Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1948-08-18

gets closer 10 pelng forever the case.
Latest site upon which Horton
and "Springtine for Henry" have
set up is the Olney Theater. Appar-
entity those who saw the production
there last summer. or perhaps some
years ago at the National, have done
nothing but talk about it ever since.
The same, or at least the same size,
crowd showed up for last nights
opening performance. The manage
mems first night smile indicates it
has secret knowledge that this IN
teresting condition will prevail
through next Sunday nights closing
"Springtime for Henry" under
Horizons proprietorship is not what
1t was before he took over. In Its
original shape, it was deft, clever
piece of nonsense. It's idea, the
reform of romantic old goat by a
professionally prim but strangely
knowing young girl, never was novel.
Nevertheless, it had the grace OF
wit. It's dialogue sparkled with some
of the seasons fanciest improb-
abilities designed for the amusement
of those who like light talk for
itself alone.
Horton who is in a fair way to
make life work of the farce-and
It takes popularity to do that, nat
urally-has taken the certainly not
unsound attitude that the play
could stand a lot of broadening.
Where Levy was content to suggest
that here was spicy something,
the current star feels this truth
should be stated as bluntly as pos
sible. This is the difference between
a playwright's and comedians at
titude toward laughs; the former
likes to think of the mind as having
figured in them while the comic
wants his mirth from the abdomen.
The star of "Springtime for
Henry" has picked up three able as
sociates in his latest summer revival
of the perennial play. Like him,
they do not mind working the ma
terial time and half so long as
they are paid off in laughs the like
of which they got last night. And
which Horton has been getting for
all these years.
The three are Matthew Smith,
man who comes back from absent
.nindedness with the seasons best
roar; Vivian Vance, Mrs. JelliWell
with a kind of banana split rich
ness; and Ottilie Kruger. daughter
of Actor Alto, who makes a use
full and decorative Miss Smith.
Henry DeWlip's London fiat living
room, decorated With nonsense and
nudes in about equal proportion. is
another one of those jobs which set
designer S. Syrjala has made look
lot easier than it actually is.
Now that Howard Hughes has
cleaned RKO's house to his own
hearts content, if very much to the
dismay of so many others in Holly
wood the studio is ready to make
its first picture under the new
management. It's title is one that
has made even Hughes worst wish
ers laugh, loudly and wryly.
IL IeduS.
Follow Me Quietly"
X u
Barry Fitzgerald, whose real
name is Shields, and Arthur Shields,
his older brother, have no corner
on the acting talent that sWirls
through the family.
Just finished dual role in Holly
woods version of The Heiress" is
another of the same blood, Una
Mortished, who is niece of the
famous acting pair. Miss Mortished,
not only played maids part in
the William Wyler production of
the Henry James story, but also
acted as Irish dialogue coach. The
Shields and Mortisheds come as
naturally by the latter gift as by
the former.
Miss Mortished will not remain in
Hollywood for further movie chores,
although she may return later. Her
present program calls for her aSSo-