Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-04-20
From the Front R0w
Reviews. and News of Washinston's Theaters.


the singing, of course, being the
most important.
Barring inconsistencies both in
history and In the narrative Sc
quences, the picture is exceptionally
well handled. For the purposes Of
the film, Roget de Isle writes
La Marsellaise" as he is about to
be sentenced for treason. What
matters is not the historical
smoke rings that uncurl themselves
throughout. but rather the interpret
lations. such as the song. For YOU"
to which Mr.. Boles does complete
justice. 1t is his picture-in spite
of some cramped moments of acting.
However. it is we'll worth considera-
ton. And, as they say, don't fail
to see IT." e. de S. M.
Cameo Kirby"
Featured at Fox.
CHARMING scenes of old New
Orleans of 80 years ago, with
excellent singing by one of the prin-
cipals, J. Harold Murray, combine
to make, Cameo Kirby" at the
Fox, this week. delightful screen
presentation of romance and song.
The original play. written by Booth
Harrington, concerns a notorious
Mississippi River gambler, Cameo
Kirby, who despite his ungentle-
manly profession, has decided prin-
ciples of decency and honor. The
picture story opens with scenes in
New Orleans on Mardi Gras eve
ming Kirby, out for a night of fun,
rescues lovely girl from the I'M
at nf ~
jewellers. There is an immediate at
traction between the two. but be-
fore he learns the identity of his
charmer, the girl slips of in the
crowd, and Kirby is left alone, de-
termining some day to find her
again.
Later, while travelling on river
boat, Kirby discovers that fellow
passenger, Col Randall, Is being
cheated in game of poker, by dis
honest gambler. He asks permits
sion to enter the game and then
wins the colonel's deed to his prop
erty from Morrow, the gambler. As
Kirby is signing waiver OF his
rights in the colonel'S property, a
shot is heard, and rushing to the
scene, Kirby discovers the old gentle
man has committed suicide.
Later he also discovers that the
maiden of his dreams Is Col. Ran
Hall's daughter. After many COM
plications, Morrow is killed by Kirby
in a duel, and Adele learns the real
character of her lover.
j. Harold Murray, as Cameo
Kirby" acts well the part and in
several songs, notably Romance"
he reveals himself the possessor OF
q fine voice. The sound effects of
the picture, however are marred by
a grating sound, giving the impress
sion of much-used needle on
victrola record.
The supporting cast includes
Norma Terris as Adele. Douglas
Gilmore, Robert Edeson, Myrna 10y.
Charles Morton and the colored
comedian, Stepin Fechit.
The stage offers some dancing,
singing and comedy, presented by
Mary Price, Burt and Lehman,
Theodore and Katya, Nat Specter,
Arnold Hartman, the Accordion
Beauties and the Sunkist girls, with
, Alexandra Callam as master OF
ceremonies. Fox Movietone News
and an overture of Dixie Melodies
PLAYED by the Fox Orchestra. COM
PlCIC IAAC PAO6hohhs ~ - ~
"AIias French Gertie,"
Crook Story, at R-K-O Keith's.
THOSE who have a taste for
prison scenes, the inside"
workings of clever crooks and a
Utopian ending, with the crooked
becoming conscience-stricken and
turning square, will find an enter
tanning picture in alias French
Gertie," this weeks offering at
R-K-O Keith's' Theater.
Gertie, the leading feminine char
acter in the story, is a famous thief,
smooth as satin" who earns an easy
living by entering the service OF
wealthy women in the role of
French maid. After gaining the con-
fidence of her employers, it becomes
a simple matter to run of with their
costly jewels. She surprises the light
fingered Jimmie Hartigan one night
as he is about to crack the safe OF
one of her employers, whose dia-
monds Gertie has already planned to
steal for herself. The two have de-
termined to work together, when
Jimmie Is caught and is sent up
the river for a year. Gertie, think
ing the game not worth the penalty,
tries to induce Jimmie to "go
square" After much vacillation,
Jimmie is unable to resist the
temptation to tickle safe" and is
about to do so, when Gertie, to save
him from the crime. shoots him in
the hand that Is endowed with the
talent of opening safes. At first
Jimmie is highly resentful. but soon
he realizes why Gertie has taken