Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-03-22

a-a----..-@-Sl as her apparent
Mary P,ckford delight in the
use of dialect
obviously foreign to her.
The original "Kiki" was a little
French girl in Paris. The screen
production has brought the French
girl to Broadway. The things that
Xxi does. such as hiding in the
bed of the man whom she loves, who
refuses even to like her, might be
done in Paris, where gamins and
apaches and strange personalities
have long been known to mingle on
the banks of the Seine. New York,
however, despite the fact that it
possesses its own and sundry varieties
of rackets, is a strange place to find
some one like Kiki.
Kiki in New York seems as uncon-
vincing as Mary Pickford's broken
very much broken) English. Mary's
French accent in French is very
much better than it is in English.
The play does afford, however,
several opportunities for Miss Pick
ford to demonstrate her defiance Of
the passing of years. She dances
and turns somersaultS and bites and
fights with as much fire and vim
as she did in the days Of her long
golden curls.
Briefly, the story tells of a little
French chorus girl who finds her
way to the stage of a Broadway va
riety show. There she develops a
secret passion for her producer Vic
tor Randall, who still retains a deep
affection for his divorced wife, Paul
cite Vale, the star CT his theatrical
production. Through a burst of
temper, XXI loses her place in the
chorus and manages to work her
way into the Office of Randall, where
she begs for another chance to make
good. Failing second time, Kiki is
about to go forth into the night
streets, unemployed and penniIess,
when Randall, who has Just had one
of his periodic fallings out with
Paulette, tells her he will put her up
in his home for the night. A series
OF rather unbelievable complications
develops. Kiki slaps Randalls face
when he tries to kiss her, but con-
tinues to retain her residence In
Randall's apartment with the pass
ing OF days. In an equally incred-
ible manner. despite the Shaping of
faces and her biting and fighting
RandaI's faithful servant Eddie,
XXI triumphS over Paulette, dis
misses that lady forever from RAN
dalPs heart and fancy and safely en-
sconceS herself therein, thereby prov
ing the old maxim, love begets
love"
Reginald Denny, as Randall, the
theatrical producer, also seems to
have been given an unsuitable role.
His gentility and patience, somehow,
appear a trifie too serene for the
character he impersonateS. Joseph
Cawthorn as the rich, old roue, who
controls the play with his money, Is
one Of the most convincing and de-
lightful characters in the production.
Paulette Vale is adequately well
played by Margaret Livingston.
In addition to the feature, there
are several short reel subjects, in
Guiding a Burton Holmes travel film
and a Hal Roach Our Gang" COM
edy. G. S. s.
Range" Is Notable Film
Made in Sumatra WiIds.
PROGRESS In the filming of wild
animals has its fine frlition In
the notable sound picture, "Rango,"
which opened at the Rialto Thea
ter yesterday. Jungle experiences,
incorporated into written or spoken
tales, have their fascination for
those who may give attention to
them from a safe distance, but this
joint product of Ernest B. Schoed-
sack. producer: Julian johnson, as
sociate, and Alfred williams, cam
erman, brings one into close contact
with tigers, leopards, water buffa-
los and orang-utans while they
fight their battles to the finish.
With these dumb products of the
wilds are shown two humans, faith
er and young son, who have
courageously established a home in
the midst Of natures most violent
region. Sumatra was chosen for
the camera expedition, and the re-
suits are both fascinating and
tragic, as constant conflict leaves
its trail of death.
While some other animal pictures
have represented incidental plots
in which the people involved fur
ntshed their separate stories of adj
venture, there is here presented the
singular contact between the orang-
utans and the family from civiIiza-
ton. in which a young representa-
tive of the ape family becomes in
fact a member Of the household
which has penetrated the wilds.
Mutual protection is given, there is
much comedy, and there are thrills
incidental to the raids made by
members Of the cat family. The
clear air of Sumatra and its "ac-
tinic" power give clearness, which
enhances the value of this motion
picture.
One of the high spots is the bat
tie between a tiger and water buff
falo. in which the latter's proves
saves the life of the boy in the
story. The latter also saves his
home from attack by night prowl-
er when he sending an unerring shot
into the semi-darkness which sur
rounds his living quarters. SIAM
pedes are frequently shown, as the
common enemy approaches, and the
continuous activity in the jungle
of the Dutch East Indies is i'm
pressed upon those who see the pro-
duction.
Two comedy reels, Crazy House
and Crashing Hollywood" are also
in the weeks entertainment at the
Rialto, the former, made in colors,
involving a ballet of the spectacular
type, together with some excellent
singing and dancing. Graham Nc
Namee's newsree1 has the latest
events in pictures, and Otto Beck
stars at the organ. d. G. G.
"The SOetherner,''
Is Tibet at His Best.
THE old Southland, pillared
porches, "mammies" breaking
into exultant singing, and the son of
wealthy family who has roamed
away and comes back home, a
tramp" these are the background
against which THE Southerner,"
the new film at the Palace, Is built.
And, with the singing of Lawrence
Tibbett, and the comedy supplied by
Roland Young and Cliff Edwards,
plus the blonde beauty Of Esther
Ralston, a film emerges that should
appeal to one and all.
Mr.. Tibbett is more himself than
he has been allowed to be hereto
fore in the films. Minus elaborate
custom and grandioSe gestures, he
plays the part Of a vagabond who