Critical Moments

The other night at the Vanderbilt Theatre a French farce of the sex variety started what may prove to be a short but not sweet run. It is called “Another Love,” the work of Jacques Deval, and was received with a rather spiteful glee by the critics, who called it just “another one of those things.” It concerns itself with the son of a libertine who, outraged by his daddy’s conduct, successfully makes a play for pop’s latest lady friend. This is considered very “hot stuff” for a French playwright but to an American audience it is all pretty hackneyed and nearly dull.

THE OPPENHEIMER

My interest in the play was George Oppenheimer who was wholly responsible for the translation and adaptation. Mr. Oppenheimer is not a newcomer to the legitimate stage and his reputation among the literati is well known. A few years ago this young, tall, reedy-looking fellow was one of the leading Vikings in the Viking Press. Together with Harold Guinsberg and B. W. Huebsch he ran the Viking Press. During those years Mr. Oppenheimer played a constant role in which he informed the other publishers on the intricacies of the publishing business. He was at his best when he had an audience to whom he could dish out advice.

WENT THEATRICAL

In September, 1932, his first play, “Here Today,” was produced. It was considered very smart and ran for about a month. A taste of the theatre soured Oppenheimer on the book business and the next thing he knew he found himself in Hollywood working for Samuel Goldwyn. It was his duty to procure for the company novels that could be made into moving pictures. As far as I know he is still connected with M-G-M and is still looking for material.

Last Fall he came to New York and in the line of duty was forced to mingle again with his old publishing friends. In the course of events he invited Max Schuster and Dick Simon out for lunch. When they met and were seated at a table ready to discuss the availability of the S & S list, the wise-cracking Max Schuster piped up, “Well, George, who’s slumming, you or us?”

ABOUT THE CINEMA

Passing the Astor Theatre last night where “The House of Rothschild” is playing, I noticed a line leading to the box-office that stretched all away around the corner. . . . This is the last Elizabeth Bergner plug: she was born in Vienna in 1900 and has light brown hair, extremely large and expressive brown eyes, is slight in build and doesn’t stand much over five feet. She dislikes to see women smoke but she herself is never without a cigarette. She is married to Paul Czinner, who directed all her Continental successes, as well as “Catherine the Great” and “Ariane.”. . . . Ann Harding, RKO picture star, is partial to green as a color. I thought you were burning to know this fact. Nevertheless for evening wear, Miss Harding prefers black and creamy white. . . . The things you can pick up from a press sheet?

OPERA AT THE HIPPODROME

Grand Opera at low prices will be resumed at the New York Hippodrome beginning with the evening of Sunday, April 1, it was announced by Cecil E. Maberry, the Hippodrome’s managing director. The general policy is to be the same as last summer.