The Washington times., 1927-12-08
The Film Relation
To Peace and
Good Will

creature but is hard put to get
all preparations finished on time.
For one observing the theatrical
and moving picture aspects of the
season there is plenty of color
full detail to report.
The Christmas story itself, just
as drama, probably is the simp-
lest, grandest. most heart-stirring
scenario ever composed. And it
is being adapted constantly to
all extremes and variations OF
tempo. 1t is a farce for many
a bundle-loaded shopper. 1t Is
deep tragedy for hundreds outside
the lists of needles families" in
the newspapers. 1t is q senti.
mental diversion with a happy
ending for contented homes the
world around.
The modern touch in life today
is shown nowhere more strikingly
than in the ways in which Christ.
mas is celebrated. The Charles
Dickens family reunion type of
Christmas feast and qualification
has become pretty much of an
anachronism. Taking the chill.
dren to see Maude Adams in
Peter Pan alas cannot be done
anymore. Most OF us who can
stay awake after the big din.
ner now think the best way to
continue the holiday is at a
movie. And the theaters respond
with Christmas programs which
keep alive the old symbolism with
every device from carol singers
to Santa Claus and his reindeer.
The movies really have made a
tremendous contribution to Christ.
mas. This does not mean the
various and abundant forms OF
advertising they get out OF the
season. but what they put into
1t. Every year they make a
larger contribution to merriment
and neighborly good will which
Is the practical essence of the
holiday. And as much as any
other agency. the moving pictures
have spread internally the Christ.
mas doctrine of peace on earth,
good will to men. They are a
universal language which needs
no translation. understandable
alike above and below the eoua.
tor, on eastern and western heml.
spheres.
BELASCO-A new drama from
the pen Of Bruce Reynolds called
Playing the Came" is offered as
the attraction at the Belasco for
next week. Mr.. Reynolds has
hitherto been identified as the
author Of several humorous books
depicting the night life of Old
World capitals. The cast includes
Irene Homer. last noted with
Revelry"; Marion Burton, re-y
Gently with Crime; Donna Pas
deloup, Louise Macintosh. Joan
Blair. Virginia Morgan, Caroline
Newcomb. Florence Hartley, Mary
Charles. James c. Morton, Aubrey
Beattie, A. J. Herbert, Byron Hat.
field, Harry Neville, Edward Nc.
Hugh and others.
YETY.- Twelve comedy
scenes and 10 musical numbers.
presenting both farce and attrac.
tive stage settings, make "Gaities
OF 1873" at the Gayety next week
an intriguing formation OF inter.
est to those who do not take their
AFTERNOON or evening at the thea.
ter too seriously. Missionaries Of
laughter are Harry Boob" Mey.
ers, Billy Bumps Mack and
Artie Brooks, Jessie Reece and
other attractive principal girls
including two dozen tripping
chOriSterS
LITTLE" Secrets of a Soul"
the unique and fascinating UFA
drama, whose theme and story is
absolutely new to the screen, be-
gins a weeks engagement at the
Little Theater. of the Motion Pic.
ture Guild, Saturday The produc-
ton, which centers about the sim
pie and yet engrossing story of
mans everyday jealousy over his
wife's actions, was personally su.
pervised on the technical side by
DIR. Sigmund Freud, the world-fa-
nous psychologist. Werner Kraus
and Ruth Weyher, two of Ger
many's leading screen stars, ap.
pear in the principal roles. A
Langdon comedy ana travelogue
or Persia, other short reels and
music of the Little Theater trio
will round out.
NATIONALITY Burton Holiness
newest travel revue. 1.-The New
Austria" to be presented at the
National Theater this afternoon at
4;SO, the delightful story Of Wen.
mas 1000 years of history viii
be wildly pictured and a com.
plete and comprehensive survey
will be made of practically all
that has been left Of this vast
empire OF the Hapsburgs after