Indianapolis Times, Volume 45, Number 96, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 August 1933 — Page 20

PAGE 20

BACKSTAGE MEN AT INDIANA ARE ACTORS' PALS Martin Larncr Got His Start at the Old Park Theater Many Years Ago. BV TOM LONG The “bn? three back-stag** at the Indiana theater consists of Martin Larner. Orin Platt and Charles Kuhns. Upon delving into the histories of these three men and their connec- j tions with theater business, many i interesting things were found out. Martin Larner is a young old- j timer in the amusement game. As property man. Marty 'his short-cut name) has had a most colorful experience. Ending a short career as a pro- | fessionai boxer, he entered the old , Park theater a-s a stage hand. While ■ at this theater he had the oppor- ! tunity of forming acquaintances • with the world renowned stars. Weber and Fields, Lillian Russell, Pete Dailey, Raymond Hitchcock, j Robert Manteil, Mrs. Fiske, William Hodge and a host of others are person ally known to Marty. In his time he has handled such shows as The Dairy Farm,” -Cowboy King Shakespearean piays, "Sis Hopkins.” The Music Master. “The Auctioneer. Blood and Sand, ; “Brn-Hur.” Ziegfeld s Follies,” “Music Box Revenues?” ‘Vanities,” • George White's Scandals, ’ “Passing Shown” -Student Prince.” “Rose Marie” and hundreds of others. Traveled a Great Ileal His traveling experience included I a tour with The Pleasant Girl and a tour with Stuart Walker! which consisted of one-night stands with a repertoire of thirteen different plays. Walker's cast was madp up ot j George Somnes, Ben Lyon and a fl-’et of others now enjoying the height of success i Marty and the late Gregory Kelly were the best of friends, and it was in Kelly's stock company he did bits of acting. The writer asked Mr. Larner just what a property mans duties were, and he reluctantly re- ; plied, “I often wonder.” Then smiling he explained he had been called upon to furnish everything from a magpie to a jinnkisha. Different shows naturally needed different properties, therefore, he has been obliged to furnish live babies. furniture of all descriptions, fat girls, thin girls, horses, and even coffins. ! Those who do not remember the days when Dickson & Talbot had the leading theater in Indianapolis should get in touch with Or in Platt, j veteran stage electrician, and get him v.to tell you all about such plays as “No Mother to Guide Her,” “An Angel of the Alley.” "Only the Brave," “Who Cut Little Null's Curls?” etc. j Started With Road Show Mr. Platt traveled with the road > Show companies of the aforementioned plays and has visited nearly every town and city in America. When the late Bob Fitzsimmons was on tour in a play called i “The Honest Blacksmith,” Platt was j lus stage manager. He recalls an Incident worthy of mention while j with Bob. The company played a theater in the middle west which had a brand new stage floor. Mr. Fitzsimmons did not like the newness of the boards and ordered Platt to oil them thoroughly. The order was fulfilled. The boards were soaked with floor oil During the show that followed everything went smoothly until Mrs. Bob Fitzsimmons entered for her part. Dressed in a gorgeous gown with a train, estimated to cost nearly j $5,000, she made her entrance. The oil proved too slippery for she j lost her balance and enacted a scene not on the program. She was assisted to her feet and she made a hasty exit. What followed remains j for Mr. Platt to explain Charley | Kuhn of the Indiana theater backstage, boasts of thirty-four years in the amusement business. Starting as a stage hand in the [ old Park theater he handled all of ! the old-time dramatic and opera companies on tour. His first traveling experience started with "Devil's j Island,” then considered the dra- j matic sensation. Next he toured with James O'Neil in "Village Pastmaster.” Charley recalls while In thus company one of the characters failed to show up jUst bfffore curtain time. Mr. O'Neil commissioned Charley to, fill the spot. It seems the bit required Charley to appear as a participant in a duel. He was to •fence'' with his boss. Mr. O'Neil. A Big Job Being instructed to act realistic and emotional. Charley was to rush at the hero and thrust forth his sword The hero was to jump aside, thus causing Charley to get stabbed. That is the way it was supposed to be. However, in the course of the actual scene Charley became confused and thrust his sword so vigorously the hero could not get out of the way in time and was i knocked down. The next performance. they had to get a substitute to fill the hero's role and also one to fill Charley's job. Mr. Kuhn traveled with Robert B Manteil for two seasons, also was out with “The Eternal City." Charley will be recalled by many local people as a sparring partner for Jim Jeffries, a former world champion heavyweight boxer. He continues to box as a pastime, and is also a great lover of horses. These three men. Lamer. Platt and Kuhn, have been together for many years, and it is doubtful if a better crew can be found on any stage in the country.

Back to Stage Frances Fuller will desert the Paramount studios for the New York stage in September. She will appear in the Clare Rummer play. "Only With You," which she had contracted to do prior to signing her fiveyear acting agreement with Paramount. She has just finished her first screen role, opposite Gary Cooper in "One Sundav Afternoon,” and was to have appeared next in ' Cap'n Jericho” The latter part now has been assigned to Judith Allen. William Slavens McNutt and Grover Jones will direct the latter piece.

POPULAR WRITER RETURNS TO INDIANA THEATER

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Tom Long Tom Long, who has been associated with the Indiana theater for several years, returns to the staff as director of publicity.

Cooper Is Peaceable, but Dangerous When Riled

Cast as Fighter in Movies, Gary Is Opposite in Private Life. A fighter in “reel” life may be quite the opposite in real life. Gary Cooper for instance. With six-shooter, rifle, bayonet, and fists, the lanky six-foot Montanan has an unbroken fighting record for thirty consecutive pictures. In his latest story. Paramount’s “One Sunday Afternoon." he encages in two free for alls” and a terrific wrestling bout. Yet Hollywood knows Gary as

OPENS SATURDAY —SATURDAY— INDIANA UNIVERSITY : W L S STAGE SHOW ALL DAY HARNESS BARN D ANCE PUSHMOBILE RACES — 6:3O p - M -— Grand stand RACING and ( oliseum Evening Judging in All Exhibition Buildings A AUDEVILLE BOYS’ AND GIRLS’ CLUB DAY—CHILDREN UNDER 12 YEARS ADMITTED FREE CHILDREN’S DAY —SUNDAY— THOSE UNDER 12 ADMITTED FREE SUNDAY SCHOOL-9 A. M. AMEE YoLsVoxtest DRCM I- U. STAGE SHOW Indiana University Building Grand stand—Afternoon, Evening All Day in L U - Building —NEXT WEEKHORSE RACING EVERY AFTERNOON HORSE SHOW EVERY NIGHT HIGH CLASS VAUDEVILLE LIVE STOCK JUDGING BAND CONCERTS AGRICULTURE EXHIBITS RIDES 4 ADULTS (Day) ....50r Automobiles CHILDRENO Xf* With rrM’ and " n t AClimSSlOn ADULTS (Night) ...200 25? under 12 Adult ££ Indiana State Fair MSept. 2,3,4,5,6,7,8 RUSSELL G. EAST, President

one of the most peaceable citizens. He never has been seen or heard in a quarrel. He makes no trouble on a film set and there are never any chips on his broad shoulders. Cooper, in the opinion of several j ex-pugs and former wrestlers who! worked with him in “One Sunday { Afternoon.” is the type who doesn't \ have to be belligerent or aggres-; sive. In “One Sunday Afternoon,” j which was directed by Stephen Roberts, Gary Cooper plays the part of “3iff" Grimes, a pugnaiuous small town dentist, who is lucky at fighting but unlucky with the girls.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

NRA COMPLAINT BOARD AWAITS CHASE RETURN City ‘General’ Wants Voice in Naming Committee on Violations. Appointment of a committee to hear alleged violations of NRA codes in Indianapolis will be pastponed until the return of Charles W. Chase, local NRA “general,” from Washington. Delay in appointing a committee to consider code compliance and complaints will not be for long, according to T. M. Overley. “colonel,” who received a telegram from Chase today asking him to withhold naming the committee until his return Friday or Saturday. Chase has been in conference witlj General Hugh S. Johnson, national recovery administrator, in Washington numerous times in the last few days and local recovery officers were confident that he would return with a program for Indianapolis which would dispel all doubts and questions on future NRA policy. Ruling Is Confusing Confusion existing as a result of a cancellation of previous orders from Washington regarding inside salesmen who work on commissions will be aired late today at a meet- 1 ing of the state and district NRA boards at the Chamber of Commerce. Francis Wells. Indiana recovery j director, declared that he would at- ] tempt to clarify the inside salespeoples’ situation and the question regarding hours for retail stores, via the long distance telephone ,to Washington today. “The cancellation order has confused both merchants and employes,” said Wells. "It was not specific concerning the classes effected.” Included Guaranty Pay An order was issued last week, according to Wells, requiring employers of inside salespeople, working on commission, to guarantee minimum wage. It included taxicab drivers, bootblacks, store clerks and other classifications. The “big push" by an army of 3.500 volunteer NRA workers in the city has been 50 per cent completed, according to reports made public at

WELL KNOWN STAGE AND MOVIE NAMES TOP VARIETY BILL

Left—Do they look like they sound? Judge for yourself—they are Colonel Sloopnagle and Bud, radio stars, who will be a part of the opening stage presentation at the Indiana theater, beginning Friday, Sept. 1.

local NRA headquarters today. Indianapolis NRA officials asked volunteer workers to hurry reports today in order to put Indianapolis “over the top” before the end of the | week. Cumulative survey totals tabu-' i lfjted to date disclose that 5.466 new ! employes have been hir°d by 3.838 Indianapolis business firms, which have added a total of $105,790.14 to their weekly pay rolls. Pledge cards, promising to deal only with blue eagle dealers have ; been signed by 61.937 housewives | : and other consumers, according to Fischer. The survey revealed that there j are 13,036 unemployed men and 5,513 unemployed women in the territory covered to date. With the 60.000 mark passed in { the receipt of NRA agreements i mailed to 90.000 Indiana employers, | Wells announced that 938 Indian- ■ apolis firms have enlisted under the | Blue Eagle since the start of the i local NRA survey. Representatives of fifty-six In- ! diana merchants selling articles i ranging from 5 cents to $1 met at the Severin Wednesday to discuss their proposed code which is awaiting action by the NRA national officials at Washington. Plans for ; putting the code into operation were discussed by the delegates.

Right—Here is Jack Powell, black-face comedian, who knows his Ps and Qs when it comes to.“drumming” up a good act. He is also a part of the opening stage show at the Indiana theater.

ARSENAL CANNON IS CONTEST PRIZE WINNER Tech Student Publication Is Rated Best in Division. 5;/ Time* Special BLOOMINGTON. Ind . Aug. 31. The Arsenal Cannon, student publication of Technical high school, Indianapolis. won first place in division two of Indiana high school newspaper contest, it was announced here today. The is conducted annually

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by the Indiana university chapter of Sigma Delta Chi, professional journalistic fraternity. Winner in division one was the South Side Times, South Side high school. Ft. Wayne; division three, Alltold of Mishawaka high school, and division four. Spring Valley Gazette of French Lick high school The winning papers will be on display in the Indiana university exhibit at the state fair, to open Saturday in Indianapolis.

AUG. 31, 1933

INDUSTRY UNDER CODE IN SIXTY DAYS. NRA AIM Laggards Will Be Spurred to Action by Johnson and Assistants. (Continued From Tage One) his desk here and return to his regular business by Nov. 1 Muir has been assigned some of the most stubborn industrial problems But by organizing skill he has arranged to have the thirty-seven industries assigned to him disposed of by that time. Eighteen codes have been put into effect since the national recovery act was signed June 16. Hearings have been held on some thirty others. Thirty-one more have been set for hearing and nearly five hundred are being studied, in preparation for hearings. It has been estimated that already 80 per cent of American industry either is under “blue eagle” agreements or permanent codes. The presidential re-employment agreements have dealt principally with wages and hours, leaving some difficult questions of trade practices yet to be settled. But the speed at which the work is progressing is causing optimism that the job can be completed in two months. After industry is operating under codes, the NRA will be concerned with administration details which are counted upon to stabilize American business and commerce for the future, ’