Evening star., 1938-09-13

do the kissing. He also brought alon,
National. Mr.. Plohn has been out Of
circulation for long time, but he is
much too tan and healthy looking
to have been in moth balls since the
close Of the theater last spring.
Accompanying the Messrs. Kline
and Plohn IL Jo-Jo. Jo-Jo Is the lat
ter's dog, one Of the few dogs who is
qualified to say some Of his best friends
are drama critics. II some of his best
friends were not drama critics Jo-Jo
would just ignore them. Instead he
climbs on their desks and presents an
intelligent-looking head for petting.
While Jo-Jo gets the papers on the
desk into q better arrangement (any
change is for the better), the atmos-
phere becomes Allied with names that
have not been heard much during the
last few months. The chatter is not
only Of Brock Pemberton, Claire
Booth, Benay Venuta, Helen Claire,
John Alexander and others in the
opening play. but OF stage performers
generally. The drama season Is OPEN
ing next Monday and there must be
talk Of 1t. There is mention Of Helen
Hayes and the fact that she is coming
here this season. even though she did
give up on THE Merchant of Venice"
because Of casting difficulties.
That led to the fact that the Lunts
are coming also in THE Sea Gull"
with Charles Washburn as the advance
man. The latter fact, at the moment,
seemed as important As the former be-
cause Mr.. Washburn is one Of the most
whimsical gents in the publicity busi-
ness. Working for the Lunts, which
is to say the Theater Guild, he might
come into town riding An elephant, no
matter how inappropriate seems the
mixing Of Lunts and elephants. Mr..
Washburn Is uncompromisingly whim-
sical. . sort Of leprechaun whose ca
vorting ahead of The Sea Gull" might
turn out to be more entertaining than
q lot Of features Of this years drama
schedule.
A MOTHER thing Mr.. Kline thinks
Of Is the last time he was in town.
That was when Stage Door" came
here with Joan Bennett in the starring
role. It brings up the point of Miss
Bennett and the press party given in
her honor, or to her annoyance, or
something. Why Miss Bennett was
two and one-half hours late at that
party was one OF the things Mr.. Kline
was unable to explain, or did not want
to explain. Since every one, save Miss
Bennett had q good time, no explana-
ton was in order.
The opening Of the National season
il going to be very gala. Helping to
make 1t 10 will be the presence OF .
number Of persons from Broadway who
are coming down to see the first of
Mr.. Pemberton's productions for the
season. Mr.. Pemberton just skipped
last year after . previous series Of
debGcles which were enough to dis
courage far less courageous and astute
gentlemen.
Miss Booth, who really Is Mrs. Henry
Luce, will be here, of course. to see
her play launched. 30 will Antoinette
Perry. who Is one Of the finest and
hardest working persons connected
with the theAter; and certainly one Of
the most helpful to the young actress
and actor.
Jult when they will arrive Is not
settled. Probably bit early to get
things In shape.
Before they come, however. there
will be other press agents winging
through here to prove that the theater
Is back again. Mr. William G. Fields
Is due today. Mr.. Fields Is the man
who can talk about ABE Lincoln In !
Illinois," the new Bob Sherwood play. |
He also is the chap who can explain
all this seemingly funny to-do in New
York over the fact that Raymond |