Indianapolis Times, Volume 46, Number 175, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 December 1934 — Page 20
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Returned Stars Give Broadway Old Home Week Appearance; Some Have Weak Vehicles Tallulah Bankhead, Eva La Gallienne, Fred Stone and Ethel Barrymore Distinguish Casts; ‘Dark Victory’ Among Plays. BY PAUL HARRISON NEA Service Staff Correspondent NEW YORK, Dec. I.—The legitimate theater has been enriched lately by a procession of returning stars. It isn’t their fault that they have pot been privileged to return in plays of the first magnitude. There’s Tallulah Bankhead, the star that fell out of Alabama, and. more recently out of London. Her play, “Dark Victory,” is a gloomy business that does, at least, give free rein to the talents of the glamorous actress. Miss Eva Le Gallienne, in the distinguished company of Miss Ethel Barrymore, has come to Broadway in’an adaptation of “L’Aiglon,” the famous old play concerning the unhappy son of the Emperor Napoleon.
Fred Stone lias joined the parade. At 61, and a retired veteran of musical comedy, he now carries on his own shoulders a play called “Jayhawker," written by Sinclair Lewis and an unrelated Chicago drama Critic named Lloyd Lewis. Broadway, where all favorites are gratefully received, acclaims these folk and finds their vehicles only 6lightly less to its liking. a a a *Say When’ Broadway also welcomes, as one of the brightest spots of the current season, the new musical, comedy titled, “Say When.” Not only is it a gay show full of lusty hokum, but several of its performers are stars in their own orbits. There’s Harry Richman, king of the night clubs, assisted by a wisecracking crown prince, Bob Hope. And Prince Michael Romanoff, the fabulous lowa orphan boy whom society of two continents has subsidized as a delightful impostor. And Dennie Moore, as impudent and shameless and hilarious as ever. Several other principals, including Linda Watkins and Cora Witherspoon, have been won over from the legitimate stage to help make “Say When" a first-rate musical. It has a swift and goofy plot With more than average substance. And it is liberally sprinkled with gags which in the most polite term knust be called very sophisticated. The tunes, especially the title Bong and another called “Put Your Heart in a Song,” will be warbled to death. And Mike Romanoff, who Impersonates himself, is—as was Intended—the world’s worst actor. *L , Aiglon’ IN going to see “L’Aiglon” it is well to remember that the role of the Eaglet, who was Duke of ReichBtadt, son of Napoleon, and erstwhile King of Rome, first was played by Sarah Bernhardt and later by Maude Adams. Persons who are disturbed by ictresses in male roles will find little incongruity in Le Gallienne’s portrayal of the boy who tried hard, though futilely, to be his father’s Bon. While a sort of guest-prisoner in the Austrian court, he dreamed of "lory and of reigning over France. L’Aiglon knew that, if he could .jet to France, the throne would be his. But he didn’t escape. He was brought back, to die.
H Tenth Sat.—Bine Crosbv, Miriam Hopkins “SHE LOVES ME NOT” Bette Davis “HOUSEWIFE” Son.—Double Feature, Joe E. Brown “Six-Day Bike Rider” Janet Gaynor. Lew Ayres ‘SERVANTS' ENTRANCE’
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Miss Le Gallienne, alternately fiery, frail, gallant, impetuous, boyish and defiant, provides more pure histrionics than you could find on a dozen other stages. A grand performance, and definitely something to see. Barrymore admirers will be disappointed to find that the adapter of the play has given Miss Ethel, as the former Empress MarieLouise, little to do. a a a ‘Jayhawker’ TAYHAWKERS, as all middle- ” westerners know, are Kansans. They were so named becase, when frontiersmen were fighting to make that state free soil, they wandered around in bands, like jays, and swooped to the kill, like hawks. The play begins in 1860 at a camp meeting. Asa Burdette (Fred Stone) is a half-charlatan, half-idealist, who becomes the first senator from the new border state. There’s grand humor and realism in his spell-binding speech which begins as a sermon and ends in a plea for votes. But there’s less conviction in the piece when Mr. Burdette goes to Washington and becomes involved in an impractical scheme to end the war. From that point on, it simmers down to the mere dregs of a play, in spite of all Mr. Stone anti an excellent supporting cast can do with it. There is more than a suspicion current on Broadway that some unfortunate tampering has been done with the writing of the Messrs. Lewis. “Jayhawker” remains, however, an interesting enough historical document, and a sufficiently sturdy vehicle to demonstrate the dramatic talent of Mr. Stone. a a a ‘Dark Victory’ “rVARK VICTORY,’’ with TallumJ lah Bankhead and Earle Larrimore, is one of those tantalizing stories of a person who discovers that he has only a few more months to live. As you would expect—in a play, at least —the person proceeds to have a fling. In this case it is Miss Bankhead, in the role of a pampered Long Island lass, who gets the bad news. She has her fling, or most of it, and then turns to the doctor, whom she loves, and who pronounced her death sentence. They’re married, and after a few brief idyllic months, the girl dies. For this correspondent, any play with Miss Bankhead is a memorable one. And “Dark Victory” is no mere emotional trifle. It, too, is definitely
TWO GOOD FEATURES BING CROSBY WE’RE NOT DRESSING AND THE MENACE A CORKING MYSTERY WITH PAUL CAVANAUGH
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
AT THE CIRCLE
The Mills Brothers The stage of the Circle has taken on life as the Four Mills Brothers, well known on the air and in vaudeville, are appearing daily at the theater.
Columbia Gets Dorothy Arzner Directing ‘Maid of Honor’ to Be First Work. By Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Dec. I.—Dorothy Arzner, noted woman director who has brought to the screen many box office successes, has been placed under contract by Columbia Pictures as an associate producer and director. Her first assignment will be the supervision of “Maid of Honor,” a picturization of Katherine Brush’s best seller and Cosmopolitan magazine story. John Howard Lawson did the screen treatment. Miss Arzner started at the bottom of the ladder, as a studio typist, then became a script girl, scenarist, and, in 1926, a director, when she directed Esther Ralston in “Fashions for Women.” Her success with this production led to X five-year contract with Paramount. Among the many productions for which she wielded the megaphone were “Christopher Strong,” “Nana,” “Sarah & Son,” “Paramount on Parade,” “Anybody’s Woman,” “Honor Among Lovers,” “Working Girls" and “Merrily We Go to Hell.” Masseur Suggested Story “Man Alive!” a story suggested to J. P. McEvoy by Jim Davies, studio masseur, while McEvoy was taking a rub-down in the studio gymnasium, has been purchased by Paramount. Deal was closed ’four hours after McEvoy started writing the synopsis. Charles Laughton is considered. Basic situation is scientific revival of the dead. Matinees Continued By Times Special NEW YORK, Dec. I—The Club Richman announces that its policy of “cocktail matinees” will continue along with the singing and dancing waiters.
Movie Schedule Appolo—Daily feature, 11:30 a. m.; 1:34, 3:38, 5:42, 7:46 and 9:50 p. m. Sunday feature starts at 1:34 p. m. Indiana —Daily feature, 11:22 a. m.; 1:29, 3:36, 5:45, 7:50 and 9:57. Sunday shows start at 1 p. m. Loew’s Palace—Daily feature, 11:20, a. m.; 1:25, 3:35, 5:40, 7:50 and 10 p. m. Sunday feature starts at 1:25 p. m. Circle—Daily feature, 1:30, 3:30, 5:50, 7:50 and 9:50 p. m. Sunday shows start at 1 p. m.
New Word Coined . If there aren’t enough words in the English language for a song writer to express what he wants to say, let him invent some. Upon this theory Mack Gordon and Harry NORTH SIDE . _ __ Illinois at 34th I • / Double Feature 1 1 Guy Klbbe “BIG HEARTED HERBERT” "THE PRESCOTT KID” Sub. Pauline Lord —W. C. Fields “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” TA In ATT Talbot and 22nd I A I k( ill Double Feature " * 1 Marlene Dietrich “THE SCARLET EMPRESS” “DOWN TO THEIR LAST YACHT” 8 ■ 42 nd at College Pll )WN Double Feature 1 *N/ WIN Jimmie Durante “STUDENT TOUR” “DUDE RANGER” Sun. Double Feature —Claudette Colbert “CLEOPATRA” Lee Traey “LEMON DROP KID” __ . . 2361 Station St. IjPP A AA Double Feature L/I\LTUTI Madge Evans “DEATH ON THE DIAMOND” “FOG OVER FRISCO” Sun. Double Feature—Warren William “CASE OF THE HOWLING DOG” James Dunn “365 NIGHTS IN HOLLYWOOD” _ , | I9lh and College Nfrallrirn Double Feature JlldllUlU (ieo. O’Brien “FRONTIER MARSHALL” “BADGE OF HONOR” Sun. Double Feature —Joan Blondell “SMARTY” Janet Gaynor “Paddy the Next Best Thing” . . Noble at Mass. ( A Double Feature lY\UV.\.r\ Jean Mu j r “AS THE EARTH TURNS” “THE LAST TRAIL” Sun. Double Feature —Janet Gaynor “CAROLINA” ' Cbas. Buggies “FRIENDS OF MR. SWEENEY” ~ Illinois at 30th GARRICK 30tb & Northwestern RC V Double Feature L /\ Myrua I.oy “STAMBOUL QUEST” “THE MAN TRAILER” Sun. Double Feature—James Cagney “HERE COMES THE NAVY” Stuart Erwin “BACHELOR BAIT” ZARING Geo - ArUB “THE LAST GENTLEMAN” Sun. Norma Shearer-Fredric March “Barretts of Wimpole Street” • St. Clair at Ft. Wayne CT AID Double Feature J I . V- L/\ Ilx Janet Gaynor “SERVANTS’ ENTRANCE” “HIDEOUT” Sun. Double Feature—Dirk Powell „ “DAMES” Lee T raey “LEMON DROP KID” EAST SIDE #M<s|h a h a 1352 K. Wash. St* STRAND —4 BIG TREATS—YOU’LL SEE A SWELL SHOW — l— YOUNG—MADGE EVANS NAT PENDELTON—TED HF.ALY “DEATH ON THE DIAMOND” GEO. O’BRIEN IN* 7ANE GREY’S “THE DUDE RANGER” —3 ■■ ■ MASTERS OF MELODIOUS MUSIC THE 4 MILLS BROTHERS IN “WHEN YUBA PLAYS THE RHUMBA ON THE TUBA DOWN IN CUBA.” i - STAN LAUREL—OLIVER HARDY “THEM THAR HILLS” Sun. Claudette Colbert-Warren William ‘CLEOPATRA” __ " . . . _ , , Dearborn at 10th RI VO LI rTrKS “Mrs. Wiggs of the Cabbage Patch” Sun Double Feature—Geo. Arlis* “THE LAST GENTLEMAN” Grave Moore “ONE NIGHT OF LOVE” ■ ilk 5507 F. Wash. St. PV NU Double Feature lIX VII Shirley Temple “BABY TAKE A BOW” “READY FOR LOVE” Sun. Double Feature—Miriam Hopkins “RICHEST GIRL IN THE WORLD” Ronald Folman “Bulldog Drummond Strikes Back” TACOMA trsassr “THE CAT’S PAW” “GIRL IN DANGER”
DEC. 1, 1934
Revel, Paramount tunesmiths, have invented the word “Zillion” in “Take a Number From One to Ten” which they wrote for “College Rhythm.” EAST SIDE TUXEDO “SERVANTS’ ENTRANCE” “CHARLIE CHAN IN LONDON” „ . 253d F. Tenth St. DAWK FP Double Feature I <ha* Buggies “FRIENDS OF MR. SWEENEY” “MANHATTAN LOVE SONG” ~T 7,2721 K. Wash. St. Y Y Double Feature V~/ A I Rob Steele “NEVADA BUCCAROO” “PALOOKA” Sun. Double Feature —W in. Powell “THE THIN MAN” Virginia Bruce “JANE EYRE”_ ■ > | 1500 Roosevelt Hollywood “VIVA VILLA” •“LUCKY TEXAN” ~ 4630 K. Tenth St. EMERSON seKKS: “NOW AND FOREVER” “HIDE OUT” \e\v Jer. at K. Wash. Paramount SOUTH SIDE ’ FOUNTAIN SQUARE Double Feature Victor Jory “PURSUED” “RAINBOW OVER BROADWAY” 7 .__ _ _ Prospect * Shelby SANDERS - ' " Shelby St. GARFIELD stX'SSSS’ “DAMES” “GIRL IN DANGER” Prospect-Churchman AVALON SSX* “THE KEY MAN” “When a Man Rides Alone” Sun. Double Feature—lames Cagney “HE WAS HER MAN” “THE RECKONING” _ . . , 1105 S. Meridian OD FKJT Al Doubly Feature WIVILI N I rAI- Walter Connelly “WHOM THE GODS DESTROY” “CRIME WITHOUT PASSION” Sun. Double Feature —Janet Gaynor “SERVANTS’ ENTRANCE” Warner Oland “CHARLIE CHAN IN LONDON” “ | 1429 So. Meridian Roosevelt “WITCHING HOUR” “WHIRLWIND RIDER” Sun. Double Feature—Joe Brown “CIRCUS CLOWN” Ronald Col man “Bulldog Drumond Strikes Back” WEST SIDE W. Wash, at Belmont BELMONT ■SES.’SEr “CHARLIE CHAN IN LONDON” “LOVE TIME” Sun. Double Feature—Warren William “DRAGON MURDER CASE” George Arliss “THE LAST GENTLEMAN” iTe w 2340 W. Mich, ft 7 ASSY Double Feature / ' 1 1 Chas. Buggies “FRIENDS OF MR. SWEENEY” “THE PRESCOTT KID” Sun. Double Feature—Joe F. Brown “SIX DAY BIKE RIDER” Geo. Arliss “THE LAST GENTLEMAN” _ _ . _ _ 2702 W. 10th fltT* v T A j f Double Feature | sJ I r~K 1 L. Kay Franck “BRITISH AGENT” “RANGE RIDERS” San. Double Fealnre—Chester Morris “LET’S TALK IT OVER” “DANCING MAN” j
