Indianapolis Times, Volume 47, Number 288, Indianapolis, Marion County, 10 February 1936 — Page 4

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'THE PETRIFIED FOREST' OPENS AT INDIANA ON FRIDAY

Stage Show's Star to Play Leading Role Leslie Howard, Bette Davis Featured in Film Adaptation. The picture adaptation of the famous stage play, “The Petrified Forest," starring Leslie Howard and Bette Davis, is to open at the Indiana Theater, starting Friday, according to an announcement made today by I. M. Halperin, In-diana-Circle general manager. If Mr. Howard meant what he 'aid recently, “The Petrified Forest,” and “Romeo and Juliet,” on which he Just completed work, may be the last pictures the popular British actor will make for some time. “I think people are fed up on seeing me on the screen.” Howard said a week or so ago, “So I'm going to take a whirl at directing.” The first picture to be produced under Mr. Howard’s direction is to be filmed in his native country, England. He will not reveal the title but says it is a “famous old story.” Other Stars in fast In the cast of “The Petrified Forest,” besides Mr. Howard and Miss Davis, are Humphrey Bogart, Charley Grapewin, Genevieve Tobin, and Dick Foran. The original stage play was written by Robert E. Sherwood, and produced by Gilbert Miller at the Broadhurst Theater in New York. Mr. Howard took the leading role. Peggy Conklin played the part Miss Davis takes in the picture. Humphrey Bogart, who plays the gangster in the film, had the same role in the stage play. The play opened Jan. 7 last year, ran for 194 performances.

Joan May Make Western Movie Writers Work on Scenario for Miss Crawford. HOLLYWOOD. Feb. 10.-(UP) —Joan Crawford is trembling on the verge of committting a Western, and well she may. Take the joint word of Albert Hackett and Frances Goodrich, ace film writing team for it. Her fate is in their hands. The great minds' of M-G-M decreed Joan should go West, young gal. and handed a story and title to Producer Hunt Stromberg. The story resembled “Barbary Coast” too much to be usable, so Hackett and Goodrich were given the title and instructions to work their will upon it. "God knows what it’s going to be about.” said Hackett. "The scene has to be Colorado in the silver days.” Two Collaborate The two collaborated on farther explanation. Goodrich—Our title is "A Lady Comes to Town.” Isn't that something? Hackett—But it isn’t for Mae West. We’d have to rewrite the title for Mae. Chorus—For Mae we’d have to call it "A Lady Goes to Town”! Goodrich—We've got one swell scene we can save from the original. It's a funeral. Hackett Sure, Crawford and some other people are burying a guy. He’s dead. The preacher is saying funeral offices when all at once everybody spots silver in the grave. Goodrich—Then everybody deserts the corpse and races to town to stake a claim on the cemetery. Isn't it great? Wrote Other Hits Hackett and Goodrich are among Hollywood's ace collaborators. They wrote scenarios of "The Thin Man," "Rose Marie,” "Ah Wilderness” and "Naujhty Marietta.” Possibly this collaboration is unusually effective because they are married. "We do it by fighting,” explained Goodrich. “I write a scene and she writes the same scene.” Hackett added. "Then we fight it out which Is the best," they chorused. They began writing on Broadway 10 years ago, when both were actors. (“I was an actress,” corrects Goodrich). That was before they were married. Goodrich —Crawford should be a knockout in this Western. Hackett —Well, with our story . . . Goodrich—lt's be terrific, Hackett —Colossal. Chorus —What d'ye ’spose it ought to be about? Having purchased the title "The Music Goes ’Round and Around” for their completed picture. "Rolling Along,” Columbia immediately changed it. The opera will be known as “Music Goes Round” with Harry Richman. Rochelle Hudson and the Onyx Boys. The full title was too long for the marquees. It will be released as soon as a part for the orchestra can be wangled in. Falls City Casino to Have Barn Dances A radio string band is to furnish music for the Falls City Casino's "Barn Dance Night," which is to be a regular Wednesday night feature. Square dancing is to be in order, with a well-known "caller” to guide the dancers. The prettiest girl present at the Casino on Friday night is to receive a giant box of candy in connection with the "Dance of Love,” planned as a special Valentine occasion. Make* Two Films at Onoj Ethan Laidlaw, one of the best all-round "heavies” of the screen, is currently supplying the menace of two pictures at once—" Silly Billies” zjx d "Thorobreds AIL”

Audiences Laugh More at Charlie Chaplin's Original Antics Than at New Scenic Effects in 'Modern Times', Coming to Loew's This Month

B 1 JOHN W. THOMPSON A ridiculously flexible w-alking stick, an amusing undersized derby, two oversized shoes and a trick umbrella—that’s about all there w-as to Charlie Chaplin and Cos. when he started his career in movies before the World War. And strangely enough, with all his new scenic effects and modem contraptions, those simple things were what the audience laughed most heartily at during the premiere of "Modern Times” in New York last Wednesday night. (Tickets were $5.50 each.) There is a Homeric uncertainty about the birthplace of Charlie Chaplin But the blind poet is five up on the little fellow. Seven cities claimed the honor of being Homer’s birthplace while only two, Paris and London, have claimed Charlie. But then Homer has something like a 2500 year start on Mr. Chaplin. Charlie was born April 16, 1819 as far as anybody knows. The Parisian version has it that Mr. Chaplin first saw the light of day at Fontainbleau, the son of a French pantomimic clown, and and English Jewess. Later, say the French, he sold papers in Covent Garden. A London paper said recently that Charlie was born in Halworth, that his mother was Lily Harley, music hall vocalist (now an invalid living in Hove). His father, the report contended, was Charles Chaplin, well known singer of descriptive songs. So take your choice. It seems that Charlie himself would lean toward the latter contention. At least he admits having made his theatrical debut at the age of six in a London music hall, when he was shoved on to the stage at the last minute to fill in for his mother who suddenly had taken ill. He sang a lilting song, “Jack Jones.” Played in Sherlock Holmes

After several years on music hall stages, Mr. Chaplin got his first legitimate role, Billy, the page boy in William Gillette’s "Sherlock Holmes.” Then he toured England playing juvenile roles and doing imitations of his favorite music hall performers. ' * At this time, Sidney Chaplin, Charlie's older brother, who already had made good in a few pictures in the United States, introduced Charlie to Fred Karno, a producer, who gave Charlie a. variety of experience on musical productions. In these he toured this country for the first time. It was not until his return to the United States for a second series of performances with Kamo’s troupe that he made his first contact with the movies. He was signed for pictures by Mack Sennett, who at that time was setting new standards with his pie-tossing comedies. . After playing secondary roles in these comedies for some time, Charlie rose to stardom and then insisted upon directing his own pictures. Mr. Sennett at first resented this seeming usurpation of his power, but later consented and since that time Mr. Chaplin has directed all his own films. During the two years he was with Sennett, Chaplin made 21 two-reel-ers and one feature, “Tillie’s Punctured Romance,” with Mabel Normand as his leading lady. In 1915 he was associated with Essanay, the producer, for whom he made 12 two-reel comedies, ancf then went with Mutual Films, Inc., for whom he made "Floorwalker,” and several others. Joined First National in 1918 In 1918 Charlie joined the First National ranks, made “A Dog's Life,” "Shoulder Arms,” and “The Kid,” which introduced Jackie Coogan to the film world. “The Pilgrim” also was produced about that time. Chaplin decided, in 1935 to distribute his own pictures and chase the United Artists company. He, with Douglas Fairbanks, Mary Pickford and D. W. Griffith had helped organize this company in 1919. From that time on he spaced his pictures several years apart. He made “The Gold Rush,” “The Circus,” and "City Lights,” in which he surprised the industry by making a tremendous success of a silent movie in the face of the sudden turn to talkies. About a month ago Mr. Chaplin attended an early morning business conference at a Los Angeles hotel. Word got around that the famous comedian was there and when he came out he was greeted by nearly a thousand children between the ages of six and 10. Most of them were too young to have seen Chaplin's last picture, "City Lights” which was released almost five years

Walter Hampden to Appear Here in 'Cyrano de Bergerac" March 7 Star to Give Two Performances at English’s Theater in One of World’s Best Poetic Dramas. Challenged only by some of Shakespeare's comedies. Rostand’s “Cyrano de Bergerac," in which Walter Hampden is to appear at English’s for two performances March 7, stands as one of the world’s best poetic dramas. Constant Coquelin first produced the Rostand play at the Porte St. Martin Theater in Paris, Dec. 28, 1897. Its reception amounted to a furor and its fame was achieved almost overnight.

Richard Mansfield saw the play in Paris and decided to play the tragic-comic Gascon hero in the United States. As Rostand had not had the foresight to protect his drama by copyright and as the present international copright law was not then in effect. Mansfield did not have to go through the formality of securing the right to produce the play in America. All he had to do was to get a copy of the play and learn his lines. Mansfield gave the play in the Garden Theater. New York, for the first time, Oct. 3, 1898, in an English version of the book by Howard Thayer Kingsbury, with Marge ret Anglin in the role of Roxanne. Daly Also Prepared Play In the meantime Augustin Daly also had prepared the play for production at his theater in New York, using his own version of the play. Ada Rehan, at that time at the height of her dramatic powers, was to play Roxanne, and Charles Richman, just coming into his own as a loading man, was to play Cyrano, . X ■ • .5

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ago. The incident shows that there almost is a complete generation who never has seen the comedian on the screen, and yet the legend of his antics lives through the years when he doesn’t produce a picture. There is much to attest to the magic by which Chaplin has been able to captivate young and old alike. One example is the row of shelves in the Chaplin home in Hollywood which is lined with scrap books containing press clippings concerning the comic. Charlie has talked less for publicity, and received more, than any other actor or actress—including Garbo. Fifteen years ago imitators of Chaplin swept the country. On vaudeville stages, in musical comedies, among amateurs, any one who impersonated the funny little man with the cane, was sure of applause. Recent clippings from Japan reveal that impersonations of the comic are still going on in the Oi'ient. They tell of a contest for the “best impersonation of Charlie Chaplin,” in which hundreds of natives took part, swarming the streets in Oriental interp~etations of the film comedian. Like contests have been held recently in England. There is a bridge in Rotterdam, Holland, with a large statue of Mr. Chaplin on the parapet. Puppets of Charlie are featured in both Tony Sarg’s marionette show, and that of the Yale Puppeteers. The original costume which Charlie wore when he first donned the derby, stick, baggy trousers and large shoes, has been presented to a Los Angeles museum and may be seen there, draped about a sculpted figure of Mr. Chaplin. The magazine Vanity Fair some time ago featured a page of celebri-

WHERE, WHAT, WHEN APOLLO “The Jones Family’’ in “Every Saturday Night,” with Jed Prouty. Spring Byington, June Lang and Tnomas Beck, at 11:58, 1:58, 3:58, 5:58. 7:58 and 9:58. CIRCLE “Rose Os The Rancho,” with Gladys Swarthout and John Boles, at 11:40, 1:45, 3:50, 5:50, 7:55 and 10. . INDIANA “Next Time We Love,” with Margaret. Sullavan, James Stewart and R,ay Milland. at 11:21, 1:30, 3:37, 5:45, 7:50 and 10. LOEW’S Cab Calloway and his Cotton Club Orchestra, at 3:53, 6:46 and 9:39. "Exclusive Story.” on the screen at 11, 1:53. 4:46. 7:39 and 10:30. LYRIC “Spices of 1936” with Count Berni Vici. on stage at 1:07. 3:56. 6:44 and 9:31. “The Murder of Dr. Harman" on the screen, featuring Mary Astor and Ricardo Cortez, at 11:40, 2:28, 5:16, 8:04 and 10:27. OHIO “Hands Across the Table.” Carole Lombard, 10:30, 1:35. 4:27, 7:32, 10:16. “I Found Stella Parish.” Kav Francis. 11:50, 2:55, 5:47, 8:52.

Daly’s announcement caused a storm of controversy. While he undoubtedly had the legal right to duplicate the play Mr. Mansfield was producing, many persons questioned the moral right of the proposal. The situation grew more tense when it became known that Mansfield wao paying Rostand some royalty while Daly was paying nothing for the use of the play. The Daly production opened in Philadelphia but never reached New York. The Mansfield play gained heavily in popularity and finally Daly withdrew from the competition. Cyrano de Bergerac was a real person although the author of the play took the usual dramatic license in constructing his hero’s character. Cyrano in the flesh was a poet, an adventurer and a famous duellist. One of his literary efforts was "A Trip to the Moon,” a little piece of fanciful writing which was the forerunner of many of today’s imaginative essays. *

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES .

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Above and below, Charlie Chaplin Is shown in scenes from his new picture, “Modern Times,” which he directed, produced and for which he wrote the musical background. The story centers around a poor factory worker.

ties who play the violin for no other reason than that they like the instrument, and Charlie was listed along with Mussolini, Upton Sinclair and Einstein. Paderewski, on his last visit to New York, remarked that he was disappointed because "none of the Charlie Chaplin films is showing here.” In Hungary several weeks ago a poll was taken by one of the leading newspapers in which it asked its readers that if seven world famous figures were in danger and only one could be saved, who would they choc~e to rescue. Chaplin won by a large majority of votes. Books, music and sports occupy what little time Charlie has left to himself. A story is told about Charlie and Douglas Fairbanks at a time when the two happened to be together in Hollywood several years ago. Doug challenged Charlie to a race from their adjoining Beverly Hills homes to the United Artists studios, six miles away. At the start Doug took the lead but as they neared the studio he began to weaken. Charlie slowed down and finished a tie. Then as Doug slumped into a chair, Charlie sprinted ten times around the building. He hadn’t told his friend that he won many ribbons as an amateur long distance runner in England. Charlie Has Choice Library Few of the visitors to Charlie’s home know that his library contains some of the world's choice volumes. On his last trip to England the comedian bought the best books from the library of the late Arnold Bennett; first editions of Frank Harris; a complete set of “Punch” dating from its first issue, duplicates of which it is impossible to get now; and a first edition of Gray’s “Elegy.” His Napoleonic collection boasts nearly every book ever written about the "Little Corporal.” He has been Carole Fombard-Fred Mao Murray "Hands Across the Table” Kay Francis "I Found Stella Parish” 'Jill] THIS IS THE LAST I*l " I A #*. ■ WORD IN SuaUtH istf/raECH GLADYS CLARK I ANDAcoMnnt|lss iNw*o |hrvcqmW \\ DEVOE * I A WHAIi Os A S9CW/1 fcl &UmLESQQtK 401 MUTUAL The One .. - Theatre and Only BUnOSOUfi in the Exclusive , w Middle West HAWAIIAN NIGHTS Featuring Rath Wilson Soabrette Chert

offered fabulous sums for his Napoleonic Saxony porcelains. Although he never has taken a lesson Charlie is an accomplished musician and can play any instrument. He tells with pleasure about the time Fritz Kreisler, Einstein and he staged an impromptu recital at his home after a dinner party. He wrote the entire musical background for "Modern Times,” which is to be shown at Loew’s theater this month. In “Modern Times” Charlie presents for the first time, his new leading lady, Paulette Goddard. Nearly all the veterans who have been associated with the little clown during his career are to be seen in his new film. While some don’t have parts in the picture, they all helped some way with the production. Charlie rarely lets an employe go. Alexander Woolcott once said, (and we agree heartily). "His like has not passed this way before and we shall not see his like again.” Misses Familiar Role Myrna Loy, who was born in Montana and spent her girlhood on rattle ranches, never played a cowqirl on the screen. Official Aids Producer Inspector H. M. Fowell of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police is technical advisor for "The Country Beyond.” 25c to 1 \ / NOW! ON STAGE \ / At 1-3:60-6:45-9:35 \ / • CAB • \ #Nlff KEutlK

Hepburn, March Will Take Leads Players Assigned to 'Mary of Scotland.’ Maxwell Anderson's famous stage play, "Mary of Scotland,” which played at English’s last year with Helen Hayes in the title role, is to have Katherine Hepburn as Mary and Frederic March as the Earl of Bothwell in its fortthcoming screen version. Mr. March, who recently completed the leading role in "Anthony Adverse,” is to have the part done on the stage by Philip Merivale. John Ford is to direct “Mary of Scotland” and Dudley Nichols Is writing the screen play. These two men successfully collaborated in the production of "The Informer.”

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Bartlett and Robertson's Two-Piano Recital Proves Concert More Than 'Stunt' Charming British Couple Gives Artistic and Sensitive Performance in Program of Extremely Pleasant Music at English’s. BY JAMES THRASHER The happy pianistic combination of Ethel Bartlett and Rae Robertson is truly a musical marriage. By the artistic and sensitive performance of this charming British couple at English's Sunday afternoon, our convictions are reaffirmed that a two-piano recital is more than a “stunt,” although many such performances come under that classification. Their welcomed reappearance brought us a program of music extremely pleasant, if not great, and exquisitely played.

To say of duo-pianists that "they played as one person” is to employ a well-worn description, yet it must be said of Miss Bartlett and Mr. Robertson. In matters of precision of attack, graduations of tempo and phrasing they were in complete accord. and in the more cerebral and emotional fields of musical conception and tone color there was almost equal unity. Each is an accomplished pianist, able to evoke scintillating or songful music from the piano; each is also a sincere artist who can catch and project the mood of a composition. Opened With Bach Chorale The program began with a compelling and spirited Bach chorale, “It Is a True Saying,” followed by another chorale of contrasting character, “Sheep May Safely Graze.” whose simple, beautiful melody sang above a whispering accompaniment. Last in the Bach group was the familiar Prelude from the E Major Sonata for solo violin. Effectively transcribed, It was played stunningly and at top speed. Schumann's Andante and Variations and two of the Brahms Hungarian Dances, heard next, seemed less congenial to the Robertsons’ musical propensities, though the difficulties were mastered easily in a brilliant performance. Bizet’s “Jeux d’Enfants.” written for two performers at one piano, brought delighted “Ohs” and “Ahs” from the audience between each of the 10 short pieces in the suite, and resounding applause at the conclusion. The composer, known to most of us only as the man who immortalized the gypsy cigarei girl, Carmen, apparently created these slight fancies with considerable care. Akin in spirit to “Schumann's “Scenes from Childhood,” they were treated with equal consideration by the players who obviously shared their listeners’ enjoyment of the music. More Exploration Needed As we listened to this “duet,” we wondered why some of our twopiano teams do not explore a little in the rich field of four-hand music. A program of, say, the little F Minor Sonata of Johann Christian Bach, Mozart’s G Major Variations, the Schubert F Minor Fantasie, the above work of Bizet and Debussy’s “Petite Suite” would be of distinct worth as well as novel entertainment. Os the well known Scherzo and

f$vSS I OF 1936 1 B Featuring Ml

USksENTATIONS BMi Y V NEIGHBORHOOD THEATtRn

WEST SIDE C T A T 17 2702 w loth St. 5 1 iV 1 D Will Roger* ‘‘IN OLD KENTUCKY” Comedy News Cartoon nm MHMT w Wash * B '‘ lmont DIIfLrIUV/ll 1 Double Feature Will Rogers “IN OLD KENTUCKY” “BARBARY COAST” D.ff, tr 2540 W. Mich. St. A 1 S Y Double Feature ** 1 ° A George Raft “SHE COULDN’T TAKE IT” “CORONADO” NORTH SIDE Rg rg\ n Illinois at 34th 11/. Double Feature * * " Jack Oakie “BIG BROADCAST OF 1936” “SHE COULDN’T TAKE IT” UPTOWN 4Snd * CoU ** e til lUlVll Double Feature Wtll Rogers “IN OLD KENTUCKY” “A FEATHER IN HER HAT” __ /*■ 4 ys n f ryr/ 30th and Illinois luAßKllilV Double Feature uruviviun Fredrie March “THE DARK ANGEL” “IN PERSON” o rr< r>i air st. Clair * Ft. w J ne ST ( jLAIR Double Feature ijl. VJlvn.U\ Jick Oakie “BIG BROADCAST OF 1936” “IT’S IN THE AIR” nrtv 30th at Northw’t’n. K n.X Double Feature lvljA Dick Powell “THANKS A MILLION” “WELCOME HOME” TALBOTT “IT’S IN THE AIR” “I FOUND STELLA PARISH” n , , r t 19th A College Stratford D zl'z F ,r,*r “LITTLE BIG SHOT” “TWO FISTED" MECCA "DR. SOCRATES” “THE BISHOP MISBEHAVES” n 4 m w 2361 Station St. DR RAM Double Feature Lti\L<mti Pat o . Brien “STARS OVER BROADWAY" "DIAMOND JIM" EAST SIDE t r /x • w Dearborn at 10th I V () L 1 Double Feature * 1 v u * Claudette Colbert “THE BRIDE COMES HOME” TUXEDO rSTtJ: fk IUALfUV Dick Powell "THANKS A MILLION’’ y MAKE BURNS. FUGITIVE’* • Jh■ ■ >A - ;■

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Romance of Arensky and the Malaguena of Lecuona, which completed the programmed numbers, it need only be said that they maintained the entire recital's high standard. Four encores graciously were granted an insistent audience. They were a Gluck Gavotte (best known in the solo piano arrangement by Brahms) “Noel,” by Balfour-Gard-ner, "The Arensky Waltz” and Bach's chorale, “Jesu, Joy of Mans Desiring.” Piano Festival Set for May 3 480 City Pupils to Take Part in Concert. Indianapolis piano teachers have entered 480 of the 800 players who are to appear in the 125 Piano Ensemble festival, presented for the benefit of scholarship and student loan funds of Sigma Alpha lota, national professional musical sorority. The concert is to be held in the Butler University Fieldhouse, May 3. The local players are representatives of the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music, the BurroughsJackson School of Fine Arts, the Trvington School of Music, Tudor Hall, six Catholic schools—Sacred Heart, Ladywood, St. Joan of Arc, St. Mary’s Academy, St. Agnes Academy and St. Catherine School —and classes of 54 private teachers. The committee in charge of the festival includes Mrs. F. H. Sterling, general chairman; Mrs. Berta Miller Ruick, music committee chairman; Miss Gladys Alwes, finance committee chairman, and M. M. Miller, festival manager. * HARD-TO- - citITICS CAN’T BE WRONG Y **. . . Here Is somethin* H interesting; and refreshing I } •• • an< l to recommended ( A _ f for Father, Mother and tha A' VI- I 'Kids' .. . and to evoke th* / chuckles.” Robt. G. Tucker, Star. Zjr9 “Don’t let the commonplac* title fool you . . . one of iia season's most entertaining MS comedies.’’ —John W. Thompson, Times. Safe “The picture is full of diverting ‘wise cracks' which will ■B give you a hearty guffaw.” —Walter Whitworth, New* Tin ~

EAST SIDE TACOMA liivt/tuil Dick Powell “THANKS A MILLION" “FRECKLES” IDVI XT r* 5507 E. Wash. St.” IK V 1 IN (jr p<v>'e £" Evelyn Venable “HARMONY LANE” “SHE COULDN’T TAKE IT" Special Attraction—AUDIOSCOPIKS EMERSON Kav Francis “I FOUND STELLA PARISH" “WHIPSAW” HAMILTON Double Feature “THE PERFECT GENTLEMAN*** “MARY BURNS. FUGITIVE" PARKER "SE!SS~ Jack Benny “IT’S IN THE AIR” ** FRECKLES" STRAND George Arils* “MISTER HOBO ” ‘SEVEN KEYS TO BALDPATE” n A V V 2721 E 7 Wash, stf" IV V/ A I Double Feature "MUTINY ON THE SIOUNTY”** MAJOR BOWE'S AMATEUR HOUR Paramount Double Feature*’ *** “THREE KIDS AND A QUEEN"’° b *** ‘‘THE PAYOFF’ south side ~ FOUNTAIN SQUARE" Double Feature Claudette Colbert “THE BRIDE COMES HOME” “THE RAIN MAKERS" SANDERS Gary Cooper “THE WEDDING NIGHT" "THE FIGHTING PILOT” Aura g a V Pro*peet-Churrhma VAL 0 N Dobn,e FMlar * y Wallace Beery “O'SHAUGHNESSY’S BOY" “BIG BROADCAST OF 1936” ORIENTAL n V-b,r e F r^^ BC Dick Powell "THANKS A MILLION” “CHARUE CHAN IN SHANGHAI” garfieid swkKukT Carole Lombard “HANDS ACROSS THE TABLE” “THREE KIDS AND ▲ QUEEN”