Evening Star Newspaper, December 29, 1936, Page 32

B—16 = AMUSEMENTS. “The Two Mrs. Carrolls’ Amuses Despite Itself ‘Audience Treats New Play as Farce Re- gardless of What Playwright and Its Cast Intended. BY JAY CARMODY. producer seriously regarded it as a Before it was 15 minutes old, however, the public N years or more ago a play called “The Gorilla” opened in Wash- ington. The playwright and mystery crama. recognized it as a farce. An impasse that? It was nothing of the THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, TUESDAY, DECEMBER Popular Singer’s New Film Arrives 29, 1936. ATIONAL Nl‘-‘ u. to $2.75. Mats, '.‘; Four Fiay ot .q-e.’i?e-. Sinesire N "AMENCAN m-b;qummlfl GA.MEYER Preccut e AC @ new drima by MARGUEAITE VRILLER witha di rfm’w'l,hl aart imeludin, SLENA EARLE Staged by JOUN J‘/flu’o:“ A'L‘YA"“‘ Next Week—Seats Thursday Fifth Play of Ames Theatre AMUSEMENTS. BIG NEW YEAR'S EVE SHOWS AT ALL LOEW’S THEATERS “WE'RE GLAD T0 SEE YOU BACK, you rascals you! ,II ...and your new hit, the marvel- kind. Playwright and producer took the audience’s word—or laughter—that “The Gorilla” was farce. From that first night it was frankly played that way, and it enjoyed a long and hap: .- T e ous sequel to “The Thin Man” is MOST DISCUSSED PLAY py life. Perhaps the same thing can be done for “The Two Mrs. Carrolls,” which had its American premiere at the National Theater last night. farce, even though it was played as serious melodrama. If it is changed around very quickly, played for what it is, it might make audiences laugh themselves to death. Otherwise the audience is going to laugh the play to death. It may be that B. A. Meyer, pro- ducer of the piece, caught another note in the mirth of that opening- night crowd, but to this pair of ears it was acutely menacing most of the time. It is | lbout his threatening person, it is ap- parent that he is not the kind of man who will use them. He would have been a lot more respected for a little show of violence. * o ko IN THE failure of Geoffrey, to this pair of eyes and ears, the play comes tumbling down. Elena Miramova never had a chance with the terror she registers when her predecessor as Geoffrey’s wife begins to open her eyes to his meanness. She has even less to con- | vince with the same stark emotion “The Two Mrs. Carrolls” concerns | when Geoffrey comes to murder her the affairs of a philandering husband. | pecause he wanted to save the ali- who regards murder as cheaper than L mony of a second divorce. Miss Mira- divorce. When a thing like that can | mova obviously did not know that turn out to be funny, it is just funny and it might as well be accepted by | all concerned. There is nothing else | to do. * ¥ X X ARGUERITE VEILLER, author of | “The Two Mrs. Carrolls,” would | seem to have done badly by a cast | that has too good & reputation to have | met the fate it did last night. Out| of nine characters in her play, she does her most convincing work in the | creation of Mrs. Harriet Carroll, first of the two, played by Frances Starr. 1t is Miss Starr’s task to start the play | by discarding her husband, a third- rate artist but a first-class weakling. She does it in a well-played scene with Earle Larimore, the Geoffrey Carroll | of the piece. | It was in Larimore’s part that Mrs. | Veiller's creative talent seems to have failed her. He is supposed to be a philanderer with murder hidden in the | bitter-sweetness of his nature. That's what he is supposed to be, but the | audience simply refuses to believe it; | not because of Larimore’s interpreta- | tion, but because of the way the part | is written. Geoffrey always is the kind of turnip out of which the audience | knows 1t is not going to get any blood. | Even when he stands above his cow- | ering second wife, with a bell cord, a gun and a g}ars of poison scatlered Geoffrey was too weak to kill. But the audience knew. So it laughed at Miss Miramova's beautifully realistic fears. It may not have wanted to laugh, but it had to do so. It is the destiny of Miss Starr as the first Mrs. Carroll to discover Geoffrey's essential weakness and fol- low him through life to keep him from victimizing others as he had victimized her. It gives her quite a | part and she plays it with so much conviction that she gives the per- | formance its best moments. In the final scene, as in the opening one, she is superb. * x X h,lISS MIRAMOVA, who played the part for a year in London, 'tis recorded, does not have a chance with the role in this country unless last night's audience is the least typical | thing she encounters here. It is not | her fault. Others in the cast are acceptable in | roles that are incidental to the tri- angle around which Mrs. Veiller built her play. G. E. Calthrop. who designed the settings of Noel Coward’s play cycle, “Tonight at 8:30,” performs similarly telling service for the current play. | Her Southampton living room is as neat a bit of stage decor as you will | see anywhere. Of course, there’s nothing to prevent | Mr. Meyer from saying he knew all | . the time the play was farce. | RITES HELD FOR WIFE OF LIONEL BARRYMORE | B: the Associatea Press. HOLLYWOOD, December 29.— Funeral services were held here yes- terday for Irene Fenwick Barrymore, | former stage actress and wife of Lionel Barrymore, film player. The widower seemed an unusually | tragic figure as he stood with his brother, John Barrymore, and a (ew‘ friends before the casket in Calvary | Cemetery Mausoleum. Rev. Michael J. | Mullins, pastor of the Catholic Church of the Good Shepherd in Beverly Hills, | officiated. Mrs. Barrymore died Christmas eve. As Irene Fenwiek, she was for many | years one of America’s outstanding actresses. | Where and When Current Theater Attractions and Time of Showing. National—“The Two Mrs. Carrolls,” i at 8:30 pm. Earle—"Gold Diggers of 1937 at 10:45 am., 1:30, 4:15, 7:05 and 9:55 pm. Stage shows at 12:35, 3: 25, 6:15 and 9 pm. Capitol—“Sinner Take All” at 10:50 a.m., 1:35, 4:25, 7:20 and 10:05 p.m. Stage shows at 12:35, 3:20, 6:15 and 9:05 p.m. Palace—“Camille,” at 11:35 am., 2:05, 4:35, 7:05 and 9:35 p.m. Belasco—“The Girl on the Front Page” at 12:11, 2:14, 4:17, 6:20, 8:23 and 10:20 p.m.; “L'Opera de Paris,” at 11:30 a.m., 1:33, 3:36, 5:39, 7:42 and 9:45 p.m. R-K-O Keith’s—“Rainbow on the River,” at 11:15 am,, 1:01, 2:47, 4:33, 6:19, 8:05 and 9:51 p.m. Columbia—"“Love on the Run,” at 11:55 a.m., 1:55, 3:45, 5:55, 7:45 and 9:55 pm. Metropolitan—"Hideaway Girl,” at 11:45 am, 1:45, 3:45, 5:45, 7:45 and 9:45 pm. Rialto—"“Under Your Spell,” 2:24, 4:07, 5:56, 7:53 and 9:56 p.m. Little—“Chu Chin Chow,” at 11 am, 1:41, 4:22, 7:03 and 9:44 pm.; “Scrooge,” at 12:32, 3:13, 5:5¢ and 8:35 p.m. Ambassador — “Gold Diggers of 1937,” at 2, 3:55, 5:45, 7:40 and 9:35 pm. Tivoli—"Theodora Goes Wild,” at 2, 3:55, 5:50, 7:45 and 9:40 p.m. Uptown—"Libelled Lady,” at 2, 4:05, 5:58, 7:53 and 9:51 p.m. Howard—"Cain and Mabel,” at 12:15, 3, 5:45 and 9 p.m. Stage shows :40, 7:25 and 10:15 p.m. AL 2.240_Pounds to the Ton Blue Ridge, Va., Hard at .50 Buckwhut, 87.’2‘5 Pocahontas Stove, $10.40 Smol(elm E;g $9.50 Onty “Thin, White. 75% Lump Coal $7.50 50% Lmnp Coal 86 75 OAL CO. Here Friday | LITTLE JACK LITTLE Brings his orchestra to the Earle Theater this Friday to headline the first stage show of the new year. Choi { S| il Bioe Foltt Clagin s riEversthing with Everyihing to Bas 427 11th STREET | High Swing Low,"” | those of Director | men. In the Public's Interest 1y The Friendship Press ; Edward B. McLean, Jr., Pres. PUBLISHERS AND PRINTERS MAGAZINES = LETTERHEADS 1065 Wisconsin Ave. N.W. ¥ Va. Jack. 1 wE are not the largest publishing and print- ing esubhshment in Washington, nor the oldest. In fact, we've just started, but we have everything that it takes to give you a good print- ing ‘job, regardless of the specifications. We have set out to build a reputation for friendly service in the public’s interest, and invite your inquiries accordingly. Lily Pons, pictured here with Gene Raymond, who has an 1mportant role in the pzcturc is starred in “That Girl From Paris,” new comedy-romance with music, which opens Thursday at R-K-O Keith's Theater. Tone’s Stay-at-Home Liking Causes Trouble BY SHEILAH GRAHAM. OLLYWOOD, December 29 (N.AN.A) —Life in the Joan Crawford- Franchot Tone menage is not as harmonious as it was, with Joan— so her friends say—wanting to step out nights, preferring to stay home and relax. . Lili Damita returned to Hollywood from New York instead of continuing to Europe in order to spike the rumors of another fight with husband Errol Flynn. ... The meanies around town are saying that Rochell — — Hudson is sending herself four orchids & day in order to make a certain Army officer jealous. their small son would have a per- fect playground. Prize No. 2 goes to Dot Pondell, Paramount make- up girl, who received a pair of silver Fred MacMurray was too busy to foxes from George Raft. buy new suits for his current flicker. “Swing “Tomorrow Is Another Day,” com- Jones to sing in the new Marx broth- ers’ flicker, is a honey of a hit song. . Claudette Colbert and her doctor husband have left by auto for Ketchum, Idaho. . . . Spencer Tracy put in a quiet hour of polo practicing the other day—his first in three ‘moulhs—in spite of the studio ban prohibiting the game to film actors while working in a picture. . . . Edward and is wearing Mitchell Leisen. . Alan Dine- hart ras an in- | fallible method of dealing with front-aoor sales- Before they start talking he recites a super- sales speech culled from films and plays in which he has appeared as racketeer, promoter and go-getter. Carol | Lombard, accompanied by the faith- ful Fieldsie (secretary), joining the contingent of stars who will usher in the new year at Sun Valley, new Win- ter sports playground in Idaho. the car he took with him to England six months ago, held up by the ship- Sheilah Grabam. | o5 e, Ten-Per-Center Myron Selznick ‘ ' Save Your Eyes| By Consulting Our Optometrists First prize for the most unusual and | Do vn; lllul unexpected Christmas present goes to Karen Morley and her husband, Direc- | tor Charles: Vidor. Karen's gift, al furnished apartment in Beverly Hills, so that her husband would not have | to stay at hotels during working weeks. | Charles replied in kind by dredging | the sand in front of their ocean home | in Palo Verdes so that Karen and are 1 ptometrist today for a thoroush examinaf 'M. A. LEESE Oph.ll Co. | 611 9th | You get voriety and vaiue here. See our big stock. E. Morrison Paper Co. 1009 Pa. Ave. Phone NA. 2945 Pre—lnventory SALE Toys—Dolls—Gifts and all Holiday Merchandise 20% to 50% OFF Don’t miss these bargains Including | fried clams. faddock. tarta otatoes. oysters. shrim crab cake. filet of tartar sauce, Prench-fried coleslaw. homemade rum uns, bread and but- 5“ ter. " coffee. ' tea or Wednesday, 11:30 glass of beer. TANS O'THE SE4 POQD 1207 E ST. CLOSED | called upon to write . . . Pat O'Brien | and Franchot | posed by Walter Jurmann for Allan | Everett Horton has only just received | earns between $8,000 and $10,000 a week—52 weeks a year. This makes | his income higher than that of his most highly paid star client There are 110 scenario writers work- ing for M-G-M, but only 20 to 30 are is negotiating for the purchase of a | steeplechase racing horse through | agents in Ireland. Pat isn't quite | sure what he will do with the horse after he receives it, I’ NEW YEAR'S EVE MIDNIGHT SHOW * Last Complete Show Starts 1130 P. M. i P Joan rfll!ll BLONDELL | mnmsmé 0F 1937 YIIIK Iy “KING lnfllx & llomay Bailey 3 cfl.’ -f:duh' “G0D'S COUNTRY AND THE WOMAN" A Waerae Bro Tchnicalor Hit Wik & Beverly Roberts HERBERT WUNDIN UTTLE IACK LITTLE & ETROPO LAST 3 DAYS MARTHA RAYE In Paramount's Comedy “HIDE Wul“Y GIRL” LShirey BOSS « Rohert CONNINGS e ing With Special NEW YEAR'S EVE MIDNIGHT SHOW Thursday, Dec. 31st at 11:30 P. M. “SMART BLONDE" A Warner Brox. Comrdy With Clenda Barten FARRELL * MACLANE DEANNA B [u.' 10 SALAND EDGAR KENNEDY CONEDY & NEwS OF THE GENERATION -+ \ 3 V77 /////// 2202007 Ac 'ADEMY O Perisst ~ Tawrence Pillips Thc Continuous From 4:30 P, MAJOR.” Also *‘CODE 1215 E St. N.W. Open Until 10 P.M. LOANS 70 years of buying, selling and lendingondiamonds, jewelry, etc. Liberal Loans at Lowest Possible Rates CASH FOR OLD GOLD (Government License) Wash, Office 1218 H 8L N.W. Va. E. HEIDENHEIMER Established 1866 HUFNAGEL COAL CO. & ALASKA COAL CO. Yard and Office South Wash.. Va.. at Va. Highlands K, Your Bin at_Ne Extra Charge. l’A. mcx DIAMOND—III-- ".an u; nlu. n.‘saox T5% u--‘ MARYLAND SMOKELESS—A Bitumineus Coal without Smoke, Gnl Eze Size. $9.50; $8.50. _Woed. l' = i"rlm (u’f Ege Pea). Illl. o ‘ l POCAHONTAS — Smekeless; L a Coal mu -"{ u rn- 2 u. 4, seva- screened lnl PEYTON PENN STUDIO. Moderts Dancing, Ballroess Deain Private lessons by appeintment: MAE DAVISON . 9 Fioo: Frienas and ubiis invied: Leroy H. Thayer Fox-Tnb-—Tcn’o—Wcltw-lhIfl- to .ead well “I:un- easily. De- hnlmac‘g“ho mflfim m s open from 10 to ot a Beidia 1215 t Ave. Me. 4121 ““America’s Noted Dancing Instructor” DON MARTINI Wch-lu, 'I'M-T--..-lu-b-- ted Teache: l.um- BEGTW nmnx-‘ T H BN, DVANC! W 'l.‘;‘ .1' Note ""r.."fli"'fi."h-""!-fl"' Ley yelop poise. few lessons. PAMPHLETS BOOKLETS Phone WEst 1643 CIRCLE s2ip.lemme: s &'%, FRANK MCHUGH. JOAN BLONDELL in _ “THREE MEN ON'A HORSE."_Comedy. DUMBARTON 4. '“ i HENRY HUNTER snd vanl-:dgl«mm Al L ANACOSTIA. D. C. 9th Between F ‘Acousticon ~ Equi “SCROOGE,” The Pilm Version of Charles Dickens' flltmll Carol A"MAY WONG In “CHU CHIN CHOW.” PRINCESS_ ».22'2.% hg.rll.ilr Conlllh ed. MR D ST TR COMES an ACIE Mm in *) 8244 Geor, SECO Sitver AT H Holiday umnee 00 B Continuous. “STAR FOR A NIGHT,” _JANE DARWELL and CLAIRE TREVOR. s-rmo" ol 404 0 St N Oonfl;\filf)m mm ‘GARGAN T PALIBY FOR MORDER. Y STATE BETHESDA Bencas, lenz-u in “BUNKER BEAN." ALL-STAR CAST in “TOO MANY PARENTS.” NEWS and CAR I'OON NO_PARKIN WORRIES - ind | VI i " FALLS CHURCH. VA, __ TE LE| JEAN HARLOW a! WM_PO TAKOMA' *5 E “WIVES NEVER KNO “GAY DESPERADO.” .‘[‘I:SSE THEATER *8:.* n'i.; AR D8, SRR ed s“vAN st and B L Ave. N.W. “WIVES IVI RI P"I'he b THEATER Devllrsasimy" BOPER Rove. WARNER BROS. THEATERS National—Sun. Eve., Jan. 10 TRUDI SCHOOP NEW PROGRAM __ Seats. $1.10 to §2.35 at_Box Office _ fiv}“’KEITH'S o “e A wASHINGTON |-ununu BOBBY BREEN Mllllllllll = RIVER STARTING NEW YEAR'S EVE ATE30P. M. SPEGIAL MIDNITE SHOW AT 12101 A, M, LILY PONS ‘“THAT GIRL FROM PlRlS" € RAYl LAWRENCE TIBBETT in a new romantic musical comedy | “UNDER YOUR SPELL" Also: The Academy Award Winner { “WINGS OVER MOUNT EVEREST" I PEARL HAUER AT THE OPGAN RIALTO ‘= North of @ 10c Parking After 6:30 NA. 0085 GAYETY Bl)llLESK NOW PLAYING FRANK X. SILK FREDDIE BINDER ELEANOR JOHNSON and PATRICIA MORGAN SPECIAL MIDNIGHT SHOW NEW YEAR'S EVE 18th 8t & Col | AMBASSADOR & 5595 | DICK POWELE. and JOAN nwmlu. in “GOLD DIGGERS OF 183 ( 621 H St. N me Line. 3375 HT BRI, LIG] GADE. !RROL FLYNN and OLIVIA Dl ‘HAV AVALON c-":- &5 & e N JAMES CAGN!‘Y JO! !.‘ ‘BHOWN and DICK POWELL in “A, MID- SUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM Fea- ‘fimAS 4:40. 7:05 and 9: 30. o ‘Advance in_ Prices. Theater Thoroughly Redecorated Throughout and Eauipped with New‘ Chairs and Other Improve- __ments, AVENUF GRAND g “THE C BLAGK. CAT yith mcnlu)o CORTEZ and JUNE Th 21, at 10:30_SPE- """" 08 mmon SHOW. HIPPODRONE_=ires. Ed! lrl Everett Horton, s % nm"oémi - in. Patey Kelly in Pig- SRCADF EYATTSVILLE WD }A?:l‘(mmnm in “BIG SEOADCAST funnier, faster and has more thrills than your first unforgettable suc- cess. And that's saying plentyl Direction of Sidney Lust NICK Charles, the detective “If you can't figure out why I'm nuts about you, then you're not the detec- tive | thought | married1” SONGS, TOO! You'll get an extra thrill when you hear “SMOKE DREAMS" ond “‘Blow That Horn"" 7 7 “Darling, which- ever way | look et it, it's @ mystery to me...What makes o gorgeous dome like you love a mugg like me?” ¢ ) Say “hello again” to Mr. and Mrs. Thin Man and Asta the Pup! Come onl See 'em kicking the gong around...in @ rowdy, rous- ing sequel to the grandest en- tertainment the screen has ever seenl..New thrills! New fun...in the inimitable “Thin Man” manner! a W. S. VAN DYKE Production with JAMES STEWART ELISSA LANDI! JOSEPH CALLEIA JESSIE RALPH Alan Marshall - Teddy Hart From the stery by Dashiell Hemmett Directed by W. S. VAN DYKE Preduced by Hunt Stremberg A, Metro: Goldwyn - Mayer Picture PLUS—ON STAGE The Famous FRENCH CASINO Revue “FOLIE PARISIENNE" WITH 85 CONTINENTAL STARS STARTS THURSDAY AT 10 AM. LOEW’S CAPITOL: