Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 184, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 December 1928 — Page 6

PAGE 6

MOVIE THEATERS HAVE SPECIAL YULETIDE FEATURES

‘Dream of Love’ Opens Today at Loew’s Palace With a Big Cast —‘Dry Martini’ Is the Christmas Week Attraction at the Apollo. MODERNIZING an old French play was the task that faced Dorothy Farnum when she adapted “Adrienne Lecouvreur” for the films under the title, “Dream of Love.” “Adrienne Lecouvreur,” one of the most famous plays in the history of the stage, was used for many seasons as a starring vehicle for Sarah Bernhardt. In bringing the colorful drama up to the present day, the noted scenarist laid the plot in a Balkan state and provided anew background for the gripping nerrative penned by Scribe and Legouve many years ago.

The new Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Nile Asther are featured, opens at the Palace today, and brings to the screen a brilliant aray of military scenes and vivid picturizations of intrigue in a royal court. Court balls, carnivals, backstage of a royal opera house, coronation revolutions and the nomadic life of a wandering gypsy tribe are only some of the many picturesque and colorful scenes which form the background for the fascinating plot. Aileen Pringle returns to a regal role, that of a haughty and designing duchess, in the production which Fred Niblo directed, and Warner Hand again is seen as an imposingruler. Carmel Myers and many others of note are included in the elaborate supporting cast. The plot is motivated by the romance of a gypsy dancing girl and the crown prince of the little kingdom. Revolutitons and daring flirtations provide complications that threaten the security of the throne and place obstacles in the path of the lovers. Although the two love each other they cannot be wed. When the World war and an internal revolution in the little kingdom have swept away royalty and all the traditions that hamper it, the course of their love gives promise of running smoothly. Then comes the unexpected and surprising climax. , Marion Harris, well known synco■aator of popular songs and Cliff ■dwards, better known as “Ukelele Rce,” will be seen and heard in the new Metro Movietone Acts that go to make up the surrounding bill. Also to be seen and heard will be the Fox Movietone News, the only talking newsreel in the world, a Laurel and Hardy comedy, the M-G-M News Review and another Lester Huff organ novelty of merit. tt a tt COLLEEN MOORE FEATURE AT CIRCLE Colleen Moore is seen in “Synthetic Sin,” the sound romance which comes to the Circle for the first time today, as a stagestruck and impressionable school girl. Colleen takes the part of Betty, a young innocent who wants to be an actress. Her playwright friend tells here that she must have real experience to be a good actress, so Betty goes to New York. In New York she registers at an unsavbry hotel and at the suggestion of the playwright the manager of the hotel stages a mock gang fight to impress Betty. Betty overbears the plans for the sham battle ,and when a real gang war actually starts in the hotel she mistakenly tries to laugh it off. A real gang uses her room for a drinking bout and Betty enters into the spirit of the affair. Barking pistols interrupt the party and then the story begins in earnest. “Synthetic Sin” is described as one of the funniest pictures ever made by Colleen Moore and rivals her best work in “Lilac Time” and “Oh Kay.” In her support are such performers as Antonio Moreno, Katherin McGuire, Gertrude Astor, Montagu Love and a host of others. An outstanding feature of the picture is the work of the subtitle writer. Nathaniel Shilkret, famous composer and conductor, prepared the sound accompaniment to the picture and is the composer of “Betty,” the theme song. Shilkret is also the composer of “Jeannine,” the theme of “Lilac Time.” Among the short talking novel♦ies are Jimmie Clemons, who pre- ' short music*! sketch of an M f led “Dre-’m Case.” a “nut” ban joist, is ai- able talking feature. Fox M .one News end an original crmn novelty built around a pbHrtm" theme is Dessa Byrd’s portion of the program. tt it it CLEVER FAROE NOW AT APOLLO Laughter, suspense and romance with some new twists are nromised in “Dry Martini,” an all Movietone production proclaimed the smartest sophisticated comedy to reach the screen in a long time, which is to be found at the Apollo starting today. Adapted from the novel by John Thomas. “Dry Martini” is a tale of modern life in Gay Paree—especially that portion of it as is used by rich Americans for a playground. All the action takes place in Paris, there being no sequence that involves any other country. The plot has to do with the adventures of Elizabeth Quimby, an American girl, in Paris for a visit with her father who had lived there for eight years making “whoopee”. Quimby determines that his daughter shall know nothing of the frivilous side of the French capital, and promptly takes it upon himself to provide parental guidance. Resenting this the girl sets out to follow her own inclinations with results that prove well nigh disastrous. Hilarious scenes abound through the picture, and as many of the scenes were actually photographed in Paris the true Parisian flavor is guaranteed. The entrance to .the famous Ritz, the cocktail bar, the foyer and the parade of the fashionables all have been faithfully reproduced under

Monte Blue As soon as Monte Blue and May McAvoy complete theii work as co-stars in Warnei Bros, picture, “No Defense,” they will appear together in a second production to be called “From Headquarters.” The script is now being prepared by Harvey Gates who is adapting Samuel Hartridge’s story of the United States Marine Corps.

production, in which Joan Crawford

the deft directorial touch of Harry D'Arrast. himself a Frenchman. Mary Astor is featured in the cast which contains Matt Moore, Sally Eilers, Jocelyn Lee, Albert Gran, Albert Conti and others. Asa special feature for Christmas week the Apollo will present “Forget Me Not,” a Movietone romance in song, talk and dance with David Rollins and Nancy Drexel in the leading roles. u o tt BIG CHRISTMAS BILL AT INDIANA The Indiana is celebrating Christmas this week with the presentation of Buddy Rogers, “America’s Boy Friend,” and c. special Publix stage show with Charlie Davis and his stage band as the central figures, in addition to Louise Powell’s Christmas Kiddie Revue. Buddy Rogers and Mary Brian are seen in “Someone to Love.” a bright, sparkling story of a clerk in a music store who falls in love with the only daughter of a multimillionanre, with the inevitable happy consequences. William Austin, Jack Oakie, James Kirkwood, Mary Alden and many others ar? in the cast. “Someone to Love” is a sound picture in which Buddy Rogers and Mary Brian speak and in which Rogers is heard playing several musical instruments. Rogers is a mucician of note, and in this picture fits happily into a role made to his measure. In “Someone to Love” Rogers loses his job because his employer thinks he is using his position to lure wealthy girls into marriage. This, however, is not true, and Rogers next becomes the principal of a girls’ school. Here the story develops with an unusual climax and several startling dialogue sequences. Charlie Davis says “merry Christmas” to his fans in “Bars and Stripes,” the Publix stage presentation in which Johnny Perkins, the 375-pound star of the Indiana first anniversary revue, is the head of a brilliant Broadway cast of entertainers. Perkins’ famous comedy, joined with the dancing of Reed and Duthers, the inimitable singing of the Dennis sisters, the singing of Roy Coney and a number of unusual dance routines by the Gould girls, make up one of the Indiana’s premier stage attractions. Indanapolis youngsters whose talent shows unusual promise have been cast in Louise Powell’s Christmas Kiddie Revue. Every feature which characterizes a grown-up stage show is duplicated by the kiddies, who sing, dance, present ballet numbers and a myriad of other acts. Pathe talking news and Dale Young at the organ are other features.

Reel News on Coast

Robert Armstrong is taking a vacation, on pay, while his whiskers grow. They are needed in the desert scenes of “Leathernecks.” Lupe Velez and Tom Mix are seen many times together in Hollywod. Phyllis Haver and Russell Gleason are apparently the best of friends. Rumor says that Clara Bow is interested in Tom Tyler. Dorothy Divan is learning to ride sideways. She has ridden astride all her life, until starting work in Ken Maynard’s picture, “The California Mail.” Ken is teaching the expert horsewoman how to sit a side saddle dressed in a gorgeous black velvet habit, with flowing skirt. Irene Rich is enjoyng a week’s rest in her Santa Barbara home, before starting work in a Metropolitan Picture. James Gleason, famous stage play writer and actor, is dialoging talking pictures for M-G-M, and offers a prize for the best slang or wise cracks to use in his picture conversation. Fritzie Ridgeway and Lucien Littlefield will go to New York with director Alfred Santill, to work in the Vilma Banky film. A1 Jolson is back in Hollywood minus his wife. Her career keeps her in New York. Why would anyone married to Al want a career? Alice Joyce is appearing in a stage play, “The Marriage Bed” in Los Angeles. Owen Moore is her leading man. Russell Cleason left college to try pictures, and is now cast for an important role in the first talking film at Pathe, “The Missing Man.” Alfred Santell is responsible for the selection of Robert Montgomery as leading man for Vilma Banky. Santell discovered the boy in New York. He made tests for Producer Samuel Goldwyn to see in Hollywood. Ken Maynard is writing the story of his life, telling of his early days in the circus ring. Here is one of the interesting figures in the picture profession, if his modesty permits him to reveal the truth concerning his struggles toward fame and fortune. Makes Good Larry Banthim, who was a deck hand on a San Francisco tug boat three months ago, and who is now playing in pictures, has just been given a part in First National’s “The Mdn and the Moment,” with Billie Dove. Learns New Tricks Colleen Moore is now qualified to win dancing cups in any jazz dancing contest. She learned all the tricky new steps while making “Why Be Good?” at First National Studios.

1— Mary Astor and Albert Conti act like this in “Dry Martini” now at the Apollo. 2 Colleen Moore in a nifty pose from “Synthetic Sin,” opening today at the Circle.

PAUL’S LAST MESSAGE TO BE SCHOOLLESSON Provision Made for Special Christmas Text as Alternative. The International Uniform Sunday School Lesson for Dec. 23. Paul’s Last Message. II Timothy 4:1-8, 16-18. BY WM. E. GILROY, D. D„ Editor of The Congregatlonalist As an alternative to this lesson, concluding the quarter’s studies on Paul, provision is made for a special Christmas lesson under the title “The Birth of Jesus,” the text for which is Luke 2: 8-20. For the sake of continuity in this column, and because the triumphant life of Paul was one of the earliest and greatest fruits of the coming of Jesus to the world, we have decided to base our comment upon the conclusion of the Pauline story. There is .advantage in celebrating the coming of Jesus to the world in terms of concrete results. Much of our enthusiasm at Christmas does not rise above the level of vague and sentimental generalities. There is an expansive atmosphere of good will that does not always actually enlarge the heart. There is an unusual manifestation of good cheer which is oftentimes little more than good cheer toward those of our own households and family circles, and that has little relation to the fullness and richness of the love of God that gave his gift to the world in Christ, and the earthly purposes of the

if JIMMIE \ CLEMONS / edy t ® n ' l/^||

Master himself in the experiences that led him from Bethlehem to Calvary. It is time that we should challenge a little more vitally our Christmas good will and good cheer. Paul probably never observed Christmas. It is doubtful whether in the world of his day the date of Christ’s birth was known or, as in modern times, a date somewhat arbitrarily been fixed upon. Symbols and days often attain their greatest emphasis when the realities have already become somewhat weakened, and the extent of the world’s celebration of Christmas is by no means the extent of the world’s true and heartfelt response to Christ. For Paul it was Christmas all the time. The fact that dominated everything in his life was the coming of the Savior and the saivation that he had found through Jesus of Nazareth. It is this that gives significance to this lesson on the closing aspect of his career. The ideals that have inspired him in devotion to Christ are the things that he enjoins upon Timothy, his son in the faith. He exhorts him never to forget the great fact of Christ’s coming. Timothy is to preach the word; he is to be an evangelist; he is to make full proof of his ministry by winning souls to Christ. And it is interesting to note that as Paul’s whole life had been dominated by the coming of Christ, so now its triumphant aspect is associated with his thought of the reappearing of the Lord. “I have fought a good fight,” he says, “I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at that day; and not me only, but upon all them also that ’ove his appearing.” Just how or in what way Paul thought this reappearing was to come is not made plain, and there are varieties of interpretation. But one thing is made certain by the

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inclusion in the lesson of verses IG-18. The reappearing of Christ is associated in Paul’s mind with the triumph of the Kingdom. “The Lord,” he says, “will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom.” It is a glorious thing in a man’s life when he can look for-

3 Charles “Buddy” Rogers, in “Someone to Love,” now at_the Indiana. 4 Aileen Pringle has one of the chief roles in “Dream of Love” at Loew's Palace.

Antonio and Colleen in Film

1 '^^■■'^' lllti

Indianapolis picture fans who have seen almost every type of racing car made during past Memorial dav auto races at the speedway, have anew thrill in store for them in "Synthetic Sin,” Colleen Moore's next production which comes to the Circle today. Together with Antonio Moreno, who plays chief in her support, she is shown taking a spin in her “red bug,” an electric car measuring only five ieet in length. The car plays an important part in “Synthetic Sin,” and after the picture was made became a permanent addition to Colleen’s garage.

A MERRY CHRISTMAS SHOW! Men who live to Pby lkri/ienner_who Play to Live', LEE^V /’an aliL , MWIETOME PRODUCTION^ POX MOVIETONE SPECIAL XMAS FEATURE NEWS David Rollins and Nancy Drexel b.:,™. in “FORGET ME NOT” 10:30 A. M. to IP. M. . „ . (Except Sunday and A Movietone Romance Holidays) in Song, Talk and Dance All Seats 25c _ Starting Next 4 4 IS IHi I 100 c c Talking Saturday H I illnL Picture

ward hopefully to such a consummation, and our joy in the coming of Christ will never have its full measure of richness and reality until it becomes a hope of the future as well as a rejoicing in the past. Bethlehem and even Calvary were but the beginnings. The King-

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dom of God must grow more and more until the perfect day. Christmas must be for us, if we would share Paul’s experience, not merely the celebration of a past event, nor even the joy of a present reality; it must be an inspired hope for the future—the anticipation of anew birth for the world through the birth into the world of its Savior, Teacher and Friend.

In Uniforms

Anything is likely to happen in Hollywood, but one of the most curious things that has occurred recently was the placing of twenty members of the Philarmonic orchestra of Los Angeles in convicts’ uniforms. This was done as a part of filming “Weary River,” the new First National starring vehicle for Richard Barthelmess. Loaves Hollywood Lloyd Bacon. Warner Bros, director. left Hollywood this week o : a four-weeks motor trip to Vancouver. He has recently completed his latest Vitaphone picture, “No Defense” co-starring Mont? Blue and May McAvoy, this being his final directorial assignment on Warner’s current program. Plays Lead Grant Withers, playing opposite Corinne Griffith in First National's “Saturday’s Children,” will also play the male lead in Miss Griffith's forthcoming vehicle, “Prisoners.” Plans Trip Richard Barthelipess is planning a trip to Havana upon the completion of his present P’irst National picture, “Weary River,” in which he plays a singing convict.

MOTION PICTURES WtiME PlUfafo ChrirtmaS' JfowPff P— /votv sn&wmir —-^u DREAM OF LOVE" JoaiWraiuforcL NILS ASTHEBU Here is a love story that will live forever. A peasant maid —a Prince who meets her, and the love that sweeps them both before it—Revolution—and a most astounding climax! A METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER PICTURE 1 METRO MOVIETONE ACTS “UKELELE IKE” edwards) Exponent of the Strings _____ MARION HARRIS 1^1? FOX MOVIETONE NEWS SEE—THE TALKING NEWSREEL —HEAR _ LKSTER HLKF M-G-M NEWS REVIEW AT THE ORGAN: COLOR CLASSIC

DEC. 22, 1928

Colored Band to _ Play ‘Cotton Pickers’ Will Supply Hot Dance Music. A SOUTHERN atmosphere has been added to the Indiana roof ballroom for holiday dances by the addition of Tommy Fox and his Southern Cotton Pickers, a Negro orchestra, as a second band to supply music for the feature balls. The Cotton Pickers made their first appearance here Saturday night when they assisted Dick Powell and his Merrymakers in supplying music for the doll dance that was held at that time. “The new orchestra proved so popular with the dancers,” said Tom Devine, manager, “that they were booked for the holiday season and will remain as a feature at the roof until after the first of the year. They will play on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. The first holiday ball of the season is scheduled for the roof Saturday night, when the Christmas dance and party is to be held. "This,” stated Devine, “will be conducted somewhat similar to the ‘Doll Dance’ in that approximately S4OO worth of new dolls will be given away to guests* The manager stared that in order to obtain enough dolls for these two occasions that it was necessary to purchase the entire doll stock of one of Indianapolis’ largest department stores. The last of the city championship waltz contests was held in the ballroom Wednesday night, terminating what Devine described to be one of the most successful attractions that has been staged at the roof. The contest has been in progress for the past three weeks as a special feature of waltz nights which are held each Wednesday. The roof will hold this year’s Christmas ball Tuesday night while the annual New Year dance is to be held one week from Monday night. The “Cotton Pickers” will serve as a second band on these occasslons. Ready for Work I Alice White has completed her | extensive wardrobe for “Hot Stuff,” I her next picture for First National. ; Mervyn Leßoy will direct, and the | new production starts within a few ! days.

‘Rio Rita ’ "Rio Rita" will be made as the first special on FBO’s 1929-30 program in affiliation with Radio - Keith - Orpheum Corporation, the newly organized and gigantic motion picture, vaudeville and radio combine. Contract for transferring the Ziegfeld show into a talking and singing motion picture were signed yesterday between Mr. Schnitzel’ and Florence Ziegfeld.