The Washington Post from Washington, District of Columbia • Page 8

THE WASHINGTON MONTTAT, NOVEMBER 28, 9 Poll's, a Wonderful Spectacle Poli'M "Mecca the spec- icle which had so sensational a uireer in Xew York last season, reached Washington last evening to j)lay this week at Poll's Its big: outstanding feature is the marvelous S'okine ballet "Memories of the I'ast, a veritable masterpiece of color tnd motion Much has been written of this ballet, a work considered by its creator the finest thing he has clone since Scheherezade." and much more will be written Not since the famous tour of Nijinski's Russian ballet perhaps has America witnessed Uhything comparable. The setting itself is one that -will bring forth spontaneous applause almost any audience It Is difficult, a great spectacular production like "Mecca" goes on the road to carry the scenery and prop- i to create the illusion of opulence and splendor that are required AphroJite" suffered in that respect, when it -visited Washington last year, and in one or two places Mecca, is not up to the New Tork a a though in general it is i satisfactory Xo criticism be made of the scene for the- Fokine ballet, however The atmosphere of the Egypt of ancient timcrf is admirably preserved in the representation of the ruined palace at Ivarnak the illusion is almost JJer- And the ballet itself is not a tiling to be described on a printed I ige stage pictures glow with a a that cannot be reflected in The bacchanale which follows the lialiet, also arranged by Fokine, de- i in a wonderful vfhjrl and swirl of vivid colors and scanty draperies, the abandon of sensuous indulgence Miss Martha Lorber, hailed as one of Vmerlca's most promising young dancers, is a principal, both in the a a.nd in the bacchanale, and her ostume, or lack of costume, is likely cause as much comment as an.y single a of the product ion I he story of "Mecca" is rather dealing with plots and coun- pertaining to the struggle for the throne of Egypt in which the Sultan Malik 'U-Nasir is opposed bv Prince Nur Al-Din Several capital crimes figure pretty prominently MI the action and such minor matters abductions, attempts at murder, i and the like are so common as i merely a sort of undertone '1 he sultan, who has decided to have one wife and that wife a charm- i singing girl eventually is vic- jrious over hi 1 rival, and gets back the dagger that is the instrument in most of the killings The plot is not perhaps strikingly original, but it abounds in action and incident, and makes possible the presentation of sc tnes rich in the romance and mys- of exotic Egypt Orvllle Caldwell, nominated by Lllnor Glvn for honors as America's handsomest man plav! the sultan rfnd Harold Skinner, his rival, the prince Gladys Hanson, as Sharazad, has the role with chief dramatic opportunities Zummurud, the sultan's bride, is pleasingly portrayed by Hannah Toback. and Lionel Braham, well known to audiences in this city, blusters and swaggers through the play a realistic impersonation of the boastful strong man, Zummurud's ither Phil Sheridan favorite in Gilbert and Sullivan revivals and Ida Mulle remarkable characterizations Rita Hall is a statuesciue Isis Mecca" certain resemblances to Chu Chin Chow The production ii much more satisfactory as a spectacle, than was "Aphrodite," which came here last season, and is in every i expect a worthy successor to offerings Belaseo-- Hnssey Rrvne. Jimmy Hussey, is a show in himself, the audience at the Telasco three-quarters of an hour of i i entertainment yesterday, and they clamored for more Jimmy has surrounded himself with some shapely femininity and some comedians who, however, do not quite attain to his standard of funmaklng. Since he is on the stage a great portion of the time, the revue is carried alone at such speed as to bring down the house The Century Revue is billed as having come direct from the Centruy Promenade theater in Jsew York and it has the caliber of a Broadway attraction Hussey practically stopped the show when he sang "Second Hand Alose" and Mighty Like a Rose in Bloom." He also occupied the center of the stage in the prize fight by hanging on the ropes of the ring Next to Hussey came Lou Edwards whose feature was the knee dance.

This must be seen to be appreciated Of the girls, Beth Stanley, Gladys lames and Evelyn Martin had solo parts Laughs aplenty eame from all parts of the house when Joe Jackson poked his nose from behind the scenes. JOB needs only to be seen to be admired He quickly wins the hearts of old and young. His comedy is of a rollick Ingr. good-natured kind that never falls to bring- results His bicycle riding Is an incident. The Ziegler sisters gave some pre-tty costume dancing and the stage was attractive.

The two girls are graceful and artistic in their act. Vlnie Daly can sing and dance This she demonstrated to the satisfaction of all Dave Vine and Luella Temple sit on the stage in "Making Nonsense an Art Luella sings a i and Dave produces enough comedy to carry the act along at top Buddy Doyle "The Black Dot," Rings coon songs and tells some en- a i i stories. Jolly Johnny Jones does some hair-raising feats on a slack rope, while Al Rome and Ed Cullen prove themselves eccentric dancing comedians. The Shubert news pictorial has some pictures of local interest. Crandnll'H Metropolitan--ChnleS Ray and Baiter KentoB.

Aglow with the warmth of youthful romance and alive with the spirit that makes college football the most exciting pastime known to American lovers of sport, "Two Minutes to Go," Charles Ray's new comedy of the gridiron, which was shown for the first time in Washington before overflow crowds at Crandall's Metropolitan yesterday, is assured of an enthusiastic reception by all who enjoy swift-moving and wholesome stories on the screen. Infinitely wider in its appeal than "Scrap Iron," which utilized the prize ring to create thrills," "Two Minutes to Go" plunges to a nerve-tingling climax and scatters the field with laughs The element of comedy in the current week's bill at the Metropolitan, Incidentally, is convulslngly stressed by Buster Keaton in the most laughable two-reel comedy he has ever brought to the silver sheet--an amazingly hazardous maritime absurdity in which the smileless comedian Is iflcipper of a home-made craft that gives the burlesque its title of "The There have been many trick vessels on the stage and on the screen but never one so prolific in genuinely amusing episodes as this astonishing example of modern shipbuilding Two Minutes to Go" visualizes the interesting story of a youth, who through financial foroed to work hla way through the last year of his college course by serving a. milk route and who endeavored to spare his friends inevitable humiliation by keeping the fact a secret Through the jealousy of a classmate, his occupation was revealed at a hal- loween party at the home qf Ruth Turner, "the girl," and it was further made to appear that Chester Burnett had given up his place on the team as a result of a wide yellow streak instead of through necessity. After many escapades and a few more or less serious difficulties topical of American college life, Chet decides that he will play football again if he has to starve On the day of the big game between his school. Baker, and its most bitter rival, Stanley, Burnett dons the togs in which he used to star and takes his place in the back field Baker Is being gloriously walloped when Chester turns the tide to victory Why and how are the means of bringing to the climax of the' picture a quality that moved yesterday's huge audiences to cheers almost as lusty as might have been expected in the open stadium at Yale.

Ray is perfectly cast in the role of the young star of the Baker team and has surrounded himself with skilled players who deserve only slightly less credit for the complete success of the stirring subject Mary Anderson as Ruth Is an irresistibly charm- Ing leading woman in the role opposite the star. Lionel Belmore, Tom Wilson as the trainer-; Lincoln Stedman, Trueman Van Dyke, and others, of equal ability form a supporting cast of more than ordinary merit The photography and direction are excellent. It is not possible to present a coherent resume of the myriad inspired touches that make "Tie Boat" a classic of its kind. Buster Keaton who is credited with authorship of the story, must have consulted the Navy Department and made note of every possible mishap that can by any possibility befall a vessel plying the high seas He then incorporated the entire list into his scenario All of the laoghmakers are there-the life preserver that smka like a rock, the anchor that floats away the crest of the waves, the HfeboKt made from an Abandoned bath tub, and a wireless apparatus that seems to be principally useful to attract stray flashes of lightning' There has never been a funnier one The bill for the week is rounded out by an especially tuneful accompaniment by the Metropolitan symphony, which also contributes a spirited overture number, "College Days," a potpourri of student songs arranged by Gustav Hmricha, conducted by Mirskey, a new issue of the Pathe, picturized news and a witty symposium of "Topics of the Day." lapse into the that characterized 1 the drama of an earlier 3ay "Way Down East" depicts the love story of Anna Moore, the daughter of poor parents who is condescendingly taken up by richer urban relatives, brought Into contact with a man of unscrupulous practices, who, by a fictitious ceremony of marriage, tricks the girl into a betrayal. Faced with the consequences of her "marriage," the girl is cast off by her wealthy relatives, and lapses into a state of semiservitude in a New England household, surrounded by th? gossips and the evil-minded of a li'tle New England town Finding refuge as a maid in the household of Squire.

Bartlett, a great- love springs up between the girl and the squire's son, but the gossips, aware of Anna's past, hunt her out and inform the squire of the girl's alleged misdoing. The pquire morally inflexible for all his other virtues, orders the girl from his house, into a storm, and thereupon the viay is for her rescue from tho Ice-swollen river into which, in her despair, she flings herself This climax is hair-raising and breath-taking in its intensity, and it doubtful if Griffith nas ever produced its equal in any previous picture Lillian Gish gives the superb portrayal of her career in the role of Anna, while Richard Barthelmess attains profound dramatic and emotional heights as the lover who re- (laims her from death and forgives her past for all time Lowell Sherman's characterization of th iman who betrays her is brilliant in its repressed force, while Burr Mclntosh is moving in his picturization of the role of the squire Mary Haj Creighton Hale, Kate Bruce and a brilliant cast of typically Griffith players enact other roles in the production Sheik." Abounding in lavish color, gorgeous costumes, and beautiful settings, Sheik," Paramount's picturiza- tion of the famous novel of the same name by M. Hull, with Rudolph Valentino Agnes Ayres in the stellar roles, opened its second week of showing at Moore's Rlalto theater yesterday, there being no apparent diminution in the crowds which have literally the box office. That the production is one of the most popular offerings of the current screen season is assured, for, from all reports, it Was broken every record heretofore, made at the Rialto. "The Sheik" is a offering in every sense of the word.

The scenes are laid mainly In the Desert of Sahara and in such picturesque places as Biskra, one of the quaintest and strangest cities in the world. The story, to which the public has already given its unqualified approval ty the immediate purchase of every edition of the book placed on the market, requires no detailed outline here It deals with the capture by a young Arab sheik of a haughty English girl, and with their subsequent strange romance Too much can not be said of the perfect characterization given the major roles "by- Mr. Valentino and Miss Ayres and the perfect support accorded them by a noteworthy cast. Ad6Iphe Menjou, Lucien Littlefleld, George Waggner, Ruth Millar, Walter Long, and F. Butler are prominent in the company The interpretative orchestration arranged by Robert Bond Gotta and rendered by the 'Rialto Symphony 01 chestra last week brought forth favorable criticism It ia continued this week, except that Suppe's "Light Cavalry" is given as overture.

The program of subsidiary attractions likewise remains unchanged The comedy feature is a multiple reel subject en ntied "Saving Sister Susie Foolish Dons May, the charming arid demure little princess of the silver-" sheet, who is remembered fts the fetching co-star with Douglas McLean In the production of such pronounced comedy successes aa "Twenty-three and a Half Hours Leave," "Mary's Ankle," and other photoplays of that type, ibegan a week's engagement at Loew's Palace yesterday as the featured star of the Jjrogram "The Foolish Age," a Hunt Stromberg production for Robertson-Cole that inarks Miss Mays flrst appearance In a series of delightful comedy dramas in which she will enact the stellar role "The Foolish Age," which scored a pronounced success with audiences at Loew's Palace yesterday afternoon and last night, is a picture designed primarily for purposes of laughter. The reaction of thousands of photoplay patrons yesterday seemed a sufficient Indication that the producer of "The Foolish Age" unquestionably attained his goal in that respect, at least. However, "The Fooiish Age" is bound tog-ether with a romantic comedy story-thread that lends it an attractive and fascinating story-interest altogether aside from Its pronounced quality of mjrth Miss May, In the stellar role, appears as the favorite daughter of wealthy parents, who are particularly anxious that she make a and fashionable marriage AJ headstrong- as she was adorable, the girl determined to do no such thing and instead, goes in for a carear by undertaking to alleviate the lot of the downtrodden and the poverty-stricken. The manner in which she organizes a "down-and-out" club and introduces her rather uncouth If not unwashed proteges Into her atmosphere of fashion makes for a high element of humor that dominates the entire production. Although Miss May Jias the chief role of the production, she has been The photodrama and vaudevjlle divide honors at Strand theater this week, the offering Harry Carey In a Western film, "The Fox," and the latter presenting one of the most pretentious tabloid musical comedies on the stage, "Money Is M6nejr" In "The Fox," Harry Carey throws another hitch aiound the hearts of playgoers, thousands of whom love to see a strong, virile, full of action wild-west subject.

Betty Ross Clark gives the star admirable support in the leading feminine role, while the of the cast includes George Nichols, Gertrude Olmsted, Johnny Harron, Gertrude Claire, George Cooper, and" others of equal note "Money Is Money," the major vaudeville attraction, is practically a complete show in itseH, consuming: nearly "an hour ui presentation. Joseph Greenwald is featured and many clever specialty artists are introduced, in dancing, vocal, instrumental and other numbers The plot, and the manner In which it Is developed, are decidedly unusual, containing many surprises'. Because of the time necessary to present the foregdJng only two other numbers are seen, the Anselsmiths in "Pastimes in Jungle Land," an excellent acrobatic offering, and Harry Gilbert, who pleased with songs and character stories Down East." "Way Down East," the latest and probably the greatest of all W. Griffith photoplay productions, which took America by storm when it vrsCs first presented at regular $2 theater, prices, made a triumphant return to Washington favor at Loew's Columbia yesterday, where it was presented for the first time at popular photoplay prices to audiences that packed the capacity of the Columbia to overflowing at every performance during the afternoon and evening. In this production, Mr.

Griffith has picturized the tenderly romantic and marvelously beautiful rural romance by Bottle Blair Parker that achieved I a remarkable success during its stage career years ago. It Is a story of love and lovers, presented against the background of New England rural life and marked throughout by vivid human interest, rollicking comedy and by one of the- greatest and most spectacular climaxes ever brought to the screen. In thus presenting this greatest of all rural dramatic stories, Mr. Griffith has completely modernized the original Blair manuscript. Although he has preserved the New England customs and traditions that form so interesting and fascinating a background for his story.

It Is the New England today which he pictures and at no time is the story permitted to Have that everyone Nothing can excel the regular use of Resinol Soap and Ointment to preserve the natural bloom of your complexion. Reainol Soap to remove the excess oils and keep the pores from becoming clogged and enlarged, by ridding them of Ointment to clear away roughness and blotches. TrrthfcnwHl.ee. Sold br ironists. GARDNER It's Value that Counts i Give us the opportunity to-show you in detail and demonstrate the performance of the new Gardner car for 1922--and we absolutely guarantee to prove to your entire satisfaction that there is no greater automobile value available-today at any price, THE GARDNER MOTOR INC.

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B. Factory Wayne Smith and Company Dealer and Distributor 22nd ariti Streets Telephone West 2007 SIB surrounded' by Director StromUers with a supporting- cast that includes Otis Etallam Cooley, "Pull" Montana, "Spike" Robinson, Lillian Worth, Elmer and many others. Manager Beatus has supplemented "The Foolish with a most ap- Bealing group ot program features, including the latest Sunshine screen comedy success, "Business Is ness," and the newest issue ot the Pathe news, as well as a wholly beautiful overture selection by the I'ajace Symphony, orchestra, under the dnee- tion of Thomas Joseph Gannon, "Medley of Popular Hits Strand--Hnrry tnrey In "The Fox." Crnndnll's Knickerbocker Charles Ray and Buster Keaton. Selections from Victor Herbert's tuneful operetta, "The Girl in the Spotlight," comprised the concert number in which the symphony orchestra under the'conductorshlp of Signer Ernesto Natlello, was enthusiastically received at CrandaU's Knickerbocker theater yesterday. It was played with complete realization of the many opportunities for colorful effect and was greeted with enthusiastic applause.

The accompaniment of the major feature of the bill was also characterized by a high quality of musicianship. Interest and diversity were added to the program arranged for premiere presentation at the Knickerbocker yesterday and today by the inclusion of news issues of the Pathe News and the Mterary Digest's "Topics of the Day." The principal feature-tf the early- week oill Is Charles Ray's new release for First National, "Twti Minutes to Go," and the foremost supplementary; Buster Keaton's laughter classic, "The Boat," complete reviews of both of which will be ffcund in connection with CrandaU's Metropolitan theater, where these sterling features also were accorded flrst Washington screenings before capacity crowds yesterday. CrandaU's--Bebe Daniels In "The Speed Girl." One always expects breezy, fast- moving comedy drama from the facile pen of EZmjer Harris, one looks for delightful interpretation -of any role which she essays from Bebe Daniels, and one always anticipates a picture replete with clever effects when directed by Maj Maurice Campbell. Yet It seems that this gifted trio, who have collaborated on many previous screen entertainments, never have done anything quite so entirely, satisfying as "The Speed Girl," Miss Daniels' new stellar vehicle for Realart, which was shown yesterday as chief feature of the bill at Crandall's theater, where it will remain- the major attraction through Tuesday. The story treats of the experiences of a young woman who has always craved fast action Whether on land, sea or in the air it was always Betty Lee's ambition to go at a higher rate of speed than anyone else Even when still a kiddy, "scooter" had to be able to out-travel those of her playmates This penchant for velocity in motion eventually plunged the young lady into difficulties of an exciting and distinctly romantic nature--so much so ia fact that it was possible to utilize Hiss Daniels' recent jail sentence ta advantage.

The supporting cast is a notable one and includes Walter Hfers, Truly Shattuck, William Courtright and numerous others of conspicuous attainment. The foremost auxiliary feature of the bill is Mack Sennett's new starring vehicle for Charlie Murray, "His Unhappy Finish," in which the veteran Sennett comedian scores one of the emphatic hits of his career as a creator of genuine humor. Carlo Girls." Thomas Sullivan, producer of "Monte Carlo Girls," at the Capitol theater this week, has made a. wonderful selection of singers and dancers, and deserves considerable credit. Special mention of the chorus of this show should be made, as it Is really beyond the ordinary.

Sarah Hyatt, prima donna, and Arthur Iianning are featured, and iare backed up by Jessie McDonald, soubrette, Grace Goodale, Edna Luce Joe Stanley, Lew Marshall and Johnny Hudgins All those mentioned Bare a reputation in burlesque as being 1 topnotehers. Croofc." "The Golden Crook," presented by Jacobs and Jermon. at the Gayety this week, is perhaps the best burlesque offering that Washington has had for some weeks The opening scene is an interior of a Parisian cafe which gets the show away to a flying start, with lots of snappy- music and attractive danctrtfe girls who skip around as if they were bottled up with excess energy This is especially true of Miss Kitty Gordon a brunette of wondrous symmetry and gracefulness. Scene seven, entitled starring Mr Sid Gold, introduces popular and characters from last season's musical hits, impersonated and rendered by six talented young ladies Miss Viola Wilson, who took the role of Ann Pennington, was attractive Indeed, while Miss Ann Meyers, as Pannie Brice, showed exceptional talent. Many other novel and attractive scenes and numbers followed rapid succession, the best of which, wen "A Fire House," "Auto Scene; Accident," and "The Baseball Park" Eddie Shubert and Jack Callahan were the comedians.

Eddie Shubert greatly resembles Ed Winn Their pranks and jokes brought forth the required amount of laughter Sid Gold Is well deserving of rels He was unquestionably a. In the first act the biggest hit was "Struts Miss Lizzie," while in, the second act it was a duet with Miss Warren. This production, taken all all, is a good show, well worthy of patronage, and one which can bs favorably compared with the better class of musical productions National--Burton Holmes. Burton Holmes in his talk on classic Japan at the National theater last night, urged such action at the Washington conference on the Far Eastern issues as will lead to perma nent peace with the island empire of the rising sun The travelogue man, who for 30 years has made periodic trips to Japan, knows the ancient and modern life of. the people He prefers the old Nippon to that which has de veloped in recent years when Imitation of the Occidental races has produced a poorer architecture and a modified form of art, -v, hich lacks the quamtness and virility ot the old Landing in Yokohama the is taken to the snow-capped Fujijama, in the midst of a.

typhoon Following the wonderful landscape scenes, he returns to the inhabited districts where a wedding ceremonj is in progress This is shown in detail A front seat is provided at a wrestl ng match Part tn opens with scenic classics, illustrating the beauties of the pelago of Matsushima one of which is "The Bride of Heaven At the close are shown the Nikko temples pilgrims going to the sacred courts and the anse to the tomb where the great Shogun sleeps Catholic Home Reception. The annual reception and donation party for the Catholic Home for Aged Ladies will be held at the home today, 3043 street northwest, from 3 to 6 o'clock Princess Lubomirskt will preside at the tea table, assisted by Miss Sarah Lee. SPECIAL-Six COUPE Where Luxury and Utility Have Been Merged in a Dependable Year 'Round Car This Studebaker enclosed car is remarkable not only because of its beauty of line, finish and appointments, but because its sturdiness of construction gives it a degree of freedom from body rattles that is unusual. Everything that would add to living-room comfort and convenience-- to protection and utility has been provided in this SPECIAL-SIX COUPE. From its upholstery of gray mohair velvet plush, down to the smallest detail of its equipment, the appointment? of this car are in keeping with Studebaker's 69 year old reputation for fine coach building.

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