Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 215, Indianapolis, Marion County, 26 January 1929 — Page 7
JAN. 26, 1929.
VICTOR M’LAGLEN IN “CAPTAIN LASH” AT THE APOLLO
Lina Basquette in ‘Show Folks’ at Indiana —Lily Damita in ‘The Rescue’ at the Palace —‘Doctor's Secret’ at the Circle for the Week. A SIMON LEGREE among men; a shorn lamb with a woman—that is the type of role played by Victor McLaglen in his latest picture, "Captain Lash,” an all Movietone production directed by John Blystone, w’hich will be presented, starting today, at the Apollo. No man and no sea is too rough for Lash a huge, bulldozing fifth engineer on an ocean liner, who gets his name from the way he drives the stokers whom he bosses. At home in every port from Sidney, Australia, to Singapore, Lash thought himself immune to the charms of pretty women until chance throws him in the path of Cora Nevins, portrayed by Claire Windsor.
Lash protects Cora from the dangers of an accident and thereby wins her gratitude, which he mistakes for something more serious. A clever crook, the lovely Cora executes a daring jewel robbery, and uses the hard-struck Lash as a wholly innocent accomplice. This creates a situation which brings about a series of startling developments, with Cocky, an irrepressible friend of Lash’s, played by Clyde Cook, becoming an important factor in the last of puzzling, but highly entertaniing sequences. Much of the action takes place at sea and in ports of call. The cast includes Arthur Stone, Albert Conti, Jean Laverty, Frank Hagney, Boris Charsky And Jane Win ton. Dick Rich and his Melodious Monarchs and Ulie and Clark in Vitaphone acts, and Movietone news reels complete the program. u st a RONALD COLMAN STARRED IN RESCIJE “The Rescue,” opening today at the Palace theater, reveals Ronald Coleman in the stardom to which Samuel Goldwyn has elevated him as a result of popular demand. In this, Joseph Conrad’s greatest story of the sea, Colman is said to give the most stirring characterization of his screen career. “The Rescue” also' affords Lily Damita, Goiiwyn’s importation from the ranks of French stars, her American screen debut. Miss Damita has the coveted role of Colm&n’s leading lady. This romantic and adventurous yam of the sea, as only Conrad tells it, is spun by the directorial genius of Herbert Brenon. It is the story of honor, love and betrayal in the Java seas, photographed against tropical backgrounds of rare beauty. “The Rescue” is being released through United Artists, which in addition to handling Samuel Goldwyn productions, distributes the screen plays of Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford, Charlie Chaplin, D. W. Griffith and Norma Talmadge. The photodrama’s script was prepared from Joseph Conrad’s novel by Elizabeth Meehan, scenarist for “Sorrel and Son” and “Laugh, Clown, Laugh.” The play presents Colman as Tom Lingard and Miss Damita as Lady Edith Travers. The story is that of Tom Lingard, a trader in Java, who has promised a native chief that he will help to restore his lost empire. In the midst of his plans, an English yacht intrudes on the scene and Mrs. Travers, as one of its passengers, causes Lingard to forsake the cause of the natives for that of the woman he loves. There were many difficulties to be overcome in filming this Conrad story. A fleet of 400 canoes and twenty vessels had to be procured. One of the largest of the ships, a 250-foot schooner was b’nwn up at a cost of $50,000 to make a twenty-five-foot sequence properly realistic. Director Brenon has caught all the virile flavor of Conrad’s tale and has fa thfully followed the action of the thrilling battle between natives and whites and the destruction of a ship loaded with dynamite. It is the epic of “King Tom” and the love he won and lost on the Java seas. In conjunction with the showing of “The Rescue,” arrangements have been made with Samuel Goldwyn for the personal appearance of Miss Lily Damita, who will appear on the stage four times today, and will have an informal chat with N those who attend the Palace on this day. Miss Damita was brought to the United States by Goldwyn, who had searched throughout foreign lands for a screen star to take the place of Vilma Bapky as leading lady opposite Ronald Colman. This is Miss Damita’s first appearance before a picture audience, since her arrival in this country, and she will be in Indianapolis today only. A specially prepared sound accompaniment will be a feature of the presentation of “The Rescue.” The musical score and sound effects personally devised by Hugo Riesenfeld, celebrated composer and conductor, given by the Hugo Riesenfeld orchestra through the medium of tire new sound reproducing apparatus installed for the benefit of the Palace patrons. The surrounding novelties on the program will bring to the screen Gus Edwards’ first production for Metro Movietone, in which this •famous stage show producer will present one of his own revues with the original cast and numbers. Another Metro Movietone act intro- ; duces Lionel Barrymore’s first attempt at direction, and his offering j “The Confession” has been ac- i claimed a success. The Fox Movietone News, Lester Huff at the ' mighty organ and the Palace World I Visions will round out the bill. a an ANNIVERSARY BILL AT INDIANA The Indiana theater today begins celebrating Publix third anniversary with a program especially arranged for the occasion. Publix is a national theatrical operating company with which the Indiana is j affllliated. On the stage Charlie Davis and j his boys, in addition to extra bits | on their own part, will present the ♦'Publix Third Birthday Revue,” a ] cast of artists assembled in the New York studios for this particular oc- j casion. The production was made under the personal supervision of ' John Murray Anderson. In it are such Publix shining lights j as Evans and Perez, Jack Powell, , Harry Downing. Stadler arid Rose > and George Flynn. The Gamby- ' Hale troupe of chorus girls is de- I Glared by Mr. Anderson to be the i prettiest and most talented that have been sent out of New York j this season. 1 Charlie Davis and his band will A
play as specialties, "Marie,” “After You've Gone” and “I Want to Be Loved by You.” Members'of the band also present a comical "blackout.” The feature picture is “ShowFolks,” a Pathe talking r -t sound production starring Lina basquette and Eddie Quillan. It was selected for Publix birthday week because of its vivid portrayal of life backstage. The story has to do with a romance between two performers and as a result intimate scenes of the activity back of theatrical stages are provided. Dale Young offers an organ solo this week and there also is a news reel on the bill. a ft ft ALL-TALKER ON VIEW AT CIRCLE The Circle theater beginning today offers another all-talking production. It is “Doctor's Secret,” released by Paramount and starring Ruth Chatterton, H. B. Warner, John Loder, and Robert Edeson. The story is from the famous play "Half an Hour,” by Sir James M. Barrie. “Doctor’s Secret” Is che second alltalker produced by Paramount and this story was selected as the most suitable to follow "Interference,” which was shown at the Circle threeweeks ago. It also was an all-talker. The latest of the talkers shows improvement over even “Interference” from a technical point of view and is an outstanding and impressive example of the progress that is being made in this field. Each of the characters in “Doctor’s Secret” are heard plainly in con\ versation at all times and they do not give the apearance of talking for the benefit of the miorophones. The story is an unusual one and is likely to linger in one’s memory for sometime. This is due to the fact that all action takes place within a period of thirty : -inutes. but the hand of fate does much within this brief space of time. An interesting observation is the fact that the most violent of emotions are concealed beneath the pr’iteness of English serial intercourse. Dessa Byrd plays an organ solo. Several talking short subjects along with a sound news reel are other attractions of the bill opening this week.
‘Lucky Boy’
“Lucky Boy,* the Tiffany-Stahl super special production starring George Jessel in his first singing and talking production, has been acclaimed by reviewers and critics as a triumph for George Jessel and for the producers of the picture. At previews held in several parts of the country, the consensus of opinion has been that Jessel gives a remarkable demonstration of his dramatic qualities on the screen and will prove a sensation wherever shown. Jessel was the original “Jazz Singer” on the stage and was supposed to play it on the screen. Reviewers state, after seeing Jessel In his latest and best screen production, that it places him on a plane far greater than any other star has achieved at the present time. The picture is soon to be released throughout the country in the leading theaters of every large city.
Big Event
The tremendous success of “The Trial of Mary Dugan” has preceded its appearance at English’s week Feb. 11, and this thrilling Bayard Veiller court-room melodrama is therefore assured a hearty welcome. With a year’s run on Broadway behind it, and with the unparalled record of simultaneous productions in London. Berlin, Paris and other European centers as proof of its universal appeal, it is a foregone conclusion that the local engagement w r ill be a profitable one for its producer, A. H. Woods. “The Trial of Mary Dugan” is full of novel effects, the most startling of which is the absence of a curtain, the use of which is entirely eliminated before and during the play and as the sleeves of a trickperformer are rolled back to show there is nothing concealed, so is the stage setting exposed as the audience takes its seat. John Has Chief Part John Miljan, who has played prominent roles in “The Terror,” and other reecnt talking films, has been added to the supporting cast of “Innocents of Paris,” Paramount’s first Maurice Chevalier film. Another actor engaged for the French stage star’s first film was Johnnie Morris, well known in vaudeville as well as on the screen, who will play an old wandering musician of the Paris streets.
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AVCHUe UQUAKE Poor* Open IS:30 Time of Show* 1 I*. M. f 3 P. M., 5 P. M., V and 9 P. M. THE SENSATION OF INDIANAPOLIS! AL JOLSON IN “The Singing Fool” SEE AND HEAR The Triumph Picture
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1— Robert Armstrong, Lina Basquette and Eddie Quillan in a scene from “Show Folks” now at the Indiana. 2H. B. Warner and Ruth Chatterton as they appear in “The Doctor’s Secret” now on
“Passion Play” to Open Here Freiburg Players Will Start Engagement Monday. HERALDED by critic, clergy and laity, alike, as the greatest “Passion Play” ever produced, the original Freiburg “Passion Play,” featuring Adolph and Georg Fassnacht, will be presented to the people of Indianapolis and the surrounding country Monday night at the Murat, under the auspices of the Ona B. Talbot Fine Arts Enterprise. The performances will be presented each night thereafter, including Saturday night and two matinees will be given on Wednesday and Saturday. The evening performances will begin promptly at 8 o’clock and the afternoon presentations at 2 o’clock. Unique in the annals of the theatrical and dramatic world, are the portrayal of two distinct types of characters in this world famous dranja. Adolph Fassnacht, as the Christus, in a role that is sublime, majestic and dignified, while his brother Georg, as the Judas, gives a rendition of the crafty, shrewd and intriguing disciple. Among the other members of the company, who assist in this gorgeotfs and magnificent spectacle, are noted men and women of Europe who have spent their life in the “Passion Play” work. One of the roles, that is almost equally histrionic to that of Judas, is Dathan, a high priest, characterized by Willie Erhardt, who is well known in Europe. Erhardt ha $■ had years of experience on th stage and has been acting the part of Dathan for more than ten years. He has, also, on a moment’s notice, assumed the role of Judas, when George Fassnacht has been ill, and he has received high commendation for his excellent portrayal. Another equally important char-
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Eugene O’Neill Here is a picture of Eugene O’Neill who wrote “The Strange Interlude,” the nine act play starting Thursday at English's. acter, that of Pontius Pilate, played by Lothar Mayring, also calls for special praise from those who have witnessed his performances. Mr. Mayring has been associated with the Freiburg Players for fifteen years. The man who holds the record for association with the Freiburg players and its environments is Heinrich Hauck, who has been with and acting in the “Pstesion Play” for forty years. As Peter, the beloved disciple of the Christus, Mr. Hauck has been so closely allied to that character, that he looks the part, both off and on stage. He is the only member of the company who avoids and has no use for makeup, his patriarchal beard and a deep resonant voice aiding in developing his role to a high art. Josef Danner is also another member of the cast with a lengthy record. He played with the father of Adolph Fassnacht more than thirty years ago, and his characterization, that of Annas, the high priest, is one of the outstanding pictures during the performance. He is especially
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THE INDIANA I’OI.IS TIMES
prominent when the Christus has been betrayed and in company with the other high priests, appears before Pilate and King Herod,, demanding the death sentence 61 the Nazarene. The opening of the Freiberg "Passion Play” has two brief tableaux, one depicts Adam and Eve being driven from the Garden of Paradise by the Angel Gabriel, and the other the Glorification of the Cross. Then in proper form, this massive production opens with the Christus, as a grown man, entering the city of Jerusalem, amid the rejoicing of the populace. From Jerusalem, the Christus goes to Bethany to visit friends and to prepare for the Passover. The high priests and the scribes, in the meantime, alarmed over the following and teaching of the Man of Galilee, seeks ways and means to rid their kingdom of the menace. The scene reverts back to Bethany, where the Christus says farewell to his mother and friends and returns to Jerusalem with his disciples. It is in this city that Judas is approached by the high priests and the plan broached for the betrayal, the Pharisees and Scribes urging Judas no* to delay in the matter. Judas joins the disciples to participate in the Last Supper, one of the most beautiful and poignant scenes ever witnessed on the stage. When the , Christus has broken bread with the disciples he goes to the Garden of Gethsemane, there to pray for aid of his Father, and there to be betrayed by Judas, who has brought with him the Roman soldiers and high priests. The Christus is taken before the high priests who condemn His
view at the Circle. 3—Ronald Colman and Lily Damita in “The Rescue” now at Loew’s Palace. 4—Victor McLaglen in “Captain Lash,” opening at the Apollo today.
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90$ rpeQf in ♦ I \MQ9CUQ Wmß LILY DAMITA WILL APPEAR ON THE STAGE IN PERSON FOUR TIMES ® A Dazzling Array of Talent HEAR Produced In Technicolor JB’i.gag’gJ.’BK. I Playlet wr. I “CONFESSION” PALACE WORLD VISIONS R With LESTER HUFF § Robert Ames—Carroll Wye AT THE ORGAN | Directed by Lionel Barrymore
Greet Star
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George Arliss
Among onls of the important bookings of the season at English's is George Arliss as Shylock in “The Merchants of Venice.”
teachings, and then before Pilate. Pilate orders the Nazarene to be taken before King Herod, before the death sentence can be pronounced, but King Herod orders the Christus back to Pilate. Judas, in the meantime, repenting of his bargain, appears before
the high priests, pleading for the relase of the Christus and suffering the tortures of the damned. He is scorned and laughed at by the high Priests, whose tool he was, and he is ordered from the temple. It is here, that Georg Fassnacht, reaches a climax of the most dramatic acting, and the horror and disgust that has been aroused in the mind and heart of the spectator, is rapidly changed to that of sorrow’ for the man who was so weak as to betray the Master. With the death sentenced announced, and Barrabas free, the long march to Golgotha begins, with the Christus, scourged and crowned and the heavy cross on His shoulders. The mob rapidly crucify the Christus and the cross is raised. When the body is lowered and placed in the tomb, and after a short interval, to denote the passing of three days, there comes the Glorious Resurrection, with the allied church chorus, under the direction of Frank L. Waller, rendering the Hallelujuah chorus from Mandel’s “Messiah.” Throughout - ’the entire spoken dialogue the chorus and orchestra chant and play appropriate numbers to each setting and scene. Mary to Be Heroine Mary Brian will heroine in the first all-talking film of the prize ring, “The Man I Love,” in which Richard Arlen will be the fighter. This Paramount film will be directed by William A. Wellman, maker of “Wings.” The story is adopted from a play by Herman Mankiewicz. Miss Brain’s last role was "Someone to Love,” with Charles "Buddy” Rogers.
I T STARTING TODAY S ’ She Was Bought by One- ALL - TALKING I I And a Slave to Another! SenSatjOll/ I THESE TALENTED ARTISTS TALK A tfMk \ RUTH CHATTERTON-H. B. WARNER fM v ffl| John Loder—Robert Edeson f&HV ' paid SIOO,OOO In r her love— jHsBB cre<,ha<
a i:i WStek. m\g 7 / We’re Celebrating— TODAY / / And How: I '/J m/ Birthday U /Vr wail 7 VVy CHARLIE DAVIS P* * And His Incomparable Band . I / Harry Downing—Jack Powell I / And a host of other Publix stars along I f with an array of gorgeous beautleßl / On The Screen Ml Hear Talk and Sound Secrets of—“SHOW FOLKS” I of** Vl? **re B ''Orr° l ' S< A ?< ll With / _ tbo *4: h a % , *rt’ h c *O/ jJ Lina Basquette—tpKife •*!>+ 11 Eddie Quillan W 0 ll Vivid Glimpse* of Life—Love— —II And Laughter. Back-stage. JMJ
Arliss to Act Big Role Here Noted Star Will Be Seen as Shylock at English’s. George arliss, foremost of English-speaking actors, will make his 'first appearance here as Shylock in William Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice,” under the direction of Winthrop Ames, at English’s for three days only beginning on Monday night, Feb. 4, with a matinee on Wednesday. The curtain rises sharply at 8:30 o’clock at night and 2:30 o’clock at the matinee. As no one will bo seated during the progress of a scene playgoers are urged to be in their eats before the comedy begins. Mr. Arliss first came to America in 1901 with Mrs. Patrick Campbell, when he made an immediate success as Cayley Drummle in “The Second Mrs. Tanqueray,” and as the duke of St. Olpherts in “The Notorious Mrs. Ebbsmith.” He was induced to remain here to act Sakkuri in “The Darling of the Gods,” with Blanche Bates. j As he tells so amusingly in hia autobiography, “Up the Years From Bloomsbury,” each of the succeeding seasons he determined to return to England, but each time he was persuaded to remain in America, until it became evident that his position on the American stage was becoming such that it was only a question of time when he would be a star in the American theater. Playgoers recall his Disraeli which he acted five years, and his Rajah of Rukh in “The Green Goddess,” which was followed by “Old English.’” To act Shylock always has been one of his ambitions. Unusual interest attaches to his first appearance here in this role. Winthrop Ames has produced many notable plays, including the Gilbert and Sullivan operas. Frieda Inescort will be seen as Portia. This young actress has rapidly risen to the front rank of the younger actresses, playing fifteen leading roles in New- York in such plays as Philip Barry’s “You and I,” John Galsworthy’s "Windows” and “Escape,” Sascha Guitry’s “Mozart” and Frederick Lonsdale’s “The Fake.” She was in the allstar revival of A. W. Pinero’s “Trslawney of ‘The Wells.’ ” The cast of “The Merchant of Venice” includes such players as Leslie Barrie, Leonard Willey, Roland Bottomley, David Leonard, Henry Morrell, Alan M. Willey, Edward Jephson, Maury Tuckerman, Earl McDonald, Lewis A. Sealy, John Griggs, John Wightman, Benn K. Leavenworth, Eleanor Stuart,. Eleanor Phelps, Ethel Hyler and forty other actors. Woodman Thompson designed the scenes and costumes. Maude T. Howell is stage manager. Dancing Girls at Work A dozen of the well known Fan-chon-Marcho dancing girls worked with Maurice Chevalier, French music hall idol, now making his first Paramount talking film, “Innocents of Paris.” Chevalier himself is a celebrated dancer, having been a partner of the famous Mistinguett for several years in the Folies Bergere and Casino de Paris.
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