Evening star., 1928-10-01
POLrS-Bordoni, in Paris. /"

FULL S-bOr0Onl, In Faf1S.
1t is rather historic Paris that figures
with sufficient prominence. at least, tt
provide a title for Irene Bordoni'S new
play. 1t is the Paris where drama plot:
have f1ourished around the allurementS
of beauty artifice and the surrender oi
prudiSh standards under convivial in
fuence since time immemorial
It is a Paris that Bruce Reynolds ir
his effervescent spontaneities, piling one
more gayety upon another, would scarce
ly approve; for the story of the play
somehow works around inevitably to
the basis of solid sentiment which the
French dramatiSt, even in his most
frivolous moments, cannot entirely
ignore.
The gentleman loves the lady and
the lady loves him. They each suspect
the other. Various jealouSy-invoking
subterfugeS. are introduced and after
some crisp dialogue, much tuneful
balladry and even more bizarre orches-
tration, the lover and his sweetheart
embrace and the final curtain descends,
cbligingly in time to connect with a
reasonably spaced taxi call.
An effort at novelty, not entirely
unanticipated in the recent past, calls
the presentation "musicomedy." The
music has all the advantage. Bordoni
makes exits at punctual intervals, re-
turning each time in a costume more
dazzling than its predecessor. Louise
Closer Hale presents an irresistible pic
ture of abandonment of SuperciliouS
,sanctity under the influence of that
mysteriouS-some call it mythical
beverage, the Partisan cocktail. Arthur
MargetSon plays a lover role with an
ease and SmartneSs which suggests a
ia q 1f
membered leading men; with the gift
not only of carrying a sentimental
situation, but with deXterity Of stage
method enabling him at a critical
moment to expand the parachute of
fun and descend to the level of laugh
Ing humanity.
And after all this, in the way of plot
evolving much clever character portray
al, as we'll as brisk repartee, jazz band
accompliSheS what comes very near being
the supreme half hour Of the perform
ance. 1t is band of varied skill. Each
player can sing in way that causes
his. instrumental attainnents to be for
gotten and several can dance in man.
ner that overwhelms both voice and
music. The method of this band is
intensive. 1t emphasizes a sentimental
song almost to tears. A moment later
1t takes a rhythmic double entendre"
and reduces it uncompromisingly to a
Single-track idea.
The author, Martin Brown, has had
all possible encouragement to indulge
a versatile inclination. Bordoni adjusts
herself to the gentle arts of the ingenue
and then turns to moments of romantic
sentiment interSperSed with limitations
of stage favorites. One of the most
interesting demonstrations is a study
to show how AL JolSon would sing If
he had happened to be Irene Bordoni.
This weeks engagement is the pro-
duction's Fall opening. There were
New York areas in the Washington
audience, in advance of next weeks
Broadway opening The piece had an
unobtrusive trans-East River tryout last
Spring. It was well received and last
nights reception gave hearty promise
of a Winter career. The people are
pretty sure ITO love it in December as
they did in May"
While not spectacle in the usual
sense Of the term, the piece has its
splendors, expressed not in carloads of
stage furnishings, but in an unlimited
spaciousness of wardrobe trunks. II
there is to be any particular triumph
of scenery, Miss Bordoni will wear It
herself. PHILANDER JOHNSON.
ATIONAL-"Wings"
Held over by popular demand
Wings" Paramount'S spectacular pic
ture of war aviation, yesterday entered
upon its third week at the New Nation
nounced this weeks showing is to be
the last appearance of the film master
piece at this theater.
A large audience was on hand at yes
terday'S performances, which were re-
ceived with the same enthusiasm that
has marked the showing of wings"
during the past fortnight in Washing
ton. Its reception here has We'd with
impressions the picture made in its
long run in New York.
With superb command Of screen tech
nique William Wellman, the director,
has injected the airplane atmosphere
by an ingenious scheme of filming some
OF the scenes against background of
clouds. He has also utilized authentic
war pictures, showing the destruction
of planes in some of the scenes.
Air combats training Of the men
who just grapple in the airy blue thou
sands of feet above the earth, the gay
ETY. OF leaves in Paris and a birdman's
revenge for the killing of his buddy"
provide thrill second for the fortu-
nate one in the audience. The story
was written by John Monk Saunders,
who has cleverly managed to present
an adequate outline of the life of a
flyer during the World War.
Heading an excellent cast, Clara
Bow gives memorable performance.
Among others in the cast are Gary
Cooper, Richard Arlen, Jobyna Ralston,
FL Brendel, Henry B. Walthal, Julia
Swayne Gordon, Arlette Marched, He'd
da Hopper, Richard Tucker, Cum
boat" Smith and Nigel de Bruilier.
KEITHS-Joe Laurie, Jr.
A program almost perfect in pro-
portion is on this week at Keith's, head
ed by that diminutive but versatile
comedian, Joe Laurie, jr. All the acts
are at the top of their class, musical,
singing, dancing or athletes, and, in
addition, a splendid movie entitled
''Hit of the Show" that is crowded with
heart interest, thrills and laughter.
Patrons of this popular house evidently
knew what was coming and crowded
the theater in every part.
Joe Laurie, the star of the musical
comedy, Weather Clear, Track Fast"
is an easy worker and carries a laugh
in almost every sentence of his patter
His reception in the way of applause
was all that could be desired
An agile young lady Of the name of
Maria Valente, one of Europe's variety
stars, ran Mr.. Laurie a close second In
popular esteem. Miss Valante's Span
ish and Russian dances were especially
enjoyed. Many recalls, with bows,
were her reward.
One of the best dancing acts before
the public is that of the De Marcos, and
they had little trouble registering last
night. Many intricate evolutions were
executed with grace and precision. Al
Siegal and Hildegarde Sells, the we'll
known recording piano duo, furnished
the music for the dances and played
Iii nnfr NH oct. l.