Evening star., 1932-09-26


Then sage producers and willy d.
rectors, and others near the throne
of the great lion himself. began to
realize that, while Miss Davies might
be exceedingly comely in such a
part, she just didn't happen to look
like Miss Barrett, wouldn't be able
to act like her. in fact. would be
about as unhappy in such situation
as any one could be.
Now she is not mentioned.
Who will do it? Will Metro-Gold-
Wyn-Mayer borrower some suitable
actress? Have they a player on the
lot who can do the part? Or will
they conform to Hollywood practices
and slap whoever happens to be
around into this much-treasured
role?
The sad part about it all is that
Katharine Cornell will not play the
Elizabeth Barrett role herself. AS in
England, where they have habit
merely Of making a film by photo
graphing the play as it stands, it
seems a shame that celluloid copy
of this now well established classic
can't be recorded.
The prospect of what the screen
will do with it is something to
wonder over-perhaps worry over.
Strange Interlude" is splendid
example of how Hollywood can sur
mount what seems like an impossible
obstacle (although, according to this
desk, it didn't quite get there).
Will THE BarrettS' retain that
quiet. poetic beauty which was able
to seep out over the footlights under
the dignifled and inestimably SYM
pathetic rendition given it by a
superb cast?
Miss Cornell refuses to succumb
to the films. So does Brian Ahern.
the young Browning of the piece.
Mr.. Ahern, tall, somewhat Gary
Cooperish type (intellectualizedD,
said when he was here that the
screen had no interest for him
whatsoever When recently he play
ed in California in this role, he was
beseiged with offers from the studios.
To no avail. Like Mr.. Paul MUM,
he prefers the stage.
So when this masterpiece of re-
cent stagecraft Gefused production
by many, many astute Broadway
producers) is sponsored by Holly
wood, it will be completely Holly
Woodized. It seems likely, in fact,
llldt Vic ScoO la NC 4OO PNA SSAAs
West Coast
At the moment, We will wager that
Norma Shearer heads the list for
potential Elizabeth Barretts Miss
Shearer. by her performance in
Strange Interlude" (Which is prov
ing to be something of hit now at
the NationaD, definitely establishes
herself, not only as an actress with
charm. but as an actress with intel
ligence Although some of O'Neills
best lines were plucked out from
under her. she still handles what
was given her with competency-and
while not allowed such hysteria as
was encouraged in the brilliant con-
ceptionS of Lynn Fontanne, Pauline
Lord Elizabeth RisdoE, Nancy ma
tional Players) Sheridan and others.
she nevertheless may be said now
to be a distinguished actress, who
should head the list of those to
whom dignifed and ambitious roles
are given.
If Miss Shearer isn't ia Barrett
who will be? There is one young
actress-now on the Fox lot, in
"Cavalcade," who might fill the role
very well. Her name is Diana Wyn-
yard Washington saw her last
Winter at the National in The
Devil Passes She has youth, looks,
and certain something which
would seem to suit such role WELL
Then again, she may not be free
or again. M-G-M may have new
somebody up its sleeve. The whole
roster will probably be given an air
ing before they decide-and, as a
matter of fact, Marie DresSler might
even get chance before the books
are closed. E. de S. MELCHER.
French FOllies"
Not Up to Gayety Standard.
UERENCH FOLLIES,' with Irving
Selig and Wilma Joszy as CO.
stars, opened at the Gayety yester-
day with a slow and unbalanced
matinee. Perhaps the evening per-
formance and the performances for
the rest of the week will be little
better 1t is to be hoped so, at least.
Selig, along with his side kick,
Harry Harrigan, provides most of
the comedy That is. what was sup
posed to be comedy. Tom Fairclough,
as the straight man, wasn't so good