Indianapolis Times, Volume 41, Number 66, Indianapolis, Marion County, 27 July 1929 — Page 6
..jLESTON claims talkers will not supplant drama
•crmcr Keith Manager Here Declares That a Strictly Modern Dramatic Theater Would Answer the NonAttendance Complaint in City. in r ROLTARE EGGLESTON* \ GREAT man" articles are written regarding the present and future of the speaking part" of the theatrical stage. Much seems based on what "he interests’’ issue as the future policy of the business, bu tall apparently, overlook the fact that the public taste changes, and whenever this chanap affects the box office there is a quick rush to find something that will either correct or cater to the exchange Talking pictures have undoubtedly rome to stay and we will always have them, we hope in murh better form than at present, but it is absurd to predict that, they have supplanted all other stage activities and
that thp age of spoken drama and vaudeville shows passed with the coming of the ‘'talkies.” The history of the stage proves that whenever any particular styleproduction was found to be a winner similar plays were produced over night. When vaudeville was younger ihe fad seemed to be for “freak" acts, such as bridge jumpers, divorcees and sensation seekers. This line of attraction soon failed to 'click” and passed into the discard along with leopard skins worn by the professional strong men. When a theater can dispense with stage hands, stage productions, orchestras, and high-powered selling campaigns and still get the same price for its tickets it seems foolish to comment on why we have only canned" entertainment. Owners Net Worried Theater owners are not worried about the future, fnr just as soon as a change seems expedient it will be made and something else will be presented as the “piece tie resistance.” Almost Jailv T am asked questions such as "are we going to have Keith vaudeville next season?” “What’s the matter with show business?” “Why don’t we get the same shows that are seen In other cities?” I may not have the correct answer hut. at least it can not be much farther from the truth than many other predictions that are being made.
However. lam one among a great many citizens who believes that the coming season in the theatrical field should bring bark to Indianapolis the regular Kehh vaudeville, together with a lone season of theatrical productions, and the way to accomplish this is for the business interest? of the city to concentrate on bringing it about. It is a sad commentary on the rit\ to have theaters idle the year round and have the thought broadcast that, "Indianapolis is a poor show town." This is not a poor show town, but, its people are seriously opposed to poor theatrical productions and other stage performances that are not up to our standard. Indianaoplis is typically an American city with the traditions of early American life and in many respects has not grown like other eommunities—it lias an extremely small "foreign" population. When it comes to entertainment, theatrical and otherwise, many of us still breathe the care-free abandon of young America and a large percentage of our people prefer papular melodies to grand opera and would rather listen to Paul Whiteman's band than a concert by Sousa. Entertainment on the hoof" always goes big, hence the local success of circuses, with their animals and clowns. What We Lack Separate our city's population into groups and we find among its leaders America’s highest culture predominant. This element, so necessary to the educational and civic advancement of a community—with its desire for improvement builds beautiful structures, magnificent boulevards, parks, playgrounds and plazas. It reaches out into the field of commerce and selects many of its leaders in manufacturing. In the realm of art and literature Indianapolis stands near the top and is still going strong. Only in its theatrical fare has Indianapolis seemed to drift and follow the line of least resistance. Because many of the best and biggest traveling companies do not appear locally does not make Indianapolis a poor show town. Various explanations have been advanced to explain the lack of patronage. Let someone build an up-to-date dramatic theater and many of the other problems will be solved. Due to the constantly increasing cost of travel, exorbitant salaries AMUSEMENTS
COLONIAL ILLINOIS & NEW YORK WEEK STARTING TOMORROW IMM ANATOLIS FAVORITE JIMMY (n?n )BOVA MiiDKEP noon. rnniE wake, pail lILNO. IRENE JOSLIN, DAISY nil. THANK MARTIN. IN .A SN.APFA Bt RLESK. “BREEZING BY” | CHORUS ON RUNWAY") ON TilF SCREEN WILLIAM BOYD IN* THE TALKING FE.ATI RF ••THE LEATHERNECK" M ITINEE. 20C NITES—SAT.. SIN. MAT.. 30c M EEK AUG. 4 AAORin rREMIER SHOATING ‘KITTY”
BROAD RIPPLE PEP UP THE OLD MACHINE THESE HOT DAYS WITH A REFRESHING SWIM IN ABSOLUTELY PURE FILTERED WATERCLEAN—SAFE—SANITARY—BEST BY TEST Endurance Skating Contest Now On
paid in all branches of the business, “laborate expense in production oad shows ran net exist on the business derived from small capacity theaters. English’s opera house and Keith's grand are both small and old fashioned. Even when attractions play to absolute capacity 'and this is seldom done) the gross business is considerably less than when the ame attractions play other cities, such as Cincinnati, Columbus, Dayton. Detroit and Louisville. Many of the highest priced stars of the ,Yage are counted among the headliners of vaudeville. Look at the vaudeville programs of other cities and you will see many well-known names. Vaudeville artists have not all “gone talkie” and the coming season will see the business as “irmly established as ever. Economically, our city needs the theater, its personnel and its stage performances. It brings many strangers to the city which means business for hotels and merchants. It, creates an outlet, for talent which at present lies dormant; it offers steady work to many citizens who are musicians and mechanics. Incidentally it gives that which pictures can never supply—the living personality of our favorite actor —the camaraderie of the “green room”—the social side of the theater—the promenade between acts and the after theater parties at club and hotel—as we now like to remember them!
At the Colonial
im yufifaz ' is
Jimmy Bov*
Anew- comedian has be p n added to the Colonial shows. His name is Jimmy Bova. well known in burlesque.
Do You Know That —
Sophie Tucker, star of “Honky ! Tonk," Warner picture, has so re- : sounding a voice that once "coon j shouting” the theater chandeliers j swayed and exit doors bulged outward. Holmes Herbert, appearing in A! .lolson's next Vitaphone picture. "Say It With Songs," has appeared with Billie Burke. Blanche Bates, Grace George and Mrs. Patrick Campbell, on the stage. Jason Robards, who has one of the leading roles in Warner Brothers’ “The Gamblers," first went on the stage in 191?. Since 1920 he has alternated between stage and screen. Archie Mayo. Warner Brothers’ director of "The Sap." graduated into the director's class from the gagman school. He served his further apprenticeship as song writer, world wanderer and comedy writer. He studied law. William Bakewell. juvenile. In "Gold Diggers of Broadway,” scored ; outstandingly in Warner's natural : color talking picture. "Oh With the Show." Helen Foster, also in firstnamed production, is a 1929 Wampas baby star. A Sun-Bum Contest Norma Shearer and Joan Craw- | ford seem to be running a. sun-burn contest. Miss Shearer, who just moved into Bebe Daniel's beach house for the summer, spends most of her time in the surf, now that she has a few weeks of freedom from studio routine. Joan is aca.uiring her tan for business purposes, since her next Metro-Gold-wyn-Mayer picture. "Jungle,” demands a bronze complexion. AMUSEMENTS
f
ROUNDING ROUND THF ATFRS with Walter I nLAI D ' HICKMAN
I HAVE heard this week much favorable comment upon “The Last of Mrs. Cheynev.” Have been stopped more often this week than usually by people who wanted to talk movies with me. In only one instance was there an unfavorable opinion. Have also received many letters from people praising the picture. This picture, because of its merit, deserved absolute capacity. That it. didn't have. Blame it on the weather. Have a letter from Grace Minter Bruns of Maywood, Ind.. telling me that she was employed as a typist at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio at the time the scrip came through and that she typed the entire script. So
you see that Indiana had something to do with this good picture. <* a Elsewhere in The Times today is an interesting article by C. Roltare Eggleston, former manager of Keith’s theater here. He has his own opinion on local dramatic conditions. and he states them boldly. It deserves to be read and discussed. a u 11 Robert St. Clair is in Chicago playing in “After Dark.” As you read this. I too am in Chicago looking over "Pleasure Bound” tonight and opera at Ravina Park Sunday night. The opera Sunday night, “Trovatore.” has this great cast— Ret.hberg, Martirelli. Claussen, Danise. D’Angelo with Papi conducting. * # a There will be an interesting event Sunday afternoon at Walnut Gardens when Miss Ethel Pritchett makes wffiat she terms the world’s record parachute leap. She claims she will make eight parachute drops, her previous record being six. B B B Ad F. Miller, manager of English’s. is in New' York looking over the new shows and talking about his winter bookings. If I am not all wrong, we will have many legitimate attractions here this fall and winter. Miller has made no definite announcement regarding the opening date at English's.
‘Love Parade'
The tig wedding scene of Jeanette MacDonald and Maurice Chevalier in "The Love Parade,” which is being directed in Hollywood by Ernest Lubitsch, was filmed last week with 300 players, including eighty of the most beautiful girls in Hollywood. The cast of "The Love Parade,” a musical operetta, also includes Lupino Lane. Lillian Roth, Edgar Norton, Lionel Eelmore. Albert, Roccardi. Carlton Stockdale. Eugene Pallette, Russell Powell, Anton Vaverka. Albert De Winton and William von Hardenburg. Guy Bolton, who did the. libretto, today signed a long term contract with Paramount and will leave Hollywood immediately for a short European trip before continuing his work at the west coast studios. Jack Is Verj’ Liberal Jack Pearl, the "Pleasure Bound" comedian with the German accent, wiil always give a helping hand to any one who believes himself handicapped by a foreign accent.
World’s Record Parachute Leaps WALNUT GARDENS SUNDAY, JULY 28th Mi*s Ethel Pritchett Will Make 8 PARACHUTE DROPS IN ONE ASCENSION ? DINE and DANCE §P ] SWIM in Pure Well Water _, Y: PICNIC—SO Acres Wooded Grove |f § j| PONIES and SADDLE HORSES | *j| DIRECTIONS tt ' m Take Kentucky Are. to State Road 67. turn left at Valley Mills to large sign on right side of road: thence straight west <o ||||| park. Follow Walnut Garden arrows from Valley Mills. §S|| SPEND ALL DAY SUNDAY WALNUT GARDENS
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
The ‘Kid’ to Stunt Some More Balloon Fans Again Will Be Thrilled at Riverside, THE Patent Leather Kid. known among balloon fans as the Beau Brummel of the sky. because of his penchant of donning formal evening dress for his aerial joy rides, will furnish the thrills for Riverside amusement park visitors Sunday afternoon. Hundreds of Indianapolis folk have discovered that the bis shady grove of trees in the center of Riverside is an ideal place for an allday picnic, not only on Sundays, but on week days as well, hundreds of tables and benches being at the disposal of the picnickers, and a deep driven well furnishes sparkling, icecold water. The grove occupies the north and east sides of the beautiful lagoon, where thousands of goldfish disport in the pool. A checking service is maintained by the management of the park, where picnic baskets or other parcels may be left free of charge at all times, and automobiles likewise are watched by trained traffic men in the big free parking space. With the park season at its height at present, a number of new games and other fun features have come to Riverside and are vieing in popularity with other long-established concessions.
Yes, They Do Moran and Mack, black-face stars of Paramount's new alldialogue picture titles from the lacadazical query, "Why Bring That Up?” which the two lazyvoiced comedians made famous on stage and in records, are en route to New York fi*om Hollywood on their first between scenes vacation. They are accompanied by their wives.
AMUSEMENTS
1— Carl Freed and company have headline position on the new bill starting today at the Lyric. 2 The Patent Leather Kid will make a series of parachute leaps at Riverside Park Sunday. .I—Jules and Carl Luster are on the new hill on view at tb Indiana,
Man With the Funny Laugh at the Apollo
El Brendel and Flo Bert, vaudeville and musical comedy favorites, make merrv on the new program opening at the Apollo today in a laughable skit entitled "Beau Night,” with Brendel appearing in his familiar and hilarious Swede characterization. Vitaphone acts at. the Apollo also include Clarence Tisdale, sensational Negro tenor, offering a. group of spirituals and songs of the southland.
Brothers Under the Skin While Cecil B. De Mille and William C. De Mille are. blood-brothers, one is a “northerner,” and the other a "southerner.” Cecil De Mille was born in Ashfield. Mass,, but Washington. N. C . is the birthplace of William De Mille. The director-brothers are both working for Metro-Goldwyn-Maj*er.
F,l Brendel and Flo Bert
Cecil B. De Mille’s first picture for this concern was "Dynamite.” William’s "The Idle Rich,”
AMUSEMENTS
r”/vow/ PEFI3IGERATED— | 1 CONSISTENTLY GOOD ENTERTAINMENT j F II W, 1 ' " 1 f I WEEK IN AND WEEK OUT f * M f*Wk 8 I .EVERY WEEK THOUSANDS' OF THEATRE- ML? Vis Jjs L 1 GOERS' COME TO TUE LYRIC / Eg ' ■>'*]/ft I 'THEREAT A REASON /r-r A “ORCHEfTRA | W'WSj ■ MILLER andKELO ' I /,.^;A |T ‘•Bits of Nonsense.” BL V JAI/fV 111/IJ / be 3Q , J °T* ,' ® c ™ l Ri ' hard dorothy reyis* / * I INEZ and DEWYN MlCktVMcfW* / ‘An art classic in slow motion’ / N. and —. J. FRANCIS HANEY and r , f/r *7a ■ STEWART \
Berlin to Compose for Drama Noted American Composer to be Represented in Film, IRVING BERLIN. celebrated Americah song composer, will bo represented in “Hallelujah,” King Vidor s new all Negro drama being finished at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Swanee Shuffle" and “The End of the Road,” his two newest numbers, have been added to the big Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer singing-talking production. The numbers were written specially for the Vidor production by Berlin, and are used in the southern “honkey tonk” scene in which Daniel Haynes and Nina Mae McKinney, hero and heroine of the story, first meet. “Swanee Shuffle,” a dance number, is sung by the heroine, with a dancing chorus of famous Negro vaudeville players including “The Three Aces,” “Sugarfoot Brown," Rutledge and Taylor, famous Apex Club dancers and “Tia Juana,” eccentric dancer. “The End of the Road” is a ballad number, which Daniel Haynes, who sang “Old Man River” in the New York production of “Show Boat” sings. Sammy Lee. famous New York dance producer, staged the dancing embellishments of the new Irving Berlin numbers. The rest of the music is genuine Negro music, blues and spirituals. The new play is a drama of plantation life in the south, with Haynes, Nina Mae McKinney, Fannie de Knight, William Fountaine and others, and much of it was actually filmed on cotton plantations on the Mississippi.
RIVERSIDE Sunday Afternoon PATENT LEATHER KID Balloon Ascension and Thrilling Parachute Leaps The Big Park of Exclusive Features, All JUST FOR FUN
Four Big Acts Due at Lyric Freed, Musical Comedy Director. Will Top Bill. FOUR outstanding Radio-Keith-Orpheum vaudeville acts, each said to be worthy of headlined honors openes at the Lyric today for a week’s showing. ' Father and Son." anew Columbia picture with dialogue is the underscored film feature. Carl Freed self-styled 'U-Ropps’ , foremost musical director and his inimitable Orchestra, are first in mention. Carl Freed is said to be unique among orchestra leaders inasmuch as he directs the orchestra with the aid of a mouth organ. He is unusually adept, on other novel instruments including a pair of ordinary table spoons and an earthen war jug. There are ten men in the orchestra. Fleurette Jeofifrie. youthful and accomplished coloratura soprano, assures music lovers and all others a delightful treat in sorg. While Miss Jeoflrie desires to become an opera star, sh p is at present content to stay in the vaudeville theaters where her success has been most gratifying. The Covan Four, a quartet, of southern steppers are the third feature act on the bill. They are conceded to be the fastest hoofing experts yet, to wend their steps into vaudeville. Human misundertanding, family strife, sacrifice and an overpowering love for all incorporated in "Father and Son,” the new r Columbia picture with dialog and music, which is to be seen and heard on the screen with the above vaudeville bill. Jack Holt, Dorothy Revier and Mickey Mcßan are the prominent members of the cast,. It is a story of deep heart interest. A hypocritical stepmother. played by Dorothy Revier, attempts to destroy the deep and tender love existing between a father and his son, played by Jack Holt and Mickey Mcßan. Her malicious nature gives rise to many plot complications, culminating in an astounding climax.
Goes Warner
Lupe Velez will have thp name part, of /‘Tiger Rose,” to bq, produced as a Vitaphone special by the Warner Brothers’, who closed negotiations with David Belasco for talking picture rights to this property. It was one of Belasco’s best stage successes. Opposite Lupe is Monte Blue. Other cast selections so far include H. B. Warner and Grant, Withers. Rin-Tin-Tin, dog star, is also in the lineup. L. G. Rigby and Harvey Thew will work on screen adaptation and dialogue. George Fitzmaurice directs. I/Ouise Dresser Is Busy Louise Dresser has one thing in common with about ninety people out of every hundred. On the official “data” blank of the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studio sha wrote under “ambition,” “to be different.” Miss Dresser is now playing in William C. De Mille’s new" untitled production, a World wan story.
AMUSEMENTS
.JULY 27. 1929