Evening star., 1929-12-01

| NM the heaviest of the season
| thus far. Other weeks have
run as high as or 10 pre-
mieres, but 13 (the unlucky number, II
you feel that way) sets the peak.
William Gillette was EEmly well
coined at the new Amsterdam Theater
Monday evening on the New York open
, ing of his revival Of Sherlock Holmes" "
| Dr. Nicholas Murray Butler, president
Of Columbia University, made brief
address before the play, welcoming Mr.
Gillette back to the stage. William
Lyons Phelps Of Yale also spoke. There
we're many notables on hand, and the
affair, all in all, was gala and pleasant
ly sentimental.
Roman Rolland's 1.-THE Game of
Love and DEATH" offered by the Thea
ter Guild as the second play of its cur
rent New York season, opened Monday
also. The critics generally felt the piece
to be an inadequate production; the re-
views were more unfavorable than
favorable. Alice Brady, Otto Kruger
and Frank Conroy were the les.1ng
players.
The Theater Guild, incidentally, has
established "The Theater Guild Stu
did," an experimental group Of younger
players and directors. The studios first
production is to be Red Rust" by
Kirchon and Ouspensky.
AL Jolson, who has recently been de-
voting himself to the talking pictures
will shortly embark upon a concert tour
of the world. He will receive, 1t is said
the highest guarantee ever paid ar
artist in the history Of show business.
a string trio will accompany him er
route.
A peoples theater," at which clean
decent and interesting drama" would
be presented by a repertory company al
the top price of $3.50, has been pro-
posed In Philadelphia. A committee Of
prominent men and women, with
100000 pledged as a beginning, has
asked the city council to provide a
municipality owned site at a nominal
rental on long lease.
Rumor Is confirmed that the musica
comedy which Mr.. Ziegfeld will offel
after his production Of Simple Simon
Is to have a book by Noel Coward
music by Vincent Youmans, with
Marilyn Miller as the leading lady, ant
with Fred and Adele Astaire co-starred
Imposing array, what?
irving Kaye Davis and Samuel Mar,
have completed a play based on thu
life of o. Henry (Sidney Porter), the
short story writer. 1t will be produced
soon, according to promise, but frs
Mr.. Davis Is concerned with gettinC
"Isadora," based on the life of Isadort
Duncan, onto the boards.
George JeSsel Is said to be on his wa,
back to the theater, his movie contract
having been bought of for somethinI
like cool million. VIII others Of thC
Broadway emigres follow him back Il
the legitimate, even for respite, or doe:
talkie money clink too merrily?
An actress, resident in Chicago, whit
has been for some time now in unwel
come idleneSs Chorus: "The Talkiel
Are Running Our Art'), was aSkeC
recently by visiting theSpian wha
she was doing these days.
I'm general understudy for Journey.
End" the little lady replied.
p. S.-There are, quite naturally
nothing but male players In Journey
End, so surely you perceive the Jest
Smart, these stage folkl
Howard Hughes, young oil millionaire
and producer of the picture He'll.
Angels" an aviation spectacle, will bC
lucky II his characters costumes vii
still be In good mountaineering stylC
by the time the picture eventually find,
Its way to the screen. It was recently
announced that the production hac
gone into its second year and its thirC
million dollars" and now comes wore
that the technicolor sequence has beer
completed. Having been made silently
the picture was completely SOUNDED
and dialogued."
RusSia's first talking movie was pre-.
sented recently on q program witt
American talking films. Critics anC
scientists present felt that the Sovie
goods very favorably, and the Sovie
cinema trust is preparing to open 2(
talking picture theaters.