Evening Star Newspaper, December 28, 1930, Page 46

Page views left: 0

You have reached the hourly page view limit. Unlock higher limit to our entire archive!

Subscribers enjoy higher page view limit, downloads, and exclusive features.

Text content (automatically generated)

AMUSEMENTS. Flashes From the Screen News and Comment of the Photoplay By C. E HE most natural thing in the world for the movie writer at this season of the year is to consider the pictures that have passed. And, of course, there is the old game of selecting | T the “best ten” of the past year. Such a list, naturally, interests Washingtonians only to the ex- vent of local showings. For this reason there are several highly praised pictures that cannot be included in a list of the “best ten” for Washington. For instance, there is “Morocco” and “The Blue Angel.” By a peculiar twist of the affairs of moviedom, both of these pictures show a new star not yet thrown upon the screens of the National Capital. She is Marlene Dietrich, the German girl. “The Blue Angel,” which has been acclaimed by New York critics, is a Ufa picture, and the well known Emil Jannings plays opposite Marlene. “Morocco” was made on the West Coast, but it is late in arriving in Washington. It is impossible when selecting a list of the “best ten” to overlook “The Big House,” the prison pic- ture which was banned by the censors of Ohio. This picture was an outstanding feature of the past year, and whether Ohio was allowed to see it or not makes little difference when .its real value is .analyzed. The work of Wallace Beery was the best of his career. Then there is “Min and Bill,” a picture with an impossible name, but filled to the brim with all that goes toward making a successful photoplay. “Abraham Lincoln,” starring Walter Huston, deserves a high place in the “best ten.” It might have been a better picture, but it stands head and shoulders above the average run. In my opinion “Animal Crackers,” with the Four Marx Brothers, should have the prize as far as screen comedies are concerned. One cannot_question the enter- tainment value of such a film. Of the two Greta Garbo pic- tures, I consider “Anna Christie” better than “Romance.” The Swedish Iceberg in her first talkie was a delightful surprise to the ear, and this, combined with an excellent story, leaves no doubt in my mind concerning the place of “Anna Christie” in the list. Per- haps we had better include “Ro- mance” for good measure. The war picture “All Quiet on the Western Front” is next—and who can refuse to give this film a place? When we get to music, Lawrence Tibbett and his “Rogue Song” top the year’s list of ribbon winners. Then comes Richard Barthelmess and “The Dawn Pa- trol.” Of the George Arliss pic- tures “Old English” probably de- serves first place—and then there was that Joe Cook thing, “Rain or Shine.” Looking back over the list, I find that it has grown to 11 pic- tures, and we are faced with a problem. What picture must we eliminate? It is certainly impos- sible to cut out one of the Greta Garbo features; the comedies have given us a great deal of real enjoyment; the musical piece of Tibbett cannot be eliminated, and the Barthelmess film was a long- run_success. Therefore, the shall stand at “best eleven.” * % % %X IN selecting such a list of pictures for the past year the Washing- tonian leaves out some of the very best films, which are scheduled for exhibition here at a later date. I have mentioned “The Blue Angel” and “Morocco,” and at this writing, I have not viewed “Tom Sawyer”; the new Doug Fairbanks picture, “Reaching for the Moon”; “Kismet,” starring Otis Skinner, and several others that might find a place on_any list of the best pictures. > & AND there is one peculiar thing about this business of ar- ranging a list of best pictures for the year. Have you noticed the absence of names of stars once so prominent in Moviedom? Where/| are the names of Mary Pickford, Doug Fairbanks, Charlie Chaplin, Ronald Colman, John Barrymore, Clara Bow, Norma Talmadge, Norma Shearer and numerous others? Richard Barthelmess is list | BY:" . Nelson. tures, but, also, there is little doubt that the Talmadge feature walks off with the cut-glass can- opener. e * '‘OGETHER with other prob- lems, producers are worried about the colored pictures. The use of color started off with a bang. It was a novelty, although it might be somewhat unnatural. Then color lost a good bit of its popularity. The bright yellows, greens, browns and reds were try- ing on the eyes; the colors, al- though the pictures were adver- tised “in natural colors,” certainly were something else. There was a certain amount of complaint over the technical mediocrity of the color work. Now, from Holly- wood, comes word that an attempt is being made to revive colored pictures; that new methods of ap- plication and a more decided THE -SUNDAY STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C., DECEMBER 28; 1930—PART FOUR. ON THE BELASCO STAGE i Hollywood Hat Sizes. HOLLYWOOD success .4 generally considered productive of enlarged craniums. It would appear, however, to be just an average eity o far as hat sizes of motion picture players are concerned. ‘The average head measurement of all players in the film colony is 7%, with 7Ya looming up almost as great, accord- ing to reports by the wardrobe depart- ment at the Paramount studios. A survey of man players at the same studlo reveals that, with only five ex- ceptions, every actor wears a hat just & bit larger than size 7. A veteran hat dealer is authority for the ipse dixit that these two sizes are the standard throughout the country—17% and 7%. The survey also proves that a leading man cannot be distinguished from a menace, & comedian from a character player or & star from an extra by hat sizes. For example, Maurice Chevalier, a star; Clive Brook, a leading man; Stuart Erwin, comedian; Paul Lukas, character portrayer, and Stanley Flelds, villain, all wear the same size hats. The smallest hat size of the studio list is boasted by Eugene Pallette, who out- ::é::: any other single definition and purity of shade has been obtained. . It has always been the conte: tion of this department that c ored motion pictures will =»3 reach the height of success for a long, long time. Color can be used successfully in the tableau, where the figures remain in one posi- tion; but when they start moving around, they form a jumble, -a mass—like the painter had thrown every color from the palette onto his canvas. When color, with all the technical details, is perfected so that it can become a mirror of the real thing—then color will be a success, and not before. The picture with artificial color is not true to nature. * K Kk Short Flashes. “THE ROYAL FAMILY,” Para- mount’s new picture, had quite an elaborate premiere in New York, the best seats selling for $5. Mabel Normand, film star who died recently in Hollywood, left an estate of $73,000, all of which goes to the mother. Miss Nor- mand was the wife of Lew Cody. ‘There may be more trouble in Europe. The same version of “All was banned in Germany is sched- uled to open in Vienna January 7. 1t is expected that a Fascist group will oppose the showing. Michael Arlen and Walter Hackett to write a scenario for Ronald Colman. The story will be based upon the Michael Arlen story, “Men Dislike Women,” and the picture will be titled, “What Fun Frenchmen Have.” From the Fox company comes news that Dorothy Jordan will lay the feminine lead in “Young inners.” William Holdan will have a part in the same picture. Washington exhibitors have a fine list of pictures for the holi- days. The opening dates are somewhat jumbled, each theater apparently trying to select a dif- ferent day for first showings. If you prefer a seat on opening day, better watch the ad announce- ments. Something grand over the hori- zon! It is announced that John Barrymore is fo take the leading role of a screen version of “Tril- The picture will carry the title of “Svengali,” and the-star will appear as a bearded master the barefoot singer. Thomas Meighan, after com- pleting his role in “Young Sin- ners,” will play opposite Jeanette MacDonald in “Good Gracious, Annabelle,” from the Clare Kum- mer stage hit. At the present time Miss MacDonald as & prominent role in “More Than a Kiss,” being produced by Fox. Charlie Chaplin’s “City Lights” is scheduled for opening in New York February 1. The star has delayed a trip to Europe to attend the premiere at the Cohan Theater. Roxy and his gang will start a nation-wide concert tour in Feb- ruary, under the direction of the National Broadcasting Co. From 10 to 14 appearances will be made each week, with ‘two-hour per- formances. Paramount plans to co-star Clara Bow and Gary Cooper in an underworld story, “After School.” The Broadway play “On the Up| and Up” has been purchased by | Universal as a starring vehicle for about the only star of other days who is represented. The other players on the select list are from | the stage, a number of them re- cent additions to the studio forces. Where are the stars of yester- year? Stage stars who have made Miller, Eddie Cantor, Twelvetrees, Basil Rathbone and Grace Moore. Of the radio stars, Amos 'n’ Andy make a list all their own. N HE greatest change of the year came about through the sound pictures. One year ago, not many of the theaters throughout the country were equipped for sound production. Today, nearly all of them are. This has made a complete turn-over in the in- dustry. One year ago, there still 2xisted a certain amount of doubt concerning the future of the sound picture; today, all that doubt has been removed. Vaudeville presentations are about where they stood a year ago, but more stars are playing the picture houses than ever be- fore. Elaborate prologues have practically disappeared, with the exception of one or two New York theaters. Short screen features have gained in popularity, and they are, as a rule, of much better quality than a year ago. An added attraction of special value is the two-reel travel icture, with sound. Many of the studios, at present, are concentrating on short subjects of cial educa- value, and these can be made thoroughly entertaining. * X * % IN selecting the best picture of the year, I am inclined toward “Anna Christie,” with “The, Big House” running a very close sec- d. The funniest picture of the 12 months was “Animal Crackers.” e worst picture of the year was “A Woman of Passion” (in some localities known as “Du Barry”),| - sfarring Norma Talmadge. As a we nominate the re- Cently. exibited “Naughty 133 is a long list of D‘ffi- |mand Excitement,” “All Women good pictures but who are not in-|Are Bad” and “Squadrons.” fudea in the list are Marilyn | Helen | ing feminine role opposite Lowell Ruth _Chatterton, | Sherman Mary Nolan. Edward Laemmle will direct. The Fox company is making seven pictures at the present time. They are “Land Rush,” “A Con- necticut Yankee,” “East Lynne,” he Modern World,” “Girls De- Irene Dunne is playing the lead- in _“Bachelor Apart- ment.” Miss Dunne scored heavi- ly in the stage production of “Show Boat,” and she was select- ed from a field of 40 actresses for her important role in “Cimarron.” She also appeared in “Leather- necking.” Tallulah Bankhead, who has been appearing on the stage in London, will arrivé in Hollywood January 20 to play opposite Clive Brook in “Her Past.” Rex Ingram is producing Para- mount pictures in France. His first release is called “Le Dieu De |La Mar,” or “God of the Sea.” |, “Too much dialogue,” according to the comedy producers. So it is announced that the Christie comedies of the future will con- tain 20 per cent less talking. Buster Keaton's new picture is | “Parlor, Bedroom and Bath.” | ._A chain of theaters for children {in New Jersey has failed to find |itself on the right side of the |ledger. However, | made that not enough suitable | subjects were found for exhibition. “The Blue Angel,” the Ufa pic- ture, almost equaled the box-of record at the Rialto in New York. It is placed second to the Gloria Swanson picture, “The er.” Monte Blue is 'back in the pic- tures, Columbia signing him to g_llggd ,t_he leading role in “The Jack Oakie will play the lead in the screen 'version of “June Moon.” ' Thelma Todd gets the supporting role. DANCING. L’EGARE STUDIO Specializing in ball room daneing ca: sul “aftention given to beginners. vy TRt 0, precticer § fo T TuseAsTi. P i Dee. the claim is|Clara Bowis iden G"/Tx Jack On‘l;l% hm: ;l 11}:1‘::% Powell & 71, ane o] l, Inges tract pllger s 73%. 'X‘huem & e In Northern Wilds. (QN the Tiffany program for 1930-31 there is a series listed under the title of “six outdoor action melo- dramas.” The producers explain the "Ws are goln plctures. in" the Quiet on the Western Front” that | mills. Samuel Goldwyn has signed b3 The story of tribe, the Ojibways, the old Ojib the Ine will North, leaving lnm“flt?h gl:ht’“l‘ o0 an every port n'umm 5 Good Times Joy Note 'OSEPH H. MOSKOWITZ, vice presi- dent of the Art Cinema Corpora- tion and Joseph M. Schenck's personal representative in New York, went to California at the Schenck in his ‘This , completed, he declares that Lh-.mmy financial condition of these interests affords a strong basis for the current United Artists expan- sions in uction _and _exhibition fields which occupy Mr. Schenck and Samuel Goldwyn, among others, Who plays the of & A Monicker for Jean. ‘T'HE BLOND PANIC,” suggested as a “designation” for Jean Harlow, “platinum blond” star of “Hell's Angles,” is not to be employed, it was first used on sports pages with refer- ence to Marshall Duffield, University of Southern California . quarterback, from whom even Notre Dame could not remove it. Howard Hughes' New York 'office, mindful of the ethics, however, offers $100 in cash to “the man, woman, child or movie critic” who ts before March 1 the best “designation” for the “America’s Sweet- .glrl" bwr m tified. Uni Artists barred from real pirate in “Capt. Apple- -to Caddo Pro- iway,” New York will be done Wi i Ul ' _Tepre- herself, and a United, Artists’ 'sentative. The $100 is said to be now at_the C: The WORLD'S GREATEST DANCERS CONSTITUTION HALL, -« . Thurs., Jen. 15—4:30 e e T R ZITA JOHANN, Who has & prominent role in “Hail and Farewell,” schedaled for the Belasco Theater during the week beginning January 5. The Moving Picture cAlbum By Robert E. Sherwood. AJ. ALBERT WARNER, one of the Warner brothers, recently made an acld test of motion picture theater receipts (or lack of same) and the results of his laboratory experiments are worth oting. q“"M&mnn picture audiences of today like good storles,” says Maj. Warner, which would seem to indicate that au- dlences of yesterday didn't like good stories. He then goes on to expl what kind of good stories the audiences like best: “Action and punch are the most nec- essary ingredients, with youth, love and sentiment entering into the whole.” I doubt very much that any one will arise to dispute the truth of Maj. ‘Warner's ements. It is a vir- tual certainty that, if there were more of action, punch, youth, love and sen- timent on the screen; thete would be vastly fewer empty seats out front. There is hardly a man or woman alive today who doesn’t nourish a secret fondness for action, punch, youth, love and sentiment. However, it is one thing to diagnose the public’s taste correctly and quite another thing to find ways and means ., | to satisfy it. In which connection it is et | e st that Ma). Warner doesn't where he and his brothers wh,lnok "(hor l!hz Bu%pllu g( actjon, punch, youth, love and sentl- ment they intend to use in their {nmms. Perhaps he doesn't want to ip off his competitors. Or perhaps he doesn’t know. i the big an ““What does the public discover an answer which satisfies them fi:en though it doesn't satisfy the pub- One month the public wants sex storles. The next month the public is tired of sex stories and is fairly shriek- ing for good, clean comedies. The month after that good, clean comedies are a drug on the market and there is a big public demand for red-blooded ‘Western melodramas with strong heart interest. it goes. ‘The fact is that the public never knows what it wants. The sure of only one thing—that tures are bad pictures, no matter how mucéh they may, be disguised or tricked up to conform ‘to the supposed trends in_popular taste. 1 earnestly pray that Maj. Warner will immediately provide us with a lot of pictures that possess action, punch, etc., and that his colleagues in Holly~ wood will do lkewise. But I'm positive that they won't accomplish that de- sired end by wasting their time sul Jecting previous box office figures to the old acid test. * K ok x I SHOULDN'T be at all surprised to learn that Samuel Goldwyn is nourishing a secret ambition to be ele- vated to the peerage in Great Britajn— that he is hoping that King George will summon him almost any day now and make him a Knight Commander of the Bath, at the very least. Mr. Goldwyn is certainly doing the right thing by his British constituents. He has given employment to hordes of English actors, English authors, English su) rs. He has Lady Maureen Stanley on his pay roll to see to it that all lorgnettes are held at just the right angle. In his production of “Raffles, he even went so far as to put on-a. country cricket match, which was the ultimate in authenticity, In his new offering, “The Devil to Pay,” by Frederick Lonsdale, he gives us London clubs, London taxis, Water- loo Station, breakfast at Lord, Knee- land's and Derby day at Epsom Downs. Ang he gives us also fine performances by” three talented Britons, Ronald Colman, Fred Kerr and & wire-haired fox terrler named George. Both Mr. Kerr and George are so superlatively good that they might easily have stolen the picture away from Mr. Colman; but Mr., Colman is one star who is compe- tent to frustrate any attempts at grand ll.r(:eny by members of his supporting casf Mr. Lonsdale wrote “The Devil ‘to Pay” directly for the screen, and he has done an intermittently satisfactory job. His first scenes are brilllant and- serve to send the story off te a swift start. Some of the later snatches of dialogue, particularly a proposal of marr from Mr. Colman to the heroine, are graceful and delightful. But Mr. Lons- dale is essentially a dealer in words, and exceedingly frail words at that. When he comes to tamper with the less ar- COMPANY ACAST of WORLD W ACOMPANY of ONE AFRY COMPLETE QHORUS dod SYMPHONY OROESTRE RETURN ENGAGEMENT NATIONAL THEATER |Hculate human emotions, his skill serts him. Mr. Lonsdale’s chief defect is he seems to have no regard for reality of his characters. They are pornnto?lymw!udu&cy;:u of dialogue an B The.teast Swith say. , m the picture, what they say is ex By way of holding his franchise in the United States, Mr. Goldwyn engaged two beautiful American girls, o R R ap] e genfle, “The Devil to Pay.” Usually so much attention is given to Miss Loy's face and form that the loveliness of her voice is overlooked. Well—I beg to state the opinion that her volce is lovely, and her diction cer- tainly does not sound like Helena, Mont., from which she hails. I also ve.ture to announce (and I'm sure she’ll be the first to forgive me) that her present blonde coiffure is lament- ably unbecoming. I is the season when wgy Ailm critic is com; by law to name the 10 best plmm-%a year. Here is “Journey's End Silent Enemy,” “Laughter,’ House,” “Abraham Lincoln, Angel” “Holiday” and “Her Man.” There are 12 in that list, but I can't decide which two to eliminate in order to get down to the able mention should ‘Animal Of all the that T saw in 1980, I think that I derived the fullest amount of entertainment from “Ingagl,” that unforgetable m‘uflllnd the sex life of the Hollywood 3 With which a happy New Year is wished to all, and especially to Greta Garbo, Marlene Dietrich, Nancy Cer- roll, Leila Hyams, Lols Moran and the four Marx brothers. (Copyright, 1930.) Lord of Green Pastures. RICHARD B. HARRISON is 66 years 4 old today. He has always spent his birthdays in Chicago with his wife, Ger- trude, his son Laurence and his daugh- ter Marion, at their home at 3544 South Parkway. And who is Richard B. Harrison? Mr. Harrison himself has been quite the center of attraction on Broadway, for he plays the role of the Lord in “The Green Pastures.” Richard B. Harrison sent a novel thrill through Broadway last February when he m: his stage debut in this remarkable play, incidentally fulfilling the ambition of a lifetime by playing & role in a Broadway success, Ontario, the son of refugee slaves who fled north to seek freedom in Canada. Several years later Harrison’s family migrated to De- , where he studied dramatic art. There was never any question after that about his life work. Whether he bell. hopped or served as a porter or under. took any other odd job, there was al. ways enough money saved for him to continug his studies. lr: 1891 khe beamehn ploneer in dra- matic work among the Negroes, toured the South, appearing in churches, on lecture platforms and in colleges. His audiences increased in numbers as his Harrison was invited by the faculty of the Agricultural and Technical Col- | Montagu lege in Greensboro, N. C., to organize a dramatic-school for teachers. Last Fall he finished his seventh consecutive sea- son as head of the dramatic art depart- %flll and came lNonha!;’) begin his course of rea in the r.hl:r‘gu X rolled as a member of the lecture staff of the Greater New York Federation of Churches. Mrs. Harrison, his wife, is & pianist, and was one of the first Negro women to muu from the Chicago Musical Col A Crusher to Age. "DONT come to Hollywood” has ceased to be addressed to innocent girls and high school boys. The warning is now going out to middle- aged folk over the country, who be- lieve themselves to be a lble Marie , Wallace Beery, Edmund Breese, or some.other present day screen celebrity. ‘“We_ are having h““‘é,""' of calls RAQUEL TORRES, The little Mexican actress who has the leading role in “Aloha,” a story of the South Seas. . e /8 ANGELS,” saccording to some World War authorities, is “one of the most authentic and realistic air spectacles ever produced.” Maj. C. C. Moseley, formerly of the First Pursuit Group, A. E. F., now vice president of the Curtiss Flying Service, and one of many ex-war aces, is said to have voluntarily gone on record in high praise of the authenticity of the Howard Hughes aviation film now at the Co- lumbia. “+Hell's Angels’ actually shows things as they were at the front during the war,” Maj. Moseley is quoted as uyln{l. “It puts on the screen the things whic] the gang who flew at the front has been trying to explain for 12 years. What's more, it gives a few jolts that can't possibly be set down by word of mouth or in writing. “Real, honest-to-gosh German Fokker D-7's, British SE-5's and Sop Camels are hauled around in the air by regular pilots who know their stuff. One for- mation of 15 ships takes off, to wing, for a patrol over the lines. it sort of thing just can’t be done by drug- stor ilots. - e viewing the picture I almost med out’ in helping keep the ships colliding in the big dog-fights where between 40 and 50 ships are all milling around, exactly like the big scraps during the Pilots on the TOMORROW ELASC MGMT. LEE AND J. “Hell’s Angels.” tail of another ship are shown being shot down by some one on their tail, while they were intent on their own shooting. “The tactics used in the air fighting are superbly authentic and realistic. ‘The attack on the bomber by von Richthofen, the German ace of aces, is true to form and beautifully done. “The Germans are not portrayed as terrible ogres in the usual silly manner, but on the contrary they are shown as the real human beings they are, with high ideals, unselfish, lovers of home, country and friends—the same, after all, as ourselves—but at war with their en . Smashing Records. HILE Marlene Dietrich’s two previ- ous pictures, “Morocco” and “The Blue Angel,” are smashing records in New York and the beautiful actress her- self is in Germany for the Christmas holtdays, finishing touches are be on her third picture, “Dishonored. “Dishonored” was written by Josef von Sternberg, with dialogue by Samuel Hof- fenstein, famous for his “Poems in Praise of Practically Nothing.” The cast includes Victor McLaglen, Warner Oland, Barry Norton, Lew A tav von Seyferrtitz, Willam B. Davidson MATINEES At 930 Thurs, SHUBERT s s o5t LEE SHUBERT Presents The Gala New JOHN DRINKWATER'S Comedy Success With an English Cast A year in London 800 Times in New. York Year Attraction BIRD IN HAND GREAT. BRITAIN'S SUPERB GIFT TO THE AMERICAN THEATER. NEXT WEEK—MAIL ORDERS NOW—SEATS WED, GILBERT MI LLER Presents “HAIL ™ FAREWEL A NEW PLAY BY PHILIP BARRY with Ay ZITA JOHANN and HERBERT MARSHALL jtaged by Mr. Miller e BEEREE RRAWBIEL B and schools. He is also en- % AMUSEMENTS. EARLE—Otls Skinner in “Kismet.” VW ARNERS” Earle this week offers Otis Skinner in the photoplay of his famous “Kismet.” Charles Withers, Sol Gould and others will make things lively in the stage rected, and the support! Loretta Young, David Manners, Mai Duncan, Sidney Blackmer, Ford Ster- ling, Edmund Breese, Blanche Frederici, Love, Richard Carlyle, Otto Hoffman, John St. Polis and 1,000 others. ‘The, picture, which was nted in New York at $2 prices, 1 be shown here for one week only and at popular Op'ry” is a burlesque & small-town manager and the ridicu- | inhe lous mlm:mplnyed in small towns to stage a . Withers' creation of the old manager is one of the best etched of comedy characterizations. Su) ing him are May Allen, Jess W! Infi- ham, Joe Sola, John Turner and Wil- liam Zennel. Other offerings iaclude lect comedian, whose nonsense is aided by Helen Kay Booth; | Bill George Shafer and Al Gould, the Betty Jane Cooper Revue, comprising 10 daz- 2ling dancers and singers; the Lathrop Brothers, Joe Reems and Birdye Mark- fleld. Maxime Doyle is mistress of FOX—"“Tom Sawyer.” ‘“TOM SAWYER,” Mark Twain's classic of childhood, is the screen attraction at the Fox, with Jackie Coo- gan making his in the title role. Mitzi Green is co- starred in this n berry Rnn. Others include Luclen Littlefiel as the teacher, Tully as Potter, Clara Blandick as Aunt Polly, Ethel Wales as Mrs. Jackie Harper, Earle as Sid, Jane Darwell as Widow | Ba: mll- and Charles Stevens as In- oe. ‘The Fox stage show is the Fanchon and Marco “Collegians,” billed as “The ‘It' Boys of Melody and Mirth,” with Crooker and Guy Buck. The llegians” is one of the bands. Masters play a New Year's overture, during which Helene Kearney makes an ap) nce. Ron and Don play a de- lightful seasonal e and the latest Fox Movietone News rounds out the program. COLUMBIA—"“Hell's Angels.” ITH “Hell's Angels” at Loew's Co- lumbia this week, the theater has int of the its production and the $4,000,000 spent went to the of one of the most forceful productions the screen has seen. % A special midnight show will be given on New Year eve. Despite the fact that this production has been “road showed” over the entire country and that it is now being shown in New York in two theaters simulta- neously at $2 prices, there will be no increase in the regular Columbia ad- missions. RIALTO—“Cohens and Kellys in Africa.” ever BRING!NO Africa to Hollywood is no an expert thoroughly versed jungle country, the habits and customs of its les and the dress and languages of many tribes, the feat is said to have been accomplished with surprising results in Universal's comedy “The Cohens and Kellys in Africa, now at the Rialto Theater. Universal employed as its technical adviser Peter Shaw, a native of York- search . A wooded versal's 350-acre studio lot was trans- formed into a jungle with a native vil- lage of more ‘than 35 palm-thatched huts, especially construct for scenes of this new comedy. The village was to accommodate 280 natives. The sef was patterned an_African ;gl;gla by Shaw in village ‘photograph Shaw added a touch of realism to the setting by teaching several of the Negro extras playing African natives short sentences of African tribal languages. Charlie Murray snd George Sidney, two of the screen’s most popular comedians, have the leading roles in the comedy “The Cohens and Kellys NAT Phos Night, $1.¢ Mats. talking picture debut |« ONAL ) $1.00 0o to_$2.00. in Africa,” supported by Vera Gordon and Kate Price. PALACE—"War Nurse.” me by s woman who dared not sign her name, “War Nurse,” now at Loew’'s Palace, is considered by suthorities &s a typical depiction of the woman's side of ‘war. Robert Mont- has the leading role, with Ames, Anita Page, June Walker, arle Prevost, Zasu Pitts and Hedds in leading x-ol?:.x will be & special midnight show at the Palace New Year eve that will include the entire stage show as well as the feature picture. Allan remains another weex as master of ceremonies, with Barto and Mann in “Mexicana.” The jre- dominant theme of this revue is Span- ish, with many well known Loew acts from below the equator appearing. R-K-O Keith's—“Hook, Line and Sinker.” ADIO PICTURES' farce, “Hook, Line and Sinker,” co-featuring Bert Wheeler and Robert Woolsey at R-K-O Keith's, 1s heralded as the season’s mas- terplece; “straight” comedy, funnier even than “The Cuckoos” or “Half Shot at Sunrise,” with the clowning come- dians at their best. ‘The boys start out as insurance sales- tely steal a whole railroad ain, butt in on the affairs of a beau- , take over the hotel she has , fill it with soclety dowagers and their jewels and then, when put- licity brings all the crooks in creation into the hotel, .the plot begins in earnes| : t. Dorothy Lee as the daughter; Jobyna Howland, the tall comedienne of “Dixi~ an Ralf Harolde, George Marion, Natalle Moorhead, Stanley Fields and Davidson are the supporting cast. An unusual group of short subjects completes the bill. METBOPOIJ‘I'AN‘. 'Sin Takes & Holi- v WAnm's Metropolitan, which has inaugurated a policy of two victures weekly, nts “Sin Takes a Holiday” and Will Rogers’ “Lightnin’ as the attractions for this week. Constance Bennett, whose work on tht her to the top- ema ladder, has leading role in “Sin Takes & Holi- eymoon. Supporting gllyen include Kenneth McKenna, m’?llhbune. Rita LaRoy and Louis “Lightnin’,” the newest Will Rogers starring vehicle, will be presented from Wednesday to Priday, December 31 to January 2. This is a screen version of the noted stage play of Frank Bacon. Supporting players include Louise W‘lefi% Helen Cohan, Appropriate short subjects and the Graham McNamee Talking News Reel complete each program. Busy Mitzi Green. me GREEN, the clever child ac- tress, had just completed & 10,000~ mile trip with but six hours to spare before production started on “Finn and Hattie Abroad,” her newest picture for Paramount. Mitzi’s tour was a permh:al man, Jackie Searl and Louise tosh. Norman Taurog and Norman Mc~ COMING R T B Droop’s, 1300 G St. Dis. 6493, JANET RICHARDS AOME WD FORRIGK Every Mondsy Morning at 10:45 Masonic Temple, 13th and N. Y. Ave. Admission, 75¢ and 81 World's Consiitution “Hall Teer GAYETY—BURLESK WALTER BROWN TAN GARA? OPENING MONDAY AND WEEK To " $8.00, Wed. Wed., Thurs. and DIRECT FAOM TRIUMPHANT YEARS RUN TO CONTINUOUS SELL~ THEATR R o PELAsco, WIS _SUPREME - SMASHING SOPHISTICATE! oAVID D COMEDY SUCCEsS > W8 PLAWLESS WEW YORK CaAgy Cihag NEW Y 4 DAYS ONLY, Beg. Wed. Night, Jan. 7th Laurence Rivers, Producer of “The Green Pastutes” Presents HILIP ., GOES FORT [ 23 GEORGE KELL uhor of TR ToRCH SEABRY", Y08 MAIL ORDERS SHON-0FF, “CRAIG'S — BOX OFFICE SALE THURSDAY Plomage - % SN R WIFE", “BENOLY, the DAIBESAON" sla, 1, Boe. i 24 Bal, S0e. -

Other pages from this issue: