Evening Star Newspaper, February 10, 1930, Page 20

The Week’s Attractions in Local Theaters Reviews of New Photoplays and Stage Productions ‘The most recent record of that NATIONAL #Across the World.” world - pair, Mr. and Mrs. Mar- tin Johnson, entitled ““Across the World With Mr. and Mrs. Martin Johnson,” is on view this week, afternoons and evenings, at the National Theater. That their experiences have dwindled per- ceptibly since they filmed “Simba” is apparent, but that they have found in- teresting cannibals, entertained three Boy Scouts and been witnesses to the migration of what seems like a world of zebras is beyond doubt. The first part of the film, taken in the South Sea Islands, has it all over | bega: the last half, which wanders over into Africa. The reason for this is that the cannibals look much more ferocious than the lions. What with the Boy Scouts playing a mock game of golf, supposedly in the very jaws of the wild beasts, and Mrs. Johnson “prink- ing” as she goes into action there is something a bit tame about the African Congo scenes. rhaps it s because one has a feell that the lions are actually & mile or so away, instead of a few feet, that the excitement is placed at a disadvantage. At any rate, there !sn't a climax that exhilarates, and one goes home with a feeling that the expedition must have had a good time, but rather forgot to cook up a& “sure-fire” ending. ‘This picture is advertised as the Johnsons' first talkie. The synchroni- eation of sound, however, hardy proceeds with the film. The only talking there is comes from the studio voice of Mr. Johnson, with occasional witticisms—if you want to call them that—from his wife. Starting off with an after-dinner party at the Martin’s New York apart- ment, one is shown what the stars of this film look like in evening dress. The light goes out in a minute and one is wafted across the world to the Solomon Islands in the South Seas. From then on the pictures are very interesting. The many views that have been shown of cannibals in various films up until now can't compare with the glimpses the Johnsons have brought back with them. Their noses riddled with adornments, their dried-up flesh, their elongated heads, make these can- nibals very unusual camera studies. ‘They are photographed in laughter and in anger and, in one case, dancing on the grave of one of their kinsmen whom they had recently buried alive on ac- count of his advanced years. They are also shown with their “devil- devils,” which they try to keep amused. By the time the camera reaches Africa, after picturing many crocodiles, rhinoceri and hippopotami in the South Seas, the explorers seem to have grown ‘weary, for from then on, apart from a few well fed lions, a superb glimpse of a threatened invasion of zebras and wildebestes and a picture of an Afri- can chief drinking a glass of water aided and abetted by his five wives, there 1s really very little of importance. Dick Douglas, however, one of the three Boy Scouts that visited the John- sons in Africa, between the halves of the film told the audience of amusing and exciting experiences and made up picture entitled “Today and Yesterday.” which is quite worth getting to_the theater in time to see. E M. NEWMAN’S TRAVELTALK. From the size of the audience, which came very near overflowing the aisles, Mr. Newman’s travelogue on the Rhine is one of the most popular of his sub- jects. Certainly at the National Thea- ter yesterday afternoon the company assembled was devout in attention. Starting off with Hamburg, Bremen, Brunswick and Hildesheim, there was much of interest shown before the ex- ploration of the regions of the Rhine n. In the first port, Hamburg, its myriad shipping facilities and its new style architecture, all seemed to be overshadowed by glimpses of the open- air oo, which is the most remarkable exhibition of its kind in the world. Here one may see fairly perfect replicas of the North Pole, with its bears and seals living amidst imitation splendors of rocks and ice; here the zebras dwell in a similar habitation to what they were used to in Africa, and here the chimpanzees climb over cliffs, and lions are separated from the spectators by only a 20-foot gorge. Here, in other , is animal life reproduced iden- tically with what it actually is in the four corners of the earth, making a tflfito this suburb of Hamburg an event we wcm.hh l'?hounx !orwi-tnrd ',;:.B e busy city of Bremen, 'lmmr 40 miles away, in which lies that new queen of the sea, the Bremen, Mr. Newman took his guests into the town of Brunswick, which was old and quaint, bat not a quarter as old or & tenth as quaint as Hildesheim. Its Guild Hall, particularly, is about the finest example of ancient timber dwell- ing now preserved, and everything else about lot‘lee'lr;ev.‘lt '?‘n?rellhe the atmos- here of ancient es. p'.l‘he remainder of the film dealt with the familiar Rhine, the Lorelei, the Mouse Tower, the Cathedral of Cologne and such wonders, and beautifully. ‘Will Rogers had better look to his laurels. In winning William Col- er, sr., from thehl:sglllni;‘lts stage, Hollywood gaine a comedian whose homely, philosophical brand of humor is as natural, spon- taneous and rib-tickling as the type of fun that made Rogers famous. Apparently these two veteran come- dians have taken it upon themselves to demonstrate what many producers had thought to be impossible—that it is feasible, practical and profitable to give movie audiences extraordinarily good fun without relying on the slap-stick, the bathing beauty or vulgarit; Rogers achieved this Tare objective in his first talkie, “They Had to See Paris,” and now the elder Colller, star of many Broadway comedies, done it again in “Harmony at Home,” the screen adaptation of Harry Delf’s domestic mirth-provoker, “The Family Upstairs,” which is shown at the Fox this week. It is said that Collier, like Rogers, iven free rein to “speak out of FOX at Home.” THE “the great American home.” Surely several of the hilarious bits of the production bore the stamp of -irrepres- sible wit, not readily manufactured in ay does not outside the confines of an nwruu'?mme for its characters and its humor. It produces laughs because it depicts situations such as all of us, at one time or an- other, have been confronted with. There is, for instance, that opening scene, where pa, all keyed up to break the news of his promotion to the folks at home, 15 dismayed to find they have already heard it by the grapevine route. And the excitement created by the visit of the oldest daughter’s first “beau.” And the efforts of Mr. Collier to get comfortable in the newly-installed “moderne” furniture, to keep tab on his son’s love affairs and to restrain his wife from meddling in his daughter's, are to the manner born. The play is bullt around the match- making proclivities of the mother, a role aptly portrayed by Elizabeth Pat- terson. The charming daughter, who is the victim of her mother’s overanxious- ness, is lovely Marguerite Churchill, comparatively - a newcomer to the talkies. Incidentally, she played in Will Rogers’ picture. 'This young lady s due for a well-deserved run of popularity. Rex Bell, erstwhile cowboy of the screen, makes an entirely logical reason for the daughter to fall in love. Charles Eaton is a corking adolescent youth Dixie Lee, his flapperesque sweet~ heart of the dance halls, and Charlotte Henry, his young, sweet and dumb sister, Dora, help to make this offering a laugh-riot that one must see and hear to appreciate. Fanchon and Marco's “idea” on the stage is the old but always appealing Tevue in miniature, literaily speaking, by Singer's Midgets. These half-pint editions of humanity stage a really creditable show, all to themselves, with vaudeville, musical comedy and circus stuft_colorfully and att:actively inter- mingled. The children will enjoy the performing elephants, Shetland ponies and reindeer. A short supplementary comedy with defective sound reproduction, but amus- ing plot based on the stock market crash was shown at the opening per- formance Saturday, in addition to a Fox Movietone clay-modeling feature depicting the life of Lincoln. Maestro Brusiloff leads his talented musicians in an excellent overture, blending sev- eral well known classics, including that old favorite, “Anitra’s Dance.” ‘The talkies also have PALACE helped to immortalize J. “Seven Days’ M. Barrie. They have Leave.” taken his delightful war play, “The Old Lad: Shows Her Medals,” and transformed i"’. into one of the most charming, whim- sical, humanly tou pictures so produced. Under the title “Seven Da; Leave” it i3 now being shown at tl Palace. The picture contains so much of Barrle and so little of Hollywood that one wonders how the powers of filmdom ever achieved such a 3 Considerable courage and speculation posaiblities ‘o5 (a5 Sy wee ein o were considered. Certainly there is mnm!m in it reasonably foreign to the usual Hollywood propagands. Far from the usual is its theme, the action con- cerns a mere seven-day interlude in the war-time lives of a soldier and a senti- EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. ):lrl:clu, however, mlm their “ ane this case Beryl Mercer is most of it. As the pathetically tender “Mrs.” Dowey, the who, as she ex- ph}nl. "el’: outscrub lg o profession in London,” she gives a well- nigh rflm forman u‘:on &ulfifln ihto SEytiog but mm:?tm. person role dem Never once does she strive for emotional ef- fectiveness. With restrained finesse she moves genuinely heart-| Ph?s‘r’lflllcm dowed with ly endo *ha that do justice to Pvt. Doweys, he bri sonality. to a role that A As the long-l , bekilted soldier of :.h; B}lck ‘Watc] lwhdisplnys an aj ude for e"llp Speech and roug whimsicalities that the director has used to excellent advan . The brief filmpu ugxmx"gg in Mrs. Dowey's b-amn; one greal of screen history. e e The remainder of the cast, although only really incidental, do their bits with surprising effectiveness, the three “graces” being just about perfect irx:lpuen o;l,:hnt Mr. Barrie e spell of this picture is so strong that it is difficult to remember that there is a stage show, even if it is above the average. There & new master of ceremonies, Teddy legs around in circular fashion; a large assortment of dancing ladies and quartet es Iady of her Lincoln's birthday is not far away. Ramon Novarro's COLUMBIA plstre,. “Devii “Devil » May E e worthy of praise for so mnitthlnn that it is difficult to know where to begin. It can be safely said, however, that the Columbia ‘Theater this week has brought to town a &m"“ which compares favorably with the best. Love-making, comedy and swash- buckling adventure have been so nice- ly blended that the overemphasis which mars so many photoplays is pleasantly absent. The musical numbers for the most part are well above the ordinary. Hear- ing the song of the Old Guards, for ex- ample, is well any one's time. There is no attempt to conceal the fact that this sel is sung ° picked chorus and not the column of soldiers shown mar through the hills of Southern France. the a&qnun of the sol- diers that the subterfuge is not con- spicuous. Novarro himself proves to be & songster of considerable ability. His voice is pleasing and clear, with just enough accent to lend credence to his role. He plays the part of Armand, an ardent lu}l;fi)flfll‘ of the vanquished Napoleon. talents as & lover, singer, swordsman and bold adventurer prove too much in the end for the extraordinarily attractive Dorothy Jor- don, & bitter anti-Bonaj t. ‘The best scenes involvin, bedrool pertain to ms, first enters through a window to escape pur- suing royalists, and second, when, as & servant, he demonstrates real playing ility to spend & few minutes with the these two » dominates m(g:&llummvflh 0d | ward moments is, however, | Napoleon reviewing in phant e ’4 :!wd and permanent banishment to St. Wheeser, diminutive star of “Our . one of the supple- mpts to exchange h’i:uh'by lm:- ;gor s goat. A newsreel completes the bill. J. 0. “I'd rather have you RIALTO marry a sailor myn. . | “Night Ride” Marine than a news- paper man!” says an old lady to her daughter—and that is a fair idea of the intricate phumonhy in- volved in “The Night Ride,” this week at_the Rialto. In spite, however, of the more awk- of this film—especially that in which the grandmother goes 0, MONDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1930. h, and another one of the most ceremonies on comes often gen- bal fter of B which s s ridiculous parade—this film uinely exciting, and includes one of| tion thnl{nnn %MM characterizations B o in o SRleNdSd. exatios of the 3 o o villainy. 'He has the gallant role of the gentleman who makes all the trouble by doing a little stealing, a little killing and a vivid bombing. At the end, of course, a sorry fate awaits him, but he has had a splendid time while it lasts—and 80 has the audience, ‘The story, although suffering from reminders of the past, is nevertheless satisfactory and often more than thrilling. It concerns an episode in the life of & reporter (and a tough episode, too, for & man's wedding night), who has to rush his own mar- riage ceremony in order to get the story and eventually to capture the gangster who has just robi in a bigger and better way. When the ac- suffers it is the fault of Joseph Schildkraut, ;);o ln]tho role :;t Hs Treporter lessly - miscast. e has one or twnwnm moments, how- eyer, and 80 has Barbara Kent. ‘There are shorter subjects, including a tribute to Lincoln. The Evening Star- Universal news reel closes the program. T “Sally,” starring Marilyn EARLE Miller, continues to crowd “Sally” the Earle Theater to the doors as it goes into its second week. And with good reason. There are few if any musical come- dies with more of all the things that a musical comedy ought to have—includ- ing pep, pretty girls and real than this same "uli:nl fame. And none have more fully adapted to the silvershee! vlt;phone. i3 - ik and a singing vol which rich le She is supported admirably gy Alexander Gray (also with an ex- cellent voice), Joe E. Brown, T. Roy Barnes, Ford Sterling and & cast of dancing ~girls, comedians and well chosen minor characters. 4 Of the many artistic scenes in the show the most gorgeous is the butterfly lwlet, wi:.él %llly u“nt.m m;:\ n‘und, surrounded by exqt - butterflies and fireflies W d with wgzfiteo}:r -'ficuu it un- u icate and lovely. snlyly's" Dest dance act is done “oft stage,” so to speak, with Joe Brown, (Continued on Fifth Page.) ld and ‘WoobpwARD & LoTHROP 1 880 COIDEN ANNIVERSARLY AR 1030 Exclusive Presentation of Shagmoor Topcoats for Spring The new Shagmoor Topcoats are here— smarter than ever. French in styling— English in their incomparable manner of tailoring—American in their youthful vivacity, practical wearability and pro- nounced economy. Exclusive Shagmoor Features Exclusive pure wool fabrics, remarkably durable and practically immune wrinkles. Splendid for traveling. to dust, moisture and Beautifully moulded shoulders that fit. Custom tailoring...all remarkable features at the low Shagmoor prices. Marilyn has brains, beauty / mental woman who pretend that they are mother and son. Out of this seem- ingly threadbare myth the talkies have fashioned a masterpiece. was tum,‘p if his risibilities impelled him during the making of this excellent, but somewhat brief, comedy of life in for whatever the pictures might have omitted. Before the feature film there is a Marion Harris -pgu' in a part which gives her little to do except prove that she has an excell lent voice. One of the most scenes is For Women, Misses : b \ Larger and Little Women Pl ‘ »> Plain Shagmoor Topcoats 7 $35 to $49.50 Fur-trimmed Shagmoor Topcoats $59.50 to $89.50 WoopwARD & LoTHROP Qm ; Ox Ooats, Trmp FLOOR. Smart Ideas for This Valentine’s Day Valentine Favors Hove Yow Own for Your Patties SILHOUETTE Snapping Mottoes, dozen.........50c, 75c and $1 on Your Missives Colorful Fancy Hats, each............5c and 10c Individual Satin Heart Boxes, each...........15¢ Woodward & Lothrop has just opened a New Sil- Individual Candy and Nut Baskets, dozen...$1.10 houette Studio . , . ever-so-many folks, especially Novel Valentine Table Centers.,.....$2.50 to $6 VGV:‘ g;"g;?" . dh"’“‘g 'h;“' Silh"“le“l" made. i anddaddies and grandmothers would love their Horns, Blowouts and Noisemakers, dozen...$1.10 youngsters’ silhouettes on the Valentines they.re- Valentine Wands, each ... .. 10c and 25¢ ceive ., . . your silhouette, too, incidentally. Fancy, Colorful Hats, each.., ++e.5¢c and 10c $3 half dozen Starionzry, Fmst FLooR. SmrOvETTE STUDIO, SIXTH FLOOR. 9x12 Domestic Rugs Reduced Semi-Annua‘?elh'ng Offerings . . . from Regular Stock Semi-Annual Reductions are always interested to budget-minded folks . . . Woodward & Lothrop's reductions are particularly so, because of their fashion, as well as value interest. 9x12 Wool Wiltons Were $65.. 9x12§ Axminsters. 9x12° Velvets ..Now $39.75 This Week Our Golden Anniversary Year Offers A Celanese Style Exhibit Miss Petrie comes from New York with frocks made = of Fashion’s Loveliest Celanese Fabrics for Spring Thos.e who sew will be well repaid if they make special efforts to see this Fashion showing and selling of lovely Celanese fabrics. New dresses made from new Spring Celanese are being displayed on models during this event, Living Room Group, $180 Two Pieces...Tapestry or. Mohair Coverings Tapestry coverings for dens and family living rooms « « . velvety mohairs for the more formal type of living room. Suit your room’s individuality. This sav- ing should not be overlooked. Green or brown tones. FurNniTURE, SxrE FLOOR. Glorious prints, shades for daytime and evening are exploited in crepes, satins, taffetas, piques, chiffons—all important because they are Celanese. And, as you know—Celanese is sunfast, and possesses properties that resist humidity. Fashion your Spring and Summer wardrobe of Celanese. New Spring Celanese Fabrics Printed satin Chiffion Voile . CELANESE FABRICS, SECOND FLOOR. Three Sizes i» Four-Post Beds, $22:50 cach More than interesting, these classic little bedsteads, since they live so beau- tifully with old chests and chairs. At this low Semi-Annual price, you may choose, single, double, and three-quarter sizes. Beautifully executed; mahog- any finish. Beps, Sxta FLOOR. Inner-Spring Felt Mattresses, $32:50 Extra heavy felt padding insures comfort. Coil springs exploit better bedding con- struction, Single and double sizes. Bropive, Sxxtr FLOOR, Vogue, Butterick and McCall Patterns are models for the dresses displayed These smart Spring numbers, “made-up” of fashionable Celan- ese, will be shown by Miss Petrie. Seeing the actual dresses, you will realize how smart these new fashions are—how well pro- portioned these patterns are—and how easy it is to make up these Spring fashions from the carefully arranged instructions of these patterns. These numbers are the dresses shown— McCall Patterns Butterick Patterns Vogue Patterns striped ticking thet tailors the mettresses. 5969, 6045, 5997 5069, 5095, 5121 Singlebed box springs - “:"-n’c’:‘; i 5074, 5136, 2801, §-3399 Double-Bed Size Box Springs, $27.50 Upholstered in the same fine quality heavy 2960, 2996, 3065 2978, 2977, 2989