Evening star., 1931-12-26

real talent that
was not dependent on the atmos-
phere of the sink for public recog-
nition Followers of the stage will
recollect that keen minds predicted
a downfall a few years ago, when
producers of vaudeville forgot the
Keith standards.
Now comes revival of the Keith
speciality III the National Capital.
The new policy was inaugurated at
the Keith Theater on the Christmas
holiday and the Washington public
was permitted to view the first Sc
lectionS in the presentation of the
features that were associated with
the interest of regular attendants
at that house. 1t was an auspicious
opening. though it is suspected that
the famous Mr. Keith might have
looked quizzically at Harry Lang
don. This featured member of the
stage entertainment staff is a nat
ural comedian, but is very much like
what the town has been getting
That is, his humor depends less on
bri]liancy than on an appeal to
those who think it is amusing to
offend the Sensibilities. Yet, ac-
cording to current standards, he is
good
The bill, as a whole, has the gilt
ter OF a real Keith performance
Staged with artistic zeal, it presents
a series OF performers, all Of whom
have the required stage poise to
send across the footlights the mes
sage that they have already arrived
and are rot asking for the indorse-
ment of an expert audience They
are showing what they know about
their own technique, and in general
II Is good. If there is anything in
the line of originality that can be
introduced into any overWorked field
they are there to produce it. and it
Is finished in their hands. That is
the impression they uncorSciously
convey, and the audiences yeSter-
day responded. as they always do
In the face of talent. If the Keith
management continues to seek the
genuine, it is forecast by the spirit
OF the opening patrons that it will
be received with old-time enthu-
SiaSm.
An outstanding piece OF originality
represented in the course of the
snow was the achievement of that
phase in the development of jazz
that makes 1t a factor in the field
OF humor as applied to the musical
realm. In these days of the decline
OF jazz, it is to be noted with pleas
ure tr.t Boyd Senter, the "one-
man orchestra" plays jazz with the
flourish OF any musician. but with
comic flavor that gives it a new
role. And for this contribution he
is entitled to a gold medal His
other selections on various instru-
ments are equally finished.
One of the most artistic comedians
Of the present-day stage is Violet
Carlson, and her varied assortment
OF original appeals to the apprecia-
tion Of humor is most attractive.
The Whiteside act, with. Anita and
Brewer. assisted by Lynn Burno and
Frances PEPPER. is musical group
that is very satisfying. with some
effective dancing. and the Mangean
Internationals, acrobats and tum-
blers, offer the best feats in their
line
There Is also a motion picture on
the Keith program, presenting a
likelv pair. Bert Wheeler and Rob-
ert Woolsey. in an extravaganza of
divorce called Peach o. Reno" 1t
Is believed this pair Of comedians is
worthy Of good vehicle with bril-
liant lines In this divorce plav
tfey Just carry on While some
of the gags seem original and very
bright. it should be suggested that
the Hollywood staff of writers ought
to be warned that it is a waste of
good material to write gags that
have long since become venerable. or
are merely impudent in the mind
OF the intelligent D. C. C.
Possessed"
Suffers Only in Plot.
Joan CRAWFORD'S latest effort,
Possessed, now playing at the
Columbia, will draw the crowds.
The picture is entertaining. The
acting is of the highest order The
dialogue is most effective. From a
technical standpoint the picture is
outstanding. But the plot! That
plot! Horrible! The less said about
it the better.
Miss Crawford is downright good.
She, fits perfectly into the Icle of
the poor working girl, who casts
aside calico for ermine and turnips
for caviar She bitches her wagon
to the well known star and glideS off
into the stratosphere. She loses her
sense of direction and goes into a
nose dive now and then, but always
avoids crash.
One must not forget Miss Craw-
ford's French. She departs from the
tall timbers with only a limited
knowledge of the Kings English.
Before you know it, she has arrived
in the big city and acquired a knowl-
edge of French of which a native
Parisien might proudly boast. The
plot abounds with such flaws, if
one must be critical. In the final