Indianapolis Times, Volume 42, Number 192, Indianapolis, Marion County, 20 December 1930 — Page 6

PAGE 6

CITY THEATERS TO OFFER ATTRACTIVE CHRISTMAS BILLS

Griffith's Production of ‘Abraham Lincoln,’ With Walter Huston and Una Merkel in the Leads, Will Open at the Palace Today. / "T''o be Jilted is an experience in tragedy’ which occurs to but few A women, yet Mary Todd was jilted, and by no less a person than Abraham Lincoln. This peculiar phase of Lincoln’s character, when he was so frightened as to run away from the prospect of marriage into the most aristocratic family in the west, is revealed in D. W. Griffith’s United Artists production, "Abraham Lincoln," which opens at he Palace today. Innumerable psychologists and friendly biographers have tried to excuse Lincoln’s behavior with conflicting theories. Some believed that the future President, who was shy and highly sensitive, was a victim of nerves on the night of the wedding and

as a further development of that condition became temporarily deranged. It is known that he wandered the woods abstractedly for days. Others contend that the memory of his boyhood love for Ann Rutledge proved so strong that it conquered his reasoning mind and thus caused him to Jilt Mary Todd. Whatever the cause. Lincoln was a character that would delight all modern psychologists. His wedding day misadventure was but an echo of a somewhat similar conduct when Miss Rutledge died Lincoln, grieving over her untimely death from fever, lived like an animal for five days, in the woods, until his normal mind functioned. Several days after his return it stormed and Lincoln ran to Ann Rutledge’s grave and covered it with his body so that the rain would not beat down upon her. Lincoln eventually married the proud Mary Todd, but not until a year and a half after he had jilted her. Historians are puzzled as to why this aristocratic young woman, then one of the most sought after belles in the western empire, should have wanted to marry a country lawyer with no seeming future when she could have married Stephen A. Douglas, a presidential candidate and one of the greatest politicians of the time. The cast of “Abraham Lincoln” includes Walter Huston, playing the title role; Kay Hammond, portraying "Mary Todd;” Una Merkel, as *"Ann Rutledge;” Jason Robards, as* "Herndon,” Lincoln’s junior law partner and friend; Ina Keith, as "John Wilkes Booth;” Hobart Bosworth, as “Lee;” Frank Campeau, as "Sheridan,” and Lucille La Verne, playing an important character part. Every historical character appearing in "Abraham Lincoln," the mammoth screen romance of Lincoln’s life, bears a striking resemblance of the original, according to D. W. Griffith, who made this alldialog epic for United Artists. Griffith insists that no detail was lost in the recreation of faces arrd facts for his first big historical romance since "The Birth of a Nation.” More than 112 of the best known character actors on the stage and screen appear in the picture. An added feature of unusual entertainment will also be presented in conjunction with "Abraham Lincoln” in the person of Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy, the screen’s funniest pair of comedians, who will appear In their latest all talking comedy scream entitled ‘'Another Fine Mess.” The Hearst Metrotone News Pictorial, showing the latest happenings throughout the world will complete the program. a o a NEW OAKIE MOVIE AT INDIANA "Sea Legs,” Paramount all-talking comedy of navy life with Jack Oakie in the leading role, opened Friday at the Indiana as the chief film offering on that theater’s big Christmas week program. Besides Jack Oakie, the cast includes Lillian Roth, Eugene Pallette, Harry Green, Albert Conti and Charles Sellon. The double stage program on the Christmas bill is headed by Charlie Davis and his band with six acts of glorified vaudeville in "Jewels.” A separate stage presentation which shares headline honors is “Santa Claus Frolic” presented by Louise Powell’s ninety kiddies. In “Sea Legs,” Jack Oakie cuts his comedy capers as a sailor in the navy of a small republic, which only has one battleship in its fleet. He has been shanghaied to serve as a substitute for a millionaire. The wealthy man’s lawyer, played by Harry Grcn. had engineered the plan in order to keep his client from serving the compulsory term himself. Oakie is angry at first, but he soon takes a liking to the situation when he discovers that his assumed name allows him unlimited credit on the rich man’s bank account. He goes on a spending spree accompanied by his chum, portrayed by Eugene Pallette. His carefree spending and his clowning create quite a disturbance aboard the ship on which he is serving. To complicate matters further, he makes love to one of the captain’s beautiful daughters, played by Lillian Roth. The climax takes place when he mistakes an admiral for a civilian intruder and throws him overboard. Assisting Charlie Davis in "Jewels" on the stage are' Ross and Edwards, comedians; the Roma Brothers, hand-to-hand acrobats; Lillian Shade, personality singer; Olga Morselli, violinist; Jerry Coe, dancing accordion player, and the twelve Foster Girls. Bobby Lipton again acts as master of ceremonies for Louise Powell’s kiddies in "Santa Claus Frolic" as he

ALL-STAR BURLESQUE THEATRE WEEK BEGINNING SATURDAY MATINEE DAINTY DUCHESS WITH ALL STAR CAST AND BIG CHORUS .MIDNIGHT SHOW "JET &£L

| has done in their past annual pro- \ ductions on the Indiana’s stage. The child revue includes songs, | dances of all descriptions, and I various, chorus routines. Newell Goodrich, the Indiana’s own producer, designed the settings and staged the show. 0 0 0 GREAT DRAMA NOW AT THE APOLLO It is understood to be an easy matter to make acquaintance on shipboard, and the mysterious nameless ship in “Outward Bound,” stage drama by Sutton Vane, which as a Warner Brothers and Vitaphone production, is now playing at the Apollo theater, proves no exception to the rule. By the time the voyage to Nj Man’s Land was fairly begun, all members of the cast were old friends. Five of the group, In fact, were really old friends, enjoying their first since the first production of the play in America. Lester Howard, Beryl Mercer, Lyonel Watts, Dudley Digges and Robert Milton, the director, all took part in both stage and screen versions. The story deals with the shroud of mystery revolving around the hereafter. The author has placed seven persons on an outward bound vesel where judgment is to be passed on their deeds or misdeeds. Two of the central figures prove to be a pair of youthful lovers, who, in an effort to alleviate any form of separation, seek another world, where their love may go on forever. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. and Helen Chandler are cast as the youthful lovers. Others In the cast are Montagu Love, Alison Skipworth and Alec B. Francis. Vitaphone Varieties, screen oddities and movietone news round out the program. 0 0 0 HUSTON HAS A MODERN ROLE AT CIRCLE "The Virtuous Sin,” the powerful drama of a married woman’s unwilling romance with a stem and unbending Russian army officer, opened a six-day engagement at the Circle theater Friday with a cast that includes Walter Huston, Kay Francis and Kenneth MacKenna. It is a Paramount all-talking production based on the Hungarian stage play, “The General,” which was written by Lajos Zilahy. In "The Virtuous Sin,” Walter Huston has his most recent role on the talking screen. He impersonates a grim general in the Russian army. He is attracted to Kay Francis who portrays a Russian girl intent on obtaining the freedom of her husband who has been condemned to death by the officer. She does not reveal that she is married, however. At the start of the picture she had been married to a young scientist. He had insisted on marrying her in spite of the fact she had warned him that she was not sure that her affection for him would eventually change to real love. His scientific experiments in an effort to find a serum for a fatal human illness are interrupted shortly afterward by a call to war. Both he and his wife try to convince the military authorities that the completion of his scientific work would be of more value than his service as an officer in the army, but their arguments have little effect. The husband is forced to report for duty. Hi-fitted for army life, he soon gets into trouble for neglect of duty. He berates his commanding officers for their refusals to transfer him to the medical corps until he finally is punished for his insolence. Enraged, he attacks the general and is sentenced to be executed. His wife, then, hears of the affair and resolves to save his life at any cost. In her attempts to win the general’s favor, she actually falls in love with him and further complicates the situation. Dale Young is at the organ. Other features are Ruth Etting in a short film, a Paramount sound news reel, and a subject entitled "Origin of Christmas.” 00 COLLEGE COMEDY NOW AT THE OHIO "Maybe It’s Love,” Warner Bros. Vitaphone comedy romance of college days, with a cast headed by Joan Bennett, Joe E. Brown and James Hall, came to the Ohio Friday as the attraction for one week. Laura Lee, Stuart Erwin, Anders Randolf and the All-America football team of 1929 are also in the picture's cast. The story Is of a lovely young coed whose father, president of the college, is threatened with forced resignation because the school has not won a football game from its traditional rival for twelve years.

AMUSEMENTS

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1— Jack Oakie has the chief comedy role in “Sea Legs,” now at the Indiana. 2 Beryl Mercer, Leslie Howard and Lyonel Watts in a dramatic scene from “Outward Bound,” which opens today at the Apollo. 3 Charles Farrell and Maureen O’Sullivan have much love making to do in "The Princess and the Plumber,’’ now on the Lyric screen.

Civic Will Present ‘Chicago’ Playhouse Will Be Scene of Light Comedy in January. * THE burlesque melodrama “Chicago,” is announced as the third offering of the Civic Theater season. This fast moving play will open at the Playhouse on New Year’s eve with a cast of more than thirty persons which is headed by Dorothy Robinson the English comedy actress. Produced by Sam Harris, played by Francine Larrimore for an entire season, chosen by Burns Mantle'as one of the best plays of that year and later made into a mov ng picture for Phyllis Haver, Chicago comes to town with much prestige. Added interest is found in the fact that its author Maurine Watkins is a Hoosler girl, who penned her way to sudden fame while a newspaper woman in the city of Chicago. The situations created in the play give Miss Watkins an opportunity to use the slapstick variously upon the tabloid sob sisters, murder trial attorneys and the American passion for writing "fan mail” without distinction as to whether the recipient be a celebrity or merely notorious. “Chicago” is in three acts and six scenes, beginning with Roxy Hart’s boudoir and following her through highly amusing scenes in the Cook county jail, until she is at last brought to trial and wins acquittal by charming the members of the male jury into believing she was more sinned against than sinning. "Chicago” is the least serious of the Civic theater’s season and is offered for the holidays as light entertainment such as should amuse 'the younger generation as well as thu older. There will be seven performances, beginning New Year’s eve and continuing each night, except Sunday, through Jan. 7.

Ballroom to Entertain Old Santa Indiana Roof to Be Scene of Christmas Eve Frolic. 'T'HE current holiday spirit has pervaded the Indiana Roof ballroom which has been decorated with holly, Christmas trees and bells, and huge Santa Clauses, and the management plans a program of Christmas dances for the coming week. The orchestra featured in the ballroom for the last two weeks, known as the “Orchestra Without a Name,” has arranged a program of favorite Christmas melodies for the coming dances. A Christmas eve party will be given on Wednesday evening, and the ballroom’s Santa Claus will distribute 150 Christmas presents among the Roof patrons. Seventy-five dolls of all types and sizes are included among the gifts. An entertainment program will be presented at the Roof's Christmas ball, Thursday night, on which “Slim” Green, known as “the dancing fool,”, 'will be the oustanding attraction. Green is a singer and comedian, as well as an eccentric dancer of unusual ability. Students home for the holidays Will be given the chance to sing school songs and give school yells at a “Collegiate Frolic” on Friday evening. The nameless orchestra has prepared a medley of popular college songs for this event.

At Colonial

“Dolls From Toyland,” is the title of the offering to be presented at the Colonial for the week starting today. “Parade of the Dolls,” “Mother Goose Characters” “and Southland to Northland” are three of the feature numbers. In “Southland to Northland.” an idea hew to the stages of Indianapolis will be introduced. Numbers by Loretta Martin, Dicksey McKowan and Betty McCoy will be given. As an extra added attraction the management has secured Tessie Teserina, billed as “The Radium Queen.” Paul Will Bea Star Before making his debut as a star at Paramount, Paul Lukes will play one mere male and opposite Ruth Chatterton in “Ntw-Morals.”

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

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Little Jack Little, probably as famous as any one over the radio, today opened an engagement in person at the Lyric

ROUNDING ROUND THEATERS D. Ith mCKMAN

ONE of the biggest pieces of news of interest to those who make, distribute and play in the movies is the annual poll of the. critics all over the country on the ten best movies of the year. This is conducted by the Film Daily, New York City, and each year causes a lot of discussion. This year the pictures eligible are those released between Dec. 1, 1929, and Nov. 30, 1930.

Since Film Daily started this poll, it has been my pleasure and duty to cast my vote and I am giving you my annual choice today. My nominations for the ten best of 1930 and my reasons are as follows: “Abraham Lincoln” with Walter Huston. I will give you my reasons in The Times Monday when I review it at the Palace. “All Quiet on the Western Front,” because it is the greatest of the World war spectacles, I mean from the army standpoint. “The Divorcee,” because Norma Shearer became the first lady of the movies this year. “Hell’s Angels,” because it is the finest example of aerial photography I have ever seen. “Holiday,” because of the work of Ann Harding, the fine direction and the human story. “Laughter,” because it definitely gave Nancy Carroll the fame which she deserves. “Old English” with George Arliss even better than he was in “Disraeli.” “Outward Bound.” I will wait until Monday to give you my reasons because the pictured opened today at the Apollo. “Journey’s End,” because it is the greatest war drama written of the World war. “Romance,” because of the work of Greta Garbo, the fine direction, photography and costumes. Not because of the work of the leading man. In arriving at my best ten I considered for some time “The Big House,” “Anna Christie,” “Check and Double Check, “Apimal Crackers” and “Africa Speaks.” I would have placed “Lightnin’ ” with Will Rogers in the list, but that picture did not come within the limits of the release dates which governs the Film Daily poll. Why not write me and tell me your ten best as well as what you think of mine. Please do so. Indianapolis is having a lot to do with the Stuart Walker season in Cincinnati, 0., as Eleanor Shaler was born in Indianapolis and is one of the prominent members. Also George Somnes, director of the Inidanapolis Civic theater, is doing much with the Cincinnati company. The Playgoer, a magazine published by the Stuart Walker company, has this to say of Miss Shaler: She was born in Indianapolis, but she doesn’t point with pride to that city . . , She doesn't consider poinUng sufficiently demonstrative: she shouts about it and insists that “you’ve Just got to be born in Indianapolis to amount to anything these days.” ... She is the daughter of Brigadier-General Charles Shaler,

DANCE Saturday and Sunday with HAROLD CORK’S CORKERS at the DANCE CASINO SOUTHEASTERN and EMERSON AVENUES Park Plan Dancing Admission to Hall, lOe

4 Walter Huston as Lincoln and Nina Markel as Ann Rutledge in a pretty scene from “Abraham Lincoln,” opening today at the Palace. 5 Joe E. Brown and Lura Lee as they appear in “Maybe It’s Love,” at the Ohio. 6 Walter Huston as he appears In “The Virtuous Sin,” now at the Circle.

Jean Evelyn Ludwig is one of the many children appearing in Louise Powell’s annual Kiddie Revue which is now at the Indiana. (Photo by A. Luis Smith)

who when she decided she wanted to become a great classical dancer, promptly tell in with the idea and sent her to the best teachers . . . She went to Tudor Hall, and danced with Ruth Page, who’s now no less than famous as a premiere danseuse. . . . Then, acting under maternal orders, she went op to Vassar, where she managed to graduate without having to relinquish much outside time for terpsichorean practice. . . . From the cloistered halls of Vassar she marched on New York, and with no trouble at all landed a job as movie reviewer for Will Hays’ office . . . For the better part of two years she cast suspicious eyes at celluloid epics, frequently attending as many as two dozen screenings per week . . . Then some friends In the Theatre Guild office (after witnessing a private performance of her burlesque scarf dance) shunted her in “The Garrick Gaieties,” where she proceeded to score a tremendous hit ... In Addition, she trained the choruses In several routines that found favor ... A featured engagement In “An Intimate Revue’’ followed . . . Then came an appearance In a presentation at the Rialtor theater, with musical accompaniment by Ben Bernie’s band (and who couldn’t dance to that?), followed by a long tour ... A second "Garrick Gaieties” came along. Miss Shaler joining the Imposing galaxy of entertainers . . . She bounded into the Broadway spotlight

ITi'KVIMI rj>7ITW ‘JTKfii Q a i a Christmas Week Stage Show l “Here ’Tis,” Tours Very Truly in i UTTLE person | 1 ACK ... Ciri I 1 Celebrated*^—2- —■ “Tr UDELL and I “ff Fl COTA xyYophcue'Artist I dlmgam I re EL^h U | „ ~n ch g S I FLYERS 1 ••jt Family Affair | 1 ES sSf I “Aerial Novelty —— T 1 g IHsiyyi S D .S , S.I5 C | COLONIAL n^yMs. TODAY AND ALL WEEK dB TER ESIN A ESI BURLESQUE’S BIGGEST SENSATION AS AN ADDED ATTRACTION TO Spectacularly Staged tiTAVI A lift I Gorgeously Costumed I UTLANU LJULLu DAVE BIRT—LORETTA M\ETI>—JOE DE RITTA DICKSEY M’KOWAN—CARL STAHE—BETTY M COT—ANDY ANDERSON THE DOZEN DANCING DOLLS ■ MIDNIGHT FROLIC 11:30 SATURDA^

again In "The Manbatters" . . . She sang and danced and banished gravity from Innumerable countenances In the better Manhattan night clubs . . . One thing led to another, as invariably It will, and she was given an opportunity to play her first important dramatic role in Edgar Middleton’s "Tin Gods,” a comedy melodrama produced in London . . . From there she went to Paris and struck new comedy bonanzas, in Bobby Connelly's and Cole Porter’s sensational "Ambassadors’ Show” . . - She returned to the States in time to be drafted for "Murray Anderson’s Almanac,” wherein she gave notable account of herself, as usual . . . Last season she contributed to the general hilarity in “How’s Your Health?” the farce by Booth Tarkington and Harry Leon Wilson . . . People who take themselves seriously, frighten her ... One of her most poignant—and, until now. secret —regrets has been that she didn't become an acrobat as well as a comedienne. . . . Star Is Loaned for Movie Dorothy Mackaill has been lent to Radio Pictures to play in "Kept Husbands.” Joel McCrea will play opposite her. Jannings May Return Here Paramount is dickering for Emil Jannings. They want him for their German foreigns and also for English pictures in Hollywood.

AMUSEMENTS

Little Jack Little, Radio Star, Tops Yuletide Vaudeville Bill Opening Today at the Lyric—Thomas Ross Is Booked at English’s in ‘Jonsey.’ A JOYOUS host of Christmas week entertainment is awaiting patrons of the Lyric theater, starting today. Little Jack Little, popular radio star, heads the vaudeville program, including six RKO attractions. Charles Farrell is the star of the feature picture, “The Princess and the Plumber.” Little Jack Little, who enjoys the title of beirtj one of the most popular of radio entertainers from station WLW, has just recently signed a contract to broadcast exclusively over the National Broadcasting Company networks from New York is this week making his farewell personal appearance. Starting the first of the new year. Jack will be heard only from the New York studios of this.

chain. Jack has, it is said, selected an entirely new program of piano numbers and song specialties which promises to be his most enjoyable stage presentation. Five other RKO vaudeville acts will accompany Little Jack Little and complete the stage show. Charles Farrell, one of the screen's most popular leading men, and Maureen O’Sullivan, the meteroic little Irish colleen, will be seen together for the first time in “The Princess and The Plumber” a new Fox Movietone comedy drama. The story is an adaptation of Alice Duer Miller’s recent serial in a national weekly, and deals with the love affair between the lonely little princess of Daritza and the young American engineer who comes to install all modern improvements in an ancient castle. Not knowing that the girl is a real princess, the engineer gravely tells her that he is the Duke of Mamaroneck and when each discovers the other's identity, the basis is laid for a series of hilarious misunderstandings. Farrell as the engineer and Miss O’Sullivan as the princess, are said to make a thoroughly delightful team. In the notable supporting cast are such favorites as H. B. Warner, Louise Closser Hale, Bert Roach and Joseph Cawthorn. 000 ENGLISH’S TO HAVE CHRISTMAS DAY OPENING Opening Christmas night, Dec. 25, at English’s will be Thomas Ross in “Jonsey.” Ross has been in many long run productions, including “Uncle Dudley,” “Jonsey” is an American comedy, centering around a prosperous family that might be patterned after scores of our own representative citizens. The plot evolves out of the deepcrush held in the heart of Wilbur Jones, son of the house, for Diana Devereaux, leading lady with a local stock company. The group of people telling the comedy are familiar, as to type, to every one of us. It is founded on a group of short stories appearing in Pictorial Review, written by John Peter Toohey. Mr. Toohey and Anne Morrison shaped the play The engagement is for three days. SUCCESSFUL PLAY WILL RETURN HERE “Strictly Dishonorable,” a comedy that is now in its second year on | Broadway, will come to English’s j on Tuesday, Dec. 30. It is being brought back here by Brock Pemberton, producer, and Antoinette Perry, co-director with j an all New York cast, which was j organized to play return engagements. The play deals with the experience of a love-curious Mississippi small town maid in a congenial, cozy speakeasy In New York, with a romantic bachelor opera singer, an exceedingly bossy suitor from West Orange, N. J., a kindly judge, who enjoys alcoholic forgetfulness while off duty, a wisecracking policeman and a dryly humorous proprietor of the drink emporium. The opinionated suitor abandons the maid and she is preparing to make of herself a martyr to love, music and experience in the apartment of the bachelor when the author, with great glee, extricates her —and plausibly. Elizabeth Love and Cesar Romero

ENGLISH ,r T ""£*. “THE HOUSE OF FEAR” With CECIL SPOONER MATINEE, 50C TO 81.50. >'ITE, 500 TO 82.00 BE. Wintz Presents hit of the year 1 333S lOLIDAY SHOW 1 fIAS W. ROSS AND w York Cast Including § onL—Ann Thomas—Frank Charlton j ;ules Bennett— Eloise Keeler “ Direct from Ij Bijou Theatre, Hew York ;OM. XMAS NIGHT I DEC. 25-26-27 Saturday EVES. 50c to S2—SAT. MAT.: 50c to $1.50 COMING BACK FOR A HAPPY NEW YEAR 1 TUESDAY, Dec. 301 Brock Pemberton Again Presents The Best American Comedy Seen Here in Years I SSTHinffl I &■H HC is .%bb yp l||| BY ANTOINETTE Pfper & WOf*9 Prices—Evenings, 50c to $2.50 J

.DEC. 30, 1930

To Open Soon

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Zamah Cunningham

“On Christmas night,” Jonsey with Thomas W. Ross and Zamah Cunningham in the cast, will open a three-day engagement at English’s.

Mushrush to Invite Santa to a Dance Finals in Flat-Foot Contest to Be Held Wednesday. CHRISTMAS week finds many interesting events taking place in the Lyric Ballroom. The finals of the Flat-Foot Waltz Contest are to be held on Wednesday night. E. W. Mushrush, the ballroom manager has many special treats instore for his dancers during the coming week. Monday night will see the last qualifications for the City Championship Flat Foot Waltz Contest. Tuesday is Santa Claus night, old Santa will visit the ballroom and present dancers with little gifts. The finals for the city championship flat-foot waltz contest are to be held on Wednesday night. Beautiful silver loving cups are to be awarded the winners of tills competition. Thursday a “Christmas Night Ball” is to be held. Special stunts and surprises are being planned for. this event. Friday is Blond Girl's night. Prizes are to be given all blondhaired girls attending this party. Curtis Thompson and his Lyric Ballroom Orchestra continue as the chief music makers in the dance palace. Free dance instructions are given O! Tuesday and Thursday nights between 7:30 and 8:30. will head the cast which will also include Willard Dashiell, Rudolph Padaloni, Joseph McCallion, R. B. Williams, Loo Leone and Edward Hartford.

AMUSEMENTS