Indianapolis Times, Volume 41, Number 277, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 March 1930 — Page 8
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VOICE OF GARBO IS HEARD HERE AT LAST balking Version of Eugene O'Neill’s ‘Anna Christie’ Gives Marie Dressier a Big, Sincere Hit. BY WALTER D. HICKMAN THE cloud of doubt surrounding the riddle of whether Greta Garbo could talk has been removed for all time While talking lor the first time in 'Anna Christie,” I realized that m the future this woman might be the leading dramatic player on the talking screen. She brings to the role of Anna that so-called Pauline Lord whisky voice which aided Miss Lord in making Anna one of the most discussed creatures on the stage some years ago. Os course everything was done to raise the doubt in the minds of people regarding whether Greta Garbo
could talk and act at the same time. But even through this program of publicity, the public knew that there was some truth regarding this doubt. We have had many of our old silent favorites tossed on the ash pile when they tried to talk. The fact is that very little is actually known about
the private life of Miss Garbo, as she lives as much in seclusion and mystery as Maude Adams did when she was the leader on the American stage. I arrived at this c o n c 1 u s ion after hearing and seeing Miss Garbo in “Anna Christ ie”: That her talents are growing, that she can b' a sincere dramauc artist always in character and that she
Greta Garbo
does not cramp the style of those a >isted her. She got very close to the heart and soul of this Eugene O'Neill character. She showed us the drab part of Anna, and suggested in a fine way the hope that she could overthrow the curse of “ole devil sea." as well as men in her life, and begin life all over again with Matt. She gives no shallow performance, but a very convincing Anna. I have seen three Anna Christies—Pauline Lord, Blanche Sweet and Miss Garbo. Os course Miss Lord is the greater artist, but Garbo has given the talking screen an Anna Christie that will live for jears to come. We will not have to worry about the talking voice of this woman, and I believe that she will grow into one of the commanding dramatic personalities of the talking screen. So much depends upon Anna’s entrance into the ladies’ side of an old water front saloon. She is aided this time by Marie Dressier, playing Marthy, a water front rat. Here is one of the most restrained and hon- ■ st performances that Marie Dressier has ever given the screen. Marthy is an ugly old souse, but she has at times the awkward gestures of a "lady.” Their rum drinking bout in the first scenes of Miss Garbo is done with such telling effect that the picture from the start is a success. Miss Dressier has been seen gene.ally in comedy roles, but she can play an lionest-to-goodness in the flesh character with a twisted soul. Her Marthy is easil the best of the three that I have seen. Miss Garbo is splendid in her scenes with Matt at Coney Island and rise to great dramatic heights when sh. tells Matt (played by Charles Bickford > and her father Chris (played by George F. Marion, who created the role with Pauline Lord) Jus', what sort of a woman she reall is. Marioi jives a marvelous performed of the captain of the coal barge, j.he photography is excellent and so is the direction. Ranks light along with George Arliss in ‘'Disraeli'’ as one of the best pic-
Hires ever made. Be sure and see it at the Palace dris week. a a a THOUGHTS ABOUT "VAGABOND KING" AS SOUND PICTURE No doubt you all know that “The Vagabond King" was first a stage roduction. adapted from the novel, l"If I-Were King," by Justin Huntly I 7 cCarthy. Asa stage show it atI' ined much success, and will long remembered by those who saw it
behind the footlights. Now as a talkie of the screen, it is perhaps as equally successful, but for different reasons. Perhaps the only thing the stage and screen versions have in common that helped to make each a success is the musical score, composed by Rudolph Priml. Whereas a stage operetta there were
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Dennis King
many moments of thrilling suspense and dramatic interest, the talking film seems to be lacking in all this. Production seems to be its main issue and is. According to reports, fifty-five different sets were used, and a chorus of 500 voices. Because cf this great expenditure in production. “The Vagabond King" is the most beautifully filmed and all color talking picture so far in the history of Vitaphone. Especially beautiful are the scenes within and outside the cathedral. Its structural grandeur, the strains of the mpe organ with the voice of the choir intermingled. have a way of striking awe into the heart. Also beauty is given full rein in the garden sets, and again in the spectacular march to the gallows. , . , The cast is big, and the principals well chosen as to quality of stinging voices, and excellent acting. The star. Dennis King, as Francois Villon, is seen on the screen for the first time, having heretofore, given his talents to the stage. Having plaved the same role across the footlights with great success, he here also gives a fine performance, aided by a pleasing singing voice, that no doubt will make him one of the leading romantic figures of filmland. In support of him Jeanette MacDonald, as Katherine, already popular with those who saw her in “The Love Parade.” again triumphs with her steady soprano voice, that reaches the high notes with apparent ease. O. P. Heggie. as King Louis XI. gives a convincing characterization. of this selfish old man, cruel at heart, and full of eocentrlc whims.
Others who contribute good performances are Lillian Roth as Huguette, Villon's girl of the streets, and Warner Oland, as Thibault, the Grand Marshal of France. The story familiar to most of us takes place in the fifteenth century when Paris faces disaster from the duke of Burgundy. The poor lived by stealing from the rich, and from these wretched people rose Villon with the statement that he could do a better job as king than Louis. Captured by Louis he is given a chance to prove his words, but afterward is to meet his death by the gallows. In the palace he meets Katherine, loves her, and wins her heart. Later he leads his own people of the streets against the Burgundians, and victorious, saves his neck, because of his great popularity with the mob, even though Katherine is the only one who volunteers to die in his place. The music, which makes this operetta rate high, is best in the two songs, “The Song of the Vagabonds” and “Only a Rose.” Both express the feelings desired, and are rendered well in this production. As I said before, just why the thrills and dramatic situations of the stage version were neglected on the screen is hard to say, unless it was the fault of the director. Perhaps the most dramatic and touching scene is when Huguette dies in Villon’s arms, after receiving a dagger thrust intended for him. There are two reasons why “The Vagabond King” is worth seeing as a talkie. First, because of tne excellent singing and second because of the sheer beauty of scenery and color. A short with Charles Ruggles in “The Family Next Door” completes the bill. Now at the Circle. (By Connell Turpen.) nan PAUL SPOR ARRIVES AT THE INDIANA THEATER The question being asked me now is—ls Paul Spor as good as Charlie Davis. Paul Spor is a wise enough man to know that it is a hard job for any man to follow in the footsteps
of a master of ceremonies who has been on the job as long as Charlie Davis. And he wisely does his work in his own way. Meaning that Paul Spor is being Paul Spor. He is wisely giving the Charlie Davis orchestra a lot of time to play and sing. Their “Lime House Blues” number is well
• • ' 1 [ Gary Cooper
done. Spor dances about while directing, but in no way hogs the stage. I will thank him for bringing Kendall Capps, a dancer, to the Indiana because here is a man with one of the finest pairs of dancing feet I have ever seen. He has actually made a tap dance routine seem entirely new. A wonderful accomplishment. He stops the show. Yvette Rugel is a prima donna with a good voice. Cy Landry is present with his regular eccentric routine. Bryant, Rains and Young, an adagio trio, are excellent. This show is not a world beater, but it serves to introduce Paul Spor and gives us a chance to see Kendall Capps. The movie feature, “Only the Brave,” brings Gary Cooper to the talking screen as a Yankee soldier who invades the southern lines as a spy. His southern sweetheart turns out to be Mary Brian, and she and Gary do a mighty cute love duel. It is the smartness of the acting of this couple that saves “Only the Brave" from being just another picture. It is just light entertainment. In other words, this picture has its moments. Now at the Indiana. a an LOT OF SINGING AND COLOR AT THE APOLLO Never have I heard as much singing in the picture as there is in “Song of the West.” The producers .must have been watching the box office effect of
“The Rogue Song,” “The Vagabond King,” and the others and so they decided to just increase the formula. Where the other pictures had a few songs, they rush song after song into “Song of the West.” I think that the director has gone too strong on this natural color idea. I still maintain that the color
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Vivienne Segal
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CRIMINALS GET LITTLE LOOT AS WEEK-END PAY Three Gas Station Holdups Net Pair S6O; Bandits Stick Up Motorman. Thieves obtained little loot in a series of minor holdups and burglaries here over the week-end. Staging three filling station holdups in quick succession Sunday night two men obtained S6O. Dan Lasley, 51, of 1816 Howard street. Shell station attendant at Morris and Harding streets, yielded the $25; Everett Johnson, 53, of 628 North Dearborn street, Pure Oil filling station attendant at Tenth and Rural streets, gave up $25, and Clem Thumman, 48, of 333 Whittier place, Standard filling station attendant at New York and Rural street, was robbed of $lO, police were told. Two bandits took $35 from Louis Waganan, 38, of 2863 School street, motorman on a Northwestern avenue street car. Officer’s Son Slashed William Hague, 21, of 823 North Rural street, son of Petrolman Fred Hague, was slashed on the wrist with a knife when three Negroes held him up at St. Clair and Pennsylvania street Sunday night, escaping with $2. Andrew Davis, 29, Negro, 605 Blake street, was charged with robbery after he is alleged to have confessed he robbed Henry Keher, 56, of 843 West New York street, of $4.50 at Camp Sullivan Saturday night. Graham Black, 1225 Legrande avenue, heard the motor of Iris automobile start in front of his home Sunday nignt and ran out to leap on the running board. Two men in the car drew r revolvers, beat him from the car and drove away. Grocery Window Broken A watch was the loot of burglars at the home of Paul Rheyerson, 2769 Barth avenue, Saturday night when the home was ransacked by burglars. A brick was thrown through the window of the Morris Stein grocery, 1441 Southeastern avenue, early today and groceries taken. A diamond ring was missing from the home of Mrs. Elizabeth Rahke, 3606 College avenue, after burglars ransacked the home Sunday night. characters to become definite. Even the scenes showing the covered wagons going over the long trail did not appear realistic. I still have to be convinced about the wisdom of putting a picture entirely in color, especially when it hinders definite character work. The chief male singer is John Boles. He has a good voice, but the story makes this character, that of an army officer who deserts, rather ridiculous at times. His sweetheart is played by Vivienne Segal. Joe E. Brown by his work stands out as the chief hit. At times the recording was not distinct, but the main trouble is the story. It just doesn’t ring true, due to some extent to the color. I may be in the minority regarding this one. To me it is just fair. Probably I expected too much. Be your own judge as usual. Now at the Apollo. William Gillette opens a two-day engagement tonight at English’s in “Sherlock Holmes.” Curtain prompt at 8:15 o’clock. Other theaters today offer: “The Big Party” at the Lyric; “Girls of the Follies” at the Mutual; George Fares at the Colonial, and "Street of Chance,” at the Ohio.
upon a timtj ...there may have been a man who derided the use of Toll Telephone Sendee in his business...But the modern business man uses the Long Distance telephone always in preference to the slower methods of communication. Tloe Hielephonej> is the Woice of WiillionsX Indiana Bell Telephone
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
With Gillette
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Roberta Beatty Tonight at English’s will witness one of the most important events of the season because William Gillette opens a two-day engagement in “Sherlock Holmes.” In the cast is Roberta Beatty. SENATOR TELLS OF COAL DEAL Explains $7.75 Fuel Sale to State Aid School. State Senator John C. Sherwood, Mitchell farmer, today presented The Indianapolis Times with a statement signed by William Smith, Mitchell coal dealer, setting out that it was Smith who sold Sherwood the coal which Sherwood in turn sold the Bryantsville state aid school district for $7.75 a ton. It was not Indiana, but Kentucky coal, the statements says, and sells for $3.75 retail in Mitchell. Sherwood bought the coal wholesale and had it delivered seven miles to the school, accounting for the additional cost, Sherwood explained. He also declared he will disclose the wholesale price to Roy P. Wisehart, superintendent of public instruction, who has announced his intention of personally investigating the sale. Harry Kirk, state aid auditor, had set a top price of $6 for coal at the school and Governor Harry G. Leslie asked that all schools use Indiana coal. Sherwood also denied identification with the Ku-Klux Klan senatorial group. “I am not now nor have I ever been a member of the Ku-Klux Klan,” he told The Times. These were the same words used by others, including Indiana’s two United States senators, in denying K. K. K. affiliation. STATE PARK PROPOSED Meeting to Discuss Project Will Be Held at Wabash, April 7. Kii r piled Press WABASH, Ind., March 31.—Representatives from Wabash, Miami and Grant counties will meet here April 7, with members of the state conservation department to discuss establishment of a state park in the southern part of Wabash county. The proposed park would include more than 1,000 acres of land around the burial grounds of Frances Slocum, “White Rose of the Miami Indians,” and Indian chiefs. It is estimated the land can be purchased for $50,000. Minister Dies at Funeral PLAINVILLE, Ind., March 31. Funeral services were held here Sunday for the Rev. James W. Gilley, 72, who fell dead while preaching at a funeral in Pfrimers.
IHOUSE QUIZ OF I RAIL INTERESTS BEGINSJUESDAY Van Sweringen Operations First Slated to Come Under Scrutiny. By Scripps-Hoicard newspaper Alliance WASHINGTON, March 31.—The house interstate commerce committee Tuesday will begin an investigation into railroad ownership, holding companies and investment trusts. Chairman Parker anticipates the inquiry will be the most exhaustive examination of private finance in United States history. The development of the gigantic Van Sweringen rail empire will be among the first subjects of inquiry. The Pennroad corporation, holding company of vast Pennsylvania railroad securities, will be second. A list of some ninety investment trusts, with assets running into billions, has been compiled by the committee, and counsel expects that a total of some 300 trusts will be examined before the task is fins2so,ooo Available The inquiry was approved by the house Jan. 7, and $25,000 is available for expenses. Dr. W. M. W. j Splawn, dean of the graduate school !of American university here, and i a specialist in financial history and j corporate organization, has been engaged as special counsel of the committee. Splawn has devoted the last six weeks to preliminary surveys. His suggested method of procedure already has been approved by the committee. In authorizing the investigation the house acted upon the recommendation of the interstate commerce commission, which pointed out in its last annual report that the development of holding companies during recent years had presented anew problem in railway regulation. Not in Jurisdiction Financial institutions not actually engaged in transportation are not now within the jurisdiction of the interstate commerce commission, although their operations frequently influence operating policy by transferring control of operating companies without the approval of the commission. The primary purpose of the inquiry is to determine whether the interstate commerce act should be amended to bring all holders of controlling railways securities within the jurisdiction of the commission. Armed with power to summon witnesses and command records, the committee is prepared to determine the ultimate ownership of every dollars’ worth of railroad securities. Editor Receives Medal Till Times Special SOUTH BEND, Ind., March 31. The laetare medal for 1930 has been awarded by the University of Notre Dame to Frederick P. Kenkel, St. Louis, director of the central bureau of the Central Verein, German Catholic Social Science Society, and editor of the Central Blatt and Social Justice. The medal is the most notable award a Catholic 1 - man can receive. Restful Ease After Coughing “The result of using Foley’s Honey and Tar Compound for a dreadful cough that bothered me both clay time and at nights was a restful one for me,” says Mrs. Anne Davison, Long Beach, Calif. “It eased my cough at once, felt so good to my irritated throat and was very agreeable to take. No more coughing for me as long as I can get Foley’s Honey and Tar Compound.” Your druggist sells and recommends it. Ask for it.—Advertisement.
Radio Dial Twisters
VVFBM (1230) Indianapolis (Indianasoll* Power and Light Coronan.* MONDAY P M. s:oo—lndiana university radio extension course. s:3o—De Pauw university artists. s:ss—Better Business bureau news. 6:oo—Uncle Bob. 6:ls—Concert trio. 6:2s—World Book Man. 6:3o—Voices from Filmland (CBS* 7:oo—Henry-George (CBSi. 7:3o—Ceco Couriers (CBS!. 8:00-Old Trails. B:3o—Jim and Wait. B:4s—Leaders of Industry. B:so—Newcasting. 9:oo—Burns Panatela program (CBS*. 9:3o—Gold Strand Group (CBS). 10 00—Columbia (CBSi. 10:30—Roy Ingraham's orchestra (CBS). 11:00—Longine s time by Walk’s; weather. 11:01—The columnist. 11:15—Request organ program. YVKBF (1400) Indianapolis (Indianapolis Broadcasting. Inc.) MONDAY P. M. 4:4s—News flashes. s:ls—"Bown topics. 7:oo—Silent, B:oo—Happy Brake Liners. B:3o—City market hour. 9:3o—Jack Carr’s Home Towners. 10:30—Hugh Mason’s Pirate syncopators. 11:00 —Marathon orchestra. 11:30—Sign off. WLW (700) Cincinnati MONDAY P. M. 4:oo—Tea Time trio. 4:3o—Livestock reports. 4:4o—Musicale. 5:00—.-Orchestra. s:3o—Benrus time announcement. s:3o—Dinner concert. s:s9—Hy Grade weather forecast. 6:oo—Employment stabilization talk. 6:ls—Tony s Scrap Book. 6:3o—Vapex program, Dr. Pratt and Dr Sherman (WMAQ). 7:oo—Duro Automatics. 7:3o—lpp-na Troubadors (NBC). 8:00—Nlsley Dream Shop. B:3o—Real Folks (NBC). / 9:oo—Estate weather man. Castle Farm orchestra. 9:3o—Empire Builders (NBC*. 10:00 —Benrus time announcement. 10:00—Michael Hauer's orchestra 10:30—Heermann trio with Melville Hay. 11:00—Hotel Gibson orchestra. 11:30—Clnco Singers. A. M. 12:00—Thirteenth Hour Insomniacs. I:oo—Benrus time anunouncement—sign off. Distant High Spots MONDAY P. M. 6:3O—NBC fWJZ) —Roxy and his gang. Columbia—Voices from filmland. 8:00 —NBC (WJZ) —Fiorito’s Mavtag orchestra. B:3O—NBC (WEAF) —General Motors party. WOR, Newark—La Argentina-Span-ish music. NBC (WJZ)—"Real Folks.” 9:00 —NBC (WEAF) —Anglo Persians. Columbia Burns program-Guy Lombardo and orchestra. ,'VGN, Chicago—University series. NBC (WJZ)—Rochester Civic orchestra. 9:3o—Columbia—Gold Strand Crusaders. NBC (WJZ)—Empire Builders, dramatic sketch.
Tonight’s Highlights
“The Missouri Waltz” will be repeated at the request of their listeners when the Ipana Trouba-
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* Each and every lad who carries The Times makes it his business to see that each subscriber on his route receives his paper as early as possible and in the exact spot where it is supposed to be left. If he fails to do this both he and the office want to know and will appreciate your call. A complaint delivery service is maintained each evening until 7 o’clock for the benefit of those who miss their Times- -Call Riley 5551. THANK YOU! M- Indianapolis Times Circulation Department Scripps-Howard
dours broadcast over WHAS and an NBC network Monday night at 7:30 o’clock. “The Stein Song” of Maine university and “Exactly Like Y’ou,” from the current Broadway success, the International Revue, are to be the featured numbers on the half hour of light music presented by Merle Johnston's Ceco Couriers over WFBM and the Columbia broadcasting system at 7:30 p. re Monday. The overture to Carl Maria von Weber’s opera. “Euryanthe,” opens the concert which the Rochester civic orchestra will present during the Stromberg-Carlson program over WHAS and NBC network, Monday night at 9 o'clock. Ben Alley, tenor, and Helen Nugent, contralto, will sing duets of “Any Time’s the Time to Fall in Love,” and “When I’m Looking at You” during the Robert Burns Panatela program to be broadcast at 9 p. m. Monday over WFBM and the Columbia broadcasting system. A program consisting largely of waltzes will be played by the Gold Strand Crusaders under the direction of Merle Johnston at 9:30 p. m. Monday over WFBM and stations of the Columbia broadcasting system. CHEMICAL SOCIETY TO HOLD MEETING HERE 10D Advanced Students Are Among Visitors for Week-End. Fifth biennial meeting of the Indiana section of the American Chemical Society will be held in Indianapolis Friday and Saturday with about four hundred advanced chemistry students from, state colleges and universities attending. The program will include inspection trips to the Citizens Gas Company, Prest-O-Lite Storage Battery Company, Link Belt Company, the Eli Lilly Company laboratories and the Beveridge Paper Company. Bank Robbery Charged pa Times Special NEWCASTLE, Ind., March 31. William Streepy, Detroit, and Charles Hovious, Indianapolis, may be returned here from the Indiana state reformatory to face charges of robbing the Kennard bank. Prosecutor W. Ratliff has filed a petition asking the men be brought here.
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MARCH 31, 1930
DRY CRUSADER IN JAIL LOSES ELECTION VOTE SSOO Bond on Booze Charge Refused by Texas W. C. T. U. Leader. j By Initial Press PAMPA, Tex., March 31.—Although Miss Beulah Allred, leader , of the W. C. T. U. and opponent of j city officials whom she alleged had ; failed to drive “demon rum” from | Pampa, has campaigned vigorously for the past two years, she can not cast a ballot at today’s election. Miss Allred, facing charges of possession and transportation of liquor, was in jail today after refusing stubbornly to leave, not-£ withstanding offers of many to raise SSOO needed for bond. The city election, which occasioned arrival of Texas rangers, involves the mayor's post and that of two councilmen. Five citizens appealed to Governor Dan Moody to have the rangers sent here fearing trouble at the election. “I have been fighting liquor here for two years.” Miss Allred, a middle-aged spinster said, stroking her pet kitten who shares her jail cell and her food. "What if I do have to stay in jail for two weeks or even two months? If it helps my cause that’s all I ask.”
1 mry y ll “Nine years ago after my little girl wts born dead, I took Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound for about four months. The next year I became the mother of a fine 11 pound baby boy. After he was born, I kept on with the medicine to build me up. Four months ago I was nervous and rundown and suffered from other troubles which I knew Lydia E. Pinkham’s Vegetable Compound would relieve so I started taking it and now I feel fine again. Many of my friends could write a book on the good the Vegetable Compound has done them.” —Mrs. W Ck'crmann, 918 Regina Are., St. Louis, Mo.