The Washington times., 1935-12-16

apparently extravagant treatment
given to Bligh of the Bounty, il
seems to be clear that Mr.. Thai
berg has started one-man screen
pogrom against dictatorS, though
why Mr.. Barrett and Admiral
Bligh should be called to suffer
vicariously for the misdeeds Of
modern dictatorship is not easy
to explain.
We must confess that we view
with dismay this growing practice
Of picking on unSavory. episodes
or aspects Of British history, or
of British families, and advertis.
ing them to the world on a colos-
sal scale.
Doubtless the film will be
amended for release in this coun-
try, especially in view Of current
complaints about screen Sadism:
but it is unfortunate, in our opin.
ion. that the Bounty scandal
should have been revived at a
time when the British navy and
its prestige and future are SO
much in the public eye"
Well, I agree with Alexander
Woollcott, that the printed story
of "Mutiny On the Bounty" covers
more brutality in four pages than
the entire picture. In fact the
incidents about which the Era
complains are really CLOSED over
on the screen.
I think the Era's real COM
plant is based upon the fact that
"Mutiny" is headed for SenSa-
tional boxoffice crosses in Eng.
land, a prospect that they nat
urally view with alarm. But, if
they are really sincere, why don't
they censure or boycott the Eng
lish Charles Laughton, who is the
actor playing both roles about
which the Era complains.
HELEN BREAKS RECORD
Uncle Alexander Woollcott sped
across the ether waves last night
the favorite song of Hiss Helen
Hayes the Gloaming"-and
wished her we'll for the Washing
ton opening of "Victoria Regina"
at the National Theater tonight.
Helen, let it be said here, broke
all existing records at the Audi
torium Theater in Baltimore in
four performances. She passed
$4,000 in receipts, which is bust
ness to crow about, as Harry
Essex does.
Also Mr.. Woollcott became
valiant tub thumper for the
movies and especially that wistful
clown, Charlie Chaplin. It seems
that the ample Woollcott avoirdu-
poiS was concealed in a pair of
blue denim overalls and thus dis
guiSed as an electrician he wan
dered on to the Chaplin set where
they are fitting Modern Times"
with sound and music. Twice the
deception worked.
Mr.. WoolIcott called it balm
aplenty for the sore heart of the
world, "magnificently comic, gal
liant and other glowing adjectives
which elude me right now. I do
know, he said, he would see
Modern Times" every day in
January and some in February.
In fact, tuned him off Just as
he was giving a good impression
Of a radio announcer gone slightly
mad over reading ads.
FREDDY TO AUSTRALIA
1t is Miss Courtney Wade who
relays the information that Freddy
Sherman, perennial juvenile of
the Cochran E Street alumni, is
going to Australia with the Three
Men on a Horse" company, which
will head for the AntipodeS in
February. In the meantime Freddy
is acting with Leona Powers in
the Ernest Truck company OF
whatever Goes Up"
JOHN BARRYMORE ACTS
I trust you heard John Barry
more and Wally Beery in that one
act skit, "Napoleon'S Barber" over
the radio Saturday night. This
happens to be cameo dramatic
that is ideally fitted for the loud
speaker.
In spite of Hamlet Jacks pro-
pensity for keeping his romantic
outbreaks in the headlines he is
still smashing fine actor when
it comes to voice and expression.
He belied those who say all there
is to Barrymore is a profile, for
without seeing these cherished
features he contrived to make Ma
poleon an electric figure for listen
ers. Beery, incidentally, gave
splendid support as the poetic
barber.
CANCELLATIONS
Depressing note. Eva LIE Gal
lienne in "Rosmerholm" and
Camille" due Christmas week at
the National, has been cancelled.
So has the Earl Carroll engage
ment of Sketch Book" listed for
December 80.
So from the present outlook the
National will be dark Xmas and
New Years week.