Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-04-12

fault of his own. True, Mr..
Barthelmess seems a trtf1e languid
for the role he assumes, and true
that the picture sets on what Is
to all intents and purposes a
tragedy, with a band-highly
reminiscent Of g. second-rate Sal
walton Army outf1t-doling forth the
funeral anthem. Still, there are
many moments of excitement be-
fore the final flicker is reached,
and for once there are one or two
things about a newspaper Office that
are lukewarm to reality.
Mr.. Barthelmess arrives from the
dangerous South and at once gets
a job on "the best paper in the
world" as a cub reporter, at the
munifcent salary of $35 a week.
Within two weeks he has landed
the neatest story Of the year-been
rewarded by by-line that stretches
half across the page-gets a few
ribs broken by ominous bandits for
the story he wrote, and continues 10
work for S35 a week, with a dirty
look from the managing editor when
he suggests that bread and butter
have to be spread pretty thin at
such small weekly pittance.
Resolving to get enough money so
that he can marry the dreamy-eyed
Fay Wray, he joins up with gang
of gangsters, does a little bribing on
the side, puts away million or SO
dollars, and is about to run off with
his lady when his best friend springs
the wrong story in the paper, and
the next morning he gets lead for
breakfast.
This Is the story that the author
of wings" and the author OF Little
Caesar" have contributed as their
fictionized idea Of what happened to
Mr.. Lingle, with an ironic twist at
the end that makes one wonder If
perhaps there mightn't really have
been some truth In 1t.
The actors are for the most part
well cast. Mr.. Barthelmess is good,
but not perfect. Fay Wray has less
glue on her eyes than usual. and
about the best thing in the picture
is Regis Toomey. who might very
well have risen from the newsroom
Of any paper in the country.
The stage show is full Of Rum
bas"-that Cuban dance with the
earthly pulse - done to crisp by
Charley Boy Rimac and Giro Rosary,
assisted by their Royal Havana
Runba Orchestra. And others on
Tie lOIlS anu 1i1JCI DUNG DiIL lIlClQuc
Audrey Depew in Porcelain Ro-
nance" with a swell adagio in the
middle of it; Harry Ross and Eddie
Edwards Bob Carleton and Julie
Ballew, Maxine Doyle getting less
coy with her Thank youW and
most everything to lure you inside
and away from the great and gold
Spring sunshine.
F. De S. Melcher.
Honor Among Lovers" and Good
Stage Program at Palace.
UHONOR AMONG LOVERS"
L shown at the Palace theater,
is very largely a study of the ability
Of Claudette Colbert to put reality
into differing phases OF the feminine
character If her standing on stage
or screen were dependent on this
drama of business life, no further
test would be required for a favor
able decision. Although she is as
sisted by an excellent cast, 1t is her
production from the opening scene to
the final climax. While the story
presented has the interest that pro-
duces the unusual phenomenon Of
bursts Of applause for a mere pic
ture, yet 1t is the leading featured
player whose every appearance gives
satisfaction from the theatrical and
artistic standpoints.
As a representative efficient Secre-
tary TO a man Of affairs, she makes
the character a reality In q way that
is seldom shown. AS the chief fig
ure in a romance involving a COM
paratively poor man, she invests the
role with decisive quality of sin
cerity. AS the neglected wife, her
appeal Is equally potent, and as the
defender of an ungrateful man who
has been guilty Of major crimes she
displays range of emotions which
is far above the average The Pal
ace, in fact, presents some attractive
acting.
While Fredric March contributes
his vigoT and discrimination to the
success Of the piece, the demands on
him are n9 50 great as in other
recent prohibitions, yet he reveals no
faW IN a good picturizataon Of the