Critical Moments

Short, bustling, pugnacious Harold B. Franklin seems to have the faculty of always landing on his feet. In the course of the last ten years he has been connected with a number of sizeable theatrical ventures, most of which ended up indecisively, but despite this Franklin, who invariably could be found in a commanding position, came out of each one only to go into something bigger. His last job, if you can call it that, was as president of Radio City and the RKO Theatres. A receivership and change in management resulted in Franklin’s resignation, but I now learn that the little Jewish fellow has not been idle. He has joined forces with Arch Selwyn and together the team will sponsor plays and enter into other activities in connection with things theatrical.

ALREADY BUSY

Under the name of Selwyn and Franklin they will present plans and musical comedies. Already the combination has seven distinct productions in the offing. From what I can gather from the list the most important and, as the collegians say, “the most likely to succeed” is “Escape Me Never” which is now a smash hit in London and in which Elizabeth Bergner is playing. She will be in the role when the play starts its American run in the Fall. Other promising pieces due for production next season are “Conversation Piece,” a musical, also English; “Nymph Errant,” likewise musical; “Naked Lady,” a play based on the life of Adah Isaac Menken by Bernard Falk, and “The Old Folks at Home.”

Charles B. Cochran, English producer, figures largely in the plans of Franklin and Selwyn. Through the successful Cochran many of the leading British plays will be brought to this country under the F. and S. banner.

CLOSING THIS WEEK

Next Saturday night the final curtain will be rung down on “All the Kings Horses” which will then move on to Chicago; “The Pursuit of Happiness,” “Big Hearted Herbert,” “The Chocolate Soldier” and “The Pirates of Penzance.” To take the place of these there will be “These Two” at the Henry Miller; a revival of Noel Coward’s “Bitter Sweet,” at the Forrest; and “Milky Way” which opened last night.

FOX TO DO CHINESE FILM

Fox Films plans to make one of those combination scenic, epic sagas of the earthy people. Clyde Elliott, film director, will leave for the Yangtze River section of China where he will attempt to dramatize symbolically the effect of this turbulent stream on the lives of the millions who inhabit its shores. It is expected that the picture will be similar in purport to such films as “Grass” and “Chang.”

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer are about ready to start shooting a picturization of Dicken’s “David Copperfield.” It will be directed by George Cukor. The same company is also ready to film Stevenson’s “Treasure Island.”

The Embassy News Reel Theatre no longer confines itself to Pathe News Reels and the show this week demonstrated that too many cameras do not spoil the picture. Among the more interesting shots are the May Day demonstrations throughout the world; Dr. Cornish and the dog he brought back to life; the Penn Relays, and the Harvard-Dartmouth ski race. Unfortunately you will have to sit through endless pictures of battleships, soldiers and airplanes. Some day a news reel editor is going to permit an entire film that does not contain one battleship, a formation of planes, a motorcycle race and some four year old showing how well she recites. On that same day the banks will invite depositors into the vaults to help themselves; the telephone companies will give free service and a box office treasurer will say “thank you” when you pay him $6.60 for a $3.30 seat.