Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-08-16
From the Front Row
Reviews and News of Washington Theaters.

rives and Tommy Boy is entered.
Gable upsets the plot Of his gang to
cause Tommy Boy to lose, giving
Tommy Boy the chance to win the
Derby, and thereby Mr.. Gable walks
of with Miss Evans.
The scene of the race Is partiC
ularly thrilling. Many In the au-
dience could be heard to half sup
press such shouts as Gone on, old
boy" If you love horses and the
track, you viii certainly enjoy this
picture.
On the stage we again have Ted
Claire, this time In Happy Feet"
with Wilton and Weber. When one
sings the other appears to be sing
ing, but see for yourself if you can
straighten them out. Then there are
the three Brown Buddies who have a
fine routine of tap dancing. The
Chester Hale Girls and the Palace
Syncopaters round out. j. N. H.
Drama From South Sea
Unique Film at Columbia.
VOICES of the South Sea is
landers are subordinated to
musical themes in 'Tabu." the mo-
ton picture of charm and originality
which is at the Columbia Theater.
Other films have had similar settings
with Hollywood acting, but here is
the drama of another and ordinarily
isolated race, shown in ats most SOL
emn moments, acted in pantomime
by selected people of the Pacific,
whose understanding of the story
colors their work throughout. There
is no crudeness in the acting, no
failure to touch the dramatic mo-
ments with q skill that seems TO be
Unborn. while long story that grips
the mind is unfolded. as the restless
ocean gives the touch that alone
could make vivid the life and prob
lens Of people who are known TO
Americans almost solely through
highly colored fiction.
Perturbation Of the rites of these
islanders has its effect upon the
imagination, because they have sig
nificance in a tragedy of two young
lives entering upon an adventure
which is a defiance Of the DEGREES Of
past generations and reveals sacri-
fee, devotion and heroic acts involv-
ing qualities common to all human
ity. That q region so remote should
be made to contribute TO the Ameri-
can Stage, IIOIu IdClNe SOuTCGb, U1lc
of the most effective of incidents is
to be credited to the enterprise of
the Paramount management. Much
credit also is due r. w. Murnau,
whose labors among the natives pro-
duced several actors Of q superior
grade.
The most creditable performer in
the group Is the young woman, Reri,
whose representation of the person
who puts her own romance above the
native demands that she take her
place as a holy person, withdrawn
from ordinary contacts. is an achieve
ment that must arouse admiration
Apparently one of the best products
Of her race. she maintains the native
characteristics while displaying the
best art of the stage. Associated with
her in the development of the story
Is the young native, Matahi. who has
the physical and mental traits that
enable him to give realism TO the tale.
Hitu. as the chieftain who represents
the unyielding force Of tradition. also
gives stage quality to his work.
F. w. Murnau. who directed the
production. has mingled the musical
ceremonies OF the tribe with the more
personal incidents with the hand Of a
master, and the musical accompani-
mentS show q mixture of native and
American music. These musical set
tings were by Hugo Risenfeld.
d. c. g.