Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-21
From the Front Row
Reviews and News of Washington 5 Theaters.

the terpsichorean program.
Comedy and Music
Offered Mt Palace.
COMEDY and music, delivered
with the precision to be expected
of a George White production, in
Flying High" at Loew's Palace
Theater, do not obscure the fact that
Bert Lahr and Charlotte Greenwood
are here presented with all the
abandon of their comic natures and
that the rest of the performance is
the setting in which they are per
mitted to shine. There is plenty Of
original pictorial background, for
well trained evolutionS, photographed
from top and sides, to make strong
appeals to the eye, while evolutionS
in the air by Mr.. Bahr and Miss
Greenwood, with an odd-shaped
specimen of the aircraft class, create
comedy with combined qualities Of
the laughable and the impressive.
However ingenious has been the
method by which the antics of the
comic pair have been transferred
from a representation of the upper
air to the film, they have all the
startling effect of a real photograph
and give Plying High" high place
among the screen contributions to
pure action.
Mr.. Lahr has his own distinctive
style, which shines either aloft or on
the ground, and he is well matched
in the making of a spirited feminine
figure of the extravaganza type by
his chief associate. In addition, the
milder moments of the story are
made to carry the interest that NAV
be expected by the acting of Pat
O'Brien, Kathryn Crawford, Guy
Kibbee and Hedda Hoppa, all Of
whom are capable contributors to
the output of the filrs.
The stage performance at the
Palace is Of the customary quality,
with careful stage direction, the well
trained chorus and acts by several
expert entertainers. The revue is
called Going Places" and intro
duceS fine piano playing by Hall
Yates, a mixture of various types of
entertainment by the Rio Brothers.
harmonica playing by Larry Adler
and lively comedy by Maddox and
Mack. Old songs which have been
hits are we'll done with lantN-n
slides by the organ. Several short
subjects also are given. D. C. C.
The GuardSman"
Still Remains at Columbia,
"THE GUARDSMAN," that light
and wonderfully silly screen
version OF the successful play once
staged by the New York Theater
Guild, is happily staying on at the
Columbia for second week. This
is one of the pleasantest films of the
year, and is recommended to every
one who likes acting in the ininitable
manner OF the famous Lunts, two of
the worlds best sophisticated clowns.
Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne.
VINO won their Suprs long ago on
broadway and are now very securely
lodged among the acting idols of the
land, carry this very slender story to
real heights. Great credit is also
due to Director Sidney Franklin.
who. among other clever things, in
corporated into the film the idea of
the opening, and plotted that anus
ing little scene in which the two
Leading actors smile and curse at
each other IN front of the curtain.
In this slight little saga of a jeal-
Gus actor who tempts his wife into
supposing that she is in love with
another man-does she know who It
Is, or doesn't she? that is the main
topic OF dinner these days-another
lady and the tiger" Mr.. Lunt and
ms handsome wife prove that you
don't nave to be Graded in the arms
OF the studios to be able to perform
smoothly. They are continually de-
nghtful. and never suggest anybody
out themselves In their refreshing
performance. They are. too, splen-
oldly supported by ZaZu Pitts and
roland Young. Unfortunately it does
seem as though M-G-M might have
ntted them out with brighter sets
and more imaginative decor"
e. de s. NJ.
Way Back Home"
Continues at R-K-O Kefth's.
POPULAR interest in Seth Parker,s
MIN Way Back Home" at
R-K-O Keith's, Is demonstrated
by a second extension of the book
ing here, for portion of q third
week Is to be given to the Jones'
port piece, the engagement continu-
ing through Tuesday, when there
Will be change of program.
washington has shown its appre-
clation OF the opportunity to see this
radio star, either In person or in the
motion picture, and his recognized
human qualities, set forth in q simple
melodrama Of the traditional sort,
have continued to arouse enthusiasm
since the opening of the play here
The personalities that surround
the distinguished young-oId star are
recognized, the simple old songs give
Keen pleasure, and the kindly soul
as pictured, Strengthening out the
troubles of neighbors and close
friends, is just what might have
been expected when Seth Parker Is
on view.
Local Drama Guild
Trial Of Mary Dugan."
IF the plays which the Drama
Guild of Washington produces
during the remainder of the year are
done with the SurefootednesS of last
nights The Trial of Mary Dugan"
at the Wardman Park Theater,
Washington can throw out its chest
and beam benignly on the whole of
the acting world. Those who watched
the baptismal performance of these
leading local thespians must have
felt that the seeds being sown will
sprout high and wide and eventually
blossom into the most luxurious
mining fruit tree this city has ever
seen.
The virtues of last nights presen-
tation were manifold. AS a sample,
when Caroline Mckinley, as the mu-