Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-10
WSHlPMkTES"- Palace
A Pretty Kettle of Fish
By w. H. Landyoigt.

a few of the evils for which the
producing managers are very
largely to blame. And IL they be
not enough, some OF the produc-
ton group have signaled their
disbursement by making war
upon the critics. Naturally, dear
old general public followed the
trend and went in for the talkies.
Vague reports now drifting in.
however, apparently indicate that
even the talkieS are losing favor.
But suppose they do, the men
and the money behind them, vol
ubie in the art and adopts in the
matter Of persuasion, viii never
for an instant admit failure.
They are men Of infinite resources
and initiative, and II they haven't
what the public likes, they will
give him something just as good"
and make him like 1t. There Is
an aggresSiveneSS that wins in
the motion picture industry, but
which has been strangely lacking
in the theater.
OUR own local stock company,
- in but a brief season OF pnr-
poSeful effort and without very
great financial backing, has COM
pletely demonstrated that the
public likes the theater and that
It will patronize plays and per-
formances that deserve patron
age. Eva lie Gallienne'S organ
ization and the Theater Guild in
New York. both of which have
atteSted their faith in the real
theater, have fought on and on
and very valiantly. but intelli-
gently, for that theater. Both
are reaping fine rewards, with but
few failures. 1t is gratifying to
know that some of the intelligent
producers this year will follow the
Theater Guild plan In an eH1ort
to bring back the road" q once
profitable asset which, doubtless,
Is still available with the proper
kind Of Encouragement. We have
critics here in Washington also,
and some Of them like to criticize,
but whether they do or don't,
Manager Cochran reports that as
a rule he is having capacity houses
to support his little show venture.
In a way this would seem to indi-
cate that critics do not kill shows
that the public wants to see. In
deed there is an independence to
be found in the modern audience
which will neither be persuaded
nor browbeaten. It should be
remembered also that the public
has its God-given right to amuSe
and where 1t will. It is under no
obligation to coax producers to
send plays outside New York. II
the producers won't and don't, 1t
may be they are in need Of
acceSsionS to their ranks who
have the faith, the courage and
the intelligence to keep the Amer
lean theater not only alive, but
reSplendent In that glory which
is It's inherent right. 1t may be,
too, we have among our the
atrical producers those who might
shine more brightly in other avo-
cations without loss to the COM
munity or the Nation. The buyers
of theater buildings cannot de-
Stroy the theater, and 1t is ex-
tremely doubtful If the motion
picture industry can take care of
the mail. 1t might help to have
some of the producers who are
tired out, or who fear to lose their
money, or who like to talk and do
nothing, drop by the wayside, or
better still, get out of the bust
ness. The critic, however, will live
forever or at least as long as old
general public.
A PROPOS OF the discussion.
: from the Crosby QAige ONCE