Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-02-23
Flashes From. the Screen
BY c. E. Nelson.

/ or a Joe Cook, he must sing a few
rousing songs and tell a few sure
fire Jokes to stimulate the audi
ence to wholehearted enthusi-
aSm."
1t is difficult to agree with Mr.
Sherwood in this particular mat
ter. Box Office records show the
revueS that have visited Wash
ington to have been outstanding
attractions. The revue has taken
the place of the old-time vaude-
vile, satisfying craving for this
form of entertainment. 1t is nat
ural that human contact is miss
ing with the screen presenta-
ton, but it is no more lacking
than in other forms of screen
work. In Hollywood Revue. +"
Show of Shows" and "Movietone
Follies" the action was quick, the
music was far above the average
and complete and elaborate
vaudeville entertainments were
furnished the screen patrons. It
is a fact that the screen revues
are crowded, but why should thew
not be? 1t would seem, from this
viewpoint, that the screen is the
ideal method of producing a
vaudeville show. The acts are
short, as a rule; the customer
does not feel called upon to go
outside the theater for smoke
when a turn" does not attract
him; he may miss something good
If he does not hold his seat.
x
A FER a look at the Grandeur
screen, Sherwood says: "The
proportions seem awkward. A
screen 40 feet wide by 20 feet high
is ideal for certain spectacular ef-
fectS, but poorly adapted for the
more human intimacieS. One has
the uncomfortable feeling that if
any character stands straight up
in a closeup he will bump his
head. Perhaps the engineers will
eventually remedy this by pro-
ducing film that is as tall as it
is broad, and then we'll have
screens hundred feet square.
Even If this is done, however. and
we are able to view the entire
battle of the Marine at one glance
there will continue to be more
real drama in Lillian Gish's left
eyebrow or in either one of
Charlie Chaplin's feet"
X X X X
Short Flashes.
IT is reported that the new Greta
Carlo picture, "Anna Christie"
has made movie history in the
home of the movies, Los Angeles.
The theater screening the attrac-
ton has given constant showing
from 9 in the morning until mid
night for several weeks, and the
lines are still forming at the box
Office. But now we have the op-
portunity to Judge for ourselves
just how good the Swedish Icicle'
is In this particular vehicle-her
first talking effort.
Putting On the Ritz" starring
Harry Richman, is said to have
scored a decided hit on Broadway.
1t is a United Artists picture.
Oscar StrauS, composer, says the
sound pictures are ito create a
universal love for music" And he
goes on: Language cannot be
translated easily, but music needs
no translation, even in the movies.
1t has become the universal
language. A new public taste will
be created eventually, I believe,
and it will not be for Jazz music.
1t will be semi classic, expression
lStic, and the music will be so en-
during that pictures will be re-
vived Is years hence, as operettas
are now"
Pauline Starke, unheard of for
some time, is reported to have
signed a contract with Columbia
Pictures during the past week.
Billie Dove is to be starred In
Devils Playground" an original
story. She is just completing a
featured role in "One Night at
SuSie's," with Douglas Fairbanks,
jr., playing the leading male role.
Bernice Claire, Conrad Nagel
and Raymond Hatton are being
featured in "Jail Break" but it is
probable that the title will be
changed to Numbered Men"
Norma Shearer will appear in
High Road" Noah Berry has a
big part in 1.-THE Big House" Reg
inald Denny and Roland Young
are co-Starred in Madame Sa-
TAM" and Greta Carlo has lead
ing and talking part in "Ro-
All these are to be new
Metro-G oldwyn-May pictures.
1.-THE End of the World" is be-
ing made at the Paris studio of
Pathe. In London 1.-THE Loves of
Burns" is being produced
by Ideal Films, Ltd.