Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 26 August 1936 — Page 4

: tage Show Is Splashed With Color

“WPA Presentation Greeted

oe

With Enthusiasm at Keith’s. BY JOHN W. THOMPSON

Now we know who invented “Knock, knock.” It was William

" Shakespeare. The fact is clearly $hroved py the drunken gateman in

second scene of the New Yor

- Negro Federal Theater project’

- Keith's,

production, now at

“Macbeth,” This pleasingly unusual presentation of a Shakespearean play must lay most of its claim for attention to its bizarre nature. For it is sort of a cross between “Midsummer Night's Dream,” “Green Pastures® and Ringling Brothers’ circus. It is the Bard of Avon as even the Bard himself probably never conjured himself to be. It is blank verse in top hats and tails, It is an Easter egg roll of color, splashed as law ishly as the blood from Macbeth’s sword, In short, folks, it's the nuts. To Orson Welles, the youngster who arranged and staged this Negro production, to Nat Karson for his marvelous sets, and to Feder for unusual lighting in a play which would drive the normal light expert daffy, we offer the highest praise.

Start Is Slow

The play gets off to a rather slow start as far as audience reaction is concerned. But when one considers that here is Shakespeare's Scot-

- tish tragedy, transferred to darkest

Haiti, uttered in sugary darky ace cents, robed in pea green circus uniforms, and surrounded by voodoo

- magic, one is not surprised that it

. takes an audience off its feet.

As far as the lines and plot of “Macbeth” are concerned, Mr. Welles’ production has not varied from the original to any marked degree. The plot concerns Macbeth,

- whose wife urges him to dark deeds

‘in order for him to become king.

He first kills the reigning monarch, Duncan, after the witches of Birnam Wood tell him he is to have the throne. Then he has Banquo killed because Banquo is getting wise to

“his dirty work. Haunted by Ban-

Macbeth becomes a maniac, killing Lady(a

quo’s ghost, murderous

‘Macduff, and the little Macduffs,

- apparently for no particular reason

except that they might some time become kings. Lady Macbeth, her gown stained with the blood of her husband’s vic tims, becomes insane while sleepwalking and dies. Macduff, hatred in his heart, brings his army to Macbeth’s castle, slays him, and Malcolm, Duncan’s son, rules as king.

Play on Psychology

Mr, Welles hag.brought o dly, through the brief intefludes in which Macbeth and Lady Macbeth speak their thoughts, the effect which their murders had upon them. Especially in this particular production, which features so much pageantry and excellent voodoo background as reason for the villainy, is such psychology noticeable. It is the link between such ancient

dramas and modern plays; the power

- Burro

of right over wrong. Maurice Ellis’ Macbeth is excellently drawn, a vivid characterization, a colorful caricature of the ignoble Thane. No less outstanding is the expanded character of Eric ughs’ Hecate, the witch-king, who really is back of all the action in the play. The Lady Macbeth of Edna Thomas is finely executed. Miss Thomas has power and grace, which, handled as adroitly as she handles them, make for great acting. Especially effective is the singing and chanting of the voodoo chorus off-stage throughout the play. It adds greatly to the bizarre effect of ‘the magic world on Macbeth’s actions. The whole cast is well chosen, seeming to swing into the spirit of the play with all the enthusiasm characteristic of the race. Witch Doctor ‘Brings’ ‘Rain From the very first notes of the overture, “Yamekraw,” played by the special orchestra carried with the company, to the last scene

‘when Birnam Wood finally comes

to Dunsinane, the Negro presentation of “Macbeth” is capital entertainment. The witch doctor, Abdul Assen, who goes through numerous calisthemes in his scene before the cauldron, is said to have. wrought ‘spells upon various towns and per= sonalities with whith he has come in contact during the tour of the

company. . He must have liked Indiahapolis. “We had our first rain in weeks last ‘night and it came down heaviest ‘Just as Abdul went into his “trance.”

No End to Boners,

Director Discovers||

Hich and

CHAPTER TWELVE

HORNTON (ALIAS “STEPHEN”) BLACK stared at his henchmen contemptuously. Louis was babbling wildly ' again: It wasn’t no phony act, Steve. It was real, the way they talked. She did not ‘sound like the same girl. She's Molly Milford, sure as you live, only you don’t know it.” “One of ‘us is crazy,” Black sneered, “and it’s not me.” y “Louis happens to be right,” Brent said suddenly. . “She is Molly Milford.” “There, Steve, what did I .tell you? A cool: half million in our hands!”

2 “Shut up. I'm sick of that talk.”

“I'm Brent Stuart,” Brent said. “An architect. I came here to find Miss Milford. Now that you know the truth, there's nothing to pre= vent you from carrying out your plans. Mr. Milford would pay any amount to have her back. You can do what you please with me, but you're: foolish to throw away a fortune. Let Molly tell you how she happened to come here disguised in another girl's clothes, pu how the other girl was mistaken for. Molly.” “Youre dead Wrong, grumbled Louis,

Steve,”

® »

TEVE ara, suddenly, to Molly. “Make it snappy. And think up a good one.” 3 While Brent had been pleading for her Molly had been analyzing the situation. 'shese men, with ‘a lust for money, would risk a lot for a big ransom, and Find the chance on escaping the police. They would probably return her alive— drugged—which would give them an opportunity to make their getaway. But they would never double the risk py turning Brent loose, too, Brent, who loved her, whom she loved so much, was doomed. Brought to this dreadful end by her own folly. “Hurry, sister. We've no time to waste. Is this fellow telling the truth? Tell a straight story and tell all of it.” “Sure,” Molly said in a low husky voice, lapsing into the language and tone she had counterfeited so successfuly during her © imprisonment: “I met this poor kid down town and she looked all in, and I said, ‘Come on, ride home in my limousine ‘and I'll dress you up swell for once in your life anl I'll wear those rags you've got on and give my boy friend the laugh of his life. 1—'” “Molly!” Brent cried frantically. “What are you doing?” “Molly!” Steve Black mimicked. “Like hell she is. Well, sister, you probably did your best.” # » & ce you see she’s acting?” Brent’s agony was in his voice and eyes. “Molly,” he pleaded, “you can’t help me. You're throwing your life away for nothing. Dont you know the only thing that would make this bearable would be to know you were saved? I swear, darling, I'd die happy to have you safe again. Molly, think of your father!” “A pretty speech. A mighty affecting speech,” Steve Black mocked. “I guess the little girl.

WHERE, WHAT, ; WHEN

cin ro 9g _ O'Brien, Beverly Roberts, Humphre,; 30 “and 511-58 i op 3:44, han 7:50 an

Scotland” Ar iB Rathas iE a 7:08 and 0:68

be gil pls, Bett pictures -a

“Macbeth,” New as Ped eral Theater project LH cast of 135, Curiain’st Bo. TR,

We

LOEW'S “Kelly the Second" with Patsy Kel-

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would ‘do what she could to save her: skin. But, seeing ‘she's not the girl, she’s pretty helpless.” Molly smiled faintly. “It’s too bad I didn’t go to school .much,” she said. “Im not so dumb. I coulda ‘passed myself off for that girl ‘if they hadn’t read about her in the papers. -It ‘wasn’t in the cards, T guess.” “All” right, Louis, Scramble our traps together,” Steve commanded. “If it -hadn’t been for your damn dramatics we'd have gotten away a long time ago.” The atmosphere of the ‘place was charged withisuspense. Brent, one n around Molly, stood quietly, dly, but it was a dangerous type rigidity suggesting coiled steel ready to spring. Molly, white-faced and weary, leaned. closer against Brent's arm and felt it tighten spasmodically about her.

i a” »n UST a little while to be together. Just a. litle time when—but for | ¢ those two. violent men—they would be going on and on into a future enriched by love and happiness and useful living, “Oh, Molly,” Brent groaned, “why don’t_you tell them the truth?” Louis came .out of the bedroom with two bulging cases. One popped open suddenly, and an assortment of clothing spilled on: the floor. “What are you trying to do? Wipe up the floor with my clean shirts?” Steve asked angrily. He stooped anti picked Up some of the garments, Still keeping a_ hand on his gun.

From the dark porch outside up

came a grim command: “Drop the artillery, Black. You, too, fellow. This machine gun’s primed - for action. It won’t do you any good to take a wild shot into the darkness. Even rats like you can't slip through the circle of police around this place. As another precaution, we punctured your automobile tires. Take it easy. Your first move will be your last. All right, boys, go in and take ‘em. They're all yours.” 2 » 8 T seemed to Molly that the place was swarming with uniformed men, materializing before her eyes out of thin air. She flung her arms wildly about Brent. “Oh, Brent, we're not going to die. We're going to live!” He held her close. The next moment he felt a friendly hand on his shoulder. “So: you thought you could come up ‘against a gang single-handed, young wmmn?” Chief Donavan grinned. “At that,” he continued, “you did:a fine job of sleuthing. Led us right to the spot.” “But _how—2” Brent “It's a long story,” the detective replied. “We've had our eyes on these fellows and were pretty sure Nelse Ferguson was connected with them. We were fairly certain, too, that some of the same bunch had | given us the tip that "Ferguson pulled the bank job, also telling us when and where the could be found. But the reason why they were dou-

ble-crossing him puzzled us. On top:

of that the Milford girl is found dead (beg pardon, Miss Milford), and then a young fellow brings us

‘{homes. Back to the dear,

began, dazed.

shadowed evéry moment. Two of them followed you, knew when you got the clothes you're wearing, when you bought that rattletrap car. ‘But they almost lost you when you stopped. at ‘Frenchy's.’ They figured you were staying for dinner and when they went in for hamburgers you got away. ey searched more than an hour before they located your car. Then they phoned in for the other boys to rush out. That's all!” Brent grasped: the _detective’s hand, and shook it warmly. “You're wondetful, Chief, You sdved :our lives.” “Guess we did at that,” Chief Donavan said with a smile. “And you saved my reputation. I didn't have enough evidence to turn these fellows up until you came along. If you weren’t such a good architect I'd put you on my force.” “Thanks, but this life is too exciting for me,” Brent smiled. “I'd rather build Houses, », » #. IND of Planning ‘to build one of your own, aren’t you?” the Chief queried, his: eyes twinkling “Well give you. and Miss Milford a lift, , Stuart, 'There’s a half dozen a: around here.” “I'd like to go back in the rattle | trap, if you don’t mind,” Molly said. | 2 “And I'll love every rattle.” : “Some of us will be trailing you until we get ouf of these 'parts,” Chief Donovan said. “Then, when we get to town, we’ll break the news to Mr. Milford that his daughter. has heen found. . . . All right, boys, if the bracelets are on, well | Neither Black nor Louis glanced at Molly and Brent as they were hustled by, but Louis moaned when they were being loaded ' into the police car, “If you had only listened to me, Steve” -. Molly sat close to Brent as they bumped down the highway, across the bridge and into the city. Oh; it was good to be back among the lights, in a well-ordered routine. Back among houses that were dear commonplaces of life!

” = # ND now they had reached the grounds of the Milford estate. Cars were whirling by, turning into the drive, * Already the news had spread. “Nobody knows us in this car and these clothes,” Molly whispered. “Were just people, aren’t

we?" Brent - the car near the gate and took Molly into his arms. “Just people,” he said. “It’s shocking how they behave!” A policeman sauntered up. “I've been sent here to clear traffic

around here tonight. Suppose you

Atieting to the interest in movies shown by the coming genega, tion is the above photo taken yesterday at. a party sponsored by

the Rivoli Theater Kiddies Club |

for the benefit of children of the Indianapolis and Lutheran or= phans’ homes, After a special show in the morning, more than 750 children attended a Rienic bd

* ‘Brookside Park.

The Kiddies Club. is 8 _perma-

nent organization made up of

movie-minded ' youngsters in the neighborhood of the Rivoli. :

Traffic Ca re ‘Wins Tickets

Police, ‘Theater to. Continue Rewarding Safety.

Members of the police accident prevention bureau today were still

Likely

hborh Exhibitors t May {Act to End Twin Features.

| through double-features may be en= |

THE COUNTERFEIT

~ BY GEORGE KEYSER Daily Short St

QP one of ’em is an imposter and

crook,” said Sheriff Howard. “Right,” replied Cobb, executor of the Jenkins estate. “Perhaps they both are. However, I'm inclined to believe that one of those fellows waiting out there in the anie-;oom is the bona-fide nephew. But which one?” “Ain't there no way to check ‘up on them ” Cobb shrugged, “If you mean by tracing Jenkins’ family, I tried that and got nowhere, Jenkins came here some 15 years ago, but where he came from, nobody knew. He came here alone and he lived to himself. Until he died, nobody suspected that he was worth half a Pilon in negotiable securities. Except myself, of course. Being his lawyer, I knew somethiag of his

looking not only for drivers Who |affairs.”

disobey traffic laws but for those

who obeyed them. Pach day this week through Friday, traffic officers will watch for safe drivers, pedestrians and cyclists, | « and will reward 10 of them each day with passes to ‘see “And Sudden eath,” the picture based on the well-known Readers Digest story, which is to open at the Granada Theater Friday. Those who were awarded passes yesterday and the reasons for the awards dare as follows: Seth Randolph, R. R. 5, slowed down to let children cross the street; J. J. O'Brien, 19 Orange-st, made hand signal and stopped. to give fire department right-of-way: Mrs. st, made proper hand signal and waited for traffic to go by. before crossing; Arthur Carter, 3256 E. Mc-Carthy-st, bicycle rider, made hand signal and stopped for stop light. Mary Kook, 5030 Pleasant Runpkwy, stopped at ‘stop sign back of pedestrian lane and left room to cross in front of car: R. H. Clarkson, 2035 Singleton-st, drove to right of safety zones at less than miles per hour; Frank Donahue, 1520 S. Randolph-st, stopped * at preferential street and made proper hand signal: R. E. Duckworth, 1417 Finley-av, stopped for preferential street; Armel Armstrong, 1737

Union-st, obeyed slow down signs|again this

and’ speed laws; Archie Beckham, 1030 High-st, had lights ‘and: “horn on bicycle and made hand signals.

Sisters Have Roles : Judith and Jean Kirchner, wood'’s 2 hgest sister tea roles

Holly= | have _ “The Plough and. the starring

young folks go off and find a park.” |.

“Thank you, Officer,” Brent said.

He started the car and, to the po- |

liceman’s' amazement, the shabby

‘cdr. with- its shabby occupants rat- | |

tied gaily through the iron gate: Brent said, “Before I turn you

over to that crowd in there, dar-|

EF aie an, Tor8 ucetion,

a picture of Leola Barlow and says]

she can’t be found. Her picture was & dead ringer for Molly Milford and we were all mixed up. :

at 11

ool

P[STATE

Lottie McDonell, 1321 Laurel-

Sheriff Howard shifted his cigar to the other side of his ample

2 » 2»

IDN'T Jenkins ever talk to you about this nephew of his?” “Very little. He mentioned him on a few occasions. I did learn that the nephew was only 15 or 16 when Jenkins last saw him. That would be about 20 years ago. Jenkins never saw him again after that, and didn’t have the slightest Hea What had become of him.” “Hmm. He musta Hked the. kid plenty to leave him -all his dough.” “Yes,” said Cobb. “And I've got

‘to be mighty careful that the legacy ‘goes to the rightful heir. In a case

of this kind, there's always a lot of bogus relatives popping up with a

claim to the fortune. I've received.

dozens of letters from persons who claimed to know where the nephew

was, and who offered to give such

information for a consideration. I've eliminated them all as either cranks or out-and-out fakes. Now, finally, these two fellows have shown up, both claiming to be the lost heir. “I-questioned them both yesterday afternoon, and they both presented credentials and seemed to know all about Jenkins, That's what I'm up against. One of those fellows out there is a mighty clever swindler. However, I'm going to question them morning. I've got a test in mind. If it works, that’s where you come in. RN. “HE sheriff nodded. . mer for the jail, eh?” “Right. I want you to sit there

and say nothing. I'm going to bring}, them in one at a time.”

- ‘Cobh rose from his desk and walked to: the office door. Opening

202 W. 0th 5t. |

“A custo-|

it, he said, “Will one of you come in, please?” A tall young man entered, “His face was lean and tanned, and he seemed to be around 35 years old. Cobb reseated himself at his desk, and cleared his throat. “Mr. Barrie—if, indeed, you are Mr. Barrie—you know that the other gentlemen outside claims that he...” hin a fake!” the young man cut nephew, “Perhaps,” said Cobb quietly. “However, I have the means whereby I can settle this ‘question . of identity, If you are truly Jenkins’ nephew, you will remember ' that your uncle was addicted to collecting—and what it was he collected?”

” Bn #8 8 the’ young man merely’ stared at him, without’ replying, Cobb went on. 4 “Jenkins was a coin collector. But you know that, of course. Now!” Cobb opened a desk drawer and re-

moved a small tissue-paper packet. |’

“Your uncle foresaw the possibility of just such a situation as this. So he provided a means of identifica« tion for his nephew. He left these” —Cobb removed the tissue, revealing six rare coins—*“and a note explaining.” Cobb took’ a slip of paper from his pocket. “I'll read a ‘portion “ it to you: + « « bought- these six rare coins at auction, only. to discover later that one of them was a counterfeit. At the time, my nephew, Jimmy Barrie, |, was much interested in my collestion. I pointed out to him the counterfeit proof, teaching him how to spot just such cleverly faked rare coins as this. He was greatly impressed, stating that he'd always re~ member .. . Cobb. folded the paper and laid it aside. “The note goes on to say which of the coins is counterfeit. We'll see if you remember. There are the coins. Will you be so kind as to point out the counterfeit?”

8 8 =

HE young man’s face grew dark, “You're crazy!” he growled. “I don’t know what you're talkin’ about. I refuse to do itl” “Do you mean that you can’t do

it?” Cobb asked evenly.

THe young man suddenly explod-

=] ho

Cool Comfort!

Last 2 Days! KELLY THE

re JECOND Paley, Relly-Cona, Chase

Mary Actor in Trapped By Teovisien

bo § tell you I'm Calvin Jenkins’

couraged by the spreading rumors that Indianapolis exhibitors, especie ally neighborhood theater owners, are preparing to do something about the “two for one” policy. ‘In an article which appeared in a recent issue of Motion Picture Daily, it was stated that 80 per cent of Indianapolis exhibitors had agreed to do away with the doublebill. A representative of the Associated Theater Owners of Indiana said yesterday that concerted action’ probably would not be taken by that organization until the mid. dle of September. Managers of downtown theaters showing double features discounted the possibility of major show-places discontinuing the ‘double bill.

ed. *“You crook! You're probably in partners with that fake outside!” “That's enough!” Cobb snapped.

“Sit down. over there and keep

quiet.” The young man obeyed sullenly, and the lawyer ushered in the ether claimant. The second young man also ape peared to be around 35 years of age. He entered the office quietly and looked aroind questioningly as he seated himself before the desk. Once again, Cobb read from the note explaining the coins. His new listener sat silently, his eyes steady. . Cobb finished: “So there are the coins. You should have no trouble picking out the counterfeit.” - The young man frowned slightly, He seemed a little embarrassed. “Well...it’s been a -great many years, you know. But I'm sure 1 haven't forgotten. May I handle them?” “Certainly. Take your time.” a a FI HE man picked up each one twice. Then he smiled. “Of course,” he said, “I remember fistinetly now. This is the counterei » He gave one of the coins to Cobb, The lawyer looked at it a moment, then held out his hand. “Let me congratulate you .. J “Well, that’s that!” Sheriff Howard cut in, rising abruptly. “You've found the heir, and I've got 8 prisoner.” “Quite right,” said Cobb. “But here’s the man you want!” He indicated the man whose hand he was shaking. “What!” exclaimed the sheriff, Fa

YHERE was a stunned instant of inaction. Then the second claimant tried to jerk his hand loose from Cobb's, But Cobb held on with a grip of steel. In the moment, the fellow was handcuffed. Cobb smiled then. “You didn’t let me finish,” he said to the sheriff. “I was about to congratulate this fellow on his bluff. I don’t blame the real Mr. Barrie for accusing me of lying, because I was. So far as I know, the only money that Calvin Jenkins ever collected was ordinary American currency. Those six coins are a part of my own collection of rare currency—and none of them is counterfeit. The only counterfeit in this room is this imposter.” THE END

( 19386, : Copyright, vn dicate oy United Feature

CHINA GLIPPER <4 0d rh pF: es ILL FRIDAY

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AE IT TINGLES WITH EL : TUNES=— SIZELES.