The Washington times., 1929-02-14
GLEANINGS
AND
SCREENINGS
By ANDREW r. KELLEY

Eugene 0'Neill's new play,
Dynamo" drew more unfavor-
able mention than critical APP
probation from the New York
first night writers. Taking up
the theme, "What is Goo? 2" play
wright O'Neill gave a dramatic
answer not completely satisfy
ing. Some found it a bore with
its spoken "asides" as in EN-
terlude," and though profoundly
earnest, unconyincing.
Those who like to guess on
the life Of new plays predict
that when the $4,000 Theater
Guild subscribers have been ac-
commodated, Dynamo" will
have a difficult time finding
audiences.
Stephen Dillingham; Cochran
has been thinking Of reserving
a box at the National Players
opening next Monday night for
the two men who have not been
mentioned for Hoover's cabinet.
But by next Monday night they
may not be able to qualify.
AS the Stanley-Cran6all
houses are all eventually to be
equipped with sound devices q
new theater job is being cre-
ated. It will be the task of
this acoustic expert to visit
each house daily and see that
the synchronization is satisfac-
tory and the sound volume
right for audience reception.
Far be it from me to start
an argument with the, Oper-
ators' Union, but / have before
me the written opinion of one of
Universal's' sound engineers that
ineffective reproduction and un-
satisfactory sound projection Is
rs per cent due to laxity and in
efficiency in the operators booth
and the rigging up of the sound
devices.
Now, one at a time, gentle
men. | am not convinced that
this expert quoted in Film
Daily is correct in h findings,
cut it is a fact that reproduc-
tion is generally good in some
Washington theaters and not so
good in others. What's the
answer?
If any member of the Motion
Picture Operators Union wants
to reply to this blanket charge
would be glad to print his an
swer and keep his identity a
sacred secret, if he wants it
that way.
Little Virginia Marvin, who
made such a hit with the Savoy
players in mo, No, Nanette,"
is back to play her original
role in the Cecil Lean-Cleo May
field revival. She has been
singing with the Metropolitan
Opera ensemble since November.
Bert Lytell spoke over the
radio on the R-K-O hour Tues
day night and one hour later
was rendered a Paramount con-
tract for sound pictures by one
of the Zukor executives who
heard him through a Hotel Astor
loud speaker.
The difficulty that prevented
a signature is that Brothers"
the play in which he is appear
ing at the Forty-eighth theater,
has become a box-office hit.
Such success that he wants to
continue in it, for the very good
reason he is not only the star
actor but owns the most of the
production. And he IS also
signed up for Hollywood pictures
which call for his presence in
May.
Congressman Williams. of
Texas, will be host for a box
party at the opening Of Fam
ME Brice's picture, "My Man"
at the Metropolitan Theater
Saturday. The Capitol contin-
gent will focus their eyes on
the Congressman's son. Quinn
Williams, who is first aid on
the screen for the comedienne.
AS the Irishman said, Quinn
is q "broth of a boy" standing
six feet, two, without moccav
sins. When he graduated from
Texas State College he drifted
into the Texas League and hit
the ball so hard he was grab
bed by the White Sox. His
family was opposed to profess
sional baseball as career and
he returned Ray Schalk's con-
tract unsigned. Eventually he
landed in Hollywood and again
against the advice of his folks
tried his luck in Western fea-
lures. He made gooG from the
start and it was Will Rogers
who gave him his nickname,
big Boy
In "My Man" he did such
i superior piece Of acting War
ner Brothers signed him up at
once for the super feature,
Noah's Ark"
His father is frank enough
in saving that he didn't want
Quinn to become a film actor
but pleased that as it had to
be Quinn turned out to be a
good one.
One Broadway ticket specu-
lator has been in town inquir-
ing as to the possibility Of OBJ
tanning 500 choice seats for the
Hoover inaugural stands. He
hasn't got them yet and prob
abIy won't for the very good
reason he objects to the
thought of a Senate subpoena