Evening star., 1928-05-13

Oh Il bl1GALGT WHICH uOCS AlOt
know precisely what to do
= with itself is presented at
this time of year. Following a
season, in many respects one OF
the most brilliant known in long
time, the future becomes vista
of blossonling uncertainty, with
full expectation that the choicest
fruits of imagination will be in
evidence before the Sncw flies
again, but with elements OF uncer-
tainty as TO auspices under which
they viii be provided.
It is not every city that can rem
der a stock company so secure as
the National Theater Players have
become. Steve Cochran, in add
ing a Baltimore theater to his
cares, undertakes an experiment
now frequent enough, but in the
past regarded as unwieldly. When
?. Harris ran the theater OF which
only veStage remains at Ninth
and C. streets. he included 1t in a
chain of theaters which many
who enjoyed discussing theatrical
business regarded as too large TO
permit requisite attention to de-
tail. The arrangement did not
endure. Neither did the effort 70
establish stock companies In both
washington and Baltimore by r.
B. Chase find substantial encour-
agement.
Conditions. however, have shift
ed. In an amusement way there
has always been bond Of natural
relationship between the two
cities: ever since the days when
special trains were run TO enable
Edwin Booths admirers in this
city to see him, even though the
evenings entertainment involved
a journey OF nearly 80 miles. The
interchangeable company ls one
Of the cherished dreams OF both
the big towns.
The chain system Of theaters
now d0urisneg so prosperousIy
that II ig not possible TO be sure
that some established trade mark
will not be hyphenated over night
to share the glorieg Of tradition
with a brand-new name. Fame
that Is written In electric lights
fades or shines intermittentiy as
the currents are turned on and on
from switchboardg operated at a
distance.
The Ehubert -BeIasco title was a
surprise and cannot even now be
regarded as an arrangement aris-
Ing from an ordinary course oi
events.
poll has succeeded In giving
his name monopoly Of the scin~
fiiIating arch above the doorway,
although it is never doubted that
the Ehubert Offices are power IN
its management.
The appearance Of A. L. Erlanger
as one Of the parties at interest
with w. Hartman Rapley In the
National Theater brings a new
element into the amusement sit
uation here: an element which
cannot fail 10 be helpful and
beneficial In providing entertain
Ynent Of responsible quality.
-
The Il. r. Keith Interests hy~
phenated until the name became
ponceroug. leaving the theater for
the present with Mr.. Robbins ut
desk az the only reliable attrae-
ton.
The original decision 10 call the
playhouse h. r.. Kelth's Theater,
instead 0f following a natural
tendency 10 call II "Keith'g," was
q departure In theater naming
and seemed 10 be intended az q
sort VI memorial 10 a much~ee~
teeneo man. However, the inter
este came 10 include the name 0f
Aibee IN recognition of a long ca
YeeF OF competence and devotion
Recently the title Kelth~Albee~
OFDheunQ circuit was evolved. Nov
instead Of thr0ngg of patronage
only FumCFg float through the
do0rwayg. No able theatrical man
objects TO runorg, which are. after
ali, a torn OF publicity. Theaterg
could never thrive II everybody
strictly minded his own business
end refused 10 talk about them.
Ys#
The prominent appearance Of
the name Stanley as q prefix t1
familiar trade mark titles for local
pIayfaOtlses has been followed by q
process of noteworthy evolution In
motion picture policies, leaving
the term vaudeville" with no re-
4strietsd significance, The idea oi
definite policy for q theater finally