Evening Star Newspaper, December 16, 1934, Page 71

AM USEMENTS.’ Merger of Amateur Groups Hope of a Little Theater Too Much Competition Among Various Local Theatrical Organizations, and This Often Approaches Bitterness. BY E. de S. T The open letter of E. V. MELCHER. HE following letter has been received by this department: “For a year or so, especially since your suggestions last Summer, I've been thinking of this Civic Theater idea. Phillips and K. Pagan in your Monday column was provocative enough. But I wonder if any of us have struck at the heart of the local situation. “In Washington we have heaven knows how many amateur dramatic groups, the majority of which present creditable pro- ductions with sufficient box office to keep them alive. The members of each are loyal, almost to t}}e point of violence, to their own little group. Each organization, if it has a leg to stand on, believes it is the best in the city; or, if it hasn't a leg to stand on, is determined to “I like this, it is vigorous competi- tion. It works to the unquestioned advantage of the audience. It insures him often better than professional performances for prices within his reach. “I say I like this competition vig- orous, but in Washington it has ap- proached a bitterness which militates against any well-founded Civic The- ater. Each group, especially those of the front rank, is so intent on be- coming THE group and establishing its own theater that, if avowals come true, the city is about to become clut- tered with a flock of Little Theaters, each one made over a garage or barn, and none adequate, comfortable nor worth giving a show in. What is more, each will be covered by mortgages, the complete retirement of which would be slow, painful and in most cases impossible. Being an amateur actor loses much of its glamour, sir, when you must become slave to a made-over barn! “Why can't, say, five of these lead- ing groups forget their plans, join hands long enough to take over some centrally located, already built down- town theater. Does the fact that the | five would alternate on the same stage | necessarily mean that vigorous com- petition must cease? By communizing their theater needs they would obtain the best rentals within reach of each. “There is no need for anything but | a common house manager. Each of | the groups has its directors and tech- nicians, the majority of whom are ex- cellent. And if they aren't, what of it? With the actors, they're learning. That is the purpose of amateur dra- matics. “Why don’t the executive officers of these groups get together and talk 1t over? “If you feel it necessary you may use my name, which is Gerald Miller.” % U Bk MR MILLER will have to excuse us if we think it wise to use his name. Being a leader in current dra- | matic affairs of the city (he is at pres- | ent directing the Drama Guild's pro- duction of “Both Your Houses”) he knows whereof he speaks. In agree- ment and rebuttal to his persuasive letter, we present the following letter: “Dear sir: We made the mistake of suggesting three years ago that there was no such thing as a Little Theater in Washington. At that time we were flooded with a burst of irate letters from local thespians, saying that their feelings had been very much hurt— why, we never knew. Still, feelings were hurt, and three or four local groups spilled tears for several weeks over the fact that they had not been recognized as champions in the im- portant art of the drama. Something which they were and are. “By a Little Theater we meant the kind which you have suggested in your interesting letter—a Little Theater which is actually a big theater—the sort of & venture that may safely be referred to when an out-of-town visitor says, ‘Now, tell me what you have that compares to the Pasadena Players, etc.’ If you have been to the Pasadena Play House you know that it is not a vast organization, rich with pride and lathered with patrons. It is an informal workshop as well as a theater, in which every branch of the industry is studied and which sees to | it that no student is allowed profes- sionally on its stage until he has| passed certain fundamental require- ments of the theater. Thus, even if | you are Katherine Hepburn, you can- not set a finger on that stage until you have become versed in certain allied subjects (stage craftsmanship, etc.), and know the theater from the ground up. “The reason, three years ago, that we stated that Washington was minus a community playhouse and hence a Little Theater was for the simple reason that there was no community playhouse or Little Theater—and there isn’t right now. When, therefore, you speak about three or four of these small local groups getting together, you speak about something which is in the minds and hearts of a great many, but which has yet again been thwarted time and time again by those who have only selfish principles at heart. “It is an amazing fact, but true, that there is more strife among ama- teur players than there is out in the cold world of professional drama. For some peculiar reason, the person who has less time to devote to the theater is more wrought up about it than those who spend their lives to its in- terests. The theater with them be- comes not an art but a form of per- sonal advertisement; it flowers and sprouts like a fruit tree so long as it presents them as a shining example. If, however, a new and thus hostile influence makes itself known, the tree becomes dry, its leaves wither and its roots run afoul in the ground. “To insure the success of a Little Theater in town you would thus have to remove that bitterness of which you speak and turn the light of humility and understanding on a few people who believe that the local theater cannot exist without them. “Strangely enough, most of these people are darn good actors. The city is thick with some of the best thespians in the land. You have only to have witnessed two or three local performances in the past few weeks to realize what really fine actors and actresses there are at hand. The town can, for instance, point with pride to the work that Maude Howell Smith, Ida Garrett Mattingly, Ann Ives, Catherine McCord, Eugene Kressin, Mrs. Otto Johnson, Helen Shields, Richard Kreusberg and John Sikken (to mention only a few) have done recently. The Drama Guild turned out the best show of its career when it presented “Ladies of the Jury.” Constance Connor Brown's presentation of “The Silver Cord” brought at least one astonishingly good new actress to light; the Co- lumbia Players’ presentation of “Ali- son’s House” was signally showered with praise and other groups have done more than they have ever done in_a worth-while vein. “Now then if you can take, mo- mentarily, the word ‘group’ out of these groups; if you can point to a location where some big-hearted soul will give you attractive dramatic acres in which to work; if you will let some outside group of judges decide which players from each group are to play in the Little Theater’s production of so-so, thus making it an honor to play in that Little Theater (as well 8s in their own groups)—then we be- lieve that you will get a Little Thea- ). become the best. ter. But for some one group to ask another group to join hands to be- come the group—that is hopeless. The whole process needs a stout heart and a domineering personality to quash bitternesses and to show the way with a smile and the convic- tion of community pride. “Just who that is to be, and where your playhouse is to be, is a question which you and you and you will have to decide. At any rate, Mr. Miller, your theory is thankfully received and hopefully passed on to those who wish to listen.” Troupers Glimpses of Stage Folk in Washington. STAGE appearance in Washington is a sort of pseudo-homecoming for William Hall (nee Bill Langan), who broke into show business while an undergraduate at Georgetown Uni- versity more than a decade ago and still cherishes memories of this hamlet in the peaceful days before the marble age set in on Pennsylvania avenue. Bill Langan—or Hall, have it our way—was the son of a former police inspector of the city of New York. His father was a great singer, no doubt chanting Irish folk songs whilst beat- ing a rhythmic tattoo on the domes of recalcitrant criminals, but none of the family ever had been professionally musical until Bill came to Georgetown. Determined to support himself in college, he at first lived mostly on cinammon buns, a tribulation which probably stunted his growth and un- questionably made him one of the leading cinammon bun haters of the decade. As ’tis, he stands a mere 6 feet 5¢ inches in his stocking feet, a slip of a man somehow stretch- ed into too much altitude to permit our revered artist to give. full- length picture of him in a half column cut, as you will observe. This is indeed re- gretable, as the sketch was start- ed at the feet and ran out of space Jjust before reach- ing the head. It is a very good head, which you may see in the original by going around to Warner Bros.’ Earle this week. The head also sings, handsomely. But to get back to history. Young Mr. Langan picked up a few odd jobs singing at embassy parties and other pretentious private entertainments after school was out at Georgetown. With Al Stern, now & criminal lawyer here; Bill Marshall, currently of the Internal Revenue Bureau, and Ted Lesser, who came to fame as Eddie Cantor’s manager, the Langan's sing- ing son also formed a class A barber shop quartet. This was operated chiefly for pleasure, and no doubt the greater part of that was their own. Nevertheless, they kept it very much alive, and on such evenings as Langan was not professionally engaged they ferreted deep into the mysteries of harmony, low and high. The singer’s first break into the bright lights came during the local ap- pearance of a musical show at old Poli's. The principal singer was sud- denly taken critically drunk one night and a breathless manager chased Bill to his lair and engaged him to sing the part. He scored. Thereafter came parts in “The Passing Show,” two years with Will Mahoney in Gene Buck’'s “Take the Air” and other ac- tivities ranging from straight four-a- day to bookings in London’s nobby Palladium. There is talk afloat that tall Mr. Hall will soon appear in movies. Per- sonally, we think he’d make a fine Tarzan type, if they grew the trees a bit taller so he could hang from limbs without dragging the ground. He has what is now known in show business as the Weismuller manner, notably effective with the ladies. R. B. P., Jr. \\\\\‘: NI MW ) P LAY A\ \\\\\\\\\\““““‘“ \\\\\\\\“\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\ e New Gayety Show. pR.EsENTlNG one of the largest and best casts yet seen this season, the show coming to the Gayety The- ater beginning today and continuing throughout the week, and labeled as “Bozo” Snyder's own show, features Tommy “Bozo” Snyder, without ques- tion one of the most popular comedi- ans in burlesque. The other members of the cast in- clude Mickey “Box-Car” Markwood, Louise Frazer, Tiny Huff, Bob Rogers, Jim Hall, Marty Bohn, Nancy Lee, Gertrude Hayes, Jean Williams, and as an extra added atraction, Lola Bartram. British Star EDMUND GWENN, Distinguished stage and screen star, will play the leading role in “La- burnum Grove,” J. B. Priestley’s London success, which comes to the National December 31, under the aegis of Gilbert Miller in asso- clation with Lee Shubert, § LIEUT. STEVE WARNER, who is promoted by death to fill his captain’s place in the dangerous skies, Warner Bax- ter contnibutes one of his out- standing screen roles in “Hell in the Heavens,” a gripping tale of air heroes and romance, which is the screen feature this week at Loew's Fox The- ater. Based on ope of London's big- gest stage hits. “The Ace,” this pic- ture tells an absorbing story of death and danger in the skies above No Man's Land. Conchita Montenegro appears in the role of a French girl. | Russel Hardie, Andy De Vine, Her- bert Mundin, Ralph Morgan, Vince Barnett and other capables appear in support. John Blystone directed “Hell in the Heavens.” On the Fox stage currently, the radiant screen| personality, Estelle Taylor, headlines a sprightly program of vaudeville. * ok ok X i LLEGE RHYTHM" is now in its second week at the Palace. Joe Penner and his famous stooge, Goo- Goo, Lanny Ross, romantic singer; Jack Oakie and Lyda Roberti, and charming Mary Brian are the pic- ture's pivotal characters, with George Barbier, Robert McWade, Franklin Pangborn and others leading a large supporting cast. The film is a tune- ful rhapsody of college as you like it. It runs wild with hit melodies, gales of mirth and wholesome romance that's & tonic for every member of the family. * % % * (GARBO is back again in downtown ‘Washington, her latest starring vehicle, “The Painted Veil,” currently enjoying a run at Loew’s Columbia ‘Theater. Garbo plays her first mod- ern role in this long-awaited film adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham's exotic romance that is laid against at Downtown Theaters. the mystic background of China. Herbert Marshall and George Brent have the leading roles opposite the glamorous star who, in this Metro- Goldwyn-Mayer production, offers one | of the greatest emotional perform- ances of her career. "LIMEHOUSE BLUES,"” exciting cine- ma inspired by the famous song, is now at Warner Bros. Earle, with | George Raft, Jean Parker and Anna May Wong in leading roles. This is a Paramount picture, directed by Alex- ander Hall, and based on a story by Arthur Phillips. The world’s most sin- ister underworld is shown in this story, with Raft as a man of mixed Oriental and Western blood, Miss Wong as a “sing-song” girl and Miss Parker as a limehouse waif. In its current stage show the Earle presents as headliners radio, Molasses and January, known also as Pick and Pat. Among the other acts are the Balabanow Five, foremost accordion and dancing pres- entation; “The Three Queens,” a fan- tasy in rhythm, and William Hall, ro- mantic baritone of stage and screen. “MENACE." new and exciting Para- mount mystery drama, is now at Warner Bros. Metropolitan Theater. Featured in the cast of this Bayard Veiller production are Gertrude Mi- chael, Paul Cavanagh, Burton Church- {ll, John Lodge, Henrietta Crosman and Montagu Love. Ralph Murphy di- rected “Menace,” which is based on & story by Phillips MacDonald. It concerns three people, whose death is sworn by a revengeful madman, whose identity is unknown to them. Pursued from Africa to a house high in the California mountains, they suddenly discover—from a dagger-pinned note on the wall—that the murderer is in their midst. New R-K-O Films ATHARINE HEPBURN'S lat- est starring production, based upon the Sir James M. Barrie classic, “The Little Minister,” heads the list of feature pro- ductions to be released by R-K-O Radio Pictures during this month. The films are as follows: “Light- ning Strikes Twice,” a mystery com- edy based upon an original by Ben Holmes and produced under his di- rection with a stellar cast, including Ben Lyon, Thelma Todd, Pert Kelton, Walter Catlett, Chick Candler and Skeets Gallagher. Lee Marcus was associate producer. “Red Morning,” produced under the titles of “The Girl of the Islands” and “Sea Girl,” with Stel Duna, brilliant star of the Pioneer Pictures’ special technicolor production, “La Cucaracha,” as the star with Regis ‘Toomey in her support. The story was prepared by Wallace Fox and John Twist, based upon sequences filmed by James B. Shackleford and George Dromgold during their recent expedi- tion to New Guinea. Clff Reid pro- duced and Wallace Fox directed. Fea- tured in the cast are Mitchell Lewis, Raymond Hatton, George Lewis and Francis MacDonald. “The Silver Streak,” a tense drama depicting the latest advance in rail- Students at National. WBAT Director Maurice Greet claims will be the most ambitious pro- gram they have yet attempted will be presented at the National Theater tonight by the students of the Clif- ford Brooke Academy of Stage Train- ing in the Dramatic Arts. They will be judged, not only by local dramatic critics, but also by S. E. Cochran, manager’ of the National, who will watch for talent for extra parts for his Summer stock company, the Na- tional Theater Players. A diversified program will include scenes from Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” and Richard Brinsley Sheri- dan’s “The School for Scandal’; a comedy by Paul Moffett, “The Last Christmas”; a playlet entitled “Sixth Seconds,” and a playlet by the junior students of the academy entitled “In the Kitchen of the King.” Among the students who will ap- pear are Louise Alexander, Ruth Blake, Alice Brennan, Charles L, Crowe, Eleanor Campsall, Edwin Du- vall, Lillian Gartland, Evelyn Hol- lingshead, Kathleen Kurtz, Frances Ridgway, Virginia Shields, Catherine Simons, Helen Wilcher, John Simons, Margaret Mary Edmonston and Bar- bara Culley. After the performance, Adelaide Hibbard, favorite of the National Theater Players, who has joined the faculty of the academy, effective with road history, the development of the high-speed, streamlined Burlington Zephyr Diesel engine controlled train now in operation. Glendon Allvine produced the novel film, which is high-lighted by thrilling railroad se- quences, featuring the new train. Thomas Atkins directed from a story by Roger Whately and H. W. Hane- mann. In the cast are Sally Blane, Charles Starrett, Hardie Albright, Wil- liam Farnum, Irving Pichel, Doris Dawson and Edgar Kennedy. Katharine Hepburn’s latest starring film based upon Sir James M. Barrie's the famous blackface comedians o(‘B classic, “The Little Minister,” which made stage history for Maude Adams on her initial stage appearance in the role of Babbie. Pandro S. Ber- man produced this Hepburn film, which is expected to rival the popu- larity of “Little Women,” R-K-O Radio Pictures’ 1933 Christmas offer- ing. John Beal is Hepburn's leading man, supported by a large cast of prominent character personalities, in- cluding Lumsden Hare, Leonard Carey, Reginald Denny, Alan Hale, Andy Clyde, Beryl Mercer, Donald Crisp, Frank Conroy and Dorothy Stickney. Richard Wallace directed the produc- tion and Sarah Y. Mason, Victor Heer- man and Jane Murfin prepared the the new term beginning in January, will present diplomas to graduates of the academy. screen play. Stars in “Sir Tristram.™ CHARLES LAUGHTON will soon go back to the studio where he first achieved world-wide fame, when he goes before the London Films cam- eras in the leading role of “Sir Tris- tram Goes West.” It was there that he was starred in “The Private Life of Henry VIIL” Alexander Korda has engaged Rene Clair, maker of “Sous Les Toits de Paris,” to direct “Sir Tristram Goes West,” which is to be released through United Artists. Gene Raymond and Sylvia Sidney are featured in “Behold, My Wife,” the new Paramount film, which will be shown at the Earle starting this Friday. Pictures of the Week Screen Attractions and Vaudeville Programs A Belasco to Reopen Announcement has been made by Stoddard Taylor, manager of the Shubert Belasco Theater, that this theater will reopen again New Year eve with & pro- duction by a New York company which s being assembled by Miss Mertis Morgan. With Lilian Harvey. UGH WILLIAMS, young English actor, will have the juvenile male leading role in “Once a Gentleman” in support of Lillan Harvey and Tul- lio Carminati, starred in the pro- duction, at Columbia studios. Luis Alberni, Janet Beecher, Tala Birell, Arthur Treacher and Claudia Cole- man have the principal supporting gles. Victor Schertzinger is direct- 2. Y POPULAR demand “One Night of Love,” the most sensational pic- ture produced during the past year, will return to Warner Bros.’ Metro- politan Priday, December 21, for a special repeat engagement which will continue through Christmas Eve. Produced by Columbia Pictures, it elevated Grace Moore, hitherto an indifferent success at the motion pic- ture box office, to the first rank of film favorites. It has revived interest in the career of Director Victor Schertzinger and raised Tullio Car- minati to a commanding position among the Gables and Montgomerys and Powells who lead Hollywood's leading men. = USIC IN THE AIR" comes to the screen of Loew’s Fox Theater on Friday, December 21, with John Boles and Gloria Swanson, two of the screen’s finest voices, the music and lyrics of Jerome Kern and Oscar Hammerstein, and a perfect combina- tion of comedy, love and melody. On the stage a banner Christmas program will be unfolded, presided over by “Songwriters on Parade,” in- cluding five tunesmiths who have written bales of song hits. Lucille Page, one of the greatest of acrobatic dancers, and Buster West, noted comedian, share headline honors. “JFORSAKING ALL OTHERS,” the widely awaited Metro-Goldwyn- Mayer attraction that brings together for the first time in any picture, Clark Gable, Joan Crawford and Robert Montgomery in the starring roles, slal to follow *“College Rhythm,” now playing as the next screen feature at Loew's Palace Theater. Billie Burke, Frances Drake, Rosa- lind Russell, Charles Butterworth and many others are in principal support. CEARLE FRANCIS COE'S story, “Repeal,” which gained such wide favor as a magazine feature, has been adapted to the ‘een under the title “The Gay Bride,” which is the attraction Loew's Columbia has booked for the week starting Fri- day, December 21. Carole Lombard portrays the role of the blonde heroine and Chester Morris is the chief victim of her romantic in- trigues. Zasu Pitts, Leo Carillo, Nat Pendleton, Sam Hardy and Walter Walker are also prominent members of the cast. SYLVIA SIDNEY has a new type of role in “Behold My Wife,” the Paramount picture which comes to Warner Bros. Earle Theater on Fri- day, as the Christmas week attrac- tion. She plays an Indian girl, Tonita, who marries a white man, exchanges her buckskins for silks and satins, but remains a savage at heart. The cast includes Gene Raymond, who played opposite her in “Ladies of the Big House”; Juliette Compton, Laura Hope Crews, H. B, Warner, Monroe Owsley and Eric Blore. For its Christmas week stage pro- gram, the Earle will present as head- iiner the radio favorite of young and old, Johnny Marvin. In New M. G. M. Film Robert Montgomery and Joan Crawford are “Porsaking All Others,” which i3 due at the Palace this Friday. Gable is, of course, star No. 3. two of three stars in . Clark AMUSEMENTS. From Yale Comes Annual List of the Best Stage Plays Dr. Wiuiam Lyon Phelps Hands in His Contri- bution. With Remarks on Why He Made Certain Selections Among Dramas. BY PERCY HAMMOND. directions will guide you to safer and more comfortable l MAKE way this morning to a more dependable courier whose paths of the Broadway drama than mine. Dr. William Lyon Phelps of Yale, a critic whose comment leans to the unguent right rather than to the acid left, obliges you and me with his deKendnble impressions of a few of follo WS Dear Percy Hammond: With keen appreciation of your courtesy in giving me space in your columns, I make my semi-annual appearance, with a list of plays I recommend for the Christmas holiday sojourners in New York. Operas, musical comedies and motion pictures are omitted. Some plays are not on my list because I have not seen them; some plays are not on my list because I have seen them. Thus far it has not been a season of superlative excellence; not many masterpieces. The productions that have given the greatest happiness to the greatest number were written some 50 years ago by Gilbert and Sul- livan; and I wish the D'Oyly Carte Opera Co. would make an annual visit. I was both astonished and delighted that our boys and girls showed such enthusiasm. To us old people these productions were roses in December; but that seventeeners should like them makes the future of our country se- cure. The level of the season was also elevated by the Abbey Players from Dublin, who exhibited the excellence coming from team-play. At the fall of the final curtain of any one of their plays I felt as if I had been living among the people they imper- sonate. Two important events in the im- mediate future, which I ait with great expectations, are the appearance of Katharine Cornell and an extraor- dinary cast in “Romeo and Juliet” (I wish people would remember that the English name Juliet has only two syl- lables, like Julius, Julian, Julia), and Walter Hampden's interpretation of “King Richard III.” Katharine Cor- nell has made herself an indispensable part of American life. Although" King Richard III” is one of the major plays by its author, I have in 50 years seen | it only twice; once by Thomas W. Keene (who died hard) and once by Richard Mansfield, whose playing made such an impression on me that it is as vividly as if I had heard him | last night. When John Barrymore pro- duced “Richard III” I had the flu; and when I recovered, he filled the vacancy. I wonder why Henry Irving did not more often play the royal crook. I am a fervent admirer (for the moment this is my column) of ‘Walter Hampden as a romantic actor, and I know I shall enjoy his new pro- | duction. I hope, when I print my | Spring list. that two plays which I| have seen in New Haven on their way to New York, will be on it. It is as| dangerous to praise a play before its | metropolitan first night as it is to| praise review copies of new books on the jacket; so I refrain. But I en- joyed them both. Here is my list of plays car@@lly se- | lected from those running while I am writing: “Merrily We Roll Along.” A tragedy, filled with bitter disillusion; but also | with sufficient humor. I heard Cissy | Loftus when she imitated Tony Pastor | at Koster and Bial's; she was as lovely | as an Irish dawn. I wish the authors would delete some of the language she is forced to speak now, as it is con- siderably worse than superfluous. Yet nothing can spoil this play. “Personal Appearance.” By far the funniest play I have seen this season. And the misuse of words, such a fav- orite trick with Shakespeare and Sher- idan, is extremely skillful. “Commute,” | quotha! “Dark Victory” is a fine play, not so bitter a tragedy as “Merrily We Roll Along”—on the contrary, it is inspir- ing. Tallulah Bankhead is at her| best. This is a drama not to be| a hold-over from last | season, deserves all its success, and if | there is any one who did not see it last year, he ought to be grateful for | something that so seldom happens in life—a second opportunity. “The Distaff Side.” This is not in any sense of the word a great play. But it is interesting and charming in both characterization and dialogue. There are just as many kinds of wom- en on the stage as there are feminine NATIONAL SYMPHONY Hans Kindler, Conductor Constitution Hall TODAY, 4 P.M. Philip James Conducting His Composition “Overture on French Noels™ Blanca Renard, Chil, Boloist in De Palla’s “Nis Garden of Spain” = Other Christmas Music Tickets—50c to $1.50 Box Office Garfinckel's, National 7730 C. C. Cappel, Manager CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON 16th and P Streets Invites the Public To VIEW RESULTS of RESEARCH WORK Lectures and Exhibits Saturday, Sunday, Monday, Dee. 15, 16, 17 2-5:30 P.M, 7:30-10:30 P.M. A Opposite ars TO DA e season’s products as roles. It is an honor to have Dame Sybil Thorndike with us. Eva Le Gallienne is produci of genfus, “Hedda Gabler” and lon.” Her repertory season is one of the best features of the metropolitan stage. I used to think “John Gabriel Borkman” was one of Ibsen’s minor plays until I saw Eva Le Gallienne's production. I was made sad by the departure of “Lost Horizons,” a beautiful and thrilling drama; and the best theatri- cal argument against suicide I ever heard. Those who were concerned in the production of that play should be proud. And I was somewhat dis- mayed at the lack of general support given to “The Sleeping Clergyman.” He was the only person in the huge theater who was asleep. WILLIAM LYON PHELPS. Abbey Players Coming. [ELBERT A. WICKES will again pre- sent the Abbey Theater Players with their brilliant repertoire of plays at the National Theater for one week only, beginning Monday evening, Jan- uary 7. According to press reports, they are again the sensation of this theatrical season. Backed by plays of undeniable beauty and entertain- ing qualities and brilliantly acted and | spoken in superlative English, “they merit all the praise that is being so lavishly bestowed on them.” Ho]mea' Last Lecmrc. URTON HOLMES and his colorful screen travel revues will close their successful season at the Na- tional Theater this afternoon, when | this distinguished traveler and story- teller invites his hearers to look at “Vienna and Austria.” Fri, Dec. 28, 10:30 a.m. The Children's Theatre NATIONA “DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT” Original New York Cast Warner Bros EARLE NOW GEORGE RAFT In Paramount's Drama LIMEHOUSE BLUES JEAN PARKER-ANNA MAY WONG Extra Attraction William Hall POLITAN| A Parammunt Pucture *“ MENACE| sfi«"" GERTRUDE MICHAEL ¢ k. PAUL CAVANAGH NATIONAL e & 110 BURTON HOLMES TODAY at 3 P.M. LAST TIME We Look at VIENNA «#AUSTRIA A MEMORABLE SCREEN TOUR COLOR and MOTION Tonight at 8:30 Prices: 55c, 83¢, $1.10 THE CLIFFORD BROOKE ACADEMY OF STAGE TRAINING IN THE DRAMATIC ARTS Presents Its Students in a Di- versified Program of Scenes From Outstanding Successes, WINTER TERM BEGINS JAN. 14 Courses in All Branches of Dra- matic Art—Prominent Profes- sional Faculty—Stage Produc= tions. Actual Theatre. Spe= clal Children’s Courses. Cata- “logue Will be Mailed on Request, 1000 Conn. Ave. N.W. NAt, 8248 S 2 Z N N GAYETY-BURLESK Starting This Sunday Matinee BOZO SNYDER and his own show with LOLA BARTRAM LIBRARY OF CONGRESS E. S. Coolidge Foundation Saturday, December 22 at4:30 P.M. THE NEW ENGLISH SINGERS Tickets at T. Arthur Smith, 1330 G St. N.W., Beginning Monday, Dec. 17 Service charge for each ticket, 23 cents Famous Dutch Pisnist. JANUARY 6—8:30 NATI Tickets. $1.10, $1.65. §2.20 LJUNGBERG Seprano, Metropelitan JANUARY 27—8:30./ Tickets—$1.10 to $2.76. Stravinsky & Duskin 00 te $7. Buress. i Kitt's, Smith's 1330 G.. NA. 3700. THE FAVORITE OF MILLIONS.! Gloria SWANSON - Joh BOLES in asic in he Air” ffage..SONC WRITERS ON PARADE® BUSTER WEST LUCILLE PACE WASHINGTON INSTITUTION U. S. Treosury on 15th St. Bl v MUSICAL SPECTACLE . . . the story of Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves of Zarat the Slave Girl.. .| Cou <o Cow Produced by Gawmont aritin win ANNA MAY WONG Brought to the screen at last . S-year run in London 2 years on Broadway Glamour! Color! Musicl Mystery and Romance | ASHTON ACADEMY ot Pe;{tlcl.slnlglsrgnuilly E_Lawrence Phillips' Theatre Bequtiful Continuous From Matinee. 2:00 P.M. ADOLPHE_MENJOU. DORIS ™ KENYON, “THE_HUMAN _SIDE. BUCK _JONES. DOROTHY REVIERE. “WHEN A MAN SEES RED CLARENDON, VA. Monday—ALEXANDRE DUMAS' “THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO." 1ith & N. C. CAROLINA Mtk & “THE OLD-PASHIONED WAY" LOUDSPEAKER.” 2105 Pa. Ave. Ph. WE. 0953 CIRCLE 3.° foe, “Tiiure: GEORGE ARLISS EDNA o - THE LAST GENTLEM phony in Color DUMBARTON &3istinee™s e've NETT and PREDRIC MARCH in “THE AFFAIRS OF CELLINI FAIRLAWN 30 Sy AGE_OF INNOCENCE." PRINCESS /' 5 Double Feature () 2:00 P.M.)—WARNER OLAND, “CH. LIE CHAN IN LONDON > HOPKI “RICHEST GIRL IN WORLD. SECO . Md. Matinee, Sunday. 2:00 P.M. “Barretts of Wimpole Street,” oA A PREDRIC MARCH OFTON Comedy C T News. " Cartoon 6th and C S Finest Sound Equipment Continuous From Matinee CHARLES DIC: A “GREAT EXPECTA With HENRY HULL. PHILLIPS HOLMES. “PALS OF THE W STATE 6970 Wisc. Ave.. Bethesda, Md. Open 2:30 —Organ Concert Until 3 PM. SPENCER _TRACY. KETTI GALLIAN, STEPIN FETCHIT. NED SPARKS and HELEN MORGAN “MARIE GAI Comedy and La JOE E_BROWN. “SIX-DAY BIKE RACE." HIPPODROME 7,550 SHIRLEY TEMBLE " ‘“NOW AND FOREVER. CAMEQ ™7, SACIER. Mo DOLORES DEL RIO. ‘MADAME DU BARRY. ARCADE FEYATTSVILLE wMp. Today-Tomor.-Tues. CLAUDETTE COLBERT, “CLEQPATRA” RICHMOND ALEXANDRIA. Vi, A JACK. BENNY 1o CEOTIow-Tuesday n_ “TRANSATLANTI/ __MERRY-GO-ROUND.” 2 ARCADE ROCKVILLE mb. Today-Tomorrow JANET GAYNOR. “Servants’ Entrance.” AMBASSADOR 1Pt st & GEORGE RAFT. JEAN PARKER in S OUSE' BLUES." APOLLO o st v — WILL ROGERS in “JUDGE PRIEST.” Conn. Ave. AVALON .75, atinee. 3:00 P.M. 'UDGE PRIEST.” Direction of SIDNEY LUST M WILL ROGERS i __Bandreel and_Popeye. AVENUE GRAND % &5 “MERRY WIDOW.” CENTRA Oth St. bet. D and E Sts. N. Double Feature. JOAN LOWELL. “ADVENTURE GIRL "* __ANN HARDIN HE FOUNTAIN." COLONY G~ Ax- & ;unnt" “MERRY WIDOW.” HOME 1230 C St. NI FRANCHOT TONE._JEAN MUIR in “GENTLEMEN ARE BORN. SAVQY 4t st & col Ed. N.W. MIRIAM HOPKINS. JOEL McCREA, “RICHEST GIRL IN THE WORLD." TIVOLI = St & Park Bd. N.W. Matinee. 3:00 P.M. L. _MYRNA LOY, ENTICE.” _Popeye. e. & Quebec St. N.W. ER ROGERS. FRED ASTAIRE, OINEAY BIVORE Sportreel. JESSE THEATER *,% o= “JUDGE PRIEST,” WILL ROGERS. El Brendel Comedy. S—YLV AN 1st & R. L Ave. N.W. “THE CAT'S PAW.? with HA};\“?:.‘?’. LLOYD. PATM THEATER DELEAY. Tomorrow—WILL ROGERS in “JUDGE PRIEST.” Comedy. WARNER BROS. THEATERS BERNHEIMER’S DANCING. T _PEYION PENN STUDIO 1715 ¥ 86 NW, | Met, 3000 Fi slow including T Wa imba._ete. PROF. and MRS. ACHER—34th Yr. St 1127 '10th St. N.W. Class and Fridays, 8:30 to 11:3 with o tra. Private lessons by Met. 4 EDW. F. MILLER STUDIO ) "l{‘l‘ 17th lt—'N.A.“II?.S.‘ ! ing hes- 80. *