Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-16

maurice CheVAlieR. AluBb OF the en-
tertat ment
world. Every time one of his nic-
lures comes to town one should sit
back and sigh with relief. And his
latest is by no means an exception.
In this case, the debonaire French.
man is better than his best, because
ne Is allowed to be almost every
minute Of 1t himself, and because
no attempt Is made at the saccharine
ana melodramatic. It liz a light and
thoroughly entertaining Aim, made
oiten hilarious, not only by Cheva-
Her, but by Stuart Erwin, who makes
an able foil for the smiling Partisan.
The plot is one of these Cinderella
ideas, in which a waiter becomes a
millicnaire-in franc value only.
Through the plots of the greedy
proprietor Of the inn, Chevalier has
to keep, to contract he has signed,
and, therefore, must work all day
and play" at night. The result,
except, OF course, Chevalier, would
kill any man. Finally, after q series
OF amorous and other complications,
the millionaire waiter energies from
1t all rs one would have him-wl1ich
Is with the girl that he loved all
along, etc.
1CctuCS Tie I0lunlU6Dle CNeV6l1GT
and the equally foolish Mr.. Erwin,
o. p. Heggie contributes q clever
portrait as the innkeeper and Frances
Dee Is a natural and unsophisticated
heroine.
The remainder of the bill Is de-
voted to Travelogues, comedies, news
reels and the R-K-Oiians
e. de s. M.
Dressler and Berry
Shine in Min and Bill"
THE authorities that pronounced
Min and Bill" q picture not to
be missed were right. They were, If
anything, lukewarn in their entllu-
siasm, for this new film at the Co
lumbia Is unlike anything that has
gone before, and would be difficult
to repeat again.
Those who believe that they viii be
amused when they see Marie Ores
sler In this current film of hers, will
be only PARKWAY right. They win
laugh, loudly, but they will not be
prepared for what Is infinitely more
potent-Miss Dresselr's characterize
ton as Min--which Is hereby elzcs96
the most prodigious acting feat Of
the year.
This lady, who describes herself
accurately enough in this as IAN
old sea cow" contributes an unfor-
gettable character sketch.
At the outset one gets that broad
humor for which Miss Dressler has
been noted these many years. Then,
out Of the turmoil of the water
front, along which the scenes are
laid, emerges q woman whose sacri-
nee and devotion for the young girl
whom she has tried to bring up-not
her child--nake everything else
fade. One sees Miss DRESSER be-
tween laughs and tears-part of the
= time hitting Bill over the head with
. bottle, rolling about in the most
amusing battle that has been fought
before the camera, and the rest Of
the time as the woman who has the
courage to shoot the derelict mother
Of the girl whom she had been ready
to expose.
It II futile TO describe wherein
lies the drama of this film. But it
Is there-just as 1t was In Lorna
Moons novel, Dark Star" from
which 1t was taken. And it seems
the ideal picture, because 1t COM
bines such generous slices of comedy
and Dathos, and because in the end
one feels that an extraordinary won
derful character has just been
snatched from ones sight
Besides Miss DRESSER, whose star
In this has certainly reached the
zenith, there is Wallace Berry in an
equally effective and completely
natural role. The scenes he has
with Min-notably the shaving,
among the best. Marjorie Rambeau,
as the derelict mother, whose life Is
thankfully extinguished at the very
end, r. another in this very nearly
perfect cast, as Is Dorothy Jordan
who of them all smacks little too
strongly of Hollywood.
Comedies and newsreels are added
bits to the program, which, how
ever, Is worth Its bread and butter
alone in that unforgettable picture.
Min and BILL" z. de s. NJ
George Bancroft in 'Derelict"
Is Impressive Film 1T Palace.
STRONG scenes in . struggle with
stormy seas and o vigorous feud
between two ships officers are fea-
lures Of George Bancrofts produce
ton, "Derelict," at the Palace The
ater. Another point of unusual In
tereSt in the program is the return
Of Wesley Eddy for O two-week visit
to Washington. The popular master
Of ceremonies was obliged to respond
to the storm Of applause yesterday
with many Of his popular numbers,
in which he was assisted by the
Palace Orchestra.
The motion picture "Derelict"
represents notable achievements in
photography, for It's series Of views
Of q disaster In O fog at sea are
realistic throughout and the weav-
ing of the human factors into the
battle with the elements sets q high
mark in the producing world.
George Bancroft, the star, who al
ready holds high place in the talk
ing films, with q personality and
voice which contribute materially to
the interest in q production, Is well
cast for the ambitious sailor and Of
ficeR who meets rivalry with physi-
cal courage and strategy. He is as
ISOLATED with William Boyd and Jes-
sic Royce Lands in triangle which
makes its progress over twisting
and turning course leading TO q sue
ceSSion Of thrills and climaxes. Miss
AHA&oA8 SOQptSltCubS tttC Vigil Va JklC
Bancroft method with an original
style which is convincing. and at the
same time notable for an outspoken
but somewhat International attitude
toward the two men who have fought
for her favor She displays emo
tional capacity In the shipwreck
scene.
In the stage presentation at the
Palace, In addition to Wesley Eddy.
two numbers Of the first rank are
presented by Mitchell and Durant,
two entertainers who have made
their mark With Q style Of acrobattc
comedy which registers emphatically
IN slEillful dance exhibitions, and by
Ann 0reenway, Q singer whose well
trained and naturally attractive
voice is heard in songs Of nnelodious
type.
Virginia Bacon, Allen and Kent
and the Chester Hale Girls are also