Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 226, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 November 1935 — Page 20
PAGE 20
'A NIGHT AT THE OPERA' WRITES A NEW HIGH IN FILM COMEDY
It Should Pack 'Em In, Intimates the Reviewer, Still Giggling to Himself Groucho, Chico and Harpo Put It Over With a Smash at Loew’s This Week: If You Like Laughs (Who Doesn't?), Don’t Miss It. F$Y JOHN W. THOMPSON The latest Marx brothers picture is a major opera-tion. It rips grand opera down the middle and makes it over into anew: form of comic travesty which will have you weeping—tears of painful mirth. If it makes any difference (ar.d it doesn’t) there is a plot to “A Night at the Opera.” It all starts with Otis B. Driftwood (that’s
Grouchoi trying to maneuver one Mrs. Claypool into high society by getting her to donate a check to the New York Opera Cos. He introduces her to Herman Gottlieb, the opera manager. In the opera company is a young singer, Ricardo (Allan Jones), who is in love with the prima donna, Rosa (Kitty Carlisle). But she has to go to America to make her debut With the villain of the piece, Lassparii, and the sweetheart is almost left on the shore. But Chico turns up, engages himself at Ricardo's manager, stuffs himself, Harpo, and Ricardo into Groucho's trunk and stowaway on the boat bound for America. Woe, That Poor Opera! On the opening night, because of the boys’ jokes on Gottlieb, Rosa is fired and the brothers Marx move to avenge the wrong. What they don’t do to II Trovatore didn’t occur to Morris R.y.skind and George S. Kaufman, who wrote the screen play. It all ends with the kidnaping of Lasspam, which leads to Rosa and Ricardo singing the leading roles in the last act of the opera. High spots: Harpo fiendishly cutting off the long beards of three sleecping Greek aviators, glueing them on his own and the faces of his two pals to aid them in escaping from the boat’s officers. . . Groucho generously welcoming mopping girls, manicurists, plumbers, waiters, a girl who wants to use the telephone, Mrs. Claypool, Chico, Harpo and Ricardo into his stateroom, which is not much larger than the ordinary clothes closet. . . Harpo substituting “Take Me Out to the Ball Game" for the second page of the orchestra members’ ”11 Trovatore” scores so that the musicians swing right into the old song. .. . Harpo and Chico playing catch across the orchestra pit and Groucho ending it all by walking down through the aisles selling popcorn and peanuts to the tune. It’s Really an Art That there is nothing but slipshod slapstick to the Marx Brothers’ work is an untruth. Theirs is an art. An art which has been perfected only by them. The one thing that makes their pictures so popular is the fact that they have no competition. If they are re-
Uhiia I Jhl NOW! eG N ° fiction in \ stranger than the > amazing true-life i ; I-• story of this back- \ • l ; ; woods who hI 7v ; t § I. cam® America’s most famous "oman arbara Hn STAN WYCK Preston Foster
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tired from public fancy (which we hope they never are), it will not be because someone else is getter than they. There is perhaps as much credit due the producers, directors and authors of “A Night at the Opera” as the comedians themselves. It’s not an easy thing to produce a picture in the mood and tempo of “A Night at the Opera.” The things we want to call your specific attention to in the picture are the singing of Mr. Jones, a newcomer w-hose voice has not been heard enough on the screen, and the harping by Harpo. Get on Your Marx— There is, as far as we are concerned, no feeling akin to the one that runs down our spine when, in the midst of outlandish revelry, this red-wigged imp sits down and plays the harp as beautifully as we have ever heard it played. There is, of course, the nimblefingered piano playing by Chico. This time he plays “All I Do the Whole Day Through Is Dream of You.” Other song hits from the show include “Alone,” and “CosiCosa.” “A Night at the Opera” is graced by the beauty and voice of Kitty Carlisle. With its Chic-o costumes and scenery, we can’t Harp-o enough on the fact that any one who doesn’t like it is an old Grouch-o. Meeting of OrganGroup Is Postponed Monthly meeting of Vox Humana, organ students’ club at Irvington School of Music, scheduled for Dec. 4, has been changed to Dec. 11, when the meeting is to be in the form of a Christmas party. On Dec. 4, a benefit bridge party for the Indianapolis Light Opera Company is to be given at the school. Star Is Tennis Enthusiast Carole Lombard is filmdom’s greatest tennis enthusiast. She plays every day, sometimes arising at 6 o'clock in the morning when she is working in a picture, to get in her two sets a day.
The French revue, “Folies Bergere,” is to make its initial appearance in Indianapolis next Friday at the Indiana. Emil Boreo and Gloria Gilbert are featured performers.
i —Big I)e Lux* Shows—2 Come Early...lt’s Worth It! U EO. O’BRIENV, Ihkcmsiy it T W.C. Fit IDS.,' [xl^ On the Way SUNDAY—Look! “42nd STREET” Dick Powell-Ruby Keeler
City Girl to Make Grand Opera Debut at English's, Appearing With San Carlo in 'Madame Butterfly'
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Several Pleasing Voices Disclosed at Beth-El Pinafore' Production Costumes, Lighting, Stage Sets Above Average Shown by Amateur Productions. Quite pretentious and with true Gilbertian trimmings was the performance of “H. M. S. Pinafore” by the Sisterhood and Men’s Club of Beth-El Temple, at the Murat last night.
Anew and ambitious undertaking for the organization, the show disclosed several pleasing solo voices. Best singing was done by Mrs. Leon Levi as Josephine, Alfred Holliday in the role of Capt. Corcoran and John White as the admiral. Chief acting honors went to Roland Rapier, who made an excellent and villainous Dick Deadeye, and to Mrs. Joseph Celender, whose portrayal of Little Buttercup was firstrate. The rest of the principals gave adequate performances. The speed and interest of the opera sagged noticeably between the musical numbers. Costumes, lighting and the set of the good ship Pinafore were above the average for an amateur production, as was the direction of Harold Winslow, whose clear and intelligent conducting contributed much to the success of the performance. (By J. TANARUS.) Overcomes Accent When Bette Davis entered motion pictures she had to practice assiduously to overcome a Boston accent which was quite genuine but which listeners too often assumed was cultivated.
f MGHf BB ® Bl P9i ■1 Service charge 15c incl. Vbn MaLl checking PI WAYNE KINO ■T’l ■Xfl and His Orchestra BPan IJB Coming Sat., Dec. 7th Tickets Now on Sale
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
WHERE, WHAT, WHEN APOLLO “In Old Kentucky,” the last of (he Will Rogers pictures, at 11:34, 1:34, 3:34, 5:34. 7:35 and 9:34. , CIRCLE “Annie Oakley.” starring Barbara Starwyck with Preston Foster and Moroni Olsen, at 11:50. 1:55. 3:55, 5:55. 8 and 10. ENGLISH’S “Aida.” grand opera bv the San Carlo Company tonight, at 8. INDIANA “In Person," Ginger Rogers’ first starring solo, with George Brent, at 11:25, 1:30, 3:55. 5:45, 7:50 and 10. LOEW’S “A Night at the Opera.” a film of high divas with the Marx brothers: their annual frolic at 11:30, 1:40 3:40. 5:45, 7:50 and 10. LYRIC “Stars Over Broadway.” with James Melton, Jane Froman, Frank McHugh and Jean Muir, at 11:18. 2:02, 4:57, 7:41, and 10:25. Also a six-act vaudeville show on stage at 1:02, 3:48, 6:41 and 9:25. OHIO “Mississippi” v :;h Bing Crosby and Joan Bennett at 10:30. 1:15, 4. 6:45 and 9:23. Also “Hard Rock Hawigar”, at 12:08, 2:53. 5:38. 8:23 ancl 10:36.
HlS A l jf£ r y&em? GREATEST t WWW 9 PICTURE/ k^*£ Woi&ffi* Like Him Best INOID . KENTUCKY §fe& DOROTHY WILSON RUSSELL HARDIE ROBINSON irercci
ENGLISH *S DEC. 2-3 H>\ J 0 vHth that Marvelous Ml \JBm Score of Franz Schn- ■ JBf Serf* Immortal Melodies Greatest Singing and flaying Ensemble in America i wW Prices—s.sc, sl.lO, 51.65, $2.20 r Incl. Tax. Scats Now.
MARTENS CONCERT, Inc. ENGLISH THEATRE Fortune Gallo Presents 130—Ballet and Symphony Orchestra Tonight—“Aida”—B P. M. Prompt Tomorrow Aft—“ Madame Butterfly” —2:20 P. M. Tomorrow Night—‘'Lohengrin” —8 P. M. Prompt < Good Seats Now on Sale ENGLISH Theatre Box Office
tCYWYM AN UATKILIA PAiGHi 8008 BLAKE anil New Company 40—Real Burlesk Stars—4#
TT7ITHOUT singing a note, an * * Indianapolis girl is to mase her grand opera debut tomorrow afternoon in the San Carlo Co.’s presentation of “Madame Butterfly,’’ at English's. She won't sing, but one encounters few- prima donnas who do sing at the age of 2 l i. Joan Carol Toles, shown at the left, won’t be three until next month. Miss Toles has been chosen to play the role of Trouble, the offspring of Lieut. Pinkerton and the Japanese girl, Cho Cho San, in the opera. She is to be seen and not heard during a large portion of the second act. Interviewed yesterday concerning her first theatrical appearance. Miss Toles said she ,vas thrilled, that she was actually going on the stage when she “grows up.” a a a C*HE now is taking dancing lessons, can give a convincing imitation of Mae West and her renowned question. Joan Carol is good material for the show world. Lacking Shirley Temple's curls, she has striking blond locks, bobbed straight, and big. blue eyes (show girl type). She was chosen for the role by Mrs. Nancy Martens, who noticed her when she came with her cousin to buy tickets for the concert of Nino Martini last Sunday. Asked yesterday if she thought she might be a soprano when the time comes, Miss Toles was thoughtful for a moment, then said: “Maybe I will.” nan A NYWAY, whether it’s a Japanese opera or a French burlesque, Joan Carol is going to wear her gold bracelet on the stage tomorrow. That’s settled. Joan Carol is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ross Toles, 5401 Winthrop-av. The San Carlo company is to open its Indianapolis engagement tonight with “Aida.” Tomorrow night, the series of operas is to close with the “Lohengrin” production. Miss Toles will appear only at the matinee. M. G. M. Reports $7,579,743 Profit A net profit of $7,579,743.77 has been reported by Loew’s Inc., operators of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios, for the fiscal year ending Aug. 31. This amounts to $4.53 per share of common stock, three cents higher than in 1934. Gross income for the year was $100,611,243.26 as compared with $96,877,672.91 the year before. Warner Brothers, the pioneeringcompany which has been in the red for some time, came through with a net profit of $674,158.5<5 for the fiscal year just ended. For the year ending August, 1934, the company operated at a loss of $2,530,513.68, as against this year’s operating profit of $1,071,156.65.
(JUkcdt mote cat^ uut sou ? wf rral tL /pf|P Thousands attending yester- i§|\ *** J*** (MM. m of fc ! you will laugh, giggle, gurgle, ! x|| j chuckle and roar when you see 1 fkj|g*i . |j*A NlfiHTjr /# at the OPERA ilk. | M-Q*M*s Howling Hit with j -*I MARX BROS. it? J| I ALLAN JONES •KITTY CARLISLE \ ! gk W )||| i “Mexico city” SrP I epY 1 in Color! \<f s CrQh 1 ||~S| m Colorcartoon W /ES uacnS^ubJ §p# NOW at- aIOfJXJS 6
ONE WEEK ONLY! Beginning Wednesday Night, Dec. 4 Jack Kirkland and Sam H. Grisman Present THE MOST DISCUSSED PLAY IN THE HISTORY OF THE THEATRE TOBACCO ROAD By Jack Kirkland Based on Erskine Caldwell’s Novel With AN INCOMPARABLE BROADWAY CAST SEATS NOW SELLING Eves.: 55c, SI.IO, $1.65, s2.2o—Matinees: Sat., Dec. 7 and Wed., Dec. 11, 55c, sl.lO, $1.65, INCLUDING TAX ENGLISH THEATRE
Circle Film Is Pleasing Movie Fans ‘Annie Oakley’ Faithfully Records Life With Wild West Circus. Proving that the depths of legendary lore save not been plumbed, producers dug up the tale of Annie Oakley, put it into a highly pleasing motion picture, now at the Circle. All the activities of that famous tent town of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show have been recorded faithfully with sound on film. There is the atmosphere of the circus, the strange codes of honor among circus men, and from it comes a bangup movie about a girl who could shoot better than any one else. She was Annie Oakley and she sprang from the hills of Ohio. She shot quail for a living—shot them all through the head with an old Civil War musket. She fell in love with a billboard poster of Toby Walker “world’s champion shot.” Fate Takes a Hand Through a strange quirk of fate, Annie is one day matched against the great Walker. They are evenly matched. She lets him beat her because she loves him. but Jeff Bogarth, manager of Buffalo Bill’s show, recognizes her box office worth and signs her up for the same act for which he has billed Walker. Gradually Annie gets better at pleasing circus fans and her name tops the billing. Toby, in love with Annie, is hurt in saving the life of Chief Sitting Bull. Blinded, he shoots at a quarter in Annie’s hand, hits her arm. Forced to leave her sweetheart, Annie goes on a tour of Europe with the show. She isn’t satisfied with the attentions of Mr. Bogarth and finally returns io Toby in New York. Miss Stanwyck Does Well Barbara Stanwyck, as Annie, is better than she ever has been. There still are too many close-ups which show her, starry-eyed, struggling with her emotions. It just doesn’t take in the case of Miss Stanwycx. But she is a natural as far as the type of character is concerned. And for the most part, she carried the role with honors. One of the outstanding things about “Annie Oakley” is the precision and delicacy with which the production staff has handled all the details pertaining to the period. Watch the scenes in the hotel in Cincinnati. The chiffoniers, wash basins, candle-sticks, are correct. It is one of the best-made pictures to come out of Hollywood. Preston Foster is highly satisfactory as Toby Walker. His braggadocio gets on one’s nerves and that’s a fairly good sign that he’s on the right acting path. Melvyn Douglas, all high-collared and tailcoated, is splendid as the genial and gentle Jeff Hogarth who loves Annie and loses. You’ll Enjoy It Moroni Olsen deserves a big hand for his depiction of the famous Col. Cody, “Buffalo Bill.” And Big Chief Thundercloud almost steals the picture as “Chief Sitting Bull.” The
sin III! \ till r. r[§Hr r.,0 “H J'RTIFICIAL. HAVE TO BE USED IN LILY PONS'PiCTdf2£S Because the scent of CEAU FLOvmEIcS inteß.fe£e/> w,th he.£ Singing
scene in which the “loses” his folding bed, shoots out the gas lights, is the funniest in the picture. You’ll enjoy this wild and romping melodrama of the West, where women are not supposed to be better with “shootin’ irons” than men. That’s what makes “Annie Oakley” an okay picture and that is no bum steer. (By J. W. TANARUS.). 'Col. Wolf Arranges Hour for Amateurs A second “Col. Marc Wolf amateur is to be held tomorrow night at 11:15 at the Indianapolis Variety Club in the Claypool. All Indianapolis amateurs are eligible to try cut for a place on the program and final winners will be awarded prizes. The first “amateur hour,” held several weeks ago. was a howling success, according to the club members.
ypi^V “C -”";r \ <37 xfiMjflg&ff >n*<> ♦ I fc 1 1 I WWA of Tomorrow NORD & JEANNE I I MBMIWiD m JOE KELSO (•(). 8 Nifty Nniiscnee I PIIIII MU I 111 TWELVE 11111 II I B 11 I ■ ARISTOCRATS ■l’a *I * I I I I Original iiiui'-e Symphony
Q TO NIGHTS IH M j/!\ THEATER
WEST SIDE Sews A 'l' r' tW W. liith St. I A 1 t Double Feature George O Brien "THUNDER MOUNTAIN” “OLD MAN RHYTHM” BELMONT w n e Double Feature "ANNA KARENINA” “PAGE MISS GLORY” DA IC V 3310 w - Mich. St. A I A Y Doable Feature Claudette Colbert “she Married her boss” “SUPERSPEED” NORTH SIDE Ri Ai 7 Illinois at Sltb 11/, Double Feature * * " Claudette Colbert “SHE MARRIED HER BOSS” "LOST IN THE STRATOSPHERE” UPTOWN IJouble* Feature Richard Dix “AVEST OF THE PECOS” “RICHEST GIRL IN THE WORLD” /”i A D D ICI/ 30th and Illinois Li AKKRA Double Feature “SILK HAT KID” * * “SHE GETS HER MAN” nrp A in at. Clair Sc Ft. W'avne ST. ci, air ■> r “ , S'iu!r “ROBERTA” “MAD LOVE” n py 30th at Northwestern KfLX Double Feature *'■•-'** Boris KarloH "THE BLACK ROOM” “ATLANTIC ADVENTURE” mil TA/tmm Talbot Si 21 nd 1 ALdO 1 1 Double Feature W 1 * Ralph Bellamy “AIR HAWKS” “GIRL OF THE LTMBEBLOST” n, , c j 19th Sc College Strattord Double Feature uuunuiu Pat OBrien “OIL FOR THE LAMPS OF CHINA” "NIT WITS” Mis /s /s A Noble Sc Mass. £j Li Vj A Double Feature u 1 * A1 Jolson “GO INTO YOU R DANCE” “HOOSIER SCHOOLMASTER” DREAM TLfifir ‘CIMARRON” EAST SIDE RI wr £\ a a Dearborn at 10th I V () I, I Double Feature A f G A Claudette Colbert “SHE MARRIED HER BOSS” “LITTLE BIG SHOT” m a DAII A 11*2 E. Wash. St. I AIjOMA DouM j?* ture 111UV/1 11 * Janet Carnot "FARMER TAKES A WIFE” “STORM OYER THE ANDES”
NOV. 29, 1935
Pianist to Give Recital on Monday Richard Carpenter Will Present Selections in Concert Here. A piano recital by Richard Carpenter in the salon of the Architects Building. 333 N. Pennsylvania-st, has been announced by Perceval Owen for 8:30 Monday. Mr. Carpenter, whose home is in Muncie. has been a pupil of Mr. Owen for the last eight years. Since September, he has studied with Rudolph Ganz in Chicago. Assisting in the recital will be George Kadel. who is to sing a recitative and aria from Liza Lehmann's “In a Persian Garden.” Mr. Carpenter will play the following selections: Sonaie. Op. 31. No. 2 Beethovan Prelude and Fugue, No. 8 . Bach Variations, Op 12 Chopin Concerto. A Minor Gries (Orchestral parts on second piano by Mr. Oweni. Local Organist to Give Program Paul Mathews. Indianapolis organist, is to be the first soloist in a series of vesper recitals on the new Wabash College chapel organ. Mr. Mathews, a graduate of Wabash in 1913, is to present an hour's program. Dee. 8. at 4:15. The organ, recently dedicated, was the gift of Dr. James W. Milligan as a memorial to his family.
EAST SIDE TUXEDO .. _ Will Rogers "STEAMBOAT 'ROUND THE BEND” “ATLANTIC ADVENTURE” I R V I N C E Wt,h K ~ i rv. y i tY u Edward Arnold 1 JIM” EMERSON SWTBSr , V\ i 1 Roger* “STEAMBOAT ROUND THE BEND” “HERE COMES THE BAND” HAMILTON Double Feature Will Rogers “STEAMBOAT ’ROUND THE BEND” Kav Francis “GOOSE AND THE GANDER” Major Bowes In ; AMATEUR THEATER OF THE AIR PARKER Katherine Hepburn "ALICE ADAMS” v “BONNIE SCOTLAND" STRAND •TAI L or THE ‘wYlV?*’’" | “FARMER TAKES A WIFE” ROXY Chas. Boyer “THUNDER IN THE EAST” Paramount Charles Sterrett Virginia Cberrill “WHAT PRICE CRIME” SOUTH SIDE FOUNTAIN SQUARE - Double F'eatore. “GENTLEMEN ARE BORN” I "DESERT TRAIL” SANDERS "oESttLSR" JflllUGnj Keneth Maynard “TRAIL OF THE WILD” “ACCENT ON YOUTH” AVALON Pr "‘7,T“ ORIENTAL , VylVlA ‘ l 1 1 Salle Filers “ALIAS MARY DOW” “MISTER DYNAMITE” GARFIELD SSSjT •BONNIE SCOTLAND” “THE ARIZONIAN”