Evening star., 1932-02-21
\ 4 ISCHIEVOUS

\ ISCHIEVOUS references to
M France in "Of Thee I Sing"
WI continue to menace the con-
4 i cord existing between the two
republics, despite Bishop Man.
ning's reproachful prayer that they
cease The refusal of the librettists to
rid their work of its discourtesies to
our sensitive chum seems to be an
example of Broadway avarice, since
even without the affronting jokes it
would be overrich in humor. But
Messrs. kaufman and Ryskind prefer
to hazard the estrangement of anicable
peoples rather than to sacrifice q sim
gle laugh" and with all the arro-
gance Of the opulent they p-rsist in
their selfishness. Daring the gentle
priest to disturb their hoard, their
answer to his rebuke Is the tongue-in-
cheek defiance, Give us something as
good and we will substitute it for the
questioned passages" ~.
1t is said that French showmen, too.
indulge in similar impolitenesses, and
Sam as q fat and greedy threat to
their country's thrift and happiness.
That, Of course. is excusable because
as the saying Is, they do such things SO
much better In Paris. One suggests,
however, that, lest irritation be en-
gendered by the dramatists Of the two
nations, they take a lesson from the
British playwright, John Van Druten.
In There's Always Juliet" his new
comedy at the Empire, Mr.. Van
Druten embrocates international feel
ings with the soothing oils Of compH-
ment and makes his hero an attractive
American Moreover, he engages Her.
bert Marshall. among the most winning
- tknnE EvSvl lick Y,lo to M O
character as an architect, lover and
q gentleman.
As such 8 hero, Mr. Marshall is to
be seen introducing American alacrity
into the dignified processes Of British
romance and doing so with but few
yaucheries. He Is suave, good-looking,
aggressive in a nice way and gifted
with . knack Of gentle banter Though
he was an adventurer in his boyhood,
his past Is comparatively free from
imperfections.
Here, then. is a friendly salute from
the English drama, calculated to dispel
Yankee eligibility. 1t warns us. Of the
U. s. also, with emotions of gratitude,
and causes us to feel that We are at
last understood and appreciated. For
Mr. Marshall is not an ingratiating
English actor. calling himself an Amer
lean, but is star r-spangled and aquiline"
in voice, accent and manner. Mr.. Van
Druten describes him as native Of
Colorado, now an inhabitant Of Park
avenue New York. There is nothing
in Mr.. Marshalls playing to contra
dict the description. He is both out
of-doors and urban. and admirable
and, one trusts, an everyday example
OF Manhattan knighthood. However.
the omission of all flaws might be sus-
pected as lattery, and I prefer to re-
gard There's Always Juliet" as a four
square realization of Mr.. Van Druten'S
idea that Americans are oke.
= :: x K
DROP. WILLIAM LYON PHELPS,
the playgoers' true friend. sends
these final recommendations for the
season on the eve of his departure for
Europe:
Mourning Becomes Electra" An
extraordinary theatrical construction,
holding ones interest throughout. ALA
Nazimova at her best "One Is sure to
remember her dying face"
Counsellor at Law" A thoroughly
good realistic comedy and very well
acted by Paul NUM- and others
''Whistling in the Dark" The best
murder play ever saw; thrilling and
diverting. Ernest Truck at the peak.
The Fatal Alibi" A delightful de-
tective drama, with Charles Laughton
exhibiting all the resources of truly
great actor. and Helen Vinson vision
Of radiance