davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
d2exe RGow "Jhe CApN6TloN kID-@
Earle
Spring Styles in Playhouse
Earle
BY PH!LANDER JOHNSON.

often do so; as in the case of
Nina" concerning which it was
Hemphatically stated that the me-
chanical equipment was SO big
and elaborate that it could not be
taken ON tour. It is, however
scheduled for visits to a number
of cities in proof that no obstacle
is insuperable when the niechani-
cal engineer and the dramatic
poet combine their efforts.
If 1.-The Black Crook" is revived
for the benefit of the old boys who
populated what was known as
'baldhead row." something should
be done to please more youthful
taste. The children of today are
missing something by not being
able to see Humpty-Dumpty i'm
personated again, as he was in
seasons when great pantomimists
were proud to link their names
with his
In searching the annals for old
plays to be revived, Uncle Toms
Cabin cannot be mentioned. It
has been in a state of annual
resusciation. Ten Nights in
Bar ROOM. with its plaintive
ballad, Father, dear father, come
home with me now" is to have
the distinction of a rehearing by
a company that will tour the
smaller adjacent towns. Many
seasoned veterans are expected TO
appear, partly for the sake of get
ting one more glimpse at what a
real old-fashioned bar room may
look like.
One of the men who is looking
forward with pleasure from this
Springtime to the next regardless
of the pendulum swing of popular
taste, is L. Stoddard Taylor. who,
a year hence, will celebrate his
twenty-fifth anniversary of re-
sponSible association with the
Washington theater. His activi-
ties have always carried with
them a powerful asset of personal
popularity, and his work. what
ever might be the variations in
quality of stage Offering. has al
ways lent to the front of the house
an air Of courtesy and refinement.
X X x
Another long pilgrimage for new
chimes and different climate is i'll
preparation by w. Hartman Rap
ley, who leaves to his trusty
lieutenant, Steve Cochran, the re-
sponsibility of maintaining the
prestige of the National Theater
through a stock season, which
promises prosperity. Mr.. Rapley
has been acting in an advisory
capacity in suggesting plays, some
of them closely associated with
the portraits which adorn the
walls Of the playhouse as inspira-
tions of SO many agreeable men,
cries. He will return in June. SO
as to meet associates of so years
ago when he was attending West
Point
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
New Theater in Anacostia.

WITHIN a few days ground will be
w broken for the Fairlawn Theater
on Good Hope road between Thirteenth
and Fourteenth streets southeast, Ana
costa The new picture house will be
opened some time in August as mod
ern, up-to-date community theater.
featuring the best in motion pictures
and equipped with sound devices. 1t
will be owned and operated by the
FairlaWn Amusement Co. Inc, the Off
GERS and directors Of which are men
prominent in the community.
The Fairlawn Theater. it is believed,
will satisfy the demand for a first-class
amusement house in the southeastern
section of the District The president
of the corporation. Lloyd j. Wineland,
is now manager OF the Logan Theater,
Anacostia; the vice president. u. Hol-
lingsworth, is owner manager of the
Capitol Theater at Capitol Heights, Md,
and the secretary-treasurer Albert ".
Pohl. is assistant cashier of the Ana
costa Bank The directors are the
following well known business men in
this section Maurice Otterback. presi-
dent the Anacostia Bank; Robert
Thompson, Charles Lohr, Irwin F. Bury
and George B. Stevens.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
GEORGEJEssEL and Rosa QOSANOvA-
Metropolitan
On the Broadway Stage

an elegant youth just returned from a
sojourn In France. But in addition to
this central tragedy there was the fore
closure of mortgage, a murder, miss
ing papers" a fire on cotton packet
the disclosure of criminal through a
photograph accidentally taken of the
crime and various other more or less
sure-fire melodramatic devices.
The way in which mems minds We're
obsessed by the brooding shadow of
slayery--aS now in our shalloWer FASH
ion, We are likely to revert to prohibit
tion--is felt throughout the critics re-
view. The main element of tragedy
on the stage" he says. is "inseparable
from hereditary social distinction"
Without the latter, he thinks, all is
mere individual aspiration and caprice.
Smith may object to his daughter
marrying Jones son. but unless there
is some relentless higher force before
which the individual is helpless, such
objections cannot acquire the weight of
tragedy. THE only tragic element left
for original treatment on the stage or in
romantic novels In this country must be
connected with the one remaining he
red!tary privilege in this country
slavery" And in the Winter Garden
play, he says, are scenes which should
GRIND 10 tIle laSt lTltuTaliOl Oh HIldIIlc
and horror the barbarism which claims
supremacy of the Government of this
country. from the head of the White
House, down to the tidewater (sic)-
down to below low-water mark"
Boucicault got rough outline for
"'Fhe Octoroon." it is said, from Wayne
Reid's novel, THE Quadroon which was
dramatized and played in London in
1856. The episode of the accidental
photograph uncovering a murderer was
borrowed from THE Filibuster," a
novel by Albany Foublanque. published
in 1859. But in writing his own play
he changed the Mayne Reid plot almost
completely and added characters of his
own. which vastly increased its dra-
matte effectiveness The play ran for
nearly two months--a long run for
these days-and was later played widely
in this country and in England. In
the English version the octoroon mar
ried young George Peyton at the last
instead of taking poison.
Downright. 1927
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
Very Rare, Indeed.
WHEN Interference" was about

WHEN Interference" was about to
w receive its original stage premiere
in London at the beginning of its inter-
nationally triumphant run 1t was the
occasion Of one of the rarest gestures
on the stage--the self-effacement of
famous actor.
Herbert Marshall told the story re-
Gently at the Paramount studio In AS
toria Marshall in the London premiere
OF Interference" had the part of Billy
Voaze. played on the stage here by A.
E. Matthews and in the picture by Will
liam Powell. 1t is the part of roue
who kills a bad woman. escapes and
then confesses to protect the good wom-
an whom he loves. The role of the
good woman's husband. Sir John Mar
ley, was played in London by Sir Gerald
DuMarier.
I'VE had been rehearsing more than
two weeks. and DuMarier. as the great
star. naturally was building up the part
of Marley to dominate the STAGE" said
Marshall
Then one day he stopped all Of a
sudden and said to me: Why, really
your part is much stronger as this play
is written, and I never knew 1t before
We must play 1t that way And from
then on he shifted the action to give to
the role of Voaze the center of atten-
ton, speaking his own lines faster and
having me speak more slowly. for great
er effect. He seemed to give everything
to the play rather than take advantage
for himself as an actor"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

The advent of Spring finds the
theater in a reminiscent mood
ready to scatter wild flowers iE
honor of many gentle friends
who have SO long endured in re-
gard. 1t was so long ago as 1889.
if the cyclopaedia is not mislead-
ing, that Mark Twain offered to
the reading public "A Yankee at
the Court Of King Arthur which
has fiourished in play form with
embellishments in the way of
music, as one of the substantial
attractions of the lingering sea-
son. And the Devils Mistress
owes much of it's sensational quail
ity to an expert re-aSsenblage Of
thrill material which has often
proved serviceable in bygone
years. Nothing But the Truth"
recalls William Collier at the gay
and poisoning period of his
career when he rather approved
of being called Willie" Collier.
and had but recently emerged
from the audaciouS paStime much
affected ION the Rialto' of MINI
licking his superiors in authority.
Some of the revivalS are Sc
striking as to be in direct compe-
tition with the most daring novel;
ties that can be offered, even with
strange Interlude" or Nina. ;"
One of the most interesting ex-
perimentS in turning back the
theatrical clock was a production
of THE Black Crook" which has
drawn many people from Man
haitian over to Hoboken. once dis
respectfully referred to as "the
funny little town across the
river"
Those who tell of THE Black
Crook" recan q time when the
swart hunchback of the title was
exploited by the Kiralfys. The
word "Kiralfy" stood for spec
tacular gorgeousness as pre-emi-
nently as does "Ziegfeld" today
There was less ingenuity in in
] Producing specialties in THE
Crook" and when the dancers
and acrobats (contortionistS were
in demand for the representation
of demons in the glen1 were to
be introduced, some simple ex-
pedient was employed such as the
exclamation: Nov let the merry
sports begin!"
* y X X
1t was considered quite impos-
sible to use the word devil" so
an impersonation of wickedness
was borrowed from ancient lore
and "Zamiel" was commanded to
appear. It is very probable that
this Zamiel prompted the COLO
quialism, which caused Punctilio
in anything savoring of direct
reference to powers of darkness to
inquire with indignation: What
the Sam Hill is going on?" There
is no present announcement that
"The Crook" will be taken on tour,
although plays which have not
expected to go out of New York
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
Agile Chops.

TEAROOM portions. often VIGOROUSLY
lacking in quantity with no ques-
ton raised as to quality, were response
BILE for an amusing incident during the
filming of Making the Grade" at the
Fox studios in Hollywood.
Lois Moran. who plays the lead OPP
posite Edmund Lowe, was serving him
in tearoom scene. Lamb chops were
ordered When Lowe was served two
tiny things on his plate, he complained
to Miss Moran that they were micro
scopic.
silly" she replied. "those are per-
fectly good lamb chops" ..... .s..
Lowe then set about to eat the DAM
ties and suddenly clapped his napkin
over his eye. making great fuss as
though in pain.
What's the matter now?" asked Miss
Moran as she rushed up
"One of those chops" said Lowe. "It
slipped off my fork and lodged in my
eye"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

tG'T'HE Lady from the Sea-" which
has never been done On Broad
way, except by Duse in Italian, Is now
ter, with Blanche Yurka as star. at
the Bijou Theater, New York. This
play, according to the conception of
Miss Yurka, one of the modern Ibsen
students, is free from gloomy prob
lens. and the one outstanding Ibsen
opus which has q happy ending. The
Lady from the Sea" is the third Ibsen
production this year in which Miss
Yllrka has been the director end star
q remarkable achievement in a season
that has been pronounced, by prac-
ticed Broadway producers, one OF the
worst in theatrical history.
The project, practically single-handed.
is said TO be Blanche Yurka's venture.
and indicates that the great Norwegian
dramatist is no longer ''highbroW" i'll
the Broadway playgoers' mind, but
rather one of the popular playwri2htS
of the day
Seven Ibsen plays have been pro-
duced this year on Broadway by promi-
nent stars Walter Hampden started
his season with An Enemy of the Peo-
pie: Eva lie Gallienne at her Civic
Master Builder" John Gabriel Bork-
man" and "Hedda Gabler"; Morris
Cest has presented Moissi in Ghosts, -
and Blanche Yurka has played in and
directed under the sponsorship of the
Actors Theater, The Wild Duck, "
"FIedda Gabler" and THE Lady from
the Sea"
The success of Miss Yurka's 1bsen
season seems to make Bernard Shaw's
dream of real Ibsen Theater come
true al last. Also it has prompted this
foresighted actress to make plans for
another Ibsen season, in which she will
produce 'Rosmersh0lm. "A Dolls
House" and Lady Inger Of Ostraat,
which has never been done in this
country. though it is the Norwegian
dramatist's one hair-raising me)odrama
Blanche Yurka, an American Of
CzachosloVakian background made
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
Defyine a Jinx.

GEORGE JESSEL himself suggested
~ the title for his first talking singing
feature production, Lucky Boy" and
in choosing 1t the comedian Is defying a
ink!
Luck has never played any part in
his career. Jessel declared Every time
there has been an element of chance in
transaction. the balance has swung
away from him. He has learned that
there are two things he should not do
play the stock market and work in the
theater. He has given up one and in
tends to give up the theater in a couple
of years and probably devote his time
to writing.
Though it was George Jessel who,
some say. first had the idea of using the
new Observation-Disclosures ith-film in
vention in connection with a movie
drama and who sold The Jazz Singer"
which he starred in on the stage, to
Warner Bros. for that purpose. Lucky
Boy Is the first time Jessel has sung
and talked in a movie drama feature.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

TINE word gloom has SO often
been tackled, parrot fashion, to
Ibsen's plays, that people some
times forget that the old Morse
wizard was always the ironic
humorist In his own grim way. and
that now and then he wrote out
out comedy. THE Lady From the Sea-
for example, which Miss Blanche Yurka
and her Actors Theater Co. re-
vived last week has as comfortable
happy ending" as any old-school play
goer could ask for. and virtue,-in TINS
case, a patient, self sacrificing husband
after being duly tried for the better
part of an evening, is amply rewarded.
Although scarcely in the first flight
of the Ibsen dramas, THE Lady From
the Sea" has much of the great Nor
wegians emotional drive and 1nsinuat-
ing fascination, nevertheless ana aus
conclusion is so reassuring. i'll what
Greenwich Village would call "bour-
geois" manner that it seems bit odd
that the piece isn't more frequently
played, or at least that it wasn't oftener
played in the days when the famous
Ibsen gloon" was more terrifying than
it is now.
The producers of Boucicault's famous
less may be regarded in the light OF
cleaners, thriftily cleaning up. in the
Broadway stubble, the remains OF the
harvest planted earlier in the Winter
by the quartet of literary Adventures
who put on that other BouclcaultS
piece, After Dark" with such success
in Hoboken.
But they do the public service,
nevertheless by giving them chance
to see a sturdy old show. which is not
only interesting, historically, but quite
well worth seeing for its own sake. 1t
is not hard to fancy the excitement
with which this play must have been
received when it was first produced at
the New York Winter Garden on De-
cember S. 1859, less than two months
after John Browns raid and only four
DAYS after his execution. Boucicault
showed great tact and theatrical in
genuity in making his Shareholders
likeable and attractive as human beings,
while condemning. by implication, the
institution of slavery as such. Some
anticipa tons of riot were entertained"
we learn from a critic OF that day,
certain parties having done their work
in advance to create one, but all all
passed off peaceably."
The review speaks OF Joseph Jefter-
sons good acting as Salem Scudder, the
good" plantation overseer--McClosky,
the other overseer on the same planta-
ton was the villain-and says that Miss
Robertson MRS. BoucicaulD as Zoe, the
octoroon was sweet and interesting"
The main theme of the piece was the
hopeless love between Zoe--the illegiti-
mate daughter by a white father Of
one of the quadroon slaves on the Peyton
plantation and young George Peyton
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
ANNA PPOPP-
S+rand
Widened Scope.

H'THE Carnation Kid a Paramount
Christie production featuring talk
ing sequences, is claimed to have the
widest range of ssts and locations seen
to date In talking picture.
To illustrate how the talking pictures
have gotten out of the stage OF simple
talking scenes. all of which take place
in few rooms, the new production has
settings in a drawing room of fast
moving Pullman railroad car. the Offices
of political boss, the home of district
attorney. the auditorium and the stage
of a theater. two different apartments
in hotel. Jail and police chiefs Of
flee, night club with its main and adj
Joining rooms, railroad stations. the
lawn of suburban home and various
city streets where more action takes
place. Thus 1t may be seen that the
range of talking pictures had advanced
far in the last few months.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
Ibsen Growing Popular

her first Broadway success at the age
of IT, in "Daybreak." David Belasco
then prophesied a brilliant future for
her. Her successes have been varied,
from the Theater Guilds THE Goat
Song" and John Barrymore's Hamlet"
to more commercial vehicles such as
THE Squall.
Early next season Miss Yurka eX-
poets to bring her company to Wash
ington with the IbseE plays.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

EVELYN BRENT, who appears with
Thomas Meighan i'm 1.-THE Mating
Call" studied for the school teaching
profession before she decided to be-
come an actress.
Miss Brent was student at Normal
Training School, New York, when she
suddenly became film struck while visit
ing the old World Film studios at Fort
Lee, N. j.
School was given up for the life Of
an extra, which ultimately led to bits
and parts until in time che became one
of the most popular players OF the
screen.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
NATIONAL PLaYERs-~rwin Beds"

The management of the National
Theater Players has arranged for re-
vival of the old comedy masterpiece,
Twin Beds" at the National this week
beginning tomorrow night. Salisbury
field and Margaret Mayo, who collabo-
.ated on Twin Beds" made it one of
he funniest farces ever produced in
America. Since its first presentation it
has been revived from time to time by
celebrated companies; but never with
more success than by the National
Theater Players, for incidentally it was
this play which really started the troup
at the National on its successful career.
Twin Beds" Is the story of young
man who is thoroughly fed up on club
life. He decides to marry and settle
down. For him the quiet joys of domes-
ITCHY seem more alluring than wild
whoopee. There Is but one fly in the
ointment, however, for after marriage,
while he is happily engaged in his work
downtown, his wife is fretting away in
idleness up town. When he comes home
at night. all tired out, after hard days
work, and wants nothing more than
pipe and his slippers. she wants to join
the merry-merry revelry downtown
where the bright lights shine. In conse-
quence there Is an upheaval. She in
dulgeS in mild fiirtationc that lead TO
her own unhappiness and the near
wrecking of the happiness of two other
couples.
In the vain endeavor to get away.
each from the other. they all finally
land under one roof and then the real
fun begins.
AS a curtain raiser to Twin Beds"
the National Players will present this
week, the winning Community
Center's one-act play. The Monkeys
Paw" In the recent ore-act play COM
petition of the Centers with "a organiza-
tons participating. this tabloid mystery
play, written by w. w. Jacobs, and pre-
sented by the Columbia Players, emerged
victor.
1.-The Monkeys Paw" has an interest
ing theatrical background. being first
presented at the SALISBURY Theater in
London by Cyril Maude in 1903. The
dramatiZation was made by Louis N.
Parker. who wrote The Garden of
Allah" and the play has been presented
some 1900 times by various amateur
dramatic organizations. It has also been
given in the Players Club tournament
in New York and was used by the Prov
incetown Players in program of short
dramas. It is both a novel and mys-
ferrous story filled with interesting ac-
ton.
Because of the heightened program
the curtain will rise nightly at 8;15 pm.
and the matinee at 2:l5 sharp.
WARDMAN PARK-"Rio Van Wrinkle"
RIP Van Wrinkle" made immortal by
Joe Jefferson. is the play the Junior
Theater at Wardman Park will give
this week end. with Friday matinee at
$3.50, Saturday matinee at $50 and !
both evenings at SIS.
This Is a tale CT the Catskill Noun |
tains that rise above the sweeping Hud- +!
son River and where some Witchcraft
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

II
The latest and the most elaborate
all-colored musical comedy. The Jazz
Regiment" will make it's bow before
Washington theatergoers tonight at the
Gayety Theater, where it will remain
for one week, prior to invading Broad
way.
THE Jazz Regiment" comes to this
city following two record breaking
weeks i'll Baltimore, which were pre-
coded by run of four weeks in Phila-
delphia. Its producer, Sam H. Grisman,
New York theatrical magnate, was I'M
able to obtain any other house than the
Gayety in which to play his attraction.
The vehicle. with its SIS ebony-hued
stars. was to have opened in New York
this week, but alterations to Mr. Girls
mans theater in the Great White Way
forced him TO spend week elsewhere.
So it is that The Jazz Regiment" comes
into our midst, and at the Gayety.
Not since the days of the histrionic
Shuttle Along 1t is claimed, has a
colored production exposed such a
galaxy of talent Among the members
of lis cast are John Mason and Dusty"
Fletcher. who. with Andrew Tribble.
form funny triumvirate of comedians
Juanita Stinnette and Chappie Chap
pelle have been allotted the leading
roles. aided by Gertrude Saunders
original leading woman In Shuttle
Along" and are supported by interesting
performers. such as Pearl Mccormick,
Columbus Jackson, featured player
with Ethel Waters in "Africana": Ernest
Hunter, protege of Roland Hayes. and
Neeka Shaw. young dancer. who in
spired one of the main characters in
Vera Caspery's current novel, White
Girl"
The story of the musical comedy deals
with the humorous experiences of two
colored boys. who dream that they
Joined the United States Marine Corps
The fact that there never was such a
thing as ebony Marine gives the thres
dus!.y comedians, John Mason. Dusty
and Andrew Tribble. an oppor-
tunity to present mirthful trayesty on
life in Marine barracks in the South
land, and subsequently In the distant
The musical score. which was pro-
vided for "'The Jazz Regiment" by Joe
p an. noted Negro composer contains
Continued on Second Page.)
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

The Stratford-upon-Avon Festival
Co, which for several months has been
touring in this country and Canada in
Shakespearean plays, sailed fer Eng
lind last week from Halifax to begin
It's SD-.ng festival on April Is.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24

caught dear old Rip. who had fed to
the hills to escape the tyranny of q
scolding wife. And there he slept for
20 years! The play gives the scene Of
his going into the mountains, gun in
hand, his old dog Schneider as his con-
slant friend. 1t also gives his return,
g-ay-bearded and ragged, when the vii
lage had changed, his friends gone and
he was all unknown. Quite unaware
was he, too, of the long time he had
slept. yet, still lovable, Rip at last finds
his place again.
The Junior Theater will present that
fine artist George Vivian as the gentle
and human Rip. Nina, his wife. is
played by Kay Conway, Gretchen by
Marguerite Thorne. the landlord by
Kent Smith and the burgomaster by
Henry Fonda
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
Attractions in Washington
Playhouses This Week
IN LOCAL THEATERS THIS WEEK

NATIONAL-"Twn Beds" comedy. Opens
ming.
POLIS"Tral of Mary Dugan melodrama Opens tomorrow
evening.
WARDMAN PARK-"Rip Wrinkle" GJunior Theater Opens
Friday matinee.
GAYETY-"The Jazz Regiment al-colored Opens this
evening.
sTRANDThe Best Show in Town. burlesque. This afternoon
and evening
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-24
New Type of Role.

(Copyright, 1920