Evening Star Newspaper, October 6, 1937, Page 8

AMUSEMENTS. “Madame Bovary” Opens Guild Season Brightly Elaborate Production Is Brilliantly Staged at National Theater; Constance Cummings Stars. BY JAY CARMODY. of the Theater Guild's season A ELABORATE and exquisite production of “Madame Bovary” at the National Theater last night gave memorable brilliance to the opening in Washington. If a few doors of Lee Simonson's splendid sets stuck—(and they did)—and if the massive production indicated the need for more work here and there (and it did), they were inconsequential flaws which really enhanced the charm of what should be one of the Guild's finer con-¢ tributions of the theatrical year. Benn W. Levy's adaptation of Gas- ton Baty's dramatic version of Flau- bert's great novel does honor and rev- erence to this finest of all studies of the beastliness possible in beautiful ladies. The interpretation of Ma- dame’s mad career of romancing is in the accomplished hands of Con- stance Cummings. Her playing of it left little to be desired, little that cannot be realized when she has'built 4Up her endurance to sustain the burden of one of the largest tasks ever thrust upon any actress. All those years of brooding which Flaubert put into the creation of the character, and all those scenes (16) which were put into its dramatic delineation by Baty would have justi- fled Miss Cummings in playing it much further below her opening perform- ance standard. She earned the ova- tion she received at the end. * ok %k THE Baty-Levy dramatization of “Madame Bovary” is a fascinat- ing piece of stage craft. Its search of the dark recesses of the lovely looking | lady’s heart is quick and sure and complete. It is not content, as the novel is not, merely to take Emma from one cheap and vain love to an- other, but it must show why her Journey through life is thus. It is a trick that requires not merely a lot of dexterity but considerable patience, both of which M. Baty and Mr. Levy possess in abundance. In leading Emma step by step (so many steps that the movies might well be envious) to her inexorable doom, the French dramatist and his English adaptor have not been quite so solemn about it as was M. Flaubert. They make her no less a little beast, which as fitting, but the grimness of her tale is relaxed now and then to provide little nooks where the relief of laughter 1s possible. That the playwrights are not going to be dour about it all is implied in the opening scene. In this amusing interlude, Emma Bovary is intro- duced on her wedding night as a young woman with a desire to go places, even if they are not the right places for a young lady who looks like Juliet The character of her bridegroom, Charles, the stupid, gentle 0af, also is painted with a few master- ful strokes, the last one of which drops him sleeping in her lap as she eits on the balcony spouting her great dreams for them. This was one of the spots in the play which looked better in the writing than in the play- ing, maybe because Miss Cummings was nervous or because she was Where and When Current Theater Attraction: and Time of Showing. National—“Mme. Bovary,” dramati- Eation of Flaubert's novel, with Con- stance Cummings: 2:30 and 8:30 p.m. Keith's— Walter Wanger's Vogues of 1938,” Hollywood leads the fashion parade in bright color: 11:25 am, 1:25, 3:25, 5:25, 7:30 and 9:30 p.m. Earle—"That Certain Woman,” more and more tragedy envelops Bette Davis: 11 a.m., 1:40, 4:25, 7:05 end 9:50 pm. Stage shows: 1, 3:45, €:30 and 9:15 p.m. Capitol—"Life Begins at College," Ritz Brothers madness in the halls of learning: 11 am, 1:40, 4:25, 7:10 end 9:50 p.m. Stage shows: 12:50, 8:35, 6:15 and 8:50 p.m. Metropolitan—"Bulldog Drummond Comes Back,” the famed sleuth has another adventure: 11:20 a.m, 1:30, 3:35, 5:45, 7:50 and 5 pm. Palace—"Dead End,” Samuel Gold- wyn's screen version of the Sidney Kingsley play: 12:05, 2:30, 4:50, 7:16 and 9:35 p.m. Columbia—"“Stella Dallas,” the same Mr. Goldwyn repeats successfully one of his silent successes: 11:55 am,, 2:25, 4:50, 7:20 and 9:45 p.m. Trans-Lux—News and shorts. Show runs 1 hour and 15 minutes, continu- ous from 10 a.m. until midnight. Little—"Arrowsmith,” film version . of Sinclair Lewis’ novel revived again: 11 am, 1:05 2:10, 5:20, 7:25 and 9:35 p.m. sador — “That Certain 6, 7:55 and 9:50 p.m. Penn—"Varsity Show,” a gay col- lege musical with DXk Powell: 2:15, 4:35, 6:50 and 9:15 p.m. Sheridan—"Lost Horizon,” superb xcreen translation of James Hilton's novel: 1, 3:05, 5:15, 7:25 and 9:40 pm. Tivoli—"Thin Ice” Sonja Henie's skates flash in & gay romance with music: 2, 3:55, 5:50, 7:45 and 9:40 pm. Uptown—"Varsity Show": 2:10, conscious of what a lot of work she had to do before the night ended. Homais, the apothecary, comes in in the next scene and is around pretty continuously thereafter. And there is always something to laugh about when he is making his contribution to the narration of Emma's story. (Ernest Cossart plays Homais and there was one moment when he did & good job of saving the situation when a door stuck by ad libbing the line: “Try the other door, Justin.” It was the funniest line of the evening, and M. Baty and Levy can be proud to have had it stuck in their script.) * ok k% There are many scenes, let it be understood, in which Miss Cummings needs neither the help of Homais or any other character. She is superb in the rejection of Rodolphe’s suit in the apothecary’s shop, in the interlude of disillusionment at the end of that romance, in the two scenes with De Puis at the Hotel des Empereurs and in the moment when she begs and eats the arsenic back of the pharmacy. The Guild has cast “Madame Bovary” with its usual excellent judg- ment, and in addition to the per- formance of Miss Cummings and Ernest Cossart, happy things can be said for those of Valerie Cossart, Ernest Thesiger, Eric Portman, Carl Harbord, Viola Roache and Eda Heineman. An interesting device utilized in the telling of the story is the off-stage voice, used first to reveal Emma's thoughts when she meets Depuis, later to examine the content of her dreams and to narrate what happens when she takes that first ride with Rodolphe. Twice during the evening the off-stage voices materialize in the persons of six beautiful girls, Emma's schoolmates, sitting in stage boxes. It is all very credible, which some- times such things are not. A program note says that the 16 Scenes were adapted by Lee Simonson | from the original production of Baty in Paris. Whoever deserves the credit for them, it is an approximate cer- tainty that one shall not look upon their effective and varied life again this season. New Teacher Joins Canellis'Studios. CHILDRENS classes are now being formed at the Canellis Studios of | the Dance under the direction of | Claire Roberts. Miss Roberts has studied dancing from early childhood, having taken instruction from Mrs. C. G. Reddy and the Ward-Belmont School in New York, among others. For some time she has been making trips to New York often to obtain latest information on teaching methods and for more study. She has specialized with Mme. Sonia Serova, national authority on Character an® children's dances and Tecently took a Summer teaching course with Mme. Serova. Miss Roberts has been teaching dsncing for a number of years in leading cites. THEATRE PARKING 6P.M.TO 35“ 1AM. CAPITAL GARAGE 352°,3,% s DINNER DANCIN Dinnce, $200. Sot 25 §5¢. Sat & Hol 3110 N Additionsl Cover for Dinner Guesty| Cover DANCING. STAFFORD PEMBI Stage and Ball 1124 Conn. Ave. __Ph 8l . The Edwnrd F. Miller Studio 814 17th 8 NATIONAL 8093 For Dlurlmlnlllnl People You learn to dance in fewer {essons; costs you less with CANELLIS 724 11th St. N.\W. District IFS"IJ THE EVENING STAR; WASHINGTON, D. €, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 6 1931. New Star in First Lead JOAN FONTAINE, Attractive newcomer for whom the R-K- O Radio picture people hold much hope, plays her first leading role opposite Nino Martini in the singer’s new starring vehicle, opening at Keith’s Theater Friday. Solomonoff Opens Dance Studio. SE'NIA SOLOMONOFF, Russian ballet instructor, has reopened his studio at the playshop of the Holton Arms School after an extensive tour as ballet master and stage manager for Federal Theater Projects. He will conduct dance classes Tues- day and Friday evenings at 8 o'clock. During his work with the Govern- ment’s theater projects, Solomonoff created “The Dance of the Storm” and “The Bull Fight” and directed a three- act pantomime and ballet, “The Ballet Master,” for which he wrote the original story and arranged the choreography. FILM RECEIVES AWARD FOR PROMOTING SAFETY “The Devil Is Driving” Is Given Prize by Trafic Committee as Screen’s Contribution. By the Associated Press. BOSTON, October 6.—The Motion Picture Traffic Safety Committee last night awarded its 1937 theatrical film prize to Columbia Pictures Corp., pro- ducer of “The Devil Is Driving.” Dr. Miller McClintock, director of Harvard University's Bufeau of Street Traffic Research and chairman of the committee, said that film “served most during 1837 to encourage fer use of the streets and highways ‘The Safety Committee’s David S. Beyer Trophy, he announced, would be awarded the Columbia Corp. on Oc- tober 13 at the twenty-sixth National Safety Congress at Kansas City. ACADEMY Continuous From “TRADER Héfm > BOOTH lnfl DUNCAN RENA!M *VERICH RELATION With RALPH FORBES, FRANCI th and A Air-Conditioned CLARK GABLE, and JEAN HARLO “HARATOGA. W in 1343 Wisconsin Ave. JQHNMBARTON M AlrConditioned ERMAN OOURAGE. co edy. MARLENE DIETRICH i OUT_ARMOR."” 3227 M St. Double !‘utur WM. POWELL. LUISE RAIN] EMPEROR'S CANDLESTIC] Y Sfi{‘f FAYMOND I “THERE GOES MY Baltimore—Pittsburgh—Cincinnati DON MARTINI Become o Smooth, Interesting, Popular Dancer in a Short Tim WALTZ, FOX TROT, TANGO, RUMBA TEN PATIENT, TALENTED TEACHERS Guest Dance Analysis Beginners, Advanced—Private Lessons 4:35, 7 and 9:30 p.m. DANCING. 1811 H ST. NW. xpqn DI 2838 “Don Mortini conducts this branch.” * LESSONS FOR $ls ON'T mies this opportunity to ae quire the newest steps and mod- ern dance rhythms that mark the truly accomplished dancer et such remarkably low cost. Classes limited —day and evening for adults and chil- dren. P. M. Stadios open 10 A. M. to 10 Telephone Metropolitan 4121, Closing Enrollment Dates, October 7th, 8th and $th 608 9th St. N.W. Air-Conditioned LITTLE RONALD COLMAN and MYRNA LOY in “ARROWSMITH.” m THEATERS * c';’f."ilflm’.’,}‘z"g.%‘z"""' “Music for Madame,” FILM ACTRESS HURT FREDERICKSBURG, Tex., October 8 (A)—Lila Lee, film actress, and sev- eral members of the Jackie Coogan Orchestra, including Princess Luan: an entertainer, were slightly injure when the bus in which they rode over- turned on a curve near here yesterday. Coogan was unhurt. Miss Lee was treated for head wounds and cuts on an arm and her body, and Princess Luana and several musicians were treated for cuts and bruises. '""KEITH’S NOW LAST ‘um WALTER WANCER'S VOCUES OF 1938 all in Advanced T WARNER lAlTil * JOAN I[IIH[H Starting FRIDAY NINO MARTINI Mettopalian Orers & Fado Cnmag Sur i “MUSIC for MADAME’/ NJOAN FOUNTAINE e 0. @ 4 @ new ed:tion of “The MARCH of TIME” see first at RKOKEITHS AND . the first of I‘"e.l.s'v Series of WALT DISNEY'S Cartoons in Techricolor MICKEY MOUSE in “"Hawaiian Melody” AMBASSADOR 35”2 &5t ld. Col. 5595 FONDA THAT CERTAIN 624 H St. N.| Phone Line. 3375 RONALD COLMAN JANE WY, Afl in “LOST HORIZON." _Cartoon AVALON RICHARD CROMWELL BACK. Also_Cartoon, AVENUE E_GRAND 27 It s OH.ARD CROM' ‘ROAD Also cnloon CALVER [ " ertisng. s3e8'™ RONA‘D mLMAN JANE WYA'KT in CENTRAL ‘ifi..'.‘.‘“f-':f Ty PA MUN‘( lfld LU]SI RA‘N“ in Vi GOt “EARTH - Cartoon: COLONY 4935 Ga, Ave, N.W. e K BENNY. GAIL PATRIOK n ARTISTS AND_MODELS 1230 C St. N. HOME #2232 it R';‘\P" PAUL MUNI snd LUISI INER in __“THE_GOOD_FAR’ Cartoon. “ROAD, Matinee, 3:00 P.M. DICK POWELL. FRED WARING in “VARSITY SHOW.' _Also News. PRINCESS 1119 H 8¢ N E. FREDDIE BARTH OLO- MEW. SPENCER TRA LIONEL BARRYMORE in "CAPTAIN! ‘COUR- __AGEQUS.” SECO CLARK GABLE STANTON Finest Sound Gontinuous From &30 E.M JOAN BENNETT a “WEDDING PRESROENT " E BA ‘SHE SHALL HAVE MUSIC,’ With JUNE CLYDE and JACK HYLTON. STATE-BETHESDA 8.7 Ax CLARK GABLE in “Manhattan Melodrama.” JAMES MELTON in “MELODY FOR TWO.” TAKOMA %, ‘p.‘..fl:'.‘“w'.".'.‘n!.“ MARION DAVIES i; “EVER SINCE EVE.” N DONLEVY in “BORN RECKLESS.” HIPPODROME o5 Gary Cooper, Jean Arthur in “PLAINSMAN.” Jack Oakle in ‘“‘Super_Sleut CAMEQ i SAmee XD Paul Muni, Luise Rainer in “GOOD EARTH.” 8244 Georsia Ave, Silver !nln M Continuous From B:00 P. “PAR! LL . d_MY] 8030 14th St. N.W. )Sué VO% MRS, ""'"r"‘;:)z‘ $iison WARNER BROS. in_“BORNE SHERIDAN Matinee. RONALD COLMAN. B 14th 8t & Park 1 lld R NW. e Col TIVO Matl nfli_“}li‘llcfl Pl SONJA HENIE NE Powm n Genn, Av -na Newark UI’TO We Glev. 5100 POWELT, FRED WARING tn DICKARgm SHOW’ Also News. YORK ‘ol 4616 P d 1V RAINER in PADL MO and LUIY, RAINER NEWTON i A'"!"c‘.fi.'&’-'h.’::. s “BROADWAY MELODY OF 1938, FLEANOR_POWELL, ROBT. TAYLOR. FTH R ) 18th & Irving JESSE THEATE ti,érhr Alhfis‘G A.” IAN HAR!OW For_Additional Information Phone Theaters Direct 3 d R. N Cierios Rir Condiitoned, S “Knight Without Armor,” DIETRICH. ROBT. DONAT. LM THEATER 7i+™ Double Peature “SING AND BE HAPPY.” TONY 'TIN, DIXIE “THE TADY ESCAPES,” ' LORIA_STUART and CCHADL WHALEN. BERNHEIMER’S ARCAD) HYATTSVILLE, MD. ay Franchot Tone and Virginia Bruce in ‘Between_Two_Women. Today-Tomor. Warner Raxter, largits Young “Wife, Doctor an AHXAHDIIA. VA, Dic] Po'!ll and Pud Wlfln‘ n “'Varsity Shot Pree mn! Space—800 Cars. T ‘, DIRECTION OF SIDNEY LUST Grace Moore’s Film Fate Now Being Decided Singer to Go to Concert Stage Or Radio If Satisfactory Contract Is Not Forthcoming. BY SHEILAH GRAHAM, HOLLYWOOD, October 6 (N.AN.A.).—Grace Moora is at the cross roads of her picture career. She may go on the bigger and better—and they had better be better—films, or she may desert celluloid entirely in favor of radio and concert work. It all depends on whether her Columbis bosses consider her an asset or deficit to the studio. The promise of Miss Moore's first important and successtul picture, "One Night of Love,” has not been followed ¢— up in subsequent filims. And a new contract is problematical, unless the public dectdes to et like her in the forthcoming Take Romance. Grace is currently hiding away from it el in her trailer with Hus- band Valentin Parera and will not return until ; the matter has > been setiled satis- factorily. Should the new contract be signed, the singer will appear in “Basy Sailing,” & story with a trans-Atlantic liner locale. Jean Arthur is another Columbiaite who looks like she is committing acreen hara-kirl. But in her case it would be more than a pity. As you know, Jean tried unsuccessfully to break her contract with her boss, Harry Cohn, because she wanted to accept the higher fees offered by other studios. When she lost her case she left for Northern California, vowing that although she is still tied to Columbia for another year, she will not make any further pictures for the studio. Her last picture, “Easy Living,” was released over three months ago. Fifteen months is too long to stay away from the forgetful public. While Maureen O'Sullivan is work- ing with Robert Taylor in “A Yank at Oxford” in the M-G-M London TRANS-LU) NEWS: POLITICS, Foot Ball. Races. COMED! SHORTY. sniaris SHORT SUBJECTS SEctio s Sheilah Graham, VHll'll [C W WAR. “artoon. , “AVIATOR GAYETY THEATRE MecCAULEY Joan has her heart set on wealth. She mingles with proud fe. THE BRIDE WORE RED sTARTS FRIDAY ring that they will discover her t studios, Husband Johnny Farrow is actually in Oxford working on another book, “History of the Popes,” which he hopes to sell to a Hollywood studio on his return here. Farrow's current book, “Damien, the Leper,” is having & great success and eventually will be transferred to the screen. * kX x From the studio sound stages . . . ‘The Hays office has vetoed the title Unfit to Print” and Mervyn Leroy reverts to his less interesting title, “Fourth Estate” ... Fernand Gravet, French heart throb, due to arrive Saturday, has been delayed in New York by a bad cold, plus the shopping spree of his wife, who prefers the New York product to that of her native France . . . Frances Farmer will make another picture for Goldwyn after the Broadway play. Sam brought her fame in “Come and Get It.” Maybe he can help put her back in the film sun . . . Which reminds me that David Niven's next film is “Kiss in BELASCO 3" NOW SHOWING AMERICAN PREMIER of another sensational mo- tion picture. LIBERTINE’ Produced and Directed by GUSTAV MACHATY DIRECTOR OF THE WORLD FAMOUS “ECSTASY” International Prize Winning Film If you enjoyed “Ec you will like this pictu more. With Complete English Dialogue Titles ful cabaret entertainer two weeks of luxury at the society resort... noblility — ever teturn her love? in AMUSEMENTS. the Sun” with Merle Oberon—but don't get excited—their romance is over. To tell you a secret, it was never on. Just one of those cute Hollywood publicity stunts. Leatrice Joy Gilbert, 13-year-old daughter of Leatrice Joy and the late John Gilbert, makes her film debut in “Benefits Forgot,” starring Walter Huston and Beulah Bqndi Potted notes of the week . . . Ed- ward G. Robinson and Bette Davis get together again in “The,Good Die Poor.” Where have I heard that be- fore? . .. Jascha Helfetz, newest star for Sam Goldwyn—in “The Great Musical Festival’—maker* $20,000 a week for condert work . . . John Mon- tague, Hollywood ex-mystery man who turned out to be La Verne Moore, wanted by the New York police for an alleged hold-up, is asking $100,000 for a one-picture deal ... But the studios are a little shy. The mad Marxes will make a lot of money this year, what with receiving $250,000 for R-K-O Radio's “Room Service” and $350,000 for “Of Thee 1 Sing,” from the George Gershwin successful musical . . . Frances Farm- er's reason for singing for the lead in Clifford Odets’ New York play, “Golden Gloves,” was a dislike of Hollywood, where she has made her- self pretty unpopular because of her “leftist” views . .. Mervyn Le Roy is paging Clark Gable for the he-man role in “The Sea Wolf,” from the Jack London thriller. (Copyright, 1937, by the North American Newspaper Alliance, Inc.) - Manchuria Imports Cattle. A company will be organized in Manchuria to import cattle for dis- tribution throughout the country, then manufacture various products of the industry, - v BING t““ um\u l\ Tnm.ln at 8:30 Sharp FIRST MAT, TODAY AT 230 First Subseription Play, Theatrs Gulld ‘and Amersean Thoutrs Secletr. The Theatre Guild, Inc.. Presents Gasion Baty's Dramatization of Flaubert's Novel “Madame Bovary™ With CONSTANCE CUMMINGS Play Adapted and_Directed dy Benn W. Levy. Settings and Costumes by L Nights—Or 2 2100, and Sai $2.00. $1.50, t—orel $1.00: %nd Balc. Plus iax. BETTE HENRY DAVIS FONDA | “That Certain Woman” i ER SieBie s | SHAW & LEE ] on R.K.O Pucture with URRY BuKE | James Elison | Josephine Huston + Marsha Hunt and Others METRUBOLITAN “BULLDOG DRUMMOND | JOIN BARRYMORE JOHN HOWARD Coming Friday GARY COOPER & GEORGE RAFT In Paramount’s “SOULS AT SEA” i § | ) MRS. DORSEY’S 1937.38 at Constitution Hall—18th and C Sts. EVENING SERIES (5 Tues. eves. at achmaninoff, Salzbure Opera reisler, Gina Cigna, Flagstad. Tt SUN. SERIES (6 Sun. Aft'ns at 4:00): Ponselle, Iturbi, Heifetz, Fin- nish Chorus, Pons, Neison Eddy. d SUN. SERIES (6 Sun. Afi'ns): Cossack Chorus, Menuhin, ore. Tibbett, Brailowski e T2 O Series tickets (20% deposit accepted) $4.95, $6.60, $0, $12, inc. tax. Dorsex's Bureau, 1300 G . 3151, For a two-week fling at riches and romance...for an oppor- tunity to win a millionaire husband...she hid her past! With new gorgeous gowns and a She falls in love with the millionaire she has At the brililant festivall Ténight dreamed about. Willhe or never! Jean's heart aimost stops beating! Will he propose? fnew name — she is driven to the hotel by the handsome mountain The mountain youth cone fronts her with her past! Will his love lock his lips, will he betray her secret? with FRANCHOT TONE ROBERT YOUNG ot LOEW'Ss PALACE » BILLIE BURKE + REGINALD OWEN Screenpley by Toss Slesinger & Bradbury Feote Directed by Dorothy Arzner Preduced by JOSEPH t. MANKIEWICE A METRO-GOLDWYN.MAYER PICTURE HURRY—LAST 2 DAYS “DEAD END” Syivia Sidney, Joel McCrea