The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1914-01-06
COLUMBIA.
.1,he aaee. Of the ao,le.."

The title OF Thomas w. Riiey's new
presentation, which began a weeks en-
gagement at the Columbia Tneater iast
night suggests q rip-snorting meiodrama'
but there the suggestion stops, Tor Inc
Queen of the Movies is musical COM
edy-a rollicking girl-and-music-snow OF
the most pretentious sort, niied win
rhythmical dance numbers. and having
as its story theme the present-day craze
Tor the movies" a subject winch ienos
itself admirably 10 the travesty with
which the piece teens
In Germany the lively score ana
humorous book have been pronounced
success in two Berlin houses for the last
two years Glen MacDonough has MADE
the English adaptation OF the DOCK ana
lyrics, while Jean Gilbert has based the
score upon the original Of Julius Freund
and George Okonowski. and Julian Mitch
ell has staged the ensemble with an
elaboration that is In itself a distinct
triumph. The unusually large chorus Is
exclusively gowned at all times, with
changes of sartorial effects coming IN
such rapid succession as to win repeated
applause. -
The story, which is more coherent
than is ordinarily the case in frothy
musical pieces, covers a scope whlch
gives Miss vslIi. .valli an opportunity
in the title role for On exceptional bit
of clever acting. The first act introduces
Jeanette Horton as Mrs Clutterbuck,
founder of the anti-moving picture
league of America; her daughter, Anne.
in the person of Miss Alice Dewey, and
Frank Moulan in the comedy role OF
the professor. her husband, a rich and
famous inventor of artificial foods. NOW
friend wife makes up her mind that to
make reformer Of her husband VIII
bring him into her notoriety, SO she drags
his name into her fight against the
movies" which might have been wen
and good had not daughter Anne fallen
in love with TILTED Frenchman, ana
moving picture actor (played by John
GoIdsworthy) and the unsuspicious pro-
lessor walked straight into the trap OF
The Queen of the Movies set for him
to save her own profession and avenge
herself for the loss of her leading man
and erstwhile lover.
The second act gives us the scene in
the drawing-room of the moving picture
actress, where she enveigies the unsus-
pecting millionaire into compromising
positions with herself, all of which go
into the reel Miss Valli Vslli, assisted
by Felix Adler the suffering moving pic
ture director and Mr.. Goldsworthy, the
Baron, gives a clever burlesque Of the
making of great film, while MIR.
MouIan's rough and tumble comedy finds
a ready place.
Miss Horton gives a colorless perform
ance as the rich Mrs. Clutterbuck. but
Alice Dovey is delightfully."- piquant ana
charming as the daughter.
The musical program features Miss
Doyey. Mr.. Goldsworthy, Felix Adler.
Miss ValH Valli, and James Redmund in
a lifting group of melodies which shit
from walze time to syncopated rag, and
furnish the chorus ample opportunity to
extract unlimited applause from the audi
ence in both the presentation OF dance
and song ensembles
THE Kiss Duet was effectively rem
dered by Miss Dewey and Mr.. Colds
worthy in a very shaky elevator which
hung suspended in a rakish-looking shaft
for the purpose, which feature was fol-
lowed by a personal hit on the part OF
Mr. Adler in his suffering song. Still
more attractive were the song numbers
. of the second act, including Forgive and
Forget" las You Rest in His Arms"
'.Oh, Celia" and Girls. Run Along" the
last mentioned of which won many en-
cores for Mr.. Adler and the chorus as
sisting him.
The opening chorus and when the
Moon Slyly winks in the Night were
given enthusiastic approval in the third
act all of which is just another way of
saying that the Columbia Theater was
packed last night to its capacity with an
audience altogether in the mood for frothy
music. clever comedy. and effective dane
ing.
Certainly 1.-THE Queen of the Movies" Is
saturated with just these elements which
assure its popularity both during MS
Washington engagement, and after 1t
opens its run at the Globe Theater. New
York, next week.
JULIA CHANDLER MANI.