Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 31 July 1936 — Page 13

re Many in

‘New Picture

‘Rhythm on the Range’ Has Poor Plot, Reviewer Indicates.

N BY JOHN W. THOMPSON . Although “Rhythm on the Range,” which opened at the Circle today, . offers two new comedians of rare quality, a lovely leading lady and seven new songs, it is Bing Crosby’s crooning to a bull that takes the cake for ingenuity. - The Hereford animal, Cuddles by name, is large—a yard wide (at

least) —and the husky-voiced Mr.!

Crosby sings him to sleep with “Roundup Lullaby.” All those “uncles” up in Van Buren, Ark., are going to be mighty proud of Robert Burns because hes about the funniest thing that’s hit the screen in the last half-decade. | Folks were dubious about Mr. Burns on the screen. He'd been a great . hit on the radio, but films are | touchy and. radio comedians have had a way of going flat when sub- ~ jected to the camera. Not so with ' Mr, Burns, For if we don’t miss our guess, Hoosier audiences -are going to roar at this Arkansan, whose family tree furnishes him with enough quips to take up 55 minutes of “Rhythm on the Range.”

Actress Needs Help

His playmate, Martha Raye, is not so successful. However, she has possibilities which should provide real screen entertainment when her vaudeville exterior has been polished down for screen use. She’s funny, excruciatingly so, in any number of scenes, but she also is very unfunny in others. Her one song ‘number, “You'll Have to Swing It,” is a wow. Whatever her shortcomings are in this picture, Martha's work brought her a large role in “The Big Broadcast of 1937” and a five-year contract. Bing hasn't changed much; in . fact, he’s just as he was in “College Humor,” except that his acting has improved. Best of his songs are “Empty Saddles,” “I'm An Old Cowhand,’ and “Roundup Lullaby.” Frances Farmer's stock should shots right up after “Rhythm on the Range.” She does a bang-up job of playing leading lady and comedienne. Her looks, diction and appeal are satisfactory for almost any movie fan.

Beginning Is Dull

The story gets off to a slow and | very ‘dull start when Penelope Ryland, in New York with a rodeo, visits her niece, Doris Halloway, and attempts to stop the latter's marriage to a big-city fop. Doris admits she’s not in love, but to please her railroad-owner pa, she wants to go through with the cere- : Jtony. ,Inspired by a speech Pene-! Tope makes at the rodeo, Doris starts for the West. She hides away in a box car. It happens to be the box car in which Jeff Larabee (Mr. Crosby) is taking home his prize bull, Cuddles. When he discovers Doris, he tells her she must get off at the first stop. But romance takes root, and she doesn’t get off for several stops. Then, while Doris is prowling around outside the train, Cuddles - sees her red scarf, breaks away and chases the girl. Jeff chases the bull, and all three are left behind as the train pulls out.

Meet Other Couple

Doris buys a car and trailer, picks | up Jeff and Cuddles. A storm comes up, the two take refuge in Jeff's ranch house. Already at the ranch are Buck (Mr. Burns) and a crazy girl friend he picked up in New York, Emma (Miss Raye). Complications are smoothed out when the quartet reaches Penelope's ranch. Meanwhile a nation-wide search _ has been made for the missing heiress. When Jeff finds out who she really is, Doris has to chase him ~ for miles before making him realize that the picture can’t end until ‘he gives in. If you can forget about plot and want an evening of uproarious fun, then the Circle this week is the Place to go.

Tone, Calleia Given Roles in ‘New Film

Times Special HOLLYWOOD, July 31. — Franchot Tone and Joseph Calleia have been assigned leading roles in the new flicker “Turn of the Century” which goes before the cameras this week. John Cromwell will direct the picture while Darryl F. Zannuck -will act as production chief.

Reinhardt, Author to Confer on Play]

cs Special OLLYWOOD, - July 31 ~—Director Max Reinhardt will consult rench Author Romain Rolland on je script for “Danton, the Terror . France,” which the latter is

In “Rhythm on the Range,” which opened at the Circle today, Bing Crosby croons a bull to sleep with! But actually the bull,s Cuddles, didn’t think much of Mr. Crosby’s crooning. story is told that Director Norman Taurog, after

a cowboy lullaby.

The singing.

EAST WIND BY MABEL F. TUTTLE Daily Short é Blory

Caer PENNY 'scowled fiercely at the flowers that Martha had arranged neatly in the little toy wagon. “I never “lowed I'd come to this,” he muttered. “A husky old ‘hulk like me peddling flowers!” He jerked up the handle of the wagon, trundled it out of the yard and, sighing heavily, plodded ‘1p the street. He knew what was wrong with him this particular morning, for the wind was blowing from the east, and, whenever this happened, the call of the sea was almost irresistible. . “I wisht I'd taken that commission,” he mumbled. “Not that I got much use for gasoline launches, but it would be a boat—not this child’s toy!” He gave the Wagon handle a wrathful tug. ” ” ” N May, he’d been offered the job of taking pleasure parties back and forth between Warwick Port and Nantucket. But Martha had set her foot down firmly. He was off the water—now let him stay off Hadn’t Dr. Bradford told him to be careful? And so, Capt. Penny had growled and yielded. However, his feet ached for the feel of a slippery, heaving deck, and his nostrils craved the smell of salt

- air. He wondered, now, if Doc Brad-

ford had ‘been right when he'd

‘warned him that the rheumagisre : hid

was creeping close to his heart had made him quit the sea two years ago. The first winter on land had been a tough one. With spring, had come Martha's proposition that he sell her flowers to the summer residents. The venture had proved a financial success but the captain, now in his second season of flower-vending, was still unreconciled. ; " ” E brought the wagon to a squeaking halt in front of Jim Blake's variety store, which func-

tioned as a club for the captain and ,

his contemporaries. “Hi, Cap, you old walrus!” roared Jim Blake, appearing in the doorway. “I was a-wonderin’ when you was a-goin’ to show up.” “Well, you see me now, don’t you, a-navigatin’ my pretty little teawagon!” “Yes, and youre wanted bad for something.” Mr. Blake descended the steps and conferred with Capt. Penny. | “Stow it, man. You're crazy,” protested the captain. “Now see here, Cap,” Mr. Blake persisted. “You know you're tearin’ and rarin’ to go and, as far as I can see, it won't do you a mite of harm. It ain’t a=goin’ to kill you to sail across that little puddle.” “But Martha—" the captain reminded Mr. Blake.

HERE, WHAT, Ww

APOLLO

“Poor Little Rich Girl” with Shir- | ley Temple. Alice Fave. Jack Haley, | | at 11:4k he 3:41. 5:41, 7.41 and 9.41. |

CILCLE

“Rhythm on the Range,” with Bing | roshy. Frances Farmer P30, 440 1 at

Latimer, St ious 338."

LOEW'S ‘Meet Nero Wolze, "* with and

Arnold. Joan 55 dis Stanger, at ‘12: 15. 150, 0:30. Also,

ich Rogar Pouny ad wise ure i ness, at 11, 1:35, 4:12, 6:50 and 9:25. | “It's & Boy.” Federal Players pro- |

J Suctioh under the direction - of | Charles Berkell. Curtain at 8:15. :

| LYRIC Blac ne, magician, and .vaudeville oa na. 04, 3:53, 6:43 and | 9:31. * ainst the World.” with | erts, on Soreen a ‘Tia oat, 7% ; 8:00 and 10:31.

ward J , Lishel

ALAMO | “Three Jgaifathess with Chester .| Morris and Iren Herve Also “The | Lady | in Scarlet,” th Reginald |

' AMBASSADOR “G » } Weidicr. Elisabeth Mussel Leif Erick: son an Henr ith Crosman. Also | Spencer Tracy. fone aa Law

SH Muimares Lindsay.

ese » with : ’ “Yellow

"SWIM AND PLAY THE

LONGACRE

WAY" , 1200 Madison Av. South on State Rd. 31

" IN'T you got no independence at all?” Mr. Blake injuired indignantly. “Mat Clark will pay you good to take the Mary Emma over to the Island. He's sick. Now, will you go or: not?”

“Well, I dunno,” the captain faltered. “Martha-—"

“No need to tell Martha. Wot she don’t know won’, worry her.” “How ’bout the flowers?" the captain virtuously. “The flowers!” yelped Mr. Blake. “You old ‘hypocrite, I'll put ‘em ‘round back. Any more ghjections?” A tiny, vagrant breeze blew across Capt. Penny's face at that instant. “I'll go, Jim!” His back straightened and his shoulders squared themselves.

asked

2 ® ”

APT. PENNY, exalted and happy, stood at the wheel of the launch, Mary Emma, bound for Nantucket with a load of passengers. His pipe was in his mouth, his ‘cap pulled down over his shaggy brows. As the launch raced over the water, the captain hummed the tune of a“roistering song. But presently, drowsiness enveloped him. He knew that he was missing his afternoon nap—that nap that he had rebelled against two years ago. .He roused: himself with an éffort and grasped the wheel more firmly. Soquickly did time pass in cbnvivial company on Nantucket, that Capt. Penny failed to note the black clouds piling up on the horizon until, just before he started the homeward trip, a menacing rumble of thunder startled him. Halfway home, the storm broke. The launch pitched and rolled in the heaving waters. Lightning flamed across the sky, thunder roared, rain came down in torrents. The passengers crowded beneath the inadequate awning and hoped their skipper knew his job.

" & J

ND CAPT. PENNY was wrestling with a great fear. Not of the storm but of his enemy. It had returned, and gripped him now with a relentless clutch. The dampness, the strain and the exertion had been too much for him. : If only his trembling hands could hold the wheel. The stabbing pain in his chest was cutting off his breath. Over his eyes a gray mist gathered which was not spray. His heart was pounding so that he couldn't tell which was throbbing harder—it or the motor. If he could hold out just a little longer. ... The rain had stopped, and the clouds lifted. The storm had passed. Through a blur, he glimpsed the welcome dock. Some one loosened his stiff hands

™] | from the wheel and wiped away the

sweat that ran down into his eyes. He could see better now, and the pain had lessened into a dull ache. It was Jim Blake forcing something between his set teeth-—some-thing that burned and revived him. “Danged if I ain't glad to see your old red map,” said Jim. “Get in the car. We'll go up to the store. I sold every pesky posy for you. But doggone it, I bin sweatin’, answering Martha's questions over the phone.”

HY, Cyrus, you're wet to the skin!” Martha lamented. “You get your clothes right off and hop into bed. Too bad you couldn't get

-

attempting to get the animal to sleep while Bing sang, finally loaded him into a cart and drove him around. Hollywood yntil he was tired. Then he just laid down and went to sleep regardless of Bing’s

to Jim's store fore the storm broke. My, you sold every last flower! You must have had a big day, Cyrus.” “Yes,” said Capt. Penny. “I had a big day.” It was goed to lie at ease between cool, dry sheets. He was glad that the bed was steady—no pitching this way and that. “But it ain't the sea that’s got me licked,” he whispered. “It’s that old cuss Time a-sneakin’ up on a fella. And I guess I can’t fight against him always . .

He sorta liked that little red |

wagon, anyway . . . Capt. Penny sighed and slept. THE END. (Copyright, 1936, by United Feature Syndi-

ate, Inc. (The characters in this story are fictitious)

Timblin Booked for Lyric Theater Show

Charles (Slim) Timblin, who made a hit at English’s here last season in the sensational stage production of “Tobacco Road” is to be the star of a stage show at the Lyric Theater the week! of Aug. 7, it was announced today. Mr. Timblin, a! | “knight” of the vaudeville road before he was given the role of Jeeter Lester in’ “Tobacco Road,” is to be on the same bill with Paul Ash, well-known master of ceremonies. The picture on the Lyric screen will be “Girls’ Dormitory,” starring Ruth Chatterton, Herbert M «and ithe new French actress, Simone , Sirmbn. ;

Lily Pons to Stop at Local Airport

Lily Pons, brilliant operatic soprano and now a movie star, will stop at the Municipal Airport tomorrow at 12:16 for a 10-minute rest. She is to be accompanied by her mother, Maria Pons, and her musical director, Andre Kostlanetz. Miss Pons is on her way to Hollywood to make her second picture. A brief ceremony, |in which. the actress-singer is: to be presented with a bouquet of lilies, is to be observed at the airport.

Two Leading Men

Rene Raymond and Robert Young, two of the screen’s most popular young - leading men, vie for the screen favors of Barbara Stanwyck in “The Bride Walks Out.”

| Press Scoff

at ‘Naturals’|

Writers Doubt Veracity of Reports—Sometimes to Their Regret.

BY PAUL HARRISON HOLLYWOOD, July 31. —(NEA)—

Unalraid of Growing Old

|Some Even Welcome It;

The movie press agents, most of}

them, have hollered “wolf” too often. And now, when certain types of stories actually occur, nobody will believe or. print them. Dick Purcell was working in an item called “Jailbreak.” He wore

| prison denims, a ‘“stir” haircut, and

no makeup. At the noon hour he borrowed . a studio technician's car and drove into Hollywood on an errand. - En route he began thinking that it ;would be embarrassing if he were picked up as an escaped convict. So, when a traffic officer began eyeing him curiously, Purcell overacted in simulating nonchalance. ‘Two motorcycle cops hauled him down within a few blocks, and he went to the station for questioning. The story was a natural for publicity purposes, but not: a line was printed. Sounded too good to be true. This Holds Water

When Cecil B. De Mille was peing | publicized for the bathtub scenes he invariably worked into all his pictures, press correspondents called for an interview and were told they’d have to wait; Mr. De Mille was taking a bath. But the director called to' the men to come, in, he’d talk from the tub. The stunt, if it was a stunt; wasn’t mentioned in any stories. Shitley Temple really did lose her dog a few weeks ago. Publicity men began calling the 300odd correspondents in Hollywood. “Corky is gone,” they announced sadly. “Corky is a Scottie and belongs to Shirley Temple, and she’s heart-brok—" “—and how is the fiction business this morning?” interrupted each listener. “And why don’t you go

out and buy poor Shirly Temple a}

nice new doggie?” The Temples put ads in the papers, and Corky was brought back all right.

One Cherry Blossom

And then there was the incident of D, W. Griffith’s cherry blossom. The director had : imported 200 cherry trees from Japan at a rather fabulous cost and had them planted on his ranch. The trees languished and, for a while, seemed on the point of death. One day the ranch foreman telephoned Griffith at the studio and told him there was a blossom on one of the trees. A single, hopeful | 2 blooms. Griffith was directing a big, expensive picture, but he dropped everything and told all the players and workmen to go home. Then he jumped in: his car and sped to his ranch. News gatherers

refused to pay the slightest atten-:

tion to such an incredible tale. Lizard in Hiding

At Paramount a cameraman had trouble with his film, which buckled. And the first rushes showed mysterious blotches. Nobody could guess the difficulty, so the camera was sent to the repair shop. ° It was taken apart, and out walked a lizard, a lizard that probably had moved in when the camera was being used in New Mexico on another picture. This incident wasn’t even offered to the press. Flies in the sound equipment, sparrows in the rafters, and extras snoring between piles of props have ruined many a scene and created a lot of excitement.

An old-timer among magicians, Blackstone is .the headliner on the Lyric stage bill starting today. Optical illusions, acoustical tricks and levitation “foolers” are on Mr. Blackstone’s schedule. The picture at the Lyric for the week is “Two Against the World,” with ; Humphrey. Boga Bogart and Beverly Rokerts,

Most-Filmed Movieland Swealer Is That Worn. by John Qualen

Star Denies He's Superstitious, but He Won't Part With Coat; Janet Gaynor. Cherishes Shoes.

mn nln sain eh,

Times Special : . HOLLYWOOD, July 31.—Perhaps the most- filmed sweater in movieland today is that worn by John Qualen. Qualen denies he is superstitious, but ever since he bought the old frayed coat sweater two years ago, he has insisted on wearing it in every picture. And since its first appearance in “Our Daily Bread,” his fortunes have been on the upgrade. “So,” Whalen says, “why take a chance?” ® ’

The Qualen sweater had its most lengthy appearance in “The Country Doctor” in which its owner portrayed the father of the quintuplets. It was this role that marked the last rung in Qualen’s climb to important feature parts.

Qualen was signed on a long-term contract as a result of “The Country Doctor” ‘and given an important part in “The Road to Glory.” Although his role in this new film requires that he wear the uniform of a French soldier, beneath the military tunic will repose the old sweater. Janet Gaynor, who will appear soon in “Ladies in Love,” cherishes a pair of lucky shoes. She first wore | them in “Seventh Heaven,” the picture whi¢h earned her stardom, and ever since has insisted on wearing them in at least one scene of every picture she makes. And even Jean Hersholt, who for

30 years managed to dodge the old clothes ‘addiction, has put away for safekeeping a battered pair of work shoes which were part of his wardrobe in “The Country Doctor.”

Ar-coNpiTioNeD COO

STARTING

TODAY! MERRIEST MIRTH ANDMURDER HIT LA Mh

screen. awa : t 8 you Loew’s

“MEET NERO' WOLFE”

Columbia’s Laugh Hit, with LIONEL STANDER

JOAN PERRY VICTOR JORY

LAUGHS! Walt Disney’s

ELEPHANT

Silly - Symphony ) in Color!

west SIDE

STATE 2702 W. 10th St.

Detible ature “ROARING GUND

“HELL SHIP MO ANY

| econ, Se HE “THE MINE WITH THE IRON DOOR” DAISY “HERE GOMES ROUBLE"

NORTH SIDE finals and 3th

vem SE Sn ie : ZARING pny por

“THE ARDAS HO) Sung EVERYBODTE OLD MAN"

nd 4 & Sollege |UPTOWN Ex i Richard Phx YELLOW POST

GARRICK hia == en

RITZ

RIVOLI TUXEDO IRVING

|EMERSON cvomdBe BAR

PARKER

Pauline Frederick’s Idea Accepted.

Times Special HOLLYWOOD, July 31.—When Pauline Frederick a few years ago Yoldly commented, “There is no reason why an actress can't grow ’ld gracefully,” she sounded a new idea in Hollywood. And the present generation of movie stars adopted Miss Frederick's idea as gospel with the result that old age is no long. er a tabooed subject in Hollywood. In fact, a number of the stars of today actually are anticipating old age. Leslie Howard, for exe ample, has so many plans for his future that sometimes he seems restless waiting for his temples to gray. He longs to be an English gentleman on his London estate. He wants to pursue his favorite hobby, photography. Anc¢ he wants to play polo as long as iL. can sit on & horse. When Bette Davis’ career shows signs’ of slipping to the wayside, she will retire to a farm, raise 3» family and have a normal, comfortable old age, accbrding to her oresent plans.

Miss Hutchinson Comments This is the way Josephine Hutche

"inson views the whole thing:

“I believe ‘I will welcome old

"| age because it will bring additional

opportunities. I am sure I could be very happy as a character acte ress. My mother plays character roles now, and she is one of the happiest people I know. I never want to stop work entirely, but neither would I want to be a perennial ingenue or leading woman, Age has many compensations for disappearing youth.” Joan Blondell and Guy Kibbee are two stars who wish to continue acting as long as they live, “I never want to retire,” says Joan. “I'll never quit of my own free will,” echoes Guy. Jean Muir. is saving her pennies so that some day she may have the necessary capital to found an American Art Theater. Her plans for the future stop there. Dick Powell hopes to stay in Hollywood = “until I'm 80.” Neve ertheless, he has his future protected by annuities and insurance that will mature regularly from the age of 40 on.

LI It’s “Laugh Week” at Loew's

" Fiction’s gayest delective now brings is talents to the A lot of fum

at

"EAST SIDE

Ly ord “PRIDE OF THE 8” Marshall—“FO EN FACES® 4020 E. New York’ Dont ay “BRIDES ARE LIKE “EAST OF A 8307 “ E iE Wash. 8G a ADE TWO PLAGE" ert

S IN THE AIR”

Se

Bor

Hi I Jun A.

“THE Team. oF Freie CTD ANN TEE a i

ay wi