Indianapolis Times, Volume 40, Number 298, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 May 1929 — Page 7

JfAY 4. I^9

A FOUR-YEAR-OLD STAR IS FEATURED IN “SONNY BOY”

Baclanova Has the Lead in *A Dangerous Woman Now at the Indiana —‘Voice of the City,’ an All-Talker, Opens Today at the Palace. FOUR-YEAR-OLD Davey Lrr- the wonder child of A! Jolson's phenomenal hit, ‘The Storing Fool.’ whoso performance in tha* production ido j?, a foregone conclusion that anew juvenile star had arrived to captivate audiences the world over, appear- at the Apollo starting today in his first starring picture. “Sonny Boy.” The title "Sonny Bov was inspired by the theme song of “The Singz Fool” and also h. the fact that it is as Sonny Boy that Davey is •<r. to millions of people who caught their fir.-' alimpse of him and first • trilled to the piping tone.- of his childish voice with its tantalzing lisp, in the Jolson picture.

But "Sonny Boy” has none of the heart-earing tragedy of “The Singing Fool." It Ls a comedy of domestic life. Containing moments of sparkling fun and others of deeper dramatic tenseness it tells an appealing story of matrimonial strife and contemplated divorce, with the elfin personality of little Davey flitting through it like a will o' the wisp. Davey Lee. charm ls difficult to explain, but his innumerable odd. whimsical, unstudied ways, his method of halting hi c v.ords and then pouring them out. waving his tiny hands, rolling his big eyes and getting his wee body into unexpected shapes, all serve in ensnaring the affections. In “Sonny Boy.” which was directed bv Archie L. Mayo, he has the . ipport of Rett- Bronson, Edvard Everett Horton. Gertrude Oltnstead, Jed Proutv, Edmund B>'eose, John T. Murray and Luc; - Beaumont. File program contains a Movietone novelty. “In Holland.” Movietone news reels, Paul Tremaine and His Aristocrats of Modern Music in a. melodious melange, and Jack Baxlev and company in a merry song skit, entitled Neighbors,” B B B BIG TUBII.I LR NOW AT PALAf F “The Voice of the City,” Willard Mack's all-talking picture, which opens todav at. Loew's Palace, creates the illusion of sitting in on a New York opening night of Mack’s stag*’ successes. File triple-talented Mr. Mack not only wrote “The Voter of the City,” but he also directed it and plays the principal character role. His work in that. role, an implacable detective engaged in a desperate man hunt, is a gem oi characterization. Mark has been writing with such consistent success for so many years. A story of gangdom, it moves with the rapid pace of a runaway train lor the entire action, which includes a jail break, a man hunt, a fake suicide. a murder and an unexpected and dramatic happy ending, takes place within the space of twentyfour hours. It is filled with suspense. plot and counterplot. Nevertheless it carries a romance sweet and appealing and tender as any out and out love story. This delightful, though rather breathless love story, is interpreted by Robert Ames, who plays the escaped prisoner, and Sylvia Field. Mr. Mack plays the role of the detective. who eventually gets his man and at the same time gives him his lreedom. Mack is the same fascinating player on the screen ihat he is on the legitimate stage and his direction of his own story is as fine a bit of directional management as this reviewer remembers seeing. Mack has a story to tell, and he tells it interestingly, with the result. that there is not. a draggy momcn in it. The tension builds consecutively until the climax is reached. Even the dialog speeds up the action, rather than retarding it as is so often the case. Miss Field, who makes her debut ir, this production, having come directly from the Broadway stage production of “The Royal Family.” is both a beautiful young lady and a talented actress. John Miljan. Alice Moe, Clark Marshall. Duane Thompson. James Farley, Tom McGuire and Beatrice Eanyard also are in the cast. The surrounding film novelties on the program will include anew and colorful revue, produced by Gus Edwards for Metro Movietone, the cast of which includes Georgie Harris and Doris Walker of musical comedy fame, and Armida, the famous tango dancer, not to mention a chorus of Scotch lassies, Japanese Geisha maids, Russian singers and Dutch clog dancers. The entire offering has been filmed in technicolor and presents a pleasing sight to the eye as well as the ear. Another Metro Movietone presentation brings a quartet of male roices. singing in harmony, and introduced as the Revelers. The Fox Movietone News. Lester Huff at the mighty organ and the M. G. M. News Review round out the bill. 808 AN ALL-TALKER OPENS AT INDIANA The Indiana opened its new week today with “A Dangerous Woman." Paramount all-talking production, featuring Baclanova. Clive Brook and Nell Hamilton. Charlie Davis and members of his band are offering “Cooling Off” as the stage attraction. while "Louise” is presented as one of their band specialties. In the feature picture one readily sees why Baclanova. the Russian actress, who has created such a sensatiep in this country, is retained by Paramount, despite the handicap of her accent In talking pictures. Asa matter of fact, this very thing

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is almost an asset in "A Danarrous Woman” since she is seen in the role of a Russian wife to a foreign British diplomat. Her ■ voice again is heard in several songs, and she supplies ner own piano accompaniment. If one were to judge by this picture, the average man or woman would pronounce her an accomplished musician in addition to a brilliant actress. Neil Hamilton plays the part of a younger brother to Clive Brook, the Bi irish diplomat to a murky spot in the heart of African wilds. He and Brook both do excellent work in the picture, and another decided improvement is found in synchronization since this picture is considered to be as nearly perfect, if not more so. than any released to date. "Louise,” one of the numbers played by the band, is the theme song from “Innocents of Paris,” Maurice Chevalier’s new picture which is creating little short of a sensation on Broadway. In addition to the Publix headliners who are appearing in the stage presentation, Milton Slosser, guest organist from California, is on the bill again this week and supplies another organ solo which is very acceptable to the audience. There also is a news reel. b a b “SHOW BOAT” REMAINS AT CIRCLE Show Boat ' the screen version of Edna Berber's sensational novel of trie same title, has been held over at Ihe Circle theater for- a second week. Hits decision was reached by the management after the theater played to practically full capacity during the past week. After the showings during the coming seven days it will be at least three months before another Indianapolis theater will be able to run the picture, it was said at the Universal Film exchange. In the screen version, in which there are sound, talking and singing sequences, several of the stars who appeared in the Florenz Ziegfeld musical comedy, offer a prologue to the main feature, in which they sing the hits from his highly successful Broadway stage production. Among them is Miss Helen Morgan, who sings “Can’t Help Lovin' Dat Man" in her inimitable manner. Jules Bledsoe offers “OF Man River,” with the Ziegfeld chorus with him. Joseph Schildkraut and Laura La Plante take the leading roles in the screen version of the book. They both are heard talking in the more important sequences and “Show Boat,” without a doubt, has afforded them an opportunity to do the very best work of their respective careers. The picture, from every present indication, will be one of the greatest box office hits of the entire year. People were turned away from the Circle theater Saturday and Sunday and several days and nights during the week. It is to take care of these and others who were unable to attend, that the picture was held over, it was said. b b a “CLOSE HARMONY" “Close Harmony." featuring Buddy Rogers and Nancy Carroll in their first all-talking production, opened at the new Ohio theater today for a week’s run. The picture is a kind of a musical comedy presentation and is proclaimed by critics to be one of the best of its kind released to date. Young Rogers, when the picture

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I Davey l.ec in '-oi'ny Boy” claims to be the youngest 'tar in the talkers. Opens odav at the Apollo, 2 —Laura La Plante remains he star in “Show Boat." Starts second week today at the Circle.

opens, is seen as an ambitious youth who is working with an orchestra with the hope of making a hit in the musical world. Just as he was on the verge of being‘ousted by his landlady because of his inability to pay his rent, a pretty chorus star, played by Nancy Carroll, drives by and spies him leaving with an armful of instrmuents., Having been in the same predicament when trying to get a foothold on the ladder of stage popularity, she pitied him and paid his back rent. Asa result of his earnestness she then consents to listen in on one of his band rehearsals and is agreeably surprised at the ability of his musicians. She establishes a contact with her theatre manager which results in a try-out contract for the boys. Then real and colorful entertainment- starts in earnest. The picture portrays parts of a stage presentation in one of the nation’s de luxe theaters and in reality it is hard to beat. The romance which finally brings; the two young lovers together adds much to the entertainment value of the picture although many will declare that the musical renditions are worth the admission price asked at most any theater. The bill this week also includes the second release of “The Collegians" in a talking version. There also are Vitaphone acts.

She Travels

Another Trans-Atlantic traveller of this week is Emily Fitzroy, who left Universal City on the train two hours after her dialogue sequences in “Show Boat” had been okeyed. Miss Fitzroy feels that Parthenia Ann Hawks is the high-water mark of her artistic accomplishment. She will be in London in time for the British premiere of “Show Boat.” Beatrice Gets Work Beatrice Van has been assigned to write the adaptation, continuity and dialog of “No, No. Nanette,” the famous musical comedy to be serened by First National-Vita-jlnone. and starring Alice White. Kelsey Added to Cast Fred Kelsey, popular character actor, has been added to the cast of Colleen Moore's first dialogue picture, “Snfiling Irish Eyes,” at First National-Vitaphone studios.

MOTION PICTURES

TEE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Ballroom to Have a Contest Indiana Roof $ta r ts Big Search for Beautiful Girls, WHO is the most- beautiful girl ip Indianapolis? The answer to this question is being sought by the Indiana Roof ballroom, which will sponsor a bathing beauty pageant for three days, starting May 16, to determine who will be crowned beauty queen of this city. This beauty queen will be known as “Miss Indianapolis" and will be entered ip the statewide bathing beauty pageant to be conducted in the Indiana theater on Monday, May 20. Any unmarried girl in the city between the ages of 16 and 25 is eligible for entry in the Indiana Roof's bathing beauty pageant. Application for entry in the contest may be made in the ballroom, or if you will write the management you will be sent an application blank, which may be mailed in. Blanks may also be obtained at the box office of the Indiana, Circle and Ohio theaters. Two preliminaries will be held, one in the ballroom on May 16, and the other on May 17 and the finals of the city beauty pageant will be held in the ballroom Saturday night. May 18. In addition to being permitted to enter the state contest the girl who is selected as “Miss Indianapolis” will be given a week's engagement to appear in Charlie Davis’ stage show and she will also receive various prizes from local merchants. Prizes will be offered those who win second, third and fourth places in the ballroom contest. Following the selection of Miss Indianapolis, the Indiana theater will sponsor the state contest for the title of Miss Indiana. At that time the girl selected as Miss Indianapolis will vie for honors with twenty-five other Hoosier girls being sent from as many representative Indiana cities. Needless to say. of course, there

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3—Nancy Carroll anti Buddy Rogers hate the leads in “Close Harmony” at the Ohio, starting today. <l—Baclanova is seen in a leading role in “Dangerous Woman” at the Indiana, opening today. s—Robert Antes and Sylvia Field have the leads in “Voice of the City,” starting today at Loew's Palace.

will be many honors and gifts bestowed upon the winner of the title of Miss Indiana, who will then, in turn, enter the worldwide beaut V pageant at Galveston, Tex., going thei'e with all expenses paid to compete for the title of Miss Universe. Prizes aggregating a total of $5,000 will be distributed among the winners of the final contest at Galveston. Many of last year’s contestants have entered the movies, vaudeville, and musical productions. Miss Betty Dumbris, winner of the title of Miss Indiana in 1028, is now with Ziegfeld’s “Whoopee.”

‘Red Hots’ Due at Mutual Wava White Tops Cast of New Burlesque Show. MORE than ordinary interest is being manifested by followers of advance burlesque in the coming to the Mutual Sunday and all next week of Wava White and her "Red Hots." Thi* due to the impression they made la :t season and it will be especially pleasing to note that the company is made up of such well remembered names as Agnes McCormack. Billy Gordon. Bert Scott, Gordon Rydeen and others. Wava White and Milt Frankford are the featured players. Much is heard regarding the remarkable gathering of pretty chorus girls, who contribute in no small way to a program overflowing with novel ideas and hilarious fun. The singing and dancing interpolations are many and of a character to keep the audience in a receptive mood. Two scenes designed for unstinted laughable purposes contain a whole string of surprises. They are billed as “Murder of Booze” and “The North Pole.” Holmes Herbert will again play with Billie Dove in “Tire Lady Who Dared,” at First National-Vitaphone studios. He also played with this star in “Careers.”

Mahoney to Open His Park Broad Ripple Will Have Informal Opening Sunday, '-“jpHOUGH the regular summer park season over the country does not open officially until May 30, hundreds of persons have sought admission to the Broad Ripple amusement park in the last several Sundays. Owing to the persistent demand of the public. William Mahoney, new manager of the park, has decided to open the gates with no charge next Sunday, weather permitting. All the amusement devices, with the addition of several new ones, will be placed at the disposal of the public and a record breaking attendance is expected. There will be diversified entertainment. with vaudeville, boxing and wrestling shows and .other sper cial features being carded weekly cu a special stage which has been constructed at the edge" of the swimming pool directly in front of the pavillion. The seating capacity of the pavillion is to be increased so as to care for more than 4,000 persons. The free dance pavillion is to be retained on account of its popularity last season. The roller skating rink has been refurnished. Another of the established attractions at the park which will attract large numbers of persons is the zoo, with its large number of wild animals, such as are seen only in traveling circus menageries. Lions, monkeys of all descriptions, bears, wolves and many other denizens of jungle and forest in this and far-off countries are to be seen in the splendid collection of specimens, viewing cf which will be of special interest to children. Baxter Goes' to Work George Baxter is added to the cast of "The Careless Age,” directed by John Griffith Wray at First Na-tional-Vitaphone studios. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Carmel Myers are the featured players.

Same Big Smell Fifteen different kinds of incense were burned in over a hundred different sorts of incense burners during the filming of Billie Dove's latest starring vehicle, “Careers.” Now Miss Dove is foregoing the burning of incense for a while in her home!

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PAGE 7

A Comedy Booked at Colonial •The Big Shot’ Opens ter Week Engagement Here. a NOTHER farce-comedy will be j\ presented by the Colonial Players, for their offering the coming” week at the Colonial. “The Big Shot" is the title given the play and the author had but one thing in view in writing the piece and that was to create laughs. Leo Burke, will be seen in the role of the famly lawyer who causes all the trouble. He starts it from htfc. first entrance and muddles the situation up finally dragging a youn;; couple through tire divorce courts but in the end reunites them and what more cculd be asked ot any lawyer. Supporting Burke, will be Joa Miller, Eddie Ware. Eddie Lang?r, Bcbe White. Nellie White, Bo‘ White. Samuel Leonard and Jack Prichard. Os course there will be the Colonial chorus, and a number of song hits have been provided together with vaudeville spec kilties presented during the action of the play. A feature picture production together with the usual comedies and scenic subjects round out the diversified program. Printers Arc Teachers Real printers are showing Richard Barthelmess the secrets of the trade in “Drag.” his present picture at First National Vitaphone Studios, in which the. star plays a country editor.