Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-02-28
From the Front Row
Reviews and News of Wa shinston's Theaters.

matron and then--wonder OF Won
ders-the young matron becomes
disillusioned, embittered woman, who
turns killer" to protect the honor OF
q 16-year-old daughter.
Strange role for dreamy-eyed
little Helen, and, incredible as 1t may
seem, she carries of the real honorS
of the play in her part as mother OF
a grown-up daughter. In fact, IN
"Milly" Miss Twelvetrees reveals her
self capable of rising to very dra-
matte heights and though, perhaps,
some credit is due to clever make
up. one watches her change from
girlhood to sophisticated womanhood
with convincing realism.
The story is not pleasant one.
but then frequently truth is not
pleasant. and Mile" contains much
that is unhappily too true. 1t tells
the story of Mile who as a young
girl elopes with Jack Maitland, young
and wealthy urbanite. Three or four
years later Mile learns of Matt
lands infldelity and, disillusioned,
seeks a divorce and starts forth to
earn her living independently. She
leaves much-loved little daughter
with her mother-in-law, realizing the
child will have greater advantages
with her wealthy grandmother than
with q working mother" AS
young and pretty divorce Mile re-
ceives much attention from innum-
cradle admirers, but steadfastly re-
fuses to marry, telling them all that
"once was enough" Finally she
falls in love with young newspaper
reporter, and, while admitting her
love, still refuses to marry. Believ-
ing, however, that Tommy (Robert
Ames) loves her. even though she re-
fuses matrimony, Mile becomes
reckless and embittered when she
learns that he also has been untrue
to her. She gives herself up to
life Of dissipation. passing lightly
from one love affair to another when,
still attractive and beautiful. she
hears that her 16-year-old daughter
is receiving the attentions of for
mer dissolute admirer. Millie goes
forth to Ibid him be gone" He re-
fuses and as consequence tragedy
ensues. Hearing that the man has
taken her young daughter Connie to
a lonely lodge under false pretenses,
Mill1e seeks him out and, finding
him alone with Connie, shoots and
kills him. A trial ensues and Mile
is acquitted when it Is learned that
she killed in order to save her young
daughters honor.
Great things may be expected Of
the young woman, Anita Louise, who
plays the part of Connie This
young person is not only good to
look upon, but reveals more than
usual amount of histrionic ability.
Only one note jars the convincing
passage of years. as revealed by the
faces of those who play the story
the costumes throughout the play re-
main surprisingly unchanged. the
modes of 1891 seeming to prevail
from beginning to end.
The cast throughout Is excellent,
including Lilyan Tashman, John
Holiday, Joan Blondell and James
Hail..
Several factors contribute to max
ing "MIllie" different from the
average run Of modern tragedies.
Mile isn't gold-digger. She scorns
gifts from men and is Indifferent to
their attentions. Finally, instead of
killing a lover through motives of
Jealousy or revenge, she kills man
to protect the honor of a young
daughter whom she has given up
since babyhood. Yes, Mile is diff
ferent, but you can't help but like
her.
Short reels, including fashions re-
Gently rushed over from Paris: a
news reel and a comedy are offered
in addition to the feature picture on
the progT am. G. S. S.