Indianapolis Times, Volume 48, Number 54, Indianapolis, Marion County, 13 May 1936 — Page 20

PAGE 20

TRICK MISCUE STEERED 'CAPTAIN ANDY' ABOARD SHOWBOAT

Actor Once Was Booked • as Magician Charles Winninger Veteran of ‘Cotton Blossom’s’ Original Cast. BV RALPH NORMAN Bccase he unintentionally locked himself in a trunk for two hours while trying to prove to a delighted audience he was a magician, Charles Winninger, Captain Andy of many hundred ‘‘Showboat" performances, abandoned his amoition to be a performer of legerdemain. The embarrassing incident, from which he was rescued by another enterprising lad later known throughout the world as Harry Houdini, had no other effect on a long stage career which culminated in his portrayal of the genial river captain in 1237 stage, screen and radio performances of “Showboat.’’ In the 1936 version of the famoumusical show, scheduled for a week's stay at the Circle beginning Friday, Mr. Winninger plays the same charming, pleasant Captain Andy loved by multitudes of theater-goers who saw him in original stage and screen versions. The production is a musical-dramatic interpretation of Edna Ferber’s novel of life on a showboat which plied the Mississippi to bring plantation folk entertainment. Trouper at Age of 5 Life to the snow-haired actor was one real showboat, after another, until the mythical “Showboat” came along. When five years old h*s long stage career began in a family skit called the "Winninger Family Novelties." Other players were his parents, four brothers and a sister. He was billed as the “Boy Wonder Soprano and Boy Trap Drummer.” At 7, Charlie added a few violin selections to his program, besides a number on a cello taller than himself. He was 14 when he left his native Wisconsin to join Captain Jame-', Adams’ showboat troupe at Keokuk. lowa. For several seasons he doubled in brass and alternated as romantic hero and deep-dyed villain in the lurid melodramas aboard thioriginal “Cotton Blossom,” the same side-w'heeler reproduced in the 1936 version of “Showboat.’’ “Plying the Mississippi during the summer seasons was perfect," says the veteran actor, “but when the howling winds and winter storms set in, I lost my affection for ‘Ole Man River’ in the desire to ‘strut Ihf boards’ on land again. I earned my expenses back to the. family tent by i selling hundreds of little blue bottlis of blood purifier, all along the way.” Starred on Broadway In 1927, following successful characterizations in “The Music Mas ter,” “Friendly Enemies,” “Thi Passing Show',” “No. No, Nanette’ ; and other dramatic and musical productions, the barge and barn trouper frizzled up his silver sideburns, slipped into a nautical uniform and captained "Showboat” for a New York run of 17 months. Then, after touring with the pro riuction, he returned to New York for a revival in 1929. Changing his name from Captain Andy to Captain Henry, he piloted a mythical radio “Showboat" on a national radio network. The 1936 musical show is to again star beautiful Irene Dunne as Magnolia Hawks, with Allan Jones as Gaylord Ravenal. Mr. Jones w'as seen in “A Night at the Opera," and first played the role of Ravenal with the St. Louis Municipal Opera Company’s performance of "Showboat." Church Drama Club to Present Comedy Players of the Pleasant Run Boulevard Reformed Church Dramatic Club are to present a three-act comedy, “A Manhattan Honeymoon,” at 8 tomorrow .and Friday night in the church auditorium. The production, which is to benefit the church building fund, is under direction of Edward Raasch. Members of the cast are Mr. and Mrs. Carl Braun, Mrs. Bessie Berhardt. Misses Mildred Grossman. Lucille Jordan and Gertrude Raasch and Harold Jordan. Harold Dietrich. Arthur Batnner and Leo Browning. Cow With Low Moo Hunted for Movie Time* Special HOLLYWOOD. May 13—A row with a personality that can moo one octave below’ middle C is being hunted for interpolation in a version of "He Played on His Big Bass Viol," in "We Went to College.” Director Joseph Santley after days of testing found that the moos were too high or too low. “Tough Front" Is Success Because Florence Rice, currently j featured w’ith William Gargan in “Blackmailer.” was frightened the first time she applied for a theatrical part, she put on a “tough front.” , Asa result she got a role enacting the part of a “tough gal," the exact 1 opposite of herself. Player Dislikes Elevators Olivia de Haviland’s most strenuous exercise is walking or running up and down stairways in office and apartment buildings. She doesn’t particularly like this pastime, but chooses it as the lesser of two evils. She has a phobia against riding in elevators.

A Frdrnl Theater Project Works rro*re* Administrative KEITH S | Lincoln tOOfl I FEDERAL PLAYERS ** ."Behold This w**k Dreamer" SSe.'We 1 MAT.. lOe. She. S<r [ “THE TRIAL OF MART DUGAN”

Adventure, Romance, Comedy, Drama to Provide Local Screen Entertainment

... v V, \ naaUf-M MB tr w^ShEk Vt lllilH H m #~ ! i *:m fIM mmmm & .*. jail \ m BOV (mil

f 'By

Anita Louise Destined to Go Far, Hollywood Writer Predicts Endowed With Photographic Beauty, Warner Star Rapidly Developing Dramatic Talent.

BY RUTH M’TAMMANY Times Hollywood Correspondent HOLLYWOOD, May 13. ANITA LOUISE has photographic beauty, the almost perfect facial contour is classic, her coloring, unusual. Originally selected by Warner Bras, for a part in “A Midsumm?/ Night’s Dream.” she is now surpris ing the critics by her rapidly developing talent as an actress. Rare beauty and talent is a combination which Hollywood producers are always seeking. In her current picture “Brides Are Like That” Miss Louise performs the difficult task of playing in every scene of the story. She is before the camera practically through five reels ol film. Good to look at. naturallv vivacious and delightfully feminine, she holds up her share of the farcial story of the troubles of a young, modern bride. “I am only beginning." she said, "and more than anything else in the world I want to be a good actress. I don't think that study and the actual experience of acting is enough. That is why I am goi lg to Europe on my vacation. They say that life or in other words, living, is important to the career of one who is ambitious to do big things in the acting profession. You just can’t go out and say, 'ah, here's sorrow. I must have some because I am an actress,’ or, ‘ah, something tragic must happen to me before I can go very far in the profession t have chosen.' But traveling, seeing the rest of the world and its people should help. So I am going away to see something of life and let the living of it catch up to me.” it a a VICTOR McLAGLEN. dynamic, rich-voiced hero of “Informer” fame, is Hollywood's most innocent evader. At the Fox studio, where he is under contract, a host of press peop 1 ’' are looking for him. "Have you seen Vic?” “Is Vic on the lot or in San Diego?” He loves to meet people, and he does so with a boisterous greeting, a hearty shake of the hand as though you were the one person he wanted to see. He asks you to ride horseback, meet him for lunch—any kind invitation he can think of at the moment. You accept and then a secretary reminds Vic that in his pocket is a plane ticket for some distant city and the plane leaves in two hours. We ask him to comment on his rich life. He settles back in a large easy chair in his dressing room and launches forth with "I'm a soldier--soldiering is the best thing I do. Now back in England in . . and at this point he jumps up from his chair and walks the floor. He walks as fast as the events which have hap-

yt |

pened in his life. By the time he reaches the Boer War he is excited to the point of “charging” the furniture. Finally, out of breath, he says: "Read my book—just read it. So much has happened to me that I had to write a book about it.” Some one knocks on the outer door of the dressing room. A press lineup is outside and to each one he offers the same big-hearted “How are you —come in—this is great.” We leave him to his next interviewers and, as we walk down the steps, he calls, “I'll leave that book at the office for you.” At the office the next day we ask for the book. “Vic's book?—why he only left one here and 30 people called for it.” We are disappointed but trunk nothing of it because we know that Victor McLaglen is one of the screen’s real human beings. We forgive him anything because we know that if a waif on the street asked Vic to give him the moon he would say, “O. K. son. tomorrow.” with every intention of trying to get it. a tt n “ANTHONY ADVERSE.” the longexpected picturization of Hervey Allen's expansive biography, was previewed last night. The filming of this story which began before the birth of its titled subject and leads him through a long life of breath-taking adventures, was probably the greatest undertaking ever assumed in the making of motion pictures. With a large cast headed by Frederic March, the opening scene showed the galloping horses and swaying carriage of Don Luis, the Spanish roue of the story, racing through the countryside. The scene set a pace for the fast moving sequences which followed. To the many who waded through the lengthy book there will be disappointing omissions. But two and a half hours is not enough to show all of the episodes, locations, tragedy and comedy which make up this widely discussed novel. We watched the first day's shooting of this picture some months ago. Mervvn Leroy, director, calm in the face of responsibility, commented on the production. “It is not an impossibility,” he said, "although the script is th° longest ever used in a production, the picture technique of covering lapse of time will enable us to carry our story along to its many locations without a succession of confused events. We are going to tell the story from the birth of Anthony Adverse to his sailing for America."

1 APOLLO

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

WHERE, WHAT WHEN APOLLO . “Under Two Flags,” with Rona'd Coleman, Clau lette Colbert, Victor McLaglen and Rosalind Russell, at 11, 1:30, 4:20, 5:30, 7:40 and 9:50. CIRCLE "The Ex-Mrs. Bradford," featuring William Powell arid Jean Arthur, at 12:40, 3:45. 6:55 and 10:05. "Bridges Are Like That,” with Ross Alexander and Anita Louise, at 11:35, 2:41, 5:51 and 9. KEITH’S "Behold This Dreamer” with Hal Hawkes, Jack Duval and Federal Players cast. Directed by Dr. Lee R. Norvelle. At 8:15. LOEWS “The Great Ziegfeld” with William Powell, Luise Ranier, Mvrna Loy. Frank Morgan and Ray Dolgar, at 2:30 and 8:30. LYRIC On screen. “The Law in Her Hands.” with Margaret Lindsay, Glenda Farrell and Lyle Talbot, at 11:35, 1:45. 3:57. 6:09, 8:21 and 10:33. On stage. Major Bowes’ “Amateurs.” Unit 7, at 12:45. 2:57, 5:09, 7:21 and 9:33.

Double Feature Survey Outlined Film Firms Seek to Learn Reaction of Public. Time* Special HOLLYWOOD. May 13.-An intelligent answer to the question of how the motion picture public likes two film features on one program is to be sought by a major motion picture production company. Studio officials declare that the survey is to be made only to determine the public reaction, not to approve or disapprove. Polls are to be taken of representative high school and college publications and motion picture editors of more than 2000 newspapers are to be asked to report readers’ attitudes. From the poll, the motion picture industry hopes to learn the answer to a technical problem peculiar to production. The problem has arisen since pictures of more than the average length of time, such as "A Midsummer Night's Dream.” “Anthony Adverse,” “Green Pastures" and “The Charge of the Light Brigade,” have become popular. The results are to be made public after June 15

TWICE DAILY—2:3O-8:30 Kfll M-G-M’s Show of Show* All Seats Reserved -Hat. 50e-sl—Eve., 50c-51.36 Pin* Tax

JP® ‘Dynamite ‘Drama! ® ■ LORETTA YOUNG |t r o n N °e mm 1 In “THE I UNGUARDED HOUR' ■—N. ■ Based no pta.v “The lit- \ ■ , g “ ar<led HW by I .ad- Fay \ ■ tslaos Fodor. English Wray I ■adar at Kim by Bernard N ■ Merlvalr. ImsMK I ■ ROLAND YOUNG J mm Pieter. ■■ /

Y y i WfmmUm "Sir ■mWßmm j ' '■ I Me yMy ■_ j

■ B§t jh ■ m ■ MflH

High School Casts Ready Broad Ripple, Beech Grove, Tech Pupils Present Plays This Week. Dramatic presentations by students of three local high schools are scheduled for this week, with seniors of Broad Ripple and Beech Grove schools preparing class plays, and Tech pupils working on the fourth edition of “The Sketcn Book” variety show. “Seventeen,” Booth Tarkington s famous play, is to be presented by a Broad Ripple cast Friday and Saturday nights. In prominent roles are to be Eva Thompson, Fred Steinmeier, Jack Noon and Marcella Reynolds. Seniors at Beech Grove are to present a three-act comedy. "Dilly,” at the school auditorium tomorrow night. Windell Boyd, Mary York. Herbert Cambridge and Helen Nugent are to play leading roles. The “Sketchbook” production is to be given Friday night by 300 Tech students and teachers directed by Chelsea Stewart. Thirty-five skits, comedy acts and dance numbers are being rehearsed for the show. A different band is to play for each of the three-act presentations. Mystic Lodge May Muskale Saturday The May Musicale of Mystic Tie Lodge No. 398, F. and A. M„ is to be held in the Masonic Temple Saturday night. Marie Dawson Morrell, violinist; Raymond D. Jackson, vocalist, and “The Piano Twins,” Miss Ruth Noiler and Mrs. Ada Straub, are to oe the featured musicians. Children of members are to have, a party during the concert hour, which is to be followed by dancing and a floor show.

rnTTP 1 ■ v 1 msTttr X’NttiMoti'suiir-iitiniwg'! tuoi^icuT^^ic^wicii^^kisJiiajr A first National Picture

COLONIAL* BURLED STIPSifiKMI

1. Ronald Colman invites Victor McLaglen to do a little cutting up in “Under Two Flags,” Apollo’s attraction which begins its second week on Friday. The terrified clinging vine in the picture is Claudette Colbert. 2. Romantic looks belong to Irene Dunne and Allan Jones, the two singing stars in the 1936 screen version of “Show Boat,” opening Friday at the Circle. 3. Shirley Deane, Johnny Downes and a coupie of proud grandparents survey “The first Baby,” Lyric screen offering for Friday. Buddy Rogers and his California Cavaliers head the stage revue. 4. Franchot Tone raises a warning finger as the Youngs, Loretta and Roland, set out for a whirl around the dance floor. They are appearing in “The Unguarded Hour,” which with Fay Wray in “Roaming Lady,” makes up the week's bill ac Loew's, beginning Friday.

Grace Moore's New Picture Now Ready Time* Special HOLLYWOOD. May 13.—Grace Moore’s third starring picture, “Tire King Steps Out," is to have its nation-wide release and Radio City premiere May 28. Franchot Tone appears opposite Miss Moore. The music for the new picture is by Fritz Kreisler, with lyrics by Dorothy Fields. Sidney Buchman wrote the screen play. Josef von Sternberg directed the production and Josef Pasternack directed music. Walter Connolly and Raymond Walburn are included in the supporting cast. Leading Ladies Number 54 Richard Dix has played opposite 54 leading ladies, latest of whom is lovely Margaret Callahan.

LAST 2 DAYS! (Lt^~ teM -mjn iSsfer fTo miss it is to havo lived an incomplete (/ C\ life !! ’ \ EDNA FERBERS SHOW BOAT starr.nq ALLAN JONES jfflaCharles WINNINGER wHSmWv\"'. ?03eso;. Helen MORGAN. HELEN WESTLEY

400-Voice Chorus Marks Another Forward Step in Musical History of City Festival in Cadle Tabernacle Is Given by Permanent Organization Under Sponsorship of Church Federation; Jacob A. Evanson Directs. BY JAMES THRASHER A mighty chorus has announced another forward step in local musical history. Some 400 singers, representing 33 churches and musical organizations, sang their first concert as a permanent organization under the aegis of the Indianapolis Church Federation at Cadle Tabernacle lasi night, inaugurating what hopefully may be called the first of manv church choir festivals.

Policy Discontinued Because of the length of “Show Boat.” to open Friday at the Circle, the theater's doublefeature policy is to be discon- • tinued for a week. Circle officials announced last night. The double-feature bills scheduled at the Circle since the closing of the Indiana for the summer are to be resumed next week with the showing of “The Princess Comes Across." with Carole Lombard and Fred McMurray. and “The Case Against Mrs. Ames,” featuring George Brent and Madeleine Carrol.

'Mary Dugan' Next at Keith's Federal Players to Present Two-Week Runs. Few American plays of the last decade have had more substantial success than “The Trial of Mary Dugan,” Bayard Veillers’ melodrama which opens a two-weeks’ engagement at Keith’s Monday as a presentation of the Federal Players. While the play was rounding out a, solid year on Broadway, its foreign rights were being sought by producers in virtually every theaterloving country. Eventually it played simultaneously in New York, London, Berlin, Paris, Vienna, Rome, Melbourne and other capitals. “The Trial of Mary Dugan” is unique in that the curtain is not raised or lowered during the entire action. The scene is a New York court room. The play literally is the trial of Mary Dugan, former “Follies” beauty, on a. charge of murder. Shows to Run Two Weeks Beginning with next week’s production, all future Federal Playeis presentations are to have a twoweeks’ “run,” according to Dr. Lee R. Norvelle, state director of the Federal Theater Project. The plan is adopted to remove the limitations on the number of thea-ter-goers who may see each bill, to assure a more finished performance by increasing the rehearsal time for new shows, and to afford stage mechanics and scenic artists more time for building, painting and perfecting the settings. The Federal company has played to more than 60,000 people in the first 11 weeks of its season, and has presented three bills—“ The Barker.” “Do Unto Others” and ‘Behold This Dreamer”—for two-week engagements. No previous dramatic stock company in Indianapolis has attained the present company’s attendance record. This is taken as an indication of reviving interest in the legitimate stage by Dr. Norvelle and his associates. Stimulation of interest, Dr. Norvelle states, is one of the ob • jectives of the Federal Theater Project. Returns to Films Marie Osborne, the “Baby Marie” of silent film days, returns to the screen, a charming young woman in her early twenties, in a featured role with Richard Dix in “Special: Investigator.”

4&' , ~ * " - " "i r - 1 * 33p Aj- STATIONS l!\r NgI6HBORHOOP THEATERS]

WEST SIDE St . -r r 2702 W. lOtFst I A I r Double Feature u Claudette Colbert ‘ SHE MARRIED HER BOSS” nn k . k IT W. Wash. A Belmont. bcLMONT Double Feature -s 1 Dionne Quintuplets “COUNTRY DOCTOR” Miriam Hopkins “THESE THREE” DA I C V 2540 w - Mich. st. A I j I Double Feature _ George Houston “THE MELODY LINGERS ON” “TIMOTHY’S QUEST” NORTH SIDE Rl y *r Illinois at 34th. / Double Feature Joe Morrison “IT’S A GREAT LIFE ’ UPTOWN Double: Featu*e 1 w tl a Jessie Mathews “FIRST A GIRL” “ESCAPE FROM DEVIL’S ISLAND” an r\i At/ 30th and Illinois. GARR CK DouMe Fcature Richard Arlen "CALLING ALL CARS” "SWEEPSTAKE ANNIE” (• -r O | Ain, St. Clair A Ft. Wayne ST. CLA R E,is * L * ndi v/uo "' Kent Taylor "WITHOUT REGRET” Selected Short Subjects Re w 30th at Northw’t’n. fc X Walter Able Margot Grahame "TWO IN THE DARK” Seleeted_Short Reels TALBOTT ' 1 1 Paul Muni "THE STORY OF LOUIS PASTEUR” “THE MUSIC GOES ROUND” f . . r I 10th A College Stratford *#&*?!£• “ESCAPE FROM DEVIL’S ISLAND” Frank Parker. “Sweet Surrender” MEC C A D-Me* e^tVr^~ 1 1 *“ w Pat O’Brien “I SELL ANYTHING.” “ALL THE KING’S HORSES” DREAM Doeble**Featni W Bette Davis "THE PERTIFIED FOREST” "THE LADY CONSENTS” _____ EAST SIDE XI |\/Fn/N 4020 E. New York. TUXEDO ?••*> Feature 1 V/M.UV Leslie Howard “THE PETRIFIED FOREST” "THE EAGLES BROOD” _ X a /"* /> k . a -412 E. Wash. St. TACOMA J? obW * Feature inwvi > George O’Brien "WHISPERING SMITH SPEAKS" “SOAK THE RICH”

MAY 13, 1936

The chorus was fortunate in the j presence of Jacob A. Evanson, I associate dean of Cleveland's West!cm Reserve University, as con- ; ductor. Considering the short time allotted the singers for the programs preparation, and the fact i that Mr. Evanson had only two I short rehearsals with the group, the performance was a credit to the conductor, the local choir directors and the singers themselves. Impressive dignity and music of the highest standard distinguished the concert. The selections likewise were of historical interest, since they included a cantata. “The Bov Jesus in the Temple." by Bach's great predecessor. Heinrich Schuetz (1585-1672). father of German opera, if not of German music; “Thou Knowest, Lord, the Secrets of Our Hearts,” by the seventeenth century master, Henry Purcell; Bach'3 “Sleepers Wake.” and an "Elegy" ’\v Beethoven, dating from the closing years of the composer's life, and infrequently performed. Evanson Capable Director The other numbers were Brahms* “O Heart Subdued With Grieving," the “Cherubim Song,” by Bortnyansky; Handel’s "Music Spread Thy Voice Around"; Zingarelli's “Go Not Far From Me, O God." and "Welcome,” by Christiansen. The last two were particularly well done. Mr. Evanson showed himself a capable and sensitive musician, as well las a skilled director, achieving admirable results with an economy of motion and great plasticty of phrasing. Solo parts were done excellently by Mrs. Ruth Sterling Devin, soprano; Mrs. Robert W. Blake, contralto, and Virgil Phemister. bass. Accompanists were Dale Young, Miss Gertrude Free. Miss Marjorie Lytle and the Arthur Jordan Conservatory orchestra. The program also included remarks by Dr. Ernest N. Evans, executive secretary of the church federation. which included the announcement that more than 4500 persons attended. Musical Future Promising The Rev. John Fergfison. pastor of Irvington Presbyterian Church, spoke on “The Value of a Music Festival.” His brief but musically discerning address sketched the inception of the movement resuming in last night’s concert, and voiced the hopes of many that we eventually may have festivals of choir and orchestra comparable to those of larger cities. Many Indianapolis musical organizations are in a period of infancy, adolescence or readjustment, but indications on all sides point to progress, sincere purpose and public support. The church federation’s promise of permanency for last night’s choir is of highest value, both to the musical community and to the dignity of worship through music. School 44 Pupils to Give Operetta Pupils of the 4-A grade of School 44 are to present an operetta. “Over the Garden Wall.” at 1:10 and 2:15 this afternpon. The first performance is to be for school children, the second for members of tho Parent-Teacher organization. Mis. Effie Henschen is to be in charge. Arnold Is Good Chef Edward Arnold, starred in “Meet, Nero Wolfe,” is one of Hollywood's best amateur chefs.

EAST SIDE IRVING Madge Evans “EXCLUSIVE STORY” Comedies—Cartoon Rl \/ Oi I I 3135 E. 10th St. | V O L I Double Feature Sylvia Sidnev “TRAIL OF THE LONESOME PINF.” Jack Healey "F MAN” EMERSON _. _ Fred Astaire HAMILTON 'trouble Feature „. _ Fred Astaire Ginger Rogers—“FOLLOW THE FLEET" “THREE LIVE GHOSTS’ PA Dl/ n n *9*6 E. I'Hh St. "• AKKER Double F-atur, Nelson Eddy “ROSE MARIE” Anne Shirley “CHATTERBOX” STRAND 13 DoMe r?itiro Str Ann Shirlev “ANN OF GREEN GABLES” "CAPTAIN HURRIC WE” R/"s \y v/ 2721 E. Wash. >t. ~* V A T Double Feature Claire Trevor “NAVY WIFE” "DESERT GUNS" D . 411 E Wash. raramount ... p *‘ O’Brien “CEILING ZERO" No. 7 “The Great Air Mystery” SOUTH SIDE - " FOUNTAIN SQUARE’ “TRAIL F OF I THE LONESOME 'pi.N E” “WOMEN TRAP” SANDERS Double Feature *" "MAN ON THE FLYING TRAPEZE ” “HERE COMES COOKIE" /"" __ _ _ 1 At Fountain Square* oranaaa Double Feature Maureen O’Sullivan Lionel Barrvmore "THE VOICE OF BUGLE ANN" Jack La Rue in Peter B. Kvne't “HOT OFF THE PRESS’* A V/A I Akl Prospect-Churchman. AVALON Double Feature . Ed vard G. Robinson "BARBARY COAST’’ "ON TOUR RADIO DIAL" A I tt®3 S. Meridian St. ORIENTAL “EXCLUSIVE STORY" Selected Short Subjects GARFIELD “IT’S A GREAT LIFE" “HER MASTER’S VOICE”