In the Realm of the Stage and Screen

“QUEER PEOPLE” a comedy in three acts and ten scenes, by John Floyd, dramatized from the novel of the same name by Carroll and Garrett Graham. Satged by Melville Burke; settings by P. Dodd Ackerman; produced by Galen Bogue. At the National thertre.

SOME years ago there appeared in these parts a novel written by Carroll and Garrett Graham called “Queer People.” Much to the delight of the authors and publisher it sold very well and now it has been made into a play and may be seen at the National Theatre.

As a novel, “Queer People” was the amusing story of Whitey, an amucable rascal, a newspaperman with a flair for doing the usual in an unusual way. He drank, swore, aacted cadishly, disappointed his frieds, betryed his himself involved in a series of messes, but, withal, he was one of these smilling, seemingly goodnatured, overgrown boys whom nobody could really dislike. Most of the action took place in Hollywood among the denizens of the movie colony and the authors took full advantage of an opportunity to poke fun at the inhabitants of that strange place.

In transcribing this story to the stage, John Floyd has taken the more exciting episodes out of the book and by allowing his hero to become mixed up in a murder has given the play a dramatic climax. The play is saved from coplete failure only by the acting of Hal Skelly who plays the part of Whitey, the rascal. This genuinely amusing comedian manages to give his lines life and verse. His anties are at times really excruciatingly funny. The cast, numering some thirty-eigth players, lags far behind Mr. Skelly but among the actors who do their jobs well are Gladys George, Helen Calir, Frank Otto and Dwight Frye.

LEGAL MURDER, a play in three acts and seven scenes by Dennis Donoghue; presented by Allen Productions at the President Theatre. Bastur Jackon Baby Kid Ben Rudolph Europe Med Maxwell Jones Scotty Glen MKay Dixie Mary Marian MeLaughlin Joe Green Willaim Clifford Paul Claver Richard Freye June Marjorie Warfield Roy Affonza Ashley Smitty Earl Pillard Ned Alonzo Settles The Judge Burt Cartwright The Defense Attorney

Divid Krotchman

The Prosecuting Attorney,

William E. Triplett

“Legal Murder” is a dramatic and sincere effort to prove that the nine Negres convicted of assault in the infamous Scottsboro case were framed and were nothing more than victims of the soutern idea of justice for the colored race. The author makes out a case amd a convincing one.

In presenting his piece Mr. Donoghue follows in broad outlines the developments in the actual case but in the detial, such as starting off the proceedings with a comic Negro marraige and having the boys appear to be singers who are on their way to Chicago be cecome radio stars, the author wanders. This method allows him to introduce some Negro spititual singing and other forms of entertainment into the production.

The cast, composed largely of Negroes, acts naturally and with spirit. How successful “Legal Murder” will be depends a great deal on the reception accorded Jhon Wexley’s “They Shall Not Die” which will open next week.

THE GIULD’S PLAYS

Theresa Helburn is directing “Races,” the Ferdinand Bruckner play, which the Theatre Guild will offer as the fifth play of the season. “Races” treating vital problems in Hitlerized Germany, will have Mady Christians in a leading role. “They Shall Not Die,” the Guild production of Jhn Wexley’s play based on the Scottsbore case will open Wednesday night at the Ropale Theatre. The direction was done by Philip Moeller, and the cast includes: Ruth Gordon, Claude Rains, Helen Westley, Linda Watkins and Frank Wilson. Mr. Wilson, foremost among Negro actors, will be recalled among Negro actors, will be recalled for his splendid acting in “In Abraham’s Bosom,” the Paul Green play of some seasons ago.

GAIGE’S “RAGGED ARMY”

“Ragged Army,” the Crosby Gaige production of the Beuhla Marie Dix-Bertram Millhauser play, dealing with New England bluebloods, originally announced for opening Wednesday, has been postponed to the following evening so as not conflict with the Theatre Guild opening of “They Shall Not Die.” “Ragged Army,” was staged by Mr. Gaige, in association with Felix Jacoves, and the cast includes Lee Baker, Thomas Chalmers and Emily Lowry. The Selwyn Theatre will house this play.

BUNDING CONTINUES

“Pursuit of Happiness,” the spicy and highly amusing comedy on bundling during revolutionary days, has passed the one hundred and fiftieth performance at the Avon Theatre.

“YELLOW JACK” REHEARSING

Guthrie MacClintoc’s prodution of Sidney Howard’s play, “Yellow Jack,” is now in rehearsal and scheduled for an early production. Prominent in the cast assembled by Mr. MacClintoc, are Geoffrey Kerr, Harold Moffatt, Geoge Nash, Richie Ling and Whitford Kane.

FROM GORDON OFFICES

Max Gordon’s production of “Dodsworth,” starring Walter Huston, will arrive at the Shubert Theatre next Saturday night. Fay Bainter and Maria Ouspenskaya are appearing in important roles. Another item from the Gordon offices is to the effect, that because of the acclaim afford by the press to the principals in “The Shining Hour,” Gladys Cooper, Adrienne Allen and Raymond Massey, will be starred.

GERMANY BANS ‘MARRIAGE’

“The Bankruptcy of Marriage” by V. F. Calverton, literary editor of Ray Long & Richard R. Smith, Inc., has just been banned in Germany by Criminal Order 1740,the “Deutsche Freiheit” reports.

Published in America in 1928 and a best seller in Germany for over two years, the book was translated into thirteen languages.

Y.M.-W.H.A. DEBATE

Seeing the advent of a “new order” in the government of the United States as the opening of new avenues to happiness for Jews in this country, Miton Reinstein, talking on “The Jew on the Threshold of the New Order.” survived the Bronx region eliminations of the annual oratorical comtest sponsored by the Metropolitan League of Jewish Community Centers and the Jewish Welfare Board. He will represent his borough in the metropolitan finals to be conducted today at the Washington Heights Y. M. and Y. W. H. A., St. Nicholas avenue and 158th street.