St. Louis Post-Dispatch from St. Louis, Missouri • Page 86

Wilde Revival Triumph of Wit Over Triviality rr-kLouis fj 2 r7j J-f DlJeM cj a 2 Vl QZ Met to Give IN A CLAIRE HERE IN KELLY COMEDY Five Operas Here in May rp HE New York Metropolitan five operas I Opera will give here in four days in May In By George Jean Nathan NEW YORK, March 29. HE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, Wilde'a match I lessly ingenious comedy or, if you will, farce, eince comedy after all is often simply literary farce with suaver manners, gets a superior acting deal from John Gielgud and hia London company. Though the play has been done by a variety of American actors, some of them able enough, it is English actors who alone rest can serve it, and with reason. The American actor, however Kiel Auditorium Convention Hall, it has been announced by the St. Louis Symphony Society, under whose auspices the company will appear.

The leading stara and entire company will be used. There will be a full chorus of 90, an orchestra of 90, and a ballet of 40. The season has been extended to five works because of the huge attendance last spring, when persons heard the company in three nights. The operas and cast will be: "LOHENGRIN" May 14. 8 m.

with Helen Traubel. Torsten Ralf, Dezso Ernster. Margaret Harshaw, Herbert Janssen, Hugh Thompson. Fritz Busch will conduct. "AIDA" May 15, 8 p.m..

with Daniza Illtsch, Robert Merrill, Kurt Baum, Blanche Thebom. Philip Kinsman, Giacomo VaghL Lodovlco Olivero, Thelma Votip-ka. Cesare Sodero will conduct. "BORIS GODUNOFF" May If. 8 p.m., with Ezio Pinza.

Rise Stevens. Salvatore Baccaloni. Ma- proficient, is at a loss in any such purely artificial and stylized dramatic circumstances and his efforts to adapt himself to them inevitably take on the aspect of a stralnful Imitation of the English actor who should be playing the role in his stead. zj ZSr, i fk r- I f2 ilffiwnwrr-wir-1 i FRED MacMURRAY'S GOOFY GRYATIONS ANNOY PAULETTE GOD- Ji. ARD, WHO PLAYS HIS WIFE, IN "SUDDENLY IT'S STRING," COMEDY WHICH IS NEXT AT THE FOX.

miMikmmmiMmH, Ill' i T.rSl i'ZjL AJS AtTOR LIKE on the other hand is perfectly suited by nature to such an exhibit There is about him that sug. gestion of shadow of a masculine being which certain Wilde roles call for to be in key. There is also that brittleness of person, voice and manner which these roles, and surely this Worthing, demand for their acting plausibility. And there is above all that desired air rio Berinl. Nicola Moscona, Thel- ma Airman, Irene Jordan, Fran ces Greer.

Emll Cooper will con of diffident physical remoteness, of divorcement from the realistic corpus. Your American1 actor, 'hough he act himself blue in the face, cannot approximate the species and cannot achieve any such detached impression. And the consequence is that, when he ventures into the Wilde domain, he with rare exception presents at best the picture of a Harvard outfielder in a tulle uniform. I have been scratching my brains in vain to think of an American actor who ever played even an English butler convincingly. To expect one to be satisfactory in a Wilde role is accordingly expecting duct.

"MADAME BUTTERFLY" -May 17, 1:30 p.m.. with Licia Albanese, Richard Tucker, Lucielle Browning. John Brownlee, Alessio de Paolis, George Cehanovsky, Irene Jordan, Osie Hawkins, John Baker. Sodero will conduct. "FAUST" May 17.

p.m.. with Charles Kullman, Dorothy Kirsten. Robert Merrill, Moscona, Maxine Stellman, Miss Votlpka. and Baker. Wilfred Pelletier will conduct.

Mail orders are being taken at the Aeolian Box Office. 1004 Olive street. a lot. In fact, there is something waywardly ludicrous in seeing an American actor in even any role, whatever it is and very much more INA CLAIRE. JENNIFER HOWARD AND HOWARD ST.

JOHN THRESH OUT. A FAMILY CRISIS IN "THE FATAL WEAKNESS." GEORGE KELLY COMEDY WHICH OPENS TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE AMERICAN. so one in Wilde, called Algernon, let alone, God wit, Algy. THE I LAY UNDER DISCUSSION, as everyone probably knows. is a triumph in dramaturgy.

No other comedy in its time has maneuvered a tricky task more expertly; and for wit one must look WA Claire, who lor many years has been one of the great far in the modern drama to find its like. It is, In short, ao extremely stars of the American stage, skillful in all directions that, see it as often as one may, it still comes to the American Theater exercises its fascination. And it remains, above every other play i jfifi tomorrow night for a run of the week in George Kelly's comedy, 'The Fatal Weakness." The play brought her out of a Peter Pan Players Peter Pan Players, children' theater of the Community Playhouse, will present "Crazy Cricket Farm," by Lillian and Robert Masters for five performances. They are scheduled for 7 p.m. Apr.

it, 10:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Apr. 12, 2 p.m. Apr.

13, and 10 a.m. Apr. It. Leading roles will be played by Loretta June Klnsey, daughter of Mr. and Mrs.

Ixm Kinney, 1009 Lackllnk Overland; I. W. Klein, son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel C.

Klein, 4 Woodcliffe rd, Clayton, 4 and Dale Hamburger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Hamburger. 227 N. Central ave, Clayton.

five years retirement from the theater last fall. She had been living in San Francisco with her husband. The story, of an incur-abily romantic wife finally forced to face the facts of life in the form of a philandering husband. said to be a fitting vehicle for her radiantly charming comedy FRANK SINATRA AND JIMMIE DURANTE GO TO TOWN IN THE MUSICAL, "IT HAPPENED IN BROOKLYN," SCHEDULED TO OPEN AT LOEW'S STATE THURSDAY. gift.

Her greatest hits of other years have been such comedies as Polly With a Past," "The Gold Diggers," "The Last of Mrs. Chey- DEANNA DURBIN GREETS HER OLD LEADING MAN, ROBERT STACK. ON THE UNIVERSAL LOT WHILE BILL BENDIX TRIES TO HORN IN. DEANNA AND BILL ARE IN "I'LL BE YOURS." ROMANTIC COMEDY NEXT AT THE AMBASSADOR. of its kind, the ideal vehicle for the polished comedian.

Gielgud reveals himself as one such. The very qualities which impeached his attempts at Hamlet, and which, I am told, aborted his stern efforts in the recent London production of "Crime and Punishment," and which further have enfeebled some of his other dramatic activities, stand him on this occasion in valuable service. And his supporting company in the aggregate, though not the London original, is close to first-rate. The evening all in all la a happy synchronization of players and playwright, without that trace of Jar which, even in the present for the larger part satisfactory revival "Lady Windermere," intermittently offers the effect of a blue gingham finger stuck through the Wildean pink satin fabric. ONE HAS ONLY to study the immense dexterity with which in this play Wilde has maneuvered the trick of repetitions, which latterly in "The Iceman Cometh" has evaded even so generally expert a dramatist as O'Neill, to appreciate his dramaturgical cunning, and, of course, the wit that cultivated It.

No playright before or since his day has demonstrated a similar artfulness in that specific direction. It was his curiously precise instinct for the basic principles cf the conventional drama which permitted that wit not only saucily to take advantage of and play havoc with them, "but which created cut of the very violations of what had been venerated as immaculate dramaturgy a play that stands above and alone in its field. ney," "Bluebeard's Eighth Wife," The Awful Truth," and three by N. Behrman, "Biography," "End of Summer," and "The Talley KIEL AUDITORIUM FRIDAY, APRIL 11, at 8:30 P. M.

Method." Kelly has been one of the lead ing playwrights or tne theater Ince he wrote "The Torch Bear- rs." "The Show Off," and "Craig's AMERICA'S GREATEST CONTRALTO MARIAN IV Wife," 25 to 23 years ago. Some of his other successes include. Behold the Bridegroom," "Maggie the Magnificent." "Philip Goes Forth," and "Reflected Glory." The Fatal Weakness," was pro duced by the Theater Guild, and Marian Anderson Program Announced The program Marian Anderson, Negro contralto, will sing In her recital at 8:30 p.m. Apr. 11 at Kiel Auditorium Opera House was announced yesterday by Entertainment Enterprises.

For the first half. Miss Anderson will offer "Ardent Longing," by Ahle; "Vlenl, Che pol Sereno," by Gluck; "Odlo la Pastorella," by Bellini; "Le Vlolette," by Scarlatti: "An del Leier." "Abschied." "Der Jungllng und der Tod." and "The Erl King." by Schubert; and the aria, 'Ne me refuse pas," from Massenet's "Herodlade." The second half will include, "The Sally Gardens," an Irish tune; "A Maiden," by Thomas; "Yarmouth Fair," a Norfolk folk song; "Summer Night," by Armstrong Gibbs; "When Lights Go Rolling 'Round the Sky," by Ireland; "Behold That Star." "My Good Lord Done Been "Where Does the Road Lead?" and "Soon I Will Be Done." ad a run of several months on cits Broadway. The cast includes Kathryn Glvney, Jennifer Howard In ThrlllUf Fragrant ef ClaiiUol Setettleni. Pelk Senas, and Near Spirituals seats now selling Prlea (1.22. tl.Bl.

S2.44. J.0I. SATURDAY, APRIL 12, at 8:30 P. M. The Famous Concert Pianist.

Wit af "Infermatlea Please." Star af Metlea Pictures. Composer, and Aether! S(gM LEWAFJT In a PIANO RECITAL with HUMOROUS COMMENTS SEATS NOW SELLING Klal Auditorium. All Saetf ImnrW. OBVIOUSLY. TOO, there is again that matter of style.

Of style, the great bulk of present day dramatic experiment knows r.othing, and. like an overdressed pusher, seeks to attract attention to itself with eccentric patterns and loud colorings. As Howe, who 35 years ago wrote one of the best critical essays on Wilde that I have read, observes, "His plays have the artist's fear of overemphasis, in a theater where over-emphasis is the journeyman's substitute for clearness of design and diction." One thus geta in Wilde's riays, and in this one above all the other, that sense of perfect security of talent and purpose which always has about it the compelling charm of restraint and poise, and which never has need of pretending to dramatic vigor by metaphorically yelling over the footlights for Lefty. At the Movies A VENTRILOQUISTS DUMMY TALKS BY HIMSELF WHILE HIS MASTER GOES MAD. IT'S IN THE EERIE, "DEAD OF NIGHT." WHICH OPENED YESTERDAY AT THE ART.

Prle.t SI. 22. II 83, $1 44, $1.05, INTIRTAINMENT INTIRPRISIS ATTRACTIONS HERMAN DRAKE AND HIS ORCHESTRA INSURE smooth party, wddinq or danca by dialing tho ltt.r l-N-S-U-R-E on any city talaphona (GO. 7873). (daughter of the late playwright Sidney Howard), Mary Glldea, Howard St.

John and John Larson. "Dear Ruth," the romantic comedy gold mine by Norman Krasna, the movie wonder-boy, returns to the American next Sunday night, April 6, for a week's run. It was seen here twice last season. The cast will include veterans of the New York and Chicago companies. 1 The play ran Just a month short of three years in New York.

Eleven companies played it on the USO circuit. Two companies played it in the states, one in Chicago for 62 weeks and another on the West Coast for 49 weeks. At present there is a company doing it in Argentina, and another in Australia. Paramount Pictures paid over a half million dollars (it says here) for the movie rights to the comedy. Another big feminine star, Gertrude Lawrence, will appear at the American the week of April 14 in George Bernard Shaw's "Pygmalion." The Theater Inc.

production was directed by Cedric Hard-wlcke. Dennis King will play Prof. Higgins, and Ralph Forbes will be the dustman father. with the St. Louis orchestra in 1941.

It is promised that Levant will enliven his concert with humorous comments. Oscar Levant at Opera House April 12 Oscar 'Levant, whose many ac Maryville College Horse Show MISSOURI STABLES ARENA APRIL 16th to 20th Tiekats en Jala Mtiiourl Stablat, Arane, April lit Price aOc end SI. 21 complishments as a wit and actor have tended to obscure the fact he is a talented concert pianist, Am'mcffiS TOMORROW NIGHT By Myes Sfandish will give a recital in Kiel Audi torium Opera House at 8:30 p.m. a a "fdrket at Seventh beg last times next Saturday Saturday, April 12, under the aus pices of Entertainment Enter NIGHTS at 8:301.22, 1.83, 2.44, 3.05, S.66 MATS. 2:30 92c, 1.22, 1.83, 2.44, 3.05 Saatt Avallabl for All Parfarmini prises.

8th Play. American Thaatr Soely-Thotr Giilld Subscription Sarlas Levant, famous lor his wise cracks on the "Information Please" "Tha Finest Comedienne an Ovr Stage" KRUTCH. Tne Nation radio program, recently did nice work in the movie, "Humoresque," with Joan Crawford and John T4E TffEATBt BtTlO mm INA OJfSME Garfield, in which he played a character much like himself. He also will be remembered for his parts in "Rhapsody in Blue," "Kiss the Boys Goodbye," and "Rhythm of the River." His piano recordings are best sellers. So is his book, "A Smattering of Ignorance" He is also quite a composer, having written a string quartet, many symphonic works, music for two KATHRYN GIVNIY HOWARD ST.

JOHN films and several Broadway shows, New Comedy by GEORGE KELLY Light Opera Guild To Do 'Blossom Time' The cast for the Light Opera Guild's production of "Blossom Time," in Kiel Auditorium Opera House Apr. 16, 17 and 18, has been announced. Joseph Cusanelli, who sang in Municipal Opera in 1943 and 1944, will have the baritone role of Franz Schubert Donald Gage, a guest star who has completed touring in a Shubert production of "The Student Prince," will have the tenor role. Sadie Gaines, finalist from this area a few years ago in Metropolitan Opera radio auditions, and Anne Gilmore, who and compositions for piano. As a pianist he has appeared with most of the leading symphony orchestras of the country.

He appeared ONE WEEK SUNDAY NIGHT, APRIL 6 SEATS WEDNESDAY ONLY BEG GIGANTIC TERRIFIC NEW BUY TICKETS NOW WORLD'S GREATEST INDOOR CIRCUS APRIL 20 MAY 4... The Comedy that Rocked Broadway with Laughter for 3 Joyful Years! has sung with the St. Louis Grand Opera Company, will have the feminine leads. A 30-piece orchestra chosen from the St. Louis Symphony will be in the pit.

THE RED HOUSE Eddie Robinson, Judith Anderson and a quartet of young players excellently act an absorbing psychological drama. A mood study of the evil and terror associated with a house in the woods. With THE THIRTEENTH HOUR, a Whistler opus starring Richard Dix. LOEW'S STATE. CALIFORNIAr-Paramount has designed this as an "epic," giving it tone with Ray Milland, Barbara Stanwyck and Barry Fitzgerald, and some super-villainy about seizing California for an empire.

But it adds up to standard horse-opera, better dressed, still depending for its thrills on the Old Western standbys of the gun battle and the knife fight In Technicolor, rox. DEAD OF NIGHT Weird and eerie English thriller about a psychologist's t.ttempt to explain the supernatural, entwining four different hair-raising yarns in the plot. Has a nice surprise twist at the end. ART. THE PERFECT MARRIAGE David Niven and Loretta Young, as a couple celebrating their tenth wedding anniversary, spat, make up, epat, make up again, etc.

Slick, smart comedy, with brittle dialogue, well turned out and nicely acted, but utterly artificial. So reminiscent it isn't so funny this time. With BIG TOWN, from the radio serial. AMBASSADOR. STONE FLOWER Russian-made fairy story in subtle new Soviet color process.

Some of the scenes are beautiful, but atory is tedious. WORLD. THE BEST YEARS OF OUR LIVES This Academy Award winner is worth all the superlatives heaped upon it. Superb direction by William Wyler, expert screen-play by Robert E. Sherwood and fine performances by Fredric March, Dana Andrews, Harold Russell and others.

Extremely moving. ST. LOUIS. THE JOLSON STORY Thar's still gold in that gravelly Jolson voice, as the record-breaking eight M'eek run attesta. Larry Parks gives swell performance as Jolson in entertaining musical.

OBI'HEUM. IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE And a wonderful picture done by the Frank Capra sentimental, human-interest formula, starring Jimmy Stewart. With another move-over feature, Walt Disney's musical Uncle Remus fables, SONG OF THE SOUTH. MISSOURL MY FAVORITE BRUNETTE Bob Hope kids the "private-eye" mystery films. Pleasant and amusing.

With SEVEN WERE RAVED. HUBERT. lYMwi NORMAN KRASNA EVENINQ 8:15 15 PERFORMANCES MATINEES, 2:15 Original Production and Brilliant Cast af Broadway Artists FIRST TIME AT POP PRICES! NO INCREASE IN PRICES RESERVED SEATS 60c BOX SEATS 90c HO HIGHER NIGHTS 61c, $1.22, $1.83, $2.44 MATS. WeaVSat. 61c, $1.22, $1.83 APRIL 14 MATINEES AMERICAN MfVaft T1V GKHT.HM.

ADMISSION TICKrT ATTINTIONi Bay Yaar Caaaral ArfmLilaa Tkkat fraw Yaar Farrra faflaa MAIL ORDER BLANK THEATRE INCORPORATED presents GERTRUDE LAWRENCE VI assaam BERNARD SHAW'S Coaiao mile Ctreu Tickat Offlea, A read Bldg.a lm. Ma. LIGHT OPERA GUILD of St. Louis Praia nts SIGMUND ROMBERG'S "BLOSSOM TIME" Featuring. Donald Gagt Jonph Cusanelli Sadls Gafnot Anna Gllmoro Cast of 80 Including Singing Chorus and Ballot APR.

I I-I7-1 8 i30 P. M. KIEL AUDITORIUM OPERA HOUSE TICKETS NOW ON SALE At Kiel Auditorium Box Off lea, 14th MarVat end Aeolian Co. Ticket Office, 1004 Olive St. SEATS S1.80.

SI. 20. 90s. 0c fTax facstecf! nlf-Mldrcuad mmrmtatm tar rMiiri tlefc4. A I 1 CECIL HUMPHREYS RALPH FORBES aRNTtlMENi iMlml to chwk mw mrnmmr mrit It tka Illwl wrua i tmw ka "It.

Laata IUca Clnui" AriaraaM. Bata af ft lir. BISEEVID HATS a AOs. Ma. BOX SKATS a "AMI at ADDRESS HATH ERIN EMMET CYNTHIA LATHAM DENNIS KING fog.dby CEDRIC HARDWICKE1 citt rovr STATE M4KC mm A VT MONKY OBDUBS FATABIK TO FOI.irft nrra.

MAI! rtDnrPC UnW NIGHTS: 1.22. 1.83. 2.44. 3.05. S.flft MAIL UKUCK3 HUW MATS.

WED. tl.82. l.n.i. a.44. 3.0B fnsfo.a A4drnm4 Sfemaarf (nvatopa far Ratvra Tcfcafa PAGE 61 EVERYDAY MAGAZINE ST.

LOUIS POST-DISPATCH, MARCH JO.