Evening Star Newspaper, January 14, 1929, Page 20

OPENING ATTRACTIONS IN WASHINGTON THEATERS | POLI'S—“The Command to Love.” Almost any one will admit offhand, that an embassy attache is theoretically & gay dog. In fact, it requires no Sequaintance with these personable and Eflunzd young men to obtain a keen sight into their habits. Merely the kasual perusal of a society novel is| enough to convince us that these dap- T gentry butterfiles. A visit to Poli’s this week will impress upon any doubters the fact that attache and technique are synonymous. For “The Command to Love” exemplifies the last word in the youthful entourage of an Ambassador. And that last word is none other than Gaston, Marquis du Saint-Lac, captain of dragoons and erstwhile aide extraor- dinary to his excellency the French | envoy to Spain. ; Gaston is without question a 14-carat are the last word in male | ture was greeted enthusiastically. The “backstage” atmosphere proved interest- ng. William Haines, appearing as the sponsor and unfailing friend of little ’Peggy Pepper in her harsh journey to | stardom, 1s more restrained, giving a | fresh and nicely-balanced portrayal. In | moments, especially in the sequences | when the imperious “Patricia Pepoire” (nee Peggy Pepper) seems to have for- got the lowlier days, Haines is peculiarly reminiscent of Charles Ray in some of his better work of the same type. Dell Henderson, Polly Moran and Tenen | Holtz Gppear capably in support of the stars. Among the stage units Joe Penner’s antics and songs and the harmony of the Four_ Cheerleaders took Sunday's honors. Miss Macfadden, exponent of her father’s physical culture philosophy, exhibited briefly its results in her own case, going through a light routine of lady killer. His method is a combina- tion of cave man and sheik. His aloof ness from the fair sex is a lure that| none can withstand and he meets the supreme test of all professional lovers by carefully concealing the identity of | his victims. How else could he perform | notable services for the republic and | win the reward of swift and substantial | promotion? | As the play opens, Gaston is bask-| ing quietly and comfortably in the loye | of the ambassador’s wife. His devo- tion to her is such that he has fore- sworn all other women. She has a packet of burning letters which he has written to her and which she holds as a threat against any infidelity. If he | dares to flirt with another lady she will show the letters to the ambassador. ‘The latter will forgive her, of course, | and the attache will be done for. | But his excellency notices that Gas- ton is ignoring the ladies of the diplo- matic set. Then, too, there is a treaty which France is anxious to negotiate | with Spain and the Spanish war mmls-l ter is hostile to this proposed agreement. Like all ambassadors, or most of them, his excellency is an artist at killing iwo birds with one stone. So he tells his attache very plainly that the time has come for him to make love to the wife of the Spanish war minister. In this way Gaston will be rescued from his queer lethargy and the lady, having succumbed to the attache’s wooing, will then be the instrument for winning the Spanish war minister over to support of the treaty. The Spanish official, by the way, is known as a man who always does his wife's bidding. The French Ambassador's _plan plunges Gaston into a deep fit of melancholy. He is torn between his devotion to his superior’s wife and his love of country. He is further agitated by the possibility that the two ladies | in question may compare notes. However, he yields to the call of duty and, with the clever assistance of his 1 chief, contrives to win the wife of the recalcitrant Spaniard. That very night she convinces her husband that the French treaty is the very thing for Spain, and this part of the plot is happily consummated. In the mean- time Gaston has excited the suspicion of his first lady love. She places the incriminating packet of letters on her husband’s desk, but by a clever ruse the young attache succeeds in getting those letters. The play ends with Gaston outwitting both ladies and ob- taining the reward for his great services in promotion to a distant post. The play is described as an “auda- clous” comedy. In spots it approaches travesty, and some of the’ lines are dangerously near the barriers of polite censorship. Acting honors undoubt- edly go to Henry Stephenson in the role of the French Ambassador. Mr. Stephenson has a lisping quality of speech that fits in remarkably well with his character and a stage personality that stamps him as an artist. His per- formance is delightful Melvyn Douglas, as Gaston, has attributes of his part. Violet Kemble Cooper makes a charming and beauti- ful Marie-Anne, wife of the French Ambassador, and Mary Nash is a voluptuous Spanish matron, wife of the war minister. In the latter character Ferdinand Gottschalk leaving nothing to be desired. Anthony Kemble Cooper is clever in the role of Emile Ardillot, secretary to Gaston. Others who round out an ex- cellent cast are Thomas Louden, Her- bert Ashton and T. Wigney Percival. SHUBERT-BELASCO—"Hit the Deck.” “Hit the Deck” its second week at the Shubert-Bel ‘Theater last night and promises to record another successful week, following capacity audi- €] throughout the initial week. This the first hold-over production of the voy Musical Comedy Co., whose high- presentation of outstanding musi- comedy_successes has proved im- rtant in Washington’s theatrical en- tertainment this season. A large audience was on hand to give piay a hearty send-off for the cur- t week. Many were no doubt at- tihcted to the theater by the presence in i cast of Kate Smith, local “blues” ger. Always a popular entertainer, ss Smith has gained prestige in New rk productions which enables her to tribute what amounts to a personal ialty, while fitting admirably into r role. 'The song “Hallelujah” is rticularly adapted to her talent, and e sings it with such zest and color as ost to_stop the show. Renee Hamilton in the role of the tle water front waitress, and Frank llagher, as her sailor sweetheart, have : equipping them for some of the best work they have displayed during the company's season. Others having important parts in “Hith the Deck” in- | clude Robert Capron, Billy Kelly and | Thelma Parker. STRAND—“Girls From the Follies.” Not to be backed off stage and sub- merged by the series of high-class re- vues that have been drawing capacity houses in Washington, at unusual | prices, Burlesque, the mother of them ) all, makes her bid this week at the Strand Theater with one of her very own, “The Girls From the Follies,” and transfers a large share of the local en- thusiasm to the Ninth and D street playhouse. Of course, burlesque doesn’t spend a million, or a half million, or even a quarter million, on its star attractions, but it has a way of injecting into its productions originality in comedy, songs ana dance features that win their way to the heart of the burlesque fan, and “The Girls From Paris” oufit at the Strand this week seems to have done just that thing. > Headed by George Raynor, an intel- ligent and amusing entertainer, and Gladys Clark, blonde, dashy, attractive and with an excellent voice, the com- pany presents one fine number after another, each seemingly better than its predecessor. It's a good show for bur- lesque lovers. And others who help to make it so include Zona Duval, Jean LeRoy, May Raynor, John Crosby, Lew LeRoy, Frank Mallahan and one of the best choruses of the season. PALACE—“Show People.” ‘With a cast headed by Marion Davies eand Willam Haines, each enjoying popular favor in the light satire field, and sprinkled incidentally with a good many of Hollywood's best known faces, “Show People,” directed by King Vidor, opened yesterday at Loew’s Palace. ‘The stage feature of the week's pro- gram, “The Perfect Girl,” is presented by Wesley Eddy and the Palace Synco- pators. Helen Macfadden, Joe Penner, Luella Lee, the Four Cheerleaders and the Foster Girls are featured. “Show People,” devoted to portraying the fortunes of a young Southern girl who goes to Holiywood secking instant recognition of her beauty and dramatic genius only to find herself a custard ple comedy start, tells its story amusingly and along broad lines. A tendency to exaggerate the acting and the develop- ment of the plot, particularly on Miss Davies’ part, may be forgiven perhaps as a bid for the public’s unfailing ap- | the best short features to be héard re- setting-up exercises against a back- ground of punching-bag eurythmics illustrated by the Foster Girls. The straighter dancing numbers, one or two by Luella Lee, and the music of Wesley Eddy and his orchestra were applauded. Other features of the program were the M.-G.-M. News. Fox Movictone, an | organ number by Charles Gaige and an | overture by the Palace Orchestra under | Harry Borjes. EARLE—“Conquest.” ‘Warner Brothers, apparently urged on ! by an indomitable desire to be first, dived headlong into a talkie version of Mary Imlay Taylor's story, “Con- ques The theme of the piece is time- 1y, in that it centers around the attempt of aviation to conquer the wastes of the | South Pole region, paralelling, of course. | the heroic efforts of Capt. Wilkins and | Comdr. Byrd. The fact that the players are given | voice necessarily makes it impossible to | incorporate some of the essential steps in action continuity, creating a rather | Jjagged effect, but, withal, giving a con- | nected story and enough drama to carry it along. Endowed with speech, H. B. Warner, Lois Wilson, who is making a | decided come-back via the talkies, and | Monte Blue, last seen and heard in | “Shadows of the South Seas,” all seem | a little awed before the monarch of Hollywood, the microphone, but ac- counting themselves well, nevertheless, especially Miss Wilson and Mr. Warner. However, Tully Marshall and Edmund | Breese, both cast in less important roles, | really outdistance the featured playe as far as actual line reading goes, par- ticularly the latter. The film is also synchronized with appropriate score and noise. | Irene Pranklin, the famous red-head | songster of vaudeville, appears in one of cently through the medium of Vita- phone. She sings and chats in her inimitable manner. Jerry Jarnigan is in support at the piano. A fast, slap-stick and unusually funny comedy. “The Quiet Worker,” featuring Jerry Drew; a long but entertaining news reel, and the Earle orchestra, Daniel Breeskin conducting, accompany- ing two delightful solos (apparently re- corded by Vitaphone or some other sound device) from “Il Pagliacci,” the singers being invisible, furnish the en- Jjoyable subsidiaries. FOX—“Beware of Bachelors.” The redeeming features of the Fox Theater program this week are the Gus Mulcahy ard his harmonica-dance performance, the delightfully comical Floradora number by the girl ballet, featuring some old-fashioned costumes and new-fashioned ideas, and a girl and her violin. The girl is billed as Auriole Craven. Like Mulcahy, she makes music while she dances. And both of them produce real harmony with their chosen instruments. Aside from these features, it might have been just as well had the show ended with rehearsals, where it is be- gun for the benefit of the patrons, under the direction of Jose La Rose. Especially is this true of the feature film, “Beware of Bachelors,” which started out to be a vitaphone offering and changed its mind. So far as the title and the subject matter are concerned, these two com- ponent parts of Warner Brothers latest production haven’t even a speaking ac- quaintance with each other. The play’s not about bachelors. It's about two | sweet young things who have been mar- ried nearly a year without a quarrel, but make up for that in the last three days before their first anniversary. And the only dangerous-looking individual in the piece is a member of the gentler sex—the type sometimes known as a bachelor girl with a past, and some- times called just plain vamp. Margaret Livingston plays this part. There is one bachelor flitting about, to be sure— | at least he doesn’t have any marital incumbrances, Andre de Beranger in this role, by the way, provides some excellent com- edy, worthy of a better setting. Audrey Ferris and William Collier, jr., do their level best with the ingenue leads, too, but they are given some poor material with which to work. Tom Ricketts, cast as the benevolent grandad who is going to reward the two young babes in the woods with a substantial check if they are happily married on their anniversary, has a rich speaking voice | Take Fluin for INFLUENZA A new and Excellent Treatment. Developed in Europe during 1920 influ- enza cpidemic. Successfully used by thousands. First introduc- |f! tion in United States. Pre- vents Pneumonia. You can get Fluin at all CoucHinG e Almost instant relie? e with one swaHow of SOME WOMEN ALWAYS ATTRACT You want to be beautiful. You want the tireless energy, fresh complexion and pep of youth. 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C, MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1929. ¢ and gives a good account of hlmsell,‘ In fact, it’s not the fault of the cast | that “Beware of Bachelors” falls short. | On the stage, in addition to features already named, are several other num- bers, including “Foxettes,” Charles Troy, eccentric dancer; Peggy O'Neil, tap dancer; Al and Gussie Bloom in the rag doll dance, three California co- eds and thelr little piano, and a bur- lesque adagio featuring O’Bret, Charles and Mack. Fox movietone, with some interesting views of Winter sports in Switzerland and an excellent rendition of Nocolai’s “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” by the house orchestra, complete the pro- gram, COLUMBIA—*“Interference.” It is the absorbing dramatic qualities of the story and the plausibility of in- cident that made “Interference” the sensation of both the London and New York Theater a couple of seasons back, | and it has provided one of the most | successful “talkie” venture in its photo- play version. For the story itself is so intense in its interest and so absorbing in its drama that less capable cast than the one selected could have made of it “movie history.” But with Evelyn Brent, Clive Brook, William Powell and Doris For Larger Beautiful frocks these « .. much Tan and Navy. without fur. Practical coa! Coats that formerly sold to §69—NOW, 39 though there were. Crepes, Printed Crepes, in the lovely new shades chic trimming. ..and the new Spring silhouettes. We've included a special group of party frocks. Third Floor—Dresses. * Our $25 to $29.75 Sport Coats Now $21 Smartest Tweeds in models with and bine warmth with a cleverness of styl- ing that is most chic. All sizes. Second Floor—Coats. THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, Kenyon in the principal roles, the pic- ture has achieved a degree of excellence that is a rare joy. The story is unusual, telling with building power of blackmail, of living “dead” men, of murder and of mystery, closing with a theme of supreme sac- rifice to an ideal. Evelyn Brent plays here role superbly. Willlam Powell realizes all the possibili- ties of his unusual part. Clive Brook does distinguished work, and Doris Ken- yon as the motivating force behind it all, is keyed to the highest realization of the parts harrowing emotional pos- sibilities. ‘The movies have given “Interference” a greater flexibility of recital; much is shown that the stage play necessarily could only suggest and in this respect it achieves a higher effectiveness, A long list of subsidiaries include Ed- die Cantor and Ruth Etting, both of “Whoopee,” in highly entertaining acts, two news reels and a U.F.A. short sub- Ject of the Swiss Alps. METROPOLITAN—"On Trial.” The latest Warner Brothers Vita- phone picture, “On Trial,” now begin- ning its third week at the Metropoli- tan Theater, is virile with drawing power and bids fair to rival its stage highly regarded in this country on the Women ! Georgettes, Flat Smartest details . . . ts that com- Coats that formerly sold to $89—NOW., 30 new coat for this year or for next. Second Floor—Coats M. BROOKS & COMPANY One of Washington’s Most Dependable Stores Tomorrow —Tuesday—Is the Second Day of Our’ MID-SEASON REDUCTION SALES Really this is a most peculiar reduction event. For almost everything in the sale has been recently purchasd . . . Never before at this time of the year have our stocks been so fresh . . . So though there are no odds and ends to speak of we've marked down just as Our patrons expect low prices in this long- awaited event. Our patrons always get more than they expect. A Special Sale of Newly Arrived Early Spring FROCKS For Misses, For Women 14" Our Entire Stock of FUR COATS and SCARFS AT COST and EVEN LESS THAN Second Floor—Furs. Drastic Mid-Season Reductions on Fur-Trimmed Coats Three Specially Selected Groups Plenty of All-Black Coats! Finest fabrics . . . lavish use of luxurious furs . . . work- AlII?L manship of the highest standards . . . and the very styles IN that you smart women desire . . . make these reductions ALL SIZES extremely important to the women who intend to buy a SIZES Two Important Main Floor Reductions | success, produced in New York in 1914. The play was written by Elmer Rice. The synchronization, conducted by Louis Silvers, is perfect, every voice distinct and clear in the unfolding of tense human drama. Pauline Frederick plays her part well as the widow of the murdered man, Gerald Trask, for which crime his friend, Robert Strickland (Bert Lytell), has pleaded guilty. Ex- tenuating circumstances develop with the testimony of the wife (Lois Wilson) and the daughter (Vondell Darr). These two furnish pathetic, heart-gripping moments. Pathe Sound News opens with an ad- dress by Franklin Roosevelt, at Pough- keepsie, N. Y., before taking up his du- ties at Albany, N. Y. Then follows a verbal battle in the money market of Wall Street; an exciting motor boat race at Lake Elsmore, won by Loretta Turnbull, and the winners of the radio contest sing some well known songs. Aesop’s Fables provide a talkie comic, “Stage Struck.” = Short reels show beau- tiful landscapes at Rochester, N. Y.; a kangaroo hunt in Australia and a new expression of art by Archipenko. LITTLE THEATER—“Backstairs.” ‘The UFA studios in Germany, already COST! Coats that formerly sold to $169—NOW 577 New Handbags Regularly Selling at $7.50 mal and reptile grains. Envelope and pouch styles. All beautifully lined and fitted. Most special al oo.ovvnnenen G Genuine leather in the smartest ani- $4.95 M-BRWKS &« CO ~ST.REET BETWEE Costume Jewelry | Regularly Sold to $5 Necklaces, bracelets, earrings, chok- ers, etc., in a rich variety of simulated crystiat, pea;l and semi- $ 0 0 precious stones. . . . Chanel reproductions. . 1 b Alth. & 12ith \ rather than overemphasized. It is the | cording to the pattern of drama, might story of life, not in the sophisticated | be labeled “hero, heroine and villain parlor, but on the backstairs, with all | are riigdly conventional; the woman the drab unhappiness of that scene. | not beautiful; the men are neitae It one. in this milieu, finds jealousy i e I o Lo and aspiration and murder, he finds it | tic sense. Make-up 8 min the three lis ’above, illustrates the | in nejther a highly romantic nor highly | mum, the acting is quiet but powerful, German company's preponderant inter- | gramatic form. “Backstairs” takes no | Subtitles are few, the story is extremely est in life rather than in simple enter- | gqvantage of the unusual incidents of | Simple, but inexorably true. tainment. It is humble rather than|jife but concerns itself with directness. enny Porten plays the maid, Pritz opulent, severe rather than gay, literate Yis'three principal characters, who, ac~ (Cc Page Twen Berberic basis of such films as “Varief Last Laugh” and ‘Metropolis,” add an- other Jaurel to their wreath with “Back- stairs,” which opened Sunday at the Little Theater. This picture, while not approaching in pretentiousness or sco] p HALF-YEARLY ,/20 - MANY STYLES 58 styles for women, including many styles of Hanan, Red Cross and other outstandingly smart shoes in the latest fashions are of- fered at this unusual price conces- sion., MANY FAMOUS MAKES 149 styles for women, including Hanan, Red Cross and other fa- mous makes; 27 styles of Nunn Bush, Arch Preserver, Johnston & Murphy, Selz and others for men, and 18 styles of Pied Piper shoes for children. REMEMBER: Only twice a year does this opportunity come to buy the most famous shoes in America at these price concessions. Remember, too, that only this store can place so many really outstanding makes on sale at one time. PerberichS TWELFTH~<F ST8. LANSBURGH & BRO BASEMENT STORE New Tweed and Silk Ensembles Are Fashioned-Right for Spring—In Both Style and Color Combinations $9.69 Practically all the new suits have an accompanying sil separate, or attached, and thus it becomes anpengen;gble!kb‘]&u;?l' agree it’s a very modest price for such an advance fashion Long separate coat, smartly pleated skirt, and crepe de chine blouse—the three so subtly blended you just know they “belong.” Misses’ Sizes 14 to 20 January Selling of 150 COATS,s21 An Important last-minute purchase of co%tsb. brand {ww. butt at feductlun prices! gg‘onel.v%{g’:lz and brown velour coats, trimmed with dog collars. Sizes 14 to 46. e Specially Purchased! Styled With Charm! Spring Home Frocks 90c Organdy collars and inserts, dainty frills and novelty vestees, contrasting piping—these are just a few of the ways these home frocks are styled—at a price that seldom admits much trimming. For wear indoors now, and nice enough for porch frocks later on. See the Window Display of These Becoming Frocks! All Fast 1 Shadss AL Designs ™ Checks, plaids, Rose, blue, prints, dots. green, orci maise, blaci and white. Sizes 14 to 52