Evening Star Newspaper, May 19, 1929, Page 52

AMUSEMENTS.” Flashes From the Screen By C.E. WO entirely different kinds 5 of sound pictures were ex- hibited in Washington dur- ing the past week, and they were splendid films, each in a different way. “The Desert Song,” which comes from the stage version, depends largely upon the musical score for its attraction, and this alone would carry it to sound picture heights. The cast is a good one, thoroughly in keep- ing with the character of the production, and box office results show that Washingtonians Lhoroughl¥ enjoyed “The Desert Song” in its new medium. “The Trial of Mary Dugan” is a successful stage play turned into a fine screen drama—prob- ably more en- tertaining and thrilling ~_than the original There are mo- ments in the courtroom ac- tion when the audience be- comes a part of the courtroom picture, seemingly, and the action iles itself up and ends with a greath-taking climax. To the per- son who is well versed in legal affairs, there are certain points in the trial scene that could not happen in a real courtroom, but these add to the interest of the picture as a whole. The con- tinuity is maintained in a flawless manner, and the synchronization is above the average. Norma Shearer, as Mary Dugan, comes to the front as an emotional actress; Lewis Stone, with a splendid speaking voice, holds his high batting average in the talkies, and others in the cast are well selected. “The Trial of Mary Dugan” is probably the best ex- ample of the new entertainment medium exhibited in Washington up to date. Other better ones will come along, as synchronization processes are perfected. * oKk x gl ‘HE newest move of the photo- play producers is the signing of concert artists, and John Mc- Cormack is the first leader in that field to sign_a_contract. Word comes from Hollywood that the Irish tenor has placed his signa- ture to a paper for the Fox organ- ization and that he has canceled his concert tour for next Fall in order to devote all his time to Movietone production. Naturally, the first McCormack story must be an Irish story, and Tom Barry, author and play- wright has been assigned to do the special writing. The picture staff is going to Ireland in August to make the scenes for the picture. The singer left last Friday, and he will return to America next October to start work in the sound studio. This, according to those who follow the picture industry pretty closely, is but the first move on the part of producers. Other well known concert and opera stars are to be signed during the Summer mor:th:. ‘ TWO of the most coveted roles of the year have been assigned to John Boles and Bebe Daniels, both well known to motion pic- ture fans. The two will have the leading parts in the screen version of “Rio Rita” which Radio Pictures will produce. was the big news of the week out Hollywood-way, for more than a score of players, all of them prom- inent on stage and screen, were being_considered for the parts. Miss Daniels was given a special singing test, and it is reported to have been excellent. The voice of Boles has already been heard in the sound pictures, so he was selected for his past work. Among those selected for the supporting cast are Bert Wheeler and Robert ‘Woolsey, who will play the same roles they filled in the stage pro- duction; Ann Greenway, a vaude- ville performer; Helen Kaiser, well known to the Broadway stage, and Raymond Maurel, an operatic baritone, who was recently dis- covered by the picture magnates. Mal St. Clair will handle the di- rection, and the camera work is scheduled to start about the middle of June. Pearl Eaton, one of the Eaton sisters of Washing- ton and New York, who is the dance directress for Radio Pic- tures, has devised several new dance numbers for “Rio Rita” and she is now training a stock chorus of 150 girls. Victor Earra- valle, who was the musical di- rector of the show when it be- came a Broadway hit, is on his way to Hollywood to become the musical director of the screen wversion. Fine Examples From Talkie Studios. * %k X ¥ ONE of the many strange moves of the photoplay producers came to light this week, when this desk received a uest from a well known or- ganization, as follows: “Our company is de- sirous of secur- ing the opinion of critics all over the country as to what kind of pictures audiences like. We know that your business requires your seeing_ all sorts of pictures, and in so doing you are able to get audience reactions. If you could find time to fill out the en- closed questionnaire, we would more than appreciate your court- esy.” With this letter came a question-form, laid out neatly and dividing the various class og screen products—“Sex dramas, “thrill pictures,” “comedy dramas,” | Fi “domestic dramas,” “modern ro- mances” and “period romances. Other questions are as follows: “Among the newcomers on_the screen, men and women, which | ones show the most promise?” “Who is good star material?” and “which are more popular wnp audiences, man or woman stars?” This may be looked upon as an admission from some of the Fro— ducers—one, at least—that they really do not know what the pub- ‘This | 4o Nelson. they may know all about it, and they may be asking the series of questions just for the fun of the thing. There only is one answer to make: The public wants good pictures. The public does not care one hoot whether the picture is a comedy drama, a period romance or a thrill picture, but the entertain- ment value must be top-hole. And, as far as the stars go, perhaps we could get along better without stars after all. Why not make a good picture on the German plan, for instance. Subordinate the stars, select the characters with care for the various parts. Drop the old-time plan of featuring one or two players and paying little attention to the supporting cast. It would seem that this plan would be worth a trial, at least. And, if the producers themselves do not know what the public wants—who does? Surely not the motion picturc‘writers, AEE "THE recent sensational an- ~ nouncement at the meeting of the Society of Motion Picture En- gineers in New York does not mean that the development of new tints will change the mo- tion picture into natural colors. But a new emo- tional range is opened up to the sound motion picture art. Film tints have been worked out which will not destroy the sound- reproductive qualities of the film and which can closely simulate the lighting of any interior or ex- terior scene. " The new system will enable the producers to project scenes in the all-over tints that give the blue of the sea to views needing that quality, a cheerful glow to firelit interiors, and yellow brilliancy to sunlit scenes. The future, according to the inventors, will allow a combination of tints with sound motion pictures. Al- though some tints have long been in use with the silent pictures, the tints now perfected for sound pic- tures are more delicate and have a variety twice as great as the soundless ones. * X ¥ % WAHILE the serials are not as popular as they were a few years ago, Universal is making a sound serial, “The Ace of Scotland Yard.” Crauford Kent will have the leading role, talking his way through many Saturday after- noons of thrilling detective ex- periences. Florence Allen has the leading feminine role. Ken Maynard, one of the few actors now working in “West- erns,” has completed “The Wagon Master” and has started “The Dark Horse,” Ken is just about as popular as ever, although the Western fleld has nar- rowed down te his company. Sally Blane, the Wampas Baby star, was the first player put under a long-term contract by Radio Pictures. She will have a featured role in “Companionate,” Olive Borden's first starring vehicle. Dallas, Tex., has abolished its paid” censors. Major J. Waddy Tate says: “Public morals and public taste have advanced to the point where they can be depended upon to reject the vicious and the unwholesome. Therefore, we fig- ure that the City of Dallas does not need motion picture censors.” ‘Warner Brothers are understood have traded “The Vagabond King” to the Paramount organ- ization for “Springtime.” Trader Horn has sailed for Africa, where he will have a hand in the filming of his book by an American company. The censorship of sound news reels has been discontinued in Pennsylvania, the governor sign- ing the bill a few days ago. It is reported in London that the Fox Co. has obtained control of the Gaumont British, England’s largest theater chain, which con- trols around 300 theaters. British and German interests are discussing the possibility of starring Pola Negri in a screen version of “The Shanghai Ges- ture.” If made, the picture will probably be screened in France. Mary Eaton will go to Holly- wood in June to start work in “Pointed Heels.” She received her initial taste of screen work in “The Cocoanuts,” along with the Marx Brothers, stage comedians. Patsy Ruth Miller, screen star, has announced her engagement to Tay Garnett, Pathe director. The wedding is scheduled to take place next September. A Hollywood casting director recently advertised for a girl extra “who looked like an Eskimo.” The want ad failed to reveal a proper “pan” for the picture. “Show Boat” and “Broadway Melody” are still breaking house records all over the country. The new “Fox Movietone Follies” are expected to go over the top with the same sort of musical attrac- tion, staged as a revue. Movies Get Joe Brown. JOE E. BROWN, who has been signed by First National-Vitaphone Plc- tures to play the featured comedy role in “Sally,” with Marilyn Miller, started |in burlesque, graduated into vaudeville and musical comedy, and became one of the favorite comedians on Broad- way. He is one of the many stage favorites who have recently entered pictures for roles in the singing and dancing screen offerings. Sound Pictures in Colors. | | JOBEPHINE JACKSON, PRIVATE DANGING. | Bingle lesson, $1; six $5. Class dance Friday | nights. 9 to 12." 1636 16th n.w. Pot. 313._* MISS GIRARDEAU L'EGARE AND SISTER- ons, 5. single, $1.25. N Class instr'n Priday. 8: orchestr: 11,3035 P st. n.w._North 731. 2 ~ MRS. MAE DAVISON All forms of Stage and Ballroom Dancing. | Agrobatic. Limbering. Tap Routines. Classes of private. Ballroom class Tuesday ev nings. = Latest steps a 3341 Studio, 1320 M n.w. A, ACHER STUDIO, .8 to 11 tangos. National at Thomas Circle. { PROF_AND MRS 1127 10th st. n.w. Cl p m. with orchestra, | pointment. Fr. 8567. DAVISON'S Fox, 7ot rof. M 1320 M St. Natl Hop, Wi I Jdic wants. -On .the .other .hand, taught cofrectly in & few vate, THE SUNDAY* STAR. WASHINGTON. D¢, MAY 19 1929—PART 4. Sunday Photoplays at Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Washington Theaters This Week Friday Satmrday Corinne_Griffith Ambassad’r Corinne_Griffith n n “Saturday’s Children.” “Saturday's Comeds. Come: Corinne_Grifiith “Saturday's Children.” y. Comedy. Rexinald Denny “Clear the Deck Vitai Reginald Denny In “Clear the Decks.” Vitaphone short in ks Ruth “The Chatterfon in Touise Brooks In clor's Secret.” ‘The Canary Murder Case """Comeds. Vitaphons reel Big Boy comeds. Vitaphons reel. 1 Corinne Geiffith in, “Tne Divine Lady." Yitaphone reel. med: <o Apollo o y h Ramon Novarro “The Flying Fleet.” Krazy Kat Cartoon. Tinne Griffith in, e Divine Lady.’ e “Sonny Boy.” Eddie Cantor reel. “Sportlight_reel. Ave. Grand “Sonny Boy. Eddie Cantor reel. Sportlight _reel Dorothy Mackaill in “Hls Captive Woman.” Comeds. Varie'y_reel Ramon Novarro n “The Flying FI Krazy Kat car Dorothy Mackaill *His Captive Woman " Comedy. Helen _Twelvetrees in “Blue Ekles. Skie: leet " Vitaphone reel. toon. Comeds. Buster Keaton a n “Kid_Gloves." “Bpite Marriage.” Vitaphone reel. Qddity _reel ‘omedy. Fddie Quillan and Lina Basquette in - Co “Show Folks." Variety reel Vitaphone_subjects. Buster Keaton “@pite Marriage.” phone_reel. Conrad Nagel in “Kid Gloves." Vitaphone reel. Cameo_cimedy: Midnight show. “Broadway Melody. Vitaphone act. Cameo Mt. Rainier, Md. “Broadway Melody." Vitaphone act. “Broadway Melody.” Vitaphone reel. “Broadway Melody.” “Desert Nights.” Vitaphone act. Comedy. King of the “Wiid Orchids.” Rodeo, Comedy. Night, “Making the Grade.” John Gilbert and Rence, Adoree in “The Big Parade Carolina Milton Sills Central John Gilber Renee A de” __“The Big Parade.” Eamm'yl Maskalll and Dorothy Mackelll and i in n ““His Captive Woman " __“His Cantive Woman." T and doree Audrey Ferris in “Fancy Bagi Sills Al Jolson in ton “Singlng Fool.” in g “The Bellamy Tfial." Fred Thomson in “Kit Carson.” William_Hoines anid G Karl and George K. Arthur in VAl at Sea." Telen_Twelvetrees in Blue Skies.” Vitaphone subect. Al Jolson in g Snookums _comedy. Fool.” “The Greyh: ited.” Nancy_Carroll in “The Sin Siater.” Vitaphone reel. Monte Biue in ound Lim- Comedy. Variety. Vita. reel Corinne Griffith i “The Divine Lady" Krazy Kat_cartoon. Chevy éhu. Corinne Griffith in “The Divine Krazy Kat Glenn Tryon in “It Can Be Done.’ Vitaphone recl. ady.” L cartoon. John_Gilbert, Erne: ary Nclan in “Desert_ Nights.” Davey Lee | eonny Eoy. Eddie_Cantor reel. Comedy. Circle Colony Tortence and Ernest Mar: n Desert _Nights."" Davey Lee in Eddie Cart Adglphe Menjou and Chester_Conklin in “Marauis Proferred.” Reginaid Denny in ““Red Hot Speed.” Technicolor reei, Vitaphona_reel. Join_ Gilbert, Torrence 'and y_ Nolan 1 “Sonny Boy. or reel. Comedy. Davidson_comeds. “It Can B Comedy. Vitaphone subject. Nancy_Carroll in “The Sin Sister.” Footprints. to "G omes Vitanhone_reel. Comedy. Tom Mix in “King_Cowboy.” Vitaphone_reel. Dolores Del Rio in “Revenze.” Davidson_comeds. Dolores Del Rio in “Revenge." Conrad Nagel and Lols Wilson Monte Blue in “The, n Greyhound Limited.” “Kid Gloves " nn Tivon in | Y Bone.” Chester Conklin in T Al St. John_comedy. Vitaphone reel. “Beyond the flerras. Thelma 7Todd in “Seven_Footprints Satun.” Comedy. T Tim McCoy in to Cameo_comeds. Vitaphone subje “Behind the German Lines Elite “Behind the German Lines “The Good-by Kiss." Comed Sammie Cohen in Bessie Love in 3 “Plastered in Paris’® Comedy. Ne “Sally of the Scandals " Comeds. Tim McCoy in “The Bushranger.” omed Empire ‘Miiton_8Sills g e Vitaphone reel. ‘Comedy. Hippodr'me Holmes Herbert n “The Charlatan " Milton_Sills in ““The Barke Vitaphone reel. Comedy Ton OF n “West of Zanzibar.” Comedy. Virgin “Bel ia Valll 1n hind Closed Doors.”* Comedy. Jobyne Ralston in “Eome Motker's Boy.” Varlety reel. Comedy. Ted Wells_ in “Born to the Saddle.” Comedy. Fable, Sportlight reel Anm’c‘a Nilson n ““The Bloskade.” Chaplin_comeds. Vall tine.” Vitaphone reel. Comedy. tine.” Dolores Del Rig in “The Trail of '98." Vitaphone reel. Cartcon. Haines 1o s Jimmy Valen- Vitapione reel. Comedy. io “The Trail of 1dren Comedy. Vitaphone reel. phone_reel. Cartoon. Ramon Novarro in. “The Flying Fleet. Pathe Review. Cemeo_comedy. Home Ramon Novarro “The P: C: in Flying Fleet.” e Review. Anna Q. Nilsson in “The Blogkade." Eddie Canfor reel. ‘Alice_White in - Ahe snow Girl. Seia Cartoon. Leader “What & Subsidiary “The China Slave.”” Karl Dane in “Circus Rookies.” News. Bebe Danfels v Night." Teels. Conrad Nagel and n Family 1o Neighbors.” Krazy Kat cartoon. Vitaphone_subject. Junior Coghlan in “Square Shoulders.” Comedy. Vitaphone_reel. Dropkick." The_Smart_Set. Tim MrCoy in “Riders of the Dark.” ‘Subsidiary reels. May McAvoy and Alec B. Francis in “The Terror." Comedy. _Sport. ‘Holmes_Herbert “The Charlatan. Tuxedo_comed. " Clara Bow v Liberty New n “winms."* News_reel Princess May McAvoy and Alec B. Francis in Holmer Herbert n “The Charlatan. Tux William Haines in “Allas Jimmy Valen= ne.” Come: ‘The T e ady. v Viaphone Tesl “The Singi g Fool.” Comedy. Al_Jolson in Al _Jolson m“. ol ddit Ben Lyon in “The Quitter."” Variets reel. dy. Tupe Velez and William Bovd in “Lady of the Paves ments.” _Cartoon. Duanes. Tom MIx in “The Last of the Vita. reel Comedy. _Serial Junior Coghlan in, «“Square Shoulders. Pathe Review. Sennett _comedy. Dolores Costello News_reel. News_reel. n Dolores Costello in ‘Glorious Betsy." i “Glorious Betsy. George Lewis in ‘Honeymoon Flats.” Vitaphore act. Vitaphore act. Comedy. Comedy. iphe Menjfou in, Tauls Preferred. chnicolor reel. Sennett_comeds. Savoy Vircinia William Haines in ‘Behind “Alias Jimmy Valen- Door: tine.” v Kat cartoon. “Three Week Ends.” oddity reel. Mon‘e Banks in “Honeymoon_Abroad.” Tuxedo comedy. Clara_Bow in T Comedy. Helen_Twelvetrees in “'Blue fkies” The Quillaa Family in “Noisy Neighbors."" Jack Duffy comedy. Siiver Dark. Sorine. M. Seco n in ‘The Carnation Kid." medy. “Tropic Madness.” Alice_White n “The 8how Girl" Comedy. News Leatrice Joy in Comeds. w Madge Bellamy in “Fusitives. Comed. News. o in ““The Spider.” i ews. Comedy. Touie Fazenda and H. B. Warner Takoma atart®e in “Stark_Mad.” New Conrad Nugel and Myina Loy in “Btate freet Sadle.” Toutse Brooks ii "rl“\:ls Canaiy M ‘ase,’ Cartoon. Comedy. Tivoli Lo urder “The Dorothy Mackaill and Milton_€ills in ‘His Captive Woman." Vitaphone _reel. uise Brooks In Canaly Murder " Cartcon. ; Comedy. in “State Srest Sadfe.” Dorothy Mackaill and “His Capuive Conrad Nagel and All-Negro cast in, Myrna , “Hearts in Dixie.” Loy Douglas MacLean in, “The Carnation Kid."” Nancy_Carroll in ‘The Sin_Siste All-Negro cast in “Hearts in Dixfe.” Tola Lane in “peakensy.” Variety. Comeds. Vitaphcne subject. il in Woman."” Vitaphone _reel Milton Tola Lanc in “Speakeasy.” Variety. Comedy. Vitaphone_subject. George O'Brien in “True Heaven.” Comedy. Vitaphone _reel. Corinne Griffith in, “The DI Lady.” o Screen snapshots. Comedy. Gri ne York Corinne Grififth 1 “The m, Melen_Twelvetrecs in “Blue Skies.’” Technicolor reel. Vitaphone reel. Divire Lady. reen snapshots. Comedy. v Glenn Tryon “It Can Be Do Comedy. Vitaphone reel. Nancy_ Carroll in ne. The Sin Sister.” itaphone subject. Conrad Nagel and Lois Wilson in “Kid Gloves.” Our Gang comedy. Reginald Denny in “Red Hot Speed.” Roach comay. Vitaphone reel. But—They Got It. UEST of a live chamots, one of those little animals that romp over the European Alps and furnish the world with fine skins, proved a problem in connection with the filming of “Eternal Love,” John Barrymore's latest picture. Locating a perfectly good chamois sounded easy to Hollywood experts, whose boast is that they are always able to supply motion picture studios with anything, from an army or a herd of elephants to an educated ape or a golden bathtub, on a few hours’ notice, Hollywood couldn’t provide a chamos, and telegrams were dispatched to all parts of the United States in an effort to locate one. Foreign correspondents of United Artists advised the studio that a chamois could not stand an ocean voyage, and that the little ani- mals would not survive in clg:.\vlty. ‘The problem is said to have been solved when finally a chamois was re- ported alive and happy in a private zoo in the Eastern United States, and after negotiations over long-distance tele- phone was, expressed to Hollywood for the desired’ scene. Johnny Mack Brown. JOHNN‘I MACK BROWN, brought into the spotlight as Michael in Mary Pickford's all-talking motion pic- ture, “Coquette,” came to the films with no experience as an actor, save in ama- teur theatricals at the University of Alabama. In “Coquette” young Brown is given the prize role of his screen career— that of the rough, handsome young lad of the hills, who has fascinated the coquette, Norma Besant, and whose dilemma. For two seasons before the movies found him Brown was one of the lead- gridiron. He played in the back fleld for Alabama, and with the university team toured the South and West. He was credited With winning the East- West game for his team when Wash- ington University's eleven practically had the game cinched at Pasadena Rose Bowl New Year day, 1925. In an introduction to two volumes of his_plays, recently published, it is re- vealed that Martinez Sierra is the pen name under which a Spanish dramatist and his wife, Gregerio and Maria Mar- tinez-Sierra, have written upward of 40 plays, many of which are well known lsn this country, especially “The Cradle ong."” In Church Play i MISS ANNE MOFFATT, Who has the leading role in the play, “Betty Lou,” which will be presented by the chorus and quartet of Mount Pleasant Congregational Church in the National Press Club Auditorium, Wed- nesday evening, May 2: Washington 2DAYS MONDAY | TUESDAY Camp Meigs Show Grounds IN Gc D BAILEY l Featuring HUGO ZACCHINI “The HUMAN PROJECTILE Shot trom Menster Cannen— SENSAYION of CENTURY! 00 cincus s 1600 PrOMLE — ELEPHANTS — 1009 MENAGENE AN Tickets on sale at Lansburgh & Rr Dept._Htore and A. A. A., Mills Blds Circus Parking, 25c Drive Direct Into Sh ds Use Sixth Street ow Gri Northeast capture of her heart produces & soclal | | ing foot ball players on the American | | | SUE CARROLL AND DAVID ROLLINS, Who have prominent parts in the Fox musical picture, scheduled for exhibition in Washington next week. ‘Movietone Follies,” SIXTEEN productions are now in the making at First National-Vitaphone studios in Burbank, with many others preparing to start, and with famous Broadway stage stars about to join the screen stars at Hollywood all records for activity in the history of the Burbank plant are being shattered. Many hundreds of extras are troup- ing in through the casting offices these days, being outfitted in ‘“cafeteria style” in the big, modern wardrobe be- fore going to the highly colorful sets scattered throughout the big stages and over the 99-acre “lot” at the First Na- tional plant. Companies are working day and night in order to take full advantage of the Vitaphone facilities, which have been enlarged four times since the dialogue pictures were started. Colleen Moore has been using hun- dreds of extras in the New York street scenes for “Smiling Irish Eyes,” sailors of all types are swarming over a dozen craft for scenes in a story of the Sargasso Sea which Irvin Willat is di- recting. English “country gentlemen” are dashing over the hills chasing syn- thetic foxes for “Her Private Life,” starring Billle Dove, and gay flappers and their jazzbos are making merry for “Fast Life,” the drama of modern youth, with Loretta Young and ATIONAL | BEG. $1.00, 75¢ and 50c | MON. | sat. Mat. 75c, 50¢ Burbank Means Business Douglas Fairbanks, jr, in the leading roles. Mountain types are being used in the opening scenes of “The Great Divide,” featuring Dorothy Mackaill and Ian Keith, and urban types are being used in “Dark Streets,” featuring Jack Mul- hall in a story of the underworld. Plctures now being edited and_titled for the silent versions are: starring Richard Barthelmess; featuring : " featuring ‘Hard to Get,” featurini Dorothy Mackalll; “The Careless Age, featuring Loretta Young, Carmel Myers and Douglas Fairbanks, jr., and “Broad- way Babies,” starring Alice White. Pictures now being scored include: “The Squall,” from the famous play; “Careers,” and “The Man and the Moment,” both starring Miss Dove. Pictures now in preparation include: Marilyn Miller in “Sally,” Irene Bor- doni in “Paris,” Eddie Buzzell in “Little Johnny Jones,” Leatrice Joy in “A Most Immoral Lad; Alice White in “No, No, Nanette.”' All these will have dialogue with singing and dancing. Special songs are being written for them by the First National-Vitaphone staff song writers. First National is looking forward to a record-breaking year. MAT. WED. ALL SEATS 50c The Only Theater in Washington Presenting the Legitimate Spoken Drama NATIONAL TH#fQOTRE PLAYERS JoHuN GOLDENS JOYOUS COMEDY Sam. H. NEXT WEEK | SEATS NOW L [P ¢ Harris' Astounding Mystery Success “THE SPIDER” THE GREATEST NOVELTY OF THE AGE ONE WEEK ONLY—Extra Matinee Decoration Dav—BUY EARLY Coming Attractions. NATIONAL PLAYERS—“The Spider.” One of the most unusual as well as thrilling of mystery plays, 'he Spider,” which has appeared only once in Wash- ington, will be the attraction at the National Theater next week, beginning Monday, May 27. “The Spider” is rated as genuinely original among modern mystery plays, being the first to take the audience completely into its confidence, so to speak, thereby mak- ing the theatergoers really participants in the play itself. The mystery is en- acted during the course of a regular theatrical engagement, so that there is theater within theater in “The Spider.” John Holliday, who created the original part of the vaudevillian in “The Spider,” was compelled, it is claimed, to take a complete course in legerdemain_before becoming proficient | as the juggler and card trickster who is the central character in the play. In putting on the play here the Na- tional Theater Players promise a sur- rise, since gae of the company must gy the nature of the play step before the footlights as a full-fleged neophyte in necromancy, whatever that may mean. There is said to be no doubt that| “The Spider” will surpass any mystery | play heretofore presented on the stage at the National Theater. It was played in Washington only once, about two years ago. Henry King Makes a Hit. KINO VIDOR and Laurence Stallings, who were responsible for direction and story, respectively, of “The Big Parade,” Seem to be in agreement about the merits of “She Goes to War,” Henry King's picturization of the Rupert Hughes novel in which Eleanor Board- m?m and John Holland have the chief roles. “The picture is superbly directed,” King Vidor wired Henry King, who is now in New York. “Unmistakably you have shown us a phase of the World War never before touched upon. The story is beautifully told and the execu- tion of the battle scenes is nothing short of amazing.” “Please accept congratulations on a beautiful and spectacular production,” Laurence Stallings telegraphed Mr. . “The comedy performances are just about the high-water mark in war pictures. No one has used the story of a girl in war time in such an arresting manner. Cecil B. De Mille said, after seeing “She Goes to War": “I was never more affected by a pic- ture in my life. I laughed and cried with all the rest and believed every l\;l“m;d of it. It is Henry King at his “Another glorious directional achieve- ment,” is_Herbert Brenon's comment. “Eleanor Boardman is a revelation.” is what Arthur Hornblow thinks. Fred Niblo said, “I found myself sitting on the edge of my chair, gripped by the in- tensity of the big tank sequences. The entire picture is a masterplece.” 7222, % FROM NOON TILL MIDNITE EVERY DAY AND ‘AMUSEMENT (Continued Prom First Page.) tains to prove to the father that he is not a worthless young man. After sev- eral months of hard work he returns to catch a glimpse of Mary at a dance. A mutual friend tells Mary, who at| once goes to Michael and persuades him to take her to his mother's cabin. Michael then goes to her father to ask for the girl in marriage. and in a blind fit of rage the father kills the youthful lover. The remainder of the story had best be left to the picture. Metro Movietone acts, the M-G-M News, the Fox Movietone News, short subjects and the Columbia Orchestra under Claude Burrows will complete the program. METROPOLITAN ‘The Desert Song.” The flash of swords in the setting sun, the excited shouts of men pic- turesquely garbed in turbans and bril- liant robes and a duel in the mountain camp of the hard-riding Riffs of Morocco give some idea of the type of “The Desert Song,” which continues at the Metropolitan. A rebel in the ranks of the tribe has questioned the authority of the mys- terious Red Shadow, its leader, and the pair are engaged in furious single combat. _ Each knows that according to the Riff law the loser, his sword broken, will be abandoned on the edge of the pitiless North African desert, to wander over the sand until he suc- cumbs. Suddenly the Red Shadow strikes the sword from the hand of his opponent and the struggle is over. The RIff law takes its course—but with an unforeseen result, for the rebel is found by a column of French cavalry, out for the single purpose of finding and capturing the elusive Red Shadow! But the leader of the Riff band has lost none of his cunning, and the captain of cavalry again returns to his post empty-handed. “The Desert Song” is Warner Bros. Vitaphone production, announced as | the screen’s first operetta—the first musical play to be reproduced in fits entirety in the talking pictures. It has been greeted by capacity audiences for a week here. John Boles plays the Red Shadow, and other roles are enacted by Carlotta King, Louise Fazenda, Myrna Loy, John Miljan, Johnny Arthur, Marie Wells, | Jack Pratt, Edward Martindel, Robert E. Guzman, Otto Hoffman and Agnes Franey. Harvey Gates adapted the Harbach - Hammerstein - Mandel plot, while the Vitaphone Symphony Orche: tra plays the delightful score by Sij mund Romberg in its entirety. RIALTO—"Syncopation.” “Syncopation,” first of radio's sing- ing, dancing and dialogue film produc- | tions, featuring Fred Waring's Pennsyl- vaniens, will be the attraction at the Photoplays This Week Rialto Theater this week. The pro- ducers have made their first feature with an eye to both plot and musical accompaniment and as a result it is billed as & screen_extravaganza, de- signed to give the effect of a Broadway operetta. “Syncopation” is derived from “Step- ping High.” the novel by Gene Markey, and whirls tunefully about the careers of the team of Darrel and Sloan, a pair of Broadway hoofers striving for Broadway honors. Their vari-colored careers take them from the small-time haunts to the cabarets and into_the musical comedy atmosphere of New York, with all its temptations. heart- breaks, jealousies, fears and glories of the world of make-belleve. Barbara Bennett and Bobby Watson play the leading roles. Fred Waring's Pennsyl- vanians, however, present nine rous- ing jazz numbers that are said to literally riot the show. Morton Downey, in song hits especially written for the picture, also figures among the outstanding features, which include Dorothy Lee, soprano; the piano playing of David Buttolph, and a vocal solo by the operatic radio broadcasting artist, Genia Zielinska; two numbers by a string orchestra and the Melody Boys. The “haunting” melodies found in “Syncopation” include “I'll Always Be in Love With You, ‘Do, Do Some- thing,” “Jericho,” “Tin Pan Parade,” “Mary,” “How About Me” and others. LITTLE THEATER —“Life of Beethoven.’ The “Life of Beethoven,” film biog- raphy of the great composer, will be presented to Washington movie and music lovers by the Film Arts Guild at the Little Theater as the screen fea- ture this week. The role of the immortal master is played by Fritz Kortner, leading man of the State Theater of Berlin, with Ernst_Baumeister and Lillian Gray in mmmm of Joseph Haydn and Countess Julia. The plcture was directed by Hans Otto and produced in Germany and Austria at the authentic locales which Beethoven visited during his life. It is the story of Beethoven, beginning with his early childhood and continuing | through his life, with his music, to his ultimate success. STRAND—“Mollie and Me” ‘The latest singing, dancing and talk- ing picture, “Mollie and Me,” will be the attraction at the Strand Theater this week. This is announced as the first picture in which the voice of Belle Bennett is heard. Joe E. Brown, stage star, is seen in her support and sings two songs, “I Faw Down and Go Boom,” and the theme song, “In the Land of Make Believe.” A talking comedy, a sound act and news reel will round out the program. ACK in 1905, when David Belasco produced what many believe is his greatest masterpiece, “The Girl of the Golden West,” those who knew him best knew that for the first time, in a Be- lasco mood, he was offering a tribute to his “beloved California” especially and to “the golden West,” where he started his climb to theatrical greatness, in general. Always a heckler for details that to his mind go to make up a perfect pro- duction, and not content with even his own knowledge of “God’s country,” he gathered to himself everything imagin- able that could or even might make his production a verity of the real life of | “the Old West,” for though the plot of | the play was melodramatic in its every fiber, the old master knew that even: melodrama, always despised by the taste of the highbrow, could yet be given deft touches that would fit it for the admira- tion of the most uncompromising dilet- tante of the elect. “A little better than the best” was ever his demand, regardless of cost, for Belasco, whatever his faults, will never be called a tightwad by even his enemies, if really he has enemies. And so his production was built up bit by bit to the point where he was willing and ready to challenge any criticism. ‘When he was preparing to stage the old mining songs, no less a master than Toscanini was engaged to direct the singers, and it was Toscanini who had | to be the orchestral conductor lafer | when the great Puccini had translated | the story into terms of music—grand opera, if you will. Belasco has never done anything by halves. And because of all this and also be- cause he wants to make notable his| celebration of the first hundred weeks | of stock productions by the National Theater Players. Manager Cochran has | chosen the Belasco ideal, “The Girl of the Golden West.” for his attraction at the National Theater. He says he is going to make its production stand cut | far above anything else the National | Players have done and that all the rare talent of his company, his director and his scenic department will combine to make it what it really should be and is, a David Belasco masterplece. For those who like to go back for reminiscence, it will be remembered that Blanche Bates was the original| girl, and that with her in the produc- tion presented by Mr. Belasco in 1905 were Robert Hilliard, Frank Keenan and James Kirkwood, with Lowell Sherman, Edward Tester and Fred Sidney in parts of less importance, for there are 23 peaking parts in the drama, with num- | HOFFMAN HOSKINS KIDDIES IN A HOLIDAY REVIEW OF 1929 B. F. Keith’s Theater Friday & Saturday Evenings, 8:15 | May 24th and 25th. Tickets, 50c to $2.00. | On Sale at L'Aiglon Club. Phone Adams 5358 Keith's Box Office, Starting May 2ird. A Belasco Masterpiece berless extras—cowboys, miner, vigi- lantes and other of like type. Belasco himself has said, “There are things in my ‘Girl of the Golden West’ truer than many of the famous incidents written by Bret Harte.” The play is an ideal of memory and devotion, and Washington will see it happily and ?!endld.ly revived the week beginning une 10, by the National Theater Play- ers, with all the art and the resources at their command. Meanwhile following “Pigs” they will play, “Smilin' Through,” another beauty of their repertoire, the week of June 3. and “The Spider” the week of May 27, to chill the marrow of those who love mystery and thrills interlarded with their romance. s _ Songs n Evangelme. OLORES DEL RIO will sing “Chan- sonette,” an unpublished song by Marie Antoinette, in French, and Al Jolson's “Evangeline,” in English, in the film version of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's “Evangeline,” which Ed- win Carewe is bringing to the screen for United Artists. Roland Drew, the leading man, will sing the Al Jolson theme song in English, too. There will be three song episodes in the picture. For the first time Miss del Rio’s voice will be heard from the screen. TCHERNIKOFF- GARDINER DANCERS Two Programs of New Dances Wardman Park Theatre Friday, May 2:‘ Elltlnhy. May 25, Tickets, $2.00, t T. Arthur Smit The New Dance Orchestra and 40 other amusements Arlingt:n Beach “It’s gt_!sy to Reach” 1£:08 to 11:00. Prices, Moralal i Alterneon, 25¢; Night, 356 TODAY AT THE BIG FREE ADMISSION AMUSEMENT PARK REACHED BY THE SPACIOUS OPEN OR DE LUXE CARS OF THE WASHINGTON RAILWAY & ELEC- TRIC_COMPANY RUNNING EVERY FEW MIN- UTES DIRECT TO THE PARK ENTRANCE. YOU WILL FIND OUTDOOR RECREATION APLENTY FROM MORE THAN HALF A HUNDRED ATTRACTIONS. FREE PICNIC GROVES. AND ON WEEK KIDDIES’ PLAYGROUND NIGHTS ONLY McWILLIAMS’ BAND OF ELEVEN FOR DANCING IN THE BIG BALLROOM AUTO ROUTE VIA CONDUIT ROAD LIMITED AREA FOR PAID PARKING PLENTY OF FREE PARKING SPACE Sth at D All Week STRAN witk Joe &. Broawron ALBERTA VAUGHN Directed by Albert Ray SEE and HEAR A Picture Made to Be Re- | membered! Laughs That Make Dimples to Catch the Tears In!