Evening Star Newspaper, March 12, 1937, Page 42

AMUSEMENTS. Translux Makes Its Bow At an Unofficial Preview :Real Opening Set for Tonight Will Introduce . Public to Strikingly Modern Theater Serving Special Field. BY JAY CARMODY. - RANSLUX came dancing into : locally last night. A bright thing, modernistic in design and lighting, it opened its chromium-plated doors unofficially to an especially invited audience of city officials, theater and newspaper workers. ‘The official opening is set for tonight, of the Newspaper Women’s Club. the entertainment scheme of things a very special thing, under the auspices The new theater, at 14th and H streets, dealing exclusively in news reels and specially selected short subjects, < is first of all a delight to the eye. It is a sort of H. G. Wells' architectural « dream come true. Its brightly tinted * walls are decorated with the nearest thing to animated murals that modern ornamenters have yet devised. The indirect lighting gives pleasant and effective accent to the impression of movement created by the terse, telling lines. All very charming it is, but that is by no means the whole of it. Roland Robbins, manager, and his associates in the enterprise have looked well to the comfort of their . patrons. The seats are soft and spa- cious and set with generous area be- tween the rows. There will be no oc- caslon to stumble over a dozen earlier % customers, not merely because of the spacing of the seats, but also because of the distinctive method of lighting. The unique method of projection used by Translux, whereby the projec- tion units are located behind the . screen, permits the use of generous lighting throughout the house. The same amount of light: in the average theater would blur to indistinctiveness the images on the screen. Informality marked the unofficial opening ceremonies. Arthur Reilly, a5 master of ceremondes, introduced Mr. Robbins, who welcomed the house’s first audience and then sur- rendered the floor to Comnmissioner Melvin C. Hazen. The chairman of the Board of Commissioners spoke briefly of the new house as a distinct addition to the city's entertainment facilities and voiced words of welcome to its sponso and management. Per N. Ferber, Translux board chairman, and L. G. Fisher, president of the corporation, responded and the show was on. Local news dominated the first page, #0 to speak, of the dynamic news- paper unfolded for the first time. Pic- torial tales were told of the training of the Washington base ball team, of the need for slum clearance in Wash- ington. Neither particularly high in news value, they were nevertheless samples of the style in which the * story of Washington will be told. War, sports, fashions and the other manifold aspects of man’s enormously varied world occupied the succeeding pages. It was a great deal of news reel, but by no means too much. Man is an interesting actor, if not always & good one, when he goes before the camera without make-up. So are horses, floods, wars, automobiles and blond mannikins. And dogs, espe- cially dogs. Translux audiences get a long, long ride around the world for their admis- sion ticket. It is the kind of travel that broadens one. * ok K x A COCKTAIL and buffet party pre- P ceded the informal opening of the new picture house. It was held n the Rose room of the Hotel Wash- ington. . . . Every one was there, especially Roland Robbins being wished well and welcomed back to the the- ater managers’ fold, which he honored last as manager of Keith's. , . . Col. Pettijohn of the Will Hays office was & welcomer. . . . And Tony Muto of the same organization. There was Jim Brennan, R-K-O division head, telling stories to all the Meakins, the Hudson Gunewalds and lots of other ready listeners. . Mr. and Mrs. Elwood Seal ornamenting the official set. Kelley an ornament to all sets, offi- Where and When Current Theater Attractions and Time of Showing. National—“On Your Toes,” at 8:20 pm. Belasco—"Parnell,” at 8:30 pm. Palace—"On the Avenue, 'at 12:30, 2:30, 4:50, 7:10 and 9:30 p.m. Earle—“Women of Glamour,” at 11:20 am, 1:40, 4:30, 7:20 and 9:55 | pm. Stage shows at 12:45, 3:40, 6:30 | and 9 pm. | Capitol—“Nancy Steele Is Missing.” | at 11 am, 1:45, 4:30, 7:10 and 9:55 pm. Stage shows at 12:35, 3:20, 6:05 and 8:50 pm w Columbia—"Lloyds of London,” &t 11:45 am, 2:10, 4:30, 7:05 and 9:30 p.m. | R-K-O Keith's—"The Soldier and | the Lady,” at 11:40 am., 1:40, 3:45, 6:95, 7:50 and 9:50 p.m. Metropolitan—"Green Light,” at 11:35 am., 1:35, 3:35, 5:40, 7:45 and 9:40 pm. Rialto—"Cloistered,” 12:50, 2:25, 4:20, 10710 p.m. Little—"The Scarlet Pimpernel,” at 11:21 am, 1:25, 3:29, 5:33, 7:37 and 9:41 pm. Ambassador—"Bulldog Drummond Escapes,” at 6:30, 8:15 and 10 p.m Uptown—"“Men Are Not Gods,” at 2:26, 4:10, 6:00, 7:45 and 9:35 p.m. Tivoli—"Stolen Holiday,” at 2:00, | ~ 8:50, 5:45, 7:40 and 9:35 pm. at 11 am,| 6:10, 8:10 and | = DANCING . The Edward F. Miller Studio 814 13th ST, NATIONAL 8093 ' It It Is Dance We Teach ft_ 14 LESSONS, $10 SPECIAL CLASS ENROLLMENTS TAKEN UNTIL MARCH_ L3TH THE JACK ROLLINS sTUDIOS 1811 Conn. Ave. Dec. 5770 12° cial, drama and newspaper, . . . The Arthur deTittas, he of Movietone News, and the Dorseys, the Corrigans | (especially Jimmy’s mother) and Sam | Galanty, Columbia Pictures’ stalwart and handsome representative. . . . Every one, nearly every one, taking that awful advantage of hosts who serve buffet suppers by having two, sometimes three, helpings of favorite foods. . One drama reporter was known to have eaten three desserts, satisfying a lifetime ambition. . . . Kathryn Hillyer (Mrs. Miller to Lee) going around with Mrs. Roland Rob- bins and introducing her to those who | had not been that lucky before. e | All very informal. . . Never stuffy, but every one thoroughly stuffed. , . . | Except the ladies. | * ok ok ok | [EDITO! 'S note: Just before the | column closed for the day, there appeared on the drama desk the re- )\'xew of the critics’ welcome to Trans- | lux, which is appended below. Writ- ten by the juniorest member of the department, C. A. Mathison, it ex- hibits an honest fearlessness which deserves the reward of publication. The review follows: | * ok kX | BEFORE a distinguished audience, including the performers, “Turn- | about Is Foul Play,” a Pathe produc- tion, was previewed last night at the new Trans-Lux Theater. Starring Mabelle Jennings, Katharine Hillyer, Nelson B. Bell, Andrew R. Kelley and Jay Carmody (the fifth at bridge), this epochal short subject upon which | the producers lavished boundless time | | and energy, received the plaudits of three men named Joe, who left shortly after they had done their duty. About | | 600 witnessed the debacle. Hardy veterans Jennings, Kelley and | Bell discharged their assignments in | enthusiastic fashion, but it remained | for the Pathe “baby stars,” Hillyer and ‘Carmcd,\'. to make the principal bids | for screen recognition. The former | delivered a completely authentic char- | acterization of a lady drama ecritic | making her debut before the camera. | It was a flawles portrayal, she should be watched—but closely. “J. C.” scheduled for a starring role as a tangoing Hindu mystic in “Born to Trance,” (release date problematical) gave the audience the benefit of an ingratiating. though toothy grin, marking him as a “natural” for so- | phisticated comedy roles. This item on the Trans-Lux bill is a “must” the seamy side of celluloid. people in the corner with the reassured expressions are Taylor and Loy. for those who would see | Those | THE EVENING STAR, WASHINGTON, D. C, FRIDAY, MARCH 12, 1937. England’s Dancing Divinity JESSIE MATTHEWS, Singing and dancing star, and one of Great Britain’s outstand- ing motion picture players, is starred in the musical film, “Head Over Heels in Love,” which will be the feature attraction at Warner’s Earle Theater starting a week from today. SYMPHONY CAMPAIGN WORKERS MEET TODAY Mrs. Howe Confident 20 Per Cent of 3$110,000 Goal Will Be Reached for Day. After a day's campaign, volunteers seeking support for the National Sym- phony Orchestra were to meet for a luncheon today at noon at the Hamil- ton Hotel. Hans Kindler, conductor of the orchestra, will speak on his plans for the orchestra. Mrs. Walter Bruce Howe, campaign chairman, announced full expecta- tion of reaching the 20 per cent mark in the drive for $110,060 at the end of the first day of the drive. Frederick P. H. Siddons is the business committee’s vice chairman, and members assigned to the several | business groups are: Andrew Saul, real estate; Lee D. Butler, autom biles; Powell Browning, wholesa! | Carl V. Eiker, graphic arts; Frank IN PERSON—RICHARD HALLIBURTON Monday, March 15, 8:15 P.M. Masonic Temple, 13th & N. Y. Ave. Tickets at Brentano’s and Willard Hotel Seats $1.10 and 55c—Including Tax t CONNECTICUT AT. CALVERT - And Mrs. Andrew R. | LEAVING TOWN? gi2gnes Station STORE YOUR CAR in the Heated CONTINENTAL GARAGE Attached to Hotel Continental Entrance on D’St. NEAR UNION STATION Guard Against Theft, Parking Bans and Freezing Weather Telephone Met. 4612 “America’s Noted Dancing Instructor” (Over 40,000 Pupils in U. S.) DON_ MARTINI Waltz - Fox Trot - Tango Rumba - Tap ., —Dance Beautifully and Correetly. TALENTED TEACHERS, PRIVATE LESSONS BEGINNERS—ADVANCED—LOW ' RATES! NOTE: Practice Privileces With Other ¢ " Pupils at No Extra Cost. Drop In—Appointments Not Required 1811 H St. N.W. NATIONAL 3767 __Don_Ma Conducts _This_Braneh. Dance Lessons Cost no More at HIL HAYDEN STUDIOS “Phone For Tryeut Lesson e No Obligation Dupont Circle North 8594 antd ALICE FAYE The RITZ Brothers e GEORGE BARBIER 4deBARTHOLOMEW " nta i ST A ST SIR GUY ANDING | ing Newbold, publications R. Jelleff and Mark Lansburgh, de- partment stores; Arthur Harnett, ho- tels; David Karrick, warehouse and storage: Jeremiah W. McCarty, dai- ries; Edwin H. Etz, opticians; Flem= Richard P. Dunn, investment houses; harles H. Tomkins, builders and architects, and Charles T. Clagett, utilities. “Road to Health,” Topic. J. Raymond Schmidt, general su- perintendent of the National Civic League, will deliver an illustrated | lecture on “The Road to Health” at the League for the Larger Life, at 1414 Sixteenth street tomorrow night. STAR OF ' Imitation of Life * " Rainpow ontheRiver* ALL STAR REVUE- MiDNITE SHOW TOMORROW New Farce Presented For Peace BY HARRY MacARTHUR. HERE is an old, old saying of the Mohammedan sand read- ers that good plays are not written, they are rewritten. This statement seems to apply in some small way to Mr. Turner Bul- lock’s “Lady of Letters,” presented last night at the Wardman Park Theater by a group of capable young thes- pians devoting their talents to the obtaining of money for .promoting world peace. Not that Mr. Bullock’s comedy is not a good play. On the contrary, it is good and there is much to it that is mightily amusing. But it still seems not to have had enough of rewriting. Mr. Bullock may argue that he has spent hours over this very task and he probably will be right, but still there: are some things about “Lady of Let- ters” which call for attention. Mainly, it could be tightened up in spots and certain moments of it could be given more body so that the pace of the whole would be steadier. It all adds up to & lot of fun, but there are those lagging moments. The young author has himself a play, though. His central character was conceived in what must have been a flash of genius and the theme of the piece guarantees humor. Mr. Bul- A 14th & H WASHINGTON'S lock’s heroine is a college professor's young wife, a flighty lass who would get into trouble if she tried to pour cream on her own cornflakes, but who yearns for a chance to help some one, to “do something.” 8he meets & dis- couraged young author, buys his novel, to impress her husband has it pub- lished as her own, and is promptly called the new literary genius of the day. ‘There certainly is the basis for a good comedy there, and as it is played by these people at the Wardman Park, most of them members of the famed Vagabond Players of Baltimore, it is generally amusing and occasionally downright hilarious. The principal reason for this seems to be the man- ner in which Grace Rogers plays the central role, managing in some canny manner to arouse both sympathy and amusement at the same time. It is practically inspired vacuity, caprice and flightiness. The play would be & natural for Ina Claire. “Lady of Letters” is written for this lass alone and the other characters ANTON WALBROOK ™ SOLDIER 2 LADY” from Jules Verne's “Michael Strogof™ MARGOT GRAMAME + ELEABITH ALLAN ENIC MLORF - AXIM TAMBOTT + FAY BANTD Coming . ALEXANDER KORBA'S eresiost piciure “TTAES GVIR ENGLAND" TRANS-LUX Sts.,N.W. EWEST THEATRE FIRST PUBLIC PERFORMANCE - Tomerow, SATURDAY, 10 8. M, Films of Headline Nows, Travel, Art, Sclence, Sport, Fashion, Comedy. Continuous Shows, 80 Minutes of Worthwhile, Satisfying Enterlainment. Programs Chan DISTINCTIVE TRANS-LUX FEATURES %REAR SCREEN PROJECTION: Permitting Day. Ught Vislon—Preventing Eye-Straln, % SHORT TIME, BIG INTEREST, PROGRAMS: Regular and Special Re News and Short Subject Producers. kMAXIMUM COMFORT FOR PATRONS: Modern Heating and Cooling, Comlortable Temperature Always. Seais Roomy and Far Apart. es of All Big Porfoct Visw from All Seate. A FRIENDLY ATMOSPHERE He's DIFFERENT that's why you've asked for more of RED SKELTON Heading His NEW Varieties With JOHN TIO The Wonder Bird AL VERDI with THELMA LEE ANN LESTER Exotic Song Stylist IVY axo NEECIE STEVENS Two Pert Misses The GREAT YACOPIS World’s Greatest Teeter Board Artists AMUSEMENTS. turn out to be merely “straight men” for her comedy. They're &ll good “straight men” in this production, too —Helen Rogers (who also directed the play), Laurence Geraghty, Arthur Unger, Mary Alvey, J. Warren Jones, Walter Tyrell and Florence Rice (the only local girl in the cast), particu- larly. “Lady of Letters” will be repeated tonight and tomorrow afternoon and evening. ATIONAL oyonr AT 8:30 Mat. T'mor., $1.10 to $2.35 Eves. $1.10 te $3.30 ORIGINAL NEW YORK CAST & AN INCESSANY BARRAGE OF LAUGHTER IRL:. N. Y. and London Cast 3¢ to $ Wed. 85c, $1.10; Sat. Mat., 53¢, %1.10, %1.65, In- cluding Tax. On Screen The Fun Starts: When The Man Who Made Theodora Go Wild —Meets the Blonde Spitfire of “Great Ziegfeld" MELVYN DOUGILAS vireiniA BRUCE In Columbia’s Comedy Drama Women of with REGINALD DENNY PERT KELTON 3n BIG NA. 6149—0pp. White Wowse ate.—at 2:30 IELASGI).l NOW ¢ 8:30 Nights—a JAMES W. SAVAGE Presents barnell with distinguished east featuring Albert Dekker—Leons Powers et e O Week Com. Noxt Men., Mar. 1§ Gearge shar_and Johs ::fn‘n offer Road T0 New Pisy NEW YORK A Smart Comedy Satire on Di. plomacy with a Splendid Cast Eves. Sat. Mat, 8¢ to $2.78 B5e to_81.65 Mail Ordors snd Box Office Sale Now , Mttt is v ’Clse d at Last REVEALED! TOMORROW—10:30 AM. Special Children’s Program—z2ic | “TIMOTHY’S QUEST” DICKIE MOORE and VIRGINIA WEIDI | Presented by the Junior Cinema Guu 9th Above @ [RIALTO ... Welcome Back Former Earle M. C. LEON NAVARA AND HiS ORCHESTRA with Bee Kalmus & Bobby Lane also AL BERNIE CLARE & SANA SISTERS —extra added — GEORGES s JALNA rld’s Greatest Dance Team / POSITIVELY LAST WEEK! ERROL FLYNN WEEK | aniTA LoUISE STILL THE TOPIC OF CONVERSATION A Warner Bros. Cosmopolitan Picture GREEN LIGHT with Sir CEDRIC HARDWICKE « MARGARET LINDSAY 7 Warner Bros ACADEMY © rercs syeas Ppovenis Theatre Beautiful m 430 QUINTUPLETS in ° ON." with JEAN HERSHOLT. _ A-SHTON CLARENDON, VA. EDWARD EVERETT HORTON in_* AKE A MILLION CIRCLE. ;2205 Fegns KAY FRANCIS and CLAUDE “STOLEN HOLIDAY.” _Path DUMBARTON “BI! O R oRy wrid N MADGE EVANS in “PENNIES FROM HEAVEN.” _News and Co FAII\RLAWN ANACOSTIA. [N WILLIAM POWELL in FTER THE THIN MAN.” UTTLE g seeen g LESLIE HROWARD 1n “SCARLET PIMPERNEL.” PRINCESS Wi iIAN FOWELL in “AFTER THE T! Hour of Short Subjects. HIN MAN." ~Also One SECO ve Silver Sprine. Md ey Continuous From 6:00 PM. BANJO ON MY KNEE, BARBARA STANWYCK and JOEL McCREA. STANTON ¢Sk 2n9.G St NE. Finest Sound Equipment Continuous From 5:30 P.M. PARRAGR 5T HIS SRbTHER'S “THANK YOU. JEEVES." with ARTHUR TREACHER. 6070 Wis. Ave. STATE-BETHESDA G2l & JEAN ARTHUR in “MORE THAN A SECRETARY.” RICARDO CORTEZ in “THE BLACK CAT.” “Ave.” METROPOLITAN AMBASSADOR 5" 1 %s5o% RAY MILLAND in “BULLDOG DRUM- ND PES" and Short. CABOT ir 5612 Con AVALON Cle: 2600 PRESTON FOSTER in PLOU THE STARS' and Newsreel. AVENUE GRAND ¥ Ir-Aw LARRY CRABBE and JOE COOK in ‘ARIZONA MAHONEY.” ~ Shorts. 425 Ninth St. N.W. CENTRAL 4&2XrinstAm “SMART BLONDE.” with BARTON MacLANE and GLENDA FARRELL. ONY 4935 Ga. Ave N.W. © RU “MIND YOUR S in e, 10208 FLORENCE MY." Short “STOLEN HOLI- { Time! 3030 14th St. N.W. Phone_Col. 4968 WILLIAM BOYD in °“‘TRAIL DUST" and Donald Duck Osrtoon. SHERIDAN % &% &Sre7ies Matinee, 2:00 P.M. AR WEDDING FRESENTY TIVOL] '¢*3 Matinee. KAY PRANCIS in DAY.”" Also Marci WARNER BROS. THEATERS HOLI- 4th d Buttzrnut Sts, TAKOMA e e R, 5 : 'AMILLE.” Selected Short_Subjects. UPTO Matinee, Conn. Ave. and Newark Bt N p sjleve. Siee v, tinuous From '1:00 P.M. TG HOL R in - NORTH, OF NOME" snd GLORIA STUART in “WANTED. JANE TURNER.” LLS CHURCH. VA. T, F‘A N GRRTES LEE SHIRLEY TEMPLE WILSON Asiineion. Var e “DEVIL’S PLAYGROUND,” RICHARD DIX and DOLORES DEL RIO. £ | JESSE THEATER '*ti.*¥%™ “BELOVED ENEMY,” MERLE_OBERON, BRIAN AHERNE. SYLVAN b AtAY SHIRLEY TEMPLE. ROBT. YOUNG. MIRIAM HOPKINS in “MEN AR NOT GODS."” Also Short Subject. YORK Ga. Ave. and Quebee Place N.W. Col. 4616 HERBERT MARSHALL in “MAKE WAY FOR A LADY.” Also Short. K Near oth ~ |HIPPODROME 5.3 o¢ _5 POWELL and LOY in ol “After the Thin Man.” T MT. RAINIER, MD, CAMEO Last Day Jack Benny and Martha Raye in “'College Holiday." ARCADE Fwmsises v Lily Pons in ““That le! LPl’ml; Paris.” RICHMOND ALEXANDERIA, VA. Kay Prancis in “Stolen Holiday. PALM THEATER °=iye RESENT " with JOAN and CARY O 4 <o BERNHEIMER’ Today-Tom. . ROCKVILLE. MB\ Enl-ql'omm and, JAk Arthur “"The Plainsman.” Direction of Sidne; -