Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-09-27


are about the whole Aim.
All Quiet" Is an amazing Aim,
and one that cannot offend, al
though It's hero and It's thesis deal
with war enemies. Y. de s. M.
Miss MackaiII and Mr.. SIIIs
In Good Drama 1t Earle.
COMPULSORY crime, engineered
~ and dominated by q glorifed
bootlegger, Is seen, In Man Trou-
BILE" at the Eearle Theater, to have
its weak points and to have a tend
ency to surrender to the silent force
of the simple life. Just as in the
old nlelodrama of the blighting city,
which lost its victims at the critical
moment because of the greater con-
tentment In the country homes,
there is effective drama when n
ruthless metropolis and its racketeers
are disarmed by the decency of viii
lage life.
The lure of the Great White Way
no longer furnishes the chief theme
OF the drama, for modern crime il
ruthless and compels its victims to
submit, but the contrast between
ruthlessness and good will are the
same, as illustrated by this distinct
ly modern production. Rustic roads
under snow blankets, sounding sleigh
bells, binding white flakes in the
storm and the CHEEKY greetings at
the end of a journey turn the tide
In career which began with an
attempted suicide and finally pene-
trates the hard-boiled surface of
the professional gangster.
The new type of meiodrama is
iY1fHV.oaf1vany a.
has its background of dangerous
living, its crowded night palaces
which may at times become centers
for gang warfare, and its demand
for greater displays of conscience
and other evidences Of real char
acter under conditions which are
less sentimental than based upon
courageous effort to attain more
useful places in the world.
Ben Ames williams has enter
tanned the reading public with his
ingenious plots, put into language
which Is notable for its clever turns,
and in Man Trouble" he offers an
agreeable surprise to the patrons
of the motion picture. The title
offers suggestions of a stereotyped
phase Of life under irresponsible
conditions, but this may well be
forgotten. The reality, as it is
worked out in the skillful hands of
Dorothy Mackaill and Milton Sills.
demonstrates that 1t has a right to
q better name for the production,
No less interesting Is the contribu-
ton made to the list of contrasting
characters in a night club by Ken
Meth MacKenna and Sharon Lynn.
Miss Mackailps ability in picturinx
a woman of essentially good traits,
caught in the n1eshes of degrading
environment. here appears at its
best. and her recognized quality of
emotional treatment is one to be
appreciated. Most effective, also, is
this Interpretation of the gangster
by the late Milton Stills, and his anal
expression Of appreciation for UNI
selfish service is one OF the best
bits In his career. The play is dra-
matte and homely, and the dia-
logue from Mr.. Williams pen Ia
most effective.
In the remainder Of the program,
Mr.. Breeskin's musicians offer fine
playing in selections from popular
operas, the news reel covers recent
events and there are short subjects
by Trixie Friganza and the College
comedians. D. G. G.
Heads Up" at the Fox,
Is Just About Thumbs Down.
THE spark of wit, humor, intelli-
gence and charm is lacking in
Heads Up the Paramount picture