Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 August 1936 — Page 4

pC 7H Si | | Sa

- Before Coming on Stage, Members of Cast State

‘Federal Theater Negro Players Given Free ‘Rein in Presenting Characters, Director Says; First | Local Performance Tomorrow.

. BY JOHN W. THOMPSON Xi Voodooism furnishes one of the major features in the Federal Theater project's Harlem production of “MacBeth” which is to open at Keith's tomorrow night for a five-day engagement. : But it isn’t fake voodooism. It’s not the imitation stuff because the “Macbeth” cast contains an authentic voodoo doctor, Abdul Assen.

Abdul has devoted his life to study of voodooism in Africa. In the current play, members of the cast said, Abdul goes into a nightly trance before appearing in the play to cast a spell on Macbeth,

Players Arrive Tonight

The New York company is scheduled to arrive in Indianapolis tonight, coming direct from the “Texas Centennial in Dallas. Said to be a theatrical experiment, “Mac-

beth” is. presented by a cast of 125 Negroes. It was originally staged at the Lafayette Theater in Harlen in April and after a successful run of 10 weeks it moved to Broadway, then went on tour. Orson Welles, a young man in his twenties, and former leading man for Katharine Cornell, wrote and directed the unique presentation of Shakespeare's play. Though he changed the setting to Haiti from Scotland, he did not tamper otherwise with the original script. Nat Karson did the three settings in which most of the play’s action occurs; a tropical jungle, a majestic castle and a seaboard town. Since its debut, the large cast has

gone through the nightly drama

without the aid of a promoter or a working script to guide it.

Actors Given Free Rein

“Although it smacks of the proverbial Hollywood method of procedure,” said Mr. Wells when questioned about this, “let me assure you that the absence of a script is not due to carelessness or neglect. It was done deliberately.” : “When I put the performers through their paces I strove to avoid stilting their actions and the flow of their lines by routinizing their emotions. I relied solely upon spontaneous direction. Mr. Wells said this method is a bit risky because there's no telling Just where an actor’s emotions will lead him but the “free rein” given

Kich and Reckless

BEGIN HERE TODAY

MOLLY MILFORD, rich and popular, has received proposals of marriage from three suitors, ut BRENT STUART, whom she loves, has not asked her to marry him, Bored with parties, Molly goes to “The Red Poppy,” questionable night olub, with another admirer, WICK ROSS. The lights £ out and when they come on olly finds herself dancing with a handsome stranger. He tells her his name is “NELSON a . In reality he is NELSON FERGUSON, bank robr, one of a group planing to spirit oily away and hold her for ransom. A few days later he asks her to have ginuoe with hime and she agrees. or

encounters a who is gouble. Impulsively Molly exchanges her

luxurious costume for the other girl's |

shabby one. Molly and “Whittaker” go to a place called “Frenchy’s:” Police arrive and . there is shooting in which “Whittaker” is fatally injured. Molly is forced into a car and taken to a deserted farm

ouse. Brent Stuart, convinced that Molly is still alive, sets out to find h NOW G

nd her. 0 ON WITH THE STORY

CHAPTER TEN RENT sat in the office of the city’s chief of detectives. “What ido you know,” he asked bluntly, ““abopt ‘The Red Poppy’ and the man who owns it?” Michael Donavan studied Brent - thoughtfully for a moment before he replied. “Maybe more than has been in the papers. It's no place for fools and babies. As for the man who - owns it—Black is his name—I'd say he has a tough heart under a soft shirt. Outwardly he keeps within limits—that is, the legal limits stretched by his smart counsel. Some day he’s going to step over a little and become too confident. We're waiting for that slip, Mr. Stuart.” “I'd like the license number of & his car,” Brent said, “and a description of it.” Donavan turned to a file. “Glad to accommodate you. It's an ordinary black touring car, trimmed. License number . .. here, I'll ‘write it down for you.” He handed Brent a card. “Thank you, Chief.’ Brent got to his feet.

: HAT does Black want now? A fine new house?” the detective queried. “I didn’t know he could afford one. Had an idea he needed money. At one time he could have paid for several without noticing it, I guess. Those were the days when he ran a string of gambling houses in Chicago. There were a lot of tributaries feeding money into Black's pockets, but the . government located those streams. Black came here and opened ‘The Red Poppy.’ He's tamed to popular opin-

“I'm not doing a house for him,” Brent said frankly. The detective chuckled. have been a mighty poor detective if I hadn't known that. Just want-

“going to give you some advice, Mr. Stuart. Keep away from Black. He's

nickel- |

WHERE, WHAT, WHEN

APOLLO “China Clipper’, with Pat O'Brien, Beverly Roberts, Humphrey Bogart, 31 13, 1:41, 3:44, 5:47, 7:60 an

CIRCLE “Mary of Scotland” rine Hepburn and Fredric March, at 11:18, 1:50, 4:30, 7:05 and 9:45. Also Sharkey-Louis fight pictures at 11, 1:35, 4:40, 6:50 and 9:25. LOEW'S the Second” with Patsy Kelly and Charlie Chase, at 12:21, 2:82 :23, 7:54 and 10:25. Also ‘‘Trapped by Television” with Lyle Talbot and ary Astor, at 11:13, 1:44, 4:15, 6:46 and 9:17.

LYRIC Noble Sjssle and vaudeville on stage at 1, 3:48, 6:45 and 9:33. Also ‘Charlie Chan at the Race Track” with Warner Oland and Helen Wood OR strash at 11:36, 2:24 85:21, 8:09 an :

with Katha

“Kelly

ALAMO “Parole,” with Ann Preston. and Henry Hunter. Also ‘‘Bulldog Courage’ with Tim McCoy.

AMBASSADOR “San Prancisco’’ with Jeanette MacDonald, Clark Gable and Spencer Tracy. Also “Thicker Than Water,” with Laurel and Hardy.

OHIO

“Mr. Deeds Goes to Town’ with Gary Cooper and Jean Arthur. Also “Time Square Playboy’ with Warren William and June Travis.

the players has done its intended works “I do not want to check in any way the unerring instinct for the theater that these people have,” said Mr. Wells “and they came through

for me far beyond my expectations.” “Macbeth” is to be presented each evening starting tomorrow . through Saturday ,with a special matinee performance Saturday.

EARLY TOWNS RECREATED Both Salem Village and nearby Salem Town, as they existed in the Massachusetts Puritan period, are to be recreated for Frank Lloyd's production, “Maid of Salem,” starring Claudette Colbert.

The sudden notoriety that had come to “Frenchy's” resulted in a capacity crowd for the evening meal. ~ One garrulous person on the grounds had won an audience of sensation seekers. 4 “I saw that couple—the robber and the girl—when they came in,” he said. “She was pretty as a picture, but she looked worried and didn’t seem to be eating much. She kept sending notes to the boys in the orchestra, asking them to play different pieces.” . #8 & 8

MAN, who had driven up sa short while before in an antiquated automobile, pressed closer while the short, bald-headed man was speaking. “Then what happened?” the stranger asked. “Then the police.came,” the baldheaded man said. “Everybody thought the place was being raided, but the police were after this bank robber and .darn if they didn’t draw & bead on him right over my head! My table was close to this couple, and if I hadn't ducked when the firing began I wouldn't be telling this tale.” “When the lights went on?” prompted the stranger again, “When the lights went on, young fellow, the crowd went wild. Everybody was trying to get out of there, and you couldn't blame anybody for that. The police had a hard time handling the crowd. The girl got away. The police rushed a car to the bridge and stopped every car going back to town, but I understand they never did find her.”

“Do you live on this side of the river?”

“Born on this side.” wail must know the locality pretty “Every foot of it.” EJ = 2 , T™ thinking of taking a place out here, Maybe you could tell me if there are any empty houses around.” The baldheaded man thought a moment. “There’s one. Been vacant a year, but you wouldn't want it. It's not fit for rats to live in. Belonged to old man Hardison who Was so miserly he let it almost tumble down on him. After he died folks said it was haunted. Claimed they saw lights in it sometimes. You couldn't get anybody to g0 any-

filthy where near that house after night-

fall. Guess you wouldn't want it anyhow. It's three or four miles off le Bighwiy in the woods.” . ect!” Brent exclaimed. a is thatye “It’s -the house I'm 1 for. The doctor said I must kine the country,” Brent added hastily, “I haven't been well recently.” “You look fit as a fiddle. But it it’s air you want you'll get plenty of it through the .big cracks at old man Hardison’s place.” *I wonder to the house?” ” So Drive ie high on way S about five miles until you find

d road cutting into the |

Friday.

if you could direct me |

scenes. By Mary Reymond

searching eyes found the forked road. He turned: off the highway and was soon deep:in the woodland described by the elderly man. Suddenly he stopped his car. Some distance ahead was a glimmer ‘of light. Brent’s lips set grimly. He drove deeper into the woods, got out cf the car, and started cautiously on foot toward the house. » "=

“LYE saw, as he came closer, that, with the exception of one light, the dilapidated old house was in darkness. A car was parked close to the side of the building. Brent stopped and focused a flashlight on the license number. The number did not correspond with the one he carried in memory. Perhaps there was another car in the garage. He. straightened, and felt a heavy hand on his shoulder. “What, my prowling friend, is the object of your call this evening? Chickens? Cars? You tell me.” Brent laughed. “I was looking for Mr. Black. This is such a queer, run-down place I thought Bill Patrick had made a mistake about it. So I was looking at the license number to make sure.” “How did you know the license number?” : Brent spoke easily. “Everybody in town knows it. Black's a big fellow.” f “What did you want with him?” “I have a message for him. -Bill said I wasn’t to talk with any one else. If he’s here, ask him to step outside, please.”” : “Not so fast, my friend. What do you say to stepping inside, instead? 8 ® # E was trapped! And Molly was here. Brent was certain o! it. He controlled his voice with an effort. “Just as you say.”

“We came out for a rest. Black

was nervous. And here Patrick sends you out. How'd it happen?” = “I was doing some work on the building,” Brent lied glibly. “The roof leaked from that last rain. Bill needed somebody to take a message and he offered my $5 to make the trip. I was glad to do it, too.” “We'll see what Black thinks of your message, First I'll relieve you of your gun. Guess you wouldn't be making a lonely trip like this without carrying a gun. It wouldn't be right safe, would it?” : *“%¥ did happen to bring one. Bill" “Patrick told you to bring a gun!” “Not exactly. He said it was pretty dark and deserted out here and maybe I'd be afraid .to make the trip. I said I wasn’t, but I thought I might be held up. You never can tell on a dark highway.” ~“I understand. Guns is sure treacherous.

While you're here IMl|

take care of yours. You don't 8 8 8

When the famous cartoonist, Jefferson Machamer, went to Hollywood recently, he only intended to visit. producers got him to do the bit above, which shows his impressions of “Sing, Baby, Sing,” the musical picture which is to open at the Apollo

But Twentieth Century-Fox

In the upper left-hand corner one sees what Mr. Machamer thinks Adolphe Menjou and Alice Faye look like in one of: their romantic

Chicago Revue to Play Here

‘Follow the Stars’ to Open at Lyric Friday.

For its stage attraction starting Friday, the Lyric Theater has booked “Follow the Stars,” which will end its third consecutive week at the Palace Theater in Chicago Thursday. : The revue is to be moved intact to Indianapolis retaining all settings, cast members and technical apparatus which were used in the Chicago run. : Heading the unit is Vic Oliver, dubbed the “international comedian” because he has made 32 trips to appear in London -theaters. He will be seen in his comedy monolog as well as sideline of piano and violin solos. Vic is also to serve as master of ceremonies. Included in the “Follow the Stars” cast is the Robbins Family, whose athletics and dancing are said to be gracefully combined. Also to be seen. are the Gilbert Brothers in a wrist-to-wrist hbrizontal bar offering. = : Movie Stars Miss Trevor: Alphonse Berg, who does peculia® and unusual things with yards of dress goods on a female figure, is a part of the “Follow The Star” retinue. The chorus work is to be done by the Bebe Barri girls, whose routines are desoribed as “Tilleresque.” ’ The Lyric’s movie next week is to be “Star For A Night.” It features little Claire Trevor in the fitle role. This marks her first screen appearance since movie producers found out they had been playing up the wrong side of Claire. In “To Mary— With Love” she showed a bright, comedy flair ‘which stole the show. Before that Miss Trevor had been featured as a sort of second-run heroine in all sorts of dramas. Others in “Star For A Night” include Jane Darwell, Arline Judge, Evelyn Venable, and Dean Jagger.

hand which he knew was accus-

med to using it. “Here’s Black now.”

Just below them are the Three Ritz Brothers whose singing and comedy is a highlight of the new picture. On the other’ side of the cartoon are shown Ted Healy and Patsy Kelly as Mr. Machamer thinks

they appear in “Sing, Baby, Sing."

Below, in one of the climaxing scenes of the picture, Mr. Machaner has depicted Mr. Healy, Miss Kelly, Gregory Ratoff and Mr. Menjou. . That dancing nymph in the center at the top is supposed to be Mr.

Menjou with an ice bag on his head ' a large evening.

enjoying the doubtful results of

LD CASSINGHAM had a voice like two pieces of sandpaper rubbing together, “No, sir,” he said testily to Ed Walker, manager of Unit 4 of Cassingham’s Colossal Carnivals. “Pop Thipp is through—he’s dead wood. I want you fo get rid of him tomorrow. -Replace © him with a younger man.” ‘ Ed got up and looked out the window of the office wagon. Down on the midway, he could see Pop Thipp, barker, on the platform in front of the Palace of Wonders, could hear him shouting.. There was only a small crowd listening to him. “Listen, Mr. Cassingham,” Ed pleaded. “Won't you give Pop just one more chance? He hasn’t lost any of his stuff, really. It's just an off day. If youd take a closer look at his work—" ” 2 ”

“TAX so a person can hear

you!” old Cassingham snapped. |

“You know I'm deaf!” p= Ed leaned over and yelled lustily enough to make his employer hear. But Cassingham didn’t like being argued with, : : “I've had a clese enough look at

him’ through this window,” he said

curtly, “He’s through, I ‘say. Can’t draw the crowds.” “But, Mr. Cassingham,” Ed persisted, “Pop’s been a loyal employe of yours for nearly half his life. He's old now—he can’t turn to anything else.” - The founder of Cassingham’s Co-

‘Jossal Carnivals looked as though

he had just swallowed a glass of vinegar, “That's none of your affair, Walker,” he barked. “Your job is to obey my orders. Pop Thipp has got to go. Do you think I'd ever have made my carnivals the success they are if I'd tried to take care of every piece of dead wood that accumulated?” He hit the desk a resound-

= 7

fil

THE BARKER

BY JOHN CREECY ———— Daily Short Story

“If—if you'd just give him ome ‘more day, sir. Just see how he does tomorrow before you—" - Cassingham’s lips twitched and his eyes flashed. But, suddenly, he shrugged. “Oh, very well,” he said impatiently. “Keep him one more day if you insist.” Ed watched him get into the limousine. . As it pulled away, he could hear the millionaire -carnival king berating his chauffeur,

” ® » N the midway, Pop was still on the platform, winding up his spiel. Ed stood listening to him. There wasn’t anything wrong with

have the power it once had, but Je was pulling them into the Palace of Wonders as good as anybody could on an off day, no matter what old Cassingham thought. “And: lastly, folks,” Pop was shouting, “we have Princess Nanya —the biggest attraction on the lot. She weighs 867 pounds! Why, folks, it’s well worth the price of admission just:-to see the Princess. But, remember, we ‘also have, in this great exhibition, Mr. Elasto—ihe rubber man! Charmo—the hulahula dancer! The famous sevenlegged calf! And many other attractions too numerous to mention. It’s only a dime, folks — just one thin dime! So come on—siep up and buy your tickets! Don’t crowd, please—don’t crowd—there’s room for alll” ; Ed was waiting when Pop came off the platform. Pop wiped his forehead with his blue bandanna. “Ever see such a cold bunch in your life?” he asked. . It was a bad carnival town. There wasn’t much doing. ? “Cassingham’s in town,” Ed said “I thought I saw his car.” 2 » » # YD couldn’t think of any way to

1 Montagu Love,

that spiel. Maybe Pop’s voice didn’t |

records. It's star-studded and that’s no mere press-agentry, either. t of all there Adolphe Menjou, who showed in Harold Lloyd's “The Milky Way” that he was by no means through as a movie comedian. Then there's Alice Faye for heart interest. She ' was recently seen in Shirley Temple's “Poor Little Rich Girl.” Michael Whalen, who leaped into prominence with his role in “The Country Doctor,” is to be seen as the picture’s hero. The comic songsters, the Three Ritz Brothers, are billed as the tune specialists, with harmony numbers galore. Straight Comedy Pair

For straight comedians, “Sing Baby, Sing” boasts Ted Healy, one of filmdom’s most regularly employed funsters, and Gregory Ratoff, who seemingly can play any type of role, his best recent attempt being a small part in “Under Two Flags.” Oh, yes, we almost forgot somebody important. It's that soured-on-the-world gal who makes her first full-length feature attempt in “Kelly The Second” at Loew’s this week, the one-and-only Patsy Kelly. Besides these first - stringers, there’s Dixie Dunbar, a little girl who should go far in the tap world, the “old villain,” and little Carol Tevis who makes all those “teeny weeny” noises for Betty Boop and other cartoon comediys. Fun Just for Fun

If the picture is as much fun to see as everyone says it was to make, then it should be one of the year’s top notch musicals. Because, from what ' we hear, the “Sing, Baby Sing” set was in a constant furore of extra-curricular comedy. It seems that the Ritz brothers started the whole ‘thing. They induced the impeccable Mr. Menjou to sit down on a chair covered with face powder; decorated Greg Ratoff’s Irish setter, Seamus, with a huge red bow; and filled the

worked for Mr. Cassingham for 30 years! He wouldn’t—" Ed took hold of his arm. “You've got one more chance, Pop. Don’t worry. He’s going to look you over again tomorrow.” “But—but it won’t be any better tomorrow. This is a rotten town.” Pop looked at Ed, thoroughly frightened. : Ed gripped his arm tighter. “Don’t you worry, Pop,” he. said reassuringly. “We'll see if we can't db something about this.” # » ” k EXT day in the office wagon, old Cassingham went over the books with Ed. After several hours of this, Ed rose and looked out the window. He cleared his throat. “Uh—about this matter of Pop Thipp.” “Who?” barked Cassingham. “Speak up, man—speak up!” “Pop!” Ed shouted. “Pop Thipp!” “Oh, yes—yes. ‘What ab him? have you replaced him?” “No, sir. You said you'd give him cone more chance. Don't you remember? Look—" -Ed pointed out the window toward

the Palace of Wonders. Cassingham looked, : Crowds! The people were fighting for places in line. They were 50 deep around the platform. . “You see!” Ed yelled. “It was an off day yesterday—that was all. Well how about it—does he stick?” Cassingham coughed. He turned back to the books. .

“ I guess I must have been mistaken,” he said gruffly. “You

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IPARKER

‘Sing, Baby, Sing’ Musicale Success Assured If Cast of Comedians Is Criterion

Menjou, Ritz Brothers, Healy, Ratoff on List of Fun« Makers in Picture Booked by Apollo for Next Week's Run. It seems that the main idea when Hollywood producers start work on a new musicale is to get as many comedians into the film as possible.

If that's any criterion of success then “Sing, Baby, Sing,” which is to open at the Apollo Friday, surely should hit the tops in box office

center of Miss Faye's cold cream jar with lamp black. Director Sidney Lanfield accepted a bottle of soda pop that turned out to be vinegar: Michael Whalen started to eat a shoe leather sandwich, Patsy Kelly stumped the boys when she handed them back the piece of cake they offered her, It had a soap center. Ted Healy, just in order to keep his record as Hollywood's ranking ribber, tried several tricks. He came in following the sartorially perfect Mr. Menjou, costumed just as Mr. Menjou was, replete with cane and all. But Ted was Jax, He layed the cane down to eat a sandwich, and when he picked it up it was covered with glue. Two Much Fish

Director Lanfield asked Ted if he liked dried herring and Ted said it usually made him sick. So the director told Ted he would have to eat some of the fish in the next scene. It was only a bite so Ted said he thought he could stand it. The scene went off perfectly on the first “take,” but Lanfield said he wanted to shoot it again. So Ted bit into his fish again. Then 'Menjou mixed up that “take” and Ratoff and Kelly the next two. By that time Ted was on to the fact that he was being ribbed and that the cameras hadn't been grinding on any but the first “take.” But Mr. Healy .was more than disgruntled. He said he wanted a nice quiet place to lie down. Songs used in the picture ine cluded “Love Will Tell” and “Sing, Baby, Sing” by Lew Pollack and Jack Yellen; “You Turned the Tables on Me,” by Louis Alter and Sidney D. Mitchell, and “When Did You Leave Heaven?” by Richard A, Whiting and Walter Bullock.

PLAYS LEGAL ROLE AGAIN

Walter Abel, after portraying a district attorney in his latest picture, “Fury,” is to remain in legal Sharaster in his new film, “Second e.”

can let him stay. Now, about this item here— 2 ” ”

D heaved a sigh of relief. Through the window, he could hear Pop luring the public. He was glad old Cassingham couldn't. “And lastly,” Pop “was shouting, “we have Princess Nanya—the bige gest attraction on the lot. Oh, it's a great show, folks! It'd be a bare at 50 cents. It'd be a give-away at a quarter. At a dime, it'd. be a steal folks—an absolute steal! But what are we charging you? } “Are we charging you 50 cents? No, sir! Are we charging you a quarter? We are not! Friends, Mr, Cassingham is with us today—the beloved founder of our great ore ganization. In honor of his presence, we're letting you in today for nothe ing! That's right, folks—it’s abso= lutely free! Now, don't crowd, please. Don’t crowd—there’s room for alll” THE END. (Copyright, 1938, by United. Feature

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

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