Evening star., 1927-02-21
POLT's-Greenwich Village FoIlies.


The Greenwich Village Follies,
staged by A. L.. Jones and Morris
Green, opened it's seventh season in
Washington last night at Polls Thea
ter. The revue has much to commend
it. some things that are mediocre and
considerable that should be con-
demned
Staged lavishly. beautifully cos
TUNED, we'll peopled with performers
OF great ability, the revue at times
sinks to rather low levels in it's search
for a laugh. Perhaps the contrast
with some of the high spots, such as
the dancing of Mile. Maslova and Bay
ard Rauth. intensifes the unfavora bic
impression produced by the sl1it
Then, Now and Sometime which at
temps to make light of one of the few
subjects in which by no stretch of the
imagination can there, be found any
true humor.
Similarly. the contrast between the
dron fun of Tom Howard and the at
times repulsive characterization of a
half-wit by Joe Penner left a shade of
disappointment. At times Joe Penner
was funny. In fact much of the time it
was possible TO smile at him, but If
scene s of the second part were elimi-
mated, "it never would be missed
The music of the present edition of
the FollieS. which Is by Owen Muir
ply. is catchy and two or three of the
tunes are of the sort that sends the
audience away whistling. Vocally the
honors go to Irene Delroy, who com
bines clear soprano with a beautiful
face and figure and single, bewitch.
ing dimple. Arnold Gluck, the tenor,
is thoroughly capable, and his voice
though not overly strong, has a pleas.
ant quality and he sings and dances
his way through to a successful con-
ciusion. Evelyn Hoey, another head
liner, also makes a pleasing impression
as singer of jaZzy songs, which she
puts over with snap. Kendall Capps
proved a highly accomplished dancer
Seldom can a finer ensemble than
the sixteen American Rockets be
found These young dancers carry on
through many difficult and novel steps
with fine precision. Pleasing to the
eye, graceful and supple. their every
appearance marks high spot in the
revue.
Perhaps the outstanding features
of the performance were the two
scenes white Cargo" and "The Fire
fly Ballet" in which Mile. Maslova
and Rauth presented two of the finest
and most difficult dances that have
been seen in this city in many months.
with Tom Howard and Sam Hearn.
Whenever this pair or either of them
was on the stage, the audience was
convulsed. A number of funny skits, |
including Efficiency" a burlesque of
The Three Trees" by Joe Penner,
travesty, The Spy" GO Ahead.
Sing" and it's companion piece in the
second act go Ahead, Eat and
THE Trickster' were well played and
heartily applauded.
Cinderella" and THE Lady of the
Snow" divided with The T'iref1y Bal
let" and White Cargo" the honors
for beautiful spectacle.
NATIONAI--"Beau Geste."
Some of the finer motion pictures de-
pend upon the vast and spectacular
scenes for at least half of their re-
spective successes, while rhe actual
Interpretation of the various roles and
the stories themselves together com
prise the other half. In Beau Geste,"
however, characterization and story
give the picture it's greatest right to
its classification as one of the finest
photoplayS of the season and at the
same time it's license to play three
weeks at the National Theater
Through the preceding week the
perturbation of Maj. Wren's story
OF the French Foreign Legion has |
filled the National Theater, and |
when the second week was begun last
night the audience gave no indication |
of diminishing.
One peculiar quality may be respon. |
sible for Beau Gest's" popularity. |
When the picture is done, the audi |
ence is left with complete content |
ment for each of the characters who |
make the story. The glorified heroes |
who found triumph in the expression |
of the biblical greater love hath no |
man than he lay down his life for his |
friend" and the despised officer of the |
Foreign Legion, who redeemed him |
self in this fashion, share the plaudits. |
hugo Risenfelds music is undoubtedly |
another reason for the popularity of |
Beau Geste" in Washington
KEITH'S-EIliott Dexter.
Carrying a pleasing personality |
with aeting ability of known worth, |
Elliott Dexter had little trouble |
recording success in a little piaylet |
Keith's last night, where he has been |
assigned the rop-line honors for the |
week. Mr.. Dexter's fame in the |
movies stood him in good stead. His |
tabloid play does not make much |
demand as to situations or lines. 1t |
serves chiefly as an excuse for his |
appearance on the speaking stage.
Iris West is a "red head" but pleas.
ing enough to the eye to make the
star forget more conventional blondes
for the time being. In answer TO
half-dozen curtain calls at the end of |
the act, Mr.. Dexter thanked the
audience in neat speech.
The remainder of the program was
~---------