Evening star., 1933-09-02
STRONG SHOW
in FOX FILM
AND ON STAGE
Comedy Hit Sho,on
With Dunc0ns
on Stage.

WITH high-povered comedy on the
w screen and rare burlesque,
"Topsy and Eva" presenting the Duncan
Sisters on the stage. the Fox Theater
offers one Of the best shows of the
season.
Three -Cornered Moon," as piece Of
theatrical invention, has already made
an impression on the stage, chiefly be-
cause its comedy is Of the kind that
requires clever and versatile acting for
the punch that is evident at every turn.
The producers offer a cast of that de-
scription, and in the transfer to the
motion picture field, the successive
scenes are stretched before the auditor
with the speed Of steeplechase.
If it is possible to have sympathetic
background for complicated piece of
humor, with rugged design and even
more virile execution, the many situa-
tions here offered may appeal to the
average person through the fact that
they represent the outcome of disastrous
stock speculation on margin by q de-
lightfully gullible woman in the person
of Mary Boland. That actress Is typi-
cal of the entire cast, for without the
slightest failure to represent an utterly
foolish set of incidents, she puts into
the role Of the mother Of a groteSque
family of artists who have never ar
rived, the kind of acting that has given
her the rank Of star No less credit
able is the share of the action that falls
to Claudette Colbert, graceful and eff
cient creator of real roles, and Richard
Arlen, commanding figure Of useful liv-
ing. They present joint enterprise,
in which persons who seem to have
been taken from real life are parts of
a hilarious piece Of business.
Without means of support, they
demonstrate the possibility of living on
air while conducting their useless pro-
fessions aimed at the achievement OF
lasting fame Tom Brown, Wallace
Ford and LYDIA Roberti are other talent
ed contributors to the merriment of
proud but hopeless household. A series
Of romantic affairs, with complete lack
of marital prospects. is an essential
part of this striking story. A group of
excellent actors, it appears, must have
had a most pleasant time in the pro-
cess of filming the play. Their bolster
Gus celebrations and violent treatment
of each other bear the marks of
glorious adventure.
"Topsy and Eva the burlesque story
which harks back to the case of Simon
Legree, is filled with comedy, songs and
dancing of the type that comes only
from artists who are talented, both
from a musical standpoint and IN the
ability to create beautiful stage pic
lures Rosetta and Vivian Duncan have
achieved high point in the creation
of such productions, and the present Of
fering is one of the most impressive Of
their joint career. The stars them
selves are among the most magnetic to
be encountered in such musical produc-
tions, and they have surrounded them
selves with persons who contribute great
pleasure with their dancing and sing
ing, while the stage settings represent
artistic skill Chorus numbers are per-
formed with the swing of the products
CT the best direction. and the smaller
groups Exhibit the ability to carry the
strong interest of an audience. Old
Southern melodies are combined with
modern music with excellent effect The
orchestral accompaniments are q fea.
ture. D. c. c.