The Washington times., 1923-08-27
FINE SETTINGS
FOR METRO
BILL

The overflow crowds that
packed CrandallRs Metropolitan
Theater yesterday had the time
of their lives! 1 They took part
in the entertainment, so they
know It was good. 1t was this
way. Following hard on the heels
UI ius- weeks Beside a BabblinE
Brook" musical novelty, the
Metropolitan this week presents
for the first time in Washington
reel called CLOSE Harmony,
which visualizes a group of old
song hits as first release in a
Sing Them Again" series. The
lyrics are flashed on the screen
at intervals and the entire house
Joins in the songfest. Yesterdays;
audiences greeted this innovation
with salvos of applause and, as
implied. had the time OF their
lives.
This, however, constituted but
one OF the minor subjects on a
bill that Is diversified and inter-
esting. Preceding the premiere
presentation of Maurice Tour
neur's special production for
First National of 1.-THE Brass Bot
tle," . satirical comedy executed
on q Gargantuan scale, one Of
the most effective prologueS the
Metropolitan has ever offered was
staged. It introduced Washing
toms finest barytone voice and
q dancer from the Ruth st. Denis
School, 'Denishawn," in Los
Angeles. Lawrence Downey,
gifted with a barytone voice OF
rare fullness, resonance, power
and range, is heard first on one
of the proscenium side-stages in
when 1 Wake" from Amy
Woodforde-F inden's group Of four
Indian Love Lyrics. Mr.. Downsy
appears in the character Of the
foremost figure in THE Brass
Bottle" which is of Oriental
character in its major movement.
After he has finished his
plaintive song, the lights are
dimmed and Miss Helen Jane
Margason reproduces an Oriental
dance which later occurs in the
action Of the picture, whereupon
the entire scene fades into dark
ness and the major feature is cast
upon the screen. Miss Margason's
grace is commensurate with the
SASCP@AOL10A 4OOhCJ "a IAAO OO"hSy
voice.
1.-THE Brass Bottle" is q
whimsical thing done in Tour
neur's best style. In the prologue
that anticipates the modern mar
rative by 6,423 years, Fakrash-
el-Aamrash plots against King
Suleyman. is betrayed by a spy
and doomed to eternal confine-
ment in a huge brass bottle as a
penalty for his perfidy. The bot
tie is finally purchased at auction
in London by Horace Ventimore,
young American architect
in love with the daughter of a
hard-boiIed scientist who declares
the antique" to be modern rub
bish.' Cresfallen and out Of
to his rooms in cheap lodging
temper, Ventimore Tugs the things
house, kicks it across the floor,
breaks the seal and releases the
spirit of Fakrash which takes
form and becomes his miracle
working slave. Every wish Vent.
more makes comes true and ne
makes some wishes!
The cast is one that leaves no
doubt of the excellence Of the
characterization. Barbara La
Mari, as a stately queen: Harry
Myers, as the architect; TuIlY
Marshall. the father of the much
sought girl; Charlotte Merriam.
the girl; Clarissa Selwynne, her
mother; Otis Harlan, chief eunuch
in the encourage of Fakrash, flaw
lessly portrayed by Ernest Tor
renee; Ford Sterling as the hus-
band of Aggie Herring, outraged
rooming-house keeper, and hosts
more comprise an ensemble that
will not be surpassed the length
of the season.
The comedy for the week Is
Yankee Spirit" in which Ben
Alexander has the foremost role.