The Waterbury Democrat., 1934-08-08
In New York
BY PAUL HARRISON

New York - Theater notes: Whether the movie mortality drive will spread to the theater is a question that's -furrowing 8 lot of Broadway brows these days. Some producers, unwilling to acknowl- edge the remotest relationship between stage and screen, are go- ing ahead with plans for bawdy little plays and naughty little mu- steals. You might say that these men are counting their chickens before they are hatchetted.
 There is no doubt at all but that reformers will be around making disapproving noises when sophis- ticated situations and profane words begin parading behind the new seasons footlights. Petitions by the mile will be reeled into the mayors office, and pulpits will re- sound with denunciations which will send various citizens scurry- ing to the box offices. The dramas self-censorship committee will be excoriated as bunch of ineffect- ual do-nothings.
 Stage vs Screen
 Critics will have plenty to write about on their off-days, pointing out that the theater is quite unlike the movies in that 1t attracts relatively few, people and those practically all adults with adult minds. You very seldom see child in a legitimate theater; they just don't like 1t. Neverthe- less, certain groups will boycott certain plays, and will make q point to patronizing other plays which are all sweetness and light. They'll take the kiddies, too.
 There are several ways of re- garding the screen morality busi- ness 2 Some seasoned stagers such as the very successful Max Cor don, believe that great drOves of people will weary of the movies perpetual pandering to purity and will flock to the flesh h-and- blood theaters for some diversified emo- ton and honest realism. In line with this idea, MT Gordon is ad- vocating low-priced performances. An Eye on Hollywood
 Then there's the opinion of Brock Pemberton. He forecasts a cleaner thcater because produc- CTS whether they'll admit 1t or not-are inclined to select plays which will find ready sale for Hollywood adaptation. This is no meager inducement in light of the fact that seven of last sea- sons dramatic Hops were bought by cine-men for from $16,O0O to $25,000. Movie rights to Broad way hits brought as much as $75,- 900.
 Arthur Hopkins-the same Ar thur Hopkins who introduced profanity in a big way when he put on What Price Glory" more than a decade ago-believes that people are weary of vulgarity and sex-stuff which now come under the blanket hearing of sophistica- tion. He has an idea that play goers, tired of being shocked, sweet sentiment and red-blooded romanticism. And maybe he's right.
 And Not q Flop!
 The aforementioned Max Cor don always has contended, with n sly wink, that the Puritans must have been right in considering the theater the house of Satan. For if God really thought we'll of the provided more actors like George M. Conan, more playwrights like Noel Coward and Eugene O'Neill.
 In spite of the dearth of talent. the producer managed to provide fhrn hifa ct Il al. ...xrfa ''Dodsworth" and "Her Masters Voice.. Soon Mir Gordon will begin his twenty-sixth season in the theater and he thinks it will be his best. Many others think so, too, because for one thing, he has acquired one of the magnifi- cent auditoriums in Rockefeller Center for his forthcoming shows.
 During the past three years, rather lean years for the show shops, Gordon has brought forth nine plays and musicals-and not a flop among them. They hay" given him the reputation of be : ing Broadway's most infallih'F picker. How he picks them, IF himself doesn't know. But I have an idea that it is because he is as theater-struck as an inspired in- genue, while being as seasoned as a Belasco. He attends a show practically every night of his life, either a movie or a stage produc- tion.
 Gordon, however, credits a lot of his success to-of all people-his barber. Whenever he's doubtful about script he takes it up to the City Athletic Club and reads it while getting a haircut and other tonsorial sundries. The barber listens and then gravely delivers an opinion. He never has been wrong yet.