Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-11
From the Front Row
Reviews and News of Washington Theaters.

to marry her, Brook is so miser-
able that Naomi decides to tell her
the truth, hoping she will no longer
heed Caleb's instructions when she
learns he is not her father Brooks
unhappineSs, however, Is increased.
She feels that she can never betray
Calebs kindness to her and turns
against her mother. Later she goes
to China as a missionary, leaving
behind her her young lover, her
father and mother. In China she
meets the one man who sweeps"
her off her feet as her mother had
been swept" and only then does
she realize the force of the influence
which had wrecked the life OF her
mother. who has died a broken
hearted woman after the daughters
departure from home.
An interesting newsreel and other
short subjects, including Hal
Roach comedy and an animated
cartoon song reel, conclude the
program. g. 5. 5.
Old Drama at the RialtO
Deals With Domestic Quarrel.
A PLAY by Sidney Howard, which
"A has become known to the stage
as Half Gods" Is offered on the
screen at the Rialto under the title
Free Love-" Contrary to the i'm
plications of the title, the produce
ton takes for its theme the GER
tainty of a reconciliation for a
couple which has found that mutual
attraction points to the impossible
ity of living apart. There has been
Interpolation of few rather point
ed and unnecessary remarks between
husband and wife, but the story as
a whole is normal and conventional,
with the customary interference on
the part of persons who might find
pleasure in destroying the family
harmony.
Two actors, Conrad Nagel and
Genevieve Tobin. whose work has
Illuminated many such film attrac-
tions, give interest to the develop
ment of the plot, which begins with
a difference in taste between hus-
band and wife over the family par
ticipation in a succession of social
affairs and entertainments, a cause
of WEAKNESS to the busy husband.
Although the incidents almost lead
to the divorce court, the report of
a serious accident to the husband
paves the way for the end of the
warfare, and happy family
emerges.
Zasu Pitts again has a typical
part in the family maid, who is in
volved in numerous incidents of a
lighter nature, employing the well
known talents of this prominent
figure in the cinema world. Others
in the cast are Monroe OwSley, Ilka
Chase, Sidney Bracey, Slim Sum-
merville, George Irving, Richard
Tucker and Bertha Mann.
The Rialto also has several in
tereSting subjects Of the shorter
type, including the reproduction of
the music of Verdi in the series of
Famous Music Masters, and drama
built about prize fight, while Otto
Beck at the organ, the musical car
toons and the newsreel complete
the program. D. G. Q.
Passion Flower"
At Metropolitan.
Tor the next few days those who
! did not see Passion Flower" in
its first bloom at the Palace may run
into 1t at the Metropolitan.
This strangely misnamed screen
story may be described as battle
between the "Kays." For In this
Kay Francis and Kay Johnson bat
tie for the love of Charles Bickford,
who manages to fall in love with
them both. 1t is a pleasant screen
fable this-and not at all what the
title implies. Some of the scenes
are quite delightful, especially the
ones in which the young boy appears,
and the struggle of the wife to get
her husband away from the siren"
is done convincingly and often
charmingly. The acting is well
rounded-except, perhaps, in the
case of Mr.. Bickford, who seems a
trtfie tepid for such a role.