text: Theater, Screen and Music Part 4—12 Pages STAGE and SCREEN Geo.ieve"76bin- so '*'/?L &dySurrenders "Rialto/ I kiß |Fm Wm//AA f. I |lflß >.#* • * P'V HL. - isl mk v • AmMKASSL '*W. §y| m W* "~~-% Mw* ■ A yj£ E iiitA?*T <ar ■,/ «J|H m -lipt.ji tlfw •*£> jf^ Hjtofe - ML 'BOaPs*- _,,'..:ML...:Mm&£3AAm&**t., 4 if Jj^M • ■"•" ■ 1 > <or» ■-.. jpgA \</innieLi&htner s/?</Irene Deuroy- p-Mm&£ /n " dh& L//e oif+fre P>g/~ihy" Earle i § gk 9 | A. \ / Sk mo : '- - Drama on the Highways By W. H. Landvigt. WHAT with the chronological lines of demarcation fluctuating, even as does the drama of the period, on the week is now starting on Friday, Saturday or Sunday, as you will, the chronicler of theatrical. The happenings have to be on his guard lest he lose the what, where- and whenness of his story. The daring and distinguished actress, Ethel Barrymore, has essayed the role of a Negress of distinctive type and, in the judgment of the critics, she has gotten away with it most handsomely. Indeed, she is credited with even outshining the setting that gave her the opportunities, but in some quarters, at least, her carefully selected and accomplished supporting company seems to have left the suggestion of burnt cork. However, the more the cooks, the worse the broth, has always been a sinister threat of big ambition. One fact remains clearly and unmistakably fixed in the memory of it all—Ethel Barrymore is ever and always a great, an inspired actress; never a dampener of expectations to the countless hosts of the theater who admire her. “Scarlet Sister Mary,” despite its shortcomings, nevertheless may prove an endorsement of David Belasco’s notion, made known to the world some months back, that the Negro race is a mine of rich dramatic ore well worth developing. If there should linger in the minds of some a doubt that the material can meet the ethics of polite parlor entertainment, there yet remains the possibility, after all, that the Negro’s real spiritual qualities may be beyond the reach of his interpreters. One often is disposed to think this when listening to Caucasian renditions of the exquisite spirituals which were born in his heart. THE presentation of David Wark Griffith’s screen masterpiece, “Abraham Lincoln” concurrently with “Scarlet Sister Mary” Let Sister Mary” strikes the dreamer as exquisitely appropriate, whether intended or not. For the sun of the Negro's hope arose in the famous emancipator, and to him primarily is due the first credit for the rapid advancement of the Negro race to a place in the sun. Since the shackles of slavery were struck from the colored man by the courage of the Lincoln pen, the Negro has attained eminence in almost every field he has been permitted to engage, thus demonstrating that what men call the soul and its glorious attributes are not restricted to a white epidermis. And, furthermore, that it requires the quality of spirit of a Lincoln to measure that soul as men are given to measuring their fellow man. Burnt cork has valiantly served its humorous purpose in lightening the white man's burden during his idle hours. It would seem that the time has come to lay it aside in the future measuring of the colored race. HOWEVER, all thought and no thrill is apt to make a dull party, so back to our mutton. The world, despite its revolutions, is exuberant and wants to be entertained. And so, while our humanly animate theater is given over for the moment to the serious things of life, let us turn to our speaking screen, which fairly rots with things of love. The  mmS" I WmJm*?/ «*iiWPv Vvonne. A reader in Washington, it is believed, especially among the picture fans of the National Capital, but believed that “Her Man,” an attraction of the past week, was inspired by the doleful Fanny Brice melody, “My Man,” which was dragged over the American battlements to impart a new philosophy and a new conception of deathless devotion to our restless juvenility. But it wasn’t. The Kress hummingbird that sips the honey from the screen flowers declares that he found “Her Man” really good entertainment, if you comprehend what he means by good. The idea of the song, however, found deep lodgment in Molnar’s “Liliom,” which was screened elsewhere and which flew with its admirers to the judgment seat in Liliom’s heaven and back again to illustrate the potency of enduring love. True, “Reno,” on another screen, carried balm for the tom and bleeding heart, and Gloria Swanson, still further removed, supplied the hint of death as the roadway to delirious joy if the balm were inadequate. And thus ran the course of the week’s dramatic entertainment, not even the golf course and the bootlegger being overlooked. Surely the spirit of the theater can never die with such vigorous support still abiding in a yearning humanity. INCIDENTALLY, during her brief and auspicious stay in Washington, according to the authority of her press agent, a famous actress took occasion to deliver a vigorous wallop to the talking screen which, evidently, she doesn’t admire, and also to suggest an original idea as to the result of the supposed war between the crowing screen and the decadent stage. After sisterly cooddling her two distinguished brothers, John and Lionel, who seem stubbornly to cling to the charms of the silver sheet, Miss Barrymore is credited with booking the notion that the talkies have hurt the Theater with a capital T. Miss Barrymore is said to think it ridiculous to believe that the public can be satisfied with “canned entertainment," AMUSEMENT SECTION The famous play, "The Star Spangled Banner," has been presented at the Capitol Theatre. The play, "The Star Spangled Banner," is a testament to the theater's commitment to supporting the theater and its people. "Want." This is a distinctly original view of the subject. It is one, however, that is likely to be sharply challenged by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences on the coast of California, if not by rival champions nearer home. GETTING back to the Theater with the capital, it must not be forgotten that it is even now supposed to be making a desperate effort to come back, no one knows from whence, but nevertheless to come back. Right here in Washington there is a branch of the Professional Players’ organization, harbored in the Belasco Theater, which on behalf, not of players, but of those who love to see players in good plays and fine performances, is battling loyalty and zealously in the cause. And while “Abraham Lincoln,” as pictured by Mr. Griffith, the dean of the great movie directors, remains at the National to lead the manhood and womanhood of our fair city to the heights of serious contemplation, the Professional Players will bring their second play to the Belasco—“Michael and Mary,” with brilliant Madge Kennedy as its star—to gladden the hearts of the drama lovers and as further proof that the old theater is not yet on the wane in Washington. “Stolen Thunder.” PRODUCTION has started at Movietone City on “Stolen Thunder,” based on Mary Wilkins’ story of the same name and directed by Hamilton MacFadden, youthful Fox director. “Stolen Thunder” brings to the screen a new combination of talented leads in Jeanette MacDonald of "Love Parade” fame and Reginald Denny. The story deals with the romance of an operatic prima donna and a burglar. Lynn Starling, former stage playwright, and Philip Klein have prepared the screen play and dialogue. The supporting cast includes such well-known names as Marjorie White, Warren Hymer, who is a riot in his current production, ‘Up the River’; Albert Conti, Bella Lugosi, and Skipworth. Abraham Lincoln The Stage and Screen Attractions This Week On the Stage. BELASCO—“Michael and Mary.” Opens tomorrow evening. GAYETY—“Silk Stocking Revue” (burlesque). This afternoon and evening. ON THE Screen. NATIONAL—Griffith’s "Abraham Lincoln.” This afternoon and evening. EARLE—"Life of the Party.” This afternoon and evening. R-K-O KELTH’S—"Brothers.” This afternoon and evening. METROPOLITAN—“The Squealer.” This afternoon and evening. FOX—“Up the River.” This afternoon and evening. RIALTO—“A Lady Surrenders.” This afternoon and evening. COLUMBIA—“A Lady’s Morals.” This afternoon and evening. RIALTO—“A Lady’s Morals.” This afternoon and evening. J7THEL BARRYMORE has won her position as the foremost actress on the screen. English-speaking stage by a long career devoted to a wide diversity of characters, ranging from Shakespeare and Sheridan to Ibsen, Galsworthy, Barrie, Pinero and Somerset Maugham. She has carried on the stage traditions of the famous Drews and Barrymores, and it is naturally assumed that she is fully qualified to speak with authority on the drama of the screen. That the talking picture has made such inroads on the speaking stage as to threaten the eventual extinction of the living theater is a view not shared by this famous actress, who herself has appeared on the silent screen and whose brothers, Lionel and John, are outstanding in developing the vocal film. “The talkies haven't hurt the theater and can’t hurt it,” says Miss Barrymore, with Ray Henderson, her publicity man, as her mouthpiece. "It is ridiculous even to believe that the public can be satisfied with canned entertainment which hurts the ears and insults the mind. Really, the talkies have aided the theater greatly by draining audiences of the people whom the theater doesn't want. An outstanding fact is the improved quality of the gallery audiences. Compared with those of a few years ago, they are far superior. The worst part has been taken over by the movie houses. “People have become discouraged with bad plays and poor actors. They stay away from the theater on that account, but that does not mean that the talkies have won them away from the stage. Those who complain most about the decline of the road are the people who are not doing business. But the few actors and actresses who carry on the great tradition of the stage, the players who are trusted and whose plays are always worth seeing, do not find that audiences have deserted them. Z. went to Chicago last season for six years and remained for that month. Does that indicate that the talkies have ruined the theater for Chicago? "It is absurd for anyone to expect capacity audiences at all times and in every city. Business is bound to vary somewhat, but those who have kept faith with the public and no more to complain of today than in times passed." Before the film awoke to what one critic calls "the natural noises," Miss Barrymore spent a year before the camera. She remembers only one with pleasure, Margaret Deland’s "The Awakening of Helena Ritchie." "I have mercifully forgotten all the rest," said the actress. "I am lost without my audience. The stage is where I belong. My life always has been the theater and always will be there, regardless of anything else. Even if I had limitless means, what else would I do, or could I do, to bring me contentment and happiness if I did not act?" Miss Barrymore believes that the stage lost its greatest actor when her brother Lionel deserted it for the films. The fact that he has become one of the leading directors for the talkies might tempt her to make one talkie, but only so that "my children will not forget me." John, she says, is very happy in Hollywood, sees few people and lives much alone. She doesn’t believe he will come back to the stage. The stage, according to Miss Barrymore, never got as deep into him as into Lionel and herself. Romance and Comedy. WOMAN'S interest in the new Marie Dressler-Polly Moran comedy, which has been Titled "Reducing," will be supplied by Anita Page, William Collier, Jr.; Sally Ellers and William Bakewell. Charles Riemer will direct this production, which will soon get under way at the studio. Motor, Aviation and Radio News. Dorothy Revier, Dave Lee, Jack Holt, and Suzanne, in Capital Theaters, will appear in the Capital Theater this week, starting tomorrow evening, as the second attraction of the Professional Players series. Madge Kennedy, in A. A. Milne's emphatic success, "Michael and Mary," at the Beisley Theater this week, starting tomorrow evening, as the second attraction of the Professional Players series. Madge Kennedy, in A. A. Milne's emphatic success, "Michael and Mary," at the Beisley Theater this week, starting tomorrow evening, as the second attraction of the Professional Players series. They meet accidentally in the British Museum, where Michael has come to keep an appointment and Mary has wandered for a moment's rest from trudging for hours in search of a job. Michael learns that the girl has been married to a scoundrel who, after taking all her money, sailed blithely away to America. Touched by her plight, he insists that she accept temporary financial aid from him. This aid is extended in the pure spirit of generosity and not with any ulterior motive. They are to share the small sum of money with which he came to London to establish himself as a writer. Soon comes the realization that they are in love, followed by a wedding. Years pass and the couple are happily married, eminently successful, with a fine son at school, a flat in Chelsea and an increasing sale for Michael’s books. And suddenly Mary’s missing husband turns up. Incidents of unusual interest happen rapidly, but everything ends happily—as all good comedies ought to end. Miss Kennedy is supported by such excellent players as Terence Neill, George Alison, Maurice Greet, Donald Randolph, Harry Dornton, May Ediss, Gertrude Rivers Alison and Virginia Wallace. Mr. Charles Hopkins directed the presentation and the production is said to be tastefully and delicately embellished with scenery and effects. GAYETY—“Silk Stocking Bene.” INDU WASSAU, known and admired by those who like high-class burlesque. will be the guest star this week at the Gayety Theater in “Bilk Stockings Revue.” Miss Wassau arrived by airplane to take part in the production in compliment to Manager Lake. The program is declared replete with fun and tuneful song delights as well as intricate “hoofing,” and of several attractive scenes, “Atta Boy Horace” and “Baggage Office,” are said to deliver the swiftest and surest "laughblows.” Frank X. Bilk is the star comedian, with tramp specialties. He is seconded by Jean Pearson, a prima donna with a remarkable voice; Earl Root, Billie La Mont, Armond Monte, Dorothy Maye, Milton Bronson, Paul Jerome, Yvonne Melford, Terete Schaeffer and a chorus of young maidens. O'Brien Has Contract. The he-man characterizations which have made George O'Brien famous will be a feature of Fox Film productions for some time to come under the terms of a new long-term contract. An indication of what O’Brien's future with Fox holds is seen in his first assignment under the near agreement. He is to enact the leading role in “The Sea Beneath,” to be directed on an elaborate scale by John Ford as a romantic drama of the undersea service. He recently completed “Fair Warning,” an outdoor action picture directed by Alfred Werker. Louise Huntington was the leading lady. O’Brien was an important figure in restoring the Waning, popularity of Western stories. “The Lone Star Ranger,” in which he was featured, was among the first strictly Western talking pictures. Tree Sitting on Screen. TREE sitting and other forms of current "hold-out" contests have been chosen as the theme of Lloyd Hamilton's latest Educational film comedy, the second of his new series. William Goodrich has been assigned the directing berth for the new comedy, which features in its east Addie McPhail and Del Henderson. It is titled “Up a Man,” 