Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-31
~ VERY day some important per-
sonage issues o statement on
the decline and fall Of the

+" VENX Gay some important per-
L. sonage issues o statement on
the decline and fall Of the
IL drama. The newspapers and
magazines are full OF official
comments on this lalnentable situation,
and one hears, from all sides. prophe-
cies for the future.
Most OF these prophecies are Of q
darkiy pessimistic nature. Some of the
experts announce that the drama is
already dead and that 1t Is their duty
to bring this unpleasant fact to the
dramas attention.
In response to these grim forebodings,
the public murmurs. Il didn't even
know It was SICK" and continues, In
embarrassing numbers, to attend the
all-talking, all-singing, all-dancing, all.
embracing pictures. William A. Brady,
speaking from his eminence as spon-
scr Of the seasons biggest hit, street
Scene" allows the drama three more
years Of existence. BY 1882. he feels
sure, It win have been engulfed In the
celluloid deluge.
Morris Gest says that william A.
Brady Is all wrong and that he morris
Gestl, win prove It when he takes
Nina, Mr.. Belasco's riveted Infer
no" on > Nationwide tour. Nina, .
In Mr.. Costs estimation, will promote
2 vast revival Of enthusiasm for the
drama. 81
I shall not attempt 70 argue with Mr..
6rady, principally because believe that
MS prediction Is moderately close to
correct. But ] do venture to DISPUTE
with Mr.. Gest. When he rolls his
hell-on-wheels across the continent. he
VIII undoubtedly attract enormous
crowds to the auditoriums and hippo-
dromes wherein his massive show Is
displayed. Cajoled and lured BY the
foremost Snowman of his time, hordes
OF people will flock to see "Mima'-and
W per cent Of them, on viewing It. will
De impelled TO observe, '"rhey certainly
can do this sort Of thing much better
In the movies"
Which win add lust that manv more
signatures TO the death warrant of the
OF all the many diagnoses Of the
present feeble condition Of the theatre
cal business, the most cogent, It seems
70 me. Is Haywood Brouns:
think the drama Is dying because
OF the blighting touch Of intellectual
iW. Managers have been fooled into
needing the cries Of those who say they
want 70 be able to think In the theater
All spite Oh certain evidence to the
contrary, have no objection to think
ing. But why should anybosly choose
playhouse as place to do 1t? within
the last few years the man who went
QUE Tor an evenings entertainment was
as Ike as not to run into three acts
OF morbid psychology. / would rather
see e good musical play than any of the
more Weighty affairs unless It happened
70 be one of those extremely rare thines
called great play.
Tne Drama League and kindred or.
carnations have introduced q new and
Iatal point Of view about the stare
They ask their members to come for
ward and support good shows, and such
q request must contain the Implication
mat It IS Q painful duty to watch the
more worthy sort Of dramas. THE
simplest way to make any art dun Is ID
uplfft It." !. ( =
To support Mr.. Broun's line OF rea-
soning. there is the phenomenal sue
cess OF Strange mterlude, as 4 road
snow. Strange Interlude" Is the greats
est slre-fire attraction since .Abie,s
sr.s5