Evening Star Newspaper, December 30, 1928, Page 49

FLASHES BY C. E. E have reached the open season for the pickers of the “10 best of the year.” The Film Daily a periodical, makes its selections through the newspaper men of the country and it takes the yearly lead in bringing out its “Ten Best.” This writer has been asked to contribute his annual “ten.” From the Washington view- point, it would seem that the selections narrow down to about |yt was recorded by Vitaphone at | tn; 15 pictures, but of this number riter has selected “The “Four Sons,” “Street Angel,” “The Patrio! Our Danc- ing Daughters,” * se,” “Sor rel and Son,” “The King of Kings, “Laugh, Clown, Laugh” and “Sadie Thompson.” If the list included 15 instead of 10 pictures, such films as “Mother Knows Best,” “Chicago “The Man Who Laughs,” and a couple of others might be appropriately added. The list of 10 selected gives the Fox Co. of producers quite a show- ing for the year. Three of the| pictures—"Sunrise,” “Four Sons and “Street Angel”—came from the Fox studios. “Sorrel and Son” | was made by United Artists, the| same company producing the| Chaplin picture, “The Circus,” | “Laugh, Clown, Laugh” and “Our | Dancing Daughters” were pro-| duced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer. | “The Patriot,” the Emil Jannings | picture, was made by Paramount. | The First National Co. produced | “Lilac Time,” and Pathe brought | out “Chicago.” “Mother Knows Best” is a_ work from the Fox studios. All the titles submitted to the newspaper judges by Film Daily are actual releases by dis- | tributors from the period of De- cember 1, 1927, to December 1, 1928. When the votes are counted within a short time, Film Daily will announce the “Ten Best.” * & %% N making a selection of the best | pictures of the year—whether this writer makes the selection, or you do the work yourself—you will probably notice the absence of many of the “big movie names” | eonnected with the pictures se-| lected. Mary Pickford and Doug Fairbanks are not represented.| John Barrymore is among the| missing, and there are many| others_who receive little atten- tion. In a way, this reveals the| fact that the big stars do not make the big pictures. Janet| Gaynor, practically a newcomer to | the photoplay a year ago, is an| outstanding actress in a list of | the best for the past year. Of)] course, Charlie Chaplin deserves | credit for his work in “The| Circus.” Emil Jannings is well| represented in “The Patriot,” and | Gloria Swanson was the star of | “Sadie Thompson.” Lon Chane} almost reached the peak of his movie career in “Laugh, Clown, Laugh.” XN % THERE is a trade-wide, if not a Nation-wide, interest in the| new name for the “talkies.” The Exhibitors Herald and Motion Pic- ture World started the ball rolling for a new name, claiming the word “talkies” did not have the dignity it should possess for a new art. The name~‘audien” was sug- gested, and this is meeting with considerable favor among the fans and producers. The public has steadfastly held to the name “movies,” although the term has never been accepted by the pro-| ducers; so it may be that no matter what name is selected for the sound pictures, “talkies” will remain with us. Among the names mentioned are “cinelog,” “dramaphone,” “pic- tovox,” “photophone,” “stefnfilm,” “cineoral,” “phonies,” ‘“cino-| phone,” “audifilm” and “voca- film.” It is said that “the new name must be fair and honorable, | meaningful, trim and neat, and at the same time as comfortable as slang.” * ¥ % THE screen work of Theodore Roberts, “the grand old man of the photoplay,” will live after him. The star passed away in| Hollywood a few days ago, the entire motion picture colony join- ing in a tribute at his grave. Roberts won a high place on. the American stage before he joined the photoplay world about 16 years ago as a character actor.| Cecil de Mille called him “one of | the six masters of screen tech- nique,” and he had a life contract with the Paramount organization. ‘The names of the screen plays in which Roberts appeared are legion, but among his outstand- | ing successes were “Old Wives for New,” “Male and Female,” “Every ‘Woman,” “The Affairs of Ana-| tole,” “Miss Lulu Bett,” “The Old Homestead” and “The Ten Com- mandments.” He had just com- leted a role in “Noisy Neighbors” or the Pathe when he was stricken with influenza. Roberts was one of the best known mem- | bers of the West Coast film colony, | and he was one of the most | sought-after character actors. g A NOTHER musical comedy, a big | Broadway success, is going! into the movies. This time it is! “Rio Rita,” the screen rights of | which have been purchased from | Florenz Ziegfeld by Joseph I.| Schnitzer, newly elected presi- dent of F. B. O, an organization | which is affiliated with Radio- Keith-Orpheum. The musical | comedy will be transferred to the screen with its songs and dialogue intact. The original “Rio Rita”| cast, headed by Etheling Terry| and J. Harold Murray, will play and sing the leading roles. As a stage production, the musical| comedy played for 62 weeks on Broadway. capacity audiences in Chicago. o2 e TH FROM THE 5| A | coast of Holland. The story was | Among those in the cast are Hohn | It is now playing to| SCREEN with the Brunswick-Balke-Col- lender Co. for years. * Xk * X ND the movies are also going into college and school life. Douglas Fairbanks, president of the Academy of Motion Picture | Arts and Sciences, announces that | the first of a series of talking pic- ture addresses planned for the use of colleges and other educa- tional institutions has been com- pleted by Milton Sills, the actor. NELSON. |the Warner Brothers studio and| will be given its first public re-| production during the National Convention of Teachers of Speech | | in Chicago. | The Sills speech in its recorded | form marks a new departure in| educational methods and in the ‘(-n‘(-ul:\llun of public addresses. The speech also inaugurates an |important program which the |academy has had in preparation | for some time for active co-opera- tion with the higher educational institutions of the country. Cruze | * % I)IRECTORS Lubitsch, ze | and Howard completed big| pictures during the past week.| After shooting hundreds of thou- sands of feet of film, Lubitsch an- nounces that he is at the end of | “King of the Mountains,” starring John Barrymore. The director! has also completed the titling and | editing. Camilla Horn plays the| leading feminine role in _this| spectacular romance of the Swiss Alps, and another actress in the cast is Mona Rica, Lubitsch's Mexican “discovery.” Among those with supporting roles are Hobart Bosworth, Bodil Rosing, Victor Varconi and Evelyn Selbie. Janet Gaynor’s new Fox pic- ture, “Christina,” has been com- pleted by Director William K.| Howard. Charles Morton has the leading male role, and others in| the cast are Rudolph Schildkraut, Harry Cording and Lucy Dor- raine. One of the largest set- tings ever constructed, an entire Dutch village, was used in the filming of the story. The locale is the Island of Marken, off the| written by Tristram Tupper. | Eleanor Boardman has the lead- ing role in “She Goes to War,” just completed by Director Cruze. The Inspiration picture, which will have sound and voice accompani- ment, was written by Rupert Hughes and will elorify the| woman’s side of the World War.| Holland, Alma Rubens, Al St. John | and Margaret Seddon. * ¥ * Short Flashes. JPATHE'S initial venture in the | field of 100 per cent talking; pictures, “The Missing Man,” was completed last week. It is a mys- tery melodrama, which was a stage success in several countries. “High Voltage” has been de- cided upon as an unsuitable story Co. has arranged to star him in another picture, “Flying Fool.” Marie Prevost and Boyd were to have been co-stars in “High Voltage.” | Lorraine DuVol has the leading | feminine role in the new Reginald Denny picture, “His Lucky Day.” Monte Blue’'s new picture, “From Headguarters,” has been| completed at the Warner Brothers studio. It is another Marine Corps story, based upon, adven- tures in Central America. Henry B. Walthall, one of the pioneer mtl)vie actors, has a supporting role. i Mary Pickford has started work in her initial talking picture ef- fort, “Coquette.” John Gales has| been recruited from the speaking stage for the leading male role. June Collyer has signed a new contract with the Fox Co., and she will be starred in “Big Time,” pro- | duction starting this month. John Gilbert is assured three square meals a day, even if his salary was not raised by the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer organiza- tion. It is reported that the star wanted an increase of $5,000 per week, but that he signed a new five-year contract for the lowly sum of only $5,000 each Saturday | night. Eligibles for the list of Wampas Baby Stars this year include such names 2s Raquel Torres, Nora Lane, Kathryn Crawford, Helen Twelvetrees, Inez Marion, Doris Hill, Florence Dudley, Gertrude Messenger, Lucile Powers, Doris Dawson, Betty Egan and Mary Doran. All these young players have done quite well during the past year. For Winter Wear [ESE are the days of big moves in all sorts of business, and the photoplay being left behind. people are not The Radio Corporation of America has ab- sorbed the Victor Talking Ma- chine Ci and the deal linking the properties places their value at $16,000,000. The transaction is another step in the efforts of R. C. A. to become dominant in the| amusement field. The power of the radio company gives it .. hand | in every branch of popular enter-| tainment, for it controls the Na- tional Broadcasting Co., R. C. A. for William Boyd, and the Pathe|J i in Dumbarton e portii3e munter. Comedy. THE SUNDAY Advises Jtage-Struck Girls. l LUCILE WEBSTER GLEASON, fa- mous actress wife of James Glea- son, tells of the many letters she re- ceives asking how to get on the stage. “Because I am older,” she says, “the girls write very frankly to me, telling me their ambitions and desires.” Here is her advice, given to all the girls: “You must have a good education. Take advantage of your school oppor- tunities and complete at least a high school course before you consider leav- ing home. “Stidy French if possible, but by all means perfect your English and en- large your vocabulary. “Dancing and singing are most help- ful. I know of one actress who gained her first opportunity on the New York stage because she could play a harp. “Never miss a chance to learn any- ing—it will all be useful some time. “Prepare to work harder than you would have to in any other profession. You will sit in cold theaters to rehearse and suffer exhaustion when in stock. I have gone to sleep on the stage from sheer weariness during my stock com- pany da; “Expect to reach Broadway in 10 vears—if you are lucky. ceive about one-fourt you hear that an actress gets. Most of this goes to pr agents, etc. But most of all, prepare yourself to go into some other kind of work, for only one in a thousand succeeds on the stage, and unless you can earn a living other- wise, you will have a difficult time.” Lucile Webster Gleason worked for 23 years on the stage bofore she had a leading role—“Shannons of Broad- way.” She made a great success, how- ever, when her chance did come. of the salary JPUTTING to shame the celebrated one -armed paperhanger, Colleen Moore is building three houses at once. And all this construction activity done in her spare time, for she is busy most of the day at the First National Studio on_her newest picture. One of her houses is a 14-room home in the exclusive Bel-Air district of Los Angeles, which she and her husband, John McCormick, purchased in an un- finished state. Another is a beach cot- tage at Zuma, 50 miles up the Southern California Coast from Hollywood. The third is a new doll house, a castle in miniature, which is occupying the at- tention of half-a-dozen skilled work- men. Miss Moore and Mr. McCormick re- cently secured a threc-acre estate upon which a retired Chicago business man was constructing a spacious Spanish home as a residence for himself. It so exactly suited the young motion picture couple that they offered to buy it, and now thay are building some original ideas into it. A sound synchronized pro- jection room, in which they will be court, swimming pool, barbeque pits and extensive gardens are among the fea- tures of their new home. The beach cottage, still in the blue- print stage, adjoins property owned by William Moore in “Synthetic Sin.” The new doll castle is not a Christ mas notion, but will supplant the pres ent tiny building that houses Mis Moore's amazing collection of miniature furnishings. It will be the sixth Lil- liputian structure she has had, for she has enjoyed this hobby for scveral years It will include 12 rooms, two baths w practical plumbing, a tiny chapel with chimes in the bell tower, a library full scores of other interesting features, built to_the scale of an inch to the foot. The entire house will be approximate- ly 9 feet square. Forsook Society for Films. UNE COLLYER again comes through _with-a big role as well in “Red Wine,” which is described by Fox Films as a tragi-comedy pleture of modern life among the younger married set. When a little more than a year ago an admiring friend suggested that June Collyer meet Allan Dwan, the motion picture director, then in New York, she eagerly consented, feeling that to take part in a movie would be a pleasant in- terluce from the usual round of parties and teas. She was then known as Dorothea Heermance, daughter of a wealthy lawyer and granddaughter of Dan Collyer, famous stage comedian. As a result, she was given the role of the society girl in that picture and made such an excellent impression that a long term contract was offered. Few girls would have hesitated to accept, but Miss Collyer did, for it meant giving up an assured social po-' sition in New York society in exchange for the grind of studio work and the necessity of living far away from her heme and friends. But the lure of act- ing was so inbred that, much thrilled and excited over her new adventure, June Collyer and her mother were soon on their way to Hollywood. Since that time she has rapidly mounted the rungs of movie fame, Sunday WEEK_OF DECEMBER 30 Expect to re- | able to show talking pictures; a tennis | A. Seiter, who directed Miss | of books with miscroscopic type and | STAR, WASHINGTON, MISS DORO Lew Hearn, Roger Grey and Libby Holman have been engaged for Ned ‘Waybuirn' ‘Gambols.” The revue was shown in Pittsburgh last week, and i scheduled for Broadway tomorrow night. A play called “Sin-Tax,” the work of Harold M. Sherman and Leonard Wood, is scheduled for production by George H. Reynolds. Jane Meredith will have a leading role. “Sin-tax" is described as an emotional ‘drama of the tropics. ‘The Charles Frohman Corporation announces that it would produce this season a comedy called “It's the Cli- mate,” by John C. Brownell. Wallace Ford may appear in it. Levey is to desert pres for that of play produc- ing. His. first show will be “The Town’s Woman,” from the pen of Martin Mooney and Thomson Burtis. | It was given a try-out last Summer. Barn agent buxine: productions this scason at his New York house. One is to be “Uncle Vanya,” by Ann Chekov, and the other is to be a play by Jacinto Benevente, only three of whose works have been presented in this country. | | i Norman Cannon, author of “He Walked in Her Sleep,” which William Caryl plans for a January production, has been added to the cast of that play. “Heartbreak Street,” a play by Sonia Ivanoff and Desmond Gallagher, is scheduled for production in February by Clarke Painter, Inc. Robert Whittier, 0 last season e~ vived Strindberg’s “The Father” for a brief engagement in New York, an- nounces a production of Ibsen's “The League of Youth” early in January. Peggy Joyce and her play, “The Lady of the Orchids,” failed to please the New York public and was withdrawn last night. A. E. Anson announces that David Belasco has accepted his resignation to be released from the cast of “Mima.” The resignation will take effect next Friday. Mr. Anson plays the leading role in support of Lenore Ulric. His successor has not yet been secured. “East of Sunrise,” a play by Evan J. David, will be produced in New York the latter part of January. Bar- bara Bulgakov and Eiliott Rothe will appear in the principal roles. A. L. Erlanger has purchased the Orpheum Theater in San Francisco. It Monday Tuesday D.. C. DECEMBER BILLED AS “THE MOST BEAUTIFUL” ‘Walter Hampden is preparing for two | THY KNAPP, Here and there advertised at “the most beautiful girl in the world,” who has a part in the Earl Carroll production, “Fioretta.” Photograph by Alfred Cheney Johnston. IN THE SPOTLIGHT Notes of the Stage and Its People. will be called the Erlanger Theater when it rcopens next Autumn after | many alterations and will be the sev- enth house to bear the Erlanger name. “The Street Wolf,” a melodrama by Hyman Adler and Edward A. Paulton, is announced to open in New York next Tuesday night. Among those in the cast will be Mabel Bunyea, Peg O'Con- | nor and Grace Durkin. Mr. Adler, who is producing “The Street Wolf,” is co= producer of “Skidding,” now running in New York. “Serena Blandish,” S. N. Behrman's | dramatization of the anonymous novel | of the same name, will be presented by Jed Harris January 23 in New York. In the principal roles will be Ruth | Gordon, A. E. Matthews and Constance Collier. The Broadway opening date of the Ina Claire play, “The Gaoler's Wench," previously called “The Lady of New- gate,” has Been postponed until January 8. The play is now being shown in Brooklyn. Producer Richard -Herndon is spon- soring two productions scheduled to open in New York next month. The first one will be “Gypsy,” a play by Maxwell Anderson, due January 7, and the second offering will be a comedy by ‘Thomas P. Robinson, called “Daylight Saving,” in which Aline MacMahon will appear in the chief role. Arthur Lewis, who has many friends in Washington and is now playing in success, completes 60 years oo the in London at the Drury Lane in 1868 and his Broadway debuf was in 1885. Musical Comé‘dia;ls Drafted. ICHARD “SKEETS” GALLAGHER, late star of C. B. Dillingham’s “Lucky” and “The City Chap” and familiar to picture audiences as the drunken reporter in “The Racket,” ar- rived in Hollywood last week to join the cast of the new Charles “Buddy” Rogers picture. The film, as yet untitled, is adapted from “Close Harmony,” a story of the stage by Elsie Janis and Gene Markey. Jack Oakie, also a former musical comedy and vaudeville favorite, will be teamed with Gallagher in a song and dance team in the picture. Nancy Car- roll will play the feminine lead. The picture will be an all-dialogue production with synchronized musical accompaniment, and will be directed by John Cromwell. Wednesday Thursday “Potiphar’s Wife,” a recent New York‘ stage this month., He made his debut| B 30, 1928—PART 4. One's Rating of Oneself. HOLLYWOOD, the wicked, is turning reformer, and is now sending out lessons in deportment, if not religion. Hollywood has discovered that the world will never think more of any one than he thinks of himself. And | arguing from this premise, Alfred | santell of the Hollywood motion pic- ture colony, director of Vilma Banky, | ventures the suggestion that it is the | duty of every man to dress up to his | own_opinion of himself. “The best dressed men in the world,” says Santell, “will be found in Holly- wood. They surpass even the punctilious New Yorkers, for it is absolutely neces- | sary, if fortune, and perhaps fame, are to follow his footsteps, the screen actor must have an extensive wardrobe of street clothes; nor must he overlook the type and quality of his dressing gown, his sport clothes, and particularly his dinner costume.” | he says. | “Men and women, in the first analy | form their opinion of a man by h | dress and poise. And this goes in the | producing departments where they em- loy players. & “Inpcunscquence," he says, “the Hollv- wood man, instead of being either flashily, or shabbily, dressed, is im- | maculately and perfectly groomed, so | that when out of the picture he will | Took as well as he does at his best in it. | If he doesn't, he simply disappears. & i |Receive Mi fiions of‘ Letters. ,TH!RTY-THREE persons in Holly- | wood, it is claimed, receive more | mail than any other group of egual | number in the world. They are the tars and featured players under con- tract to Paramount. They are said to receive an average of 10,000 letters a day, 250,000 a month, 3,000,000 a year. | Their mail is delivered to a post office 10 by 15 feet in size—probably the busiest 150 square feet in the country. Paramount, it is explained, because of its contract players, receives more mail than any other firm or individual of the West. P. B, O'Brien, postmaster of Los Angeles, is said to verify this statement. O'Brien doubts if the rec- ord is equaled by any other receiver of mail in the country, except, perhaps, one of the national mail order firms. The Paramount players receive mail from all parts of the world. Collectors of cotemporary stamps could soon complete an album from the envelopes delivered. The chief recipient of mail is Clara Bow, the girl who made “It” a house- "hold word around the globe. Miss Bow, it is said, receives almost 40,000 letters a month. Srassscige oty Suits on Credit Win. DOLPHE MENJOU. ascribes his success in motion pictures to the purchase, while penniless, of six ex- pensive suits of clothes. It happened in Hollywood. Menjou, graduate of Culver Military Academy and of the Cornell University School of Engineering, had found New York theatrical and screen work difficult when he attempted to pick up the thread of his career following the war. He decided there were opportunities in Hollywood. Arriving in the film capital he called upon its leading tailor and before leaving had arranged for the making of six suits—on ecredit. Menjou was not always prosperous in those days, but he always had the ap- pearance of prosperity. Things began to pick up. He looked like a winner. ‘Ten-dollar-a-day “bits” became a part of the past. His first real break came when he was selected to play the King in Dougl: Fairbanks’ “The Three Musketeers. The next big chance was the leading role in Charles Chaplin’s ‘A Woman of Paris.” This picture made him, to all intents and purposes, a star, introduc- ing the character he has made famous, the sophisticated, polished man of the world, whose. nature still includes a sense of humor and human under- tanding. | Billic to Give Thrills. | RILLIE DOVE, despite her beauty, which ought to be sufficient to carry any picture regardless of story, is. going to undertake several highly censational chances in her new picture, “The Man and the Moment,” for the sake of the thrills. This is an_ Elinor Glyn story of so- ciety, and calls for a heroine who can fly an airplane, dive from a considerable height, and drop from a ship's port- hole. 'Not only this, but Billie is re- quired to fall twice apparently with a plane into the ocean. Also she is go- ing to be swept out of a broken glass swimming tank. Miss Dove's accomplishments in sports have been largely acquired since her entry into the motion pictures. She has already learned to swim, ride and play tennis and golf. It remained for the Glyn story to suggest added stunts of a highly sensational nature for the First National Picture, and Miss Dove didn't object. It keeps one very busy holding a ‘whimsical public. Photop_lays at’ Washington Théaters This Week Friday Saturday Milton_Sills_in "Th:NBlrker." Ambassad’r o Milton _Sills i} il s i ton Sills i Notma Talmadge 1o ‘The Woman e ws. Disputed.” Comedy. Comedy. Norma “Th John Gilbert in “Masks of the Devil.” News. Talmadge 10 e Woman Disputed.” Comedy. Comedy. - Monte Blue in “White Shadows of the South Seas.” Comedy. Trell McDonald in he Cop.” Richard Bennett and Doris Kenyon in “The Home Towners.” News. Variety. Comeds. Apollo Ave. Grand “Th W. G h's e Bettle of the es."” Sex Krazy Kot_cartoon. __Kr: Cameo Do, Mt. Rainier. Md. Dorothy Mackaill and Dor 2 Jack Carolina = od La Rocque in “‘Love Over Night." Central Chevy Cha. s T Comedy. “Colleen Moore n “Oh, Kay.” Comedy. Ril Ric D News. Variety. Comeds. D. W. Griffith’s “The Hattle of the s, Doris Kenyon and “The Hq Comedy. hard Rennett and John_ Gilbert oris Kenyon e Home Towners." n n “Masks of the Devil” “Masks of the Devil." Comedy. Comedy. John Gilbert cna‘ms' Rogers n “Some One to Love." Mermaid_comedy Florence Vidor in “The Mngnificent ‘A Romance of the Flirt.” Underwnrld.; News. rt. Comedy. Comedy. Colleen Moore in “oh, Kay.” ex azy_Kat_carfoon Comedy Colleen Moore Florence Vidor in in “The Masnificent rt Serial. Edmund Lowe in “A Romance of the Underworld.” News. _Comedy Charles Rogers and Serial. ell in Colleen Mool “Oh. Kay. Comed Pathe News. Helen Foster in “Road to Ruin." Comeds. Fox New: Helen Foster in “Road to Rutn.” e ckford in Mat.. Tom “Gang War." “Tyrant of Red Gulch" Night, “How to’ Han- e 5 Seria) Comedy. _Review. omen."” Colleen Moore and Gary Cooer in “Lilac_Tim othy Mackaill and Jack Mulhall n “Water Front.” "Rod La Rocaue i “Love Over Night. opics of the Day. News. Comedy. Afleen Pringle and George Bancroft and Lew Cody Evelyn Brent velone."” “The Drag_Net." 1 Mix Rod La Rocaue fn in " “A Hogseman of the “'Capt. Swageer.’ William Boyd Doris Kenvon in “Power.” “The Home Towners." Radiograms. Snapshots. Comedy. Review. Comedy. "Dorothy_ Mackalil chard Bennelt in i fome Towners. » Oddity. ..~ Doris Kenvon in Conrad Nagel and May MrAvoy in “Caught in_the Fog.” Comedy._Sport reel, ‘The_Home Towners.” Radiograms. Snapshots. edy. Lillian Gish Griffith’s in ttle of the “Wind.” es.” Comedy. D. W, *The Baf Sexes Krazy Kat cartoon. May McAvoy and e, Conrad Nagel in “Caught in the Fog.” Comedy. Circle Irene and William Collier, Jr.. in Fred Thomson in “Kit Ci arson.” e ‘omen They Talk About.” Wallace Beery Charles Rogers and Mary Brian in ‘The Begears of Life.” Serial. Belle Bennett and Neil Hamilton in fother Machree.” omedy Belle Bennett and Neil Hamilton in “Mother Machree.” Comeds. Monte Blve in “WhitegShadows of the South Seas.” Arthur”Lake coniedy. Colony Alice White “Show Girl.” _ Comedy. Colleen Moore n “Oh, Kay." Comedly. “8ilks and Saddle. New: Alice Day and Matt Moore in “Phyllis of the Follies." Collegiates. Rin-Tin-Tin n “Land of the Silver Fox.” Marion Nixon in D W. Grifith's “The Battle of the Sexes.” WS, Comedy. cartoon. Syd Chaplin Dor, Sea Wilton Sills and Dorls Kenyon in “Burning Daslight.” Com othy Sebastian and at O'Malley in ““The’ House of andal.” _Comedy. MadEe Bellamy and “Mother Knows Best." Wallace Beery ~ Wi iz Bovd in n ‘Beggars of Life.” News. Madge Bollamy and Louise Dresser_in “Mother Knows Best.” ‘omedy. uise Dresser in Comedy’ “Our Dan Elite “Our Dancing Daughters. Fox_ News. Ton Chanev in “While the City eaps.”" Holy_reel. Comedy. Gary Cooper and ay_Wray_in “The First Ki Comedy. _ News Johnny Hines In ‘The Wright Idea.” Metro oddity. Color_classic. Belle Bennett and William vV n “The Deyil's “Dog Justice.” Mark.”_Nexs. Comedy. Bebe Danfels in, “Take Me Home." Sport reel. Comedy. Ken M d “The Red Ralders.” Comedy. Serlal. Towell Sherman and Lo Dorothy Mackaill in Convoy."" Empire Dorothy Mackaill in ‘Convoy.” Richard Dix in “Moran of the Marines.” Review. _Comedy. well Sherman and John Barrymore ““Tempest." Comedy. Fox News. Hoot Gibson in “Riding for Fame.” Comedy. Serial. Teatrice .oy in “Tropic Madness."” Toots and Casper comedy. Eric von Stroheim and Fay Wray in “The Wedding March.” Cartoon. Hip’odrome i Eric and John Gilbert n “Four Walls.” Subsidiary reels Stroheim Fay Wray in e Wedding March.” Cartoo; Vilma Banky and Ronald Colman in “Two Lovers.” News. Home Harry Langdon in ‘"Three's a_Crowd.” News reel. Great, Charlie Murray in “Flying Rome Dorothy Mackaill in “The Whip." Comedy. Clive Brooke and William Powell in “Forgotten Faces.” Comedy. _Serial Colleen Moore in “Lilac Time. Cartoon. Jack Holt in “The Vanishing Ploneer.” Comedies. Sp. L D W. Grifith’s “The Baftle of the R ance News. _Comedy. Kenvon and Bennett in Dor| Richard “The Home Towners.” Oddity. . Comedy Louise Fazenda_in Fred Thomson Five and Ten Cent- in nrie. “Kit Carson. ort_reel. Comedies Comedie: John Gilbert in “Four Walls.” Sport reel. Comedies. _Serfal. John_Barrymore in “The Tempest." Holy reel. _Gang_comedy. ‘artoon. Lillian Gish in “The Wind."” Comedy. Comedy. Jack Mulhall and Dorothy Mackaill in “Water Front." Comedy. Hoot Gibson in ‘The Flyirg Cowboy." Comedy. Serial. Dorothy Mackaill and Dor 11 Sherman in Lowell Sherman in “Convoy.” Richard Dix_in “Moran of the ‘Marines.” News.__Com othy Mackaill and vy News. _Ca Richard Dix_in el and “Moraq of, the Janet Gaynor in Marines.” “The Street Angel.” Aesop_Fable. rines. 5. Comedy. Edith Roberts in “The Man From Headguarters.” Comedy._Serial. Tom Tyler in “The Tyrant of Red Guleh.” Comeds. Clara Bow in, i, « “The Fleet's I Comedy. New . ara Bow in n, i e Fleet's In.’ “The Cireus.” Comedy. Vaydeville, News Cl Charlie Ghapli “The e Skeets Gollagher Tn “The Circus.” “Stocks ard Blondes” Vadeville, artoon. News. Scenic. _ News. arner Baxter in “Danger Street.” Comedy. New Colleen Moore n Savoy Colleen Moore Glenn Tryon In “How to Handle ‘Women.” in “Oh, Kay.” medy. New: Dorothy Max Lowell Shes ““Con! afll and rman in VoY 5. Fal Grawiord in “Our Dancing Daughters.” Oswald_cartoon. Sammy Cohen Tn “‘Homesick." Technicolor Teel. Comedy. ‘Underwor Snashots. “Alr Circus.” Gang_romedy. News. Takoma ineds. Ronald Colman and Vilma Banky in “Two Lovers."” Comedy._Grent_event. Junior_cast”in “Air Circus.” Gang_comedy. Nows. Cor .. Ronald i Colman and anky in Lovers.” {lma 1 Great_event. George Bancroft in “Docks qf New York.” “Two medy. ‘Buster Keaton n “Steamboat Bill. Jr.”" Heart to Heart.” George Bancroft in ‘Docks of New York.” John Gilbert in JOAN CRAWFORD, Shows her new coat of nary ermine. Photophone, Inc, and is allied|y¢ is said that the canary ermines with the Radio-Keith-Orpheum | (whatever they are) were imported from | York Qo_rplog_gigq. 1t has had contracts! Switzerland especially for Joan's coat, — - N “Masks of {he Devil” (synchronized). New: Cartoon. Variety re Tivoli 5 o “Masks of the Devi Cartoon. John Gilbert in “Uncle Tom's Cabin" nchronized). (synchronized). Variet: Ne “Uncle Tom's Richard Dix_in “Moran of_the Marines.” ~ News. r edv. Cabin” (synchronized). 5. .. Com Billy Dove_in ‘Adoration”_(synchro- nized). News. Comady. Vitaplione reel. Serial. “Say It With Sables.” ‘Lo Truxton ves of an Actress.” “The Opening Night.” “The_Tragedy of “Four Walls. Youth.” “Warming Up.” “Heart Trouble.”_ s D. W. Grifith's ¥ “The Battle of the - Sexes." i t = Cartoons “White Shadows of Arthur Lake comedy. Monte_Blue Doris Kenyon and Richard Bennett in “The Home Towners." Comedy. News. Variety, oy in he South Seas Col Richard Bennett in “The Ho) Doris Kenvon and Trene Rich and Warner Baxter in “Craig's Wife.” me Towners.” s Lupino Lane comedy, medy, News. Variety, Dorathy Mackaill in ““The Whip."" Christie Chorus Girl comedy. ‘There’s a reason, | Tyler i | Photoplays ”» B This Week IN PHOTOPLAY THEATERS THIS WEEK. METROPOLITAN—“On Trial.” PALACE—“West of Zanzibar.” EARLE—“The Barker.” FOX—“Red Wine.” evening. LITTLE THEATER—“Napoleon. METROPOLITAN—“On Trial.” New York critics hailed the stage play “On Trial” as a brilliant condensation of the most dramatic elements of a score of famous murder trials when it began its 46-week run on Broadway. For the first time it introduced the “flash-back,” previously used only in the movies. It was found particularly suitable for Vitaphone adaptation by talking special with an all-star cast, head 1 by Pauline Frederick, Bert Ly- tell and Lois Wilson, and including Holmes Herbert, Jason Robards, Frank- lin Pangborn, Johnny Arthur, Richard Tucker, Edward Martindel, Fred Kel- sey, Vondell Darr and Edmund Breese. The play opens in court on the first day of a murder trial. The accused, friend and debtor of the victim, has confessed to the crime. The timony secretary, of the prisoner’s little daugh- ter, of his wife and of the doctor who examined the dead man gradually un- folds the dramatic story of love, hate, trust, deceit, strength, weakness and honor. Not til] the final gripping mo- ment is the sofution clear. The supplementary features will be the latest issue of the Metropolitan Topical Review and a synchronized Aesop fable, “Stage Struck.” PALACE—“West of Zanzibar.” Lon Chaney as Dead Legs Flint in “West of Zanzibar,” a Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer sound picture, is the screen at- traction at Loew’'s Palace this week. In it Chaney is supported by Lionel Barrymore, Warner Baxter and Mary Nolan. The picture, set in a surround- ing of stark terror, introduces Chaney first as a stage magician. When the man who robs him of his wife injures him in a fight, he sets forth, paralyzed, to trail his enemy across the world, planing a fearful revenge. The chase takes him into the African jungles, where the fugitive has gone as an ivory trader, and in these grim jungles is said to be unfolded one of the strangest, most gripping pieces of stark drama ever seen on the screen. On the stage Wesley Eddy and the Palace Syncopators will be presented in John Murray Anderson's “presenta- tion” of color, beauty, melody and com- edy called “The Magic Rug,” and fea- turing Burns and Kissen, Emilie and sz§nalne, Harry Johnson and the Foster girls. Added attractions include the Fox Movietone News, the M-G-M News and the Palace Orchestra, under Harry Borjes. EARLE—“The Barker.” First National's picturization of “The Barker,” famous stage play by Kenyon Nicholson, will be the fea- tured screen attraction at the Earle Theater this week. “The Barker,” it is announced, has | everything to appeal to the public in its talking version, and its emotional effect is said to be greatly heightened by its dialogue, the synchronization of music and the street carnival cries and sounds. Heading the cast is Milton Sills in the title role. Dorothy Mackaill is co- starred as Lou, the amateur vamp; Betty Compson is cast as Carrie, the hula dancer, and Douglas Fairbanks, jr, as the Barker’s son. Others in- clude John Irwin, George Cooper, Sylvia Ashton and One-eyed Connolly, the gate-crashing gentus. The auxiliary features will include a_ new two-reel Hal Roach comedy, “Feed 'Em and Wecep,” featuring Max | Davidson, and the house features, in- | cluding the specially compiled Earle | Topical Review. FOX—“Red Wine.” His first starring vehicle under the new contract with William Fox will bring Conrad Nagel to the Fox Theater today in “Red Wine.” The picture, de- scribed as an exceptionally brilliant comedy, concerns a very good, a very sedate and a very loving husband, who always stuck close to his wife. His pleasures were always shared with her, and then he starts, with no intention of that starting, to make whoopee. Others in the cast include June Collyer, Arthur Stone and Margaret La Marr. On the stage a diversificd program will be offered under the title “Jewels.” Those participating include Nancy | Decker of musical comedy, Sammy Kreloff, dancer; Gomez and Winona, adagio artists; Leo Prince, accordion- ist, and Pheo Pennington, who will be featured in a special singing number with the orchestra: the Neil Sisters, three charming young girls with a pi- ano, and the 12 Fox Xylophonettes, a new group of dancing girls. ‘The Fox Orchestra will offer famed melodies of Chopin as its overture, while the Fox Movietone News will complete the program. COLUMBIA—“A Woman of Affairs.” John Gilbert and Greta Garbo in “A | When It’s Wet 2 it ANITA PAGE, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer player, shows her own invention, a hoop-effect around the bottom of the raincoat to catch the drip, Warner Bros. and was made into an all- | of the widow, of the slain man’s private | This afternoon and evening. ‘This afternoon and evening. This afternoon and evening. This afternoon and evening. COLUMBIA—“A Woman of Affairs.” This afternoon and " This afternoon and evening. ‘Woman of Affairs” continue at Loew's Columbia for their second week. The picture, adapted from a story by Michael Arlen, boasts of an all-star cast, which includes Lewis Stone, Ho- bart Bosworth, Dorothy Sebastian, Douglas Fairbanks, jr., and John Mack Brown. The story concerns an irre- sponsible, vivacious girl with whom the character Gilbert impersonates is in love. His father persuades him not to marry the girl because he believes she will ruin the young man’s future, and he takes his father’s advice and marries another girl, while his real sweetheart marries her brother’s ideal. When this ideal is revealed to her for what he is, she keeps silent rather than tell her brother the truth. She mixes in the fast set of Continental society. When she is ill her recreant lover visits her and finds he loves her as much as ever. He is ready to sacrifice his home and wife, but she sends him back. The pic- ture reaches its climax on the eve of a proposed elopement when she restores him to his family. Vincent Lopez of orchestral fame makes the piano respond to his touch in a_Metro Movietons act. Harry Rose, the Broadway jester; Van and Schenck, the Capitolians and Grace Rogers ap- pear in a Metro Movietone revue. The Fox Movietone News, the M-G-M News and a Thematic prelude by the Colum- bia orchestra complete the bill. LITTLE THEATER—"“Napoleon.” The changing spectacle of one of the most fascinating periods of history is | presented in ‘“Napoleon,” the feature picture which the Motion Picture Guild brings to the Little Theater today for a one-week engagement. Produced on th: actual historical locations in France and Corsica, with Albert Dieudonne in the title role, and with a mammoth company of players, “Napoleon” is said to present an entirely new dramatic version of the life of the great French Emperor. According to the Motion Picture Guild, it deals more with the spirit and temperament of the famous gen- eral himself than with hackneyed his- torical situations. While many of the great experiences in Napoleon's life are presented, such as his love for Jose- phine, his adventures in the Italian campaign, etc., it is claimed that they are incidental to a profound study of the character of the man himself. “Napoleon” was directed by Abel Gance, the noted French director, and is said to be the first film ever to have been honored by being shown in the National Opera, in Paris. Also it brings to the screen many new technical and photographic beauties for which the European studios are noted. This week's program at the Little Theater will present also another film from Europe, a novel scenic entitled “Ice Palaces”; a rare old screen relic in the form of one of Charlie Chaplin's | early comedies, and other unusual sud- | jects. Coming Attractions NATIONAL—“Fioretta.” Earl Carroll, famous for his Earl Car- roll Vanities, will present the newest and greatest production of his theatrical career, “Fioretta,” a romantic Venetian musical comedy, music and lyrics by George Bagby and G. Romilli, book by Clifton Andrews, at the National Theater next week, beginning Sunday night, January 6. His cast, it is declared, is one of the greatest ever assembled for a musical comedy. He has four big stars. They are Leon Errol, Fannie Brice, Lionel Atwill and Tessa Kosta. Also promi- nent are Dorothy Knapp, “the world's most beautiful girl”; George Houston, Theo Karle, Jay Brannan, Giovanni Gurrieri, Arcady BPytler, Charles How- ard, Snow and Columbus and the Lo- cust Sisters. The locale of “Pioretta” is Venice with its beautiful buildings, the canal, the carnivals and the gayety .of the eighteenth century, which gives many oppo:tunities for novel and gorgeous scenic effects. The costumes will be exact duplicates of the period, some of them being designed from originals worn by royalty. To make certain that “Fioretta” will be a well dressed show three of the greatest theatrical cos- tumers have designed the costumes. ‘The chorus girls, it is announced, will be the highest paid chorus in the his- tory of show business. The minimum salary is $75 weekly and salaries run up the scale to $350 weekly. Ten girls receiving this amount are known as “The Beauty Chorus,” employed in a gorgeous scene in which a beauty con- test takes place, the feature of many Venetian carnivals of the eighteenth century. “Fioretta” is in 2 acts, 10 scenes in each act. LeRoy Prinz staged the dances. This is his first Broadway pro- duction. He comes from Chicago, where he was quite the sensation. The sets are designed by Clark Robinson, who designs the sets for the Roxy Theater and did the now famous Music Box Revues. BELASCO—“Hit the Deck.” Washington will have the distinction of being the first city in the country to have the privilege of seeing last sea- | son’s_great Broadway musical hit, “Hit the Deck,” at stock prices. Charles Emerson Cook, director of the Savoy Musical Comedy Co., at the Belasco Theater, after keeping the wires to New York busy for the past several days, announces that he has been able to secure “Hit the Deck” for its first presentation in stock anywhere, when he produces it the week of January 6, with the full strength of his company. and with the added attraction of Miss Kate Smith, a Washington singer, who. has created a furore wherever she has appeared, in the role made famous by Stella Mayhew. Frank Gallagher, who appeared in the Broadway production; Renee Hamilton Robert Capron, Thelma Parker, Jack Closson. Edward Metcalfe, Vance Leon- ard, Robert Burton, Bruce Torrence and the gorgeous garden of girls also will appear to advantage. STRAND—"Step Along.” Next week patrons of the Strand | Theater are promised an eyeful in the big carnival of burlesque called “Step Along.” This show has been completely renovated for 1929 customers, and pre- | sents, among others, “everybody’s favor= ite star,” Lena Dalcy and Lew Lewis, German comedian. “Step Along” car- | ries a big company and a distinctive Lena Daley chorus, with attractive scenery and costumes. WARDMAN PARK—"“Quality Street.” The next offering in the play series for young people at Wardman Park Theater will be presented January 11 and 12 and will be the much loved Barrie play, “Quality Street.” Special attention is called to the fact that two weeks will elapse between “Maidens Over the Wall” and the Barrie play. This postponement is in response to the request of many subscribers who will be absent from the city during the holiday season and because of the fact that schools will not have reassembled at the time when it was originally plan- | ned to present “Quality Street,” and the school patronage was especially relied upon to see this play. So that as the last of the present series “Quality Street” is now scheduled for January 11 and 12. Another series of interesting plays, however, will follow almost immediately.