Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 160, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 November 1928 — Page 6

PAGE 6

RICHARD BENNETT PLAYS LEAD IN “THE HOME TOWNERS”

Circle Is Offering the Mystery Feature, ‘The Haunted House,' as Its Chief Attraction —John Gilbert Has Star Role at the Palace. WITH Richard Bennett and Doris Kenyon in the stellar roles, George M. Cohan’s comedy hit, “The Home Towners,” an all-talking Vitaphone production, is the attraction at the Apollc starting today. Always noted for his smart, up-to-the-minute dialog, Cohan is said to have really out-Cohaned himself in writing this play which, in the form of a film “talkie,” is reproduced verbatim. “The Home Towners” is a genial, heart-warming, chuckling comedydrama recounting the adventures of two chums Vic Arnold, enacted by Bennett, who had long since left his native heath and become a millionaire in New York, and P. H. Bancroft, portrayed by Robert McWade, who

had remained !h the home town and grown into a self-satisfied business man, the young lady to whom Arnold is engaged and her family. Learning that his old chum Arnold is about to marry a New York society girl Bancroft conceives tpe idea that she and her family are hoodwinking Arnold, and with his wife journeys post haste to the metropolis to save his friend. The tangle that follows and the untangling is wrought in situations that make a play of unique and inexplicable charm. The cast in support of Bennett and Miss Geynon is all that could be desired. McWade had the role of Bancroft in Cohan’s original stage production. Others include Robert Edeson, Gladys Brockwell, John Miljan, Vera Lewis, Stanley Taylor, James T. Mack and Patricia Caron. “The Home Towners” was directed by Bryan Foy, who made the first 100 per cent talking picture, “Lights of New York.” Subsidiary program features consist of Movietone News reels and vitaphone acts by Fields and Johnson, prominent vaudevillians, in “Terry and Jerry,” Dick Rich and his orchestra, and Joe Brown and company in a merry sketch labelled “Don’t Be Jealuos.” n a u “HAUNTED HOUSE” NOW AT CIRCLE “The Haunted House,” reputed to be greater than “The Gorilla,” its predecessor, is now being shown at the Circle. It is a mystery comedydrama from the pen of Owen Davis, and as a play was one of the most popular plays of its kind on the legitimate stage. Chester Conklin and Thelma Todd are the stars of this picture which is enhanced by having each of its thrills enhanched by sound. Larry Kent, Barbara Bedford, Mnntague Love, Eve Southern, Flora; Finch, Edmund Breese, Sidney Bracy and William V. Mong make up an exceptional cast. “The Haunted House” tells of James Herbert, an eccentric old man who, aparently dying, sends for his relatives. He gives them various instructions and sealed letters and tells them that on no account are they to enter a certain old house supposed to be haunted. In spite of all instructions several of the relatives immediately visit the old house where they encounter mysterious wails, slinking shadows, screaming women, madmen, a mad-doctor, a beautiful captive sleep-walking girl. Honeycombed with secret passage ways, the relatives become lost and separated in the old house. Edmund Breese is the dying man, Larry Kent the hero and Thelma Todd the feminine star. Chester Conklin is a funny old man who is lost in the haunted house. Among the talking short subjects are Frank Baby in a race track skit, “The Tout,” and Burr Mclntosh in a playlet, “Non Support.” Fox Movietone News is also shown. Dessa Byrd is at the organ.

JOHN GILBERT FEATURED AT PALACE A graphic plumbing of human souls in the torment of love, and one of the' most remarkable “dualpersonality” narratives of all times is now being unreeled at the Palace, where John Gilbert is starring in “The Masks of the Devil,” a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer production. The picture is unlike anything ever before produced on the silver sheet; it violates all rules of dramatic construction in its daring audacity in telling the truth about human nature—and as a result it is one of the most gripping, haunting human documents an audience has ever seen. Gilbert plays a wealthy dilletante with two natures, good and bad. constantly struggling with each other, as, psychologists say, human natures always do. By a unique trick in photography, the two natures are reflected, alternately, on the face of the actor, and by superb acting he makes the optical trick a masterpiece in delineation. Gorgeous settings, showing Europe at its gayest, embellish the production, for the story takes place in gay, pleasure-loving Vienna of the present day and keeps up the atmosphere of the frantic quest for pleasure as pursued by the aristocracy of the Old World. A magnificent cast was assembled by Metro-

Goldwyn-Mayer to surround the famous star. It’s a cast of star names, any one of which would assure a picture out of the ordinary. Eva von Berne, sensational new “find” brought by the studios from Vienna, plays the role of “Virginia,” whose love finally reforms the philanderer, or rather brings his better nature to the fore. Alma Rubens as a dark-eyed charmer is the embodiment of temptation, as well as singularly beautiful. Theodore Roberts does a magnificent piece of character work as “Palester.” and Ralph Forbes proves a formidable rival as a lover. Ethel Wales, Polly Ann Young, and others of note are in the splendid cast. The surrour 'ing program will include the Metro Movietone Review, a miniature musical comedy presentation with Harry Rose, Grace Rogers, Van and Schenck and Walt Roesner and his Capitolians, and also the Ponce Sisters, a duo of harmony songsters. A Lester Huff organ novelty, the Fox Movietone News, and MGM News Review and Oddity will complete the bill. nun “ADORATION” NOW ON VIEW AT CIRCLE “Adoration,” featuring beautiful Billie Dove, is being shown at the Indiana theatei this week together with the Publix stage show, “Oh, Teacher,” in which Charlie Davis becomes “Professor” Davis. The stage show is a Johi 1 . Murray An-

Model ActQrs “Before Vitaphone sound pictures came,” remarked Monte Blue as he watched some extras on the set during the production of Warner Bros., “The Greyhound Limited,” “extras always gestured and postured in the hope that some director would notice them and raise them to stardom. Now, since talking pictures have come, they all talk like Boston elocution teachers and harmonize without any provocation.”

derson production and one of the most colorful of his many contributions to Publix entertainment. Billie Dove is seen as a Russian princess in “Adoration,” and she is surrounded by a cast of many screen notables, including Antonio Moreno. Lucy Doraine, Nicholas Soussanin, Nicholas Bela and Lucien Prival. Glorious days of romance in the glittering splendor of Russian aristocracy form the background for the earlier sequences of “Adoration.” With the revolution comes the shattering of the nobility and the rulers and their servant moved to Paris, the servants becoming prosperous, the rulers becoming servants. Billie Dove and Moreno find themselves in this unusual situation in “Adoration.” Beautiful costumes, romantic characters and an unusual story by Lajos Biro contribute to another one of the most successful of Billie Dove vehicles, according to advance reports. Charlie Davs and his band contribute an important feature to “Oh, Teacher,” the stage show. Phil and Harry, the two bad boys. Ray Bolger, the rubber less comic; Helen Kennedy, personality singer; Andrew and Louise Carr, two youthful dancers; Lucien La Rue, singer; Laura Lee, tiny “blues” singer; Virgina Ray, singer, and the Connor Sisters, another pair of attractive girl singers. In “Oh, Teacher,” Charlie Davis plays the part of a school-master, adding another characterization to his versatile career as master of ceremonies at the Indiana. Dale Young’s organ solo and the news weekly are added attractions. tt ft St VITAPHONE IS INSTALLED AT GRANADA A talking picture, “The Melody of Love,” will inaugurate the new sound and talking picture policy at the Granada theater tomorrow. Movietone and Vitaphone equipment has been installed and Vitaphone specialties will be a regular attraction in addition to talking and sound pictures. The equipment is of the latest design and marks the introduction of the Movietone and Vitaphone in Indianapolis neighborhood houses, Sound and talking pictures booked for the Granada include “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” “Submarine,” “Street Angel,” “Mother Knows Best,” “Sunrise” and “Wings.” a a NEW BILL TO OPEN AT COLONIAL The new bill opening at the Colonial Sunday is called “Oriental Maids.” There will be seen a number of new people in the cast this week and a lot of new girls in the chorus. The company consisting of twen-ty-five people is opening its tenth week of stock burlesque. The picture for the week is a Columbia feature called “The Way of the Strong,” with Mitchell Lewis and Alice Day.

I 1 Jr rll area lest wJMb. / JBBBx \ fijpslrTßn Metro Movietone Acta r , van and schenck * W&fiFW 7 '': mV Wk j PONCE SISTERS Syy, * j s ee —Movietone News —Hear ' V V Charley Chase in “All Parts” V ' V A Hal Roach Comedy A 'ft' A tPK jeglestkr hifk /t f f organlogue '"S 1 Z 4 i u/, “An Ode to Thanksgiving” M\ hMf v L _____

1— Richard Bennett and Doris Kenyon as they appear in the all-talkie, "The Home Towners,” now at the Apollo. 2 John Gilbert and Eva Von Berne stage this love scene in “The Masks of the Devil,” now on view at Loew’s Palace.

Children Will See Puppets Little Theatre Again to Entertain Young People. Second in the series of special children’s performances, which are being introduced in Indianapolis this winter by the “Children’s Hour” department of the Indianapolis Little Theatre, comes a return engagement of the Helen Haiman Joseph Puppets of Cleveland. At the opening bill of the “Children’s Hour” in September, the Joesph Puppets were presented in three delightful fairy tales, which were so immediately popular that their reappearance has been requested ever since. Scheduled during the Thanksgiving holiday, the second offering includes: “The Life and Death of Doctor Johannes Faust,” to be presented on Friday morning, Nov. 30, at 11 o’clock, at the Playhouse, ( Nineteenth and North Alabama streets. “Sleeping Beauty” and “The Harlequin Act,” billed for Friday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock. “Red Riding Hood” and “The Three Bears,” which are offered on Saturday morning, Dec. 1, at 11 o’clock. “Snow White and the Seven Little Dwarfs ” the closing performance on Saturday afternoon at 3:30 o’clock. Each of the plays have been especially adapted to the puppet stage by Mrs. Joseph, who has written numerous revisions of wellknowrn children lore, not only with her tiny manikins in mind, but also her juvenile audiences. “The Life and Death of Doctor Johannes Faust” is one of the outstanding productions of her 1928-29 repertoire and has been adapted from an oid German puppet show. Little attention is given the Marguerite theme, but much to the magic powers of Faust and Kasper, who delight the children tremendously when they are able to summon forth many tiny satans. “The Sleeping Beauty,” that b.eautiful tale of an enchanted palace, a

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At Mutual

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Evelyn Forrest Prominent in the cast of “High Fliers,” opening at the Mutual as its next burlesque offering Sunday afternoon, is Evelyn Forrest. handsome prince, and a lovely mai'’'" !r taken from the Grimm’s fairy tale collection, as was also ‘ Snow White and the Seven Little Dwarfs,” another theme of enchantment, and the release of a handsome prince from his magic doom of being a grizzly bear by two beautiful maidens, who were taught to be kind to all animals. “Red Riding Hood,” that immortal little girl with the scarlet cape and lunch basket, will be seen in her woodland journeys to her grandmother in an adaptation from Charles Perrault. The human element is the chief secret of Mrs. Joseph's success with children, although her technical skill in the manipulation of the puppets also plays an important part. Tickets for this service of puppet plays are on sale now at the Playhouse, Nineteenth and North Alabama streets, or may be obtained from Mrs. Raymond P. Mead, general chairman of the "Children’s Hour”; from Miss Mary Jo Owen, ticket chairman; or from the advisory board, consisting of Miss Rosamond Van Camp, Mrs. J. Benson Titus, and Mrs. George T. Parry.

3 Billie Dove has the chief role in “Adoration,” now at the Indiana. 4 Chester Conklin has the chief comedy role in “The Haunted House," now at the Circle.

ROUNDING ROUND! THF ATFRS With WALTER \ 1 nlifl 1 ILiVO R HICKMAN i

JOHN PHILIP SOUSA at his age finds time to encourage young people. This was proven yesterday when he directed a high school band during his afternoon concert at the Cadle Tabernacle and also presented a silver cup to the Children’s Museum of this city. The cup will be awarded each year to the child getting the most new members to the museum. The fact is that neither the afternoon nor the night audiences yesterday were as large as the concerts demanded. This was true Wednesday when the U. S. Navy band gave two concerts under the auspices of the firemen and policemen fund committee.

The city firemen and policemen had as their guests at the Wednesd ly matinee concert the orphans of the city. These children were certainly a grand audience. Mayor Slack talked to the children and asked encouraging support from the citizens for such concerts. Band music isn’t being supported from a box office standpoint just now as it should be in this city. I am sure that “The Desert Song" will do about the biggest business of the year when it comes to English’s soon. Have received dnore letters from readers asking when this play is due here. The opening date is Monday, Dec. 10. My tip is to order your tickets at once by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope with the money to English's. I know that I will be powerless to help you buy seats when the attraction gets under way. Don’t ask me. Have been asked to give the bills of the Chicago Civic Opera company in Chicago for next week. Here is the schedule of the operas with the singers: Sunday Afternoon. Nov. 25, at 2 Madame Butterfly,” Edith Mason. Irene Pavloska. Alice and h'ermanoy. Forrest Lament, Lodovlco Oliviero. Luigi Montesanto. Desire Defrere, Vittorio Trevisan, Eugenio Sandrlni: conductor, Giorgio Polacco. Monday Evening. Nov. 26. at 7:45 ''Lohengrin.” Marion Claire, Maria Olsvewska, Rene Maison, Robert Ringling, Howard Preston. Alexander Kipnis; conductor. Henry Weber. Tuesday Evening. Nov. 27 at B—" Boris Godunoff.” Cee Glade, Ada Paggi, Antonietta Consoll. Marla Claessens, Alice d'Hermanoy. Constance Eberhart, Antonio Cortis, Jose Mojica, Lodovico Oliero, Vanni-Marcoux, Desire Defrere, Edouard Cotreuil. Vlrgilio Lazzari, Antonio Nlcolich.

GEORGE M.COHEN PRESENTS Vy / RICHARD BENNETT SUPPORTED BY DORIS ROBERT GLADYS KENYON MW BROCKWEU ALL TALKING/ ALL LAUGMINg/ 100% TAIKIM6 A SUPERB BILL OF PRESENTATIONS VITWW-. MOWS

E'lgenio Sandrini; Incidental dances by the ballet; conductor. Giorgio Polacco. Wednesday Evening, Nov. 28, at B—" Rigoletto,” oletto,” Alice Mock, Alice d'Hermanoy, | Constance Eberhart, Ada Paggi. Charles Hackett. Lodovlco Oliviero, Luigi Montesanto. Howard Preston, Vlrgilio Lazzari, ' Antonio Nlcolich; Incidental dances by the | br.llet; conductor. Roberto Moranzoni: 10lIrwed by ballet divertissement. "Carnival' I with Maria Yurieva, Muriel Stuart. Har- ' riet Lundgren. Julia Barashkova. Ruth Pryor, Vechslav Swoboda. Edward Caton i and the entire Corps de ballet. Thursday Evening. Nov. 29, at 8— I "Aida," Eva Turner. Cyrena Van Gordon, Ulysses Lappas, Richard Bonelli. Chase Baromeo, Vlrgilio Lazazri; Maria Yurieva, Ruth Pryor and ballet; conductor, Giorgio | Polacco. j Saturday Matinee, Dec. 1, at 2—" Sam son and Delilah,” Cyrena Van Gordon, ! Charles Marshall. Giusepe Cavadorc. Lodovico Oliviero. Cesare Formichi, Edouard ! Cotreuil, Howard Preston. Antonio NicoI lich; incidental dances bv Maria .Yurieva, Vochslav Swoboda and #ie ballet, conductor, Oiorgio Polacco. _ Saturday Evening, Dec. 1. at B—(Popular prices, 75 cents to s4i "Cavallerl Rusticana,” Eva Turner, Ada Paggi, Maria Claessenf, Antonio Cortis. Luigi Montesrnlo; conductor, Roberto Moranzoni: followed by "I Pagliacci.” Hilda Burke, Upases Lappas, Jo. e Mojica. Richard Bonellt, Sarre Hill; conductor, Henr ’ Weber. Takes to the Air Laura La Plante, her holiday in fvew York over, is on the way back by airplane to Universal City and “The Haunted Lady,” her next picture vehicle. lan Keith is her leading man. and Wesley Ruggles will direct this story by Adela Rogers St. John.

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Roland Hayes On Tuesday night, Dec. 4. Roland Hayes, tenor, will appear in recital at the Murat under the dilecticn of Ona B. Talbot.

Breese in

Edmund Breese has replaced Claude Gillingwater in the cast of Leon Zurado’s story. "She Knew Men,” according to a production dispatch from the Warner studio on the coast. Work on this picture featuring Edward Everett Horton and Betty Bronson is progressing rapidly. Archie Mayo is at the megaphone directing a supporting cast of box office names which include John T. Murray. Gertrude Olmstead. Lucky Beaumont and Tommy Dugan.

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Whiteman in Sound Movie Jazz Master Will Make Talkie Film for Universal. BY DUANE HENNESSY United Tress StalY Correspondent Hollywood, Nov. 24. —Pai Whiteman, the stout band master, will come to Hollywood nex February to make a sound pictur best described by its title, “The King of Jazz.” Whiteman will bring his entire band west for the production, 0 feature length all “talkie” now in preparation at the Universal studios. There will be a strong romantic theme with Whiteman in the role of an ambitious young musician whose success results from a song written to the girl he loves. The youth will be presented as responsible for the introduction of jazz and his increasing game from the early days of Alexander’s Ragtime band to the present stage of jazz will be shown. The supporting'cast has not yet been chosen, but it is expected to be in. keeping wtih the size of the production, which probably is Universal’s most progressive step so far in the sound picture field. John Barrymore’s ambition to play in a screen version of Hamlet apparently has been sidetracked again. Warner Brothers haCe announced that under the contract he signed with them Barrymore’s first vehicle will be “The Tavern Knight,” by Rafael Sabatini. Wor on “The Tavern Knight.” a 100 per cent talking picture, will be started after Jan. 1. Louis Wolheim, the hard-looking screen villain, attributes his success to a college education. He broke his nose while playing football for Cornell university in 1906. Screen kisses must be silent to gain the best effect in talking picI tures, according to Lew Kolb, elec- | trical engineer for the Metro- : Goldwyn-Mayer studios. “The equipment records the slightest sound and silent kisses do ! away with any difficulty,” he said. | “Real experts such as John Gilbert, | Greta Garbo, Nils Aster and Joan 1 Crawford usually kiss silently any- | how—the result of picture train--1 ing. Newcomers from the stage I usually try to put all the sound j they can into it. We have to teach j ’em to pipe down on their kisses a j a result.” On the subject of the “talkieAlfred Santell, director, says the,. S will govern screen styles. “The fact that sound apparatus 1 is so sensitive to the slightest rustic will make it necessary to create ai gowns of soft, clinging materials. “Motion picture actresses do much 1 to set the styles and it appears that S the dressmakers who have made popular the stiff-bouffant skirt nev ! in vogue will suffer reverses nex: season.” Universal Buys Rights Universal has purchased “The Drake Murder Case,” by Charles A. Logue, for an all-dialogue melo- | drama, to be directed by Edward Laemmle. the producer of “Man. i Woman and Wife.”

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