The Washington times., 1928-12-11
CLEAN INGS|
SCREENINGS

BY ANDREW r. KELLEY

death, although in truth Magi-
clan Thurston's tawny lion is
a tractable king of the jungle.
This is not by way of saying
that the Thurston specimen of
"Simba" has hardened arteries
or a special set of false molars
to crunch the juicy steaks that
are thrust inside the iron bars
come every meal time. No in
eed he is very real, but given
his victuals regularly and time
out for his daily amount of ex-
Z ercise, this lion treats humans
with supreme contempt, regard
less of whether they are mil
lion dollar prima donnas or just
plain actors. He is quite harm
less.
/ have a common sympathy
with Madame Gamma Walska for
once in a careless moment /
stumbled across the darkened
stage of the Belasco Theater
and suddenly confronted the
barred cage of Bobby Clark's
playful jungle pet. The noise
that resounded through the
vacant playhouse turned me
suddenly Albino and set my
heart beating like a steel
workers hammer.
"You startled him." said the
lions husky chambermaid who
was by way of having some
small talk with the stage door,
man. Hes as playful as a
kitten"
Apologize for me, please, and
tell him it will never happen
again." | managed to stammer.
And it never has.
The dull routine of a busy
Monday was broken for this
department by an unexpected
but none the less welcome pro-
fessional visit from Renee Ham,
ilton, who is the fascinating
Nina" of the Belasco Players
produc ion of the Hammerstein
musical comedy "Wildflower."
Miss Hamilton, who has played
all the 'alls of England and its
provinces, toured Australia,
South Africa and other John
Bull possessions as a footlight
favorite, was lured into ex-
trRvagant praise for Ann Sitter,
Washington girl. who is a Lon
don beloved and just now is
offering her American songs and
patter in Sweden. Ann is a
sweet girl and she really has
been a sensational success in
England" said Miss Renee. 81
played on the same bills with
her in Australia and her re-
ceptions were triumphs. 1t looks
topping to see her billing as
office decoration in her home
town"
In the Edith Day role of
"Wildflower," Miss Hamilton
sings the catchy hit number
"Bambalina" and is duplicating
solid success scored in Little
Jessie James" This is her first
stock engagement and she con-
fesses a liking for the broaden
ing experience a new role a
week provides.
Various theatrical interests
are bidding for the right to
open up the Rialto Theater on
Ninth Street. If the negotia-
tions are successful it would not
be surprising to see the dark
ened theater relight shortly
after the Christmas holidays.
The estimable DR.. Somers in
post norton on "Jim the Pen
man" calls attention to the
streng resemblance of actor
Charles Richman to the char
acter of the President he was
presumed to represent in the
short-liv~d play "Revelry." AS
everybody knows it was Presi-
dent Harding.
= recall with considerable
pleasure the acting of Mr.. Rich
man in the character of Presi-
dent George Washington. 1t
was in Perry Mackaye's his
torical drama George Wash
ing on" which debutcd here and
expired after a fortnight on
Broadway. The Richman voice
was heard at its best in he
stirring speech wherein the
Father of his Country accepted
command of the Continental
army under the famous Wash
ington elm in Cambridge and
later buoyed up the morale of
his suffering soldiers at Valley
Forge.
Some day I expect to see the
movies annex this Percy Mac
KAYE play for one of the super
specials which come along too
seldom. It's character Of Quill
Iiquon, the strolling minstrel,
who tells the story of our first
President, lends itself ideally
to the symbolical stuff on
which some film directors
thrive,
In the morning mail is COM
munication from Robert Sisk as
a reminder that the New York
Theater Guild touring company
will come here later in the sea-
son in a repertoire of plays.
Those checked off as sched-
uled to be seen here are "The
Doctors Dilemma" "The Sec
ond Man." Ned McCobb's
Daughter" and "John Fcrgu-
son" The latter play is the
work of st. John Ervine, New
York World dramatic critic, who
has little liking for nllr Enrene