davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05
The Moving Picture cAlbum
By Robert E. Sherwood.

advised to take with them a liberal sup
ply of pocket handkerchiefs. They may
cry because they are grieved to see such
antique hokum inflicted on the modern
public, but at any rate they'll cry.
To get the full forces of Madame
x" it is necessary to be extremely pa
tent with it. For 1t starts none too
promisingly and becomes even less en-
thralling as one dreary stretch of trite
dialogue succeeds another. The faith
less wife is cast out by an unforgiving
husband; she isn't even permitted to
say farewell to her baby boy. She then
goes to China. She sinks DOWNTOWN
down.
At length Cat great length) she turns
up in Buenos Aires, and then, magically,
both she and the story come to life.
Madame x" moves upward from then
on to an ultimate court room scene that
is not much less than magnificent.
Ruth Chatterton has the title role.
and through most of the picture she is
embarrssSingly bad. She is superb at
the f1nish-and it Is the finish that
counts in Madame X"
Lionel Barrymore directed the picture
and Willard Mack prepared the dia-
logue. Both of them are skillful and
smart. but both have a great deal to
learn about the art of moving pictures.
earliest opportunity. But remember
what I told you about the handker-
chiefs.
WILLARD MACK appears incognito
in small part in Madame X"
and he is superlatively good. Although
the character that he plays is of no
in the story, and although
he q
big dramatic moment" his perform
ance is so commercially adroit that he
is rewarded with hearty round of ap-
plause by the audience when he van
iShed from the scene.
In THE Voice of the City, Mr.. Mack
appears under his own name and also
on his own home grounds. This is
sizzling crook melodrama. full of yeggs,
bulls, stool-pigeons, molls and dopeS.
1t was written by Willard Mack, it was
directed by Willard Mack, and none
most important role-that of dumb
but persistent detective who is deter
mined to send the poor hero up the
river. handcuffed to his wrist"
THE Voice of the City" has the
fastest, liveliest dialogue of any talking
picture that has yet come forth from
Hollywood.
X
STILL another picture that deserves
- mention on the "by all means" list
is CLOSE Harmony" which has been
successful in the few
cities where it has been shown.
It, too, is all-talking, but the dialogue
Is punctuated by song dances. and, best
Of ell, by action. Furthermore, it is
played in an exuberantly sprightly
manner by Charles Rogers, Nancy Car
rol and others, and directed with rare
good sense by Edward Sutherland and
John Cromwell.
There can be no question Of doubt
that the talkies are improving in tech
nique, in entertainment value, and even
IN intelligence.
(Copyrisht, 1929
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05
The Old, Old Story

transformed. according to the news ac-
counts, to resemble a church No spec
tator was permitted to be seated after
the performance began, and no ap-
plauSe was permitted at any time.
In Transforming the gaudy interior
of the Hippodrome, stained glass and
paint, large murals and rich banners
we're employed. A semblance of the
City Of Jerusalem was created deep in
the dim depths Of the passage and run
way. The darkness was replaced with
the binding light of the Orient and
palm covered vistas to create, with sub
sequent noise and uproar. the semblance
of an ancient Eastern metropolis. One
thousand people took part in the per-
Torrance, under the direction of David
Belasco; Einar Nilsson, for 20 years
musical director for Max Reinhardt.
conducted the choir of $50 voices. which
included the Russian choir under the
leadership of Princess Margareta Agre-
neva-Slaviansky, and the hundred mu-
sicians who comprised the orchestra,
while Dezzo Won Antalffy was at the
great organ.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05

TINE talking pictures have revealed
one curious and fascinating
fact-that hotels which cater tt
the theatrical profession equiv
their rooms with 24-piece or.
chestras that are prepared to accom-
pany the guests whenever they desire
to burst into song.
There is a scene in a hotel room ir
"The Broadway Melody" with Charles
King making love to Anita Page. Pre-
sumably, the two Sweethearts are bliss
fully alone-but when Mr. King starts
lyrically to assure Miss Page that she
was meant for him, the convenient or
cheStra picks up its cue and follows Mr.
King through the song. Similarly, in
The Rainbow Man" Eddie Bowling
end Marion Nixon are observed together
in a room in a little inn. in an obscure
Southern town. Mr.. Bowling starts to
describe the natural beauties of his
homeland and before you know it the
unseen musicians have joined him in
hymning the praises Of SLEEPY VAL
ley"
Some months ago I voiced in this
column the opinion that musical COM
edy. with its arbitrary song cues,
would be impossible on the screen. I
believed that If song were introduced,
there would have to be logical reason
for it.
The riurnph Of 1.-The Broadway Mel
Ody" would seem to indicate that I was
woefully wrong. Nevertheless. 1 stick
to my opinion. I still refuse to believe
that a musical comedy. as it is known
on the stage, is permissible on the
screen.
''The Broadway Melody" can hardly
Most of its song numbers are intro
duced legitimately; they are part Of
the natural jazz atmosphere of the
story. But the orchestra in the hotel
room Is a false note, and feel certain
that every audience resents it.
Several out-of-town musical comedies
are soon to be released-"The Desert
Song" THE Cocoanuts," Rio Rita"
the Fox Movietone Follies" and the
Metro Goldwyn Mayer Revue of
Revues." It will be interesting to see
how the public accepts the harmonic
ing Arabs in THE Desert Song" or the
sudden duets between Oscar Shaw and
Mary Eaton with q background of ir-
relevant Max Brothers) in 1.-THE Cocoa
nuts"
My guess Is that the public will ac-
cept neither with any degree of en-
tnusiaSrn-but It's just possible that
I'm wrong again.
THERE are no musical numbers in
L Madame x" which opened last
week in New York, but the picture
moves forward with a steady accom-
paniment Of sobs. supplied by the audi
ence. In the final scenes of this drama,
the lines spoken by the characters on
the screen are practically inaudible, so
loud and so frequent are the catches in
the Threats of the spectators.
In this advanced and super-sophisti-
Gated age, It Is usual to scott at old
fashioned Sentiment-especially that
bogus form of sentiment which was
known, by our ingenious ancestors, as
mother love. Nevertheless, those who
go to Madame K" prepared to enjoy a
hearty laugh at its expense are urgently
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05
ng on the Top Rung of the Photoplay Ladder

are satisfied with the voice. And so it
will be with a great actress. We won't
expect her to sing"
Bessie loves to tell about how she
bearded the master in his Sanctum OF
sanctums. Il wanted to get a job" Sh"
said, land pictures suggested the easiest
way. had an idea could run around
the lot and do what I was told to do.
Some one said If you want to go into
pictures, you ought to see Director
Griffith. So went to the studio-the
old Fine Arts. where Mr.. Griffith had
turned bungalow into an office. I was
asking some one where his Office was
when he went through the room and
heard me- He went in his Office and
waited until 1 came.
He has an uncanny way of picking
screen personalities. 1t isn't that he
can sit down and figure it out, but he
can glance at people and tell whether
they will do or not.
Evidently, he saw some promise in
me, and he got a terrific kick out of my
coming straight to him for a job when
1 had no idea what it was all about.
Anyhow, when knocked on his door
he was talking to a scenarist, who came
to open it, Mr.. Griffith Is busy now,
he said. Have you an appointment
"'Oh, yes!'
Mr.. Griffith had nodded to this man,
so went in and waited. He had a lot
Of fun asking me questions, and then
he told me to come back and take a
test. I asked him if he couldn't wait
week. as I had to go back to school
and finish or wouldn't get my credits.
He laughed, gave me a pass to the
studio and said that after school was
over to come and take test and get
70 fFcf
worked in was in a fire scene. After
that, was placed under five-year con-
tract. 1t was wonderful. Mr.. Griffith
taught me everything. 1t was just like
going to a marvellous school, for we used
to rehearse every scene carefully"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05

heads and back and forth from group
to group. Although Bessie looks like a
bit of thistledown, she is solid as a
rock So when she came down three
times on the concrete floor of the
sound stage. the carelessness OF her
dancing partners caused her painful
bruises. For two weeks she limped from
studio to bed. I didn't get this from
Bessie, but found it out through broken
appointments.
Talking pictures brought Bessie Love
back to stardom, but what price she
paid for it! During the five weeks
Broadway Melody was in production,
she worked 10 hours a day-frequently
all night. and took singing lessons too.
Bessie played the ukelele, sang, danced,
besides acting and speaking lines
mo one in the world would be asked
to do that on the stage" she said. But
right now the screen demands it or
you don't get an opportunity. Talking
pictures have revolutionized the bust
ness. At present it is little historical.
But it will gradually work back to
normal. If they get good actress, for
instance, they will try to arrange it so
she won't have to dance or be great
opera singer. You know when we go
to grand opera we shut our eyes and
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05
The Cav '9Os.

AN old-fashioned chorus, the kind
4 N that was known as the beef trust
variety in the gay '90s, will be seen and
heard in THE Careless Age" a First
National-Vitaphone picture now in pro-
duction at the Burbank Studios.
The chorus works in a sequence,
showing a theatrical production, in
which Carmel Myers, who plays the fea-
tured feminine lead, sings several songs
with the ensemble in the background.
The chorus girls" chosen for these
scenes are past the girl age, and very
hefty as to weight. But all have fine
voices, and the singing of Melody Di-
vine," the theme song, and other num-
bers which Miss Myers leads, are to be
one of the high spots of the story
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05

WHILE the First National-Vitaphone
w program for the Spring and Sum-
mer includes only 100 per cent dialogue
pictures, announcement was made at
the studio recently by Al Rocket. asso-
ciate executive there, that the company
will continue to make silent version Of
every picture on the program.
Rockets announcement came In
response to many queries as to the
policy OF the company on its future
product.
There are several reasons for our
continuing the silent films. too" Rock
EFT said. "One is the foreign market,
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05
Silent Films, Too.

which is still big field for pictures
Another is the fact that many of the
smaller theaters in this and other
English-speaking countries are not yet
wired for sound reproduction.
And a third and very important
reason is that many regular patrons OF
motion picture theaters are hard OF
hearing, and cannot enjoy the dialogue
pictures. We have had many messages
of thanks, through our exchanges, from
these people for our silent versions OF
our pictures"
Rocket explained that First National
has no intention of making any exclu-
sively silent pictures, nor departing
from the 100 per cent dialogue rule
now established on all First National
Vitaphone productions
However, when these are made, a
silent version is also produced, with the
same director, casts and under the same
supervision as the talking pictures.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05
Getting Thin by Contract.

=
HATTIE NOLES, the 215-pound
comedienne in "Darktown At
fairs" the musical comedy jamboree at
the Strand Theater this week, has
stipulated in her contract with the
management that Hattie must not take
on any more weight. and for every
pound gained she is to be fined 81 a
week, while for every pound lost she is
TO receive an increase of so cents in
her pay envelope.
Hattie not only does her regular rou
tine Specialties, but has been joining in
every chorus and ensemble in an effort
10 boost her salary.
Il can see whar that manager man
en- a goin' to give me quite a substan-
tial increase in salary by the time this
iamboree reaches Broadway" says Hat
tie. II already done dance off two
pounds last week"
Despite her great weight, Hattie is
said to be really a graceful dancer and
a genuine Coincidence. Her "Milinda"
song is one of the hits of the show.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05
Dubbed Silver Fox."

THE Silver Fox is going to appear
on the screen in the part that best
reveals his Efe's activities.
Who is the Silver Fox?
That's easy. He is Richard "Skeets"
Gallagher, and he was dubbed Silver
Fox" by a no less prominent dubber
than Will Rogers.
Gallagher has spent a great part of
his life as singer and dancer in must
cal shows and he has toured vaudeville
circuits many times It is as a song
ambulance man that he is teamed with
Jack Oakie in CLOSE Harmony" He
recently completed a successful season
in Lucky" musical production, and
prior to that starred in THE City
Chap" another Broadway hit.
Close Harmony is an all-talking,
singing and dancing picture of back
stage life in a movie palace. Charles
Buddy" Rogers and Nancy Carroll have
the leading romantic roles in the play.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05
Next Weeks Photoplavs.

METROPOLITAN - Warner
Bros Vitaphone produc-
ton, "The Desert Song"
PALACE-Norma Shearer, in
Metro Goldwyn Mayors
THE Trial of Mary
Dugan."
EARLE-Colleen Moore and
Neil Hamilton, in why
Be Good?"
RIALTO-(Possibly) RKO'S
talking-singing picture,
"Syncopation."
COL MBIA Possibly
Jeanne EagelS, in THE
Letter"
FOX-Warner Bros Vita
phone picture, lone
Stolen Night" featuring
William Collier, jr., and
Betty Bronson.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-05-05

Film Daily states that Emil Jannings
is to make three talking pictures for
Paramount on his return from a vaca-
ton trip to Germany, which seems to
confute the reports that Jannings is
leaving Paramount.
The Washington times., 1929-10-01
RUTH UNLIKELY TO MANAGE YANKS, WALSH
|rSTODAYS
SpORTOR1AL
BuKIRK MILLER~

With the world series sched-
uled to start in Chicago
week from today, we are able
to quote you the official bet
ting odds as forwarded to us
by our old pal Tom Kearney,
of st. Louis, who annually
makes a book on this interest
ing baseball classic.
According to Uncle Tom, who
can be found lettering. up and
down Twelfth Boulevard in the
vicinity. of Locust Street any
afternoon in the week, including
Sundays, the outcome. of the
series is a standoff.
He will lay you 4 to 5 that
the Cubs take the first game
and the same odds that the
AS take it. Could anything
be fairer than that? His odds
for either team to take the
second game in a row are two
and one-half to one; that either
team takes the first three
games. 5k to one; or that
either team wins the first four
straight, ten to one.
Then Uncle Tom has set of
figures in which his customers
may pick out any one, two or
three games of the series they
wish, and lay him. For in
stance: He'd lay you 4 to 5
against either team you name
to win any game you would
indicate. Or you may pick out
any two games you wish and
he'll lay $3.50 to your 81 that
you can't name the winner. For
three games of your own pick
ing, he'll bet you $3.50 to one
you're all wet on the winner
and there you are.s
On the whole series his odds
are 4 to 5. Athletics or Cubs,
just as you wish. So, as the
boys in the back room say,
Here's where the betting be-
gins" Those are the correct
odds, according to the best
minds, a week before the teams
90 to the post, and the indica-
tions are they won't change
much as the event nears.
Bob Connery, Yankee scout
The Washington times., 1929-10-01

and coach, is the latest to be
mentioned for the berth on the
Yankees left vacant by the re-
cent death of Manager Miller
Huggins. Next!
We shingtonians by the score
are glad to learn of the ap-
pointment of Donie Bush as the
manager of the Chicago White
Sox. Bush has always been
popular here, both when he
played for the Tigers and when
he piloted the local entry. Many
believe he didn't get a very
square deal when he was re-
lieved of the local management
without any explanation other
than that the Washington club
wished to supplant him. 1t is
hoped here that DOME may step
in where Blackburne and Schalk
failed. iron out the troubles on
Comiskey's team and get them
up in the American League
AoSCs
Wonder if Mrs. dolly" Gam
will also yield her seat at the
world series in Philadelphia?
If she will, we know plenty of
people who will take it off her
hands.
Joe Freeman, who hasn't
started a fight club for nearly
a year now, is getting ready to
wish his friends a happy New
Year next Friday at midnight.
Will Rogers was learning to
jump from an airplane in a
parachute. His instructors at
Kelly Field, Tex, told him to
count 25 after leaving the plane
and then grab the brass ring
which would release the "um-
brella."
But where will I find the
brass ring" the humorist ejac-
ulated.
"You will find it right over
your heart" he was told.
'1f l grab where my heart
is,' said Rogers, "I'll choke my
self to DEATH"
The Washington times., 1929-10-01
New England Ringster
Tackles Bruce Flowers

BOSTON, Oct. l U.N.S).-With a
record of 81 straight victories to his
credit, Andy Callahan, youthful
Lawrence battler. stacks up against
the toughest Opponent of his career
thus far when he meets Bruce
Flowers, of New Rochelle, n. Y, at
the Boston Garden tomorrow night.
Only on two occasions has Cal,
lahan shown to Hub fight fans. He
knocked out Ruby Stein in eight
rounds in his first local fight and
later took a decision from Johnny
Sacco.
The Washington times., 1929-10-01
Pittsburgh U. Panthers
Focus Ewes on Duke

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 1. - With
the first game of the season safely
out of the way, the Pitt Panthers
are getting down to hard work
in preparation for, their. first real
test of the year. the game with
Duke University at Durham. N. c..
on Saturday.
The Waynesburg game. the first
of the season demonstrated to
Coach Sutherland that quite a bit
of polishing will be necessary to
whip the team into shape to take
the Blue Ridge Devils into camp.
The potential power was there
but the speed and timing the t
would make them effective were
somewhat lacking.
The Washington times., 1929-10-01
Pittsburgh D. EleUen
Drills at Hilltop
On Thursday

The Pittsburgh University foot
ball team is scheduled TO take a
light workout here Thursday on
the Georgetown University foot
ball field before continuing their
journey to Durham, n. c., where
on Saturday they will help Duke
University dedicate their new
stadium.
The stop. here will break the
monotony of the journey for the
Panthers. the use of the local
gridiron having been rendered
them by Lou Little, Georgetown
coach. when he learned that they
planned a short stop in Wash
ington.
The Washington times., 1929-10-01
SILVER SPRING
SHOWS BOXERS

There should be some sharp glove
throwing tomorrow night at the
Silver Spring (MdJ armory. when
Joe Smallwood. Of this city, and
Nick Bass (Basciano), OF Baltimore,
come to blows. These welterweights
appear in the headline feature Of
the Service Supply Company.
Washington ring fans, who know
their boxing, are aware of the
records of these two boxers. Small
wood has built himself a reputa
ton and is a fast puncher, He
ought to give Mr.. Bass a merry
evening tomorrow.
The Washington times., 1929-10-01
Campolo Says Manager
Held Out on His Cut

NEW YORK, Oct. 1.-Victorio
Campolo, giant Argentine, will ap
pear before the State Athletic Com
mission today charging his manager,
Gustavo Lenevex. has not been
fair to him in the sharing of mis-
"cut" for the Phil Scott battle last
Monday.
The large one charges his shar,
was $9.415 but that Lenevex gave
him $S.120. Campolo further charges
Lenevex mishandled him in the
earlier rounds of the fight ordering
him to take 1t easy"
The Washington times., 1929-10-01
WESTERN GIVES
PROSPECTS

Western High Schools football
team may develop into the surprise
of the 1929 interhigh football elies!
Though overlooked generally the
Red and White has a forward wall
comparable with the best in local
scholastic competition and needs
only to develop IA capable backfield
to establish itself as a threat.
With more than 65 candidates now
In line, following Fridays cut,
Coach Dan Ahern undoubtedly will
bring out some worthwhile bail
arrival of the next advisory council.
The coming of another school
term likely will find the George.
town school well fortified with
backs. Eddie Brownfield, three.
year star, Is one expected to
attain eligibility at the end OF
the current advisory while sew.
eral others Of lesser note also
may be had.
Jim Thompson and Millard are
two sureties in the present back
field arrangement. Either Draper
or Bob Cook may also he shifted
to strengthen this department.
Emerson and Business will mingle
In an abbreviated game on the Tidal
Basin Field today providing rain
doesn't interfere. 1t will be the
Stenographers' first showing under
fire.
Emerson has always experienced
difficulty with Lynn WoodN orth's
team. but is a big favorite to score
today.
Fred Finley. veteran forward.
will lead the Stenocraphers
against Emerson. Finley yes
terday was unanimous choice
for the 1929 captaincy of the
Orange.
Babe Cumberland, District sand
lot baseball sensation. is showing
real prowess with Central High
Schools football team and is ex-
pected TO lock up a backfield job.
Father OHurley, athletic advisor
AT GonZaag, is in Philadel3hia.
where he is attending to the pur.
chase of stands. for the new ath-
iet!c field at Thirty -foHrth and
Benning Road.
Principals OF the five public high
schools Will meet at. the Franklin
School this morning, 1890 O'Clock,
TO settle definitely the starting
tlme Tor the impending football
series.
The customary 3;15 o'clock hour
is expected to he decided upon
rather than the 3:45 arrangement
suggested.
The Washington times., 1929-10-01
Phil McGraw Quits
Ring S11S,000 Ahead

NEW YORK, Oct. Phil Nc
Graw. Detroit scrapper, following
disappointing showing last night
against Jack Berg, of England. to-
day announced his withdrawal from
the game. Phil departs from tho
glove industry with two cauli-
fiowered ears and some $11S, 900
in cash.