WINNETKA WEEKLY TALK, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 2, 1924 15 SCREEN HERE AND THERE ON STAGE AND oxy 2 0G) Reviews of the Week By Thespian AMATEUR Cold weather and a comparatively small crowd failed to prevent the Theatre Guild from giving a very creditable per- formance of the "Red Robe" at Win- netka last Saturday night. The "Red Robe" is listed as a tragedy, it was writ- ten by Eugene Brieux and produced in France for a number of years. Later it was used in New York with Lionel Barrymore and Doris Rankin under the title of "The Letter of the Law." The story concerns a French custom of bestowing the coveted red robe upon the public official whose record of con- victions in criminal cases is preeminent. The frantic desire of an Examining Magistrate to fasten the guilt in a mur- der mystery onto one Etchepare starts the plot on its way. Mr. Dean, director of the Theatre Guild took some liber- ties with the story as written and elim- inated many of the abuses of the French political and judicial system. The changes worked for smoothness in the action. . A cast of thirteen people was neces- sary for the play but many of the parts were short ones, appearances being made frequently in only one of the four acts. The really difficult roles were in the hands of Perry Dunlap Smith, Sam C. Smart and Mrs. Dudley Cates. Mr. Smith, while not the cunning, crafty prosecutor modern drama has some times portrayed, gave a creditable performance in a hard part. Mr. Smart, as the tired and discouraged prisoner, showed to good advantage, while Mrs. Cates has never been better than she was in the role of the wife of Etchepare. Her cli- max at the end of the second act was particularly impressive. Mrs, Leslie Parker, and Mr. Abram Mendenhall dis- played ability in the shorter parts. "The Red Robe" is not an easy under- taking for the Theatre Guild or for any other amateur organization. Congratu- lations are certainly in order on the creditable way it was presented in this case. " Not to mention the "mock trial" which was given at the Annual Dinner of the Congregational church last Wed- nesday would be to overlook a splendid bit of amateur work. Many a similar affdir has bored an audience almost to tears but here was a more or less im- promptu affair that was exceedingly funny. Mr. Roswell Mason was the Judge, Mr. Charles Eastman the Clerk of Court, Messrs. Janney and W. C. Boyden, Jr., the attorneys, Mr. Merritt Lum, the prisoner and Mr. James White and Mrs. Merritt Lum, the witnesses. The audience of over 400 was exceeding- ly generous in their praise of the effort. "THE LULLABY" With Florence Reed Illinois Theatre This is Edward Knoblock's play which he dedicates to "The women that men have forgotten." It is the biog- raphy of the love affairs of Madelon, presented in ten scenes and covering the chapters of this woman's life from the cradle to the brink of the grave. It provides an excellent opportunity for the star, Miss Florence Reed, to ex- hibit her versatility. One finds her forced from home because of an affair that went too far, sees her living in Paris with an American painter and lat- er with a Count. Twenty years later she is a harlot in Tunis, killing a young sailor who has approached her because her own son, whom she would not know by sight is also in the navy. The play tears off the mask and re- veals the experiences of this unfortun- ate woman without any hesitation. It stirs the emotions but never to the point that sheer melodrama brings them. It is brutally frank at every turn and the type of play that used to be advertised in moving picture circles as being for "adults only." Much like "The Lady" current here not so long since but ex- celling that entertainment in many ways. Without Miss Reed I hesitate to say what might happen to the play. She is responsible for a remarkable piece of dramatic work even in face of the fact that many of her lines are not always entirely audible. She has.a part to play and how she does play it. Tragedy, pa- thos, love and all the other emotions that enter the life of such a woman as this, are faithfully revealed and all without the slightest overplaying. The Lullaby is well written and well directed with the additional asset of hav- ing a cast which, with one exception, is remarkably good. It is probably the strongest of the sex plays that have been presented here. SCREEN "A WOMAN OF PARIS" Directed by hurts Chaplin Orpheum Theatre Mr. Charles Chaplin, temporarily ex- changing his cane and mustache for pen and megaphone, wrote and directed this picture in which he does not appear. ity as a fine actress. The result is an unusual piece of screen work. : Not that the story is remarkable; it is a most conventional one and might have been written by the prize pupil of a scenario school. It concerns a country girl who through several unfortunate and unavoidable incidents loses her lov- er, leaves for Paris by herself and goes "wrong." It doesn't end in the conven- tional way, there is no "hokum" and none of the usual moving picture "bur- lesque" methods are employed. Chaplin developed his ideas so simply and with such accurate knowledge of human emotions that he has made a com- mon place story take on the aspects of a great picture. His characters live real lives and act as human beings real- ly act. Miss Edna Purviance proves her abil- She and her Parisian bachelor friend, portrayed by Adolphe Menjou, have a number of scenes together which are handled in a manner so natural as to almost shock one. Carl Miller as the young lover is also good. If you would like to see a different kind of motion picture, where human beings act as you or I would act, and where they register their emotions with no apparent thought of a possible audi- ence, go to see this! "FLAMING BARRIERS" Paramount Picture McVickers Theatre What won't they do for a moving picture story. Here is a built-to-order melodrama, illogical, apparent and jerky. It concerns the inventor of a fire truck who unsuccessfully tries to sell it. His beautiful daughter does her best to help him. The bank notes are due and no money in sight. The Fire chief's con- vention is their big chance. Enter the villian who commits everything but mur- der to thwart them. And then there is the great forest fire and a lively hero to help furnish the proof of the ability of the new fire truck. And all ends well. Antonio Moreno is good as is Jac- queline Logan but Walter Hiers has some rather sad comedy moments. It would certainly take a better scenario than this to drag me out at present temp- erature readings, "TWENTY-ONE" First National Picture Chicago Theatre An interesting and well executed pic- ture largely because of the most excel- lent work of Richard Barthelmess as the young man who is almost of age. He is the son of rich and indulgent parents, (especially his mother,) and falls in love with a good, though poor, young lady. Threatened by his parents with an annulment should he dare marry be- fore he is twenty-one, he leaves home and secures work as a taxi driver, later being able to save his father from a band of thugs. A reconciliation all around is the final result. The Barthelmess fans will rave about him in this picture and rightly they may. Here, ably assisted by Dorothy Mackaill, he attempts a quite difficult part and handles it exceedingly well. The shortcomings of the story are more than overcome by his work. VAUDEVILLE As the winter wears on the vaudeville bills appear to improve and those at the Majestic are no exception. Last week saw Jimmy Kemper and his company present a most interesting group of songs and instrumental numbers that were quite out of the ordinary. Able assist- ance on the program was given by Wal- lace Galvin, a good magician, and by the Two Rozellas who have been show- ing their wares for many years but are always worth seeing and hearing. r | Neighboring Theaters | J NEW EVANSTON Mabel Normand in "The Extra Girl" is providing Evanston patrons with genuine entertainment this week. The picture will continue over the week-end. A Spat family comedy affords additional activity for the fans. Beginning Monday the New Evanston offers "To The Ladies," a James Cruze production starring Theodore Roberts, Edward Horton, Louise Dressler and Helen Jerome Eddy. This drama has enjoyed record runs on the legitimate stage and is said to lack none of its in- terest in the pictures. ADELPHI Wesley Barry, in "The Country Kid" is showing at the Adelphi this week- end. Other bright juveniles are found in this picture. It is the story of orphans, a miser and a pair of sweethearts. "The Call of the Canyon" is the Adel- phi picture Tor Sunday and Monday, February 3 and 4. "East Side, West Side" will be seen on Tuesday, Febru- ary 5. "Gentle Julia" is promised for Wednesday and Thursday of next week. Pictures booked for the early future include "Pleasure Mad," "To The Lad- ies," House Peters in "Held to Answer," "Little Old New York." A specialty attraction to be witnessed soon is "Around the World" in "The Speejacks." HOWARD "This Freedom," a film interpretation of the A. S. M. Hutchinson novel of that title is being shown at the Howard this week-end. Fay Compton and a brilliant cast are seen in this production which endeavors to answer the question "Can a wife win freedom and happiness and disregard her home duties ?" "Cupid's Fireman" will be seen at the Howard on Sunday, February 3. Marion Davies in "Little Old New York" will be the Howard attraction for four days next week beginning on Monday, February 4. Early showings at the Howard will include: "The Meanest Man in the World," "Guests of Broadway," "The Song of Love" and "Fashion Row." NEWELL & OWARD N. W. "L" Station at Howard Thursday, Friday and Saturday S. M. Hutchinson's Novel "THIS FREEDOM?" The Howard Syncopaters Forrest Nicoli, Director Ten Artists Ten Artists Sunday CHAS. JONES "CUPID'S FIREMAN" The Howard Syncopaters In All New iNumbers Mon., Tues., Wed. Thurs. MARION DAVIES In the Success of Successes "LITTLE OLD NEW YORK" RETCHIN Pick of the Fictures | ADELPH 7074 North Clark St. Today (Thursday) TOM MOORE "BIG BROTHER" Friday and Saturday WESLEY BARRY "THE COUNTRY KID" Sunday and Monday ZANE GREY'S "THE CALL OF THE CANYON" Tuesday EILEEN PERCY KENNETH HARLAN "EAST SIDE, WEST SIDE" BABY PEGGY "SUCH IS LIFE" Wednesday and Thursday "GENTLE JULIA" The Gumps--"Aggravating Mama" The North Shore's Most Representative Theatres ESTABLISHED 1854 C. H. JORDAN & COMPANY FUNERAL DIRECTORS FOR 69 YEARS 164 N. Michigan Ave. 612 Davis Street, Evanston, Ill. Phones Randolph 1346-1347 Phone Evanston 449 Income Tax Facts Official Information, Bureau of Internal Revenue In computing his net income for the year 1923 a taxpayer may- deduct from gross income all losses, incurred not only in his business, trade or profes- sion, but in any "transaction entered into for profit" not compensated for by in- surance or otherwise. To be allowed, losses not incurred im trade or business must conform closely to the wording of the statute. For ex- ample, a loss incurred in the sale of a taxpayer's home, which at the time of purchase was bought without intention of resale, is not deductible, because it was not a transaction entered into for profit, Losses sustained in the operation of a farm as a business venture are deduc- tible. "If sustained in the operation of a farm operated merely for the pleasure or convenience of the taxpayer, such losses are not deductible. 200,000 IN CZECH SCHOOLS Nearly 200,000 students attend the 1,646 industrial and technical schools of Czechoslovakia. These schools include Czechoslovak, German, Magyar, Ru- thenian, Czech, and Czech-German schools. They differ widely in the type of instruction offered, for the sub- jects taught range from architectural and electrical engineering to basket making, lace making, and embroidery. One group of schools prepare its stu- dents for' trades working with wood, metals, glass, stone, clay, and textiles. School Life. HOW TO SLASH DRESS-MAKING : BILLS Ladies! There's an Ad in our paper offering a Canton Crepe dress for only $15. It cost $40. Think of what a shock it will be to your husband when you finally tell him what you paid for it! iat -------- tT El. = ¢ $6).00 § DOWN he HOOVER It BEATS... as it Sweeps as it Cleans Sg 4 8 Chain 1561 SHERMAN AVENUE Phone Evanston 2237 SPECIAL As Distributors for APEX WASHING MACHINES most popular of ALL washers, we are offering the MOST UNUSUAL TERMS ever heard of! Limited Period Only Bello G GIRL SCOUT TRAINING Girl Scout leaders are trained in regu- lar courses at about 90 institutions for higher education in 27 states. More than half of these courses are given by instructors under the supervision of the education department of the Girl Scouts (Inc.) and the rest by regular faculty members or by representatives of local Girl Scout troops. In the courses of- fered by the Girl Scouts the classes are conducted, as far as possible, in the form of scout-troop meetings. E THE NEW N\ VANSTOL "The Big Pictures First" NOW PLAYING Mabel Normand "TheExtra Girl' also THE SPAT FAMILY STARTING MONDAY The James Cruze Production 6é od To The Ladies" with Theodore Roberts, Edward Horton, Louise Dressler and Helen Jerome Eddy. MATINEE EVENING 2 to 5:30 7 to 11 TRI C [J 1 5 PER WEEK $ 25 DOWN LOWEST TERMS ever offered on The Hoover. See Demonstration. Stores 8