Variety (Sep 1928)

54 VARIETY LEGITIMATE Wednesday, September 12, 1928 a class audience she played as thoufyh to the manner born. All other characters though excel- lently done are sut)ordinate or coni- paratlvely so. The play may have been written with a star in mind, Pew would have given it a better performance. • "Machinal" l.s an oddity. It pos- sesses no great thrill n.gr dramatic excitement, but has plenty of nov- elty and should succeed. Ibce. THE PHANTOM LOVER GuHtav Hlum prpscTit.s 'a trahHlation of '•'Oktiibortag," by Herman iJernstcin : and Adolph IC. Meyer from tlio oniBlnal by Georg-' Kaltsor; directed by Mr. iilum; set^ tlnffs by Jones and Knvin; at 40lh' Street thft.Ttre Sept, 4, $3.;i0 top. . Servant;; ,Cameron .Clemens Mme. . Jaltefaux....... .^LiOiifiie •.Mackintosh Coste. .Georse MacQuarrje Lieut ■ Marrlen , Diivid Newell Catherine.; . Kdlth.. Barrett Leeuerohc. .. Romney iJrient Gustav Blum usually displays his goods at the Bayes, and with two- for-one.s and other cut-rate racket.3 contrives to run plays for months that don't seem rigjjed to last as many days. His new one is at the 4Dth Street, and unless there is a gentlemen's iigreement a stiff stop limit w:ill be enforced. In thrtt casse "The Phantom Lover" will fade away soon. : It is an exciting and sexy affair, "idapted from one of those central . European , things that seit. oiit to dissect some phase of. physical re- lations from the mental angle. The theme is scarcely important enough to ,-take New York because- of Its subject matter. Treated frOin a comedy angle, It might. With its lerigthy arid verbose ianalysies of a situatioii that . ha.s been for Ion.? more or less of a fi-ivolous topic. It Is in for a struggle/ A well-to-do arid refined girl be- comes the mother of an illegitimate child. She swears it is hers by a . handsome officer in a nearby city, and that they v/er6 secretly riiar- ried. Her uncle summons the man, wlio denies , not only being . either husband or father, btit that he has never seen the girl. Her uncle challenges him to a duel as a liar and a w'elcher. Meanwhile a hu.sky young butcher boy inters. He wants money—hush money. He lets it be known that he is the "eugenic" dad. It seems that, while can'ying on a liaison with the maid, thus being in the house, he was seized by the young i^. [3** woman. Now he comes to shake down her uncle under threats of doing a little local bragging. In a scene between the girl and the officer she sets forth this theory: When the soldier was billeted in that town .she saw him and fell in love. That afternoon, as thoy both prayed in, the same church, she spiritually married him.- It didn't matter thereafter who the physical father was, he was in her mind, and therefore was the spiritual father of the babe. He is s6 impressed that ho .ac- cepts the theory, and in a hectic scene the butcher boy l.s killed. IhUs inaklng everything hotsy tot.sy Instead of top.sy turvy^ For continental consumptioM, maybe. In this day and age, in this town and following so many nion^ vital lind general s<-^x problems. "The Phantoiri Lover" isn't headed for wide interest. . ' It has a smair cast, as Blum's presentations . U.sually have, with competent but not costly players- If it catches even the hem of the skirts.of popularity, it can hang on indefinitely—that is, as long as 'i call find a theatre, that can live or. its percentage of what tliis' piect can draw. That would seem call for the Edyth Totten or Uie projection room of some studio. In -direction and acting little is left for desire, Blum has executed his usual masterly job of casting and staging. David Newell, as the oi[Rcer, is the weakest , of the pla:.v- ers, brUt his handsome appearance goes far to make him plau.siMc. and pleasant. George MacQuarrie as the uncle is splendid. Edith Barrett looks and acts the queer heroine do.wn to the ground. "But th?. knockout personality and perform- ance shine in Bomncy Brent as the butcher boy- He was sensational, and tore down the house. "The .Phantom Lover'' cannot possibly become a genuine hit. ii will last only as long as synthietic methods can bring in fenouph money to. keep a theatre for it: And that cannot be long in its present stsindv HEAVY TRAFIFC Coriiedy in three acts by Arthur Rtchpian presented by Charles Frohman, Inc.. at the Empire Sept; r»; Mary Boland, A. E. Mat- Lhew.>j and Reginald Mason featured;..staged by Bcrtrtim Harrison. : ■ Dodd ; • • .Herbert Bcimore. Su.<5an i'erry....... ....... Jean pixon Tommy Fulrchlld. Leo G. Carroll Roealle "Wept.. ..Mary Boland Wilbur Richardson..........Robert Strange Malcolm "West. .... ReBinald Miison Isabel Manelnl..... ....Kay .Strozni PhlUp Manctnl lildward Crandall Ralph Corban... A. E. Matthews A politely immoral play is "Heavy Traffic," which is the term used to describe the constant excursions of a matron into the arms and apart- ments of. other riien. The lightly satirical attitude of her husband to- ward the wife's little affairs, plus amusing performance. The play la her vivacity, makes for a mildly no contender for the new season's •f/..■■'»■..■■*-i'^*.L^V,^.*^..^^•-•!'':^*^.^*J:iS'J.:^!'M.^'J A»/...'*^.AV.--V-- %.^*AA*4..;.*<..^*'.-','.»y..Vt/^.-»A.v'A^ NEW YORK THEATRES EMPIRE l^^y B'way and 40th Bt. Kth. M.it3. Wed. Sc Sat.. 2:30. ni'lSE, WITTy, WICKKD COMKDT." —N. T. American. HEAVY TRAFFIC ■A New Comedy by Artliiir Rlcliman, with MARY BOLAND A. E. REGINALD MATTHEWS MASON ■ Theatre Guild Productions liAST TWO W£EKS PORGY DrOIIDI ir THEA.. West 42d St. ^"'"■y Saturday Evenings 5:30 Strange Interlude JOHN GOLDEN THEATRE 68th, Ea«t of Broadway LAST TWO WKKKS TIIEATKR, West 52d, EvM. 8:30. Mats. Thurs. and Sat., ttiO fiUIL.D Eves. 8:30. Mats. BROABHUKST ^r«' ,,,, Eves.. 8:30 2:30 .. GENE BUCK Presents The Dramatic Knockout! "RINGS IDE" StoRCd by GEORGE ABBOTT "A Brand bKow, "a walloping hit and ; thriller. . . . It left this observer limp with' excitement." —Walter Winchisn, Graphic, Henry Miller'sil^^vw 43(1 St. Tlmrs. Si Evs. 8: Sat.. 2:: ."Better than 'Front Page.'" —Jack Ijait, Variety. GentlemeiiTL Press A Newspaper Comedy by Ward Morehouse Staged by Qeorgo Abbott Doors Open Dally, nt IH-M A. M. All Scats 35c to 1 P. M; SMAKK BROADWAY at 47th ST THAN 1«/ ..'"'■'"'B'" Show Nightly, 11:30 Warner RroHr VItapIionc Production ; SEE and IIEAK "STATE STREET SAD!E" Conrad Nncol—!HymU I^y—Whi. Russell DiliXj tox MOVIKTONE NBWS D-lU^JSt Shows in Rehearsal "Rio Rita" (Florenz Zleg- feld). "Stolen Story" (Melbournc- Arden Productions). "Adventure" (Steele Produc- tions). "Conflict" (A. H, Woods), "Animal Crackers" (Sam H. Hari-J$): "Five O'clock Girl" (PhillF Cloodmiin). . "Bad Debts" (Willafd Mack). "The Stage" (Cail Reed). "Jingles" (C. B. Dillingham). . "The Command Performance" (Herman • Shuinlin). "Tampico" (Jones & Green). honors; It seems rather a tempor- ary tenant for the Empire. There IS no question that Arthur Bichman did a good job of play- wrighting. His dialog is brilliant more often than not. Hia hint of vv'hat happens in the childless dojni- ciles of the well to do is poiritedi. But there is too little action irid too much chatter. And so "Heavy Traf- fic" is to be regarded as smart, but of limited box office appeal. It is Gilbert Miller's first presen- tation this season, but the name of Charles Frohman appears instead, Mr. Miller being abroad when the show wa,s. being prepared, and on the high seas returning on the date of the- premiere. "Olympia," lits next production, will bear'his name. The casting was carefully done, even if one Of the featured players (A. E. Mathew's) had very little to do. ■Jlosalie West, the wife of many loves, .is. first introduced giving a broker, Wilbur Richardson, the air in favor of Phil Mancinl, .an aspir- ing pianist. Later, when Rosalie \n but all night with Phil and admits inexcusable conduct," Wilbur cOm- plaihs to Malcolm West, the eaay- _oing husband, who tartly retorts that perhaps Wilbiir's idea was "to keep Ro'salie safe for brokers." Things might have gone along without a marital smashup had not the husband become enamored of Phil's sister Isabel, whom he de- sired to make his wile. Rosjilie ob- jected to divorce and sis wouldn't stand for brother- being named co- respondent. But a way biat devel- oped later on when an Oxfordlan private detective caught Rosalie's attention and promised to supply the necessary evidence to Malcolm before the week was out. Mary Boland, principal featured player, gave the show a good start in the first act as Rosalie. The go- ing tapered off in the other two acts, in which Miss Boland did not have the- same chance to shine. Mr. Mat- thews' share of the entertainment was confined to a few moments in the second act and not much more in the third. Reginald Mason, as the husband who admitted he no longer loved his wife and who ac cepted his wife's "cheating" as a matter of course, handled his as slgnnient like the veteran he is. It didn't seem just natural for Isabel to fall for him so quickly—byt in a blameless way, as she explains—be cause of his seniority, still that was no major defect. Leo G. Carroll, an immaculate artist carrying on an affair with a married . girl friend of Rosalie's, was perhaps the play's most amus ing character. He nagged the girl friend politely ' but continually Their relation was made to seerii the more humorous because ho prided himself on being no cave man and classed himself as belong- ing to "interesting people." Yiwy Strozzi was quite pleasing as the frank and fresh Isabel. Edward Crandall was the good-looking pian- ist, taken in by the amorous wife. Robert Strange fumed as the dis- carded lover and Jean Dixon, the best lookin.g girl In the cast, was the dumbell affair of the artist. "Heavy Traffic'V should diW rathGi'- good business for a mohth or two but will probably not last three months. l^ci- THE HFGH ROAD f.'harli'H n. DUllnKhain presents a three- act conu'ily • written and staged by Fred- erick J.on.sdule; .•■etllnBS by. Cliirii FiirKo Thi)tn;i.s. at tin.' I''ullon tlioalre, SoptetnbiM- 10, $;t.M t»]). Krnest. l..aily .MInHter Ltidy Trench., I.oril Tronrh Sir Heglnald AVhalby... iiprd Crayle, Morion., Duke DC WatrlnKton.,.. lx)rd Toyle.smore KKile Hilary... ... .. Jamcd Hilary Nancy Ryan . M.ickcnzle Ward . .Winifred Iluiri.s Hilda .i-riione ...Frederlclt Kerr Lionel Papc .H. }tecvc9-.Sinllli .. .10rl\s'ard Mnrtyn .Herbert Mnr.<ihi\ll ....John Wllll'um.s ....v. .-Edna Be.st ... Alfred Drayton Union P. A/s After Standard Contract JOE COOK "RAIN OR SHINE" SEO. pnu A M Thea., B'wny & 43d. fH^ l/U.MHIV MiUliiccs W>;0. & 8/ Era. 8:30. .\T., 2:30. T'/tg Iluvid Beluaco presents lACHELOR B FATHER 2D SENSATIONAL WEEK Williivni Fox Present's "FAZIL'^ with CilARMSS FARRFI.l. CiRETA NI.SSEN And a Grcttt Rosy Stuffo Kiitortninmeut TtKAvo. 60th St. MARION DA VIES in "The Cardboard Lover" ■ M<»tro-Gol<lw.vii-Maypr'H Fiinfest with NII,S A.STIIHK—.JKTtA (iOl'I>ATi "ODDITIKS"—A Review Foaturlnp JACK O.STKRMAX, Rosorny & Capella, Ruby Koolor, Miixliic* Lewis 1VAI.T ROKSNKR—TIIK CAI'ITOI.IANS CAPITOL GRAND ORCH., David Mendqia, Can. PAPlTOI Rroadway anrt Blst St, ^^'^"^ Monster Rofrjgeratlng Plant Lonsdale at his lonsdalest. lOnough! Charlie Dillingham has a hit. Re- lined, smart, clever. It wilV run. Another "Mrs. Cheyney" With an- other Ina Claire—Edna Best. This reporter found Ina doing "Blind Pig" and a terrible imitation of Harry. Laiider in the Saratoga base- ment In Chicago in 1910. He found Edna in "Those Charming People" in New York in 1927. He said Edna was great. She is. : "The High Itoad" proves it. Ina came through long ago and often. Pretty, straight-shooting, with the frank delivery that only the. British at their theatrical best know how to put across. Miss Best is the cat's. And she didn't create the lead In this piece that ran a London year. She only took It over for America. Good enough. English plays stand or fall on what they do in Amei"ica. Swaffcr can write a two-column squawk ibout that sentence if he likes. It toon, anyway. . '; This Lonsdale guy proves again that when ' an Englishman docs a thing well he does it superlatively. Lonny sure put all he had .back of this baby. The story sings, the plot moves, the stfspense holds, the' climax is a sweet surpriise. This is a play. Told in light repart^ie, sold with many a mental laugh and little slapstick- business, \ it breezes tjirbugh and leaves behind it a solid; new, concrete a,nd intelligent tale that Intrigues and amuses. It isn't a deep or involved plot. Son of a nobleman falls for an ac- tress. His famiily is horrified. He resents that and gives the engage- ment to the papers. She is too proud to deny, and. quits the stage to live in their home just because they resent her for no reason. She wins them all. But the fiance's cousin, quite a go-getter with the ladies, who is squiring the wife of a titled invalid, cares for her—and She for him—plenty. His sweetie's hubby kicks off. He's promised to go to Paris to blow. But he hasn't the nerve. The Eng- lish gal tests him, sees he has no moral (or immoral) courage, and he begs the issue. So she walks btit on the whole racket and goes- back to the stage. That's the short and simple anhal of "The High Road." But It Isn't as unconiplicated as that in the playing. For there is lEdna. Every time she walks on, the plot thickens —and a lump comes upi in the- chumps' throats. For the kid—if the phrase carries conviction—"has authority." She packs that certain something. She. bristles with It. And the classics of the stage are replete with the instances <Jf it. Edna Best just IS—and nobody can explain or analyze what that por- tends .or signifies. And she isn't alone. Alfred Drayton, as her father,, Is inspired. All it takes to make her perfect is a dad who is a hick. And if Drayton Isn't that he Isn't bald- headed (and he hasn't a hair above his ears). And Nancy Ryan, with a gorgeous voice, helps out. And Frederick Kerr, the only member of the original London troupe, as tho quietly subtle low comic, cleans up; Lonsdale, who is here, staged the affair—and probably cast it; if ho did, he sure knows his Engli.sh actors. Without a "sensation," sans niuch sex or any other of the known fac- tors ' that make new dramas old favorites, ''I'he' jFTfgh' W across. Just on excellence Of writing, directing and acting. Good enough? Should run Into the spring. Lait. CAST CHANGES Several cast changes, will be made in "Hold Everything" which opened in Phlla. last week. Allan Prior and Rlarjprie White will replace Frank Beaston and Wanda Gall. Mrs. Doucet will also leave, her role being deleted from the show. Three new numbers are being in- serted. McClintic Out Guthrie McClintic Is. stepping out of "Jealousy," A. H. Woods' newest two-person play. Richard Bird Will replace him, playing opposite Fay Baint^r. The piece, highly regarded In the try-out town.s, w.as directed by Mc- Clintic. A meeting was held j'csterd.'iy between the Legitimate Managers' A.ssocintlon and the Association of Press Agents and Managers, re- cently unionized for the purpose of framing a standard contract. It Is understood the union group re- questeid a contract similar to that to be Theatrical Press Agents, which as an association is cohimitted against affiliation, union or other- wise^ ■ .■ ■ Several protests froin miipn com- mittees have;^ been addressed to the managers. The . Central Labor Union of New York proteste^j stat- ing ^t had been reported that Fran- cis Reld of the Brlarigor office was credited with saying that manager would not coiislder a union map for his staff, That and the other pro- tests appear to have bfeen based on conversation. A. P. Waxman, of Warner Brothers, W'as also named in a union protest, but that was" laughed off when it was shown that two of his assistants were rifiembers of the A. P. A. M. union. Last week Boston's labor eommit- tee protested against itioiward Her- rick, there in advance of "Take the Air." 'i'he Union mentioned a re- port tha,t the agent has expressed himself a;ga.Inst unionization. Tho protest was forwarded to . New York, Gene Buck, producer of the show, going to the defense of Her- rick. The matter was reported to have been amicably settled. Theodore Mitchell, head: of the A. P. A. M,, stated his organization had hot Inspired the protects. Miss Eagels Calls Off Act Tq Help in Equity Appeal Jeanne Ea-gels has cancelled the remaining three weeks of her vaude tour to return to New York to as- sist her attorney In the proposed appeal on her Equity suspension. This is to be made . a.t a special general meeting this month. Miss Eageis, signed by Para- mount, could do talking pictures without Equity interference, but is said to be anxious to do a ne^ir play under direction of Sam Harris., Mi£is Eageis was suspended by Equity while starring in "Her Cardboard Lover." St. John Ervine Here St. John Ervine,. the imported English critic for the New York "Morning World," reviewed "The High Road" Monday, at the iPtrlton, for his first comment on the dally. His notice by the "World's" new 24- hour lapse system should appear in the "World" this (Wednesday) morning.. "The High Road" Is by another Englishman, Frederick Lonsdale, and.had a run in London, where Mr. Ervine no doubt saw It. That' makes his first notice pie for St. John, even without the 24-hour loaf. Mrs. Jed Harris Producing Mrs. Jied Harris is contemplating becoming a producer' She is now reading plays from which to choose her first produc- tion effort. By Edward Chlldt Carpenter with JUNE VFArKRR, C. AUnRET SAnXII. GEOFFREY KERR O-PTACPftl'hea., W. 44th St. Bv*. 8:30. Twice Dally—2: 3 Shows Sat. a Sun., 3:00, 6 6:45 P. M. SECOND 100% AUTAUUNGPICIimi mtrmjOMHAm i-f JER THEATRE>5i53i t!;iuuiiuyuuuuuuuiuuiiuuuuuuuuuyuuuuuuuyMUUiiiiMuuuuMUuuuuiiuuuyMuuuMULuyuuuuuyMiyuyuuiiuuuijijyyMuyijyuuuuuu KEITH-ALBEE CIRCUIT ^flnnflnMnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnriMnnRnnRnnnnnnnnnnnMnniinnRnnniinnnnnnnnnniinnnnnnMniinfin^ 1 >) 11