The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1926-08-31


Many folks prone to 90 into
mysteries over the droll dOings
Of Mr.. Clark can't see where
Paul Mccullough fits into the
picture. Al very ordinary and
unfunny fellow who collects on
his partners laughs is their
opinion. But Mr.. Mccullough
writes most Of the material which
Mr.. Clark turns into rib tickling
business and conceives also most
of the business which accompanies
the jokes. And in addition Nc
Cullough is what show folks call.
a first class feeder. Which ex.
plains why they split $3.50 on
the envelope every Saturday
night.
Well, Gloria Swanson's latest
is at Loew's Columbia this week
and from all accounts Ii fairly
satisfying film fodder. Besides
offering Gloria g juicy role along
the lines IL which her public
seems to like her best, Fine
Manners Is also the product OF
her skill as megaphone wielder.
The scenario was written by
James Ashmore Creelman and
Frank Vreeland. two New York
newspaper men, who won more or
less renown 40 critics Of the sill
yer screen menus. frank futile
was the first director to try his
hand at the studio boseing and
he was followed by Lewis Mile
stone. They couldn't get along
with Gloria or maybe It was
yice.vexaa. At any rate the star
is credited with selling the mega
phone and telling her associates
OF the silent drama just how It
should be done. In the completed
picture, Richard Rosson gets
credit for the direction. Who.
ever it was ii entitled to q bow
and the same goes for the cam
ernaan for working In some unique
shots. -
Things are looking up for the
former favorites OF Washington
stock companies. HoIbroOiE Blinn
Is to be d Frohman star with
the new season. and his leading
lady Will be the comedy Wanda
Lyon, the Wanda whose gorgeous
wardrobe was the envy Of the
fair piaygoers in the Shubert.
Garrick days and whose beauty
set many q heart fiuttertng
among the r st. sheilfs. Wanda
has not had such an opportunity
since she appeared In Close
Harmony" fine play which
failed to prosper long enough to
~. - fSae a 80 ~
Shubert- Garrick and President
Theafer favorite. Eileen Wilson.
has made the hit Of her career
in d new play called 1.-THE Little
Spitfire." booked to show here
before the new season IL over.
George Kelly, author Of ''The
Show-Off." is reported to have
taken a look at the screen Yer.
sion Of his comedy and walked
out of the theater. he was
more or less piqued at the iiber-
ties taken with his script by the
scenario. adapter. even though
he had $4,000 In cold cash from
the movie Ynagnates entered on
his bank balance for his rights
! in the play. Aubrey Piper's
sister.in.law and her husband
were two characters dropped un.
tremendously from the film
version. presumably to find q
place for the acting Of Louise
Brooks. whose contribution to the
picture was purely decorative.
In spite OF Mr.. Kelly's dlssatis-
faction, 1.-THE Show-Off" remains
one Of the best comedies the
studios have turned out in many
a month. The expert character
ization which was q delight in
the stage version was lost in the
transmission to the screen, but
only the camera could have pro-
vfded the laughs Of Aubrey's
wild ride and adventure with
the traffic cop. 1.-THE Show.
Off" was one Of the greatest of
American stage comedies. And
the picturized version is still
far and away above the average
the screen offers for laughs,