Thunder of Anderson Missing in Fantasy **The Star Wagon” Is Clever And Wistful—Meredith Cast in New Type. By JAY CARMODY. NEW YORK, Dec. 2.—It is absurd to want to type playwrights, but you discover that you want to do just that when you see ‘"Rie Star Wagon," Maxwell Anderson’s chore for drama lovers this year. However un reasonable as it may be, which is quite a lot of unreasonable, one ex pects thunder and lightning from Anderson. One does not get it in this play. It Is fantasy on the good-humored side, and although it is pleasant and comic ... 14 J... ...» ...14. lib. .*.__ Maxwell Anderson. One is more dis concerted than disappointed, however, for1 "The Star Wagon” could never be rated as a disappointment. Three good reasons for not dwelling excessively on the shock of a lionlike Anderson turning lamb on this occa sion are Burgess Meredith, Lillian Gish and Russell Collins. These three players, plus a production that lends nice reality to the playwright’s trick at turning back the pages of time, make ‘'The Star Wagon” a completely beguiling experience in the theater. Without them and the artful staging one suspects that Anderson’s whim sical drama would be too far on the inconsequential side to merit the fine reception it has had. And undoubtedly will continue to have until so late in the spring that it never will get to Washington this season. (It is at the Empire, in case you want to put it o» your list of things to see in New York.) * * * * * •The Star Wagon” serves not mere ly to introduce Anderson in the guise of the late Sir James Barrie, but offers an even more startling version of Meredith. The man who is rated as the best Of the younger American actors ap pears in the beginning and end of "The Star Wagon” as an elderly in ventor. In the middle of the drama, through the aegis of one of his inven tions, a kind of H. G. Wells time ma chine, every one in the cast goes back to the days of his youth. The purpose of it all is not merely to show how old people are made but to demonstrate Anderson's thesis that if we had it all to do over again, it would be precisely the same. The tale which adorns the play’s mofral starts with a discussion between the elderly Minches (Meredith and Miss Gish) of how perhaps it would have been better if each had married some one else. Mr. Minch is a drab little mouse whose inventions make other people rich and his wife angry. She cannot see wiw he‘should not have profited more by his genius and provided her with greater comfort in the world. After this point is made, Anderson tosses in the time machine and every one in the cast becomes young again and we see just how it all happened to work out the way it did—and why it always would work out that way. It is very sweet, let us tell you. * * * * Mr. Anderson has peopled his play with as pleasant a group of characters as you can find on Broadway this season. The Minches, Stephen and Martha (which is something like genius in naming characters), are a completely winning couple. In their aged sequences, they quarrel without quarreling and when they are young, they love without loving—two persons possessed of an alikeness that could not have failed to bring them together and keep them together. Meredith and Miss Gish, she who was Opehlia last year, play the parts with obvious gratitude to Anderson for having cre ated them. (The parts, of course.) Then there is Hanus Wicks, played by Russell Collins. Hanus is a man of magnificent loyalty, not merely to his friend Minch, but to his own high standard of honesty, forthrightness and truth. It would be a foul not to like Hanus, a confession of a serious lack of character and undoubtedly an insult to Anderson. Mildred Natwick turns in a nice performance in the role of a choir mistress who spends her time talking pretty fast so she won't have time to think of the wrong things in this world. The others, ranging from thugs to captains of industry (how Anderson can get all those people together and make it plausible is one of the marvels of the age), are played convincingly. "The Star Wagon” is not great drama, but it is good entertainment and it is staged so clevely that you don’t feel at all silly when that time machine starts buzzing and every one is transported back to the days of youth. I .Where and When _ Current Theater Attractions and Time of Showing. National—"Richard II,” Maurice Evans’ famed characterization of Shakespeare’s king who was too much a dreamer: 8:30 p.m. Palace—“The Firefly,” Jeanette MacDonald in the Friml operetta: 11 aSh., 1:35, 4:15, 6:55 and 9:35 p.m. Keith’s—“Stage Door,” Hepburn, Rogers, a story of Broadway called better than that of the play: 11:15 a.m., 1:21, 3:27, 5:37, 7:39 and 9:45 p.m. Capitol—“Second Honeymoon,” ro mance in two doses: 10:30 a.m., 12:55, 3:20, 5:45, 8:10 and 10:35 p.m. Stage •hows: 11:55 a.m., 2:25, 4:50, 7:15 and 9:40 p.m. Earle—“I’ll Take Romance,” Grace Moores singing: II a.m., 1:40, 4:25, 7:10 and 9:55 p.m. Stage shows: 1, 1:45, 6:30 and 9:15. Metropolitan — “Alcatraz Island,” drama against a backdrop of prison bars and walls: 11:55 a.m., 2, 4, 5:55, 7:55, 9:50 p.m. Columbia—“Conquest,” Garbo and Boyer in Napoleon's love story: 11:55 Mi., 2:20, 4:45, 7:10 and 9:35 p.m. Trans-Lux—News and shorts. Show runs 1 hour and 15 minutes continu ously from 10 a.m. to midnight. Little—“The Lower Depths,” mov ing film version of the Maxim Gorki play: 11:35 a.m.. 1:35, 3:35, 5:35, 7:40 and 9:40 p.m. Ambassador—“Breakfast for Two,” love with fisticuffs: 6:15, 8:05 and 9:55 P-fL Penn—“High, Wide and Handsome,” Irene Dunne in adventurous ro mance: 2, 3:55, 5:50, 7:45 and 9:45 p.m. Sheridan—“The Bride Wore Red,” Tone and Young loving Crawford: 1:35, 4:50, 7:10 and 9:30 p.m. Uptown—"High, Wide and Hand some”: 2:30, 4:50, 7:10 and 9:30 p.m. Tivoli—“High, Wide and Hand some”: 2:30, 4:50, 7:10 and 9:30 p.m. Howard—“West of Shanghai,” a Boris Karloff thriller: 12:30, 3:55, 7:t)5 and* 10:10 p.m. Stage shows: 2:30, 5:50 and 9:10 p.m. Bradshaw Back. ^J'lNY BRADSHAW, known as “The Clown Prince of Jazz,” headlines the stage show to be presented at the Howard Theater beginning tomor row. Bradshaw brings a new swing bond and a supporting cast which in chides the Four Box Brothers, Flash and Lovey Lane, Toy and Wing, Chink OBllins. David, Goliath and Whytte and Tip, Tap and Toe, offering a rhythm revue. “Back in Circulation,” with Pat O’Brien, Joan Blondell and Margaret Undsay, is the screen feature. Re served seats are the rule at the Satur day midnight show. Barrymore to Sing In His Latest. JOHN BARRYMORE'S singing voice now has been recorded for the screen for the first time. The song will be used in a scene in Paramount’s “Romance in the Dark," in which Barrymore is co-starred with Gladys Swarthout and John Boles. Barrymore was asked for a vocal contribution by H. C. Potter, director of the picture. The actor volunteered to sing a piece from Faust. Potter demurred. Barrymore retired to a corner for five minutes, composed his own music, and, returning, sang the song. Miss Swarthout described his voice as a combination “trombone and base drum tremolo." GAYETY BIRLESK **+++**+*+****1,***+**+** JACK (Floojle) DIAMOND AND Rig BUBLESKEBg GUEST STAR A I¥ I¥ CORIO t^**A****titir*t*****-ttt*r* [ptc. 3rd E 4th • no NA. SIM ...N9w.—FIRST RU-N SHOWING A” Continent 81 *P M11 y^^11 A M- *• 11 FM PLAY BOYS OF THE JUNGLE Not a Sex Film Entertainment for The Entire Family Etc. 400 Setts at 40c. Mat. 400 Seati at 25c ~ Film Society Shows Three Relics “Westerns” Treated As Program Proceeds. THE “Western" motion picture was treated in most satisfy ing fashion last evening at the Rialto Theater, when the second program in the aeries arranged by the Film Society of Washington was presented. In the three offer ings shown the contribution of this type of celluloid effort to the devel opment of the American cinema was demonstrated cletfrly. Panoramic “long shots” were necessary, of course, from the outset in order that the ex panse of outdoor drama might be projected. The alteration of such long-range filming with close-ups fur nished a technical problem. The problem was met, and motion pictures progressed. Produced in 1923, “The Covered Wagon” was an “epic” of its cine matographic period. To view it once again, 14 years later, is to laugh a bit, dwell upon the development of Hollywood art since, and yet withal to recognize its merit even when to day’s standards are considered. “The Covered Wagon” was directed ably by James Cruze, with fast mass action views suffering little by comparison with “modern” efforts in the same line. Names that have passed from cast “frames”—J. Warren Kerrigan, Lois Wilson, Charles Ogle, Tully Mar shall, Johnny Fox, Guy Oliver. But a face of some familiarity even to the youngest generation of movie goers— Alan Hale. The other two features seen last night were equally entertaining, equal ly important in the march of screen art. “The Great Train Robbery,” starring “Broncho Billy” Anderson, was filmed in 1905 ana called the first motion picture with a plot. The picture is a very short one, to be sure, but it packs more thrills in proportion to footage than many a modern blood-and-thunder saga. “The Last Card,” a 1911 release, was the first of the "Westerns,” as they are known today—good men, bad men and love. William S. Hart, long-time top magnitude star of such produc tions, starred in this one, and Louise Glaum, Margaret Thompson, Her schell Mayall and Gordon Mullen were NATIONAL THEATRE Thurs. Aft.. 4:30. Dec. 0 William A. Albauah Oilers SHAN-KAR HINDU BALLET (NEW PROGRAM) BEATS SI.10 to S3.30. ON SALE AT Box Office & Worch’a, 1110 G St. in the supporting cut. Not much in the way of pounding hoofs or particularly furious gun play, but they came in full measure soon afterward. O. A. M. Conducting Is Done By Conductors. rJ'HE Hollywood habit of casting ac tors u orchestra leaders in theater sequences on the screen, wu found impractical in Grace Moore’s latest Columbia picture, “I’ll Take Ro mance,” which soon is to be released. Such actors photograph well, but usually lack the musical technique necessary to look convincing on a conductor’s podium. As a result, Director Edward H. Griffith selected three actual and well-known conductors to handle the baton in Miss Moore’s newest produc tion, and all three appear in the lav ish stage sequences leading a 125 plece orchestra. They are Genaro Curcl, former opera singer, voice coach, and brother in-law of the great Galll-Curcl; Isaac Van Grove, former conductor of the Chicago Grand Opera Company and personal friend of Miss Moore, and Mischa Bakaleinikoff, composer-con ductor. Peters Sisters Eat To Stay Heavy. rPHE Peters Sisters, 685 pounds of 1 singing, trucking rotundness, went on a specially prepared diet last week to insure that their arduous movie work wouldn't reflect on this avoir dupois. The sepia songstresses, who made a hit in the Eddie Cantor starring picture, “All Baba Goes to Town," and were signed to long-term agreements by 20th Century-Fox, are required by their contracts to keep their total weight above the 660 mark, 7 i is nothing short of Inspired . . . electric ...” Mabelle Jennings. Herald. MAURICE EVANS KING RICHARDS Eves., $1.10 to $3.30; Wed. Mat., 85e-$2.20. Sat. Mat., 85c-$2.75 Week Beg. Next Mon. JSSSJ Messrs. Shubert Present THE LONDON SUCCESS (Prior to New York) “LOVE OF WOMEN” By Aimee and Philip Stuart —With— HEATHER VALERIE HUGH ANGEL • TAYLOR • SINCLAIR LEO 0. CARROLL And Other Distinguished Players Seat Sale Now! Prices: Eves., $2.75. $2.20. $1.65. $1.10. 55c. BARGAIN MATS., Wed. an^atj^gc^LlOJUgOJneljB*. Band to Be Heard. rPHE Boys' Harmonica Band of the Fifth Precinct Boys' Club will be the guest of the Junior Cinema Ouild Saturday morning at the Rialto Thea ter. Members of the organisation, ranging from 10 to 14 years fn age, are to present a program of music before “Stormy” is shown on the screen. Dennis O’Keefe spent his first day off from work on "Bad Man of Brim stone” enjoying a busman’s holiday and watching his fellow players at work on the set. Claire and Brian Are Stars Now. /■'JLAERB TREVOR and Brian Don levy, featured players at 20th Century-Pox studios, are to be ele vated to stardom in their next picture. Two One-Acters. rJ,HE Lansburgh Playmajcers will J present two ene-act plays tomor row night in St» Paul’s Auditorium, Fifteenth and V streets N.W. Curtain time has been set at 1:30. “ \ HELD OVER!i 2nd WEEK OF GLORIOUS ROMANCE! ! S; « i ‘ ! , | ' ^mmmm zinging Kuaoipn ttiml Love Songs in ' LOEWS ( C m ft ft ft ft E m ft t ft c ft Illllll1 ' 'I i' ll1 'll, i ,1 p 11 i li|l|l|'l J'l |i M• ^\WrAl Starting Today! .. to be seen again ... and again! • MKBm ^ garbo HKJ 22MBOVER KWb^^' ; :>& Love Story K^^9n«zWTi nm.i i » of marie j ^HIHHHil^^HLMLliiLlLjXJUftjBBiiBiM ICADEMY jr*’1* E. Lawrence Phillips' Theatre Beautiful Continuous Prom 4:30 F.M. ROBERT MONTGOMERY and ROSALIND RUSSELL In “NIGHT MUST FALL.” THE SHADOW STRIKES,’ mh ROD LA ROCCIUE. LYNN ANDERI 'ARGUNA 11th *‘n; C An. S.l Air-Conditioned EVERYBODY DANCE" and THE OIR PROM SCOTLAND YARD."_ •IDri IT Home of Mirrophenle Bonn ’'.Vr, Penna. Are. at 21st 8t. _Matinees Ties., Thors., Sat., Ron. HIRLEY TEMPLE. JEAN HER8HOLT 1 HEIDI." Comedy. News. HJMBARTON To|f^_SCDl TRACY 1 'AIR I AWN ANACOSTIA. D. C. _Air-Conditioned °«EfHINT HUTCHINSON In "TH WOMEN MEN MARRY,”_ JDO 3227 M St. N.W. Y VAN DYKE Novel. "TRADER HORN Mickey Mouse Cartoon. News. ITTI F MS Bth St. N.W. “1* __Air-Conditioned “THE LOWER DEPTHS.” 'RINfFV 11 IB H St. N.E. — _ Double Feature. IPENCER TRACY In "BIG CITY. ROl BRT WILCOX In "THE MAN IN BLUE [Fm S244 Georrla Ave. IE.IU Silver Rorlns. Md. Continuous Prom «:00 P.M. “VARSITY SHOW,” DICK POWELL FRED WARING and PENNSYLVANIANS. ITANTON 6th and~C Sts. N.E. 1 I lift Finest Round Eooipmei Continuous From 5:30 P.M. Double Feature tiirrr nv-»TT a wvm — —... .. ■lujuuiIT xi/lii l JDVJI, _ _ Starring SABU. “TOO MANY WIVES,” _With ANNE 8HIRLEY_ 'A If AM A and Butternut-St AnvIVlA _ No Parking Troubles EARNER BAXTER and JOAN BENNETT _“VOGUES OF 1938.” HIPPODROME Double Feature. Richard Young In “The Man W> Could Work Miracles” Vict< _Moore in “Meet The Missus.” - CAMEO MT M O Today-Tomor. 3 SPENCER TRACY and J LUISE RAINER in an “BIG CITY.” U Apr a nr hyattsvilul mi P AltlRUL Hyatts. 3*5 gf Today-Tomor. 9 Warner Baxter Joan Bennett I ^ "Vogues of 1838."_ ° RICHMOND AL*xA™K;2Aa v 2 Today O Jack Haley. "Danger. Love at Work BprCn ALEXANDRIA. VA RtEU Ale*. 3415 O Today-Tomor.-Sat. 3 EDDIE CANTOR in “AL S BABA GOES TO TOWN. b Free Parking Space—800 Cars. 3 Mil A ROCKVILLE, MD WIIL.U Rockville 191 Today-Tomor. PAUL MUNI in “LIFE OF EMILE ZOLA. __Free Parking.__ FALLS CHURCH, VA. TATE N«™ IIIWIE BBUTUlinr .- » I i Am imilAAH ^ MAY i HELEN HONAN A MAY VHER ray coickine 1 I UfHlVUwlr 1/^ Comedy Star of "Roberta" Star of Earl Carroll's ® J FRIENDS S I'^HIIHhI ww W w I *— *-— w,t‘ "SKETCH jfft" * MeKIM h.™,., H.t-si..h ■ 1 /f ™™2$2o%rwoo6MMB&M» • wiBaSa^uitwt NOVELTY SENSATION From Parit I lysggggBBgBB ■/ li I I UU hn-TwM >««,. LwH, Tim I. aw! ImLh. JZZ^. „ I * ^MM^_____ ■ -1 '. ¥ A