Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 262, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 January 1936 — Page 18

PAGE 18

IRENE DUNNE HITS NEW FILM PEAK IN 'MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION'

Thrills Are Plentiful in Indiana Film

Reviewer Believes Picture Writers Improved Douglas Story. BY JOHN W. THOMPSON Irene Dunne still is one of the screen's most entertaining actresses. She didn’t let a swimming little musical like “Roberta” get her down. Just look at “The Magnificent Obsession” if you want proof. It opens at the Indiana today. You may not think the movie men have followed the Lloyd Douglas novel close enough, or you may think they have followed it too closely. But no matter what you think, there's no denying they made an excellent movie of it. Robert Taylor is a handsome leading man and Ralph Morgan adds dignity. Miss Dunne leads the picture around by the nose. The cast is enhanced by Charles Butterworth, Henry Armetta, Cora Sue Collins and Arthur Treacher. Happy Homecomings The story starts with Helen Hudson (Miss Dunne) meeting her foster daughter, Joyce (Betty Furness), at the dock. With the homecoming daughter is a ■would-be son-in-law. Tommy Masterson (Mr. Butterworth), who finally marries the girl. Tragedy is splashed all over the place tvhen the two happy girls, mother and daughter, walk into the hospital famed for the brain surgery of Dr. Hudson, Helen’s husband, and learn he is dead, a drowning victim. Complicating the situation is that Dr. Hudson died while the only pulmotor the hospital owned was on the other side of the lake being used on a drunk. The drunk is Bobby Merrick (Mr. Taylor), later the hero of the film. Enter Lover Mr. Merrick meets Helen, quite by accident, falls in love with her, and is sufficiently astonished when he finds out she is the widow of the man who died because of him. But Bobby’s love for Mrs. Hudson carries the tragic note still farther. He takes his beloved out for a ride, she resists his advances. She leaves his car and is struck down by a speeding limousine. The result of her injuries is blindness. Still Mr. Merrick pursues, now in a more serious vein. He sits in the park across the street from Mrs. Hudson's home, talks to her when she comes out for a stroll, lets her call him “Dr. Robert” when he finds she doesn't recognize his voice. Delves Into Study Mr. Merrick decides to be a good boy and devote his life to helping the one he loves. He studies surgery, and arranges for Mrs. Hudson to go to Paris for consultation under the world’s greatest brain and eye specialists. The specialists pronounce Mrs. Hudson’s case hopeless. At the sight of Bobby proposing to the blind Helen, Joyce’s heart melts and she is on his side from then on. But the answer to the proposal is put off by Helen until the next morning, when everyone awakes to find her gone. Where, they do not know. Bobby continues his study. One day an old stone-cutter. Randolph, into whose home Bobby haa wandered while drunk, brings news of Helen. Bobby hurries to Tennessee, finds Helen in a critical condition. He prepares to operate. His hands shake, but he is encouraged and sustained by the nearness of the kindly old stone-cutter, and the operation is successful. That is a Hollywood ending. Mr. Douglas Preaches Mr. Douglas, as usual, wants to preach in his story. He wants you to know it is noble to help any one down and out. The strange thing about Dr. Hudson's philosophy is that he made everyone he aided

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promise not to tell who had helped him until the patient was dead. It’s childish, doesn’t add to the story, but it’s Mr. Douglas’ privilege. Aside from the fact that its preachy and melodramatic. ‘‘Magnificent Obsession” is entertaining. It gives Miss Dunne the best chance she had had in some time and she takes glorious advantage of it. The episode in which she acts the part of the blind girl is outstanding, but is topped by the scenes she plays voile in the hospital. These hold realism only acresses such as Miss Dunne can inject. Robert Taylor whips a bit more comedy into the part of Bobby Merrick, probably, than Mr. Douglas intended, but he is better than the novel’s Mr. Merrick. If there is anything the matter with Mr. Taylor, it is that he's too good-looking. Where Credit Lies We want to give credit to Sarah Haden as Nancy Asford, the loyal nurse, and to Betty Furness, who, in the role of Joyce Hudson, does by far her best work. Charles Butterworth is his usual dead-pan self, stealing many of the scenes with adroit comedy. You’ll howl when he spends all night in a sewer with only a bottle of whisky for company. Mr. Armetta, Mr. Treacher and Mr. Morgan appear to the picture’s advantage. If “The Magnificent Obsession” is a sample of what Hollywood can do with Mr. Douglas’ novels, we would suggest he let the movie men rewrite them before they go to press. It’s a splendid melodramatic picture with plenty of places for weeping and mental swooning.

MUTUAL The One ... Thrmtre 8&£!: Burlesque CHEERIO 1936 New ComedUnt Lotclt Dancing Girls

'Best' of Broadway's Offerings Are Chosen by New York Critic Robert Garland, World-Telegram Writer, Reviews 1935 Stage, Listing Outstanding Plays, Players.

i Times Special NEW YORK, Jan. 10.—Rounding out a year which put new blood in the veins of Broadway drama, Robert Garland, New York World-Tele-gram drama critic, has chosen his “bests” of the theatrical world. He lists the best plays of the season as: “Awake and Sing,” the much-discussed Clifford Odets drama; “Dead End,” the lively and human story about kids by Sidney Kingsley; “The Petrified Forest,” by Robert Sherwood, which Leslie Howard is to turn out for the cinema world soon; “Noah,” by Andre Obey; “Pride and Prejudice,” of which, even its producer, Max Gordon, is proud, written by Helen Jerome; “Boy Meets Girl,” the larruping comedy, best since “Once in a LifeTime,” and “Blind Alley,” by James Warwick. The last two of Mr. Garland’s choice are “Victoria Regina,” the latest triumph piece for Helen Hayes, by Laurence Hcusman, and “Accent on Youth,” by Samuel Raphaelson, which made so gallant a movie. The best performers on Broadway

The Gay Spot of Indiana " " . TALL TIMBERS | CAFE and CASINO CLUB 12 Mile* East on Bond 67. The Highway Is Open to Oar Poor. W DINE and DANCE From 9 Till DAWN Evary Nita !c§( JOHNNY CROWE’S “ARISTOCRATS” ■ WE NEVER CLOSE

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

during the last season, according to Mr. Garland, are Pierre Fresnay in “Noah”; Burgess Meredith, who played in “Three Musketeers” and “I Dream Too Much,” for his work in “Flowers of the Forest”; Alla Nazimova in “Ghosts”; Billy Halop as one of the kids in “Dead End”; Luther Adler in “Awake and Sing”; Humphrey Bogart in “The Petrified Forest”; Richard Bennett (father of Joan and Constance) in “Winterset”; Helen Hayes in “Victoria Regina”; Joyce Arling in “Boy Meets Girl,” and Wilfred Lawson in “Libel.” Barber Uses Bowl To add a realistic touch to his current portrayal in “The Farmer in the Dell,” Fred Stone had his barber place a bowl on his head and clip all the hair that cropped out under the edge. Role Brought Success The role that elevated Wendy Barrie to screen prominence was that of one of the wives of Charles Laughton in “The Private Life of Henry VIII.”

In most cases, cameramen and directors fret and stew oyer getting “just the right angle” for their movie kings and queens. One who makes them happy is Gladys Swarthout, lovely brunet singing star of “Rose of the Rancho,” to be seen at the Circle Theater Jan. 24. She makes them all happy because she photographs well from any and all angles. Victor Milner is shown (eye to camera) ready to grind off several hundred feet of film portraying the new singing lady. Commutes to Hollywood Allen Vincent, who has an important part in “Chatterbox,” operates a dairy farm and commutes to the film capital from his ranch more than 100 miles away. Veteran in Pictures Allan Hale, although still a young man, has been in pictures since 1911. (Service Charge 15c Incl. cheek) PH AiM Gentlemen 25c Before 9:00 Kfl CARL MEEKS ORCHESTRA M

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Double Film Offered on Loew's Bill

‘lf You Could Only Cook’ Is Screened With 'Ah • Wilderness!’ When Loew's theater started the and >uble feature policy some time ago, people were diffident. Manager Word Farar decided to throw his best card on the table to combat arguments against two feature pictures on the same program. His best argument is such a picture as “If You Could Only Cook.” accompanying “Ah, Wilderness!” this week. This picture, starring Herbert Marshall and Jean Arthur, is not another “It Happened One Night,” although it is along that line. Mr. Marshall, far from his usual screen procedure of being the other man, the sacrificing suitor, in “If You Could Only Cook,” is a dashing young automobile manufacturer, seeking romance on a park bench. He finds it in Jean Arthur. It takes many yards of film for them to find out they are in love. Then Things Start The picture comes near to being stolen by Lionel Stander, a most unesthetical looking youth (played the poet in “The Scoundrel”). Mr. Stander lets his lower lip droop and steals all the best lines. Leo Carillo, the dialect specialist, also is a strong link in the picture. It all happens when Jim Buchanon, chairman of the board at the Buchanon Motors Cos., becomes fed up with his board members, fed up also with the fact that the girl he is to marry doesn't fit his personal pattern for a wife. He takes refuge on a park bench. There he meets the disheartened Miss Hawthorne (Jean Arthur), she “cooking up” the idea of their getting a combination butler-cook job. Their application is accepted by Carillo, rich man, as soon as he tastes Miss Hawthorne’s garlic sauce. Miss Arthur Clever Mr. Buchanon sleeps on the porch. Everything appears smooth and peaceful until Mr. Flash (Mr. Stander) gets the lowdown on Mr. Buchanon’s identity. He fathoms Mr. Buchanon’s role as butler. It is almost curtains for Mr. Buchanon until he is forced into a wedding—a wedding, we add, which ultimately proves to be just what he wants. Miss Arthur never has been more casually entertaining. She is cute,

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WHERE, WHAT, WHEN APOLLO Return *ngag*ment of ''The Llttlest Rebel” with Shirley Temple. John Boles and Jack Holt at 11. 12:51, 2:0- 4.33. 6:34, 8 15 and 10:08. CIRCLE “Dangerous, ” featuring Betti Davis, Pranchot Tone sna Marcaret Lindsay, at 11.45. l’A 3:55 6. 8 and 10:00. INDIANA “The Magnificent Obsession,” film on Llovd C. Douglas novel, with Irene Dunne. Robert Tavlor. Betty Furness, at 11:30. 1:35. 3:40. 5 45. 7 50 and 9:55. LOEWS “Ah. Wilderness!” with Lionel Barrymore. Wallace Beerv. Aline MacMahon and Eric Linden, at 12 33. 3:43. 6:53 and 10. Also "If You Could Only Cook” with Herbert Marshall and Jean Arthur, at 11:09. 2.15. 5:25 and 8:39. LYRIC “King of Burlesque.” with Warner Baxter. Alice Faye and Jack Oakie at 11:10. 2 . 4:50, 7:40 and 10:30. Vaudeville at 1, 3:50, 6:*o and 9:30. OHIO “Let ’Em Have It” at 10:30. 1 12. 4:11, 7:10 and 10:09. Also “Thunder in the Night” at 12:05, 3:04, 6:03, 9:03.

Keith's Offers Film Diversion 'Midsummer Night’s Dream' to Start Jan. 29. Booth Tarkington, Indiana author, has accepted chairmanship of the sponsoring committee for the Indianapolis premiere of Hollywood's version of Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream,” to be shown at Keith's Theater beginning Wednesday, Jan. 2S. Mr. Tarkington is to head a committee of 50 Indianapolis citizens who are to boost the film's engagement here. Headquarters have been opened in Keith’s. Robert Collier, Warner Brothers representative from New York, is assisting Ted Nicholas, Lyric Theater manager, representing Charles Olsen, in making arrangements for the event. John Kautz is aiding in aligning co-operation of schools and clubs. “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” bringing Dick Powell, James Cagney and Joe E. Brown, is to be shown here twice daily starting Jan. 29, as a “road show” attraction. * clever and fills her role type excellently. She should be cast in more such situations, and it wouldn’t be a bad idea to let her do them with the versatile Mr. Marshall. (By J. W. TANARUS.).

THE EMBATTLED CRY OP LET EM HAVE IT RICHARD ARLEN'* VIRGINIA BRUCE ALICE BRADY* BRUCE CABOT Plll EDMUND LOWE nua -thunder in the night”

MMIM' new coMicr* wtwchoruiK 11 ') ! r A\'M "K : ————- 1 1 — r* i -3 ~4. E sentatioNS l?/] NEIGHBORHOOD THEATERS 1

WEST SIDE ri rrt a rri j-\ 2'02 W. 10th St. S1 A1 L sg "STORMY” “MARY JANE S PA” BELMONT “MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY^ Da ro \r 2340 W. Mich. St. A I \ ¥ Doable Feature x x Edmond Lowe “WANDERER OF THE WASTELAND" “THUNDER IN THE NIGH^' NORTH SIDE RI T 7 Illinoit at 34th lit/ Doable Feature Ann Harding “PETER IBBETSON” “THE GIRL FRIEND” UPTOWN IVMn Wheeler Sc Wooltey “THE RAINMAKERS” ______ “FIGHTING YOUTH” Ann Ittir 30th and Illinoia GARRICK “FRECKLES” “ATLANTIC ADVENTURE” pfp atn St. Clair Sc Ft. Wayne M. C 1 /AIR Do iMiw. “HERE COMES THE BAND” “GIRL FRIEND” Dry 30th at Northwestern May Robeson “3 KIDS AND A QUEEN” Cartoon—Farawonnt Newt Til n/'vr / p Talbot Sc 22nd 1 ALOU 1 1 Double Feature V 4 Will Borer* “STEAMBOAT ’ROUND THE BEND” “FARMER TAKES A WIFE” Stratford JSWSSSR ouuuutu Dtrk Powell “PAGE MISS GLORY” “MAP LOVE" MECCA 2sStfr “EVERY NIGHT AT EIGHT” "LITTLE 810 SHOT” DREAM 2361 Station St. UlV£i/\lTl Lionel Barrymore “THE RETURN OF PETER GRIMM” “CHAPTER 11. THE LOST CITY” EAST SIDE n I XT r\ If Dearborn at loth K 1 V U L 1 Double Feature * T Lawrence Tibbett “METROPOLITAN” “THE LAST OUTPOST” tuxedo "s&Swr* “DR. SOCRATES” “THUNDER MOUNTAIN”*

-TAN. 10, 193 ff

It Is Woman Against Man in New Film Bette Davis Weaves Her Spell in ‘Dangerous’ at Circle. Once again Bette Davis weaves a spell about a man, pulling him away from the girl he loves. In "Dangerous.” at the Circle today. Miss Davis plays the role of Joyce Heath, a has-be°n actress who, because she seemed to put a jinx on every one with whom she came in contact, has forsaken the stage, substituting serious drinking. One night while slumming with his fiancee, Don Bellows (Franchot Tone) sees Miss Heath in a cheap drink place. Now it seems that seeing Miss Heath on the stage when he was a boy—the beauty, the majesty of her performance had changed his whole life, thus he is interested in her fate (from a purely impersonal standpoint, of course). Don realizes, when the truth is known, that he has been a sucker. He married his fiancee, and Joyce, suddenly devoted, takes flowers to her husband. Bette Davis is no better than usual. She does a little more acting and less posing, but it’s pretty much thrown away. Franchot Tone appears to no direct advantage, as Don. The best of the cast is Miss Lindsay, who is coming up in the movie world. You may find some stimulus to dulled nerves in Miss Davis’ tantrums, or her so-called beguiling ways with men. We didn’t. (By J. W. TANARUS.)

Vetu/ln 'ENGAGEMENT FOR ONE WEEK ONLY/ You Fooced UsTo Bring It Back . . AM ERICAS DARLING

! EAST^SIDE TACOMA' * WjSF Tom Brown “ANNAPOLIS FAREWELL” "OLD MAN RHYTHM” IRVING •gftTft* “WAY DOWN EAST” “THIS IS THE LIFE” EMERSON ££ &£ Miriam Hookint “BARBARY COAST” [ “IT’S IN THE AIR” HAMILTON Feature* uiiiiu/iv/n Rochelle Hudion “WAY DOWN EAST” “MUSIC IS MAGIC” PA D tr D 2936 F.. 10th St. AIVIV LIV Double Feature Joe E. Brown “CIRCUS CLOWN” “SPANISH CAPE MYSTERY" STRAND “iTSJt Edw. G. Robinson Miriam Hookint “BARBARY COAST” Rochelle Hudson, Henry Fonda. Slim Summerville. Andy Devine “WAY DOWN EAST” Mutical Comedy “TWO HEARTS IN WAX” D A V V 2721 E - "ash. StT” fV W A Y Double Feature * Florlne McKinney “CAPPY RICKS RETURNS” “FIGHTING YOUTH” Paramount “THE GOOSE AND THE GANDER” “FENNY WISE” SOUTH SIDE FOUNTAIN SQUARE Double Feature Jack HoU “STORM OVER THE ANDES” “HI GAtCH" SANDERS “FLORENTINE DAGGER” "CYCLONE OF THE Ayr i e 4 \ i Prospect-Churchman VALI) lN Double Peaturu T 11 U V il Ann SBtht . rn “THE GIRL FRIEND" “OBJECT NOT MATRIMONY” ORIENTAL “BREWSTER’S MILLIONS” _____ _ "DESERT_TRAIL” GARFIELD Double Feature* Tom Brown "ANNAPOLIS FAREWELL” "THE GOOSE AND THE GANDEB**