Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 1 December 1936 — Page 10
"hold in Maine.
Aiss Claire's Performance Is Sparkling
theater Guild Production to Close Run Here Tonight.
BY JAMES THRASHER
~ S. N. Behrman’s smart and very civilized comedy, “End Summer,” graced by the c rming Miss Ina Claire, the suave Mr. Osgood. Perkins nd an excellent Theater , Guild cast, is English’s present attraction.
The play will conclude its brief engagement tonight, to be followed ad by Jane Cowl in “First
Mr. Behrman, to whom we have ‘been indebted recently for such things as “The Second Man,” “Rain From Heaven” and “Biography,” has presented us with a discerning RB mpee of contemporary life. Of tness and biting wit, there is yet ~ a certain lingering undertone which - runs beneath a surface alternately ~ calm, frothy and turbulent.
Story of Leonie
Specifically, it 1s the story of Leonie Frothingham, played by Miss . Claire; her mother, her estranged . husband, Sam, her daughter, Paula, ~ and the latest members of her entourage,” Dr. Kenneth Rice, - psychiatrist, Mr. Perkins, and Count Mirsky, Also there are Will Dexter, . Paula’s flance, and Dennis Mc‘Carthy, two collegiate and intellectual “radicals,” and Will's father, a physicist. ~~ Youthfully gay and charming, though 40; eagerly alive, delightfully addle-pated, Leonie, in her own words is a “simple extrovert.” She lives upon the gaiety of her surroundings, eager to accept companions at their highest valuations. Her search for happiness is conducted with a disarming, almost a tragic candor. Dr. Rice, her latest acquisition, moves in upon the summer houseKeen, compelling, he ruthlessly removes Count Boris, his rival, from the scene by a psycho-analytical process. When his well-laid plans for fortune and power are scrambled by love for Paula, his devastating accusation of fortune-hunting shames Will away from her. Plot Exposes Scheme Paula’s level-headed plot exposes him. She follows Will back to New York upon her mother’s advice. And Leonie, having sustained the double loss of Boris and Dr. Rice, makes a brave and tearful try for happiness in the young Rennie and his radical youth magane. . | 5, «The plot grows heavy in the telling because it can not be told. The play, as well as performance, revolves about the character of Leonie. Miss Claire's performance is a triumph. All the subtleties of timing and shading, the nuances of color and phrase which mark her art are brilliantly evident. And of - course she is an utter delight to ‘ the eye. Mr. Perkins shares equal honors, since he is equally an artist. The only trouble with both their performances is that they make the characters more human and understandable than they really are. They become entirely fascinating, with the result that Mr. Behrman'’s play surely must be seen instead of read. Without their flawless por- ‘ trayals it becomes scarcely conceivable. Weak Spot in Cast In the supporting cast Susan Fox, as Paula, sounds the only jarring _note. Her plot to expose the doctor —a plot which fights against the strange attraction she feels toward him-—can be inferred from the lines but not seen in her performance. - Since this forms the play’s climax, - something more might be desirable. - And her diction much of the time is slurred. Van Heflin, as De , to whom Mr. Behrman has entrusted some of his choicest lines, is excellent. Jean Adair, Shepperd Strudwick, "Nicholas Joy, Clifford Brooke and ~ Stiano Braggiotti as Mrs. Wyler, are very capable. Will, Sam Froth- " ingham, Dr. Dexter and Count Mirsky are done admirably. The production itself speaks the “most eloquent ‘ praise for Philip - Moeller’s direction, and the setting
Semntillating comment upon ni ism, psycho-analysis, love, money and other serious aspects of our day. He lays low some of our most and institutions
" But all who see the play probably remember Miss Claire's perof the pinnacles cf
‘Palm Springs:
4
Hurdy-Gurdy and Shillalahs Old Stuff to Property Men
Calls for Everything From Needles to Locomotives Are
Received Every Day.
Times Speciat
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 1.—Wanted in four hours; one ancient Italian hurdy-gurdy; 12 bowls of Chinese chow gai sa mein, with ivory chop-
sticks; six genuine Irish shillalahs, watch.
and one 10-year-old stem-winding
This is just a sampleof the unusual calls, ranging from a needle to a locomotive, that are made every day on the busiest branch of the making of motion pictures, the studio property department.
Reel Shorts
LARK GABLE turned down an invitation to go on a hunting trip with a couple of other actors.
| He said: “Those guys’ idea of rough-
ing it is to eat caviar out of the can and drink champagne from tin
cups.” » ® ”
When Sardi’s restaurant burned down the other day a preview spirit prevailed among the 15,000 people who gathered to watch proceedings. Autograph hunters were busy in the crowd. Firemen were applauded as they entered the flaming building, cheered as they were carried out and put into ambulances, 2 8 =
Line from a writer vacationing at “Having a fine time; wish I could afford it.” 8 EJ ”
TYOTE of confusion: P. G. Wodehouse is having a second try at Hollywood. They never have allowed him to work on any of his own stories—of which one was the highly successful “Piccadilly Jim"— but have put him to work on a yarn by Eric Hatch. When Eric Hatch came here to write for the movies, they wouldn't let him work on “My Man Godfrey” or any. of his other stories, but put him to work remodeling a tale by P. G. Wodehouse. Of the pair, though, Mr. Wodehouse is the more puzzled. He was paid $104,000 during his first visit and did nothing: _ all—=though he did collect material for “Laughing Gas,” his new novel lampooning Hollywood. t J = 2 Second note of confusion: Bart Jett Cormack, screen writer, was born in Chicago, raised there, worked there as a reporter, and there wrote “The Racket,” first
atmosphere before starting to work on a picture about the town. 28 ” ND speaking of mix-ups, Hollywood is snickering about the
For instance, the ancient hurdygurdy was wanted for Spencer Tracy to play to Freddie Barthlomew in his Portuguese fisherman'’s role in “Captains Courageous.”
years. - The property - ‘man found pictures in books, but they were not explicit enough to make a duplicate from. He began telephoning violin makers, asking if they knew any collector who might have one. Finally he located an instrument, made in 1600, in the Lachmann collection in Los Angeles, and borrowed
it. Locusts Needed
When thosuands of locusts were needed - for Paul Muni’s. battle agdinst - the locust pest in “The Good Earth,” Cliff Jones, an insect expert, was called in. He traveled Mexico and Central America, then the Middle West, until he located
locust swarms near Cedar City, Utah, where a company was sent to film the swarming insects and "the battle of Chinese farmers against them. When the property department was called on for Irish shillalahs for “Parnell,” they hunted up the knotted sticks. What was wanted was the real article, which is a cane in finished form. An Irish society was contacted and {furnished a model from which the duplicates were made. A search of months led to the finding of certain ancient tapestries wanted for “Romeo and Juliet.” When located on an Italian estate, the designs were so faced that they could not be photographed, but were traced and recreated by weaving new ones using the reconstructed pat Watch Found In Truck In “Maytime” an: old key-wind-ing watch was needed for Nelson Eddy in the earlier periods of the story, which covers an entire lifetime. Stores were searched in vain. Finally one was located in the auto truck in which a traveling watchmaker went from neighborhood to’ neighborhood. He had a group of old watches for an exhibit in his traveling shop. Studies keep a catalogue of many unusual articles, and where they may be found, and constantly add to the list. Ancient printing presses, odd scientific apparatus, unusual animals, and such things are listed. In addition “property scouts” constantly make surveys of secondhud stores and such establish. ments.
TONIGHT foi 8:30
The instrument | has been obsolete for nearly 200]
=
You'll see two minutes of this shampoo scene when “The Smart-
est Girl in Town” comes to the Circle screen on Friday. Ann Sothern is the girl preparing to douse Gene
two ‘days to film.
But it took
Raymond’s golden tresses, while Gene prepares to go down for the
third time, on.
WHERE, WHAT, WHEN APOLLO
“Three Men on a Horse, with Prank Metugh, Joan Blondell and Guy Kibbee, at "11:36, 1:36, 3:36, 5:36, 7:36 and 9:36.
CIRCLE “Hideaway Girl,” win, Martha Rate, aanirley, Ross, A a 11, 1:50, 4:40,
‘ ay Desperadn) » A ith Nino Ma iy Leo Carle
gad Ida Lupino, at 12:20, 3:10, 6 an ENGLISH
. “End of Summer,” 8. N. Behrman's comedy, with ia. Claire and Osgood Perkins, at 8:1
KETIH'S
and How!” Pressmisd by the Taederal Players, ‘at 8:15.
LOEW'S “Theodora Goes Wild” »ith Irene Pulne and 2st Dou ouglas, at t 12:40, 3:40, 8:5 liday
Yith Baund Lowe and Elissa Lan . at 11:25, 2:30, 5:30 and 8:40.
LYRIC
na Johns Gentlemen.” with Olsen ohnson, on | Elion ts had TAL, Cul jes,” Ww - chestra on stage, at 1:10, 3:51, 6:42
:33, ALAMO
“The Gorgeous Hussy.” with Joan Crawford. iso “The Singing Cowboy,” with Gene Autry.
AMBASSADOR
Adverse,” with Fredric Olivia de Havilland.
OHIO “The t of the Mohjcans, ty with
Las Randolph Scott. . Also ‘‘Star for a Night, »_with Claire Trevor.
“Anthon ny March an
Berman to Produce ‘Damsel in Distress’
Times Special HOLLYWOOD, : Dec. 1 —Purchased as a solo starring vehicle for Fred Astaire, “A Damsel in Distress,” by the famous humorist, P. G. Wodehouse, has been . acquired by Producer Pandro S. Berman. The new feature will be produced as a major filmusical, with George and Ira Gershwin writing the score. The two brothers, nationally known
for their many smash hits, recently completed the music for Stepping Toes,” next co-starring picture for Astaire and Ginger Rogers. George Stevens, who directed “Swing Time,” will direct “A Damsel in Distress,” Mr. Berman also announced.
SCOOP FILM FEATURE
Methods by which a New York
paper scooped its rivals a year ago on a major story by using carrier
Director Joseph Stanley and a cameraman are looking
Will Hays Cites Joy Films Bring
Movies Lighten Burdens of Entire World, Claim.
By United Press LONDON, Dec. .1.—Will Hays, film arbiter, “speaking as guest of honor at a luncheon given by leaders in the British cinematographic industry, paid tri tion pictures for *the relief they give humanity from its burdens these days.” Mr. Hays asserted that though he had been immersed in movies for 15 years, “I still am a movie
| fan with the enthusiasm of a young-
ster. I like them for the happiness they bring, the beauty they spread, the inspiration they carry and the relief they give humanity from its burdens today.” He remarked that the most elusive thing which the picture industry is seeking in entertainment is quality in its productions. “If you show me the man who can insure that every film has entertainment value,” Mr. Hays said, “I will show you the man who is
| destined to own the world.”
Mr. Hays said, generally speaking, all classes of any community are seeing the same films all over the world and cheering the same sentiments, adding: “Today in Tokyo, Turkey, New York and Lon-
‘don, Shirley Temple is: probably
the most popular star, while Mickey Mouse is cheered everywhere.”
TOO REALISTIC Charles Laughton’s make-up in the title role of Alexander Korda’s “Rembrandt” proved somewhat too realistic last week. Still wearing the disreputable moustache he grew for the part, he was. refused admission to a London restaurant.
STITCH IN TIME Harry Ritz, one-third of the mad comedy trio of Ritz Brothers, did his | last screen scene in “One in a Million” with two stitches in his right hand. The injury .was suffered during a rehearsal the day before.
pigeons to rush ‘picture negatives is|
depicted in “They Wanted to
Marry,” with Gordon Jones and
te today to mo=|
Well, Well
By NEA Service HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 1.— The reason Margo is called just “Margo” for the movies is because her full tag is Marie Margarita Guadalupe Bolado Castilla. Try writing that on your neighborhood marquee! Simone Simon isn’t the only person hereabout with similar first and last names. There's a writer named Gordon Gordon, another named Arthur Arthur, and a French correspondent named George George. Well, well!
One-Time Director Plays in New Film
By United Press: HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 1—Marshal (Mickey) Neilan, Hollywood director during the early twenties, was back on the set today after a 15-year layoff—this time cast in the part of a typical movie director. an said he was “teased into a director's job” by Mary Pickford in 1921 after he was kicked around and laughed at in his part of the villain in “Daddy Long Legs.” He decided to quit acting and so some ordering himself, later becoming the successful director of such hits as “Madame - Butterfly,” “M’liss” and other silent pictures. He also wrote several. hundred screen stories, including “Hell’s' Angels” and “Go and Gét It.” Mr. Neilan was lured Pack by Selznick International to play the typical director in “A Star Is Born,” now in production.
AT HOME IN AFRICA Warner Baxter had to learn 300 words of Swahili dialect for “White Hunter,” a dramatic African story.
Mr. Neil- |:
XE
Bowes Unit DuetoOpen Here Friday
‘Amateur’ Billing Dropped By Troupe Booked For Lyric Stage.
Another week of entertainment by a Major Bowes unit is promised theater-goers with the Lyric’'s ane nouncement the dance band group - will open here Friday. This troupe, recently organized, is the second Bowes unit to .drop “amateur” from its billing.: Under the baton of Ted Mack, who also acts as master of ceremonies, the unit presents a stage band and entertainers in a variety program similar to the Short musical revues which frequently occupy the Lyric
Among entertainers are the Youman Brothers (Skippy, Jack and George), billed as “All' the Bands in One”; the Three Virginia Hams, colored newsboys from Roanoake, Va., whose’ Southern rhythm won them many votes from radio listeners; the Lightning Three, two lads and a girl who perform on roller skates; Sid Raymond, imper= sonator, and Frances White, tiny, vivacious dancer billed as the “Diminutive Eleanor Powell.” On the screen, beginning Friday, the Lyric will present Warren Hull and Jean Muir in a murder mystery, “Fugitive in the Sky.” Also in the cast are Gordon Oliver, Carlyle Moore Jr., Howard Phillips and Winifred Shaw. .
Actor Has Many Commissions
| Dewitt Jennings Holds Fire
Zaharoff’s Life ls Basis of Film
‘Uncrowned King’ Is Tentative Title of Production.
By United Press HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 1. — The eventful life of Sir Basil Zaharoff, “mystery man of Europe” and world’s munitions king, will be portrayed on the screen by Warner Brothers studio, it was announced today. “The Uncrowned King” will tell the story of the fabulously wealthy man who died last=week in: his Monte Carlo mansion after ruling the munitions industry for several decades. Zaharoff remained a recluse in real life ‘and even had ‘burned tons of personal papers and records after his death, but the studio is starting an ‘exhaustive research to produce an authentic history of the titled arms czar. Henry Blanke has been assigned by the studio to prepare the story.
Chinese Are to Lift Ban on 2 Pictures
By United Press 3 NANKING, Dec. 1.—The ban against two Hollywood motion pictures, “The General Died at Dawn” and “Klondike Annie,” will be lifted as soon as the films are received by the Central Film Censorship Board, it was said today. Meanwhile, the board ‘was said to have requested that the Tokyo foreign ministry prohibit the showing of the films in Japan for the moment.
Tonight's Presentations at Your
NEIGHBORHOOD , THEATERS
WEST SIDE
STATE 2702 W. 10th St.
Latest Features ALWAYS A GOOD SHO COMEDIES, SELECTED SHORTS
BELMONT W. Wash. & Belmont
Double lure Alice Brad
“THE RVES rE
DAISY iW. sich. 8k.
{"MaeNurray “THE ERAS aN RANGERS”
“JAIL BREAK” NORTH SIDE z Illinois "and 34th R | T Z Double Feature “ Loretta Young
RAM “WOMEN ARE TROUBLE”
“PICCADILLY JIM “SATAN MET A LADY”
: ST. CLAIR nT GAAREDOWN"
TUXEDO
EAST SIDE
RIVOLI 3155 E. 10th
Doors Open 5:45 “GENERAL DI Diep AT DAV
oO) i 2442 E. Wash. h. St. TAC A - Fred aus “SWING “CRASH DONOVAN” 4020 E. New York a“ Rando) LAST OF HE MOHIC, ‘FARMER IN THE D|
IRVING
HAMILTON, 2: Att
“THE DEVIL IS “WALKING on
and Police Credentials.
Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 1.—When the average actor appears on motion picture screens as a policeman or fireman, he’s just acting a’ part and wouldn't know how to conduct himself if he were asked to .qualify for active duty in either departs
‘| ment.
The exception to this particular role, however, is found in the person of Dewitt Jennings, who plays the part of the prison warden in “The Accusing Finger.” “I have been identified with the characters of sheriff, warden, police inspector, port collector, G-man and the like in so many pictures that I have been commissioned as many of these officers in reality,” sald Jennings. “I was made a deputy collector of port of New York by Dudley Field Malone. I am a deputy sheriff of several counties. I am a national fireman and I carry a number of credentials, but I have never used one of them,” this actor concluded.
SHOES HER TRADE-MARK
Eleanor Powell has had two small dancing shoes painted on the side of her car door, to take the place of her name.
NEED
@ POSITIVELY THE FUNNIEST o o PICTURE EVER MABE!
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