AMUSEMENTS
Communist Dress Strike Fails in N.Y. Gangsterism Dominant Note In Movement of Repudiated Leaders to Stage Come-back rwvne decline and virtual bankruptcy of -*- the Communist leadership...
...Rosy cheeked English women, tired looking women with anxious little frowns, eager looking women, quiet women...
...The Civic Theatre has been engaged for the above mentioned date...
...Still there is the complicated plot, so Involved, with Fife's cheap newtstory trick played on young Light, to exceptional in its opposition of personal types and personal backgrounds, that we look upon it less as universal than as uniquely Individual...
...The fact that the play has been rejected by Broadway producers win not count against it as their object Is to produce plays which have artistic merit rather than commercial qualities and which will be a contribution to the American stage...
...For "Dynamo" is the first of an important trilology, O'Neill's most extended and most serious effort hitherto...
...The place is the "co-op" store on High St, The time, December 13, 1938, a rather wet day but too near Christmas to keep many shoppers at home...
...Just acquired a valuable piece of adjolnin3 property for a mere 115,000 pounds...
...The profit on a going concern doing an annual cash business amounting to about $20,000,000...
...The above article by Miss Lethe should interest our women readers...
...She is unconsciously one with the "unionists" of today...
...Co-op dividends are paid In cash and so slrrplUed for the co-op member-consumer that it teems simple...
...her silly declarations that she would like to be a turtle, that, while floating one day, she felt like a cake of soap dissolving ha the ocean, her understanding of the loresong of the dynamo, seem to foreshadow a more valid direction of man's journey than the frantic search of Reuben...
...The play selected Is called the "Good Hope," with Eva La Gallienne in the title role...
...Claudette Colbert Is in her way as delightful as the amusingly animal Catherine Calhoun Doucet...
...The strike, called by the Communist organized and dominated "Needle Trailes Workers Industrial Union"—an avowed dual organisation has revealed all the well-known earmarks of Communist "strategy...
...opens Monday, Feb...
...They prefer experimental plays of established playwrights...
...inhabit and technique it continues 'his tendencies and develops his ideas...
...The petering out of the strike movement win therefore eliminate the Communists from any further consideration and pave the way in the International Ladles Garment Workers Union for some real work of re-construction...
...18, at the Majestic Theatre...
...Reuben believes this intimate fact, this generative power, this will-to-being of the universe is held within the dynamo, the source of strength In the world today, the creator of electricity, root of aH things and forces...
...Its impulsion seldom so avowed as In his last moments, when Dynamo is to him the Divine Mother, to whose protecting womb he would return...
...Of the Theatre Guild's production of "Dynamo," lit tie space Is left to dweU upon the sympathy and skill with which the author's Intent is developed- The two houses of Acts I and n, In skeletal presentation—with the main wall— beams holding, and only the superficial material removed—are more suggestive of an actual movement indoors and out than was the complete razing of a wall in "Desire Under the Elms...
...at last at the cashiers' tables on the fourth floor...
...I had a view of the office staff busily computing sales on American made electric adding machines, of the sorting and entering and all the endless detail, and knew it was Indeed a modem, efficient executive department's planning which made possiole the simple, quiet way hi which the cash was returned to members...
...The directors are considering using another village theatre, not yet selected, for their fourth subscription bill which is to be "The Earth Between," by Vergil Geddes...
...but reason has still tc find...
...All ! wishing to attend are urged to come early j The debate will start promptly at 8:30 ! and the tickets axe $.75, $1.00 and $1.50...
...It is said that the play was purchased as a starring vehicle for Arthur Lake...
...The Man Who Cheated Life," with Conrad Veldt to the title role and Werner Krauss as his nemesis, is given its first American presentation at the Little Playhouse this week...
...A jreat organization of workers for workers...
...Reason today, at CNeOl through Reuben Light regards it, demands tba discarding of our outworn Gods—though, in passing, Reuben certainly glimpses a pathway in the thought that even the old stone idols, being ol atoms, were alive...
...The photoplay certainly achieved marked success to Europe where It was called "The Student of Prague...
...The new Messrs...
...The dynamo scene is a superb presentation...
...Kropotkin—Thomas Debate This Friday Friday evening February 15th at 8:30 P. M. in the Community Church Park Avenue & 34th Street Norman Thomas and Princess Alexandra Kropotkin win debate the recognition of the Russian Soviet Government by the government of the United- States...
...he moves directly, in great measure, in a new way, in the drama of human Impulses and emotions made manifest in spoken thought Free from the timorousness of the old "asides," this method achieves a new validity...
...It has already revealed the "Needle Trades Workers Industrial Union" as no union, at an, but merely another Communist subterfuge...
...In the author's words, "Dynamo" is a symbolteal and factual biography of what it happening in a large section of the Amer.can (ana not only American) soul right now...
...Edited by Pauline M. Newman CONCERNING WOMAN A fciwrtnent *t new* and views of partlcttlar interest to the woman of the labor movement...
...This need of a Central Source of Strength and Sustenance, that sends fear-fastened man in search of fundamental truths, which are God,, is seldom so conscious as In Reuben's quest...
...Shops have been raided and workers terrorized Into leaving their machines...
...Here and there a man—one "parked" In a comer of the stairway holding a tiny Infant while the wife collected their dividend...
...St Patrickt Day, March 17, 1937, wm be celebrated In the motion picture Industry by the release of "The Cohens and Kellys In Atlantic City," the latest feature comedy of Universale famous Cohens and Kellys series...
...Instead of striking against the employers, the Communist union is making the movement but another effort to fight the recognized union...
...I closed my eyes and again saw that endless line of quiet women, serious women...
...The play is an excellent one...
...he beats himself, as did the enemttes, as his minister-father had beaten him, to drive out thoughts that were sinful, because they carried his mind from contemplation, from service of his God...
...IN BRIEF The Universal Pictures Corporation has purchased the screen rights to the Owen Davis play, "Tonight at Twelve...
...proves to be a very long line, we pass along this great single file of co-operators extending from outside the store through the street floor, up the long flights of stairs en-1...
...Bespeaking the services of a uniformed attendant at the outer confines of wha...
...The grocery department represents 50 per cent Of tfae br~"—a l More than ISO MM iwmlon r* «*w> ciety...
...In the stage ot the development of O'Neffl's theme that "Dynamo" presents, the mechanization of the world, driving out the old forms of deity, has merely shifted the outward aspects by which man seeks to cover his fear of the unknown, "Pears of Death," O'Neill speaks of In his letter...
...The strike's total effect may be a healthy one, for It will serve to reveal to once again and conclusively "the bankruptcy of the Communists...
...Against these more personal, at least more physical, needs of women, loom the great problems that perplex the spirits of men, the world-fears and world propulsions which demand arrangement Into theories which shall satisfy at once man's reason and his pride...
...The Kresstn," the title of this picture, is heralded as one of the most unusual news reels ever filmed...
...This Impressed me—the quiet of these slowly moving rows of women—serious, collecting dividends, Christmas dividends...
...It seems to us, therefore, that the best we can offer Is to let Miss Leslie occupy our space...
...Women with Utile children below school age, women with shopping baskets on their arms, young women, middle-aged women, a few elderly women...
...More deeply in the being of May Fife, the natural woman, in whose responses to life InteUlgence seems but slightly to have come, to color her kindly animaUty, Is there evident a sense of religion, an allembracing recognition of spirit and fellowship...
...Dividend Day at the Co-op By MABEL LESLIE This will not be at all a regular sort of piece far your Life and Labor Bulletin...
...The leaders of the movement, the same as that which led the cloakmakers and furriers' unions in their disastrous strikes of 192S and 1928, have been forced to admit the failure to win support among the dressmakers...
...In "Dynamo" there Is a bold replacement of speech by thought...
...And still this Individual story must be swept in a universal significance, must—In this Instance by a severe wrenching of the mood after Act n—be at the same time story and symbol, shadowing forth Immense problems and their dim, desired solutions, reaching from one man's needs to the agony of mankind...
...Mess meetings ostensibly of strikers, picket lines, etc., have been made up of Communists from all over the city and vicinity and from an industries...
...Her store tells her to the penny bow much she has spent during the last quarter, for articles sold to hex at cost and she forms one of the long and growing lines of those women of Birmingham who claim their reward for good household management, efficient buying, more value in terms of food, clothing and shelter for their families—who claim their reward, I say, on dividend day at the Co-op...
...Charges by officials of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union that the Communists are employing gangsters and strongarm men to terrorize the girls, women and men into leaving their shops appear to be proven by daily public occurrences in the garment district...
...If only the moments of actual conversation were given the play would be, not merely a bit jerky as under similar conditions "Strange Interlude" would be, but wholly without substance...
...What more can we say...
...Film Guild Cinema where the moat interesting inaugural program it continuing, a day wrth Tolstoi has been added to a program already crowded with interest...
...With the above named three I participants this promises to be an eveI nlng which will for a long time linger In I the memories of all who attend...
...For on that day, or to be exact, on that evening, the women members ere having their first venture in raising funds with which to carry on the work for the party...
...With their production of Elmer Rice's '"The Subway," taken over by the T. & Productions, Inn, the Lenox Win Playen are looking for new plays...
...The usual, ordinary play, no matter bow wen done, win not be considered, but plays which are ahead of their time In subject matter and treatment win be warmly welcomed...
...Shubert Revue, "Pleasure Bound," starring Jack Pearl, FhU Baker, Alleen Stanley and Shaw and Lee...
...Their job is to make every penny count and so they join the B. C. S. Once every .hree months the housewife has her reward...
...Gangsterism Dominant Note In Movement of Repudiated Leaders to Stage Come-back rwvne decline and virtual bankruptcy of -*- the Communist leadership among the ladles garment workers in New York City has been graphically illustrated during the past two weeks by the so-called strike In the dressmaking industry...
...but there are probably earlier fears that crowd upon man with the coming of night, and the defencelessr.ess of sleep, before ever the thought of death raises Us grinning doom...
...Eugene 0*Ne&Ts "S...
...and we will reofcoiucats this encouragement when the opportunity presents itself...
...A I hurried along, moving in and out among the people, I suddenly rounded a corner and here was the great sign—Birmingham Co-operative Society...
...Taken on board the "Krassln," it tells the full story of its voyage through almost impenetrable seas of Ice and Its subsequent rescue of the stranded Italian flyers...
...of the "saints" of the dark ages...
...Except that we expect to get the encouragement from every one...
...So disastrous has the "strike" proven to the hopes of the Communists that they have fallen back on making gestures of "settlement" with a non-existent employers organization which has no responsibility in the industry...
...Come with me inside the "Central Premises"—not so fast, see that line outside the door—-the dividend collectors...
...The others are of the same plane, in minor parts, giving the play every opportunity to put across Its message...
...This play only recently closed at the Hudson Theatre...
...More about it in the next issue...
...His belief In God and good shattered by his parents' behavior on discovering the love he holds so pure, Reuben Light (O'NeUl's names con;inue to reach toward the suggestion of the olden moralities) goes forth to find the world anew...
...Two great stores, one at either side of the street, places where you may buy a teacup or a piano, a hat in a secluded and modem hat ehoppe, or a gramophone, toys in the Christmas Bazar or a colorful "puff" in the decoration department—or groceries, or a saucepan, a dress pattern, a rug, an "occasional" chair—or almost anything...
...Sounds like an American efficiency organization greeted me...
...Then the long return fine completing the circle...
...Organized...
...Hailed by foreign critics as "the peak of German film art," tt was the last Continental production to be filmed with Mr...
...In "The Man Who Cheated Life," Hans Heinz Ewers, the famous German author, has provided a fantastic f*jycnd of sSotMz^d*^, 0H£fc0t*9d sBLgftta1 'Allen Foe'* "WlUlam Wilson...
...Growing rapidly...
...In the tortured confusion of life today, the rehgtou to wbfch man can cUng from Which be can rear mmd rjedaatal) of satisfaction, with monuments of man triumphant, and beacons pointing an ¦assured approach to an ultimate goal of glory...
...The young man even catches himself using the Biblical formulas...
...There are some within our movement who look upon the co-operative movement with Indifference...
...Be had to conquer his fear of the lightning...
...The prices are low—the lowest in town...
...Technically, In both strength and weakness, the play is in a direct line with Its predecessors...
...Norman Thomas will take the affirmative and Princess j Kropotkin will take the negative...
...In this article Miss Leslie describes the practical side ot the workings of a Co-op...
...Veldt before he left for America...
...Though supposedly a strike of dressmakers, dressmakers have been peculiarly lacking in the movement...
...Prominant among those arrested for acts of violence are a number of well-known Greek gangsters, who have never worked in the dress industry...
...to play false In the hour of a need she could not comprehend...
...The Poe film, "The Fafi of the Bouse of Usher," has been eoznUed wrth a libretto to mate ha i abstractions less abstruse...
...A property investment of close to five million computed In American dollars, 30 million eajh business, regular dividends...
...Light is seeking a world where be belongs, and his answer—as his quest—is close to that of the Hairy Ape...
...Women entering with empty baskets and perhaps empty purses...
...So man "seeks what be variously calls reality, and truth, and the secret of the universe...
...Opposed to the conception of this one earth-woman who, like the prostitute In "The Great God Brown," Is man's mother, protector, friend—though he misunderstand her guidance, is the picture of woman using man for her ends, destroying him to satisfy her needs...
...The Theatre Party Let the ICth of March, 1029, remain a Kemorable day in the history of the Woman's See' '.on of the Socialist Party...
...Intent on making every penny count they had carefully considered the ilace In which to shop for best value...
...Alexander Fichandler who recently returned from a trip to Russia win be ' chairman...
...he pictures his godhead demanding the same sacrifices, the asceticism (and conseouent sexual temptations...
...In the former piece, the asides and soliloquies, besides being frequently brief interpolations, were often no more than such unspoken thoughts as effective dialogue and acting should enable one to surmise, had been, in other words, substitutes for dramatic skin in the author or intelligence in the audience...
...If '"Dynamo" had been unsigned, those familiar with O'Neill's earlier work should have had no hesitation in assigning its outborshlp...
...S. Olencaira" will not dose at the end of its scheduled four weeks at the Provtocetown Playhouse...
...It Is Ala Fife's desire of Reuben—to which she gives high-sounding names, such as "saving him for himself"—that leads her to deceive him...
...Technically, "Dynamo" marks a distinct advance beyond "Strange Interlude...
...Those of us who have seen the play are ready to see it again, not only because in doing so, we win assist the work of the Women's Section, but because It Is a good play...
...Leaving a Utile later with fun baskets and perhaps again empty purses...
...The playwright, then...
...the advance notes of "Dynamo" make It an unusually expectant throng that these days crowds the Martin Beck, for an early view of the drama...
...Tired at last of watching the endless fine, the owners of this great business, I asked for reports, details...
...AMUSEMENTS The Week On Stage By Joseph T. Shipley _ DTNA-MIGHT TPHE coming of an O'Neill play is always a matter of eager anticipation...
...In this way, unfortunately, those dressmakers who mistakenly but sincerely followed the Communist "strike" orders will fin*' themselves penalized...
...she always loved to lie naked under the storm...
...St is the flesh-call to his-wife that represents the Reverend's failure (though Its cause was the weakness In him, that made him feel It wrong and yet yield...
...The undertaking ts certainly worthy of your support...
...I was struck with the fact that not one question was raised, nor one complaint ent-red as thousands collected their cash dividends...
...It may be remembered that tile original "Cohens and Kellys" first reached the screen on March 17...
...Filmed to Prague, the actual locale of this unique mixture of fantasy and realism, the screen play depicts the dramatic conflict between a man's better and baser selves...
...With stress upon what moderns call the repetition compulsion, Reuben turns to worship of the machine, as his fathers had worshipped their less definite Jehovah, their vague but not so imminent, not so appreciable God...
...Is feebly seeking to combine two methods...
...The scene is laid in Birmingham, one Of England's great industrial centers, with a population of some six hundred thousand, and where "almost everything that can be made of metal is fabricated...
...I have called it by a regular sort of name but at I write I know it might better be called "Impressions," scattered memories of a day...
...A shilling in every pound ($4.86) spent was being returned to the consumers—the profit for the quarter...
...May it not be due to that Indifference that the Co-operative Movement in America does not keep pace with the movement abroad...
...It seems to me that anyone trying to do big work nowadays must have this beg subject behind all the Utile subjects of his plays or novels, or he is simply scribbling around on the surface of things and has no more real status than a parlor entertainer . . . The other two plays win be 'Without Ending of Days' and 'It Cannot Be Mad.'" "Dynamo" pictures the quest for a meaning in the world today in the melodramatic terms of a minister's hlsitant son who falls In love with an atheist's worldly-wise daughter...
...Manuscripts should be sent to the Lenox Hill Players at the Cherry Lane Theatre, or they may be tent tl> the Masque Theatre where "The Subway" it now playing...
...Moving pictures of the "Italia" rescue by the Soviet ice-breaker, "Krassln," will be shown in New York at Carnegie Hall on Tuesday ^evening, Feb...
...On Monday last they called In members of the Workers (Communist) party, of the Young Workers League, and other Communist organizations to go on "the plciet line...
...No use plSTinmg to have your laundry done at the "co-op" for It was regretfully pointed out that there Is no laundry service, but you can have "co-op" Pasteurized milk brought to your door...
...It is really the first play of a triology that win dig at the roots, of the sickness of today, as I feel it the death of an old God and the failure of science and materialism to give any satisfying new one for the surviving primitive religious Instinct to find a meaning for life In, to comfort Its fears of death with...
...If your readers will stop to picture the scene in their own minds— just as one tries to visualize a scene when reading a play—then my inadequate words wm perhaps create for the reader's imagination something of what actually occurs on dividend day at a busy "co-op...
...It isT hoped that all the comrades, men and women, win see to It that not a ticket is left untold...
...And for this, O'Neill continues the method that has given power to his best dramas, giving voice on the stage to the impulses that In life would, in these creatures, have been suppressed or stifled...
...At the sth St...
...Yet even the atheist Fife must personify his forces, must speak of the "evil" that seems to animate the machine—which to the Reverend Light, of course, is Lucifer himself...
...You can have "bespoke" tailoring and should you run short of bread at the last moment and send Tommv to the "nahnrhood" store, it Is likely to be a co-op because there are 100 branches around the town for just such grocery and meat emergencies—all selling at co-op prices...
...Everyone of you can "make it so...
...19, according to an announcement Issued today by Amklno...
...Dudley Dlgges as the atheist again—as ever—at his best, and therefore among our theatre's best, and Glenn Anders a most impressive embodiment of emotion reaching- toward intelligence, in quest of comfort to this world...
Vol. 8 • February 1929 • No. 5
