Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-11-01

w YITH a hitch in its an
A cient wig, sharpening
Wv OF the crimson liplines
and dab of powder
upon its nose, Drama
with big D-will hop to its
time honored perch in the Ma
tional Theater tomorrow evening,
and the curtain will go up for a
play. It will not be a new play,
but doubtless many in the audi
ence may class it daring, per-
hapS q sophisticated, exposition
of human waywardneSS, even
though it lack the romp of rhyth-
mic melody or the Ii1ournful moan
of the grooming modern. Tt will
be just one of those merry, old,
long-forgotten oltpouringS of the
Elizabethan age, by a hummer
who once upon a time was ac-
claimed a marvel among men.
Some, indeed, may think him such
even now and still able to keep
step and march with a lively gait
to the tune of the ages. Doubt
less there will be lingering ghosts
of the past on hand to accord the
welcome that once was his, even
though hampered by thrilling
memories of the vanished "Vani-
ties" or interrupted by leftover
giggles that belonged to Joe
Cooks gadgetS. The occasion at
least will offer opportunity TO the
present generation to determine
really If "the plays the thing"
or the pretty star. he or she, is
more important in our theater
now nude or nonSenSical.
CERTAINTY has developed into
thing so volatile in con-
nection with the chronicling
OF possibilities in our theat-
rical midst of late that, were not
the distinguished and dependable
Guthrie McClintic standing Spon-
sor for 1t, one might be disposed
to question the announcement
that the gifted and delightful
Francine Larrimore will be found
in the Shubert-BelaSco Theater
tomorrow evening in S. N. Behr-
mans latest play, Brief Mo-
ment," whose efferveScent wit
and heart-warming hunaor al
ready are being talked of the coun-
try over. And If that should not
meet the full strength of the de-
mandS, there will be with her no
less supporter than Alexander
Woollcott, who, in his day, has
made life miserable for tortured
producers of the drama and sem
sitive players of the theater by
his caustic comment upon their
product However, Mr.. Woollcott
even more so than the tantalizing
Haywood Broun, has also an es-
tabliShed rank and fame in the
halls of milnicrv So that he well
may be expected TO have that
something which will entitle him
to share in the honorS of the en-
tertainment. Cleveland, Ohio
where Brief Moment" first broke
the shell of its concealment, was
30 highly delighted with the hatch
that even the blaSe New York
commentators are showing signs
Of interested expectancy. This is
little short of q wonder in this
day and generation. 1t should,
likewise. be a Recommendation to
patronize Mr.. Behrman'S play
even though YOU NAV be most
AGNOA A0AA AA4kk4ANGS9%a WANAA VAN 0N
tractive line of endsavorS an
nounced for Mr.. Shakespeare.
A NOTE of Joy, rich in mellow
fullneSS, comes from the
drama country hard by Long Is
land. 1t says that Hot and Both
cred" another musical comedy. is
being nurtured by Boston patron
age, or viii be so nurtured, by its
metropolitan promoters for a tri-
umphant Manhattan premiere
about Christmas time. 1t viii
thus do double duty. for it is ex-
pected to break loose first in al
its glory in Beantown about
Thanksgiving day. Thus does
modern taste set aside the Christ
mas - pantomime which the
Rrouchy old-timer loves TO grow
about. Also. 1t appears. we are
right now, this very day, to learn
the truth about Hollywood, after