Evening star., 1950-01-01
Just Where Were You
On December 81, 1899?
Local RioIto Was Crowded and Gay,
Also Snowy and Cold That Might
By Jay Cormody

Humanity last night sharp left into the last half
Of the 10th century its tires screcng and its ageam with
blend OF bewilderment and hope
That all right with the drama department which had
chosen not to be there had back SO years when Wash
ngn and the world making what they thought right
turn into the first half OF the century
the ground the Eastern Branch frozen and the
temperature degrees above but the town turned out for
Theatrical producers these restless
had place to goo theater and halls which, with two ex
eeptions. have long since gone.
Entertainment Alive.
Entertainment ve then most Of concentrated in the
Pennsylvania Fifteenth streets
enough populace gay
flock Of critics busy The movies made furtive appear
ance in The stars amusement page in the New Gand program
which offered polite vaudeville the moving pictures No
titles, stars. just pictures that moved.
The biggest show in town that night 1he Elder Miss
Blossom
set gathered whole theater full of the smart set just the Lunts
grandchildren with today would
the Lunts not Rosalnd Russell ceuod playing the
street house.
good to Mr.. and Mrs Kendall 1.-THE Elder Miss
Blossom for while The Stars critic could rhapsodze over the
play, happily that there Of comfort and
security about Kendall performance which surely something
that few Washngtonians got out Of last night
princess Chic" a Cold.
The hibbery gibbets that night so found their
dramatic lure musical Princess Chic at the Lafayette
became the Belasco and after that warehouse and
which again promises to become theater in 1850.
The Princess Chic" and shining thing as chic
prncess well should be- but this reviewers predecessor
found it in quite unfinished state In words that still constitute
the yelest cich the vocabulary Of criticism he reported
stiu needed work" before going on to Broadway.
His favoe player apparently the soubrette (anoher
this generation With touch of
nevertheless soubreishy and danced with
dancing with might suggest better attitude toward
their work the part of-but why bring that up?
the orchestra which took the pummeing that night in
the critics chdng observation that was the
mark"
The legitimate play William Giettes Secret
ice which playing the Academy Gillette not here
star its third goody audience
nevertheless Whether agreed with the billing the
greatest play written something the reviewer
did not record satisfied that good
tainment.
Coming "A Runaway Girl"
Angeles at the Columbia that night
Columbia that at Twelfth and streets today
It was doing musical jolly Musketeer which lively
enough Columbia fans really looking forward to
weeks attraction That Augustn Dalys Run
away Girl spicier item which turned in box office that showed
lively community spirit.
Burlesque naturally. had big night that of 1900 This
Bou where hot buresque with 80 pretty girls and
witty comedians being advertised Buresque later got
clothes and fewer comedians but 1t did capacity
century the customers went out into the
feeling fit and frivolous
Twentieth centurans Cor whatever are) who
hearing vaudevs death until eevon revived It, should be
interested The Stars critic the Grand Opera House that
night: THAT vaudeville still growing in favor strongly
phaszed last night etc. It also being strongly emphasized
Sam Deveres 1o-act program was playing.
Prices? Oh, prces They from rs cents to $5o
the legitimate houses 2 so cents for gradeA vaudeville
and for the single straight movie at Convention Hae ee
ehsrkey dght-1rom IS cents to $150.
This 1t and who knows whether 1t better
than now?
At any rate a Happy New Half Century to every one!