The Washington times., 1933-01-30

thumbs ltS nose
boldly at our
Andrew h. Kelley political system.
After a full year on Broadway
and with the Pulitzer prize laurel
decorating its standard, "Of Thee
I Sing" arrived in Washington at
the National Theater last night
and was boiSterouSly welcomed by
an overflowing audience.
There were U. S. Senators and
Representatives and Cabinet Off
GERS in that crowd, with probably
a few from the Diplomatic Corps
to watch this sacrilegeous lam
pooning of the mighty, including
the hitherto Sancrosanct United
States Supreme Court. The revelry
seemed to be accepted as good
exhibit of a technocratic age and
a sign that official Washington
can take it and smile.
Wintergreen Wins
John P. Wintergreen runs for
President on a one word plat
form-love. There's a national
beauty contest at Atlantic City to
pick his consort and Mary Turner,
who is good at baking corn muf-
fins, wins the chance to be First
Lady. There has to be a vice
President to run with him and
here enters Alexander Throttle
bottom, mild and hitherto
harmless little man. who is the
loser in the drawing to pick a
candidate.
AS Campaign Manager Fulton
outlines it, the ticket will sweep
the country. It's the biggest
thing in the world. A hundred
million hearts will beat as one;
they'll follow your courtship in
every State in the Union. You
meet the girl, you fall in love
with her, you propose. you're ac-
cepted and you're swept into the
White House on a tidal wave of
love-"
Fun With Senate
So Wintergreen comes to the
White House and Throttlebottom
finally locates the Vice PreSi-
dents desk in the United States
Senate. There's an impeark kment
trial with France and Lafayette
called as honor witneSse.& the
Supreme Court dancing gaily, 60
ing into huddles and determining
the sex of the White House baby
and the Cabinet officers solving
grave problems while President
Wintergreen pushes buttons and
lays cornerstones.
All of this recited in lyric and
jest that is reminiscent of the
best Gilbert & Sullivan without
regard for what Diplomatic faces
will get red or whether the State
Department will be obliged to in
dite notes saying it's all in fun.
GaxtOn Is Chief
"Of Thee I Sing" is played
with lively abandon by talented
group of principals, originators of
the roles. and still able to cavort
with considerable enthusiasm.
There is a reminder of the tour
ing Jimmy Walker in the immac-
ulately groomed John P. Winter
green projected by William Gax-
ton. He is a glib and a witty
Chief Executive who can shake a
foot gracefully in dance, sing the
Gershwin songs good enough,
touch the heart of romantic
America-in fact, do everything
except make the stock market go
up. Mr.. Gaxton plays President
with merry twinkle and tongue
in the cheek completely in the
mood of this saucy nonsense.
Lois Moran, recruited from
Hollywood, dances delightfully."- and
sings with Mr.. Gaxton the hit
tune of the Gershwin score, "Of
Thee I Sing, Baby" The foiled
and futile Mr.. Throttlebottom is
gorgeouSly burlesqued by Victor
Moore, who, besides being the butt
for most of the biting shafts,
manages to have considerable fun
at the expense of the august
Senate. Grace Brinkley, Florenz
Ames, June O'Dea, George E.
Mack, Dudley Clements, Edward
H. Robins, Sam Mann and Harold
Moffett acts the other important
roles in the proper hilarious spirit.
The eminent j. Brooks Atkinson
calls "Of Thee I Sing" funner
than the Government and not
nearly so dangerous, I doubt if
he could get second for that
motion on Capitol Hill. But it's
close tn the tr1lth