Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 248, Indianapolis, Marion County, 25 December 1935 — Page 8

PAGE 8

LILY PONS SHOWS HER VERSATILITY IN 'I DREAM TOO MUCH'

Tiny French Miss Is Find of Industry Film Debut at Circle Has Weak Plot, but Singer Does Good Work. BV JOHN W. THOMPSON Dark eyes sparkling, hair tousled, Lily Pons makes her debut to movie patrons at the Circle today in “I Dream Too Much." The tiny French miss demonstrates that she is one of the most valuable finds made by the picture industry this year. As for the picture itself, we can't say so much. It seems a bit scatterbrained, grabbing up its skirts now and then, to keep from dragging them in the puddles of sentiment, or from dropping into the muddiness of harsh unreality. Most important of all is Miss Pons’ singing, which, to us, is the best the screen has offered from any soprano. Most of Miss Pons’ best work is coloratura, but she is condescendingly versatile, a trait almost unknown among operatic sopranos, and sings several popular numbers elegantly. And She Can Act , But Miss Pons is not only excitingly refreshing from a vocai standpoint, she is one of the very, very few good singers who can act. Her acting, ’tis true, is limited in “I Dream Too Much” to comedy and semi-emoting, but it is well done. The only drawback to her complete success is the fact that her speaking voice tends to be shrill and grating at times; as if the actress were on a tension, hurriedly shouting her lines. It would be much more of a fault if the picture were more serious. “I Dream Too Much” is the tale of a young singer, depressed by constant practice, who jumps over her father’s wall into the arms of a young American composer. Together they enjoy a street carnival. He drinks too much, marries her. Next morning trouble begins. It ends when she wins him over and becomes his maid-of-all-work. When she tries to sell his music, she sells her ow’n voice, and becomes an outstanding success. The background is not suitable for her hubby, he mopes and smirks. Separated from him, Lily sells his songs as musical comedy, finally wins him back. Opens With Song When the picture opens, Miss Pons is singing ‘“Cara Nome,” from Verdi’s “Rigoletto.” It gives her the best chance in the picture to display her talents for vocal acrobatics, performed with the ease of swallowing an oyster. Although Miss Pons sings lustily the ‘'Bell Song” and “My Fury Doth O’erwhclm Me” from the opera "Lakme” as well as one could wish it done, her most personable songs are "Jockey On The Carrousel” and ‘T Dream Too Much,” both composed by Jerome Kern and Dorothy j Fields. The first of the two latter songs is presented by Miss Pons from a merry-go-round in a Paris park, as she takes a little lad for a ride. It is tunefully backed up by a chorus of males who quit their various trades when Lily starts to sing, gather around her at the park. The song is catching, Miss Pons mo v e so. Theme Song Is Lovelv Tune Our favorite is the last melt dy, ‘‘l Dream Too Much.” It is a love.;' tune, gives Miss Pons all she could ask for, and she has done it excellently. It is sung in a London theater setting, where Miss Pons has produced her husband’s music in a musical comedy. The song number is accompanied by a very interesting mannequin parade. Cf the cast, Miss Pons, of course is outstanding. She has a grand future if she can calm her speaking voice. She has a natural knack for comedy, an unusually lovely figure and an expressive face. Wait until you see her prowling, Charlie Chaplin-like, about her room in her husband's six-sizes-too-big pajamas and slippers. Eric Blore is a large addition to the picture as the sympathetic neighbor, owner of a trained seal, although what he had to do with t he plot is beyond our puerile invagination. Mr. Blore versus Seal is one I leason why you won’t sleep through "I Dream Too Much.” Henry Fonda is sufficient as the composer-husband of Miss Pon;. whose inflated ego is a constant menace to their happiness. Osgood Perkins, villain of the piece, is convincing. The cream of opera music, sung by the most entertaining of the opera stars, makes "I Dream Too Much” on the “something new and different” side as a picture. Stage Star Turns to Screen Moroni Olsen, leading stage star for many years finally has turned to the screen. He portrayed Buffalo Bill in "Annie Oakley,” and is to appear in Mother Lode.” Foster Is Busy Actor Preston Foster, who is stared in ‘We re Only Human,” has made six feature films since he signed with his present employers. He averages one picture every six weeks.

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Feminine Film Favorites to Appear at Lyric Friday

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The two little gold-diggers, Glenda Farrell and Joan Blondell Heft) have as their sail-mate in “Miss Pacific Fleet,” the droll Allen Jenkins. The picture is to open at the Lyric Friday. Charming Judith Allen, who gave up a screen career to marry Jack Doyle, the singing boxer (more sing than box), is to be seen on the Lyric stage with her husband in the stage show starting Friday.

Public s Idea of Movie Industry to Provide Plot for Film Satire Characterizations in ‘Another Face’ to Be Exaggerated to Show How World Imagines Hollywood. Time* Special HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 25.—The film colony is going to poke some good natured humor at the picture industry in a forthcoming production, which is to be a satiric exaggeration of the things that keep the wheels turning in Hollywood.

In the picture, “Another Face,” the critics and movie-going public are to provide the setting and compose the theme—the situations being a compendium of views fashioned from the imaginations of a curious world. Hence the producers will attempt to portray Hollywood not as they see it, but as the world imagines it. “Another Face” is to be a comedy melodrama. It is to base its characters on the public’s conception of what the cast is like rather than on actuality, since the people's heroes always are more romantic and exciting. Wallace Ford is to head the cast as a studio publicity director. He is to epitomize the people’s idea of a press agent—an idea based on the wild exploits of the oldtime publicity men who, according to those in the movie colony, gave Hollywood its lasting fantastic reputation with their fabulous exploits. Similarly farcical sketches are to be taken by Alan Hale as stage manager, Paul Stanton as director, Erik Rhodes as assistant director and Edward Kean as casting director. 75 Offer Talents Free in Hollywood Time* Special HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 25.—Seventyfive established actors in the film colony are willing to work for nothing if given the leading role in “JigSaw.” fifth of the “Crime Does Not Pay” series. The anti-crime series has boosted Robert Taylor, Irene Hervey, Edward Norris and Harvey Stephens into important leads in feature productions, consequently 75 applicants volunteered to work without salary in the new short which concerns a hit-and run driver who evades the law. Action Timed to Music Taking lessons in fencing, John Barrymore, Leslie Howard, Frank Lawton and Basil Rathbone time their action with music.

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Two Films Open at Ambassador O’Brien Picture Is Followed by Mac Murray Movie. The first showing of George O'Brien’s latest picture, “Whispering Smith Speaks,” is to feature the double bill opening today at the Ambassador for a four-day engagement. The story concerns the son of a railroad president, who takes a job as track walker -and falls in love. The girl shuns his advice until she is victimized by a gang of real estate swindlers. “Hands Across the Table,” which stars Fred Mac Murray and Carole Lombard, is the other feature. It concerns the gay romance of two young people who believe that marrying for money is the solution to a contented life until they fall in love with each other after a series of mirth-provoking experiences. The stars are supported by Ralph Bellamy, Marie Prevost and Ruth Donnelly. A Christmas cartoon completes the program.

Dance ft Haiold Every WIT Cork’* Sat. & Sun. I Oriliewtra HARBOR DANCE TO-NITE 30c Per Couple One Block South Municipal Airport Dance All Nile New Year's Eve Admission 75c Couple Reservations 40c I*er I‘erson

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TONIGHT! 3 Complete Ballets! Different Program Thursday! Col W. DcßasiVs Ballet Russe Murat Theater, 8:15 P. M. Decemler 25 and 26 Seats From sl.lO to $2.75 for This Glamorous Spectacle! ISS People! Orchestra! Sponsored by the Indianapolis Junior Chamber of Commerce Tickets on Sale at Indianapolis Water Cos., 113 Monument Circle. LI. *591.

1(2/ ENGLISH —3 *55" SAT.’ MatV* 55e. Via*. $1.65. **.2o. COMPANY OF 14 INCL. Clark & McCullough AND fl.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

WHERE, WHAT, WHEN APOLLO Shirley Tempel in "The Littlest Rebel,” at 12:38, 2:29, 4:20, 6:11, 8:02 and 9:53. CIRCLE "I Dream Too Much,” starring Lily Pons, at 12:45, 3, 5:15, 7:30 and 9:45. INDIANA “The Bride Comes Home,” with Claudette Colbert, Robert Young and Fred Mac Murray. at 12:05, 2:08, 4:10, 6:10, 8:15 and 10:20. LOEWS Dickens' “A Tale of Two Cities.” featuring Ronald Colman, at 11:05, 2:20, 4:50, 7:20 and 9:35. LYRIC Henry Armetta, Italian movie comedian, and "Sunkist Revue," on stage at 1:05, 3:53, 6:41 and 9:29. On the screen. "Broadway Hostess,” with Wini Shaw and Lyle Talbot, at 11:36, 2:24, 5:12. 8 and 10:29. MURAT Col. W. de Basil's Ballet Russe. In three ballets, "Le Mariage D'Aurope” lAurora’s Wedding). “Schererazade,” and "Soleil De Nuit.” at 8:15. OHIO "Page Miss Glory.” with Marion Davies, Pat O'Brien, Dick Powell, Frank McHugh, at 1. 4:03. 7:06, and 10:09. Also "Here Comes Cookie.” with George Burns and Gracie Allen, at 2:58, 6:01, 9:04.

Raymond Faces Busy Time Gene Raymond will not have a single day off during the filming of his current picture, “Don’t Bet on Love,” for he is in all but one of the scenes. Ties Provided Grant’s Living In Gary Grant's lean days as a struggling actor on the New York stage, he actually lived for several weeks by selling a collection of ties acquired in more prosperous times.

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Ballet Russe to Present New Dances Local Performances Are to Open at Murat This Evening. Three ballets new to Indianapolis audiences are to be presented tonight on the first program of the Ballet Russe at the Murat. Theater. The performances are sponsored by the Junior Chamber of Commerce. The first on the evening's program is to be "Le Mariage D'Aurope” (Aurora's Wedding). The music is by Tchaikovsky, choreography by M. Petipa, with additional dances by B. Nujinska. The ballet depicts the dances at the marriage of a sloping beauty. It has no specific story. Among the guests are the various fairies and nobles. Diana Is Second Second on tonight's program is the traditional “Scheherazade,” a one-act choreographic drama. Music is Rinvsky-Korsakov’s. The choreography is by Michel Fokine, scenery and costumes by Leon Bakst. In the Palace of Shariar, King of India and China, the king's brother, Shaf-Zeman, tells him of his suspicions concerning the unfaithfulness of his wives, especially his favorite, Zobeide. The two decide to test the wives’ fidelity. No sooner have they departed on a feigned hunting trip than the wives induce the chief eunuch to open the doors leading to the slave quarters. The Negroes appear and join the sultants. Zobeide comes forth, compels the eunuch to open another door from which steps a handsome Negro in golden costume. A scene of revelry follows. King Appears at Climax Suddenly at the climax of the gaiety, the king appears and at a sign from him the wives are massacred. Zobeide, unnoticed, creeps from the curtains, pleads for her life. Enraged, the king is hesitant. His brother points out his wife’s lover and the king orders Sobeide’s death. She, however, thwarts him' by stabbing herself with a dagger. The final ballet is to be “Soleil De Nuit” (The Midnight Sun). Rimsky-Korsakov’s music is used, with choreography by Leonide Mas-

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Backstage With Candid Cameraman

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The candid cameraman went back-stage at the Twentieth CenturyFox studio the other day and found Dixie Dunbar rehearsing her dance number for "King of Burlesque.” A lone violinist gave her the tempo.

sine. Scenery and costumes are by Michel Larionoff. The billet is based on the ceremonies surrounding the advent of the midnight sun in the land of the pagan Russians. The rites are held in honor of Yarilo, the ancient sun-god. Whole Village Celebrates The whole village takes part in the celebration which includes dances by buffoons, and by the “Innocent,” prominent figure in Russian folk lore. “The Midnight Sun” is sypibolized by a youth chosen from among the villagers. He is lifted toward the sun at the end of the ritual to propitiate the coming of the sun. Three ballets are to be given tomorrow night, the final 1935 appearance of the Ballet Russe.

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WEST SIDE O rp a rr\ T 5 2702 W. 10th St. N I A In. Double Feature U ± a A *-< Nell Hamilton “KEEPER OF THE BEES” “HERE COMES THE BAND’ BELMONT W Double fea B .^° n ‘ A Edward Arnold “REMEMBR LAST NIGHT” “SWEET SURRENDER” Da TO ttr 2310 W. Mich. St. A | N Y Double Feature lx * x Clark Gable “CALL OF THE WILD” “LADY TUBBS” NORTH SIDE Rl rn rv Illinois at 3ith 11/. Double Feature 1 1 William Powell “RENDEZVOUS” “BARNYARD BABIES” UPTOWN noub.f fSSS? A VF TT 19 Janet Gavnor “FARMER TAKES A WIFE” “POWDER SMOKE RANGE” /Tign I/917 30th and Illinoi* uAKlvlVjlx Jack Okie “BIG BROADCAST OF 1936” Special Feature Attractions nrp f in St. Clair A Ft. Wayne SI IiLAIK Double Feature iJA. VJKaiIA Robert Donat “THIRTY-NINE STEPS” “POWDER SMOKE RANGE” Ijp'Y 30th at Northwestern IVLrA Double Feature Jack Holt “STORM OVER THE ANDES” “BREWSTER’S MILLIONS” mil nrVT v r Talbot A 22nd 1 ALdO I 1 Double Feature AIIAIUV/A A Jack Benny “BROADWAY MELODY OF 1936” “FIGHTING YOUTH” n. . e j 19th A College Stratford Double Feature juatiuiu Dick PoweU “BROADWAY GONDOLIER” “GOING TO TOWN” Mp /~i Noble A- Mass. Kl.f. A Double Feature Li Jamrs Cagney “THE IRISH IN US’ “HOP-A-LONG CASSIDY” DREAM 7,2r£^r “THE DARK ANGEL” EAST SIDE Rl tr I Dearborn at 10th IVO L 1 Barbaric &'ek “RED SALUTE" “CASE OP THE LUCKY LEGS"

DEC. 25, 1935

Sickness Is Blessing to English Girl Trip for Health Results in Screen Test, Small Role. Time* Special HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 25—It was not an ill wind that made little Mary MacGregor get double pneumonia. The sickness almost cost her life, but it also got her a movie job. A few months ago Miss MacGregor was playing opposite John Gielgud in ‘Hamlet” in London. She was getting splendid notices. She worked hard—too hard. Stricken with double pneumonia she lay ill for weeks. Her doctor told her only a warmer climate could save her life—a winter in England might prove fatal. So Mary bought a ticket on a tramp steamer, arrived in Los Angeles after 30 days on the water, fully recovered. Dining one day with several English actor friends, Mary was introduced to Clarence Brown, director. Mr. Brown talked a few minutes, then asked her if she had ever had a screen test. No? Well, would she like to make one? Yes? O. K. The test proved to be a “find,” and Miss MacGregor was assigned the role of Emma. English maid to Myrna Loy in “Wife Versus Secretary,” starring Clark Gable and Jean Harlow.

EAST SIDE TUXEDO ~ 4 °Doubie u Wallace Beerv “OSHAUGHNESSYS BOY” “LITTLE BIG SHOT” TACOMA S 7 llltiv/iuil Claudette Colbert “SHE MARRIED HER BOSS” “THE PUBLIC MENACE” IRVING ~ a T A 19 VJ Ted Lrw|| “HERE COMES THE BAND” “SHE MARRIED HER BOSS” EMERSON “THE GAY DECEPTION” “TO BEAT THE BAND” HAMILTON “BIG BROADCAST” “PURSUIT" Special Feature Attraction* P 4 n r r n snss e. ioth st. A K K K K Double Feature lx 1V lv Clark Gable “CALL OF THE WILD” “SPECIAL AGENT” STRAND 4J x A9-IAI9 Joan Crawtord “I LIVE MY LIFE" “THUNDER MOUNTAIN" Ra v \7 2*21 E. Wash. St. I 1 \ Y Double Feature w /v 1 Janet Garner “FARMER TAKES A WIFE" "GOING HIBROW " ww . 411 E Wash. St. Paramount D sj{ e &*‘ r u ; e “STEAMBOAT ’ROUND THE BEND” "ROARING WEST” SOUTH SIDE _ FOUNTAIN SQUARE Double Feature Bine Crosby "TWO FOR TONIGHT” “WONDER OF THE WASTELAND” n a \Tf\pn O At Fountain Seuare SANDERS ISST “TRANSATLANTIC MERRY-GO-ROUND” “SHE GETS HER MAN” . A V A to N Pr s^- ,B Srbil Jason “LITTLE BIG SHOT" “TWO FISTED" _ ORIENTAL viiiumitD Claudette Colbert “SHE MARRIED HER BOSS” “THUNDER IN THE NIGHT” /•> a nnipi 2203 Shelbr St. LrAKt ILLD “* Feature “HiiRE COMES THE BAND’ “PUBLIC MENACE”