Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 August 1936 — Page 4

Producers Wage Battles With Dollars in Effort for Extra- Extravaganzas

$1000-a-Second Spenders in Demand on Hollywood Lots ~ =—at Least as Long as Money Holds Out, Commentator Observes.

BY PAUL HARRISON’ . 15 (NEA) ~Nobody knows how it’s all going to Droducing more and more lavish musical spec-

, but there’s a shortage of chorus girls,

oie

are so large that people Jook like ihumb-size

Berkeley started it away in the early days of sound, when 50 cuties made a chorus and a million dollars was a lot of money. Berkeley was called a dance director, but he applied a Ziegfeldian touch on a Jovian scale to the first Cantor filmusicals. Then the Brothers Warner hired him and he went to town on “42nd Street” and a series of progressively bigger, but not always better, gal-and-gag operas. Enter, the Mirror

The cycle faltered for a while, t swept ahead with “Gold Diggers of 1933” and “Wonder Bar.” In the latter picture Berkeley hit his

_ stride with the mirror waltz. That . one item cost $150,000 to stage, and "for years was considered the ulti- , mate in splurging. Now and then an assault was made on Mr. Berkeley's record, usually by some producer imported from Broadway for the purpose. George White, the “Scandals” man, ' was one. But they couldn't readjust their « proscenium-arch perspectives to the vastness of the sound stages of Hollywood. They couldn’t, for the life . of them, spend more than $150,000 . on a single ditty-and-dance number.

Quarter-Million Song

It was up to the Hollywoodsmen _ to beat their own records. And it was done in glorification of the . memory of the Great Glorifier. Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer spent a sum that Sencrally is accepted as $250,000 for the “Pretty Girl Is Like a Melody” sequence in “The Great Ziegfeld.” . But you haven't seen anything yet.- At Warner's they're putting to- ~ gether a number that again will outdazzle anything ever filmed. It is part of the Clark Gable-Marion Davies feature, “Cain and Mabel,” and will be known as the “Thousand Love Songs™ sequence. ° It will run exactly eight minutes and 15 seconds on the screen, and will cost a cool $300,000.

At $600 a Second

You may wonder how it is possible to spend more than $600 a second for a piece of finished film. I'll enumerate g few items. In the first place, they had to raise the entire sound stage—a concrete building about 100 yards long. They raised it 30 feet and built new walls under it, so the rafters now are almost 100 feet from the floor. The thing is so vast that the elec tricity to light it would illuminate a city of 50,000 people. Six different major sets will be erected in succession. ere’s one curtain—the largest ever assembled—that contains 2600 square yards of satin. One song in the sequence uses a living curtain of girls who are yanked skyward on wires. Altogether there are 225 girls, each with six costumes. Part of their costumes are 20,000 ostrich plumes. Trees, 50 feet in height, move around with the celerity of a ballet girl. For a couple of minutes the entire stage is flooded with real water, and on it floats a gondola. Then sections of stage mysteriously converge to form a platform for « & dance. It’s all astonishing, lavish . and -super-colossal.

All Vie for Bigness

Some other Hollywood musicals are scarcely less sensational, though less costly. Most daring ballet of the season is “La Bomba,” a writh-ing-rhythm item in “The Big Broadcast.” The Astaire-Rogers picture, Swing Time,” has a night club scene with trick mechanical stage effects which alone cost $100,000. Universal's “Hippodrome” is to re-create on the Hollywood scale some of the spectacular devices

w 8 dhol

Sunday. Chevrolet Day at Riverside

© Tomorrow is “Chevrolet Day” at Riverside amusement park. Chev- " rolet dealers from Indianapolis and central Indiana are sponsoring the afternoon and evening fun at the park, with all rides reduced to half

‘of smoke about the room. Gray

VETERAN STAR

Press agents are

which made the theater of that

name” famous years ago M-G-M is racking its collective brains for lavish elaborations in “Born to Dance,” “Broadway Mel- | ody,” and “Mayfime.” Twentieth Century-Fox has grandiose schemes for “On the Avenue” and “Sally, Irene and Mary.” This studio also has signed Mr. Earl “Vanities” Oarroll to help spend money on the first edition of “Twentieth Century Follies.”

One of Hollywood's real veterans ky stays on 4 tugh is. the star of

opening at the Ambassador theater tomorrow. The other feature on the is “It’s Love Again” with Jessie Matthews and Robert Young.

NA MAY stood admiring herself in the mirror. She had recently won two beauty contests and ‘was soon to start for Hollywood to sign a contract—well, perhaps a contract. It all depended on the producers of Zenith Pictures.

Ina May did not need her mirror to tell her she was pretty. Even the cattiest of her friends lamented the fact. She had a mass of bright red hair that had never known henna. Her skin was soft, smooth, and delicately tinted. Large brown eyes looked out from beneath long, curling black lashes. She now practiced with those eyes before the mirror, registering innocence, anger and scorn in turn. She pursed her lips in an imaginary kiss with Clark Gable. Then, she smiled an eager, childlike smile. No, she would not need much directing when she reached Hollywood. 8he and” her friend Elise had talked everything over. “You've got to be ruthless to get to' the top, Ina May,” Elisa had advised her. “To climb, you've got to step on people, and use them. You remember what we read about Flora Fane, who put everything and everybody ‘aside for her art. You've got! to be selfish.” “Umm, yes, I.suppose I will have to be sort of hard,” Ina May had replied.

She did not need to be told to be |

selfish, She had been born that way. 8 8 »

ER father took her to Seattle to catch the boat that was to take her down the coast to California. -Along with her went four large bags and a hat box. Entering her cabin, on the promenade deck, she decided to take the bed—it looked more comfortable than either of the berths. She spread out her bags on the bed, and started filling the closet with her clothes. One of the cabin mates entered. She was middle-aged and wore a gray tweed suit and substantial shoes. Her iron-gray hair was partly covered by a small black hat. She smiled a tired smile at Ina May, and said, “I'm afraid you have made a mistake. My ticket calls for the bed.” Ina May decided ‘she might as well begin to be ruthless at once. “Evidently you Hhaven't traveled much,” she said haughtily. “When the boat's crowded like this, it’s first come, first served.” “If you would let me see your ticket . ,.. I wouldn’t insist on the bed, only I become seasick if I don’t have enough fresh air,” Gray Tweed explained. Ina May ignored her and went on sorting things in her bags. When she heard the door close softly, she permitted herself a triumphant litYe smile. #” » 2

A Los immediately, there was a thump at the ‘door. “Came in,” she drawled. ‘The purser entered. He was used to dealing with passengers like Ina

“Your ticket,” he demanded. She handed it to him. “Your reservation calls for the top berth,” he told her. “I'l call the room steward to move your bags. This room ig supposed to accommodate three people. You'd better get some of that stuff out of the way.” He turned and walked out. Gray Tweed did not get much sleep that night. Ina May and a new-found friend talked loudly beneath the window until almost dawn. When Ina May finally retired to the cabin, she lit a cigaret, sending rolls’

BROAD RIPPLE

| RIDES_THRILLS - AMUSEMENTS

FREE ADMISSION

at All Times

BOUND FOR STARDOM

BY ETHEL M. SEARS Daily Short Story

Tweed turned over with a ‘faint moan. She looked pale and worn. Finally, she arose, dressed, and went out on deck. Ina May then settled down to sleep unt{l noon. In the afternoon, she passed Gray Tweed, stretched out in a steamer chair, looking very haggard. She felt a momentary twinge of conscience. She almost stopped to tell the woman she was sorry she had been such ga little pig. Then she thought of Elise’s advice—“You’'ve got to step on people to climb.”— and passed on without a word.

» ” » HEN the boat docked at Wilnington, Gray Tweed was met by a group of friends. As for Ina May, she boarded a train and rode 20 uninteresting miles through in-

dustrial districts into Los Angeles, then took a taxi to a small hotel in Hollywood. Larry Getzman, of Zenith Pictures, called next day and took het to the studios.

“You'll have to wait until tomors

row to see the producers,” he told

her. “They are busy selecting the cast for ‘Wild Heliotrope,’ and I don’t want to rush things. In the meantime, let’s go to lunch.” He feasted his eyes on Ina May's beauty. She'd be a winner if he knew anything about it—would just fit the part of Maida in “Wild Heliotrope.” Ina May ate daintily, and observed her surroundings with frank curi-

osity.. She hoped, oh, how she hoped.

she would get a part! But of course, she would. Larry Getzman seemed sure of it. . 2 8 = HE next day, Larry sat facing a desk bearing a small placard marked, I. Gorham, producer. Larry was nervous. He knew he had a good thing in Ina May if they would only give her a chance.

I. Gorham was speaking, “You know, Larry, this part of Maida, even though it's small, tant. We can’t take any chances. Now what do you know about this girl?” “Well, knockout. seen her!”

“Okay—trot her in. But remember our signal if I do not approve, and don’t argue or ask me to change my mind.”

Ina May's hair was a flaming halo of red. She was dressed in a striking yellow sport outfit, and. her cheeks were flushed with excitement as, starry-eyed, she entered the room with Larry Getzman. At the desk, sat Gray Tweed! Ina May stared at her in sick amazement. She had not practiced registering amazement, but she did it very well. Then—Larry saw I. Gorham’s hands turn on the desk, thumbs down. Bewildered, he escorted Ina May out. She cast one longing look back into the room as the gates of paradise closed to her. THE END

1936, by United Peature Syndicate. Inc.

(The characters in this story are fictious.)

for one thing, she’s a Just wait until you've

(Copyright,

is impor-_

bout with the best man winning ... all for the little child.

But as the trial proceeded, both contestants, and their lawyers, thought it pertinent to encourage a free-for-all, using all the weapons available. In the melee little Marylyn, “their baby,” was forgotten. “Dr. Thorpe was never divorced from his Florida spouse.” “Mary Astor drinks straight whisky.” “Dr. Thorpe has been over-friendly with a blond beauty from New York.” “Mary Astor has kept rendezvous with George Kaufman.” “Dr. Thorpe displayed vile temper before Marylyn.” “Mary Astor received many men callers and wrote a personal history of her romances in a little book—using lavender ink.”

The scathing accusations on both sides have gone down in court records. They have been read by millions of people, they will be carried down to posterity—an inheritance for little Marylyn and her children. Such is the devotion of two people who started the battle for their child, Marylyn. : ® 8 8 Esther Dale, a comedy actress, in her fifties, has played in 24 pictures in 19 months. She has just completed her role in “Fool for Blonds” with Victor McLaglen, and is anticipating an important role in David O. Selznick’s “Tom Sawyer.” + She began her career as 6 German Lieder Singer when she was 17, and sang with success: in France, England, Germany and the United States. : “ ‘Carrie Nation’ ended my singing

career with a smash,” she said, “but

understand, ‘please, it was my husband’s play based on the life of the well-known hater of the liquor

evil. I had been a singer for years, |:

had never thought of becoming an actress. But Carrie Nation was difficult to cast and after reading the play and knowing -no leading lady had been found, I said ‘I'll play it.’ We tried the play out at the Cape

Theater in Falmouth, Mass. came

to Baltimore and finally New York. I've been acting ever since but as yet haven't been able to convince Hollywood producers that I am a singer. ” When Miss Dale first came to Hollywood she looked for a little

1house which would remind her of

Vermont, where she lived when she was a girl. A quaint New England home is rare in a locale where stuccn, tiled roof California houses are rractical. The best she could do was a barn-like affair, crude in design, which stood in the rear of a property two miles from the sea. The rent was right—$20 a month. She took it. She has te go out of doors to get up to her bedroom. An old-

only heat but the place has atmosphere and charm, Miss Dale’s salary is now $700 a week she still lives in the. little place which she calls a “bit of Vermont.” : 2 8 = hie Bette Davis, bored with her self imposed expulsion from screen wor is her way to Canada. She and her husband, Harmon Nelson, are picking up a trailer in British Columbia, gp are going into Canadian woods for a complete rest—

Brothers Studios remains the same although Warner publicity heads emphasize the fact that Bette soon will return to work. ) 8 ” » Dick Powell .is packing trunks— he has wanted to pack for over a year. He is rebelious and optimistic in turn. He wants a vacation; le wants to get out of the city which no longer makes him completely happy. He is optimistic because a month is a long time for Warner Brothers to do without him. He may get as far as Chicago and get a wire to return py. Plane, Things are done that way by producers. “Im fed up,” he said. “I want to see what’ is going.on outside of

ing, how business is, how men who aren't ‘actors are making out. You get ‘marooned: down “here between the wall around your house and the one around the studio. They're both high—too high to look over. After a while you just don’t climb to look.” ». 8 8 Basil Rathbone is going to England to play a romantic part in a romantic story. He is happy. “What ever started me playing villians? Gad—first it is a butler with a sinister lift of one eyebrow; then a cruel father or a mean third in a triangle. Did I ever play the softspeaking Romeo? Yes, I recall I did. With Katherine Cornell, and not so long ago. It doesn’t seem possible ”

RICE'S DAUGHTER IN MOVIES

Florence Rice, who will have the feminine lead in “We Who Are About ‘to Die,” is the daughter of the . famous sports commentator, Grantland Rice.

—GRAHAM'’S OLD INN-—

Bnd of Beech Grove Carline

Dance to : DENNY DUTTON’S BOYS Friday & Saturday

WE SERVE BRUCK’S BEER on tap exclusive ! ¢

DINE — DANCE ENJOY FRESH, COOL AIR

ALL NEW SENSATIONAL FLOOR SHOW

We Are Noted for the Best ~ CHICKEN, STEAK

- and FROG DINNERS

LIQUEURS—WINES—BEER|

Come Out And Hang Up Your ‘Stocking

BOOKED

YES, IT’S TRUE . ..

“CHEVROLET DEALERS HAVE

ME AT RIVERSIDE

TOMORROW! A BRAND NEW | CHEVROLET WILL BE GIVEN AWAY—AND ALL RIDES WILL BE CUT TO :6 CENTS! JUST LIKE CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST." | SANTA CLAUS.

| ‘When way, several hundred positions | be open, Mr. Hall said.

or change. Her status with Warner |

Hollywood: how the election is com- |

Sn of Applicants.

A To oF 1005" applications. to

| ake comnasons sr so te

The a month with a $130 maximum for and $110 for typists. ms post wi

CITY HALL LIGHTING CHANGES PROPOSED

Replacement of old lighting fixtures in the City Hall with modern indirect lighting as an economy measure was PeOposed today by city

tidh, already have been installed in the Works Board ‘office.

c and practical standpoints, according to" ‘hoard members, who heard the proposal. Costing approximately $9 each, the lights would replace the multibulbed chandeliers which have been in the City Hall since'it was built more than 30 years ago. City Engineer Henry B. Steeg said the old fixtures are less than 35 per cent efficient; while the modern ones are considered excellent by lighting experts

V. F. W. EVENT TONIGHT

The Ladies’ Auxiliary to -the Frank T. Strayer Post, No. 1405, Veterans of Foreign Wars, is to sponsor a' dance at the post clubrooms, 210 E. Ohio-st, tonight.

MOTORIST HIT BY BRICK

day on charges of assault and battery in connection with an alleged assault on John Drees, 618 N. Illi-\nois-st, who told police he was struck on the head with a halfbrick as he sat in his car parked at Senate-av and Michigan-st. Drees was taken to City Hospital for treatment.

SCAFFOLD ROPES CUT T. O. Miller, 3607 Boulevard-pl;

Co., today reported to police that three ropes on scaffolds which he is using in repair work at the Columbus Club had been cut in the past wee

Left the House

| By Urltod Press ST. PAUL, Minn, Aug. 15.— All fun aside, it may yet be necessary to roll up the sidewalks at night, Nellie Norris

night, and returned the following night to cart away the rest of it.

{ing in the Newton-st address and

Albert Lewis, Negro, was held to~

employed by the Shaffer Pointing]

BOOTLEG SUSPECT FREED UNDER BOND

* Louis DeFabis, 40, of 2623 New-ton-st, under arrest for alleged il-

2031 N. Capitol-av, were arrested late Thursday by George L. Winkler, alcohol tax unit investigator.

, charged with operation

Young, and is in the Marion County Jail, unable to make bond of $1500. DeFabis, who is said to ‘have a previous record of liquor law violations, said he had not been liv-

knew nothing about the 109 gallons of illegal liquor confiscated there. He later said he was at the house when Szalaiy made delivery of 10 cans of alcohol, "however. Both men were bound over to the September grand jury.

CIVIL WAR VETERANS ARE TO BE HONORED

Installation of the Civil War veterans as honorary members of the Burns-West-Striebeck Post, Veterans of Foreign Wars, is to be held at a special meeting Aug. 20, in the post - hall, E. Washin ashington and Denny-sts, The Civil War Veterans to be honored are David L. Osborn, 89, of 36 S. Rifter-av; Daniel Murray, 90, of 2931 E. New York-st, and Heckman N. King, 95, of 5610 Lowell-av.

CAMERA IS STOLEN David F. Carter, 1241 N. Oakland-| av, today reported to police that some one entered his unlocked automobile on the parking lot in the rear of the Harrison Hotel and

stole an Eastman vollenda camera |}

valued at $46.

Chiropractic Group Me Following Convention

Mich., victor over San Ante Tex., in bidding for the 1937 vention. Resolutions were adopted demning the practice. of writing pt

Theft of a yellow gold b and a yellow gold necklace, i at ‘$25, was reported to police today by J. R. Warren, 3121 Fark-av. i

| Coaches, Parlor Cars, Club-

unge Cars, Dining Cars and Sleeping Cars on ALL Monon Route trains between Indians apolis and Chicago NO DIRT » NO DUST NO SMOKE

Always COOL, CLEAN and COMFORTABLE Be Modem Travel by Rail i Cp VY. MA

bent 108. Fenkiogiod 5 Fons Limcts

MONON ROUTE

Nothing

CC eR

Succeeds

EALTH

Nothing Builds Health

“MILK

PF

‘What Is "Bait"

. « . in Advertising

A

r Ny

The appearance of this Service Message in these Columns 1s evidence that this publication subscribes to the principles of the Better Business Bureau, and co-operates with the Bureau in protecting you—even to the. . extent of refusing to ac‘cept the advertising of firms whose. advertising

l= and sales policies are

- proved by the Bureau to

be contrary to the public

Dictionaries define bait as “anything vied on & hook, or in

s Snare trap of the like to a a lure in catching fish or ©

a descrip ‘centage

ure.” "Any substance used

ther anima

on is not amiss when applied to a small perpresent day advertising by a very few of the

less scrupulous business concerns, which is calculated to deceive and lure the customer into the store to sell other

than advertised merchandise.

Report your experience to the Better Business Bureau—

When you see merchandise displayed in a window with a show card which "leads you to believe that this is the merchandise of-

When you purchase goods