Indianapolis Times, Volume 48, Number 1, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 March 1936 — Page 12

PAGE 12

NOTED FAMILY DRAMATIC TEAM TO APPEAR HERE THIS WEEK-END

Doubts Film Folk's Love for Theater Melvyn Douglas Points Out Few Desert Hollywood for Broadway. HOLLYWOOD. March 12. fNEAi —Comes now a Mr. Melvyn Douglas of Georgia, Broadway and Hollywood to Impugn the artistic integrity of numerous but unnamed performers of the ; screen. Mr. Douglas: "You hear a lot of movie people going around talking about the deah old thea-tuh, and how they miss it. and how they would like to go back and do something fine In it. "But somehow they just don’t get around to going back. They keep on wallowing in their fine old nostalgia. Npw York managers beg them to come East for plays, but when all is said and done the idealists are still in H'ay wood and still talking about the deah old thea-tuh. Wait Until They Slip "When a player starts slipping in Hollywood and needs the prestige of a Broadway appearancethen he will return, if he can, and do a play.” Mr. Douglas’ own conscience in these matters probably is spick and span, because he has a two-pictures-a-year, flve-months-a-year contract with Columbia, and the arrangement provides enough money and leaves enough time for doing things on Broadway. What he did last season on Broadway was to appear in one play and direct three. He didn't make a nickel, after everything was totaled up. Two plays were undistinguished: the third, which he staged, had the cirtics howling hallelujahs. That was Sean O'Casey’s "Within the Gates.” It didn’t do very well at the box office, and not even a banning by Boston could save it. It W’as Brave, Eloquent It was a brave and eloquent allegory, though, and full enough of heavy moods and vague symbolisms to qualify as an artistic triumph. There’s a good deal of doubt in Douglas' mind as to whether actors, as a lot, are half the artists people believe them to be. • "A painter, writer, or composer really suffers when his work isn't just right,” he observed. “But an actor's sense of values is likely to be mostly commercial. How many actors would turn down a prominent I role in a trashy picture or play that is clearly marked for financial success? Very few.” As one who has helped cast some plays in New York and vainly pleaded for the return of talent-gone-Hollywood, Douglas is quite concerned about the future of the legitimate stage. As rapidly as new talent is developed, it deserts to the Gold Coast. Broadway is just a training school for talkietowri. Executives Take Heed Only hope he finds for the theater is that picture executives themselves are realizing its importance, putting money into its productions and encouraging their performers to go East occasionally and refresh themselves in applause and the glow of footlights. Douglas is tall, blond, 34 and not too handsome. In 15 years he has been in some important plays, and his recent pictures (see “She Married Her Boss”) have won him a lot of attention. His wife is Helen Gahagan, almost equally prominent as an actress. And speaking of acting for art’s sake, which is seldom mentioned seriously in Hollywood, there are some who actually appear before thel

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Opening Tomorrow. Indiana. ‘‘DESlßE’’—Marlene Dietrich, Gary' Cooper, John Halliday, Allen Mowbray and Wi.liam Frawley. Directed by Frank Borzage: screen play by Edwin Justus Mayer, Waldemar Young and Samuel Hoffenstein from a comedy by Hans Szekely and R. A. Stemmle. Story—American, vacationing in Spain, meets young lady jewel thief, who plants stolen pearls in his coat. She steals his car, he catches her. Girl and confederate invite hoy to visit them; object, recovery of pearls. He, in love with gill, accepts. Pearls recovered through sleight of hand. Girl confesses to boy; he recovers pearls, returns them. They are forgiven, married. “LOVE ON A BET"—Gene Raymond. Wendy Barrie and Helen Broderick. Directed by Leigh Jason; screen play by P. J. Wolfson and Phil G. Epstein from a story by Kenneth Earl. Story—Young man agrees to live plot of friend's play to persuade rich uncle to finance production. Role calls for penniless hero to start from Central Park, New York, in tattered clothes, arrive in Los Angeles in 10 days with new suit, SIOO, fiancee. Wins bet through help of chauffeur s job with young socialite and her aunt, meanwhile capturing outlaws, stowing away in plane, landing in jail. Wins girl, SIO,OOO-a-year job from uncle. Loew’s "WIFE VERSUS SECRETARY”—CIark Gable, Jean Harlow, Mvrna Loy, May Robson. Produced by Hunt Stromberg; directed by Clarence Brown; story by Faith Baldwin. Story—Wife, happily married to publisher, has no reason to be jealous of husband's attractive secretary. Husband's mother, however, insists that secretary must go. Faint jealousy increased by insinuating, but innocent business trip of husband and secretary to Havana. Wife leaves, refuses to see husband. -About to sail for Europe, wife is persuaded by secretary‘to take back still faithful spouse. They are reunited, secretary marries fiance. Lyric VAUDEVILLE on Stage, with Ben Lyon and Bebe Daniels, screen stars; Prof. Lamberti in “Mirthquakes”; the O'Connor Family; Charles Althoff, old-time fiddler; Gautier’s Hot Dogs, comedy dog act. "DON’T GET PERSONAL” on Screen—Sally Eilers, James Dunn, Pinky Tomlin, Directed by William Nigh; story by William Thiele and Edmund Hartmann; photographed by Norbert Brodine. Story—College student and pal, broke in New York, auction themselves and flivver. Bought for $5 by girl. She starts home to Ohio with her "purchases.” After running out of gas and money, finally arrive home for girl’s wedding. Student kidnaps girl before ceremony. All is forgiven, Apollo “THE COUNTRY DOCTOR” (held over)—The Dionne quintuplets, Jean Hersholt, June Lang, Michael Whalen and Dorothy Peterson; produced by Darryl F. Zanuck; directed by Henry King; technical supervision by Dr. Allan Roy Dafoe; story by Sonya Levien and Charles E. Blake. Story-Doctor in Canadian wilds fights diphtheria epidemic without aid of hospital. Nephew brings serum by plane in time to save patients. Later nephew has fight with girl friend’s father. Father, vindictive, ousts doctor who had no license. About to leave in disgrace, doctor is called on case. Aids in birth of quintuplets. Saves them, becomes hero. Circle "FOLLOW THE FLEET"—Fred Astaive. Ginger Rogers, Randolph Scott and Harriet Hilliard. Lyrics and music by Irving Berlin; directed by Mark Sandrich; screen play by Dwight Taylor and Allan Stout from the stage play, “Shore Leave.” Story—Gob on shore leave wins dance contest with girl hoofer. She loses job, he premises to find her new one. Girl's sister falls for gob's pal, takes her savings, buys him boat. With fleet about to sail, sister needs S7OO to save boat from salvage company. Gob jumps overboard, swims to other boat. He and girl put on show, raise money.

Eddie Peabody, Banjo Player at Lyric, Greeted for Navy Entertainer, Who Holds Commission in Reserves, to Serve on Submarine in July Maneuvers. When word got around that Eddie Peabody, lively little banjo player, now' featured at the Lyric, was in town he immediately was visited by two members of the local Navy Recruiting station.

Long before Eddie became known *or his musical ability he was a gob in the Navy. W. C. Graham, Los Angeles, w’ho owns a ranch not far from Eddie's, and J. A. Murphy, East Boston, where Eddie once lived, welcomed him here in the name of the Navy. Eddie, who recently received a commission after studying five years, is to serve on a submarine during July maneuvers, under his old skip-

cameras solely as a hobby. At least there’s one. He’s Col. Starrett Ford, former Army officer, polo player, ranch owner and one-time production executive for Cecil B. DeMille. Very comfortably fixed for money, Ford is. Yet for the last nine years he has worked as an extra and in minor bit parts, just because he ikes to.

per, Commandant Charles Lockw'ood. Eddie enlisted in 1917, served on the U. S. S. Nebraska and saw three years submarine service. He is believed to be the youngest World War veteran. Boy Scouts are one of the chief interests of the 34-year-old vaudeville entertainer. He is honorary scoutmaster of troops in a number of cities, and also in England, Scotland and Ireland. Eddie got his start with a dance orchestra he organized in 1925. During 1929 and 1930 he was on the Fanchon and Marco circuit, and in 1931 he toured Europe. Reid Has Unr.sual Production Cliff Reid, who produced “The Informer,” brilliant success of last year, has another unusual production in "Yellow Dust,” Richard Dix starring picture.

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THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Walter Huston and Wife Both Play in 'Dodsworth,' at English's Tomorrow Actor’s Mate, Known for Own Stage Work, Employs Intrigue to Gain Part in Cast of Presentation Based on Sinclair Lewis Novel. One of Walter Huston's supporting players in "Dodsworth,” the play which is to open Friday at English's for a rwo-day engagement, is Mrs. Walter Huston, or Nan Sunderland, as the program calls her.

After she was married to the actor, Mrs. Huston contented herself for two and a half years with managing their home 60 miles from Hollywood. She went into the film city to appear with Lionel Barrymore in the picture, "Sweepings.” It was while accompanying her husband to Washington for the filming of his movie, “Rodney,” that she read the script of “Dodsworth.” In it she saw a part she believed she would like to play. Approaches Her Point “Walter,” she said one day. "I’ve never interfered in any of your professional affairs, have I?” “Os course not,” he replied. "And I’ve never used you to push any of my friends forward?” "Never,” said Mr. Huston. “Then do you mind if I make one little suggestion for the cast of ‘Dodsworth’?” “Not at all. Who is it?” "Me.” Started at Early Age And that was how Mrs. Walter Huston came to be in Mr. Huston’s adaptation of Sidney Howard’s play, based on Sinclair Lewis’ book. Miss Sunderland was born in Fresno, Cal., and made her stage debut when so young that she had to misrepresent her age. She appeared with Jane Cowl in "Smilin” Through.” She played opposite Otto Kruger in "Easy Come, Easy Go.” Her New York bow was made in George M. Cohan’s production of “Baby Cyclone.” After that she played opposite Mr. Huston in "Elmer the Great,” with Walter Hampden in Shakespeare, and with William Boyd in "The Lady Lies.”

Jean Postpones Bid for Decree Miss Harlow Superstitions About Friday 13th. By Vnited Press HOLLYWOOD, March 12.—Friday the 13th is a good day to remain in bed and never stir from under the covers, Jean Harlow believes. The blond screen star, readily admitting she is superstitious, said today she is not to apply for her divorce decree Friday, but is to wait until Saturday. Miss Harlow received her interlocutory papers from Hal Rosson, movie cameraman, a year ago Friday. The actress denied rumors current in Hollywood that she intends to marry William Powell, movie star. "Mr. Powell and I are good friends and we have a lot of fun together, but I’m not going to marry for a long, long time, if ever.” g3UE| Surprise N'lte 9 I*. M. “NO OTHER WOMAN” “BROADWAY HOSTESS”

Pathe Prepares Movie History Newsreel to Mark Company’s 25th Anniversary. Times Special NEW YORK. March 12.—Headliners of 25 Years,” is the title of a short feature issued to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Pathe News, oldest of the world’s newsreels. Editors, to assemble episodes from the world’s memorable events of the past quarter century, combed their vast film library, examined 14,000,000 feet of film and devoted several months to the task. The picture begins with the return of Theodore Roosevelt from his African trip in 1910. It moves rapidly on showing inaugurations, cornatiors, royal weddings, events of the World War, the Armistice, aviation and scientific triumphs, industrial progress and other events. Scenes taken in 37 countries are included in the edition. Much care was taken in preparing the narration and dialogue, which accompanies the 20-minute review'. Comedians Borrow Stage Coach The old-fashioned stage coach used in Wheeler and Woolsey’s new' comedy, “Silly Billies,” was borrowed from a San Diego collector of California. Woolsey Goes to Resort One of the pioneer residents of the fashionable desert resort, Palm Springs, is Robert Woolsey, w'hose new' comedy with Bert Wheeler is titled “Hilly Billies.”

i# v Cl* ABK • Always in *l N Cheers! ' Hm ■” m could not foil to W ' n p ° pu *' ar '* Y *" H. njffi&| -PRS -• - 'v r WIJ| THE HUSBAND CLARK GABLE pPi v ’ll ("How can I keep my mind on my work?”) fPP^\-j V> S THE SECRETARY JEAN HARLOW [ {"How can I keep my mind off him ?”). THE WIFE —MYRNA LOY i[" Don’t worry! I’m holding my own!’’] / /w Ffe" ~J SECRETARY L orj j Faith Baldwin story from the CosmopolFauntleroy itan Magazine was so gay and exciting that OCa qA &ietro-Goldwyn-&fayer Picture M-G-M put three great stars in it and produced ;::sCr H :rc r rv= *- > de *—* * fiim To 6 Produced by hunt stromberq holiday with a howl to match each heart-beat! * Hi | h I gj ff If Waffh for the Next M-G-M Hit: | Janr ‘™

Hustons to Give Three Performances

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Both veterans of the stage, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Huston (she is Nan Sunderland on the stage) are

Harmonie Club to Study Opera Group to Hear Excerpts From ‘Martha’ Monday. The story of Von Flotow’s opera. “Martha,” w'ith excerpts from its music, is scheduled for the March meeting of the Harmonie Opera Study Club Monday afternoon at the home of Mrs. Stewart Greene, 4620 N. Pennsylvania-st. Mrs. T. M. Rybolt and Miss Emma J. Doeppers have arranged the pro-

to be seen in “Dodsworth,” drama of Sinclair Lewis’ novel, at English’s tomorrow night and Saturday afternoon and night.

gram. Mrs. Louis Belden is to be narrator. The following program is to be given in illustration: Overture, Miss Jeanette Orloff. violin; Mrs. Carl Lieber Jr., cello; Mrs. Rybolt, piano. Introduction and chorus of women's voices, Mrs. James Pearson, Mrs. O. M. Jones. Miss Helen Thoms. Duet, Nancy and Lady Harriet; Mrs. James H. Lowry, Miss Patra Kennedy. Chorus of maidservants, Mrs. Pearson. Mrs. Jones, Miss Thoms. Duet. Plunket and Lionel, Mrs. Pearson, Miss Thoms. The Last Rose of Summer,” Mrs. Ruth Sterling Devin. "Good Night,” Victor Record, quartet. Nancy’s Aria, Miss Patra Kennedy. Lionel's Song. Mrs. Louis Becovitz. Lady Harriet's Aria, Mrs. Easil Faussett. Accompanists. Mesdames Stewart Greene, S. K. Ruick, Louise Caldwell and Mrs. Rybolt. Gleason, Wife Have Roles James Gleason and his actress wife, Lucille, will have two important roles with William Powell in “One to Two.”

.MARCH 12,1936

Former Star of Stage in Actors' Home Fay Templeton Turns Down Help From Friends in Pittsburgh. Bp Vnited Press PITTSBURGH, March 12.—Fay Templeton, once (he queen of musical comedy, has left Pittsburgh to spend her last days in the Actors’ Fund Home, Englewood, N. J., it was learned today. The fortune which she earned during many years on the American stage has vanished, and friends say toe former star refused to accept the hospitality of their homes here because “it would be charity.” The 70-year-old actress, however, felt differently about the home for aged actors because she had helped to support it generously for many years. "There’s no use in putting off the evil day any longer," Miss Templeton reportedly said to friends just before departing for Englewood two weeks ago. The actress in private life was the widow of William J. Petterson. She lived quietly in an apartment here but in recent years made vain efforts to find a place for herself in the movies, stage or radio. Miss Templeton was seen here last in the musical comedy, "Roberta,” presented at English's last year. / Katharine Cornell Is to Be Given Degree Times Special NEW YORK. March 12.—Katharine Cornell, stage star, is to receive the degree of Doctor of Letters from the University of Wisconsin. She is the only woman among eight persons to be so honored by the university at the June commencement. Miss Cornell w'as recommended by the faculty for the degree last year, but was unable to attend commencement exercises.