Fox's romantic tale, in which Barthelmess plays the role of Chad. ‘There are no evidences of modern civillzation anywhere in sight, no ra- dios, electric lights, nor automobiles within camera range. The hands of time have boen turned back 60 or more years, and the hardy mountaineers till the soll, distill thelr supposed “moon- shine” and live again the days of old. Barthelmess, 1t 18 sald, never made a | more pleturesque film than this, with | the aleepy river flowing past his cabin | and cattle grasing on the hillsides. This Is Norma. N her enthre life, says Norma Tal- | © madge, she has never been late for | an appointment. She seldom 1€ ever loses her temper, though she has a very definite one; she loves Paris and droams of buying an old castle in the south of France, and she ta the wife of Juseph M. Hohenk, the motion pleture magnate #Hhe wears her halv bobbed. but each day In o different astyle, Hev clothes ave contervative, though ertglnal. 8he likes French dresses made th America Hhe hates auything eccentrio, loves antique jewelry and wears it in prefers enoe Lo preclous stones. #Bhe has the third largeat dlamond tn the world, 8he dlalikea people who ave affeoted and hates to be pafnted out tn publio. 8he has & sudden warm sitle hat comes and rnu very quickly Hhe likes walking, 18 & good walker and can do fram five (o ten miles & o Hho also lovea the theater, sym« phony concerts and the movies Also she I8 seldom without some new fad, such an collecting dolla or old French printa. B the oo el ‘JOY BELLS "— Palace MUSIC AN NATIONAL—Dark. POLI'S—Washington Opera Co. The Marmein Dancers. In val. Tomorrow evening. BELASCO—“Broadway,” drama evening. GAYETY—Jerry McCauley's Re and evening. KEITH'S—Count Berni Vici. Heading the bill at B. P. Keith's The- ater this week is Count Berni Vici, a young Hungarian nobleman, with his | symphonic girls, in a novel and colorful act which features Louise Mele and | other talented girls, including Darby Brown, Betty, Mary and Jane. Gaston and Andree, terpsichorean ar- | tists, will be featured with Lorna Jer- maine, English premiere danseuse, in an act, called “A Sensational Dance | They are assisted by Edna Mackay. Others include Johnnie Berkes in “Maybe, Who Knows,” assisted by Vir- ginia Sully; Ferry Corwey, known as the “Master Clown,” in a combination of mirth and melody; Jack and Ruth Hayes in -a character comedy skit called “City Chap vs. Country Girl," by Pred Allen; Frank Jerome and Evelyn, way"; the three Nelsons in “Various Doings,” and Hama and Yama, the “Nippon Wonders,” in wire walking and juggling. Aesop's Fables, Topics of the Day ;mfi the Pathe News will complete the GAYETY~—Jerry McCauley’s Revue. Jerry McCauley and her revue, a new United Burlesque production, is this week’s attraction at the Gayety The- ater. Qeraldine McCauley, who sings and dances, and Fred Reeb, eccentric “Dutch” comedian, are the featured members of the cast. which includes Helen Gibson, prima donna, who makes her debut in burlesque: Mildred Gaes. singing and dancing soubrette: Len and | Smith, Irish comedian; Willle Kramer, | tenor and yodeler. and Louis Price, vocalist. | The chorus of 20 girls also is & fea- ed singers and dancers. JANET RICHARDS, TOMORROW. Miss Janet Richards. in her talk on Public Questions: Home and Foreign.” tomorrow morning. will continue her re- view of affairs congressional, with spe- cial mention of Senator Swanson's argu- ment in vindication of the South in its application of the fifteenth amend- ment, and with further clarification of mplicated and devious course of I-Sinclair ofl case i the District courts. Under foreign affairs. Miss Richards will review the unusual fea- tures of procedure. with some comment on present political conditions tn Great Britain, The talks are given in the Masonic Temple, Thirteenth street and New York avenue. beginning at 10:45 am. | PLAY CONTEST R MED TUESDAY. ‘The annual one-act play tournament |of the District. conducted by the Come | munity Center Department, which open- i’d last week, will be continued this | week. Tuesday and Thursday nights, at { Columbia Heights Community Center, {when the remafning seven plays n the | tournament will be presentes | _The plays for Tuesday night include | Thomas Wood Stevens' “The Three | Wishes,” by the De Molay Masqueraders, under the divection of Chester Du Bols, with a cast including John Tegeler, John Eilbeck, Willtam Brown, Vi M Vaseo and Chester Du Bots, “The Valtant,” by Holworthy Hall and Robert Middlemass, presented by the Central Community Company, under the direction of Dent E. Connell, with Frederic J. Haskin, jr.; Frank L. Beisser, Robert M. Miller, jr.; Dorothea Lewis and John Davenport Long in the cast, and A A Milne's “Man in the Bowler Hat," presented by the Chapel Players, under the divection of Bess David Schreiner, with a cast comprising Jane Lynn, Mae Mcltwee, Ralph Keister, CGeorge Qates, Edward Eberly, Donald Mortarty and Joha Kelster ‘The program ‘Thursday night will in- olude four plays, opentng with the St Poter's Players in “Not Such A Goose, by Ellzabeth Qale, under direction of Alfred A MeGarraghy and superviston Of Father Murphy. and with a cast in- cluding Ellen Kane, Howard Smien | Catherine Davis, Robert Dillon and Ma - garet O'Connar; the Petworth Players 1 “Widows. " by Herbert Swears, divect- ed by Lanute B Taylor, with Kleanor Hmith, EMe Pattio and Lannia Taylor in the caat; "When the Whirlwind Hlows," by Essex Dane, presented by the Wamen's Otty Olub Drwna Unit, with & caat compriatng Kdith M Oviand, Edith dears and Nadine Lane Qallagher, and the Kast Washington Community Players in Lady Clregiry's “Spreading the Newa." winler the direotion of Hew Davis Bohrelner, with & cast ownprising Oharles Bdward Balley, Helon Oshmann, HOB Wibon, v BOA Qeifith, Barey K. Helwlg, Mangle Orown, Mildved Letper, Albert Hall, Bvaeat Littieton and Melvin Holwes The “four best plays” of the entie series Will be annouiced tminediately KEITH'S—Count Berni Vici, vaudeville. who present “A Breeze from Broad- Attractions in Washington Playhouses This Week D DRAMA. in “A Light from St. Agnes"— ternational Grand Opera Festi- This evening. This afternoon and (second week). vue, burlesque. This afternoon after the Thursday night performance. | These plays will be repeated at Western High auditorium Saturday, February 25. | with judges from The Star, the Post. |the News, the Times and the Herald | who will rate them according to genera. |and specific excellence of casting. direct- | ing. acting. costuming, lighting an¢ | staging. | CURRENT HISTORY—Friday. | Clara W. McQuown at her weekly talk on Current History will discuss im- | public questions—home and | portant | foreign. | Her prircipal subject will be the Eu- | ropean cartels, with special reference | to the chemical loundz.;fln and recent developments in that ustry. ! talks are given eyery Priday | morning at 11 o'clock in the ballroom | of Washingten Club, 1010° Seventeent: | Y. W. C. A. Annual Play, Friday. The business and professional wom- en’s department of the Young Women's Christian Association will present its annual play Friday and Saturday eve- nings at Barker Hall, Seventeenth and K streets. The play is Rachel Crothers 39 East.” which won great favor when presented in New York City in 19! | cast of 13 young actresses from | various departments of the Y. W. C. A will appear . headed by Lillian | Krause as Napoleon Gibbs and Eleanot | Hicks as Penelope Penn. Others arc Kathryn Pierce, Martena Tenney, Flor- i ence Sauer, Ruth A. Westergreen, Ma- | belle Boyce, Rae Grieg, E. Ruth Dab- | ney. Margaret Ringrose, Elizabeth Ro- land. Lillian Clement and Mabel Dailey “39 East” is the story of life in elgrant old home of New York C: | which has been turned. by force o circumstances, into a house for “payin and ture. all of whom are sald to be talent- ' guests.” The two performances will be in th nature of a benefit for the fund wit! which delegates are sent to the Summe conferences of the Young Women' Christian Assoelation throughout th Tickets may be had at the down town center. 614 E street, and at Twe:n tieth and B streets, as well as in th main butlding on K street. Miss Berth Pabst is in charge of arrangements. Brittany E. M. Newman's Traveltalk, pro! tllustrated. for this afterncon at National Theater. is “Normandy, Brit tany and the Chateaux.” For many years the charm of Nor mandy has attracted the tourist. 1t picturesque ancient buildings. the rar richness of its architecture. the ui situation of Mount St. Michel bine to give it an frresistible Iu 3 group of still colored and motion pie tures reveal it as a land where it is oy to wander at large in a leisurel way. In 1o other province in France, it declaréd, are such quaint costumes t be seen as in Brittany. Pont UAbde Plougastel, Pont Aven, Concorneau Quimper and many other places offe: A feast of beauty and novelty. In cluded tn this “journey” are glimpses o the famous chateaux. These lunurto abodes of kings and nobility teem witl historieal assoctations. For many the high spot i this tryy Wil be & visit to the sacred shrine | Of Listeux and Lourdes, which are vis fted annually by thousands of pilgram [ from all over the world. The skillew traveler recently photographed man scenes At both places and s dringin an exclusive collection of pictures th }-w safd to have a universal appeal Leads Sane, Simple Lie. L)NN of New Yarks famous youn, beauties {5 Loutse Mele, tudged b Annette Kellerman and Bernare Mac (adden (0 be the passessar of perfect physique. She is the stollar attractin of Count Bernt Vier's Symphonie Qirds “ .‘vrlac\\h\ revue i vaudeville this wee Radiant health and exquisite e Ao supplemented by a face af real e MRess, W WLIINE POESOIAIILY, A & Vast Amount of talent as & daner. She i endowed Ao with an extremely ploas- ng valee ‘ Miss Melox vise to stardun has dbeen frapid Thive years age she secured her st professional um{:fl‘ui A3 & e ber af the corps de I of the New Yurk Hippodroame, thence she danced her way into musical comedv and was toatured In “Princess April" and W “Mercenary Mary.™* 10 was I & mammoth eontest oo duoted at the Hippodrome tast year for & perfect physical spechmen of American mllk\id WAl Miss Mele was selecied QI AIIE SCOres OF entrants as com- pletely Allng the requirements of he \".;l"‘.h " e lor beauty seeret, - W A 3ane and simple lite, e