Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-26
GAYETY-"Girls in Blue"

Manager Jimmy Lake is to be con-
graduated upon his gala opening Of the
Mutual Burlesque season, this year, at
the Gayety Theater. with the Callahan
and Bernstein production, Girls In
Blue" featuring Miss Ann Corio. an
attractive new burlesque star. who is
gifted both as q vocalist and as a
dancer.
The Mutual Burlesque Circuit has
been issuing frequent advance notices
foretelling an upward trend this season
without sacrifice of those elements THAI
have made burlesque an attraction in
former years. While nothing radical is
yet in evidence. there is no doubt that
eyesores have been replaced by modern
touches that may 60 far in meeting the
taste of those who like fun with de-
cency, and musical frolic without Of
fersive abandon
The Girls in Blue" company is en-
PERTAINING In variety Of ways. none
pecially attractive. A fine array Of
principals includes Jean Gaskill. q
singer of songs, who knows how tc
please; Lew Pete, a dancer, who quickly
| caught the crowd, and Hap Fryer ano
Chuck Callahan, who know how tt
make them laugh. Bobby Faye, Buddie
/ Nichols and Vic Gesele, a sparkling
ingenue, also lend substantial contribu-
tons to an all-round enjoyable show.
PALACE-"The Last of Mrs. Cheyney."
All of the subtlety of tones and
gestures, which we're so much part of
the charm Of the stage production Of
Frederick Lonsdale's famous play, THE
Last of Mrs. Cheyney." have been
transmitted to the screen by we'll nigh
perfect camera work and excellent
addition in the photoplay version Of
this delightful entertainment offered at
the Palace Theater this week. Norma
Shearer plays the title role.
Miss Shearer. as Mrs. Cheyney, re-
veals her complete command of the
role made famous by Ina Claire. Not
second Ina Claire. perhaps. but an
equally charming society raff1es," whose
beauty is outshone only by her wit in
turning situation. which held sin
lister danger for herself into one which
yielded unexpected happiness.
Basil Rathbone, approaching the
original production. gives masterful
performance as Mrs Cheyneys &C
complete, while Herbert Funston is
cast as he was on the stage, in the role
of the English peer with a vulnerable
heart and a sense of humor. Equally
clever Is the work of Cyril Chadwick,
as well as that more serious bit done
by George Barraud. a newcomer In the
film world. Hedda Hopper. Maude
Turner Gordon, Moon Carroll and
Madeline Seymour add the supporting
AL Evans, making his debut as
master Of ceremonies. smiles his way
to immediate popularity as he directs
the progress of the Vacation Day Re-
vue," which features the stage program
M-G-M news features complete a
most enjoyable program.
METROPOLITAN-"The Argyle Case
Thomas Meighan's bow to the talk
; les" is marked in one of the sanest. mos
logical and most thrilling of murder
mysteries to date; For The Argyle
! Case" is strong in its appeal to the rea-
! son, logical In its development and sounc
! in its conclusions.
Beginning as all good murder sto.
| ries do, with the inevitable. Who Killed
Cock Robin?" THE Argyle Case" in.
PRODUCES at the start a detective whose
methods are astounding and whose
knowledge of human psychology solves
his problem long before he presents the
actual proofs. It Is one mystery story
| almost entirely devoid of the usual
ClaD.UTdD OF detective 4NOi
is it ruined. as have been so many OF
late, by dragging in a couple Of nut
detectives who are supposed to lesser
the tension. but usually get the interest
| muddled. THE Argyle Case" is re.
markably we'll balanced in its interest
making the solution Of the murder ever
| its focal point and adding the elements
of romance and humor in nice proper
ton.
Thomas Meighan comes back to an
emphatic triumph as the shrewd detec.
tive Of the piece, and he overshadows
even the best work of his heydey. He
is perfectly cast in a role which gives
him opportunity for plenty Of grim hui
NOR, and his voice Is one of the hap
piest" finds of the "talkies."
Lila Lee also acts up to her flrs'
worthy chance since her return like an
old trouper. and she has never been
more beautiful or sympathetic as in the
role Of the chief suspect Of the case.
And the rest Of the cast is amazingly
good, with H. B. Warner in sinister
guise, Gladys Brockwell in some nice
emoting that rings true, and Bert Roach
in a comedy role of the quieter sort.
The "addeds" include clever sketch
Of debts and credits done in the best
vaudeville manner and an interesting
news reel.
FOX-"Why Leave Home"
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