Variety (October 1924)

19 VARIETY LEGiTIllAt^ 'Wednesday, October 22, 1924 NEW PLAYS PRODUCED WITHIN WEEK ON BlAY ARTISTS AND MODELS pTMditad br tha Shatxrta. Frotram Hits M •otboia of tb* book: Harry UersbflaM, H«rb Roth. Enb* aoldb«r«. Dean Cornwall. CUB Btarrctt. C. A. Oilbart, A. W. Brown, C. D. WlllUmi, Wataon Barratt, P. B. Dayton, C. W. FalrchIM, Luralla Guild. Flora Nash, Charles Dana Qlbaon, David Roblnaon, J. M. Flags. Helena S. Dayton, Will Johnatone and Loulaa B. Barratt. Book arrltten and ataged by H. W. Orlbble, with ■eora by Blsniund Rombarc and J. Krad CooiB. Lyrica Dy Jay Qoraey and Owan Murphy. Dancea eradlted to Saymonr Fallz. Art Director, Wataon Barratt. Optaad •! tka Aator, Naw Tork. Oct. U. Ii«at jTMr** "ArtlBU and Modela" WM clever and dlrtjr—thla one ia juat dirtj. The prevloua edition principally cauaed tta furore through nudity of the (IrlB. Although there la an abundance of t>are akin In the cur- rent preaentatlon, the entire dialog ■Imply reek* with* auggestlveneaa. If not yulgarlty. It haa no saving grace In either wit or satire. fiealdea which It lan't a good show. Haphazardly pieced together the continuity delgna to start out with a thread of a atory, loses It for three houra and at the final* makea a feeble attempt to pick it up again. It made little difference. No one was Interested. Between the two ends was dis- played a hodge-podge of scenes re- vealing extreme material mediocrity and but average talent-to give the writing what meagre semblance of merit it contained. An 8.20 curtain dropped at 11.45 with a first night verdict of thumbs down so -obvious as to be unques- tioned. At 111 a ticket, downstairs, the house was Jammed with stand- ing rows of expectants, but the tin- draped fireworks looked for fall«d to erupt. The undress flashes came at the opening and close of tbeilrst act with the latter predominating through being something of a Mvlng drop upon which the girls reclined under high lights, only covwed by strips of gause. Tha openlag Inci- dent had one completely node figure In mid-stage under subdued Illum- ination, and another "pictured at- tempt In the second aot also made use 9f an identical lighting soham*. Heralded out of town as being more cluttered up with the dirt .thing than last season's unit, the lobby picture display has been stresaed for thla effect. The script Is simply an obnoxious effort to be naughty and clever, with the latter ■peciflcatlon sadly mlssjpg. The nudity, of the girls Is just something that has come to be exi>e<:ted of all Shabert revues. Lacking comedy and comedians the evening proved prolonged and boresome. The score contains noth- ing liable to receive a consistent hearing, while the staging had Sey- mour Felix hurriedly called in for fixing. Concentration on the "Mod- die Toddle" Insertion marked the top number, with the girls getting an emphasized rhythm effect with their heels. A sketch titled 'insanity," late in the first half and programed as by H. W. Orlbble, was the old story of the asylum inmate kicking the wom- an While chirping, "Don't forget to tell the Governor" as Its punch. The George Choos act, at the Palace last week, used the same skit, with the only difference being the vaudeville presentation wound up In about a mlnuta and a half while the show padded It to f0ur or five minutes. Other comedy acenea included the nae of three b«da, the well aged • truth-revealing idea (thla time done with falling platea), and a burlesque on "Fata Morgana." That depiction accumulated the largest total of laugha for the night through Us roughness and broad insinuations. ProductlonaHy there is an abund- ance of scenery and costumes lllu- Blonlng "My Riviera Rose" as the best looking insertion and dturing which the girls are fully clothed. A fan, with living figures, brought at- tention, although the flrst-act finale, "Midnight Color Ball," was some- thing of a dlaappointment In effect^ other than the nude girls on the drop. The comedlana are mentioned as -Bamett Parker, Frank Gaby, Marie Stoddard, Ned Norworth, Morris and Campbell, ond Seed and Austin. All were practically burled, other than Pailter and Oaby, who found numer- ous opportunities but were handi- capped by material. Morris and Campbell meant nothing with their ▼audevllls specialty in the first act. With Miss Campbell further utilized for co-operative number leading. Seed and Austin were annihilated by a preceding "alphabetical allitera- tion" that killed their "fruit apell- tng" apeclalty. Vocally, Charles Masslnger, Miss Wlthee, Nancy Glbbs and Charles Cannefax were entrusted with the lyrica. Mlas Wlthee secured a "break" through being allotted •Toddle," otherwise the score of- fered little from which to secure re- sults. Manalnger was the most prominent of the mates doing well snough without definitely reglster- inir. 1ora Lee was about as prom- of the femtnlnea and sustained that rating principally through appearance and meagre wearing apparel In at least two In- atancea. Senorlta TrinI failed to accom- plish anything beyond lending an impressive appearance. The ahow can't be extravagantly booked up through aalarlea, al- though the production and coatumes indicate a fair inveatment. That thla year'a "Artlats and Mod- ela" Win even approach the grosses of the previous edition is decidedly in doubt The revue's reputation, combining the lobby photographs and drawings, may pull them In, but the script material will drive them out, hence, other than possessing the angle of Mx psychology the presen- tatloh has no appeal. And It doesn't seem that the lure of the physical will be strong enonghjto offset the brutal comiwsitloii. Which leads to the prediction of a not too lengthy run at moderate (for major revues) receipts. And there is no cause for the other imposing musioals to feel their standing Jeop- ardised. Bkle. THE GUARDSMAN Satirical eomady In ttaraa acta by Farane Molnar. Prodoead Iqr the Tbaatra Onlld at tha Garrlck. Naw Tork, Oat. U. Dt- ractad by PbUllp Moallar, with aatUnca by Jo Mlalslnar. First prodocUoa of Qulld'a acTanth Bubscrlptioo aa a aon. Tha Actor. .•.■..••■.•••••.•■. .Alxrad Itvnt Tha Aetrasa... •• X^yna Fcntanna Tha Critic ...........Dodlay Plscca " M a mm a" ......Halaa Waatlay taaal .....Bdlth Ualaer A Cradltv., Fhlllp Loab An Urtiarl , Kathrya Wllaon terial approached from a a*ir aagls^ while its execution shows thsrs Is no producing group In Amorlea so weU qualified to handlo IntsUlgont and adult dramatic matarial as thoae folk who comprlss tho Tbsa- tre Guild. "The Guardaman,** to cet ma- terialistic, doesn't look to coat a great deal, and its start baa bsoa to the capacity of the Garrlck. lU early promise and the great onjoy- ment derived from the piece—for all the audiences ko out happy— would seem to say that following its Garrlck run it could be moved to an uptown theatre as a run hit. With a perfect cast, a production thiat would do credit to Belasco and before audiences with more Intelli- gence than the most brilliant first- nighters ever framed, the Theatre Guild has started its seventh sub- scription season With Mofnar's "^he Guardsman." And carrj-ing along with its reputation of upsetting tradition, it would appear that they have made a success of a comedy produced along Broadway Quite a few years ago as a failure. At that time it was called "Where Ignorance Is BlLaa." and bad B. H. Sothem aa its bright star. But now, with a superlative cast that Includes Lunt, Fontanne, Digges and Westley, It looks 111(0 a different story. For If ever good entertainment, neither obvious nor maudlin, was placed on Broadway, it Is '.j> "The Gtiards- man." In other words. It looks as though the Guild has another good ahow on ita handa. The story concerns an actreaa and her actor-husband. Each is In love with the other. But both, charac- ters in a rather satirical comedy, are not only conceited, but doubt- ful. The wife, before married, had had a few lovers, and the husband, knowing thla, feela ahe is tiring of him. Ergo, something must be done. Something is done. The husband, believing himself a good actor, dis- guises himself as a member of the Russian Imperial Guard—a noble- man—and then coquettes auccesa- fully with his own wife. Two things worry him—if she succumbs to hla wiles she ia untrue, and that would make him unhappy; if ahe should penetrate hla disgrulse, that wouM stamp him as being a not-so-good actor, and that, too, would hurt him. So hla "out" both ways is unhappi- neas. When he finally reveals him- self to his wife, she, being a smart woman, tells him that she knew him all the time. She was lying, but during their affair she told him that she loved her husband and r.ould remain true t.^ him. So from this the husband extracted (perhapa) a~. lota of com- fort The play la in three acta and two scenes. Act one ia in the living room of the family home. Act two is the anteroom to their box at the opera. Act three ia home again. Both settings are very fine, and re- flect not only artlatio skill, but a delicate consideration for the- play. A richness not heretofore found In Guild productions pervades this offering, a richness that extends from the settings to the gowns worn by Misa Fontanne. It ia to the credit of the Guild that they have done a Job down on 86th street that no one uptown could surpass. Both Mr. Lunt and his wife, Lynn Fontanne, are superb in roles peculiarlr adapted to their newly married state, while Helen Westley as an old retainer is just aa fine. Dudley DIgges, who would be good in a dramatization of the night menq at Chllds', plays a critic here. Others in unimportant roles fitted to perfection. In short, "The Guardsman" has all the earmarks of a success, and If some of the critical gentry carp that it smacks too much of the com- mercial theatre let them recall "The Crime In the Whistler Room" at the Provlncetown Pla: house'and take their choice between commercLilIsm and paeudo-bunk-artlstry. The play's theme is good theatrical ma- THE FIREBRAND Oomady la thraa acta by BdwIa Joataa Mayar, produead toy gehwab, Uvarlgfct A liadal at tha Moroaoo, Naw Toik, Oat S, atarrinc Joaapta aBhlMknivt Mas*d By Arthur Hurlay and David Burton. Sattlnss and ooatumaa by Woodman ThMBpaoo. ■bmIU BeEtanaa Aldan Aaoaala ChMlaa JfaOarthy Baatrtea UlUan XlBsabury Ancala Bdan Oray Banvennto Cclllnl Joacpb Soblldkrant Plar Land) Oaors* Dntry Hart Alaaaandro, tba Doha of Florenca Fiaak Metgan OttavUna. tba Duke's eonsin B. O. Roblnaon Potrarlno Aliya Joayln Tha Duehass ....a Nana Bryant A Soldier Wallaca Fortnna A Pa(a Bdward Qulnn tiadtaa of tha Court- Dorothy Blekaall, Elaanor Kwins Qantleman of tha Cort—J. Bills XIrkbam, Xenaath Dana, Wllbert Bblalda. Scott Hlracbberc, RoUnd Wlntara, FhUlIp Nlblatta. Eddie Mayer muat bars tongued hla cheek when he read the advance notice sent out by the producers some time ago anent "The Fire- •brand," creating an Idea it waa to have been a dramatio exposition of Cellini, chronicled in hlatory aa the Goldsmith of Florence. He may also have laughed when he saw the mob stalking into the Morosco, but couldn't possibly have laughed- any harder than the audience did at the admixture of romance, naughtiness and near-tragedy played in a varia- tion of tempos, romping from romantic drama to subtle satire that later leaped to broad burlesque. Some years ago John R Hymer evolved the Idea of setting a comedy scene in the atmosphere of a prison death house In a vaudeville playlet "Tom Walker and the DevtL" The extremes proved a happy medium and the skit is still a winner. Mayer has set moat of his cotnedy within the shadow of the hangman Nrho Is about to destroy the genius Cellini for multiple murders, only to be cheated by the latter's bragadoccia or the appearance of an undraped charmer who takes the Duke outtof his character of sternness to chase the fiaxen haired will o' the' wisp. However, he blends to perfection with the result, one of the most en- joyable costume comedies in some time. Benvenuto Cellini would have been a great running mate for "Sweeney Todd" except that he uUllsed a dagger instead of a rasor to "polish 'em off." Cellini'a lawlessness has been condoned because of hla genius. The country la proud of hIS' artistic creations. But when the play opens Cellini has seemingly reached the end of his rope in perpetrating another murder. The Cardinal l^as refused to intercede and the Duke is re- ported on his way to pass the death sentence upon him. Worst of all, the romancer has found what he be- lieves to be an ideal mats in his flaxen haired model and has bar- gained for her purchase from the hag mother. The Duke arrives and Is unduly stern until the model wanders on partially undraped. Th^t not only takes the royal one's mind off the business at hand but elicits an invitation for the charmer to spend the night with him at the palace. Flrom then on the piece takes a decided Hopwoodlan turn with the Duchess arriving later and enaarlng Cellini Into a rendezvous with her and Also at the palace. Cellini, nothing if not tricky, feigns devotion to get to the palace and the girl, Angela. He Is successful but found It necessary to polish off a few more on the way. A balcony scene following has all the splclnoss of "Gertie's Garter" or any of the naughty shows. Here is Cellini, who has fled from the soldiers, seeking admittance to the boudoir ot the Duchess, who parades the balcony In her nightie and mla- takea Cellinra Impatience to get in- side as a conquest of the geniua. The DUlte's rendezvous is on the samie balcony with Angela. Ensuing complications keep the laugh waves rolling high and almost Incessantly. Cellini finally makes off with the girl. He knows h» cannot escape death and decides hia final night of life shall be a memorable one. The morning after back at Cel- lini's workshop he has been fed up with romance and Is trying to com- plete his work before the death sentence Is pronounced. The girl annoys him. He is agreeable that she shall return to the Duke or any- one if leaving him alone. The Duke's cousin and the soldiers ar- rive. The former has been com- missioned to hang Cellini on sight but the clever ro;nancer again cheats the noose, gets rid of Angela and convincea the Duchesa It waa to protect her that prevented him keeping the engagement in her NEW PLAYS PRESENTED OUTSIDE NEW YORK CITY DAWN "n r m aa< drama bv T<>»a Bany, fSato^ lag Bauna Duan. Fr aaa a tad by WUmar sad Vlao«t and atasad by CUSoid Bieoka. Stern people these Now Bngland- ers. If our ultra-modern novelists, playwrights and scenario writers are to be believed. A Sturdy folk, eager to sacrifice themselvea and their young on the altar of religloua fanaticism. It appears—with the family Bible, Sunday go-to-moet- inga, horas-balr upholstery and re- UglotiB moralixlnga Incessantly on tap. In "Dawn" Tom Barry adds another sinning d.iughter ot spot- less yaranta ta ths long gallory ot •rrants of tho stairo and screen. In soma spots ho contributes some exceUenC bits ot dramatio writing: In others, not so good. To one dis- tinction, however, he is entitled— that of BOrious thinking—for In parts "Dawn" reveals Its author as an earnest protagonist of the old established order of society as against the tconoclaatlc moral me- anderlngs of the newer youthful regime. The principal weakness of the play Is that it Is truthful, not to life, but to the pyrotechniques of melodrama and the screen. Its char- acters have the over-exaggerated theatric cast of the stage; their movements are motivated by the demands of drama rather than the exigencies of life. In a word, the play Is over-heroic, which has be- come a heinous offense In this day when playwrights are concerning themselves with minute common- placea. For this reason, even the play's most emotional climaxes turn fo dramatic ashes and leave the spectator with a flat, momlng-after feeling at the emptiness of the pro- ceedings. With the ingredients at hand Barry has done well; It is the fundamental falsify of hispremisea which rise to confound him. The story deals with the daugh- ter of a rock-ribbed New England Puritan who suectimbs to the wiles ot tho new flapper freedom. The father, of course, casts her out, de- termined that she wed her betrayer but the mother comes to the reacue, aaves her from sulolde. sends her off to her true lover and gives her a new lease of lifo by telling her that she, the mother, waa guilty of a aim- liar transgression before merrylng her father. When she has gone the father tells her he doesn't believe it, to which sbo ropltos, "Well, what o( Itr That onda the pUy, al« though tbero Is a third act which U as 'talky and mirposeless as any seen here wltbln ipemory. A petting party In the first act. with the •hallu and flappers going full speed ahmd Registered for tho biggest hit in the show. The sceno between the father and daughter In which the parent la met with ataric rel>elllon againat hia plana for he4 futm« waa well written and played^ but rang fdlso because un-plauslbia and imbelleTablo outside the realm of the printed page or perhaps tho soreem Incidentally, the pictura rights to this piece should prove a silver mine. It Is sure-fire screen stuff -throughout Mlas Dunn was charming as tho' mother, her mellow voice resonant as a fine musical Instrument' and her consummate artistry embelllshlnat her portrayal through the soenaa. Zlta Johann's Judith, the daogbtar« waa a somewhat leggy affair, though bounded by the author's own con« ceptlon. Howard Lan^ as i^e father overplayed a role already ovor^ drawn In the script William WIN Hams' lover was manly and likable, with Hartly Power doing good work as the blameless betrayer. Tho sheiks and flappers ran true to form, Laura Lee's dramatic bit in the first act running to an excellent climax. The first* and second act interior waa a triumph of naturalness, the law studios |>elng responsible. "Dawn" will find a market with a certain strata of patronage be« cause of Its youth against age pro« l-agonlam. Ita technical and dra- matic shortcomings, however, aro more than likely to keep It out of the solid hit and run cl.ni>«. BurtoHk A STEAMROLLER ) Washington, Oct 2t. Laurence Eyre haa killed his own chances with this hia lateat on- deavor by overwrawing his principal character as well as many of tho other pivotal beings In the piece. A study of tho' program will clearly disclose that Amolia (Miaa Beechor) domlnatea tho household in which she presides as wtlL.as the country town in which she resides. Sbo dominates everything and every* body In sight and regains that dom« • (Continued on page 17) boudoir. Another Is made tor that evening as the curtain falls. Joseph Schildkraut, starred, gives a sweeping performance of Cellini, bringing the requisite fire to the temperamental genius-killer and is particularly fervent in the romantic episodes. It Is a made to order role that fits this admirable actor. Shar- ing was Prank Morgan, whose phil- andering Duke carried a windfall of laughs every time hs contributed his sardonic humor. Kana Bryant wias superb as the Duchess, while Eden Gray looked beautiful and acted well the Angela. The settings and costumes were faithful of • the t>eriod and an achievement for Woodman Thomp- son, credited With having designed them. The production from all angles. Is a worthy entry for this new producing firm, consisting of Lawrence Schwab (previously asso- ciated with Daniel Kuasell In the production of "The Gingham Girl"); Boni Liverlght, book publlsbar. and Frank Mandel. playwright As for the show it is rattling good entertainment that cannot miss, aided by a dash of the risque and remarkably good acting that should keep it in for a run. MSba. "l^GLON" ^'Alston ......Mma. Slraona Blbnrca... Mr. Dapoltny Matlamlch ...Mr. Uanry Valbel aanta...^^.... Husnet ^"»£»H>, Francaia Frad Davy kf .I."'i'*V'' P"*"* AMabart raatrlebtela ; Ijivuila DOb^aua D, Zramonl nambeau Raoul-Hanry J7°'"<'*' Dananboara Mamont....^^ Panl xmlot L-IBmpareur Franis Aadn Bacqor Feranda Rouaaay Blaacba D Marla-L«nlsa Jf«nna Orambach Arobldneheaaa Jnllata Vareaull Camcrata ^ Blancba Hartal Fanny Famanda Souasy Mme. Slmone is one of the leading stars of BYance, and is not unknown here. She came to New York last spring to play in English, the piece proposed being the work of Edward Goldlng, an attorney, who attracted attention during the summer by rep- resenting the managers In their court actions against Equity. Mme. Sl- mone decided not to appear In the play; but her visit was not barren, since she was presented in a series of matinees in French at the Gaiety, by the kind oflflces of George Tyler and Hugh Ford. Another fortunate break was a contract for the present six weeks' engagement at the Henry Miller, which started Monday night, under the direction ot Anno Nichols, wh0 is an intimate triend. It Is under* stood the French star will return at the end of tho period. The distinguished visitor Is per« fectly at ease In English playing, however. In IMJ, under the man« agement of the Lleblers she ap< reared at Wallack's and on the road, offering four plays, among them "Tho Return from Jerusalem" and "Tho Paper Chase." Her selection of "L'Alglon" as tho first of the French repertory hero brings to light the high honor won by Mme. Slmone in 1920. In recog< nltlon of her performance of the 13d« mond Rostand play in Paris the gov- ernment granted her the honor ot using the dressing-room of Sarah Bernhardt when playing the theatre named after tho Divine One. At all other times the room is locked, that being a condition ot the grant to tho government. Mme. SImono Is highly connectod in her own land, antlher local ap- pearances should attract sodeUT. Her father Is said to be one of tho wealthiest bankers in Paris, and a sister Is wed to a Rothschild. Hof pleasant personality on the stage and off won her a host of friends in No^T Tork. "L'Alglon" was one of Bernhardt'* great characterisations, played herO In condensed form finally by tho great Sarah In vaudeville. Mando Adams used tho Rostand drama In English. Mme. Slmone carries thO mantle of emotlonallam* with eas^ her conception of the "Little Eagle'* being, perhapa, not so volcanic aA Bernhar^^, and for that reason mora to the taste of playgoers who tavof the foreign In theatricals. The premiere performance was fairly well attended, with no special effort having been made to attract the attention ot the highbrows. Th* admission scale appears to be somor what lofty, the lower floor being II.S6 and $3.30 going for the front rowS of the balcony. It is understood thS upper floors win be rescaled down* wards. "A company ot IS supporting th* star arrived in New Tork Saturday, which meant considerable bustle tO clear the stage properties In time tot the opening. As late as S o'clock Monday afternoon customs apprais- ers were at work on tho luggage I* the alleyway leading to the stage. Next week Mme. Slmone will offef "Naked," with "Mme. Rnns-Oene" the third week. For the remaining three weeks the plays are not defi- nite, but may be "Camllle," 'Phedro" or. "Amoretiso." /boo.