Variety (Sep 1946)

88 I.EGITI1I1ATB Wedncadpy, Sepleiiilter 11, 1946 Hecht-Weill's'Flag k Born'Socb Hard as Palestine Propaganda ..By NAT KAHN . The theatre as entertainment as opposed to the theatre as propaganda had another test on Broadway last ■week, and the latter won hands down, Dramatizing the fight for a free Palestine. Ben Hecht's theatric Cal artifice, "A Flag Is Born," which opened a limited engagement at New York's Alvin theatre, is a forceful pageant. . An- obvious, bit of propaganda, *'Fla8'" debuted last Thursday (&) for « four-week run: It has the defects of all propaganda; yet it is deserving of more than the limited engage- ment set for it by its sponsor, the American League for a Free Pales- tine.., With Paul IVluni coming on from Hollywood to play the lead role, that of a. Jewish refugee wandering through Europe seeking the. Prom- ised Land, "Flag" is a stirring mes- sage that demands attention and A Flaf$ Is Born . ■American Le.'igui' lor a -Free_ PulLfattne production or trftgedy in one act b> Ben J-lecht. Music ))\- Kurt Weill. ,"Stars I'aul Rluni; .features Qtietitin ReynpltiK, .Mafitr Berini,. C'eiia Adler, ^liirlon Brando, GeorKe i:>avid Baxtt'i. Tom Bnilyii AVilliams. Gres- or.v JTorton, ve iliil, .Tonatllan Harris and. Harold Gar.v. Staffed by i>uther Atller; .in charge, of production,. Jules J, .Lev^nthal: music directrii'v Isaac, Van Gi'ove; settinsa, ■Uobert .PariKon; costumes, .Tolm Koyt: cho- reoffraHliji-, Zahiira Gon.-; At Alvin, V.. for lour WecliH. fltartinpr'^ei)t; 0, '-46. S4.S0 'tbp.. ■" ■ '. . :." . Kiteaker.,V.^...,.:, .Quentin Reyri'dds Tevyfi".'........ l?aul M-ni\i Zetdii. . . ......Celia . '.Vdler David;. . .'. .. ....'.. ', .,;..... .Marlon Brando The BinKcr..; * .y,,,. ,.*,,, Mario l;erini Haul ....... .Vi... .GeorKe David I'JaxLer Old (ine . .......... ...Morris Samuylow Middle Affed One. ....David Manning youner tJne...................lohn Barasrey David the KinK ...... . .William AHyn .Sblomftn...... Gregory ^Morton AHieli'ican Statesnia.n,..... r.Jonathan Hah'i.'s iRussIon StatcsiiianYasha Uosenthal ,■ l':nEli«!li- Ktatesmnn.. ;-To]rn. Kmlyn W.illiitni!-' ynd Ei)Kiiah ;^fatearpan.".. ..Tefferson Coates French Statesman.......Frederick Uudin 1st Soldier.,. .. .... . .. .St6\'e ll.ill 2nd Soldier,.....;Jonathan Harris 3ra Soldier... . ..HaroW .Gary Supersi: William Borp. UandolDh Jones. Nick Ferber, Jack Wesley, .\Uen'l.indsirom. Vincent- Beck, Jo Davidson, Charles Femv man, ' George Anderson, Martin , TjeaviU, Soloinon Gold-stein, Jack , Sloane. 1-iarry Moses, Gilbert Lei^h. Jack Buxbauni. Jim Flynn, Nortnan ICilroy. Jules l^reusJ^. Thomits Arena, Rudolph MeKool. Joe JJer- r.ard. Daniel Mos!:o\vitz, Carl Shelton, Kol)- ert "VV'eaton, Bill Keid, Ray Johnson. Jim Davidson^ Pearl SuRarninn.. Natalie Nor- wiok, Rons Christie, Selma Stern. Michael Ka?:q,rasi I'erry Becker, Paul Firestone, ;I'6gB:5'..StrfinKe, Steve Gravers, Don Sacks. KUcen .Ayres. • Dancer.s: Kvanf?eline. CDlli.s, Anne \^'.'iyne. LUian Bknian, Bvelyn Jjeeds, Anne Wid- man; Euth Harris. .AtJclrey JStllen..' Pearl Borchard, I,oe .Morrison, I.<)na!\ .Fisher, Maybelle Iiuma, Sophia Babert, VlrKlnla ■f(ilchri;it. Shirley Kinpt, Rosnlind Posnlck, Jeanne Belkin, Miriam Levy. Chpir: Paul ' Mario. Elton -.PlowmaflT -.^ro« seph Hill, Willla ni Durkln, 'Carl Mannins, Allen liov ell. Xlcholas Torzs, Richard Monte. as wife of the European wanderei-j who lirtds it easier to die at the head of a gravebed than continue the search for the road to the Holy Land; Marlon Brando as a young Jew cu light, in the European maelstrom and un' certain of his path until eallod to fight alongside the young Hebrew army; the Stern gang, in the war against the Britisli; Mario Berini, wlio delivers a Hebrew hymn in Metopera manner. Direction ot Luther Adler. tlio pro- duction of Jules J, Leventbal; Kurt Weill's special music conducted by Isaac Van Grove and the settings by Robert Davison are all excellent. '' Hecht has managed, despite the heaw tragedy that encpmpasses "Flail," to leaven, occasionally, the story with an elemental humor, espe- cially in the dialog mouthed b.v Muni, to stress the chin-up attitude of the Dlay's subjects. And he has a par- ticularly poignant, welKwritten seene where the wandering Jew confronts a Court of Nations in . his plea to be allowed to live. In another scene Hebrew tradition is resurrected in the forms of Hebrew Kings Saui and David, who; lend encaurag'eihent to the fight "Flag" plays without , an intermis- sion, and. that's a-tdtigh hurdle ; for any performance, whatever the auspices, the names involved or the sentiments thereof. There "are mo- ments, midway when it seems, that a brief tepite might be in ■drder,-, but thereafter, especially in the'Court Of Nations scene, Hecht's writing and Muni's long speech and plea for sur- vival have their measiires of com- pensation. Murii, ; Hecht,; Weill, and Reynolds head tliose who have, donated their services .gratis; arid many others have contributed to the Palestine fund in one way or another. There is talk of a London .'showing. If the Britisli government permits it to be played, "Flag" is certainly as persuasive an argument against the British barring of refugee Jews in Palestine as, c'ould possibly be given. too arch and coy in supporting ro- niantic roles. Sets-and costumes are lavish, but only add to the incongruity. Ensem- ble work e.'\rrics little meaning and less pleasure. Saving grace is Tau- ber's singing and the Lehar scoye. While Tauber makes the title song fresh and appealing, "Upon a Moon- light Night" and "Love, What Has Given "Vou This Magic Power?" are also superior tunes. But they're not enough to carry this chromo. Br on. The FronI l*ag« ■. ■ (KEVIVAM ... .Itunt Strombers; .Tr.. lind ,Thos,. .Spi?r.Kler revival of Iho Ben, Hecht-Chiis. Mac.Vrlhiir coiiiedv. Features Arnold lloss. Lew Parker, Benny Baker. Edward If. Koblns, l.'ora AVithersiioon. \Vm, J..>'nn, Pat Ilarrins- ton, ■. Oltvo Deerini;, Bruce MacFarlnne. SldBed by JIac.Vrlhur; acttihirs, Nat Jvar^ son; costumcf. li-eiie .Xrphson. .Opened Si'pl. J, 'Jll, at Koyale, N. V..i to ?!i fop; regular scale. S4.2<l ■ Wiisiin. American.v.......... . .UOKcrClark iJndioott, Post..... .. . ... ...lack .Vi'lioid ilurphx-. Journal. ..,... . Bruce . .MacFal lane McCuc, City Xews Bureau.. . .Benny Baker .Schwartz, Dally Xews, Ita.v Walston, Kruner, Journal of Co(Vl. . i.l'at MnrrinKlon Benslnger,, Trilnine...., ;,.,..':. .Roily, Bccli Mrs. SchkLssei....,......i.Isabel Bonner " Woodenshoea" , KicliOTO..... .('iii'tis ::K«ri» Diamand Louie.,, v....... Joseph Di> SantLs liildy, John.son,. HofiVld-Wx'am, .l.ew I'arker Jennie;........,;...,,.'.;;.;.. .Blanche by tell ifollie- Malloi ...... Olive Dcerim;' .^Jheriff Harlniah...... ,. .AVilliani l.ynn Peirifv Grant.......... .Pat .McClaniey .Mrs. Grant .Corn Witherspoon. The :Muvorlidward H, lioliins Mr.- Pinoua. .Harold taau |.-ari ■\Villiiinis,..i, ....GeorKC .Lyons Walter Burns.. .,■;(,,'.■.>..,,, .Arnold Mos,i: i'ony....... i. ',, . .-..'* ..'..V.... .Leonard Yni-i: Cari....... ............;...... . Fred Bemi.s Frank.. /.'...'.... ... ..... ...... Vic WhillocU roliceirie.n Ciiizens. .liaURinen. etc. Plays Out of Town The Ala gulf l«;pni Heel Buffalo, Sept. 4. Brock -I'eniberlon production of threeract comedv byCoiistanco O'Hura features PoK- Bv Wood, Bert I.yieri, Richard A'ernw-. I'Vaiik Slerliu and Krtlth Wolsor, Staged by Peinberton; seltlnKS and costuni.'s, John Hoot. At' Krlanger, BuCtalo, Sept. 4, '40; 'f».tw ;top. „' ' kivarnyScott,,.;..v... ..Alan Rosa Susiin Woodward i'e(r..;y ood Jes.ie Cose,.. .......,.......> ... .Oacar l*<>lk lOilrl Bonil. Jr Paul C, Fieldini- ,.. .Xina. Sitllcr . ..Franlc Merlin ..,. I'ldith Mciser ..Melville Uulck KIcliard VernoV ...,. liiH Sharon .Bert Lytell . .Booth Colnliin . .Ulchnrd Alltin l.eijilo I'atil,...... • •. l*enis Beardon,....... .Mell.'?sa :MorK'an,. .. 1'iask Moi'ffan'.'......... J, Murray Woodward? "SiuR.i" DeA'ine....... .lames liuston Charie.'i I'ldwards. ..... Frank Adain.-.pn playing time wherever there is a place of public assembly, let alone a theatre. For it is not only the trag- edy of a buffeted people—it stands as a challenge to both Jew and Chris- tian to meet the demands of hu- manity." "Flag" is frequently engulfed in talk, and it is repetitious, but more frequently it depicts with vivid imag- ination, backed by documentary evi- dence, that here is a story that must be told hot only to Jews but those of other creeds as well. It is a lesson in a fight for freedom, in very much the same manner of Pamell'S Irish fight against the British, Lenin's against the Czarists, the Hebrews against the Pharaohs, "Flag" as propaganda achieves many of. its-effects, of course; be- cause of the nature of the theme. It is presented in Such a manner that eyen those who have no iihmediatft interest in the plight of European Jewry must surely stack their might to help these persecuted. Jew o» Christian—whatever : the' audience— it must certainly wring the hearts, of the theatregoer because of a com- bination of theme, direction, per- formance and production. It could easily .have been jtist another prOpT aganda piece. Instead, it, has also evolved iiito entertaining theatrics. And how Was "Flag" best equipped to fight, the battle of Palestine? Through Jews,, of course, with Muni certainly never better as the key fig- ure whose best refuge, along the road to Palestine, is a battle-scarred cemetery of Europe, the key back- ground for the 100-minute drama. And who could best have exempli- fied the spirit of telling the extent of international injustice than an Irish-American with the tight, grim look of an all-American guard. That would be Quentin Reynolds. He's the story's narrator, bridging the gap's of the story and being the inter- mediary between audience and per- former. And there are others who deserve «redit in: this, tragedy ot a human race, such performers as Celia AdIer, Yonrti Is My Heart ■■(REVIVAL) ■ •Arthur Spitz . production of operetta in three acts, based on "Land of Smiles." Stai"S Richard TaulVer: features Alexander D'Arcy, Sanimy AVhite, Stella Andreva, Lillian Held, l^'red Keating. Music ijy Franz JjChar; book and lyrics, Ii-a Col>b and Karl Farkas: dar.ces, Henry Shwar?.e; sets and costumes, H. A. Condeli; liehtinK, .Milton Lowe; musical adaptation, Felix- Guenther; diaioff direction, .Monroe Manning; pro- duction staged by Tiieodore Bache. At Shu- bert. N. Y., Sei)t. 5, '46; $8 top. CrUy. .M-.-mroe Manning IjUcllle,........ .Helena Whitney IjOu.-. ,..lane Mackle Pierre. ,'.■.......... U...... .Harold Lazafon Fernand D'Orville.\lexander D'Arcy Vvonhe.................... .Xataiye Greene Fifi.......................'.. .Dorothy Karrol Marie......... .............. .. .Jean Heisey Archibald "Mascolle....... .. .Samitiy White Claudrtte Vernay....;........Stella Andreva Butler . .,,,,...... .1-larvey Kier Prince Sou Chohg.. >,. ;'.i; .Richard Taul)er Huanff AVei................lOdward Groag Prince Tachang............Arnold Kj^ector Hsl Fueng....................Fred Keating Princess Mi. Lillian Held blaster cf Ceremotiies... .Albert Sclioengold High Prie..st....;...,, ,, i .Fred Briesa LI Tsl;;............,..,.,,. . .,'; ^iBea trice Eden The first musical of Broadway's fall season: sounds a very sour note. And this in spite of a superior Franz Lehar score and some flrst-rate sing ing by principals Richard Tauber and Stella Andreva. A dated story, limp humor and stodgy direction make something bizarre'out of this pro- duction, to nix any Broadway suc- cess. . ■. ■ There's a heavy-handed old-Euro- pean iihprint about the whole busi- ness that crushes all enthusiasm. The shoiv is largely Lehax's operetta of 20 jcars ago, "Land of Smiles," somewhat refurbished. It was te.sted on the road a couple of times a dec- ade ago-^once as "Prince Chu Chan," with Clifford Newdahl, arid again.as "Land of Smiles," with Charles Hack- ett—but never , before brought into' New York. Continental producer Ar^ thur Spitz rhakes.his Bx'oadway bow with it, as does Tauber, who has played the operetta abroad over 2,500 times. ■. . . - .'.■ Tauber's fine singing-^in a glorious lyric tenor, vibrant and undimmed by the years—is something to hear,' especially when he does the title song. Miss Andreva, former .Metro- politan Opera soprano, is a .stalwart assistant vocally. Visually the two make an unconvincing romantic cou- ple, while Tauber's gestures and pos- turing occasionally suggest the gro- tesque. ... The pair go through the motions of impersonating a Chinese prince and Parisian prima donna, struggling again.st the diplomatic obstructions that bar their union, Acting of the supporting cast is of no aid to them, hampered by a silly book and corny comedy, Sammy White struggles vamly to lighten the proceedings, while Frod Keating is drily amusing m his too-infrequent appearances domg old-stylo magical tricics. Lil- ban lield and Alexander D'Arcy are The dailies acclaimed "Front Page" with nostalgic sympathy and, forti- fied by so solidly favorable a press, the Hecht & MacArthur 1928 smash may repea.t for a run;, two decades later. However, there's no disputing that was what hot stuff in- a rowdy Vplsteadian era; now emerges some- what diluted. The language is' still bawdy, the melodramatics masculine, and the aura lusty in its general overtones, but parlor conversation has likewise progressed . (?), so that the appeal there is diluted. . The melodramatics. likewise, somehow, . seem to be of familiar pattern. This is strictly from the new-generation perspective, for- getting that they may have-seen the film version. On performance, comparisons are inevitable. The late Osgood Perkins made his hard-driving, double-deal- ing, ruthless Chi newspaper editor a cameo so brittle and vivid that Ar- nold Moss is no match for it. Some- how he is too legit. Lew Parker shades him in the Hildy Johnson role but there, again, the aura of Lee Tracy pervades. The others range from adequate to good. Harold Grau re- creates his original role. Olive Deer- ing does an okay job as the Clark St. tart. (Incidentally, Variety's New Haven review credited Elizabeth Dil- lon, who was the billed actress, but Miss Deering had already joined the cast there). Cora Witherspoon is efr fective as the prospective mother-in- law, and the police reporter types are all good. William Lynn^ is"capitsl as the rubberstamp sheriff, bullied by his relative-mayor (Edward H. Rob- ins), and Curtis Karpe as a dimwit cop, Roily Beck as the hypochondri- acal reporter, and Joseph DeSantis as a strongarm guy (circa Capone) all make their performances telling. Co-author Charles MacArthur, for all his tempoed staging, somehow hasn't gotten the verve and pace out of his cast as did George S, Kauf- man's original, The first act partic- ularly drags, A false note arises from the in- jection of topicals such as the Paris peac,^ conference, etc., when every- thing about it is otherwise dated. In, fact, the program specifically states; "The action takes place in the press room of the Criminal Courts Bldg. in Chicago, some years ago." 'Tncident- ally, Nat Karson's single pressroom set is good. Abel. WINTER STOCK FORMED BY YOUNG EQUITYITES Group of young Equityites has formed the Players Guild, with pur- pose of staging winter stock, on Long Island's North Shore. Tney've: leased the Chapel theatre. Great Neck, used the past couple of sum- iners as a strawhat, and are seeking investors through a mailed' pros- pectus. Feeling is, there are 100,000 people living within; five-mile radius of Great Neck (25 miles from Times Sq.) who find it inconvenient to come into N.. Y, for legit, and who would go for stock. Group leased theatre till June 15, '47, with another year's option, pay- ing $65 weekly rental (including steam heat and janitor service). Need $5,000 to open and run first two weeks, and claim to have $1,000 raised. Planning to give repertory, two shows a week, with "Holiday" and "Peer Gynt" as first two plays on bill. Estimated weekly nut 'will be $1,189, aside Irom opening ex- penses, with gross figured at $1,722. House seats 215. Tickets will be priced from 90c to $2.40. Constance O'Hara, a Philadelphia columnist who should know whereof she writes, has purled up this swift little item out of her dramatic knit- ting bag and with the liberal assist of' Brock Pemberton's pat type- casting and expert direction . has fabiicated something resembling the fleeting illusion of a successful comedy-drama. Miss O'Hara, a newspaper woman, like Mary Chase, who blessed Pem- berton With "Harvey" two seasons ago, used to conduct the ''Jives and Judgments" column in the Philadel- phia Bulletin, and .\\'as a news com- mentator, dramatic critic and radio writer. With one play,"Years of the Locust," knocked about by the little theatres a decade ago. Here, spot- lighting the personal and professional life of a, soi'disaht cosmic columnist, peopling her play with, stage charac- terizations of upper-set newspaper folk-and steeping it all in the stock jounialistic milieu, the author's in- tense preoccupation with the col- uinnist's alleged awe-inspiring pres- tige ,arid power to make or break public personages may be all wool to the social emigres of the Stork Club. But it is certainly yards wide of cosmic significance for Mr. and Mrs. America and all the ships at sea, to whom its world-shaking im- plications will most likely be lost in the teapot tempest. - The first act is of hit stature and at the ringdown opening night it looked as though Pemberton had another ringer by the tail. But the story proceeds to fly apart with dis- tractions in dialog and counterplot in the second act and barely succeeds in attaining the required grade in the concluding stanza. The .story line is confused and the overall ef- fect anti-climatic. The heroic scan- dal-monger, unrriistakably identified as a columnist of international re- pute, manages by means of stolen diaries and letters tc level a devas- tating and ruinou.s charge of com- munism against a State Dept. diplo- mat, at the same time deliberately fo- menting militant anti-Russia phobia among his readers. The incriminat- ing papers have been purloined by the diplomat's alcoholic' weakling son under the'baleful influence of the columnist^s unscrupulous toad of a legman. They are ensconced in the gossip purveyor's country house where a jingoist publisher with a White House yen and his wife are also guests. Publisher proposes to hire tlie columni-st at an astronomical figure to further his presidential ambitions. The diplomat calls to de- mand his documents, with refusal and counter-threats bringing on a declaration of open warfare between diplomat and the columnist and pub- lisher, making for effective dramat- ic conflict, 'Writer, in order to save face, finally forces a third-degree written confession of the theft from the diplomat's son and is about to go on the air with a sensational alibi yarn for his weekly national hookup when his wife, who has no.w de- cided to leave him, grabs the mike, wises, up the listening public and breaks off the broadcast in curCew- shall not-ring-tonight style. As a final strain Oh Credulity, she decides, -to stay on. with Iver heelish but badly-shaken' mate for a quizzical curtain. ' The dramatic counterpart of "your newsboy" is depicted through- out as an obvious, self-centered neurotic megalomaniac, but neither ttie characterization nor .the,, story treatment has sufficient, sustained bite or impact. The hero is, a dull heel-r-and consequently m*)re ridicu- lous than magnificent. ' ' .' Peggy Wood, charming as the not- too-distinctly., ; limned . columnist's wife, bears the brunt of the story on her shoulders. That .she manages to do so with small assistance from the author is a histrionic achievement. Bert Lytell is allotted a surprising amount of nothing at all to do as the gallant, stuffed-shirt diplomat. Edith Meiser's nympho wife of the pub- lisher is both a classic and a natural for her. . while Richard Verney's columnist seems earthbound and stilted. Paul Fielding projects the writer's swishy legman for telling comedy effect. Frank Merlin does well by the badly overwritten role of an Irish literary agent, and Allen Ross and Nina Sittler give personable In- .terpretations of the juvenile and ingenue roles. Jol:in Root's settings and costumes lend a tasteful lift to the presenta- tion. If Pemberton ever succeeds In winnowing out the dialogic chaff and plot divergence from this one.in the short time allotted before the New York opening (18), he may find him- self with a reasonably long-term tenant for the Henry Miller theatre on his hands, ' For pictures, if the ■boys ;in the cnbjcles can take it, this what-makes-Sa-mmy-run of the col- umnar cosmos has distinct possibil- ities. Burtm. (Closing Sat. (14) in Wash, for re-ui.s'io'iis.) Rarnaliy an«l Mi*. Wilmington, Del., Sept, 6, Barney Josophson and James it. I'roclor prtiduHion i)f,t'on*edj tiT t(.vi, acts ijy Jeronie' (.;h()di,r, V, based on t'roclcelt .iohnson'a comic sd'Ip. . stage.I hy Charles Fi-iedninn; Hetllnj;.s, U.ali>h , Aiswirng. .Vt IMajhousc, Wilmington, Del;, HeiM. tl-7, '.id; top. ."ally Kaxler...:,, , .,. .Louise ''ampljen John Ba xler-............; t*l.irk lli-wat ilurnal))' }t.i\ter.......,..;T.lioiUa.^ 1.1a mi Hon Jane .Shult'^..... . .. . 1. .Iri.; .Mann' Mr, Xi'Malie.v-.... ..... .;;'.■■..,; J.'M, Kerr.igiih j.aUucelijt McSmi>d....,■■...... .,;S<don, linri-y Dr.; Blac.Utiia.n;..... .■.,,. ^.; .,. .Sam I'l'imeil Fi'cd Hluill 4........K. hllnui Lowe ■ iVlIco Stdv.u(t;i. <.->; , . ,'.. .. . M.ui'iol f ainpholl- ' Ljoii ...........;;. i........ Adtl l-'at(.V , State Ti-oO|»er, ..Chaldvs l>Uraria ,' i.lon Trainci-,, Hubcrc ,1'ierson .V;;fdst.int..... ............ I'err.v . Bra,sicin . HeiHtrtei*........;;........ .... .Jatnie ^^chrufl t i'hotoKrai>itci;... .. . .. .C'l>iir!es Mcmiiclc ■ (iusV. .. . V, .■. . , .-,. . .....■.; Koyal Daiio tJorgon, I:u'U i;iltnpr "Barnaby and Mr. O'Malley," Jer- ome Chotiorov'a ,comed.y based on Crockett Johnson's comic strip, got off to a slow and belated start at its matinee premiere in the Playhouse. The show, which was scheduled to open Friday, night, ■ cancelled .- that. performance because- of difficulties' with the intricate lighting, and, with" the shifting of the sets they weren't ironed out in time. Each of the,two' acts is comprised of a series of blackouts, and tliey do not click as they should. All of the comic strip characters, including Gus the Ghost and the in- visible McSnoyd, are here, and most of the action is taken from the strip but something seems to be missing. The whimsicality is there but the lines rarely produce real laughs, The first act drags throughout and the second, although interest picks up,: is uneven. The first covers a week in the lite of the Baxters in July. It includes Mr, O'Malley's first appearance and the efforts of Barnaby's parents to persuade him that his fairy god- father exists only in his imagination. In the second Barnaby complicates his father's campaign for Congress when he tells reporters that the lion, escaped from the circus and recovered in the Baxters' cellar, was really captured and placed there by iWr. O'Malley. The latter,. Pleased by the publicity, plans to run for Congress him.'self, but fi- nally throws his support to Mr. Baxter, thus insuring his election. The settings are impressive and when properly operated should be verv effective. The first is a cross* section of the Baxter home, with the living room and kitchen on the first fioor and Barnaby's bedroom on the second. Occasionally action occurs simultaneousl.y on both floors. In changing scenes the house moves slowly in the background as the lights dim, and a forest setting rnoves in front of it. This happens frequently during both acts without the curtain falling. When the invisible McSnoyd speaks in the forest scene lights flash across a toadstool; when he speaks in the house lights; flicker up and down the staircase or appear under Barnaby's bed. J. M. Kerrigan gives a competent performance as Mr, O'Malley. and seven-year-old Thomas Hamilton is' satisfactory in the long and diffleu't; role,of Barnaby. Iris Mann, 7, is ex- cellent as Barnaby's skeptical little friend, .lane. Royal Dano makes a trood Gus the Ghost, The play has definite possibilities- and probably is in too rough a form to be given full appreciation. ■'.. Klep. .■ nondy Or IVot Los Angeles, Sept. 4. (Jeorgp Tv. Butler, production of nuisicom- ody (nine scenes) by'(Seno Ellis. St:iged by Le.i Dar.'i'. and C'laike Williams; setling.f . and costume 1, Cloliruogge. mu.slc. Stan Key.- ava. .It,, and Wddie Davics; lyi-ics, .JSIH**, and Be,rnard Jde,: choi-eOgraphy. Ttnty Klr.seh;; At Wllshir.; Ebell. Loa Angeles, Set't, 4,.: '+!); y:i top, . :.'" Carol, ..Nsincy •Stitldnn fJenefa 1 t'hao.t.................... I ttil ■ Horne ' Charles......... . .........;.... Atlim c;ole Rlloy.., Dave LeCiraiit Ha: of the :Boltli!.,, 1..... .Clarke Williams': Bartender...,... ... ....... .Konnld Sherwood Doctor Beverly. Bill Bl.sscll Delia.....Joan (iardner Del i.... i................ ..Bhyllts Brennian. Velvet.....,.... . .............Marie Norloiv Foxhole Macfartliy......... ...Lloyd Jenkins Veternna Representative.......John .Splvey Moonlight Sadie Barbara Towne Studenl.s: (•o-eda-Joan .aardner. phyiiia Brenneman, Malio Norton, Dorothy Zurca, Dorothy Knlow, Marion Clair, Mary Gray. Boyii^Kay Hir.ich, Clarke WIlHaii", I'at Meicier, Bob Sheldon, Jud Oray, Veriie ; Morse. ., : ,,■:'>.,„. ■...■ :,':..-...;.. ■-■; . ;";":: Scientist.^: RIekle Owens, Murlotl Clair. Ronald Shei'woad, Bol> Tunlqk. Profns.iot.'*; Clarke Willlatus, I'at Merelen Boh Sheldon. JiiS Gray, Verne *forac, iind. ISernarcl Ide. ■• One of the characters in this mis- guided musical by and about vets of World War II opined at the outset that the critics might find ••'■■nething to creek wise about in shows tContinued on page 60y