Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31

has forgotten, for the moment at
least, the two different mediums
that the stage and screen directors
are working with. The last pic
ture of Marion Davies, which was
called, think, Its Wise Child"
was highly improved by its screen
version. 1.-The Front Page" on the
screen is not as good as the stage
production, simply because it does
not lend itself so we'll to the
screen. It is mostly talk-a rapid
fire dialogue which is difficult to
follow if one ever loses track OF
the main thread. So, it goes with
a number of stage plays that have
been switched to the talking
screen. Some of them are i'm
proved in the studios; some are
completely ruined. 1t depends
largely upon the sort of play, upon
the skill Of the director, and not
upon the fact that changes are
made in the original.
Authors complain that their
stories are not followed by the
adaptors and directors. In many
instances the stories in their orig
inal form are unsuitable for screen
plays. They must be changed.
And as long as the writer's are
signing contracts for thousands,
what difference, after all, If a few
changes are made?
Here are the reasons 1Uhy they
become stars. nccOrdiuO to the
Warner Brothers publicity de-
partment:' Winnie Lightner has
"Something' In her uiUacity
1ohich is difficult to explain;
Euelyn Knapp has "the spirit
OF youth";' Dolores Costello has
"a certain mudonnalike grace
that distinguishes her.: Con-
stance Bennett is pure Sophts-
ticGtion",; James Cdgney otDes
his success to his Irish physi-
ognomy and his compiler per-
Sondlity",: Frank Fay is light,
sophisticated and puckiSh."
NotD, If you desire to rise above
the extra grade in motion pic
lures you must possess traits
that are different.
Short Flashes.
THE local George Washington
Bicentennial Committee has
stimulated an encouraging amount
of interest in it's garden contest
with an exhibit in the lobby of the
Fox Theater. Silver cups are prizes
offered the various communities
for garden and lawn improve
ments during the coming year.
The exhibit, blooming in the heart
of the city, has been voted one of
the most interesting ever display
ed by Washington theater.
Work has been started on Will
liam PowellS first starring We
hicle for his new employers, War
ner Bros. The picture Is The
Other Man." and others in the
cast are Marian Marsh, Doris
Kenyon, Alison Skipworth and
Frederick Kerr. The story was
written by Roland Pertwee.
Ben Lyons plays opposite Con-
stance Bennett in Bought" a
story taken from the novel Jack
davis Strut"
Leo GARLIC and Dorothy Burgess
are the leading figures in "Lasca
Of the Rio Grande." Johnny Mack
Brown is a member of the sup
porting cast.
Enid Bennett has been substi-
tuted for Irene Rich in Waterloo
Bridge" Mae Clarke has been
given the role previously assigned
to Rose Hobart. James Whale Is
directing for Universal.
Beau Pest" is to be the title of
the next Harold Lloyd picture for
Paramount. 1t Is a burlesque on
the Foreign Legion, written by
Richard Connell.
Clara Kimball Young, we'll
known to the older movie fans,
will be starred in Women Go On
Forever" which James Cruze is
producing.
Estelle Taylor, recently cast OPP
poSite Ronald Colman in The
Unholy Garden" will follow this
with a role in the United Artists
production, Street Scene" King
Vidor will direct.
six Weeks in Reno" is the title
of the Bert Wheeler and Robert
Woolsey picture being made by
Radio.
Betty Bronson, who has been
seen in many ingenue roles, will
have her first heavy" part in
Lover Come Back" a Columbia
product.
The new Marilyn Miller picture.
Our Social Whirl," will be started
next month.
Kathlyn Williams, once a star of
the serials. is now a character
actress. She has an important
role in Daddy Long Legs"
George O'Brien and Sally Eilers
are appearing in wyoming Won
der"
Sidewalks of New York" is to
be the next Buster Keaton picture
and Anita Page plays opposite the
star.
The Metro Goldwyn Mayer
plans a screen version of
oliver Twist" and Jackie Cooper
has been signed for the leading
role. 1t Is reported that the
salary has been jump
ed to $1,000 a week.
How is this for a lineup in one
picture? Erich Stroheim, Adolphe
Menjou and Lily Damita have
been signed to appear in THE
Sphinx Has Spoken" The story
Is taken from the best seller, THE
Lives of a Bengal Lancer"
Doug Fairbanks, ir.. has COM
oleted work in IT Like Your
Nerve. Loretta Young has the !
eading feminine role.
Kay Francis starts her first
Brothers picture in Sep
nE -k-