The Washington times., 1930-02-19
CLEANINGS
AND
SCREENINGS
BY ANDREW r. KELLEY

ence Da0 manners Wnlcn cnar-
acterized the conduct Of the
less than well bred who patron
ize the movie cathedralS. We
meant it and still mean 1t.
Those who are thoughtless
enough to annoy others should
be led none too gently to the
exits.
Now comes to the editorial
desk q communication from
the sports editor, who is &C
customed to the free and easy
manner Of the oAtdoor and
indoor arenas but insists that
within the playhouse courtesy
and chivalry for the actor
should prevail. It says:
Last night at the conclusion
Of the Mitzi performance in
'Sari,' and on many former occa-
sions at the conclusion Of eve
nings graced by our Semi-Sacred
stars such as George ArlisS,
Otis Skinner and other masters,
it has been the observation Of
Mrs. Miller and myself that the
audiences invariably reach for
their wraps and an annoying
majority of spectators rise to
leave before the curtain is down.
'TerSely, we do not consider
that good manners.
1T must be a distraction to
those who keep their seats and
it must be discouraging to the
actors. Would not the actors
seeing half the audience in the
aisles before the last word is
spoken in the play or the final
lines of the finale uttered-ne
quite as justified in emitting
the last remaining bit Of
dialogue and, turning their
backs on the audience, walk off
the stage?
ANY chronic theater goer in
Washington knows this condi-
ton is true and the MillerS do
not think it fair nor polite.
We would like to see more
WashingtonianS keep their
seats until the encores appear
to be over-when there are
encores-or until the curtain is
down, the house lights flashed
on, and the orchestra is play
ing the exit music.
In baseball, which is not the
theater, people might be justi-
fled in leaving before the game
Is over, depending on the brand
of ball and even in horse rae
ing where ones choice is run
ming poor race the spectators
might be justified in hiding
their eyes from the finish and
leaving the lawn, but in the
theater which goes in heavily
for evening attire or other
1ormalitieS and nicieties, can't
drawing room etiquette be bet
ter observed?
KIRK MILLER"
Roxy, by the. way, has been
called in as consulting man
ager by Amos n Andy" The
radio stars have been deluged
with Hollywood offers, the
latest being 100000 for one
picture and a $4,000 bonus
laid on the line when they
sign.
They are tied up right now
by air contracts. and the first
"AmoS n Andy" picture is
some months away. If they
follow the Roxy advice they
will confine their film appear
ances to the two-reel short and
remain in their familiar char
acters. Roxy advised against
a full-length feature, which
would transform them into
burnt cork bell hops or. StaNe
boys.
At the stage entrance Of
Loew's Palace Theater I en-.
countered Monday what /
thought was familiar figure
rushing by. It turns out my
Surmise was correct. It was
Larry BeatuS. The Loew execu-
tive is back at the old stand
while Manag ging Director
Michael j. Cullen takes a Vaca-
ton in Jersey.
The mail brings another well
come miSsive to an editor Balti-.
more bound for an evening
with George Bernard Shaw. It
says among other things:
For the present I am going
to say goodbye to show bust
ness. I have accepted the posi-.
tion as southern district man,
ager for Manning -HeneS. Inc,
creator of syndicate advertis-
ing, and will be affiliated with
this organization on and after
this day. It will be quite
different line of work-it will
IN a way lack the glamor of
the footlights. the likes and dis.
likes of movie stars, and the
constant far Of opening your
Mcn3aY morning mail and
wondering if you are going to
work nett week. This talking
picture racket is so unsettled
that one must be '':cpt informed
of the stock markets ticker
activities. to discover whether
one is really working from day
to day.
Il could not write go" to my
publicity career without a bow
Of thanks to y1u for your mar.
VelonS CO. rat n and your
great kindness shown me on
every occasion during my stay
at tho PiaIto Thaotar ar ,,,,k