Evening Star Newspaper, January 8, 1935, Page 30

AMUSEMENTS A Bit of Old Ireland in Work of the Abbey Players Sean O'Casey's Work, “The Plough and the Stars.” Splendidly Produced by Overseas Croup at National Theater Last Eveninfl. BY E. de 8, E new face among the MELCHER, Abbey Theater Players belongs to Aideen O’Connor, a young lady of such pretentious beauty that Hollywood is already after her and the rumor goes that as soon as these players land in Los Angeles (the end of their 30 weeks’ tour) she will be snapped up by the local powers and turned into Dublin’s Garbo. Miss O'Connor is thus the only major player you have not seen here before. They returned to the National last night, these wholesome and hearty Abbey Players, in Sean O’Casey’s “The Plough and the Stars.” They brought with them again that tang of old Ire- land which is as strong as the salt in the sea. They brought with them also that relish for doing small things well and large things even better, which is the apple of any actor’s eye. Some of the principal actors played very small parts, and some of the lesser actors (if there are any) played very long parts—and the exchange of words and 1deas, the poetry and sweep of eloquent lines, even the humdrum babbling of some of O’'Casey’s loutish citizens, was mingled together in drama that is drama. They were greeted, as they were greeeted two seasons ago, by an an- dience that remained not only re- spectfully quiet throughout, but also alternately moved and amused. Such audiences know beforehand what they are going to see—which is to say that they may nhot know the plot, or even understand its full significance—but they will gamble their last shirt on the fact that their entertainment will be strong, honest, literary and intelligent, and that even if some of Comedian Barry Fitzgerald’s words are lost up his moustache, they will get what he means either by the twinkling of his eye or the 52 wrinkles on his chin. * ok ok % "THE Plough and the Stars” is Sean O’Casey’s reflections on that frightful era of unrest (1915-1916) when soldiers were shot down dead in their beds and Dublin’s citizens were wracked with internal wars and those well-remembered “Easter” skirmishes. In his powerful last act he shows the muddled agonizings of these people and the complete waste that was caused by strife that seemed to lead | to nowhere. 1t is the characters of his play who | point the way to a story that is no more nor less than history without | trimmings. In it Bessie Burgess (May Troupers Glimpses of Stage Folk in Washington. IN 1926 Barbara Blane might have | claimed the title of the world's youngest dancing teacher. Had she filed for the honor she would have been registered under the name of Alice Holmes, however, for that was her appellation in the days when she | taught other little girls of East and | New Haven, Conn., to twirl lightly upon their toes, tap heels and shake a wicked waltz. She was, in fact, Alice Holmes until & year or so ago. Then some bright fellow invented the new tag, of which she is exceedingly fond. Says her pet hates are people who spell it “Blaine.” The Earle Theater, where she is dancing this week, billed it that way. Ho hum! Discussing with pretty Miss Blane | the more salient details of her 18 years on earth, we presumed, of course, that a lass who was teaching terpsichore at the age of 9 must have | hit the earth dancing. She did not. Her role as professoress of the limber | ankle began almost on the heels, as | it were, of her own first lessons. She busied herself at first with a few neighborhood friends. Then more parents urged their charges upon her. The school waxed large. By the time she was 16 she had a fat and still growing business. So she quit it and came to New | In the years she had been | York. teachinz Barbara-Alice had not neg- lected also to learn. She journeyed weekly to Spring- field and later to New York for guidance. Natu- rally supple, what with demonstrat- ing this step and that whirlimagig all the day long, she invented & few extraordinary stunts of acro- batic dancing, came to the city in 1932 and per- formed for some people who need- ed a good dancer to fill out the program at row= dy, funny Holly- wood Restaurant. She was accept- ed at once. Her present act con- sists of a nice routine and some amazing contortions. Nevertheless, she hates to be termed a contortionist dancer. People who write or say that are next lowest on her scale, after “Blaine” spellers. The doe-eyed young lass was not content, however, with the quick gifts of fortune in New York. She had ambitions to develop as a musical comedy dancer and singer, to play straight dramatic roles. The impre- sario at the Hollywood used to ex- plain to her that if she’d just sleep all day and go on with the show every night, life would be quite simple for her and simpler than ever for him. Instead she worked at some school or other, or practiced on her own, al- most every day. First result of this was a recent Warner Bros. screen test. Bhe did a few dances, read a scene from Philip Barry’s “Paris Bound.” ‘That should have been fun, what- ever the outcome. After you've seen the girl work, we think you will join in hoping for the best. R.B.P,Jr. BEGINNING ) | v 10 AT 9:30P. M. L -fll:fi-»fi-w-%.v I- Craig), a buxom Dubliner who has yowled “Rule Brittania” since first she could yowl anything, is shot in the back by the very soldiers for whom she has been yowling. Mrs. Gogan's daughter, Mollser, a consumptive, due to the undernourishment of those days, topples into her grave with scarcely a struggle. And Fluther Good (Barry Fitzgerald) makes eyes at Rosie Redmond and plays cards with Capt. Brennan (Denis O'Dea) of the Irish Volunteers while bullets are whistling around and coffins are be- ing hauled away to their cemeteries. Not a cheerful plot—nor any plot really at all. But a penetrating study on the uselessness of those days and at the same time a “drama” that has within it ready humor, sympathetic characters and the kind of entertain- ment that has come from the brain-as well as from the heart. * %k ok ok THE present company, being little altered since its last 'visit, is also little altered in word or deed. There is Eileen Crowe, who plays the grief- stricken young wife (another stern peg in the play’s bitterness) whose voice is claimed by authorities to have in it more music and poetry than most actresses of the world. May Craig, whose ample-throated bellows invariably ring wide and true. Barry Fitzgerald, Ireland’s grandest co- median and one who is as much ap- preciated outside of his own backyard (meaning Dublin) as he is in it. And others such as Arthur Shields, F. J McCormick, Michael J. Dolan, Denis O'Dea and Aideen O’Connor. When we mentioned above that some of the major actors played small | roles last night reference was made to Actor - Director - Writer ~ Arthur Shields, who plays the title role of “The Playboy of the Western World,” and Denis O'Dea, who if memory still cncks plays “The White - Headed | Boy.” Last night these two did little more than walk on and off. This is one of the reasons why you should attend all Abbey Theater perform- ances—to catch each and every one of them in their best roles. “Drama at Inish,” by the way, is that new Lennox Robinson comedy, which was shown on Broadway last season under the title of “Is Life Worth Living?” and which in its current Abbey version is said to be something which should positively not be missed. e “THE CHURCH MOUSE” IS [NOT MUCH OF A PICTURE Laura La Plante Starred in Poor Story for Her Screen Comeback. Under the disarming title “The Church Mouse,” First National Pic- tures has perpetrated a rather boring cinema item. Inaugurated at Warner Brothers’ Metropolitan yesterday, this, picture no doubt will hold forth for at least another 24 hours. Therefore if you would join those who sleep while celluleid rolls we urge you to | hasten to the Met, there to hearken unto a tale of a modest secretary, plain, but brainy. who pleased her rich and handsome boss by serving him well and captivated him by the ordinary wiles of womankind. On a chatauqua program, “The Church Mouse” no doubt would have ‘ been a wow. As a film drama, it is spotty. poorly cast and acted, indif- ferently photographed and directed without inspiration or taste. The actors who have been made victims of this picture, or who in some cases have contributed to its delinquency, include Miss Laura La Plante, who should have known better: Tan Hunter and others whose names mercifully will be omitted. The Metropolitan program also in- cludes a traffic safety cartoon, a vitaphone Pepper Pot notable for the canine stunt act, and two newsreels. Although First National bravely ac- cepts the dues for “Church Mouse” in this country, we are told it is actually a British quota film. Credit line to our cousins across the sea! R.B. P, Jr. — = THREE DAYS MORE. ‘The success of the new Hepburn picture, “The Little Minister,” at | R-K-O Keith's has won for the picture an additional three days play- ing time, making a total of two and one-half weeks that the picture has held the screen at the Fifteenth street theater. As now announced, final showings of “The Little Minister” will take place on the coming Thursday with the picture giving way to “Romance | Manhattan,” starring Ginger Rogers lnd mcu Lederer on Friday, January 1 Blank Book Y eiHove 1935 Diaries “Stecker® & Calendars ‘prces Prices E. Morrison Paper Co. | 1009 Pa. Ave. cies Phone NA. 2945 | 2,240 Pounds é&!-"ro- Blue Ridge Va. Hard Stove Coal, $11.50 Buckwheat, $7.00 Rice, $6.25 Smokeless Egg, $9.75 Bitumi, Coal Inous al la'".'-. !-lh or Blue g;,-.fia 50 %l-lln-hn 75% Lump Coal, $7.50 50% Lump Coal, $6.90 delivered in ra . from the fne—showins ou su THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTO Plays Helen Hayes’ Role MADY CHRISTIANS, The German star, who plays the role in “The Wicked Woman,” opening today at the Columbia. originally intended for Helen Hayes This is Miss Christians’ first American film. The role was given her when a stage engagement in the East prevented Miss Hayes from journeying to Holly=- wood. ROADSIDERS PLAN LOCAL PRODUCTIONS They Are Ready to Consider Work by Washington Playwrights for Summer Staging. Plans for the second Summer sea- | son of Washington's first and only | “barn” theater, the Roadside, are un- der way with the announcement that a tentative schedule of productions will include at least one “tryout” play, and more if suitable manuscripts are available. To insure that no pos- sible dramas are overlooked, the Board of Managers of the Roadside Theater issues an invitation to all local playwrights particularly to sub- mit any manuscripts they may have available for consideration by the Roadside Theater as “tryouts.” As the board expects to have the remainder of its schedule of pro- ductions completed by March 1, the plays should be submitted well in| advance of that date, as to allow | sufficient time for each member of | the board to read them -carefully.| The selection of plays rests entirely | with the Board of Managers of the Roadside Theater, and equal and im- partial consideration of every mani script submitted is promised. Comedies, domestic dramas. psy- chological studies, tragedies—all types will be welcome. The only basis of selection will be that, in the opinion ' of the board, the play is worth pro- ducing, and can be given a satisfactory and finished production. In addition to the manuscript, au- thors should submit & fairly compre- | hensive synopsis of the play, outlining the development of the plot and the characters. | Plays should be addressed to Rich- ard Creyke, business manager, 3525 R | street northwest, or given personally to Walter Pick, Catherine Prichard. | Autou Hardt, Edith I. Allen, Harold Weinberger, or Richard Creyke, mem- bers of the Managing Board Man to Go Straight at 100. When Martin Korim leaves prison at 100 years of age he will “go straight” and begin a new life. He promised this to the judge at Banska Bystrice, Slovakia, when sentenced to 25 years’ imprisonment for murder- ing and robbing a man in a wood. Banska is 75 years old. ‘TAKE CARE of YOUR EYES Don’t let poor vision hamper your progress. If your eyes are weak or have been giving you trouble Consult Our Optometrist For an Eye Examination M. A. LEESE Optical Co. 614 9th St. N.W. WEDNESDAY 4 PM.—8 PM. BROILED STEAK DINNER 60c Cholce of Soup or Cocktail. Broiled Steak, Drawn Butter; Premch Fried Potatoes, Garden Peas, Hearts of Let- tuce Salad, Pie or Ice Cream. Coffee, Rolls. WALLIS CAFE 617 12th St. N.W. T e R T orld’s Anthracite = BLUE RIDGE COAL CO. Miners of Virginis Anthracite Alexandria Rd.. So. Me. Opposite Texaco Ol Wal. 4401 Distributing Plant 8475 OYSTERS now at their best . . . Plenty of delicious s-n—wm Oysters servedl in any style. .lnnllh.u“lfltl'lfllln&t Schneider’s 427 11th St. N.W. Estab. 1888 Current Theater Attractions and Time of Showing. National—Abbey Players in “The Plough and the Stars,” tonight at 8:20 p.m. Belasco—"Mrs. Moonlight,” pm. Earle—“Broadway Bill,” at 10:30 am., 1:10, 4:05. 7 and 9:55 pm. Stage shows at 12:20, 3:15, 6:10 and 9:05 p.m. Loew’s Fox—"The Mighty Barnum,” at 10:45 am., 1:30, 4:20, 7:10 and 10 pm. Stage shows at 12:22, 3:10, 6 and 8:45 pm. Metropolitan—"The Church Mouse,” at 11 am, 1:10, 3:15, 5:30, 7:35 and 9:40 p.m Columbia—"“A Wicked Woman.” at 12:10, 2:05, 4:05, 6, 7:55 and 9:50 p.m. at 8:30 R-K-O Keith's—"The Little Minis- | at 11 am, 1:11, 3:22, 5:33, 7:44 ter,” and 9:52 p.m. Palace—"Forsaking All Others,” at 11:35 a.m., 1:35, 3:35, 5:40, 7:40 and 9:40 p.m. Tivoli—“The White Parade,” at 2, 3:50, 5:45, 7:35 and 9:30 p.m. Ambassador—"Broadway Bill,” 5:45, 7:45 and 9:45 pm. D. C, TUESDAY, Belasco Company Stages|t JANUARY 8, 1935. LevyPlay, ‘Mrs.Moonlight’ Members of Troupe Handle Their Roles Well, And the Modern Comedy Is Ably Produced. Holding Audience Throughout. Belasco Art Theater Society seems to be rapidly whipping into shape. Their presenta- tion of the romantic tragi- comedy lines of Benn W. Levy's “Mrs. Moonlight,” which open- ed last night at the Belasco, is & well- played production, vastly superior to last week’s effort. Of course, in “Mrs. Moonlight” the group has a good play behind them. Mr. Levy knows how to construct a dramatic work that holds an audi- ence. This play concerns the pre- dicament of Sarah Moonlight, who, through the mystic power granted by a certain necklace, permitting her one wish, desires that she never grow old because of a fear that she may lose her husband’s love. The tragedy bearing upon Mrs. Moonlight, who retains her youthful beauty through three generations, makes a vital and at the same time tender drama. It is a happy combination of laughs and tears. The Belasco players, individually, turn in some fine performances. Helen Kingsley, bearing the burden of the central role, performs beautifully, in the first act being a very alluring young person much in love with her husband, in the second act returning as a long-lost cousin after she sup- posedly had committed suicide, d finally réturning again to portray subtly the grandmother still with the curse of the appearance of youth. Her best bit, perhaps, is in the second act, where she breaks up an undesirable affair of her daughter (who, of course, does not know her mother) by in- fatuating the man in the case. The most admirable portrayal, however, is turned in by Robert G. Pitkin, as ac- complished a character actor as you are apt to find. His task is a more Fried ovsters. shrimp. clams. scallops. = crab e. filet of haddock sauce. French-fried potatoes. coleslaw. Hom e- made rum buns. bread and butter, Coffee. tea or glass of er Wine, Beer and Drinks of All Kinds 1207 E St. N.W. by the Marketers of BETHOLINE ‘al ICHFIELD SHERWOOD BROS.,INC. 1723 Coasecticut Ave., N.W. DECATUR 4181 Clearantge of PIANOS difficult one—he must age while his wife retains her youth, appearing at first as the 44-year-old husband, later as about 60 and finally as a grand- father of some 90 years. It is a fine performance. Two others who play their roles to perfection are the two chaps who! handled light modern comedy so effi- ciently last week—Grandon Rhodes and Foster Williams. Edith Ketchum, Doris Underwood, Vera Tatum and David Appelbe also do their part. ‘The single set used, the 1iving room of the Moonlight home, is the ad- mirable product of Scenic Designer Charles Squires. Arthur Ritchie has done another neat job of directing, grouping his players well and build- ing excellently to his climaxes. He might, however, speed the pace here and there without doing any harm. H M ST Chilean Jobs Increase. General employment conditions in Chile are improving. LAST 3 DAYS/ S JAMES M. BARRIE S “The LITTLE 3IN.IST!R"' SINCER ROGE 'FRANCIS LEDERER ' Romance in Manhattan® _———— \Grands and Uprights B Knabe, Steck, Mason & Ham- lin, Chickering, Stieff, Kim- ball, Vose & Sons, Hallett & Davis, Hardman, Fischer are just a few of the famous makes on sale at reduced prices. These pianos were traded in on new grands at Xmas time and we would like to dispose of them as soon as possible. All have been thoroughly reconditioned and carry our usual guarantee. Grands, $175 up Uprights, $49 up KITTS PYRUS ADAMS 1330 G St. SPECIAL TRADE-IN OFFER Sent toyou on 10DAYS FREE TRIAL 'I'HE POWERFUL NEW DELUXE MODEL “K" with New Type Brush for Lint, Hair and Threads LIMITED TIME ONLY! 942 EUREKA JUNIOR will be given in exchange for your old cleaner plus $5.00 on your purchase of a powerful new DeLuxe Model Eareka. withdrawn at any time. Act quickly! Don’t delay! NOTE: Cash allowances if preferred for frade-in cleaners. EUREKA “HIGH-VACUUM” TEST PROVES Old Cleaners Do Not Clean Thoroughly Just operate this sensational new DeLaxe model Eareka on your rugs with the bag off. See the unbelievable amount of dirt discharged after your old cleaner has done its best. 724 - R STREET . N.W. NAtional 2700 AT THE SPECIAL LOW INTRODUCTORY PRICE only 539_5__0 A sensational value! Powerful but light — easy to operate. Specially designed for beavy duty service. Just imagine! Now you can obtain a powerful new deep cleaning DeLuxe Eureka Model “K” at the special low introductory price of $39.50. is offer may be ductory Free Trial Offer. SEE THE NEW FUREKA BEFORE YOU BUY ANY CLEANER EUREKA VACUUM CLEANER (0 Name Address Giyy. S — r No longer need you tolerate the inefficiency of your old cleaner when you can obtain this new DeLuxe Eureka at such an amazingly low price. Floor polisher, demothing sanitor and other accessories are available at small cost. Try this new Eureka in your home free—then decide. s 95 Balance small monthly payments— small carrying charge Phone at once! Request Free Trial in your home. Only a limited oumber are available for this Special Intro- AMUSEMENTS. AMUSEMENTS. AMUSEMENTS. [-:ws F ' ‘e FAMOUS Avpunn GEO WHITES ScANDALS i W SAUTY "ADIO s J i Dhe M PARADIS, . UG af MATINEE SHOWS, - wlmumv.vuuuwu “OMBARDO IU!AI NA NICHT SHOWS snily 5 DANS 27 eondony ey We re sorry, nfully “BRIGHT EYES! waited 15 DAYS to show you to the daddies, mothers and kiddies of Washington who love you . .. But it seems that appreciative fans simply can’t get enough of that joyously supreme hit “Forsaking All Others” with Joan CRAWFORD. ... . Clark GABLE and Robert MONT- GOMERY. Please bear with us until FRIDAY . . . when we will positively show “BRIGHT EYES” with you . . . SHIR- LEY TEMPLE . . . your hap- piest picture yet! /.. ACCLATMING A 12 PERSONALITY A NEW STAR u&JEAN PARKEP. AT #iCKFOR <08 M-G-m PICTURE MARVELITE No Better Paint Sold Ausured Satistaction. ure Oxide Red Roof Paint. nm 9th St. N.W. $1.65 Gal. A 4171 PHONE, OR MAIL COUPON AT ONCE Please send the new improved DeLuxe Eureka to me on your special free trial offer. Positively no obligation. | NATIONAL |t Nfent " wea: na “ler| 8:30 o $1.85. ELBERT A. WICKES Presents re Tues.. Sat. Eves. and Wed Mat. “The Plough ana the Stars” Wed. Eve. “Drama At Inish* Thurs. Eve. 'Jun: and the Pay- Pri. Bve. “The Comner” “The rnm-‘;":?d the Western orld> Sat. Mac. “The Whi ""_' iteheaded Next Week. Bes. it Play of America: Theater Koeloi' Crosby Gu'o ud Ch-l- Heidt “ON TO FORTUNE" A Comedy of Man By Lawrenee Langner and Armine authors of “The Pursult of Havpiness” \| with Roy Atwell-lika Chase-Glens Anders Mary Rogers. Staged by Worthingten Miner On Stage Paul Ash & “VARTY REVELS OF 1935 Coming Friday BING CROSBY “HERE IS MY HEART" LAST 3 DAYS Laura La Plante e o Bm Bl With AN HUNTER Coming Friday “1935's FIRST MYSTERY HIT" MURDER m e First National clo.” Mstery Bal. 25¢ Orec. 40c GAYETY BURLESK She Looks Like ANN CORIO Has the Class of HINDA WAUSAU But She Is Neither JUST BEAUTIFUL ANN NORTON The World's Prettiest ALL THIS WEEK AC ADEMY or Pertect s;--; E Lurenc- Phillips en(rr nuumul Hihuous. From coz,u:n | MOORE, L;L;_?Rms AUBRIGHT, AR HOLT. MONA BARKIE. ASHTON cuu:vnofi VA MAURICE CHEVALIER and {EANETTE MacDONALD In “MERRY CAROLINA "%EN GAeSE & T&l[!ssGIINYGI‘ OF GAB" und AMQNG THE CIRCLE & i "iom: T B PNARTE GALANTE " Comedy: DUMBARTON 15 e ™=, JOSEPHINE HUTCHINSON in “HAPPI- NESS AHI Comedy. FAIR!;AWN OGERS _in PRINCESS 1119 H St. N.E. Double Peature MADGE EVANS in PARIS INTER UD',"‘ OLMES in * n:r'rnm SFCo 8748 G Sitver RED ASTAIRE F *THE GAY Cartoon. STANTON rii%, t qoflrwe { | l Continuous From ER l)l\ ”I\( F N BRUCE CABOT. JUDI VIVIAN TOBIN Dick1E \(OORE LD _ACCUSES Wise. Ave.. at Show at 6 P ETTA YOUNG and JOHN BOLES in THE WHITE PARA Also “WYNN. THE 4ih and Butternut STE No Parking Trouble ALICE_ FAYE and JAMES DONN “365 \|,<:I1t~ in Hollywood.” HIPPODROME X W o ast ANNA STtN rn P Cont o 11 P MT. RAINIER. MD. ‘Today-Tomorrow Ruby Keeler. Dick Pm\rl] LIRTATION WALK ARCADE ™™A™mjyfiis Constance Bennett.“Outs Direction of SIDNEY LUST Ann_Harding. “The Founta ARCADE "oz Glaria® Siwict. ‘The Fove Captive AMBASSADOR ¢o™'Ra'v'w. WARN‘R BAXTE! MYRNA LOY in _ "BROADWAY BILL." 624 B 8i. NE ROCKVILLE. MD. Today e ) WILLIAM POWELL: MYRN 1 EVELYN PRENTICE.” A u)y = AVENUE GRAND 5 Ave. S.E. Mat 00 P.M. LORETTA YOUNG JOHN “WHITE_P. RA %m'u i (‘ENTRAL -nu cAamm: Pncii C?godle.!' COLONY G Ay ¢ 'J'mu- WILLIAMY;O’WBLL H\'H.NA .IYA‘)Yn|fl HOME : “MERRY WIDOW.” _SAVOY 14th St & Col. R4, N.W. TOB!‘N ln BY Ya'l‘ffl. E‘AV‘E i TIVOLI 75 o & Fark 5 Xow. Matinee. 2:00 P. WARNER BROS. THEATERS Ga. Ave. & JACK BENNY in “TRA AT MERRY-GO-ROUND.”_8 ”‘Tu - .lrvhl N.E | JFSSE THEATER ™ "A.'. “MRS. WIGGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH,” PAULINE LORD w. ¢ FIELDS. Tat & I.RI AW SYLVAN “Seset 45 __in "LADY BY CAOIGE, OMBARD PALM THEATER “'6 “CLEOPATRA,” CLAUDETTE COLBER' fl:“ Y. BERNHEIMER'S § g DANCING. LEROY H. TH_AT Efi Trot—W: Fox 1me J:‘.‘.':.L:':‘.’:’“&...m.. an pe