The Washington times., 1936-02-14

LAY, dS Oh CAdWpAO VI WAoO
IDEAL FOR COHAN
It Is not my intention to be
drawn into saying that Call It
A Day" Is other than smoothly
splayed and amiable entertain
nent. I only demur when any
body sets It up as q standard for
splaywrightS, since the Dodie
Smith opus happens to violate
most Of the accepted rules and
formula for stage authors. It hap
pens to have no particular plot,
no climaxes and not q great deal
Of cohesion.
What Is offered in "Call It A
Day" is a series Of episodes in the
life of q family, set down by Q
keen observer and one who has
the congenial faculty Of tranSpos-
ing human touches" into terms
of the theater. Beautifully acted,
yes, but as an exhibit Of sound
play carpentering, no. Q thousand
times no.
I doubt, too, whether Philip
Merivale will contend that his role
is of star stature. Not after read
ing the critical after-thoughtS on
the Jeanne Dante performance.
Dear Old Darling" is a star
play, most Of it, Of, for and by
George M. Cohan. In 1t he gives
one Of his sparkling performances.
running the gamut from gay and
melancholy alcoholics to the cha
grin and bewilderment expressed
by Q middle-aged businessman
when he finds he is the victim Of
schemerS.
It is first class George M. Co
han, and ], personally ask for
nothing better. The record win
show 1901 critics, new and old,
ready to depoSe the contemporary
theater has accepted him as Its
favorite son. He Is where he Is
by practically unanimous consent.
About his cast. If Mr.. Burling
win name me better light come
dian than Charles D. Brown
barring, of course, Mr. Cohan-I
win argue further. On stage and
screen Mr.. Brown has never been
other than Grade A, so far as I
have been able to observe. Walter
Gilbert, Theresa Maxwell Conover
and others in the important roles
all have merit badges and good
notices to prove 1t.
I seem to be writing a second re-
view Of Dear Old Darling" which
was covered more fully In the
Tuesday P. M. issue. I therefore
cease and desiSt. In passing over
any extended comment on Wash
ington'S "ham" critics I do 50 BE-
cause my sophomoric correspond
ent might be able to prove his
point here.
KEITH'S GETS WINNER
It is refreshing to hear that
ashington next Friday at
Keith's will have a chance to
look at the first English speaking
picture made by Rene Clair, 1.-THE
Ghost Goes West" The earlier
examples Of Director Clair'S for.
eign-lnade pictures were moth
eaten antiques exhibited here
with scratchy, ready to fall apart
prints. No accurate appraisal
Of Clair'S art could be reached.
Hollywood regards Rene Clair
as the finest French director,
ranking with Alexander Korda as
the greatest challenge the Euro
pean market presents to the
American film industry. They
have tried for years to get Clair
over. here, but, until recently. he
rejected all offers.
Katherine Best, motion picture
critic Of "The Stage" gives this
glowing review Of "The Ghost
Goes West" ~
"The most disting guiShed visitor
these cinema shores have well
coined In . long time, is M. Rene
Clair, whose first English-speak-
ing film. 'cThe Ghost Goes
West" is delighting adult audi
ences, has performed Tiairacu-
IOuSIy by the resources Of the
Alexander KOrda studios. Mon
sieur Glare exposes America to
its most viruIent case Of barbs,
and America is loving it.
"The Ghost Goes West is an
enchanting fantasy Of . GlOurie
spirit (played by Robert DOnat)
who II relegated to roam between
heaven and earth until he has
found one Of the rival MacIag-
gang and fWeaked his nose. Dur.
iIag the ghosts desOlate wander.
inGs, Gl0urie Castle Is sold to
wealthy Americans, moved
stone BY stone, panel by panel,
as only American's could or
would, and rebuilt in Florida
with modern fixtures by Bridge
port, Conn.
"It is o charming structure
for Clair satire. But Claire has
been content to allow his satire
to become farce. Only q few
times ls the delicate touch Of
Le Million visibIe-in the tear
ing down and rebuilding Of
GIourle Castle, ln the camera
play between the doors IN the
castle ana the doors ON the boat,
the wanderings Of the creditors,