Evening star., 1934-05-11
PLAYERS MAY
DECIDE ON A
MUSICAL SHOW
National Thespians Ru.
m0red Preparing Song
aud-Daace Affair.
BY E. de S. MELCHER.

@ANe&sA~-c
around that the National Play
ers will present a musical
L comedy this season. Mind
you, it's not fact as yet-but
It seems that S. E. Cochran has some
to a sly, sleek expression he's been
wearing ever since he realized that
Ruth Abbott can play a mean" piano
and that Roy Roberts is probably as
good a "crooner" as the script OF
"Her Masters Voice" gives him
credit tor.
This weeks comedy at the Ma
tional has, as matter OF fact. made
a lot of people enthusiastic about the
possibility of these players turning
light footed and ripping out with
good old song -and-dance show Es-
pecially since its never been done
before, some of the more advanced
barkers, who have a feeling that the
current company can do anything, are
running up and down the streets
tearing their hair in anticipation of
seeing these sprightly Nationalites
whip out an Irene" or mayhap an
"As Thousands Cheer" Rumor has
it that even a couple of new scripts
are being read and that Manager
Steve himself. ever since his success
full radio debut. is considering play
ing the role of the second man."
The National Players could very
easily get away with a musical
comedy This season particularly,
with fair-haired Ruth Abbott to play
the skip-and-run heroine, and Roy
Roberts to sing those to-have-a -and-to-
hold ditties. the chances of its getting
"across" are myriad. Besides these
two, you have Mary Loane. a gay
youngster, who would probably look
swell under the usual musical comedy
honeysuckle; Kathryn Givney, a tenn
pestuous, if modern. Mana; Freddie
Sherman. who could grab up the
ingenue just as she was about to be
Hibbard, who could come in with that
wedding ring in the finale.
Then think of those Clifford Brooke
Academy students (being trained now
by Prof Greet. Wouldn't they enjoy
doing a light fantastic across the
boards after a stiff season of rehearS-
ing Ito be or not to be?" One of
their number, George Calvert, has al
ready proved himself valuable addi-
ton to the professional ranks (play-
ing the man of all work in THE Pur-
suit of HappinessD, and it is not by
any means impossible to imagine that
there are scores of Marilyn Millers
and Clifton Webbs lurking in their
midst 1t would be pleasant to see
a chorus of slim white sisters from
this Connecticut avenue school gall
lavantlng across the stage raising its
toes in joint celebration.
Then again. it wouldn't be out OF
the question for Kathryn Givney to
come out suddenly and do an adagio.
Fancy, Miss Givney being twirled
around and about by her ear by either
Burke Clarke or Mr.. Cochran! Such
ideas make this thought Of Ma
tional Players musical comedy bright
er and brighter.
REBE DANIELS arrived In town
did Husband Ben Lyon They were
greeted informally at the Carlton by
half the city soon after their arrival,
and so far as Is known are in elegant
shape for their first show today.
More about them tomorrow.
X X X
WHEN Lupe Velez gets here next
w week she will not have Laugh
ing Boy" with her. Word had come
that the Novarro-Velez picture has
been delayed and that Now III Tell"
will take its place. Interest In the
latter picture is accue, however, mas
much as it has been written by Mrs.
Arnold Rothstein-whose husband. in
days gone by, made quite name for
himself. The cast includes Spencer
Tracy, Alice Faye and Helen Twelve
trees.
"CADIE MCKEE" according to those
- who have seen it, Is grand film.
Joan Crawford has apparently never
been better, andGene Raymond is sud-
denly the possessor Of a first-class
"voice." Ever since ZOO in Buda-
pest" we have been on Mr. Raymond's
side in all battles over his talents,
and the fact that he can sing, as well
as act, doesn't somehow surprise us.
Furthermore, lad named FranchOt
Tone has an important role in the
finland that seems to clinch the
matter. Miss Crawford in red hot
clothes, Mr.. Raymond singing and
Mr.. Tone as himself, sound pretty
good.