davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star., 1931-12-13

~ JOHN FREDERICK
| DASHIELL, University of
- North Carolina psycholo-
.glst, has not endeared
himself to the movie industry.
His assertion thIt5 the average
motion picture Eyer is a moron,
is SAID to have raised a Whooping
spark OF anger. The rage which
mas followed this acid assertion
has klndled unprintable words.
and the movie forces have hurled
themselves into angry groups and
uttered dire verbal epiStles at the
unjust maligning of members of
their profession.
paramount, especially, has not
let this insult go by unnoticed.
1t has issued a polite refutal to
such preposterous charge. Shak-
ing its finger at the veteran psy-
chologist, who is said to have
delved deep into the cinema
players gray matter, it claims
that not only is the average pic
ture player not moron, but that
a survey shows that many of
filmdoms leading personalities
are former collegians."
This, of course, is a grand boost
for the colleges. To imply that
the higher homes of learning are
bare of the Subintelligentsia is
happy motto for them. "The
University of z, where there are
no morons," should increase reg
lstrations by not only leaps, but
bounds. If, for instance, by get
ting into one of these inStitu-
tions we could prove to ourselves
and to our family that we are
not below the level of possibility
then the increases of happiness
should be very large, indeed.
Not content with this, Para
mount issues a list of those of
its stars who evidently do not be-
long to the shameful class of
which the professor speaks. We
find, for instance, that 81 players
at these studios have walked out
With some kind of SheepSkin. The
males seem to be less moronic
than the females, the latter being
represented by but 6. Still, Para
mount is very proud of its quota
and filings it handsomely at Prof.
DaShielPS unfortunate assertion,
Here are the 81 brain children:
Frances Dee, who spent two years
at the University of Chicago:
Dorothy Tree, a coed at Cornell:
Frances Moffett attended both
Goucher College in Baltimore and
George Washington University,
right here; Miriam Hopkins
studied at Syracuse University.
Judith Wood took an art course
at Skidmore College in Saratoga,
Marjorie Gateson was student
at Packer Collegiate Institute, in
Brooklyn; Frederic Marsh won his
w" at Wisconsin and was presi-
dent of the senior class (hell set
tie with any one who says he's
moron; Gary Cooper studied at
Grineu College, in Iowa; Regis
Toomey received his degree from
Pittsburgh University, Charles
Buddy Rogers was a Junior in
Journalism at Kansas, both |
Charles Starrett and Allen Vim
cent came straight from the
chilly slopes of Dartmouth. Phil |
lips Holmes attended Princeton
remember him as the 'Ieading
lady" of the Princeton TriangIe
Show?); Irving Pichel was a ''47
Workshop" student at Harvard |
Rased Assen easpssesed :. hssl
Evening star., 1931-12-13
A New Idea.

Sketches" 1t is not actual theater. n,
other words, it is so much richer, SC
much more complex, SO much more
gripping In its ability to hold an audi
ence by means Of dramatic Sequences
ana climax, than were her "Character
Sketches" that 1t deserves a classifica-
tion OF Its own. Nor is it theater. as !
nave said. 1t isn't fully theater in the
most eXacting sense, simply for the
reason that 1t requires only the artists
own versatile self, aided by a few cos
tumes-without stage settings, without
the aid OF other actors,
Just what We are going to call this
new form OF dramatic expression is go
ing to be pretty problem for the max
ers and molders of our language
Somewhere along the long way from he
old-1ashioned monologues to the eternal
tneater, this young artist, in the EFFORT
70 give fun expression TO the Individual
talent which she possesses, has discov-
cred q habitable resting place / nre-
dict that she will. find it habitable not
only. for herself, devoting the gifts Of
her imagination to the creation in this
oasis of a nany~chsmhered dwelling
out also that she will find others sfon-
ping of at her oasis TO build for then I,
selves.
Evening star., 1931-12-13

UIN the face of a despondent drama,
a struggling stage and a threat
ened theater," says Oliver M. Sayler, the
author, at is heartening to encounter a
new idea In this bedeviled art and par
ticularly SO when thoroughly native
American like Cornelia Otis Skinner is
the one to whom we are beholden for
the idea
1.-THE title by which Miss SINNERS
new idea will reach the Washington
public tonight and tomorrow night at
the National Theater is 'The Wives OF
Henry VIII" But the title isn't the
idea: 1t scarcely gives mint OF the
idea. Like all ideas when tney are
new, Miss SINNERS isn't SO easy 10 oe-
fine Definitions, like history; come
after the fact; and, the newer the idea
which they seek to crystalize In words,
the more difficult it is TO find common
and parallel ground within familiar hu-
man experience by which TO measure
likeness and difference.
II like to think of Miss Skinners new
idea in this wise: It Is not per well.
known and EellsAked Cnaracter
Evening star., 1931-12-13
Belasco Christmas Week.

|CHR1STMAS week at the Shubert-
Belasco Theater, as at the Ma
tional, will be week off for all hands
so far as drama presentation is con-
cerned, unless, as Manager Taylor saws,
something happens in the meanwhile,
for up to the present writing no at
traction has been billed from the New
York Offices to the National Capital for
that period.
December 28 however, will find things
looking up again, with The Jewel Rob-
berry, as the attraction and with Basil
Sidney and Mary Ellis as it's stars. For
the week starting January 4 the Guth-
rie McClintic Offices announce that Dan
Totherohs new play, Distant Drums, u
with Pauline Lord as its star. will be
sent to the Shubert-Belasco for its first
time on any stage, prior 70 its New York
opening, January H.
Blossom Time" also is said to be
headed in this direction en- route from
Chicago. but no specific time has yet
been set for its arrival THE Student
Prince" which was expected the week
Of January 8, has been Cancelled so far
as Washington is concerned.
Evening star., 1931-12-13
New BalieH Star.

GEORGE HAYES was born in Lon.
~ don and made his first appearance
on the. stage as Osric in Hamlet" with
Sir Johnston Forbes Robertson, appear
ing in the same role in this country
the following year, and in THE Passing
of the Third Floor Back" His next
engagement, with Sir Herbert Tree
again brought him to our shores, where
he has remained for three years
He was seen here in The Merchant
of Venice" "The Merry Wives of Wind
sor" and "An Ideal Husband"
In 1919, in London, he appeared in
L'Aiglon," THE Doctors Dilemma, -
"She Stoops to Conquer" Marriage by
Enstallments," Titus. Andronicus, y
"Othello," "Coriolanus," "Prisoners of
War" and THE Beaux' Stratagem.''
In 1928 he returned tosthis country
with the Stratford- -AVon Festival
Co. from the Shakespeare Memorial
Theater, playing Shylock, Hamlet,
Henry ", Apemantus in "Timon of
Athens" and Richard III. One of his
successful roles in London was Paul /
In Merezhkovsky's "The Death of
Paul l."
He. now heads the cast IN Baheff's
"The Queen Of Spades"
Evening star., 1931-12-13

81 Mess you can make 'em
laugh their heads off or
" thrill 'em to the mar
row you'd better quit
the play business. They don't
want you"
With a very decided accent on
the last you" this was the la
comic message from the seats of
the mighty which reached this
department during the week. It
was conveyed by an old trouper
in publicity, one who is both in
genious and knows his theater.
1t wasn't encouraging, for not
every writer for a dramatic
column has the marrow thrilling
skill, and if the truth must be
told the smiles when he displays
his wares are quite as apt to be
at him as to be due to what he
thinks or says.
DRAMA both tense and tragic
was in th- making of the
marching hosts of the "unem-
ployed" that dribbled into the
National Capital at the opening
of the week. There seemed to
be something ominouS in the
spirit of the pageant as it moved
to a rendezvous in equipages
ranging from a tin Lizzie" to a
fair-Sized truck, some piled high
with human freight and its mea-
ger equipment and all displaying
a sort of desperation and some,
perhaps, despair Coming as it did,
with the assembling of Congress
and closely following earnest and
impressive appeals for contribu-
tionS to the Community Chest, it
seemed to bring with it an emo
ton better fitted for a thrill than
for laughter. There was evidence
of condition whose call is for
careful consideration, the Solu-
tion OF dramatic problem that
might shake the walls of any
theater.
NOT in many years, at least,
has the world at large had
greater need of laughter. Wise
men laugh when fools but sneer
and Snarl. It is always better
to tackle problem with smile
and the world is ready, indeed,
to laugh at the drop of a
hat. But it doesn't want
cynical mirth. It's great need is
hearty, rollicking good humor. 1t
is very earnestly trying to forget
many things, some of them per-
haps which were better not for
gotten.
THE fashion these days, if
things go wrong is to suggest
a survey. And passing from the
serious things of life to the thea
ter. which has its way of saying
and showing these very things,
where it is contended all things
should have their say, a sur
vey might help matters. Minds
that see the theater only in terms
OF money appear already to have
made their survey, and, in the Ian
guage of the message from the OBJ
serving press agent, they have
concluded that the best way to
divert minds burdened with worry
is to make 'em laugh" or thrill
'em It'll they shake in their seats
Discordant orcheStras have been
put to work like sweet bells
tangled out of tune and songs
rough and riotous have been
forced in to lend effectiveness to
the spectacular in musical come
dy and feminine revue. Large
audiences surge into the play
houses and wondering world is
thrilled with stories of marvel
Gus box -office records. But the
cavalcade that rushed into the
city last Sunday was not inter-
esseds IT'S members evidently are
Evening star., 1931-12-13
One of the Pictures.

HOWARD HUGHES widely pro-
H claimed picture, "The Age for
Love" which marks the return to the
screen of Billie Dove, Is now at Warner
Bros Metropolitan.
"The Age for Love" is heralded as
one OF the great productions of the
year IT is said to reveal q new Billie
Dove, In the finest performance of her
career, and to have been more than a
year In the preparation before 1t was
filmed with extravaganza and finesse.
1t is described as an ultra modern, So
phisticated romance drama of love and
marriage, based on the novel by Ernest
Pascal with dialogue by Robert e.
Sherwood, famous movie critic and
playwright. 1t u United Artists
pictpre.
Evening star., 1931-12-13

contrast with the Russian concen
ton of spectacle in theatre hesi
ty and merriment, whose Iiohtsr
and at times bizarre, charm is an
nanceu 1s Dy the genial joviality of
ehe Incompatible Balieff at the
shubert-Belasco Theater suraiv civ
one must be hard to please who
cannot find a choice in what e the
theater at its best has to nffer 'l,f at
this tame q siceA 0Aei az
Evening star., 1931-12-13
Armistice Between Stage
And Screen Factions May
Bring About Good Results
Each to It's Place and End of Bickerng Could
Mean the Salvation of Both-Making the World
Laugh-Local Theaters This Week
By w. H. Landvoist.

lI Unless you can make em what the world broke
heads OFF, And there
thrill to the mar who feel the strain. Indeed
Evening star., 1931-12-13
Stage and Screen Attractions This Week

NATTONALThe Wives of Henry VIII" evening and to-
evening. THE Merchant of Venice" Opens Tues
day evening.
BEIASCO-Baliers Opens tomorrow evening
GAYETY-Gnger Girls bureque) This afternoon and eve
ON THE SCREEN.
RKO KEITS Service" afternoon and evening
EARLE Her Majesty Love This afternoon and evening
PALACE-"CorSair." This afternoon
RTALTO-'Nice Women" This afternoon and evening
METROPOLITAN"The Age for Love" This AFTERNOON and
evening.
Evening star., 1931-12-13
"Average Movie Player
Is Not a Moron!" Saws
One Producing Company
Paramount Takes Issue With College Professor
and Seeks to Prove Him Wrong With List of
Stars Who Received Diplomas.
By E. de S. Melcher.

N. JOHN FREDERICK freshman year at St Thomas be
DASH1EIL University of fore the called him. George
Evening star., 1931-12-13

what the world calls broke. /"
And there are many others, too,
who feel the strain. Indeed.
we are now told that even
the movies, the peoples daily
soul-composers, also are on the
rocks, following closely the
announcement of receiverShips
in the legitimate theater. Mere
tricious entertainment may be
partly the cause of the downfall
in both. Many will guess that
there is something more serious
behind it all.
go that, getting back to the
proverbial mutton, the time
seems apropos for the suggestion
that it might be a wise move
for the talking palace and the
legitimate playhouse, acting we'll
their parts, to get together, back
on speaking terms, as it were.
Toward this end it might be ad-
misSible to observe that every
human being, every human de-
vice, has its proper place in the
affairs of mankind. The problem
however, first is to fit each in its
proper place and then to endeav-
or to insure to each the fruits
OF its own particular mission.
The legitimate stage is the nat
ural home of the drama. And the
drama should remain there pri-
marily for the cultural develop
ment of the people and, second
arily, for their entertainment.
For centuries the arts of the
theater have been fCstered, i'm
proved and perfected in the le-
gitimate theater. The motion pic
ture, either with or without voice,
has no such exalted mission. The
dominant reason for its existence
is that it affords entertainment
satisfying and within the reach
Of the poorest Of us all. 1t can
not Supplant the stage, nor, in
deed, can it build itself up by the
sacrifice of the legitimate theater
The people need them both and
want them both. But each has
its own particular part to play
in the drama of life. each has
its own special province. The
lesser can never equal the greater
No drama was ever successful
where a minor character tried
to hog the spotlight of the star
1t, therefore, behooves the motion
/ picture to perfect an amicable al
lance with the legitimate thea
ter, that both may follow the
lines of honest competition
abandoning cut-throat methods
each pursuing the even tenor OF
/ its honorable way to the success
that will surely crown the efforts
of both in the end. Thus may
it help, if only a mite, in solving
the greater and more serious
problem which dazes this reckless
old world at this particular mo-
ment.
THE current week opens in
Washington with the theater
at its best. In the National we
ma the immortal of the play
Wrights presented by artists who
have attained the heights in their
chosen art, practiced and secure
Otis Skinner brings, with an ex-
perience ripe in theatrical wis
dom, distinguished line of char
acterizations that were famous in
the day OF their creation. Maude
ADAMS, Sir James M. Barrie's own
bright, particular star, who will
ever be cherished as that exquisite
sprite and symbol of eternal
youth, modestly emerges from heI
long retirement to present Shake
Speare's embodiment of feminine
wisdom. The play. one of the ia
vorlte classics of the stage, ranges
IN its moods from the gay to the
'ttrassc and presents Z desiehtful
The Washington times., 1931-04-16
MELLON URGES
NOTE CHECK

Investors of the United States
were urged today by Secretary
of the Treasury Mellon to i'm
mediately check over their Gov
ernment securities and present
for redemption those on which
interest has ceased.
Mellon particularly referred to
approximately $54.00O,O00 in 312
per cent notes of the 19301932
series which have not been re-
deemed and on which interest
stopped March IS, when they
were called.
On these securities investors
are losing at the rate of $l89, 900
year in interest.
On all outstanding govern
ment securities on which interest
has ceased, amounting to $71,-
359,500. investors are losing
about $2,000,O0O a year. Of that
amount, $1,171.60 matured prior
to April l, 1917. It also included
$4,242,8OO of the second liberty
called in 1927, and $7,072,15O of
the third liberty maturino
in 1928. lY.I
The Washington times., 1931-04-16
WAGE AND PRICE
DROP ON FARM

The general downward trend
in agricultural prices was tenn
porarily checked in the latter
part of February and early March,
but further weakness developed
after March Is, according to the
Bureau of Agricultural Economics.
The declines. however, were mod
crate compared with the more
pronounced receSSions of the
months preceding February.
On March IS the index of
prices received by farmers aver
aged 81, l point higher than on
February Is, when the index
reached the lowest level in this
depression as we'll as in the en-
tire 20-year period for which the
index is available. The index for
March was 35 points or u per
cent lower than on March Is,
1880. Cotton and poultry prod
ucts we're the chief items contrib
uting to the slight rise in the
index.
Prices paid for goods used for
family maintenance had been de-
clining gradually since 1925, and
fell sharply during the last half
of 1880. 1t is likely that this
decline will continue during 1881.
Prices of goods used in produc-
ton have shown a smaller de-
cline than either goods for family
maintenance or goods sold by
farmers.
However, wages of farm labor,
not included in the production
goods index, have declined ma
terially, the April l index of
farm wages for the country as a
whole being % per cent lower
than on April /, 1890. The level
of farm wages declined 2 points
between January and April this
year. which is contrary to the
usual seasonal trend
The Washington times., 1931-04-16
Purchasing Agents Want
Usefulness Proved

In an effort to answer what
has seemed an unanswerable ques-
ton, the National Association of
Purchasing Agents has instituted
a contest.
To find a practical method for
measuring the efficiency and
proving the value of the pur-
chasing department, the associa-
tion has offered three cash
awards totaling $500. The com
petition is being conducted under
the rules of the National Associa-
ton of Cost Accountants and is
open to members of both organi-
cations.
It is hoped that the competi-
ton will produce a solution to
this problem that is ever present
in industry. The winning paper
must offer a practicable method
for measuring the value of a
purchasing department, includ-
ing form and composition of re-
ports Of purchasing departments
to management. and basis for
bonus or premium award to pur-
chasing executives or purchasing
department.
The Washington times., 1931-04-16
WORLD BUILDS
FEWER SHIPS

With decline of more than
325,00O gross tons since the be-
ginning of this year the volume
of the worlds merchant ship
building is now smaller than at
any time in the past four years,
states Lloyd's Register of Ship
ping, covering returns for the
quater ended March 81. The
returns include all countries ex-
cept Russia.
OF the decline in the past
three months, two-thirds is &C.
counted for by the falling off Of
work in the hands of shipbuilders
of Great Britain and Ireland.
The total tonnage being built
in those countries now is 215,O00
gross tons less than at the be-
ginning of the year. In Germany
there has also been a marked
decrease, amounting to more than
10000 gross tons; and Holland
and Japan report sizeable de-
clines also.
For the United States. however,
there has been a decrease of only
about 1000 tons. while France
is building nearly $4,000 tons
more than at the beginning of
this year.
The Washington times., 1931-04-16
OIL PLEA HEARD
IN HIGH COURT

The Hoover administration S
policy of conserving oil on public
lands through refusal to grant
prospecting permits was under
fire in the Supreme Court today.
Arguments are being presented
to the court in four cases, in
which unsuccessful applicants re-
sorted to the courts.
The appealing applicants main
tain that President Hoover's
announcement that his Admins,
tration would conserve oil on
public lands did not amount to a
withdrawal from entry, and that
Secretary of Interior Wilbur
usurped the power of Congress in
refusing permits under the leas-
ing act.
Assistant Attorney General
Richardson is contending the
press announcement of Mr..
Hoover constituted withdrawal
and that Wilbur has full discre-
ton to deny applications. Secre-
tary Wilbur heard part of the
argument.
The Washington times., 1931-04-16
Republicans to Increase
Spain's Trade Here

- remedies this trade will In
crease"
At j. Pierpont Morgan & CO..
it was said that the status of the
$60, 100000 18.month credit ex-
tended last month to the Bank of
Spain by an international banking
group is not affected by the recent
political developments in that
country. Morgan & Co.. was one
of the group of American bankers
who participated In the loan.
Bank Got Credit
1t was further pointed out that
the credit was extended to the
Bank of Spain and not the king.
The credit. however, is intact and
has not been drawn on yet, it was
said.
At the Chatham Phoenix Ma
tional Bank it was said the leaders
of the Republican party will take
up the important work of stabiliz-
ing the peseta and that the credit
will then be brought into play.
1t was said the establishment Of
a republican form of government
will be very beneficial in general
to American and Spanish trade.
Financial editors pointed out
that rise in value yesterday Of the
peseta indicated that conditions
would take a favorable turn in
Spain.
The Washington times., 1931-04-16

NEW YORK, April Is Q.N.SO
American trade with Spain will
increase as a result of the fall of
the Bourbon dynasty and the es-
tablishment of the Spanish Re
public.
This was the concensus here to-
day among prominent bankers,
Spanish exporters and importers.
Eduardo Lopez, president of the
Spanish chamber of commerce
and an important Spanish i'm
porter and exporter said:
Last year the United States
bought $3O,OOO,OOO worth of
goods from Spain and Spain'S
purchases in this country
amounted to more than $751;
100000. We expect this trade
to increase"
Stable Peseta Needed
Officials at Briones g. Co.,
largest importers of Spanish olives
and canned fruit in the United
States, said:
THE most important thing
the new government will do
am sure will be to stabilize the
peseta. The constant fluctua-
tion of the peseta in the for
eign money exchange has him
dered trade between the United
States and Spain in the past
and if the new government
The Washington times., 1931-04-16
F FORE|GN TRADE
FALLS HEAVY
IN QUARTER
Exports Lower by S419,170,-'
900 Than 1880 Period, and
Imports Fall S323,000

Exports of goods from the
United States during the three
months ended March 81 dropped
$418,170.000 under those during
the same period last year, while
imports slumped 1928, 1895 900
during the period as compared
with those for the same three
months of 1880.
Exports for the three months
totaled $711,08O,000 against ST..
129,250,000 the corresponding
months last year. Goods worth
$237. 100000 were exported during
March, while the exports during
March year ago were valued at
1869, $4,000.
Imports Also Slip
Imports for the three months
amounted to 1869, 100000 against
1898, ,135 900 last year. Imports
during March totaled $211 200, 900
against 00,460,000 in March
1880.
The figures were issued today
by the Department of Commerce.
There was a continuation of
the inward movement of gold
into the United States during
March, new high record for The
American gold supply having been
registered during the month at
we'll over $4,OOO,OOO,O 900.
Less Gold Shipped
March import of gold amount.
ed to $25,635 900, compared with
$55,478,O00 for the same month
last year, while exports were $26.-
900 compared with $290,00O.
For the three months ending
March 81 gold import amounted
to $76,243,000 against $123,874,0 900
in the same period last year and
exports $95.000,O00 compared with
$9,445 900.