Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-13
The Weeks Attractions in Local Theaters
Reviews Of New Photoplays and Stage Productions

ration and finally a reconciliation, form
the foundation of the story. Into 1t
there has been dashed bit of back
stage color, underworld life and gun
play.
Elton Days" the stage presentation,
serves to introduce Dave Schooler of
the Capitol Theater in New York as
the guest master of ceremonies. His
versatility and personality won for him
warm reception. He sings, dances,
conducts and demonstrates his MASTER
ship of the pianoforte. The production
Is artistically and colorfully staged and
has some meritorious features, par
ticularly John Maxwells surprise and
Castleton and Mack's slow motion aero
baltic dance. The Chester Hale girls
are pretty and can dance and make
lots of noise with their voices. And, of
course, there's a Metrotone News to
! frame the bill j. E. c.
EnN In "Christiana,' a screen
IoA tale of Holland, now at
"Christiana" the Fox, Janet Gaynor,
starring in the title role
that was made to order for her. rises
to new heights of fame and achieves
her greatest excellence since Seventh
Heaven"
AS little Dutch girl, the daughter
of a blind toymaker, whose happiness
she holds dearer than her own, the
charming star ceases to act and lives
her part in keeping hidden from her
father the series of tragic incidents, Bit
ter disappointments and heartbreaks
that come to her when she falls in
love with the man of her dreams land
seems destined to lose him. When her
luck finally turns her JOY is so genuine
that she seems literally to step forth
from the screen and enter the lives of
her audience to remain long after the
play is over.
II is distinct triumph for Miss Gay
nor and If her ability to rise above the
rank of a mere delightful personality
to that of talented screen actress was
ever doubted this picture should settle
the matter.
Originally begun as a silent produce
ton. the film was taken back to the
studios and the dialogue portion in the
last half added. In the speaking role
Miss Gaynor's performance far excels
that OF the pantomime version. To
those familiar with her work in "Sev-
enth Heaven" and in Sunrise" and
who are not yet certain as to whether
she is better in silent or in a taking
part, "Christiana" gives a fine oppor-
tunity to determine the question, for
Christina" is far and above her best
talking screen effort.
Based on a book by Tristan Upper,
the story opens in the little island settle
ment of Marker on the Zuyder Zee,
moves through windmill dotted tulip
fields and draws to a heartgripping
climax in the City of Amsterdam.
During the visit of a little travelling
circus Christina finds the man of her
dreams in the person of Jan (Charles
Morton), who rides into her heart on q
white circus charger. They fall des-
perately in love, but through the
scheming of Mime. Bosnian Gucy Dor
raine), the owner of the show, and a
jealous rival. Jan is imprisoned in
Amsterdam on a false charge. When
on the day set aside for Christmas
wedding Jan fails to arrive, she decides
to go through with the ceremony with
Dirk Torpe, swarthy leader of the fish
ing feet in Marker, former sutton,
rather than bring misery and unhap-
piness to her blind father. who mistakes
Dirk for the real lover. In the suspense
Of waiting for Jan, in whom she has
never lost faith. and in the climax
which follows, Mis- Gaynay does her
AlueSI dCClIlB.
Charles Morton will be remembered
for his work in -Four Sons and in
-Four Devils" While he was perhaps
better in these than in Christina" as
Jan he is handsome lover who sue
ceeds In his role with excellent ability.
Rudolph Schildkraut, veteran character
actor, admirably plays the blind father
Dirk Torpe, the fisherman of Marker,
is we'll done by Harry Cording.
There is nothing to recommend the
musical score of the Movietone Sc
quences, which is marked by rather
poor reproduction, and Christina" the
theme song. sung from 1.-The wings" but
once. does not measure up to the stand
ard set by the picture.
Leon Brusiloff, conductor OF the Fox
Orchestra, presents special arrange
ment of melodies by Moskowski as the
overture and introduces Alexander CAL
lam, the new master of ceremonies,
from the stage. Under Callam,s direc-
ton. Jazz Buccaneers" the Fanchon
and Marco stage offering, is presented,
and he quickly won enthusiastic ap-
plause for his first song and was called
back for an encore. With him on the
bill are Emile and Romaine, Charles
Brugge, Helen Warner, Eddie Rey, La
Petite Marie and several others.
H. G.