Critical Moments

This should be a gala day for the dry cleaners and tailors, because tonight at the Forty-fourth Street Theatre one of the season’s most talked about openings will get under way when the curtain rises on “Conversation Piece.” All the ladies and gentlemen who like to be seen and heard will appear in the usual gaudy trappings. Ermine wraps and stiff shirts will be the accepted costumes.

“Conversation Piece” will attract the dressy for a number of reasons. It is a romantic comedy by Noel Coward; Yvonne Printemps, the foreign star, will be seen in the leading role, and Arch Selwyn and Harold Franklin are the producers.

NO COMMENT

In Sunday’s column I mentioned the opening of “Hipper’s Holiday” at the Maxine Elliott but reserved comment. I must report that to the readers of this column what went on during the performance of “Hipper’s Holiday” will always remain a secret. It closed Saturday night after a run of three evenings.

THINGS TO BE SEEN

If you haven’t seen the newsreel picture of the assassination of King Alexander of Yugoslavia you have missed the most vivid and exciting things to appear on the screen in years. Both Fox and Hearst newsreels caught the event and I recommend the Fox film. It shows the assassin on the running board of the King’s automobile, the King lying prone and looking very ghastly on the back seat, the striking down of the killer by the police and their slashing swords, the gun that snuffed out the life of Alexander, the terror-stricken crowd and the confusion. All this is flashed before your eyes speedily. It is hard to believe, yet only too true….

Loew’s State Theatre is worth visiting this week. Not only will you see the ingratiating Ben Bernie and his band, but a sprightly revue and a really great picture—Grace Moore in “One Night of Love”—the proof that there is still hope in Hollywood….

I cannot recommend Gaumont-British’s epic film, “Man of Aran,” which is playing twice daily at the Criterion without reservation. It is beautifully done, expertly photographed and naturally acted, but I found it all a trifle dull and repetitious. However, if you are in the mood, I think you will be responsive….

“Continental Varieties” at the Little Theatre, having lowered the rates, has also made some change in the program. Lucienne Boyer will sing different songs and the great Raphael will play new tunes on his accordion. Escudero, however, will dance as before. It is “tops” in entertainment….

There will be a preview of the film “Loyalties” from the Galsworthy play of the same name at the Mayfair tomorrow night and the following day the film will become the attraction at that theatre. “Loyalties” should be of interest to Jews. It is excellently acted by a British cast….

“Miracles,” which is playing at the Acme this week, may be ranked with the best films to come out of Soviet Russia. It deals with the happenings in an industrial town in Russia during the reign of the Czar and shows how the government turned the people’s thoughts from their real grievances by appealing to their religious and racial prejudices. V. Gardin plays the stellar role….

And then of course there is the D’Oyle Carte company. This week it is giving “Pinafore” and “Trial by Jury” for the first three days, and commencing Thursday evening and continuing through Saturday it will present the ever beautiful “Iolanthe.” Seats are still difficult to obtain but if you have the patience to stand in line you can secure them….