Hollywood Filmograph (Jan-Jul 1930)

HOLLYWOOD FILMOGRAPH 29 s s s Concerts ---Musicales Stage Review "THE SEA GULL" Reviewed at The Play Shop, 1141 Gower Street. Presented by Ralph Herman. Staged by Nathaniel Frank. Play by Anton Tchekoff. The night I saw Eva Le Galliene put on "The Sea Gull" in her Civic Repertory Theatre in New York, I sat on a hard, wooden bench in her musty, old atmospheric playhouse. I sat through Tchekoff's four acts gallantly, and with the conclusion of an excellently portrayed performance, I stood and cheered louder than the rest. I then descended with the remainder of the gallery gods to a gaudy 14th Street, and listened to the comments of others in the audience. And a year leater I watched Ralph Herman's presentation of "The Sea Gull" The Play Shop is on Gower Street, set back a bit from the pavement, and there are little, wooden benches inside. Unlike the Civic Repertory Theatre in New York, Ralph Herman's theatrical workhouse has no gallery, and critics who come too late to catch the start of the first act stand in a curtained doorway in the rear. And I'm awfully glad that the genial and hard-working Ralph Herman allowed me the privilege of watching by far the most superb performance of "The Sea Gull" that it has ever been my good luck to see, even from a curtained doorway! Russian authors go in a great deal for the futility of life stuff. Some steep their characters in such pathos that the audience loses sympathy, and rebels instantly at the idea of witnessing a continual fight against inevitability. "The Sea Gull" in the hands of sophomoric troupers might easily become sloppy theatre. But last week under the capable direction of Nathaniel Frank, the Play Shop put on a performance that gripped an audience and this critic throughout. It is difficult to award palms to individuals. But the honors of the evening went to Donella Donaldson for her poignant and touching characterization of a bitterly disappointed young hopeful. Equally brilliant portrayals were achieved by Ari Lorenz as Irina Arkadina, an actress; by Warren Washburn with his sincere delineation of a despised son; by George Dollini as Peter, her brother; by Edith Agins as Nina, a young girl with suppressed theatrical desires; by C. E. MATTSON JEWELER Watch, Clock and Jewelry Repairing, Etc. REASONABLE PRICES COURTEOUS CREDIT Headquarters for Wedding Rings Hollywood Western Bldg. 550214 Hollywood Blvd. Review "THE FIGHT FOR THE MATTERHORN" At the Filmarte Theatre Here is a picture that has thrills galore. The Matterhorn, though not one of the highest mountains, is one of the most difficult of ascent and the story revolves around an Englishman and one of the professional mountain climbers. The Englishman wins and the mountaineer thinks that he has also won the affections of his sweetheart, the village bell. Such is not the case, however, as the girl has "no eyes" for anyone but her village lover. The scenery is magnificent and the thrill of an avalanche overtaking the party of climbers, five of whom are hurled to destruction, is truly exciting. The cast is adequate and the Swiss types of rugged mountain climbers are realistic. The scenes at the village and around the hotel at the base of the mountain are excellent. The direction by Marie Bonnard and Nultie Mulsomma is true to life. Peter Voss as "Edward Whymper," the Englishman, is very fine, and Marie Albani as "Felicatas," the mountain girl, is beautiful as well as a very fine actress. Alexander Schmidt, Clifford McLaglen, Peter Garetz, Johnson Evald ■and Hannes Schneider are other members who round out a very fine cast. "Bali, the Unknown," is a colored picture that is not only interesting but very well directed. The women of this little known country are beautiful and the scenery is quite interesting. A fine entertainment throughout at the only silent motion picture house left. Next week we are promised a sensation in the "The Great Unknown," Europe's prize mystery story, as well as "Day Dreams," a short story by H. G. Wells, and produced by Frank Wells, the author's son. This should be quite interesting as it was directed by Ivor Montague, who is the head of the Film Society of London. ARTHUR FORDE. Blair Kent, as manager of Peter's estate; by Hallene Hill, portraying the manager's wife; by Alessandro Giglio, with his extremely intelligent handling of the luckless role of Boris Trigorin; by Frank Dudley, as the doctor; by Jake Hamilton, a schoolmaster, and finally by Benito Serra, as an idiotic servant. Any time; any week that Ralph Herman's Play Shop presents as fine a performance and as splendid a cast as it did last week in its presentation of "The Sea. Gull," this critic wants the privilege of witnessing the event, even to the extent of standing in a curtained doorway for the first act. And after watching such a gripping performance of Tchekoff's play, it seems to me that standing in a curtained doorway isn't such a bad thing, after all. CHARLES LEHMAN. Theatre Review "MY SON" Isn't it a strange thing that motion picture producers have allowed such a capable actress as Helene Sullivan to go by unemployed in their talkies? What the studios need is some wideawake scouts to take in all of the plays that come to Los Angeles and Hollywood — these said self-same gentlemen to look over the latest releases, so that they can report back to the producers and casting offices, the truly fine work that actors and actresses do on stage and screen — if they did this there would be less need for importing a lot of artists from all parts of the world. Here is a chance to look 'em over at the Music Box as a starter. Martha Stanley wrote "My Son." Only an authoress with a great soul could write about the heartaches of such a mother as Helene Sullivan portrays. She proved so human in her characterization, that the son, who was played by Herbert Clarke, created the feeling that he was an awful weakling, and you wanted to thresh him to the very last inch of his body. Elise Bartlett seemed more at ease in the part of the flapper girl who causes the youth to forget his mother and everything that his careful raising, environment of a father's guiding hand until his very last day of existence. Miss Bartlett was superb; never before locally has a part suited her like this one, Boyd Irwin, who also staged the play, was seen as a Portuguese lover in excellent fashion; a bit melodramatic, but, however, pleasing to the eye and ear. Marion Clayton, who played the young sweetheart, was sweet, demure, and loveable — she has a soul and she pulled on our heart strings. J. Lee Morris played the sheriff, with an air of sureness of his task. Eric Snowden, as the old captain, at first found difficulty to get into the role, but later came back fine and dandy. Mears Pitcher and Justine Wayner helped matters along in the play. 1 1 1 Stage Review "THE QUEEN'S HUSBAND" Reviewed at the Pasadena Community Playhouse. Directed by Gilmor Brown. Charles Levison, associate. Robert Sherwood's brilliantly satirical pen was never better than when he wrote "The Queen's Husband." Most of Los Angeles' theatre patrons are familiar with the plot of this clever comedy, since its production here by Horton. However, we doubt not that many of them are trekking to Pasadena to enjoy again the difficulties King Eric VIII has to get in his game of checkers, trip to the zoo, and other plebian items that warm his heart and, incidentally, the ire of Queen Martha. The play is really clever. When we say that, we are saying enough to praise it. So many plays today are not clever. The lines cause an almost continuous ripple of laughter. King Eric VIII is deliciously portrayed by Charles Levison, and we can think of no one who could better delineate the bored royalty. Martha Deane is aggressive Queen Martha, and does exceedingly well in the part. Next in attention is John Duncan, who is Phipps, the checker expert servitor. Sherwood Walgamott is blustery and amusing as General Northrup. The romance is injected by Ruth Covell as Queen Anne and Laddie Knudson as Frederick Granton. Murray Yeats makes a hit of the part of Prince William. Albert Willard, Harry Shumway, Betty Cox, Cornelia Ayres, Paul Huston, Fred Moore and Ralph Neff complete the cast. We are thoroughly enthusiastic about the Community Playhouse production of this splendid play. Taste has been shown throughout in casting, settings, and everything else that goes into the construction of a good play. An interesting evening's entertainment is provided. HAROLD WEIGHT. 111 JEANETTE MacDONALD Charles Ruggles, who recently completed a featured role in the Paramount musical talkie, "Q u e e n High," left for Hollywood June ll on the Twentieth Century. He is scheduled to play in "Honeymoon Hate" with Jeannette MacDonald. Upon completion of this talker Ruggles will return to the Paramount New York studio to resume work under his contract which was recently renewed. "Queen High," in which Ruggles plays the same role in which he appeared on the New York stage, will soon be seen at the Paramount Theatre. The last Ruggles picture to play Broadway was "Young Man of Manhattan," in which he was continuously intoxicated as in his past successes. 111 ALICE IS BUSY AT MAJOR STUDIOS Alice Stumbs is keeping busy at the major studios ever since she left the musical comedy fold for pictures and is making good. Since coming to the Southland she has appeared at the D a r m o u r, Christie, and Columbia studios, and has some very fine work lined up to follow. Jeanette MacDonald STORIES NOVELS SCENARIOS correctly typed, revised, copyrighted. Also coaching in Grammar, Composition. College grad., journalist, editor; many years' experience. HE. 0760.