Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 October 1936 — Page 5

STARVING MAKES

CO-STARS OF THIN MAN' TOGETHER AGAIN’

ouble Now |

Ca bby Here

370-Pound Stage Stooge

Thrown for Loss in

: | Film Career.

BY JOE CULLIER Samuel (Tiny) Keith, excarnival man, stage stooge and double for Fatty Arbuckle in films, is so big he can live almost as cheaply as

‘one. He weighs 370 pounds.

© He is driving a cab in Indianapolis now, which he claims amounts—as

: they say in the show business—to | #8

being at liberty. He had a chance to go with a car=nival this spring, but there were

complications

and he didn’t. : He may : next spring, he } says, which will

end three and a | :

2 half years of cabbing here. He came back here when Arbuckle died as he was making a film comeback, in which Tiny was assisting. The stage stooge business is gone to stay, Mr. Keith says. And as for Hollywood, he says, the situation’ for ¢ fat people is something like this: “There are so many fat people on the West Coast that none of them can get a job that will keep them. They all starve. When they starve they get thin. Then they haven't any sales point and have to hitchhike back hgme.”

~ | Given Stage Job Here

Tiny, with a background of carnival barking behind him, was ‘sit- * ting in his cab one evening in 1929 in front of a hotel hoping some one would come along as a fare, when Harry Howard showed up. Harry Howard was the boss of

an agt on the stage then at the Lyric. He asked Tiny if he would like to be a stooge for his act. Tiny sald yes, turned in his cab and began a theatrical career.

“I was a stooge,” he says.

nd

Tiny Keith

“1

* werked in the audience for the first

half of the act, and then I ran backstage and put on a‘Little Lord Fauntleroy suit of black velvet with _& great tie and held a lollypop. ~3 “We wowed them when we came “out.” (In spite of his poundage Tiny used the “we” to mean others in the company, too.) “Never failed to stop the show.”

Finds Act a Pain

“I worked in the company for three and a half years. Had to quit When the girl in the show broke ‘three of my fingers. It was this ‘way. I was back scenes with a carpet beater. I was supposed, on a cue, to wham away at the curtain, and in front of the curtain was Harry. He made-like it hurt him. “Then the girl laughed and he said, ‘What are you laughing at?’ and at that cue I was supposed to wham her, ; :

“Well, one day she stood too close to the curtain and I whammed and - she got the full force of it. Ever after that she would unconsciously ~ put her hands back to protect her- . Self. This deflected the carpet ~ beater and caused it to hit my hand. That broke. fingers, and I walked out on the show in Pittsburgh after I saw it was no use arguing.- She said she didn’t do it. “I saw her the other day in the movies. She's doubling for Ginger fRoge rs. Betty Burrows was her name

| He Took the Knocks About his own experiences as a

double with Fatty Arbuckle when he attempted, a few years ago, to

the films hé was in. They played Indianapolis, he said. “I would ride a bicycle, or take a hard fall, or get piés thrown at me, or anything he didn't want to do,” he says. : “What kind of pies do throw?” he was asked. : “I don’t know what they are made of,” he said. “Some kind of a tin. You can sponge them off few seconds. Also I got plaster i paris crockery thrown at me. ‘That doesn't hurt. It breaks easily.”

A Diver, Too

Tiny is 34 years old. He was born Indianapolis and for years was life guard at various municipal Swimming pools. He still does a ‘stunt of fancy diving and such igs once in a while during the Amer. ~ He says Fatty Arbuckle was one the “swellest persons I ever met. found me in New York when I ‘Was out of work, and paid me pretty ‘well for working with him.” “He was” ‘Tiny says, “such a ell guy that he would give any pe the shirt off his back.” . might set anybody with a itive imagination to wondering one would do with the shirt

they

gO |}

WHERE, WHAT, WHEN

APOLLO “Midsummer Nignt's Dream,’”” with James Cagney, Joe E. Brown, Dick Powell and others at 11:34, 2:05, 4:36, 7:07 and 9:38.

CIRCLE

“Hollywood Boulevard,” with John Halliday, Marsha Hunt and Robert a at 11, 1:40, 4:20, 6:35 an :33. “Walking on Air,” with Gene Raymond and Ann Sothern at 12:16, 2:56, 5:36, 8:09 and 10:49,

LOEW'S

“They Met in a Taxi” with Chester Morris, Fay Wray and Lionel Stander at 11:33, 2:38, 5:43 and 8:48. “The Devil Is a Bissy.’ with Freddie Bartholomew, Jackie Cooper and Mickey Rooney at 12:48, 3:53, 6:58

and 10:03. * LYRIC

“The Magnificent Brute”. with Victor McLaglen and Binnie Barnes at 11:30, 1:40, 3:50, 6, 8:20 and 10:30. Stage show, with Ted Lewis and hig sang at 12:50, 3, §:10, 7:30 and

ALAMO “Suzy,” with Jean Harlow. Also “Thunder,” with Constance Bennett. AMBASSADOR

“China Clipper,” with Pat Also “Three Cheers for Love.

OHIO

“Rhythm on the 8,” with Bing Crosby. Also “Dan’t- Bet on’ Love,

O'Brien.

Directors Hunt Player Teams

Seek ‘Natural Combinations of Movie Stars.

BY KELLY WOOLPERT United Press Stan Correspondent HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12—If a film player is having trouble reaching stardom alone, then he or she should team up with another player. This seems to be the gist of the theory now being practiced by producers and directors at many Holly= wood studios. : » Past experience, the picture executives say, has shown that one of the quickest ways to make stars is to team them with a similar personality, another player who is their complement. ; . For instance, Myrna Loy’s former desultory career went boun

Thin Man,” grew with Warner ter in “Broadway Bill” and Mary—With Love.” "Having reached stardom, Miss Loy still favors a co-starring role, such as she has in her next picture with Powell, a sequel to “The Thin Man.” One of the most famous Hollywood teams was that of Janet Gaynor and Charles Farrell. Together, these two players rapidly became “tops” and the impetus of the rise has enabled Miss Gaynor to camry on by herself as a.star. :

Seek Combinations

‘With this combination as a model, numerous screen heads continually are plotting new mixtures in the way of leading men and women. Darryl Zanuck is one of the most frequent “team” experimenters. From picture to picture he casts his players with different costars, hoping ultimately to hit upon a natural combination. Expecting big things from Brian Donlevy, Zanuck first cast him opposite Claire Trevor and then put him in “Half Angel” with Frances

Dee. “I just keep shifting them around in different until the best combination appears,” Zanuck says.

other half of the right combination is another ne to the screen or an established”star. In the case her with Michael Whalen first, then Frederic March and Warner BaxYor vied for her Wn fTve Row 10 ory.’ 1

“It doesn’t matter whether the |:

of June Lang, for example, I tried.|

2 od x hos

Myrna Loy and William Powell in a scene, from

“Libeled Lady,” which is to

come to Loew's Friday.

Hollywood's Unsung-Heroes - Make Director's’ Work Easy

Few Movie-Goers Aware of Official ‘Chair-Pushers,’ . “‘Microphone-Holders,” and Other Aids.

Times Special

HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12.—Their gifts yield them jobs but no fame.

You take Hank Galvin. There is a genius,

His job is to hold a mi-

crophone to Cecil B. DeMille’s lips whether the producer-director be standing, sitting, crouching or lying on the set. .

Director DeMille has a penchant for lying flat on his stomach under the stage coaches he is using in “The Plainsman,” and watching the action from there. He also likes to talk to his extras while he has his head stuck inside the camera, looking at them through the lenses. Capable of a precise enunciation which has won him the title of the “final ‘G” man of Hollywood; ‘since he never drops one, DeMille is not happy unless his every observation and comment can be heard a mile. And in three day’s shooting, Galvin has yet to “muff” a syllable the master has spoken. Gale Briskin’s assignment also Is among the odder odd jobs. Gale is DeMille’s chair pusher-inner. When the showman gets overcome with weariness, he wishes to sit down without even looking around to see if there is a chair behind him. It & Gale's responsibility to see hav there always is.

collapses with a thud in the dust. Valet’s Work Complicated

Arthur Umicher is DeMille’s valet steward, spare chauffeur and general major-domo. Arthur looks like Wallace Reid, whom DeMille “discovered,” .and he was hired for that reason. He used to be an actor. Now he lays out the director's “changes” each day—and they are changes complete to jewelry. DeMille wears a different watch, ring, cuff links and lapel stud every day. They must all harmonize, and the lapel stud—always one of his many decorations, such as the Order of the; Holly Sepulchre, or the Reserve Officers Association button —must match his necktie. Arthur stocks the DeMille yacht or ranch whenever his boss plans a week-end away from Hollywood and supervises cuisine and service. He recently initiated Gary Cooper. who ‘plays the role of Wild Bill Hickok in “The Plainsman,” into the joys of aquaplaning, shooting flying fish and deep sea diving oif the yacht. : Dick Harlan is “C, B.'s” assistant director, on this picture. When DeMille wearies of .the spoken word, Dick takes up the conversation from there and pours instructions inte the microphone. Dick also is responsible’ for- figuring out all the individual bits of “business” the atmosphere players must perform in the background, to give the effect

of movement and realism. And as

a “business” creator he is regarded by one and all as a past master. Has New Script Staff _ For the first time in 12 years, De-~ Mille started this picture without Emily Barrye, ot script girl amd auxiliary eyes and ears th ut that time. In her place are Evelyn Earle, as script clerk, and Dorothy Griwatz—one of the five De Mille secretaries—doing the eyes and ears chore. : ; Jeanie Macpherson has been on

the DeMille writing staff for about 20 years. ' With ‘Mrs. Ella King Adams, librarian, she is responsible for the thorough research that precedes every DeMille picture. Among Miss Macpherson’s discoveries - for “The Plainsman” was the fact that Horace Greeley did not author: the advice, “Go West, young:-man.” She proves that .the real author: was John Bi § editor of the Terre Haute (I 0. starte

‘an editorial, “Horace Greeldy could give’ no better advice than, ‘Go West, young man'” It was as if some small ‘town editor of today wrote, “Arthur Brisbane could give no better advice,” etc. The editorial was widely reprinted and Greeley later indorsed the advice.

15 ¥

Crosby Teaching Lo

Sorry will be the | day that he misses, and the “great | white father” of cinema spectacle |

Starlet Hawaiian

Times Special | . -HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 13.—Edith Fellows, Columbia starlet, this week started a “correspondence course” in the Hawaiian language, and her teacher is none other than Bing Crosby. : Edith’s first lesson in the “Island Language” has been received in a letter from the crooner, now vacationing with his‘ wife, Dixie Lee, in Hawaii. : The letter, giving the Columbia child star some phrases to practice on, was mailed, Crosby reminded

i her, to keep a promise he had made

during their production: of “Pennies irom Heaven.” While that picture was in the making, Edith, ‘between scenes, aired her school-taught French. Bing, a natural linguist, picked up a few phrases, and soon the crooning star and his “adopted daughter were flinging Gallic sentences at one another. ls Bing told her that as soon as he got to Hawaii he intended to study the native language and that he would, ia return for her French lessons, mail her %ome Hawaiian phrases to practice on. Then, he promised, they could talk together in the “hula-hula lingo” upon his return to Hollywocd. =

Fonda's Marriage

Holds. Up Picture

Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12.—Delayed a week by Henry Fonda's marriage ‘to Mrs. George T. Brokaw, sociaiite,

Walter Wanger’s first picture for |.

United Artists, “You Only Live Once,” co-starring Fonda and Sylvia Sidney, is now ready for the

cameras. Fonda plans to take his || 0 Honolulu

postponed hofieymoon in after the picture is completed.

~ Cameras Heavier Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12—No longer is the motion picture camera a light instrument on. a tripod, which can be moved easily from place to place. 'Today cameras. and their equipment, depending upon the occasion of their use, weigh as much as 8 tons. For example: < In the shooting of “Valiant is the Word for Carrie” many traveling shots had to be made of Gladys George, Arline Judge and John Howard, This techniques enables the screen to show them from a distance, gradually broadening. into a close-up, without a change in the scene. : For such work a six-ton camera boom, weighted down with two additional tons of lead was used.

z 1 . He's Too Busy for

i Radio Broadcasts

Times Special om - HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12.— Max Steiner, musical director, has turned down the offer ‘of a national radio chain to conduct a series of symphony programs. . Mr. Steiner. is too busy. Immediately . upon completion of the musical score for the Selznick International technicolor version of “The Garden of Allah,” he was borrowed by Warner: Brothers for “The Charge of the Light Brigade.”

Has Ripley Heard? - Film Test Refused

By United Press HOLLYWOOD, Cal, Oct. 12— Found, ‘a girl who refuses to accept a movie test, although she is working as 'stand-in” for a star. The girl is Anita Weber, stand-in for Jean Muir, at a major studio. The reason she advances is that even if she were awarded a contract, she would be forced to play minor roles for years before gaining recognition. ; Miss Weber said she has been studying drama and hopes to go on the New York stage. If she proves successful before the footlights, she then would consider a film test.

EIGHT PLAYERS CAST Eight players today were added to Frank Lloyd's “Maid of Salem” cast. They are Harold Entwhistle, Harold Nelson, Hayden Stevenson, Tom Brower, Edwin Mordant, Howard Davies, Ray Hanford and Wade Lane. : :

oJ XJe] Te}

25¢ Till 6—40c After 6.

EL STARTIN

Film Actors Make Eager

Colony Members Frequent * Hollywood Theaters and Studio Shows.

The most avid movie fans in the country are the movie stars themselves — if the check of theaters in the Hollywood film capital is a criterion. New things in the movies are constantly croppig up, and to keep abreast of what’s going on the stars must see a lot of pictures. They do, too, the average

{player scanning three or four

pictures a week and - often seven or eight. Sometimes the stars go to the movies in their studio projection rooms and sometimes at home if they have a private theater, but all of them frequently attend any ‘one of a dozen theaters

around and about Hollywood.

The most star-studded theater in town, though, remains the studio theater at Paramount on the. regular Tuesday “family nights.” That night is set aside for the players to see the latest Paramount pictures, usually before their general release, and the stars come trooping in with their wives, sweethearts or

friends. Show Their Preferences They act just about as any one else in a movie theater. And they have special preferences in pictures. For instance, Bing Crosby is a fiend for westerns, the hard-riding, shoot-‘emi-up variety. He likes them so much, in fact, that he got into a cowboy outfit himself for his latest picture, “Rhythm on the Range.” “Bing and his wife, Dixie Lee, get there early and pick a spot about midway in the 300-seat theater. The

| crooner likes quiet neighbors when

the picture is running, and is not averse to tapping whisperers and asking them to hush, Claudette Colbert of late has been

| rushing to the theater from the

studio wardrobe department where she is fitting costumes for the Frank Lloyd picture, “Maid, of

last row because she also likes quiet with her movies. B

Oakie Likes Serious Drama

- Jack Oakie, strangely enough, prefers serious drama, like “Valiant 1s the Word for Carrie.” He breezes in with his bride, Venita Varden,

‘strolls up and down the aisles

greeting every one by name and finally lands somewhere near the back—usually after the picture has started. E Jack has a habit of speaking right out if he doesn't care for a performance, but it’s always in a jesting vein. He's not above kidding himself, either. During a screening of rushes for his latest picture, “The Texas Rangers,” Jack was watching himself and Fred MacMurray gallop across the screen. “Why, I never seen such ridin’,”

cried Jack.

Carole Lombard likes any picture that is fast and has action and is amusing. She isn’t always on time, but if late she tiptoes in.

Ribbing Breaks Out,

George Raft sits over in one corner with his faithful stooge, Mack (Killer) Grey. Raft isn’t particular about his movies, he likes them all. If anything goes wrong with the theater equipment, as happens occasionally, there’s a near riot. If the projector fails or the sound goes berserk, the whole audience breaks into cheers and handclapping, and when this quiets down, Oakie and Lynne Overman lead th good-natured ribbing. ; The ribbers don’t know it, but the projectionists are in a soundproof booth and can not hear a word they

say.

INDIANAPOLIS * Now Showing

Movie Fans}

Salem.” She always sits in the very |

|ZARING

By United Press HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12.—The engagement ‘of Dixie Dunbar, youthful Atlanta (Ga. film actress, to Willlam Davis, Beverly Hills automobile dealer, was disclosed today. Miss Dunbar said she met Davis a year ago when she came here from New York to appear in pictures. She declared that no date had been set for the wedding but it probably would not take place immediately.

Suit Questions Lily Pons Film

Sequences Were ‘Lifted’ in ‘/ Dream Too Much,’ ~~ Writers Charge.

By United Press HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12—An injunction suit on file in Federal Court today charged that the first picture made by Lily Pons, opera star, was pirated by a major studio from a scenario it rejected. The suit was brought against RKO-Radio by Dorothy Farnum;and, Margretta Cort, writers, who declared they had submitted the story under the title of “One Day to Live,” but the studio turned it down. Later, the suit alleged, sequences were “lifted” for Miss Pons’ picture, known as “I Dream Too Much.”

Douglas Scott, 10-year-old film actor, today had court approval to a new long-term contract with Twentieth Century-Fox Studio. The boy has been in pictures since he was 3 years old, specializing in roles requiring an English accent. He is of British descent. : Under terms of his new contract he is to receive $200 a week the first few months and, if all his options are taken up, is to get $1500 during the sixth year of the agreement.

‘Come and Get It’ Ready for Release

Times Special { HOLLYWOOD, Oct. 12.—Samuel Goldwyn's “Come and Get it” is ready to be served to -the public. The screen adaptation of Edna Ferber’s epic of the lumber industry passed through its final stages of editing this week, after eight months of work—three of them on location in the northwoods 'of Idaho.

Old Singing

Club's Fate in Balance

Maennerchor Members to Determine Future Policy.

The fate of the Indianapolis Maennerchor, venerable landmark in Indianapolis’ masical history, probably will he decided tonight. The society's board of directors, after a meeting last week, has summoned all active, passive and honorary members for 8:15 p. m. at the Academy of Music to discuss the organiza. tion's future policy. In a letter to members, the die rectors stated that it would be “ree . grettable to abandon a society

founded over 82 years ago, whose cultural contribution has been so great.” : The ' Maennerchor’s origin goes back a group of German born residents who gathered in one another's homes to sing to a guitar accompaniment. From this nucleus a chorus was formed, which has ex{sted until the present. The original guitar still is preserved in a case in

4 the Academy of Music concert hall.

Famous Artists Presented

About 20 years ago a series of Sunday afternoon concerts was begun, which brought some of the world’s most distinguished artists to Indianapolis. Among those heard in recent years were Vladimir Horowitz, Gregor Piatigorsky, Myra Hess, Arthur. Schnabel, Nathan Milstein, Dusolina Giannini, Poldi Miidner, and the Flonzaley, Pro Arte and Budapest String Quartets. Last season the concert series was

abandoned, and guest soloists from Chicago and Indianapolis were presented with the chorus. The year’s activities ended with a contest in which two local singers were see lected for appearances this season. en

HATES HER HAIR Tiny Virginia Weidler is causing no end of disturbance because her role in “Maid of Salem” requires that she wear her hair in what she thinks is an unbecoming fashion.

Her pigtails have been combed out to allow her hair to fall in typical Puritan style.

1TH ANNUAL SEASON MARTENS CONCERTS, Inc.

Room 201, 33 Monument Circle

—ENGLISH THEATER—

Ballet, Grand Opera Symphony Orchestra and World Famed Artists. . Wednesday Evening, Nov. 4 Jooss European Ballet Wednesday Evening, Nov. 18 San Carlo Grand Opera + Pu 's Opera “La Boheme" Sunday Afternoon, Dec. €

Musical Arf Quartet

st. Lou Evening, Jan. 21 8

Louis Symphony . Sunday Afternoon, Feb. 28 HOROWITZ, Pianist Sunday Afternoon, March 14 LILY PONS, Soprano Remarkably low average cost of 92 cents to $2.20 per concert.

Season Ticket Scale of Prices (8 Concerts Including Tax)

$5.50, $6.60, $8.80, $11, $13.20

Buy Season Tickets—SAVE MONEY. Single Ticket Admissions will be vanced in

WEST SIDE STATE Talib

“TO MARY—WITH LOVE" “FRISCO WATERFRONT”

BELMONT ™ Dovbie Jette “CHINA CLIPPER" “TRAPPED BY TELEVISION”

DAISY “YOURS FOR THE ASKING” “WHITE FANG" NORTH SIDE fllinois and 34¢h Double Feature Eleanore Whitney

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