Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-12-06

i
tionship between the stage and the
gathering across the footlights. It
is the record of a series Of efforts,
partly concerted, to give direction to
the life of confirmed bohemian.
The futility of these efforts present
opportunities for some subtle humor.
Among the players of Washing
ton there was much interest in the
fact that the unusual thing was be-
ing done by the Columbia Players
in Offering the American premiere
of a. play which had received the
Endorsement of so sure an artist as
Gordon Craig of the English stage.
It is also recalled that Bernard,
Shaw had referred to Halcott Glover,
the author, as zone of the young
geniuses."
In the title role of ''Bellairs." played
by H. r. Baukhage, prominently
identified with past work by the
Columbia organization, there is an
undertaking which involves a severe
memory test, as well as q diversity
Of demands for vigorous action in
keeping with definite character.
Mr.. Baukhage's customary and nat
ural response to the requirements
was an element in the appeal Of the
play.
Miss Wilma Wright, as Betty Bar
clay, whose duties in connection with
the art studio Of Bellairs brought
her frequently into the several
scenes Of the production, had a role
which might easily have failed to
impress, but her spirited acting was
a feature and contributed force to
the play. Stanley Ray1eld, as Bar
clay. the girls parent, also showed
qualities in character acting which
won appreciation. Miss Vietta
Maria Droney as Matilda, wife of
Bellairs. but separated from him,
and Miss Elizabeth Dyer as Diana
Martin, a former associate of the
artist, gave excellent support. Miss
Helen Burton, as the daughter of
the artist, found in her long inter-
view with her parent, opportunity
for the display Of varying moods,
done in commendable manner.
willard Miller, as Giovanni. LAMA,
achieved the foreign flavor, while
George Odell, as Mortimer Scrope,
met the requirements Of an exag-
gerated type.
The comedy was directed by Au-
rora Poston and the settings were
designed by Virginia Ubhoh and
executed by e. D. Reed.-D. G. G.
Mothers Cry"
Presents Fine Acting.
MARKED differences in personal
IVA qualities Of the members Of
single family lead to the tragedy In
Mothers Cry" impressively pre-
scented on the screen for the change
of policy and program at the Metro
A. az IN
tainment 1t is one of the best Of re-
cent weeks, and there Is distinct
satisfaction in observing the truthful
presentation of character by the sew
eral members of the cast.
Mothers Cry" is story Of par
entail devotion, parental pride and
parental anguish as the inevitable
clashes of temperament tear down
the structure that has been built in
the home by years of f-Sacrificing
labor While there is a general ap-
plication to family experiences in the
facts presented, the original author
and the present film producers have
created a story Of sustained and alb
sorbing interest, which reaches its
climax when the mother visits the
death house Of penitentiary, where
one son awaits the final scene in q
career of crime, then passes to the
companionship of the son who has
achieved highest success as the
architect of great buildings in a
modern city.
No deductions are drawn from the
family story. Like other products of
the finer efforts of stage and screen
it IS merely gripping representa-
ton of modern life and employs in
the working out of its details the
services of several actors who are
qualified to give accurate glimpses of
types which leave their record in the
life of a metropolis. Even the moth
er herself gives no suggestion that
devotion is any less sincere for the
unstable character than for the one
which has its accompaniment of
brilliant work.
Dorothy Peterson, the mother, is
the dominating person of the play
and displays a poise and a MASTER
full grasp Of detail in many scenes
which mark her as a most capable
actress. It is especially to be noted
that in the successive experiences Of
life, from courtship to the mature
years Of the children, she achieves
the varying stages of advancing age
without obScuring the unchanging
nature of one forceful person.
With praiseworthy skill Edward
Woods appears as the black sheep of
the family, trouble-maker from
childhood and ruthless in his deal
LOST.