The Washington times., 1937-02-05

of National Theater drama pre-
sentations. the curtain call for the
opening of Dead End" Norman
Bel Geddes' production of Sidney
Kingsley's play which will show
here the week of February Is, will
take place at 8 p. m. instead OF
the usual $50 o'clock.
The reason for this, as eX-
planned by National Theater off
Gals is the necessity of conform
ing to District of Columbia child
labor laws which prohibit children
under 18 from appearing on The
stage after 10 p. m. The District
rules absolutely bar children
under Is from appearing profes-
sionally at any time, but make al
lowance for those between the
ages of Is and 18 to appear up to
10 p. m.
The cast of Dead End" IN
cludes 10 youngsters all 16 years
of age who are important parts
of the plays street scene setting.
When asked by local Boys Club
officials year ago to bring the
play here, producers were unable
to do so as permission was with
held because of the child labor
requirements. At that time, and
even now, the cast when showing
in other cities employs younger
children for the street scene.
The actual playing time of the
drama is one hour and so min
utes. The curtain will rise for
the first act at 8 p. m. and Will
fall for the finish of the play be.
fore 10 p. m.
A VALUABLE PRESENT
This departments most appreci-
atiVe reader-one who prefers to
keep his identity secret to both
you and forwarded yesterday
most valuable and interesting
tribute.
It is three bound scrap books
with ancient and honorable pro-
grams of the Washington legiti-
mate theaterS from the turn of the
century to date.
My delight over such a treas
ured album of mementoS is only
surpassed by my complete inabil-
lty to trust myself not to sit up all
night turning over pages that re-
Vlve so many pleasant memories.
| am saving this pleasure for
the weekend and I am certain
that these venerable records will
produce more than enough for
several interesting columns.
Thank you, kind friend, who
ever you are, and rest assured
that your present will fill a
valuable corner in my library of
theatrical lore.
JIMMY AND MAE
1t is quite while since Jimmy
Cagney pushed a grapefruit into
Mae Clark's face and. neither
before or since. has Mae Clark
received so much attention as
she did for this citrus incident.
Which is to say that Jimmy
Cagney and Mae are together
again in Great Guy" current
at RKO Keiths Theater. Jimmy
is a little gentler in this picture
as a Sealer of weights and meas
ures who pursues racketeers and
crooked scales.
Great Guy" has the B. S.
Moss gold medal for being a
great piece of entertaining cellu-
1oid. Mr.. B. S. Moss owns the
new Criterion Theater on Broad
way, spic and span house that
had a terrible time trying to
get winning pictures until
"Great Guy" came along. The
Cagney picture is now in its
sixth week at the Criterion and
going strong. All of which pleases
Hardie Meakin who will be very
happy to get two good weeks
out Of Jimmy Cagney's feature
the first picture of the red head
to play his theater.
AN ACTORS TRIBUTE
81 have Just seen something
that makes the heart of an actor
dance" said the venerable Theo-
dore Hardy leaving the Wednes-
day matinee of GIelgud's Hamlet
"Thls rates with my iu~-~ le
thrills after a lifetime in the
thea y" he added Mr.. Hardy
has acte, Hamlet many times
has seen 26 Melancholy Danes,
his first being Lawrence Barrett
and John Mccullough in 1878.
Tonight Theodore Hardy dons
grease paint again. He will play