Evening Star Newspaper, December 8, 1929, Page 68

‘AMUSEMENTS. THE BUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTO Stage and Screen Attractions In Washington Theaters NATIONAL — Earl Carroll “Vanities.” ‘The seventh edition of the Earl Car- roll “Vanities,” with a company of 100 people and W. C. Fields as its bright particular star, opens at the National ‘Theater tonight, It is heralded as the best “Vanities” of the series, and in order to obtain the services of Mr. Fields, Mr, Carroll had to break tradi- tions and for the first time bill a player aver his famous trade-mark—"Vani- es.” Plus the comical antics of W. C. Fields, which adds to the merriment of the evening's fare, says the advance agent, Dorothy Britton will add to the beauty of the night. Miss Britton is the lass who won the Galveston Inter- national Beauty Contest in competition with the foremost beauties of America and Europe and earned the title of “Miss Universe.” Under the guidance of Earl Carroll she has advanced through “Floretta” and “Sketch Book” from the position of merely a featured beauty, to a principal of note, with lines to speak and things to do. Sur- rounding “Miss Universe” in a chorus of 56 beautiful girls, who lay claim to being the highest priced chorus in she history of the show business. Most of the sketches were written by ‘W. C. Fields himself, and there is ad- ditional dialogue by Eddie Welch, noted for his comedy touches to many Broad- way hits. In the way of grandeur and splendor, 1t is claimed that never before has there been a scene so beautiful as “The Tem- ple of Mythology,” which actually ends in a blaze of fireworks. There are also the “Mechanical Ballet,” an original number, and the “Raquel” number, which has all the charm of old Spain. Outstanding principals are Ben Blue, the Bennett boys, Joey Ray, Grace Wells, Dorothy Lull, Paul Russell, Theodore Enrica and Novello, Patrick Henry, Vivian Wilson and Elsie Connor. The musical numbers were staged by Busby Berkeley, the dialogue by Edgar Mac- Gregor, lyrics and music by George Henry and Morris Hamilton, with addi- tional music by George Bagby and G. Romilli. GAYETY—Harry Steppe’s Show. ‘This k's show at yety Theater, “Harry Steppe and His Own Show” is designed to satisfy the most particular patron of burlesque. In this vehicle, Harry Steppe demonstrates his ability as a Hebrew mimic, an enter- tainment well known and notable to burlesque fans. The show boasts also of a new crop of catchy songs and good looking girls who can sing them. Numerous dance numbers that call forth many an en- core, and scenery, lighting effects, costumes, etc., all in the mode. Budd and Betty Abbott’s names ap- | pear on the bill in large type. Other graduates of the school of burlesque are Prances Knight, ingenus, Billie Holmes, a sweet singer; Rube Walman, Juvenile, and Lee Laird, character comedian, all supported by a chorus of dashing beauties. Special matinees for women are given on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. PALACE—Greta Garbo in “The Kiss.’ “The Great Greta Garbo” in “The| Kiss” is the feature screen attraction | announced at Loew's Palace. Conrad Nagel plays opposite Miss Garbo as her lover. Holmes Herbert and Lew Ayers | also appear in the cast. | Miss Garbo plays the part of Irene| Guarry, wife of a cruel, suspicious and somewhat older husband. She loves an attorney, who returns her love and asks | that she take conventional steps to| secure a divorce. The woman realizes | this will never do, and the lovers decide to part forever. A young admirer calls at her home one evening. Her hus- ves, and believing him to be a lover attacks the boy, who Irene tries to stop the husband, and when he throws her in the vicinity of a gun she picks it up, and before she knows it she has ki her husband. Her attorney lover comes to her defense and wins the case-and ultimately the girl. On the stage Allan Rogers appears with the Palace Syncopators in a Fall festival of fun and frolic, with a cast headed by A. Robin, the walking music store. The Stone-Vernon Foursome, & sensational adagio team; Helen Yorke and Virginia Johnson, a duo from-song- land; Vivian Fay Dancers and the Fred Evans Dancing Beauties complete the cast. Features of the presentation are the request number by Allan Rogers and the St. Louis Blues stage presentation. The Hearst Metrotone News, the Palace Orchestra, Charles Gaige at the organ .and short subjects complete the pro- gram. been known as a singer with a fine voice, which in time developed into a tenor that has been compared even to John McCormack's. He was for many years identified with Paul Whiteman's famous musical organization as soloist and was in Europe for several years. In October, 1928, he was given his first dialogue and singing role in “Synco- pation.” In “Lucky in Love,” he has the part of an Irish stable boy, whose golden voice wins the love of Lady Mary Cardigan an Irish beauty. The story was written by Gene Markey and affords Mr. Downey numerous opportun- ities for the display of his mimetic and vocal talent. There is planty of drama, comedy and fine melody. Betty | Lawford plays opposite the star and the featured players include Colin-Keith, Johnson, Halliwell Hobbes, J. M. Kerri- gan_and MacKenzie Ward. “The Talkies,” a screen comedy pro- duced by Jack White productions is hearlded as to be one of the years out- standing farce comedies, using the talk- ing movie studios as the background for its comedy angles. The Evening Star-Universal news reel and other short subjects will round out the program. EARLE—"The Girl From Woolworth's,” With Alice White. Alice White, the blonde flapper god- dess of the speaking screen, is back at the Earle Theater with her newest suc- cess, “The Girl From Woolworth’s,” a First National and Vitaphone produc- tion. The picture was well received by | the audlence at the Friday midnight premiere. “The Girl From Woolworth’s” is de- scribed as a gay little comedy drama of city life, with & department store and night club background. It gives Miss ‘White opportunity to assert her per- sonality in songs and slangy dialogue. The striking metamorphosis of a demure salesgirl into a bespangled queen of the night clubs is emphasized in the pic- ture, through which a strong loye story runs. Charles Delaney, Miss White's leading man in “Broadway Bables,” again is cast opposite the star. Also on the Earle program are the Vitaphone Varieties, The Evening Star- Universal and Pathe newsreels, with other house features, especially the | Earle Symphony Orchestra under Dan- | iel Breeskin. R-K-O KEITH'S—“Jazz Heaven.” “Jazz Heaven,” Radio Pictures’ mirth- ful melody drama, co-featuring Sally | O'Neil and John Mack Brown, is the | current attraction at R-K-O Keith's. John Mack Brown, the erstwhile foot ball hero, who turned movie hero, is said to add new effulgence to his glory as a cinema star. He brings a charac- tertistic Southern drawl to his lines, S'en to the theme song he sings, “Some ne.” Around “Some One,” written by Oscar Levant and Sidney Clare, most of the story of “Jazz Heaven” is woven. Brown is a song writer who is struggling for success. “Some One” is his pet brain child, although he isn’t quite satisfled with the final measures of the chorus and the last lines of the lyrics. His neighbors in the boarding house would be better satisfied if he abandoned the song writing business, because he keeps them awake nights with his continued quest of the last chord. Then Sally O'Neil, who lives in the next room and works in a music publishing house, offers her help. From then on it is a succession of near-victories and heart- aches until the boy wins the girl afd success. ‘The supporting cast, made up of notable players, includes Joseph Caw- thorn, grand old man of the musical comedy stage and a partner of Julia Sanderson for years; Clyde Cook, one of the most popular of film comedians; Albert Conti, Blanche Friderici and J. Barney Sherry. Melville Brown, one of the most competent of the you: di- rectors, handled the direction of “Jazz Heaven,” which is adopted from an original story by Pauline Forney and Dudley Murphy. Duke Ellington's Jungle Band in “Black and Tan,” a hunk o' Harlem rhythmatized; Nat Carr in “Gunboat Ginsburg,” a rib-cracking comedy, and the current news events, with dy Clark and his R-K-Olians round out the program. COLUMBIA—"The Virginian.” Owen Wister's great epic of the West, “The Virginian,” will continue at Loew's Columbia for a second week. Hailed as one of the greatest of outdoor films, the cast includes Gary Cooper, Richard Ar- len, Mory Brian, Walter Huston and | Chester Conklin. ‘The story of the Virginian, played by Cooper, concerns the young man'’s 10 for the new school teacher who has come from the more civilized East to the Far West in 1880. His rival is his very good friend, Steve; his enemy is Steve's friend, Trampas. The Vir- ginian finds Steve involved in a shady affair with Trampas and warns him. A short while after Steve, then the tool of Trampas, is taken red-handed with other cattle rustlers, and is hanged, the | has been established by her long asso- | Virginian being forced to supervise the ciation with the speaking stage. She |hanging. The girl, when she hears of has the ability to sway her audiences | this spurns the Virginian, who, knowing from laughter to tears, a personality | T-ampas is responsible, goes to hunt that captures her hearers and a notable | him. He is wounded and nursed back talent for characterization. | to life by the girl, and they are about “Song of Love” concerns a vaudeville | to -be married when Trampas again combination of father, mother and son. | 2ppears and orders the Virginian to| It is the familiar patter and song act, | leave town by sunrise. There is a sen- with the boy and the mother the out- | sational duel and a happy ending. standing stars. The mother's desire to | The Hearst Metrotone News, Roache's let her boy live as other boys live and | Rascals in an M-G-M talking reel, have his chance develops a strongly | Yvette Rugel, singing operatic and pop- dramatic story, with the love interest ular songs via the sound screen, and between the father and mother. Ralph | other house embellishments complete Graves is the father and young David | the program. Durand the boy. On the stage will be offered the Fan- chon and Marco idea, “Beach Nights,” Wwith & colorful setting and a cast of | “Gyped in Egypt,” a snappy 1929 clever entertainers, including the Kit- | musical comedy, written, composed and aros, Davis and La Rue, Maxine Doyle, | presented in all its details by the Roy and Evian and Art Hadley; also a | Troubadours of George Washington bevy of Sunkist Beauties and, of course, | University, will be presented Thursday, John Irving Fisher. The Fox Orchestra | Friday and Saturday nights of this and the Fox Movietone News complete | week at 8:30 o'clock in the McKinley the program. | Auditorium, Second and T streets | northeast. METROPOLITAN—“Paris,” With Irene | This year's show, the fifth in the Bordoni. | history of the Troubadours, is being Declared magnificent beyond the | Staged under the direction of Denis E. dreams of the producers of yesterday,| Connell, and will include in its cast and “Paris,” First National and Vitaphone | chorus the biggest group of students masterplece, starring the incomparable | €ver seen in this lowl show. It is a Irene Bordoni, has opened an engage-| 100 per cent Washington production, ment at the Metropolitan Theater. It| for the staff as well as the players are has a saucy, sophisticated story, a| G- W. U. boys and girls, who have tuneful galaxy of song_hits, gorgeous| themselves designed and executed all revue scenes in technicolor and a great | the costumes and settings for the plece, company of principals and dancing| Which has for its locale the lobby and beauties, according to the announce-| 3ardens of ment. 1 Miss Bordoni sings several new num- | the Temple of Isis. ¢ bers, and the dialogue is described as! The story has much to do with the light and lively. The cast includes Jack Buchanan,| NeWspaper reporters in search of a Frederic March and Louise Closser | "SC00P. the determined efforts of & Hale. | pair "of archeologists to discover & The amusing story centers about a| Marvelous jewel in the temple and the French revue star whose affections are ( ¢0ually determined efforts of an ' divided between her devoted stage part- | Uan guide to flecce everybody as early ner and a visting Bostonian. How she | 2nd as often as possible, discovers which of the two she loves is | The cast includes Bert Bagranoff, sald to be a diverting and well told| Popular foot ball star: Mildred Burn- s ham, Jerry Sickler, PnlwnWeslbrimk, “Paris” will be supplemented by the q‘,{'g’"‘Y e, Jane son. _Ima drip Sheba,” Wilhelmina, Gude, Caroline popular Metropolitan house features. | grach Henry Nestor, Ralph Kennedy RIALTO—Morton Dofiney in “Lucky in, and Al Perry. A big chorus, a middle e | chorus and a liitle chorus will tnclude Morton Downey, known as “Broad- | oy a8 $Toup of girls as priestesses of Isis. way's Golden-voiced Tenor” is starred | *' eats for all t on the screen of the Rialto Theater O T Jlse Silgute ihy e 1 had at 606 Thirteenth street northwest, this week “Lucky in Love,” and sings| the T. Arthur Smith Concert Bureau, many famous song numbers throughout the presentation of the picture. Downey was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., and frora his earliest infancy, he has FOX—“Song of Love,” With Belle | Baker. Belle Baker, internationally known vaudeville and musical comedy star, makes her motion picture debut in “Song of Love,” a Columbia talking and singing backstage drama, at the Fox ‘Theater this week. ‘That Miss Baker is particularly gifted G. W. U. TROUBADOURS—“Gyped | in Egypt.” The WORLD'S GREATEST DANCERS KREUTZBERG GEORGI After Thelr SENSATIONAL EUROPEAN ,SUCCESS POL!'S, MON. DEC. 9—4:30 Beats M ‘Wilson-Greene's Concert Bureau, Rroop's, 1300 G Ak BUSLEIOL 6439, ve. Fo S T DAVISON’ ¢ Drivate any hour. Class Saturday Evenings inst. at 8 Dancing. 9-12 8-11.in latest dances. 8% ARE—S PRI ATE an up-to-date Oriental | | hotel and the interior and corridors of | everlasting cleverness of a pair of young | 1330 G street northwest, and at the university, 2009 G street northwest. PETWORTH PI-AYBBS—\VFIIIMI!. The Petworth Players will present an ish house of the Church of the Trans- figuration, at Fourteenth and Gallatin streets, Wednesday evening, under the direction of Irving Willlams Bucklin. Comedy, music and dancing will be fea- tures of the show. Specialties will be presented by the Banjo Club of the Nordica Mandolin and Banjo Clubs; M. Bazarova, maie dramatic soprano; an interlude of skill by S. Percy Oliver; a tap dance by the G. F. 8. Girls of St. Stephen's and others. Irving W. Bucklin will be mas- ter of ceremonies. Following the min- strel first part will be an olio consist- ing of flash acts, sketches and novelties. The end men are Mmes. Pattie, Tay- lor, Smith and Bodell; ladies of the en- semble will include Mmes. Newhard, Carman, Sanford, Lefevre, Cavanaugh, Test, Bradley and Weddeman, the l\()(lm’l:! Souder, Pattie and the G. F. 8. rls, Solo parts will be sung by Miss Edna Souder, Mrs. Charles Newhard, Mrs. Pattie and M. Bazarova. Miss Kath- ryn Latimer will be at the piano. “BELIVE IT OR NOT,” Thursday. Robert L. Ripley, creator of “Believe It or Not,” will make his first appear- ance in Washington as a lecturer Thursday, December 12, at Central High School auditorium, under the auspices of the Community Institute of Wash- ington. Ripley had a cartoon accepted by Life when he was 14 years old. It was called “The Village Belle Was Slowly Ringing,” and depicted a “small-town damozel twisting some garments over the washtubs.” He was amazed {o re- ceive $8 for his effort. At 17 he was a regular cartoonist on the San Francisco Bulletin, later going to the Chronicle. He illustrated a book of memoirs for an old trouper, Joe Taylor, and went to New_ York to find a publisher for the book. He didn't find the publisher, but he did find a job for himself on the New York Globe as sports cartoonist. It was while with this paper that he started and developed the “Believe It or Not" cartoons, which first appeared in 1921, and are now syndi- cated in more than 100 newspapers. Ripley never attended art school, yet is recognized as one of the great drafts- men of the world. He is said to carry more sport facts and records in his head than any other newspaper man in America. It has been said of him that he is “often disputed, but is yet to be proved wrong.” Ripley says that he has enough ma- terial for six more “Believe It or Not" books, so there will be plenty of hitherto unpublished yarns for his audience next ‘Thursday. ‘Tickets are to be had at T. Arthur Smith’s, the New Willard newsstand, A. A. A, headquarters and Franklin Ad- ministration Building. CLARA W. McQUOWN—Friday. Friday morning Miss Clara W. Mc- Quown will give her regular weekly talk on “Current History; Questions of the Hour in National and International Affairs.” She will consider questions of industry and legislation before Con- gress, also the present status of Egypt and matters of importance in the Brit- ish dominions. ‘These talks are given every Priday morning at 11 o'clock in the assembly room of the Washington Club, entrance 1010 Seventeenth street. They are open to the public. Coming Attraction GAYETY—"Pretty Babies.” At the Gayety Theater next week, the burlesque attraction, “Pretty Bables,” is sald to fairly describe the show, yet as- surance is given that this latest acqui- sition to burlesque will prove highly acceptable for its real innovations, its many unique divertissements, and the Jazziest kind of songs and dancing. ‘The company is composed of Violar Spaeth, who is featured; Hazel Walker, “Miss Chicago” prize-winning beauty; Frank (“Rags”) Murphy, Jimmy Wal- ters, Ruth Levine, Don and Darlene, and a youthful chorus of talent. il Geo. C. Tyler Has New Play. EORGE C. TYLER announces that he has engaged Frederick Kerr, fa- mous English actor, recently seen in “The Middle Watch,” for a leading role in Dwight Taylor's farcical comedy, “Thevelyn's Ghost,” which will go info rehearsal immediately under direction of A. L. Erlanger and Mr. Tyler. This is Mr. Taylor’s first play to be produced. Mr. Kerr is as well known on this side of the Atlantic as in Eng- land. His stage debut, in fact, was made at Wallack’s Theater as Sir Toby in_ Lester Wallack's revival of “The School for Scandal” in the latter part of the last century. Since then he has played alternately in England and America, having been seen here, with few intermissions, however, since he played with Billie Burke in 1910 in “Mrs. Dot.” His more recent engage- ments include “Just Suppose” and “The Pelican.” Dwight Taylor, who is the son of one of our most popular stars, Laurette Tay- lor, and Mr. Kerr will direct the comedy. | —_—— Talkie Domination. HE extent to which the legitimate | 7 stage is coming under the domina- don of the talkies, as observed from facts already at hand, is causing dismay to a good many persons, who feel that the growing power of the movies is an encroachment on the art of the theater, Many stage stars and directors have already been won over by the huge salaries paid in the films, a consider- able number of leading Broadway pro- | ducers have tied up with the picture {firms, and it is only considered a mat- ter of time before the rest make movie affiliations. Additional evidence of the ieager conquest of the talkies was given ia short while back in the reply of Al | Woods to some one who asked his opinion of a certain play: {. “I like the play, but I don't think it is quite suitable for the movies. I won't produce another play until a film com- pany has taken an option on- it. It is too expensive to produce flops.” | ‘The practice of having movie com | panies pass on plays before they ai risked on the stage is understood to be spreading to the smaller producers and to the dramatists as well, many of whom write these days with an eye to Hollywood. Well, these talkies seem to EgYP- ibe getting ahead in more ways than 1 one. ! Ye Olde-Time | E Y Minstrel | Jewish Community Center SUNDAY EVE—DECEMBER 8 MONDAY EVE—DECEMBER 9 At 8:15 Admission $1.00 Call Decatur 3030, OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. | | | old-fashioned minstrel show in the par- ; D. C, DECEMBER N THE JOHN McCORMACK PICTURE From the Emerald Isle come these two members of the cast of John McCor- mack’s new picture. ‘They are Miss Maureen O’Sullivan and Thomas Clifford, and they have been placed under a five-year contract by the Fox company. Press Agent’s Dilemma. **(COME, sing me a song that shall thrill the world—and get & move on it. See!" ‘The words were not uttered, of course, but Earl Carroll's ingenious press agent | heard them, nevertheless— and he was stumped. Why? It makes a story. ‘When Carroll first set out to construct his current issue of the “Vanities, well known revue which runs annually in a series, as it were, he sought to build a show that would make Flo Ziegfeld turn pale and throw other revue pro- ducers into a fit of consternation. How should he commence? What would be the theme song? Around whom or what should he start to build? He began with W. C. Fields, the fa- mous comedian, known and sought after from Broadway to the Land of Ballyhoe. Fields sensed his inspiration and re- sponded accordingly. First the come: dian wanted a salary that would make any ordinary producer dizzy. That was soon adjusted. Then he demanded fo be billed as the star of the show. Now, Carroll's revues in the past have had many stars and his current show was to have a galaxy of the most brilliant attainable. But Earl settled that. And then, horror of horrors, Fields demand- ed that his name be billed as the star before, ahead of and over the Carroll trade mark “Vanities,” which is the one grand and glorious_ideal of Carroll's theatrical career. It could never be. But Fields insisted and even shook Hol- lywood in Carroll's face until his cheeks paled to ashy whiteness. He fought back, but to no avail, and then the haughty producer, for the first time in his varied career, capitulated. ‘That settled, Carroll turned to the next stone in his edifice. It proved to be a perfectly beautiful young miss, & Dorothy Britton. She had a pretty name as well, but it wasn't famous either on stage or screen. But Dorothy had been crowned “Miss Universe” in a famous contest between the beauties of the world at Galveston. Tex. That was something unique. More, under Car- roll's expert tutelage, she had rapidly advanced from a prize beauty to a prize beauty with theatrical talent She proved it in “Fioretta,” also in “Sketch Book.” More, it is said she has now developed into an honest-to-goodness actress who can speak lines and do things to attract attention and interest. And Dorothy became a sort of sub-star of the current “Vanities But other things beside bobbed up. Fields wrote the funny skits, and you may be sure he intended that they should be the outstanding features of the show. Dorothy supplied the ulti- mate element of beauty and she had to be humored to give beauty an ideal setting, so Carroll went so far as to hire what is said to be “the costliest and most beautiful girl ensemble in the world,” that Venus might vie with Momus, But_up bobs another Dorothy, this time Dorothy Lull, who had first ap- peared on the screen with the famous Pearl White, then in “The Eyes of Youth” with Marjorie Rambeau, in the first outstanding exhibition of her mar- velous “control dancing.” Miss Lull had ben through the ballet school of the Metropolitan Opera and had noted teachers in her art. But, withal, she was_unique in her “control dancing.” Another sub-star. Mere people are not all of the “Vani- ties” show. Under the guidance of dis- ciples of art and architecture, “The ‘Temple of Mythology” had been con- ALL NEW SEVENTH EDITION AM BEN BLUE GRACE WELLS THEODORE, ENRICA VIVIAN WILSON ATIONAL Nights, $1.00 to $4.00; Sat. Mat,, $1.00 (o $3,00 FIRST TIME HERE BENNETT BOYS DOROTHY LULL NOVELLO structed—for “grandeur and splendor rivaling anything in the world,” so they say. Appropriately, it passes out in a blaze of real fireworks. There is also a “mechanical ballet,” an original con- ception to startle the eyes and make the mind wonder, and a “Raquel number” that makes folks sit up and take notice. ‘These, however, are only a few of the many competing elements of the current Carroll “Vanities” that were handed over to the press agent to weave into a harmonious story of interest to make the proletariat laugh, cry, applaud, won- der and what not. Was it a dilemma for the hapless writer? Even Fields will ad~ mit as much. Denny Links With Soro-Art. IN spite of the many tempting offers, Reginald Denny has linked up with a comparative newcomer, Sono-Art Pro- ductions, as announced by O, E. Goebel, its president. Denny is to make a series of four pictures, with an option for more, and present, plans call for one to be made in England. The first will be an adap- tation of the popular novel, “The Dark Chapter,” by E. J. Rath. Harvey Gates is preparing the continuity and writing the dialogue, and Edward H. Griffith, whose direction of “Paris Bound” won much favorable comment, .will direct Denny in his first picture. Denny, Griffith and Gates have gone up to Denny’s cabin in the Sierra mountains so that they may work to- gether undisturbed on the preparation of “The Dark Chapter” for the screen. There is mystery and comedy and drama in this E. J. Rath story, and it will give Denny the task to portray a character that requires real acting ability, A sl Gonowigilies THEY may not have an English ac- cent nor know a broad “a” when they meet one, yet the wild animals of Hollywood nevertheless are said to have “gone talkie.” In “The Girl From Woolworth's,” the First National Vitaphone picture star- ring Alice White, at the Earle this week, lions, tigers and leopards make their debut in talking pictures. The scenes were made at the Luna Park Zoo, in Hollywood. Microphones were placed directly in the center of the cages, and while the cameramen stayed at a dis- creet distance the animals “did_their stuff” with their trainers for the films. It is the first time that sound pic- tures had been made at this zoo, and a huge crowd of extras were paid to watch & very novel and at times exciting show. The roar of the lions, the hiss of the leopard and the crack of the train- er’s whip are all vividly reproduced, al- though the story concerns a little 10- cent store clerk who falls in love with a subway guard and eventually lands a S| ht el GAYETY THEATER Big Midnite Show Thursday Black & White Revue 5 People—2 Shows in One Show Starts at 11:30 | TONIGHT ALL NEW ERICA'S GREATEST REVUE ! 7= by Y JOEY RAY PAUL RUSSELL PATRICK HENRY ELSIE CONNOR 55 DOROTHY BRITTON (“Miss Universe") HORIGINAL PRODUCTION- 45 SCENES- DIRECT FROM EARL CARROL THEATRE 1929—PART FOUR. | . Screen Notes | CONrm'lN’l‘ of the market value in Spain of certain American-made films has induced R-K-O to employ a Spanish translator. “Rio Rita” will be the first of the company’s productions to be equipped with conversational Spanish and offered the movie public | of that country. Arthur Hammerstein, who threw Broadway overboard for the time being, was so_impressed with young Lois Moran after he signed her to appear in his first talkle, “Bride 66,” that he signed | her to be featured afterward in o Broadway musical show yet to be se- lected. “Bride 66" 1is the vehicle through which Dorothy Dalton, Ham- | merstein’s wife, will return to the screen after years' absence. About 16 years ago Joseph Allen and Carleton Day played in the New York production of George M. Cohan's “Seven Keys to Baldpate.” They had more than 100 “sides” of dialogue apiece. Their proficiency in their roles | led R-K-O to sign them to appear in the | talkie version of the play, now in pro- | duction, with Richard Dix in the lead- ing role. ‘Warners’ have suspended operations until the first of February so the ex- ecutives and stars can have vacations. Monte Blue and his wife struck out for New York, recreation-bound, after one of the busiest seasons in Monte's recent years. He had the stellar role in “Isle of Escape” and appeared in “Skin Deep,” “Show of Shows” and “Tiger Rose.” Harry Richman, who made godd in a Pix way in the night clubs and later as’ suitor of Clara Bow, is to be a movie star—at least for one picture. This is “Puttin’ on the Ritz,” now in production by United Artists, Edmund Lowe weathers the years and flourishes at a time when his cotem- poraries of half a decade ago are to all appearances gone and forgotten. He has been given the lead opposite Dolores Del Rio in an all-talking picture ten tively titled “A Sailor's Sweetheart,” a United Artists production. Success of recent color productions has led Warners to lay vln’:u for be- tween 10 and 15 pictures of this na- ture on the 1930-31 schedule. Four 5:::" included on the schedule just New York won't see much of Winnie Lightner for the next five years cxcept on the talking screen if the contract she has just signed with Warner Bros. sticks. Her work in “Gold Diggers of Broadway"” won her the job. Irene and “Paris.” "PARI ,” the First National Vita- phone picture which brings the famous Irene Bordoni to the Washing- ton screen this week, was a very suc- cessful play on the legitimate stage and Irene was then its star, before it at- tracted the attention of the screen pro- ducer. It is, as may be imagined for a pro- duction featuring the volatile Il’gne. pure comedy. But, strange to say, it concerns a Boston family, descendants of the Pilgrim Fathers, and starts off in stald New England, although it quickly shifts its characters to Paris, and there is where Bordon! comes in with boti ::re:e to use a homely phrase of the Irene Bordoni is a theatrical gem of many brilllant facets. She is as welil known and as much admired in Amer- ica, especially in the former land of witchcraft, as in her own La Belle France. It is said she has posed for more ewhlrrnfl and cartoons than any other theatrical star because of her ir- resistible appeal to artists. This appeal was just as irresistible with lovers of gay, spicy comedy that won laughter on the legitimate stage. Irene ought to make an ideal screen star, and there is not one of her millions of admirers who doubts that she will, The fact that she broke 16 statuettes in a single day in making her picture of “Paris” is no argument at all that the clever French star is temperamental in an unpleasant sense. Quite the con- trary. Irene has the reputation rather of making you feel always that you want to cuddle up to her and be friends. . Jack of Many Trades. RALPH GRAVES, who plays the hard- bolled but lovable vaudeville actor in “Song of Love,” Columbia's musical drama of back-stage life starring Belle Baker, is not only a jack of all trades but a master of most of them. Graves, who was born in Cleveland, Ohio, was graduated from the Case School of Applied Sciences, where he specialized in metallurgy. His first po- sition was as a steel chemist for a tool company in Houston, Tex. ‘When he sold an original screen story the young chemist decided to make writing his profession. He migrated to Hollywood. __Acting next claimed his attention. He made out so well in this third profession that he quickly estab- lished himself as one of the screen's most popular leading men. But even this did not satisfy his restless ambi- tions—he wanted fo direct. Columbia Pictures gave him his first opportunity in “Rich Men's Sons.” He also directed successfully for Warner Bros. and Mack Sennett. As an actor Graves has been identi- fied with pictures since 1918. He made his screen debut as a member of the old Essenay stock, and first achieved prominence in D. W. Griffith’s “Dream Street.” Among his successful vehicles are “The Greater Question,” “Blarne; “The Swell Head,” “A Renc Divorc “The Sideshow,” “The Eternal Woman,” “Glad Rag Doll,” “Submarine” and “Flight.” In “Song of Love" Graves gets an op- AMUSEM ENTS Affairs Theatrical Along HERE must be thousands of old- timers round about the country who would be more interested in seeing_the revival of Lehar's “The Merry Widow"” than any of the others of last week’s new Broad- way plays. They named the ladies' hats after 1t 20 years ago, millions of miles were waltzed to its tunes all the way round the world, and it brought back with it a throb of Wiener Blut— a whiff of that carefree old Vienna that perished with the war. Miss Beppie De Vries, and gay and has a good voice, and 1s as good as any of the earlier merry widows, and better than many. the music, of course, that counted most, as in most such revivals—the famous waltz, the wistful deviltry of “Lo-c! Joujeu,” Sonia’s song about “Velia the septet. “Women,” sunk by the man principals to march’ time. All in all, a satisfactory resto of one of the most successful op~ ever written of sentimental inte:est to many old-timers apd designed to pro- vide a pleasant evening, even for those contemporaries to whom the waltz is merely a curious antique. * K K K THE new Frank Golden comedy, “Salt Water,” written by Dan Jarrett, is a good deal broader in its humor and less penetrating in its picture of human nature than Mr Craven's memorable “First Year,” for instance, funny, nevertheless. Its chief weakness is the pointle: almost comic-strip malice of its prin- cipal character. mother-in-law’s picture, keeps nagging and -browbeating his long-suffering wife, and it takes all of Mr. Craven's skill at playing the part of a well meaning dumb-bell, who remains like- able while always in the wrong, to hold the discriminating spectator's sym- pathy. wife, Pansy, live at Snag Harbor, Long Island, in a snug old cottage which John has inherited from his whaling ancestors. John is built for shallow water, but doesn’t know it.. He wants to be a deep-sea sailor and run his own ship and trade with Guadaloupe, Haiti, and parts even farther and more unknown. Actually, he has a job as “candy- butcher” on an Albany night boat, but he tells everybody that he is first mate, and partly on the strength of this he gets a real old sea-dog to go in with him on_the purchase of a freighter named Barracuda. John's wife, Pansy, kept her eyes on the ferry instead of the deep sea, partly because she was more practical than John, partly because she wanted to keep her husband at home. While John was negotiating, in secret, for the realiza- tion of his lifelong dream, Pansy, also in secret, took their $5,000 joint savings and bought the ferry. It is at the end of the second act that the situation thus suggested comes to a climax. During a rain- storm the old ferryboat rams its slip and sinks, just as John finds that his wife has bought the ferry. In order to put him off the track of what was in the air John's nagging and run-it-all sister had given him the impression— which Mrs. Horner didn’t correct—thdt his wife was going to have a baby, and the fatuous and delighted husband has just been celebrating the approaching “cabin-boy” with the whole family. In the midst of the hullaballoo that follows the wreck of the ferryboat, one of the victims of the accident, the very man who advised Mrs. Horner to buy the present | Sonia, is said to be Dutch; she is pretty | It was | but it is | The fatuous husband | of the play jumps up and down on his | John Horner, in the play, and his | the Great White Way , The nice little Texas girl and her | honest, if slightly heavy-handed, lover | are telling their love to each other on the front lawn, while a chorus appro- | priately hums the “Suwanee River” in | the distance. Claire loves Gene, but she | doesn’t want to spend her life in She wants to go to New York, “Thinl | of it!"” she cries. | _The honest Texan, who has a job on | the local paper and is writing what he | intends to be the greatest Southern novel ever heard of, and feels that it can only be written if he stays in his beloved Waco, demurs, “Why, honey,” he drawls, “Ah'd like to see New York right enough, Ah'd like to visit it. But when it comes to livin', w! this town is good enough for me!" On hearing this speech and learning that the Texan consents, after , to | go to New York, you will suspect, and with good reason, the worst. The Adamses have a rotten time of it in New York. Stirring as this deflance is, it must be confessed that the implications of | Mr. Rubin’s drama are & bit unfair to the metropolis. Two liaisons and a murder are far from the rather hum- drum lot of most of the inhabitants of | this town, even when they come from | Texas. Who can say what little Claire might have done if she had stayed in | Waco? In short, the real and rather | Strindbergian difficulties of the story as it starts, and out of which a fine, if | possibly a little dreary, play might have been made, are sacrificed in order to discharge a futile broadside against Manhattan's steely ramparts and turn out a shocker. Sue and Santa Claus. UE HASTINGS, whose marionettes enact Pathe’s “Santa's Toy Shop,” a musical novelty production, not only directs her own puppet show but makes the marjonettes as well. She models the figures in plasticine, makes easts for the heads and paints them, constructs miniature stage sets, designs and sews the costumes, strings up a puppet, con- ducts a rehearsal, or is the cgnnlenble voice behind the star parts. Speaking of her work, Miss Hastings says: “My marionettes aim to be ar- tistic little actors as well as comic. Some people may think I spend a lot of time over dolls. Marionettes are more than dolls. They require a deal of patierice to make. Every little wooden figure, after it is hand carved, is weighted and jointed and attached to dozens of strings to make it capable of every human movement. Then it has to be costumed and its face has to be painted for expression. The miniature stage has to be equipped with lighting effects ar- ranged just as in a large theater.” ‘Boston Women's Symphony ORCHESTRA ETHEL LEGINSKA, Conductor PLAYING HER OWN CONCERTO Constitution Hall. Sat. Eve., Dec. 14, 8:30 | peSents Mre. Wilion Greend's Conoert, Bu- reau, Droop’s, 1300 G s 93, Opera in English Third Washington Season the ferry, is brought into the house, | sodking wet, and is put into John's best | suit by the bossy sister and hustled | away. John, learning everything at | " once, packs both his wife and sister out ! of the house, and then, as the stage , clears, a doctor, for whom his wife has | telephoned to take care of those hurt in the accident, demands his $10 of | John or he’ll “make trouble.” | At this point Mr. Craven sags against | the wall with one of those inimitable expressions of comic woe which he knows so well how to assume under such circumstances. | “I've lost the only chance I ever had to get & ship,” he cries. “I've lost my wife, I've lost my son, I've lost my money and I've lost my best suit of | clothes, and you—YOU—threaten to | make me trouble! ” And to his low moans and cackles of despair down goes the curtain. AMERICAN| OPERA - COMPANY Viadimir Rosing. Artistic Direetor Robert Edmond Jones, Stage Designer FOUR PERFORMANCES' Three evenings and one matines . i POLI'S THEATER. 8 o'cloek MME. BUTTERFLY Wed. Eve., Jan, 22 * K * % | ARE New Yorkers happy? This pro- | found query, go fertile in its possi- bilities for Sunday magazine diseussion, | has been attacked of late from various | tow" the implications are decidedly that New Yorkers are not. Mr. Rubin’s fable begins in Waco, Tex.. It is a moonlit Summer evening. ANDERSON NEGRO CONTRALTO Thurs., Dec. 12th 8:15 P.M. Uni 1—$1.00 Questions of the Hour in_National and International Affairs Miss Clara W. McQuown THE WASHINGTON CLUB Assembly Room Entrance. 1010 17th St. Every Friday, 11 AM Season Tickets. $6.00. Single Admission, ~ THE TROUBADOURS “GYPED "IN EGYPT” McKinley “l;;l Auditorium December 12, 13 & 14, l:,llll Seats: 75¢, $1.00, Edith Reed Song Shop. portunity to further prove his versa- tility. BELLE BAKE “SONG of LOVE” 606 13th St T. Arthur Smith’s Bureau. 1330 G St. G. W. University, 2009 G St. .America’s Greatest Somgstress Croon Her Unforgettable Melodies in the Greatest Picture in Years! with Ralph _David Graves Durand On the stage FANCHON & MARCO'S BEACH FISHER FOX GRAND ORCHESTRA Leon Brusilof conducting angles, and in Daniel Rubin’s “Under- | | Wed. Mat., Jan. 22 ISAAC VAN GROVE. CI Mr - ‘z.fi.rleel'&?ra "":‘";a.' 8 4 || Howbeing filea at Mrs. Wi .'...'m...."‘fi u, Dreop's, 1 G, | PHICADELPH ORCHESTRA Leovold Stokowskl — witsch, TUESDAY, DEC. 10, 4:45 M=_Gluck, » " B Minor, Drgra New W, AOF Stokowskt: " Conduetin $3.25, 3.00, 2.75, 2. T. Arthar Smi PROG Afiid-rl‘ir‘h Overture in ny No. Lec 1.00. * Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra of New York WILLEM MENGELBERG ARTURO TOSCANINI BERNARDINO MODLINARI CONDUCTORS Three Tuesday Afternoons 4 Jan. 7—Jan. 28—March Constitution Hall Serles Tickets, $0, 7.50, 5.00, .75, 3,00 L 3 A.m..,;_fl.i' Bu'r-uii“l‘:l. & ISADORA DUNCAN DANCERS FROM [10SCOW Second American Tour German Grand Opera Company * Arrangement With 8. BEROK Winasine Director WAGNER AND MOZART OPERAS Poli’s, Eves. Jan. 6, 8, 10 Mat. Jan. 14 o National Theater, Thursday, -4:30, Dec. 12 = K