Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 255, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 January 1936 — Page 4

PAGE 4

KATHARINE HEPBURN REACHES PEAK IN 'SYLVIA SCARLETT'

Brilliant Actress Proves Right to High Place in Stardom in Latest Film Plays Role of Swaggering Boy and, Later, Charming Lovely Lady in Manner that Brings Acclaim From Writer. BY JOHN W. THOMPSON If there was ever any doubt that Katharine Hepburn was one of the screen’s three or four best actresses it will be dispelled with her appearance in “Sylvia Scarlett” at the Circle. First as a boy, swaggering, moody, hands stuffed in pockets, then as a lovely, charming lady, Miss Hepburn gives the grandest performance of her career. It is the fact that "Sylvia” is the hardest role the youthful actress has attempted that makes her success so outstanding. We can think of no other cinema actress who could encompass the same part with equal alacrity.

The story, a rather long and drawn out affair, which has an unusual amount of interest right up to the final scene, concerns the girl, Sylvia Scarlett, and her father, Henry Scarlett, who takes to thievery following his wife’s death. The two join forces with Jimmie Monkley, (C3ry Grant) and specialize in confidence games. Sylvia is forced to disguise as a boy in order to throw suspicion from her father, a target for the police. From Theatrical Troup While working for jewels in the home of one of Jimmie's friends, Maudie, Sylvia drinks enough champagne to change her view of life. A large mural of a sea-coast scene on the wall helps, too, and before the party is over, the participants, Maudie included, have been won over to Sylvia’s proposition to form a traveling theatrical troupe. While performing in a small England village, the show is interrupted by Michael Fane, philandering artist, who laughs at Maudie’s aolo. Sylvia gives him a piece of her mind, and Michael likes the spirit of the “boy.” So they have a party at his home. It ends with the “boy” slapping the pretty face of Michael’s sweetheart, Lily. But Michael asks Sylvia to come and pose for him, and she does, dressed in a simple dress “borrowed” while its owner goes swimming. The surprise shocks Michael, but the discovery that his model is a girl instead of boy, is a pleasant one, and he promptly makes love to her. Acting is Poignant Lily interferes, and Sylvia runs home. There things are happening thick and fast. Maudie runs away with another man. Henry, insanely in love with Maudie, jumps over a cliff, kills himself. Jimmie, delighted that the “boy” of the troupe is really a lovely lady, almost makes off with her. Jimmie, however, runs off with the show wagon plus the willing Lily. Michael and Sylvia chase them, end up by not finding them and falling in love with each other. Miss Hepburn’s portrayal of the boy, “Sylvester,” is as poignant a piece of acting as the screen has offered this year or any other year. When she takes off the trousers, dons a skirt, for the first time, one feels sorry for an awkward boy rather than for a too graceful girl. Mr. Aherne is above his usual par as the imposing Michael. Cary Grant gives a surprising performance as Jimmie, the tough crook. The debut of the princess, Natalie

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Paley, is a splendid one. She has a catching personality, nice features and passable acting talents. Edmund Gwenn is excellent as the weak, romantic Henry Scarlett, and Dennie Moore brings s. really funny comedienne to the screen with her impersonation of Maudie. “Sylvia Scarlett” is, as “Alice Adams” was, Miss Hepburn’s picture. There is not another actress in the lists who can equal the Versatility, the grace, the loveliness, the winning personality Miss Hepburn has turned on for this picture. It will go down in the movie album as a work of art, as surely as anything Mary Pickford or Charlie Chaplin ever did. It is a tribute in itself to the strenuous hours this capable artist put ni to bring it up to her own high standards. Chaplin Is His Own Film Unit Comedian Accomplished in Varied Activities. Times Special HOLLYWOOD. Jan. 2.—Charlie Chaplin is the only individual in the motion picture industry who has been a successful organization in himself—writing, starring in, producing, directing, cutting, editing and scoring his own productions. Although he never has taken a lesson, Mr. Chaplin can play eight musical instruments. He also is something of a composer, having written the music for “City Lights” and for his forthcoming picture, “Modern Times,” and several popular songs, among which is remembered “There’s Always One You Can’t Forget.” Another of his accomplishments is painting, and an outstanding example of his versatility is his writing. Not only is he author of his screen plays, but also two books, “My Trip Abroad” and “A Comedian Sees the World.'’ And if that isn't enough, credit him with being an economist, having written a number of articles on the subject of finance and the gold standard. Top it off with his record as former amateur long distance runner of rank in England.

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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 H?pburn and Brian Aherne, at 11, 1:10, 3:25, 5:35, 7:50. and 10. INDIANA “Collegiate,” with Joe Penner, Jack Oakie, Prances Langford, GooGoo (Penner’s duck), at 11:50, 1:50. 3:55, 5:55, 7:55, 10 and 12:05. LOEWS "Riffraff” with Jean Harlow and Spencer Tracy, at 11, 1:15, 3:30, 5:45, 8, and 10:15. LYRIC "Miss Pacific Fleet,” with Joan Blondell, Glenda Farrell, Allen Jenkins and Hugh Herbert at 12:41, 3:20. 5:48. 8:16 and 10.44. Vaudeville headlined by Billy Barty at 2:10. 4:38, 7:06 and 9:34. OHIO “The Awakening of Jim Burke,” featuring Jack Holt, at 10:30, 1:22, 4:14, 7:06 and 8:58. Also “The Irish in Us,” with James Cagneyfi Pat O’Brien and Olivia de Havilland, at 11:59, 2:51, 5:43, 7:35 and 10:04.

Filters Provide Unique Effects Device Will Be Used in Filming 'Good Earth.’ Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 2.—Feats of camera magic are to mark the filming of “The Good Earth,” which is to go into production soon. Following several months of experiment, Karl Freund, European cameraman, has developed a mechanical “corrector” which, within & camera lens, can be adjusted to photograph any complexion in any desired effect on the film. It is accomplished by a series of light filters, moved by a motor. They can change positions several times with each film exposure. By adjusting the speed of the changes, effects of different makeups are obtained by optical illusion. Another new invention is a film, impregnated with iron dust, on which sound is recorded magnetically. King Pleased Olympe Bradna, 15-year-old dancing sensation, treasures a note from the King of Sweden in which he said her dancing pleased him.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES .

Tests Made of Muni's Makeup Former 'Stand-In’ Acts as Subject for Experiments. Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 2.—“ Dutch” Pettit, former stand-in for Richard Barthelmess, has one of the strangest movie jobs on record. He is now a “human guinea pig.” Mr. Pettit is employed in a studio makeup department, and his new duty is to sit for experiments on the elaborate makeups Paul Muni is to wear in “The Good Earth.” These range from youth to extreme old age. Jack Dawn, makeup director, is using various “facial inlays” made according to a secret process. Mr. Pettit wears them from one to eight hours. Mr. Dawn’s new invention consists of plastic inlays, made from casts of the face much as dentists make plates, bridges and inlays. He also has discovered a water-soluble gum to replace the old irritating spirit gum. With this, scars and such details can be worn indefinitely. Mr. Muni Is working daily With Mr. Dawn, Louise Rainer, as soon as she finishes “The Great Zeigfeld,” is slated for the same experiment. Unique Watch Shows Differences in Time Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 2.—Cecil B. De Mille, one of the foremost producers of 'motion pictures, has acquired for his collection of unusual objects a watch which tells simultaneously the correct time in six principal cities of the world. Six dials marked “Mexico City,” “London,” “New York,” “Paris,” “Berlin” and “Madrid” show the difference in time. In addition to its value as a curiosity, the timepiece is useful to busy executives who must contact foreign cities by telephone or cable. Started as Comedian Joseph Calleis, former “play doctor” of Broadway, and present “menace” of the screen, began his stage career as a Scotch comedian. Serenade Brings Drenching Jack Oakie and Joe Penner were drenched with a bucket of water while serenading Gladys Swarthout.

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Evans to Be 'Dauphin' in 'Saint Joan' Cornell Signs Him for Role After Asking Author for Advice. At loss for the right man to play the “Dauphin” in her forthcoming production of Shaw’s “Saint Joan,” Katharine Cornell cabled the author for advice, between performances of “Romeo and Juliet.” “If you can find Maurice Evans, do so,” cabled Mr. Shaw in return. It wasn't a difficult task, for Mr. Evans has been playing Romeo to Miss Cornell’s Juliet for more than a year, and was seen here in the role recently. So Miss Cornell bent down from her Veronese balcony at rehearsal next day and signed her Shakespearean suitor for the new role. The “Dauphin” is a timid, ungainly, soul-twisted princeling, a far cry from the handsome and impetuous Romeo. But Mr. Shaw spoke from experience when he recommended Mr. Evans. He rehearsed Mr. Evans in the part, which the latter played at the “Old Vic” in London, opposite another American actress, Mary Newcomb. Maurice Evans resembles Philip Leigh and Ernest Thesiger who played the role in the New York and London premieres, as little as Romeo resembles the “Dauphin.” But he does have the approval of “Saint Joan’s” author, and that seemed to satisfy Miss Cornell. The new play is scheduled for February production. Picture Crews Play in Movie Technicians Are Actors in Paramount 'Preview.’ HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 2.—One of the most unusual situations on any lot occurred at Paramount recently, when the opening sequence of anew film found two complete movie companies at work on the same set —one being filmed and the other filming. Regular studio electricians, property men, script girls and cameramen became actors for the first time as they went about their daily routine before, instead of behind, cameras. Two directors, camera crews, property departments, in fact two of everything necessary for the filming a motion picture, took their positions as real Director Robert Florey making “Preview” gave the order for lan Keith, playing director of the picture, tc start his action. The 250 atmosphere and bit actors were “directed” by Keith, as were the leading players.

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Opening Tomorrow Apollo “THE MAN WHO BROKE THE BANK AT MONTE CARLO.” Ronald Colman, Joan Bennett, Colin Clive and Nigel Bruce. Director, Stephen Roberts. Screen play, Ilia Surgutchoff and Frederick Swann. STORY: Stranger wins 10 million, breaks bank at Monte Carlo. Vaudeville singer hired to lure him back. He falls for her, accepts invitation to run off to Monte Carlo. Girl doesn’t arrive in time to warn him against gamblers and he looses all. Blames loss on girl, sets out to find her. Finds she wants him poor so she can confess love. There's a wedding bell finale. Lyric. “SHOW THEM NO MERCY.” Rochelle Hudson, Edward Norris, Cesar Romero, Bruce Cabot, Warren Hymer and Edward Brophy; director, George Marshall; screen play, Kubec Glasmon. STORY: Husband, wife, baby blunder into gang hideout. Gangsters demand ransom money be distributed by husband. Discover ransom money marked. Gangsters plot murder of prisoners when G-men pick up trail. Mother gets hold of machine gun, saves day. ON THE STAGE: Carl Freed and his Harmonicans in a program ranging from symphonic to jazz numbers; Sylvia Manon and company in “Dance of the Blue Danube”; Monroe Brothers as the "Two Bouncing Tramps”; accordion music and acrobatic dancing by Balabanow Five; a comedy musical novelty, “Sawing a Violin in Half,” by Fid Gordon.

Gotham Awaits Giannini's Debut Young Singer to Appear in Metropolitan Opera. Although the opening of the Metropolitan Opera season included 11 important debuts in this, its first week, the first performance there of Dusolina Giannini this month is causing considerable excitement. The Metropolitan is the last field left unconquered in this young singer’s career, and she is to come to its stage after a triumphant season abroad. Her tour extended through 18 months, and included more than 100 appearances in concert and opera. Notable among these was a performance of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” at the famous Salzburg Festival in August, undertaken at the request of Arturo Toscanini. A return engagement at the Berlin State Opera House in “La Tosca” brought her 11 curtain calls. Miss Giannini is Philadelphia born, and received her musical education in this country, first from her father and then from Mme. Marcella Sembrich. From an unexpected debut with the Schola Cantorum when Anne Case, guest soloist, was taken ill suddenly, she has gone forward to a place of eminence. In signing Miss Gian-iini this year, Edward Johnson, Metropolitan manager, said she should have been singing in American opera years ago. Gable Paid $1.30 for Week During his barnstorming days, when he played everything from Romeo one night to Simon Legree the next, Clark Gable, working on a co-operative basis, received exactly $1.30 for a week of 14 shows.

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Pathe News Shows Dionnes' Christmas Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 2. Pictures of the Dionne quintuplets’ second Christmas, with Dr. Allan Roy Dafoe playing Santa Claus, are a feature of Pathe News released thi§ week. The new picture show the quins as they are foday—walking and even trying to talk.

FINAL DAY—SHIRLEY TEMPLE In “The Littlest Rebel’’

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STO NIGHTS i^ri^TaT#* N TAT IO N S NEIGHBORHOOD TH EAT E RS!

WEST SIDE STATE “GO INTO YOUR DANCE” “WHISPERING SMITH SPEAKS” BELMONT w *|ea ß t^ Tom Brown . "FRECKLES” "THE FARMER TAKES A WIFE” _ DA TC V 2540 w - Mich. St. A IS Y Double Feature ab a ky A Richard Arlen “LET ’EM HAVE IT” “SlO RAISE” NORTH SIDE RI T \ rr Illinois at 34th I gi Double Feature _ . Janet Gavnor “THE FARMER TAKES A WIFE” “THE GAY DECEPTION” UPTOWN S-VrSfis Edward Arnold “DIAMOND JIM” "BAD BOY” r* a nmru 3i>th and iulioia GARRICK D Jaeif Benny l * “BROADWAY MELODY OF 1936” "HERE COMES COOKIE” prn f rrx St. Clair & Ft. Wayne ST. CLAIR Fredric "DARK ANGEL” "BAD BOY” rarxwr 39th at Northwestern KKX Double Feature Claudette Colbert “SHE MARRIED HER BOSS” “PUBLIC MENACE” mi r DATT Talbot * 22nd I Al/Klll I Double Feature XllLdJVli Joan Crawford “I LIVE MY LIFE” "CHARLIE CHAN IN SHANGHAI” If * 18th & College Stratford Do^ e [j:\r “HERE COMES THE BAND” “THE IRISH IN US” i * Noble Sc Mass. EC C A b, a. r F?eld. re “THE MAN ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE” “BRIGHT LIGHTS” DREAM “HERE COMES THE BAND” CHAP. 10, “THE LOST CITY” ” EAST SIDE RI IT AI I Dearborn at 10th IVU L 1 Double restßre Carole Lombard “HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE” “3 KIDS AND A QUEEN” TUXEDO T&Sfr* “BIG BROADCAST OF 19*6” __ “HOP-ALONG CASSIDY” - V “ •*

.JAN. 2, 19S

Child Actors Are to Give Second Play „ ‘The Christmas Nightingale’ Listed for Playhouse Saturday. The second Civic Children's Theater production, “The Christmas Nightingale,” is to presented Saturday at the Playhouse, at 2:30. The setting of the play is Poland in the Fifteenth century. It is the story of a charcoal burner and his family who live in a vast forest. The plot concerns the appearance at the charcoal burner’s hut, of a little boy, famished and cold, who staggers in on Christmas Eve. Eric P. Kelly wrote the story and Phyllis Newman Gross adapted it for the stage. Mrs. Austin Bruce, director, has chosen Harold Bryant for the leading role; Carl H. Lieber Jr., Mary Louise Revel, Ruth Medias, Billy Hurt, Otis Russell, William S. Jackson, John Hetherington, Buddy Cavanaugh, Malcolm Hoover, William R. Cowley, Margaret O’Neill, Joe Hayes and Jack Helm completing the cast. A second presentation of the play is to be given the following Saturday with two performances at 10:30 and 2:30.

EAST FIDE TACOMA Ted Lewis “HERE COMES THE BAND” “DR. SOCRATES” IRVING - 5507 E. Wash. St. Wr.ilaee Beery “O’SHAUGIIXESSY’S BOY” EMERSON i S2T®2 r " William Powell “RENDEZVOUS” “REDHEADS ON PARADE” HAMILTON “MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY” PA D V 17 D **® B E. loth St. ~ AKft L K D“b' latere _ Dlek Powell “SHIPMATES FOREVER” “PURSUIT” STR AN D i'VXjF aa a, jane wuhert “THIS IS THE LIFE” Edward Everett Horton “HIS NIGHT OUT” DIONNE QUINTUPLETS—GOING ON TWO Ed Hill News Events Pete Smith’s Basketball Technique R 0 X Y 2721 E w * ,h ’ Bt ’"" SPECIAL FEATURE ATTRACTIONS Paramount DLbW w featur A UiamuuiH George Raft “EVERY NIGHT AT EIGHT” “CHARLIE CHAN IN SHANGHAI” SOUTH HIDE FOUNTAIN SQUARE Kent Taylor “WITHOUT REGRET” DIZZY AND DAFFY COMEDY SANDERS ■ RACING LUCK” “CAPPY RICKS’ RETURN” a ,r i t nij Frosueet-Chureliii AVALON Dgtn Da S ‘iV “THE GIRL FROM 10TH AVENUE** "TELEPHONE BLUES” ORIENT AL nw^^ r “HELL HARBOR" GARFIELD *s£gg& “STEAMBOAT ’BOUND THE bLmP* “TWO FOB TONIGHT”