The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1928-12-07
|GLEANINGS
SCREENINGS
By ANDREW r. KELLEY

If the esteemed Frank F.
Morse, big stock and bond man,
has a depressed look on his
countensnce today, it is prob
ably due to the fact that his
bosom pal, Gilbert Miller, has
announced he will no longer
produce his new plays in
America. :,
Olympia" and "The Sacred
Flame" which bore the Miller
imprint and were tried out at
the BeIasco Theater, have both
folded up as failures. This
fact, does not disturb Mr.. Miller
as much as the mounting cost
of theater mechanics. He says
in announcing his intention to
offer his new plays in London
that the American back stage
costs for play experimentation
have become prohibitive. 1T is
cheaper to take over an Ameri-
can cast and try out your
play in London than to do so
here" according to the pro-
Queer. Henceforth Picadilly
will see them first and if they
have the earmarks of success
they will be imported to Bread
way, lock, stock and barrel.
He says a whole lot more in
long interview but since most
Of it is highly uncomplimentary
to the overtime charges of the
Stage Hands Union, this looks
like a good point at which to
change the subject, or become
involved in interpreting con-
tracts and wage scales.
A screen tid-bit of the near
future may be moyietone of
the prospective Mrs. John Cool
idge, now and soon to be nee
Flo. nee TrumbuIl. At least
the ever reliable Variety in
forms us thu the preliminaries
for such recording have been
made by the Will Hays office
with definite assurances of sue
cess.
Governor Trumbull, it seems,
is not easily sold on the desira-
bility of screen prominence. So
the trusted emissary to conduct
the negotiations was instructed
substantially as follows:
Assure him that it will be
done in most dignified way.
Say that the young lady will
be given copy Of the reel and
that it will not be shown any
where until she and her family
have seen it.
"Tell the governor that when
his first grandson is born the
company will be glad to film
the baby and add that part to
its wedding present.
I'm shooting the picture tell
the governor that all that is
required is to let truck draw
up in his back yard. Then tell
him that only members of the
family should be assembled; that
his daughter should say some
thing worthwhile that will make
her beloved by the American
people.
would also suggest to him that
the family cog be allowed to
bark. Tell him that barking
records excellently and gives a
family touch"
"Whoopee" was received
with salvos on Broadway. Even
St. John IRVINE, the imported
critic, pronounced it Al. Some
of the innovations since the
last performance in Washing
ton were the introduction of
Halloween party finale, making
a gorgeous flash of the COVER
70 nor's ball scene, the permanent
assignment of Paul Gregory to
the half breed Indian role and
the George Olson band on the
stage.
Eddie Cantor got rave notices
and as the estimable Mr.. Coch-
ran says '''Whoopee' is good
for a year on Broadway I'M
. less Eddie has a relapse of his
pleurisy." The agencies have
bought seats for % weeks.
When "The Royal Family"
was first produced there was
story that the Barrymore family
was considerably miffed at the
close parallel of the characters
in the NAV TO members of this
distinguished acting clan. While
the actress Cam Andrews) who
impersonates lie character
closest to Queen Ethel makes
her a wholly charming charac-
ter, the actor who interprets
John can be charitably described
as temperamental nut.
It is comforting then to learn
that the newly wed John Barry
more looked over the play as il
was produced on the Coast and