Indianapolis Times, Volume 44, Number 165, Indianapolis, Marion County, 19 November 1932 — Page 5

NOV. 19, 1932.

DRESSLER, MARSHALL, ERWIN AND GAYNOR TOP CASTS

‘Tess of the Storm Country,’ ‘Prosperity,’ ‘Evenings for Sale’ and ‘He Learned About Women’ Are Bidding for Local Movie Fans’ Praise. IT'B no nows when they move a movie troupe to a house in the country but it's news when they move the house in the country to the movie troupe, if the old rule about the man who bites a dog still holds good. This bit of cinematic housemoving was accomplished during the Aiming of the latest Marie Dressler-Polly Moran comedy, “Prosperity,” which opened Friday at Loew s Palace. This plot called for the popular comedy pair to do “location work” in the environs of an old farmhouse. Then Instead of returning to the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios to build interiors matching the location scenes, Director Sam Wood arranged for the purchase of the quaint house and took it along. Thus the actual interior as well as the exterior was photographed.

The story of “Prosperity” was especially written for this team of comediennes by Zelda Sears. It is laid in a small town and depicts the amusing events which follow upon the marriage of Anita Page and Norman Foster, a union which brings about an intense rivalry between the respective mothers-in-law. played by Miss Dressier and Miss Moran. The supporting cast besides Miss Page and Foster includes Jacquie Lyn, Jerry Tucker, Charles Giblyn, Frank Darien and Henry Armetta. “Prosperity” is the ninth comedy in which Marie Dressier and Polly Moran have co-starred. Short featurettes comprising the balance of the program include a Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Colortone revue, “Over the Counter”; a Me-tro-Goldwyn-Mayer sport novelty, “Football and Footwork.” and the most recent issue of the Hearst Metrotone News. B B B ROMANTIC COMEDY NOW AT CIRCLE r ‘Evenings for Sale,” a romantic comedy of Vienna after the war, opened yesterday at the Circle. The Aim is based on a story by I. A. R. Wylie, and has a cast composed of Herbert Marshall, star of “Trouble in Paradise,” Sari Maritza, Charlie Ruggles, Mary Boland and George Barbier. Marshall has the role of Franz von Degenthal, gallant young aristocrat, who has been reduced to poverty by the social upheaval which followed the war. , His castle and all his belongings scheduled for auction to pay off his debts, the gloomy prospect of a bourgeois world in which he has no place looming before him, Franz decides to pawn his revolver in exchange for his old uniform, have one last night of gaiety at the carnival ball, and then, retrieving his revolver in the morning, take a sure way out of his difficulties. At the ball, however, he meets Miss Maritza as the daughter of a bourgeois merchant, and as they dance, Franz realizes that he has something to live for after all, so to earn his living he becomes a paid entertainer in a case. * Here he meets Miss Boland as a wealthy, but lonely, American widow, and he becomes her companion which causes a near-disaster in his affair with the masked beauty of the carnival. How the misunderstanding is smoothed over with the warmhearted help of the widow brings the film to a successful conclusion. The program will include regular Paramount Sound News, a Paramount Screen Souvenir and a Fatty Arbuckle comedy, Hey, Pop.” BUM TWO FAVORITES TOP MOVIE C AST The loyal legion of Gaynor-Far-J’pll fans are thought to have a surprise awaiting them this week at the Apollo. In "Tess of the Storm Country,” which opened there yesterday, these two favorites have what is undoubtedly the most exciting offering of their careers—a story that is said to provide plenty of dramatic climaxes and a tang of the “old davvil sea.” The story opens aboard a big schooner, with Janet as the daughter of the be-whiskered skipper. Deciding that his girl is gettAg too old to be knocking around t.’ exptorld with him, the skipper bri. her ashore and they settle dow Ia , cottage along the Maine coi A crusty old millionaire who vns the property, immediately t fcts them despite Janet’s fiery tongue So that when Charlie is subsequently saved by Janet from a watery grave and she learns that he is the millionaire’s son, her feelings explode. It is after such a beginning that their acquaintance develops along more peaceful lines. But many complications ensue, with the elderly skipper being sent to jail on a false charge, Janet rescuing Charlie's sister when she tries to commit suicide, all of which puts more obstacles in the path of rest inance. Short subjects including Movietone News, Slim Summerville in “Kid Glove Kisses” comprise the short subjects on the program. ERWIN TO BE CAST AT INDIANA Stuart *Erwin. who won movie fame by his work in "The Big Broadcast” and “Make Me a Star,” heads the cast in “He Learned About Women,” which is now showing at the Indiana theater for a week's engagement. Alison Skipworth of “Madame Racketeer” and "Night After Night" fame is also featured along with Susan Fleming. Grant Mitchell Sidney Toler and Gordon WestcotL “He Learned About Women” is a comedy dealing with the adventures of a young man who had $50,000,000, but who had never been kissed. Erwin, again wearing his famous bewildered expression, plays the role of the wealthy, but unkissed. youngster, who decides it’s time he learned a few things about life. On his first excursion into the world he stumbles on to Miss Skipworth, an old actress who has seen better days, and Miss Fleming, a stenographer, whose services are being offered at an auction conducted for the benefit of the jobless. He hires them both. Then the fun begins. Miss Skipworth craftily grooms the younger Human for the job of wife, not secretary. Meanwhile her own husband and an unscrupulous companion try to chisel their way in. The complications that result are awift and comic. They bring a startling conclusion. The picture was directed for Paramount by Lloyd Corrigan. Jack Haley in “Then Came the Yawn” heads the short subjects, which also include "Rambling 'Round Radio Row, No. 2,” and a Raramount news reel.

‘Rio Rita’ Booked at Indiana Company of Sixty-Two Will Sing and Dance the Score. “Rio Rita,” a musical extravaganza, will come to the stage of the Indiana for the week, starting Friday, Nov. 25. This presentation is being brought to Indianapolis at a terrific expense, it is claimed. The public's response to this attraction will govern whether or not such shows as “Follow Thru,” “Irene,” Ted Lewis and his show, Olsen and Johnson, and others now available will be brought into the Indiana theater. “Rio Rita” is the musical version of the romantic book by Guy Bolton and Fred Thompson. Sammy Lee, who created the dances for the original production, is staging the numbers. A company of sixty-two will don 350 beautiful costumes designed by Robert Stevenson and executed by Mahieu. There will be six scenes. The picture during this week will be anew Warner Brothers comedy, “You Said a Mouthful” with Joe e! Brown in the star role. He is supported by Ginger Rogers, Farina and Preston S. Foster.

New Events in Music

The Indiana State Association of Negro Musicians, branch of the National Association of Negro Musicians, Inc., will hold its seventh annual convention here Friday, Nov 25, to Sunday, Nov. 27. Miss Elma Alsup of Ft. Wayne, state president, and Mrs. Lillian Le Mon of Indianapolis, national president will preside. The state board meeting and luncheon will be held at 4 p. m. Friday at the home of Mrs. Louis Hill, 2627 North Capitol avenue. The Indianapolis Music Promoters’ executive board, Charles Amos, president, will serve as host. Friday night at 8 o'clock, the Cosmopolitan School of Music club, Robert Jones president, will give a musical and reception in honor of the delegates in Jordan hall of the Fhyllis Wheatley Y. w. C. A. Saturday at 9 a. m. in Simpson M. E. church, the business meeting will open with welcome talks by Mr. Amos and Mrs. Lillian LeMon. J. Harold Brown, director of music in the Crispus Attucks high school, will give a talk or. music. Miss Nellie Huffman of Lafayette, vice-presi-dent, will preside and Mrs. Claudine Smith, secretary of the music promoters, will head the communitysing. A get-to-gether luncheon will be served at 12 o'clock in the dining room of the church and reports from the branches over the state will be heard. At. 1:30 p. m.. Miss Sara Mae Clements, director of junior branches, will hold a students conference, followed by the student program at 2:15 p. m. Among the numbers will be the Jordan Junior orchestra representing the Clarence Cameron White Club of Ft. Wayne. A social hour will be given at the Flanner House Recreational hall by the Poco a Poco club and the Crescendo club of the Cosmopolitan School in honor of the students at 5 o’clock. At 8 p. m., the new talent program will be given at Simpson M. E. church. Miss Thelma MacDonald presiding. Sunday morning soloists will be the guests of the churches in the community. At 2:30 p. m. in Simpson M. E. church. Miss Elma Alsup presiding, the state program will be given. The public is cordially invited to attend these affairs. Haines Is a Decorator William Haines, besides doing a great many other homes, is redecorating the guest room in the home of Joan Crawford and Douglas Fairbanks Jr. Being called away on location for his current picture “Let's Go,” Mr. Haines spent every spare moment in a telephone booth where he was in connection with Miss Crawford s home and he could tell his decorators what to do.

MUTUAL FOLLIES THEATRE Nll Wf OI R NF " BRICKS ■ 1 W ■■ are IX EFFECT MATINEE 25 and 55c NIGHTS 25-55 and 75c c;r. BURLESQUE STARTING WITH THE MIDNIGHT SHOW

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1— Caryl Bergman will be the prima donna of “Rio Rita,” when it opens at the Indiana next Friday. 2 John Ray Newcomb will have the leading role in the Civic Theater production, “He Who Gets Slapped,” w hen it opens Tuesday, Nov. 29.

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1— Here is dainty Janet Gaynor in one of the comfortable “frocks” she wears in her latest production, “Tess of the Storm Country,” now at the Apollo. 2 George O’Brien plays the lead in Zane Grey’s awe-inspiring drama, “The Golden West,” now showing on the screen at the Lyric.

ROUNDING ROUND THFATFRS wan waiter I IIL/iA 1 and. HICKMAN

THIS question of “Why we don't get legitimate touring road shows?” is pretty ably answered in an editorial appearing in today’s issue of the Billboard, under the title of the “Last Stand of the Living.” With the canceling of Ed Wynn in “The Laugh Parade” at English’s, we really haven’t a definite booking until about the first of the year. And yet, on the other hand. Nelson Trowbridge, the manager of the Shubert in Cincinnati, the only legit theater now open, is getting Wynn and many others of real importance. The editorial in today’s Billbord is as follows:

With Thanksgiving almost upon us and Christmas and New Year's following close on its heels, it seems almost unfair to mix a sour note in the symphony of holiday glee But if you happen to be interested in “flesh,” the note is bound to be not only sour, but pretty completely curdled. What were once the two chief mediums of living entertainment, vaudeville and the legitimate, are hobbling along as best they may. tottering on the edge of a grave that yawns wide in readiness. There is a sorrowful feeling in reporting news of the two ace “flesh” fields, a premonition that we are hardly recording activities, but merely penning obits. It needs no newspaperman to tell the world in general that the current season is the worst that legit has experienced since it first emerged from the era of road shows and stock and rep companies at the beginning of the present century. The paucity of current attractions has been startling even for a depression year, and there seem to be few if any signs that the famine will be relieved. Already the number of new shows in New York is falling off in expectation of the pre-Christ-mas slump, and the holiday depression is thus coming almost a full month before its regular time. When the actual slump sets in. the week or two before the holidays, the scene will be even blacker than it is now. There is no need to go at length Into the downfall of vaudeville. A recent survey made by The Billboard shows that the amount of playing time booked by major circuits has gone down 70 per cent in the last five years, a truly startling drop, and one at which even the most rapid follower of vaude must admit defeat. All indications point to an even greater drop before the season is over. With major circuits understandably interested only in saving money, the comparatively large stage-show budgets must go by the boards, with fewer and f-wer houses opening their dressing rooms to performers, even though the public demands "flesh.”

| SHOW Iboat I Presents anew floor show with an all-star cast (featuring) ; BROWN & BAILEY Direct From Broadway J EDNA MAE MORRIS S Blues Singer Y EMILIE VAN Ip America's Premier Dancer 1 SID CONWAY gSI Also LES SHEPARD pi and His Orchestra

RIALTO —REAL—BURLESK with BIDDY WOOD—"IRISH”— VON A LA MAR—JACK FOLEY BABE ARCHER—DICK BROWN —AND—IOI NT. SNAPPY CHORES NEW SHOW TODAY MidnighT Show Tonight

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

It may be the last stand of living entertainment that we are now witnessing—though the probability is that, after its present defeat, the real theater will rise un again stronger than ever. It has been eclipsed before, in various phases of its history, and has always come back from such sessions refreshed and rejuvenated. It will do so again—but that hope fails to smear any salve on present sores. The fact remains that the living theater, as we know’ it now. is a sick old lady upon her deathbed, powdered and painted by her devotees in a vain effort to make the wrinkled skin and aged face seem like something vital, fresh and living. Vaudeville in its old form will probably never come back —though it is even at present developing new forms that may surpass the old in popularity. The business of the legitimate stage is likewise dead, in the form in which we knew it during the boom days of 1925, '26 and '27—but it, too, is rebuilding, not in stage makeup, but in business practices and methods. There is sorry comfort in the fact that the canned forms of entertainment are also suffering mightily. The picture industry. that vast colossus which straddled the amusement world in the palmy days, has dwindled to a little old man frantically shrieking of his past glories. The whole situation, of course, may be laid at the door of the depression. The depression. in fact, may be considered a testing crucible, in which the various amusement fields have been poured. Their dross has been melted off. leaving them smaller, but better and possessed of new shapes better adapted for modern usages. If you get time, try to find it, and write me concerning your opinion of this editorial. More letters the better.

STANLEY TWINS I The Philmers I— 1 JQEahdJANEM^gNHA this dramatic 1 Gregory & Raymon I OJL | piCKARoTcHmisEjmOPMORS J I I PEGGY EAMES |

3 Thurston Spangler, local vocaiist, will be with Bud Dant and his I. U. Collegians when they open next Thursday night on Indiana Roof. 4 The Stanley Twins are headlining the new bill opening today at the •Lyric. v

3 Stuart Erwin is here pictured living up to the title of his latest comedy, “He Learned About Women,” now at the Indiana. 4 Marie Dressier and Polly Moran are the two big laugh getters in “Prosperity,” now at the Palace. 5 Herbert Marshall has the lead in “Evenings for Sale,” which was directed by Stuart Walker. Now at the Circle.

Art Institute

J. Frank Currier’s “Whistling Boy,” by the John Herron Art institute, has been selected by the New School for Social Research in New York for its exhibit of nine paintings by the three Americans of the Munich school, J. Frank Currier, William Merritt Chase and Frank Duveneck, which is now on display at the New York school. Two other paintings by Currier which will be included in the exhibit are his “Boy’s Head,” lent by the Detroit museum, and “The Gamin,” lent by the Babcok gallery of New York. Currier was born in 1843 and died in 1919. He was among the first of American artists to go to Munich for study. Munich, during the 60’s, was even more popular than Paris as an art center, as it offered study on an ampler scale and a newer, more aggressive inspiration. Unfortunately Currier has very few paintings to his credit. It is not known why he did not produce more than he did except that he failed for a long time of the appreciation that he merited, though he is now receiving tardy recognition. The exhibit at the new school is arranged to give recognition to

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AMUSEMENTS

his work as well as to give New Yorkers an opportunity to see the works of a man who exhibited unusual dexterity with the brush and a rare use of warm colors. It is interesting to note that this is the first exhibit at the new school in which paintings have been borrowed from galleries outside of New York. The co-operation of the John Herron institute in this venture marks an important step in the establishment of closer relationship between the new school and other galleries and museums throughout the country. r Lawrence Has a Prize Lawrence Grant is the proud possessor of the only “music stand chair” in Hollywood. He rests in the unique contrivance between scenes of “The Mask of Fu Manchu” in which he is appearing at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. It is made from a light wood frame constructed like a music stand and can be folded up and carried in the pocket.

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Stanley Twins, With the Dodge Brothers and Peggy Eames, a Member of Hal Roach’s Our Gang Comedies, Are Among Notables at the Lyric. ALTHOUGH no one act stands out over the other on the new bill of vaudeville opening today at the Lyric, the program appears as one that carries a great deal of variety. The Stanley Twins, supported by the Dodge Brothers, are billed to present a routine called “Stylish Stepping Stylists." Joe and Jane McKenna, assisted by "Their Sense of Humor,” like the younger leaders in politics and business, have radical and original ideas about giving laughs, it is said. Joe and Jane are brother and sister. After a two years’ successful tour in Europe. Pickard's Chinese Syncopators are returning, presenting their newest offering, “Dragon Land,” a fast-moving several minutes of singing, dancing and music.

Peggy Eames. star of Hal Roach's Our Gang Comedies, who was seen here in Indianapolis two years ago. returned in anew offering which is made up of singing, impersonations and dancing. Other acts on the new bill include Gregory and Raymon in "Musical Idiotics” and the Philmers. styled as “Continental Acts DeLuxe.” The screen brings anew feature of Zane Grey’s “The Golden West." the Fox outdoor romance, featuring George O'Brien, Janet Chandler, Edmund Breese and other prominent stars. O’Brien plays a dual role, the first in his career of the pictures. The picture is a colorful romance of the south in pre-rebellion days. m m b CIVIC THEATER OFFERS SECOND PRODUCTION. Roland Rapier, prominent radio and concert artist, designer, and actor, plays an important role in the Civic Theater's next production, “He Who Gets Slapped,” which opens at the Playhouse on Tuesday, Nov. 29. and continues throughout the week. Rapier, who has been seen on the stages of theaters from coast to coast since his initial appearance at the age of 4 in Rip Van Winkle, is descended from an old French theatrical family. Many years ago, he appeared here in his father’s company, the Family theater stock company, playing in what is now the Rialto theater. Among the many plays in which he has appeared are: “The Old Homestead,” “Way of the World,” “Hazel Kirk,” and “East Lynne.” He afterward appeared with the St. Louis and Cincinnati opera companies and more recently has been on the air over station WLW. For a while he left the stage and turned to bronze designing. In the Civic theater’s production of “He Who Gets Slapped,” Rapier portrays the role of the gentleman, a hack driver, catering to the crowd, who has vulgarized the profound ideas of the hero, a distinguished student and philosopher. Not only has he stolen his ideas, but also his wife. From this mental and spiritual conflict results one of the most dramatic scenes in the play. John Ray Newcomb appears in the title role and in support there is Jane Sky as Consuelo, the equestrienne tango queen: David Clarke as Bezano, C’Mari de Schipper as Zinda, and George Lehman as M. Briquet, along with many others. Here Is a New One The “great chimpanzee robbery’ occurred during the filming of a scene in “Kongo” at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios. Queenie, a chimp appearing in many of the scenes, insisted on grabbing a powder puff away from Lupe Velez, after which he would climb to the highest rafter of the stage and sit there until the technical staff brought him down.

Cast Completed

The complete cast assembled in support of Ramon Novarro and Helen Hayes in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s production of “Son-Daughter” comprises Warner Oland, Louise Closser Hale, H. B. Warner, Edward McEade and Frederick Burt. The new picture, based on David Belasco’s stage success of some years ago, is being directed by Clarence Brown. Novarro last appeared in “Huddle,” while Miss Hayes recently completed a tour with “The Good Fairy,” the stage production in which she starred.

MOTION PICTURES

PAGE 5

Young Is Booked at the Roof Indiana Ballroom Will Offer Two Orchestras Tonight. Thirty-one musicians and entertainers appear on the Indiana roof ballroom's program for tonight and tomorrow evening. Among them are the Charlie Davis orchestra, featuring the Call sisters and Ruby; Bernie Young and his Creoles, featuring Margaret Thompson, "blues singer," and Slim Green and the Riff brothers. Young and his Creoles have played several short engagements on the roof, where the dancers are familiar with the swing, flash and rhythm possessed by his unit, which toured the midwest states under the “Publix” banner last spring. Bud Dant and his I. U. collegians have been engaged to replace the Charlie Davis orchestra on the roof, where they will remain for the three days start ng next Thursday (Thanksgiving night). They were featured at the Colonial hotel. Lake Manitou, this last summer. Here Is a Problem Charles Laughton, distinguished stage actor, playing his stage role in “Payment Deferred” at the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer studios, was learning the intricate lore of “cheating” a camera angle from his director, Lothar Mendes. “Oh, I see!" he remarked. “When you look at a person you don’t so the camera can. make it appear you do. But I say, old top—supposing the individual was cross-eyed?”

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NEIGHBORHOOD THEATERS

NORTH SIDE HRVKmTdbot at 22nd flu IJLlS^^aal Arline Judge in •ARE THESE Of* CHILDREN” Sun., Double Feature, Jack Halt "This Sporting: Are” Conrad Nagel, Doris Kenyon "MAN CALLED BACK’ MMaMMM Noble at Mass. EBaED "Son of Oklahoma,” "Honor of the Preaa*' Sun., "Pasport to HcU," "Night Mayor.” ■SBMWVWVH lU. and 30tb St. Family Nite W***** 4 * - Sally O’Neil "The Brat”; Sunday, Dolores Del Rio “Bird es Faradlse.** ■HHBBMMa 1500 Roosevelt AveT I!fa] I k 4V/T] I] Double Feature IsauUMedMAa WaKer Huston “Law and Order” Ton. Moore, “Cannonball Express.” Sun., Monday. Double Feature. Conrad Nagel, "Man Called Buck.'* Walter Huston, Lupe Veiex "KONGO.” WEST SIDE HBHHQHHB£H|wr~Wash. £ Belmont lllJUnWtlW Double Feature ■■■■■■MMBK loan Blondell in “Big City Blues” Burk Jones. "High Speed” Sunday, Double Feature. Jack Holt , "This Sporting Age." Walter Huston. Lupe Velez "KONGO.” PRINCESS THEATRE West Tenth at Holmes Are. Double Feature. William Bard "Carnival Boat” Bob Steele. "Son of Oklahoma.” Sun.. Double Feature. Rich Talmage. “Sneed Madness." Paul Muni. Ann Dvorak, "SCARFACE”