Judge — December 14, 1929 — page 18: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

JUDGE eMW By GEORGE JEAN NATHAN ance at the New Am- J sterdam of William Gillette in “Sherlock Holmes,” Calvin Coolidge, rumored at one time to have be President of the United States, sent him this message: feel that you are performing a great public service for the dramatic art in consenting to present the character of Sherlock Holmes again, and I wish to express to you my appreciation of your being willing to undergo the incon venience and si ice that I know is involved.” of the Presidential the late Coolidge’s « ust previous to the reappe Sadly meditating the qualit mar, one proceeds to marvel a tion of dramatic art. Perhaps, of course, it was not dri tnatic art at all that he had in mind but histrionic. These Presidents seem to have a way of getting into trouble with words on many Harding had to invent some to take the place of those he didn’t know. Wilson played and got most of his from the Bible or Balfour. Hoover, for doubled safety + Fequotes Wilson's, with now and then, by way of spicing things up a bit, some chilly statistics from the World Almanac. Coolit ishly takes chances—at such rare times as he mouth— rts his foot into it. is dran art, Mr. Durante. Sherlock Holmes” is, of course, nothing of the kind. It is simply a trick melodrama, full of bland hokum, that makes for amusing theatrical pastime. (It's a dirty shame to take money for repeating such obvious stuff.) And with Gillette in his old réle it is good fun of an artless sort. This Gillette remains one of the most engaging figures that our stage has known. .We have old fellows left. occasions. sa ns his If “Sherlock Holmes” tic Coolidge is Clayton, Jackson and few such charming Theatre “Sharlock Holmes" (New Amstentam)— The likable Gillette returns in one of our boy- inh delights ‘A Primer ter Lovers” (Longacre)—Dull guinea pig farce. “It Maver Rains” (itepablie)—Worthless. “A Ledge” (Awembly)—Same here. ‘Uncle Dudley” (Cort)—Mre. Jacques Martin shines in a commonplace comedy. “The Saver Swan” (Heck) —See next week's ianue. “The Game of Love and Death” (Guild) — ‘The Theatre Guild's presentation of Romain Rolland, Critical comment next week. “dane Moon” (Broadburst)—See it and laugh your head off. “Candie Light” (Empire)—Poor comedy about the manter and valet who change places. “Meads Up!" (Alvin)—Vietor Moore's clowning is the item here. “Strictly Dishonorable” (\von)—A spright- ly comedy, admirably played. “Scandats” ( nee passes an even thous! jand” (Barrymore)—Some jolly sezecabl it isn't up to other Seorge White's shows. “ard in bumors ty the hitherto sedate Drisk water. “Winter Bound” (Provincerown)—It lapses because ita author is afraid to ba ita theme directly. “It's A Wise Child” (Belasco)—Some low laughs about a sweetmeat who pretends sbe is bout to become a mama. the Hur’ ae 5 week's ine “Young Sinners” (M oroeco)—Ditto. mi (Bo Sentimental rubbesh with the Mlle Coe] mal at shines who snicker at it “Many Witers” (Pilot organisatina: astical dry. “Ladies of the dury” (Fr: Fiske making faces at dign (Eltinge)—See next “The ehureh Jorse it, but Lam an iv weer} —M adam reputation for jambling” (Fulton) —The M. Ci ing one of the best performances off career “Sketch Book™ (44th Street)—A revue with a number of entertaining features seg Tite, Tew (Wtth Street) Last, sew ont popular song and dance slow wail at ie acting a a sho triareh” (49th Street)—To be ree Viewed next week. ING we GAOW SG A year or so ago Mr. William Randolph Hearst offered me the post of dramatic critic on one that 1 named an honorarium Wait until after November graphed his editor, “and Coolidge.” If Mr. Hearst to demand a salary twice * Primen for Lovers,” racters on the pre Lucy Elliott, John Elliott, atherston and Ned Jacques. for that romes around in view of what has been noted of his newspapers. smed to horrify him. he is said to have tele- price we can get in, I fear— I shall have s +,” above—ths as big as I did before. * by William Hurlbut, lists its am as Virginia Beechmore, Margucrite It might be a better idea to have listed them under such names as Fido, Bruno, Rover, and the like, chiefly with dogs in heat. cl for the play cor The faney rns itself clothes that the acters disguise themselves in don’t fool Mr. Hurlbut has plainly tried to write He has succeeded in writing the dirt but not the pl What there is of the latter is simply a series of rick little bridges from one smutty allusion to another. sare, from stem to stern, the ster several bedroom doors, the midnight assig devic spoken virgin, the attempt cracks take on a relatively into the mouth of a gray-h married couples, and so on. busy himself with such stuff prosecute a pickpocket. innocent 4 ired dowager, the ill y The atyped ones: the ation, the out- the loudest dirty r by putting them to make assorted To ask a dramatic critic to is like hiring Max Steuer to One of the only ways to interest anyone in such obvious < exhibitions is, clearl gage for the réles of the sexua Digest “Seas 0? Gums” (Imperial) “Salt Water” ( “Sweet Adeline” (Hammerst season's outstanding musical « “Mendel, Ine." (Harris)—See next week's ee “Het Chocolates” (Hue ville, some of it pretty go “The Silver Tassie” hile drama, This one, too, len) — And also this one. —This )—Liccrice vaue -An often urdered by tad seting. genious, anyway “Let Us Be Gay” Crothers’ arousing come lesness. Rope’s End” (Masjue)—\ murder play iderably above the aveva enough, it seems to me, to en- , ists (Continued on page 28) i 6 End” (Miller)—Sherman was wrong. War seems to be something like a house-party. “Cress Roads” (Royale)—Campus sex by the M. Flavin. A poor play. ‘Lite Show" (Music Box)—Diverting Vavdeville beaded by the Mons. Allen. “Fitty Million Frenchmen” (1.yric)—Cole Porter's latest score. See next week's imue. “The Criminal Code" (National) —\ beav- tifully etaged bit inferior drama of prise life. “Street Scene” (Playhouse)—The Pulitzer prize winner, but even eo it is worth-while. “The Channel Read” (I"ymouth)—No ing in this one but an excellent perforimance by Herr Ramana, “Broken Dishes” (Hitz)—Cheap homespun bokum, “Biner-Sweet™ (Zc The overpraise of this quasi-operetta is ridiculous, It is com pletely negligible. But Evelyn Laye is 3 charming prima donna, “The Hambug” (Ambassador) — By Max Marcin. Reviewed next week. ‘Veneer (48th Strret)—I hear good re porte of it, but have not bad an open evening thus far to ece it, comicbooks.com