Variety (Jul 1936)

76 VARiETY I E ( I I I M 4 f E Wednesday July 15, 1936 WTkeate (NEW PLAYS) The Laughing Woman (SOUTH SHORE PLAYERS). Cohasset, Mass., July 8. " Drama In two acts, six scenes, prolog and epilogue Jiy Gordon Savior... .presented*, and directed by Alexander Dean at Town Hall,. Cohasset, Mafia., by the South Short Play- ers. Stars Helen Menken and Tonlo Sol- wart. 1 Ingrid Bydman (Prick) .... .Helen Menken Attendant ..... - William Cracln Rene Latour.' .Tonlo Selwa.it Madame. Gruiriler .............Jane Hawes Washerwoman .' Jane Bancroft Smltb .Aldrloh Bowker Mrs. Smith ............Elizabeth Kennedy Hazel Graham Fidrb Campbell Sir Cuthoert.Graham ..George Phelps Laura Gadd Alice Shaw Marion Siade .......Esther Teresa GuerinV Burched . „'. ,, Frederick Burleigh O'Brien .....William .Bunt Butler' George Siebenthaler Doll Simmons Mnry Howes Hergeshelnier ..........Albert .Van Dekker .Miss Casson Ruth-Durant : The stamp of quality and import' ahce permeates this serious, slightly sombre, but v£ry sustaining drama based on the life of the sculptor, lienry Gaudier and his mistress, Sophia Brezsecka, and it will be placed on the tmust* list "when it un- veils on Broadway. It is the typfe of showtha't the Theatre^Guild could ■sell-easily to an eager subscription list—and it would probably carry on a number of weeks toeypnd that—if staged and acted as well as here. The ghuberts have a slice of it Altogether it is a superb charac- ter • sketch of two intensely interesting people; ia happy-go-lucky but pro- ductive sculptor : "Whose boyishness draws his older, neurotic mistress to him.. Rene Latour:. (Tonio .Sel- wart)-is the easiest' person to live . with, Taut Ingrid <Heleh Menken) is moody at ..tunes and.Mgh ■strung in her needless jealousies.'• Ingrid's love is neltheri that of the mother or "the- mistress, but a combination of both. Miss" . Menlcen -Brakes the character live—a complex being Which arouses interest and holds it. Bene, thanks to;, some extremely -capable acting by Mr. Selwart, i$ throughly Delight- Jut, and refreshifig-^and he, too, is' sustaining.; • '. ' r... .; : . Originally they oome together, agreeing to pose as .brother and sis- ter, because Ingrid wants to-mother the irresponsible youth. Rene wel- comes her love and ministrations in bis .behalf.. AH in all, they form- an. ideal. .team, until the rest of the world pokes its nose into their household. . This one particular element of poverty annoys Rene more than the starvation, they withstand with* grins. . Most of the interference eomes in the person, of Hazel Graham, (Flora .Campbell), a society girl who would like to serve- as protege and perhaps more to Bene. Apparently she sus- pects the authenticity ot the brqtheiy Sistey act. Her financial interest in Rene's work does lead to "the - begin- ning of .brighter days for the* artist; but be is not. .beguiled, by her fem- inine overtures; ■ ' - Ingrid," rtytider- the. strain ol.'.pov- . erty, Heel's 'interest in her "brother, ,. and'.pernicious neurosis, -upsets, her poise so that , she' cannot progress '» with Tier book on philosophy. -Her • temper, -stimulated by despair and • suspicion, bursts'over cocktails at a dinner party given-by Hazel andat tended by her . smug bourgeois friends, Ingrid explodes when she feels the sleeker folk are mocking ; her.and. her position. This bloWoff convinces Ingrid that she must leave "Rene for the good of both.- They agree on the separation •and - Ingrid gets into the stride of writing. Rene is practically helpless without her and is .practically sick from starvation by the time she re- turns with a proposition. . She has withdrawn all her savings "from the bank, from which they had been pecking-away, piece by piece. With the lamb sum she proposes to invest in her lover, to afford him .ample means to develop his art; The for- mula just begins to bear financial fruit when Prance declares war on Germany and Rene quits hip English studio and mistress to serve, his country.- He never returns from the battle- field, leaving Ingrid with only the bust of the 'Laughing Woman' as a tangible reminder of their love. Prolog finds Ingrid, in mourning, seated at the side of the 'Laughing Woman' (for which she modeled) in a London art gallery. An attendant explains to a newspaperman that she sits by it all day long, saying .noth- ing. Epilog is .the same scene and situation, with indifferent gallery gawpers passing by—giving fee bust fleeting glances. Honors are evenly .divided be-; tween Miss Menken and Selwart, She has a trying role of a not too self-sufficient woman, almost con- stantly dramatizing herself and her problems. It is debatable whether women will be avid' to watch such a character all evening. They may see themselves walking ■ the - stage. If that is true,, it is solid testimony-to Miss Menken's meticulous and ex- cellent portrayal. wGopd balance to her somber tone, however, is the very amiable, admirable role % of Rene. These two spirits in 'tandem give the piece the guts that may make it important box office. - The two stars carry *Woman' all the . way; without them the ' plot would border on the. commonplace. .-. Supporting -cast . is very good. Dean's- staging and' direction make a-lugubrious script live brilliantly. And Frederick Burleigh's sets, frame it perfectly. • '. Whether Significant or not, a.ca- pacity audience gaVe it enthusiastic attention throughout the hottest day of the summer :'n a hot. playhouse. These-were mostly women. : For. - THE FIRST SPRING: (STONY CREEK THEATRE) StonyjtJreek, Conn., July.10. - Stony Creek theatre' -present* ,«-./new nlayTjy-Edwin Gilbert, Directed by Brade Conning. Settings by Francis T. Joannes. Week. July V?B. '; „. Diane'Marchmont. .... Peggy-Hates Jeltery Abbott. :•. .<Jarrliigton Lews Uric TJiorne.-.. i.........Clayton Collyer Brenaa Hume..'.,.; .Jesste Royce Landis Oolleite Weylin..Audrey iDavls Ulcky Forsythe. *.,;.„,.. ,,Harl Mdvonalft Battle.'..'..: ..>..'...*. -Sara Floyd A Steward. . tBon Ostranfler Tfiomas William 'Sorbin •Basil .GUroore.. '. ,.........John Fearnley This is'-the 14th season of Connec ticut's oldest summer stand, but only the fifth season with an all-profes» sional company.. Working in a tiny film house in this fishing village, the term began, last week with 'Merrily We Roll Along,' a taxing production for ahy summer troupe, and next week has the first summer release of 'Winterset' % ' First tryout is The First Spring,', a vehicle for Jessie Rbyce Landis, which does nothing to stir interest in the old formula .about the young genius and the older woman who is his inspiration. Told with little bril- liance, the play takes ypu through the familiar - marriage to the ingenue, with, the spark of genius failing until it is.rekindled by- the older flame.. Eric {pronounced Errrric until you could, .murder the .- cast). meets Brenda.Hume at the- opera and fol- lows the handsome divorcee to .her apartment, to tell her. of. the novel in his mind. She is. flattered by the youngster's pursuit and takes care of him; Seeing «im through the failure of his novel' and its conversion into a drama. . An illness prevents Brenda's. pres- ence in London for the .opening and an ingenue catches Eric in the full flush of his success. Brenda, -arriV' ing as t surprise, tragically comes upon the pair and' returns to America. A year passes'and the first play is over. Eric can no longer work and his bride is impatient and ready to quit, Sight of an .old friend from New York sends the genius back home and, though too much has gone out oi her iove, Brenda agrees to meet the boy at the opera. Play's structure is workmanlike but the dialog which might have given the old situations new inter- est is pretty, familiar. Miss Landis plays a familiar role well and brings a welcome radiance to the evening. She looks so lovely and the ingenue is so carping that it iS" difficult to reconcile Eric's ac- tions. Clayton Collyer is effortless- ly engaging as the hero andi without being well directed, brings a good deal of credit to the part. Remainder of the troupe O. K, with Earl Mc- Donald* local favorite; outstanding: as the heroine's longtime admirer. John Fearnley <Schiott), member of the aristocratic Bedford family of Fairfield, Conn, ha* a small role. Doul. DR. KNOCK : (COUNTRY PLAYHOUSE) ' Westpbrt,"Conn., July 14., Westpor.f Country Playhouse,- Inc.. -prfe- senta comedy In three' acts adapted by Laurence Langner. and Armina Marshall from the French- by Jules Romalns. Di- rected 1>y Philip Loeb; settings by Joseph Delucn. Week July 18,''30.' .Dr. Blatr...Morton L,.Steven3 Sab) Frank Conlan Mrs.' Blair .Kathleen Camegfs Anne Patchln .Claudia Morgan. Dr. Knock.........Rlchara Whort EmersonT. -Grimes. William Forrtn Aaron Hamilton.., ....Francis Plerlot Adam Otl8...........,......Jcihiii Hamilton AKred' Wilklns .Charles Kuhn Seth Smlthers. ..-.Ralph Rlgg» Mrs. Sturgls. .....Kda Helnerrtann Mrs. DopUtUs-JenVlns Edith King Pat................Alan .Hewitt Slim .Robert * Williams -Mrs. PfltchJu......AtTrtlria. Marshal^ Greta SJordherm..Catherine LauBhlln- State Policeman Lairrence .Forsytio Nurse .,..... ". ......'.'.."...' .Jane Keith semi-annual Spring and Summer Shoes 7 90 Ingenue", and "I.MIIItr Biouliful" modeli. Formerly "I'MlllerBwulltuI," "I. Miller Delona'V tnodeU. Formerly I2« to 15" 9 90 IS52 BROADWAY Ob en « At (l tp.m. By use of the Yankee vernacular with which they were successful in The- Pursuit of. Happiness,' the Langners have made a thoroughly 1 agreeable adaptation of this satire on the medical profession which. was popular in Paris, some years ago. Locale has been changed to central Massachusetts and introduces some of the most accurate Yankee towns- folk .since the . late Wihchell Smith used them in his comedies.' There has been one other Ameri- can adaptation of -Jules - Romains' comedy, made several years ago by the Granville . Barkers and- produced ihj-the old American Laboratory The- atre in New, York, The Langners have written in a romance,, which seems to be ad easy adjunct, 'and have otherwise pOptilarized the script for' American audienees, '. Play was far too long at the open- ing and much dialog, will have lb be eliminated: ' Piece has not yet caught its proper pace and must be considerably accelerated if Langneir takes it to J(Tew York, which is- a reasonable thing'to expect. : ' Dr; Knock "buys his phantom prac- tice in Deerviile, Mass.,'not far from Fitchburg, in the' Lahgner prbduc* tion. As in the French original, the young medico has been led into tak- ing over a practice that does hot exist, for the people of Deerville are too healthy, or too stingy, to use a physician. Knock is a gogetter, else he would not have, gone all the way to Talla- hassee, .Florida/ to buy his diploma. He proceeds to plague the town with worry germs. He attracts the Yan- kees to his freef clinics and then worries them.into a diet or under a; sun lamp. ' Weekly broadcasts financed by a neighbor who prepares. embalming fluids and sponsored by another Yankee., whose home-made apple- sauce Dr. Knock .recommends, for all complaints, add to. the doctor's rep- utation and soon he has a sanitarium full 'of-people- suffering' from all kinds of medical conceits. Deerville prospers in'its' ailments and the' old physician who had un- loaded his 'practice' 'on Dr. Knock threatens to check on his .successor^ diploma unless, he is-allowed to cut in. Move is blocked by the embalm* ip.<». fluid : jnagnate^and, as the.cur- tain. falls, the olq doctor has .Suc- cumbed to Br. Knock's ministrations. Office attendant who' scorns Dr. Knock's methods supplies the ro- mance. When she blows off to Pitts- field in-a rage, her mother, cured of her imaginary ailments by Dr. Knock's persuasions, takes her place in the office. Riot of Yankee characters won many laughs here and rise of cur- tain disclosing a genuine 1906 red Cadillac waiting at the station for Dr. Knock's arrival, won applause. Langner fouhd the car in perfect condition on a local farm. With a terrific script to memorize while serving as the Playhouse di- rector, although not • of *Dr,' Knock,' Richard Whorf gives a eunning- per- formance, A fine sense of satire, an appreciation for the Yankee back- ground, for he is a Capecodder," and a pleasant personality, find Whorf giving a performance that will' long be remembered by local. audiences. He carries many preposterous situ- ations to credibility. All other parts, are flashes, strung through the play like a procession. Claudia Morgan is-a very pretty heroine, but has little to do. Among the 'Yankees' audiences have reason to rejoice at the widely grinning handyman of Frank Con- lan; the joyous undertaker -of Wil- liam Foran; the lugubrious apple- sauce king of John Hamilton; the taciturn apothecary of Ralph Riggs; the 'push' of Kathleen Comegys, who sold her husband's practice to Dr. Knock and lived to regret it and the cautious Yankee woman of Eda Helnemann. These types are as near perfection as they can be. Armina Marshall, who joined her husband, Lawrence Langner, in adapting the play from his sister-in-- law Ruth Langher's translation, makes her season's bow as an ac- tress as the heroine's mother and makes the part an outstanding one. 'Dr. Knock' with much work still to be done on it, would have a chance on Broadway. _ DouL CRAB APPLE (THBATRE-BY-THE-SEA) Matunuck. It, t, July 7. Farce, by Theodore Packard, staged by Halsted Wellos, aettlttsa, designed, by 3o- hannes'Idiraen. .' ' Mr. Hunter", «.Harold Motfttt Mis. Hunter. Ruth Gates George. ,... /Robert d«t SnT» Mareaiho Amy. ...... .Sylvia Field Paddy Louise Chalteo Joha.»..<..,..».-...-,»...Bflo Wollencott Jim., , Alfred Btchovorry To the already long list of house- hold plays the Theatre-by-the-Sea adds a brand new one by Theodore Packard called 'Crab Apple.' Play focuses farcically upon the despot of an American family. Like most of these American family-life produc- tions, 'Crab Apple' is featherweight entertainment, but definitely enter- taining. - Those who viewed it at Matunuck on the first night -found it highly amusing, but-since the type of audi- ence which frequents such spots can hardly be called 'definite/ the future success of *Crab Apple'' <annot ,be gauged by the trybut. As it .shaped up here the production makes good summer fare, hut that's about all. . Packard's script follows the stand- ard formula of such plays. . It is no glossy portrait of the happy family, but it is true to life..' There's a .title role, a Mr. Hun- ter, irritable and "sour father..of a Boston suburban family, who still believes in many of the old-fashioned devices for discipline. Like a crab apple, though, the fruit isn't bad dfter fill* s ■ .; Packard establishes early/in the' play the fact that the Hunter family is dominated with-unerring vigor by Mr. Hunter, and that Mr. Hunter uy turn is dominated by dyspepsia, and the sort of New England conscience; which some observers usually char- acterize as antiquated. ^ Play. gets, off briskly with a noisy .display of father's temper, which continues to manifest itself through three events; son George's date with a one-time bootlegger's girl; son Jim's arrival > from college with a. radio and daughter Amy's engage- ment to ward John, ' Running tildng with all these com- plications is Jim's plot of revolution against his sire, who is f inally forced to yield to high-blood pressure. Harold Moffett, in the'crabbed Mr. Hunter's shoes, is the chief centre, of attraction. Moffett, does well in the role and gets the customary support from the rest of *he east. Marc. A FAMILY MAN (MABY YOUNG PLAY30USE) .Center ville, Mass., July S. Drama In three acts, rlx scenes, by John Galsworthy presented by John -Craig. II, at Mnry young Theatre. Centervllle, Mass., July 7. "36. Dlreoted by Mary loung, bwts Curtis Cooltsey. - . " ' " Builder , .Curtis Cooltsey Mrs. Builder. ^. .Mildred' Dana Camille Joanne Lorry Topping... '. Miltori Parsoris Mayor John Taylor Harris..................... .-.Rlohard Heath Maude. Margot Stevenson Annie; .. \.....Sara Taijner Guy Harrlnshame....,......firlc Kalkhurst Athene.'. .Joanna Rooa Ralph Buliaer.;.- ..William Lawsoh .'Chantry George Trultt Sargcant Martin......-.4,..Frederick Seal's Constable Modn Perry Ivlns Journalist.:....'.,. . .. ...Robert Hazelton Newsboys Harmon and Jack Mary Young opened her first, sum- mer theatre with this revival, of John Galsworthy's 1921 • production about a righteous, smug Englishman who sees his family dissolve before his eyes when they rebel at his hypoc- risy. It's a dull, unmoving piece em- blazoned witivthe time stamp of the early 20's. 'Only Yesterday' might •fit more suitably as a title; - Play was produced in London in 1921 but never in America, professionally. John Builder's daughters leave home to carve careers and his wife quits the fireside instead of carving up the French maid, whom she dis- covers scampering on John's knees. Most -of the evening is taken up with Curtis Cooksey sputtering and spew- ing protests, and. those who wait for the street car And ttiat in the last scene the loyal wife returns to her mate and knitting. Some of the old shoes thrown into this stew include: a chummy butler, a studio where a gal dabbles in art and love, a will to be torn up in the finale, a cockney maid, and a clown- ish constable. In polite, language, it's all very corny. Foa?. EASTWARD, HO! {GREENWICH GUILD) ' <3reehwich, Conn., July 8. Comedy in three acts by Mlohaol -and Charles Robinson, presented by James R. Ullman, dlreoted by Robert Ross, settings. S. Syrjala: at Greenwich Guild fheatro, ■Grennwlch, "Conn.. July 7,'Sfi. Bearer .Frank t)e Sllva Sir John Raulston * .George Graham Lionel Fawcett'.,... .i....Louis Hector Shillabt>r Moore. Robert Wallnten Ladv Henrietta Raulaton.. .Uliaa Plowrlght Margot Danvers.........Audrey Rldgoweil Rachel Clavetlng. Ruth Weston Tilly Paklngham..... Jeanne Grossett Armand...' Bruno .Wick Monsieur Le Gouverneur.. .Boris Murshalov d O'CLOCK REVUE Revue in two acts, presented by the Metropolitan rinyers. featuring Allen Reams, Albert Carroll, Mabel Roxviand, "Bn'rry Oliver ftnil Mlnta La' Catn,; muHlo by ArUiur JoneBL fldOltlorml numbers by Henry AUen. Vavx, Dorothy Quick, Murray Boltfnolt, Robert Hough, Joseph Link, Rile Wilder, Pem Bavenjidrt und Andy> Rrtsat: scenes by John Plummer; staged "by Barry OUvct;. under generifl direction .of. Mniiel Rowland.. At the Hecltschor, June 7, '3C: $1 top. • Supporting prtnclpnl<i: Ruth Gai-lanJ, BlUy Duncan. Neville Westmnn, Cnrlyle Bennett, John' Ter*el. Gordon Graham, Peggy and Sherry Kent, Jane Taylor and George LaMarr, Semi-pro 'group is presenting this summer revue fare at: the Heckscher, up on EfcSt 104th street.' Allen Kearns and Albert Carroll are from musicals, Barry Oliver from riiteries, and Minte La Cata from various Harlem • and 'WPA offerings. If skawrhatted in ', the - country, the show would stand up easier* but it wasn't. .Oddly enough for these days, the Show. is. overboard on comedy, with the singirig and dancing stanzas neg- ligible. . If,worked, on, sbme'o? the better skits would be punchier. Two piano team is used in the pit for the entire production, with sets and lighting confined to drapes and overhead shafts: : First act finale carries a Never idea which, as handled, gets nowhere. It's a somewhat , dramatic take-off of Amateur Night in Harlem broadcast over WMCA, Hew York, with the stage filled' .with sepia hopefuls, all praying madly to get over. Miss- Cata,. who is undecided whether to swing it or chant Met. Opera scales, is centered, with her hands chained until .the self-consciousness wears off and then she lets loose, A clos- ing blast from her, however, has the audience squirming.; Most potential angle Would be to- pass ub the arias and sock it with, hot jnusic" and spe- cialties. ^Tobacco .Road' Is ribbed in sing* song .fashion and is funny. A side* walk interview is satirized, with an aged lady being contacted and pro- ceeding to hand out dilly-dallies in- stead of . chatter. A box at the opera has family pride sliced up for some laughs.. Mabel Rowland, Who staged the production, has two clever monologs, first of -which concerns barefoot dancing with fat ladies the hoofers. Barry Oliver's best chore, is : the opener, in which he is a stagedoor Iceeper and tells all. Allen Kearns is spotted for many of the skits and works in Various guises. Albert Car- roll's impersonations are from his •Dinner at Eight' flies, and have been done frequently- Sketches -are credited to many: Mabel Rowland, Jay Strong. John Terrell, Henry Allen Vaux, Richard Fehr, Kerry Shaw, Francis Hamon, Louis LeBay/ and Barry Oliver. Ar- thur Jones and Leonard Gillman at t the two pianos. One number^' 'Hungry,' written by Andy Razaf,' is presented by arrangement with Irv- ing Berlin. Bral. and presents- possibilities for amus- ing development, but in its present state the play is obscure and con- fusing. Rachel Clavering, handsome Eng- lish girl, comes out to India to avoid a scandal in London involving a married MJP. The statesman's sis- ter. Lady ^Henrietta Raulston, olans to marry Rachel off immediately to safeguard her brother's career. Shi'l- -laber Moore, an attartcive young Irishman In the diplomatic service, falls for Rachel, but another mem- ber of the 'fishing fleet' has her eye on him and is. determined to spoil Rachel's chances. This girl, with the aid of the town gossip. Tilly, - soon threatens to spread the story of Rachel's oast all over Calcutta. Lady Henrietta tries to turn Rachel's attentions to Lionel Fawcett, another bachelor, who has so far confined his hunting to lions (Continued on pace 78) The Robinsons have hit upon a hovel idea and picturesque locale for their new play but failed to follow up with sock writing.- Story' is loosely constructed, scarcely getting started before the second act is well under way and, as a whole, the play fails to add up. Basis of the story is the ""fishing fleet'—girls Who come out to India every year ia search of husbands— BUY DOROTHEA ANTEL Invalid Actress. Famous Greeting Cards, tl. Original and Exclusive De- signs. One Dollar. Agents Wanted to Sell Curds. Liberal Commission. Ca" or writ* ' DOKATIfCnV AtiTftt. , ', i - Ha West tend Street. New fork City