Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 254, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 January 1936 — Page 10

PAGE 10

MOVIES TO TURN MORE TO HISTORICAL THEMES IN 1936

New Pictures Will Be More Educational and Shorter, Predicts Writer Era of 'Beautiful But Dumb’ Damsels Going Forever, Thinks Thompson; Operatic Pictu.es on the Up-Grade, He Declares. BY JOHN W. THOMPSON Hollywood is growing up. Time was when it was a gawky, awkward, freckled-faced brat, kicking Americans in the shins, giggling at foreigners, entertaining the nation in a half-hearteJ, barely acceptable sort of way. But during the last five years, and especially in 1935, the industry has awakened to the fact that it might become something more stable, more important to the serious welfare of the nation, than just another racket, a source of quick money

for a few people. This is, of course, to the credit of the men behind the movie guns. But it was the only way in which motion pictures could become an established art, a branch, or backbone if you wish, of the drama. At present, it is supporting many ■ . itimate actors and actresses who otherwise would be on the rocks. In that way, it is a benefactor as well as a participant in the art of entertaining the world. What the Talkies Did Persons who attended the first movies, did so, not because there was anything there they particularly wanted to see, but because the fun came in actually seeing moving pictures. To cover up the fact that their pictures were mere tinsel and folderol, producers built up faked reputations for their "stars,” caused vamps, sheiks and hand-springing heroes to become the rage of American film audiences. It was much easier to hide a lack of talent in the "old days,” since the actors didn’t even have to speak English. With the advent of “talkies,” the moving picture industry received its first blow. When it finally arose from the canvas, it found itself a different person. The "beautiful but dumb” girls had to scratch the last two words off their names if they were to succeed So also the “handsome but benumbed” males, were forced to brush up on their language, and get sense into their heads as well as in their visages. It was a general clean-up period. What 1936 Holds The highest compliment that cou.d be paid the motion picture men was the fact that such established stage actors as the Barrymores, the Helen Hayeses, the Katie Hepburns and the Charles Laughtons, came into the ranks of filmdom of their own volition. What will movies be like in 1936? They will be cleaner, even more educational, shorter, better photogiaphed, more carefully directed. In the reproduction of literary classics one can not expect much shorter pictures, but for the general run of entertaining films, we expect the length to be curtailed, especially if the idea of double features continues. The pictures of 1936 will deal with debunked history to a great extent. Major studios have hired competent historians to edit stories for their oncoming pictures. The idea of stripping famous characters of the vestiges of historical sainthood probably originated with the veteran George Arlis. But nearly every important studio and producing company has taken up the chase and is out for all it can get from the veiled past. Edward Small, Reliance Pictures head, is one of the pioneers in this type of picture-making. From Hero to Mere Man! "The newsreels are showing people as they actually are,” Mr. Small said recently, “And feature pictures are going to do the same, not as a plotted scheme to deflate pressagented heroes, but because the public has come to realize that heroes are human beings. Films will reduce herxes to men, not puppets of virtue.” One studio has announced "Napoleon” as a forthcoming production, and "Marie Antoinette” also will be released soon. "Mary of Scotland,” done on the stage last season by Helen Hayes, is the aim of a third producer. Interest will be stirred when it becomes generally known that one of the major picture makers has contracted to produce Rupert Hughes’ sensational "George Washington.” The wave of musical films which got a good start during the past year, will probably go on to greater heights. T - is backed up by the announcerm , from Warner Brothers studios, first of the companies to produce the modern musical picture, that chorus girls will have 10,000 working days at that studio in the next four months, for dancing and singing in seven or eight new musicals. Gone Are the G-Men It is our belief that the G-man cycle of pictures, prevalent during the past year, has about run its course. If there are any others

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foreigners, entertaining the nati:.., W rt of way. But during the last five j i r .**^4'4 Tv has awakened to the fact that >f < : / ~ ... -■ al". mom important to the serious | I c-r racket, a source of quick money I.rft Luggage nn Tier When Maureen O'Sullivan sailed wHHBt rom Southampton to make her { "V"' 1 >*}*;* ‘ ’V„ <?- no’ion pa -iM debut in America. NL <♦ idi ■■ ovt icri that ah Ivt luggage HHW|^^^HHH^Ba.'' 1 -■ "L lad Os <!1 left on the pier ,-<■> .he ... i ( >< ll * to Ho B V *

Left Luggage on Pier When Maureen O’Sullivan sailed from Southampton to make her motion picture debut in America, she discovered that all her luggage had been left on the pier—so she traveled the whole route to Hollywood in the same dress.

Movie Stars Resolve to Change Ways With Advent of New Year Os Them All, Una Merkle Seems Most Sensible; She Promises Not to Make Resolutions in Future. Time* Special HOLLYWOOD, Jan. I.—Hollywood's film stars have planted anew crop of New Year s resolutions, which will burst into full bloom Jan. 1. Here are some of them: William Powell resolves to hire a guide to lead him through his new 20-room Beverly Hills home.

Norma Shearer resolves to give the best performance of her career in “Romeo and Juliet.” Nelson Eddy resolves to go into a Spanish fandango every time he is asked to sing “Sweet Mystery of Life” at private parties. Clark Gable—To wear smoked glasses and Santa Claus whiskers on his next South American trip. Virginia Bruce—To turn thumbs down on all roles requiring her to produced, it will be in tne same mold, the hero a respectable policeman. Operatic pictures are on the up. Stars like Helen Jepson, Gladys Swarthout, Lily Pons, Nelson Eddy, Jan Kiepura, will see much work during the coming year if we don’t miss our guess. And, to let you in on a little hunch of ours, we expect to see more than one full-length opera produced for the screen in 1936. As for comedies, they can't change much. Comedy is either good or bad. Only the manner of dishing it out can vary. But we have seen, in 1935, the change in taste to a liking for froth like “Gilded Lily,” “Hands Across the Table,” and “She Married Her Boss.” The old hands, W. C. Fields, Eddie Cantor, the Marx brothers, Bert Lahr and Charlie Chaplin will probably continue much in the old mode. No More High Brows As far as movie actors and actresses are concerned, we may see quite a change during the next 12 months. The movie public is through with high-brow heroines and brawny, muscle-bound heroes. Actors like Leslie Howard, Herbert Marshall, Charles Laughton, are weaning people away from the merely handsome leading man. As for the women, the same thing is true. The 1936 heroine must have horse sense as well as beauty. Actresses like Katharine Hepburn, Margaret Sullivan. Myrna Loy, Luise Ranier, are the ones most likely to succeed in the dramas of tomorrow. There will still be room in Hollywood for the sing-and-dance girls, however. In 1936 we will have more Briti c h fiims, because men like Alexander Korda are getting the "hang of things” and will produce better technical films in another year. However, they are too far behind to seriously threaten Hollywood for some time.

2—BIG FKATUKEB—2 Greatest Show Value- in Town at Low Mirncle Prices! M.IWI J/ualutuMg offil WIL/'/ JIM BUBXEi. W

MUTUAL The One || | Theatre •nd onir Bur esaue >n *** Comedians, Laughter, Music and Girls Beautiful Girls

What the New Year Brings to Indianapolis Picture-Goers

wear old-fashioned corsets as she did in “The Great Ziegfeld.” Charles Laughton—Never to go to sea again, "Mutiny on the Bounty or no “Mutiny on the Bounty.” Myrna Loy—To buy an adding machine to keep account of the number of times she is married to Bill Powell in pictures. The Marx Brothers—Never to broil steaks in Irving Thalberg’s office fireplace again. Eleanor Powell--To continue to deny she’s going to marry Abe Lyman. Uns Merkel—Never to make any more New Year’s resolutions, because she never keeps them. M. G. M. Has Private Brand of Tuna Fish Tillies Special HOLLYWOOD, Jan. I.—Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer now has its own private brand of tuna fish. In “Riff Raff,” Jean Harlow’s current film at Loew’s, Jean cans tuna. Established brand names are taboo in pictures, so it was necessary for the studio to register a fictitious company name and to protect the brand name and label by copyright. Thus the studio became the only concern in the world authorized to can that particular brand of tuna. Franchot Tone Not French Because of his French name, Franchot Tone, native American and graduate of Cornell University, had a difficult time convincing Hollywood that he was not a Frenchman, and did not speak with an accent. Worked Way Through School William Powell, when a young lad working for a telephone company in Kansas City to earn money for his dramatic school tuition, spent his evenings ushering at a theater in order to study the performances of the actors.

|The screen's dramatic firebrand . . . charming . . . startling . . . ■ ■ "dangerous ... as a vivacious girl gloriously in love . . . who hit the trail of high adventure . . . DISGUISED AS A BOY! Her most dynamic

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

That’s as pretty a left to the chin as we has seen (upper, left). It’s manned by Jean (Brownette) Harlow, and it’s landed on Spencer Tracy, who is with her in "Riffraff” now at Loew’s. Katharine Hepburn (right, above) masquerades as a boy in portions of “Sylvia Scarlet,” opening today at the Circle. She’s shown with Brian Aherne, her leading man. Based on the kidnaping racket is "Show Them No Mercy,” picture starring Edward Norris and Rochelle Hudson (left) which is to open at the Lyric Friday. Ronald Colman and Jean Bennett (right) are together again in "The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo,” opening at the Apollo Friday.

Intelligence in Stars Praised Cameraman Cites Dietrich as Example. Charles Lang, Academy prizewinning photographer who has trained his cameras upon the greatest stars in Hollywood, asserts it is necessary that a large degree of intelligence go into the combination of talent and charm which is the essential attribute of a great motion picture actress. Mr. Lang cited Marlene Dietrich, his current subject, as a personality whose success upon the screen is largely the product of her own intelligence. “Miss Dietrich,” he said “is the easiest star in Hollywood to photograph. This is true because she knows what goes on behind the lens as well as in front. She understands lighting and knows how to pose.” Mr. Lang's final attribute to Miss Dietrich was that she is always glad to accept any suggestions from her photographer, something many stars are not inclined to do, he added.

JbOPmSjw sranisr Mwarouj Vigor and Vitaliky!”*’

WHERE, WHAT, WHEN APOLLO “The Littlest Rebel,” starring Shirley Temple, at 11. 12:51, 2:42, 4:33. 6:24, 8:15 and 10:06. CIRCLE "Sylvia Scarlett,” with Katharine HeDburn, Brian Aherne. Cary Grant, Edmund Gwenn, Natalie Paley (no time schedule.) INDIANA "Collegiate,” with Joe Penner. Jack Oakie, Frances Langford, GooGoo iPenner's duck), at 11:50, 1:50, 3:55, 5:55, 7:55, 10 and 12:05. LOEW’S “Riffraff.” with Jean Harlow. Spencer Tracy, Una Merkel, Mickey Rooney and Joseph Calleia (no time schedule.) LYRIC “Miss Pacific Fleet,” with Joan Blondell. Glenca Farrell, Allen Jenkins and Hugh Herbert at 12:41, 3:20, 5:48, 8:16 and it).44. Vaudeville headlined bv Billy Barty at 2:10. 4:38, 7:06 and 9:34. OHIO “Top Hat,” with Ginger Rogets and Fred Astaire at 10:30, 1:29, 4:28, 7:03 and 10:02, also “Super Speed,” with Norman Foster and Mary Carlisle, at 12:34, 3:33, 6:08 and 9:07.

Luise Rainer Handy in Kitchen Luise Rainer, an expert cook, has had a book published on her favorite Viennese recipes many of which she invented herself just “mixing about” in the kitchen. So She Could Get Her Man? Virginia Bruce’s childhood dream was to grow up to become the bride of a Northwest mounted policeman.

V | M Oil NA ■ HR O O F HI

Chosen to Ride in Rose Parade Priscilla Lawson Selected by Universal. Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Jan. I.—All movie eyes centered on the Tournament of Roses parade, a feature of the Rose Bowl football game between Southern Methodist University at Pasadena today. Miss Priscilla Lawson, formerly of Indianapolis, is to be a prominent figure in the parade. Miss Lawson, chosen by Universal Pictures Corp. as one of its future “stars” for the coming year, was selected from the host oc movie beauties to represent her studio in the parade preceding the game. It is expected that most of the 60,000 inhabitants of the picturesque town of Pasadena will turn out for the parade and following festivities.. Miss Lawson, a striking brunet, is to wear a Betsy Ross costume of varied colors and is to ride on the elaborate float representing North Hollywood.

last holiday prices today 2 Doors Open 10:45 A. M. , T, £n.2sc £p.m. 2sc and 4oc days iTHE SCREEN’S MOST SHGjfHp role surprisETlk in g 1 y different . . . Even surpassing his j p o as ■mm Vfl Drummond.”

Just Like Cotton Candy—'Collegiate'—So Light, Airy and Good While It Last ‘Professors’ Oakie, Penner, Sparks and Overman, Keepir School at the Indiana, Show How to Really Conduct Girls’ "Charm’ Seminary. When "Professors” Jack Oakie, Joe Penner, Ned Starks and Lynni Overman get through with the Bevan Giris School curriculum, the only one of the three “R’s ’ left is "rythmetic.”

It’s like a big wad of cotton candy, i this gay musical day dream “Collegiate,” at the Indiana. It tastes awfully good while it lasts. There is nothing left when it’s over. And we found it a genuine relief from the host of heavy “make-you-think” films which have been over-crowding the movie calendar lately. Flot Is Negligible The picture has about as much plot as one of Gertrude Stein’s poems. It starts with a poor, little rich boy, Mr. Oakie; his man-of-all-work, Mr. Overman, and his antipublicity agent, Mr. Sparks of the lemon-flavored countenance. It takes Mr. Oakie to the office of his deceased aunt’s lawyer, where iie hears the pronouncement of his doom when he gets a girl’s seminary as his share of the fortune. The novelty of staying away from liquor for a year and trying to run a feminine educational institution suddenly appeals to the lethargic mind of Mr. Oakie, and he starts on the road to the school accompanied by his henchmen. On the way they meet Joe (Mr. Penner), who stops his car, picks them up, takes them to the school. Finding that Joe is overflowing with pecuniary resources but can’t remember his name, the three men take advantage of him, get SSOO from him in return for a 5 per cent interest in the school. Spurred by Insult Incensed by an insult from Miss Hay, school secretary, who is secretly in love with him, Mr. Oakie determines to make a go of the institution. What he doesn’t do to transform the staid, piimness of the seminary into a sparkling, modern “charm” school hasn’t been thought of. There are courses in dancing, makeup, sports and a special style department. In the meantime, Joe, through a mistake, has been misinformed to the effect that he is Thomas J. Bloodgood, a millionaire Australian polo player, whose name he proceeds to sign on his checks. Mr. Oakie uses the cashed checks to finance the school. On graduation day. with parents streaming in to see their girls get

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WEST SIDE O rp A rp I? 2702 W. 10th St. MAIL Double Feature Al Jnlsnn “GO INTO YOUR DANCE” “WHISPERINGSMITH SPEAKS” BELMONT "' Double Featun° n * Tom Brown “FRECKLES” “THE FARMER TAKES A WIFE” DA fO \T 2540 W. Mich. St. A I S Y Double Feature 4A A c A Richard Arlen “LET ’EM HAVE IT” NORTH SIDE Rf np 7 Illinois at 31th I A Double Feature Janet Gavnor “THE FARMER TAKES A WIFE” “THE GAY DECEPTION” Continuous Matinee Todav uptown Edward Arnold “DIAMOND JIM” "BAD BOY” ContinuousMatinee Todav r ADDirif 3fnh aßd Illinois uARRILIK Double Feature Jack Bennv “BROADWAY MELODY OF 1930” “HERE COMES COOKIE” CT r I Ain c,air * Ft- Wayne M. LI. AIK double Feature Frednc March “DARK ANGEL” “BAD BOY” Continuous Matinee Todav f> 17 V 30th at Northwestern iVH/A Double Feature Claudette Colbert “SHE MARRIED HER BOSS” “PUBLIC MENACE" rp A T nATT Talbot 1 22nd 1 ALoU 1 1 Double Feature A l AAJAAVS A A j oan Crawlord “I LIVE MY LIFE” “CHARLIE CHAN IN SHANGHAI” Stratford g-S ■HERE COMES THE BAND” “THE WISH IN US” Mp AA A Noble St Mass. L Ll Ll A Double Feature W U 11 W. C. Fields "THE MAN ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE” “BRIGHT LIGHTS” rvT| p a If 2381 Station Bt. DREAM D s:“'„ r ;;!s* “SPECIAL AGENT” Comedy—Selected Short_ Reels EAST SIDE RIV O I I Dearborn at 10th IV IVV L I Carole Lombard “HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE" rps TV 17T\/~V E. New York TUXEDO D sr n b i* cVoYbV “BIG BROADCAST OF 1930” “HOP-ALONG CASSIDY"

JAN. X, 1935

diplomas and news-hounds gaping through keyholes to see what Mr. Dakie has done to make the "charm” school a success, tragedy in the form of a detective seeking Joe, appears. Joe Is Caught Mr. Oakie. ready to quit, is spurred on by the loving Miss Hay. The exercises, the like of which no one has ever seen or is likely to see at any educational institution, make a hit with the skeptical parents. The bank detective catches Joe, tells him he has nothing to fear, they have discovered who he really is. The checks he has been signing have been covered by his deposits. So everything comes out just "ducky” for Mr. Penner. Mack Gordon and Harry Revel, cfcst as the song teachers for the school in the picture, have written several catching tunes for “Collegiate.” Outstanding are "Will I Eever Know?” and “You Hit the Spot.” Others include “Rhythmatic” and “Learn to Be Lovely.” The solos of Frances Langford, who plays the part of Miss Hay, are happy features of the film. Miss Langford, first seen in "Broadway Melody of 1936,” has an even better chance in "Collegiate” to display her vocal talents. Mr. Oakie Croons Mr. Sparks, Mr. Oakie and Mr. Penner are expertly adroit at the comedy end of the piece. Mr. Oakie croons—not in burlesque fashion either—he really croons. Mr. Penner’s ducks have been trimmed out of the picture, all except a couple of short shots of one swimming around in a pond. Joe’s partner is the lovely Betty Grable who should go far in films. Tingling tunes, clownish comedy, several lavishly staged musical numbers and an expert light comedy cast are the essence of “Collegiate." (By J. W. TANARUS.) Tracy Likes Ranch Chores Spencer Tracy’s greatest joy is doing routine chores on his ranch—a job for which he hires ranch hands, but who sometimes have to stand around and watch the boss work.

EAST SIDE TACOMA -2&y&M£ “HERE COMES THE BAND” “DR. SOCRATES” IRVING “*? T A - w“h-Bt-“O’SHAUGHXESSYS BOY”**** EMERSON £*£ S5William Powell "RENDEZVOUS” “REDHEADS ON PARADE” HAMILTON S'^2&£i i “MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY” PARKER “SHIPMATES FOREVER”*** 1 “PURSUIT” STRAND Jane Wither* “THIS IS THE LIFE” Edward Everett Horton “HIS NIGHT OUT” DIONNE QUINTUPLETS— GOING ON TWO Ed Hill News Events Pete Smith's Basketball Teehniuuu Continuous Matinee Todav D n V V 2721 *• WashT^ttT" t\. vl \ I Double Feature Joe E. Brown “BRIGHT LIGHTS” “THUNDER MOUNTAIN” Paramount Georre Raft “EVERY NIGHT AT EIGHT” “CHARLIE CHAN IN SHANGHAI" SOUTH SIDE FOUNTAIN SQUARE' Alice Pav “EVERY NIGHT AT EIGHT” OUR GANG COMEDY SANDERS “JKKIMsr* "RACING LUCK” 1 ** “CAPPY RICKS* RETURN” AVALON ’SaraSTClaudette Colbert “SHE MARRIED HER BOSS” "HOP-ALONG CASSIDY” ORIENTAL 11 Doub te*rllt\"* 8t * ‘•FARMER TAKES' “KENTUCKY COLONELS” Matinee Todav * P. M. GARFIELD “STEAMBOAT ’ROUND THE BEND** "TWO FOR TONIGHT* Matlnaa Todav ILK __