The Washington times., 1928-12-05
IGI E EANINGSI
AND
SCREENINGS
Ry ANDREW r. KEILEY

Y
seat to be entertained? Well,
yes, if the attraction suits its
theater fancy. For instance,
"Whoopee'' collected within a
few hundreds of $48,000 in SIX
DAYS. "Rosalie" close to
$4,000.
Earl Carroll broadcasts that
his show opening in Wishing
ton must get $4,000 week to
break even His top price to
see the Fannie Brice-Lionel At
will-Leon Errol musical due at
the National in January will be
$3.50. An operate singer is yet
to be added to the distinguished
cast, maxim it four-star
special. oh, the name of this
Carroll magnificence will be
"Floretta," which translated into
everyday English means tfair
flower"
"Uncle Toms Cabin" is pack
ing 'em in at the Metropolitan
Theater and may hold over for
a second week. The Harriet
Beeeher Stowe story in the
screen version is loaded with
what the profession calls hoknm,
but udiences appear to like it.
Hence the box-office thrives.
AS d matter of fact it would
be difficult to transfer this tale
literally to the screen, without
overdoses Of emotional senti-
ment. The original book was
full Of it. Miss Stowe was a
crusader, or an author with .
mission, and to impress her
lesson forcibly some of the
characters were highly over
drawn. They have not been
shaded or softened by the Harry
Pollard direction, in fact the
Universal megaphone chief lets
Lawyer Marks carry on in
manner approaching burlesque.
Uncle Tom passing on to bet
ter things to the music of
spirituels, is an ultra modern
idea attributed to the vogue for
sound innings. When it is
little Eva's turn to die the trick
camera work makes it possible
to see the angels descend for
the soul that is fleeting. Au-
diences for generations have
wept over the death of little
Eva and it is one Of the real
sobby sequences of the Holly
wood tom" at the Metropoli-
tan.
Eliza crossing the ice pursued
by the blood thirsty hounds, is
thrilling enough. The greater
portion of these icy river
scenes were taken in Pennsyl-
vania, but the frozen surface
disappeared before the work
was finished and it became
necessary to recreate the locale
on the Universal lot to finish
the picture. That's where some
of the $2,O00,000 went.
"The sacred Flame" the
Somerset Vaughan play which
debuted at the Belasco a month
ago, goes to the storehOuse on
Saturday. Also Ziegfeld's Three
Musketeers" is in its final fort
night on Broadway. It goes to
Philadelphia for three weeks
and is due to pay its second
visit to Washington late in
January.
Roger Gray, comedian of the
Belasco Theater Players, leaves
the Company Saturday to re-
hearse with the new musical
comedy starring Eddie Buzzell.
Dorothy Gish seems to be the
first movie star to make a stage
hit on Broadway. In "Young
Love-" muel Raphacison's IS
play, she has scored a personal
success, and sister Lillian's
opening night telegram now
provides a chuckle. It read:
"No matter what happens to-
night, remember mother and /
still love you"
"The Strange Interlude" COM
pany, headed by Pauline Lord,
which will open here December
%, will play a week on Broad
way. 1t will replace. the cast
headed by Judith Anderson while
the actors take a rest from
strenuous stage duties. From
the John Golden Theater the
Theater Guild company comes
direct to Washington.
Hiram S. Brown, president of
the United States Leather Com
pany, replaces Joseph P. Ken
nedy as the supreme boss of
Keith vaudeville. The appoint
ment is effective January l,
Mr.. Brown comes to his new job
without experience in the
amusement business but with a
brilliant record as an organizer.
For the first time in, well
let us say months, there will be
no chorus girls around the Pal
ace Theater stage next week.
Singer Midgets arrive Saturday
and the liliputians provide the
entire stage show.
Mr.. Stoddard Taylor phones
in the nomination of Renee
Hamilton in Little Jessie
James" as his entry in the
Best Performances of the
Week" competition. Seconded
by Rose Rosner and our critic,
Jimmy Balm. It must be good
With the gates opening out
| ward for nooro mud moro of