Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 July 1936 — Page 15
Over Romeo, Ji Alter Hollywoot
Norma Shearer and Leslie Howarifs
trayals, Realistic Scenes Keep Even an Old-Time Reviewer Awake, Writer Reports.
The motion picture version of
Shakespeare's “Romeo and Juliet,”
starring Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard, was previewed in HollyRobert well known
known both as a
BY ROBERT BENCHLEY Written Especially for The Times
HOLLYWOOD, July 16.—In my eapacity as play-reviewer in New
York I have dozed through most Shak
on the stage,
espearean And in my capacity as screen-writer in Hollywood I have dozed through most movies in the projection room, In short, Iam not a fan for either
form of entertainment.
It was with considerable lack of interest, "then, that 1 heard that a “Romeo and Juliet.” In fact, I was| more than reconciled to the possibility that I never should even see He,
motign picture was to be made of
I had seen Katharine Cornell in 1t last year, and I thought I would stand 4
Miscast. Glenda Says of Career;
pat on that, Imagine my surprise, not unmixed with chagrin, when, more or less in the line of duty, I saw the motion picture version of “Romeo and Juliet,” and not only kept awake throughout, but found myself on the verge of what is known as “a rave.”
No Strain on Imagination
Either my critical faculties are slipping, or it is the most consistently interesting Shakespearean production I have ever seen. By “interesting,” I mean interesting. For the first time, I have seen the story as a whole, visually. Instead of having to imagine that 1 was in Verona, with aid of drapes and flats representing “a street,” “another street” and “another street,” I have seen Verona. I have seen the crowds, the fights, the cats in the alleys, the mothers with babies, and all the hundred and one little vignettes of Ifalian life of that perjod, all of which, by necessity, have never been seen by modern generations, and which whether you sneer at “realism” or not, add immeasurably to the believability of the story as a whole. . I have also, for the first time, seen Romeo as Juliet saw him, looking down from the balcony (and you would be surprised at what that does for you.)
Characters Well: Portrayed
All of this sounds as if I had been swept off my feet by the businesslike attention to detail which the movies are able to bring to a story sometimes their only contribution to it. But their is also a genuine emotional quality brought out by the performances of Norma Shearer, a performance of real tenderness and beauty, and by Leslie Howard's honest portrayal of Romeo, a role which has, in the past, been. susceptible to rather vague and flimsy interpretations. By these two performances alone 1 was made to feel that these young people were actually and irrevocably in love, and I was pretty darned | P€
gorry that everything had fo turn
out so badly for them. The rest of a large and impressively named cast, under George Cukor’s intelligent direction, edds greatly to the dramatic force of the production, and, much #s 1 hate to admit it as a charter member of the Scoffer’s Club, I am now convinced that, far from being an in_ congruous medium for Shake-
speare, a nfotion picture production; |
as artistic im every way as this one, is the ideal way to bring Shakespeare to the attention of rising generations and to keep it, with fresh interest, in’ the minds and hearts of us veterans.
Movie Studio Bans Artificial “Eyebrow
Timer Special HOLLYWOOD, July 18—~If you have been bothered by the recent wave of artificial eyebrows which swept through the film colony, cease your fears, because it is wan-
ing fast. According to Jack Dawn, M-G-M make-up d oe the Mephisto or pencil line eyebrow is out to stay. “The eyebrow is just as important to a beautiful face as the hairdress, and freakish designs make the face unnatural,” he said. “These are taboo in our studio.”
Peacocks Unwanted in Movie Industry
Times Special HOLLYWOOD, July 16. — Peacocks are supposed to bring bad luck to a picture, according Hollywood superstition. So, although the script called for them in “Ramona,” they won't be seen when the new all-color picture is released. Some one “forgot” to bring the |" birds to the location site, and Director Henry King didn't press the
" matter, He feels just as +4
about peacocks as the rest of picture industry.
to | Manners, who played
‘Movie Star Prefers: Interior Decorating to Acting. ;
By United Press HOLLYWOOD, July 16,—Glenda Farrell, vivacious blond actress,
definitely believes she has been miscast. Her plaint is not against any particular role, however, but against her entire film career, “I guess I'm just an interior decorator at heart,” she explains in discussing her favorite pastime of redoing her own and other people’s homes. Miss Farrell admits her early efforts in the decorative line Were not all they might have been. Never theless, she says, her rule that three months was the time limit for the same color scheme in her home has made her an expert of sorts. “When 1 first started on decoration as a hobby my friends barely had a chance-to admire or criticize ‘my latest flight before I was headed for another furniture period or tonal scheme,” she explained. “These experiments weren't always an improvement, but it was lots of fun,” - Now, no friend or acquaintance of the actress is safe from unsolicited advice. A casual mention of a house in construction or a room being redecorated and the blond comedian broadcasts advice, suggestions and opinions. “I can’t help seeing people in definite but changing color schemes. I'd like a different period or color background for every mood, just as Pauline Frederick uses a different perfume for évery role she plays. Refinishes Bedroom ’ “Right now I've. done my bedroom in apple-blossom white and a lush blue-green. The bedroom furniture, which was lovely ‘and authentic Louis XV, was:a problem until IT had a few inches cut off the legs of the bed, chai, dressing table and chifferobe. “Then I repaintéd them in faintly greenish white and reupholstered them in & shade of bluish green.” Miss Farrell explained she wasn't
| much on reading poetry, but that
the fresh and strikingly decorated room, for her, had all any poet could rhapsodize about. “I' admit I sometimes make & pest of myself offering to do peo~ple’s houses over for them at the drop of a hat, but sometimes they're glad of it.”
Screen Aids Cupid; Actress to Marry
Times Special HOLLYWOOD, July :18. — The screen: is a notoriously faithful aid to Cupid. If gave romance. another boost recently when Isabel Jewell, featured in “Across the Aisle,” invited Owen Crump, radio executive, to visit her at the studio. They were watching Brian Donlevey make screen love to Gloria Stuart when Crump asked the young actress, “Doesn't it look: like a good idea ry you?”
Emotional Por-|
VAUDEVILLE, on aye Kirk, Howard, ough" and tumble comedy; Keller. sisters and Lynch, populat, semi-classical ‘and hill-Billy tunes; Jans and Lynton, miniature dance revue: the
Briants, pantomime tomedy; and the Danwills, circus acrobatics. “THE CRIME OF DR. FORBES,” on screen—Gloris Stuart,
Robert Kent, Henry Armetta, J.
Edward Bromberg, Sara Haden, *
Alan Dinehart. Directed by George Marshall; screen play by Frances ¢
Hyland and Saul Elkins,
Stery—Young doctor goes to older student’s home to do research work. There meets young wife of benefactor, with whom he falls in
love. Older doctor goes west to view prehistoric remains. There he |
is injured badly. Young couple go to him, but doctor dies from overdose of narcotics. Young doctor is accused of murder,
King Arthur's Knights Dull.
Young Bartholomew Thinks
Their Chivalry Was One-Sided, Young Movie Star Wrote “in Recent Test, Teacher: Reveals.
Times Special
HOLLYWOOD, July 16.—Sir Galahad may have been the -epitome of chivalry but Freddie Bartholomew doesn’t approve of him. ~ “I don’t care for the attitude of King Arthur and his knights,” Fred-
die wrote recently in one of his school lesson papers.
“They were quick
to right a wrong, provided that the wronged party was of their own class, But they did not treat the poor in the sama i If they lived
today they probably would all be in
‘The challenging attitude is characteristic of young Mr, Bartholomew, according to Miss Mary Murphy; his teacher, It is sometimes outweighed, however, by his sense of humor, “Why was Victoria so welcome to the English people when she ascended the throne?” read one of the questions on one of Freddie’s recent history tests. «© =» “Because she had no imsavory past to live down,” wrote the young actor. In studying English history and literature, Miss Murphy says that Freddie usually picks out some character:trait on which he bases his eysluation of a -particular pert 80° Tong ago; he was heard
i rs it too ‘bad that Mary ; Queen of Scots didn’t”have some of |
Mary of England's charm?” . An avid reader of H. G. Wells’
books, Freddie has decided that na“abolished” if
tionalism must be we are to end war. His reading encompasses almost all types of books. Right now he is deep in 5 series of Western stories. . f In poetry he leans toward Keats, Shelley and other romantics, likes the swing of Tennyson, Browning's shorter narratives are among Freddie’s favorites. # Kipling is probably Mr. Bartholomew’s - favorite prose author. He once tried to read Carl Sandberg's poem “Chicago,” but dismissed it as too harsh. “This scientific age, I suppose, is responsible for all this harshness in modern poetry,” he said.
They're to be married in ‘October;
Manners Is to Be in Hepburn Movie
Times Special HOLLYWOOD, July. 16—David - opposite Katharine Hepburn in her now famous first production, “A Bill of Divorcement,” is to have a role 3 her new . picture, “Portrait of a
lian Kimble Sooper.
Jail.”
Famous Singers
“Meet at. Studio
Rosa Poriselle Shirley Tem. ple Exchange Autographs.
Times Special ; ! : HOLLYWOOD, July 16.—When two such noted singers as Rosa Ponsélle and Shirley Temple get fogether, What, do hey do? Well, they r and “talked shop”
during their first meeting, when the |
famous prima donna visited the ttle star on the “Bowery Princess’ set. After hearing Shirley ‘sing two
i 3 = t SRS fortable, ‘make them happy. they are
indispensable,” and so, if ‘stars seem | unreal, different than ordinary hu- % ‘man beings, remember they are hy-|
brid products of the sreatest nursery” in the world. ’
Pity the Poor Stars’
At Mesa Grande, Cal,, where they are filming “Romona,” you are. in-
‘formed that the poor stars are
called at 4 or 5 a. m.—that they work in the sun all day and go to bed exhausted. It’s all true but—
‘| you ask about the two cool-looking
swimming pools nestled in a bower of shade trees and then: - “Oh, " yes,” the plunge and swim before dinner.” Not far from the pool is a ten=nis court: tennis. before dinner.” : In a court surrounded by flowers you see an improvised -picture screen and a hundred
chairs.
“Oh, yes, the actors are entertained with pictures—rushes of the day-—-before they go to bed.” ;
Columbia’s ‘New Building.
The Columbia Studio has just completed a néw modernistically
designed building - which contains
19 complete “suites,” of still called “dressing. rooms.” Each “suite”. is complete with sitting, dressing and bath room. : The Stars ‘have kitehens; A hostess, in white, Lillian | Moseley by name—a humorous girl from Alabama-—carries a pass key
on a silver chain around her neck.
She speaks with hushed voice and awed awed ‘expression as she opens the
Here It Is!
actors Have &
* “Oh, yes, the actors play :
or: more i
JANET
GAVNOR|E
3, Bn po 3 RAC
LEW AYRES
Rr IE" LLL
a — 1
Ql INANE TIC LOOL-
On On The Screen!
PY: YR 8 SES
lf CARTOON A “I Love to
Er §
The Sensational!
‘Stage Show That Broke Records In 203 Cities!
sorigs from her new picture, Miss|
Ponselle declared that ‘undoubtedly
she ‘has a great, singing gareer ahead of her. : “I was astonished at the clarity of her voice,” Miss Ponselle said. “It has a richness that is possessed
by only one in a million children. Her singing’ ability, plus: her many
other talents, make her different |
from child actresses who have preceded her. She should continue ndefinitely as a star” Like distinguished visitors before her; Miss Ponselle exchanged autographs with ‘Shirley.
Herélded bY Unprecedented Coast-to-Coast Praise!
—Now. Filmed on a Scale Impossible on Any Stage!
| pattern s -— ‘while
i ‘Tailored
Just. arrived — white CANVAS oxfords—leather soles,
— and Boys’
POLO SHIRTS
Of rayon, waffle cloth, mesh, ete. Plain and fancy colors. While they last. Seconds.
Final Clearance
Regilas 89¢ to 3 $1.00 values in all styles, white and pastel : shades. Special.
148 Men's
SUMMER os
White duck and checked caps, selling regularly at 25c¢. Some sighuly 3 soiled.
Men’s or Children’s BATHING SUITS
Or Trunks
wool suis. Also or wool Jrumks, In black, maroon and ue.
7
i
Men's 5c = SUMMER TIES All’ new summer colors and
Jd
jiney last,
y Clearance Sale of
GIRLS’ SLACKS
, Of white duck, ' striped seersucker & nubs, in sizes 8 to
Bg 14.
150 Pairs of
SASH CURTAINS
and ruffle styles. Plain and floral designs, snlesman’s samples,
~xhort lengths.