Evening Star Newspaper, October 31, 1931, Page 22

THE EVENIN WASHINGTON, D. C., SATURDJAY, From the Front Row RCV;CWU lfld “The Mad Genfus” As Barrymore Plays Him. OHN BARRYMORE, at the cli- max of his péw picture. “The Mad Oenius.” which opensd Jast night st the Metropoljtan in imitation of one of those Hollywood splury may be seen as 8 butchered clubfoot hideously strewn across the face of » monster devil which is the backstage of & giant ballet in the Berlin opera house. As he lies there, dead 83 & doornail the audience (on the screen) which_ruddenly bas become aware of him goes into super- hysterics, the Jadies dash up the aisle fall ch other scream ery and make it exceedingly difficult for their es- corts to remove them, and those in the ballet do just about the same thing. It is & glorious piece of clever melodrama, elaborately executed and fitting as the boiling point to Mr. Barrymore's excellent character- jzation of Ivan Tsarakov—the man whose mother was a ballerina and his father a duke, and whote ambi- tion, to dance, was foiled by the presence of his maimed fot It is difficult to fathom why, in a picture which has such a stirring ultimate and a star whose acting 15 #0 superior, that the rest of it seems not only sluggish, but occasionally a trifie dull. Perhaps it is because the popping of Mr. Barrymore’s eyes, the angle of his beard, the crazed gesticulations of his face—muscies have been viewed to similar ad- vantage in the recent “Svengali.” And rhaps, 00, because the plot goes and in hand with the saga of the lJamented Trilby, and you know when you first understand that the “Mad ‘Genuis” must transplant his would-be urge for the dance to a young boy whom he rescues from a Russian tyrant. that it will be transplanted. and then it won't. due to that popular pastime of the day— love. Love in this case is personified by Marion Marsh, playing the role of an insipid_young lady who yeams for Mr. Barrymore's incorporated dancing lad. Btrangely enough the more you watch Miss Marsh the more she seems to suggest the blonde beauty of the erstwhile Miss Cos- tello—although her acting is in nowise as deft, nor her features as perfect. In fact she is not, by half, 80 good as she has been before, due possibly to a bad make-up and pos- sibly to the fact that her role is as nil as it is. Donald Cook is extraordinarily #pt in his impersonation of & popular and then unpopular dancing sprite, and Charles Butterworth comes in neatly now and again {p relieve the tension of the drama. It is, of course, entirely Mr. Bar- rymore’s show. He screws his face into knots, his fingers assume hide- ous proportions, his eyes glisten and then pop, and he is consistently Qae demon maestro he is meant to be. In spite of his excellent thespian manipulations, ‘however, ' and the clever-camerology, the story is heavy and none too cheerful and to be en- Joyed in somber silence although it may give mares long aft Halloween. E. de S. MELCHER. Garbo and Gable Shine In “Susan Lemeox,” at Columbia. F there Biad been available vester- day morning & couple of bombs in the vieinity of the Columbia Theater they wollld have been used. ‘The reviewer, Hoping to be able to eschew the early morning “crowds.” sat high up in one of those perish- able balcony seats which teeter so precipitously on the brink of space— thinking in this wise to be able to get a quiet, if hazardous, view of the new Garbo-Gable picture—“Susan Lenox—her Pall and Rise.” As it turned out the “quiet” lasted about fiye seconds. Around him flowed a sudden wave of weary female shoppers, also intent on the Garbo frolie, who tired with having exercised their feet all over Wash- ington’s asphalt began, and con- tinued as follows: “My dear, Isn't she the thinnest thing you've ever seen!” “Have you ever seen such an unbecoming haircut!” I sup- pose she thinks just because she wears it that way we're expected to wear it that wi “Why she's & skeleton” “Look at the way that dress hangs on her! She’s old!" “She's ugly!” “She's got big feet!" “Do you suppose she really cares for that man!" “Oh T don't see what HE sees in HER"—and so on until every ounce of enj nt there might have been found in the film was knocked out by these (we admit it was only a pair) of volatile tongues. People who venture in to see & Oarbo picture should by now remem- ber that Miss Garbo's talents are not to be measured by the usual standards. She is not a moderately good actress—she is an extraordi- narily good one—and this is evidenced by the fact that she is not a hundred per cent beautiful or anywhere near that. She has, however, something which continues to serve her even better than the mere rudiments of beauty—and that is charm and a certain brilliant exposition of a bri liant personality. If before the: John Barrymore ws of Washington's Theaters. occupy what are always precious seats at & Oardo film. lady shoppers wou! recall thet Miss Garto 1S thin. and that she has big feet, then perhaps they wouldnt be o over- come that they have to exciaim loudly on them when they see them Silence in movie thesters is not by any means & virtue. it is merelv a first _jesson in self-control. The easiest thing to have done to these offenders to reciprocate would have been to have turned to them politely and said “would you mind very much showing me your feet? Miss Garbo's new picture is somewhat drab expose of who loved & man as they & unto death.” While the story itself is less than commendable. Miss Garbo continues that amazing series of characterizations which make her the cinema’s foremost agtress. She is deft and she is human, and she is imTeasurably assisted by the first strongman she has ever had play- ing opposite her—Clarke Gable. Both of them carry this ultra-impossible scheme of a iove affair to the skies Others in the cast seem relatively unimpo-tant as in any Garbo film except for Gable. Most to be enjoved in this is the scene in which Greta catehes a fish E desS M Loew's Palace, “Tae Cuban Love Song.” . AWRENCE TIBBETT in the rofe “ of an American Marine singing “Peanut Vender" may sound incon- gruous, but it really isn't as bad as it sounds The Cuban Love Song." as pre- sented at Loew's Palace, affords the vocally gifted Tibbett opportunities to demonstrate both power and range of his excellent voice, though the melodies may not possess the depth perhaps which one would as- sociate with an opera star. The lack of conviction which one feels at seeing Tibbeit as a Marine is due rather to his physical in- abllity to look the part of a “hard- boiled soldier and sailor, t00.” who is not generally visualized as mus- tachioed and singing love songs be- neath a tropical moon However, Marines do go to the tropics, and they have the reputation of falling in love with pretty seno- ritas, and it is this angle of the Marine’s career which has been used to present Tibbett to sing the “Pea- nut Vender” in “The Cuban Love ng. An ingenious bit of illusionment is produced when Tibbett sings & duet with himself. The dual per sonality, achieved so frequently upon the screen by clever manipulation of the flims, has been used in a vocal number. In one of the closing scenes, as “Terry” the Marine, he forgets himself in memories of the past and while in a trance sings the love song of former days. Suddenly, the dim shadow of astral body slithers out from the unknown ether and takes its place beside the “flesh id blood” Terry, who sings the bass to the Marine’s tenor. The effect is rather remarkable. The picture at its start produces fears of heaviness and dragging, but these are dispelled as the story is unfolded, drawing to climaxes which are both dramatic and unexpected. Lupe Velez, as the little Cuban nut vender, who eauses Terry to lorget Crystal, the girl back home, is at her best in this story of a young Ban Francisco ne'er-do-well who enlists in the Marines “to work off some of his spirits” and which is replete with interesting atmos- phere and life, with scenes aboard battleships, carnival time in Cuba, whistling bombs in war-torn France, and finally, cafe life in New York. Humor is also plentifully sprinkled about, in the antics of Terry's two lovable and laughable buddies, “O. ©O. Jones” and “Romance,” played by Jimmy Durnante and Ernest Torrence. Karen Morley, a com- parative newcomer to the screen, makes the most of a small part. An interesting educational film, photographed at the Washington Zoo, and showing the life of the beaver; a newsreel and a symphony sound cartoon, are also included in the screen pr: 5 On the stage, several novelties show Dave Schooler's versatility as planist, vocalist, cartoonist and dancer; the O'Connor family, mother, daughter, and two sons, in clever dance numbe: Julia Cur- tis in an exhibition of ventriloquism, singing opera and “blues” numbers, which the Chester Hale Girls, in at- tractive costumes. contribute several novel dance numbers. G. S. 8. Will Rogers Sets High Mark In “Ambassador BilL" \ JILL ROGERS, in the role of ambassador, having a contest of wits with an imaginary United States Senator, appeals to the ‘Washington publie, he must also, to A certain extent, attract the at- tention of the rest of the country. But it 15 chiefly because it is Will Rogers, and as & person off the screen he has furnished numerous incidents in the lives of real states- men. Nobody could identify the member of the Senate, made a character in this film play, but he conforms admirably to the concep- tions of the professional humorist, both as to oratorical tendencies and as to the condition of mind which is regularly shocked at dis- plays of the kind of diplomacy of which Mr. Rogers might be expected to be master. The latter wins in the encounter, even in the midst of the purely artificial life at the court of a small kingdom. He re- The Purchasers of These Beautiful Homes On 3800 Block of South Dakota Ave. N.E. will be proud of their 'Westinghouse Rfrigeralor It helps make the kitchen one of the show places of the home. 736 13th.St. N.W. unftes an estranged royal peir, teaches base ball to the boy king and directs games in which the plebian boyhood of the kingdom has an enthusiastic part in emulation of the batting marvels of America. While the scene s familiar, be- cause the Balkans once more fur- nish the background for the im- ported persomality of a man of vig- orous action. unrestrained by custom or conventien, there s one differ- ence that must appeal to the ob- server. The chief character does not woo the queen, but mends her broken romance, tmpelled to actign by the American zeal for setting things right In offering “Ambassador Bill.” with Mr rs @s the star, the Fox Theater has an attraction that will be remembered a new Rogers, with a Ii of the poise and dignity which come to the work of the master who has established a unique_place the brofessional world. It is st same Rogers spirit. the same brush ing aside of all the troubles timid minds, the same breezy minder of Oklahoma. But thers § a definite conception of the diplo- matic envoy, even though the imagi- nation that makes fiction gives his ice in Sylvania the grade of an embasey. He is not a romantic fig- ure of drama, but there is one semi- humorous incident that puts him in danger of scandal which might be expected of one who supports a fallen king in efforts to regain his throne and the affection of the queen Greta Nissen, as chief assistant to the official villain of the story, has & somewhat unweicome role, but but performs her part with an aplomb that gives color to the pic- ture. A most admirable queen, dis- pl ng human qualities beneath the trappings of royaity, is presented by Marguerite Churchtll. The part of the boy king is well done by Tad Alexander. The merits of the play and the star are matched by one of the best of the Fanchon and Marco prod- ucts — the “Carmenesque” {dea, which profits by the musical quali- ties of an unusually popular opera, and, in additlon to the several spe- cial acts, shows the dance group in some skillful feats on individual re- volving globes and on stilts. The stage performers include Melino and Davis in comedy patter, Rose Valyda in songs which involve the use of two different voices, Ray Sax in difficult dance numbers and the Three Matadors in adagio. The or- chestra, under Al Mitehell, pla “Dream House on Aircastle Road. D.C.C, Irene Dunn, Star at Keith's, Has Unusually Strong Film. ]_IVES that leave a strong impres- “ sion on the small world of emo- tional experience, and create the charm that may blot out distressing incidents, appear in ‘“Consolation Marriage,” which has been chosen to introduce Irene Dunn as a star. Her new film play, shown at R-K-O-Keith's, is one of those dramatic pieces in which there are touches of striking loyalty and nar- row escapes from disaster so cleverly woven that there is a clear approach to that almost forgotten art of the stage which makes every move creative of suspense and anxious an- ticipation. It is beautifully written. The name of the film offers but an indefinite conception of the plot. It does not explain that consolation marriage in this instance is the real marriage—the one that unites two persons, both of whom might have had a worse fate. Only a chance mecting is the basis for the romantic element of the story, but it is a meeting which in naive quality is one of the most intensely interest- ing thai the films have presented, and it js the starting point of a serles of experiences involving ad- mirable displays of character. ely has stage or screen presented so vividly the temptation to flee from a partnership which has seemed to be facing shipwreck, with each of the persons involved halting at the stage of actual separatiom, because of the greater attraction of ‘home and family. Pilled with distinctive lines by the author, and favored by direction which has produced some- thing approaching perfection, it is worth while as a play. Beyond the dramatic workmanship is the outstanding merit of the per- formance by Miss Dunn, which is no less pleasing than her work in “Cim- arron.” She is naturally endowed with both the capacity for the humorous phases which serve to in- troduce her to the future partner, and fitness for the more pathetic or inspiring developments of the later scenes. Through it all she imparts the flavor of personality to her work. In the working out of the story there is also some excellent acting by Pat O'Brien and John Halliday, as worthy exponents of newspaper life as well as participants in this comestic plot. Myrma Loy has a typical role as the second woman, and Matt Moore and Lester Vail complete the cast Shorter subjects at Keith's include A humorous piece featuring Clark and McCullough as insurance sales- men_under unusual circumstances, and Krazy Kat cartoon comedy, with the customary newsreel. D. C. C. NEW HOMES! Most attractive new homes to be found at the low price. Open Daily to 9 P.M. 317 Longfellow St. N.W. With many attractive features and master construction that will speak for itself. Your inspection Invited! WAPLE & JAMES, Inc. 1226 14th St. N.W. North 0962 BREUNINGER & PHIFER —are now completing a group ¢ Dakc different homes on South six unusually artistic a2 Ave. at 20th St These ultra-modern homes are moderately priced, face ernment Park, are ome block from bus and two blocks school Each of these homes is- being equipped wi EDGAR MORRIS SALES CO. Refrigerator Division Metropolitan Distributors ,National 1031 OSNELL AND Small apartments offering up-to- date equipment at $40.00 to $45.00 —with AUTOMATIC GAS HEAT. Designed by Arthur B. Heaton and for rent by the real estate dept. of the Washington Loan & Trust Co they are located at 1214-26 Staples St. NE. and 1331 Neal St. N.E. e 1o iR REAL ESTATE. RIANGLE Another group of apartments with AUTOMATIC GAS HEAT at 13th St. & South Carolina Ave. 8.E. These are being rented by the Triangle Realty Co. Inspect thess apartments and see what autoe matic gas heat-can do for YOUR comfort. WITH AUTOMATIC GAS HEAT Two more builders, alert to modern trends and demands, have standardized on automatic gas heat—and have found it a star member of their selling staffs. These builders are C. W. Gosnell Company, with small apartments at 1200 to 1228 Holbrook St. NE., and the Triangle Realty Company, with similar apartments at |3th St. and S. Carolina Ave. S. E. Successful builders both, they know they must give the public more for its money in order to keep their buildings profitably rented— and long experience has shown them that gas heat offers more for the money than any other convenience which the modern home can have. Because of the Ideal Gas Boilers in these buildings, Gosnell and Triangle apartments offer the same clean, quiet, effortless heating comfort which the finest home enjoys. It is this sortlof comfort which modern families demand, and more and more builders are finding that to supply it is assurance of quick rentals or sales—and permanently satisfied customers. WASHINGTON GAS LIGHT CO. Builders and Architects Divi.ion 413 Tenth St. N.W. NAtional 8280 Ty MU H In addition to Gosnell end the Triangle Realty Com- pany, the following Washe ington home builders install and recommend Automatie Gas Heat: L. E. Breuninger & Son Boss & Phelps Breuninger & Phifer Edson W. Briggs, Ine. Cafritz Construction Co. Cooley Bros. Henry J. Connor D. J. Dunigan, Ine. Federal Construction Co. J. F. Fox B. H. Gruver Wm. A. Hill Co. . Thos. A. Jameson Randolph L. Jcn:zr Kennedy - Chamberlin Develops ment Co. /. C. & A. N. Miller rick B. Mills C. W. Morris & Son Henry J. Robb, Ine. Fred Schnider Sh, Construction Co. Hl{:vl d Terrace Development Waple & James Wakefield, Inc. M. & R. B. Warren C. M. Wilcox Edward M. Willis P. H. Willis Realty Co. Y & Oppenheimer AL 4l Molye Zitmore