Evening star., 1932-01-23

and his screen
associates, there is a we'll organized
stage performance. with numerous
talented performers, and two or three
outstanding feature acts in a per-
formance that never lags. There Is
evident throughout the performance
that attention to detail which is Gus
tomary at the Fox, especially the CO.
ordinating of the show in such a
way that the effect is Of contlnu-
Gus program. From the standpoint
of originality and personal talent,
the contribution Of Zelda Santley Is
most effective. In a period OF the
dominance of sight acts she points
the way to the restoration OF the
traditional to the stage and the
demonstration that good acting Is
the ultimate requirement In Such
performances. Her style Is asso-
ciated with genuine personality, ana
her ability to initiate known char-
acters is cleverly demonstrated.
There is also much interest in the
elaborate feature, which is both
farewell to Les Stevens and the
Diplomats and an introduction to La
Mae and Alice Louise in flnished
demonstrations of the tango ana
other dance numbers. Their accom-
paniment is uniquely conceived, ar
tistic in effect and remarkably APP
propriate to the nature OF the dances.
One of the further unusual features
of the program is an exhibition OF
daring adagio on darkened stage
with white costumes, in which
Three Jacks and Queen" score
emphatically. Others on the pro-
gram who do their share with mu-
sical and comedy features are Kirk
and Lawrence, with imitation rodeo
horses: Lee Wilmot, Ralph Peters
and Kathleen Kay.
In the Charlie Chan play, which
has typical Chan plot, there Is ex-
cellent work by the associate play
ers. especially H. B. Warner, Alex
ander Kirkland and Marian Nixon.
The Fox also offers short subjects,
including some musical selections
characteristic of the Tyrol.
D. c. c.
"Dr. JekyII and Mr.. Hyde"
As Good and Gruesome as Ever.
0DR. JEKYLL AND MR.. HYDE"
~ is pleasantly unpleasant pic
ture. Based on the gruesome Legend
of duo-eccentricity written many
years ago by Robert Louis Stevenson.
its cinematic resurrection has been
cunningly executed by Director Rou-
ben Mamoulian and brilliantly acted
by Frederick March. The first audi
ence yesterday at the Columbia, sat
properly enthralled and refused to
wiggle until the last of Mr.. Hyde
had been seen.
Mr.. Mamoulian, who used to be
the Theater Guilds fair-haired di-
rector, has caught the spirit Of hair
raising horror to an amazing degree.
BY pitching his camera at almost
any angle, he has done things just
little different from any one before
him, with the result that he has
made Mr.. Stevenson's story seem not
so cid as it is, and has done so well
by Mr. March that the latter may
now definitely be nominated for
John Barrymore's crown, whenever
the latter chooses to relinquish 1t.
The most exciting minute, OF
course, which is far too complicated
for youngsters to see, is when DR..
Jekyll mixes a kind of chemical
bromo-seltZer and, tossing 1t down,
changes himself into grim monster,
with lavish tooth display and head
of such hideous proportions as only
a very tender mother could love.
This change from handsome man to
unhandsome beast has been treated
with great skill, the lines in Mr..
March's face gradually receding in
favor of the blotches and effronterieS
of his animal successor, and his
manner of grunts and groans COM
ing in as funeral theme song.
When this is done (most effectively
in front Of mirror, the audience
may be seen to cringe and the fright
to be as great as any caused by
cinematic wizardry this year.
Mr.. March is splendidly grotesque
as Mr.. Hyde and properly amorous
and otherwise as the eccentric doc
tor, who feels that man is two dis
tinct and separate entities. This is
by far the best piece Of work March
has done-and may be ranked
among the seasons best He is splen-
didly assisted by that delightful
actress. Miriam Hopkins, and to q
lesser degree by Rose Hobart, who
loves the strange doctor nigh unto
death. E. de S. MELCHER.
Lew Ayres at the Rialto
In Heaven on Earth"
p OMANCE of sort is offered in
IN Heaven on Earth" Lew Ayres'
new picture at the Rialto Theater.
The show probably will be a box
ofice success, because Ayres is be-
coming a favorite with the women. 1t
undoubtedly will appeal to the ultra
sentimental. The plot is all clutter
ed up with broken hearts and shat
tered illusions. A feud between a
steamboat crew and a shantyboat
settlement is thrown in for good
measure.
One Of the bright spots of the
picture is the exceptionally good
character acting Of Elizabeth Patter-
son. She plays the role Of aunt
somebody or other, who promotes
love affairs with new type of magic
wand which she calls 'goofer dust"
She smokes a mean looking corn