Evening star., 1928-03-19
OPENING ATTRACTIONS IN WASHINGTON
THEATERS

| over because the audiences in the last
year or SO have become fed UP on happy
| endingS and groteSQue twiStingS to
provide q vapid amusement. The pic
| ture is entertaining. but 1t is an out
and -out tragedy. It is almost entirely
devoid of light moments and is utterly
| lacking in comedy. Two years ago 1t
could not have lasted the week out on
| F street.
The stage presentations are in a
| lighter vein. however. The Irish, of
course, predominant In the st. Pat
rick's day number, and Jan CARRIER S
Orchestra is fine. There is plenty Of
jazz.
Half the movietone numbers get over
The Fort Myer Cavalry circus is all
right, and Beatrice Lille might be,
but maybe one can be spoiled for tie
movietone after seeing the remainder Of
the show. No one doubts, however.
that he gets his moneys worth at the
Fox this week, The crowds yesterday
indicated this clearly.
EARLE-"Shepherd of the Hills"
The screen version of the novel,
Shepherd of the Hills" by Harold
Bell Wright, with Alec B. Francis in
the titular role and Molly O'Day as the
central romantic figure. is the attrac-
ton at the Earle this week. The ver-
satile Leon Navara, conductor and mas
ter Of ceremonies. made his initial ap-
pearance as successor to Whitley Kauf-
man at the performance Saturday
night. The Edward L. Hyn1an produc-
ton Cabaret" is presented on the
stage.
The acting of principals and extras.
ShoNhaFH on6
Maria, the Missouri mule: the direc-
ton, photography, pastoral and noun
tain scenery. and subtitles all combine
TO make The Shepherd of the Hills
as great source Of pleasure to movie
audiences as 10 the readers of the book.
In a most realistic manner. Alec B.
Francis plays the part of a gentle,
scholarly minister Of the gospel, who
goes TO the mountain regions Of Mis-
souri, for a brief vacation, learns Of the
wrong his artist son has done to one
Of the hill families. and then decides
TO remain and devote his life to the
service OF these people in order 10 atone
for his sons wrongGoing. He becomes
q sheepherder, schoolmaster and anna
teur physician, and is addressed by all
as Shepherd" The villain in his greed
for wealth and power shuts Of the
water supply of the farmers. exagger-
ates the possible consequences of the
drought, succeeds in destroying their
faith in the shepherd, and for time
/ he is the object OF their hatred and
abuse. In this intense moment Francis
avaiis himself OF the opportunity 10 do
some masterful work. A typical coun-
try barn dance is portrayed in one
scene.
Romaine Fielding gives strong sup
port 70 the star in his characterization
Of the rugged old n1ountaineer, old
Matt; Maurice Murphy plays the part
Of the hill boy, and John Boles, Otis
Harlan, Mathew BetZ, Joseph Bennett.
Marion Douglas and John Westwood
also appear in the cast.
Leon Nayara's initial appearance
was rewarded not only with an over
eow crowd. but an enthusiastically ap-
proving one as well In addition 10
conducting he gives brief program
Of piano selections. clearly demonsTat-
ing mastery Of technique. both classical
and Jazz Arthur Ball. tenor. sings
when the Day Is Done; Toots Novel
10, the ups!de-dovn dancer" justifies
the eppellation and scores big hit:
Emily Fitzgerald pleases in dance
number: the Six Night Club Girls"
DO some lively stepping. and Blacktace
Tom Brown. with his grotesque make
up, evckes much laughter and applause.
He IS supported By a clown saxophone
band.
TIE orchestra offers an overture Of
Irish airs. and the Eewsreel shows the
FIRST details OF the ST. Francis Dam dis
astey and other e7e1ts. 10 complete a
very good program.