Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-12-18

more or less like Lew Fields. The
/ dilemma was not relieved by the sys
tenn of matrimonial press-agenting
into which his artistic footstep
maziy wandered.
! In the case of Nazimova. inCom-
parable artist. there have been fears
that she would succumb to the temp
tation of playing to the gallery
to a degre that might deplete her
/ following in the orchestra chairs.
Pola Negri has hardly. if at all
equalcd her art in pictures such as
she made in her native land when
she was known to her artistic tribe
as Pauline Schwartz.
Whether Beatrice Lille can pre-
serve her irresistible humor and still
remain true to type is one of the
matters for the future to disclose.
x x x
A rather comfortable existence is
led by Bruce Reynolds, who strolls
through Paris betimes, writes books
! about its picturesque and unfamiliar
corners. and then writes play when
he feels like doing so.
Playing the Game" offers still an
other glimpse into the underworld.
and the week. with most OF the criti-
cal audience that Washington usual
~ turns out occupied with the shop
windows and showcases. afforded
splendid opportunity for series OF
dress rehearsals. with no great
sense OF responsibility to box office
patrons.
The story. that of the young man
who becomes intoxicated on his we'd
ding night and is made to believe
that he has married girl crook and
also that he has forged a check for
$1,000, offers at the start the basis
of a story with thrills unlimited. In
accordance with the custom of the
current underworld romance, the
wicked girl falls intensely in love
with the young man who comes so
perilousy near wrecking his life and
his fortune in single nights carou-
sal. His effort to take his hard luck
like a man and the devotion of the
girl whom he insists upon treating
with courtesy and respect bring
forward one of those love stories
which blossom out in an underworld
picture like a wild flower in a swamp.
An excellent cast of players, listed
in the program in manner rather
to confuse than to define identities.
includes a remarkably good juvenile
leading man and a woman whose
forccful, yet subtle, method permits
comparison with Jeanne Eagles.
The third act was entirely rewritten
in time for a Wednesday presenta-
ton and the attraction has had as
surances of most favorable bookings.
such as indicate confidence in the
Olympus of Broadway among the
rulers of future destinies as TO dates.
x **
One of the motion picture houses
has been giving opportunity to re-
new acquaintance with that fine dog
actor. Rin-tin-tin.
There was d troupe of players
called the Leonzo Brothers, who
we're bad actors, but whose trained
dogs were wonderful. When one of
the brothers presented himself for
salary the house manager i'll Wash
ington looked at the group of men
contemptuously and handed the pay
envelope over to one of the dogs.
After seeing a great deal of futile
endeavor here and there, there is
temptation to revise the words of
a French wit and say. The more
one sees of actors, the more one
loves Rim tin-tin."
* x X
One of the interesting features Of
OF Rostand's "L'Aiglon," which as
sociates in its prospectus wonder
full array of distinguished names.
John D. Williams, whose ideals of
the theater were established in close
association with the late Charles
Frohman. manages to introduce
touch of novelty Mr.. Williams does
not present; he announces.
The translation by Louis \. Parker
reflects the fine sense Of English
necessary 10 convey the spirit OF
French phrase The work of the
translator is one OF the most highly
responsible tasks in the theater; yet
a work but seldom competently per-
formed
One of the elements of interest
will be the dash into deep water OF
several actors who have thoroughly
pleased and impressed in roles of
modern realism. Rostand, though
idolized for his polished diction as
we'll as his audacious fights of fancy,
has been of late but little played,
I He is we'll worth preserving to the
theater that admires a spark of
heroic tragedy, and the present en-
terprise can scarcely fail to win. i'll
advance at least. the best wishes
and formal compliments of the sea-
son.
Claudette Colbert recently seen in