The Washington times., 1936-04-25

They make something Of an
event of the formal opening Of
Ben Bard's new theater in Ro.
land Circle Ia wide stretch Of
terrain named after his wife,
Ruth Roland, who owns or did
Own-mOst Of the property In
the sect'On) . Bard runs
dramatic school here and pre-
scented his pupils in an original
play, "The Virgin Queens
Daughter" written by Penn
Sylvania priest, who was once q
vaudeville actor, according to
the legend. viii W1alen by
name. 1t has its entertaining
moments, but some Of the rO-
bust language belongs to The
sewers This amateur group,
however, turns in a performance
that would not shame them on
cur Broadway stage. Among
those in the audience we detect
Venida Warden. VIII walls she's
already a film widow, Jack
Oakie being unable to attend
because of an early assignment
on the Paramount lot the fol-
lowing day. Claire windsor,
still q complete eyeful, settles
down near uS-just back, she
informs, from an EXTENDED visit
with George and Julio Sanchez
and their brides at the Sanchez
plantation in Cuba. Esther
Muir and Sam COslOw. the
Stuart Erwins are others pres
ent for this premiere. Later
Ruth Roland escorts us around
the little theatre-cOmplete In
every detail-even to terraced
roof and handball courts. "A
perfect setup, and little theater
enthusiasts should make a pill
xrimage here to get an idea Of
what can be d0ne-if you have
the space and the money with
which to carry out your ideas.
Pat O'Brien wins $700 at the
gaming tables and decides to make
q big winning or nothing, but his
bride grabs the chips-and cashes
them in-and O'Brien leaves with
a rueful expression. John Stein"
berg flies back to New York for
a day or two. Pat Honey Chile"
Wilder may fly into New York for
q few days with her spouse, Cur.
ley Harris. The Ritz Brothers
came through as anticipated
they were signed by Daryl zanuck
on Twentieth Century-Fox con-
tract and their first assignment
will be in "Sing. Baby Sing. :.
George Jessel and Norma Tai.
madge were Vendome lunchers.
Jessel returns to Broadway May
g.. .Thelma Leeds, another ex-Al
Siegel protege, whose debut at the
Versailles drew yelps of JOY from
the colunnistS, has won herself
an R.K.O. contract.
Irving Caesar has . Filipino
valet. He is very fond Of him
but, having had experiences
with other Wallets, doesn't quite
trust him. Every time he
buys himself q new shirt or q
hat or q pair of shoes, he sum.
mons the Filipino and inquiries,
casually, "JOe-hOw would you
Xix, to go to Egypt. ..'T
think" replies Joe, "that is
very nice-I would like that"
.. "JOe," says Irving, II think
you and 1 will 60 to Egypt.
A few days later, when Caesar
has bought himself, perhaps,
a new sweater or some socks
which just fit his servant, he
will summon him again. "Joe."
he will murmur, Constant.
nople at this time Of year
must be very beautiful" ."T
think" will reply Joe, "Con.
.stanti-how you call it, would
be very beautiful like to 60
there. ."J0e." insists Irving,
81 think you and 1 will 90
there. AS . result, Caesar
and Joe have now mapped out
q complete trip around the
wOrld-but haven't left Holly.
wood yet THE way I figure
it out" Caesar explains, "Joe
isn't going to be fool enough
to pilfer my suits or socks or
'ShOeS-and spoil that chance
to 60 places with me and see
the wOrld"...
/. Reuben Mamoulian has de-
serted his glamorous lady friends
for a few nights to show his
mama and papa around town.
Nate Stein is back in town-her-
aiding new heavyweight menace,
under his management. Phil
""Red" Munroe. "A good craps
shooter can lunch and dine gra-
tuitously in this town. The prac-
tice is for half a dozen film
cronies to assemble at one table
In either the Vendome or Brown
Derby-at the end Of the meal
they roll the dice to see who pays
3. Eileen Allen. parted from her
pianist husband, Jack Brooks,
after a merger which lasted only
three weeks, started back to
Broadway. .Marlene Dietrich has
dropped out Of the towns night
life-and Joan Crawford and
Franchot Tone, after their brief
Splurge two weeks ago, are in
semiretiement again. Dietrich,