The Washington times., 1931-02-10
HEAT WAVES
DEBUT AT
NATIONAL
BY ANDREW r. KELLEY

In one of the oriental colonies
Of the British Empire where op-
pressive heat, hard liquor and
women furnish problems for both
natives and settlers, Playwright
Roland Pertwee has found the in
gradients for his new drama,
Heat Wave" which opened at
the National Theatcr last night.
Behind the laoel, St.atford P.o
auctions. Inc. is said to be the re-
sources of Warner Brothers, with
the California studios the objec-
tive of the Pertwee fiction after it
has run it's course on Broadway.
Either Basil Rathbone or William
Powell are mentioned for the lead.
In the play it is Actor Rathbone,
and he has been snugly fitted to
The type of role he has long dis
5inguished.
Exciting Incident
What the opening night per
'ormance of Heat Wave" re-
vealed was a first act slightly en-
numbered with words, a second
lct which gradually evolved into
nigh gear and worthwhile exciting
incident, a third act which sput-
tered away unimpressively after
its surprise elemen' had been cX-
ploded
Mr.. Rathbone, as Hugh DaWl-
'ry, was pictured as a forlorn
md sinister figure, invariably
3urly and in his cups when
lround the men folks-wretched
company, one would say. With
the women it was different.
About him was the dangerous air
Of mystery, the reputation for
being a romantic roue, a kiss
:Nour.hand-madame charm which
made him fascinating.
Women Like Him
For such a killjoy and foe OF
ellowship it was logical the male
population should conSpire to buy
his properties and acquire a more
ongenial tenant. The charming
-7omen we're more concerned
about whether he could live up
10 his broadcast power for devil
'ry, curious to test his art as
2omeo.
What happens when Irene
March, the ingenue sister of the
igidly upright George March,
.oes to Dawltry's bungalow for
> rendezvous, and when March's
.7ife also picks out the same
vening for a tete-a tete, furnishes
he sinew for a dramatic second
ct
The SNUG Mr.. March finds his
wife in the seductive quarters OF
,,is arch enemy and Immediately
uspects the worst. He takes his
ethal vengeance in a highly
1elodramatic manner which
eemed to spell the last of Hugh
OaWltry.
Surprise Return
The suspense, we'll carried over
0 third act, is almost entirely
issipated through the resurrec-
ion of Mr.. Dawltry as merely
ne flesh wound victim of poor
craftsmanship. 1t impressed me
an empty theatrical device to
orce the conventional happy
loe-out which is the favorite
hollywood formula. Explanations
ollow. Irene packs off to bed,
n unsinged moth, while Mrs.
Iarch decides to leave her hus-
and for a more understanding
ompanion, in this case, Mr..
lawltry.
About the Acting
The acting in Mr.. Pertwee's
r'ell-written drama was not al
''ays sure-footed, lacking, it
9emed to me, the vigor and
unch which lurk in the play
rights lines. Mr.. Rathbone's
contribution had the usual sleek
lavity with as much ardor in
is romantic moments as the
uthor permitted. I should have
ked him better if he emerged
ON his filtration with death
nd a prolonged session with
lie bottle looking less like an
2tor just released by his valet.
elena Royle was a thoroughly
)mpetent Mrs. March, rising
ith eminence to her moments of
)irited playing. Betty Law
)rd made an attractive ingenue.
J enry Daniel can make much
ore of George March when he is
lrer of his role than he seemed
st night. The incidental char
;terizationS are we'll handled.
Heat Wave" has been given
re benefit of a striking produc-
On, all three sets reflecting good
ste and an air of colonial mag
ficence.