The Washington times., 1925-07-20

on tie Rialto bill. Read on:
Dear Harold:
Just why you wanted me to do
a George M. Cohan / can scarcely
pretend to know, because l nave
neither the spiritual abandon nor
the brilliance of audacity neces-
sary to scratch off a critique on
ar act in which l have had 4
production finger. And you know,
Hal, this detaching oneself from
the personal IS such per-
suasive matter.
But l did see the Rialto bill
and my report is herewith at
tached:
Bathing girls and Mister House
Peters in "Raffles," screen
riorification of the exploits OF
that w-ell-known craftsman Of the
early Graustark period, split
honors on the bill at the COM
modious Ninth street house this
week.
With the girls a trifle more
aflnring than Mr.. Peters, who re-
places his utter lack of pulchri-
tude with accomplished histrionics.
''Raffles' is an engaging pic
ture, Hal, mlad. A thriller that
thrills as much in celluloid as Mr..
Hornung, the author, made its
story sizzle on paper. And Miss
Dupont-goddess-l in aristo-
cratic termS-is q dream
soft and satisfying to the eye.
House Peters, as you know, is
genuine actor; forceful, poised
anG. attentive to his labors. AS
"Raffles" he is the suavist OK
the suave; he watches his suSpec-
tors with appreciative grace and
silence. In other words he is the
very fellow to make a summer
night take on colored effects.
It's such a lift of pressure to
see a real melodrama after an
onslaught of domestic hodge
podges done in the early George
B:oadhurst mood. ''Raffles" is
carking diversion and admirably
screened.
Professor Guterson pays tribute
to Vic Herbert by playing The
Fortune Teller" scores abridged,
and that cellist supreme, Rlchald
Lorleberg, plays on Herbert's ia
vorite instrument, beauty in every
bar.
The girls? And the form they
show?
All! M'lad, we're right with you!
OF course, Hal, seventh son of
a seventh son, the revue" which
Professor Guterson has mounted
opens with a touch of the Euro
pean: The Fountain Fay" num-
Der, from 1.-THE Spring Mail"
with new lyrics to fit the occasion
tricked out by a chap who admits
that though p. G.. WodehouSe is
an excellent verse-maker he is no
better than the undersigned.
And the period" beach cos
TUNES are preceded by nicely
carved vignettes of meter, recited
by a most charming Vocaliste. All
very expertly and distinctly &C.
complished.
1 assure you, Hal, the girls are
quite worth while. Young, p1lpi'
tant with life, eager and stunning.
Professor Guterson, just as eager
in his directorial tactics, gives
them plenty to do; they do 1t
splendidly!
So you see, Hal, the Rialto pro-
gram, viewed in it's component
parts, is very novel, very salts
factory, very alIuring. If 1 ap-
plaud my own eIIortS, the OUT
burst is one of pleasant presenta.
ton approval rather than conceIU.
ION the SIDE and sub rosa, l have
written better lyrics; but l cant
sell 'emD
And before / go further, word
about Mischa Guterson's music
and his orchestra. Guterson Is
very clever fellow; true artist;
faithful to his musical standards
and a greater little worker with
men and the girls" you'll never
find. All dazzle, pep, spirit,
humori Urged on to do things
by inherently fine taste.
There you have it all as the
Rialto has it. Hal, with the COM
edy and news subsidiary short
reels filling the loopholes Of course.
Run down and see it yourself!
Personally recommended and ..
hxy LNPANk l. RAiER