Evening Star Newspaper, April 10, 1932, Page 45

| Stagé, Music Reviews 71 Screen and | AMUSEMENT SECTION The Sunday Star. Motor, Avi ation, Radio Programs L ——— Part 4—8 Fages —_— WASHINGTON, D. SUNDAY MORNING, APRIL "BARBARA STANWYCK 5 HOPWORN # EARLE Luring the Theatergoers } By Forcing T hem to Study The Playwrightis Pet Ideas Bgrnard Shaw.s play Ha “The DC\'H passes“ S d a Subtle Meaning, and eems to Follow Along ‘ the Same Line—Read_\' for Summer Stock. ’ By W. H. S “The Devil Passes” at the National this week, Wash- ington will wave its fare- well to the slowly dying regular season, which, like the proverbial “old year,” seems to symbolize the repository of all the misfortunes with which the past has afflicted humanity. This com- edy by Benn W. Levy, however, is so tricky in its conception, so in- genious in its construction and so astounding in its leading charac- ter as to %airly warrant a halt in the obsequies, until we pull our- selves together to a perfect un- derstanding, provided, of course, the advance notices have fairly set forth the facts. Its chief char- acter, a sort of ministerial Satan running absolutely contrary to form, emerges as a good servant of Heaven in an astounding de- nouement. The story, as the no- tices tell it, concerns a hetero- geneous group of people gathered around a fireside engaged in what they call “the game of truth. Each is required simply to answer the quesiion, “What do you want most?” Singularly enough, the “devil” arranges to grant eac wish. It develops, however, when put to the test, that each, in turn finds it is best not to accept what he wants most, and the devil brings about a smashing climax to the whole by telling them all how grotesquely trivial have be their reques adding, “Thil what I have given you instea: A vision of God! A vision of God —no less!” Surely there should be reason for believing there will not be many vacant seats at the N tional this week. The attractior seems unique I)ERF'ECT understanding ability to comprehend, in all its ramifications, any given prob- lem of life or death, or what you will, is somewhat rare, and i times behooves even the be: to patiently endure the c the complainer, even the h of the dramatic crit unless we orance Too True ppears in > Theater Guild so wonderfully that one almost suspect th e Guild the emine writer advance metropoli inary tour o Boston, Phil g and elsewhere, where those who were disposed to indulge in criti humor were left utterly to or their ingenuity Shaw really t it was all about n is be asked, of com nsion imorous writ 11 our hin- was not to con-* Gotham to discov meant and wk ied to the stick X 1d tinue unaided to the criti for the magazine is the Guild's very own accessory. It looks almost like discrimination in favor of the pampered writers of whom Dr. Sirovich recently has been so Dbitterly complaining However, business is business, and the Theater Guild should be thoroughly familiar with the metropolitan critics * % % x COME to think of it, the the- ater, much like all other lines of business been having its troubles—and, remembering the balancing of the budget, we should not forget that “the worst is yet to come.” But withal, the playhouse has always shown more or less facility in developing in- genuity, even though sometimes at a snall-like pace. It was the Landvoigt. movie that first made the discov- ery that “the tired business man” | goes to the theater to be amused, | not to think. But when the movie | acquired the gift of articulation, it | slipped a cog. To be amused at| speech presupposes that you have to think, be it ever so little. And| after the movie blunder, the the- ater, comprehending this fact, leaped forward with an entering wedge for its own return to pop- ular favor. Mr. Shaw's play not only made the audiences think; it made them guess. And now comes | Mr. Levy’s new comedy to make them think more. Wouldn't it be surprising if all the world began | thinking again? | * x % % NOEL THORNTON of the Asso- ciated Press tells us that “now Spring is here, wandering bands of Broadway actors are| taking to the highways, and, | within the next fortnight or tw two dozens of Summer stock com panies will be located in resort towns throughout New England and other parts of the East.” This suggests the fact that, after only one short week, our own Summer company, the National Theater ers, will be making their cus- tomary bow to enthusiastic ad- mirers. The excellent players that 2 er Steve Cochran has gath- ered for quite a number of sea- sons now have not only fulfilled eir purpose in providing fine entertainment for many who could not afford the high prices of the regular season, but have | proved to be admirable stepping stones to higher things in Lh&‘ atric art and advancement to the players themselves. Many a warm favorite of preceding Summers now ranks high in the casting| offices and is denied a return here this season only because of un- breakable engagements with ou standing bits of the regular sea- son, which are still making hz hile the sun shines. Indeed many of the patrons who have admired ar confess that their desire for the- atric art has been completely satisfied by the Cochran aggrega- ions at the National, which, taken all in all, have entertained, dur- ing their more or less brief en- | gagements, with better plays than for any given period during the regular season, and always by a| tte ound cast. It is also| well known that some very su- players seek engagement in C it of the directo: they receive under Clif- rooke, who is accounted the great directors in the n theater. Manager Coch- well deserves the generous CHARLEY CHASE, Well known screen comedian, who ap- pears as a headliner on the Keith stage ! this week. A WARNER BAXTER. VAMATEUR DADDY” FOX CHARLES BIGKFORD VSCANDAL FOR SALE” R IALTO Why Heels Are High. NE of slipper heels ht passes is by the t the sl the reasons why her as the they really do- iggest T solu s problem is sugg on—by the yc ploiting the drawing Wet Parade Columbia. At much length and with some de- gree of subtility he sets forth that dur- ing the morning s the start out with comfort and service their most admirable features, but and here is the caf it all depending hether they who is ex- “The ers of Loew's as as the height and that Dorothy Jordan e | slipper” in the Metro-Goldwyn-M picture now being shown at the Colum ia, shows in the pi e a few of the | newest patterns, ch, of course, is | supposed to be a valid reason why girls | ¥ho are interested should see the plc- ure. different Bnngmg Up Kids. PERHAPS to the average mother nothing can be more pitiful than to watch a forlorn lor trying to raise a aquite poy families. but the bachelor who has pron look out for his Warner Baxter, in “Amateur Daddy," happens to be the bachelor and it is interesting to glimpse some of his methods. True, he winds up by mar- rying the oldest daughter, but that very daughter has a younger brother and an adorable pair of baby sisters. When the kid brother broke with his fits of meanness that some- times develop. instead of spanking an sending him to bed, W: him on the ba then slipped a c square things. When the at the close of the worn out, began to cry 2 to sleep. An old, battered piano helped in this musical devotion. But when they were all wide awake and demanding to be entertained—why he simply hokus-pokused them by fishing colns out of their ears and nose. And 4 work? Ask Warner, arted chap father to g them slippers | loose | GINGER ROGERS WILLIAM BOYD SCARNIVAL BOATZ KEITH'S * 10, DOT A HEARN “HOT-CHA 6IRLS? GAvETY DIANA WYNYARD ARTHUR BYRON THE DEVIL PASSES NATIONAL FREDRIC M, z ARCH KAY FRANCIS VSTRANGERS IN LOVEY LILYAN TASHMAN (IN PERSON) R/ALTD DOROTHY JORDAN ROBERT YOUNG THE WeT PARADEZ Cocumaria Leona Powers Returns ] ,EONA PowE of the most highly P e played admired troupers witih the players. quick at learning ever flustered on It is beiieved, too, that crience of the past two 1 return here a far better though at reached a conducted a voting gumr subscribers me led all th was signed and Miss Powers will come from where she has been high peak in her profess With the signing of Miss Powers, the various travelling and | roster of the National Theater Players c organizations |is complete. The other players are In her past performances with the | Donald Wood, leading man; Kathryn ional Players, Leona Powers proved | G1vney, Raymond Bramley, Ona Mun- of the highest caliber, | SON. ingenue; Owen Davis, juvenile; S the best repertoire lead. | Adalaide Hibbard, Burke Clarke, Forrest n in the country, having play- | OF and Karl Netisen. les from P 1, Tepresenting ar-old girl mature woman ing performances Diane, in “Seventh e Sucn a_striking hat ils engagement times to capacity Gmger Smgs New Song. 'THE singing voice of Ginger Rogers which captivated Broadway musical show audiences and millions of radio listeners, again is brought to the screen in “Carnival Boat," now at Keith's. The vivacious red-head. who has the ers. 15 said to have been highly pleased | feminine lead opposite Bill Boyd, intro- that Leona Powers won out in the | duces a new number, “How I Could Go quiet poll.” for he belleves she is one | for You,” in the screen play. Stage and Screen Attractions This Week NATIONAL—“The Devil Passes.” Opens Tuesday evening. GAYETY—"Hot Cha Girls.” This afternoon and evening. ON THE SCREEN. RIALTO—"Scandal for Sale.” This afternoon and evening. EARLE—“Shopworn.” This afternoon and evening. FOX—“Amateur Daddy.” This afternoon and evening. PALACE—*“Strangers in Love.” This afternoon and evening. KEITH'S—“Carnival Boat.” This afternoon and evening. METROPOLITAN—"Love Affair.” This afternoon and evening, COLUMBIA-—"“The Wet Parade.” This afternoon and evening. extended nees. ord Brooke, d r of the play- Diana T TOOK just |7 Devil Passes’ wood that Diana sort of person needed by an feverishly seeking new talent Accordingly, when that play ends its tour, Miss Wynyard will hie herself to Hollywood and take up work at the | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, where she is considered “a real find,” and her fresh beauty and attractive talent are |said to warrant the assumption. It has even been hinted that she will step into the niche now filled by the great Garbo—when and if— J As a matter of theatrical history Miss Wynyard is the sole survivor of | the English company that gave Benn Levy's “The Devil Pasces,” its first per- formance in England, under the title of “The Devil." Her work was considered of such excellence that Arch Selwyn imported her for his American pro- duction. Yet “The Devil” did not mark the young actress’ first success, for she | had made an excellent reputation for herself on the English stage. She first began acting at a very tender age in- | deed, in 1925, in a traveling stock com- pany, and came in to London with 25 stock company roles to her credit, in- tending to teach elocution. The next season found her touring with Marie Lohr in “The Love Game.” and then for two years she was with the Liver- pool stock company. Two years ago she made a great success in “Petticoat Influence,” play- ing the same role that fell to Helen Hayes in this country. Before that he had made a_decided impression in orry You've Been Troubled,” even though she played fust a bit. “Hon- | a Roland Pertwee melo- drama. gave her another boost, as did G. B. Stern's “The Man Who Pays the Piper. g'he also won l}‘uglh ]g:n\skes f: :l;: acting, opposite Leslie b tation of “Lean Har- 3 en came “The Devil,” Amer- ica and the call of the films. A Wynyard. one stage play, “The to convince Holly- Wynyard was just the industry DOROTHY MACKAILL *LOVE AFFAIRZ-METROPOLITAN Helen Hayeé Just Where tl’!c Cinem HE young lady who sat curled up on a wicker sofa in her dressing room seemed a far cry from the | wrinkled Madeline Claudet. But | it was Madeline, all right, just as it was Miss Helen Hayes, known | to theatergoers last week as “Lu,” | the fortunate movie usher of Mr. |Molnar’s comedy, “The Good Fairy,” as also the star of one of the major picture successes of | the year, “The Sin of Madeline Claudet.” A person of somewhat tender |years came in at that moment with a pad on which she begged | Miss Hayes to write her autograph after the name “Rosa.” Miss Hayes obliged with the name and with a smile. As the young lady stood first on one foot and then on the other, not wanting to go, Miss Hayes said to her: | “Do you like my pictures?” ;‘ “Oh, yes! I like them very much. Particularly Madeline Claudet But,” stammered the |child with a blush, “I don't see | how you got old in such a hurry.” | “Oh, I got old all right—doing the picture!” Miss Hayes laughed, and the child laughed and went skipping | out of the room hugging her new | {autograph. “There’s my new public,” said Miss Hayes, who is undoubted- |1y pleased at having suddenly “crashed” cinematic heights, and who in her make-up seems much too young to have rocked one end | of the country to the other with her magnificent performance as the woman who spanned a life- time going down and down and | down. “Is it easier crying before the camera than it is on the stage?” | “Oh, no—on the stage your au- | dience cries with you, and before |the camera there is nothing—| | nothing but a silence that is al- most oppressive, it is so great You know, they came along and tacked blotting paper on to my heels to make things even quieter. And then how I cried—how I | criear” | Miss Hayes is not fundamentally | a serious person. She doesn't| “emote,” that is, when she talks| to you. There's a great deal of | mischief lurking somewhere. She has a good many of the qualities| of a Peter Pan, which qualities, incidentally, are reflected more than casually in a picture of a wee small person who smiles down at her from her dressing table. That happens to be Miss MacArthur, who caused so much excitement At the Palace May Star With Clarke Gable in Picture Being Planned | But. Sa_vs Actress m Interv:ew. NO One KflOW’S a Trail Will Lead—An Adventure With "Madeline Claudet.” last year at her debut into this world—the daughter of Charles MacArthur (who did the script for “Madeline Claudet”) and Mrs. MacArthur, who, in her native climes, and other climes, is re- ferred to as Helen Hayes. Miss MacArthur is at the moment wait- ing for her mother in New York She plans to go West shortly for |a Summer of “pictures” with her family. “And now what? What next as far as pictures are concerned?” | “A picture for Paramount— |either an adaptation of ‘Hatter’s Castle,” which Zoe Akins is work- ing on at present, or ‘Gallows | Orchard,” or ‘Song of Songs.’ It hasn’'t been defintely decided yet. Probably, though, ‘Hatter's Castle.”” “That means being downtrodden again, doesn’t it?” “I imagine so.” “What about your M-G-M film?"” “Nothing definte, either—except —oh, yes,” and Miss Hayes sat up suddenly and seemed even more buoyant than ever, “Clark Gable!" “You and Clark Gable?” “Yes, I'm the latest—all of us ladies have to have our Gable, you know.” “Do you know him?” “Very slightly. But they say he's a terribly attractive person to work with. Glad I have a hus- | band and a family.” Miss Hayes laughed again and eyed a large photo of her husband as though to make sure that he was there with her. “Mr. Thal- berg called me up Saturday night from the Coast—said he was going to make me act, and act and act probably in a magazine story called ‘Greek vs. Greek.’” “Does that mean you will be one Greek and Gable the other Greek?” “I guess so. I haven't seen the story yet. But I know it's to be quite different from my past har- rowings.” “How did you happen to do a film like ‘Madeline Claudet'?” “I just stumbled on it. Or rather, it stumbled on me. My entrance into pictures, you know, was quite ‘coo-coo.” Nobody want- ed me. I had a test first at one studio and then another—and no excitement anywhere. Then I heard that they had a story called—you know—and that they had tested Joan Crawford for it, and half a dozen others, and no one liked it particularly or wanted to do it particularly. ‘Why not try that Hayes girl?’ some one said—so in a kind of despair they got me fixed up, tested me again, and the film was started. It wasn't all roses, either, I can tell you that. I had my troubles—a thousand troubles. But every one was terribly nice to me and finally, after struggling and struggling for | months and months, we got the thing done—and then when it came out people seemed to like me. Life's funny that way, isn't | it?” KENNETH TERRELL, Who is festured in the lr;:fi“lhovn “Forward March,” at the this From then on things began to happen, cinematically, for Miss Hayes. She has been flooded with offers from the stage as well as the screen ever since. Her en- trance into filmdom is as exciting as was that of her best friend, Ruth Chatterton. “You know,” she said, “Ruth and I have been best friends ever since, years ago, we played to- gether down here with the old Co- lumbia Players. We often talk about those days. It isn't easy to forget Washington, you know.” And it isn't easy for Washing- ton to forget Helen Hayes. They say back in—well, way back—she was the most perfect Little Lord Fauntleroy this city has ever seen She could play the role now if she wanted to. She could play almost any role. She still can be “Seven- teen” and she can be the oldest old woman in the world, as every one knows who has seen her be- fore the camera. She’s a rare combination of youth and wit and wisdom and a certain wistfulness, which those who saw her as “Coquette” will certainly never forget. e