The Best Plays

These are the plays which, in the light of metropolitan criticism, seem most important:

Drama

CHILDREN OF THE MOON--Magnificently morbid demonstration of the dramatic values of insanity. The second act is the severest emotional test of the year. RAIN--Jeanne Eagels in the highly sexed South Seas. Rather like a vigorous nightmare, with the sky dripping steadily on the tin roof overhead.

SUN UP--Hard characters and harder language softened by the casualty list from the Argonne and by the drawl of the Carolina mountains.

THE DEVIL'S DISCIPLE--Bernard Shaw, in an early play, awkwardly trying to treat the Revolutionary War as nonchalantly as he does morality. Roland Young as General Burgoyne carries off the play by his ability to say bitter things lightly.

Comedy

AREN'T WE ALL? -- Engaging irreverence toward what is inaccurately known as the holy state of matrimony. Cyril Maude is chief among the irreconcilables.

IN LOVE WITH LOVE--One of those plays which leave nothing for discussion in the homing taxi but the acting. Lynn Fontanne does most of it.

LITTLE MISS BLUEBEARD--No respectable young woman would have been allowed to see it 30 years ago. Irene Bordoni, Avery Hopwood, beds, etc.

MARY, MARY, QUITE CONTRARY-- The bewildering charm of Mrs. Fiske let loose on a high comedy by St. John Ervine. Produced by David Belasco.

THE MARIONETTES--The Teatro dei Piccoli of Rome presenting an odd novelty. Said to be "the best since Hector was a puppet."

MERTON OF THE MOVIES--Glenn Hunter still performing a national service by dissociating youth and the camera complex.

SEVENTH HEAVEN--Helen Menken injects a great thrill into the slums of Paris with aid of a depraved sister, a romantic sewer diver, and Eloise, a taxicab with three cylinders in the grave.

TWEEDLES--If you thought Seventeen was funny, wander in. The same author, the same treatment, the same players. All wear well.

Musical Shows

Prescribed for set-to-music savants are the following diversions: Music Box Revue, Greenwich Village Follies, Scandals, Poppy, Chauve Souris.