Evening star., 1930-10-26

provided a series of types, all of
which are well drawn and add to
the impressive character of the
talking screen play.
While there have been some rather
futile attempts to create sentiment
in an atmosphere such as Is found
in THE Doorway to He'll" there is
here presented, in all its vividness,
the theme that those who are
caught in the clutches of the under
; world, whatever their qualities, must
face destruction in the end. Louis
Ricarno (an assumed name) Is
the character that enlists the tai
ents of Mr.. Ayres. He organizes
the rival factions on the basis of
big business" sends his kid brother,
under the real family name, to q
private military academy, and pre-
pares to retire with his wealth, but
cannot escape the clutches of the
thing he has helped to create. He
becomes the dupe of the female
associate Of his closest gang friend,
loses his kid brother. returns to the
underworld war, and lightly steps
into the trap that means death.
The role of Doris, whom he weds,
but who Is unfaithful to him. is
played with ability by Miss Dorothy
Mathews. An outstanding bit Of
splendid character acting is that
by Robert Elliott. as Capt. OGrady,
detective, who tries to save the gang
chief from his fate. and it Is a most
sympathetic bit of acting. James
Cagney puts into the character of
Steve Mileaway, lieutenant to the
chief, the wavering qualities in face,
f0na tfaI
TO the plot Other clearly drawn
roles are in the hands of Charles
Judels, Kenneth Thompson, Jerry
Mandy and Noel Madison. AS the
youthful brother in the military
academy (Jackie Lamarr), Leon
Janney displays conspicuous poise
and spirit, which are to be COM
mended In an actor of his years.
In addition to a good film, the
Earle also offers a stage performance
with continuous and meritorious
program of comedy, music and dane
ing. The talented Ken Murray and
Rae SamuelS are seen at their best,
and are surrounded by a group of
singers and dancers which fulfllls
every requirement Of such an offer
ing. In Mr.. Murray's group are
Foster, Pagan and Cox, favorites of
their fellow Washingtonians, while
Miss Helen Charleston, also of this
city, is one of the entertainers. A
boisterous comedy. The Servant
Problem" Is playeo Dy Vivian Oak
land, John T. Murray and Mary
Stauber, and the news reel presents
recent happenings. D. C. G.
"Way for a Sailor" at Palace
It Good Salty Yarn.
1T IS pleasant task to be able to
report that having put his wrong
foot forward in his talkie debut,
Way for a Sailor" and with the
help of Wallace Beery-at the Pal
ACHE becomes a sensible actor in
a spicy tale of salty sea life.
Mr.. Gilbert isn't, of course, the
best part of the show, because 1t
seems an axiom that any film Wal
lace Beery is in he automatically
makes his own. Mr.. Beery. in this
case, is roistering, cheerful vaga-
bond of the merchant marine, with
a passion for Eureka" harmonicas
and concertinas. His life, on the
whole, is quest for making music
on these instruments and thereby
supposedly Turing to his arms-after
the fashion of the pied piper-what-
ever may happen to be around in the
way of femininity. Curiously enough,
his concerts never have the desired
effect, and so-probably as signal
of despair-one sees Mr.. Beery in the
final fiickers walking away with a
baby seal under his arm.
The story behind all this is the
love of a sailor for a maid-played
faultleSsly by Leila Hyams-whose
heart takes a long time to be set
afire. After a cupid campaign of
some two or three years, Gilbert
finally wins her. Afterward she re-
pents of having married him when
he tells her that he is off on the
jolly seas again. Everything, how
ever, comes out all right after the
severest storm ever staged in a
Hollywood tank reunitS them.
What makes this film better than
the average is the general excitement
and speed of action, the glimpses Of
Mr.. Beery, the beauty of Miss
Hyams, who is rapidly becoming the
loveliest blonde in the films, and
the spirit of good fun and tom
foolery that the director has sup
piled with a cunning hand.
The stage show that follows,
Birthday Party Revue" has speed
and the usual well enough talent
May Joyce, Montrose and Reynolds,
and three splendid dancers, Nor
decae, Wells and Taylor, are chief
luminaries. The remainder of the
program Is devoted to newsreelS,
comedies andssuchlike.
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