Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-23
The Weeks Attractions in Local Thedters
Reviews of New Photoplays and Stage Productions

more where histronic ability is con-
without q peer in the art Of silk-hat
juggling.
His father was the leading violinist
and orchestra leader of Europe, but the
war renders him physically incapable
of continuing in his art, so the family
comes to America, where the son is ex-
pected to triumph as q concert violinist.
A few weeks Of tramping New York's
streets, however, convinceS him that
from q financial standpoint jazz Is In
flnitely more desirable than classicism.
He masters the intricacies of the
clarinet ari the saxophone to become
the idol of Broadway's night clubs.
Everything is going nicely until his
sons detection and orders him out of
his house. When the mother sides with
the boy. the father disappears. The
young blues chaser also runs into diff
culties with his girl and her rival, but
in the end 1t is all Strengthened out,
with everybody converted to syncopa-
ton and happy.
The picture itself is a little weak, but
when Ted Lewis picks up a clarinet or
saxophone the picture doesn't matter
to devotees of jazz.
An unusually good supplemental fea-
ture called A Little Friend Of All the
World" furnishes some of the best pic
lures OF wild animals shown on O local
screen in a long time. The trials and
tribulations Of "Our Gang" in putting
on boxing show also are entertaining
The Paramount Sound News and an
introduction to the SHOW of Shows"
rounds out the entertainment.
FRyI.~
ton features George Jessel.
Love, Here's a play with plenty of
Live and meat on the bones of its well
Laugh" knit dramatic structure. And
It's been interpreted on the sound
screen by a group Of artists who know
what they're about. The original stage
play, The Hurdy Gurdy Man" by
lie Roy Clemens and John B. Hymer,
has gained, perhaps, rather than lost
through Dana Burnet's adaptation to
the silversheet because Of the scenic
effects employed, which are, perhaps,
impossible to the stage.
George Jessel attains new. and to
some of his critics, unsupported heights
in his portrayal of Luigi, the immigrant
Italian lad with a musical ear, melodi-
Gus voice and great love for Margha-
rita -(played with finesse by Lila Lee.
Luigt'S story is intensely dramatic and
poignantly sad-yet shot through with
delicious hunor and sane philosophy
that robs the inevitable tears of their
sting. We see a typical immigrant
youth struggling cheerfully to earn his
daily bread-his heart beating high with
hope expressed II an oft-Spoken con-
viction that 'in one little minute any,
thing can happenv' And then, in one
little minute, it does. Called home by
his fathers illness, he is conscripted by
the italian government and, battling for
the allied cause, loses his eyesight
Through q mistaken report concerning
his DEATH" he also loses his Margha-
rita, back In New York's Little Italy"
where the play opens. Believing him
gone, she ultimately marrieS an emf
nent surgeon. BY a queer trick Of fate,
this very man is the one who several
years later restores Luigi's viSion-only
to let him see his broken dream
Margharita In such a house as he had
pictured her, but with another by her
side.
The denouement is exceptionally
strong. and In the simplicity of his &C
ton at the moment Of crisis, Jessel
proves his mettle. His singing through
out the play. is sympathetic, rich in
drama and at no time introduced at
the expense Of the action Of the play.
The scenes at the front are COM
mendable for their lack Of over-colored
anti-enemy propaganda. Here we have
a bit Of that individualiStic front-line
drama painted so wildly by Remarque's
pen-a glimpse Of battle-weary soldiers
from whose hearts long ago had been
drained all personal animosities and
hatred for those in the opposing
trenches.
On the stage an entertaining pro-
gram Is offered In Fanchon and Marcos
Dancing Moods" with two notable
ballet numbers and pair Of comedians,
AL Kapp and "a little girl from Central
High School," who share the spotlight
In song, dance and chit-chat act that
goes over with q bang. There's q lad
who can play the harmonica, too-Gus
Mulcay: and gymnastic trio that GER
tainly knows its equilibrium! Betty
and Ramon" are the central figures in
the final ballet. their speciality being
an adagio dance Of considerable grace
and skill.
Leon Brusilof, with the orchestra.
presents q delightful ARRANGEMENT of
Christmas carols and tunes appropriate
to the holiday season. The Fox Movie
tone news reel rounds out an excellent
program. c. r.
-, the musical comedy
me natsie star, who made her
OF Paris. debut a. a dramatic
artist early In the season in this city
in the play "Candle-Light," adds to her
attainments and becomes q star of the
talking and singing screen, in The Bat
tie Of Paris" featured this week at the
Palace Theater.
The picture allows Miss Lawrence wide
opportunities for her clever Coincidence
touches, and offers her opportunity,
further. to display her excellent singing
voice.
| Walter Petrie plays opposite the star