Variety (Jan 1938)

Thirty-sficoitd /ihnltiersdry 111 ^- v; ■ ^Vienna, Dec.20. ;^ TheWs;' truth in:, the' Saying vthat Vienna is a niietrbpoUs By day .and" a : -/vtllage . by hiiht/' - Show business ■ has by .hoW' cdmpietely,: adjusted it;- • self to • ciriumstahcits ,;t^^^ .haVe cKanged since the .dayi 5^ . vvras the great imperial capitah, For; . the iast two-. thre^ '.yesars.'.thiBatres .a,n(i cinemas have b^en p ■ toui'i^t- trade is bh^ the; Upwari trehd/ ^■'but-as for ■ni^ht;iife.;,pro^^^ . r.one -to speak- of;;. ■ It's dead' siiice the. ;'inliaU6ri pen<^v::;' -. : ■ '■• iseveral ■ reasons ■ for' this:. heavy ' :tiixes- makev;night^^^^^^ expensive; TTramcar cohimimicatioh .to the! sub.- ■ li rb5; stops ^at midnig^^^^ fares' are :■ high^ Youv y Vieiinesejjhas'; igoty th^ hik'ing .co'rhplej< and goies; excursion- ihg on iSundiays^ rain^^or shine, so. the; , Saturday: ■ and. Svmday ; business : at., . irilght":^Wces ijil;-; XTheatre^ !. thiii -. too;;)" ; Apiotljer; / charaptipristic "qaaiity: .the Vierinese areh^t keen on luxary, they.preier thBiv;.little, geTriui- y licJi. eatenesV. after^dinh^^ . < the 'iriilum0rabie ckfes;: Beisels, Kfelr lers arid Stuberfc .w caii have a n?M.i for $Oc . and can get as drxihk^as.: a yIotd;..it,j^du spend: rthree; rtimes^^tha^■ amount . the*-su'hurba'h/iVi^^^^ : tioh.pic^^^ ■ the 'Buschenschanks, . wheirfr ; wine •.gpdwe'rs ■$eir,their 'own' yiritage and .''ypu. can absbrh-Qrigiha . ihpsphere tq^^^^^ . spunds .of a. Scjiram- mel band, via zither■' iiir a. •cohcertiha. ..This l is Vwhat. tlie foreign tourists .There are/ . ..fevv:-..night.; clubs-and ,;bars/, however, floor shows and dancing. Cafe;de 'Paris, Broadway,; : Schiefis^ Latetrne .. doing-fa ii-ly welL: Df .the biars. that Vbioomed. on every ■ stireet :cprher .10 . years agp\Rehaissanee,^.'Eden; Kaiser, :Melpclies,. Kaefntrtei'bar. have.. out-. •lived the 'depression.; ate- two . variety; theiatres playirig .at present:-, ■ Rdrtacher|s; seatirig. 1;600, with.popu- lar'. prices,,' and.; Jf'.iemiha, .smart- arid- ;: ,experisive.^ wth.'interna attrac- . ;tiqns, - catering ihiinly ;tbr.' Visiting itburistisi'■':' '■■}^-'y .:- ' ;v '-. '':-\-]ri\., .-:\' Kins. 6t\\ht'^\\^^ ;,. ■ ■The;;king: .pr.AustH^^^ . -such .as it is, .is Haris .Huebneri" owri- : ers ;of , hiimerpus smart:.i•es^t^rant^ cafe-bars and jrpad.houSep ill bVer- the- ' country..; . In jyienna. he . has Huebf , iner's v.kursaloiv in- theL-^'.Stadtpark,, Schloss.hotel Koben'zl. on '■ .hilltop,; '.'. Huebnier Bar. .in, Schonbrurin -. and . .Splendide Bar, on the Stebhansplatz. ■.A|l' these; places are, ej<pehs]y,e^20 jschiiltngs T$3-5d>; ■;, t^ sum • spent by one person foi^ an. eveningls .xprisuntiptiol-i.'i^ ■• ■-;/..^' • • .■;Subu rban: . va rietv. . theatres, . wilb popular prices; are ■ pihe'iim; and ;';Fa.vpr'ith^r .. Golpsseum: .Zirkus Busch also gives variety prbr. ;. grani;s twa,ce'dmly^.'':- j^S';.''; - Legit ■ theatres ' are doing - fairly • -well. ; iStiate Opera ;had al .distirictly : good season. ,. Thirty; pel- cent 'of tbe . house is sold ;i n. advahce for the ;iea- " •to^ subscribers.' Thiere are. ha' cut-rate agencies, ;.but .a : number , of clubs;; spcieties. politrcal ■ .and sbbis^l : . organizations; that isuppiiy theatre .. tickets:, to ripiembfers at reduced tates, , so hai'dly anyohe except .foreigners jiays .'fiJli: price for ticket^. , ,Iti the big; theatres; admissioh Jsrices range fi-ohy- IVi■ schillings, to 18 sChiliirigs^ CS'/s .schiliings. to ; dollar, .In the ; little. theatre.*; tickets are .between .• ;2 'and 5 schillings. ;'■:; ■ ^ ...; Op.t'ray BurSthfeatre and, Akademie- theater, ai",e state-subsidized arid gov- .vfit'hment^'inflUence^^^ ■ Seventy . per ceni. of; the seats of Burgthbater,,are .sold, to advarice siibscribers.-, vVblksr^ .:;^t^,i;' plays; :musicali$. :\:'Sta4ttheater , .arid : .kombdi^^^^^ ..have ; ]U;st./.reop'ened ,.' after-;beirig datk .'for. 'seVerai yfears. Theatrii: iii .Der^ Jfpsefktadt,;kam .'spieiei DeutschesVplksthea^^^ .;;haye;:pr6se-: plays...,;:'Th^^^ ,;■ .Wifen, bnc■e-^amoas^h.Pme pf. claS^^^ cat/ Viennese' ppeij.ettai.' playe,d last V ,s'easoiv; thrbugh With 'Axel -;. an .de.r HirirmelstuV/ ' .'comedy with music, ... ;HpUy wbbd "s6 tUhgt V ^in .. tea.hd^r,' Swedish . star, w.a^;la.unche(J-. •' She; has betn si^app.edMip by picture ; prbducersi Ufa is ■starring her in the .third;feature, af prese'nt. .. Gurreritiy :;. A.ri; del; Wleri'.theatre is . p^ . ;:Tam-Pam,V;-ahother very subcessful ; 'inusical jri, the same^^.s^^^^ V: American , setting;^ and . with another- Scahdinayiah; :staf,;kirsteh Helberg: ■..y(»un-g,iNp.ir-wegian''a ;':'.V ;.> ... ^ • Tn>additibn to thesieli ^i^;theatres ^ Vi.en.iia '.is makijig ..a 'specialty of litr ^ tie ones, seating .uiiider 150 pei-scin.s; • tliUs.aybidihg high taxes^ sive rsquireriieh^ts derftanded by. the police.' Fii-st veritiirie;-Theatre, ,bf ;49|' yyas sutcessfuL ; Olhefs;that,prompt-' ly followed in the course pf this: year al;e- bsterireichisches theat^-; Kleiries theatre,.- arid. ..-Insbl.: Their pre>Tjis,e<3-' aire in: .basements or shpps adapted for :the\purpQs'e.. /.Players' are ■either ybunk. Austrian artiSts.^ W^^ contracts-elsewhere, oif (>ermah emi- gr.ee§.:.: Tlays are of theV-advah'ced mbdern variety or; rtbyei/venture^^ the staging. o.f clasSios! -.These' llttie theatres play;;; tl)eir. way- .cbiiiV hniun ity-b.as^s .-^arid^^ Standard of-Vdramatic ar-I;' - - ■ ■ \.;'^Sitars -.' ' '■■. :"■■:- •• ' Paula W.^sselyi' of - the .Burglhea.ter.- is^ ^he' star biihe flrst-maghitu Ph.. the; Austrian ■.';:;stage ; ■ and-';.,; ;; iftlms. :Opera?3 ■ .;sei)satipiv--^this'..-, year ...v/as Tbdov; .Kiasaroff,... youiig \ Bulgarian singer;;',.:;■ ■■;^;':':•-•■■''-■■;■ ■ ::■ ' Ort- to- Hplly woody with ■ Meti•<^.^Cpn,- tracts ; ,-' /Rose Sti:adiier • and...teo. Royce-^ of .the .^Oseph'sta^ theatre,. Arthur' Rieck'e' an'd Loha/.'LpniiSi; of ; ;the:;Scala, :dresis Ideisigner .E'rni kriie- p.e.rt, ;and orchestra conductbr kaii Guttmanri pf the .Volksppier, ^Rbyce ;cteated ;■. ■'a sensat io'n -■ ■ ■ as ■ ■ kaspar ,Brandhbfer, ;:an^ peasarit; gemusi 'v w^h.;ia ;■ big' beard; who topic audiences, b'y; storm, Weeks.; latier,, spmepne discbyerei'.-. (hat.; he-, was.; Leb:;HReuss, ^emigrant. Germain; attbi-.'' who ,cbuldri!.t' get ;- botitfact; anywher^; until he inveiited theytrick.; of.' pretehdihg - he'd - never; . seen, . thb inside, of a theitre.-before •;- „.■ '■- ... Salzb.ui'g Festival .Weeks' weiit.oil" salisfactqrily,;;irt spjte- of stead^^^ arid ■ .pplitical:. discprd, between . "the two ^big aces,.v.orchestra co'nduct Fui;t>yaengleii';-::;^ crease, of Ame'rrcah.A'isifprs—27%': in Salzburgi-; 36/;t^; in ;yienh .Coih- pa red. to -the, previous y.ear--maip-- ly cbtisisted: of Cdrbnatiph; and^^ expo, trippers.. There. Was ;alsb -; ^ V7%. ; .increase.:'in . .British, toui-ists. Vietina p'coiits by, Salzbyrg'si-Jncreas-; ing poipula.rity: Nearly everybody, and ,certaioiy;,all'.;; . :.;itoui'jsts; .combine; theiiv trips' ' yirith 'a ..visit tp ■yieiina, but this., has; no -diect. beav- ng upo'ri yierina's'show busiiiess since every tb i rig is closed .-do wh; in A ugust: . . Film Prod.u«tion; "at. Low .Ebb ;". f AuStriaiv motion picture ^.^^^^ tibn: i.s at - .a very. low ebb'.; Firiari- pially it is based;on iexport possibili- ties to Germany* and siriCe ,these^^ very much .restricted by . general; CO rtti ngen t; 1 imits and by,the !Aryaii' paragiaph,; producing In Austria has becpnie ; ■ gamble', . With ■ ■wiririirig thiances:very- .small'. .Trouble is ;that productibn ;' Austria is top; expeh- sive, as.: compared to that bf.,iieigh- bbrihg small' cfouritrie^^^^^ LpWest cost is approxjmiateiy ;: 300,000 .' schilli-ngs ($55';00p:)'.; - with r.eailjr . ;;gpbd .. :fea-; tu'i-es; .like 'Burgtheateh^ .'E'rrite' -6r; i'Premieire,^ .VP ^to';;86o,000: .:(i^l4$;6pd y.' That expldin.s why ;pnly eiight'.fear .tui-e .pictures , we're madiE in Austria durihg the ;iSi3t-38^^ ifthree more are now in ihe coursie. of .tdm- .pietib,n) ;again.st 20 pirpduced during the'pt"eyious season, . G.ermaiiy -allows ho more.;than 14 Austrian ■ films ^ io be;; .jmi>Qrted aiinualiy, de^spite -the fact that many German, actois -and technical lier- sbnnel (not emigrants) arC; employed iri Austrian' production.. • This- qiipta is" too- small to keep three yiertna ,.<itudibs; busy' all the :year ■ rbuhd: hence; unemplbymerit and a'crisis iiv Austrian; pictiirie , prbductibn.' : ; ^Import figure's;- for .:;;li937' j^fe . n6t. yet out,' but..they -wii.l;be • apprbxi-: ' mately ;.the:,~same as; J'asi year,. -when 126 pernciah and, l.GO. Americaii' pic- tures were' impbrted. ' RKO does :it^v■ dubbing here. ;'Pictures, dubbed i'l Vienna , tb date .were 'Mary of. Scbt^ .laiidA •T^•il^e^^Smai^t .': Girli/- 'San •Qiientinv: ^ ■ lOoyiMfeti': and ^a- .Girl;;, Fox-;.dubs •;' .'-Gefman^^^^ ijise up frozen .;Ma.rks.'■ Othei: cpmpaniies arii; still ; .undecided. ■; be<Cause .pictureis ^dubbeid . in Austna^ can't^ e.nter'- Gcr^ .many or Gzechpslpvakia. i^^ bf dubbinb;' is' ' about ^,000 .^icliillii-igs • i^iROO) per--pic(iire.;;;; .;■ ; ;■ ,-;'. .;,;- Greateiit succoiises. "among; vitnpbr.ts i ii 1937,.' .we lie';. ^-Mi'.' . tDeeds.";; ^Gpbd ' Earth' .. CLuise. ■-■ Rji'in'er- ., bel;ig. ;.-;'ah • Au.st"i-ian al.so: helped ..jWith .. this). :-'iElorneiri. "Ji'.wiy v ."Tnbhe'urr ; Sacbai Guitry, Fi'eriich pictured ."This;, last was ;the; -groate.st -hit;jn. !yea"i;\< ;rvtri-- .niing for yrnoi'e than, six monlhjj Jii' a . fi'v'strrun thoatr. .: 'Tricheur'- has. put' .French;-; p'iciures - ':intp.-';tj)e; .iimelighl -Not' .exactly ■; ; ,,grave^ ^menace Hb --A m e'r Icai'i: P i..ctu res,' lb oy - y e t, nvakc thej r'.populavity; felt. : tn. the Fall' sea.soiv,' si)< . French', pictures - weri;' . ali'eady; ish'iW.it;' iji .'firsL-ruri- .h.buse:-j, mbre. than'' yi.enria ' fbrinerly . ini;. ported -in a year, French ..languag^»i acting -and photography. are 'ti'ump.s among just, .that claiss of intelligent pi;cture!;,gbers ■which; .is: : the'/ staple. PmW.Ic. of American; pictures, tob. . .; Pieferred French; stars are Anna-/ bella, Simpne', Simori,. S^^^^ Harry.'Baiir/ American stars ,'iistr'is topped by .;Greta : Garbb, ;Marlerie Dietrich, ^Astaire-Rbgersi Gary C^oopT er,Myrna ;Loy; Cliark Gablfei Shirley "TeiTipli;; Deaniiw:- Diirbin,' jSpehceiv Tracy,. ■ PaMi-'.- Muni, •' JLiiiseV;Rainer,; paula::Wessely;:is at the head djf-the: .ipcal list,;. TriaudV;/Starki Austria^s. Shirley,; ;the- child; ^idol.^ ^ : Vieftna'; has; f,iew mbdern de lux'e' picture theatres;;. ^Maiiy / 'tirst^r.iih houses "are a'dapted from 'Sileri^' days: in .basepiehts dbwii; bne> or' two flights of stairs, ^^A'ath no prpvisibh fo'r lobby disil>lay^.oi;^^;^^^^^^^ . a.dyertisiWgi; There, ai'e .,'./feW. ;- srnart; .modern theatres in."new. bipcks brfl^^ in the suburbs,; : biit none /in - the: .centre of; the - bity./., Forembst- ambng 'theatres, is Apollo: kino; Jalso; at iioirie .distance frbm /the.-; centre^ - shbwih'i .almost r . exclusivoly Austriiah \and: /German, .ftims. > Schwederi Kirip/ Metro's-, own; th.eatre,;/d6es^;;^^^ business because, it ean. keep 'siic-; cessful; films-r^sueh asV;'Gbbd; -Earth'.: ^ph . the/ progi-am for/any.; lehgth.-bf time/'; whereas.the. others^mu^t. 6 talie, good bets off after; .a -vveek .or two;' tb malce';. way for others on schedule...,/ First non-stop - ne^wsreel'' thieatre,. opened ; liast; ^ SUrnm.^r, /; -.a great;success./;. The Ucieiise fbir thi.«: belpn:gs; to Selenpphon; cbrripany' that, .has gbvernmeht' itiion^ ;duce' .he-Wsreels-in Austiria./ Selerio- pboh turns, but two ;a week, which; all. theatres in AM^^>'i3 are/cb.mpeli^cl ■.to;shbv/,-;; ■-..;;■: ■;. '■- .■•/ ./-'■■'-■ :-;:'-'-'': ■■..'■r;No/ Mid(owh;'.l>eliixer..;/. ■ What. Vienna lacks is ■al;:leas^^^ one de luxe first^run: house ^ irt./ the hub of .' the. city; wherW -American' ft could be;- pi-evented With adequate- piiijlicityv Operiing of/new ■ theatres is, niade/ difficult; . however, -by. 'the^ license/system, ;-Gi:emium;det Lich spiel-ynterriehmei:, the - exhibitor's' organizalibriv; takes'.-care jthat no hew iiicensesi shail /.be . issued;', .:as : ;ihat wbuld-;hairm- its members. / . / / ' . , :Exploititioh .'is.. backwaVd.; Met'rp i s' tryi rig to put some' piep iiito. ad- yeViisihg/ / .iT>Qst. ,^;popular' . form ,. of .which. .i!>: avrahging'.of,,varibus -lilm: contestsy.;. /Gala premieres^^/a ahfeW tliirig here.'^ .Metro's anhual publicit.v budget; amounts- to- 50,000 schillings,■ inbre. than ahybne-/eyer. ,thbught; rpf spbudi rig; / :here. - ■ bet pre.. Metro, ip- pearied .bli the scene.; iPress criticism is/ slpW, /(juli arid riot .to ,be. .relied" brvi Revie\Vsv:mQstiy/ appear.:;' . the papers when- first-rWeek ;run is :pretty Veil ;byer;. : ■■.--' . ■•. ■;;:.;■: - / -',;•./-;';.^■ /,■. ; I^e;verthel^.<5s,- '; ;:, m piicture; , theatre, in, Vieiiria, .but;.alsq in.'the .prbvirices; is a; safe/ and i*ip^'atiye -propositibn... The .average. .Viennese goes'; to; the ;filmi: oiice. a ;w,eek, aii'd, since the; b.usiness is; not. ovcrcrpwdr- ■ ed;; those /that. -• .inside : can't- gc 'Wrqrig./.'. :/'■: ':;- •■ ■•''■ / ;./• -;;""/■/' / 'l Uiicertain /.poljtical-Situatioh/seern^^ : to have,- smaUvvbeaiung bh shbW .busineia. :..Austr^^^^^^ grbwn.; accustbrrie'd tp; atiripsphere . bf y un- certainty ; in* the/ last .itWo/. decades;' /young. peoi»le, of .whom the, majority of th.eat.regoers..cbnsists, can remcm-. ber no-other, It ;isn'.t' a dase of eati drink and be.; merry, for : toiiiorrow you may die; it;iS merely a/ questibi) of /."habit; A Besides, everybody, in Austria/ of whatever hue .his politi-; cal cpnVictiohs -.may he,- knpWs that, the: cpuntry'-s income depends; large- ly bn it.s tbui ist; trade. The /show busirtessj/.b.eirig one bf -the funda- inentals -.on . Which - this: is /based, is cherished 'and supported accbrdihg^ ■ly: ■/■::'■ :,//.;■• ^:■■■■•-•/•■/.: /-\-:- -v' ■/v iSt^C^^^ /./ ■'\; ■ "■ ,:" /-..:■■ /Mexico Gityi. bec./^!0;./■ •.AmuseiTlertt. tastes: iri-^^J^ as Well -as flb'sh,, i '/" .fast vcerittg- tp^ thie ;;/' •/ ;• Cla9sibal ,arid,high^;^ mli.sic is in /keeri demand, ' The .i,and has 'becp.me pper^. famished', .. Nati've bpera / corifipa/nies have .sprung .^p and ; aire gbing^great. gunS;';. yet :the^ /public;.wants .sornethihg; a. bit; better thari^ feurrent; domest.ie talent .pffers:;; ; ■ ;P.ix/: su;chv as; thb.se /feat'ui-ihg Gi-ac?. Mpbre.; /and'^ Ijily r Pbns,::; are- sPAkos. provided, the-?''ga!S ./stick -to pperatie and- .high^ciasS;-;sbrigS,;^/There; is a ;dcc'ided ta,ste. .deve'lppirig fpr / /first grade// drama", • ; '/ .. the / stage ' {and .screbti^:;Gonnody /"is :liked;.;but ■ the staijdJirci/Tzed Anrierican type bf /fun inakitvg..i':>n''l.-dbing so yery Welb: ... nbmb/' • i|id-. interiiatiplhal ' politibs iia.vi; little, if. aiiy irifliiebce on the ;MeKi:caf) ifii)u.scmerit ;i*eeking. public^ Ch/arigT?'. 'in: .taste's;./ ' ';attribiirted (to (Managiug birecior of W.J /M./- Tentierrf;.'Ltd,, tcf/Tt .prbdwcin^ /tr-iii, kiidl '' ■,' {: nHiitaghig director .'for. ihe^ lages.,/. Tiia t /.situatipri' ,-sUH-: reinai nSi./ ■ ;lt.;is;db,ubtfxii: it it, will eyei-'alter',;- ■■:] / -./; B'tit ;p'ictur9s- wcrC!:-.nqt' s'p.- s'uccosof lil:;;v in: the; largcr..;citi!b.s,'. ciilcfly bttcauf-e the; .theatres; played thcni ,at their- 0Wn--garne,; 'arid; Wbri. ■■ The; nrin • with:;;; whibh. I:;am connocled;/ . the; dah- ;/■ ger.; Irisicad ;;bf sendIngi. rpurid..;thb '/ iordina/ry,touring; .companies, wb :prc- ' Vaiiled. upon;/ Ih'b stariiiS'tHems^^^ visit; these citlb.^^^^ destined: fbr; London':iyn)dticliori .,pr / folloWihg irhmediately-.: /■ , .•'; ^^ fuV : tiphdph:; /, " /-The; public;; ■ /-,.' sp.onded.:/ ,Fle.sb..arid; blood,:; When; it - meets -ma'chinery;; . equal . terms;; will" 'always^. win!' [ ■:.!'[" .\- :,;'' :-" / Npwadtiy? one hears;'the /thoatrie;./- arid': plays; di.scussed on iili .sides..-' Business is' better,, [interest js greater - ' and runs ;are; ibhger.' /TheatVe. in the province.^';! -; ;;, such ;.t'oWii.s/;/'v's C51a,^T'-::' gbw;, ; Edinburgh,';NcWcastlc, ; Man-'.: Chester,-^irMiiighain /arid L .r is/ .yery miith ;.aiiye, ;it; ii;...rio longei'. •.; being ,- staryed-r^it/. ' •', getting';; roul. •' London ,attractions and real: Londbn stars, ;and- it resporids/ ' ■; ., This; year,;;:-'uhder; ipy.; gufdanqe,;- sfars; bf- tbe ':>maghiiu'dc -, of / Marie: ^Tempesti Ann Harding,. Ryth';::Ghat-:' tertbn,/ Owen -vNares; Fay - ;Gbmpibn '. arid /VEdith; Evans have .visitbd -• the :, big cities ;ii>;,hew plays, ahd this / •true., bf leveiy year.:, Other /^ma nage- , , mehts, .iob,./are. dpihig the; same; th i iigv' and practically .every /London; star - is nbw^se'en; by prpvincial -audibncesL; Fe'Av years-.ago most bf/ihese/stari;.'' 'Wei'e-,.;?trarigers; . the .prbyinsjial;;' to whs. Whereas, -fb.rmerly-^ ;ih. thfe:/; province's s/uch theatres ,as \vere bp.en. . closed ddWn for the summer, /np.W, . ^any bif. them, put -on. summer shows : and ;keep; bpeh all /thev year rotind;;; ; " ;'.bne ;of the;.' best s.igns,.;bf interest-; la. the theatre; /\yas the succbss and . ihterc^s|; shown in:/ the .riiivival. bt / 'G^indida/' / Here; is '■;; a. '■ 40-year-bl d /; pl'ay .Which,; when spiaye^ yihcial cities /:and :i.n. ;Lb;ndbn, drcv/'; :- erpwded houses with ; as. .iriuch. en-;: ; 'thusiasmi: a.s a brand nbW vcpirie'dy; .Woui(d--have;;d6he; ■-■/../"■.;.. '/;■'■://./; :-Twp / comedies ; by .hew -.authors haye'; been' smash /hits : of/ the-.yea'i% / They are pure laugh. play/sTT-'French, ; ;Ayithout Tears,^ .by Terence. R^^ arid 'George; and Margaretr'. by iCier-, aid .iSiiyory.;; ;Fbrmer. Was! acluajiy;. . produced 111.1936, .the ialter ;iri tPeb- •. ruary/.this;/year/., Neith.er,. 6X ,ihern ;-, haV'e stai';, hambis, /the/.. cast-^both /' are . playing; to; eapaci.ty--^and ..w;iil da, so fbr:.<rioriths,tp;cpme.r ' / ■ ; ;' ;,.,. . ..Much.Talent; -■.-//'/;:;. .,.. ..' ; ;Thei-e/; 'are =. mbre / cleveri people > . writing for; the ..stage ihis year Ihah;: foi:.many: years past;:.I'Thcre is; more-:; taleht • shbwri / ambn,gSt:; th.e / ybung., ■ geheratip^^^^^ -the recent'slu/np in ; ? the;/ picitiire.. industry ^^;has;;;bec!h■./ // shock :tb many actbrS. firid' 8;clr.bs.<ie«". /> who ■: sa w- the /Tom Tjddlor's Gi'puii.d;; ;bf the:' s.tydibs/ recedlhg/ froriri; their grasp, arid^^aire; retui^ninj^ to thef/tlie-/^ aire :iri ;a /more reasfinable frame of mindi':;■. -.;■: .••.■^';-,/.;;.;/■/-,'; ■.^^-Z.- .;:Their- iWajosties/the/ King and / Queen, Qiiccn Mary, arid pther nnem- bcrs of the Royal; FamiIy -have . re-;... sumed. theatre-goirig, : exampl*. which; is :being. folloWed Widely;/ / / A feature ; pf . the; present .year .fs/ that / the serious piciy /is , bpebming ' popular; bne;/o£. ;the certain/ signs of renais^ncfe /in the theatre.; ; At this. : preserit/lime J-B. Priestley ha.s tWo ; seripUis "piays r.utining / ih/ Lbndpn: ^ John ; Gieig.ud /.is / draWihg . croWded houses for //Shakespeare; •: Dbdie; Smith . has ;a . .success With; her mbst -/ .sitrious play, lb date,/ 'Bbnhet Qver ■ the/Windmiir.; 'Victoria Regiriia! is'a ; great suecesst/St.!John FJryine's/piay^ //. 'Robert's / Wife,' -/;a seribus; corn.c'dy, / has been ■ Wefcohied; in. the; prpvi and We " can .prophesy; that' Loh<l<*!f^ wiil be; Heenly /ihtere.sted.;; Add.e this is . the success of ■Au.tutnh', 'a^ thb St:/Martih's thealre/;-; ■:,,;:■■-'^ /v'' -■-;;,- • ;; Another, feature'^ . pre^5"ent- .year; has been the .success, of rToVelty ;:ih the. form- bf skating ;ais^^^^^a /entertainment. ':Pibricered /by Sir/, 6.swald-; StbU at; the .^Gbiiseuihv /it i3.'/' /spreading alVbvcf . the cpuhtry publi.c / is also / re.spbhdihg ; to; R;'»bci;i acting, and/ is/taking.a/grealer inter- / est iri; ■ tl^Cr work/, of / ablbi^^ actre.sses/thah'it. h^ dorie fbi: tniSny a/--year;/,;' /'■'\,- ':'■/' ~ ■,/.-/'; ■' :.■ II .has; bebri ■ sa;id that/ th(?;/'thpatre;/ is/ S;Uppbrtcd- ;by//the- /'middl^-ih'fbd/ ' /"Tiiai ./■•; no .-longer;. /n people are/Qomi rig baick ■ to ;,iho,;ihVa- tre. .'Giaricp;at/the ■ audi'e;nCe/.of\au.r sUcbessfui/play today, shp.ws;^ a high ; percentage . pr.y;)iin.;' p;>.bple./wh(>,/it :fcW- :years /agoiZ-WotiUI ,ha;v ./beert,, at; - ;the pictures/ .',•; / ;■'; /,;/'■'■/;>;-" V/- ';/ ; - ./,;..■/'-• ,/;/•: ■: London, beb. 20. : , tast.year the British . Theaire .has ^hpwn strength /and, vitality/greater, thari / at -any /period, since, the /War, A^ll- /-'the eoim try. busihess iias" been; cphsiste'ritly:. gbbd: iii;- spite/'pf .such .liripbrtarif events as tion/t>f; kiiiig George .y'l/;-iiidustri.al; disputes,/ Eurppb'an- ; -' unre.st. /"arid; strikes, :/ .■;;■:; ";- •; -:-'/-.;;■ . ■:-"■.•: ;:•■--;..;-- liT ;3pite' ;of the /carpriatibj),-/because a ,gr/eat.' eveh.t-of ihat kind,^ bringing as' it- dbbs/tens of ihousands pX. piiiopld- intoHhe metrbpblis, is ;hbt necessarily, gpbd .for. .the /theatreis;,! there is so; much, going' on ./ ; the streets, in the Way. qf ;.a ,tre.e,/iih;ow-ithat: ■ it 'tiehds: tb empl,y 'the iliba.ti:'es rather ' than/ .tb/ fill./them.: ./ -'Trb ; / marching about, /tliei'e-: are-/ dbcpr^tions and illufhi.natipns- foreigri:.. hbt^ibieij : and sP /ri^uch .fori the,croWds. to gape .it withpuit cha;rg^-''that- it; is/dirt fbr- the' theatre t'b/'corrip.etp/ ;:.//;/ -;.■ /;.-. ;: Deciding •factbr /--" / -the; weather/-. Fbi^tiijiately for//tiie ;?-heatre, cbr,bria>r tiph;/day; itself/;was / w^ e.specially. in: ;the e'vonirig,. 'and/, the/' theatrcs^; reaped a ,harvest;.' That a tq;'itH /:surr6undirig days/ aii,d / dbnse^ quentiy: ih6: th;eatres' did: Well/ ;. jHad; it' been ft 11 e/ weath civ: as - i t W'as / d urr - ing King Gebrge'^s silver ;jubilee and dui/iiig/the corpnatibriy of that same monarch,; .the Whole ...ehlertaihment business Woiild /hjayeVsiifTered> ' ; ' ,; l^iahagers . With /'^hort. niemories ru'she'd.ihtb-Lqridqn and staged plays durvrig ;;; thc: silyer ; :jubilee; . Result -Was' disastrous/ /' Everyorie wii iri/ tlje/ streeLs.: Il;;is interer,..ng tb/tiirn back to: the newspaper-j/files/deiai^^^ ;with Queen yictoria's diamond^ j'ubi-/ iee, -ohe/^f the gfeatest e'-'ent hi story of' thi .<i ;br .:ariy . bther coup try; It ; will ./be. seen /that vrriiriy of thC; more experienced .iriahagers closed; /their 'theatres'-., oh;/,that/'d kribvy.vthat/the ;diamond 'jubiiee /Wa^^^ a bigger; attriictioh "than,: they. cbuld; ! stage, and- Isb; the/weather/ wasi fihbi Samis/ th'rig/..hapi^en cbrpnatipri. b f ■ Edward/; VII/.- . / // ;It :/sb .happenedr/thaV this year's borpijatibh/ corhci.ded/^- W a. strike of the ;Londpri; :bu.';bsV;- -;This WbUld have, bbfen 'a ^ seribu.s .ihing: for the, theatres -had " the/tube raiiways arid trahi.'i -struck' ;as/;welI.. But they, idid no t; / a ri d th e ' b.us strike; ha d 1 i ttle pr nc/ effect, upon ;.the 'Viheat.res'las/.a ;Whbl;e. ; ; People/ ;frPm'..the / butlying^ districts;:w!io; were preventc^^^^^^ .st rike ; f rom / Ir.i v e lin g. to- tb Wh /Were cpiiriter.^balariced- by/; the. abnprma! number of .visitors re.sidirig in .arid' arourid the- West Etid bf. Ii,oiidbn./ /•;. ', 'Death of;theatre'-/ .;';'/,/" ; /For : tTi'an.y. /year.s;. past/ We ': have, hea I'd-.the/bid. st()i-y: a bout/the. death; bf the', /thea'tre-^'.nd.eed/ the- siatfe.- rhent.;, ; age-qld. i >It Was/ p,rob'abiy .started by some -d.isgru critic ;Whb -was .shown into' .the,wrong seat by a program /pirl of the pcrjqd at the .-flr.st ■ pcr.fqi-hiance.-.'Of i play by^Aristbphahqs/--■ .■■//- :;::' ;;/^"// . I remerriber riiariy caii.ses bj-'ing- put forward tprHhc .death /of the .tlie-, aire. I roihembbr the time ■when the, music.;;halls were going to; give it /its death blow... . Otho.r^ :i's demise in' recerit:./ti.mcs .have; been lawn ierinls.' dog racing, cheap m car.*? arid dii-t•;tra.ck i-acihg) but the hi bst scr j pUs bogey; / of all ha.,s ior rnaiVy years .'pa.'it been sound/ pie- tiires.. They wiped oii t the / Ihealrc aimosl entire.ly in the/.smaller to;>wns iri /the k/ingcipm. /: Thpse^^^ b.een /served by/ what ..we.;;ball' No^^^2 arid 'No; 3 cpmpanj^e.s play ing/fPr'one week •succe.s.sftil. and iinsu.ccessful Lpiidon prpductlorv.sV . .. Tli^ cpuld- h'bi stand- iip//against V<itf)nT< which bi bush t .stars in to , the .Sma ilest/ yil;^ /the;; mbdffrriiz.afiqri.- ;br;/Mex^ great :prpgri?sS tiVe gby,ernriieiit, has made iri ;eduealing the 'mJ»S.se.s; .ShqW.- ;men; opiHe; tha.f . there ' ■; . big bp.-: pOr^nity; dbwri/here for really good/ cirr.u.'rC.Si- Tike those that; jjlay. .the ,U:■ S, : A. Radip. is;an Increasing ;'fac-: tor ' /Me.xiqah.public./entertaininerit/ Hp'roe talent is;iiked^;b.lit/'fin.l^ very few . listeiiers /turie . but. when ;therc, is ; art ace foreign, . /"partiGiilariy American , prograrii/bri the air; '; ; • j . \Mexicb's/ -bulslariding pic^/'.fa^iqri.fe isiDtiari.na P.uirbirt./S^^ been seen. ' /:iWp;/ pi x. here;; ,b'u t; she. • h as .Wham ih ed,ihe ,1 and-, R u n hersr U p ;arc Grace. Mpore arid tjjy Pons, (ih 'bp'r era! ic .; elaiisical.. sbn,'^!i;;|; / 'Caritin- /flas'- (tramp comed.iaii.i,/yi|ma Vida^i Cpristance/ Bennett, /Cary Grant,; Shirley ■TemtJle. '.Laui'el- an Lupe/ Vei.ez/ and William'; PcfWell. /