Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-28
From the Front Row
Reviews and News of Washington Theaters

that personal appeal which some
have and some have not, Miss Nat
wick made a convincing and en-
tirely lovable 10. Christine Ramsay,
as Meg, gave a thoroughly satisfac-
tory Interpretation of the dignified,
unsophiSticated in her first love af-
fair. Beth, the beloved invalid
sister. was effectively portrayed by
Harriet Haig, and Amy, the baby
of the family, struggling and trip
ping over the usage of big words"
was played by Mary Buckner Kate
Conway made a lovable and con-
vincing Mrs. March.
Henry Fonda, as Laurie, brought
ease and enthusiasm to his role of
the March girls best boy friend.
Particularly noteworthy was the
acting of Auntie March, who brought
an uncanny realism to the part of
the tyrannical, wealthy. old aunt.
Lending talent and ability to the
Interpolation of other roles were
Katherine Burch, as Hannah,
Robert de Laney, Mr.. March; Kurt
Nothnagel, Mr.. Lawrence; David
Fisher, delightful as John Brook,
Megis bashful lover, and Melvin
James Fox, as the professor.
The performance of Little Women"
was altogether worthy of the good
taste in selection of plays, and the
excellent acting of the artists
which has characterized the enter
tainments offered during past sea-
sons of the National Junior Theater
of Washington. C. S. S.
war Nurse" at the Palace,
Shows WOmen's Part in War
WARS brutality behind the lines
of battle and destruction of
sensibllities in the midst of carnage
and gunf1re are shown in their effect
on the women who served the Nation
in the film War Nurse" which is
on View at the Palace .Theater. The
stage portion of the entertainment
has the merit of employing some real
talent in the singing and dancing
acts, with the result that the entire
program gives strong impression.
More than 10 years after the close
OF the World War there are still
some contributions to be made to the
long list of Illuminating stories of
that conflict. The motion picture at
the Palace, based upon book that
has won public admiration, presents
the womens side, just as other nota-
Die works have taken the soldiers
experience for theme
AS the women of the story are
nurses, the strongest of the scenes
are presented with the hospital as q
background, and the observer is
brought into contact with the agony
OF death and with mental disturb
ance, as they were disclosed on long
rows OF cots. Lighter phases of the
story are to be found in those periods
OF relaxation, in which the young
women sought to forget the wearying
round OF duties that accompanied
the destruction wrought in action by
the armies. Added to the ordinary
incidents behind the lines were the
devastating effects of dropping bombs.
AS realism attends the picturing
OF the story, there is a personal side
which relates to the moral considera-
tons that arise from service in
France, and this side of the incidents
which make up War Nurse" pro-
vides the real plot. Tragedy attends
some OF the experiences, while one
outstanding example of wisdom and
foresight is made to produce its re-
ward in the satisfying climax of the
play, which comes as a contrast to
the depressing effect of some other
scenes.
Robert Montgomery. Robert Ames.
June Walker and Anita Page, a quar-
tet of successful screen actors. carry
the greater portion of the plot, and
give distinction to the drama. The
remainder of the cast includes Zasu
Pitts, Marie Provost, Helen Jerome
EDDY, Hedda Hopper, Edward Nugent,
Martha Sleeper and Michael Vavitch.
Numerous unnamed persons make up
the picture, which is skillfully photo
graphed, with a moderate sprinkling
OF the more spectacular features.
On the stage the contribution of
Allan Rogers, in addition to serving
as master of ceremonies, Is a group
OF songs in which his attractive
voice Is heard to advantage. The
Spanish atmosphere is chiefly en-
phaSized in "Mexicana," in which
Barto and Mann offer their original
form of entertainment. Spanish
dancers and singers contribute ex-
cellent numbers, and the Chester
Hale Chorus, in distinctive costumes.
again demonstrates its good training.
D. C. c.
''HelPs Angels
At the Columbia.
HOWARD HUGHES, who is said
to have tipped over couple of
fortunes in his production of 'fHell's
Angels" has pictured the air and
its warships with more splendor than
any one before him. He has out
winged Wings" in this matter, but,
somehow or somewhere, he has over
looked the story.
Which is to say that this new film
at the Columbia will be seized upon
avidly by aviation hounds and by
every one else who has an interest
in such matters and will be rewarded
by q splendid collection Of episodes
in the clouds, which comes, thank
fully, in a story that lacks most
everything that story should have.