Evening Star Newspaper, September 16, 1935, Page 38

B—20 wx» AMUS EMENTS. Melodrama at Belasco Boasts Original Plot One Unique Feature Is Total Lack of Motive for the Villain—Little Theater Opens Tonight. BY ROBERT B. PHILLIPS, JR. British stage or screen melodrama rnation on this side of the Atlantic. Forgetting that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and Edgar Wallace formerly pieced together more hair-raising detective stories every week than the inventive American mind would average in a season, our audiences pre- HE advent of a really exciting | always arouses profound conste! sume that a country which does not hatch anything ominous in the line of. crime. It is, therefore, necessary to warn those who plan to enter the portals of the Belasco this week that the Gaumont-British product on display therein is another surprise package. Infinitely aided by the demoniac tech- | nique peculiar to a Teutonic gentle- man named Peter Lorre, “The Man Who Knew Too Much” occasionally surpasses its American ocousin, the gangster film, in relating the horrors | and foibles of the snatch racket and modernized murder. While there are times when a plethora of polite tea talk inspires a growing suspicion that the authors; have decided to forget the seamier ' side of life and proceed in the best thought-of Lonsdale tradition, this tale of a lad who knew too much for his health is in general superior melodrama. By that we mean it boasts a plot of some originality, it makes periodic and graphic explo- | rations in the realm of human terror | snd cruelty, and the pcrrorrners‘ behave according to more or less cred- | ible patterns. { EE PERHAPS the most interesting angle of the film is its slant on Kkid- naping, 1ts suggestions of the untold agony suffered by parents who are afraid to speak lest they harm their child, afraid to be silent or inactive for fear the loved one may suffer any- way. There is no torture so great as the mind can imagine, no knowledge of disaster so cruel as uncertainty. and the director of “The Man Who Knew T60 Much” builds a powerful dramatic sequence around that truism. Like most products from the same source, this film lacks the technical astuteness we habitually expect from even a Hollywood crime pot-boiler. In lighting, scenery, continuity and pace the reel cannot compare, for example, with “Scarfare” or “G-Men,” but the lack is largely counterbalanced by a fresh approach to the blood-and- thunder yarn, and by the suavity of Peter Lorre’s work. There is also a novel and rather fetching element of mystery injected into the drama by the apparent absence of any motive whatever for its villain’s crimes. Lorre goes about contriving homicides and kidnaping, assassinations of important persons and sundry other impolite acts, but if he has any precise reason for his conduct. it is cleverly concealed. Although Peter Lorre was not starred in the production, his are the acting honors. Leslie Banks acquits himself | well enough as the man who knew you know what. Edna Best is singu- larily ineffective as his wife. Nova Pilbeam is their off-spring, and a right hysterical little female at that. | The Belasco program of short sub- Jects s too long and moderately dull. * % ok x | AL TRAHAN, who is one of the best guns on the New York Athletic Club trapshooting team, will tell how ! he got that way during a sports in- terview with Bill Coyle over WMAL tonight. The Washington Community Play- ers want to know when, where and by whom were performances of Gil- | bert and Sullivan's “Patience” given | first and last in Washington. The first 10 persons dending in this infor- mation to Bess Davis Schreiner at the Balfour Apartments will receive a ! pair of tickets to the forthcoming | performance of “Patience” at Central ! High School on October 8. Letters must be received by September 28. * x * ARTHUR GODFREY and Arch Mc- Donald will headline a special revue of their own at Loew's Fox early in October. The two popular radio | stars will be making their first ap- | pearance together on a local stage, | although Godfrey has been featured at the Fox twice before. He will bring | Wwith him his radio orchestra and all the little Godfreys. Gene Ford will direct the production. * X x X | "TRILBY" tonight opens a one-week return engagement at the Road- ! gide Theater, with Dennis Connell‘ again playing Svengali to Carey Tucas’ “Trilby,” and most of the origi- nal cast in their original roles. The | pln). which had a successful two- Why be Balil 2 DANDRUFF DOES THIS | appointed district manager len a arm its policeman could not possible | week run earlier in the season, is the last offering on the Roadside schedule for this year. ek 'HE Little Theater, down on Ninth street, opens again tonight with an invitation premiere, bringing back | “Mississippi,” with Bing Crosby and W. C. Fields, as its first presentation. The policy of the house will be to bring back films which have been highly successful, and it is expected that “Barretts of Wimpole Street” will be one of the early offerings. The theater has been redecorated and equipped with acousticon hearing aids. FIA "THE only sculptured bust of Will Rogers to be made in the last 15 vears Teposgs all of this week in the lobby of the Palace, where “Steamboat 'Round the Bend” is being shown. The famous Rogers smile was cap- | tured for posterity about 18 months ago by Prof. Ernest Durig, who met Rogers while Mrs. John N. Garner, wife of the Vice President, was sitting | for him. %o AT GLASSER, who was distric manager of Warner Bros.' Neigh borhood theaters here before being Warner theaters in Virginia, was giv- testimonial dinner Friday at Macinas by the managers formerly under his supervision. Where an(_l_When Current Theater Attractions and Time of Showing. Palace—"Steamboat Round the Bend,” at 11:40 a.m,, 1:40, 3:40, 5:40, 7:40 and 9:40 p.m Earle—"Bright Lights,? at 11 am, 1:40, 4:25, 7:15 and 10 p.m. Stage shows at 12, 3:25, 6:20 and 9:05 p.m. Loew's Fox—"Redheads on Parade,” at 11 am., 1:45, 4:35, 7:20 and 10:10 p.m. Stage shows at 12:30, 3:20, 6:05 and 8:55 p.m. R-K-O Keith's—"Top Hat,” at 11:35 am, 1:35,3:35, 5:35, 7:35 and 9:35 pm. Belasco—“The Man Who Knew Too Much,” at 12:14, 2:08. 4:02, 6:05, 8:08 and 10:11 p.m. Rialto—"Brewster's Millions.” at 12, 30, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Creatore falto Symphony at 1:30, 3:30, 7 and 9 pm. Columbi; 1:45, 9:50 p.m. Metropolitan—"“Annapolis Farewell.” at 11:15 am, 1:20, 3:20, 5:25, 7:25 and 9:30 p.m. Ambassador—"Bright “China Seas.” 3:45, 5:45, 11:45 and at 7:48 Lights,” at 1 6:15, 8 and 9:45 p.m. of all | of ‘whom are shapely ‘'THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, In “Brewster’s Millions” JACK BUCHANAN, D. at Rialto The English musical comedy star, is featured in a semi-musical revival of “Brewster's Millions,” which opened at the Rialto Theater for a week beginning this morning. BURLESQUE REOPENS Billy Arlington’s comedy, for | |mghl now there are a number of | dance artists traveling the Inde- hhmgs about it which should be on | pendent circuit. Her best offering is in- | others are as good as you could ask W|TH HES”’ANT SHOW the must list for burlesque. fans. ‘the silver number, but all of the Billy Arlington, and Alexianna Put Merit Into “Bon Ton Girls.” | | a show which is in something of an embryonic state, just emerging in frenzied fashion from frantic dress | rehearsa’ s is the case with “Bon- Ton Girl which yesterday brought gayety to the Gayety once again. There are a number of indications, however, that the opening opera at the Ninth street temple of mirth and | other things will shape up into some- thing better than an average bur- lesque show. There are girls, a couple and talented There are comedians who know their trade and it does not seem to matter that most of the comedy material is so worn that the audience should know the blackout gag as soon as they hear the first three lines. They still laugh: at least they laughed yes- terday. There also, are some novel chorus routines, devised by Frankie Bryant, which need only a line to per- form them. The handsomely cos- tumed ponies in “Bon Ton Girls” may never attain anything like perfection, but they certainly will improve much as they get the feel of their routines. So it won't be long before this is |one of the better burlesque shows. | Tiveli—“Farmer Takes a Wife,” at 2, 3:50, 5:40, 7:30 and 9:25 p.m. Roadside/(Rockville pike) —“Trilby," at 8:30 p.m. First Century Relic Found. R. F. Macaulay, a farmer at Meikle- our, Scotland, recently unearthed a Roman shoemaker's last of the first 1009 Pa. Ave. BURNERS by the Marketers of BETHOLINE anp RICHFIELD SHERWOOD BROS., inc. 1723 Conmecticut Avenus, N. W. Phone DECATUR 4181 Balil? THOMAS DOES THIS ON'T let yourself be embarrassed or handicapped by thin hair! Baldness is out of date . . old-fashioned . . unneces- sary. Modern science in the form of Thomas treatment has learned the causes of 85% of all baldness and has perfected sound methods of overcoming these causes. It won't take long, the Thomas way, to end your dan druff, stop your abnormal haire €all or re-grow hair for you on the thin and bald spots. Seventeen years of success assure you that Thomas treatment s reliable, proved and beneficial. more than 1600 persons each day It is ending scalp worries for and can do the same for YOU, Treatments and scalp examinations are given in private in order that you will not be embarrassed in any way. You'll really enjoy the quiet, restful dignity of a Thomas office. No charge is made +) .. for consultation or complete scalp examination. Come in today. World’s Leading Hair and Scalp Specialiste=Forty-five Offices Suite 1050-51 Washington Building (Corner N. Y. Avenue and 15th St., N. W.) HOURS—9 A. M. to 7 P.M. SATURDAY to 3:30 P. M. i & | | | | LANK BOOK A Complete Selection in Stock See Us for Your Blank Books E. Morrison Paper Co. Phone NA. 2948 stance. Billy is one of the better | for. Rose, could go on almost any vgude- | ville stage. Eddie Lloyd also scores of a dime-a-dance palace. Buddie and Ollle La Fond ln(rn-l duce & brand of entertainment which ‘ burlesque could use more of. Their if smacking a little of five- the T 1S difficult to judge the merits of | with his novelty dance and his satire ' matinee cold. | Top specialty artist is Nazarro | - the La Fonds buffoons in the business, and his mu- | Hallo, not in billing, but in applause | sical specialty, wherein he is aided by | drawn from the audience. | Brownle Sick and Prima Donna Jean | tractive lass stole the honors from ‘Toots Brawner, who is supposed to be yesterday's | 7 = = star, by stopping Home Films Ordered. | Al theaters in Italy have been or- Bowery dance routine is good enough. dered to show one national sound film | ay In | for every three foreign sound films the hinterlands, but they come back exhibited. to do an adagio number which is one of the best the Gayety has seen 1n1 many a moon. Alexianna also is pres- | ent, to show any one who may have forgotten during the Summer, that she still is one of the best acrobatic | SPECIAL Tues. & Wed. The Best Grade Oak Leather Grand Central Valet 1342 New York Ave. Just Off 11tk St Laundry Bargain! ashedeIrone in Dupont’s Economy Finished Laundry Service per Ib. Flat Work Apparel Finished By Hanq, Ready to Use *All- flat work and wearing apparel care- fully washed and ironed, finished by hand, re- turned to you ready for use. Hundreds of families are using this popular and inexpensive *The only exception are laundry service. men’s shirts, which beautifully ironed for only 7c each extra. Try this complete laundry service this week. Min- imum bundle as little as $1.01. . Call Mrs. Hunt, Col. 7020 Up to 8 P.M. Tonite | or any time tomorrow Mrs. Hunt is Dupont’s : expert laundress. Phone or write her mow facts about DUPONT’S ECONOMY FINISHED SERVICE. She’ll pleased to give you formation— and you incur no obli- complete gation. DUPONT 2535 Sherman Ave. Col. 7020 ibs. [N for and Wearing are washed, starched and for be LAUNDRY MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 1935. Shakespearean Movie Is Hailed by Scholar Declares Presentation on Screen Will Make More Admirers for Bard of Avon. (In which William Strunk, jr., % professor of English at Cornell Uni- versity, substitutes for Mollie Mer- rick to give you his ideas on Shake- speare being presented in motion pictures.) BY WILLIAM STRUNK, JR. HOLLYWOOD, September 16— Seven centuries ago the world's great- est romance was lived! Four centuries ago the love story of the ages was immortalized by Shakespeare. ‘Today it pulses with life—its dra- matic power undimmed by the pass- ing of time—its eternal truth more brilliant—its heart appeal universal— “Romeo and Juliet.” The force of this most famous of love stories, which has captured the imaginations of millions for centuries past and will continue to do so for centuries to come, lies, in my opinion, in its enduring human characters, who live today as vividly as they did | then. I am enthusiastic over the vast po- tentialities of the screen as a medium | for presenting Shakespeare’s master- | piece, “Romeo and Juliet,” and I am | in Hollywood to lend literary advice to the production, which will star | Norma Shearer. Of the great love stories of the ages, | 1 may say three are paramount—| “Romeo and Juliet,” “Antony and | Cleopatra” and “Tristan and Isolde.” | Mark Antony was one of the three | lords of the Roman Empire; Cleopatra | was a queen; Tristan and Isolde were warrior and princess; but Romeo and | Juliet were just noble youth and noble ]r zExn EERIFEEIZANENG BOTHERING *| YOU 1t your e EYE 't meelect vour eves Bother you—So Ston in an. ohiometrists The at- | = e s ‘ore M A LEESE OptlculCo._ 611 9th St. - hun,n::nnuluuu; MANUFACTURER’S _ONE WEEK SALE! PHONE! FOR FREE TRIAL IN YOUR HOME GRAND PRIZE MODEL 9 TYaoroughly Rebuilt at the Factory and Guaranteed by Manufacturer only $'|9 A Startling Value! Grand Prize Winning Model at Sesqui-Centennial Exposition. Sold originally—when new— for $53.50. Imagine! Look like brand new! And marked at this almost unbelievable low price with a complete set of attachments. Full size, full power, every one perfect and fully guaranteed for one year. All worn parts have been replaced with brand new parts such as bags, cords, fans, bearings, brushes, etc. You can't tell them from new cleaners. OO0 Balance small monthly payments— small carrying charge Phone at once. Request free trizl. Only a limited number have been zllotted us for this sale. Hurry! FUREKA VACUUM CLEANER (0. 724 - 1. STREET , N.W, NAtional 2700 factory inspection given to sll Eureka users —Avoid unauthorized agents. FRE = ——PHONE, OR MAIL COUPON AT ONCE-—————- Please send a factory guaranteed Eureka Rebuilt to me for free trial during this One Week Sale—no obligation. L T e e A I T DM L T S i SO with full set of attachments ~4A | | of famous kings, knights and princes, AMUSEME of Romeo and Juliet maiden, with no history besides their | love. They were ordinary, everyday | boy and girl. ‘There are innumerable love stories but Shakespeare chose a love story in its tensest human common denomina- | tor for “Romeo’and Juliet.” It is a legend of centuries ago, but it could still happen today or centuries hence—because it ’s the essence of life itself. Iam often asked: “Can Shakespeare be cut in adaptation for the screen?” “Why not?” I reply. ‘The dialogue is cut for stage per-’ I am interested in the| formances. NTS. renaissance. The “balcony scene” in this play—and let me tell you that the original text does not mention a balcony, as Shakespeare speak: only of a window—will be more attractive in celluloid than on the stage. The poetic lines will, of course, be re- tained, and the glamour and romanti- cism of the camera will be added to them, All in all, I feel that the lovers of Shakespeere need have no fears in regard to this picture. The screen Wwill merely make more admirers for the Bard of Avon. (Copyright, 1935, by the North American Newspaper Alliance, Inc.) N 8O OIXIE LEE “REDHEADS on PARADE” ARD OTHER ACTS | Friday "HERE COMES THE BAND" | with TED LEWIS end ORCH. technical side of writing for the screen, although my knowledge is limited to the screen as a medium of entertain- ment. derstand that changes will have to be made. But I can readily see and un- | -GLEN GRAY & CASA LOMA o, The great scenes in “Romeo and | Juliet” will have wider scope before the camera than they have on the stage. The possibility of filming the “ball room scene,” the “duel scene” and the “tomb scene” are unlimited. The screen will show them more vividly than the stage cen. The opening scene, for instance, which is 2 fight on the stage all on | one spot, will develop on the screen into a riot menacing the peace of a| whole city. The feast at which Romeo | first meets Juliet will become a formal entertainment, with the splendor be- fitting a great noble of the Italian AMUSEMENTS. Fall_Festival ot Greater Shows | wARNER an0s EARLE NOW PLAYING HIS FIRST MUSICAL JOEE.BROWN In Warner Bros - Natls Bright Lights o0 i SALICI PUPPETS - °\.::" WARNER BROS METROPOLITAN NOW « 2nd Week Downtown ANNAPOLIS FAREWELL S0 6T STANDING ICKARD CROMWELL 25c TOSPM « EVES 25 & 40c T0 11 RIALTO . United Artists Present George Barr McCutcheon's BREWS TER §|j MILLIONS i An Uproarens Farce Natural Color Cartoons “THREE LITTLE BEARS” and “CHICKEN NEIGHBORS” CREATORE RIALTO SYMPHONY 1:30—3:30—7—9 Children 25c, all hours IHMN FETCHIT T, I RACKET* Goming CLARK GADLE LORETTAYOUNG ALL OF THE WiL W KEITH’S"-© A Washington Institution FRED GINGER ASTAIRE - ROGERS «"TOP HAT/ U542 IRVING BERLIN, sy w Coming.. EBWARD ARNOLD Adready famous for his character- ization of “DIAMOND JIM” MRS. DORSEY'S 1935-36 CONCERTS NING S, Quartet '(Jepson. Bampton. & Bonelli): Kreisler. Rachmanineff Laeresia Borl. Nino Martini. § Schnabel 2d SUNDA Grace Moore. Newon Eddy Series tickets $2.75, $4.1 $10, ine. tax. Mes. Dor reau, 1300 G §t. (Dr. ACADEMY Of Perfect Sound Phetopiay E. Lawrence Ph f 10 _P.M WARNER BAXTER KETTI GALL'\\‘ 1 UNDER THE_PAMPAS MOON NORMAN " FOSTER and CHARLO HENRY in’ “THE HOOSIER SCHOG" CAROLINA ; 9 TO! bJBARTON JANE ‘K‘n‘&"s‘?a‘ls Anu KIE SEARL i “GINGE News | FAIR WN ANACOSTIA. ©. C. ARLINE JUDGE in “COLLEGE SC PRINCESS rrcriiid .2, D GRAHAM) THE ARIZON ARIZONIAN ND in "CHARLIE CHAN 8211 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring, Md. |SECO Con MIRIAM HOPKINS o Con F GRACE_MOORE and LOVE ME FoREve FOSTER and C Har LEO melm [ NOJ S b THE 39 STEPS " Also New “March of Time.” TAKOMA 4th and Buifernut Sts, prraCpharking Troubles il “FRONT PAGE WOMAN = FIRST FLIGHT TO GUAM ACROSS PACIFIC Special Cachet R the accommodation of collectors and the public, the Post Office Department has authorized Pan American Air- ways to carry envelope mail on their forthcoming exploratory flight across the Pacific, via Hawaii, Midway and Wake Island to Guam, for which spe- cial cachets will be prepared. At the request of collectors, the flight date has been post- poned until the end of September. Both one-way covers, San Francisco to Guam, and round- trip covers—San Francisco to Guar and return, will be carried A separate cachet will be pro- vided for each direction. Covers must be sent to Pan American Airways at San Fran- cisco, Cal., with a Domestic Money Order for $1.25 for one- way carriage, or $2.50 if round- trip carriage is desired. This handling charge will include proper air mail postage, whichwill be placed on the cacheted envel- opes by Pan American Airways for return delivery to sender. Your cover and remittance must be delivered to Pan Amer- ican Airwa San Francisco, California, no later than MID- NIGHT, September 26th. OF OUR THFATER: v\rrH NATURAL AIR:COOLIN CE HIPPODRO Joe E. Brown, A]1b1 Tke. CAMEQ ™7, Far Tomorro . SHIRLEY TEMPLE in “CURLY TOP.” Feature Approximately 6: 40 ARCADE ~ Warner Baxter in __Moon ALE RICHMOND #52XA d MARION DAVIES in’ __|“PAGE MISS GLORY.” " |AMBASSADOR JOE E_BROWXN in APOLLO __Come, AVAI.ON oA JAMES_CAGN “IRISH IN @15 P Ave. AVENUE ( GRANI | SE LA Matinee. 2 A Ni CH‘\RLF° B'fi\ SHAN o [ ENTRAL o Phone Met. PAT O'BRIEN. MARION DAV PAGE MISS GLORY " H 'r'r;\ TLLE, MD. 2y “Under Pampas H S Lincoln CURLY @ E ] F; n._<!- o 5] = ] a 121 TOP.” & McKinley Clev. 2600 YBRIEN 11 § o ir Popere NW. Ge CuREY SoF 1230 C 0 N LAnenm 10206 LONDELL in GONDOLIEHR’ 2 _Can 7 14th St. & Col. Rd. N.W. Columbia ‘1968 BL(?CK SHEEP "~ WAPNER BROS. THEATERS %% FONDA 1n TN \dER PAKES A WIrD Place N Col. WILLIAM POWELL. LUISE R AL ESCAPADI Chase Come JESSE THEATER e “CURLY TOP oA SHIRLEY TEMPLE. JOHN BOLES Comedy. Sitly Sympheny.__ SYIVAN st and R. L. Ave. ? SYLVAN s = “SHE,” HELEN GAHAGAN &nd_RANDOLFH COTT. PALM ] THEATER T “Broadway Gondolier DICK POWELL and JOAN BLO! DELL._Cartopn DANCING. ning Dance. | i iahnu:man-s Sept. .1 st ll ltl Dane T MAE DAVISO) Ball Room Cl