Evening Star Newspaper, June 21, 1931, Page 47

| Stage and Screen News and Gossip | Part 4—8 Pages AMUSEMENT SECTION - The Sunday St ‘WASHINGTON, JAGE and ~ SCREEN —_— »"The \/iIce SQuap”’- Pslace By Wi H Landvoigt. FT\HE final curtain is about to]of 121l at. & National The-|when chaffed by | l aler. ngton has had | “Laugh if you like, but give me| its annual rupertory season,| credit, boys. 1've got the ‘dough.’” | thanks to Manager 8. E. Cochran| All that Billy and his fat ladies and his associates, espectally to|ever did to get that “dough” was Clifford Brooke, whose direction|to feast the eyes and tickle the| throughout has approached the!ears of his audiences. Theirs was| superlative. Ten plays and “the|the art that ncver taxed the brain unique, profound drama of its|in sny of its departments. And time” have been presented by a|everybody was happy. | company of sterling players that| But now, even the talking pic-| has been honored, without excep- | tures do not appear to be "c‘.cng‘ tion, with praise that has seemed | so much of a much.” Yet they| to approach the extravagant. The | feast the eyes, if they do not tickie | cost performance to the patrons|the ears; and certainly no one | has averaged but little above the | has ever complained of brain fag| average nightly admission to the|because of them. Surely, surely.| doubtful drama of the screen. It|the world has changed. | might be impertinent to inquire if| * ok k% | its promoters are satisfied with | the results, more especially in tnc| [JVARL CARROLL seems to be furnishing the biggest impetus matter of financial returns. And|. 4 5 et one wonders if those returns in making the metropolis theater- | ave paid them the ordinary|minded at the present moment. | ersonal. compensation for- their| What with a new theater that will | abors, as well as a fair profit upon | Seat a vast audience and have a| the capital they have expended in | bargain counter, instead of a box| their venture. One may venture|office, at the front door for seat a guess, however, as to why the|selling, with prices ranging down- season should close so early, with| ward from $3 per, he is to follow the weather, a vital asset, most|UP With a wagonload of thermos favorable to its continuance, if | bottles and sanitary cups for puri- the outlay in thought, in worry,| fied water, cooled by science, and in unceasing labor and pmfes_‘servcd at intermission by theater | sional skill, in addition to the‘fit"e"danttsi e ilce ey money invested, has been fully| !0 greet and welcome” arriving| appreciated. Washington, even| platroélsr-and dear knows what| though the Capital of these|€lSe, before he gets through. One| United States, be it remem- must give Carroll fr_edn. also. He| bered, is ranked only as one of the |15, one of ithoss unique showmen many way stations on that mys- | Who just simply won’t stay down. terious, lost “rcad,” which some- | Fel % 2 | body in the American theater is| AS the new edition of the Zieg-| setting about to recapture for the feld “Follies” opens in Man- theater legitimate. | hattan, “The Green Pastures,” Is Washington | after its 547th performance, will ed?” take its departure at the close of e e tl;{s weeki :mh a record of box . " office receipts amounting to near-| TUART WALKER, widely known | 1y $3 000,000, paid by approximate- | as a tireless worker and expert|ly a half million patrons. . Ac- in the matter of stock companies,| cording to present plans, it will Just a week ago, contributed to the| reopen in Chicago on Labor day columns of the New York Herald-| and, after a four months' stay,| Tribune an article that should be| will’ proceed thence to Cleveland. of deep interest to lovers of the Detroit and St. Louis to round-up theater that is called, even in the|the season. A year from next Fall, mouoq'pmture industry, “the legit- probably, it will appear in Phila- | imate.” It was a response to in-|delphia, Boston and “other East- its’ “ensemble,” used to say| his patrons.| “theater-mind- | more popular in Washington or more D. C, SUNDAY MORNING, JUN NANCY SHERIDAN- National - 7onight *MISBEHAVING Metropolitan Gayetys Closmg Week. "THE Mutual Burlesque Ascociation has many stars that have risen to the top of their profession, but none talented than Hinda Wassau. Although still in her early twenties, her birth sc- | curring in 1909, Miss Wassau has won fame all over the circuit for outstand- ing performance. When she ccnsented to produce, un- der her own direction, the current at- traction at the Gayety, as a farewell gesture of good will to Manager Lazke and his army of fans, the success of the show was assured. “Hollywood Honeys" current burlesque season. will close the Niece of Blasco Ibanez. ¢RUTH HALL” Hollywood’s latest girl to got a “lucky break,” has \X/ESLE> EDDY- 7 o o % N\ LADIES = Stage and Screen Attractions This Week On the Stage. NATIONAL PLAYERS—“Strange Interlude,” Eugene O'Neill drama. Daily performances, starting at 5:30 p.m. GAYETY—"Holywood Honeys.” This afternoon and evening. On the Screen. FOX—“Women of All Nations.” This afternoon and evening. EARLE—"Up Pops the Devil.” This afternoon and evening. , R-K-O KEITH'S—"“Three Who Loved.” This afternoon and eve- ning. PALACE—“Vice Squad.”- This afternoon and evening. METROPOLITAN—"“Misbehaving Ladies.” This afternoon and evening. COLUMBIA—“The Lawyer's Secret.” ning. This afternoon and eve- E. 2 Palace (S#sge) | quiries made in connection with the failure of the Boston Reper- tory Theater and evidently seek- ing information upon the general| question of local repertory com-| panies. “America,” wrote Mr. Walker, “can have the greatest and most living theater in the world, if six or seven cities each will have its own repertory theater, and work together in their effort to develop‘ as quickly as possible some artists| —actors and playwrights and di- rectors. “The desire to act is not acting, and the desire to write a play is not playwriting. * * * The theater is an art. Nobody, nothing, nc age can make it anything else. * * * There ire art charges and costs. They should be guaran- teed. “I have been in communication with repertory movements for al- most twenty years,” continues Mr. ‘Walker. “I think I know the rea-| son for the failure of most of them. * * * The ‘deficit on the| current year of the Chicago Opera would support any repertory the- ater in the world for at least four years, over seasons of forty weeks each, and the admission fee could be lowered to sub-‘movie’ stand- ards.” e . BILLY WATSON, famous promo- i ter of the burlesque aggre- ation known as “The Beef Trust,” gecauu of the exaggerated obesity | stage of the National Theatcr in ern centers.” A continuing revival of the Gil- | bert and Sullivan operas by Milton Abcrn, who, years ago, used to favor Washington with operatic revivals that were very popular in their day, is finding space for praise and illustration on the first page of New York journals, thus gladdening the hearts of the old- timers and indicating a further. trend in taste to the wholesome | and the beautiful, if not the true, | even where wickedness alone is| said to be born and thrive to the | detriment of the legitimate stage. | Was it not a Gilbert and Sullivan gem that, in the absence of any- thing else, suggested that we “talk about the weather,” thereby justi- fying a Summer’s talk about the theater when there “ain’t no theater”? * %k ok k JT would. seem most ungracious not to join the paeans of praise that have arisen on all sides in paying tribute to the National Theater Players and their director for their final work of the local rePertury season. Eugene O'Neill’s: remarkable drama, “Strange Interlude,” was produced and presented on the a manner to invite comparison with the original production. That, tco, with but the brief preparation possible in two weeks by play- been r:vealed as Ruth Ibancz, great- niece of Vincent> Blasco Ibanez, on~ of the famous authors in Spanish litera- | young Florida beauty took her r's name so hor screcn. career would not be considered the result of having a celebrated reclative. She was selected from extra ranks to play the romantic lead with the Four Marx Brothers in “Monkey Business.” P S e Y 4 1 Filming Mother's Novel. VWHEN Alan Rinchart jolned the | writing_staff_at. the Paremount | studios, one of his first experiences was | watching somz of his famous moth:r's fictional characters come to life in a picture. “I Take This Woman,” the film in question, is the screen adaptation. of Mery Roberts Rinehsrt’s nov:l, “Lost Ecstasy,” with Gary Cooper and Carol Lombard in the chief roles. ) Alan Rinehart was signed by Para- mount after winring recognition a3 a writer and publisher. disclosure of their ability aston- ishing. In the outstanding role of Nina Leeds, Miss Nancy Sheri- dan seems fairly entitled to classi- ficetion and rank with the distin- guished woman artists who pre- ceded her in the part, while Stan- |ley Ridges, Ms. Adelaide Hibbard. Raymond Bramley, Forrest Orr |and Burke Clarke will long be | remembered for artistry in the supporting roles that is disclosed but rarely even in “original New York casts.” Washington certainly ers already overburdened. Their success is beyond qifauon, the has reason to feel proud of the | National Theater Players of 1931.'in NATIONAL PLAYERS—“Strange . Interlude.” ECAUSE of insistent demand to O'Neill's masterpiece, revived by the National Theater Players, the management announces the engagement has been cxtended a second this afternoon at 5:30 o'clock. There has never been so marked a demon- stration of public approval, it is ex- plained, as that wbich compelied the Originally it w2s panned to close the season of the National Theater Players tonight. From the opening of “Strange Inter- office has been unusual and continuous. Manager Cochran felt that in justice 15 this demand an extension of the engagement was imperative to care seats last week. Accordingly the play will continue another week. “Strange Interlude,” a nine-act drama, by Eugene O'Neiil, has been ‘Two actresses of outstan: ability ¢p- pecred in the role of Nina Leeds— Pauline Lord and, Elizabeth Risdon. Miss Nency Sheridan in the same part performance of the drama, and criticsl reviews have characterized her work ‘in terms highly complimentary, in some instances, even with enthusiasm. Her cezs “Strange Interlude,” Eugene week, with a performarice beginning extension of this playing engagement. lude,” however, the demand on the box for patrons who werc unable to secure played in Washington twice before. is presénted in the: National Players support, without exception, has shared apital Theaters Cochrane announces the continuance ot the drema, in production and in personnel, without change of any kind whatever. Clifford Brooke, who - directed the play, is rated as one of the finest di- rectors in America. His personal super- vision will continue until the close of the engagement. Tte performance of “Strange Inter- lude” begins at 5:30 o'clock in the ait- ernoon and lasts until 11 o'clock at night, except tor a dinner intermission from 7:40 until 9 o’clock. FAREWELL WEEK AT GAYETY. HE Gayety. Theater s bidding fare- well to the fans for the scason with this week’s = show, “Hollywood Honsy's” with the one and only Hinda Wassau as the star, s the attraction. Miss Wassau and her cast, it is an- | nounced, are putting everything they have into the performance this week, in order that Manager Lake may- wind up the season with a real treat to the fans; and in & blaze of ‘glory. The cast is “hand picked,” and brimming with. tal- ent—beautiful 'girls that can sing.and Gance, comedians who have a ‘fund of 2 end original jokss, smash-- g et i o because of their fun-provoking, charac- ter, costumes designed to ace:sntuate the charm of the chorus, and the finest in scenery and 1, 1931. ROCKETT MOUNTAINEERS™- Earle (Stage) Washington's Boy Pianist. ‘ 'ASHINGTON'S famous boy pianist, Glenn Carow, will be featured at | the Fox Theater on the new bill start- | ing_Friday. ! Glenn, who is 16 and s student at the Macfarland Junior High School, re- cently scored an individual triumph as when that organization won a silver trophy cup offered by the Fox during its music week programs. The son of Mr. and Mrs. John J. Carow of 4000 New Hampshire avenue, the boy has been taking piano lessons since he was 6 years old, and has been winning honors almost ever since. At Sesquicentennial Exposition in Philadelphia, when he was only 12 yeers old, his playing won first award among all students up to 23 years cld from the District of Columbia, Virginia, ‘West Virginia and Maryland. During his week's appearances at the Fox h2 will play the “Concerto in G Minor,” accompanied by the Fox Music Masters, directed by Al Mitchell. Reel Sisters .keafiiste rs. TWO real sisters will play the roles of two sisters of ‘fictioh in a mo- tion ‘picture, a rare film incident which takes place in “Personal Maid.” recently started in Paramount’s New York studio, under the direction of ‘Monta Bell. Nancy Carroll will star in.the role of Nora, the personal maid, and Nora’s sister Anna ‘ will be played by Terry Carroll, Nancy’s real sister. This is the first time this has happened to the Carroll sisters. Al Dancing on to Fame. STAR’DOM in the short space of one year is the record of Lucille Page, shining star of Fanchon and Marco’s % tity” Tdea, now at the Fox. Miss has been with Fanchen and Marco singe she .was 14 years old and was a hit ‘with her first show. She is probably America's foremost exponent of acrobatic dancing. Adagloists galore one ‘of the features of “ rity” Tdea,’ for 16. youthful . adagio cers offer & unique routine, all performing Tabbing Modern Youth. I'fl!, ‘ways of “ultra-modern youth” untl:;u * when mll’e‘:’ro-“oa!dv‘y’:fl‘:‘l!fl‘ g:):ol & original mon hk‘j'!?‘l'hrfl i i w] Pollard wil ameot: Pollard rmqmfl: direct soloist with the Christiani Orchestra E Y gy SN Motor, Aviation, Radio Programs AARON SISTERS- “\WomeN of ALL NATIONS, Fox | Fox (S7age) HINDA \WAUSAU- Gayety 'UGENE O'NEILL'S famous drama, “Sirange Interlude,” has twice | been presented in Washington by the New York Theater Guild and with dis- tinguished actrésses like Pauline Lord and Elizabeth Risdon, each in the re- markable role of Nina Leeds, the psychologic study of the drama. And Washington, in each engagement. manifested its interest by generous patronage and apparently profound ap- preciation. Manager Cochran of the National Players, however, conceived the notion that his current company had established | such a fine record in repertory it wouldn't tbe at all bad to let it have its final fling at “Strange Interlude.” even if the New York critics had pronounced it the most wonderful dramatic crea- tion of a century, in which dramatic tradition had been thrown to the four winds and “asides” and other innova- tions had been introduced until the dry dramatic bones of the centuries fairly rattled in their resting places. t, at the same time, like a cautious guardian that the fling would begin and end within a week. However, Washington seemed sudden- ly to awaken to “Strenge Interlude” as never before. Throughout the week al- lotted to “the fling,” the box office de- mand for seats continued, always a lit- tle larger each day than the day be- .| fore, and, although Steve had put his period to the line closing the show this very evening, .the cry of “On they come” had reached a stage where a postscript became imperative. And so, at the fifty-ninth minute of the eleventh hour, Manager Cochran surrendered and ‘“‘Strange Interlude” was cleated to the National Theater stage for a week more. . “This -second’ week of . the O'Nelll wonder,; however, is approached with a serener nce and more expectant anticipation, And there are many rea- «| sons for both. Never ‘before in the history of the 4ional Theater Players established . more. notable, even quite so notable, 2 record as the 1931 Players have in the'r presentation of drama so extensive, so ‘unique is profound, _so. as O'Neill's “Strange Interlude.” - | But ‘most. astonishing of all the as- T f;at__O’Neill Drama. tonishing things that are mysteriously flocking eithet in or around this most remarkable play is the fact that every role portrayed by the National Play- ers, without a single exception, in “Strange Interlude” has been interpret- ed and expressed in theatric art with such fidelity as to stir vp enthusiastic praise, long dormant, in taue pens of the critical reviewers, while little Miss Nancy Sheridan, whose beauty snd | cleverness have won her aany friends | auring her short stay in Washington, seems actually to have aitalned the ex- | cellence in her performance to entitle | her portrait to shipe with the stellar |lights who have preceded her. In other words, “Strange Interlude,” in addition to all the other remarkable things associated with it, seems to have disclosed a new emotional star of the finest talergs and ability in Nancy Sheridan, without the advance beating of tom toms and pennant waving cus- tomary in these days when stars of an- ‘oou;er type are so often born in cellu- 1d. Now what more can be said than of the portals of Thespis, he determined | that? “Hi-Art" Starts a. Hubbub. PARAI(OUNI‘ gave its Hollywood studios the shock of the ages when signs on the studio werz displayed re- cently “for screen purposes.” “Hi-Art Studios” was the lgend posted over all entrances. Nowhere was the name Paramount visible. ‘The “Hi-Ar. Studios,” however, it is explained, “entirely fictional, being the name of a motion picture studio called for in Paramount’s pictur- ization of Sinclair Lewis’ novel, “T2ts Play King,” the humorous story of = child screen star which is being tran- scribed under the title of “Forbidden Adventures.” were, " that Reverting to Origins? “IGHT “Follies” girls, among them tom: of the most noted stags beau- in the world, -med down from © pedestals of gl ation the other - and became just ordinaty sales- _als. Eddle Clins, who s directing the “Girl Charli: Ruggles, nseded to act as le fashionable dress shop se- ience and ihe Fallies lnties ably filled bill QM supplied the need. ¥