Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 267, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 January 1936 — Page 8

PAGE 8

M LAGLEN, BARTHOLOMEW SCORE• IN 'PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER'

Movie Story Packed With Rapid Action Players Take Apollo Fans To Mythical Kingdom in Balkans. BY JOHN W. THOMPSON There’s anew team of stars in Hollywood—and they make “Professional Soldier,’’ opening at the Apollo tomorrow, the best screen entertainment offered in the new year. For Victor (“Informer") McLaglen and Freddie (David Copperfield") Bartholomew are a pair of naturals. They can both dish it out as well as take it, and their present opus is as delectable a plate of comedy action as one could wish. It lias as background a mythical kingdom, it has as its hero a brawny brute with an enlarged imagination and It has as its central star the one little boy everybody would like to own. For in “Professional Soldier" Freddie rises to histrionical heights he never before has touched. You’ll see real facial expression, delightful management of stage business, unusual diction, especially in the juggling of large words, all of which make Mr. Bartholomew a big reason why Shirley Temple should be glad she has the implied charms of the female to uphold her reputation Takes on Millionaire The story of “Professional Soldier” starts with Mr. McLaglen, as “General” Michael Donovan, soldier of fortune, temporarily (there didn’t happen to be any wars at the moment) taking over a young millionaire, George Foster, in an attempt to keep him out of mischief. An offer is made to the General to abduct a king in a little Balkan country, for which he is to receive $50,000. Mike jumps at the chance, takes Foster along. At a masquerade ball, Foster falls in love with the lovely Countess Sonia. Mike and Foster enter the king’s suite, gag one whom they think is the king, when suddenly a handsome little boy walks in on them. “Oh, goody, a kidnaping,” Freddie shouts with glee. Mike shoves him away, but he is not to be dismissed. “Are you fellows really American gangsters? Say you're not Dillinger are you?” Freddie asks. Mike shakes his head. Get Wrong Man Then Freddie explains they have the wrong man. That man they have gagged is the king’s tutor. He is the king. Well, Mike is flabbergasted. The idea of sending him, the great “General" Donovan to make a “kid snatch." He will have none of it. But the countess enters, sees what is going on and lings the bell for the guards. King Freddie promises to lead them all to safety through a secrat passage if they will take him with them. They promise, and take the countess for good measure. In a secluded old castle, the little king and the countess are kept prisoners. Foster continues his romance with Sonia and Mike tells Freddie bed-time stories about his gory, glamorous encounters with enemies in his myriad war-time experiences. Freddie drinks it all in, Mike even teaches the young king how to play baseball, shoot dice (at which game Freddie promptly cleans both Foster and Mike). But the revolutionists lose power,

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Opening Tomorrow Apollo “PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER”—Victor McLaglen, Freddie Bartholomew, Gloria Stuart, Constance Collier, Dixie Dunbar. Directed by Tay Garnett; story by Damon Runyon; photographed by Rudolph Mate. Story—American soldier of fortune and male millionaire ward hired to adbuct king, but revolt when they find king is child. Millionaire falls for countess. Ail escape palace when guards discover Americans. Take refuge in castle, where bragging soldier tells boy king bedtime tales of wonder about wartime achievements. Countess and millionaire taken prisoner, king and soldier struggle through swamps to get to palace but are taken by anti-royalists. Countess saves day w'ith prison break and soldier makes good all bedtime stories by capturing army single-handed. Circle “THE MAGNIFICENT OBSESSION”—Irene Dunne, Robrt Taylor, Charles Butterworth, Ralph Morgan, Betty Furness, Arthur Treacher. (Running second week, transferred from the Indiana). Story—Humanitarian doctor dies, leaving young wife. Wealthy playboy, who used pulmotor which might have saved doctor, falls in love with her. She is struck by car, goes blind. He spends life trying to become great doctor. Finally performs operation on widow which restores sight. Indiana EARL CARROLL’S “VANITIES” on Stage—Buster West, Lucille Page, dancers; Neli Kelly, commedienne; Cookie Bowers, comic; Jean Lorraine, comic dancer, and a large chorus. “HER MASTER’S VOICE” on Screen —Edward Everett Horton, Laura Hope Crews, Peggy Conklin, Elizabeth Patterson, Grant Mitchell, Dick Elliott. Directed by Joseph Santley; music by James McHugh and Hairy Sauber: photographed by James Van Trees. Story—Would-be crooner leads hectic life with in-laws. Gets mistaken for butler by rich aunt, is hired as her houseman. His wife goes to the aunt’s unmindful he is there. Complications arise when wife discovers hubby prowling in aunt’s bdroom. All ends in uproar when hubby becomes nation’s favorite ‘‘mike” star. Loeiv’s “APRIL BLOSSOMS” —Richard Tauber, Jane Baxter, Carl Esmond, Athene Seylor, Charles Carlson. A British picture. Story—Songs of Franz Schubert featured. Young composer falls In love with dancing master’s daughter. Dashing young army captain appears, sweeps girl off feet. Through misunderstanding, marries wrong man. Composer throws sad thoughts into music, finds happiness in writing gay tunes. “THE LONE WOLF RETURNS”—MeIvin Douglas, Gail Patrick, Tala Birell, Raymond Falbu n, Douglas Dumbrille. Story by Louis Joseph Vines, directed by Roy William Neill, photographed by Henry Freulich. Story—Debonair jewel thief, Lone Wolf, escapes from police into home of wealthy heiress after stealing gems from neighbors. Jjove steals their hearts. L. Wolf decides to steal no more. Former confederates attempt to involve him in another jewel theft. He refuses, by clever ruse, traps thieves, saves “ice.” Wealthy girl forgives, foigets. L. Wolf goes sissy. Lyric “MAJOR BOWES’ AMATEURS” on Stage—Mrs. Marguerite Ryan, “singing housewife”; Paul Regan, impersonator; Lester Schnitzer, violinist; Adolphus Robinson, Negro singer and dancer; Lewis Costelli, accordionist: Kathleen Ray, singer; Joe Beckler, “singing boilermaker”; Eagles Harmonica sextette; Gloria Rich, toe tapper; “One Man Band" Lorlng Smith is to be master of ceremonies. “FRESHMAN LOVE” on Screen—Frank McHugh, Patricia Ellis, Warren Hull, Joseph Cawthom, George E. Store. William McGann, director; based on story by George Ade. Story—Crew coach at staid college stumped by old-fashioned scholastic standards set by moth-eaten president. Goes into huddle with prexy’s daughter. Map campaign of recruiting students. Girl vamps athletes, crew goes over with a bang. Music, dancing substitute for liberal education.

and when Mike tries to take Freddie back to the palace, both are taken prisoners by the rival party. The young king is sentenced to be. shot. Bravely he goes to face the guns. But the coui/ess effects a jail break for the Americans and Mike captures a machine gun, carries it about like a pop-gun, mows down the enemy, captures 250 single-handed, thereby making good one of the bedtime tales he had told Freddie. Everything endS’ happily, with a thrilling finale as as the boy king pins the medal of honor on Mike. Both Mr. McLaglen and Mr. Bartholomew are at their best in this extremely funny and. oft-times thrilling story of fairyland heroes which little boys and little girls from 6 to 60 will thoroughly enjoy. The picture is greatly aided by the appearance of Gloria Stuart rs countess. She is almost a newcomer

to films, but is outstanding as a beautiful and not dumb heroine who comes through in the pinches. Michael Whalen, who plays the part of the young millionaire, Lothario, shows great promise. He should be among the top-notchers before the year is out, if given a chance. As for little Freddie—well he rattles off 16-cylinder words with the ease of Leslie Howard and is a natural, human little boy all the time. The scenes he plays with Mr. Laglen are his best. Victor looks and acts best with an 80-pound machine gun in his massive paws, firing it at soldiers in one of the scenes of the picture. He never has been better (even in “The Informer”). You’ll regret it if you miss „ this rapid-fire story set in a film setting, which has a grander climax than a Pop-Eye cartoon.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Screen Folk Find Resort 'Rest' Place Whirl of Activity Awaits at End of Drive to Palm Springs. BY PAUL HARRISON HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 16.—(NEA) —The way distances are measured in this far-flung colony, Palm Springs is counted as practically a suburb of Hollywood. It’s actually a rather tedious 115 miles, but nothing is too much work when sated flicker folk decide to take a rest. In summer the temperature and population of Palm Springs are something like 150. but there is a considerable deviation in the sucker season, when the mercury recedes a little and the hotels start bulging with important customers. The business section consists mostly of chile huts and waffle and sports and wear shoppes. Also there is the establishment of Princess Zoraida, who makes quite a good thing out of telling actors and actresses whether their contracts are going to be renewed. Hotel Rooms $5 to S3O The hotels range from a $5 shakedown on the outskirts of town to El Mirado, in which you can stay for S3O a day. The place also has some three-room bungalows where tourists are accommodated for SBO a day. Screen people mostly just get rooms in the hotel. Until a few days ago, one of the bungalows had a steady tenant—a young man whose income is S6OOO a week. But he began paying rent to a hospital after establishing a marathon guzzling record of 72 gin fizzes in 24 hours. Palm Springs is the playground of cattle barons, traction magnates, industrial tycoons, overstuffed ladies from the Easf, and movie bigwigs. Hundreds of lesser Hollywood people go there, but don’t remain overnight. After all, there is no point in paying so much for a room that you lie awake all night worrying about your extravagance. Palm Springs is largely a state of mind, anyway; it is energizing just to be able to t?ll all one’s acquaintances that one has been there for a good long rest. Half-Hour Is “Long” “Long” is a relative term, of course. A long sunbath, for instance, might last half an hour, and then you probably would be burned to a crisp. The individual solariums, little cabanas with quartz windows, may be briefly occupied for a pittance of $3 per exposure.The $3, though, includes innumerable glasses of ice water delivered, regardless of*the gender of the occupant, by a man. Running solarium concessions is the town’s principal industry. People go about heedlessly in many states of undress. From an airplane commanding a view of private patios and secluded sun

LAST^AY^inK|^jAH^jVlLDEßNESSj^^^^£g^^|^EWjS 1 'M&rr Jl ff J|M§ ■ / - vM^g^illbdßk fi| 8 The MAMMOTH MUSICAL SPECTACLE-Unforgettable Heart- 1 ■ Throb Drama glorious pageant of the life, loves and music of the im- I I mortal Franz Schubert. Played by a superb cast with the thrilling singer I I of sweet songs RICHARD TAUBER whose concert tour of America 9 I made musical history. WORLD PREMIERE comes to Indianapolis. I I Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer proudly presents at' popular prices... 9 AmiL BLOSSOMS

PUCK, IMP OF 'MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM/ STILL CUTS CAPERS AS CARTOON CHARACTER

Puck is the “daddy” of the modern cartoon character, according to Dr. Richard Burton, noted drama authority. And who is Puck? He’s that “shrewd and knayish sprite" who romps through “A Midsummer Night's Dream,” and who, in the person of Mickey Rooney, is to be seen in Max Reinhart’s movie version of the Shakespearean comedy when it comes to Keith’s for a road show engagement the week of Jan. 29. In the days of Shakespeare, Puck was the impish spirit who both amused and annoyed; the fairy individual who received the blame for most of the bad luck that beset the people of that time. He soured the milk, upset the soup, kept the sturdy yeoman out late on Saturday nights and lured the maidens from their heartsick swains with love potions. Just who Puck's father might be is not clear. Dr. Burton believes it was the Greek god Pan, and if this

decks atop residences and hotels, the place looks like a nudist camp. A great deal of flying is done about and over Palm Springs. All the sports from A to Z (archery to zany-baiting, the latter a favorite pastime of the Marx brothers) ere available at the resort. Harpo Marx also likes to play bingo, which is like lotto, which is like the corn game you play at county fairs. Seldom Shouts “Bingo” Richard Dix plays bingo, too. You really should hear the triumphant way Mr. Dix shouts “Bingo ” when he wins, which is seldom. Ralph Bellamy and Charles Farrell, who are actors in the spare time, operate the Racquet Club, which is not to be confused with the Racquet Club of Manhattan. Messrs. Bellamy and Farrell have six tennis courts, a bar, and a lounge. Some very exciting elbow-bending tournaments are held there. The bowling alley is an Academy in Palm Springs, and Harry Richman has the high celebrity score—a spare 238. June Travis is credited with 195, but her scorekeeper was a man whose business is estimating picture costs. The best badminton players are Julie Haydon and Miss Travis. Ride Into Desert The sunrise horseback parties are well patronized by people "who are still up at that time. Assorted flunkies precede the hardy adventurers into the desert with steaming canisters and vacuum bottles full of coffee and various pick-me-ups. Places are laid with snowy napery and second-best silver by the time the riders gallop up with shrieks of “Tally-ho!” They say that prospectors get quite a start when they come upon these merry breakfast parties out in the middle of nowhere. At night there is nothing much to do besides go over to The Dunes, a gambling house conducted by Mr. A1 Wertheimer. It is generally conceded that Mr. Wertheimer renders a considerable service to visiting Hollywoodsmen, since gaming losses may be deducted on income tax reports.

is the case, Puck and his cartoon strip offsprings can claim descent from the classic conception of pagan mythology. From the Elizabethan ancestor came Peter Pan, beloved by all children. And, says Dr. Burton, in his human form there are the Katzenjammer Kids, whose antics are amusing another generation of comic strip veaders. Another famous son was “The Yellow Kid,” cartoon favorite of the nineties. Puck’s ability to swing through the air with the greatest of ease and fraternize with the beasts of the forest has a modern prototype in the person of Tarzan, who in turn may haVe been inspired by the Mowgli ol Kipling’s “Jungle Books.” “Skippy" and “Henry” have many Puckish characteristics, the learned teacher maintains, and those who revelled in “Pecks Bad Boy" may not know how many snickers they owe to this Robin Goodfellow.

WHERE, WHAT, WHEN AFOLLO < Return engagement of "The Littlest Rebel” with Shirley Temple, John Boles and Jack Holt at 11, 12:51, 2:42, 4:33, 6:24, 8:15 and 10:06. CIRCLE “Dangerous.” featuring Bette Davis. Franchot Tone and Margaret Lindsey, at 11:45, 1:50. 3:55. 6, 8 and 10:00. INDIANA “The Magnificent Obsession,” film on Llovd C. Douglas’ novel, with Irene Dunne, Robert Taylor, Betty Furness, at 11:30, 1:35. 3:40. 5:45. 7:50 and 9:55. LOEW’S “Ah. Wilderness!” with Lionel Barrymore. Wallace Beery. 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. 6:40 and 9:30. OHIO “This Is the Life” at 10:30. 1:09, 3:38, 6:24 and 9:10. Also "The Last Outpost” at 11:35, 2:21, 4:50, 7:36, and 10:15.

Walt Disney Taken Into French Legion. Time* Special HOLLYWOOD, Jan. 16—Walt Disney, creator of Mickey Mouse and the Silly Symphony productions, has been made a chevalier in the French Legion of Honor. The xibbon was bestowed by J. J. Viala, French consul at Los Angeles, at a special ceremony at the Disney studios. The award inducted Mr. Disney into the Legion formed by Napoleon in 1802, and was conferred for his contributions to the world of art and entertainment. Mr. Disney originated his animated cartoon years ago. Luise Ranier Accomplished Luise Ranier might have chosen almost any one of the fine arts as a means of making a living. Besides being a gifted actress she plays the piano, sings, dances, paints and makes , small statues in bronze.

From the Greek nymphs of Homer's time to the spirit Nephele of the present day Eskimo, the world has believed in fairies. Shakespeare, who seemed to know everything about all people of all times, knew his fairy lore and Puck could not escape his attention. He is an old tradition in Anglo Saxon life. Even today he is believed in by many people in Ireland and Scotland, a half-loved, half-feared sprite who represents gay, irresponsible, unconsciously cruel childhood. America, too, still has an occasional “hex" murder, and the manufacturers of charms and amulets do a thriving business. The movie Puck. 11-year-old Mickey Rooney, is a real veteran of the screen, and the son of a noted theatrical family. Through all the play he floats, runs, flies or dances, intent upon two things—the will of his master Oberon, and his own love of joking. “A Midsummer Night’s Dream,” in its screen version, has been given the complete and unreserved approval of Mrs. David Ross, Indiana president of the Indorsers of Photoplays. She termed it of “unusual educational and artistic worth."

I(IRENE DUNNE L (fw I ROBERT TAYLOR EJI S (You liked him in “Broadway Malady ol 1936”) M - in LLOYD C. DOUGLAS'S I) MAfiNIFKENT.iI 1/ OBSESSION^ y I.hm Day! tV.SK- including A, n ~D A> JH Scores H |He adß ■ f UnK ” n because g k jl ■

JAN. 16, 1936

Singer Selects Most Charming Gladys Swarthout Lists 10 Men, 10 Women. By r nifed Press HOLLYWOOD. Jan. 16—Gladys Swarthout, opera singer in Hollywood the last six months filling & picture engagement, today named the 10 most charming and entertaining men she had met and an equal number of women, as she prepared to depart for eastern concert engagements. Women chosen by Miss Swarthout are Claudette Colbert, Irene Dunne, Marlene Dietrich, Mrs. Clark Gable, Miriam Hopkins, Jeannette MacDonald, Frances Marion, Grace Moore, Norma Shearer and Gloria Swanson. Her list of charming men is George Brent, Marc Connolly, Ernst Lubitsch, Fredric March, Herbert Marshall, Philip Merivale, David Niven, Cole Porter, Clifton Webb and Frank Chapman, her husband. Miss Swarthout pointed out that many other men and women in the film colony were charming, but that her list was made up from individuals she had met frequently.