Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 12 December 1936 — Page 16
ane Looms 500d Brand
Of Chinese
rol Hughes Is Leading Lady Second Time
In Succession.
' BY JAMES THRASHER
The distinguished Shakesrean, Mr. Joe E. Brown, of Max Reinhardt’s “Midmer Night's Dream,” ds another portrait—or is caricature ?—to his gallery tof film characters as a novice horseman" in “Polo Joe.” It’s it the Lyric this week.
“Polo Joe” is an amusing bit of typically Brown-ish situation comedy, neatly done. It gives the star “chance to speak and sing an au-thentic-sounding brand of Chinese; eat with chopsticks; flip spoons over catsup bottles into cofcups; engage in a slam-bang fight, and win the heroine’s heart. The heroine .in the present case Carol Hughes, whom you saw recently as Erwin's tedrful wife in *Three Men on a Horse,” and opposite Mr. Brown in “Earthworm Tractors.” And when Mr. Brown gets the same leading lady in successive pictures, that’s real news. He is a sort of proving ground for youthful players, but in Miss Hughes e has an excellent foil for his special variety of comedy. Gallagher as Valet - Richard (Skeets) Gallagher re“turns to the screen to play a valet, ‘Instead of his accustomed Manhattan “wise guy” role. It’s good "to see him again, and he performs capably. Joseph King, Gordon Elliot and Fay Holden also are in the cast. . The plot has been used many ‘times befcre, but it is dressed up with some new situations and passes wery nicely. Mr. Brown is Joe Bolton, a wealthy young man who re‘turns from 10 years in China fo visit his Aunt Minnie, With him are two faithful companions; his "valet, Haywood and a persistent "allergic condition which causes himto sneeze whenever there is a “horse in the vicinity. ‘It isn’t long until Joe meets Mary, ‘daughter of a polo-crazy family. Haywood cooks up the story that Joe was a 10-goal man in the Orient. Immediately, of course, every one, Mary especially, wants ‘to see him play. Joe tries everything to get out of it, but the day “before the big game, one of the iblayers is injured and Joe is
e Sratted. Mary's suitors hears Joe ae Haywood plotting a fake kidhaping. But Joe gets into the ds of the wrong thugs, beats ‘them up and is rescued in time to get in at the final chukker. Strapping himself on the horse with an inner tube, he proceeds to score four very miraculous goals in succession, and win both game and girl.
“Whoops” Three Times
If you crave a change from light and witty dialog comedy, “Polo Joe” is the thing to see, It may encourage you to know that Mr. Brown utters his famous “whoop” only
three times, all on the back of a runaway horse. The stage show presents an hour of vaudeville:and 20 additional min‘utes of “Bell's Hawaiian Follies,” “which is just 20 minutes too much. this country must have Hawaiian entertainers, some one ought to write them some new tunes. Several yearly favorites are presented on the stage, as well as one " debut performance. The latter is by the three Coffing Sisters from ‘Covington, Ind., who sing and play marimbas Best bet on the bill is the amazing Walter Nillson, who rides a 10foot unicycle, a barrel top with pedals, a “cycle” with a pair of feet instead of a wheel, and other impossible contraptions. The Three Samuels and Harriet Hayes have a erting comedy dancing turn. Also present are Sid Marion and Olive by, singing comedians.
et Pickford Rites Today
‘Mary at Bedside of Sister
When She Died.
United Press "HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 12.—Private neral services were to be held toy for Lottie Pickford, former film r sister of Mary
the roles Miss Pickford in the days of silent pic-
She was remembered as one |
> W. Griffith's proteges in the of her last performances was ‘Don Q” with Douglas Fairbanks, married Mary Pickford in 1920. was at her sister's bedside n death came Wednesday night. e is survived by her husband, has » and daughter, Gwynne, has been living with Mary at
Starting Mon. . Night at 8:15
W
John McCormack, beloved Irish tenor, is to be heard in recital at 3 p. m. tomorrow in Cadle Tabernacle. pearance is an Indianapolis Concert Guild attraction.
Mr. McCormack's ap-
Civic Theater. “Libel!”
successive days. There is little action; witnesses walk to and from the box, there is one dramatic entrance, and that is about all. And in English law courts the barristers stand in their places to examine the witnesses and address the judge and jury, so there is no pacing up and down in front of the jury as Lionel Barrymore did in “A Free Soul.” There is, in fact, no jury box. Departing from the scheme of the New York production, Director Frederick Burleigh wisely chose to construct his set in a triangle, and let - the audience sit in judgement. It works out nicely.
Accused as Imposter
To say too much about “Libel!” would spoil the fun. It is enough to tell you that it has to with one Sir Mark Loddon, war veterarn, and member of Parliament, who was accused by a London newspaper of being an imposter to his title. He sues for libel, and the paper counters with the charge that is a Canadian ex-soldier who was incarcerated ‘with the real -baronet in a German prison camp. Conclusivelooking evidence by. defense witnesse is offset by doubtful past reputations for trust and veracity. So the plot snarls up and finally untangles in a dramatic climax. Beyond that, we only/should say that the play is decidedly first rate. Suspense is built up to a properly surprising «ending, during which time Mr. Wooll, has maintained a nice balance of excitement and dignity. Aside from the drama, “Libel!” affords an interesting. glimpse ot British procedure, wherein the witnesses are permitted to “I suppose” and “I presume” and “I've no doubt,” and in which the judge is allowed to express his own opinion ‘during the trial much more freely than his American brethren. It also is an intimate glimpse of English libel suits which, though rare, are, we understand, both real and
earnest. Two Take Honors
The attorneys in the cast are Thomas Scanlon as Sir Mark, Roy 0. Johnson and Edward New as the chief counsels for plaintiff and defendant, respectively; Ray Robinson at Patrick Buckenham, a defense witness; George Stitle as the junior defense counsel and James McLemore as the Associate. Chief acting honors must go to Adrian Reiter and Annabel Nation. Mr. Reiter plays Dr. Emile Flordon, an excitable Belgian alienist, and contributes the chief comedy with his delightful French accent and ingenious “business.” Miss Nation plays the rather heavy role of Lady Loddon with professional sincerity
most convincing judge, Mr. Robinson is excellent, and Peggy Reeves
CIETY
It is a good play, and a difficult one to do. place in a King’s Bench Court at the Royal Courts of Justice on three
and ability. Clyde LeMasters is the j.
‘Libel’ Is Best of Civic's Three Offerings This Year
Co ' Legal Indianapolis’ busman’s holiday is turning out very well at the There, each night through Wednesday, you may see local attorneys indulging their dramatic flairs as British barristers, baronets, withesses and what-not in Edward Wooll’s successful play,
All three acts take
does well as another witness. And a special word must go for Walter Craigle’s + exceptional makeup = as “Numero Quinze.” Mr. Burleigh has encompassed the production difficulties skillfully, and the early season trouble with lines is considerably less apparent. Technically, it is the best of the Civic’s
three offerings this year, and as drama, it is well worth your while. (By J. Q. T)
SHE COULD KICK
Inez Gorman, beautiful young opera singer, was.-able to kick a football 40 yards when she was 16 and going to school in Bessemer, Mich.
WHERE, WHAT, WHEN
APOLLO
“Can This Be Dixie,” with Jane Withers, Slim Summerville and Hélen Wood, at , 1:59, 3:58. 5:97, 7:56
and CIRCLE
“Bast Meets West,” with George Arliss and Lucie Mannheim, at. 11, 2, 7: and 10:28. 8 “Without Orders,” with a Eilers and Roper Armstrong, at 12:48, 3:40, :3 9:24, Spanish Givi Ya film rg 12:24, 3:16, 6:08 a
CIVIC anton “Libel!” presented by Civic The-
ater players and guest players. Cure tain at 8:30.
ENGLISH'S
“The Children’s Hour,” drama by Lillian Hellman. Curtain at 8:15.
KEITH'S
“Riddle Me This.” presented Pi] 2° Federal Players. Curtain at 8
LOEW’S
“Born to Dance, * with Eleanor Powell and James Stewart, at 11, 1:10, 3;20, 5:35, 7:50 and 10.
LYRIC
“polo Joe,’ on screen, with Joe E. Brown and Carol Hughes, at 11:43, 2:37, 8:15 and 10:39. Also “Bell's Hawaiian Follies,” on stage, at 1:02, 3:46, 6:40 and 9:34.
ALAMO
“prail Dust’ with William Boyd, Also, “Captain From Hell,” with Marion Nixon.
AMBASSADOR
*“Libeled Lady,” with Myrna Loy. william Powell, Jean Harlow an Spencer Tracy. Also, “Springtime.”
OHIO
“Road to Glory,” with Frederic March and Warner Baxter. Also “Embarrassing Moments,’ with Chester Morris and Marian Nixon,
Harold Raues areld
SKY.
sat’ = Tsun. Orchestra
HARBOR
Saturday ae Couple Before hi 30—"715¢ Couple 9 to 12—50¢ Co Couple 12 to 1— Cou oy After 1. Sunday 30c¢ yoy iB Block South Manici pal Airy Airport |
March, Warner Baxter “ROAD TO GLORY” “EMBARRASS ING MOMENTS”
“TRAPPED BY TELEVISION” (Midnight Show)
Grim Films Of Spanish
Arliss’ Picture and Air
Drama Complete Circle's Bill.
BY RALPH NORMAN
The inimitable George Arliss in an amusing comedy, 30 minutes of almost-too-realis-tic Spanish civil war pictures and a quite passable drama of the sky starring Sally Eilers await Circle patrons
this week.
Manager Art Baker has combined quantity with considerable quality in assembling his current offerings, about three hours being required to see the show. Most important on this triplethreat bill, because they bring to American theater audiences a grim message of the meaning of war, are the Spanish war films. Stark realism with no ‘unpleasant details omitted—men and boys mowed down by machine guns, bodies strewn in streets and fields, churches and homes burning and women and children destitute and suffering — it’s all there, not a product of Hollywood imagination, but a product of the .battlefield. \
Play Not Complex X
In “East Meets West,” a BritishGaumont productiori, Mr. Arliss has a pleasant, unassuming opus which doesn’t bother the audience with a plot too complicated, but which affords the polished English actor many opportunities to be shrewd and suave. As the Sultan of Rungay, a small Oriental country, Mr. Arliss proposes to replenish his country’s treasury by making England and an unnamed Oriental country (presumably Japan) pay handsomely for the harbor privileges they want. Against the astute English diplomat, Sir Henry (Godfrey Tearle) and the calculating Dr. Shagu (Romeny Brent), representative of the Oriental country, the Sultan pits his cunning. He wins by getting payments from both countries i keeping his independence as we The Sultan unwittingly is aided in his shrewd maneuvers by his son, Nezim (Ballard Berkeley), who loves Marguerite (Lucy Mannheim), wife of a British officer, Carter (Ronald Ward).
Outsmarts Diplomats
Carter is caught smuggling liquor into Rungay, and is held by the Sultan to force payment of one million pounds by the British, and the Oriental country’s diplomat anxiously degrees to the same terms for equal treaty privileges. -
Carter is released and returns to his wife, who, Nezim learns, doesn’t love him. The crafty Sultan thus saves his son from an unhappy marriage, has money from both countries, and with little more than that, the film closes. We repeat, “East Meets West,” won't werry you with complicated situations or melodrama. Its charm is entirely in George Arliss and his capable English supporting cast. In the leading feminine role, Miss Mannheim portrays Marguerite as a very stupid and rather annoying person. Mr. Tearle and Mr. Brent are very clever diplomats, though outwitted by Mr. Arliss. Well-Worn Plot Enlivened A melodrama of the airlines, “Without Orders” develops a wellworn plot into a better-than-most movies of its kind, with Sally Eilers and Robert Armstrong doing commendable acting as pilot and hostess of a large transport plane. Romance has its inning when Len
Dance Tonight ~~ 15c¢ Before 8:30 EXTRA! Sunday Nite
: : Contest Finals 25. Couples Competing for “City Champ” trophy Silver and Gold Cup
THE CASINO
3547 E. Washington St. HAL BAILEY’S ORCH.
War Shown!
WILLIAM POWELL IN 2 FILMS
Carole Lombard, his former wife. with Mr. Powell, Jean Harlow and “Libeled Lady,” the Ambassador’s
William Powell is to be seen on two downtown screens tomorrow. At the Ohio he will appear in “My Man Godfrey,” which co-stars
Myrna Loy (right) shares honors Spencer Tracy in the comedy hit, week-end ‘attraction.
Old Masters In New ( Guise
Unfamiliar Airs’ of Mozart And Beethoven Sung.
It seems startling at this late date that we should discover Mozart in a rather unfamiliar guise, or Beethoven in a different aspect. Yet in presenting a recital devoted to the songs of these two masters, George Newton, who sang last night in the Green Parlor of the Y. W. C. A, succeeded in unfolding new vistas of their respective gifts. We have had occasion several times ‘in’ the past two seasons to thank Mr. Newton for turning his gifts into unfamiliar channels. For last night's recital his listeners might be doubly grateful. One
Kendrick (Vinton Haworth), stunt flier son of the company’s owner, falls in love with Kay Armstrong (Miss Eilers) and decides to become a transport pilot. His supervisor, Wad Madison (Robert Armstrong), who also is in love with Kay, is discharged "bécause of Kendrick’s lies. Faced with crashing in a storm, Kendrick bails out of his ship, leaving Kay, aided by Wad'’s radio directions, to bring the plane and passengers safely to ground. There are many tense moments which are not good advertising for air transportation.
Polo Joe
Wi] MERA ELD Pte HRT: 31]
Saledney rT 7
WITH PRICES: . MAT,
ENGLISH
2 Eves. and Sat. Mat. Beg. Christmas
A BIT OF THEATRICAL ENCHANTMENT A PLAY THAT HAS BEWITCHED THOUSANDS
ENGLISH LAST 2 TIMES, 2:30-8:30
THE CHILDREN'S HOUR
RIGINAL N. Y. CAST TO $1.65. * EVE, 55¢ TO $2.20.
DEC. 25
Night
One of Last Season’ NOW A REIGNING
WDisouind by Bobert
EVES., ORCH. $2.75; SAT. MAT., ORCH.
BAL. $2.20, $1.65, $1.10; ‘GAL., 55¢
GORDON Presents 'S igi New York k Triumphs
~ | PRIDE & PREJUDICE
A roreioh by. Reber Biase Senta Ct A
Sinclair. Settings and Costumes by ‘J
[GALA HOLIDAY ATTRACTION |
Cast of 32, “Muelziner.
‘Tax |
——
never hears Mozart songs, aside from “Das Veilchen,” “An Chloe” and the “Alleluia.” Yet the local basso gave us 10 delightful items. Eight of the songs were set to German poems, one was French and the other, “Un moto di joia,” was written as an alternate or substitute aria for Susanna in “The Marriage of Figaro.”
Early Beethoven Song
In previous appearances, the singer has performed almost all of the great German song cycles except the earliest, Beethoven’s “An die ferne
Geliebte,” which opened the second half of the program. Though no “Winterreise” or “Dichterliebe,” the Beethoven songs are entirely beautiful: intimate, dramatic, swiftly
thought typical of the composer’s genius. Following the’ cycle were heard the somber “In questa tomba oscura”; the heartfelt, moving “Adelaide”; “Wonne der Wehmut,” “Ich liebe dich” and “Die Ehre Gottes aus der Natur,” a religious song whose majesty of utterance is matched only in songs of a similar nature by Ba¢h and Brahms.
UDELL
Mr. Newton again did not hesitate to go beyond the most grate-
| ful range of his low voice fo bring
us this program of exceptional interest and merit.—(By J. Q. TJ.
changing in mood, yet bound to-. gether with the masterful unity of |
Star Looms As Shirley's Chief Rival
Young Miss Withers Is
A Hit in Picture At Apollo.
The time-honored tradi-
| tion of the theater, friends,
is with us yet. “Can This Be Dixie?”, at the Apollo this
s.r week, has a villain who is-go-ing to foreclose the mortgage on the old homestead unless the heroine gives him her hand in marriage. No fooling. More important, it has Jane Withers. Jane has added several
inches in height and a second chin
since she last appeared here. Also she has added some singing and dancing to her repertoire, and now looms as Shirley’s most serious rival. We've told you the plot already. It’s foiled when Jane takes a gang of little Negro children from a Southern plantation to “Maj. Gong’s” amateur hour in New York and cleans up. There's some more cleaning done when they turn the plantation into an eating house and bottle the colonel’s famous juleps for Yankee consumption.
Picture Good Fun
The picture is good fun, in spite of the worry about the mortgage.
7 COLE PORTER §.4 HIT TUNES
25¢ To 6 PE
a swell little singer and Slim Summerville, in all his _And Claude Gillingwater e most amusing old Southntleman who still is fighting vii War, and whose worst epithet is “Republican.” = Ancient stuff, course, but sure fire as done by Mr. Gillingwater. You'll find the Negro revival scene amusing—at least, this reviewer did. It's done by Chubby Jane, blacked up as the minister, and the cutest bunch of pickanine nies since the Sunday school lesson in “The Green Pastures.” The romantic moments are in the hands of Helen Wood and Thomas Beck. | does a nice job as Miss Beauregard Peachtree, the solamells daughter and Mr. Sume ° merville’s middle-aged love. : (By J. Q. T)
1
The next of Ernie Pyle’s articles from Hollywood will appear Monday,
With Sally Eilers . Robt. Armstrong
‘EXTRA! 24 Blood-chilling Minutes, | Spanish War
AAA v
The Week End’s Best Ablractions
“At Your a Theater
WEST SIDE
2702 W. 10th St., STATE Double Feature * J. Mack Brown “VALLEY OF THE LAWLESS” “LOVE BEGINS AT 20” Sun. Double Feature—Ginger Rogers
“SWING TIME” “HOUSE OF 1000 CANDLES”
Bel mon t W. Wash. & Belmont
Double Feature Henry Hunter “LOVE LETTERS OF A STAR” : W. C. Fields “POPPY” «. Sun. Double Feature—Jean Harlow “LIBELED LADY” “GIRL ON THE FRONT PAGE”
D A ! SY 2540 W. Mich St.
- Double Feature Louise Latimer “TWO IN REVOLT” . “THE WITNESS CHAIR” Sun. Double Feature—Loretta Young
“RAMONA” “LADY BE CAREFUL”
NORTH SIDE
S ' 5 i Soilese 4 ure tratrord. bee raw. “GIRL OF THE OZARKS” “THE WITNESS CHAIR” Sun. Double Feature—William Powell
“THE EX-MRS. BRADFORD” “CRASH DONOVAN”
I
| EAST SIDE 10th St. Double Feature
P k 2936 : a r er Elizabeth Bergnes “ESCAPE ME NEVER” “O’MALLEY OF THE MOUNTED”
Sun. 70 Feature—Randolph Scott
“LAST OF THE MOHICANS” “IT HAD TO HAPPEN"
M EC CA Noble & Mass.
Double Feature Richard Dix “YELLOW DUST” “PRINCESS COMES ACROSS” Sun. Double Feature—Harry Carey “THE LAST OUTLAW” “MOON’S OUR HOME”
|Strand
1332 E. Wash. st Double Feature Freddie Bartholomew “DEVIL IS A SISSY” “THEY MET IN A TAXI” Sun. Double Feature—George O’Brien "DANIEL BOONE” y “WALKING ON AIR”
DRE A M 2361 Station St.
Double Feature Warren William “SATAN MET A LADY” . “EAST OF JAVA” Double Feature—Fredric March “ROAD TO GLORY” “KELLY THE SECOND”
‘NORTH SIDE
Illinois and 34th R | TZ Double Feature A Alice Faye “SING, BABY, SING” “KELLY THE SECOND” Sun. Special Feature—Myrna Loy
“LIBELED LADY” Alpine Climbers—News—Mickey Mouse
Z ri Nn Ce Fo a : g Edmund Lowe “GIRL ON THE FRONT PAGE” - “DESERT GOLD” Sun. Double Feature—Mickey Rooney “DEVIL IS A SISSY” “TWO IN A CROWD”
Uptown 42nd & College
Double Feature . . Lew Ayres » “SHAKEDOWN” Jane Withers “PEPPER” Sun. Double Feature—Fredric March “ROAD TO GLORY” “ALIBI FOR MURDER’
Garrick *Double Feature «POSTAL INSPECTOR”
Ricarde Cortes
Sun. Double Feature—Joan Crawford “GORGEOUS HUSSY” “PALM SPRINGS”
Si Chir Ei
Jane Darwell “STAR FOR A NIGHT” ' Jane Withers “PEPPER” Sun. Special Feature—William Powell “THE GREAT ZIEGFEL REAT ZIEGFELD” “The Picture of Pictures
Udell at Clifton Double Feature :
Hil-Gen
1500 Roosevelt
Hollywood Double yw “LADY BE CAREFULS “CRASH DONOVAN” Sun. Double gig Cantor “STRIK PINK” “LET oA HAVE IT”
EAST SIDE
3155 E. 10th R ! VO L | Doors Open 5:45 All-Star Cast “MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM” “TWO-FISTED GENTLEMAN” EXTRA! Last Show Tonight Only! Geo. Raft “MIDNIGHT CLUB” Sun. Double Feature—Kay Francis “GIVE ME YOUR HEART” “HERE COMES CARTER”
Tacoma 2 E. Wash. St.
Double Feature Bette Davis “SATAN MET A LADY” “FOR THE SERVICE” Sun. Double Feature—William Powell “MY MAN GODFREY” “DOWN THE STRETCH”
Tuxedo a : “STATE FAIR” “COUNTERFEIT”
Will Rogers
Sun. Double Feature—Jackie Cooper “DEVIL IS A SISSY” “LOVE BEGINS AT 20” E. Wash, St. at Rural Double Feature Richard Dix
“DEVIL'S SQUADRON” “HAIR-TRIGGER CASEY”
RVING. i Wah. | Bt.
“GENERAL DIED AT DAWN" “BENGAL TIGI ;
1 —
Pa ra mount 41 & wan Double [Feature Jed Prouty “BACK TO NATURE”
“THE KID RANGER” Double Feature—Ginger Rogers “SWING TIME” ELLOW CARGO”
: U 114 E. Washington
Double Feature . : Joan Marsh “DANCING FEET” AIL OF TERROR” thle Feature—Edward Arnold ET NERO WOL “SECRET PATROL”
SOUTH SIDE
Fountain Square
Double Feature Stuart Irwin
“WO ARE TROUBLE” ° Chas. Starett “STAMPEDE” | Sun. Double Feature—Jean Harlow LADY”
N THE FRONT PAGE” : At Tountain Square ~ Doubl ers Boul . Feature “DEVIL DOLL” LLANT DEFENDER” ble Feature—Shirley Temple
LITTLE RICH GIRL” han at the Race Track” Pros., ‘ Churchmas
Double Feature Norman Foster
ah
BlJ
Sun.