Evening star., 1932-03-26
William Haines Leads
Good Company, Poor Play.

EVEN a popular actor requires
some degree of dramatic force
in the play that is provided for him,
but in his appearance at the Palace
William HaineS has a commonplace
production in Are You Listening?"
with the result that his capacity as
an entertainer of the film world Is
not brought to any high point, either
in the development of plot or in the
meeting of situations with the clev-
ernesS that is associated with his
name. Nevertheless, he has a good
company. and these actors. together
with their chief. present some de-
tached pieces of work in which per-
sonality has full play.
Accidental wife killing has ap-
peared in motion pictures many
times in all probability. usually as
a means Of overcoming the difficult
ties which arise when a new mar
riage alliance is impending. 1t is a
crude method of solving an unin-
spring situation. In the working out
of this radio drama. it takes the
unusual course of finally landing the
husband in the penitentiary while
the woman of the triangle shows her
great devotion by accepting the dis
grace that attaches to her aSSocia-
ton with what the law assumes to
have been murder
In addition to Mr. HaineS, the
company includes Madge Evans. who
Is provided with a part which en-
phasizes her ability to put sincerity
into any situation, and to give real
character to a role; Anita Page,
Karen Morley, Joan Marsh and Ethel
Critics, in scenes which represent
the experiences of a feminine con-
tingent in the big city, where life
and social activity are predominant.
All have their place in poorly CO.
ordinated series of scenes. Others
who contribute their share are Neil
Hamilton. Wallace Ford. Jean Her
sholt, John MILAN and Murray
Kinnell. The outstanding theme is
the radio broadcasting world. and
much of the evidence in the Staying
case is produced and made valuable
through this modern method of
communication.
Brilliant stage pictures are pre-
sented in the Palace stage show,
under the title. Cuban Holiday"
which has the Spanish flavor, and
and Marion, the Three Gobs, O'Han-
Ion and Zambusi and Jack Reid, with
the Chester Hale Girls. D. c. c.
Careless Lady
At the Fox Theater.
NEITHER Joan Bennett. one of
IN the major thirds Of the Ben
nett sisters, nor John BoleS,
handsome exponent of what some
times known as the dead pan"
81 hot f,1 70
Lady" slight comedy Of conven-
tional proportions which is being
shown this week at the Fox.
Miss Bennett, although garbed to
the queens taste and speaking in
that dulcet voice of hers which is
one Of the best modulated of all
Hollywood's speaking paraphernalia,
for some reason or other does not
photograph to best advantage. and
Mr.. Boles has a role which it is not
by any means his fault for bungling.
A formula which is more than
vaguely reminiscent is the backbone
of the story. An ugly duckling from
small town (whose wealth, how
ever, is not to be Sneezed att voy-
ages out into the world and on her
way to Paris goes to a Speakeasv.
anu CCIiy tWltU d TdIQ
takes place., to jail. When she
shakes the jail's dust from her feet
she decides to assume the name of
a gentleman she has met that night,
for protection purposes in Paris,
and when she registers there at a
fashionable hotel she is Mrs.
Stephen Ellington"
Almost before you know it. of
course, Mr.. Ellington arrives-thinkS
it great joke when he finds he has
wife, takes the suite next to hers,
and roars with laughter every time
he sees her-that roaring" is, how
ever, only prelude to love. For
in the next instant he is plying her
with affection and urging her to
register permanently as the lady of
his heart. Which she doeSn't-and
then-Well, what do you think?
Mr.. McKenna, excellent actor that
he Is, has not done so well as a
directatorial ace. The dialogue, too,
Is about as inane in quantity as one
may find. Prominent in the cast
are Josephine Hull and Martha Mat
toX as two small-toWn "auntS" and
Weldon Hepburn, who has not as
yet hit the acting bulls eye.
On the stage may be heard that
excellent singing aggregation. the
George Washington Glee Club. a
mixed chorus which sings Justify and
with finesse. Also Eva Tanguay,
younger than ever. heads the Fam
chon and Marco stage show, entitled
stars of Yesterday" which include
such sterling troupers of olden times,
still Spry and willing. as Hank
Brown TN c., Dan Barrett and Nav
HnnU Pt1rt Tnrdnr -
Tom Kelly. Rice and Cady, Cho Cho,
Freddie Ford, Alexander and Evelyn,
George Harrison and Co-eds and
Sylvia apd Irapa u ia c NJ