Evening Star Newspaper, December 5, 1932, Page 20

From the Front Row Reviews and News of Washington's Theaters. “Madame Butterfiy” Undergoes Screen Treatment. r{e ADAME BUTTERFLY" is undergoing a severe overhauling in Holly- wood. When it appears next in celluloid form, friends of this Geraldine Farrarian rlassic may prepare to receive & shock. Says the Paramount pub- licity depart- 2 ment: “In addi- tion to impor- tant story revi- sions we have changed many characters and added the char- acter played by Ruggles'’ (Charles Rug- gles — topnotch m ustachiod comedian), “which did not appear in the original play “Japan, i n acquiring Occi- dental civiliza- # syivia Sidnes. tion, has chang- ed more in the past 40 years than any other nation in the world. Our new story occurs in 1932 with pres- ent-day interpretation of the char- acters, situations and manners “We have altered the cters of Pinkerton, the American naval officer, and his wife. In the original they were unsympathetic. Now they are_human “The child of the little geisha girl and the officer represents another important revision. _Originally an ‘American-appe who went to live with s he now is a Japanese-looki hild who s with his mother’ tives “Comedy ‘has been injected into' the story which previously was un- relieved ht moments. Miss Sid- ney (“American Tragedy” Sylvia Sidney—brunette heroine of many tragic sagas who was chesen from a Hollywood mulitude to play the leading role) has much of this and Ruggles portrays an cntirely new and prominent character.” If the comments sre true—and it 15 to b hoped thst they are grossly exaggerated — “Madame Butterfly,” as far as we are concern: safely ki out of th of the above re: the original they were unsympa- thetic. (Ta. g ezbout Butterfly and Pinkerton) ‘Now they are hu- man.” And—‘comedy has been in- jected into the story which was un- relieved by light mcmen Whatever work the cinema has done in the past, it has never tried to make “Madame Butterfly” into part comedy, with the child staying with Japanese relatives, and the original characters chenged around and about. We are almost prepared in this version to see Charles Rug- gles waving an Americen flag at the end instead of the heart-broken lit- tle butterfiy—and to see a “and they lived happily ever after” at the final curtain. “Butterfly” is a work that is so deeply intrenched in the affections of many that to try to revamp it is clearly suicide. a Sidney is a wise choice for the lead in this pro- duction—but with Mr. Ruggles bouncing here and there (end, mind you, Mr. Ruggles is one of this de- partment’s favorites) *“Butterfly” won't seem “Butterfly” at all. The cinema was wise when it re- frained from tampering with “Smilin’ Through.” The reason for its unquestioned success was the fact that it remained true to its Javender and old lace atmosphere throughout. No Albertina Rasch ladies came skipping out and did their undulating “hey-heys.” People went to see this use they re- membered that on the stage they had cried when Moonyeen and Cath- Jeen went through their several sad Jove affairs. The reason they en- joved it again on the screen was that they found there the same spirit and the same excellent little senti- mentalities that had appealed to them before. Thus with “Butterfly.” It is known too well to be rejuvenated and mod- ernized with Hollywood gadgets. While its story has never set the world on fire, its theme has been approved by those who would weep and enjoy the taste of their tears. People are not prepared to go to see it and laugh. There are some things that don’t bear mending. The music in this is what “does the trick” after all. E. de S. MELCHER. Burton Holmes Conducts Pictorial Tour of nna. URTON HOLMES yesterday in- troduced his auditors to Vienna —a city resplendent in a modern veneer “in spite of all” that 'has sought to deter its development. Complete with modern trams, elab- orate soclialistic housing plans, busy thoroughfares, industrious policemen and clean streets, it is yet alive with memories of the gayety and splen- dor that once made Vienna the mecca of Europe. Ancient relics, tombs, cafes, cathedrals, leather makers, renown- ed personages are sought out in the true Holmes style and presented in his own inimitable manner. Waltzing on the ice in a frozen Vienna, lingering in cocffee houses, g museums, with a comment nere and ad, explanation there, left his hearers somewhat agog with the rn capital of Pictures of the last act Die Meistersinger” and of the interior of the Grand Opera House offered a fitting contrast to the ac- tivities of a frozen Vienna The seemingly study of tk of Liechtens b rach, Sc zenberg and Belvedere, the Vienese Cathedral with its imperial vaults, arliament b and other noble edifices bu in the systematic touring of the city and its environments dent Miklos of the Austrian Rel sculp- tor Ambrosi, Arthur Ferraris, Prof. Steinach, Richard St , _Adolf Lorenz and Franz Lehar all add their personalities to the travelogue. Truly Vienna & wonderful city “in spite of & F. L C. “College Widows” At the Gayety. THIS week's show at the Gayety, “Coliege Widows,” boasts of @n array of girls and comedians that are sure to please the most critical observer. Although the comedians lack unch in their skits, they neverthe- less manage to draw the laughs from an eager audience. handled by Sam Hickman, with Bimbo Davis coming in as a third party to lend a hand in the wit R gets more out of his work than do the two others, but this fact doesn't detract from the ability of Davis they are two first-rate comics, Parsons and George Kinear aid in putting over the comedy. with Pa GUTS COSTS of COLDS Reports from thousands of families prove that the nume ber, duration and costs of colds can be reduced by half with the new Vicks Colds- Control Plan. Prove it for yourself, as directed in each - THE EVENING STAR., WASHINGTON, D. C., MONDAY, DECE however, were here less frequently, they would show to better advantage. Others making their appearance are Bee Keller, Joy St. Claire and Irene Mayo. This is a good trio that is always ready to please, and this is s by the many encores that Zfollowed their initial appearance. Carrigan and De Muth team up in scveral tap-dancing numbers that are only average, while the chorus is well fitted out in an elaborate wardrobe that helps them not a little in their numbers, Ed Ryon, who produced this show, always seems to bring out the best in scenic effects, and this show is no ‘exception. However, the cast sons contributing some fine tenor singing. The Reed sisters again grace the stage with their singing and danc- ing, the latter being their best con- tribution. They are favorites here on Ninth street. If Rae and Gertie, WARD & Lo &« The Christias Siore eek was here only 8 few weeks ago, and this, in all probability, was the principal reason why it ydmn't register as well as it nho}gld!.3 - Ll Rl A Will Address Garden Club. FAIRFAX, Va., December 5 (Special). —Mrs. Lillian Wright Smith, director of the Bicentennial garden contest, will be guest speaker tomorrow afternoon n:i | | the meeting of the Garden Club of Fairfax at the home of Mrs. John Barbour. Mrs. Smith will speak on “Emergencies in the Garden.” e fimor Housewives—Look What 5¢ to $1 Will Buy in the Way of Gifts Popular Pyrex Oven Ware Prices on Many of the Pieces Have Been Lowered 50, This Season 20¢ 15¢ .Be ‘asserole. Open Baking Dish. Now, king Dish, Now, 40c Now. 45¢ Ple Pl Now Utility Dish. No Teapot/Tile. Now......30c Measuring Cup. Now.. Bean Pot. Now. .. Now. .1l Now Now Baking Dish. Now, t Pan. Now Dish. _ Now } ator Dish. Now, Refrigerator Dish. Now Au Gratin Dish. Now Platter. Now Bean Pot. Now Utility Bowl. Now 10-Pc. Gift Set. Now.... GLASSWARE, FirTH FLOOR. 4 Exceptional Values in Bridge Sets for Gifts 2. Real Italian Embroidered, of fine quality linen, finished 52'50 with Giglinccio hem. Clotl and four napkins . Ak 1. Ttalian Type Embroidered, with hand-drawn edge, on ecru linen. Cloth and four napkins. 3. Appenzell Type Em- broidery, reproduced in the Orient—and certainly ex- quisitely executed. Cloth and four napkins 4. Mosaic Work, beautifully s combined with hand embroid- ery. Cloth and four napkins. . FANCY LINENS, SECOND FLOOR. . Have You Seen Our Complete New Line of Chrome-Lined Copper Cooking Utensils COPPER cooking utensils, for centuries consid- ered one of the best of cooking utensils—are now lined with CHROMIUM, stain-resisting, hard, durable—and completed with stron, sturdy handles of Tuscan rosewood and brass. Every home will want these new copper utensils—that heat quickly and evenly because their bottoms are flat—that are easily cleaned because corners are rounded—that last for years and years—and keep their bell:x An ideal gift suggestion—and just look at the mod- erate prices. Copper auarts, 21 Baking Dish $2.10; Double-L Prornd Ce vers auart ‘size.. . French Pryees BB B euris, Skillets_and _Covers; 10 inch, $3. 7 inch, 32 Copper Kettlettes; holds 3 quArts o er. .. 8150 Colonial 2% fnches Quarts, §1; 1 quart, 9oc make 4 New Double Bollers ani Co ts. £3.00. Convex Covers; 6 4 quarts Cooking or Kettles; 6 cover, 8 @ cover' ... Coftee _ Percolators: 0;: 6 cu Cook Book HousewARes, FIrTH FLOOR, | | Ne WoonwAarD & 1.o wmQE «w 7The Christmas Siore . Woodward & Lothrop Diaries for 1933—Now on sale throughout the store. Buy one of these books for yourself, and include one with every Christmas gift. Each, 10c. 1. “Name - On” Stationery Special — your name and address on 100 envelopes and $[.25 sheets of deckle-edge ivory parchment paper 2. La Fougeraie au Crepuscule (Fernery of Twilight) —a poem in perfume by Coty. $ (Consult Mlle. Louise—here this week) ... 3. Balbriggan Pajamas—one of a large collection of cotton, rayon, balbriggan and outing flannel s pajamas—ideal for gifts 4. Corduroy Pajamas with metal disc but- tons—very smart for lounging—in gay 8 colors, Others at $3.95. These unnc(iv:ly s 95 priced ceae . 5. Warm Little Bathrobe, with appliqued nursery animals—a gift any baby joyfully ,53_95 6. Woollen Buntings, with satin bindings § A4 9§ in pink, blue and white (plain or appliqued) i $ 4.9! 8§ Arnold Knit Night Gowns, with a draw- string at the bottom to keep little toes Warm $ ‘2, 7. Woollen Snuggle Rug, with slide fasten- ing; trimmed with satin and embroidered. o 3 $ l 6.50 13. Hand-woven Blankets, in pink and blue, sI 95 10. Wool Crib Blanket, in pink and blue with satin binding—an always-appreciated gift .... 11. Maple-finished Crib, in poster style and with plain head and foot; drop sides .... (Layer Felt Mattress, $7.50) 12, Handmade Crepe de Chine Carriage Set, consisting of a lovely robe and pil- low cover with appliqued patterns that appeal to th younger generation % e STATIONERY, Asie 2, Pmst FLOOR. TOILETRIES, AISLE 14, FIRST FLOOR. CorroN UNDERWEAR, THIRD FLOOR. INFANTS’ APPAREL, FOURTH FLOOR.