Comes a Week of Torment By Jay Carmody. There foas bad blood and many an acrimonious word when the New York Critics’ Circle held its equivalent of Town Meeting to select a prize play last spring. Ballot after ballot was cast without at least result, without the desired result of selecting a drama worthy of the critics’ award. The voters grew restive, petulant, and eventually personal. Finally, however, the tardy, reluctant and compromise conclusion was reached that “The Patriots,” by Sid- ney Kingsley, deserved the accolade, or plaque, which the critics confer annually.

The meeting was over then, but its effects were not. With a fine contempt for the unwritten law that critics shall not be held accountable for their individual or collective action, perfect strangers began to pummel them mercilessly. Their best friends joined in and eventually the riotous spirit so infected the victims that they began to pummel each other. When emotional stability was reasonably restored—it is never perfectly achieved among professional theatergoers of any class— the circle was a mere segment of its former self. Resignation fol- lowed resignation, each accompanied by the bitter implication that the organization had been reduced to an absurdity by the attitude and conduct of such and such a so-and-so. Among those who had things to say were George Jean Nathan, Woolcott Gibbs and Burton Rascoe. Mr. Rascoe, a quantitative critic, had more things to say than any one else but the others were more pointed. Mr. Gibbs Gave Bright Fillip Iq Brushing Feud Aside. In its loose way, the whole thing added up to one of the sea- son’s better comedies, the high light of which was Mr. Gibbs’ the- hell-with-it column, in which he admitted that he might have palmed off a lemon on some one when he, in great weariness, voted for “The Patriots.” As a commentary on the whole business of group judging of dramatic merit, it was one of the year's most coi»- structive pieces of literature. It did not, however, have the ultimately good effect of elimi- nating the annual practice of bringing the critics together for an- other go at naming the season’s best play. As in the past, they will gather again on Tuesday of this week and it is regarded as quite possible that the drama of the meeting will be better than any that the group will be called upon to judge. An even stronger possibility, of course, is that even with the disgruntled ones back in the fold there will be no critics’ award * this year. The rules have been changed—in the interest of amity—to provide that a simple majority shall be decisive this time. More- over, there shall be but one ballot. In the past the balloting has gone on until a decision in favor of one play was reached. That, of course, necessitated one or more changes in an original con- viction which inspired Mr. Nathan at one time to point out, with faultless logic, that second-choice plays ended up by getting first- place votes from weak and vacillating characters among the critics. Less refined and scholarly men carried the thought to the more brutal conclusion that a growing lust for dinner, or a drink, eventually inspired some berserkly compromise voting. ■y-m: ,4 If First Ballot Is Futile FRAN^CRAVEN^^ —Wide World Photo. The Day's Work Is Ended. This churlish reasoning was a factor inspiring the decision to JENNIFER JONES. —Wide World Photo. Shave and Dab of Powder His limit this year’s voting to a single ballot. If nothing comes of it Make-up in the way of a majority fqr one play, nothing comes of it. The By Frances Lone. critics and out of Acted in "Bernadette” just get up get there, as amicably as possible, NEW YORK. stage is a complete bore”—he waved stage brought him back to New York Jennifer Merely and no playwright gets a plaque. That may be disappointing to Make-up paraphernalia is con- his pipe to emphasize his words. for the first time since * February, By Rosalind Shaffer. possibly several playwrights, but it promises well for the dignity of spicuously absent from Frank Slightly built, but erect in stature, 1942, when he appeared in “The HOLLYWOOD. also trying to get a foothold as an character. Where others might have the profession of criticism. Craven’s dressing table; a powder Craven hasn’t devoted his entire life Flowers of Virtue.” Don’t let that of two a kit saintly portrayal actor. made motherhood and limited funds The most promising possibility of a decision on the one ballot box, pink puffs, shaving to acting. Liking “variety, but still “We couldn’t have been arrested Bernadette by Jennifer Jones fool and an old worn all. to the he an excuse for giving up on a career, this year lies in the universal affection of the critics for “Okla- pipe—that’s sticking >original subject,” for blocking traffic in that one; it She isn’t like Phyllis was pretty, but shy, and you. that at all. Jennifer with on “A quick shave, a dash of powder, has written many plays, produced stayed it, kept homa}” To vote for it, even a year after it on flopped in three days,” he laughs. She is a very about fed up with to opened Broadway, a on the I am pretty, lively girl, trying wangle either with work or with drag pipe, and ready many others, and directed movies in was bom lessons, would leave the in an Its Craven in 1880 in Boston, no matter what the photographers a film career. group unchallengeable position. phe- for the curtain," he says. She felt that the during her years in New York. She Hollywood. Mass. His father an£ mother were did to produce that aura and was nomenal box-office success, unlike that of many another popular Craven never has believed in saintly stage her metier, that she believes letting down is bad. Now- He says of his plays, “I never say inr the theater, and he what the dramatic never professionals director did in toning should to New York and when a efferiiig, has obscured the fact that the Theater "gunk," as he terms it, in all the I them. I like to write go try her adays, not on film, she works a/n writing made his first professional appear* down her bubbling personality. fcere. It Guild’s folk musical is one of the artistic years he has been on the and ’em in own sweet time and then wings eventuated that she out daily with a trainer; she gives great accomplishments stage my ance at the traditional age of 3. It's natural that her introduction never a screen. “It makes me uncom- got stage break, but came funny imitations of the little man of a whole generation. Moreover, it is the perfect piece of say, ‘There it is.’n He calls himself an “oldie” of the to the public in such an back films. he important to. My visit with her in prancing about and she following Americana at a time when the*most articulate of Americans is fortable,* says. He Likes theater and feels that the old role would Hollywood. good color people's conception her Bel Air home the other his contortions, as do His new play, “Mrs. January and day they amazing honestly unable to encompass the national spirit within an intel- His Hollywood career he describes days have gone. of her. But Jennifer herself resents was our first sinte that to music. Mr. Ex” (he is “Mr. Ex”), is early things definition. pleas- as, “making movies and rupees.” He “Theater now is strictly business,” comments by critics that she will be ligible urable to Frank Craven for other meeting. Jennifer says the prancing, kick- prefers to live in the movie capital he says, then adds with a chuckle, hard to cast, that she is a peasant, Jennifer has a reasons than the poise that Phyllis ing, foot wiggling and stuff keeps Other of Season’s Offerings. make-up aspect. because “my home and family are “but ‘Mrs. January and Mr. Ex.’ is 6low-paced type. She thinks they lacked; she’s more sure His sole as an Pres- of herse'f. her from becoming blue, a potent Plague the Judicial Mind. ex-Republican there” but his desire to act on the delightful employment.” ought to know better. They will, And Jennifer has two beautiful lit- hint that she isn’t exactly enjoying ident, retired to the country in an shortly, for she plays a high school tle boys. Bobbie and Michael, who the prospect of her divorce from However, if this critic were eligible to vote he is not positive advisory capacity, is a particular with crush in girl her next film. peeked in at us as the painter, Bob Walker, the price of dual screen at this minutf that he would choose “Oklahoma" By Tuesday delight, for he is a stanch Re- I met Jennifer several Creates a Portrait years ago. Charles San Portas, showed us how careers. he perhaps would have come to the conclusion that there was publican. Maugham She was Phyllis Isley then, playing he is with a Are Music. progressing portrait Likes Amusing People. no other choice. Speeches By Lawrence Perry. a lead now and then in a western, of their mother. Some of his and answers Yet there’s plenty of fun in Jen- In the meantime he would have contemplated “Jacobowsky speeches and married to young Bob Walker, Ambition is part of Jennifer Jones’ to Billie Burke, as the well-to-do NEW YORK. the entire company, but because of nifer. She likes and the Colonel,” which deals significantly—if not amusing people, perfectly—with Mrs. January, with slightly befud- Somerset Maugham’s play, “Shep- a rich, human quality. a one of the world’s greatest problems, that of racial tolerance. laughs with her hazel eyes and dled leanings toward Communism, pey," produced at the Playhouse by Otherwise, even the fact that car* “The Searching Wind” is another entrant that woqld clamor for music to his ears. is taken to label the piece "a por- The 25 Years Were delighted little chuckle at any funny are Jacques Chambrun, contains so serious consideration. “The Voice of the Turtle.” in its “Of I know more about trait” does not absolve it from its Happy crack, hastily adds one of her own. lightr- course, Jack many fine things as to redeem its a one of which is thd By O’Brian. hearted perfection also would have its appeal, and so would the stage than about politics—still defects, major Her soft black hair waves about as a of a NEW YORK. a it’s fun to voice an opinion and get shortcomings play. Indeed, I portrayal charming personality pjoperly—that high-minded en- her in a “Winged Victory,” Moss Hart’s brilliant piece of journalistic drama The Theater temples fluffy babylike way, he a in the grip, of a mental disorder. Guild, just about the deavor of it* sort could pay off dealing with the world’s most colorful the airman. away with it,” says with wry am quite sure that the fair per- and her hazel eyes have amazingly soldier, Some there will be who hold that a most important single motivating profits that would make more am- smile. centage of any, of its audiences— blue whites to them. Quite a strain it all is on the judicial powers of any one in man who comes into a fortune— force on the American stage, cele- bitious efforts possible. "And, above all, ‘Mrs. January how many there will be, who can Though she’s a tall girl with a the craft, even Mr. Rascoe, who, in his unique way, might vote some $40,000—and decides to brated its 25th anniversary last Leaving its semiprofessional status and Mr. Ex’ doesn't deal with sex. say?—will love it, not only because spend show girl’s figure, there’s a slight for “Ramshackle Inn.” it as he thinks Jesus Christ would Wednesday in a happy state of mind, fccHind after the pi- Settling the sex on the of acting in absolute by last —ar’s but constant sense of movement problem perfection and with a solid of unused have done need not necessarily be surplus ’".iitice', a name vras chosen and about her, the sort that D. W. Grif- red ink. a paranoiac. Whether or not Mr. its c.a’e:r in the professions, fith used to say characterizes young Maugham held some such view in As has been chronicled often, the cincts uptown began. Remember Dazzled a Film things. how he used to Cinema, Own Glamour, Starts mind I cannot say. At any rate, Theater Guild fixes its official The first cast included by start Dudley make the Gish sisters around? Cycle jump Harold Sheppey, a barber in a fashionable as April 19, 1919, when the curtain Helen Westley, St. By Heffernan. „Edna The pretentious “Since You Went London shop, takes literally the in- went up at the old Garrick Theater Vincent Millay, Augustin Duncan HOLLYWOOD. theatricals has kept much material Away,” offers Jennifer her next junction, "Sell all thou hast and on Jacinto Benavente's "Bonds *of and Roilo Peters, who designed the Preparations at Warner Bros, for of great general interest away from role; the love scenes are played give it to the poor,” as well as other Interest." As sets and costumes. Each member filming Ihe story' of Variety, fa- the for a befits guild aims, it with her estranged husband, and theater-going public long of the Master’s admonitions, after was an artistic achievement of earned S25 a week. mous theatrical publication founded time. But now on every it’s doubtful if any young actress producers he finds himself one of the lucky in For the of Its by the late Sime Silverman, is one to be around to the recognized stature, but a financial greater part quar- ever had a more difficult assign- lot seem getting the Irish ter of gestures from Sweepstakes. thud of resounding proportions. The century the guild was governed ment. You might say she portrayed many significant idea of viewing themselves and their six directors: Hollywood to mark the opening of Bitterness Is Undertone. second production, St. John Er- by Theresa Helburn, a saint in her first role, had to be a predecessors on the stage objectively, a new vine’s “John Ferguson,” established Lawrence Langner, Philip Moeller, saint to play her second one. cycle. with the same realization that a rich In the theme—not novel, by the Show it has been the organization on a sounder finan- Lee Simonson, Maurice Wertheim business, seems, field of is to be found there. way, of setting up a character who It’s typical of that firm something material cial and Helen Westerly. For the last taking a long look at itself in the attempts to apply the precepts of footing. that underlies her soft, yielding Names to Be Abundant. five Miss Helburn and mirror. It likes its looks and has Christ in a hard and Before that, however, the guild years Lang- feminine that she did practical personality, decided to do a back to the film- started as ner have controlled its destinies. definitely little Getting proposed catch notes of bitter actually the Washington not an world—you allow this to be obstacle. of its via the motion of which will be titled Players, a of idealistic Langner. 'nc'd^ntally, was the glorifying own, ing- Variety, realism which characterize so many group but orig- It’s prophetic of a great career not inal force that picture screen. “Mr. Broadway,” its cast will of of novels and stories. exactly solvent persons inter- moving got the ahead for the girl who has been Maugham’s ested in gu.-d staneu. Maybe it’s about time, too. For necessity contain the names of more Whether or not the author intended the less realistic commer- stamped with the theatrical phrase cial theater. Since its the has years the screen ha# been glamor- theatrical celebrities than any other ironically to convey the thought They believed—or per- inception guild "Morning glory,” signifying a one- izing other professions and busi- picture dealing with show business. that a man would act haps the word “hoped” fits more (See O'BRIAN, Page C-9.) performance actress. only crazy --■* nesses—from Louis Pasteur, the Variety, as the showmen’s paper, has as Sheppey did, the fact remain^ scientist, to Alexander Graham Bell, always bulged with showmen’s names discarding the confirmatory diaas inventor of the telephone. Now it and showmen's news. No consci- nosis of a celebrated alienist, set to tell its own Not thgg seems story. entious job could be done with such any man who injects a prostitu*| the sordid of course, but the side, a story without using many mum- and a disreputable burglar into % adventurous and some- uplifting, mers whose names have become a normally placid and serene home as of show times exciting escapades part and parcel of American mem- members of his family is open to and famous business its people. ory. strong suspicion of mental malady. The story of Variety will be by Architects, lawyers, cooks and doc- The trouble with the play is that no means in this series of the first tors, gangsters and clergymen have after a gay, perfectly delightful first show business its own "tooting had their day on the screen and will act, set in a barber shop wherein horn.” The which started two cycle continue to have their day, but now, Edmund Gwenn gi$es an inimitable ago with “Yankee Doodle years for the first time, every major studio portrayal of a barber at his work, the Dandy,” glorifying the life and has made, is making or plans to remainder of the piece is taken up times of George M. Cohan, actually make a picture or two—or even more with the vagaries of the newly rich had a forerunner in “The Great —in accordance with the present- Cockney and the effect of their im- Ziegfeld" of seven years ago. Cur- day cycle which raids the showmen’s pact upon his dismayed family, there are a dozen or more rently, own roost for material. at other times come perilously close show business themes either ready Individually, actors have Dialogue is Brilliant. for release or on the fire. great been immortalized as far as the But, aside from characterization, Gershwin Film Coming. screen can immortalize any one. merit of the play lies In such lines “The Now in release is “Shine On, Har- Royal Family,” meaning the as only a Maugham can put into a vest Moon,” the story of Nora Bayes, Barrymores, have had their share of parable of life; in flashing shafts of who sang her way into the hearts screen attention—and may expect wit; in intimations of deep pathos; of many millions of Americans. Ann more if Gene Fowler’s biography of in occasional sparkles of humor. Sheridan plays the Bayes role, with the late John Barrymore, "Good Perhaps I can give you an idea. Dennis Morgan as Jack Norworth, EDDIE CANTOR. Night, Sweet Prince,” is finally When, in the end, Sheppey is con- who married her and wrote bought a studio. fronted the of death em- many —Wide World Photo. by by spirit of the songs she introduced. An- “Merton of the Movies,” “Once in bodied in a lovely brunette, when he other, to follow in midsummer, is searching for the correct type of made twice. “Movietone Follies” a Lifetime” and several other movies realizes, he has to go with her, he “Rhapsody in Blue,” based on the glamour ladies to interpret the lead- followed quickly and both “The Jazz nave attempted to catch the half- asks what is beyond. Death shakes Gershwin. life and music of George ing roles. Singer” and “The Singing Fool,” comic, half-deadly serious aspects of her head in solemn negative. She Robert a is intro- The is filled- Alda, newcomer, Order Films in Same Vein the first of which actually intro? Hollywood production. Yet most does not know. play duced in the Gershwin role, with This feel that movietown with touches like that. rich field of entertainment duced talking pictures, were con- people is still a Personally, such real show business as I liked it. I would it figures values has been tapped a little at cerned with theatrical subjects. great, unexplored field for film pro- enjoy seeing A1 Jolson, Paul Whiteman, George ducers to a time over a long period of years. All these, however, are few In mine. Maybe this new again. White, Oscar Levant and Hazel show business Miss Adler’s Sad. • Even the classic story, "Phantom comparison with the great number cycle will eventually Play Scott themselves. take How beautiful Stella Adler is! In playing of the Opera,” filmed twice, enjoys of which care of that, too. a few pictures glorified, glam- (Released Eddie Cantor pulled chap- a theatrical by North American Newspaper Claiborne Foster’s play, “Pretty background, though It orized or merely pictured other pro- Alliance. ters out of his own colorful life Inc.) Little Parlor,” presented by John is probably an entirely fictional one. fessions and professional people. story in a production titled “Show Moses and Ralph Bellamy at the Charlie Chaplin’s “The Circus,” as Presidents, statesmen and for politi- National Miss Adler is as Business,” which he supervised well as Next War Theater, “Variety,” which introduced cians have figured in many long- Pictures RKO, and recently it has been an- perfect a materialization of a Gib- Emil Jannings to American audi- remembered movies, such as “Abra- nounced that plans for the filming To Stress Heroism son girl as you could imagine. Phys- ences, permitted the screen some ham Lincoln,” “Disraeli,” and the of A1 Jolson’s life have been com- By the Associated Press. ically, sartorially, she is superb, and opportunity to display its own the- series of so-called long gangster it does seem a pity that pleted at Columbia. At present, atrical for HOLLYWOOD. playwrights background story pur- pictures which, rightly or wrongly, and persist in her 20th Century-Fox is preparing a No longer Is mamma to be producers putting poses. detailed the failure of the law to going into in which based on the careers of the harried with plays she has to beat story handle the the torture and horror One of the earliest talking musi- problem of postwar her head against a table, or a wall, Dolly sisters, for which Alice Faye aspects popular in war pictures, cals, “Broadway Melody,” went America. in hysterical emotion and in other and Betty Grable have been named such as "Purple Heart" and scenes backstage for its plot and its peo- The of to ways rack mind and body to as stars. disposition Hollywood of battle and carnage. trying ple, as did Universal’s early melo- concern itself more with the carry plays too burdensome even for Betty Hutton has completed her people A new War Department policy is drama, “Broadway,” which was and of the world from the shoulders of an Atlas. role as Texas Guinan, leading light things apart to emphasize stories of heroism and In the piece in question she is the of the prohibition cafe era, for Par- personal achievement in the war. second wife of a drunken failure of amount in "Incendiary Blonde." The objective of the earlier policy, Schedules a husband. She has a stepdaughter This is another show-business epic to show realistic and frightful as- Today’s destined for spinsterhood and mar- for summer being made ready con- CAPITOL—"Four Jills a pects, has been attained. Films in Jeep": 2, 4:45, 7:20 and 9:55 p.m. Stage tyrdom and a daughter of her own, sumption. reaching theaters in six months will shows: 1:20, 4:05, 6:40 and 9:15 p.m. aged 16. The play deals with the Several other theatrical show the new proper- COLUMBIA—"Heavenly Body": 1. 3:15, 5:30, 7:40 and 10 p.m. approach. woman's various machinations in ties are In various of stages prep- EARLE—"No Time for Love”: 1, 3:15, 5:35, 7:55 and 10 p.m. Stage attempting to ameliorate her life aration in studios. One Hollywood shows: 2:35, 4:55, 7:15 and 9:30 p.m. And Now Cows! and that of her family, in process of is to be called these "Night and KEITH'S—"Up In Arms ": 1:20, 3:20, 5:25, 7:25 and 9:30 p.m. HOLLYWOOD. of which she plots nefariously, lies, Day” and will detail the life of LITrLE—"Pied Piper": 1, 3:10, 5:25, 7:45 and 10 p.m. "Memphis That ranch which Bing Crosby cheats, double-crosses and, in gen- Cole Porter; another does the same Belle”: 2:30, 4:45, 7 and 9:20 p.m. bought in Nevada isn’t going to be eral, conducts herself in such man- for Vincent Yomnans, and still oth- METROPOLITAN—"Jam Sessions": 1:10, 3:20, 5:30, 7:40 and 9:50 a place just for the fun of the thing. ner as to make a designation usually ers are stories of the lives and p.m. “Memphis Belle”: 2:45, 4:40, 6:50 and 9 to such women an insult to THERE SHALL BE MUSIC—At the National beginning Monday night, 24, when “Rosa- p.m. It is intended to be a paying propo- applied April struggles of Marilyn Miller and Hel- PALACE—"Lady in the Dark”: 2:05, 4:35, 7:10 and 9:40 the most female canine a a p.m. sition. There are 10,000 acres with disreputable linda,” adrift from long Broadway run, begins week’s engagement here. Here prima donna en own PIX—"The Morgan. Warners the two Monster Maker": 1, 3:20, 5:35, 7:55 and 10:15 p.m. 2,100 head of cattle, and Bing hope*; you ever saw. Dorothy SamofJ lives through a romantic with Paul Best. * latter North foment *nd are now to another an before (Released bT Americas NewspajsW ybl08TaPhles —p-—:-\, put 5,000 lon£. Alliance. Inc.) ^