Variety (Jul 1936)

52 VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, July 22, 1936 Summer Theatres (NEW. PLAYS) IN GENEVA (STARLIGHT THEATRE) Pawling, N. Y., July 15. Ploy Jn.three acts by Leonard Idc. pro- duced' and 'directed by Mjiryvcrne Jonca; fitting dp-signed by Starr 'West. At Star- light theatre, Pawling, N. Y., week. July J». '30. Miss Donolly Malda Reade Eleanor'DIFiorl, Fay Marbe John. Oliver Garnett ....John Barclay' Homer Richard Edward Bowler Bill-.' Guy Moneypenny- Stephen Foraia .Starr West Aithabelle ' Jeanne Dan to Millie Cynthia Sherwood Kent Teddy Jones Productions and cast at Starlight theatre are much improved over re- cent summer?, and the latest try-out is amiable hot weather entertain- ment Play is complicated as to plot, but situations are amusing and the dia- log okay. Story involves John Oliver' Gar- nett, sent to Geneva by a woman's club in Illinois to represent them at the League of Nations. Garnett has political ambitions—whjch the wom- en have promised to support—so the little extra-marital affair he is carry- ing on with Eleanor . DiFiori, beauti- ful foreign divorcee, must be par- ticularly discreet. 1 ' Nevertheless, Garnett .persuades. Eleanor to come to Geneva with him. . Things are going smoothly until Garnett's. wife and 18-year-old daughter Anhabelle "show up. Anna- belle fancies herself in love with a ' much older man, but is saved from an elopement with liim by a nice American boy, who turns out to be son . of "■■ an automobile magnate. Older man, Stephen .Forsta, is none other than Eleanor's, first husband, and,- when they meet, a reconcilia- tion is. quickly staged.. . Thus leaving Garnett to make things right with the clubwomen and hisl wife.'' Johh Barclay plays Garnett with Conviction, and Fay Marbe, though inclined to go a little cute at-times, is okay ail Eleanor. Maida Reade as an .understanding aunt, and Cynthia Sherwood, sister of the playwright, score-in smaller roles. Jeanne Dante, late of 'Call It a Day,' is somewhat miscast as Annabelle, but is like- abifr as always, Cast also includes St&rr West/ son of the producer; Guy Moneypenny and Richard Edward Bowler^ Direction and sets compe- tent. 'In. Geneva' Is light faSe- and Broadway is apt to be tough on it. .For films it would need much adap- tation. . • - . „ . Mack. HAPPY ENDING (GREENWICH GUILD) '" • Greenwich, Ct., July 8. • fclsy In three- -acta, by Salisbury Field and Frances Marion, produced by Richard Hei ndon.. directed by Manart Klppon. At tho Greenwich Guild Theatre, week July Pierce. '.'; Herbert Standing Arthur^ Brown Staats ' Cotaworth Maria Hill.. Adele. Ronson Horace HU1 ....Richard Sterling Mrs.. Marshall;.. f : Alice John A Gardener ..-..,4 Conrad Contzen- Gilbert Minor. ;. David Baxter E'olso .,. Linda Lee Hill Adelaide ... .Josephine. Frances .Authors dipped into the trunk.for this one, which has been seen around j before. Two hew scenes added to the third act supply a final twist to story, but also serve to make the play, more stereotyped. It has an amusing and fantastic idea, but fails American Academy of Dramatic Arts feunitd ISM tar Franklin H, atrsiirt THE' first' and foremost In- . stltution for Dramatic and Expreaslorial Training. The In- struction furnished the essen- tial preparation for Directing and Teaching as well aa tor Acting. Fall Term Begins October 26 Cattlu tf all Ctprm frta Ik* SMnttiry Room 247-C, Carnegie HoU, N. Y. to come off because of too many con- versational scenes. Story involves Horace Hill, dull business man, who marries Maria after the death of his first wife, Eloise. Elojse had a' lover, Arthur Brown, and this young man finds Horace's second wife even more at- tractive than his first. Maria likes Arthur but doesn't take him serious- ly, though she is bored to death with Horace. One night, while Arthur is calling, the hot water heater ex- plodes, killing Maria, . Arthur and Pierce, the discreet butler; In the very pleasant cemetery where they, all find themselves the only jarring note is that Eloise and Maria must share the same mauso- leum. Naturally, both women are a little jealous and feelings are. strained. until Arthur Brown offers Eloise his bachelor • quarters .and moves in with Gilbert Minor, who has the tomb adjoining Maria's. Gilbert Minor's wife' conies to mourn him on the same day_that Horace arrives with a wreath. They console each other very quickly, and since Mrs. Minor has been left pen- niless by her artist husband, she' marries Horace. When Horace and Adelaide die, things come to a head. Horace cannot have three wives through eternity when neither Gil- bert nor Arthur have any, so Pierce, still in his capacity of matchmaker, holds court to decide which one of the wives Horace may have. Both Eloise and Maria confess that they were unfaithful to him in life and since Horace lies to protect Adelaide she is finally chosen to accompany him on the journey to' Paris—where all good Americans go when they die. Arthur Brown and Maria immedi- diately team up, leaving Eloise to Gilbert Minor. When Marja Wakes up from the daze brought on- by" the explosion she finds Arthur bending over her. Her. dream has taught-her that one must take happiness in this world, so she promises to divorce Horace and marry him. The cast, under Manart Kippen's direction, is only partly successful in catching the lightness. of mood. Richard Sterling's Horace is okay when he can remember his lines, which was not very often on open ins night.' Staats Cotsworth is better as Arthur Brown and Adele Ronson, Linda. Lee Hill and Josephine Frances play the three wives. Alice John contributes a nice bit as an understanding relative. Mack. I Take Care of My Friends (STONY CREEK) Stony Creek; Conn., July 21. Comedy- In three acta - (six scenes) by Louis E.. Shect'cr and Norman drink. Staged by Brace Conning; sets, Francis Y Joannes; presented by Stony Creek theatre, July 2ft '80. Bob Howard......... George ParkR Mary Cnrapbell Peggy Bate? George MarFhall.........Frederick Howard Senator Fallon..... Charles Henderson Tony Serano...'............Abner Blbermau Mayor Wataon Frank Harvey Helen Gallagher Florence Linden Herbert StUlman. Carrlnston Lewis Lee Doyle ....Earl McDonald Laura Crawford Emily Winston Tom O'Hnra William Dorbin Miss Williamson Sara Floyd Clarence Schulz Ira Lcc Tom, Harrington Dale Rhodes Cameraman.; Don Ostrander Gustave-Swenson John Feamley When sfn advertising agency exec and a drama critic get together to create a play, "almost anything can happen—and in - this case it. does. Which is just another way of saying that Louis Shacter, exec, and Nor- man Clark, of the Baltimore News Post, have concocted a three-acter that oscillates between belly-laughs and situations that are duller than business during Jloly Week, On the whole, however, the boys have ah idea least worth tinkering with. Play show? lack of skilled writing, but is not beyond the point of res cue. It has a touch of 'Of Thee - Sing' about it, being' a burlesque on the political racket and, incident- ally, it gives the layman a pretty good slant on how the game is played. Title, though unwieldy, fits and is. a tip-off on- the plot. Theme is timely, therefore will stand its best chance by early plugging. First act is nicely paced, with brisk dialog helping. Act two takes a dozing powder and stumbles through 20 minutes of hit-and-miss, (mostly mis) action, brightened only by a stuttering job-seeker who is in briefly for laughs. Act three ups the pace again; but <can still stand plenty of hypos. " Frederick Howard does well with a lengthy part. Emily Winston has little to do till the closing minutes, but isn't too convincing with what she has. William Dorbin impresses. Earl. McDonald makes a plausible newshound, Abner Biberman . han- dles an oke Italian character, role, and Dale Rhodes lands laughs as a stutterer. *" The right people can make a funny play out of this one. First-nighters gave it a hearty reception (even reg- istered calls for 'Author'), but reac- tion was probably due more to the summer theatre atmosphere than to the actual Worth of the play. Bone. Tomorrow's Monday (BBATTLEBOBO THEATRE) Brattleboro, VU July 15. Play In three acts by Paul Osborn; di- rected by Paul Stephenson; at tho Brattle- boro theatre. Brattleboro, Vt. week July la, '30. ' , . , Mrs. Allen • Josephine Bender John, her son................<Harry Young nichard. tier son. Henry Pierce Esther, her daughter.........Caroline Allen Lora Allen...., MUHccnt Green Mary Davis. Constance Reeve Dr. Nichols.-..; Anthony Ross Author of The Vinegar Tree' and 'Oliver, Oliver* turns to the middle west for locale of his new one. Play starts off with an unusual < twist for comedy in what seems to be a death- bed scene, but turns into hilarious moment when it is learned that the patient has nothing more serious the matter with him than indigestion. Author, as usual, has several amus- ing characters*. particularly that of the mother who is content to watch- the machinations of her family with- out undue interference, Plot is slight and -"sometimes. con* fusing,- with too many scenes lack- ing conflict or drama. Story revolves around the Allen family, living in a small middle-western city. . Richard Allen and his wife Lora-'fly to his niother's bedside when a ' frantip wire from his sister Esther informs him that Mrs. Allen is dying. Ar- rived, they find that mother only had' acute indigestion and Esther, humiliated; takes out her resentment on Lora. Lora finds youhg John, Richard's brother, an intelligent boy and de- cides to do something for him. Esther is violently opposed to Lora's influence and tries to undermine her with Richard and the family, but is unsuccessful. John decides to go to New York with .his brother and wife and Esther realizes that she cannot guide her brother's life any longer. An excellent cast make the most of the comedy opportunities and Os- born has supplied many of them. MLUicent Green, playing her first straight role in several seasons, makes a real person of Lora, and Caroline. Allen succeeds in project- ing, the tight-lipped Esther without too much exaggeration. Harry Young is entirely right as the bewildered ,John, and Josephine Bender wrings much quiet humor out of the role'of Mrs. Allen. Constance Reeve, Henry Pierce and. Anthony. Ross complete the cast, which is under the direc- tion of Paul Stephenson. The Brattleboro theatre is located in the beautiful old coach house of the Estey Estate in the town—an un- usual and attractive setting for a theatre. Production is particularly ingenious, considering "that the stage is below the level of the audience and the quarters rather cramped. 'Tomorrow's Monday* suffers at present from too much talk and needs pulling together and clarifica- tion. If this is done, it may have a chance oh Broadway. ■'. Made WPA ducers were not interested in buy-, ing it for this side.- 'Help Yourself' was first called 'Up She Goes/ but that label was used for.a musical comedy in 1922. Principal problem of casting was neatly solved by spotting Curt Bois, a Viennese farceur, as the lead. It is .his debut with the WPA, brought about by the fact that he needed a job. Bois came over last season and had the tough luck to appear in a play which was yanked after one week. Under Equity rules he had to lay off for six months, so far as legit was concerned, and by that time the season was washed up. Bois has change of pace and per- sonality, the present appearance probably landing him In a Broad- way assignment in the fall. Play is. virtually all his, the part of Chris- topher Stringer having many sides. Cast weaknesses are more evident in the feminine end, but personable Camelia Campbell as the bank presi- dent's daughter evens up for the others. .,,'.„. . Full-sized orchestra holds forth in the pit during intermissions. Pair of xylophonists in the band may have been former vaudevilliansi They work that way. I&ce. CHEROKEE NIGHT Federal Theatre presents a two-act tfrnma (s-ven scenes) by Lynn RiBffs. We«'irt«J by Studio Xtheatre. Directed by Antoa Bundsinann: sets, Samuel Love; costumes. Mary MerrllL By lnvltAllon. only, tor two weeks ' at Provlneetown Playhouse, N. x.. J CastpDorothy Chesmond. Charles Casper, Maya Riviere. Claude Tahlmwre. Flor- ence Eames. Harry Brooks. Edward CuUer, Joseph Thayer, Gregory Mooney. Jane Tay- lor, Helen Singer. Micky Jacob!; Donald Wltteklnd. Lawrence Fox, Roderick Houts. William Kelly. Sande Jaflray. Caroline Morrison, Anne Bronaugti, Lillian Dutoin, Jerome Collairiore, Thomas Hawkins, How- ard Ganstler. Roger. Roden, Orlln Craw- ford. Charles Casper, Patrick Walters, Mas Krahmalkov. This is the first New York pro- duction of Lynn Riggs' series of one- j acters welded together, on the single dramatic theme of the dying Indian of the southwest,.although it has been done occasionally by semi-pros. Action is laid in, Oklahoma over a period of years, with characters all half-breed. Fare stacks up as. ideal for little theatre presentation, but dubious otherwise. Play must have been written over a period of , years by Riggs. There is no chronological order to the work, though several characters re- appear frequently, with the final fadeout bringing the central thread around. Studio group has come through with a generally fine piece of work in this intimate frame. Par- ticularly arresting is the staging, which captures the wide-open spaces faithfully, a feat in itself because of the small confines of the theatre; Indian drum beats off-stage main- tain a mood. Also minor war laments, which are chanted. Most of the scenes are handled in cross-sec- tion patterns, with a desert hut in relief, mountains reaching " upward against a vivid blue drop, or skele- ton frames accenting the various dramas. All are. touched with deep tragedy. Author's flair for; native color employs a wide canvas, as he has etched some pathetic individuals in a strong manner. There's the cheap waitress, a crazy half-wit. in the hills,. a run- away boy, a poverty-stricken "woman in her bleak shack and a dyed- in-the-wool renegade of the olderi days. Mixed blood angle is deftly woven in, with action'playing up the weak and stronger emotions. Indian instincts come to the surface when faced with a problem, and it in- variably ends in defeat. Sad note sinks in honestly. Studio group has cast the play well. Performances are uniformity good, with Florence Eames a stand- out for her handling of the waitress role. Several younger persons are also used effectively. Bral. in the second portion would be an- other help. But the play has <». chance 4n New York. Star-Tallulah Banlchead was ac- claimed by the audience, which also called for the. author. Latter was absent, so Miss Bankhead spoke in his behalf. La Bankhead dominates the play in a colorful actress role. Some of the others do very well too. Clay Clement makes most of a manager, role. Estelle Winwobd holds her own in scenes with the femme lead. Elizabeth Dunne in comedy role is also commendable. J. Herschel May- all and Alden Chase as suitors suffer in the glow, of the star. WilJiaot Brisbane gathers in some laugh* in a bit Other minor characterizations are satisfactorily acted b,y Robert Bor- doni, William. Turner, Chester Miller,. Madeline Holmes and S. T. Bratton. Star is gorgeously gowned through- out, lending more class to a really good .production.. Norman Rock's settings are effective. Play has distinct screen possibili- ties. , ■ ■ ' MUfc. BROADWAY DORIAN GRAY -Presented at the Comedy, N. Y.. July 29; 'HO. by drover Qulgley; revival of Oscar Wilde's novel In new adaptation by JeroK Crlswell; Staged by Edwin O-Hanlon; top. Basil Hatlward .Robert Carlyle Parker ......Leslie Kin*. Lord Henry. Wotton.... Oscar Stirling Dorlnn GrayV....... .T>aytd Windsor Lady Gladys Femor. ...... ..Vera Hurst Alton Campbell....- ....Malcolm $*ltno. Sybil Vane., Winifred Q< Fothersill Jnmea Vane ...Clement O'Loshlen. Hetty Torko. .Flora Sheffield, HELP YOURSELF Farce in three acts presented. At the Manhattan, N. Y., July 14. '3fi, by. the Federal Theater Project; adapted from Viennese of Paul Vulplus by John J. Coman; staged by Lucius Moore Cook. Frederick Bittlesby. Walter Burlre Uncle John......... George Probert Fanny' Keane „• Mary Roth Messenger '.....Huntly Weston Miss Breckenrldge..... Jenny Wren Miss Oglesby.. .....Martha Skeen Tony, the Barber....... Alan Wilson Christopher Stringer.... Curt Bois Job Hunter Charles Burrows Schuyler Danfortb George LcSolr A. B. Alexander .Edward Forbes Peggy Danforth Camelia Campbell Philip Nichols Charles McLean Savnge John C. Holmon Clay Codv Henry WlIUamB Stephen Courtleigh Nicholas B, Bradley- .Doan Borup Offloe Boy William Vaughn Woman .Barna Ostertag Farce is unusual fare among new plays presented by the relief thea- tre, the lighter stage forms in the WPA generally being confined to vaudeville, circus and minstrelsy. As a change of pace from the serious, 'Help Yourself* is quite welcome. • Not that the play is hilarious. It probably wouldn't get very far if regularly presented, although with- out . casting limitations such as are met in the federal theatre project, it probably would be better. Under- stood that .the farce, originating in Vienna, has already, been sold for films. That is one reason why- pro- OUT OF TOWN REFLECTED GLORY San Francisco, July 21. New play by George Kelly produced by Loo Shu'bert in Association with Homer Curran and Joseph M. Oaltes at Curran, San Francisco, July 20, '80; stars Tallulah Bankhead; features E.ttclle Win wood-. Clay Clements; staged by Kelly, Why this vintage play should be put on late Sh July is a minor mys* teryv unless it be someone's love of histrionics. None of the names coni- corned with' its presentation is known on (.Broadway, and the the- atre (Comedy) is a hideaway these days. 'But the cast is professional,, despite the impression otherwise which several players gave on the first night. Wilde's -'The Picture of Dorian Gray* belongs with the nineties and, regardless of the idea of upping the date towards the present, it is just, that kind of comedy dramtu Billing states the play is from the novel by Jeron Criswell, reported to be ia radio. - That is not fully understand-, able, for Wilde's story and lines ar6 there. Presenter is billed as Grovep Quigley, a • name perhaps used to* cloak the backer. Presence of Flora Sheffield may explain that. Miss Sheffield, however, has a small part,, being on for a few .moments in the - last act. She is said to have been interested recently, in backing some ' SOrne of the lines are moderately crisp, such as: 'To regain one's youth one merely has to repeat one's fol- lies, r and 'American girls hide their identity of their parents like English girls hide their pasts.' Play is based on the legend of a fiendish satyr whose portrait grows old while he retains his youth. In the lighter moments Hie perform-' ance is passable, but when the plajr goes into melodrama it sure indi-: cates its age. 'Dorian Gray' was regarded as something of a sensation in its day and has been revived from time to time but not so often by stocks, which cater to average audience: Parts of the original novel touch on. the untouchable for stage purposes. The' close friendship of two pretty men is described in one place. Two pickets walked the pave- ment with placards to the effect that local number one. stage hands were not employed. Doubtful if there are more than two in the crew. It is a one-setter and there are .no changes in the dingy interior, though the play, spans 30 years. Could not have cost much to put on,. save for the coin guaranteeing the actors, deposited with Equity. And even then, not much. H>ce. This is the most important legit event here in many moons. Three 'firsts* make the production signifi- cant. In it Miss Bankhead makes her first Coast stage appearance; it is Lee Shubert's first Coast venture, and it is the first production any- where of the new play by Pulitzer prize-winner Kelly. Homer Curran and Shubert are producing the show, which will move to Los Angeles' after a two-weeks' run here and then tour before hit- ting New York in October. Production of 'Glory' is excellently done and direction of the play-by its author can also be counted in the credit column. There is some trim ming to be done in the turgid first scene, while dropping off of an obvi ously unnecessary negress character ' and elimination of repetitious dialog BUY DOROTHEA ANTEL Invalid Actress, Famous Greeting Cards. 21 Original and Exclusive De- signs, On« Dollar. Agents Wanted »<» Sell Cards. Liberal Commission, can or writ* • DOROTHEA ANTICC. «a West 78ml 8tre*t, N«tw