Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 178, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 December 1928 — Page 5

DEC. 15,1928_

MRS. LESLIE CARTER BOOKED IN “SHANGHAI GESTURE”

Great Star Will Be Christmas Week Attraction in WellKnown Play, Starting Christmas Night at English’s for Five Days. AFTER many changes, Ad F. Miller at English’s announced today that the Christmas week attraction at his theater will be Mrs. Leslie Carter in “The ShanghawGesture.” The great star will start her engagement here on Christmas night, Tuesday, and the engagement will be for the balance of the wek. Mr. Miller announces that there will be Wednesday and Saturday matinees of “The Shanghai Gesture.” It will be recalled that Mrs. Carter originally created the role of Madame Goddam but that Florence Reed took over the role prior to the New York offering.

We all know that Miss Reed made the greatest artistic success out of this play and that it lasted for many months on Broadway before going to Chicago. When Miss Reed closed in the “Gesture” to take part in “Macbeth,” now current in New York, Mrs. Carter exercised her right to take the role again. a tt a BIG BAND WITH MASK CLUB Ohio state’s famous Scarlet Mask twenty-piece band will be feature of the 1928 production of Scarlet Mask, “Oceans of Love,” which will be presented at the Murat, Dec. 26. The band is under the direction of Richard S. Wolfe, president of Scarlet Mask, and a musician whose talents and leadership has been likened to those oi Roger Wolfe Kahn of Broadway fame. It is one of the largest college musical units in the country playing for a college dramatic organization and this summer six of the members toured Europe, where they gained international lame. The band will play both in the pit and on the stage and will present several novelty features as a stage band unit with Director Dick Wolfe as master of ceremonies. In the tour of Europe this past summer, the Scarlet Mask musicians played in London, Paris, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, North Cape, Denmark, Germany. Switzerland, Copenhagen and Italy. These six members who were in the European jaunt will also be in the twenty-piece Mask band both on the stage and in the pit and the six will present a specialty of their own composition originated while in the foreign countries this summer. The Scarlet Mask band is recognized as one oi the fines*college musical units in the country and for years its graduates have advanced to high class orchestras and bands upon leaving the university. tt a a BIG GIRL SHOW AT MUTUAL Impressive is the fine report received about next week’s Mutual attraction, “Girls of the U. S. A.,” which opens Sunday. So extravagant are some of the advance heraldings, that were but a fraction of them accurate, it could not help but be one of the season’s big offerings. In burlesque, the players, not the play, is .frequently the thing, and in the instance of the incoming entertainment, past performances alone should be sufficient guarantee to the abilities of the leading performers. Those who are big-typed among the principal participants are “Red Hot” Norma Noel, the “blues” singing prima donna whose restless dancing maneuvers have won her the title she is nicknamed by and whose somewhat startling costuming is everywhere hailed as unusual. George Carroll occupies the spot as the show’s chief fun-creator; and, in his famous tramp cnaracterization, he promises a fund of new shafts of wit. Billy Mifflin is the second string comic and an able aid to the show’s entertaining qualities ' with his clever boob delineation. Others of prominence in the cast include Bryan Wolf, a juvenile lead w r ith a sweet-singing tenor," Ed Calame, one of the best all-round straight men in burlesque and Flo Rich, chic and vivacious ingenue whose number-leading and individual dancing specialties are always in great audience demand. Now a Movie Actor Frederic March, newly signed Paramount featured player, is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin.

No Merger Grant L. Cook, secretary and treasurer of Tiffany-Stahl Productions, Inc., in a statement issued, denies that there is any truth in the report of a contemplated merger of his company with any other organization. He has no idea where the rumor originated. TiffanyStahl, he added, is going along with its production schedule of sound and talking pictures synchronized by the R-C-A photophone method.

AMUSEMENTS TODAY THE n,te DESERT SONG sl# ™° INIIL y? tm tfes 8i 3 VvIlU SI.OO to $2.50 ENGLISH’S “ MATINEES WEDNESDAY AND SATURDAY SBSni® Tflf . A PEERLESS CAST AND WITH A PRODUCTION 4IT AS SUMPTUOUS AS THE ARABIAN NIGHTtf The Most Talked Os Star and Play of the Season nninro . NITES—S2.SO, $2.00, $1.50, SI.OO, 50c rltlb by MATS.—SI.SO, SI.OO, 75c, 50c SEATS THURSDAY—MAIL ORDERS NOW ALL MAIL ORDERS must be accompanied by remittance and self-addressed stamped envelope.

Waltz Is Fa vorite on Floor Wednesday Will Be Waltz Night at the Indiana Ballroom. NEXT Wednesday night, Indianapolis dance enthusiasts will see at the Indiana roof ballroom the finals of the waltz contest which has been in progress there for more than two weeks. Immediately following the contest, winners will be announced and prizes will be awarded. Two highpriced watches and some expensive golf equipment will go to the three winners. The contest was started one week ago Wednesday night and created much interest, according to the roof management, because of the “neverwaning popularity of the waltz.” Each Wednesday night at the roof is designated as “Waltz night.” On these evenings every other number is a waltz. A large number of entrants in the contest made splendid showings on the first two nights, it was announced, and this third night is expected to be the largest of the series.

In Hollywood’s Film Shops

BY GEORGE H. BEALE United Press Staff Correspondent HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 15.—William J. Locke, the celebrated English author, has come all the way from Europe to reform a motion picture star. That is, of course, to reform her on the screen. The novelist believes something should be done about Normal Talmadge’s character on the silver sheet. He has accepted the commission to write an original story for her. He proposes to take her off the streets and out of the dance halls—cinematically speaking. After a week of investigating at United Artists studio, studying the mechanics of picture-making and viewing pictures in which Miss Talmadge played, Locke extended his observations. “Really, the condition is worse than I thought,” he said. “Miss Talmadge is charming and her pictures have been good but character in many of her roles has been no -better than was necessary. “Take her four most recent pictures. In ‘Kiki’ she was a girl of the streets, in ‘Camille’ a courtesan, in ‘The Dove’ a dance hall girl and in ‘The Woman Disputed’ a lady of easy virtue. “Really, I do believe it’s time we reform her screen character.” Locke thinks that novels of the screen colony have given the outside world a faulty impression. He finds the motion picture center fascinating and not at all “orgy-like.” “Really, after reading some of the fiction which centered about Hollywood I expected to find it quite different. I haven’t seen any extraladies fighting temptation, nor any rude people. “I haven’t seen any celebrities dashing about the streets in goldtrimmed automobiles and my visits to all studios have been pleasant* tt a Sam Goldwyn claims it cost him $52,000 for twenty feet of film in Ronald Colman’s new picture, “The Rescue.” A 250-foot schooner, which for purposes of realism was blown to pieces, was the major cost. Three hundred cases of dynamite were used in the explosion and twelve sheltered cameras recorded the blast from a distance of 1,100 feet. The explosion will claim on twenty feet of the finished film. John Is Very Tall? John Cromwell, Paramount director and actor, is six feet two and a half inches tall.

I—Joseph Mendelson is cast as one of the leads in “Nobody’s Girl,” anew musical show now in rehearsal. This show was to be the Christmas week offering at English’s, but was cancelled to make way for Mrs. Leslie Carter in “The Shanghai Gesture.”

Little Theatre

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—Photo by Voorhic. Agnes Horton In the cast of “At Mrs. Beam’s the second offering of the Little Theater at the Playhouse this season, is Agnes Horton.

Theme Songs in ‘Noah’sArk’

Two new songs are destined to become internationally popular upon the release of Warner Bros. $2,000,000 epic Vitaphone production, “Noah’s Ark,” in which Dolores Costello enacts the starring role and George O’Brien has the leading masculine characterization. Louis Silvers, Vitaphone musical director, and well-known Broadway composer, has written the words and music of “Heart o’ Mine” and “Old Timer,” both to be incorporated in the Vitaphone musical score of “Noah’s Ark” as its theme songs. In addition, arrangements have been made with Irving Berlin to publish both songs as sheet music. “Heart o’ Mine” in published form will be dedicated to Dolores Costello as star of “Noah’s Ark,” while “Old Timer” will be dedicated to George O’Brien and Guinn (Big Boy) Williams, who are in the cast. Silvers has written scores of popular song hits, among which is “April Showers,” one of A1 Jolson’s greatest successes.

Here and There

Margaret Lee, a little Boston girl who began her stage career in the chorus of Schwab and MandeVs “Captain Jinks” four years ago, and has advanced steadily ever since, will create her first Broadway role in “Follow Through” shortly. . . . Bernice Claire, the young California singer who came to New York a year ago to sing at the Metropolitan Opera House and was engaged as the prima donna of “The Desert Song,” has been placed under a three years’ contract by Schwab and Mandel. . . . Knute Rockne, famous football coach, took a bunch of his gridiron stars to see “Good News” when the Notre Dame team played in New York recently. They enjoyed the stage football contest. . . . "Good News” is nearing *ta six hundredth performance) in New York and its four hundredth in Chicago. . . . Alex Morrison, the famous professional golfer, has been engaged by Schwab and Mandel to teach the technique of the game to the principals and chorus of their new musical show, “Follow Through,” which concerns the fortunes of a girl golf champion. Gets Early Start Mitzi, in the latest Broadway musical success, “Lovely Lady,” under the direction of the Messrs. Shubert, began an extensive tour in Albany last week and, after appearing in all of the important eastern cities, she will play to the Pacific coast. Her supporting cast includes Jack Sheehan, Doris Patston Frank Greene, Clarence Harvey, Pierce and Harris and Jack Squires Mitzi continues under the direction of the Messrs. Shubert, who have provided her with her greatest successes, such as “Naughty Riququette” and “The Madcap.” The score for “Lovely Lady” includes 'some of the most popular present day tunes. Among them are- " Lovely Lady,” “Breakfast in Bed,' “One Step to Heaven,” “Imagina tion,” and ‘‘Make Believe You’re Happy.” She has been booked at English’s later on in the season.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

ROUNDING THEATERS

IHEAR that Charles Berkeli is recovering from a severe illness at his home in Davenport, la. On the doctor’s orders, Berkeli closed his stock company in Davenport so as to be able to take a much needed rest. It is definitely stated by Berkell’s representative who arrived this week that Berkeli will open his Indianapolis season at English’s just as soon as the legitimate season closes. In the meanwhile, the members of his company are scattered to the four winds but of course they will get together just before the Indianapolis opening.

Had the pleasure of speaking before the Press Club of Kokomo, Ind„ this week. Here is a fine progressive club. It is a splendid idea for newspaper men to get together at least once or twice a month for a feed and talk. The Little Theatre of Indianapolis has never shown better judgment in announcing that the third production of the season on Tuesday night, Jan. 15, will be Ibsen’s “The Wild Duck.” The first Children's Hour production will be “The Steadfast Tin Soldier” on the afternoons of Dec. 27 and 28 at 2:30 and at 3:30 on Jan. 1. What fine big things this society is doing this season.

Have received the following information : The latest news of the Radio-Keith-Orpheum organization is as follows: Hiram S. Brown, former president of the United States Leather Company, is president; David Sarnoff, vice president and general manager of Radio Corporation of America is chairman of the board of the new organization. Concerning the Keith-Albee-Or-pheum Corporation, which is the theater unit of the new organization Radio-Keith-Orpheum, the following new officers were elected at a meeting held Wednesday, Dec. 6. David Sarnoff, chairman of the board; Hiram S. Brown, executive vice-president; Edward F. Albee continues as president of Keith-Albee-Orpheum, and other officers are: Maurice Goodman and J. J. Ford, vice-president; B. B. Kahane, secretary and treasurer.

AMUSEMENTS TOMORROW! Sunday, Dec. 16 See and Hear COUNT VON LUCKNER The Famous “SEA DEVIL” SUBJECT: "Sea Raids of a Friendly Enemy.” TIME AND PLACE: Armory, 711 N. Pennsylvania St., 3 p. m. TICKETS may be purchased at door after 2:30 p. m. PRICES: $2.00, $1.50, 75c. An Electric Amplifier Will InHure Perfect Audition in All Parts of the Auditorium.

IMUTUAL HIGH CLASS BURLESQUE DIRECTION OF JVIUTUAL. BURLESQUE ASSN. OF NEW YORK ====== Week Beginning Sunday Mat., Dec. 1 6th ====== THE FOUR QUEENS OF SHIMMYLAND PRINCESS IRIS LOVELY FRANCINE ARISTOCRATIC SNOOKI and “RED HOT” NORMA NOEL COMBINED THEY WOULD MAKE THE EARTH TREMBLE GIRLS OFTHE U.S.A. AND A YOUTHFUL GOOD-LOOKING CHORUS

2 Jeanne Siefert is a member of “Girls of the U. S. A.,” starting Sunday afternoon at the Mutual. 3 The team of Wingfield and Jean will be on the new bill starting Sunday afternoon at the Lyric.

ROUND With WALTER D. HICKMAN

Joseph P. Kennedy voluntarily resigned as chairman of the board and as a director of K-A-O. The board was reduced from nineteen to nine and now includes: David Sarnoff, Hiram S. Brown, Elisha Walker, Edward F. Albee, Paul M. Mazur, Marcus Heiman, Maurice Goodman, Lee Shubert and B. B. Kahane. Ou Tuesday also FBO, the picture

Paramount Movie Premiere

Paramount’s first all-talking picture, “Interference,” will have its New York premiere at the Criterion theater on Friday evening, Nov. 16. A gripping play of a melodramatic murder in London's high society, “Interference” comes to the screen as the first definite realization of the high promise given by the talking motion picture. “I have the utmost confidence that ‘lnterference’ more than any other film yet made, will lift the talking picture from the novelty category and will convince those who see it that this new medium will combine and accentuate the

LAUGHS—LAUGHS—LAUGHS GIRLS—GIRLS—GIRLS THIRD SENSATIONAL WEEK THIS TIME IN n fjnn Y PUT AND TAKE MW MW A Another Farce With a Kick VJT Jk 9kY VN And the Movie Is Aik Aui JCj "PHYLLIS OF THE FOLLIES.” The HOT SHOT of Laughter Alice Day and Mat Moore MIDNITE M a mm ADMISSION: SHOW TONIGHT COLONIAL * *£s2!. WATCH FOR THE GALA NEW YEAR’S EVE SHOW

MURAT B DEC. 26th THE SCARLET MASK CLUB OF OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY. PRESENTS “OCEANS OF LOVE” Three-Act Musical Review of College Life GIRLS, MUSIC AND FUN Large Stage Band—Twenty-Piece Orchestra Prices—s2.so, $2.00, $1.50, $l.O0 —No Tax MAIL ORDERS NOW

unit of the all-embracing Radio-Keith-Orpheum took place, thereby completing the realignment of the personnel of the two important subsidiary organizations of the allembracing Radio - Keith - Orpheum Corporation. Here Is Hot Title Allan Garcia, who made life miserable for Charlie Chaplin in “The Circus,” has been chosen to play an important role in “Three Week-Ends,” the Elinor Glyn story which is to be Clara Bow’s next starring vehicle for Paramount. Garcia will play the part of a cabaret manager. Among the other roles Garcia has portrayed on this lot were in “His Tiger Lady,” “Ladies of the Mob,” and in “Partners in Crime.” He was the hard-hearted “Barnum” in “The Circus.” Included in the supporting cast of “Three Week-Ends,” which is being directed by Clarence Badger, are Neil Hamilton, Harrison Ford, Edythe Chapman, Guy Oliver, Julia Swayne Gordon, Jack Raymond, William Holden and Garcia.

realism of the photoplay with the subtlety and dramatic advantages of the legitimate stage.” Without exception the actors in “Interference” have stage-trained voices and the advantage of years of experience upon the boards. The cast is headed by Clive Brook, Evelyn Brent, William Powell and Doris Kenyon. The picture was directed by Roy J. Pomeroy. With the closing of “Wings” at the Criterion Friday night, the house will be darkened for the necessary wiring and installation of sound devices for the presentation of “Interference.”

AMUSEMENTS

At the Colonial

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George Keystone At the Colonial in the new stage offering for next week, one of the players will be George Keystone.

WU E M STAFHTONO SUNDAY fej&l gJacfePcbegfefag SSTa MUSICAL COMEDY CONCOCTION With i & Boy Moore and Hilda & Dorothy Lee Hbl "wiNGFIELD & JEAN |§gj| |g||| Presenting “The Widow” Pi CASTING CAMPBELLS PB “Kings of the Air” DOYLE & ELAINE mm “The Tennessee Bells” DETORELLI-GLISSANDOS ji BHB “Musical Clowns” (IdcLed (Übuzctimi sBURNSbKANEs g BROADCASTING S ■MI On The Screen j Kg g^ABACIIPg Sensational Drama of the : Parisian Underworld bw La> ■■ siippii 0k is HywM Ju

Is Hit at Little Theatre 'At Mrs. Beam’s’ Will Be Repeated at the Playhouse. Agnes horton, who will be remembered by Indianapolis theater goers for her splendid performance in Stuart Walker’s production of “Seventeen" which first opened at the Murat theater about eight summers ago, is appearing with the Indianapolis Little Theatre this week in its production of “At Mrs. Beam’s,” the New York Theatre Guild success by C. K. Munro. Miss Horton gives an unusual comedy performance as the selfsufficient Mrs. Beam, in whose boarding house occur the activities of the play. “At Mrs. Beam’s” is to be repeated on Friday and Saturday nights and Saturday afternoon of next week, after being presented at five performances this week. Miss Horton has spent the major part of her eight years’ professional stage career with the Stuart Walker company, appearing in stock in Cincinnati, Indianapolis and Huntington, W. Va. She played with the “Seventeen” production from its premiere at the Murat to the close of its road engagements, totaling over one thousand performances in this wellknown Tarkington comedy, in which also appeared' Gregory Kelly and Ruth Gordon. Miss Horton recently completed some motion picture work in New York. “Now Look at Him” Emil Jannings, Paramount star ran away from home to go to sea when he was a boy. Later he left home to join a traveling theatrica’ troupe. ■

MURATS JAN. 13 RACHMANINOFF Celebrated Composer-Pianist Prices: $3, $2.50, $2, $1.50. $1 Send ail mail orders to the treasurer, Murat Theatre, accompanied hv remittance and self-addressed, stamped en-'elooc. For information call HI ley 1513.

AMUSEMENTS

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