Evening star., 1933-06-24
TRAGIC STORY
IN STANWYCK
SCREEN PLAY
Striking Feature in
"Baby Face' Is
ShOun.

ONLY the actress who is sure Of her
" own grasp of the public imagina
ton would willingly undertake role
of the flinty character that is presented
of Barbara Stanwyck in Baby Face
on the screen at the Earle Theater. 1t
is because this star has been favored
with strong approval in circumstances
that created the inspiration that is
the stuff on which the acting profess
sion depends for its advancement. that
she here undertakes the perfect pic
ture of the woman who creates havoc
in the minds of men of affairs who
fall under her influence. Some OF the
sensational affairs in which she is the
chief figure are accidents, but on the
whole she represents a master mind
in the art of attraction. Two TRACE
dies and a near-tragedy are on the
record, and when the man who has
enriched her to the extent OF half
million dollars faces disaster, and needs
the money to save him from disgrace.
she ignores all wifef1y instincts and
drives him from her. Only when her
course is nearing its end does she re-
pent and, with frantic steps, rush 10
save him. It is the commendable cli-
max that redeems the play, and gives
it dramatic finish that Is as unex-
pected as it Is impressive.
AS a piece of entertainment. BABY
Face" is probably an unprecedented
exposition of the methods of the femi-
nine side of ruthless action. 1t is as
full and clear story of the capital
izing of what appears to be human
affection as stage or screen has ever
presented. Miss Stanwyck's place IN
the scheme is established with mar
velous conception of motives and Of
craft and power to deceive. From the
theatrical standpoint, it is one of the
achievements of her career and, With
out considering the moral side, 1t is
worthy Of place among the conspica-
GUS things that have been done. 1t is
possible for the moralist to say that
it's chief point is that the human mind
motive. no matter how long that
change has been delayed that affec-
ton and loyalty and justice must be
vindicated. There is no doubt that
the resulting repentance is made more
vivid and pleasing by contrast with
the preceding events. and If the au-
thor had that in mind. he has done
his work with dramatic force. 1t Is
a play of action, with the banking
business in the background, and is
striking contribution to current pro-
ductions.
While Miss Stanwyck is the central
figure throughout. the acting of George
Brent, faithful friend of the woman
is on the highest standard, and his
all-around skill and dramatic sense
give much to the satisfaction that may
be derived from the play. There is
also q large cast. including several
prominent motion picture actors, who
have place in the intricate plot. Among
these are Donald Cook, Arthur Hohl,
John Wayne and Henry Kolker.
The stage show at the Earle is head
ed by Walter "Okay" O'Keefe, one Of
the comedians who are appreciated by
those who like that kind of a come
dian He Is vigorously and extremely
informal One of the most delightful
features of the program is the singing
of the Keller Sisters and Lynch, which
at the opening performances received
enthusiastic applause. The Four Hearts,
girl dancers in trousers and tap. are
equal to any Of the male performers
in this line, and the Three Swifts do
the almost impossible in comedy club
swinging. ID. c. c.