Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-07-16

NfETROPOLITAN--"A Texas Steer
Audiences at the Metropolitan Thea
Ger this week are getting great kick
out of the photoplay version Of "A
Texas Steer" starring WIN Rogers
Some Of the scenes were shot" Ii
Washington and bring q smile Of IA.
sniiiarity to the theatergoer. Charles
Hoyt's stage success, now picturized
features the life of a Representative ir
washington who Is in the clutches
OF the power trust. against his will. but
it is far more than that, for the photo
piaf has been shaped with the wit OF
VIII Rogers himself.
y The story is woven around Texas
eRttleman. who is elected to Congress
without his knowledge and efforts anC
purely by the Vaccinations of his So
cially-ambitious wife and daughter Sc
he comes to Washington, intent on put
tag through Congress a power project
Ia considers beneficial to the Lone Star
safe, but he reckonS without the fac
tor OF the lobbyists. To attain their
ends and prevent passage of his bill
the lobbyists do not hesitate to kidnap
him, but as the photoplay moves
through thousand and one laughs and
Rogers displays some of his famed rop-
ing stunts, he is rescued by three Texas
"colonels'' in time to move for recon-
Sideration of the defeated dam bill and
have the House reconsider by voting
unanimous approval.
Clad in the nightshirt he was able
to purloin from a suitcase in the room
In which he was held prisoner and the
coat one of the colonies" gave him, the
Representative gallops dramatically up
Pennsylvania avenue to the Capitol to
deliver rousing speech and save the
Texas dam. 1t will be recalled that
when the picture was being taken here
recently, chauffeur doubled" for VIII
Rogers In riding the horse through the
streets. This is a photoplay that will
md a warm spot IN the hearts of
Washingtonians and the humor of it all
and the inimitable win add much to
make it more enjoyable.
In addition TO VIII Rogers, the pic
ture features Louise Fazenda as the
socially wife: Ann Rork as
as the sweetheart of the Representa-
ttve's daughter, and Sam Hardy, Lilyan
Tashman, George Marion and Mack
Swain In important places.
= To add to the hilarity, there is a
Mack Sennett comedy, entitled. Gold
Diggers of Weepah';; current news
events and music by the Metropolitan
Concert Orchestra. under the direction
of Alex Podnos.
EARLE-"Wheel Of Chance"
Fine acting. clever directing. realistic
settings and excellent photography COM
hine 70 make Wheel of Chance" the
feature picture at the Earle, one of the
best heavy dramas to come our way re-
Gently It is coupled with the stage
presentation, "A Garden Party"
Richard Barthelmess, who is starred
I'm this screen adaptation of the Fannie
Hurst novel Roulette" assumes the
dual characterization of the utterly-un-
like twin brothers, Nickie the Black
and Schmulka the Red. He interpretS
them with such sympathy, understand
ing and commendable restraint that he
approaches perfection.
Almost equal to Mr.. BartheimesS' per-
Torrance IS that Of one Bodil RoSing,
unheralded, who is convincingly tender
and dolorous as the mother.
The remainder of the supporting cast
do exceptionally well with their respec-
tive roles, but the work of Margaret Liv-
tngston as Josie Drew. the girl with
anything but strict morals, is particu-
larry outstanding. Warner GLAND, who
long since has proved his excellence as
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Jazz Singer" seems cast cScidediy be-
low his capabilities; the same must be
said for Lima Basquette. who did some
good work in The Moose"
To Alfred Santell, the man behind
the megaphone, goes the major portion
Of the laurels, for he handles o theme
which tends If anything toward melo-
drama. IL given the slightest leeway. His
continual check on the reins. as It were.
holds the action well within plausihility,
while, at the same time. building stead
Hy toward tense climax.
The stage show introducesfa new per-
sOnality as master Of ceremonies in
Charles Nelson, who Is hereby recon-
mended for some sort Of hall of fame
because he manages to getmnsic out OF
his band without resorting to baton
and because he does not look too unlike
lily improving In health and might be
back at his post next week has been
received from good authority.
In the revue, which is longer than
usual, Arthur Ball, late 81 the musical
comedies, sings senfinlenally with fine
control and pOiSe; Irmanette enters into
the festivities generally, but for the
most part dances and plays the fiddle
simultaneously and makes real go"
at Il. Dolores and Eddy are above the
average as eccentric steppers, especially
tl1k latter, who does a dance on his
hands that is worth seeing. The Marie
Mtenarrie Harp Ensemble. composed of
I've diligent girls, is assisted by Loret-
Ia Lee, who sings, and ALI Grimes. with
ballet tendencies The band blasts forth
with q clever arrangement OF Tiger
Rag" and Gershwin's The Man I
Love" while Master Nelson MARBLES