Evening Star Newspaper, September 27, 1935, Page 12

A— Local Group Salvage o Patterned After New AMUSEMENTS. Might Aid f Finer Films York Committee, Its Approval Should Boost Box Office. BY ROBERT B. PHILLIPS, JR., ranging straw ballots to determine the best something or other in current films, Whether bestowing unsolicited laurels for the best THROUGHOUT this country there are various associations forever ar- performances of the year, or circulating pamphlets urging parents to keep their children away from pictures that teem with .cocktail shakers, the organizations usually hurl their findings nt a bresthlessly indifferent world. Their system does not even have the< advantages of the book-of-the-month clubs, which at least sell a lot of copies and make rich publishers richer. Motion picture exhibitors in- variably. have booked pictures months in advance, and the gratuitous sanc- tions of the Socicties for the Ad- vancement of Pink-Cheeked Children in the Cinema therefore mean very little in their commercial lives There is another type of committee, however, which can prove something on behdlf of the public and the exhibitor. That is the local group of qualified judges, formed to pass upon the finest films produced each year and dedicated to promoting them at the time they are on view locally. In New York, for example, there has recently been organized a Com- mittee for the Advancement of the Screen, designed for precisely that purpose. Under its banner Deems Taylor, Mme. Lucrezia Bori, Giovanni Martinelli, Mrs. James Reed Laidlaw, Mme. Lotte Lehman, Richard Watts, | Jr. and others whose opinions merit respect will lend their backing to such flickers as “Midsummer Night's Dream,” “Romeo and Juliet” and “Peter Ibbetson.” Had the unit been in existence six months ago, it might also have helped to-salvage. for ex- ample. such undeniable worthies as | “The Informer” and “The Scoundrel,” | two films that were universally en- Joyed by the persons who attended them and universally shunned (in proportion to their just desserts) be- cause the “names” in them meant little at the box office. Managers here and everywhere else | have at one time or another sickened at seeing a really fine product die on | its feet after they have had the cour- age to book it in their houses. They might well save themselves those agonizing rebuffs by a properly selec- | ted local committee which would oflpfl its blue ribbon seal seldom and dis- creetly, but carry overwhelming au- thority in its every sanction. o JFROM the restless press agentry, | eternally jotting down notes: Charles Laughton will have the title role in Rostand's “Cyrano de Ber- | gerac” when it comes to the screen. Final cuttings have been completed on “Modern Times,” the first Charlie Chaplin picture in four years. It will | have a New York premier October 11. Robert Donat’s next is to be “The | Ghost Goes West,” directed by the | famed Frenchman, Rene Clair. The | Donat “39 Steps” received a four-out- | of-five critical razzberry here, and pro- | ceeded to break house records its open- l ing week in New York. Gaumont-British Films report a $3,- 600,000 profit .ast year. A lot of the money must have come from the sale | of its radio sets and the operation of | the company’s broadcasting station. Columbia announces completion of | “The Public Menace,” with George | Murphy and Jean Arthur; “She | Couldn't Take It,” starring George | Raft and Joan Bennett, and “Al Feather in Her Hat,” with Pauline Lord, Basil Rathbone, Louis Hayward end others. B JDOORS of the Palzce will open at | 8:45 o'clock tomorrow morning for the Mickey Mouse 7th birthday | anniversary celebration. A full hour | of Mickey Mouse and Silly Symphony | Where and When Current Theater Attractions and Time of Showing. Loew’s Fox—“Bonnie Scotland.” at 10:45 am, 1:30, 4:20, 7:10 and 10 p.m. Stage shows at 12:20, 3:10, 5:55 | and 8:45 pm. Earle—"Two for Tonight,” at 11 am., 1:20, 4:15, 7:10 and 9:55 pm. Stage shows at 12:30, 3:20, 6:15 and 9 pm. Palace—"Call of the Wild,” at 11:25 am, 1:30, 3:30, 5:35, 7:35 and 9:35 pm. Metropolitan—"Little Big Shot,” at 11:25 am, 1:25, 3:30, 5:35, 7:40 and 9:45 pm. Belsaco—" Red Head,” at 11:50 a.r., 1:40, 3:30, 5:20, 7:10 and 9 pm. “Clairvoyant” preview at 10:34 p.m. Columbia—"Thunder in the Night,” at 11:15 am, 1, 2:50, 4:35, 6:25, 8:15 and 10 pm. R-K-O-Keith’'s—“Top Hat,” at 11:58 a.m., 2:22, 4:46, 7:10 and 9:35 pm. “March of Time” at 11:32 am., 1:56, 4:20, 6:44 and 9:08 p.m. Ambassador—"Smilin’ Thru,” 6:30, 7:30 and 9:30 pm. Tivoli— Page Miss Glory,” 3:50, 5:40, 7:35 and 9:25 p.m. at at 2, DANCING. CATHZR]NE BALLE STUDIO—If you want learn to dance well, call POtomac 5 _1341 Conn. Ave. ] i " PEMBERTON STUDIO OF DANCE. Stage and Ballroom D-ncln( 1124 Conn. Ave. Phone NA. 5058. inro\‘ PENN STUDIO. 174 050. Private lessol iuqu dancing a_speq by‘:fl:l Chlliun’ classes . $3_m Phone National 3341 The Edw F. Miller Studic 814 17th St. Nat. 8093 I Daneed. “Phil Hayden Descriptive Catalogue on Reguest € Dupont Circle 0. "Miss Ellen Waller (Member Dancing Masters of America. Ine.) LLROOM DANCIN Season’s N Waltz T Fundamentals Fox Trot Private Lessons day or ennl !f"m Bailroom. Clats (With Orehéstra) dio_Corner Conn, Ave. and § St. N.W. B Telepbone Decatar 5001 and_Col. 9072 THE JACK ROLLINS STUDIOS pecial beginners' cla i exerelses, 'siarting Tuesd 1w tober 1. at 10:30 ! fiss Coll 5o pen to"a limited number only. 10 Lessons for $5 n up to September 30 es in Ballet, T: Bailroom 1611 Conn. Ave. Decatur 5770 * subjects created during the last year will be run off. The Belasco will bring in Claude Rains and Fay Wray in “The Clair- voyant,” beginning tomorrow instead of Monday. In keeping with the house’s newly adopted preview policy, the film also will be shown tonight after the last run of “Poil de Carotte.” Patrons entering the theater before 9 p.m. will be permitted to see both features for one admission price. * ok ok X 'HE Howard stage show, beginning today includes Sunshine Sammy, film player; Swann and Lee and the Hardy Bros.” Orchestra. The Estelle Allen School of the Drama has added to its curriculum a special class called the rehearsal group, scheduled to meet twice a week and limited to those who have had professional stage experience or advanced study of acting. El Brendel, the Swedish comedian, headlines the Earle stage bill begin- ning a week from today. Tickets for the entire week of “The Crusaders” are on sale at the Na- tional. All seats reserved. The De Mille spectacle opens Sunday night at 8:45. AEE S[’EAKING of unofficial awards, we hereby present a crown of myrtle leaves to Universal for the best pro- motion ad of the year. In the Wednes- day issue of Motion Picture Daily there was a full page devoted to a picture of Joe Louis, with the large, bold-face caption below it “Remember Last Night?” On the next page the ad read “Another $1,000,000 Gate Predicted for James Whale’s ‘Remem- ber Last Night?’ a Carl Laemmle, jr., Production.” CHORUS TO BE HONORED | Agriculture Singers to Attend Charles County Fair. TO\JORROW afternoon members of | the Department of Agriculture Chorus—Robert Frederick Freund, di- rector; Victor Neal, accompanist— will be honor guests of the Fair Com- mittee of the Charles County Fair, La Plata, Md. The chorus will give a program of several of its popular numbers, which | will be broadcast. Little Jack For years one of the most popu- lar recording and radio artists in this country, Little Jack Little came to the Earle today with his orchestra and other entertainers to headline the stage bill. ~ AMUSEMENTS. THE EVENING STAR, decidedly unknown future date. WASHINGTON, “Diamond Jim,” the story of a colorful American who cared almost as much for diamonds as he did for food, will bring Edward Arnold to the screen of R-K-O Keith's when “Top Hat” winds up its run there at some CHILDREN’S THEATER ANNOUNCES SCHEDULE Given at National During Coming Season. THE Children’s Theater of New York will again be presented at the Nanonm this year, sponsored by the Women's International League. Six plays, selected by Clare Tree Major, director of the theater, from the best juvenile literature of four of Saturday morning performances. First comes “Hans Brinker, or the Silver Skates,” with its background of tossing windmills and bright Dutch | costumes, on Saturday, October 26. This will be followed by “Old King Cole,” the Friday morning Thanksgiving, November 29, and | “Robin Hood” the Fridey of Christ- | mas week, December 27. | Johanna Spyri's “Heidi” presented Saturday, February 15, and | Prances Hodgson Burnett's “The Secret Garden” Saturday, March 28. The season will be closed with the | presentation of “Beauty and the | Beast” Saturday, April 18. Subscrip- | tions for the. series (six plays for the | price of five) now are being taken by the Women's International League, 532 Seventeenth street. _ AMUSEMENTS. GOHGERTS at Constitution Hall—Season 1ns-u ¢ - - Lucrents Bori: Nine Martiat: 1st SUNDAY SERIES, 4 p. m.—T| bett. Vienna Choir. Lily Pons. . Bauer & Soaldine, o $5.50, $7.30. $10, |8ix Plays for Young Folk to Be nations, are included on the schedule | after | will be | JOHNSON STILL BACKS “PLATFORM NEW DEAL” Former N. R. A. Director Answers Open Question at Advertising Club Gathering. By the Associated Press. NEW YORK, September 27.—Hugh S. Johnson, submitting to open ques- tions at an advertising club meeting at which he spoke yesterday, was asked | = . if he still favored “New Deal Princi- ples.” “If,” Johnson answered, tained in the Democratic platform and on which the campaign was con- ducted—yes, unquestionably yes."” AMUSEMENTS. “by ‘New | Deal Principles’ you mean those con- D. C., FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 27, 1935. Hunt for Film Romeo Complicated by Legs M-G-M Searches in Vain for a Hero Whose Figure Will Do Justice to Shakespeare. BY MOLLIE MERRICK. O%YWOOD September 27.—“Romoe, Romeo, wherefore art thou, meo? These immortal words drifting through the Hollywood night are not the cry of a forlorn Juliet—nay, they represent the moan of M. G. M.. producers, who search in vain for a hero who may do their Shake- speare justice. Romeo (“Legs”) Montague is elusive. There is & goodly list of stars who fulfill the casting directors demands.< ‘They have youth, technique, excellent diction and romantic appeal. All of which are decided assets for Shake- spearean work. But, alas, they haven't the legs for the part. And Romeo, save the mark, must have | goodly thighs and calves when he | stands beneath the balcony of his beloved. Now the make-up men of moviedom are indeed stumped. They admit that age is no handicap to them. They can varnish a wrinkled vissage into a semblance of dewy youth. Their camera camouflage can cheat time and facial defects. Eddy Has the Legs. But—even the famous Westmores can't put a calf on a gent who hasn't got one; nor is there any known method of straightening out the lacks of nature when it comes to a warped thigh! Brian Ahearn—handsome, capable of reading his Shakespeare, popular with women—is a trifle shy on under- pinnings. Nelson Eddy, it seems, is the answer to a maiden’s prayer when arrayed as Romeo. But can he read the lines as they should be read? That is one of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s present problems ‘The vogue for slim-waisted heroes has long reigned in Hollywood studios. Gary Cooper’s gaunt appeal is con- cidered “the top” by all movie moguls. Actors have dieted as much as ac- tresses, though they might not like to admit it; in fact, have dieted happily, relying upon a clever tailor | to supplant any glaring deficiencies. Norma to Be Lovely Juliet. But Romeo’s tallor was a dress- maker! And a pair of tights topped by a long curling wig has proved the downfall of all our most favored actors. Romeo (“Legs”) Montague is yet to be cast to play opposite the lovely Juliet that Norma Shearer will un- doubtedly bring to the screen. Every AMUSEMENTS. SAURDAY MORNING OOORS OPEN 8:48 SHOW STARTS 9:15 GAYETY BURLESK NOW PLAYING “ANN CORIO” And Her “GIRLS IN BLUE” ACADEMY ©* Feriis E. Lawrence Phillips’ “Theatre Beautital Continuous From 4:30 P.M. LEW _AYRES and CLAIRE TREVOR “SPRING TONIC. NARD i NORTHERN FRONTIER: ASHTON CLARENDON_ VA TOM TYLER in ‘BORN TO _ BATTLE™_Serial and Comed: CAROLIN 1ith & N C. Ave S.E. Double Feature “THE A“AKENLNG OF JIM BURKE' by the Marketers of BETHOLINE anp RICHFIELD SHERWOOD BROS., Inc. 172 Conmecticut Avenus, . W. __and_“LOVEI DUMBARTON 1AM HOPKINS in “BECKY SHARP.” Comedy and_New:. FAIRLAWN or2X82°T% F “THE MURDER MAR 9th Between F and G Equipped LI I 'LE Acousticon Phome DECATUR 4183 AMUSEMENTS. BELASC Richard the Lion-Heart and the Princess of Navarre... theirs was a love that set the world aflame, for he defied “HOME ON THE RANGE RANDOLPH SCOTT. JACKIE COOPER. 10 AM.-6 PM._10c. 15¢c: Eve.. 16¢, 25¢. 1119 B 8 SLNE SPENCER OPP.WHITE HOUSE "p'p Preview Tonite Come at 9 P. M. See “RED HEAD” and for the same Admission Price, ... AND NOW “THE INVISIBLE " MAKES l!lE MW tuuat Mfis FAY WRAY Continuous From b (0 P Mr Double Peature. HENRY HULL in ‘WEREWOLF OF LONDON.’ NOVA PILBEAM and Comedsy. STANTON n“"‘;'s". a o Continuous Pm = DAVI’D )lAN'Nt ¥ ‘A BATR.': ZRF'!CT CLUE STATE eo:0 mu. Are. Open at 5:45 P M= Show at 3 RLES BUTTERWORTH, JEAN LUTR. HN BOLES and HARVEY STEPHENS ia H“ORCHIDS TO YOU » Also Comedy and Variety. FOR 10 DAYS BAER-LQOUIS FIGHT Two Midnight Shows Sat.. ‘ll 15 and 1 | TAKOMA Mo Far No_ Farkn NCER “TRACY ‘tn ' "MURDER MAN Tomorrow. Continuous Prom 1:00 PM — ROBERT DONAT in “THIRTY-NINE | STEPS " TIM McCOY In “JUSTICE OF __THE RANGE" ~ | HIPPODROME 5.2 James Cagney and Pat O’Brien. “Insh in Us. > CAMEO i e Laurel and Hardy, Tr--ble' Popeye, Etc. Continuous 6:: 00 to 11:00 P.M. Tomorrow, 2 p.m., start- ing Tarzan serial— Each child attending will receive Tarzan ice cream cups free. m_nnmml, D, W, Fields in *Man on the Fising ’rnpeze” Cont.. 6 to 1 Tomorrow, 2 p.m., start- ing Tarzan serial— Each child attending will receive Tarzan ice cream cups free. RICHMOND ~7XAes. 3 George Raft. Patsy Kelly in “Every Night at 8. Direction of SIDNEY LUST the fury of eleven kings, and matched his strength against the mighty armies of the East to snatch her from SUNDAY, Sept. 29, 8:45 p. m. NATIONAL 1-1;:. Daily Thereatter—2:45—8:45 nm. 0 Tediral tax tnely, WILL NOT BE SHOWN AGAIN THIS YEAR CECIL B.De MILLE'S ‘THE CRUSADES with LORETTA YOUNG - HENRY WILCOXON and « cast of thousands A PARAMOUNT PICTURE [ ] a scented harem ... AN s “WOMAN A 25 oth 8t N.W Phone Me, 2841. HIGH- Ga. Ave. Fai S W Ao aabn EEN McCREA in CENTRA KIBI @ THEATRE o to $1.10—Eves., M to ll.fll.é WAKNER BROS. THEATERS m 2:00 MARION DAVXIS in “PAGE MIsS GLORY.” Popeye. W)RK—:.W PAUL 18th & al. sl AR L dve N.W. SYL “GOING HIGHBROW,” KIBBEE. ZASU PITTS d GUY, _A%Y ST Gans. Com m DII. IAI. TR GEORGE RAFT. EDWA} Allow Our Gang 3 Starting Tomorrow Midnight | Charlie Chase, Our Gang, |* AMUSEMENTS. one on the M. G. M. lot from Louis | B. Mayer down is sorely perplexed. Even the make-up artists of our village are in disgrace. They haven't a leg to stznd on, as a matter of fact. But then neither have our local Romeos! AM’L SEMENTS. W@KEITH'S™ A Washington Institution | 4“week! FRED GINGER «<TOD ATy tmics a7 IRVING BERLIN, LYRICS By E:Ora Added Amachon AND.. e “'I'h Illfll of TIIE" Coming... EDWARD ARNOLD in"DIAMOND JIM" It's almost certain that Sylvia Sid- ney will play opposite Jack Oakie in the new version of “Burlesque,” soon | to be brought to the screen. This re- ' minds us of the superb performance the late Ha! Skelly gave in this role, and also of the fact that Barbara Stanwyck played opposite him in the stage version of this play. Nancy | Carroll, then at the height of her career, did the picture. . (Copyright. 1935. by the North American Newspaper Alliance, Inc.) AMUSEMENTS. FALL FESTIVAL OF GREATER SHOWS Bing Comes to Toun in a Cheerful Musical Romance That Boasts s Hit Songs! BING CROSBY In the Paramount Hit Joan Bennett-Mary Boland Thelma Todd - Lynne Ovexman And His Columbia Broadcesting ORCHESTRA HE PLAYS! HE SINGS' HE CONDUCTS! A Melange of New Melod:es A New Lovely Child Star In Aq All-Laff Drama! Sybil Warner Bros' New Child “Find' LITTLE BIG SHOT GLENDA FARRELL - ROBERT ARMSTRON EDW EVERETT HORTON BARNUM had a sigod show foo, but heres < GREATEST VAUDEVILLE SHOW ON EARTH " PIERCEcHARRIS ] ,, iy EXTRA ADDED ATTRACTION BLOCK:SULLY THE NITWITS OF RADIO AND SCREEN . ONE CONT})‘UOU& 0T OF l.Aqu' l "An 9 FOUGHT LIKE MADMEN FOR GOLD AND ROMANCE IN & A LAND THAT KNEW ND I.Aw./ NO PITY, NO GENTLENESS... J JACK LONDON'S MOST GLAMOROUS ADVENTURE STORY 'CAI.I."F WILD' LORETTA . JA C K YOUNG * OAKIE 20TH CENTURY PICTURE &l eais COLUMBIA &