Evening star., 1928-04-08

II has been the privilege of the
National Theater to reserve some
of its most alluring offerings until
late in the season. It was decided
some time ago to drop policies il-
volving experiment and 20 leave
the task Of developing new ma
terial for another season. Prep
arationS announced by the
Broadway interests indicate great
activity in bringing the theater
next Fall to q point where its
supply Of material will be Suffi-
cient TO prevent so many dark
house weeks as have lately been
experienced. -
No attraction is more reliable
season in the season out than
Fred Stone in whatever title he
may choose TO give his entertain
ment. "CriSS Cross" is one of
those irresponsible iingling phrases
which harmonic well with
the spirit Of clowning. If Stone
has any serious rival, he himself
Is responsible for the competition.
It is his own daughter who seems
likely at moments TO take the
center Of the stage from him.
y
One of the early appearances in
Stones career was made in this
city under circumstances which
have been buried in the rapid
whirl Of change in both theater
and plays arrangements. Two
lads billed as Montgomery and
Stone appeared in natty clothing
green as billiard cloth. They
danced in way absolutely new
TO the patrons Of refined vaude-
vile" This was at what is now
known as the Strand Theater,
then called the Academy Of
Music. The term Refined
Vaudeville" was in distinction
from Chase's Polite Vaudeville
and was employed by brandnew
figure in the field Of entertain
ment named Hashim. He was
large, swarthy and wore an
abundance Of jewels, apparently
quite sufficient TO capitalize a
lengthy siege.
the Polite" Haghim drifted out
of local observation, II was the
obscure song and dance team that
went steadily forward into the
realms Of the bright lights. the big
salaries and Of the happy ad-
ventures.
The partnership Of Montgomery
and Stone was not dissolved until
MONTGOMERY died. The team
earned in q short time the a0-
vantage Of exploitation by Charles
Dillingham;, who has shown such
extraordinary experiences IN Sc
Iecting new stage arrivals and
bringing them 10 prominence and
prosperity. J.
After managing a number Oi
dramatic stars Dillinghan'g name
came 10 exercise a sort Of SoOth-
ing influence that caused Fritz
Ecbe1 10 relent frequently when
GAe had threatened in tempera-
mental fecKlesgnegg 70 close tIe
tneaIeE Even the Duncan sis
iers, WnO prlded themselves on
treating an audience rough" be
came a vogue With fashionable
patrons Small wonder, then, tn@i
tWo performers 20 attractive and
talented as Montgomery anI
Stone should rise swiftly under
Euch plotting no flight thai
Stone made at Boiling Field c0u.d
equal the RAPID thrill 0f hil
theatrical career.
Ia the gossip Of the 1he3tef, ans
mention VI a Tune when Chariea
Dlliugham thoroughly lost h.t
temper has never been heard Hs
Is one Ot the men who turned IRON
taste for writing To become
sctiye IN responsible capacities fol
che theatey with q gift tor ef.
4ectlnR congenial contacts he be
came the trusted associate of III.
most influential producers III
shone as q Broadway diplomat D
rare talent and could release +:
shaft ~ wit which somehow die
not rankle. even though baTbec
with sarcasm. something, for la
stance, which had IL been pro
tec1ed By man like Wilt0i
Iackeye could easily have br0ugh
him 3g s4s.~ey and eagssgarftff 55l will