Evening star., 1933-09-06

When you see him In Penthouse"
you will note that he is faring even
better than that. Playing the role Of
Tony CAnzoni, pleasant chief Of gang
lald Nh q pearl stickpin in his tie, q
broad grin on his face and a fondness
for being called "a dirty little rat" by
Warner Baxter, he presents q study OF
an underworld character which Is like
~ to be exceedingly popular.
The films, of course, have habit OF
making such people nicer than nice
people. When one of them dies you are
not made to feel sad. Tony is, by all
Odds the most admirable character in
Penthouse" While one minute he is
anxious to cut someone limb from limb,
the next he is playing governess to
his friend who Is IN trouble, and help
ing him to such degree that before he
knows 1t it has been the finish OF him.
Thus when he dies. imploring Mr.: Bax-
ter to rehearse his little rat" line to
him, you are genuinely sorry. and CIV
ing him great big boost as ne travels
to heaven-or otherwise.
Mr.. Pendleton's conception Of all this
Is broad, easy, swift and cheerful. He
draws Tony at one stroke and then
follows It up with q continual and well
come broadside Of good humor. He
seldom wastes gesture and he always
drives home his point. As ungentle-
manly gentleman as you have ever
seen, he nevertheless is some one whom
the Mayo family may well be pleased
with. Even Charlotte. talented as she
IS, can perhaps benefit in grease-paint
lore by observing carefully the INNINGS
Of her cousin.
X X X
IN other capacities Penthouse" which
Il 70
should be popular. The story Is nicely
contrived and there are bits of sus-
pense, bits of humor, bits Of romance"
supplied by beauteous (but why that
bow?) Myrna 10y, who got into all
sorts of hot water this Summer In Hol-
lywood merely because she rented Ra-
mon Novarro'S house when he was IN
Europe. Other members Of the cast
you should look forward to seeing in
clude Mae Clarke, in short but per-
suasive dramatic role; Warner Baxter,
who has gained a few pounds, along
with Miss 10y, and two underworld
"chaperons" who stand dolefully at
attention and see that Baxter comes
to no harm.
You will enjoy this film very, very
much. It is what Is commonly known
Is surprise hit"
xx* r.
TOMORROW morning at an early
- hour the National Theater will
bloom into life once more. not only
on account Of the newly y-opened ticket
window, but because inside the inner
walls the stage will be alive with people
and scenery and the final grooming Of
Design for Living" will be taking
place Here you may find dapper and
smiling Clifford Brooke back from Man.
haitian after successfully converting
Miss Corrinne Grifith into an Equity
actress-as also Miss Grifith in per-
son, as also other members of the cast,
who have come here ahead Of time to
put the finishing touches to their play
or, rather, Mr.. Coward,s. It will not
be easy to substitute Miss Grifith In
the place of Miss Fontanne and MI.
Iitel and Mr.. Ober in the roles created
by Messrs. Lunt and Coward However,
according to Mr.. Brooke's word-and it's
q good word-we don't have to fear
comparison all should be well.
X
IT is amazing to think of Lionel Bar
= rymore's record. He has played /
something like ~ films without a break.
HE hasn't had a vacation in two and
q half years. He is working at this
moment like q Trojan in Hollywood on