Evening star., 1932-02-20
From the Front Row
Reviews and News of Washington s Theaters.
he crowds Of Paris onlookers watch

the crowds Of Paris onlookers watch
the battle.
The use Of the ape as an adjunct
of the perilous side Of life and of
the dangerous dabbler in science
who imperils innocent persons has
been found in other films, but by
returning to the originals created by
Poe, there is special satisfaction in
knowing that it is more than a
crude effort to depict horrors; that
1t is a perturbation of one of the
great works of literary genius
The scenes are created with careful
attention to the effect of the mys-
terious career of the chief charac-
ter and the mystery is developed
logically. 1t is to be observed, how
ever, that the matter can be no
mystery to an audience, for the
guilty acts Of the doctor are to be
observed from the beginning.
Other actors who have share in
the play are Bert Roach, Brandon
Hurst. Noble johnson, Darcy Cor
rigan and Betty Ross Clark. An at
tempt to reproduce the ancient pc
riod in which the famous author
wrote gives an atmosphere Of truth
to the picture.
There are short reels on the
Rialto program, including one of
the typical Slim Summerville COM
edieS, which arouses interest among
those who have become acquainted
with the Summerville idea.
D. c. c.
Joan Bennett in Play at Fox
With PICTURESQUE Stage Show,
HUMAN incidents Of a beauty
show and perilous experiences
in marriage to a man Of brutal in
stincts serve to give more than the
average spirit to the play, She
Wanted Millionaire" presenting
Joan Bennett and some excellent as
sociate actors at the Fox Theater.
In addition. there is a stage en-
semble in observance of the Bicen-
tennial period which reveals elabo-
rate costume and scenic accessories
impressive In their artistic effect.
Colonial days are recalled, and the
music, under the direction Of AL
Mitchell. is reminiscent Of those
periods in American history which
have inspired old-time composers.
A third feature Of the program is
the Hot Java Idea" with success
sion Of musical and dancing acts
which round out the entertainment.
Miss Bennett, in the role of Jane
Miller, who becomes Miss Uni
verse" after having achieved the
beauty title Of Miss Missouri"
plays with the poise that is required
Of the determined young miss who
seeks wealth in order that the FAM
lily at home may be relieved of the
distress of a meager income. When
the man of wealth, played by James
Kirkwood, offers marriage, she re-
jects the young William Kelly.
played by Spencer Tracy. and turns
her back upon the old friends, with
an assumed air OF satisfaction. but
as the cruelty of the husband de-
velops, she faces a climax which
calls for the discriminating work Of
which she is fully capable. Marriage
to her ends in a pistol battle, a
situation that arouses no doubt as
to just where in genuine social life
a parallel to this story is found.
Una Merkel, familiar figure OH the
screen. is developed into one Of those
comic experts that instinctively give
fine relaxation from the thrills of
fight for release from bondage, and
for that reason Is one of the out
standing members of the cast. Dor
othy Peterson. as the mother of the
young beauty. again performs with
skill that adds to the dramatic ef-
feet of the play.
The stage performance offers an
opportunity for Amanda Chirot.
coloratura soprano, to sing with a
generous volume of melody, while
the remainder of the features are
provided by the speciality of the
Calgary Brothers, odd entertainers:
Neres. dancer; the three Samuel
Brothers. tap dancers. and Vincent
zorro. japanese impersonator.
The Bicentennial ensemble is made
realistic by ballet number employ
ing II local girls. a duet by Beverly
O'Brien and Bert Bagranoff. and
solo toe number by Beverly Joyce
D. C. c.
Wallace Beery
In Hell Divers
WERE it not for the extremely
w satisfying performance of Wal
lace Beery and for some aerial pho
tography, which is the best of its
kind, Hell Divers" at the Columbia,
might be set down as Just another
one Of those stunt" films so adroitly
sponsored by the U. S. Navy. AS
it stands, however, it is more than
stimulating air spectacle, battle
ship spectacle and U. S. S. Sara