The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1935-06-11

also find that the incidental roles
have been cast with fine intelli-
gence.
Few actors in Hollywood could
play this role and get the appeal
out of it that Pat O'Brien con-
trives to generate. Even if you
don't agree with his decisions,
deplore his lack of backbone, at
times, and feel that he doesn't
know how to treat a good wife,
you find yourself sympathizing
with him.
I recommend coil For the
Lamps of China" unreServedly
for those who like good Substan-
tial story plot with their movies.
This one has it. Besides the Chi
nese backgrounds are both novel
and far removed from the con-
ventional settings. See it at the
Earle beginning Friday.
It doesn't happen often in the
theater but it happened yester-
day. Arthur Boran, tired out
after a busy Sunday, oversight
and missed his first show at the
Earle. Freddy Clark's musicians
filled the vacant spot with mel
ody.
Calls Lunt Ham"
This. hasn't been a Noel Coward
year. The DECENTRALIZATION
missed out on his two Broadway
offerings, conversation Piece"
and Point Valaine."
And because Alfred Lunt is so
accustomed to having nice things
said about his acting and seeing
cut flowers strewn for the Lunt-
Fontanne team, I would nomi-
nate as the biggest surprise of
the season, the decoration of
STAGE magazine for the best
ham acting of the season pinned
on Actor Lunt. Says the STAGE:
Ham Acting-The topic is so
encyclopedia that we despair of
exhausting it in many issues of
The Stage. But it should be said
That pure pork, ped1greed and
certified, does not often appear
on the New York stage. Curiously
enough, the most complete ex-
ample Of the type was supplied by
one of the most sensitive and dis
tingUiShed of actOrs-Alfred Lunt,
as Stefan, the sex-crazed waiter in
Point Valaine"-and we suspect
that he agrees with us. The part
as written was ham through and
through, and could not be rem
dered by any but bacOnian means.
Mr.. Lunt. who Is never niggardly
with his art, Loyalty went through
the ordeal, and Smeared it extrava-
gantly with lard.
Worst Taste Again "POint
We thought about those
midgets hiding under the skirts
of the fat ladies in one Of the
rOmps, and then again
of "Reprise," in which sister and
brother were competing for a gen.
tleman's affections. But we feel
that NO:l Coward more richly
merits the prize-nOt because he
had his haIf-wit waiter COMM
with that depressed vol
canO, his landlady-employer, but
because he invited three of the
finest actors in the theater-Miss
Mr.. Lunt and Mr..
PerkinS-tO waste some months of
their artistic careers on such pro-
ceedings."
About "Dodsworth"
"Dodsworth" will come to the
screen soon, Producer Samuel
Goldwyn having paid 100000 for
the movie rights. This Sidney
Howard dramatization of Sinclair
Lewis play was the greatest dra'
matte success of the 1934-35 sea-
son. It goes on tour again next
season with the picture release
held off until the play dates have
been exhausted.
"Dodsworth" presents a prob
lem for Hollywood. Walter Hus-
ton, one of the greatest living
actors, has enjoyed marvellous
success in the role of Sam Dods-
worth on the stage. Under the
circumstances he should be the
logical star for the screen version.
What makes Hollywood pause is
that Walter Huston is not a box
office star for the movies. Despite
his great a acting ability, the
younger generation of film-goers-
of the gentler sex-complain he
has no it. So we are extremely
likely to see Sam Dodsworth on
the screen projected by some actor
who isn't good enough to shine
Walter Huston's shoes, but has
what it takes to draw the flappers
into the cinemaS.
GAYETY BURLESK