The Washington times., 1934-05-29
Charles Comeback

Romeo. .
ICharIies' Comeback
Good luck to Charlie Ray in
his screen comeback. I still re-
member the screens first country
boy for Egg Crate Wallop" and
other good silent pictures.
It is easy to recall, too, the pic
ture that sent him into bank
ruptcy, "Courtship Of Miles Stand.
ish." It had its world premiere
at the old President Theater on
Pennsylvania Avenue. Charlie
Ray would not accept the terms
that the regular first run houses
offered him for his picture and
played it independently.
AS the first audience filed out
I think Charlie Ray sensed that
his first feature as producer was
a failure. There was no en-
thuSiasm. Mr.. Ray stood in the
lobby with a small pasteboard box
filled with cuttings Of the mega
tive. Each patron had an oppor-
tunity to shake his hand and get
a tiny piece Of film as souvenir.
still have mine Secreted some
where in the archives.
Charlie Ray remained here dur
ing the entire engagement cf one
week. When he counted up the
receipts the star must have then
realized miles Standish" would
never live up to his hopes.
Since then he has appeared
twice on Washington stages in
legitimate drama.
Mr.. Somers, Prophet
Prof. Lee Somers becomes a
critic emeritus and resigns from
the Fourth Estate with the well
wishes of this corner, where he
has been accustomed to function
efficiently at such times as the
editor departed on his annual
leave.
From the renowned classic
workshops of Prof. Bakers No. AZ
at dear old Harvard, Mr.. Somers,
I held in respectful awe until I
discovered he had beneath the
dignified veneer a sizeable sense
Of humor., He, it was, who first
pointed out to me that the one
man vaudeville show concocted
by one Joe Cook, was the creation
of an amusement genius travelling
fast on the right road. To prove
his faith DR.. Somers sat down
and wrote the first play designed
to utilize the broad talents of
this slightly mad zany in the con-
ventional three acts. It never
reached production, but Comedian
Cook always gives Lee Somers
credit for being the first to take
his fun talents seriously, if you
know what I mean.
AS far back as 1928 DR.. Somers
told all who would listen that a
funny little man called Joe Pen
ner was future great comedian.
They scoffed at the Somers
prophecy then so you can hardly
blame the abashed critic of those
1928 days if he arches his eye.
browS slightly at the 1894 Colum.
buses who claim Penner prece-
dence.
To his new position with the
organized Federal employees Mr..
Somers brings background, ex.
perience and a heart that I know
is thoroughly in accord with the
aims and ambitions of the worker.
I wish him well and I congratu-
late Mr.. Babcock'S organization in
its acquisition.
Busy NationaIites
Thursday will be a big day for
the National Players. General
Zone Manager John j. Payette,
Of Warner Bros. thought the E
Street actors should be the first
to see Donald Woods, the 1888
leading man make his debut on
the Scren.
Accordingly he will have a spe-
cial r:eview performance of "Mer.
ry wives Of Reno" in which Don
aid Woods capers from start to
finish. He is one of the misunder-
stood husbands. The National
Players will be the special guests.
The picture opens at the Earle
Friday.
Earlier in the day they will visit
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