Evening star., 1933-02-21

ing the past year, will recall, Is
a comely lady with lighter than
light hair, whose eyes sparkle, whose
personality Is decidedly on the up
and UP, and whose manner of act
ing is merely a repititioh OF her
own hilarious ideas Of the fun Of
living
While Miss Merkel is unfortunate
1y not around as much as she might
be, she has been well cast as the
near-bride of the murder novelist,
who finds himself trapped in the
home of some not too pleasant gang
sters. Here, within arms length
of a barrage of whisky bottles and
the leering eyes of gentlemen OF
crime, she spends a few unhappy
days, due to the stalling of car
which had been chartered to carry
her off to the altar.
However, while she is placed some
what in the background, Mr.. Truck,
q pocket sized comedian, who does
his best work when he tries to be
bold and then resorts to q sudden
soto voice, is highly entertaining,
as he is forced to bring reality to a
situation which formerly he used
only in his books. Imprisoned in
this house of rogues, he is called
upon to plan the murder Of gentle
man Of coin--which he does by
shuff1ing a series of poisons and by
planting a small dose of poison in
a tube of toothpaste The thankful
illustration of his plans brings about
a denouement which may not be
repeated. But it is amusing-all of
it-and while not a pretentious film,
Is one which may be enjoyed by all
those who don't expect to roll in
the aisleS at every eyeful. Mr.. Truck
and Miss Merkel are a fine team
and there Is also our ex-Stock COM
pany member, Edward Arnold, prov
ing why he has been given five-
year screen contract.
Coward, Lille, Pearl,
Fanny Ward in Giant Show Here.
WHAT Daniel Frohman, presi-
Nv dent of the Actors Fund, has
called his greatest show will be
staged here as a benefit performance
at the Belasco Theater on March 5.
Although this will be in the nature
of benefit for the Actors Fund, II
will also take the form of an inaug-
ural Show-and the notables who are
coming down here on another one of
those special trains will be legion.
Prominent among those taking part
will be Noel Coward and Beatrice
Lille, in a sketch of Mr.. Coward,s
own concoction; Jack Pearl, alais
Baron Munchausen, who will in
troduce his pal ''Sharlie''; Herbert
Raw1irscn, who will act as master
OF ceremonies; Cecilia LOTUS in a
series Of limitations; Fanny Ward,
William Faversham, Bill Robinson
and many others. Fanny Hurst will
extend Broadway's greetings, and
Bob White. the Old Philosopher, will
welcome the stars to Washington
Tickets for what promises to be one
OF the greatest of all entertainments
devised here may be had by phoning
the Actors Fund Office in the Munsey
Building. Incidentally, Miss Lille
and Mr.. Coward will not present
''Design for Living" The skit will
be brand-new one, especially writ
ten for this Belasco audience.
Taylor Testimonial
Attracts Wide Attention.
MUCH interest is being shown in
Az the l.. Stcddard Taylor testi-
monial performance, which is to
take place Monday night at the first
performance at the National of Paul
Muni's Counsellor -at-Law." Promi-
nent names are being added daily
to committees which are sponsor
ing this performance. Mrs. J. Bor-
den Hartman yesterday became
afhllated with the Executive Com
mittee, and Walter Hampden has
expressed himself as delighted to
serve on the Honorary Committee"
adding that he does mot want to
be left out Of anything that concerns
Stoddard Taylor, whose influence in
the Washington theater has been
ever inspiring and helpful"
Repeal Entertainment
At Wardman Theater Tonight.
SANCTIONED by an important
group of the Women's Organi-
zation for National Prohibition Re-