Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-20


here, with so appealing star as
Janet Gaynor giving the service;
and it Is most doubtful that any
one familiar with both would
think for a moment that Adolphe
Menjou, that modern lover of
lovers, in his proudeSt efforts,
should be compared with the IA
nous Leo Ditrichstein, who Gre
ated the title role in THE Great
Lover" for the legitimate stage not
so very many years ago. Both
these plays, famous in their day,
seemed to fall short of expecta.
tionS in the movie palaces, in
spite of their superior treatment
by movie art and talents. Per-
hapS it may be that the changes
OF the flying years have also
brought about change in taste
in matters of the theater. It
would be worth ones life to argue
the question with the modern re-
viewers, who have accumulated
added wisdom through seeing
more than their predecessors.
ss-NOUTH viii be served" and
also it twill not be denied
Our genial friend George M.
Cohan, once a gilded youth of
high renown himself, however,
seems peeyed with the present
generation, If one may Judge
from the comment of the drama
writer for the New York Times
AS Mr.. Cohan's play may reach
Washington eventually, If not
soon, it may be of interest to re-
call some of his observations.
Mr.. Conan, says Brooks Atkin-
son Of the Times, "haS slapped the
wrists of the arrogant generation"
in Friendship" his latest play,
now current In New York. Mr..
Atkinson considers Friendship"
to be "the best Of the three mer-
camille argoSieS that limped into
the New York dramatic port" at
the time he wrote, week ago. It
appears that through the three
acts of his play Mr.. Cohan tells,
with some humor, some repetition
and some monotone, the story of
a Broadway valentine, with the
wedding bells ringing when the
play is DONE" But to increase the
Interest, If not the indignation, of
irresponsible young lovers = and
aren't we all?"--he says they are
arrogant, ignorant and selfish. "
He is very much displeaSed with
that portion of them who apollo
gize for their parents and who are
VIGOROUSLY lacking in common
appreciation - according to the
play. But, after this frank and
forceful scolding, the play, movie
like, has the happy ending OF
making them grow up, following
the example set by their elders,
until they are sick with the palsy
of being wise"
THE new season appears to be
coming into Washington with
Surer step thus far than was
expected. The opening at the
National last Monday evening was
pronounced by New York theater
representatives to be eminently
satisfactory, both in the quality
and in the quantity of patronage.
The box Office seemed especially
happy. A week from tomorrow
evening the Shubert-Belasco will
appear in full dress for its re-
opening with "Once In a Life
time" And there is a substantial
rumor to the effect that the How
ard Theater, in the northwest Sec
ton, under Philadelphia manage
ment, has been almost rebuilt for
a higher and nobler career than
1t has yet enjoyed, and will cater
with an altogether finer class of
entertainment.
n &k
PERHAPS no announcement
from the stagnant world of
the theater could arouse greater
interest than that of the re-
appearance upon the legitimate
stage of Maude Adams, one of the
brilliant lights Of the American
theater in days gone by and the
creator OF the immortal "Peter
Pan" of Sir James M. Barrie. And
this interest is greatly enhanced
by the further promise that this
distinguished actress Is to make
her re-entry in the American
theater with Otis Skinner, for her
companion star, and in a new
production Of Shake speare's
Merchant of Venice" under the
auspices Of Erlanger Amusement
Enterprises, Inc.
John D. Williams will stage the
production and rehearSals have
been called for as early as October
3. The play will open outside of
New York, on November 2, and will
tour the South and West during
the coming Winter, with Miss
Adams as Portia, and Mr.. Skinner
as Shylock. Washington will
earnestly hope that nc may come
this way.