Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 5, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 May 1931 — Page 6

PAGE 6

TWO IMPORTANT MOVIES ARE NOW ON LOCAL SCREENS

‘Seed,’ a Film Version of the Norris Novel, and a Movie Adaptation of the Stage Success, 'The Front Page,’ Commands Major Attention Here. *£EED,” Universal’* film version of Charles G. Norris’ widely-discussed O novel of the same name, is the principal screen fare in the new thow at the Indiana this week. ‘WWestward, Ho," starring George Riley, Is Brooke Johns’ third stage offering. Although Indianapolis is cnc of the very first critics to see "Seed,” already criticisms to the effect that it is one of the finest pictures ever released are reverberating from one corner of the country to another. The leading roles in "Seed" are played by Genevieve Tobin, Lois Wilson and John Boles, An important and brief comic part is taken by Zasu Pitts. I-

Miss Tobin, a stage performer of wide repute, probably will be best recalled by Indianapolis audiences because of her work in "A Lady Surrenders,” which played at the Circle theater several months ago. Miss Wilson, well-known to motion picture fans before the days of the audibles, is said to have made a spectacular "come-back" in the Important role given her. Likewise, John Boles is receiving wi ic praise for the part he played—hi; first dramatic role, and he does no, sing. Apparently picking up momentum as he goes, Brooke Johns is now presenting his third stage show at the Indiana and this week, in addition to George Riley, presents Queen, Queen and Queen; the Lone Pine Rangers, Carlton Emmy and Hi; Mad Wags, Lucille Peterson and the Russell Market dancers. Because of the crowds, the Indian i theater management is offering four de luxe shows daily this week, eliminating the necessity of sitting th;ough two during the supper hour before seeing a stage show. aaa FFONT PAGE NOW AT PALACE The irony and drama behind the print of the day’s paper, the method by which news is collected, and the attitude of those who collect it, Is pictured in "The Front Page,” the Howard Hughes’ production which opens today at the Palace. All the cynicism romance callousness drama and melodrama of new: papering are packed into this pic lure epitomizing the metropolitan press. Ben Hccht and Charles MacArthur, authors of the original stage play, are merciless, but their picture is tanged with doses of humor. Howard Hughes, who gave the public “Hell's Angels,” “The Racket” and other pictures, has made no concessions to things that are “typically movie.” “The Front Page” is unadulterated. It hasn’t been softsoaped. Pat O’Brien, a newcomer to the screen, is cast in the role of Hildy Johnson, the happy-go-lucky star reporter of a Chicago paper who tries to break away from his ruthless managing editor, and becomes a respectacle writer of advertising copy. He yearns for marriage, a little home in the suburbs, an orderly life, and an existence where he doesn't have to steal evidence from the coroner's office. Adolphe Menjou will give his public a decidedly new impression in the role of Walter Burns. He is cold, but hard; suave, but ruthless. Edward Everett Horton is in the role of Bensingcr, the aseptic reporter of Chicago’s highbrow paper, who doesn’t like to have people talk into the mouthpiece of his telephone, who gargles and whose vanity causes him literally to sit on top of the biggest story of the day and sell it out for a fictitious job of writing poetry. Mary Brim portrays the little girl who loves a reporter and thinks she is going to take him "away from it all.” Frank McHugh, the screen’s best drunken reporter; Walter Catlerr, George E. Stone, Slim Summerville, Matt Moore and many others complete the cast. r The balance of the program will include anew Krazy Kat cartoon comic entitled “Taken For a Ride,” the newest issue of the Hearst Metrotone News and a Grantland Rice Sport novelty entitled, “Tigers of the Deep.” aaa FAMOUS STAGE PLAY AT APOLLO. John Barrymore is appearing at the Apollo, starting today, in his latest Warner Brothers production, ’•Svengali,” the talking picture version of George Du Mauritr’s novel and stage play, "Trilby.” which won acclaim in all English-speaking countries a generation ago. Barrymore is cast as the evil hypnotist who exercises his grim power over the pretty artists' model of the Latin quarter of Paris. Miss Marian Marsh, late screen find, has the role of Trilby. Through the spell of the sinister music master mad-man. Trilby becomes a great singer, leaves Paris with him and though pursued from place to place by Little Billie, who loves her. and his stalwart friends Taffy and the Laird, is oblivious to

MUTUAL? BURLESQUE BY Bl RLESQUERS JACQUELINE LaROVEIA A French Beauty with FOLLIES BERGERE A Gorgeous American Beauty, Gene Williams, and Four Lovely Soubrettes with Chorus of Singing and Dancing Girls. MID-HITE SHOW

Direct From Hollywood DAREDEVIL JACK EARLY Movie Stunt Actor RIDES THROUGH BURNING HOUSE On Motorcycle at RIVERSIDE AMUSEMENT PARK Saturday 9 P. M.—Sunday 4 P. M.

them until the magic spell is miraculously brokon. “Svengali” is said to be Barrymore’s most dynamic role and according to the dean of American artists, Miss Marsh comes in for her share of praise for her work in the production. Others in the cast are Bramwell Fletcher, Donald Crisp, Lumsden Hare, Carmel Myers, Luis Alberni, Ferike Boros and Paul Porcasi. Archie Mayo directed. The story, in brief, concerns the hypnotic power that Svengali, music master fiend, exercises over Trilby, beautiful and young artists’ model. The character, as portrayed by Barrymore, is the symbol of an evil love, a strange haunting romance of the model who fell under his uncanny dominance, and will be remembered by all who have seen the play or read the novel. “Chip Shots,” second of the Bobby Jones “How I Play Golf” series, Ripley’s "Believe It or Not” series and Fox Movietone News round out the program. aaa ROLAND’S FIRST TALKER AT CIRCLE. Ruth Roland, celebrated star of the silent days, makes her bid for talking screen popularity at the Circle theater this week, in “Reno,” feature film attraction. In the cast with Miss Roland are Montagu Love, Kenneth Thomson, Sam Hardy and Alyce McCormick. The picture was directed by George J. Crone and adapted from the novel by Cornelius Vanderbilt Jr. With all of the publicity being given Reno at this time as a result of the new divorce laws, it is considered quite apropos for the Circle to present such a production. The story, as the title leads one to surmise, is built around the attempts of a couple to obtain a legal separation through the Reno “divorce mill,” following domestic discord after the infidelity of the husband. The spectator is given an idea of how evidence is gotten and presented in a plea for divorce. With “Reno,” the Circle returns to its regular policy of one feature attraction weekly, supported with a selection of short subjects. The supporting program for this week includes "Silly Scandals,” a “Bimbo” cartoon; “Two A. M.,” a Tom Howard comedy; “Any Little Girl,” a song cartoon, and the Paramount talking news reel.

NEW FEATURE OPENS AT OHIO. The Ohio theater is presenting as the principal screen offering in the new show which opened today, "Gun Smoke,” Paramount production being shown for the first time in Indianapolis. Richard Arlen, Mary Brian, William Boyd, Eugene Pallette and Louise Fazenda have the leading roles. “Gun Smoke” has as a setting for the most of the action, the “wild” and undeveloped west where Arlen is seen as a cow r hand who dislikes the city and everything that comes from it. In the same section Mary Brian lives on a ranch which is known throughout that section for its value and hospitality of its owner. The Ohio bill also includes “Adventures in Africa, No. 1;” "Believe It or Not.” No. 7, and “Sax Appeal,” a comedy featuring Joe Penner.

At Riverside

One of the most thrilling stunts ever held at Riverside amusement park has been arranged for this week and when Daredevil Jack Early, movie stunt actor, will dash through a burning house on a gasoline driven motorcycle. Two performances will be given, one at 9 o’clock Saturday evening and the other at 4 o’clock Sunday afternoon. This entertainment will be free to all patrons. The stunt house will be saturated with oil and will be blazing like a roaring furnace when the rider dashes through at the rate of seventy miles an hour, the flames lapping about his head and body. With both legs broken in a recent accident. Early was dismissed from the hospital only a short time ago, but he says this only added to his determination to create thrills for the public.

AMUSEMENTS

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I—Frances Dale in “Up Pops the Devil,” opening Sunday night at English’s.

1— Kenneth Thomson and Ruth Roland have this pleasant scene in “Reno,” now at the Circle. 2 Edward Everett Horton and Sidney Fox in “Six-Cylinder Love,” opening today on the Lyric screen. 3 Lois Wilson, John Boles and Genevieve Tobin in “Seed,” now at the Indiana.

ROUNDING ROUND THEATERS o. ith HYc A AI^

EACH year the Film Daily of New York asks the movie critics in the key cities over the country to select their ten best directors. This year we are asked to select the ten best from directors producing pictures starting April 1. 1930, and ending March 31, 1931.

I have mailed my list to Film Daily and my vote will be recorded in the final count of the critic’s ballots. My selection of the ten best directors for 1930-31 and my reasons are as follows: Charlie Chaplin because of “City Lights.” Thornton Freeland because of “Whoopee.” D. W. Griffith because of “Abraham Lincoln.” Edward H. Griffith-because of “Holiday.” Howard Hawks because of “The Criminal Code.” George Hill because of “The Big House.” Howard Hughes because of'“Hell’s Angels.” Robert J. Leonard because ot “The Divorcee.” Lewis Milestone because of “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Front Page.” Robert Milton because of “Outward Bound.” Let me know what you think of my selection because I debated a long time whether to put Alan Crosland in the list. He directed “Song of the Flame” and “Viennese Nights.” a st a Since it has been announced that I have placed “Seed” in my private hall of fame, many have asked me to list the other members. Those in my hall of fame are: “Birth of a Nation,” “Intolerance,” "Peter Pan,” “The Covered Wagon,” “Ten Com ma ndm en t s,” “Beau Geste,” “All Quiet on the Western Front” and “Seed.” You will see that there are more silents than talkers. B B B A. Zimmerman came to me the other day and told of anew organization called the Art Guild of Indianapolis, composed of men and women who desire to see foreign-made films from Russia, Germany and England. This organization, of which Paul Siegel is president and Zimmerman is secretary, aims to present its movies on certain nights. The first film to be shown will be “Old and New,” a moving picture produced in Soviet Russia and directed by Eisenstein. This picture will be given on Friday night, May 29, at Caleb Mills

AMUSEMENTS DINE and DANCE WITH REGINALD DUVALLE AND HIS lO<* BLACKBIRDS SATURDAY NITE ANTLERS TOWNE CLUB Special Spaghetti Italianne Supper served from 9 p. m. until closing, SI.OO.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

2—Queen, Queen and Queen, one of the acts with Brooke Johns now at the Indiana.

hall, starting at 7 p. m. and running continuous that evening. This organization may bring “Ivan the Terrible” as well as some famous German films that we would not otherwise see in the commercial theater. I am heartily, speaking personally, in favor of having a chance to see and study these foreign-made films. And They Stopped Work Paramount called off “Is Zat So?” with the dismissing of the company Saturday. It was to have starred Jack Oakie, but Jack’s financial misunderstanding at the studio prompted him to refuse further work. Rehearsals had been in progress fdr a week.

MOTION PICTURES I^VE^SLA^OF THE MAN SHE HATES! ini ■j BOBBY JONES j I FREE AUTO PARKING FOR PATRONS 8. . . AsJt Theater Cashier! iMIBA

4 Richard Arlen and Mary Brian as they appear in “Gun Smoke,” opening today at the Ohio. 5 Pat O’Brien has the role of Hildy Johnson in “The Front Page,” opening today at the Palace. B—John Barrymore as he looks in “Svengali,” opening today at the Apollo,

Summer Is No' Jinx in Ballroom Cooling System Permits Indiana Roof to Stay Open. INDOOR summer dancing is not only made possible but is made comfortable by modern science, ac-

.... A pair of young moderns evolve original marriage plan. Dramatic and hilarious situations result which make “UP POPS THE DEVIL” ONE HEL-OV-A GOOD SHOW! This exciting and fast-moving comedy gorgeously acted by ARTHUR CASEY COMPANY MATINEES WEDNESDAY-THURSDAY-SATURDAY

mUB LAUGH WEEK All Comedy Stage and Screen Show EF* VAUDEVILLE SS| fUsTi PARKING The Biggest Laugh Since Olsen and Johnson jrorPatron*^ HERMAN TIMBERG and his merry gang including HERB TIMBEItG—AUDREY PARKER LEO CHALZIL and OLIVER HARRIS 43 Minutes of Riotous Pun—A Positive Panic f JACKIE COLLIER FIELDS and IgjE|| and SISTER GEORGIE Tooth—Beauty—Novelty “Interrupt^ 01 **** 9?' * J Wjf < JESS LIBONATI e' 3 SHADES OF BROWN £2* fl^B R A thrill -a - second 2 £ laugh -a - ininnte * •M' U comedy of limousine love on a flivrer inEDWARD EVERETT •|| / UNA MERKEL |H MiUiMilitl) // EL BRENDEL ' jTM lOU VJM Wfjj // / SPENCER TRACY f * 7!j / / SIDNEY FOX , i l ■-N \ ,j/ iU | BERT ROACH 9 I^.

3—Herman Timberg and his company that is headlining the new bill at the Lyric.

cording to Tom Devine, manager of the Indiana roof ballroom. With the assistance of a cooling system, Devine hopes to continue dancing on the roof until late in the summer season. He says the cool air system makes it possible to maintain a temperature of 65 degrees in the ballroom at all times. The nights on which there will be dancing on the roof and their attractions ai*e as follows: Sunday, “Sweetheart Night;” Wednesday, “Waltz Night;” Friday, “Collegiate Night,” and Saturday, “Mardi Gras Night.” Earl Newport and his Rhythm Masters share entertainment honors in the roof ballroom with Slim Green, a colored singer and dancer.

AMUSEMENTS

Civic Theater Tonight Presents Its Last Play of Present Season by Ottering the Behrman Comedy, ‘The Second Man,’ for a Week’s Run. “ \ COMEDY, hard, sophisticated, but constantly amusing,” best del\. describes “The Second Man," by S. N. Behrman. which has been chosen as the last play of the season of the Civic theater and which opens tonight at their playhouse at Nineteenth and Alabama streets. It is also a play which might be termed a “foursome comedy," as that is the number of people which are required to play this amusing trifle. Clarke Storey, a short story writer of indefinite income but of verv definitely charming manners is the willing recipient of the well-meant and decidedly beneficial attentions of one. Mrs. Kendall Fravne, and

at the same time of the youthful and not entirely unwelcome attentions of one Miss Monica Grey, whose pursuit continues even after her engagement to Austin Lowe, the fourth member of this interesting quartet, is announced. Lowe is a friend of Storey, a man who though a brillant chemist, and a charming fellow, simply hasn't the gift of words; in-fact, his conversation is moribunu. In other words, his light is hidden under a bushel. But Monica's tactics are worthy of a general. Her maneuvers, which almost break down Storey's resistance, and almost make him believe that a poor but youthful marriage with her either with or without the benefit of clergy, is much to be preferred to a life of luxury with Mrs. Frayne, which would quite obviously be unproductive, as far as his work is concerned. But excellent as her strategy is. she finally oversteps herself, causing great unhappiness and nearly murder and suicide before she realizes that the man she thinks she loves doesn’t exist. After several castings Norman Green has been chosen to play the part of Clark Storey, the slightly philandering writer of short stories. Katharine Pantzer, who has not appeared with the Civic theater for some time, is much at home in the part of Mrs. Kendall Frayne. a part originally played in New York by Lynne Fontaine, and Tom Sinclair, last seen in “Hotel Universe,” will play the chemist, Austin Lowe. Only one newcomer graces this play, and that is Miss Lois Graham. as the strategist par excellence. a a a “LAUGH WEEK” STARTS AT LYRIC "Laugh Week” is the big event at the Lyric starting today. The show is an all-comedy affair, both on stage and screen. “Six-cylinder Love,” a rollicking screen version of the stage farce, is the film attraction. Herman Timberg and his comedy company head the stage bill of RKO vaudeville attractions. Herman Timberg has long been considered one of the most proficient proteges of the star maker, Gus Edwards. He has been seen in many Broadway shows, and the vaudeville theater has long considered him as an outstanding headliner. . In the company with Timberg is his son, Herb Timberg; Leo Chalzel, Audrey Parker and Oliver Harris. The supporting program of vaudeville holds Joe May and Dotty, offering “Laughs From Abroad.” Another comedy offering is to be given the bill by Fields and Geor- j gia, who call their nonsense “Inter-! ruptions.” Some fast hoofing and a little funs is the forte of Three Shades of Brown, a trio of tan-faced fun-

MOTION PICTURES

See the Divorce' ill Mills in Action! MM. J ; talking picture gyy 1 Montagu Love gM and Sam Hardy From the novel by | VANDERBILT,’ Jr. r Sl| ~ EXTRA f AU-Lass Corned* I r^:|^HoWßo^

ILOE Wf PAL ACE] FRONT PAGE ADOLPHE MENJOU MARY BRIAN * -MATT MOORE-GEORGE STONfc AUtf ED ARTISTS fiicturs J

MAY 16, 1931

makers. Kohn and Depinto offer musical moments on the accordion and violin. No less than nine prominent screen players, especially picked for their comedy talents, appear in the Fox Movietone version of the stage play, “Six-Cylinder Love.” They are Spencer Tracy. Edward Everett Horton, Una Merkel, El Brendel. Miss Sidney Fox, Bert Roach, Lorin Baker, William Collier Sr. and William Holden. aaa NEW COMEDY OPENS SUNDAY AT ENGLISH S A comedy which achieved the applause of New York in an apathetic stage, toward the last of October of 1930, will be the next attraction of the Arthur Casey Productions Company. It is “Up Pops the Devil.” In it I'ranees Dale and Donald Woods are seen as Anne and Steve Merrick, a young couple whose total assets are a Greenwich village apartment, a sense of humor and unlimited ambition. Steve wants to write a novel, but he is so busy keeping his many visit ing friends wined, ained and entertained besides holding down an advertsing job, that he is iorced to relinquish the idea. Then Anne, wanting to be helpful, tells him to stay at home and write the novel while she takes up dancing and becomes the breadwinner. It's an excellent idea, but it has the expected results. members of the cast are Carl Brickert, an Indianapolis man who was borrowed from his theatrical operations as head of a stock company in Cleveland; Walter Davis, who was recently seen as leading man in “Your Uncle Dudley;” Jane Wheatley, Dick Elliott. George Spelvin, Frances Busby. Edward Fitzgerald, Will Lloyd, Kathryn Van Esse and Jack Mabry. The play will open its engagement Sunday night at 8:30. The usual matinees will be given at 2:30 Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday, and tjae final performance will be given Saturday night, after which it will be succeeded by the far-famed “Street Scene.”

MOTION PICTURES dFS&JBTEW Family UMIO priccs First Time Indianapolis! * RICHARD ARLEN in Gun Smoke Paramount Picture With MARY BRIAN Wm. F'wd—Louisa Fazenda Eugene Pallette