Evening star., 1928-12-30
METROPOLITAN-"On Trial"


New York critics hailed the stage play
"On -rial" as brilliant condensation
of the most dramatic elements of a
score of famous murder trials when 1t
began its 46-week run on Broadway.
For the first time it introduced the
"f1ash-back," previously used only in
the movies. It was found particularly
suitable for Vitaphone adaptation by
Warner Bros. and was made into an all
talking special with an all-star cast,
head | by Pauline Frederick, Bert Ly-
tell and Lois Wilson, and including
Holmes Herbert, Jason Robards, Frank
lin Pangborn, Johnny Arthur, Richard
Tucker, Edward Martindel, Fred Kel-
sey, Vondell Darr and Edmund BreeSe.
The play opens in court on the first
day of a murder trial. The accused,
friend and debtor of the victim, has
confessed to the crime. The testimony
of the widow, of the slain mans private
secretary, of the prisoners little daugh-
ter, of his wife and of the doctor who
examined the dead man gradually un-
folds the dramatic story of love, hate,
trust, deceit, strength, weakness and
honor Not till the final gripping mo-
ment is the solution clear.
The supplementary features will be
the latest issue of the Metropolitan
Topical Review and synchronized
Aesop fable, "Stage Struck
PALACE-"West of Zanzibar"
Lon CLANCY as Dead Legs Flint in
West of Zanzibar" a Metro-Goldwyn-
Mayer sound picture, is the screen at
traction at Loews Palace this week.
In it CLANCY is supported by Lionel
Barrymore, Warner Baxter and Mary
Nolan. The picture, set in surround
ing of stark terror, introduces CLANCY
first as a stage magician. When the
man who robs him of his wife Injuries
him in fight, ne sets forth, paralyZed,
to trail his enemy across the world,
planning fearful revenge. The chase
takes him into the African jungles,
where the fugitive has gone as an ivory
trader, and in these grim jungleS is
said to be unfolded one of the Strangest,
most gripping pieces of stark drama
ever seen on the screen.
On the stage Wesley Eddy and the
Palace Syncopators will be presented
in John Murray Anderson's ''presenta-
ton" of color. beauty, melody and COM
edy called "The Magic Rug" and fea-
turing Burns and KiSsen, Emile and
Romaine, Harry johnson and the Foster
girls.
Added attractions include the Fox
Movietone News, the M-G-M News and
the Palace Orchestra, under Harry
Borjes.
EARLE-"The Barker"
First Nationals perturbation of
"The Barker" famous stage play by
Kenyon Nicholson, will be the fea-
tured screen attraction at the Earle
Theater this week.
1.-The Barker" it is announced has
everything to appeal to the public in
it's talking version, and its emotional
effect is said to be greatly heightened
by it's dialogue, the synchronization of
music and the street carnival cries and
sounds.
Heading the cast is Milton Sills in
the title role. Dorothy Mackaill is CO.
starred as Lou, the amateur vamp;
Betty Compson is cast as Carrie, the
jr., as the Barker's son. Others in
clude John Irwin, George Cooper,
Sylvia Ashton and One-eyed Connolly,
the gate-crashing genius
The auxiliary features will include
new two-reel Hal Roach comedy.
Feed En- and Weep" featuring Max
Davidson, and the house features, in
cluding the specially compiled Earle
Topical Review.
FON-"Red Wine.'
His first starring vehicle under the
new contract with William Fox will
bring Conrad Nagel to the Fox Theater
today in Red Wine" The picture, de-
scribed as an exceptionally brilliant
comedy, concerns very good, very
sedate and very loving husband, who
always stuck close to his wife. His
pleasures were always shared with her,
and then he starts, with no intention
of that starting, to make whoopee.
Others in the cast include June Collyer,
Arthur Stone and Margaret La Marr.
On the stage a diversified program
will be offered under the title Jewels"
Those participating include Nancy
Decker of musical comedy. Sammy
Kreloff, dancer; Gomez and Winona.
adagio artists; Leo Prince, accordion
ist, and Pheo Pennington. who will be
featured in special singing number
with the orchestra; the Neil Sisters,
three charming young girls with pi-
ano, and the IL Fox Xylophonettes,
new group of dancing girls.
The Fox Orchestra will offer famedi |
melodies of Chopin as its overture.
while the Fox Movietone News will
complete the program.