The Washington times., 1929-01-02
.GLEANINGSI
SCREENINGS
By ANDREW z. KELLEY

1uedtSES HAS HlhO6 eh V4ASE "
the r. K. o. interests which
may operate to relight the dark
ened theater.
Some time ago Mr.. Robbins
submitted leasing proposal
that was turned down without
ceremony. This later PROPOSE
ton, which contemplates dra-
matte stock at popular prices,
has been tentatively accepted.
The successful completion Of
negotiations now under way
would mean q reopening of the
Fifteenth and G Street play
house within a month.
These figures, taken from Mr..
Ziegfeld's books anent the cost
of musical comedy production
today and 20 years ago, are en-
tightening. "Whoopee" played
to $46,6s2 in its week in WASH
ington. His expenses were
$31, ,681, leaving a profit Of
$4,058 on the sharing arrange
ment with the theater. The
production cost $180,000 before
the curtain was raised.
Twenty years ago his first
"Follies," with Eva Tanguay as
it's star, played to gross re-
ceipts here of $500 for one
week, at $3.50 top. Today such
business would not support a
Washington stock company.
Mr.. Ziegfeld further AYERS his
last five productions represented
$1,000, 900 in production invest
ment. To get that back each
show must, play to close to ca
pacity business for one full year.
"Show Boat" "Rosalie," Three
Musketeers,'' "Rio Rita" and
s'Whoopee," the musicals in
question, having all clicked as
hits, either have or will attain
such a run record.
On the other hand, New York
may accept a play and the road
turn thumbs down on the pro-
duction. When the Players Club
revived "The Beaux' Stratagens"
last spring Broadway packed the
theater for the one-week re-
vival. George C. Tyler decided
to send it on tour with a cast
of fine players. The result has
been disastrous. ''Beaux Strata
gem" has not had a winning
week and Tyler ends the tour
next Saturday night.
It was the estimable Stephen
Dillingham; Cochran who sug-
gested TO Mr.. Tyler that MRS.
Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch"
was good play to revive with
an all-star cast. The old re-
liable has been a life-saver for
many stock companies. "You
take it out, Steve" was Mr..
Tyler's reply. There is the
record that "Mrs. Wiggs," pro-
duced originally by Tyler in
1904. ran two years in New
York and five more years on
tour which included Australia.
The net profits were $500, 900,
according to the Tyler books.
AS one who has long felt Mil
ton Sills ranks with the finest
of screen actors, although re-
Gently condemned to stereotyped
he-man roles of little inn
portance, it is a pleasure to re-
port that "The Barker" brings
him to the front once more.
Nifty Miller, the carnival
barker, just reeks Of the mid
way peep shows and the noisy
revelry Of the travelling cara
vans. You can imagine Silis
embracing this part and play
ing it for all it is worth, be-
cause It gave him the first real
chance to show that the talking
movies offer no menace for his
talent, but instead greater op-
portunity for a fine speaking
voice.
The "Nifty" Of Mr.. Sills is
hardly as rough and ready as
the character Walter Huston
portrayed in the Kenyon Nichol-
SON play. Still, it is robust
enough and beautifully embel-
lished by those fine little flour
ishes which make . role con-
vincing.
When it comes time for the
maddened nifty" to choke
the scheming dancer, Carrie, I
thought Mr.. Sills put more first
degree murder into his voice
than / have ever heard emerge
from the sound boxes. Indeed,
he put so much reality into q
vivid scene you could almost
sigh with Betty Compsor when
those deadly, pressing fingers
were lifted from her pretty
throat.
Dorothy Mackaill, it seemed
to me, was niscast. Too soft
looking and delicate to play the
road-hardened Lou, and with
out the voice requisites. Direc-
tor George Fitzmaurice kept
young Douglas Fairbanks from
overacting and the result is his
best contribution to the Holly
wood gallery of WORTHWHILE.
Bracket Milton Sills for the
best screen performance of the
month; yes, one of the best of
1928.
Leneta Lane opened a sea-
sons engagement in stock for
Charles L. Wagner at the Err
langer Theater in Atlanta Mon
day night. The first attraction
is paris Bound" with Leneta
in the Madge Kennedy role.
Rnhert Rristar annthe,. for.