Coral Gables Riviera

Fifteen Again Successful in New Vehicle

Frankly, we went to the Fifteen's opening presentation of "The Philadelphia Story" full of skepticism. After seeing Hepburn in the screen version, we couldn't picture Barbara Parmley as Tracy Lord. But we came away completely convinced that the Fifteen can successfully tackle any production and that the Parmley girl definitely has what it takes to make an actress. As "Destiny" the Time-like magazine that plays an important part in the story, might have put it, "No easy task is the production of clever, involved, rib-tickling 'Philadelphia Story' but in usual, easy, entertaining stride was it taken Wednesday night by polished, suave, well-acting Theatre of the Fifteen." Without a doubt, Miss Parmley was at her best as the arrogant, highly-morale daughter of the old Main Line family. She went through the three acts without a let-down, and as she wound up the show, re-united with her first husband, C. K. Dexter Haven, there was many a damp eye in the audience. The story revolves about an old Philadelphia family, and particularly Tracy, the eldest daughter, who on the eve of her second marriage finds herself in the position of throwing open the family secrets to a reporter and a photographer from a prying magazine to supress a story about her father's affair with an actress. Vaughn Baggerly turns in an unusually fine performance as the self-made author husband-to-be, who finds his ideals shattered by the sophistication of the upper crust. Also worthy of particular mention is the acting of Janet Cole, who plays Dinah Lord, Tracy's little sister who's scheming plays a large part in reuniting Tracy with her first husband. C'Marie de Schipper, a newcomer to the Fifteen, was well received in the role of Elizabeth Imbrie, the girl photographer for 'Destiny' magazine. Willard Thompson as Macaulay Conner, the reporter, is at his best. Harvey Parnaby does much to enhance his reputation as a character actor as the fanny-pinching "Uncle Willie." Elizabeth Cope and James Crow as the parents of Tracy Lord, are quite convincing and handle their roles with aplomb. Frank Rollinger, as C. K. Dexter Haven was another part we couldn't quite visualize until we had seen the performance. We left, however, with nothing but praises for his interpretation, which was a bit deeper and sympathetic than Cary Grant's handling on the screen. The bit parts were ably taken care of by Charles Faber, Hugh Miller, Dorothy Beyer and Samuel Leiderman. For an evening packed with entertainment we heartily recommend "The Philadelphia Story".—J. B. M.