Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 238, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 December 1935 — Page 28

PAGE 28

LOY, TRACY SERVE UP TASTY PRE-HOLIDAY FILM AT LOEW'S

You'll Hardly Know Myrna, for She's Husky-Speaking, Perfect Foil for Spencer Delightful Disney Colortoon Is Sandwiched in Between ‘Whispsaw’ and ‘Perfect Gentleman,’ Faulty Movie Which Stars Amiable Frank Morgan. BY .lOIIN \V. THOMPSON Take a soft-boiled Rfm thief <that's Myrna Loy), mix her with a hard-boiled G-man 'Spencer Tracy), ada four very expensive pearls, stir thoroughly and drop in a handful of tough gangsters; you will hav- one ot the tastiest pre-Christmas movie puddings you ever sank a

tooth into Over at Loew’s they call it "Whipsaw. ' We will admit that we were dubious when we heard about the Tracy-Loy combination. It ju>t seemed too much for the lovely Myrna to do; to bend to the will of that meanie Spencer Tracy, especially after playing with that "Thin Man." William Powell. But you would hardly know Mryna this week She’s got anew hat. And besides she's quite the catchiest pearl thief we've ever seen. She's just as smart as the cops, can play nurse at unexpected moments, and falls in love with the right man at precisely the right time. She Uses Her Head Now, all kidding aside, we do wish to doff our toppers to Miss Loy for sizing Mr. Tracy up and playing with him at his own game instead of remaining the fragile heroine she might have been. In "Whipsaw" she growls, mumbles, smirks, smiles and makes love just as Mr. Tracy might have ordered had he been doing the ordering. Miss Loy displays again iwe haven’t heard it for a long time) that delightful huskiness which her voice can only produce when she isn't playing a sophisticate. The trouble in "Whipsaw" all starts when some pearls disappear from the owner at the Customs house in New York. Police suspect Miss Loy's accomplices and they are right. But what they don't know is that Miss Loy didn’t have anything to do with the robbery, also that her pals planted the jewels in the handle of Miss Loy’s hand mirror which she takes with her when she skips town. The reason for skipping town is all planned out by the United States Cavalry, we mean the G-men, of which Mr. Tracy is an obtrusive member. He is assigned to Miss Loy, which is probably the highest honor that could be paid a Gman. She Goes With Tracy In a brawl at a bar Mr, Tracy gives Miss Loy a handful of cash to hold for him, shouting his address so every one can hear. Later when she telephones him to come and get the money, he makes a "getaway” taking the girl with him. They take a cross-country plane. The two are followed by rivals of Miss Loy's gang. That keeps her close to Mr. Tracy for protection. That’s what Mr. Tracy wants. And as the trip goes on he realizes that that’s what he would want even if he weren't a G-man. The romance suddenly blossoms at a secluded farmhouse in Missouri, where Mr. Tracy and Miss Loy have put up for the night after helping the lady of the house have twins during a storm. Just as the two clinch in peaceful realization of their love, the hand mirror drops to the floor, breaks, spills pearls ail over the floor. Then Tracy thinks he has been ensnared by a woman's wiles and he handcuffs Miss Loy to his wrist.

Pearls to Swine When the rival gang bursts into the farmhouse, Mr. Tracy tosses the pearls to the farmer’s swine, telis the gangsters he and Miss Loy are married, which is a lie. After a swift, pitched battle, Gman Tracy gets not only his man but also three others and one of them wings him. In the hospital he clears Miss Loy, and she says yes. The success of “Whipsaw” is due wholly to Mr. Tracy and Miss Loy. You can forget about the rest cf the cast. You probably will. But this role is just one more gem for Myrna whose crown contains no alloy. Another Disney Riot Like a breath of morning air is Walt Disney’s colortoon, "The Three Orphan Kittens,” which Loews is sandwiching in between Myrna Loy and Frank Morgan this week. In it the three little felines upset an entire household, climb onto a player piano, perform acrobatics while the instruments bangs out 'Kitten On The Keys.’ It's a distinct riot, a marvel of the mechanical ingenuity of the Disney daubers. a a a Frank Morgan's first solo starring picture, "The Perfect Gentleman,” is not as successful as it might have been. It isn’t Frank's fault. Nor Cicely Courtneidge's, the girl who plays opposite him. It's faulty production, direction and continuity that gets "The Perfect Gentleman's” shirt dirty. Mr. Morgan is superb as the shabby old gentleman to whom perfection of attire comes first, but whose heart of gold is finally polished up as he wins fair lady and riches for life. Used no Makeup Katharine Hepburn is the only feminine star ever to face the cameras without a trace of makeup. She did it for sequences of "Sylvia Scarlett." which show her masquerading as a boy. Foster Plans Vacation Marking the first vacation he has had in over a year. Preston Foster will leave for the East after the completion of "The Green Shadow.” \\ < s p M. Ml \UP Seat* 'vPywjßjjp' Now Selling HATH AKIM. CORNELL in William KhjiUe 4 |M‘are*i ROMEO AND JULIET Ftoreure RI.ED Maurice f:\ ANS B. Kl( lIAIIDWN t hus. W ALDRON

Youth Produces Musical Comedy “Follow Fleet’ Company Age Is Less Than 30. Tim i * S/n l int HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 13.—Youth holds the deck in "Follow the Fleet,” new musical romance which co-stars Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers. The average age of production, directoral and whiting staffs and cast is less than 30 years. Irving Berlin, composer of the complete musical score and a creator of song hits since 1911, is in early middle life and raises the average. Pandro S. Berman, producer of other Astaire-Rogers hits, is just 30 and ranks as the youngest producer of consistent successes. Mark Sandrich, although a veteran, is 34. His past hits include "Top Hat" and "The Gay Divorcee.” Dwight Taylor and Allan Scott, the screen play authors, are 31 and 28 respectively. Tne cast, including Mr. Astaire, Miss Rogers, Harriet Hillard, Randolph Scott and an array of youthful supporting players, lowers the average.

Church Players to Give Mystery Show Feeling that Friday the 13th is an ideal date for a mystery performance, the Olive Branch Church players are to play a ‘‘return engagement” of “The Scarecrow Creeps” at 8 tonight. Frances Gerdts and Dalton Wade in the blackface roles of Mammy and Trailing Arbutus are to furnish comedy relief, with the help of Margaret Kleis as Maudie Hobbs, the maid with the piercing scream. The play is directed by Robert Earl Teague Jr. The cast includes Kenneth Jarvis, Robert Kleis, Lena McQueen, Mary Jane Wade, Loretta Herndon, Mildred Crim, Thomas Nicholas and Mr. Teague. Roosevelt's Chicago Speech in Newsreel President Roosevelt, answering critics of his Administration’s agricultural policies before a big meeting of the American Farm Bureau Federation in Chicago, is to be seen and heard in the Current issue of The Indianapolis Times-Universal Newsreel. The chief executive attacks the “rule of tooth and claw” which he asserts ruined the farmer and hits at persons who play off the city against the farmer for their own personal advantage. Introduces New Navy Orders Fred Astaire introduces a newmilitary language in "Follow' the Fleet” by putting a detail of 24 dancing sailors through a snappy routine to commands tapped out by his feet. Partners Have Been Famous Clifton Webb has had more famous dancing partners than any other Broadway star.

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A Christmas Present to Please Everybody

Hollywood Speeds Up Production of Films Despite Yule Nearness One Studio Starts Five Pictures During Five-Week Period; Quin’s Movie Tops List. Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 13.—The mills of the gods grind slowly in parables, but in Hollywood the cameras are grinding away on accelerated tempo.

Event the approaching holiday period has not caused a lull in the current filming activities, for on one movie lot 11 pictures were scheduled to start during a five weeks’ period. The “five star” play featuring the Dionne quintuplets, “The Country Doctor,” is included in the list. Filming has started at Callender, Ont., with Jean Hersholt playing the doctor's role. “Under Two Flags,” with Ronald Colman, and “White Fang,” starring Buck, a dog actor, are to be produced. Irvin S. Cobb is to star in "Everybody’s Old Man,” while roles in "Black Gang” are to be taken by Paul Kelly, Slim Summerville, Mona Barrie and Arline Judge. Work on "Every Saturday Night” and “The Country Beyond” is to begin before the end of the year. Shortly after the start of the year, Shirley Temple is to step into her stellar role in "Poor Little Rich Girl,” Jane Withers is to begin "Public Nuisance No. 1,” and War-

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

ner Oland is to start w’ork on “Charlie Chan in the Circus.” “Lightning Strikes Twice,” starring Loretta Young, is to round out the production spurt. Chose Own Birthday Lily Pons, born on a midnight between April 12 and 13, wasn’t given a birthday until she was old enough to choose her own. Thirteen w r as her choice —and it’s been her lucky number ever since. “I Dream Too Much,” her debut screen musican, w'as begun on the thirteenth.

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How would you like to wake up Christmas morning and find Shirley Temple in your stocking? Well, we can't promise you that, but we can tell you that Shirley’s newest picture “The Littlest Rebel” will open then at the Apollo.

Piano Pupils to Give Recital This Evening Mrs. Florence Keepers Lewis, instructor in piano at the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music, is to present 15 pupils in recital tonight in Gdeon Hall. Four students of Miss Bernice Van Sickle, teacher of dramatic art, are to assist. Piano numbers are to be played by Billy Wettle, Mary Jo McGuire, Julia Esther Evans, Ann Kahn, Josephine Schlenck, Katherine Armstrong, Clarence Griener, Clare Shannon, Jane Shannon, Mary Schlenck, Florence Evans, Alma McNeely, Jean Ann Jones, Wilma Jean Todd and Ellen Caplin. Dramatic pupils will be Helen Gaddy, Billie Watters, Bobby LaPorte and Margaret Webber.

Love Can Be Sad, Theme in 'Old Maid' Miss Menken, Judith Anaerson Give Fine Portrayals in Tragic Roles. For years plays have been written about the miraculously happy things .ove can accomplish. But it remained for Edith Wharton and Zoe Akins to show what horrible things love can and did do to an “Old Maid.’’ The play, presented last night at English’s is like a cameo, carved by an artist more passionate than skillful. It is set against a background of idealistic living and a warped conception of morality. Its figures are hard and cold. All are metallic, stiffening as they cool in the Mid-Victorian atmosphere. Tragic Story Is Unfolded Delia Lovell loves Clem. So does her cousin, Charlotte. When Deiia marries Jim Ralston for spite because Clem didn't come bade in his allotted two years. Clem in a moment of passion has an affair with Charlotte, whom he doesn't love, and a child is born. Tina by name. To shield her child from disgrace, Charlotte leaves her on the steps of a Negro's hut. Later, under pretense of operating a nursery for the children of women who work, she cares for her own. When she falls in love with Joe Ralston, Jim’s brother, Charlotte is faced with giving up her daughter or her marriage to Joe. She goes to her cousin for advice. Forced to Give Up Lover She bares the secret of her child, tells Delia Tina was Clem's. All the old fire of her love for Clem flares in Delia's heart and she forces Charlotte to give up Joe, bring Tina to live with her. Because of her jealousy of Charlotte, Delia adopts Tina, makes Charlotte act r.s an old maid aunt toward her own daughter. Although there are momentary tangents to which the plot flies, it ends much as it began, with Charlotte bearing her cross as an old maid to her own daughter, Delia bearing hers as the adopted mother to the daughter she would have given life itself to own, but whom she is constantly reminded is the loveless child of her cousin. Play Transcends Reality The note on which "The Old Maid” ends prophesies that Tina probably will grow into the same type as her mother, completing again and again the vicious cycle started by the immorality of an illegal marriage. The play does not place haloes about the heads of illegitimate mothers and daughters. It, if anything, shows the folly and sin of unsocial relations too strongly. It is a great play in that it transcends reality to the point of depicting a mother love so strong as to be able to sacrifice ownership,

2 HAPPY HITS AT MUSW'S M' Welcome Myrna Backf^x /myrna loy\ I' h'WHIP/AW. 1 ohio r*m 15c-All Seats-15c p 2De Lux^ Shows .Jr }-r ClINniV Bine Crosby, “Two for Tonight" JUnUni j oe jr Brown, ‘Elmer the Great' TONIGHT ■■ I null Llfl LADIES' NIGHT g'J I (Service Charge 15c, Inc. W, ’W Hnl Check i LJ Gentlemen, 25c Before 9:00 fl Danny Daniels ‘ZS? H ■ TZij'l W- J 1 V

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WHERE, WHAT, WHEN APOI.LO "In Old Kentucky,” last of the Will Regers pictures, at 11.34. 1 34. 3 34. 5.35. 7:3a and 9 34. CIRCLE "Little America " the picture ot Admiral Richard E B.rd's Antarctic Expedition, at 11:30. i 55. 4 15. 6 50 and 9.20. Feature attraction, 'Millions in the Air" ;:h Willie Howard and Eleanor Whi’ney. at 12 25. 2 50 5:15. 7:45 and 10:10. ENGLISH’S "The Old Maid." Pulitzer Prize play, with Helen Menken and Judith INDIANA • Mister Hobo with George Arlias at 11 30, 1 35. 340. 5 45 7 50. 10. LOEWS "The Perfect Gentleman.' with Frank Morgan, a; 12 37. 3 30 6 23 9IS "Whipsaw with Myrna Loy and Spencer Tracy, at 11. 1.53. 4 46 7:39 and 10:32. LYRIC "Frisco Kid." with James Cagney. Margaret Lindsat at 11:23, 2 10. 5 08, 7:55 and 10 2 On stage, yaudeville. at 1. 3:47. 6 45 9 32.

guidance, love of her child and yet associate daily with her, take rebukes, insults from her. Miss Menken Is Excellent Miss Menken, as the suffering Charlotte, was superbly dramatic. She suffers as few could suffer on the stage. Her moments of comedy were pointed, not overdrawn. Miss Anderson also was splendid as the unconquerable, scheming Delia. Margaret Dale as the worldly Mrs. Mingott, was a refreshing comic relief. She caried the role of bored sophistication well, emphasizing thereby, the strict morality of others in the play. Os the men. Robert Lowes, the Indianapo’is youth who played here with Lenore ulric last year, was outstanding. He plays tlie part of Joe Ralston who loves Charlotte, but who is forced bv the crafty Delia to forego marriage. Also important are George Nash as Dr. Lanskell. and Yvonne Mann as the little Tina. Carries Serious Message Guthrie McClintic’s staging is excellent. Stewart Chaney's sets and costumes among the loveliest of the season. “The Old Maid.” is a strictly serious play. In a series of tableaux it sets forth in strong language that it is wrong to have a child without being married. It is not shocking today. That’s because it is glossed over with parlor talk decades old. In modern costume it might be ribald’.y funny, a popular drawing room comedy. But as it is, and for what it was meant, “The Old Maid" has something to say and says it as no play has ever said it before. The play is at English's tonight and tomorrow night. (By J. W. TANARUS.) Hecht, MacArthur Work on Mystery With their work on “Soak the Rich." nearing completion, Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur are anticipating production of a mystery drama which will be released under the caption “Murder at 21.” At present, Mr. MacArthur is in Hollywood seeking players for the new film, but will join Mr. Hecht in New Y'ork to finish the mystery script.

SiNIiUSH iONISHT. SAT. EVE. AT 8:20 „ s ,7,V r EE 7:2O ANDERSON MENKEN ' THE OLD MAID"

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•V fcST SIDE ST AT r 2 ‘°- w loth St. 1 X £j Double Feature I Hm. Powell “THE THIN MAN” “HOT TIP” BELMONT Chas. Farrell “FIGHTING YOUTH” “THE THROWBACK” DA f n \7 2510 IV. Mich. St. 1 O 1 Double Feature ■lames Dunn "WELCOME HOME” “KID COURAGEOUS” NORTH SIDE Rf rjs rw Illinois at 31th Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers “TOP HAT” T IDTAU/M 4 -nd & College Ur 1U VV IN .p/> üble Li at v re W hecler-W oolsev “NTT WITS” MENACE” GARRICK ' lorn Brown “ANNAPOLIS FAIRWELL” “MAD I.OVE om l * ita St. Clair & Ft. Wayne M. LIAIR Double Feature Edmund Lowe “THUNDER IN THE NIGHT" "GIGOLETTE” REX 30th at Northwestern | “WOMAN WANTED" rax * f ta/’V'T'T' Talbot ,Sc 22nd TALBOTT “AFTER THE DANCE” “TOGFTHER WE LIVE” ■ ry. . r | 10th & College Stratford Double Feature ouuuutu p a t OBrien “IN CALIENTE” “SANDERS OF THE RIVER” Mp rs /"I a N'oble & Mass, r. ( , ( . \ Double Feature U l A Um. Powell “STAR OF MIDNIGHT" | “MAP LOAF.” DREAM ‘srsr“ANNA KARENINA' EAST SIDE Ri \T f\ * * Dearborn at 10th I V (111 Double Feature y vx iv a Paul Muni "DR. SOCRATES” “THE GIRL FRIEND” TITVTIAA 4020 E - - New York lUaLDO Double Feature Chester Morris • PURSUIT” “THE GAY DECEPTION”

DEC. 13, 1935

City Woman Is to Leave Hibernation Florence Webber. Former Star, to Appear on Local Radio Program. When Miss Florence Webber steps before the WFBM microphone Sunday at 12:15 and sings "The Dream Song" from "Naughty Marietta." in the first of series of Wm. H. Block Cos., programs featuring her. it will be the first time this lady of the theater has come out of her Kess-ler-blvd hibernation in five years. Asa child Miss Webber studied voice under Edward Nell. Sr., in Indianapolis. Before completing her senior year at the Girls’ Classical School she went to New York for a try at stardom behind the footlights. Her first "break" came when Cecil B. DeMillr's wife happened to hear Miss Webber sing. She told her husband, he signed a contract with Miss Webber and she appeared in "The Climax.” Before that run was over she was signed to play in a road company of “Naughty Marietta." while the original Marietta. Emma Tretini, was playing the role in New York. For two years she toured in the show. In Herbert Show Upon her return to New York, Miss Webber played in "Flora Belle” and later in "Lady of Luxury," which Victor Herbert directed. Miss Webber said that the composer spent much time with her, told her not to strain her soprano voice. She didn't obey him and soon had to sing contralto. From musicals. Miss Webber never strayed far, played two seasons in “Poor Little Rich Girl,” with the stuttering Roy Atwill and Lulu McConnell. Then followed the comedy, “Lollypop," under direction of Henry W. Savage. She played, in later years, with Jeannette MacDonald and the musical comedy star, Mitzi Hajos. Miss Webber said today that she expected to experience the same “queer feeling,” the same knocking together of the knees, that accompanies a “first night” performance, when she goes before the "mike” Sunday. The program, to last 15 minutes, will be given each Sunday, New Actress Brings Tradition to Pictures Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 13.—An historic family tradition comes to Hollywood from England with Virginia Field. The young actress boasts a blood lineage that coursed its way through the pages of American history books. Miss Field is a decendant of Oliver Cromwell on the paternal side, while her maternal line traces back to Gen. Robert E. Lee.

EAST SIDE TACOMA Joel McCrea “WOMAN WANTED" “BAD BOY” 1 TANARUS) XT ¥ \7 /"i 5507 E. Wash. St. IRV 1 N G Bette Davit "SPECIAL AGENT” EMERSON Maureen O Sullivan “THE BISHOP MISBEHAVES” “POWDER SMOKE RANGE” HAMILTON SKJygjST “THUNDER MOUNTAIN” “RAIN MAKERS” PA IY \ T P n 2936 C. 10th st A K KE R Double Feature Geo. Raft “EVERY NIGHT AT EIGHT” "LITTLE BIG SHOT” STRAND 13 Dou F bie'^, h ur. St u x la a y ax Fredric March “DARK ANGEL” “POWDER SMOKE RANGE” Rr\ \ r M 2 ' ?l F Wa-h st, U A I Double *> Richard Dix “THE ARIZONIAN" “FRONT PAGE WOMAN” Paramount ."Sk* “REDHEADS ON PARADE” SOUTH SIDE FOUNTAIN SQUARE Double Feature Edmund Lowe ' KING SOLOMON OF BROADWAY” “HOP ALONG CASSIDY” O 4 v'Dl'll o At Fountain Square SANDLRS Ear “BABY FACE HARRINGTON” “BORDER BRIGANDS” AI/ t I ( 1 \! Prospect-Churchman t L, In Alice Brady “LADY TUBBS” ORIENTAL “ATLANTIC ADVENTURE” “WOMAN WANTED” GARFIELD “MAD LOVE” “SUPER SPEED”