The Best Plays

These are the plays which in the light of metropolitan criticism seem most important: PEER GYNT--Ibsen's fancy is permitted to wander all over a fantastic globe. Joseph Schildkraut, as the vainglorious Peer, has to pass from youth to age in two moves. ROMEO AND JULIET--Jane Cowl and Rollo Peters put new life into old romance. Juliet's charm captivates not only Romeo but the entire audience. Moscow ART THEATRE--The Moscow players have bred in theatre-goers a fine contempt for barriers of language. The inspired realism of their acting conveys their meaning almost as adequately as words. In this last week in New York they are presenting a complete repertory. THE GOD OF VENGEANCE--The daughter of the keeper of a brothel succumbs to her environment in a powerfully explicit scene with a Lesbian. Rudolph Schildkraut gives a poignant performance as the agonized father. The producers and cast have been indicted because of its alleged immortality. MERTON OF THE MOVIES--Through no will of his own, a movie-struck youth becomes a film comedian. The process is attended by no little disillusionment. _ RAIN--A spirited attack on the big stick missionary. Jeanne Eagel is the persecuted, somewhat unevenly virtuous instrument of the Rev. Davison's eventual fall. Realistic rain falls intermittently. SEVENTH HEAVEN--There is a tremendous moment when Helen Menken, as the submissive sister of an absinthe-soaked shrew, turns on her with a courage restored by love, and beats her with her own, whip. LOYALTIES -- John Galsworthy's somewhat theatric demonstration that conflicts in loyalties may be disastrous. A wealthy Jew, persecuted by amiable clubmen, wins a doubtful point. KIKI -- Aside from holding the Broadway endurance record, Lenore Ulric is as brightly captivating as ever in the part of the just barely virtuous little Parisienne. The best current musical shows: Caroline, Chauve Souris, Greenwich Village Follies, Little Nellie Kelly, Liza, Music Box Revue, Ziegfeld Follies.