Evening Star Newspaper, May 1, 1935, Page 44

C—6 A Ruth Draper MUSEMENTS. in Excellent Sketches at the National Mono-Drama Artist. in Single Performance Wins Large Audience—“In a Church in Italy” is Gem of Collection. BY E. de S. MELCHER. after an overlong absence and presented her amazing character sketches before a distinguished audience at the MISS RUTH DRAPER came back to Washington yesterday National. The sketches included “Opening a Bazaar,” “Three Generations in a Court of Domestic Relations,” “Three Women and Mr. Clifford,” which is divided into “The Private Secretary,” “In the Motor” and “At Mrs. Mallory’s,” and, finally, “In a Church in Italy.” If Miss Draper never writes and acts in another thing she will live for that last-mentioned sketch—a sketch that brings back to all those who have been to Italy the musty, incense-laden atmosphere of an old church, with its loud-mouthed tour- ists, armed to the teeth with Baede- kers; its ly beggars, it§ English woman “mm.s" copying old masters in a couple of days, its altars before which bow those who are gay and those who are sad, and its endless crowds of young and old, all pushing into the aisles to find out why it is that such treasures are herded to- gether in a place of this kind, as also to hear some scatter-brained tourist say that “the deeper you dig the more religion you'll find.” It seems a little out of order to be writing about Miss Draper at this time, since. the world at large knows that her genfus is never-ending and that she can hold an audience with just as much force as a three-ring circus, a Ziegfeld musical show, & Goldwyn film or a Hinda Wausau. ‘Whether she is appearing at a com- mand performance before Britain's King or Queen, or in the swampland of some heated country; whether she is doing the rounds of the more so- phisticated boarding schools, playing on Broadway or in Boston, where they practically throw flowers before her in the streets, Miss Draper is that same emotionally sane and dramat- ically sound person Who year after year digs herself a little more into the affections of not just one person in particular, but everybody in general. Her matinee yesterday at the Na- tional, attended by Mrs. Roosevelt and a large gathering, was a further proof that her art is eternal. No sketch seemed too long or too short. Each character lived its little moment and then was snuffed out in order to give way to someone new. And as the curtain fell on that suppliant, beauti- ful figure kneeling devoutly before a church altar, the applause that came from the other side of the footlights must have gladdened the artist almost as much as her art had gladdened the audience. * % %k & RU’DY VALLEE'S next film for Warner Bros. will be “Let's Pre- tend.” Lionel Barrymore is going over to the R-K-O lot to do the David War- field role in “The Return of Peter G ” Nelson Eddy, who sings Friday at the Fox in “Naughty Marietta” (don't miss it), will start any day now on “Americans Sing, Too.” Jeanette MacDonald will be with him again. Queenie Smith’s option ‘waso't picked up by Paramount. Peggy Wood has gone to Hollywood to appear in “Jalna.” Noel Coward got a mere $4,000 & week for playing in “The Scoundrel,” which opens tomorrow at the Radio City Music Hall in New York. Clark Gable doesn’t want to play in “Mutiny on the Bounty.” Doesn’t like his role. Gene Raymond is just about set for a personal appearance at the Earle in the near future. * ¥ k X AUDREY SIEBER gets another week’s vacation due to the fact that Gus Arnheim acts as his own master of ceremonies. He will be at the Earle Friday. The Three Little Words will be back at the Earle week after next. All sorts of activities are going on up along Connecticut avenue and New- ark street, due to Johnny Pavettes’ announcement that he will build an “uptown” theater there. Seen at Ruth Draper’s matinee yes- terday: Mrs, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Dr. Hans Kindler and Mrs. Carter Barron. Ruth Draper attended a preview of “Richelieu” last night. The advance press book on “Becky Sharpe” is swell. It has a small piece of film in it, which, when you hold it up to the light, shows you what Current Theater Attractions and Time of Showing. National—“Accent on Youth,” 2:20 and 8:20 pm. Earle—“Private Worlds,” at 11 am., 1:40, 4:30, 7:15 and 10 pm. Stage shows at 12:45, 3:35, 6:20 and 9:05 p.m. Loew’s Fox—“One New York Night,” at 10:50 a.m., 1:25, 4:15, 7:05 and 9:55 p.m. Stage shows at 12:20, 3:20, 6:10 and 9 p.m. R-K-O Keith’s—“Bride of Frank- enstein,” at 11:15 am, 1:08, 2:51, 4:34, 6:27, 8:10 and 10:30 p.m. Columbia—“Ten Dollar Raise,” at 11:15 am., 1:05, 2:55, 4:45, 6:25, 8:15 and 10:05 pm. Metropolitan— Death Flies East,” at 11:45 am, 1:45, 3:45, 5:45, 7:45 and 9:45 pm. “Reckless,” at 12:10, 2:30, 4:55, 7:15 and 9:40 pm. Belasco—“The Iron Duke,” at 12 noon, 2:02, 4:04, 6:06, 8:02 and 10:04 pm. Little—"War Is a Racket,” at 11 am, 1,357 9and 11 pm. Tivoli—Life Begins at 40,” at 2:30, 4:15, 6, 7:50 and 9:40 p.m. Ambassador—"“The Little Colonel,” at 6:15, 8 and 9:45 pm. Howard—“Unwelcome Stranger,” at 12:30, 3:50, 7:05 and 10:10 p.m. Stage shows at 2:40, 5:50 and 9:10 p.m. at D222 s TONITE Q) .o STARTING FIRST OF THE Mirlam Hopkins looks lke in color. She’s 0. K. * k% % THE Roadside Theater, that amas- ing combination of youth and brain which started off with a bang last season in some sort of s factory fenced in by a railroad track, today announced its plans for a second sea- son. According to Miss Catherine Pritchard, trusty emissary, who always gets in her news at the welcome hour of 8:21 am., two old-time melo- dramas will be presented, two new “4ry-out™ plays, and two revivals of plays that made Broadway history. The season will officially begin with “After Dark,” by Dion Boucicault, on June 17. Thereafter this company will offer “Detachment,” by E. M. Leslie (this is a “tryout”); “To Die at Dawn,” “Trilby,” Paul Potter’s dramatization of the du Maurier classic; “The Henrietta,” by Bronson Howard (you remember this one), and “American Songbird,” & manu- script play by Derek Fox and Turner Bullock. We like the idea of “Trilby” best, and would like to know which mem- ber of the Roadsiders not only has the temperament but the classic foot! The latter is very, very important. ‘We haven't particularly noticed Road- siders’ footwear up until now—but the foot question must be gone into. Trilby, after all; can't appear in sneakers or galloshes. Some member of the cast at this moment must be the proud owner of a Trilby foot. We shan't rest untll we know who it 1s. SECOND CONCERT OF THE PIANISTS’ CLUB Two Artists Presented Last Eve- ning in the Annual Festival. Elizabeth Rankin King and Helene Finnacom gave the programs in the second concert of the annual festival of the Washington Pianists’ Club at Calvary M. E. Church last evening. Miss King was presented in her first recital by Fanny Amstutz Roberts, president of the Washington College of Music, and Misc Finnacom, who appeared in her fifth recital at these festivals, was presented by La Salle Spier. Miss King, whose program was first, plays with rich, warm tone and beautiful legato, and her chords were a delight, showing the perfect co- ordination of her mind and hands. This characteristic of her playing was evidenced in Liszt's “Spanish Rhap- sody,™ for piano and orchestra, which closed her program. She opened her program with Bach’s “Little Organ Fugue in G Minor” and three move- ments of Beethoven's “Sonata, Opus 10, No. 3,” which she played well. The Brahms “Ballade in D Minor,” famil- iarly known as “Edward,” was out- standing for its richness and warmth, and her other compositions were Dohnanyi’'s “Pastorale,” “Hungarian Christmas Song” and Chopin’s “Tar- antelle in A Flat Major.” Miss Finnacom started her part of the concert with Saint-Saens’ ar- rangement of the overture from Bach’s “Twenty-ninth Church Can- tata” and the second movement, adaglo grazioso, from Beethoven's “Sonata, Opus 31, No. 1.” She played with delicacy and & keen feel- ing for the rhythm and meaning of the music which she interpreted with seriousness and appreciation. She has a singing tone of warmth and color and her arpeggios and cadenzas were even as to fingers and well rounded in their shading, which was marked in her playing of Liszt's “Con- cert Etude in D Flat Major.” Emil Sauer’s “Music Box” was a delight- ful bit in the concert, and she also played Debussy’s “Fireworks.” Her closing number was the third move- ment from Scharwenka's ‘“Concerto in B Flat Minor, Opus 32,” for which Mr. Spier played the orchestral part at the second piano. The concert tonight will be given by Hilda Openshaw, who will be pre- sented in her first recital by Fanny Ross Henbest, and Betty Baum, in her sixth recital, who is presented by Josef and Rosina Lhevinne of the Juilliard School of Music in New York. K. B. IN CLUB RECITAL. Ina Holtzscheiter, soprano, and the Merine Band gave the musical pro- gram at the luncheon today of the 3 Club in honor of Mrs. Franklin D. Roosevelt and the wives of the mem- bers of the cabinet, at the Washing- ton Hotel. Mrs. Holtzscheiter sang Bizet's “Ouvre ton coeur,” “Tn bel di” and “The Little Shepherd Song” by Wintter Watts. Marjorie Davis was the accompanist. o KEITH’S Starts TODAY' Puccini’s | THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, WEDNESDAY, MAY T, 1935. Trio in Earle’s New Mystery Film Troupcrs Glimpses of Stage Folk in Washington. JORTRAIT of & songbird in re- hearsal: The scene is & studio in the | Columbia Broadcasting System offices. Thirteen musicians and Arthur God- frey (heh heh heh) are finishing some sweet melody as the door opens. Gertrude Niessen, songstress headliner at Loew’s Fox, walks in, accompanied by Poppa Niessen, who is her man- ager, and a tall young man who im- mediately whips off his coat and plunks himself down in a chair near the entrance. The musicians and Godfrey are also coatless. The room is stifling hot. Godfrey: “Boys, this is Miss Nies* sen.” She smiles vaguely at the boys, takes off an outer coat, but keeps on her hat. “I'm sorry to say, Miss Niessen that the microphones for this program are going to have to be like this (he makes gestures to explain the double mike system). You sing across one and into the other and it will be all right.” She nods amiably and waits for the orchestra to finish arranging music. Godfrey: “All right, first the ‘Lulla- by of Broadway.’ Ready boys? Let's have it. One, two, three, umph.” There is a sudden blast of noise which sounds faintly like a Bronx cheer at Bowie. Miss Niessen and Godfrey both look as if they smelled a fishing smack in the woodpile. The musicians stop and begin looking over one another’s shoulders at the score. ‘The first saxophonist solves the mystery. “You don’t play that first pm It's marked out.” The brass section says “So soddy” and they start again. This time everything is fine unm the boys strike & closing chord of one chorus. Miss Niessen, who has been singing gaily | and giving the band as good & show as it would get for money at the | theater, stops. Godfrey ceases to lead. The boys get that puzzled expression again. Miss Niessen: The first sax: written.” Godfrey: “For everybody?” First sax: “Everybody. Five - part harmony, no doubt. Very close.” Miss Niessen: “Too close for com- fort.” Godfrey: “Let’s try it again.” They do. It is all right this time. The piece is ended. The first-trombone surrenders his vest and hangs it be- side the coat. The singer slips out “What causes that?” “That's the way it's “The Case of the Curious Bride” comes to the Earle Friday and features Donald Woods, Margaret Lindsay and Warren William, sketched, from left to right. cussions, “Who has that 16-bar coda?” —"my sheet says go back to ‘d, not to ‘b’"—“there’s no part at all for the second piano, whatll I do, take a chance?” . “Boys, you want it on the fast two-beat, don’t give me that one-beat”"—*“stop, stop, can’t you boys hold that rhythm? . . . don't let it dle | after the vamp”—“wait a minute, | don’t dance this one, play it sort of | waltzy"—stop, start, stop, start, God- frey and Miss Niessen, the trombonists | and trumpet players all keeping in re- | markably good humor, smiling over | the errors, smiling when they are righted and everything goes well | agan. ‘They are in the third number. “You see,” Poppa Niessen explains, his voice booming above the music, “we'll probably take a week off after this. Go fishing. Work one, rest one, if we can. After all, this goes on about twice a week, she does four shows a day 1n vaudeville besides. Sings an ‘Good News’ for Larry Schwab in the St. Louis Open-Air Theater. Musical comedy repertory will be sort of a vacation.” R.B.P,Jr. MONTHLY MEETING. The Little Theater of Takoma Park will hold its next regular monthly meeting the evening of May 8, at 8 o'clock, at the Takoma Grade School, on Philadelphia avenue. The program is being arranged by Mrs. 8. E. Blassingham. All members and friends are cordially invited. —— Traffic Control Opposed. When Mayor Juan Posadas, jr., of Manila, P. I, recently asked the mu- nicipal board to appoint him “traffic ! dictator” so he could untangle the | city’'s many traffic problems, the board promptly said “No.” T8 ST Rurasy * % % % w—N. Y. News CHALIAPIN In G. W. PABST'S “DON QUIXOTE” Sung and Spoken in English. “One of ten best of — _l'..-.:h_n.". best of the year. Feodor ¥¥%7s! GEORGE ARLISS [RON DUKE WE_DARE 'ro SHOW 3t (AR = RACKET PACKED WITH THRILLS into the hall, while the second num- | ‘= ber is being arranged on music stands, lights a cigarette and comes back puffing at it. Godfrey: “Want to try that num- ber straight through? Miss Niessen: “Let's get on to the others and come back to it later.” They do. The next number has the same h-l!-doun stops and mm dis- Opposite U. . Treasury on thth St GAYETY BURLESK Now Playing THE ONE AND ONLY “HINDA WAUSAU” THE GARBO OF BURLESK A Worse B -—wmlnE WARREN WILLIAM ~On Supr~ DEATH FLIES EAST A Columbnia Mystery Drama wrth CONRAD NAGEL » FLORENCE RICE COMING @une o Al Jolson \ 60 INTO YouR average of about 25 numbers a day. | Easy life of the singer, you know. | Next Summer she’ll do ‘Roberta’ and | and some other shows | BENEFIT TOMORROW. Tomorrow evening at 8 o'clock at the Parish House of the Epiphany Church, 1317 G street northwest, the Girls’ Friendly Glee Club is sponsor- ing & benefit entertainment, “Melody in Spring,” which fentum “Scenes From an Easter Par: ‘The cast will include Donud Thomas, Anthony Ranere, Lester Prevost and Elisa Colomo. Soloists_include Paul Conklin, Nena Colomo, Bob S8immons, Maxwell Galloway and Ambrose Dur- kin. Adolf Torovsky is accompanist, assisted by Miss Grace Gerger. The production is under the direc- tion of Senorita Rosalmia Colomo and Donald Thomas. 8¢ (Ine. Taxd Crosby Gaige's Plymouth Theater. N. Y., Success “ACCENT ON YOUTH” Next Week Beg. Mon. Seats Nows Broadway's Reigning Farce Succesd “PE‘I"I'IMIT FEII" ACADEMY O Feriscs Seune Fhatonias E. Lawrence Phillips’ Theltre B!lullfu.\ Gontinuous From 4:30 EM. PAULINE LORD, ZASU"PITTS ‘and “MRS. WIGGS OF THE CABBAGE PATCH.” ___Also ONE HOUR OF COMEDIES. CLARENDON, VA. ‘ASHTON Mat., 2 P.M. Cont.to 11 P.M. EHXR!..EY TEMPLE. LION!L BARRYMORE “THE LITTLE C: 'CAROLINA ‘WHITE LIES" MIDNIGHT.” CIRCLE A mr cfl%n’a{omxs VIRGINIA BRUCE in DUMBARTON am"ésam"u FRANCHOT TONE “LIVES BEN- OF A o Com. 7, _9_PM. | FAIRLAWN mam“m,.wm | _in “APTER OFFICE flom ““THE PRJVAT! LIP! OF DON JUAN." Also LARRY SALLY BLANE i sk Hab e _CHOOSE. SECO iiver, Sgriae. masx'i?l mu JOAN BLOND Ka.nsas City Princess. R Comedy. _Cart STANTON Continuous Prom 5 Gmfllgea ufi&um% #lm in s ALL'%NG! STATE eorartutiogern Thester” Matmee 3:00 P.M. Today AY THROUGH FRIDAY WILL ROGERS in “LIFE BEGINS AT 40.” Attend l‘l'.lnlel Daily This Weel void the Night Crnwdsk_a e TgKOMA > “GAY DIVORCEE i i Y SHANNON nght Life of the Gods HIPPODROME mfinfi"p’«‘fi.’:. Plul Lu Notu W“ CAMEO o . Laurence Stallings’ “Pirst World War.” ARCADE ~ HYATTSVILLE. M y-Tomorrow SHIRLEY TEMPLE in “The Little Colonel.” llll.h C. Ave. SE. Double Peature and “RENDEZVOUS AT mc Georgia Ave. Md. Gary Cooper and Al Wedding Night.”” B " | AMBASSADOR SHIRLEY TEMPLE in “LITTLE LONEL." ‘Bandreel” - $24 H SUNE Phone !" ISt Col. Rd. N.W. 5595 Wz m!un-lu Matinee, 2:00 AVENUE, GRAND 35 7745 SE. L. 2406 N rn--'-‘. e ““8C; Comedlu Ga. Ave. & Farragut St N.W. Ge. 9322, s 208 B LBERT in “GILDED lluncll Comedy. % St N E H%-gflmnrm"nmv f,‘flm" uom'- SAVOY '¢'h st s CoL B NW ‘DAVID COPPERFIELD 2 WARNER BROS. THEATERS FRANCE-TO-AMERICA AIRLINE IS PLANNED By the Associated Press. PARIS, May 1.—Victor Denain, avia- tion minister, yesterday revealed plans for a France-to-America airline by ‘way of the Azores and Bermuda, which he said, he expected to be completed within three or four years. “Qur military preparations,” sald A WOMAN'S HEART. . SCORE. The merry enemies for eve man all Europe ca SONGS THAT WILL LIVE AS LONG AS THERE IS LOVE IN “I'M FALLING IN.LOVE WITH SOME ONE” “AH, SWEET MYSTERY OF LIFE” AND THE COMPLETE VICTOR HERBERT AMUSEMENTS. Dennln “mnotmk!n(mforntuu tion of commercial aviation.” nouwmmhmwswm America now lacks sufficient appa- ratus, leaving gaps and causing delays, “but by the end of this year I expect the crossing will be made by four seaplanes of the Crolx du Sud type and one of the Santos-Dumont type, sugmented by two multi-motored land planes.” BAND CONCERT. By the Marine Band Orchestra, in the band suditorium of the Marin Barracks, this evening at 8 o'cloc] Capt. Taylor Branson, leader; Arthui 8. Witcomb, second leader. FRIDAY ! # Golden voices in a gem of musical romance...an e enduring love story set to the world’s favorite music TA Mq/flaw&ucwd/o ELSA FRANK MORGAN LANCHESTER JOSEPH CAWTHORNE CECILIA PARKER RETURN SNGAGEMENT POLLON friend... the alled monster... stopping at nofhmg that his coun- and his god mlgh’r be se?ved “INTER fifirrefc; ?‘qe La m\trsfir%f?"s TLE s " fze«f«/um; ~mGENE DE QUINCY & LEWIS DANZI GOODELL HAROLD ALOMA -TOMMY MART!N‘ LUBK MAUNA i Last two days...JEAN HARLOW-WILLIAM POWELL in"RECKLESS” Loewi PALAC FRIDAY i He defied the world...a thousand \Fat 13t \( ARLISS Ri A 20TH CENTURY PICTURE. . CARDINAL CHELIEU WITH MAUREEN O'SULLIVAN EDWARD ARNOLD DOUGLAS DUMBRILLE 'FRANCIS LISTER & CESAR ROMERO L7 TVOLTH_‘MG STaEELNW Matin P.l RS 5 ”urs Bandreel, SEASON'S SPECIAL McWILLIAMS® STUNT NIGHTS [FAEE ADMISSION |} 0 < . DANCE =, ' Ruy Keler AT 40" YORK SRR T v ANRRBA - Comedy. JFSSE THEATER "3?."{'1" _m‘-“_vmm e B AW mmomm? in “VANESSA.” Comedy. Novelty. P THEATER "% llfll.mu Mat.,2P.M. Now Until Friday WILL ROGERS In Fox's “LIFE BEGINS AT 40.” Gmfl ENT _PARK | All Other Amtummm.' From 1 P. M to Midnite Inc Sensational New PRETZEL RIDE [ <