Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-01-29

"The Vagabond King" afforded
q romantic, almost classic, back
ground Of melodiouS serenity for
some of the most riotouSly rough
and tumble drama it has been the
strange fortune of this fair city to
behold.
ia Gringo" and Chicago" are
both products Of crime waves in
dramatic art. Chicago" is the
older in sin, but in some degree
la Gringo" is a more daring de-
tirium, introducing hint of can
nibaliSm in connection with the
career of its heroine-using the
term heroine" In the sense of one
whose battle for the spotlight has
proved successful despite the
odds.
GruesomeneSS has been eSpe-
cially emphasized IN recent offer
ings, the title "a Feet Under"
being an example u deliberate
graveyard insinuation concern
ing what was in reality q. rather
cheerful little play.
A word viii sometimes take
hold Of the imagination where an
elaborated idea fails 70 find a
place. BY naming the family for
whom that willing worker ex-
hausts himself In purse and
strength THE Eebblepredders,"
the author hit upon one OF those
assemblages of syllables which
have a humorous sort OF bubble
that often enrolls them securely
in the gentler vocabulary OF
slang. The author increased the
PLAYS chances very much when
he decided 70 drop the old title
and call IL The Hebblepredders."
La Gringo" iumbles its ethnol-
ogies and raves in a manner
which no change Of title could as
giSt toward lucidity. Giving the
other play the name Chicago" is
an act Of deliberate cruelty TO the
civic associations whose aim In
life II is to rally in praise Of the
institutions and opportunities
boasted by the great Lakeside city.
Both these plays place much de-
tendency on woman star seek
ing TO bear responsibilities almost
alone With a courageous sacrifice
Of strength and with a deter
rnination Of purpose that would
be worthy ITO repeat a woro
which carries weird faScination)
Of an elmer Eebblepredder."
- ~
Former phrases dear 70 expert
showmanghip now fall upon in
different eyes az the announce
nnents appear in advance. the
warning that the engagement IL
for one week only" did not
cause the crowd TO stampede
through the doors. In spite OF an
unfavorable means Of exploita-
ton Mis- Claudette Colbert made
4 most convincing personal i'm
preston.
Perhaps Ia Gnngo" suffered
from too much restraint. There
is nothing too terrible To be seen
or heard on the stage In the pres
ent attitude Of contemptuOus toll
Grafton assumed by the general
public.
Startling pfoI0gueg came into
sudden vogue. one k~stage
murder, which calls in the police
III Chicago, and the other Wild
Dash over an outer wall and up q
tTellis by q hsif-clsc girl Who has
Just been caught by the lure NJ
the distant low drumming. sig
Mailing csnnibailstlc rites
A really enterprislng producer,
accustomed With each play ~ 90
= step forward along the path
way Of mOrDio sensationaiism and
morbidity, would mol have allow
xr the csnnibaIistic train VI
thought ~ be 81 completely in
limited after the first act II
would have been more thriilingiy
horrible II the girl had attacked
some Of the fjinty-sOuled and un-
DreDosSesging rustics among those
she found herself In this country
With o view 10 serving them oni
II q time for her own especia
luncheon. or she might have
Jumped over the foOtiightS. as thu
gorilla did In the play VI tha'
name. and set the AUDITORS Shuo
oering In the presence OF a uoicn
return ~ aboriginal ideas o
|oicuTisnisn ~ wOUld seem
Eart. 81 msiel1si ipj hei Il