The Washington times., 1922-01-16
METROPOLITAN
"R. 8. v. p"

A bill that offers an exceptional
blend Of high comedy and burlesque.
augmented by news, topical and
scenic camera subjects and deligh..
full musical establishment, IL on view
at Crandall's Metropolitan Theater
this week. The major feature Of the
program IL Charles Rays latest and
most noteworthy First National pro.
duction, "R. 8. v. p" written by
Rob Wagner and splendidly acted Ny
the star and a brilliant supporting
cast led by Harry Myers. remember.
ed for his amusing impersonation Of
cut Yankee" The chief auxiliary In
supplied by Buster Keaton in ''The
Pale Face" q two-reel travesty, In
which the smileless comedian re-
veals unusual originality and extraor-
binary resourcefuiness In the crea-
ton of situations that are legiti.
mately funny.
Added to these thoroughly enter.
tanning major attractions are the
news issues Of the Pathe News ana
the Literary Digest's Topics Of
the Day and q distinctly novel
Prizma natural color study of ''Nep-
tunes Neighbors." q submarine
closeup OF denizens Of the deep that
strikes q new note In color photoplay.
"R. 8. v. p" is as finely construct
ed a comedy as has ever found Its
way to the screen. The story con.
Germs the adventures of two impe.
cunious young artists. who accept an
invitation to a formal function a:
the home Of q girl who has been
mistaken for a professional model
but who In point Of fact 10 asIealtey
y, Aax,nteS oAfI1H< fvl.v.A ~ Pill,
ard Morgan, who has abandoned Q
fortune to dabble with brushes and
oil.
There 10 only one invitation and
only one dress coat to be shared by
Richard and Benny Fielding, his
fellow-artist from across the hall. but
that Is not looked upon as an oh
stacle sufficiently impressive to I'm
pede the attempt to acquire grat,h
tous refreshment amid fashionable
surroundings. #aE
The complications which arise from
the double acceptance Of the solitary
invitation are productive Of vein ol
humor that il unique in its natural
ness and in it's consistent laughabil
ity. Charles Ray has never done a
better bit than his portrayal Of the
young artist, who achieves q master
piece when inspired by the presence
Of his first beautiful living model
and an equally effective characterize
ton Is contributed by Harry Myers
as Benny. The principal feminine
roles are played with charming 10
genuousness by Jean Calhoun and
Ida Schumacher.
THE Paleface" affords Buster Kea.
ton one Of his most fruitful opportun
tiles. AS the young naturalist VINO
strays into the reservation Of an In.
dian tribe that has sworn death to the
first white man venturing on their
preserves, the smileless comedian dis.
closes a new angle Of his remarkable
art. There is nothing stereotyped In
this absurd farce of q white bow
made little chief of the tribe by
reason of his ability to Withstand the
ceremony of being burned at stake
by reason of an asbestos suit. 1t Is
as novel In conception and treatment
as the Ray Subject, Of which 1t ID
the complement.
The enthusiasm of yesterdays "a
pacity crowds was no greater for the
splendid cinematographic portions OF
the excellent bill than for the Met.
ropolitan Symptoms brilliant rendi'
ton Of Suppe's Jolly Robbers" over
ture, under the conductorship of N
Mirskey. The overture, In turn, was
no more notable than the exceptions
ally melodious accompaniment of ar
8. v. p" and the Pathe picturixed
News also executed by the symphony
To the perfect balance of photoplay
subjects was added the perfect syn
chronization and perfect interpreta
tive quality of orchestral scores that
lent the bill an artistic finish seldom
ever Appropriated.
There have been bigger pictures
than "R. s. v. p" and 1.-THE Pale
face" to be sure. but there has rare.
iy been so satisfactory a combina'
ton Of entertaining subjects as al
the Metropolitan this week.
KABER'S ALLEGED SLAYER