The Washington times., 1930-02-17
GLEANINGS
AND
SCREEN INGS
By ANDREW b. KELLEY

The play which Is said to be
away out in front as the prob
able choice for the Pulitzer
award this season Is coming to
Washington. A note from VIII
liam Harris, jr., announces q
brief road tour Of Martin Fla
WINS THE Criminal Code" with
Polls Theater listed for the
week beginning March IT. Ar
thur Byron in the lead role Is
said to contribute one Of the
outstanding performances Of
the season.
A soft, sweet voice over the
phone requests the name Of the
favorite composer Of this de-
partment. Musical, Of course.
Ostensible purpose: the dedica-
ton Of an overture by Leon
BruSiloff and the Fox Grand
Orchestra to the master Of
music selected by critical bal
lots. 50
Offhand, the personal choice
would fall on Victor Herbert,
but Washington musicians have
given his melodies. considerable
attention in recent months and
but a few weeks ago he was
honored by the Brusilotf ar.
fists. Then would come RI
dof Frimi Featured this
week., Richard Rodgers, George
Gershwin, Jerome Kern, Irving
Berlin, Sigmund Romberg, Vim
cent YoumanS, Ernest Bah, the
theme songs of. Emo Rapee, an
arrangement of Reginald De-
Koven's melodies and a week
Of Gilbert and Sullivan.
What, no TSchaikoWSky, Bee
thoven or Wagner? Positively
no. For the followers of the
Philadelphia Philharmonic, BoS-
ton or National symphony or
cheStra audiences, yes. But
not for F Street.
In the distance hear muir
murs that such a frivolous taste
must eminate from an ear
cupped for musical comedy and
the lighter strains beneath the
dignity of the well-trained
Brusiloff musical group. Maybe
so. The best way to find out
the popular choice is an audi
ence ballot. My 50 goes
straight, place and show-on
the lighter tunes against the
heavy symphonic arrangements
Of the master.
If Ziegfeld's "Show Boat" is
not the finest musical comedy
ever produced this column is
open to those who think they
can name a better one. Having
seen it twice I am really look
ing forward to next weeks
visit. We will see a new Mag
nolia" in the person Of Irene
Dunn, whom Leon Friedman
Mr.. Ziegfeld'S horn tooter-aS
sures me is the greatest Of them
all.
Barrister Joseph P. Tumulty
q chronic first nighter who
finds in the drama the needed
diversion and relief from Black.
stone, has enlisted as a spring
and summer stock patron of the
E Street players. But let him
tell it:
1T was with great pleasure
that I read your article in The
Washington Times of the first
of February, which contained
the announcement that the
National Theater Players under
the very able and efficient
management of our good friend
Steve Cochran. are to carry or
again at the National Theater
After all, the play is the
thing" and those of use who
admire the things of flesh anc
blood in action on the stage
rejoice that these old friends
of the National Theater art
returning in April to entertain
and enthuse us.
Here is an opportunity Offered
for clean and wholesome enter
tainment at reasonable price!
and under management tina
has endeared itself to thu
public. f.
In your article you spoke oil
the ups and downs of stocl
theater movements in Wash
ington and its triumphS under
Steve Cochran's management
I recall with pleasure that Den
mis- King. the great star Of
1.-THE Vagabond King" was 8
product of the Garrick play
erS under the very able man
agement of the lovable Garry
McGarry.
The activities Of the Ma
tional Theater Players durinG
the coming months offer us ar
opportunity for rest, renewa
and recuperation under thu
pleaSanteSt circumstances. MAY
this company prosper.
(Signed) Sincerely yours,
JOSEPH P. TUMULTY.
When news is dull Peggy
Hopkins Joyce contrives tc
break into Page 1 by an
nouncing she is through with
matrimony. Sam Rubin-whC
has yet to catch his first
heireSS-takes a leaf from
Peggy's book and announces
the same thing for Monday
readers. The emotional shock
of such a miSSive failed to dis
turb our usual weekend equa
nimity,. although I fear for the
F Street flappers. Here it is:
Dear Mr.. Kelly:
This being an age Of
MERGERS and consultations