Daily News from New York, New York • 522

ft Watch On the Rhine" Drama of a Family Stirring of Refugees Miranda for New Musical; 'Corn' as Film urn by Lillian Hellman. Produced byf i 'I mf fci "Watch on the llhine," drama Herman bhumhn at the Martin Beck THE Eila Holiipmann wile Frank Wilson John Lnitre Anlutt Fanny Joseph Javit Mar the de Brancovis H'lfn Ticnholine Kurt Mueller. By BURNS MANTLE. (Reprinted from yesterday's late editions) There is a good deal of that superb sense of drama that Lillian Hellman expressed with such stunning effect in "The Children's Hour" and "The Little Foxes" in the newest Hellman drama, "Watch on the Rhine," shown at the Martin New York, April 1, 1941 CAST: Ttvk de Brancovis Geortre Ooulmiris Para MuHU-r Mmiy rhriKtians Joshua Mueller Peter FernamifZ HmIo Mudlpr F.ric Babette Mueller Anne Blyth -Paul 2uka8 eration, which is not good for some of the scenes. The players, all of whom give excellent performances, seemed at times both stage and play conscious and to be pressing unnecessarily.

Good Acting. The first scenes, that of the arrival of the Muellers especially, are particularly good drama, touched lightly with comedy. As suspense mounts and tragedy threatens there are fine theatrical moments contributed by Paul Lu-kas as the badgered Mueller, and by Mady Christians as Sara. Finally the father's farewell to his children is completely heart-wrenching, for all its obvious theatrical convention. Lucile Watson has another of her biting and human grandmother roles.

George Coulouris is an excellent menace. Helen Trenholm, Eda Heineman and John Lodge have short but effective parts and a boy actor, Eric Roberts, is a pompous joy. Jo Mielziner has done a wide and handsome livingroom, and Mr. Shumlin has seen that this was built in keeping with the quality of the play. Last night's audience was tense and excited by turns, and most appreciative.

New Production Team Is Formed; Opening Date Set Edgar MacGregor, director, and Lyn Logan, actress, have formed a producing partnership. Their first play will be "Pie In the Sky," Jayne Manners comedy by Bernadine Angus. Casting will begin next week for an out-of-town opening in early May. Billie Burke and Zasu Pitts are being sought. An intimate musical and a second comedy are planned for early Fall.

"The Last Round," new Theatre Guild production, will open Monday evening, April 28, at the Guild Theatre Guthrie McClintic can't do Ward Morehouse's 'U. S. 90" this Spring and Morehouse wants an early production, so Lee Ephraim and Abe Berman may take it over. Busboy-playwright George Bat-son's "Treat Her Gently" opened in Forth Worth, Texas, Monday night, starring Ruth Chatterton and was labelled a risque hit by the local press Erin O'Brien Moore will revive the Rosie Moran role in "Street Scene," Friday night, on "Great Moments From Great Plays," radio show. Jayne Manners, who had a lead in last season's "Walk With is a probability for the new Georgie Hale musical.

She started a singing engagement at Armando's last night Ruth Matteson and Donald Woods have been booked for the Elitch's Gardens Billie Burke Gets Role 7 HAILA STODDARD has won a leading role in Zoe Akins' "The Happy Days," formerly called "Song Before Breakfast." Raphael Hakim, foreign film producer will produce it later this month. play festival, in Denver this Summer. The American Negro Theatre will present "Natural play with music, at Harlem's Library Theatre, the week of April 20. The play, by Theodore Brown, was originally done by the Seattle Federal Theatre And the Negro Playwrights Co. will produce "Julius Caesar in Rome by Edward Boatner, in September.

Di-onne Foote, colored actor, will have a role in the latter. Beginning this Sunday, "My Fair Ladies" will give Sunday matinees as well as evening performances, dropping the Wednesday matinees The N. Y. U. varsity show, "Campus to Khaki," original musical comedy, will be given a preview tomorrow night in Rogers Corner Cafe A little- known symphony composed by Mozart at the age of ten will be given its first New York performance by the Midtown Symphony Orchestra in a public concert, Tuesday night, April 15, at the N.

Y. Society for Ethical Culture, 64th and Central Park West. Zimbalist Jr. Off For Year in Army Efrem Zimbalist 22-year-old actor-son of the noted violinist and the late Alma opera star, was among the 196 trainees sent from the Manhattan induction center to Fort Dix yesterday. Zimbalist, who is unmarried and lived at 411 E.

51st has been in radio work. He said he had tried to volunteer for cavalry service several months ago, but did not enlist when he learned he must serve a three-year term. John Hay, 25, of 1 Sutton Place South, writer and grandson of John Hay, Secretary of State under Presidents Theodore Roosevelt and McKinley, was also in the group. Aviation Party Gertrude Lawrence will be mis-tress-of -ceremonies at an aviation party organized by Roger Wolfe Kahn to take place at LaGuardia Field, April 29. Tickets will sell at $10 a cover and the proceeds will go to aid the R.

A. F. Benevolent Fund. New Vaudeville Helen Morgan, Block Sully and Ina Ray orchestra headline Thursday' vaudeville show at the Flat' Theatre. A capsule edition the Broadway musical, of Paris," starts at the Bronx Windsor on the same day.

5 0 Carmen Miranda has finally agreed to return to Broadway and her old associates, Olsen and Johnson in the latters' forthcoming "Crazy House." Shell come back with the boys in August when they in turn come home from the film version of "Hellzapoppin" and begin "Crazy House." La Miranda liked Hollywood so much that for a while she applied herself to breaking a contract with O. and J. and the Shuberts. But all is harmony again. Warner Brothers yesterday bought the film rights to the Herman Shumlin production of Emlyn Williams' "The Corn Is Green' for $135,000.

With a $30,000 advance sale for "Watch On The Rhine" and "The Male Animal" doing nicely on tour, Shumlin's only worry seems to be his income tax. However, "Corn" can't be released as a film for three years, under the new contract, which probably means that Ethel Barrymore will do the role on the screen. Edward Everett Horton plans about eight more weeks with "Springtime for Henry" and then will do the Kaufman-Hart "George Washington Slept Here" in Los Angeles. It is not known whether Horton has contracted for the touring right to the comedy. But the STAGE PLAYS "MailiJfht and fiinnist piny you've ever Keen.

PM Howaril Lindsay Knssel Crouse present ARSENIC AND OLD LACE A Seio Comedy by Joseph Kesselring tcith. Borii Karloft, Allyn Joslyn Josephine Hull. Jean Adair. John Alexander Fl LI ON. W.

4i St. Ir. Kv. Malt. Sal.

Il Wed. 2:40. Mail orders promptly filled ZLth UEL.l7i'I.AItjHIN'i MONTH vJ "Irresistible Fun." Broirn. Post CHARLEY'S AUNT By Brandon Thomas Nicholas Joy TORT Thrni. 4H S' B'w-ay.

KK l-oo4ii SAT. ami VKI. at 2:40 Kvkh. Mais. "Rippling with laughter" Anderson, JOHN I.OI.DKN vrcsenla LAUDIA A nompdv hv ROSE FRWKEN BOOTH THEATRE.

West 45th St. CI. 6-59GS Mon. thru Sat. 8 :40.

Mats. SAT. WED. 2 :40 "it -A- Burns Mantle. Xeirs WII.ME HOWARD KUA fJKAR Crazy with the heat 44th St.

W. of way. Eves. incl. Sun.

8:40 Wo Pert. Ton i htM ats. Sat. Sun. $1.10 2 .75 tues.

Fri. Er. CC. Q-1-. 1st JS .10 Oreh.

Sat. Jl Sup. Mats. Bale.l 1 tc Mezz. FSat.

Sun. Fveninira IK 1 .10 LIGHT TO THE WEST byBfcLEMER ROYALE W. 45 St. CI. 5-5760.

Evs. 8:40 Kxtra Matinee Wednesday. April 1 rtll 7 Prf SI IN MAT. 2:311, l.lO-2.20 i cua. jksii.

EV. si.io-S.X.ln Olsen Johnson' ew. Never Stovt'in ELLZa POPPIN! WINTER GARDEN. B'way II 50 Easter Mon. Evgs.

8:30. SI. except Sat.1 Apr. 14 Matinees Sat. Sun, at 2:30.

Opens TOM'W Eve. 8:40 NEW EXCITING AND FXT.AHf!EI I SECOND EDITION HAPPFNS ON ICE Evgs. incl. Sun. 8 40.

$2.75 to $1.10. No Mon. Pert. Mal. Wed.

K2.20 SI. Ill CENTER Theatre. Rockefeller Center. CO. 5-5474 INKKSEmKI) SKATS ON SALE AT EACH TF.

FV HE I HIOKS OPEN THE MOST THRILLING I.OVE STORY ON ANY STAGE Helen in Harry Wagstaff Gribble's CRAIG rrodtietion af Elmer Harris' 0HNNY BELINDA EVES. INCL. SUN. 8:40. Mats.

SAT. WED. LONGACKE. 48 St.W.of B'way. CI.

"SM'KRB! A HIT!" PM GERTRUDE LAWRENCE in a uslrnl I'lay ADY IN THE DARK with BF.KT l( 'tor. nwv I.YTEI.L MAT! RE KA YE ALVIN 52d St W. of B'way. CO. 5-4114 EveuiiiE's SHARP SI.IO to l.40 Main.

to No One Seated During First Scene "A PERFECT COMEDY." Atkinson, Times LIFE WITH FATHER witn Howard LINDSAY Dorothy STICKNEV EMPIRE Theatre. B'way 4 40 St. PES). -9540 V58j40.M a I 2:40 "Laughing ear and 4 nderson. B.

ii. DeSYLVA presents illitm Vera Vietor C.AXTON ZORINA MOORE OUISIANA PURCHASE 1 with IRENE BORDONI Musie I.vries h.v IRVING BERLIN Book MORRIE RVSKIND IMPERIAL 45 St.CO. 5-7889. Evgs.8:30 Matinees SAT. and WED.

2:30 SI.IO to $2.75 2 Perfs. SUN. MAT. at 3 55e to $2.20 EVG. at 10-S3.

30 MEET THE PEOPLE "Genuinely smart, intimate revue." Pollork MANSFIELD W. 47 St. 01. B-MIVJ Eves. Incl.

Sun. Mats. Sat. Ic Sun. Mr.

"The Comedy Murder Mystery Hit AND MRS. NORTH frith PEGGY CONKLIN ALBERT HACKETT BEI.ASCO. 44 St. K. of B'way.

Bit. Evs.8:40.S3.30to55e. Mats. Sat. A Wed.

MAIL ORDERS TROMI'TLV FILLED 2 PERFS. SUNDAY ML 14. M( MY FAIR LADIES TOWN'S LATEST I.ACGH HIT HUDSON 44 St. E. ot B'way.

BR. 9-0296 MATINEES SAT. SUNDAY 50c $2 armen iranda Edward E. Horton original New York cast is already pretty well scattered. William Saroyan's forthcoming "The Beautiful People" is reliably reported to present human beings in the roles of mice.

Two or three of the cast of seven will be required to double as instrumentalists, dancers, singers, etc. Sounds real Saroyanish. Cherry Festival Apr. 12 at Capital Washington, D. April 2 V).

The annual cherry blossom festival will be held April 12 and 13. Miss Nancy Alden Strong, daughter of Lieut. Col. and Mrs. Alden G.

Strong, will be cherry blossom queen. Youth Opera The Monte Carlo Opera Company, outiet for young American singers, will begin a series of opera performances at the Majestic Theatre, Saturday evening, April l'J. STAGE PLAYS "Funniest I'lay 'ost SISTER EILEEN i nr. KIIIMII I.Alt.ll It I I RILTMnRE Thra 47th Kt nt r.l ft-Q1 EVGS. 8:40.

MATINEES SAT. 4. WED. 2:40 SUNDAY I REG. PRICES NO TAX 1 Benefit Stage Relief Fund Mercury Production by ORSON tl.l.K ATT CfsM I'lay hv illKI.

t- i i i i ST. JAMES Thea. 44th St. o(B way. LAc tvgs.

aunaay Mais. bat. Wed. 2:40 MAT. TODAY 55c to $2.20 JANE DWIGHT DEERE WIMAN presents V7 A Nev Cornell 'i bv 1 JOHN VAN DHC'lh OLD ACQUAINTANCE with Kent Smith Directed bv Atlriol Lee WOOD MOROSCO W.

45th St. CI 6-6230. Ev. fl '40 Moves to BROAOHURST Tues. Aoril 8 EXTRA PERFORMANCE THIS SUNDAY NIGHT Proceeds to Actors' Fund.

Seats Now. No Ta 2 Pprfs SUN MAT. at 3 55e to $2.20 rerrs. ouin evg. to $3 so OUT OF THE FRYING PAN WINDSOR 157 W.4th St.

PE 6-4891 Evn. Incl. Sun. Mat. Sat.

VSun. 55c Smart himI novel a li it. Mantlr Annul 1 Ml, si: At. 7 PAL JOEY joiin 0 11 An a ROnGEHS and HART Son with VI I F.N NKliU, t.ENE KFLLY JACK DI R.WT JOE II.WIM! BARRYMORE 47 St. CI.

6-03911. Evs 8:40 Matinies AT. and WED. 2:40 SI.IO to $2.75 "A ROARING U8ICAL' .4 tAlnn film's B. DcSVI.VA pre-M'tim ETHEL MERMAN in Panama hattie COLE PORTER Songs Book hij HERBERT FIELDS.

G. DiSYLVA 46thST.Thea.W.ol B'way. Circle b-6075. Eves.830 Matinees SAT. and EO.

2:311 SI.IO to S2 75 Jind EAR Miit. Wrd. Ahm KINKHXR1 FARREI.I. TAI.ItOT in SEPARATE ROOMS s.V.,rEr. PLYMOUTH 45 St.

W. of B'way. Egs.8j40 "A MASTERPIECE." Atkinson. .7 iiue ETHEL BARRYMORE I HE CORN IS GREEN NATIONAL 41 St. of B'way.

PF 11-8220 Evgs. 6:40. SI. 10 to $3.30. Mats.

Sat. Wed. 2 40 KATHARINE CORNELL r-T-' presents ItERNARO SHAW'S 1 HE DOCTOR'S DILEMMA RAYMOND MASSEY SHUBERT 44th St.W.of B'way. CI. B-Sinil Evgs.

8:30. Matinees SAT. and WED, at 2:30 MATINEE TODAY at 2:40 THE MAN WHO MloVtf: 1 CAME TO DINNER With IOTY WOOI.I.EV Ml SIC BOX. 4 St. W.

of Ifway. No IVrf. Mon. MatitToila.v A Sat 'Mll MATINEE TODAY 'Adult, amusino 4 absorbing' Anderson, Jo-Am. INA llll II' CLAIRE MERIVALE in EH KM A Npw Play 1 HE TALLEY METHOD IIENRV MILLER'S.

I'M V. ItR.it-.'WTO Evs.JI:45LSI.I0 lo $3.30. MatsToday Sat. 2:45 2 SHOWS SUNDAY "Vff lVi TOBACCO ROAD 8th YEAR 1 with Wll.l fiEEK FORREST. 49 St.

W. of y. Mats. Sat. A Sun.

Opens TOMORROW EVE. 8NEWS Jay Richard Kennedy (tn association with Alfred Bloominadale Joseph F. Locwi) pretentt YOUR LOVING SON A- A new comedy by Abby Merchant with Jessie Roy eo Landis. Jay Fassett. Frankia The ma LITTLE Thea.

44 St. W. at B'way. LA. 4-1291 TIppI- ThPfltrp last niVht There is the same smoldering passion, the same noble conviction in motive, the same determination to keep the characterization human, and the mediums of its expression eane and acceptable.

This time the subject has the timeliness of first-page news. It is concerned with a new kind of Nazi mmmmmmmmm Lucile Watson Wr brood is varied. persecution that of the pursuing Gestapo. It relates the ten-day ad venture of the Kurt Mueller family fleeing from one neutral state to another, never more than a little distance ahead of its relentless enemies. Sentiment Grows.

It gains a broad sentimental and emotional appeal for American audiences when the Muellers seek sanctuary in the girlhood home of Sara Mueller, who was a Farrelly of Washington, D. before she married. For reasons not made too clear Sara's American mother and brother have had little contact with the Muellers since the first world war. They appear to have been mutually content to let their love for one another stand as something to be taken for granted. The Muellers arrive at the Far-rellys, some twenty miles outside Washington.

They are a little bedraggled and homeless and very tired. They are made welcome and are briefly relieved. But it happens that Sara's mother has also taken in the daughter of an old friend and her husband, the Count and Countess de Brancovis. De Brancovis is a Romanian nobleman out at pocket and vaguely associated with the diplomatic service. A nasty fellow it could not have been easy for the Farrellys to accept.

Blackmail Intrudes. Suspecting the identity, or at least the political status, of Kurt Mueller, the De Brancovis person threatens blackmail. He wants the money that Mueller has collected for the anti-Nazi cause, and specifically to buy the freedom of other patriots held in concentration camps. He doesn't get the money. The courage and martyr-like devotion of Mueller defeat that game.

But there is still no peace for the Muellers. work, or Kurt's must go on. And -does. Herman Shumlin has directed "Watch on the Rhine" with the intelligence and understanding that he has given to the other Hellman dramas. But, it seemed to me, with a shade more conscious delib.