Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-03-03
The Weeks Attractions in Local Theaters
Reviews of New Photoplays and Stage Productions

SLoAO' W"AAlCl OldIlu, as SCnOmDeTR,
offers an accurate bit of portraiture as
the owner of the hotel and its popular
beer garden casino.
The story is simple in the extreme.
Frightened by the advances of Schom-
berg and an attache of his hotel Alma,
to escape their unwelcome attentions,
slows away on Heyst's boat and makes
her presence known upon arrival at
his own little island. Heyst permits
the girl to share his hut until a pass
ing steamer can pick her up and take
her back to civilization. In the interim
love trlumphs and Alma finally takes
lease on his life as well as his hut.
The picture is almost entirely free
OF comedy relief, though it has few
melodramatic moments to break the
continuous strain on the heartstrines,
The scenic shots add much to its en-
belliShmertS
The Land of Syncopation," of the
stage program, is a gorgeously staged
extravaganza of music and mirth, Ken
Whltmer, versatile guest master of
ceremonies, plays dozen different in
struments from strings to winds in adj
dltlon to grooming like Rudy Vallee.
EuropeS famous Calgary brothers offer
comic dances that are different. Their
slow-motion demonstration is a classic.
Serge Flash, fresh from Paris. has an
extremely clever juggling and balancing
act, and there are vocal harmonies by
the Keller sisters and Lynch, with an
unusual presentation by Chester Hales
appropriately named "Syncopated Step
perS"
The Metrotone news shows Former
President and Mrs. Coolidge at Culver
City watching Marion Davies at work,
and the Palace Concert Orchestra
plays a lifting overture as a finishing
touch to the program. JE.C.
RIALTO A pleasing comedy of
three venturesome sailors
DANES ashore with "Barnacle
Ahoy!" Bill the theme song. is
the feature this week,
titled DANES Ahoy!" at the Rialto
The cast includes Glenn Tryon. Otis
Harlan, Eddie Gribbon, Gertrude Astor
and Helen Wright
On a previous shore leave one of
the trio has become involved with a
girl, who is now receiving half his pay
from the Government. Despite the fact
that all he remembers about her is
that she Is blond and has a straw
berry birthmark, his companions prom
Use to find the girl and help him out
Of his troubles. All three are depicted
as woman haters-that is, when they
are away from them. The search
brings out many amusing incidents,
and finally winds up with Jimmy, as
Tryon, marrying Mabel portrayed by
Helen Wright, who as his partner wins
a competitive dance. The artful blond
is portrayed by Gertrude Astor, and
her hold on Bill is finally relinquished.
THE Big Jewel Case" a ghost and
burglar comedy, in which the owners
of the property try to outwit the de-
tectives; "Hotsy- Totsy," another COM
edy of Benny Rubin, depicting scenes
around a theater ticket agency: an
animated animal cartoon, The Evening
Star-Universal News Reel, introduced by
Graham McNamee, and an orchestral
selection. complete the program.
Comedy not planned was brought into
the news reel when a mix-up in the
picture and McNamee's comments oc-
CURED. The picture depicts Vice
President Curtis on the. steps of the
Capitol, pressing a button that starts
the presses of the new Hagerstown
Globe newspaper, while at the same
time McNamee was describing the seiz-
ure OF a large moonShine still by reve-
nue. men. After prolonged laughter by
the audience McNamee'S voice was cut
on. Nothing on the reel showed the
still. G.AH
COLUMBIA .. Greta GarbO,s FIRST
anna Christie" tie . / heId iS ov "il 10,
a second week at Columbia. seldom
has cast of four and replete with
splendid acting been seen at one time in
the National Capital Besides the
favorite sit girl of Hollywood, whose
venture into spoken drama makes her
even more pleasing, the cast includes
the famed Marie, Dressler the attrac-
Charlac
Marion, fine character actor. recently
acquired from the legitimate stage.
Greta. as Anna, returns to Chris. her
father, captain of coal barge (por-
trayed by Marion) after an absence of
is years. Her return necessitates the
moving out Of Marthy marie DreSSler)
who has been a close friend of Chris
on the barge. Anna is believed to be
an innocent girl of a Western farm.
Anna takes sea trip with her father.
and during the voyage several ship
wrecked sailors are rescued. One of
them. Matt (Bickford), falls in love
with her. Days follow and when Matt
asks for her hand in marriage. Anna
tells him and her father that she is
not the innocent girl she is supposed
to be. She blameS her father because
he has never looked after her. Matt
leaves, but later returns when he is
SdtlSIleu IHaI the girl really loves him
and has reformed. Marthy. as the
bibulous friend, breaks up the serious
ness OF the drama at many intervals.
Larry Semon in a comedy of the
frozen North far above the average: a
news reel and an orchestral selection
complete the program. G.A.H,
METROPOLITAN >! st !, ing, nse
"SOn Of the Gods" seem, Son
Chlnese picture shown at the Metronol-
tan Theater for its second week. 9oes
over In spite of its lack of 'spookv''
scenes. The picture holds ones interest
regardless OF the lack of sliding panels,
nlooen doors and underground passage
ways. An air of authenticity is added
by snatches of conversation between
ChineSe speaking in their sing-song ma
tive tongue.
Richard Barthelmess. all wrapped up
In his work as usual, has his moments
as much sought after, much perse-
cuted Oriental with more money than
ne knows how to spend. He is snubbed
so often because of his nationality that
ne grows to hate all white people.
Constance Bennett lashes Barthelmess
IN public with a riding whip when she
learns ne Is "a Chinaman" However,
he already has won her heart. So she
repents and apologies. A combination
OF circumstances serves to bring the
couple together once more. Chief of
these Is the discovery that Barthelmess