Evening star., 1939-12-16
Toy Matinee
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old Eddie Howlin, who was attend
ing his first movie. His mother, Mrs.
Laura Howlin, said she had taken
him into toy department and let
him pick out his own toy to take to
the matinee. The Howlins live in
Arlington.
Despite the brisk wind that blew
down Thirteenth street, there were
many early arrivals at the Earle
Theater. First on hand were 6-year-
old Bobby Jones and his sister. Jean,
II. of 1929 Twelfth street NV, who
said their mother had brought them
down on her way to work.
Dominoes Spilled.
They were followed by mother
who had her own presents and those
of her son and daughter in huge
knitting bag.
Gift-laden ushers had fine time
balancing dolls, games. puzzles and
even a baby drum. One, however,
came to grief when the lid of a
domino set came off, spilling domi-
noes all over the lobby.
Boy on Hand Early.
At the Tivoli Theater, boy who
wanted TO be first in line was there
an hour ahead of time Long before
the show was to begin, bicycles were
banked around the outside Of the
theater. Packages, wrapped and
ready for Christmas stockings were
piled high beside little toy shop
inside the lobby.
Before the lights were dimmed,
children raced up and down the
aisle or paused to talk with the
miniature Santa Claus, who magical
ly answered all their questions. An
usher confided that Santa was at
tached to microphone in the bal
cony, where another usher re-
sponded to the children's queries.
Toys we're bank around a small
Christmas tree at the Ambassador
and overhowed into a generous pile
on the floor.
An elderly woman came into the
theater leading her more aged sis
ter. I'VE have three gifts she
announced. so three little children
will get gifts this Christmas"
Many grownups were scattered
among the children in the theater.
Toys Lure Boy.
An usher at the Uptown Theater
had a hard time persuading a
4-year-old to relinquish his pack
age. The child seemed to be disap-
pointed that the usher had no
long, white beard.
Il want to give this right to
Santa Claus" the little boy pro-
tested.
One mother nearly lost her child
among the toys. He wanted to stay
and play with them.
About 600 toys flooded the lobby
OF the Avalon Theater. Inside the
theater the laughs, screams and gig
giles of the all-child audience could
be heard
A little boy stuck his head inside
the door and queried, Can you get
in here If you give ball?" He was
assured that a ball would be accept
able. In remarkably short time
he had returned. apparently forsak-
ing the ball idea for lengthy toy
trumpet.
A Christmas spirit of informality
was noticeable at every theater-
even the gold-braided ushers dis
pensed with dignity to match the
happy boisterousness of the children
At the Beverly Theater one usher
stood out in front initiating a side
show barker, shouting:
step right up, young ladies and
gentlemen, see w. c. Fields in You
Can't Cheat an Honest Man."
Lesson in Thrift.
Children began to gather outside
of some theaters an hour and a
quarter before the films first flashed
on the screen.
At the Penn first in line was little
Miss Yolanda Carlo, who brought as
her gift a small new pocketbook.
II think it would be good for some
girl to learn how to be thrifty, y
she explained First adult in line
was Mrs. Daisy Welsh. who brought
Ferdinand the Bull for a present
and her 8-year-old niece, Lois
Walker, as her guest. Lois declared
she had come into town from Mary
land because she had heard so much
about the toy matinees and had
never seen one.
Christmas trees filled many o1
the theater lobbies, particularly the
Takoma Theater, where whole for
ests were flashed on the screen in
Heart of the North"-a thriller
showing Canadian Mounties pursu-
ing scoundrels up mountains and
waterfalls.
Santa At Silver Theater.
Santa Claus himself appeared al
the Silver Theater-but IN a new
role. As each child arrived at the
movie he gave q toy to Santa. Kris
Kringle then placed it under a
| Christmas tree.
An extra treat was given young
sters at the Silver after the show
was over. Many received rides in q
small cart drawn by small gray
pony, Sonny Boy.
Like Fairy Mountains.
In the movie lobbies all over the
city toys piled up until they looked
| like the mountain ranges of some
fairyland. But-like true magic