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Show THE SALT LAKE TRIBUNE, SUNDAY HORNING, JULY 7, All Plays Dull; -- 10 Best of Year Hard to Select Street Scene Wins Praise, but Still Lacks What Other Dramas Hat c. 7 c c 5 - t NEW Star Versatile George O'Hara, born in Utah, has scored successes in every branch of picture work. Here- - he is depicted with Alberta Vaughan, former leading lady, and leading lady in an'off stage romance. Porgy, Good-Wi- ll - l't on folio ws rH Smaller Cities, Especially, Will Go to Picture Shows for Drama. By PERCY HAMMOND. NEW YORK. The English, itls .said, regard our national shortcomto ings with an animosity unnatural the maternal Instlnet.Om-Juvenil- e habits In business and the arts often exasperate the mother land and it has been known to criticize severely our speech, dress, husUC.StVl eti Even our battle -- manner quette. have given England cause for umbrage, and our persistence as a selfish creditor is looked upon as gauche and Our gasconading ftout how we won the war disquiets fitem; and they are restless when they recall our delay In going to their assistance, as compared to the punctuality with w hich they came to ours In SI. To mitigate this hostility of parent to progeny, many healing influences are in motion, not ths least of which is the Theater Guild. A er Prove Emissaries Caprice lo Great Britain. ... Little Accident," by Floj d Dell and Thomas Mitchell. The Kingdom of God," by G.Mai'- tines Sierra. Gypsy," by Maxwell Anderson. The High Road," by Frederick Xonsdale. Street Scene" Depressing, Seme Critics Declare. These plays are. as usual, arbitrarily a personal selection. I make no claim for my choice than that It la representative. Mr. Rice's Street Scene" is the Pulitzer prise winner of the yeer. A somewhat depressing study of the human comedy, tempered by ita tragedies, as it is lived on the east side of New York. It is a play that frequently develops dramatic yalues that are Impressively holding. ..Journey's End" Is the simple narrative of an English under-officliving over again the romance and drama of his weeks In the trenches just before the big push that brought the armistice. This play becomes to me, by reason of its very simplicities and lack of conventional theater, one of the great war documents brought to the stage. -Wings Over Europe" Is a sort of triumph of Intelligence over emotion. A fascinating fantasy touched with satire and written above the heads. It Is charged, of we common folks, you will find It an absorbing exhibit of what can be done with the discussion drema when It is touched with Imagination and staged with skill. The story, you may recall, is that of a youthful superscientist who stands the British cabinet on its collected heads by threatening to blow up the universe unless a way ts found honestly and wisely to better the con dittons of humanity, la a smart social comi "Holiday edy in which the author strips the fourth wall from the home of one of our oldest, richest and most shallow families. Also the veneer from the souls of the worthiest members of the family group. The Front Page" Is a rough copy of life among the police reporters. It was written for those who find their emotional stimulation and Intellectual satisfactions In exposures that shall be honestly ruthless and without regard to what formerly was referred to as good taste. Society Exposed in This Sms Comedy: Let Us Be Gay" is another smart octal comedy which amusingly exposes the reactions of a curiously assorted house party. An attractive divorcee has been unwittingly brought to the part to vamp the man she has divorced to save the daughter of the house from marrying him. Little Accident" ts the onlv light eomedv of this list. It is a sort of high farce relating the adventure of a man whose suddenly awakened paternal Instincts impel (him to kidnap htv own Illegitimate offspring to save It from adoption by strangers. The Kingdom of God" Is the episodic study of the life of a young nun which was made interestingly revealing by the performance of Ethel Barrymore. Gypsy" Is included even though It failed of a popular success because it is one of the few seriously written American plays to bring credit upon native dramatist and because this editor liked it. The High Road" Is put in because It Is certainly quite as important as any of the plays left out and because It is one of the few comedies of the year that developed anything resembling a romantic story of the type, upon which the older theater used to feed. This public. I think, is still entitled to a Utile romance. Fewer Flays Produced Than In Previous Years. I find nothing startling in the statement that ther were something like fifty fewer productions this year year. I have a than there were strong suspicion there will b-or a hundred less next year than there were this yer. The theater, as has been pointed out. is experiencing a salutary deflation, and as soon ts we can rid Our-of selves of a lot of plavs and a lot producers of plays that have been variously attracted to what they know as the show game," the sooner will the theater begin to amount to Talking Fjlins Replace Stage, Davis Declares English Breach -- BURNS MANTLE. YORK Special Correspon-dence). You can't keep the (oiks In our set from talking about the thea-- i ter, however dull It may have been or however dead it ts at the moment. Four letters- this week, two from a eoupteef old New Yorkera and two from remoter places beyond the applejack (arms o ( New Jersey under- take to place this correspondent on record as to lust which were the best" plays of last year. The general Impression has held for some tune that there were no best" play last season, and general impression In this particular Instance Is nearer right than usual. But there were a hundred and fifty old comedies and dramas produced in New York, and, naturally, a lot of them were better than others. On the other hand. If you try to pick ten out of the hundred and fifty and say that these were the outstanding plays of ths year you discover the task to ba much harder than usual. - Also you find yourself more surely embroiled In the annual dispute as ttf why this play was Included and that one left out. However, this Is a hazard to which The We have become accustonjed. season could not ba brought successwithout conclusion to Us June fully this selection and the fights that fol low after. Therefore, here are the plavs that represent my choice of the season's dramas: Rice. .Street Scene. by Elmer Journeys End, by R. C. Sheriff. Wings Over Europe," by Robert Nichols and Maurice Browne. "Holiday by Philip Barry. The Front Page, tay Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. Let Us Be Day, by Rafchel Croth-er- s. ' Theater Guild Helps to Heal I Utah-Bor- n 1929. We have sent many plays, players and cinemas to London, but lew of them hare been able to toot the harmonious peace bugles. The moving picture embassies, they say, have race of sinmisrepresented us as ners, addicted to lust, murder, alcosw allow sword hol, sentimentality, lng and tucking the napkin beneath the chin. Their efforts to Improve the relations between hearthstone V i 1 and the prodigal have been, according to the diplomats, undiplomatic. Just when all was ominous for continuathe Guild tion of the moved Porgy" to 'London, and followed that maneuver by appointing Caprice" to be another emissary of good wllL You will be delighted to know how well the Guild's acting company" has shown off in England. As we say in America, it's performance of Caprice" took Fleet street as easily as Pershing took Cantigny. The reviewers for the dally newspapers welcomed the entertainment with all the glowing stereotyped forms of hurried Journalism, acclaiming It as everything from effective" to "worthy." Mr. Alfred Lunt's art did not enthuse as viothe West End drama-lovelently as did that of his wife. Miss Lynn Fontaine. She was quite the Psalms heroine of tha expedition. were sung to her expatriate hlstrion-iswhile her brilliant Wisconsin helpmate. Mr. Lunt. was dismissed in one gazette, at least as a Finn by rs iA ti Airmail Service Screen Star Ads Writing Romance Thrills to List of Ilis At tainments. Patrons at Gem There It no feature of our life that has developed so rapidly or so enchained public imagination as the airmail service. Only a few years ago less than five it was being tried out by the postoffice department on a few short routes. Now It spans the continent In every direction, functions with the unfailing regularity of railroad mail trains pa-tlo- gpeelil to Th Tribune HOLLYWOOD. Cal., July 6. On British Premier Sends Message - ThroudiTalkies birth." The wisest critic of the drama since Mr. Walkiey, of the London Times, joined his fsthers Is. In many opinions. Mr. Ivor Brown, as he writes leisurely for The Saturday Review. In his comment upon the Theater Guilds "Caprice, he sings sanely of Mr. Philip Moellers magic stage direction, and of the miraculous effi- - Ramsay MacDonald Promotes Cordial Relations With u. s. For the first time In history an English premier delivered a message diiectlv to the people of America Immediately following his election when Ramsay MacDonald spoke for the talkies. The pictures and the talk were a striking illustration of the new premier's desire to promote the most cordial relations with America. The scepes were photographed oil the grounds of his home at Hampstead London, early In the morning following the recent British general elections. They were rushed to Southampton, placed on the S. S. France, were met down the bay in New York, printed and shipped within a few hours. The talk was of timely interest, coming shortly after the publication of Premier MacDonald's Intention to visit President Hoover in Washington in the near future. It brought out in fresh and striking fashion the possibilities of the audible screen as a factor In the conduct of International affairs. Besides the premiers talk, the film also includes shots cf Miss Ishbel MacDonald, his daughter and hostess. and his son. Malcolm MacDonald, a labor member of parliament. Continued on following Page Capacity Houses Indicate Appeal Washingtons birthday, the last year of the nineteenth century, the eyes of a babe looked on the Mormon capital for the first time. Since then those eyes have looked at millions many of em that he never saw Tli capacity houses of the because he looked out from a motheater the last four days have screen. has he tion picture Today acclaimed the present program one a box aside for laid his makeup and is accepted almost as a commonof the best and most entertaining mightier weapon the pen end his bills seen here In weeks. place. an efforts author as initial have gone romance attaches to But the that The picture, The Idle Rich," and the aviation of the fliers who pilot into celluloid on the same lot w here exceptional vaudeville, talking news the great planes with their tons of he gained fame as a cinema actor reel and special musical features by mall has never faded and It Is this albeit, the name of the lot has been the Pantages orchestra, under the that has contributed to the popular- changed. ladershlp of Curg Peterson and Sel-dity of The Air Legion, thrilling epic Is By this time the reader probably Heaps at the organ, round out wonderuig who this personality is. the of the airmail service, now showing which as usual He answers to the name of George closesentertainment, at the Gem theater. Tuesday evening. same was with which he The powerful dramatic storv. In O'Hara, the The Idle Rich," from the famous which Ben Lyon. Antonio Moreno christened hi Salt Lake, the same stage play. White Collars," the Edith name In his he bore through days and MtUi Sleeper portray the Ellis eomedy hit, which ran several featured roles. Includes a gripping Los Angeles public and high schools months on Broadway, played a year and at the Univeislty of Southern in Los of a and was seen by psychological presentation the same name he clothed means Angeles, in of road companies young pilot who develops a streak California, as with distinction such hero of the almost every town and of yellow" In his battles with the In the city FBO Blood" and stories, Fighting elements and Is saved from himcountry. Its cast, a large and noself by an ace" flier of war days, his the one he promises to carry to table one. Includes Conrad Nagel. In world. the greater glory literary rival for the love of a charming girl Bessie Love and Della Hyams, in the Bert' Glertnon. himself a wartime George doesn't remember much featured roles, and Robert Ober. Paul PICTURE AT GRANADA about Salt his Lake FBO for the directed City, birthplace. flier, photoplay Kruger, Kenneth Gibson, Edythe and In the cast are included John He left there when a small boy to Chapman and James Neill. live In Los Angeles. Following hl$ - The Idle Rich Is a human Inter- DEPICTS CAY Gough and Colin Chase. SCENES, school work, or rather during his est story of a middle class American class outdoor last SKetrhimt In school and his time year Saturday high who lived In a typical large WITH BIT OF TRACEDY conducted bv Joseph A. F. Everett. at the University of Southern Cali- family, city hut of a decade or so ago. Rore- - mance and for particulars. Call Hy. 2607-fornia, he served as part-tim- e drama enter the house(Advertisement.) Continued on Page Tel t hold alien the beautiful daughter, a The gay scenes In a musical comedy stenographer, played bv Leila Hy- - theater on Broadwav: a gang fight to ams. marries her millionaire em- - j deaUl on a fifie Rtreet in Ncw York; ployer, Conrad Nagei. He has veryj the rehearsal hall where big tendencies. dsptte his t tions are tom; a theatrical boarding wealth, so to prove to his bride s fam-- 1 house all these are brought vividly Uy that he considers himself to be to the screen In "Broadway Bablrs. no better than they are. he conies to a singing, talking and dancing pic"Song live with them. ture. which stars Alice White, at the 1 The bride's little flapper sister, Granada theater now. t ' 1 TT Broadwav Babies is a First NaHarry Richman. star of "George King for a Dav." Lucky Dav," The played by Bessie Love, Is overiojed. Whites Scandals" for the past three Birth of the Blues," Will You Re- for she Is a "gold digger at heart. tional Vttaohone production, with diRobert years, has arrived in Hollywood, there member Me?" and Linger Awhile." Henry, a cousin, played by alogue and music throughout. Speto make his film debut In Song of He wrote the lyrics for Muddy Ober. Is a cynical, proud fellow with cial musical numbers, written just for and scoffs He socialistic tendencies. an Water" "Will You and' Remember this picture, including "Broadway Broadway. United Artists picture, for which Me? His phonograph records have rails so constantly, giving endless Baby Dolls," ths theme-song- : "Jig. Class, Jig, Jlgalop." a snapov dancing numIrvtngBerlln wrote the story and sold In greater numbers than those lectures on the Oreat Middlebecomes ber. which Miss White sings, and that the rich relative finally eight new songs. Mr. Richman will of any other popular singer. In "George White's Scandals Mr. exasperated nd announces he Is givappear as a small town song plugger Wishinjeand Waiting for Love." anRichman has been seen and heard In ing all his money to charity. The other who becomes famous after tnnumei--abldaheing number. A chorus of 50 dancing girls is seen setbacks; thus does his first every big city In America, playing whole family, Including even Henry, In the musical comedy scenes with picture parallel the narrative of bis extended engagements In New Y k, become alarmed. How the difficulty is solved, to the Mis White, and the splendid Vitaown life. Chicago, Detroit. Cleveland, CincinRichman began in vaudeville, nati, Philadelphia, Boston, Pitts- happiness land welfare of everyone, phone orchestra, directed by. Louis with Mae West, with the burgh and St. Louis. Over the radio, provides a climax rich in human in- Silvers, provided the music. 's acts t National in The story Is adapted from Jay the Dolly Sisters, through Broadcasting terest and comedy. circuits. In company stations, he has been heard. that played the big-tinovelette. Heading the vaudeville end of the Broadway Musstock, while still In his teens, he sup- In fact, when New York City had present bill is Flo Eckert, with a keteers. and tells the experiences of ported Willard Mack and Marjorie only two or three radio stations, clever company, who present a new three little dancing girls on the Great he Harry Richman was on the air. Rambeau. Shortly thereafter, array of songs. Interwoven with, a White Way. Joined a Pacific coast troupe. In which Miss White portrays one. of course, Senes of fast and snappy dance During the most recent Scandals. Richard Dlx was making his bow as a there was a scene that showed Willie steps. Seymour, Putnam and Bay and the others are played by Sally stage leading man. It was at this Howard, sitting In a box of the the- furnish the eomedy. In which music Ellers, and Marion Peanuts" Byron. time that Richman became a night ater, arguing with thr photographed song and dance with a supply of Charles Delaney is seen opposite the club entertainer. His theater work Image of Harry Richman, shown in hokum add a finishing touch to a star; the big cast Includes Fred Kohler. Louis Natheaux. Tom Dugan. vaudeville program, completed for the day and night. huge size on the screen in the center Richman would put on a song and of the stage. That constitutes Mr Perhaps the outstanding feature of Jocelyn Le. Maurice Black, Henry dance act of his own at Ba.on Long s Richman's film experience. He wes the show w Leonid Martov, young OttoJodil Rosing and many others. Of Paniages Bill Pan-tag- es LOS ANGELES, Calif. Of course no one denies that the miss of today nears less than her sister of years gone by, but It is hardly ballsiable that the difference is as great as the above photograph would indicate. At the left Is Anita Page, film star. bersome clothes of last cyitury, looking over the cumbersome clothes hamper, which would have to be tightly packed to contain all her raiment. At right is th same little star demonstrating what a diminutive modernistic laundry holder is necessary to contain the complete wardrobe of the modern miss. STAGE AND SCREEN PANT AGES Conrad with Btssie Love e. in Metro-Gol- d The Idle Rich", also Panteics Npl leudevllle. SILENT AND TALKING PICTURES. 100 per cent talkCAPITOL Paramount acreeu extravaganza, ing and singing .featuring the Four Marx brothers, The Cocoanuta. with Mary Eaton and Oscar music by Irving Berlin. The talk An ing screen a first musical comedy comedy. Trusting Wives, Fox Movietonewa. Alexander Schremcr. GRANADA Alice White in her first musical revue. Broadway Babies. an 8na. Vitaphone aptclal with The Charles Delaney and large cast ColRivals. another of the aeries. Pathe Sound news. legians VrcrORY-MUt- on Sills in the sophlst'cated Devil' mith Maria drama, "Lev an4-4Corda. Vitaphone accompaniment- - Vita mione talking and tinging acta and the Paramount Neva. , GEM Thr Air Legion. with Ben Lyon. Anton1 Moreno and Martha Sleeper, a powerful story of tiie airmail aDo color classic, comedy, newt and cartoon. RIALTO Charles Buddy Rogers. Nancy Oarrol in "Close Harmony. p cture: also Laurel and Hardy comedy, event. To Star in produc-dcmocrat- ic of Broadway e fast-movi- Gel-zer- j j Vernon Country club In Los Angeles. was staged at A similar program Walts Tavern In a Los Angeles subT urb. More recently, the Club New York has occupied the star arter hours. HisClro club be sold to Otto Kahn for his son. Roger Wolfe, and It became Le Perroquet. Harry Richman sang for the first time and was largely instrumental in establishing such songs as Muddy Water," Laugh, Clown, Laugh," Rich-man- ln tested by United Artists sound engineers several months ago. and the soft quality of his voice, aided by the fact that his songs usually are sung In a low tone. Is said to record su- -. pei bly. Photographically Harry Richman's eyes and smile are claimed as highlight features, gnd already there are intimations that the screen is to have a romantic actcr whose voice carries plenty of Madame Olyn's pronoun. Russian baritone, who making his first visit to the wet With a compete assortment of selections, the young man stone tlieshow at everv performance.. Hts rendition of the Volga Boat 8ont, In Russian: O Sole Mio . In Italian, and Irish Eves Are Smiling. In English, are three of th numbers which plea- - his audience most. Completing the entertainment Is Clements Beltings and his animal circus. 1 also news Mischa Elman' has been engaged for a number of concerts in Vienna, Budapest end Holland. u art. Jolm McCormack Chooees Locations for Film Legitimate H onset Face Disruption, One of the immediate effects of ths Emerald Isle. passing of the popular stage will be the disrupting of the present comhouses. Fewer mercial legitimate John McCormack, now at Moore circuits and chains of shows will surin has his cabled apvive yearly. The number of manAbbey Ireland, e, proval of the selection of Frank agers and producers will be reduced formerly of Salt Lake, as direc- Only the most Inspired and artistic tor for the Fox Movietone feature producers will survive in the new which will Introduce to motion pic- theater. ture theaters the singing and talking It Is not that I believe the dramatic personality of the internationally art Is dying. Popularity speaking, it known tenor. Is evolving Into a new form. It matAccording to announcement from ters not what the form If the spirit Winfield Sheehan, vice president in remains. And a purer, higher type of charge of production of Fox pictures, theater may arise out of the ruins of Mr. Borzage will leave Hollywood the commercial stage. Drama will never die. In Its beft early in July to begin production in Ireland at locations already selected expression It Is as healthy as ever. Two of the finest plays' produced In by Mr. McCormack. The supporting cast has not yet the last 30 years, Journey's End been selected, but Movietone tests and Street Scene," are running sucbeing made at fox Movietone City cessfully In New York. They are will reveal within a few weeks th: done In the modern manner, honestly players who will follow Mr. Borzage portraying life. to Ireland to appear with the singing -Effect on Playwright star. Tom Barry, author of the dialog Is Problematical for "In Old Arizona, has written the The effect of this evolution of dra'Movietone ma on the playwright la problemat'-ca- l. story lot "McCormack's debut. Many will turn to motion picThis important directorial assign- tures for expression; a few will conment comes to Borzage on the heels tinue writing the plays the new stage of his recently acquired distinction will produce. Some may fall by the as second time winner of the Photo- wayside. The only chance I see for revival play gold medal award, for direction of "Seventh Heaven." with Janet of Interest In the commercial theater Gaynor and Charles Farrell. He first would be if the ipen who control the Humorwon the gold medal for destiny of motion pictures are as negesque. ligent of their trust as our leaders li the theater have always been; If they as throw away their opportunity blindly as the old line theatrical . the threw away manager great chance that was his, the public mav turn away from them In disgust and return to the theater already practically purified by disaster. But the ostrich that hides his head In always ready to either might have stepped out of the takethe sand la not advantage of the retreat of an frame of a Raphael painting. The inhabitants of Oberammergau enemy. I greatly fear that even If themselves select most of the actors the public returned to us we could them. Personally, T have and actresses for the chief parts In not hold worrying over all this. It the play. The names of those chosen stopped be survival of the fittest as will the are then submitted to a special com as popular amusement la conmittee, headed by the mayor, and far and the finer theater that this body makes the final decision. cerned - will. In the end, The cast will not be announced until must surely result-thousands of those back many draw names of the but eligible who have left us In Impatience of September, wherare discussed folk being young the folly of our first turning art into i ever the villagers foregather, business and then turning that busiThis is not unnatural, considering ness to men who have never that the villagers grew up from their knownover what to do with It. earliest childhood In the tradition of the Passion Play. As children they Strew flowers in the Savior path Colleen Moore Learns during th play. Ten years later they joined with the crowd that cries "HoRehearsals French sanna! or else they were allowed to Solleen play the parts of guardian angels, Moore One of the things dressed in sweeping white robes. discovered in the for her Those who have stage ambitions then new picture was manuscript that she had to entered the Kreuzes school, which speak French. performs plays In Its own theater, She she had learned It near the famous Passion Play thea- pretty thought well when a French woman ter. a small playing part volunteered to Preparations for the performance read the lines to Miss Moore as they In 1930 are proceeding rapidly. All should be read. And then the actress the village streets have been paved began a dual role, which Included with asphalt and the country roads French lessons. Colleen interrupted a rehearsal afleading to Oberammergau have been rebuilt in anticipation of the tens of ter she had said her French lines thousands of motorists who are ex- perfectly, by exclaiming; Hot dogl I got it!" pected to visit th Passion Play. A The director. William A. Belter, site has been selected for the erec- lion of an aerodrome, so that hurried was pleased, too. and Footlights and Ravmond HackFools proceeded. ett. who was in "Madame X and The Trial of Mary Dugan, la In the cast. Seiter has directed many pictures In which Laura La Plante has been starred, but he directed her in onlv to shelter the actors In case of rain one picture after they wers married. - V For Next Years Passion Play By FREDERICK KCH. United Press Staff Correspondent. BERLIN, July 6 UP). Word has gone out to ell male inhabitants of Oberammergau to' let their ha if and beards grow. Although another year must elapse before the famous Pas-- , sion Play is again performedin this recondite Bavarian village, visitors already see signs of activity and bustling preparation for the dramatic event. Interest centers Chiefly on the choice of players for the main roles, Christ and Mary. Anton Lang, ths master potter who has played Christ In the last three presentations of the Passion Play, has passed the age limit and is not able to undertake the exacting task a fourth time. Who will be chosen to succeed him? The choice for this Important part has now narrowed down to two candidates, Alois Lang, a distant cousin of the famous Anton, and Melchior a worker in a local Breltsamter. sawmill. Alois Lang is a school teacher. Both men are splendid physical bushy types, tall, erect, with heavy, Brelts-amtbeards and trailing hair. of John .the played the part In Baptist In the last Passion-Pla- y er 1922 , Interest Is equally keen In the seBroadway Babies was directed by Mervyn LeRoy. a graduate of the mu- lection of the young woman who Is sical comedy and vaudeville stage to assume the role of Mary. The j who was ideally fitted for handling choice for this part aopears to lie the megaphone on this story of betwen F.ia Lang, daughter of An Hfe. ton Lang, and Hanti Preisinger. The second of the alMalking Col- daughter of the village postmaster. qualilegians" secies, which features Salt Both are said to be excell-ntl- y Lake's Dorothy Gulliver and George fied for the role, in character and apa is Lewis, highly entertaining state pearance alike. Each has the Maof foibles and amusing situations in- donna expression, pale, thin face, cident to college life. with an almost ethereal countenance; tne-atric- al -- Bavarian Village Prepares R Harry Richman in Film Hub Jarrland; Zanzibar, - Bor-sag- VAUDEVILLE AND PICTURES. novelty, news STATE Vera Reynolds In Lon Chaney in 7at.oI Famous Singer i. Movietone Star In Irish Picture By OWEN DAVIS. Talking motion pictures haie Inherited the birthright of the old legitimate stage as popular dramatic entertainment. and the drama of ciassit form will survive In America In a new theater for the aopnisucated- The adventof talking: pictures has elevated the pky wrlgRt.to a eom manding position In the production of a motion picture. Whereas in the silent version the director shaped the picture, in the talking picture the playwright will set the mold. The American theater In the sense of the papular medium of dramatic art is now the talking motion picture. I say this not because I happen to be engaged in the talking picture business at present, for my heart belongs Co the stage, but because I see the handwriting on the wall. The stage is perfectly healthy In 11s upper branches; In every other department It is dead or dying. .The commercial theater haa been betrayed by it--, owners. Theater of Future Medium of Expression. The theater of the future will be a medium for the expression of only the highest dramatic art, operated fot a limited audience of sophisticated persons in a half dozen centers of population. New York. Philadelphia Boston, Cleveland. Chicago, Detroit Los Angeles and Sam Francisco In such cities will the new theater b: found. It will call to It only dramatists of high talent and deep conviction. Elsewhere, in smaller cities. thi drama of classic dimensions will b in the keeping of .the community Little Theater. The decline of thu commercial stage will be, and ha-- , been accompanied by the revival of the community theater. The death knell of the road companies has been sounded. The villager and citv dweller will go to the picture shov for his drama. I have neither bitterness because pf the demise of the stage nor scorn for the rise of the screen. Essentially. I believe a talking picture and a stage prod net k-- are the. same. The screen now has reached a place where It can convey equally with the stage tha emotions and thoughts of the actor. This the silent screen could not do. While picture-wer- e silent I stayed In the ranks of the standpatters who did not believe motion pictures were adequate at - . a |