Evening Star Newspaper, December 23, 1934, Page 51

MUSEMENTS More or Less Imaginary Giftsfor Hollywood Stars Or a Christmas Trip Through Boulevards and Along Byways of Cinema Colony—Orchids for Some Players and Lilies for Others. BY E. de 8. MELCHER. O from Joan Crawford’s. by the year, what with bicycle and other lavish exhibitions. N TUESDAY Greta Garbo will be unwrsgplng her Christmus presents. Nobody will see her, but sl &%’M them just the same. So will Clark Gable, in his han white house which sits down the road only a short jaunt So will Barbara Stanwyck, who lives directly across from both of them in a house which be unwra) h lnrer tracks for Husband So will William Powell, in a "mnch that Willlam Haines has designed for him, and Bette Davis, in that Virginia Valli-Charles Farrell cottage which is only a short way down Beverly drive from the Donald Woods’. Up above Laurel Canyon (where Maxine Doyle used to live) Una Mer- kel will be giving her fairly new hus- band & brand-new present—and on Outpost drive the Cy Bartletts (Alice White to you) will probably be aug- menting the Italian living room of their somewhat Italian chalet, which has the best view in Hollywood. Some of the stars will be in Hono- lulu, some of them will be up at Arrowhead Lake or out at Palm Springs. But most of them will be in the homes they have learned to call homes in Hollywood, spending that lone day away from the studios with the families they see only now and again. If we had sufficient gold (and no- body but Midas would), we should like to stop by the houses of some of these stars and give them the follow- ing cheer—and otherwise: On North Bristol avenue we'd toss an orchid in at Joan Crawford’s win- dow for her work in “Forsaking All Others.” On North Bristol avenue we'd put a red-hot coal in Barbara Stanwyck's stocking for certain remarks she made about Washington. On North Bristol avenue we'd tell Mr. Gable he was a good guy for punching that fellow in the nose at the Marion Davies benefit orgy at the Biltmore, and give him a barrel of cigars for what he did to “Men in White.” Down the road a quarter of a mile, on North Clifftwood avenue, we'd stop and give Franchot Tone a new scotty for his scotty collection and in honor of that one scene in “Gentlemen Are Born,” in which he reminded us that gentlemen really are born. Over a hill and down towards Mali- bu Beach we'd stop at the entrance to that long pink house, where we'd give thanks for its occupant having been able to make something out of that dour “Painted Veil.” That would be Garbo. Down at Malibu Beach itself, we'd walk straight into any one of the three Bebe Daniels-Ben Lyons’ houses and tell them that they were Wash- ington’s most popular visitors during the past season—and that they can have anything or everything that we have—which wouldn’t be much. Further down the beach we'd crash Laura Hope Crews' house so as to get a look at every one from Hep- burn to David Lewis. And to thank Miss Crews for teaching some of the stars how to speak English (she’s a bear on diction). On the way back from the beach we'd turn in at that large yellow house on the corner with the giant garden that you can see from the boulevard and give Connie Bennett a tall white lily with the hopse that she’d play a good woman for once or twice during the New Year. Further up Beverley Drive, in a cottage with its living room walls lined with books and its tall windows which face onto a lawn and flower garden, we'd give Mrs. Harmon Nel- son, jr. (Bette Davis), a barrel of gardenias for doing that scene from “Of Human Bondage” as well over the radio as she did on the screen, and for riding in Husband Nelsons elegant $40 car without a quiver. Down the road on the right, we'd drop in at the Donald Woods’, and congratulate the master of the house on having his option renewed by Warner Brothers—thus giving one of Washington's favorites another sure 40 weeks of work at a very nice salary. (Watch for him in “Sweet Adeline.”) Off Hollywood Boulevard and fac- ing straight up into the hills we'd stop off at Una Merkel's and give her that extra set of furniture which she wants for the guest bedroom. We'd also ask her husband to take her off on that vacation which she has long needed and hasn't been al- lowed to have, Farther up the hill we'd try and catch Maxine Doyle before she steps out with Phil Regan and ask her please not to do another “Student Tour,” but to keep the old grin and never say die. On Outpost Drive we bust in on the Bartletts and give Alice White that serious Bernhardt role she has been looking for (she's tired of being & comedienne). And on the way down the drive and across another canyon we'd walk down that flight of stairs into Ramon Novarro’s modern house, and if the swimming pool was full take a Christ- mas dip in it and afterwards get Ramon to sing a Mexican Christmas song—if there is such a thing. Down on Hollywood boulevard again we'd drop in at The Roosevelt and see if Elizabeth Patterson is celebrat- ing the Yuletide spirit in the proper fashion and if she wasn't, suggest that she start or finish with us. Also take a look into the now famous room on the sixth floor which was occupied by Gladyes (“Personal Appearance”) George last Summer. Then on our way to the station we'd take off our hat to the Am- bassador and see if Joe Penner is still running around there with his duck. In final Yuletide exultation we'd salute the train yards, where M-G-M's celebrated publicist, Paul Snell, almost lost a certain returning-East reviewer, and where, but for the fact that Mrs. “Pat” Campbell’s little brown dog was lost there, too, and then eventually found by the alarmed Britisher, he ‘might still be. New Priestley Play promising of all Gilbert Miller’s and Lee Shubert's innumer- able productions, to wit, that of J. B. Priestley’s latest and greatest EW YEAR eve will usher in a N new play and one of the most comedy, “Laburnum Grove,” at the National Theater for six nights and the usual two matinees, Wednesday and Saturday. ‘With a run of almost an entire year behind it in the West End of London, which was only interrupted in order to bring the featured English player, Edmund Gwenn, and several of his leading associates with him to Amer- ica, before he is inevitably reclaimed by his “talkie” engagements, “Labur- num Grove” is only to be seen at the National Theater, Washington, prior to the start of what should prove a long run in New York City. James B. Priestley is so well known 85 a novelist, essayist and critic, be- sides having also achieved consider- able fame as a dramatist, notably of “The Good Companions” and “Danger- ous Corner,” that his newest comedy, couched in his happiest vein of Eng- lish suburban life, played throughout to a ripple of laughter and with the tense holding of breath that only suspense and its high priest of drama (the skillful playwright) alone can command, is likely to provoke a good deal of comment everywhere. Is this ultra-respectably seeming and thoroughly charming and dis- arming paterfamilias really a worthy and worthwhile citizen, or is he, as he himself confesses with delightful insouciance and bubbling humor, “a wolf in sheep’s clothing,” or a villain, a counterfeiter and forger in disguise? Suffice it to say that the author has himself satirically described, with probably no whit less humor than the leading part is so delightfully portrayed by its principal protagonist, Edmund Gwenn, as “an ‘immoral’ comedy in three acts,” while he has | dedicated the published version of “Laburnum Grove” to Edmund Gwenn himself, while he in turn is admirably supported by Melville Cooper, Terence Neill, Margery Pickard, Eda_Heine- mann, A. G. Andrews, Leslie Denison and Molly Pearson among others. Loretta Opposite Gable. LORI'.TI'TA YOUNG has been as- signed by Darryl F. Zanuck to play the leading feminine role in “Call of the Wild,” Twentieth Cen- tury’s new production, C, DECEMBER 83, Opening Cliristmas Day in Her New Film KATHERINE HEPBURN, Who has had more things written about her than almost any one else on the screen, will appear this week at Keith's, starting Tuesday, in her new R-K-O film, “The Little Minister.” New Warner Films National studios head the list of attractions for the early part of the new year at the Earle and Metropolitan Theaters, according to an announcement from General Zone Manager John J. Pay- ette. “Sweet Adeline,” first of the War- ner special features for 1935, opened a holiduy engagement at the Earle. Irene Dunne heads the cast in this romantic musical film, based on the Jerome Kern-Oscar Hammerstein, 2d, operetta, which ran 63 weeks on Broadway. “Bordertown,” which is said to give Paul Muni the scope and power of “I Am a Fugitive,” is listed for early showings. The dynamic actor is supported by Bette Davis, who will be remembered for her dramatic char- acterization in “Of Human Bondage.” Another Muni vehicle for later re- lease is “Black Fury,” in which Karen Morley is the heroine, INE distinctive productions N from the Warner Bros.-First Rudy Vallee stars in a musical |« comedy, “Sweet Music,” in which radio's most famous entertainer will appear with Helen Morgan, Ann Dvorak, Allen Jenkins, the Frank and Milt Britton band and many others. James Cagney and Pat O'Brien, the battling pair of “Heye Comes the Navy,” return in “Devil Dogs of the Air,” a story of the adventures of flying Marines in peace times, Mar- garet Lindsay is the heroine. The newest—and the edition of “Gold Digge! “Gold Diggers of 1935,” produced on a grand scale with a roster of star names and combining melody, comedy and beauty. Al Jolson and Ruby Keeler will | co-star for the first time in “Go Into Your Dance,” now nearing com- pletion, and Robert Donat will be seen as Sabatini’s “Captain Blood.” Besides these and other forthcom- ing Warner releases, the Earle and Metropolitan will present hits from both the Paramount and Columbia studios. “Mississippi,” with Bing Crosby and W. C. Fields, and “The Big Broadcast of 1935 are among the Paramount features, while Frank Capra’s “Broadway Bill,” with Warner Baxter and Myrna Loy, and Grace Moore’s second musical production, are listed from Columbia. Carefully selected short subjects and the cream of vaudeville talent will round out the programs at the Earle during the coming year, while the Metropolitan will continue its policy of giving special emphasis to entertaining programs of short sub- Jects. Needs a Catch Phrase. CATCH phrase that will describe her is all that Toby Wing needs to skyrocket her to fame,” was the opinion expressed recently by Director Ralph Murphy while directing Toby in Paramount’s “One Hour Late,” in support of Joe Morrison. | ‘Out of the many thousands of blonds in Hollywood, Toby is one of the only two who stand out on account of their blondness,” he said. “The other is Jean Harlow, the girl who made the phnu ‘platinum blond,” hnwu—md “Toby's pemnlllty and particular blondness calls for a descriptive phrase, and I'm going to see that she gets it.” | | | Belasco Schedule. ORE of the eagerly awaited data about the new Shubert-Belasco Theater stock company has been forth- coming here this week, throwing light on the present plans and future pole | icies of the new dramatic organization here. Myrtis Morgan, director of the en- terprise, and L. Stoddard Taylor, man- ager, have announced they will open their season with “No More Ladies,” the A. E. Thomas comedy, which will have its local premiere on New Year eve. Grandon (Rhodes and Helen Kingsley will have the leading roles. Arthur Ritchie will direct. In line with its policy of presenting tried, successful dramas at popular prices, company will next produce Shaw’s “The Devil’s Disciple,” one of the wittier work of G. B. 8. In the third week the play will be “Mrs. Moonlight.” V. §. Products in Lead. More than one-fourth of China's imports at present are from America. GAYETY-BURLESK Starting This Sunday Matinee Return of 1934—PART FOUR. AMUSEMENT Pictures of the Week Screen Attractions and Vaudeville Programs at Downtown Theaters. YLVIA SIDNEY plays an Indian who played opposite her in “Ladies of the Big House.” Juliette Compton, Laura Hope Crews, H. B. Warner, Monroe Owsley and Eric Blore are others in flw cast. A B. P. Schulberg “Behold My Wife,” panies put operatic stories into pro- duction. Produced by Columbis Pice mm Itel.evl'.uGl’tcemem rank of film favorites. It was duema by Victor Schertzinger and Tullio Carminati, Lyle Talbot, Luis Alberni and Jessie Ralph are in the supporting cast. * ok ok % ¢ | THE seasonal spirit of gayety, charm and zest is refreshingly reflected in the stage and screen entertain- ments currently to be found at Loew’s Fox Theater. On the screen you'll find the lavish picturization of the Broadway stage hit, “Music in the Alr” Gloria Swanson and John Boles head a cast that includes Douglass Montgomery, June Lang, Al Shean, Reginald Owen, Hobart Bosworth, Sara Haden, Roger Imhof, Jed Prouty and others. On the stage five of the Nation's bill | foremost song writers join in the cheer comes in double doses at Loew's Columbia Theater. A generous sample is being currently from the Columbia screen in “The Gay Bride,” which is a cine- ma version of “Repeal” the farcical story by Charles Francis Coe. Carole Lombard is seen as the blond ad- venturess who dazzles hard-boiled racketeers into parting with their ill- gotten gains, and Chester Morris as the agile young man who suffers most from her romantic intrigues. Zazu Pitts contributes laughter with her confusion and terror in the midst of racketeer fights, and Nat Pendleton has one of the most important roles Columbia screen on Christmas day, when “The Gay Bride” makes an all- too-abrypt exit, to make way for "m in Toyland,” the latest all- ecomedy with Laurel and Hudy. * x % % “]TS A GIFT" is a comedy that together those lovable rogues W. C. PFields and Baby Le Roy in many moments of happy madness on the screen of Loew's Palace Thea- ter currently. But you'd better hurry if you want to share some of this wholesome holiday hilarity, for in line with a new opening policy “Forsaking All Others,” Montgomery, will occupy the Palace screen starting on Christmas day. * ¥ k *x NE NIGHT OF LOVE” has re- turned to Warner Bros. Metro- politan for a special repeat engage- ment by popular demand. It will con- #inue through Christmas eve. A rec- ord-breaking attraction during its previous engagements—at the Earle and Metrdbolitan Theaters, “One Night of Love” has made cinematic history all over the United States. It is one of those rare productions which | starts a new vogue in Hollywood. Fol- lowing its success at least six com- headline act, “Songwriters on Parade.” Sharing top honors is the team of the gay drama with Joan | Crawford, Clark Gable and Robert | Lucille Page, greatest female acrobatic dancer, and the popular comedian, Buster West. Next Week's Films. PRESIDENT VANISHES,” the most talked of picture of the year, will be the screen attraction at Loew's Fox starting Friday, Decem- ber 28. The cast of this picture in- cludes Edward Arnold, Arthur By- ron, Janet Beecher, Paul Kelly, Sid- ney Blackmer, Andy Devine and a score of others. Shirley Temple's first starring pic- ture, “Bright Eyes” will be the screen attraction at Loew's Palace Theater following “Forsaking All Others.” New Year day at Loew's Columbia will see the presentation of a new ture, “It's a Gift,” starring W. C. Fields and Baby Le Roy. At Warner Bros.’ Earle next Friday “Sweet Adeline,” that tuneful Kern- Hammerstein tale of beer gardens and old lace, will open with Irene Dunne, Donald Woods, Phil Regan and others in the cast. Paul Ash will headline the stage bill. “Sweet Adeline” was a smash Broad- way success not so long ago. Miss Dunne will be its prima donna, singing “Why Was I Born?” “Don't Ever Leave Me” and the other song hits, as well as a new ditty or two written | especially for the screen version. The NATIONA The Children's Theatre presents “DICK WHITTINGTON AND HIS CAT” Original New York Cast Seats now: 13 Fri,, Dec. 2 No Meeting This Evening DEC. Sir Willmott Lewis SUN, 30 Wash. Cavvnmdtnts P.M‘ London Times. | | “An Englishman Looks at America.” | SHOREHAM HOTEL. MON. DEC. 31ST & WEEK Bal, $2.20, $1.65 & $1.10; 2nd $2.20: Bal. $1.65 & $110; 2nd Bal GILBERT MILLER and LEE SHUBERT Present A COME |abur Mpm a isalu DY Grove tan in Brndon By J. B. PRIESTLEY Qiithos off *THE GOOD COMPANIONS; “DANGEAOUS GORNEN" EDMUND GWENN lCAKOlE LOMBARD - Chester Morris in"Oke GAY BRIDE” RS OPEN 130 Ol kin 8UT YOU XMAS DAY @ FIRST SHOW 2PM. Coly WAS A MERRY OLD SOUL.. BE TWICE AS HAPPY WHEN THESE Alhmlm:ludel David and Hils Oflhlrt. Sylvia and Trade Twins and » Joan Crawford, Clark Gable and Robert Montgomery will be whooping it up in “Forsaking All Others” at the Palace on Christmas day and thereafler. This was the Tallulah Bankiead play in which Tallulah was left at the altar. Now Joan is. Charles Butterworth, Billle Burke, Frances Drake and others are in the cast. “Babes in Toyla & film version of Victor Herbert's famous success, opens at Loew's Columbia on Christ- mas. Laurel and Hardy are the comics, appearing as two daffy toy- makers with a gift for getting into trouble. The usual supplementary bill of news reel et al. Abbey Players Coming. Elm’l‘ A. WICKES again presents at the National Theater for one eek only, beginning Monday evening, anuary 7, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday, the Abbey Theater Players in a repertoire of famous plays that have passed the experimentai stage and are known throughout the theatrical and literary world as un- forgettable successes. For this transcontinental tour, the original and only cast from the Abbey has been brought over. In the dis- tinguished com!)any will be found names that easily stamp their na- tionality: F. J. McCormick, Eileen Crowe, Barry Fitzgerald, Maureen De- lany, Arthur Shields, May Craig, Michael J. Dolan, Aideen O’Connor, Denis O'Dea, Frolie Mulhern, P. J. Carolan, W. O'Gorman, U. Wright and Joan Sullivan. Wedding Certificate Huge. A sheet of parchment nearly 3 feet square was required for the wedding certificate of the Duke of Kent and Princess Marina. kahnqanthrimfisfl with programs of uummnqzd Lieui E@X itk "Ohe ACADEMY © Plvl'!tlrsnllllfl Photaolay E_Lawrence Pmnns T)"EBU Benmuul Sentinuous From Matinee. 2:00 P GREATEST GAMBLI MANCE IN THE RAIN. IRCL 2105 Pn Av;.. Ph. WE. o CHARLES BOYCER LORE!'I'A YOUNG, DUMBARTON 5i.N57 i WYCK and LYLE TALBOT in * A Losr News and Comed! FAIRLAWN Ahlcolm D. €. RICHARD DIX in “CIMARRON." I’RINCFSS Double ‘Pesture Mdatinee, uu "THE CAT‘§ PA\V HAROLD LLOYD. UNA MERKEL. Oumedy, Gartoms.News. STANTON sl %09C Finest ‘Sound Eautpment Gentinuous From Matinee. 2.00 P M. NER OLAND. DRUE x.n"ro RN 1 B AVKRNER | PETER CPENROSE. “SORRELL_AND_SO! STATE oorq 2, Modern Theaire” 6970 Wise. Ave.. lem-u Ma. Return,_Showing of WILL ERS JUDGE PRIEST ¢ Entize Proceeds for Bethesds Fire Dept. Christmas_Charity Rell TAKOMA “3, % l-lum No Parking ‘Troubles DIOK POWELL in “HAPPINESS AHEAD.” JOE E “CIRCUS CLO\\'\' » CAMEQ ™. FADEER 3 Franchot Tone. Loews_ wishes you the Season’s Best with progrums of gay..inspiring zestl DIZZY FUNSTERS TURN ON A VOLCANO OF HYSTERICS ! HYATTSVILLE. MD. 'rodu-'rmnnow R.Km EART.” AL!xnm-n VA ARCADE “HAVE. RICHMON Marion Davies, ator 1. ARCADE m.‘,'.r“"‘mufi A WAsmNelou msmunou Opposite_U. on_15th_St. Direction of SIDNEY LUST ON CHRISTMAS DAY RKO KEITH'S will present another glorious triumph by the s n's oulstanding Viclor Herberts immortal masical . e Ay friumph brought fo the screen .. one of the Great Love Hoe :on:: of the Ages . . . - - - SIR JAMES M. BARRIE'S 'The LITTLE MINIS]’E R IKO IADIO ricty F9 wuss R & woou.sfi on Page MEW YEARS EVE, DECEMBER 31 BEST SEATS, $1.00 Ther. Mat., 50c, Sat. Mat., 50c & 75¢ YRTIS" MORGAN BEGS TO ANNOUNCE THE AD THE BELASCO ART TH EATQE SO(IETY CFFERIN NO MORE LADIES? by A. E. THOMAS “KENTUCKY COLONELS® = TONY — Swstar 2505057351000 SYLVIA SIDNEY i» “BEHOLD MY WIFE” WITH GENE RAYMOND OnSce JONNNY MARVIN - NINA OLIVETTE o o a dash of "The Thin Man'(v If Ha g&&"""fz"rfié Chm osG %fi (RAWFORD (Z:+/ GABLE Aotert MONTGOMERY 5 Potsaking U Othets CHAS.BUTTERWORTH -BILLIE BURKE -FRANCES DRAKE Sparkling..witty..humorous!. ., put #Ssr o:anqmrll'lcll,msfma fi? SAVOY "o sta mfi.fl DEL RIO in “MADAME DU BARRY ' Cogledr; W.‘m Sts. N.E. “GAY DIVORCEE,” OGINGER ROGERS, PRED ASTAIRE. sflvm 1“..-:“."; “One Night of Love, JIII:KIE COOPER A Story for Whale Family SU”II!I HIT OF THE YEAR ) W.C.FIELDS ‘ITS A GIFT® Vo cast Devsownel smbvaees the following players of Wew Yerk repuintien David Appelbe, Josephone Duul Edith nm-n.bm. Underwood, Foster Williams, Arfhur Woods, Arthur Ritchie OUR B e il s offered until spovoved by "the, piay board, thus assuring patroms of entertainment d une 10k os ST N ST S T WORTHY PLAYS WORTHILY PRESENTED repeated demand ‘Washingtonians l"‘flm.lflfl. Iupflm,-.'ehmforu‘nnnmm-f n.mm-m-nmmm--nm-umuh—-—-. h". LAST TWO DAYE—GRACE MOORE in “ONE NIGHT OF LOVE"”