davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
STRANGERS MAY KISS CoIumbio
Dramatic Turbulence
By w. H. Landvoigt.

quent disposition to dispense with
all depends upon who are the
friends and, as a rule, it does not
seem to include managers Of stock
companies. .---
NEW YORKWARD, if one may
judge from news reports, there
is much of stir and hustle. Man
ayers who have been supposed to
be sulking in their tents, here,
there and everywhere. are begin
ming to assert themselves in in
dividual effort to recapture the lost
Helen, the Helen, OF course, being
'the road" the hinterland, the wide
open spaces where the Theater
is said to be in distress. They are
said to believe that not only is the
road not dead, but that 1t is alive
and kicking, and actually begging
to be brought back. No less than
the famous Ethel Barrymore has
been out to see, and 10 she has
brought back wonderful trophies
of victory, the kind the New York
manager is wont to call "the gold
en- shekelS," "the long green" "the
mazuma." And even from other
and lesser lights who have tempted
"the sticks" also comes the cheer
ing news that "the hicks are hol-
lering for Drama" And so the
willy Florenz Ziegfeld Is Furnishing
up his glorified Follies and the
wicked Earl Carroll Is pricing all
sorts of diaphonouS texture along
with sparkling spangles, while
George White is close upon his
heels after what Carroll doesn't
get-all preparing to storm the
one-night stands, along with The
House Beautiful" in a combined
assault to bring back my Bonnie
to meeee." ....
IF one may believe all he hears
and reads, the coming Fall is to
be conSpicuouSly memorable for
the return of the prodigal, the
comeback of the recreant road
and the renaissance of the Theater
that was. And, with 1t all, out
from the big city comes the pipe
VI OIlC VA Vic 1CoSCI "a lOACo WOll0Ol-
ing at the msytic charm of Gilbert
and Sullivan, which seems to pale
the memories of the modern revel-
ries of Cray Quilt" and make
one feel that there really Is a
difference, a difference, even be-
tween Barrie's THE Admirable
Crichton" and many of the Broad
way monStroSitieS Of recent years
which have been called plays
Who can say? Along with the
road, why may not plays that
appeal to the emotions and the
intellect return to intrigue US
once again, If for no other reason
than to show the talkies a thing
or two to stimulate their ambition?
MEANWHILE and while waiting
AZ for the end of a perfect day,
why not tune in on one of these
radio guild plays" that are drift
ing in on the breezeS Of SPRING
time? True, they are scheduled
at awful" hours for the folks who
are compelled to earn their living,
but If you should happen to have
a days vacation sometime when
one of these plays is being broad
cast, you will be amply. rewarded.
Most of them are tabloid ver-
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
On the New York Stage
By Percy Hammond.

is a Photographic likeness of the Mooney
and Billings case, in which IL is con-
tended that Mooney did not throw the
bomb into San FranciSco's war parade,
and that he Is a martyr to capitalistic
injustice. But / am informed by cold
investigators Of the tragedy that even II
Mooney didn't cause the explosion he
is the sort of person who would have.
had he thought of it. Precedent" con-
vinces you otherwise. and 1t Is the most
perfectly played play in New York, ex-
cepting Miss Rachel Crothers's smooth
comedy, "As Husbands Co."
or Billy Roses new vaudeville. "Crazy
~ Quilt" it 1t impossible to make an
accurate report. since it is In the throes
of Transformation. The first perform
ance loitered when it should have been
alert, and it was active in moments
that pleaded for erasure. Ted Healy.
one of the bravest of the revue come
dams, hid himself. like Achilles, among
the women, and when he did appear he
seemed 10 creep out between the keys
Of Phil Bakers humorous accordion.
Mr.. Bakers smiling impudenceS seemed
a little dirtier than usual. aspiring to
crafty those who are naiVely enrap-
tured by witty filth. And he was acute
ly amusing when he made Americas
erstwhile big business men the butt OF
his faunish jokes. He derided the banks
as well as the bankuses in a contemptu
Gus hoi-polloi. and left the first-nighterS
more nervous about their investments.
Miss Fannie Brice was present in some
brooding and tragic episodes which, the
newsmen tell me. have been eliminated
since the premiere. as not salable.
1t was on its opening night an ugly
and pretty, dull and bright Broadway
slum. 1 am glad to hear that 1t has
been improved.
IN Modern Virgin" Elmer Harris
proceeds with his dubious studies of
the American girl again presenting her
to our view as Gods most boresonie
creation. His heroine in this instance IN
an obnoxious little squirrel who. were H.
not for Miss Margaret SULLIVAN. her
magnetic actress. would coax you to In
secticide. She is just a gusty. cheap,
rich ill-bred ingenue. Mr.. Harris takes
her through several theatrical incidents.
ranging in wickedness from chewing
gum to smoking cigarettes, and leaves
her on our doorstep at the end Of the
drama. THE Modem Virgin" is q ba1ly-
hco blending of the peanuts. chewing
gum and beefsteak of the Broadway
stage. As a drama it is Of the thin dime
variety, which is pretty thick these days.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
MARGUERITE
CHURCHILL
~.QuickM iIJions@
Mety0poh@0
Silver Gladiator.

MANY might think 1t pretty nice to
A'A be paid for doing nothing. Yet
Arnold Grazer, who has been paid just
that for the past four years or so,
finds 1t a presty hard Job.
Grazer is the man who looks like a
silver statute for some % minutes dur
ing the progress Of The Dance Idea, "
at the Fox this week. To all appear
anceS he Is an inert, lifeless figure, stand
ing there with spear appraised in the
best gladiatorial manner.
Inert he is, but not without effort.
He has to steel himself. as it were, to
be a silver gladiator. He has to breathe
so unobtrusiyely as not to destroy the
metallic illusion he creates. He can't
bat an eye, for fear some smart kid in
the forward rows will discover his de-
ception.
That's doing nothins with venge-
ance. and finding it hard work. OF
course, at the end of the % minutes,
when taut muscles and strained nerves
have just about reached the breaking
point, Grazer has a chance to let of
steam by stepping down from his
pedestal and going into q fast. lntri-
cate dance-the sort of stage work he
did for years before he conceived this
idea Of becoming silver man.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
Winnie a Plugger.
GGXXIINNIE L1GHTNER Is a pluggt

0XNINNIE LIGHTNER Is plugger."
w So says Frank La Falce, who
writes pieces for Warner Bros. Earle
Theater, and who says more.
Winnie plugs everything, holes in
dialogue, awkward spaces In action, for
gotten cues. When she works In a
picture she sees to it that the produc-
ton is water tight, air tight and laugh
tight. She fills all empty spaces with
her own personality.
She is, according to Lloyd Bacon.
her director in Gold Dust Gertie,' the
greatest scene-sayer In the picture
business. She can be trusted to leave
no gaps.
The cost in energy is high FIRE.
quently the star leaves the studio at
night limp with fatigue Plugging is
hard work, but Winnie knows no other
way of putting a picture over. She Is
probably the Understanding actress
on the combined Warner Bros. First
National lots from the standpoint Of
actual physical exertion. She stamps
her feet and bites her nails and groanS
that she can never do it'-and then
goes out and does it very well. .,
Indeed, plugging away at it put
Winnie where she is today in popular
favor"
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
. HE players Of Precedent" are
piqued at this column because
its comment on their master
rcf n,-rnd Ia than az

| HE players CT Precedent" are
piqued at this column because
It's comment on their master
performance referred to them as
"unknownS. Having plucked
bright honor from the pale faced moon
to deprive them of their aureoles. So
when thsy heard that a reviewer had
either forgotten their past feats or had
never heard of them, they held an in
dignation meeting at which they all
submitted their certificates of glory
and denounced with a dignity har-
monious to their stations, the critic who
wrote the furnishing word. From a
report 1t is learned that:
"Pandemonium followed Voices in
sisted angrily that they had played in
this and that had had their names in
lights and on house boards in large
sizes. 1t was a riot OF protest. :.
1t was estimated that the company's
total experience included l62 years of
stock and 81 years of touring"
From other, less reliable, sources one
hears that there were cries of "A rope.
A rope!" and Of Lynch him! Lynch
him." But cslmer spirits prevailed and
1t is said that one Of them persuaded
the mob to be peaceful by saying
What would you rather do boys, hang
a critic or sct?" Since 1t was nearly
time for the performance and it was
impossible to do both. they voted re-
luctantly for acting as preferable to
revenge. The show went on and I was
preserved from calumnist's II not a
columniSts appropriate fate.
Now that Precedent" has moved up
town from Greenwich Village and has
been admitted to the dramas more ex-
al A% afW kHA ~
has arrived. 1t was ignorance, not
malice, that inspired the Innocent insult.
did not know that the members of the
company we're so celebrated until !
saw the list Of their famous impersona-
tons. George Farren says that he
played Tweedle in ''Tweedles." and Kirk
Brown boasts of appearances in The
Christian" and The Sign of the Cross -
Walter D. Green was on the program
of THE Return of Peter Grimm" and
Elwyn Harvey was seen here last in
Nine Till Six" Charles Harrison once
operated a stock companySof his own
in Allentown, Pa, and Royal Dana
Tracy was with Edna Wallace Hopper
(sic) in 1.-The Heart Of Maryland
Others in the cast have shone in The
College Widow" "Brewster's Millions,
Keep a. Smiling" Queen Victoria
and The Belt How could 1 have fer
gotten Mr.. Clyde Franklin's impersona-
ton of the role Of Work in Expert
ence?" Ask me.
am sorry. The word unknown" Is
hereby expelled from my vocabulary,
and hereafter II ! cannot identify a
player I shall describe him merely as
obscure. I drop the balmy dews Of re-
pentance upon the proud but Inundated
heads of "Precedents" good performers,
and beg them to excuse me. 1t may be
| okay for me to intimate however. that
| the subtlest compliment that an actor
can have is to be called incognito in his
role. When the artists in Precedent
lost themselves so completely in the
characters of the play as to make one
think that one has seen them before,
| they are doing q good job Of counter
feiting. The drama, by the way
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
In Capital Theaters

the old tavern The story concerns q
young nobleman's love for the daughter
of the innkeeper. Her father bitterly
opposes such a marriage. His reaction
gives the drama its supreme punch. +"
Mrs. Hubbard will play the role Of the
mother and Burke Clark the innkeeper.
Stanley Ridges, John Warburton, Nancy
Sheridan. Raymond Bramley. Edward
Poland and Forrest Orr also will appear
In the cast
The usual matinees will be given on
Wednesday and Saturday.
GAYETY-"Hindo0 Bellies"
ONE of the great burlesque stars
~ Kinda NASSAU, heads the cast OF
"Hindoo Bellies at the Gayety Theater
this week
Fans who like snappy, worthwhile
burlesque, with group Of talented fun
sterS, and versatile, pretty women leads,
backed by q handsome chorus, are
promised all that can be desired in the
show It promises to reveal sensational
features in a program replete with fun,
Uuneful song and intricate hoofng
Scenery, lighting effects and costumes
are in keeping with the star and her
company.
Friday night Is amateur night at the
Gayety.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
LADY of the Lions. :"

MARLENE DIETRICHs next pic
AvA ture will be THE Lady Of the
Lions" story of the European theater.
Josef Won Sternberg, who has directed
Miss Dietrich in successful roles in
'tDishonored," Morocco" and THE
Blue Angel" will direct the picture.
1.-The Lady of the Lions" is from an
original by Bartlett Cormack, author of
THE Racket" who recently wrote the
screen play for THE Front Page" It
will take the place Of "Indiscretion."
previously announced as Miss Dietrich's
next picture.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
Unless something happens,
which, at present, may be
IL L. Alnn Mi

MESS something happens,
which, at present, may be
~ only hiding in the wings
of the Rapley temple of
theSpian art, it won't be long be-
fore Drama will wrap the drapery
of it's couch about it and lie down
to pleasant dreamS-with due
apologies to william Cullen
Bryant. The 10-week season OF
the Cochran repertory organiza-
ton at the National Theater is
drawing to close. While the sat-
isfied public has unquestionabiy
smiled upon each of the weekly
offerings with glad content, 1t has
been with a sort of Seventy-cents-
on-the-do smile, to employ the
smile of a hard-boiled StatiStician
who insists upon looking at Art
from commercial standpoint.
No one, so far as known, has ever
even breathed the hint that Man
ager Cochran has not, for his cur
rent season, gathered a company
of rare excellence and proficiency,
or that, without exception, he has
not provided plays both interest
ing and highly entertaining, or
that they have not been presented
with scenic and lighting beauty
that in instances have surpassed
the productions sent out from
New York. This is all very lovely
in a way. 1t appears, however, that
Mr.. Cochran, in his overWeenlng
desire to please his public, has
been giving too little heed to the
admonition contained In the old
slogan, Safety First" and, in
consequence, his young brow often
has been furrowed with lines of
worry that always come with
superlative effort to make ends
meet. But like the young hero of
the famous poem, he is still pur-
suing his upward climb, regardless
of cost, and in his announcement
Of a forthcoming production OF
Eugene O'Neill's famous Strange
Interlude," he seems pretty near
to the point where he is entitled
to yell Eureka" with all his might
and main or collapse.
IF the public wants it's Theater,
1t should be and doubtless is
willing to pay for It. The trend in
the cost of seats, In some. instances
at least, seems to be downward in
New York. This Is due not to
the kindly heart of the reproduc-
ing managers. Rather it is an indi-
cation of desperate effort to keep
theaters open, which is not so
easy at any time, for the unseen
contributors generally grouped
under the generic term stage
hands, and the musicians to some
extent, seldom If ever display a
love for Art that prompts them to
lessen the cost of their services.
even for stock entertainment. Just
what the outcome may be should
not be difficult to conjecture, eSpe-
cially as it may affect stock enter
tainment, for which the admission
prices are less than half those
exacted during the regular season
It does seem, however, that the
man who assumes the responsible
ity of providing acceptable enter
tainment in the theater should be
allowed to creep under the shelter
of the maxim that the laborer Is
worthy of his hire. AS matters
stand, however, while there is fire.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
<HMlOpkINe1 or#e RAILRoAD-E
Earle
C570qe)
Poor Millionaires.

\ MILLIONAIRE extras?
w Sounds paradoxical, yet they say
there are such.
Five millionaires. 1t is claimed, re-
Gently worked as extras" without pay
during the filming. on location, of
Radio Pictures White Shoulders"
Using an exclusive hotel at Santa
Barbara, Calf, for an outdoor Sc
quence, Melville Brown, the director,
was approached by a quintet of pros
porous looking persons who offered
their acting services free. Brown &C
cepted, and as a result a millionaire
quintet woman and four men. from
as many different cities-may be seen
in the picture.
The distinguished extras" are Mrs.
c. Ogden Armour of Chicago. L. C..
Fuller. sportsman and member Of q
mammoth department store in st.
Louis, Mo; William Riordan, vice pres
ident of a Brooklyn department store;
Mike Dowley, vice president of De-
troit department store. and A.. Lincoln
Filene, q Boston merchant.
Although the quintet volunteered to
work without pay Director Brown
mailed each q check for ii as
souvenirs.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
Finds" Featured.
7 oRErrA SAVERS and Susan Fl

7 ORETTA SAVERS and Susan Flem-
H ing, both recently discovered" by
Columbia Pictures, win have outstand-
ing roles in Lover Come Back" an
adaptation of the magazine story by
Helen Topping Miller. 1t viii mark
the second appearance Of both players.
The featured roles in Lover Come
Back" will be played by Constance
Cummings, recent Columbia lind. "
and Jack Mulhall. Erie c. Kenton Is
directing, with Betty Bronson, Jameson
Thomas and Fred eantley Toundins
out the east.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31

VI OuSAA VAIN AA
second run by pop
ular demand. 1t
was probably the
most-talked-of play
of the last regular
theatrical season In
this city.
Now the Nation
al Theater Players
propose to revive
1t, with all the at
mosphere of the
original presenta-
ton. Cliffor d
Brooke. the direc-
tor, will not only
|bs answerable for
the production it
self. but also he will
,,Ja,, aoa ~ DE In
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31

teresting roles. the important part of
1.-THE man who travels in sardines."
And Mr.. Brooke. with his vast expert
ence in the theater, will be called upon
to put over the footlights an interpreta-
ton that has taxed the best players on
two continents.
Bird in Hand" takes its title from
an age-old inn which still exists on the
outskirts of Manchester, England, with
q history covering more than two GEN.
turtles. It was while spending q Sum-
mer there that John Drinkwater con-
ceived the idea of staging the clash
between English aristocracy and the
middle-claSs people who own and run
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
Ann Gets Parrott Story.

IS A WOMAN NEEDS LOVE" the
latest Ursula Parrot novel. soon
to be published. has been purchased by
R-K-O Patf1e for an Ann Harding pie
ture. according to Charles r. Rogers,
R-K-O Pathe production head.
Miss Parrot, author Of Divorce"
and STRANGERS May Kiss" wrote "A
Woman Needs Love" with Ann Hard
ing in mind, and the leading character
is said to be ideal for the blonde star.
1t will be filmed after Devotion" the
screen adaptation Of Pamela Wynne's
book. "A Little Fiat In the Temple"
which Robert Milton Is about to start
directing.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
An Interesting Pair.

ELISSA LAND1 and Paul Cavanagh
- first met in London, when Miss
Landi was playing on the stage In
The Constant Nymph" and Cavanagh,
also on the stage, played In Scotland
Yard"
Miss Landi was born in Venice, italy.
got her schooling and won her f1rst
stage renown in England. Cavanagh
is native of England, a graduate Of
Cambridge University and has knocked
around bit, with course at law and
Jerk" with the Northwestern
Mounted Police among his experiences.
sions Of famous old plays, excel
lently presented by players of note
in the theater. and with delightful
effect. especially in the modulated
voices of the actors.
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
NATIONAL PLAYERs-"Bird in Hand"

IIcaVCI 1uJcIS VIII 1CFtEE UOHaI
Drinkwater's comedy, Bird in
i Hand" which is rated as an
outstanding contribution to the
English-speaking stage by master Of
dramatic technique.
Bird in Hand" had triumphal runs
in London and New York, and 1t was
so well received In Washington on its
first appearance that the play was
Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-05-31
\ ALWAYS GOODBHE1 Fox
Stage and Screen Attractions This Week

On the Stage.
NATIONAL PLAYERs-"Bird Hand" Opens tomorrow
Ming
GAYETY-"Hindoo Bellies" This afternoon and evening.
On the Screen.
EARLE-"Gold Dust Gertie" This afternoon and evening
FOX-"Always Good-by." This afternoon and evening.
PALACE-"Daybreak" This afternoon and evening
KEITHS-White Shoulders" This afternoon and
ming
ming
METROPOLITAN-"Quic Millions" This afternoon and
ming
The Washington times., 1931-08-01
Earle Is Seekins
Five Largest
Families

"WANTED-To find the largest
family living in Washington or
vicinity. Address reply to Warner
Brothers Earle Theater."
No. it's not a want but it is
bonafide request. Warner
Brothers Earle Theater for the
week beginning Saturday. August
l, will present Family Week." a
week of perfect entertainment on
stage and screen for every mem
ber of the family from Sonny to
Grandpa. It is their desire to
have as their guests during the
week the five largest families
living in Washington or the
nearby vicinity.
There are no trick rules and
regulations; all that is necessary
is to send in your letter telling
how many are in your family,
their names and their ages. No
letter postmarked after IL mid
night Monday, August 3, will be
accepted.
The program to which the five
largest families will be invited
will consist of Paramount's screen
comedy riot, Newly Rich" with
the new comedy team, Louise
Fazenda and Edna May Oliver,
and the two juvenile stars, Mitzi
Green and Jackie Searl.
The Washington times., 1931-08-01

not a GOOD WOMAN; Il can
never marry you now, woman"
and all that.
Constance Bennett, pretty blond
daughter of Richard Bennett, the
actor, does her best with her lines
in THE Common Law" held over
at Keith's Theater for second
week, but it would take more than
Comics really capable hsndling
of her part, to make the story
convincing. Joel McCrea, as her
artist boy friend, is likeable and
handsome. But as an artist OF
the Latin quarter variety he is a
better actor. And you can inter
pref that as you will.
The Bennett fans, of course, are
flocking to the theater in the
usual multitdes. The girl seems
to have something that drags 'em
in no matter what the story. And
she does her best to give them an
entertaining afternoon. But, oh
my, oh my, how did mama ever
think Robert w. Chambers once
celebrated best seller was such
whow?
Good Cartoon
No review of the show this week
at Keith's would be complete
minus comment on the convul-
sively funny animated cartoon.
The best war picture we ever saw
with all the thrills of an airplane
attack and a cute little drinking
scene with hard-boiled Marines
tuning up to the old favorite,
"Mademoiselle of Armatiers." We
always like the cartoon and this
one is the best ever.
There is a good supplementary
bill with a little sketch of Haiti
that holds your attention. The
unseen lecturer, however, seems to
us to be a bit harsh in his criti-
-cism of the last emperor. We
read book once-but that is an
other Story.-R. S.
The Washington times., 1931-08-01
Free Vacation Contest Winners
Announced at Fox Last Night

George Wilton, jr., residing at
1920 r st. N. W., was picked as
winner of the first prize in the
Fox Theater-Washington Times
Free Vacation Contest, while Miss
Florence Noar of the Continental
Hotel was awarded second prize.
The decision was made by the
board of judges, composed of Mrs.
William E. Chamberlin, Miss Julia
Connor, Charles j. Columbus,
Robert Cottrell and AL Mitchell,
master of ceremonies at the Fox
Theater.
AS winner of the first prize,
Mr.. Wilton was presented with
tickets emitting himself and a
friend to a six-day cruise on the
Showboat Belgenland and will
sail on August Is. In addition he