Indianapolis Times, Volume 43, Number 287, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 April 1932 — Page 6

PAGE 6

ETHEL WATERS, ROBINSON AND BOWAN TOP STAGE BILLS

Richard Barthelmess Has the Lead in ‘Alias the Doctor/ Now on View at the Indiana —‘Are You Listening?’ Is at the Palace. 'T'HE Indiana theater this week is offering another stage production Jr. 5 ? , llne with the,r new Policy of “impressive footlight name” entertainment. This new attraction, an all-colored revue starring Bill Robinson in person and titled “Hot From Harlem,” heads a bill which also features Hichard Barthelmess’ new film, “Alias the Doctor.” Hot From Harlem” is the flr3t intact musical revue of its kind to S tL°l an 1 In . dlan . apolis picture tneater stage. It is made up of most <ir,M!L pr .u pals of the successful Broadway show, “Brown Buddies,” prepresentation 6ame son ®’ s anc * fetches that were acclaimed during its of th^ir™/'h star ’ ls described as one of the foremost tap dancers ?L™^ulr n c^ y 'tap H da‘n S cf ne,aUy “ the 01

Robinson’s company Includes John Mason, Putney Dandridge, Naomi Price, Ferdie Lewis, Jell Smith, Jackie Young and a line of chorus steppers known as the “Brown Buddies’ chorus. They present songs, ensemble dances and two colored skits that are said to keep the entertainment level high throughout. In “Allas the Doctor," the film attraction, Richard Barthelmess comes forward with what may be ranked as one of his finer portrayals. He plays the part of a brilliant young surteon who undergoes shame and imprisonment to shield a worthless foster brother. The theme evolves about these two characters, the other being portrayed by Norman Foster. The characters, in turn, are governed by a mother's overpowering ambition to get away from the small farm life to which the family has been chained for generations, by making great names for her son in the outside world—and to gain this ambition she is willing to sacrifice love and happiness and peace —and a boy and girl's undying and' unchangeable love. Marion Marsh, Adrienne Dore, George Rosener, Oscar Apfel, Claire Dodd and Boris Karloff are others of the cast of “Alias the Doctor.” tt tt a RADIO STORY NOW AT PALACE Mysteries of radio sound effects and the modus operandi of stomas, bridge crashes, racing horses and other incidentals to broadcasted drama, proved excellent comedy material for “Are You Listening?” a picture laid in the atmosphere of a national broadcasting station. The film is based on the widelyread J. P. McAvoy radio story which opened Friday at Loew’s Palace. The “applause machine” with which handclasps are manufactured to create applause in the right spots in broadcasts of musical numbers, the “thunder chute” in which cannonballs are rolled down a wooden frame to reproduce the roar of a storm, the “wind whistle” with which artificial gales are created — are all worked by actual radio broadcast experts in order to make the scenes as authentic as possible. Some of their secrets are peculiar, as for instance, the crashing of timbers which is reproduced by breaking matches two inches from the microphone. The action of the plot takes place for the most part within the broadcasting plant and its principals arc all persons engaged in radio activity. The story shifts- from the life “behind the scenes” in the radio station to depict what happens when the entertainers go home to their individual problems and conflicts. William Haines, who last scored in “Get-Rich-Quick Wallingford,” plays his first straight dramatic role in this picture, as the continuity writer whose home life is made miserable by an unsympathetic wife and who through a series of dramatic events, ultimately becomes a fugitive from justice. Madge Evans has the principal feminine role and the large cast also includes Anita Page, Katen Morley, Neil Hamilton, Wallace Ford, Jean Hersholt, Joan Marsh, John Miljan, Murray Kinnell and Ethel Griffies. Featurettes comprising the balance of the program will include Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in “The Music Box,” the latest world’s happenings picturized in Hearst Metrotone News and a Silly Symphony cartoon entitled “China Plate." n a “AMATEUR DADDY” ON VIEW AT APOLLO Warner Baxter in “Amateur Daddy,” with Marian Nixon in the principal feminine role, is the screen offering at the Apollo theater for the current week. The story is based on Mildred Cram’s novel," Scotch Valley.” Baxter's role is that of a shy and kind-hearted bachelor. When he escapes with minor injuries in an accident which results in the death of his best friend, he takes it upon himself to care for his pal's family, whose name, incidentally happens to be Smith. But there are Smiths and Smiths, which never occurs to Baxter, and he soon finds hmiself mothering and fathering a small family of poor, but happy waifs. The oldest of them is a girl of 18, the part played by Miss Nixon. She is inclined to resent the intrusion of Baxter at first, but he gradually wins her confidence which in turn develops into a very strong friendship. But not without its pitfalls. He soon learns that he has also won the enmity of the neighboring ranch families, and that he is falling in love with the girl, much against his own will. And at the very height of his romance he discovers that it is the wrong family of Smiths he has been caring for. In the other featured roles are Rita La Roy, William Pawley, David Landau, Joe Hachey, Joan Breslaw, Gail Kornfeld and Frankie Darro! The picture was directed bv John Blystone, which marks his fifty-fifth

AMUSEMENTS -MUTUALSTARTING WITH MIDNITE SHOW SATURDAY NIGHT HELEN WILLARD W ITH GIRL CRAZY FEATIBING AL I’HARR AN| THE .BEST LOOKING CHORUS IK BURLESQUE

Rural Hit to Be Next . at Keith’s ‘The Old Homestead’ to Open Sunday Night for Week. When “The Old Homestead,” perhaps the greatest of all rural comedy dramas to have reached the American stage, was originally produced at the Academy theater in New York City. It established a record by remaining in the metropolis for four consecutive seasons. The play was for many years afterward one of the biggest box office drawing cards that the stage has ever knownThe Berkell players will give “The Old Homestead” its first stock production in Indianapolis next week at Keith’s, and in addition to the augmented cast required Charles Berkell is bringing back Ezra Buzzington’s Rube band as a special added feature. Ezra Buzzington’s Rube band, though a vaudeville headline attraction for a number of seasons, is distinctly a Hoosier product. It is headed by Max-k D. Schafer, who owns and operates a farm in Randolph county where he makes his home when he is not on tour. The band made a hit at Keith’s in the Berkell revival of “Sis Hopkins” last January. In “The Old Homestead,” which is quite as appropriate a vehicle for the fun making talents of the members of this unique organization as was •‘Sis Hopkins,” the band will appear in an entirely new routine of tuxjes, songs, dances and comedy innovations. Since playing with the Berkell company at Keith’s in January the band has completed engagements that took it to the Pacific coast and back.

photoplay for Fox films. Short subjects supplement the feature attraction on the program. ana THREE FUNMAKERS ARE IN ONE MOVIE Paramount gathered a merry troupe of comedians to the Hollywood studios, gave them their parts, assigned Frank Tuttle to the directorship, and the result was the film production, “This Is the Night.” This picture headlines the film bill which opened Friday for a week’s showing at the Circle theater. Lily Damita, the leading lady of “This Is the Night,” only recently completed a successful run in the highly remunerative “Sons o’ Guns.” Charlie Ruggles, who seems to have turned his full time to work in the talkies, was formerly one of the leading funny men of the Great White Way, playing in such smashes as “Battling Butler” and many others. / Roland Young, always a sure-bet for comedy entertainment wherever his name appeared in lights with ‘•Rollo’s Wild Oat,” “Beggars on Horseback,” and other theatrical works of their kind, is the third member of the hilarity confectioners in “This Is the Night.” The cast, includes Cary Grant, “he-man” newcomer to the films, and Thelma Todd, blond charmer, who played in the Four Marx Brothers’ “Monkey Business.” A Dessa Byrd organ novelty, “Starlight Melodies;” “Twenty Horses,’’ a Ford Sterling comedy; “What a Night,” a Krazy Kat cartoon, and a Paramount sound news reel complete the program.

Here Sunday

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Ben Bernie • Ben Bernie and his orchestra will play Sunday night only at the Indiana Roof.

1— Here is the comic with Ezra Buzzington’s band, which will be seen in “The Old Homestead,” opening Sunday night at Keith’s. 2 The Three Bredwins are athletic comedians and they are on the new bill opening today at the Lyric.

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1— Warner Baxter has a “father” role in "Amateur Daddy,” now on the f Apollo screen. 2 Richard Barthelmess is a great surgeon who has no legal right to practice in “Alias the Doctor,” now on the Indiana screen.

Revue Will Be Given in City Indianapolis Students Are Prominent in Cast. BLOOMINGTON, Ind., April 9. Eleven Indianapolis students attending Indiana university are assisting with the presentation of this year’s Jordan River Revue, the university’s annual musical comedy, which will open in Bloomington April 12. The revue will play in Muncie Thursday and Friday, April 21 and 22, and at Indianapolis with a matinee and night performance Saturday, April 23. Miss Elsinor Funk will take one of the leads in the 1932 revue. Miss Nidrah Dunn and Edwin Steers will appear in the choruses and Miss Helen Siefert will be in the Zeta Tau Alpha trio which is one of the feature attractions of this year’s show. Miss Marietta Coval of Indianapolis is assistant dancing director of the show, Miss Bois Silverman is wardrobe mistress, and Kenneth Browne is costume director. Charles Binford is publicity director and is being assisted by George Gardner and Praetor Moore both of Indianapolis. Arnold Thielman is assistant business manager of the revue. This will be the eleventh edition of the Jordan River Revue and Charles R. Dant of Washington is director. He is being assisted by Robert Hahn, South Bend, and John Gant, Attica. In addition to Miss Funk, leads in the show will be Martha Temples, Bloomington; Fred Sims. Carthage; Charlotte Hodell, Ft. Wayne; Ned Le Fevre, Elkhart; Robert Mayes, Bloomington; Sarah Ann Matthews, Bloomington; Lloyd Griffin, Bloomington; Katie Ryall, Pittsburgh, Pa., and Richard Bixby, Andrews. It Might Be Popular Speaking of what the well-dressed man will wear, Colonel W. S. Van Dyke, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayers ace director of “Trader Horn,” and “Tarzan,” has a pair of riding boots made of elephant hide. But he doesn’t predict they’ll be a popular fashion. New Officers Sigma Alpha lota Musical and Professional Fraternity in the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music held the annual election of officers this week, when Lenore Brandt Roberts was elected president; Lissa Cox, vice-president; Opal Larsh, secretary and Eugenia Magidson, treasurer. Mildred Howard, chaplain and Mary Elizabeth Johnson, editor.

L Parents Must Not Neglect

' THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

ROUNDING ROUND T'TJT?A r m?DQ with Walter 1 I H/JXO and. HICKMAN

MANY plays have come and gone since 1886, and many more will comp and go, but “The Old Homestead” is pretty certain to keep right on going until the end of time. That is partially because the basic elements of the play are rooted in a truthful adherence to human nature. -

When a play is so true to life, it deserves success—and usually gets it. The Berkell Players, in bringing the play to Keith’s Sunday night, will play it with just that earnestness it needs to preserve it as a classic. “The Old Homestead” has rightfully been called America’s best and oldest play. It was produced in 1886—nearly half a century ago—but the

fact remains that not a single line of the play has ever had to be altered. Every speech, every situation, every bit of dramatic intensity, every humorous point—has stood the test of time. For those who have never seen “The Old Homestead,” there will be discovered a simple, beautiful story. For those who have seen it, -there will be an opportunity to renew acquaintance with Joshua Whitcomb’s neighbors down at West Swansey, New Hampshire. Josh and all the rest of them will be there—including

To Return

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Fannie Brice For the second time this season, Faiinie Brice and “Crazy Quilt,” will be seen at English’s for two performances, Monday, April 18.

SKY HARBOR 600 Feet South of Municipal Air--5 port—Dancing Saturday and Sunday Kites, Featuring HAROLD CORKS CORKERS Bus SerYice from Kentucky and Capitol to Door of Dance Hall.

3 Bill Robinson and the chorus from “Hot From Harlotn," nose on the stage at the Indiana.' 4 Ethel Waters opens a three day engagement In "Rhapsody in Black," at English’s, Monday night.

3 Lily Damita is the good looking star in “This Is the Night,” on view at the Circle. 4 Marian Marsh is an old-fashioned but rapid stenographer in “Beauty and the Boss,” opening today at the Lyric.’ 5 William Haines is a radio announcer in “Are You Listening?” now at the Palace.

Cy Prime, Seth Perkins, Happy Jack, Aunt Matilda, Eb Hanzey and Rickety Ann will be seen in the portrayals of the Berkell Players. Eugene Field, the great American poet, whose human qualities endeared him to young and old readers alike, paid a fine testimonial to “The Old Homestead” when he said to iti author—“ God bless you, Denman Thompson, for the good you do our hearts.” And it is on this premise of cleanliness and wholesomeness that Berkell considered and finally selected the play. It is a classic for family audiences. ana Following “The Old Homestead,” the Berkell Players will, as the third of their “Spring Festival” hits, present Barry Conner’s new comedy, “Unexpected Husband,” a recent New York and Chicago success. Conner, it will bet remembered, has had considerable experience in this type of writing with his hits, “The Patsy” and “Applesauce,” but he exceeds his previous efforts at spicy writing in this new play. Other new plays obtained for the spring season include “In the Best of Families,” “A Modem Virgin,” “Cloudy With Showers,” and “Louder, Please,” all of’which have been notable Broadway successes.

SPRING FESTIVAL OF GREAT SHOWS! fl and || J I |T9 STARTING SUN. M3II *&1 NIGHT AT 8:10 JkA—JLMLMLMJLZA Week Nights, 8:15 Phone Rney 7277 Matinees, 2:15 BERKELL PLAYERS And an Augmented Cast in Denman Thompson’s “THE OLD HOMESTEAD" MOST FAMOUS OF ALL RURAL COMEDY DRAMAS EXTRA—ADDED FEATURE—EXTRA Speciiil Return Engagement of EZRA BUZZINGTON'S RUSTIC REVELERS (AMERICANS GREATEST RUBE BAND) Remember them in “Sis Hopkins?” See and hear them ia an entirely new melange of tantalising tone*, songs and hilarious fun Jn “The Old Homestead.” MATIMEE WEDNESDAY, THURSDAY, SATURDAY NIGHT 60c, 35c—MATINEE 35c, 25c TEES APRIL 11—UNEXPECTED HCEBANg’

Club Will Have Big Dance The Happy Hour Group to Attend Lyric Party Friday. Another special feature for the Lyric ballroom is to be introduced next Friday night. The Happy Hour Club is sponsoring a party dance in the ballroom on Friday and extends a special invitation to all married couples to participate in their party. Employes of the Real Silk Hosiery Mills are to repeat their dance party again next Tuesday night. No change is being planned in the events for the other nights. The usual Ford frolic has its place every Monday night. Ladles’ night on Wednesday and the men have their innings on Thursday nights’ Leap Year party. Hal Bailey and his Collegians are the featured orchestra in the ballroom.

Follow the crowds to the SHOW BOAT Best Music In . Town, Always. 9:30 till ? ? Phone for Reservation WAsh. 3918 SHOW BOAT Keystone & AUisonville Rd.

AMUSEMENTS

Colored Entertainers Will Predominate at English’s and Indiana Next Week, With ‘Rhapsody in Black’ and ‘Hot From Harlem’ on View. LEW LESLIE will bring his “Rhapsody In Black.” the symphony of blue notes and black rhythm which stars Ethel Waters, to English's on Monday night for an engagement of three days, following a run of three months at the Garrick, Chicago. It has played in New York, Bostqp, Philadelphia, Cincinnati, Cleveland and Detroit to sensational success. Leslie’s “Blackbirds” and “The International Revue” relied greatly on gorgeousness in coetume. lighting effects and performers. In “Rhapsody In Black,” Leslie has taken a reverse stand and abolished the background completely and with it abandoned the chorus and rou-

tine revue skit as well. With Miss Waters are Valaida, the Berry Brothers, Cecil Mack's choir, Dusty Fletcher, Florence Hill, Blue McAllister, Avis Andrews. Geneva Washington, Eloise Uggams and the Pike Davis’ Continental orchestra. a a a COMEDY STAR TOPS LYRIC BILL Os the six RKO vaudeville attractions which comprise the stage show opening at th# Lyric today, two are of headliner calibre. They are Sibylla Bowan. well known musical comedy star and Lewis Mack, eccentric comedian and his comedy of entertainers in a minature musical comedy revue. “Beauty and the Boss.” anew Warner Brother’s picture based on the successful stage play, "A Church Mouse.” has the services of Marian Marsh. Warren Williams and Charles Butter worth in its cast. Five seasons ago Sibylla Bowan was in vaudeville heading her own dancing set. Last season Neville Fleeson brought her back to vaudeville as his partner—a full-fledged musical comedy star. Sibylla Bowan’s musical comedy work has been quite extensive. She played the Indian maid role in the touring and Chicago companies of “Rose Marie,” staying nine months in the Windy City. She was also a feature of George M. Cohan’s “Merry,” “Princess April,” “Rose of Stamboul,” and “Ginger.” Lewis Mack, besides being an eccentric comedian, is also a singer and his professional career is said to have been divided between vaudeville and stock companies. His vehicle this season is “Suspecting Customs,” a farce with song and dancing trimmings. Alice Frost and John Haynes do straight for his comedy. Betty Lewis, his third associate, is a dancer. Her outstanding number is an eccentric buck. Four other RKO vaudeville acts include the Three Bredwins, Athletic comedians in a revue of tumbling, balancing and comedy falls; Jack Pettet and Buddy Douglas, billed as “Two Gobs on Shore Leave” presenting a novelty comedy song and dance specialty. “Beauty and the Boss,” co-star-ring Marian Marsh and Warren Williams, with whom she appeared in “Under Eighteen,” brings to the screen a gay dramatic comedy, involving the progress of a young girl who discovers and makes use of her charms, much to the astonishment of her employer. Act includes Frederic Kerr, Lillian

fl’S- “ \ who mri’hfd wit. BBSfrliJjml with I dozen dizzy mm yfSgr WARREN WILLIAMS [ U 1 Charles Butterworth ;Jr si b y llabowan! jM|A syßr “Impression* df Hollywood Star.' - W wdk P\ m LEWIS MACK & CO. 1 ■ ...... In in “Suspecting Customs" HfPpjk A Riot of Fun, Son* and Danre ’'.'Hi CADET SAXOTETTE ' -.aJ MADELINE PATRICE S CO. dSfaSSHH Music and Songs If PETETT & DOUGLAS 'mr t j \ “Two Gobs on M s isk

p||A| IQU 3 DAYS ONLY, BEG. fcWuUOH MONDAY NIGHT, 8:30 DIRECT AND INTACT FROM 3 MONTHS IN CHICABO GREATEST COLORED SHOW OF ALL TIME VALAIDA - BERRY BROS - CECIL MACKS CHOIR PIKE DAVIS' CONTINENTAL ORCHESTRA EXACTLY AS PRESENTED FOR SIX MONTHS I THREE MONTHS I THREE MONTHS ■■ IN NEW YORK I IN BOSTON I IN PHILA. EVENINGS, 50c TO S2.SO—MATINEE WEDNESDAY, 50c TO $1.50

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APRIL 9. 1932

Bond, David Manners, Mary Doran, Yola D’Avril and Barbara Leonard. Roy Del Ruth, director of “Blonde Crazy” and “Taxi,” directed “Beauty and the Boss.” a a a “CRAZY QUILT” TO RETURN HERE Mail orders for the appearance of Billy Rose's “Crazy Quilt” at English's for two performances, Monday, April 18, are now being received. The Brice-Baker-Healy combination returns for the second time thia season. Its long run at the Apollo. Chicago, coupled with the fame of its stellar triumvirate, appears to have caught the fancy not onlv of local amusement devotees, but those from a considerable distance.

‘The Claw’

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer has acquired the motion picture rights to “The Claw,” Henry Bernstein’s melodrama. “The Claw” was produced by Arthur Hopkins in October, 1921, at the Broadhurst theater. Lionel Barrymore, Irene Fenwick (Mrs. Barrymore) and Charles Kennedy were in the stage cast. No announcements have been made as to cast or director. Bernstein is the author of “Melo,”. “The Thief,” “The Secret” and other plays.

PCOMIN6 MORROW ONLY i BERNIE] ALL THE LADS I t until box office I ses tonight, 75c. M Tomorrow, 9 dancTTonlght ■ jean GOLDKETTE’S ■ J ORCHESTRA W I BERT STOCK IVIRKCTING Jt, | 35c Before 8

AMUSEMENTS