Evening star., 1936-04-05


meditations appertaining to
- the Pulitzer Prize, leaves un-
sung his annual Spring song, so it will
have to be rendered by me. The abb
sence of the doctors voice lifted in
benediction will cause many playgoers
distress, since thousands of them de-
pend upon his words for guidance to
the better dramas Since it Is his
habit to praise truth and to ignore
imposture, shall adopt that policy in
my attempt at substitution, and sus-
pend complaint in favor of indorse-
ment. The following inventory Of
attendable entertainments is therefore
as sunny as Doctor Phelps would be,
and considerably shorter.
idiots Delightful which Mr. Al
fred Lunt cavorts as an ingratiating
vaudevillian. who enlivens with his
sextet Of Nebraska ballerinas Mr..
Robert Sherwoods honorable and
theatrical discussion Of war. The scene
is a European powder keg before and
after it blows up. Miss Lynn Fon-
tame revels in the impersonation of
an exotic Russian adventures, and
the supporting cast is out Of the The
ater Guilds top drawer.
Dead End"-Upon a spectacular
background representing one of the
more sordid sidewalks of New York,
Mr.. Kingsley draws an exciting pic
ture and breaches bitter sermon. A
friendly partnership of scenery. melo-
drama, lecture and effective acting, it
is more than usually commendable.
boy Meets Girl"-A prudently hi
larious satire Of Hollywood and the
cinema. making much wise fun and
hurting no feelings: For the average
drama lover it is safer show to 60
to than Idiots Delight" Dead End"
or Ethan Frome."
Ethan Frome"-One of the best Of
the dirges as made by Owen Davis
and his son from Miss Edith Whar-
tons despaiIfng novel. In it Miss Paul
inc Lord, Miss Ruth Gordon and Mr..
Raymond Massey portray bleak New
England misery in a way that should
make you happily disconsolate.
Victoria Regina"-Wherein Miss
Helen Hayes initiates, with what it
seems are amazing accuracies, the lit
tie queen from girlhood to the grave.
The play is skillfully arranged pag-
cant, of reasonably connected episodes,
admirably acted by Miss Hayes and
her company and thoroughly produced
by Mr.. Gilbert Miller.
Saint Joan"-A revival of Bernard
Shaw's cool apochrypha by Miss Kath-
arine Cornell, who appears in it as the
haunted maid. Miss Cornell delights
her audiences and contents herself
with her impersonation of Joan as
urchin, patriot, witch. soldier and
saint. The production" is right to
the point of extravaganza, and the
playing, especially that of Mr.. Arthur
Byron as the Inquisitor, and Mr..
Eduardo Ciannelli, as the Bishop Of
Beauvais, is all that it ought to be.
Call it a Day"-Miss Gladys Coo
per and Mr.. Philip Merivale, after
their disastrous New York adventures
with the Bard, have found in Call 1t
a Day" a bright and thoughtful me-
dunn for their talents. The members
of an English family-mother, father,
two daughters and son-live their
own lives for "a hours with profoundly
amazing consequences.
End of Summer"-The glittering
Miss Ina Claire is to be enjoyed here
in Mr.. S. N. Behrman's most enjoy
able comedy. Mr. Behrman's dialogue
is sweet or salty as the occasion re-
quires, and all of it is pleasing to the
mind and ear. Mr.. Osgood Perkins,
as an interesting psychoanalyst, helps
to make End Of Summer" what it is.
THE Postman Always Rings Twice"
"A sturdy and relentles smodern
tragedy made by Mr.. James M. Cain
from his prosperous novel.
"Libel"-The place is an English
court room, and the principal charac-
ter is Sir Mark Loddon (Mr. Colin
Clive). who is accused of being some
one else. Although his wife and his
attorneys become convinced that he is
an imposter, he finally proves that he
is not by devices ingeniously convinc-