Evening star., 1925-11-16

dancing scenes. Mr.. Farnum, VINO
gives a demonstration of his lnterpre-
tation of the charleston announces
free lessons in this dance at the
theater every morning of his stay in
Washington, beginning at 11:30 this
morning. Harry Pease and L. G. Mel
son. song writer's, assisted by Ora G.
Dawson, apparently made hit in
"Inspiration," an act giving an idea
of how they are inspired to write
songs Miss Dawson is undoubtedly
good inspiration" Other acts INCLUDE
Joe De Leir, in Yours Accordionly,
a brief concert of accordion music,
and Doom and McCool, in All irish,
an act featuring Irish melodies.
COLUMBIA-"The Merry Widow"
Erich Won Stroheim, the mad
Austrian" "the spendthrift direc-
tor" :" ..the financial crash of movie
DOM" as they have been calling him,
has arrived at the ultima thule OF
photoplay accomplishment in his pro-
duction of Franz Lehar's The Mer-
ry Widow" whose coming to the Co.
lumbia Theater this week has been
heralded in advance notices that
seemed to approximate the limit or
extravaganza. And yet the picture
probably deserves all that has been
power, a boX-oftice prerequisite, Is
what we are here for.
Mr.. Won Stroheim has not only pro-
yided a magnificent perturbation OF
the popular VienneSe operetta or
generation ago, but he has injected
something into the work of the huHy-
haired twinkling-toed, high-stepplns
peacock of the screen, Mae Murray,
which smackS strongly OF real ara
matte ability. He also has greatly
enlarged upon the original story, yet
without spelling it, and he has pro
vided beautiful settings and mellow
photography which make 1t a gem
of its kind.
THE Merry Widow" is the story
of a little Follies girl who. stranded
in a mythical country of Central Eu-
rope, falls in love and wins the heart
of a prince of the blood, who offers
himself in marriage, only to en-
counter the irresistible opposition of
his family Result, the little F'ollles
girl marries rich baron of social
prestige, and there are a number OF
obstacles to overcome before Sally
O'Hara can marry the prince and
live to wear a crown.
The comic element is much more
pronounced than in any OF Won Stro-
helms previous productions, and It's
principal perpetrator Is Roy darcy
as the crown prince, who is prompt
ly eliminated at the psychological
moment. John Gilbert as Prince
Danilo is good, and Tully Marshall,
George Fawcett and Josephine Gro
well make excellent contributions to
the success of the production.
1t seems likely that Mae Murray,
of all persons, will provide in this
picture the link to unite the fiapper-
dom of today with the young woman
hood of q generation ago, and that
should make it wonderful success.
RIALTO-"Havoc"
"Havoc." the picture shown at the
RiaIto Theater this week, brings back
with emphasis the dark days of II
and 'l8 when the worlds greatest
combat was being fought out on
Flanders fields. 1t was taken from
a play by Henry Wall, and presents
an unusually strong cast OF players,
including George O'Brien. Walter Nc
Grail, Madge Bellamy, Margaret Liv-
ingston, Edythe Chapman, David But
ler and Harvey Clark.
The story, which moves from the
gay night life of London. through
which danced and revelled the
parasites and slackers who stayed at
home, to the shell-torn mud and bug
invested trenches, has for its central
character a beautiful, but soulless,
selfish woman. vi Deering lured men
into her trap. toyed with them little
while, watched them squirm and then
tossed them off broken and shamed.
Finally Capt. Dunton, hne, up
standing, honest young chap stumbles
into her web and becomes engaged to
her on the eve of his departure for
the front. Dick Chappell. Duntons
best friend, also is in love with vi.
and the announcement Of their be-
trothal is q hard blow, but he steps
UP manfully and congratulates his
friend-all under the watchful and
gratified gaze of vi, who is never
happier than when through her some
man has received a mortal heart
wound All the time, however, she is
laying her plans, and on Dicks first
leave of absence home she breaks
down all barriers of honor, loyalty
and trust and lures the boy into her
arms. Then comes the time when he
must return and confront his friend.
How he does this and how Dunton re-
ceives the news leads to a climax
tense and thrilling.
Memories featuring the Orpheus
quartet, garbed in the uniform Of the
, "doughboy," offer a group of songs
under the direction Of Mischa Gutter.
son; an exquisite nature study with
solo accompaniment, interesting
shots of the recent foot ball game
between Central and Eastern High
Schools, which brought forth enthu-
siastic applause, and other short
films, complete an entertaining bill.
PALACE-"Lights of Old Broadway"
Monta Bell has scored another sue
cess in his latest production, 1.-The
Lights Of Old Broadway" at Loew's
Palace this week, featuring Marion
Davies in a dual role and Conrad
Nagel.
The charm and finesse with which
this play of early New York is pre-
sented, the careful attention to details
and the carefully chosen cast are all
fresh evidence of our popular Wash.
ington directors directional artistry
Broadways dim gaslights flicker out
and it's famous arc lights blaze forth
through the scenes of one Of the most
delightfully."- appealing comedy. dramas
Of the season.
Marion Davies has an opportunity to