Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 December 1936 — Page 8
embrandf Scheduled By Loew's
Movie:D . pi gts Decline - Of Dutch Master's
Career.
In booking Charles Laughtons new picture, “Rembrandt,” for next Friday, Manager Ward Farrar of Loew's is flying in the face of theatrical tradition and experience. Time has taught actors, theater owners and picture exhibitors that Christmas week is a dull seven days for their business. Yet Mr. Farrar and other theater owners, with a wealth of good picturés and a more prosperous public on their side, are defying the jinx. And every one knows that a new Laughton contribution is an important
matter at any season. For its most faithful and artistic gallery of historical portraits the cinema is indebted to the English, or more specifically, to Mr. Laughton and George Arliss., The former's present role is an addition to the famous list of characterizations which already includes such “real life” personages as Nero, Henry VIII, Henry Moulton Barrett and Capt. Bligh. Then there are the familiar fictional characters, the relentless Javert in “Les Miserables” and the cherubic hero of “Ruggles of Red Gap.” “Rembrandt” is a British-made picture, directed by Alexander Korda, who gave us “Henry VIIL” Op- . posite the star is Gertrude Lawrence, currently appearing on the New York stage with Noel Coward in Mr. Coward’s new series of plays, “Tonight at 8:30.” Elsa Lanchester, Mr. Laughton’s wife, shares the supporting honors. Retains Makeup Record Noted for his remarkable ‘makeups, Mr. Laughton, judging from advance photographs, ‘has more than maintained his record as the Dutch master. Rembrandt, because of a naive vanity as well as an inability to afford models, painted many self-portraits. More than 60 are known to art dealers, Yet the difficult part of it is that no two of them look very much alike. Mr. ughton, however, had eight of the reproduced in a composite photograph, and based his makeup on the result. “The picture takes up the painter's life at the height of his fame, and takes us through the decline of his . fortune and esteem. The tragic
circumstances of his life begin when |°
he was about 36. First of these was the death of his wife, Saskia. Shortly after came the trouble surrounding his famous and almost priceless painting known as “The Night Watch? It really was a commissioned Swork for the staid Civic'Guard of Amsterdam. They expected an or- ~ derly and flattering group portrait, with the proud burghers resplendent "in feathered hats and burnished breastplates. Instead, Rembrandt, realist and genius, pictured them rushing from their quarters. Giving " free rein to his great gift of light and shade, he highlighted some of the officers and left others almost unrecognizable in the dim background. Revenge Major Theme
History tells us of their pique and subsequent revenge, and the incidents forms one of the pictues major themes. The film was made with full cooperation of Dutch authoritie§ and
art dealers. They offered nearly: a million dollars worth of art objects, ‘antique. furniture, rare glass and tapestries as “props” in its production. An offered loan of many original Rembrandt paintings was refused because of the risk of damage and theft, and the tremendous insurance that would have been needed to cover these risks. ~~ As a contrast to a. tragic history, Loew's is offering: Laurel and Hardy in “Our Relations” with “Rembrandt.” This comedy deals "with the trouble pursuing two sedate business men, each of whom is
blessed with an identical and ne'er- |
do-well twin. Each star, of course, a brace of brothers. Daphne . Pollard, Betty Healy, James Finlay- . son and Noel Madison are in the
supporting cast. Garbo Picture ‘Opens Theater
Artist-Executive Works Film Luminaries
on
Personally.
BY ERNIE PYLE Times Special Writer
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14.—If Babe Ruth didn’t have a funny nose, Mel Berns probably wouldn't be head
makeup man at RKO studios today, making $15,000 a year, In 1925 Mel was an actor around Hollywood. He says he was. pretty good, but we have only his word for it. Anyhow, Babe Ruth came out to make a picture, and his nose was just impossible. Something had to be done. Mel Berns had studied art. So they told- him to try his hand. He dabbed on some grease, and powdered Babe's bugle a bit, and it looked fine. It was such a success Mel saw himself becoming a great makeup artist. But the director said there wasn’t any use paying somebody to dab up Babe’s nose. Let him do it himself. Whereupon the Bambino said, “If you think I'm going around carrying a powder puff all day, and having people call me a sissy, you're crazy.” So Mel got the job and he’s still at it. Even the actors at other studios say he’s about the best in Hollywood.
Hepburn, Tone and Joan Fontaine
Berns gets to work at 7 every morning. His office looks like a combination of a bachelor’s den and a barber shop. The wells are Covered with autographed photos’ of stats—about 75 of them, and he has dozens more at home. He has inade up. the face of every one. Beneath the pictures are bookcases. And in one corner, facing a big mirror, is a barber’s chair. When [ walked in Mel was making up a girl with platinum hair. “Isn't she pretty?” said Mel, and the girl winked and made a face. She was pretty all right. About as pretty as anybody I ever saw. Her stage name is Joan Fontaine, she’s a sister of Olivia DeHaviland, she’s 19, and just starting in pictures. Mel
From siren to soubrette, or the miracle of makeup. . . . Miss Grace Bradley of the movies, before and after taking.
the only reason he’s bothering with her. Mel Berns is a sort of artistexecutive. Twenty-six people work under him. He spends half a million of RKO money a year. He personally makes up only the stars. Right now he does Katharine Hepburn and Franchot Tone every morning, and this other sweet kid. When he got through with Miss Fontaine I had to step out, because the great Hepburn was due in a minute, and only God and Mel Bérns dare look at Hepburn. ‘He has made her up ever since she has ‘been ‘in the movies. A couple of other fellows have tried, but she no like, and insists on Mel. He didn’t tell me any secrets about her. It took him an hour to get Hepburn ready, while I wandered about outside, and then we had breakfast. When we got back Franchat Tone was sitting in the barber’s chair, waiting for his wig. (His own hair is fine, but this is a costume picture). . It's all right to look at Tone. He'll even talk to you.
Works 12 Hours a Day
Berns works 12 hours a .day, and sometimes more. He doesn’t go out socially at all, except on Saturday nights. “I'm just like a doctor,” he says. “If I go out drinking, and have a shaky hand when I'm working close around people’s eyes next morning, you know how long I'd last.” Berns started out to be an artist. Studied at the Chicago Arf Institute, and then drew cartoons for the late Sid Smith, and then was in the war, and then came to Hollywood and studied more art. He doesn't draw much any more. "Outside of the morning makeup of the stars, most of his work is getting ready for new pictures. He has to go over all the characters (he
starts) and :figures out: just how each person must look.
It’s a Fine Art
He has all the National Geographics since 1910 (he can find the costumes for any country in them), and books on “Famous Men and Women of History,” and all kinds of books on history, anatomy and art.
says she’s going to be a star} that's
Movie makeup is entirely different
reads all scripts before a picture |
from stage makeup. For the stage, you have to exaggerate everything, for, the benefit of people sitting far back. But for the movies you have to keep them looking natural, except for covering up blemishes. The brown paint that all principals wear is to keep them from photographing a dead pale white. Also —and this is curious— to keep their blushes from showing - through. I didn’t suppose actors could blush. But when’ they get to emoting the blood rushes to their faces, and if it weren’t for the brown paint their reddened faces would show up black onthe screen. For the same reason, cheek rouge is never used.
A few actors get so big and smart
they think they don’t need rogs b.
painf, and then they look terri cn the screen, Mel says.
He Can Make a Player
The makeup man, like the camera man, can make or ruin a player. Almost, all the stars trust him implicitly. Only once in seven years has Berns been called to the front office for a bad makeup job. The executives were having a pow-wow, after seeing the previous day’s shots. Berns looked at the rushes. “Call her in,” he said. So they called in the actress who looked so terrible. “You changed your makeup after you left me!” Berns accused her. “No I didn't!” she said. She was a woman, and she was famous, but Berns stood up and yelled at her, “You're a liar!” She admitted it. Berns says you get the “feel” of a face, just as you get the “feel” of a piano. But once in a while you hit a face you never de get. the “feel” of, and then you just give up. He says makeup isn’t harmful to the skin, any more; in’ fact it’s a skin food. He says that a little sore on an actor's face will be gone after three days of wearing makeup. Even a beautiful face needs doctoring -up for the screen.” Nobody, apparently, has a perfect face for the camera. You have to cover up skin blemishes, make eyes bigger, change shapes of mouths. Mel said he’ could never make my face look like much of anything. It’s too far gone,
NEXT—Mr. Pyle gets in a dither” about Ginger Rogers.
BY KARL
turn your hair gray.” Nevertheless, Judge Earl A. Freeman, reflected on his decade of marrying the nation’s prominent and
pretty good job, at that. “Over 99 per, cent of riages are “successful,” proudly. When Judge Freeman retires from office Jan. 1, he will practice law in Yuma, with James Rolle as his partner. Former Constable Ed M. Winn won election to Freeman's post when the “Marryin’ Justice” decided he had enough and did not “choose to run.” - In addition to his law practice, Freeman will devote some time to assisting his wife in the management of her dairy.
Married Loretta Young
my marhe said
prominence in 1930 when on Jan. 26 Loretta Young and Grant With-
and were married. Their mariage. ended In the .iverce
nly Freeman was routed oyt of bed to pronounce the vows for Hollywood’s “famous” John (Cali-
humble and decided he had done a}
Freeman first. achieved national!
Yuma'’s ‘Marryin’ Justice’ To Retire New Year's Day
E. ALLEN
United Press Staff Correspondent
YUMA, Ariz, Dec. 14.—A stalwart, 57-year-old man, who gained nation-wide fame as Yuma’s “Marryin’ Justice’ by marrying approximately 25,000 couples, leaned back in his chair today, puffed on his. pipe and looked forward ‘to retirement from a business “that is certain to
implanted a “nice” kiss on his cheek after she married Neil Mil-. ler. The movie folk, the judge admits, generally pay larger fees than the more humble who come to his home to say “I do.” Most prominent among the couples he has married are: Loretta Young and Grant Withers (Jan. 26, 1930), Charles H. Over Jr. and Betty Boyd (Oct. 14, 1930), Mary Astor and Dr. Franklyn Thorpe (June 29, 1931), Richard Dix and Winifred Coe . (Oct. 20, 1931), Dorothy Mackaill and Neil Miller (Nov,' 3,.1931),. Gloria Swanson and Michael Farmer (Nov. 9, 1931), Sharon Lynn and Benjami
Hubbell (March: 20, 1982).
| Also Maricrie Rambeau and Francis A. Gudger (Nov. 19, 1931), Nina x Putnam and Arthur Jo Ogle (Sept. 12, 1931), Jean Harlow and Hal Rosson (Oct. 15, 1933), Sally Eilers and Joe Brown
. | (Oct. 22, 1933), ‘Jerome ‘Safron and Nancy Cornelius (Oct. 31, 1933),
Dolan (Sept. 17, 1936), and John : and Elaine
Ralph Graves and Betty Flourney (June 28, 1934), Ralph Forbes and
n Glazer | (Jan. 16; 1932), Tom Mix and Mabel
WHAT, WHEN, WHERE = APOLLO “Can This Be Dixie,” with Jane
Withers, Slim Summerville an 1 Wood, 5t 13, 1:90, 3:68 8:31, 1:56
and CIRCLE
“East Meets West,” with Geo 41liss and Lucie Mannheim, at He 152, 4:44, 6 a 10:28.
and 9:24. Spanis film at 12:24, 3:16, 6:08 a CIVIC THEATER
“Libel!” presented by Civic Theater Players and guest players. Cur
tain” ENGLISH'S “The Chi : : Lillian dren 3 Sour 4 “git :15, by KEITH'S
“Riddle Me This, » resen od b! Federal Players. ‘Curtain a : Sse
LOEW'S
: Pom any Ta oe tet Blea mes wart, . 1:10, 3:20, 5:35, 7:50 and 10. atl
§ LYRIC
“Polo Joe,” on screen, with B pwn and Qarol Ai “Heirs “Hewalian Follies. of 02, 3:46, 6:40 and 9:34,
pn,
ALAMO,
‘Arizona Mahon Wg Joe .Alse, “Captain Marion Nixon.
AMBASSADOR “Libeled Lady,” with Myrn william Powell” a Jean Harlow and ‘Spencer Tracy. Also, “8S pringtim
OHIO x Man G God wi Gentle: {2 a Simrid G
Joe E, Hughes, at 11:43, 10:39 Also stage,
ic
Powell. : man,” with J, James
iwhich he is famous.
Over 25 Years by Irish Tenor.
BY JAMES
THRASHER ; There are few artists in the |’ changing world of music who can maintain their popular | § & -|appeal over ‘a quarter-cen- ||
tury’s span. But certainly an
SING TITLE ROLES IN OPERA
outstanding member of this | Sif
group is John McCormack, whose singing delighted a good-sized audience at Cadle Tabernacle yesterday afternoon. Mr. McCormick belongs to a generation of virtuosi that includes such names as Kreisler, Paderew-
ski, Hofmann and the late Caruso.
Yet the popular Irish tenor is no giant among giants, well equipped though he is. His is: an art that
delights rather than astounds. This,
of course, he knows and confines himself to the songs and singing that have endeared him to the public of two continents. It was. a. typical McCormack that we heard yesterday, intimate and unpretentious; charmingly sung. Lyric throughout, the numbers included two Handel arias to begin with: “Caro Amor” and “Where E'er You Walk,” and another, “Alma Mia,” in the second group. Also in’ this group were Arthur Foote's “Memmon”; “Grieve Not, Dear Love,” by Lidgey, and Rachmaninoff’s “When Night Descends.” The program contained a group of Irish folk songs, it goes without saying. All were arrangements by Herbert Hughes, who, it seems to us, has done by far the best job of collecting these traditional Irish melodies. They are authentic, pleasant to hear, and the accompaniments are musi¢ianly and thoroughly in character. :
~ Folk Songs Best
With these songs Mr. McCormack’
came back into his undisputed own.
He delivered them with that artful
combination of simpHcity and dignity which is a test of any singer’s interpretative ability.
The closing group of the program began with “Far Apart” by Edwin
Schneider, Mr. McCormack’s accom-
panist for many years, who was at the piano again yesterday. This was followed by a traditional Scottish melody, “Mary Shaw"—incidentally one of the afternoon’s vocal high sposs. 71 The concluding numbers were. Song of the Séals” by Granville Bantock and Ernest Charles’
“When I Have Sung My Songs.”
The program also included a group of solos by Mr. Schneider eonsisting of “The Island Spell” by Ireland; Granados’ familiar “Spanish Dance” and an Arabesque by Arnold. Though the solos were of a pompous insignificance, Mr. Schneider played them well and presided over the accompaniments with his customary skill. Those who have heard Mr. McCormack before found him again the possessor of the masterful diction and fine-spun phrasing for The highest part of his voice has lost some of its brilliance, but in the middle register it retains all ifs distinctive and distinguished qualities, \ It was an afternoon which, if it left one unmoved, warmed - - the heart and delighted the ear. It is indeed sdd if yesterday's performance marked the close of the singer's. career, as far as local audiences are concerned. Any artist whose name has become a household by-word is not easily Ieplaced. The concert was a presentation of the Indianapolis Concert Guild, whose next. attraction will be the distinguished Negro contralto, Marian Anderson, on Jan, 17.
——
Rosa Ponselle Becomes Bride
By United Press NEW YORK, Dec. 14—Rosa Ponselle, opera star, . who waited 10 years to marry ‘because she wanted a man who was “ro tic and very
sentimental,” honeymooned with her
husband today, Carle A. Jackson, son of Howard W.. Jackson, the Mayor of Baltimore. They had planned to marry after the first of the year, but decided yesterday, a few hours before an “engagement”
Operatic “hero and heroine” in rehearsal. Mrs. Thelma Carnefix Todd, at the piano, and Mrs. Pearl Goodman Levi, who will sing the title roles in Humperdinck’s opera, “Hansel and Gretel,” to be given by faculty and students of the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of ‘Music on
Friday night at the Murat.
Movies’ Waste of Music Helps Out Song Writers BY PAUL HARRISON -HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14—(NEA)—You “know about the movie industry
‘wasting money and words. It also wastes music. Wolfe Gilbert, who was one of the first song writers to come to
Hollywood away back in the squawkie days, sa
says that every big studio
has enough fresh music buried in its library to supply motion pictures
for the next 20 years. For their own sakes, Gilbert and his fellow tunesmiths hope the film companies won’t think of salvaging these melodies. “Once I was assigned to a musical they were planning for Will Rogers,” he recalled. “We worked eight weeks and wrote 12 numbers. Then they decided to make it a straight picture, and not a musical. “The songs had nothing to do with the decision, because nobody even heard them. They 6 just chucked them in the morgue, and I suppose they're still there.
Thousands of Dollars Lost ;
“I was hired to work on an operetta. .It was to be called ‘Her Highness’ and was infended for Lilian‘ Harvey. The finished score and lyrics cost the studio $22,500. “For some reason—I forgot why —the agreement with Miss Harvey fell through. The studio didn’t get another star; it just shelved the whole business, and filed the music away, and probably won't ever look at it again.” Still another studio contracted with Gilbert for a series of musical shorts, at the rather attractive price of $2250 each. He wrote several and was paid. Then, due to an executive squabble, it was decided not to film the series, The ~ composer alreay had the money, and he also was allowed to keep the music.
No Complaint on Music
Irving Caesar and Schwartz, an able and expensive team, were imported to prepare the songs for a Lawrence Tibbett picture. After they had completed 10 numbers, the top executive decided that the story was no good. The songs were all right, but they were stowed away in some dusty file. They're there today and may be there a decade hence. This account of musical extravagance coud go on and on, “Meanwhile the songwriters are doing all right,” said Gilbert, adding synically: © “Seems like most of them have been able to afford divorces.” Maneuvers Own Dismissal Speaking of errors, the colony is chuckling about the way a wellknown director rumored himself out of a contract, which he didn’t want, with a studio he didn’t like, So dissatisfied was he, indeed that he had offered to buy back his
‘contract at a figure that would have
made a nice profit for the stubborn concern. Nothing doing. He docilely went back to work, but while working began a whispering campaign to the effect that the picture he was making was very, very bad. - All over town swept the report: “Zilchworth is turning out a terrible turkey.” The bosses called him in and told | ZT, , ~ him sternly that he'd better be looking for another job, because they wouldn’t be neding him after this picture. They gave him a signed release from his contract. Much to the astonishment of every one but
‘the director himself, the picture
turned out to be one of the hits you've seen lately. And the director already is happily working for a rival studio, at a much fatter salary.
“WINS $443 AT TRACK Joan Davis says the best luck she
I- | enjoyed occurred when, on a hunch,
.| Miss Ponselle’s apartment and per- '| formed the ceremony. The friends at the party were in-
she played a two-horse parlay at
toa New Orleans track and won $443
ona $2 investment.
Arthur |
\ “Cradle
Maennerchor Concert Set
Marie: Zorn to Be Soloist On Program Tonight.
The first concert of the recently reorganized Indianapolis Maenerchor is to take place at 8:15 o'clock tonight in the Athenaeum, It will mark the first appearance as conductor of Dr. Robert Heger-Goetzl, associate conductor of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Miss Marie Zorn, well-known Indianapolis pianist, is to be the soloist. The chorus’ offerings will include a group of Christmas song¢ as well as several familiar German choral numbers. Clarence Elbert is the accompanist. The complete program follows:
rr.
‘“Adeste Fideles” . lath Century Gregoria bert Seger “Gostat.” n
Ro “Lo, How a Rose Fer Bi i
G. Frans Grier olgemu Indianapolis ner E
II.
Symphonic Etudes
Sch Miss Zorn Hmann
Silcher Arr. Shoher c 4 Treue Liebe” ...... ...German Folk Song
Arr Indianapolis Maennerchor
Schubert-Godowsk rShubert- “Godowsky
Russian 3 . ‘Miss Zorn’
Vv. “Das Deutsch Lied” Schnei Indianapolis Maennerchor Smolder
PLAYS ON BOTTLES
A musical instrument contrived from a series of empty liquor bottles is played by Walter Brennan, character actor, in scenes of “Banjo On My Knee,” starring Barbara Stannwyck and Joel McCrea.
Brahms: Stravinsky
ries Will Be Cred- | oy Belief.
tion c om the throne made more plausible even the most of 'screen love
Producers, writers, stars and directors all said the scope of screen material had been widened greatly because of the unbelievable turn of events af Buckingham Palace. Jones, a producer-writer ount, summed it up neat ly in his reaction to the love affair of David Windsor and Wally Simpson, i “From now on for a long time, that which is startling in love stor ies will not necessarily be disturbing,” . Jones said. “Unusual situation will be more readily ace cepted 3s authentic by all audie ences. | “The headlines have been doing a very effective job.of smashing any skepticism since King Edward first started appearing with his girl friend. {A year ago not even the most extravagant producer in Hollywood would have acknowledged the possibilit of such a romance in
Grove; for Par
but around the Not the
, yes; Great Britain? | possibility.
| mystery-comedy, “Riddle ” It is the company’s ird production. * 1 Federal Theater project
to abandon its" two-week beginning & week from | After. that date there is
SALLY EILERS ARMSTRONG
wit ROBT.
Tonight's Presentations
" NEIGHBORHOOD T
at Your
EATERS
WEST- SIDE
STATE 2702 W. 10th St.
Double Feature - Ginger Bogers
NG “HOUSE OF 1000 CANDLES” W. Wash. a2}: Relmont BELMONT ~~ pouick Jean Seatute “CIBELED “GIRL ( ON THE FRONT PAGE” , 240 Double Feature Loretta Young “RAMO? NORTH SIDE Illinois and 34th Alpine Climbers—News—Mickey Mouse Central at Fall Creek ZARING Dou Double Feature. Fredric March “ROAD TO GLORY” : “ALIBI FOR MURDER” 30th st. QO. & nT Feature
-
W. Mich. St.
LADY" DAISY “LADY BE CAREFUL” Ta SE “TWO IN mown" and Illinois GARRICK ‘Bik : "GORGEOUS
R | T : “LIBELED LADY” UPTOWN Doubis Feature RoEous Muss ST. CLAR
| EAST SIDE
TACON 2442 E. Wash. St.
Double Feature . William Powell M REY” “DOWN
4020 E. New York TUXED Double Feature - 7 Jackie Cooper “DEVIL IS A SISSY” “LO BEGINS AT 20”
] E. Wash. St. at Rural HIL-GEN . ~~ pousie feature “SHOWBOAT” ‘ IC ON THE AIR”
5507 E. Wash. St.
“p,
IRVIN
EMERSC
TON 2. = TL
HAMILTON “5%
“LOVE BEGINS AT 20”
PARKER Toh ht
: Scott “LAST OF THE MOHIC. bani Boo hil
STRAND
1332 E. Wash. St.