The Washington times., 1930-01-03
GLEANINGS
AND
SCREENINGS
By Andrew r. Kelley

1880 efficiency in the lost
and found department Of the
Rialto Theater: At 1888 or
thereabouts a coin purse was
dropped in or arour l the sixth
row, orchestra center; at 6:4S
D. m. the loss was discovered
and reported; at 1890 the next
day the purse is returned with
contents intact. Thank you,
Mr.. Rodney Collier. Not so.
much for the small change, as
for the extra automobile key.
Jane Cowl is one actress who
has persistently spurned the
call of the talkies although she
photographs we'll and, Of course,
has beautiful speaking voice.
Her new play, Jenny" which
she brings to Polls on jan
uary 13 is a comedy by Mar
garet Aver Barnes and Edward
Sheldon. In it she portrays
the role of a well-known actress
who alienates the affection OF
an over-indulgent, kindly, mid
dle-aged father and husband
And for those who can't get
enough of Jane Cowl it should
satisfy, for she is on the stage
for most of the four acts.
Reports from the first run
houses continue to be optimls-
tic. Mr.. Bill Ewing checks in
with the prediction that based
on the present outlook, Show
of Shows" will surpass Gold
Diggers of Broadway" in re
ceipts, a prosperity considered
worth talking about at the
Metropolitan Theater.
Managing Director Andy
Sharrick, of the Rialto, an
nounceS that "Hell's Heroes"
had an opening day patronage
only surpassed recently by
"Show Boat"
While ''Hot For Paris" at the
Fox Theater, has attracted.
such healthy business, the Mac
Laglen-B -Brendel-D'Orsay feature
has been held over for a second
week.
Much as I regret to say 1t
the microphone which has
made the voices Of Stan Laurel
and Oliver Hardy audible to
picture audiences has not in
creased their ability to win
laughs. Might Owls" their
latest cameo comedy is rather
dismal screen fare. It seems to
be completely lacking in au-
thorial ideas and gagS-for
which I suppose they are not
to blame-and talking seems to
slow it up. I can recall at
least two of their earlier slap
stick silentS which had it beaten
100 ways. When the desperate
director finally had to strip
one of the comics to his
B. v. KS I accepted it as the
last token of surrender-realiza-
ton that he had turned out a
dud and must be helped out by
ancient hokum. Laurel and
Hardy really deserve better
treatment.
Although he is not given
screen mention. George Kelly,
the distinguished playwright, is
the author of the short Vita
phone sklt. Flinders Keepers"
shown at the Earle Theater this
week. The theme expounds
the principle of returning lost
articles, and is cleverly acted
by Helen Ferguson, John B.
Litel and Janet Adair.
Mr.. Kelly wrote the Pulitzer
prize drama, "Craig's Wife,"
the better known and more
profitable play, "The Show-Off,"
Daisy Mayme" and THE
Torch Bearers" He is a real
champion at turning out the
vaudeville short sketch and
Vitaphone has already recorded
what he considers the best one
he ever wrote, THE Flattering
Word" When he showed this
sketch to two-a-day patrons he
acted the lead role, for be it
known, he is as good an actor
as he is playwright. The
Flattering Word" has resulted
in some protests to Will Hays
from sources which felt it was
a reflection on the frailties of
the clergy.
Morton Van Pragg, general
sales manager for Universal
Pictures, will be honor guest
at a luncheon to be rendered
film critics and the trade by
Nate Sauber, manager of the
Washington Exchange, on Mon.
day at p. m. at the Hamilton
Hotel.
Washington is the first stop
In the croSs-country tour which
Mr.. Van Pragg is making to
explain the ambitious plans
now under way for making the
1880 Universal product out
standing in the industry. The
Paul Whiteman special feature.
which Is near completion, is
expected to be the greatest pic.
ture in every respect that has
been turned out in the history
Of Universal City.