Evening Star Newspaper, January 11, 1931, Page 47

Stage News and Screen and Gossip EVELYN LAYE and ~ Ore Heavenly Nigh?” JouN BOLES - /» Palace Drama of the Day By W. H. INAL dress rehearsals of two new plays on their way to premieres in New York, where only premieres really are premieres, honored Washing- ton during the week, and, in all probability, provided rare, if not the best theater that may be ex- pected here during the current season. Even for that we are truly grateful. According to the mode, each presented a problem. *“Tomorrow and Tomorrow”—the title seems destined for another change—deals with the yearning for motherhood by a childless wife, a theme treated with poetic ht and diction, although 1 with difficulties inexplicable to the frivolous mind, by a ];ll:y- wright whose ideals may ve sought the heights. Always in the thought of the audience, however, his work will be met with the never-ending conflict between the viewpoints of those who reverent- ly look toward the consummation of a divine purpose and those who can never rid their minds of sex coagulation. Perhaps, with this in sight, the poet, in spite of his eonception and the poesy with which his story is clothed, at times, has seemed overzealous although his purpose is never per- itted to be obscured. In the t of current thought and man- ners his task was prodigious. How well he has accomplished it must ever remain a question with the individual and whether he ap- proaches the subject with a spirit of pure and honest humanity, or in a mood less holy. Nevertheless, it is an honest and a beautiful effort, and Gilbert Miller, its pro~ ducer, has placed it in an ad- mirable setting. P h IN the George J(elly play, “Philip Goes Forth,” the playwright has wrought upon a problem less embarrassing, but, nevertheless, exacting. The hero, aged 23, worn %0 a frazzle with the exactions of ® commercial career, longs to ex- | ] press himself, and so goes forth on his heaven-sent mission to write a play. And where better ay he find the material to fire is iration than in a conven- tional rding house, whose mis- tress once graced the stage her- #elf and who feasts her boarders with memories of her career, ided by the adornments of her ome that once had garbed a Cleopatra and pillow covers and eases that once had added to the foveliness of equally famous char- sacters of the footlights? But, slas, for the human quest! Even- tually he returns with the con- viction that if one hasn’t anything to express, why strive for expres- sion, a conclusion eloquently sup- by his father with an un- ed play which he, himself, had once thought might lead to fame and fortune, There is not a at deal that is new in lly':rglot and story, but, oh, how wonderfully well he has refash- foned the old garment into a bril- liant product of fancy to clothe the weary mind with entertain- It is one of the best illus- mending gentlemen of brilliant minds in lmga glth theilr drama today? * % x % , leaving pleasant memories of Landvoigt. week hopeful, if not brave. And why? Well, for one reason, there is a disquieting suspicion that “Storm Song” is going to find its melodies in the diapason of the big organ and not in the sounds that reflect the warbling of the birds or the languorous ditties of the lackadaisical love!. A rough night at sea, mates, and a lone lass with a surly crew saps the courage at the outset. The fact that “Storm Song” had the late Jeanne Eagels in mind for its star, the Jeanne who broke loose when it rained and rained and rained, is also just a bit disquieting to the soul that lacks in daring, and which, without the least reflection upon the memory of the gifted Miss Eagels, might have chosen something that claimed the at- tention of a milder star to soothe its idle moments. However, it takes all kinds of people to make a world, and, after all, drama is but the reflex of the world’s life, even though idealized a bit for the sake of art. Those who like strong meat and strong drama may find their craving for strength soothed by the strains of “Storm Song.” Besides, it is always best to see a morsel before consuming or rejecting it. “The Blue Ghost” has an uncomfortable sound and the mere thought of it is apt to sap the courage of the timid. But is it not the timid really who have made the mys- tery play popular? The chap that knows it all and isn’t afraid of the devil himself has no time for mystery plays. They belong to the weak and trembling, the aspen leaf and the nhlvermg bowl of jelly. At least, they offe: ternative, although it doesn’t matter much whether you trem- ble at a blue ghost or have the shivers shaken out of you on a stormy sea with a burly, rough- necked crew ready and willing to do almost anything. They are both drama of a sort, if it’s drama you are in search of. * ok % frightful night looms the Theater Guild on the horizon. “Green Grow the Lilacs” sounds poetic and even smacks of Spring to the Winter-tired soul. Even though its inspiration sprung from the turbulent soll of far- off Oklahoma, Lynn Riggs, who gave it expression, isn’t trying an unbroken colt on his public. Lynn has fathomed the depths and soared to the heights from the humble station of a farmhand to that of Guggenheim Fellow in Eurolpe. He is a poet as well as a playwright, and there is no mention whatever by the biog- rapher of our subject to indical that he ever took to bootlegging or to flymtgl recklessly in the air. And then there is always the con- Mr. | solation that he comes under the sponsorship of the Theater Guild, and the Theater Guild stands for drama at its best. Countering the lilacs of the guild new with the , who are eater and the m;x — rlnl.\-s AMUSEMENT SECTION he Swunduy Star. WASHINGTON, D. C, ALLEN FRANKLIN, SEENAOWEN and DoueLas Cosarove-"The BlueGhost . Belasco CuarLes RueGLEs- | E In*Charleys Homt” RKO Keiths § *KeeP MOVING” VIVIENNE SUNDAY MORNING, JANUARY 11, 1931 RA\‘GI F an d SCREE FRANCINE LARRIMOIRE- I Storm Song” /\l ational SecALans \WALTER PIDGEON - Conrap NAGELE. ond (GENEVIEVE TOBIN-X\ /n* Free Love” Rialto irls Palace (Stage) - Stage and Screen Attractions This Week School Shows PECIAL programs for school chil- dren’s entertainment, under the di- rection of Harrlet Hawley Locher, here- after will be offered by the Fox each Saturdsy morning. Doors will open at 8:45 am., and the special show will last until shortly before 11 a.m. when the house will be emptied and the th;?termwm start its nmn”; pam. rogram arra ¥ Locher (orp next Bltu‘urdlryé the initial , the IKE a friendly beacon on a|the tomorrow evening. ning. GAYETY—“Radium Queens.” FOX—“Part Time Wife.” ning. i te mystery plays?” he “In fact, I not only love to write but I love to play in them. I love its branches, I love 5 many years ago. “No, I did not learn to write plays from books or a college course, I learned construction from the study of drama at first hand . . . in the theater. That was in Buffalo. I was a student ESERE it 5 ON THE STAGE. NATIONAL—“Storm Song,” with Francine Larrimore. Opens BELASCO—“The Blue Ghost,” mystery play. Opens this eve- This afternoon and evening. ON THE SCREEN. PALACE—“One Heavenly Night.” EARLE—“Viennese Nights.” This afternoon and evening. This afternoon and evening. COLUMBIA—"“The Right to Love.” This afternoon and evening. R-K-O KEITH'S—“Charley’s Aunt.” This afternoon and evening. This afternoon and eve- RIALTO—"Free Love.” This afternoon and evening. METROPOLITAN—“Passion Flower,” until Wednesday; “Going Wild,” remainder of the week. Why He Writes. step over into bathos. It was & grest schooling. “I have only one purpose mystery thrillers and that is entertain- ment,. I will not write Years ago I discovered that the. American playgoers are concerned they don't want to think. The tired ess man and the tired business man's wife are too with work-a~- t,” and 80 how to solve their own particular problems.” “Confelliona 0{ a G"Ed." A Motor, Aviation, Radio Programs RuTH CHATTERTON a7 DAVID MANNERS - I A Right+alove”Columbia KAy FRANCIS and CHARLES DICKFORD ~ In* The Passion Floweér “Metropolitan MARIE CoLLins- : Working @s an_tusher ghm;mmmmmdummuu NATIONAL—“Storm Song.” RANCINE LARRIMORE in & new eople icago” and “Let Us Be Gay” is now said to be cast in the most conspicu- ous role of her career. The play itself comes ‘Washington, not it wn Buysby. Pranklin, Douglas ve, Ber- nard 3, Moowas, Peank dn ‘Prace end i §§E§ aii i i £ £ i E i ge= ] | i i