The Washington times., 1929-03-15
GLEANINGS
:, land
SCREENINGS
Rr ANpREW z. KELLEY

ested in seeing the klnu OA
pal that Gene Tunney picks for
a walking companion, may
crafty the curiosity on March
81. On that date Thornton
Wilder, author of "The Bridge
of San Luis Rey," will be .
Washington lecturer at Central
High School.
The novel which catapulted
him into fame overnight has
been completed as movie by
Metro Goidwyn with Lily Da-
mita, the screen siren, now
frolicking with Ronald Colman
in "The Rescue" on the Pal
ace Theater screen, as its fea-
tured star. From afar off it
is difficult to conceive how the
poetic beauty of the Wilder
writing could be transferred to
the studio without losing some
of its exquisite charm. But the
preview reports from Califor-
mia say "San Luis Rey" rates
high as a feature.
Baltimore, which is closed
town on Sundays, has figured
it out that Washington is a
rich beneficiary of our neigh
boris restricted Sabbath. The
Callan bill, which would permit
seven day shows in Baltimore,
has been introduced at An
napolis. 1t estimates that
amount Of business annually
which is diverted to Washington
through the opportunity for
Sunday amusement amounts to
$3,36O,OOO.
Dorothy Gish and her provo
cative play, young Love-" will
depart from the Belasco tomor-
row night after a profitable
week. Which proves that adj
verse criticism is not fatal.
Or does it? For example, Mr..
H. Leroy Lewis writes in to COM
mend our outspoken comment
and two theater managers
never mind which two-convey
verbally the opinion that the
Times review of Monday was
perfectly correct.
4 On the other hsnd, one anony-
nous writer nominates us for
job as a Pennsylvania censor,
and at least two office mates
peg objectors to the Samson
Raphaelson play as those in
whom the arteries have begun
to CONCEAL.
Since there seems to be no
satisfactory way to settle this
dispute, it will lie on the table
until the British Lord Chamber
lain passes upon the script. Or
until some Hollywood producer
presents it for the win Hays
o. K, if ever.
As Screenings and Clean
ings" is approaching a first
birthday, excuse a bit of brag-
ging. Prediction that Fox and
Loew would merge, printed in
these columns on December IL.
(If you doubt it. come in and
scan the files). And now on
March Is, glowing with sue
cess, another prediction. War
ner Brothers and Paramount to
get together within three months
and a new 5,000-seat house for
Washington. Reach for a rumor
instead of a fact. And you're
liable to beat the other fellow
to the story.
"Mayor Walker took a shot at
someone when he decried condi-
tions that made possible public
ridicule of serious-minded public
officials by a man who comes
here from cur West with
stick of gum and a rope" says
Variety in describing the Drama
Study Club luncheon. Can it be
tkat Will Rogers, recent candi-
date for President, is going to
run for mayor?
When "The Bellamy Trial" is
screened at Loew's Columbia
Saturday, some. new ideas in
sound picture technique will be
exhibited. This Frances Noyes
Hart story was originally filmed
as a silent picture by Monta
Bell and was afterwards re-
vised to add sound trimmings.
Witnesses at the trial are seen
telling their story and then
the scene fades into the action
with the voices continuing to
describe what the screen pic
lures. It's a novel idea said to
be very effective.
Ethel Barrymore's play, "The
Kingdom of God." which was
seen here in November, will
close in New York tomorrow
night. 1t ran for. IS weeks to
average business of $4,000.
For the ordinary drama, this
would be called a mild success,
but for Queen Ethel it is some
thing close to failure. "The
Love Duel" a new one. will re-
place it within a fortnight at
the Ethel Barrymore Theater.
.Loew executives have been as
sured by personal word from the
headquarters of William Fox
that there will be no upheaval
in the personnel Of the Metro
Goldwyn Loew organization
which has come under his ban
ner. The assurances were given
to set at rest reports of whole
sale discharges and shake-ups
all over the circuit, According