In the beginning there were moving lectures of suave burglars with gloves and tophats, who committed most astounding crimes in the approved Raffles' manner. Then the God of the cinema ushered in the hotel theme with the monumental productions, "Grand Hotel" and "Hotel Universe." The public has found both types good, with the result that Tiffany has laid the setting of the activities of a gang of smooth, hard criminals in black fedoras, amid the cosmopolitan finery of "Hotel Continental." And the Playgoer has found good after a visit to the University theatre.

After creating the feeling that it's a mighty big world after all by fifteen minutes of kaleidescopic views behind the scenes of a great hotel, Miss Shannon, delightfully if scantily attired, creeps through a bedroom door and things get underway with a vengeance.

More than a little reminiscent of the using of that grand old hostelry, the Waldorf-Astoria, a flock of giddy girls and boys are celebrating their last evening in Hotel Continental. It's tragic to see old couples come back to spend the last night in the rooms where they honeymooned, but Miss Shannon dispels such somber thoughts. Enticing a man of mystery into the room by a feint of suicide, Peggy falls dearly in love with the young embezzler, who has just returned from five years in the big house. Even though her duty to the gang is to see where he has hidden the loot which he comes to take away the night before the hotel closes its door to the public, she falls hopelessly for him in spite of the moustache.

The haunting strains of violins, and the far-away scraping of cellos make up for whatever air of mystery that the picture fails to provide. Complications, and there are always an abundance of them, enter in with the presence of the detectives, who look just like detectives and always keep their hands in their pockets. Promises of round-the-world cruises, the sight of blood on Peggy's dress, and a great deal of locking and opening of doors finally makes everything turn out in an interesting way.

Anyway, who could smother a great wave of tenderness at the sight of blood on the dress of any comely girl? The final reform of the pair, result of mutual love, drives home the fact that, after all, none of us are bad, but just "poor blundering humans."

In a lighter vein, Buster Keaton, is playing in "The Passionate Plumber," and for those who like Buster Keaton, there are some funny if familiar situations. Paris would be the setting, and the gestulations and excitability of the French must inevitably be relied upon to furnish many laughs.

Not that Buster is not clicking in perfect form, for he plainly strains, himself to protect Polly Moran from falling in love with one of those fickle gigolos. After smashing of a great deal of crockery over sundry heads, which always is amusing to see, even though it may be a sign of a sadistic nature, love is finally frustrated, and the audience awaits the Micky Mouse.