Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 February 1937 — Page 15

TUESDAY, FEB. 9,

FEDERAL

———————

Alice Arnold

Stars in Role

Of Novelist!

| Play Depicts Disillusioned Author, Professor's

"Problem Child."

By JAMES THRASHER There must have been] . . | something prophetic about | that delightful bit of hokum, “Bringin’ Back the Drama,” | which the Mighty Withers Art Players presented at | Keith's the past two weeks. For, folks, the drama’s back! It is back in the current Federal Players production, “Lady of Letters,” Turner Bullock's sprightly and human little conceit which opened last night to the vast delight of a good-sized house. he play, in fact, is more than pleasant entertajnment; its performance is a heart-warming expiation of many sad and scrambled offerings of recent weeks. It shows that director and actors, with ample time te do a thing, can do it creditably. In “Lady of Letters” they have built up their portrayals with becoming grac> and subtlety. They have acquired a delicious little comedy and made of its characters a group of auman beings who, for the most part, ring true. There's a pathetic quality to all the fun at the expense of Adelaide Willifer, the play's problem child. She is married to Prof. Gilbert Willifer, who teaches English in a little Southwestern denominational college. Youthful widow of a mid-dle-aged meat baron whose legacy | attracted Gilbert, she is possessed of few brains but an eager, frustrated desire to be helpful. Her mother and her husband (also middle-aged) long since have lost patience with poor Adelaide, awkward and as eager to please as a puppy. So when a young au- | thor, disillusioned and broke, offers to sell her the manuscript to his new novel, sight unseen, she speedily accepts. Adelaide never She is terribly

had read a book. impressed by literature, since moving on the fringe of her husband's academic circle. She sends the manuscript to a publisher. It is read, raved over, published, gobbled up, analyzed and raved over ome more, It is a fran k and rather shocking book, and like a superior mousetrap, it brings the world to Adelaide’s door. You can imagine all that follows. Adelaide never has read it, but she gave the book its title, “Cuckoo's Nest.” The cuckoo, she explains, is the only bird that lays its eggs in another bird's nest. It would spoil your fun to recount all that ensues. It is enough to know that all ends well. Meanwhile, there much kindly lampooning of academic propriety, wor- |

1S

Patsy Kelly, Jack Haley, Johnnie Downs “PIGSKIN PARADE” Edmund Lowe, Gloria Stuart

“The Girl on the Front Page”

1937

{ric Winter,

{ for another new player, sey

place

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

PAGE 15

PLAYERS SCORE HIT IN CLEVER COMEDY, ‘LADY OF LETTERS

ILLNESS GAVE JOHNNIE START TOWARD CAREER

| If Johnnie Sweet hadn't been slow [in recovering frem a major opera- |

: | tion when he was 12, he wouldn't be |

Johnnie Sweet

ship of success, fear of scandal and | | other peculiarly human failings. Mr.

Bullock embellishes his tolerant satire with witty lines and a light, sure touch. And the Federal Players treat him fairly. Alice Arnold's Adelaide finest effort of the season, planned and skilful in Jack Duval ana Ruth King are at their best as her husband and mother. It is a pleasure to see Miss King's talents turned upon a considerable and grateful role. The supporting players combine to give the best-integrated production in nearly a year of Federally sponsored drama. Elinor Krenzer, a newcomer; Herbert Sloan, FredHal Hawkes, Ira B. Klein and Ruth Benefiel are splendid. And a special word must go Veva Mas- , Who is a delight as the schoolgirl reporter who pursues Adelaide in a state of breathless adulation.

is her wisely

| Assembly Woman's Club

To See Play

Members of the Assembly Womans Club, composed of wives of State Senators and representatives now in Indianapolis for sessions of the Legislature, are to be guests of the Federal Plavers tomorrow after-

noon at a special matinee perform- | The matinee will take the | Saturday |

ance,

of the regular

delivery. |

the featured dancer in “Speak of | [the Devil,” which opens Friday night | [at the Civic Theater. It will play | six nights. Johnnie, now 19, was ‘way behind | [in his convalescing until his doctor | | suggested systematic exercise. His | | young patient took the advice, and | | the exercise took the form of dance | lessons from Earl Gray, who had | | Just arrived here from Cleveland to | | open a studio. | At the end of a year young John- | | nie was in the pink. But the thera- | { peutic hoofing also got him a pro- | fessional engagement in a floor show {at the Elks’ Club. Since then John- | nie has danced for a living.

Teamed With Maxine Lambert

Three years ago he teamed up| with Maxine Lambert, who will be {seen with him in the Civic revue, |and began an extended vaudeville and night club tour. The tour continued until a few months ago when he arrived here from St. Louis for a couple of days. A night's rest in his own bed and some of his mother’s cooking convinced Johnnie that it was time for a vacation. He was offered the classes that had been | | taught by his former teacher, Mr. {| Gray, at the George L. Stork Dancing School, so he wired his managers | to replace him in the show,

WHAT, WHEN, WHERE

APOLLO

“Llovd’s of London.’ with Freddie Bartholomew, at 11: 35, 2:05, 4:35, 7.05 and 9:35.

CIRCLE

Only Live Once.’ Snes and Hemy Fonda, at 7:15 and 10:20 Also “Bulldog Srummons Escapes.” with Ray Milland. Sir Guy Standi ng and Heather Angel, at 11:45, 2:50, 6 and

KEITH'S

“Ladv of Letters.” present od by Federal Players. Curtain at 8:3

LOEW'S

“Women of Giamour,’ ginia Bruce and Melvyn Douglas, 11 :10. 1:55, 4:40, 7:25 and 10 Als “Under Cover of Night.’ with Ea. mund Lowe and Donte Rice, at 12:35. 3:20, 6:10 and 8:55.

LYRIC

‘The Great O'Malley" and 2:28, 5:13 7:58 and 10:15 § “All-Girl Revue” (on stage; at 1:08, 3:53. 6:38 and 9:23.

“You with Sylvia

with Vir8%

(On screen), Sibyl Jason,

OHIO

“Pigskin Parade.” th Patsy Kelly. Also, "The Girl on the Front Page.’ with Edmund Lowe and Gloria Shue

art. AMBASSADOR

“Easy to Take.” with John Howard. Also “General Spanky,” with Ralph Morgan.

ALL

“Arizona Days.” wi Tex Also “Adventure in Man Ban an, Jean Arthur.

Ritter. ’ with

|

matinee, which will not be presented |

this week.

NOW 2 HITS! MELVYN DOUGLAS VIRGINIA BRUCE “Women of Glamour” Added

Flood Scenes in

Tonight's Presentations at Your

Neighborhood Theaters

p—

NORTH SIDE

Illinois and 34th Double Feature

R T Z Joel McCrea “BANJO ON MY KNEE” “OUR RELATIONS” Central at Fall Creek Double Feature

ZARING Frank McHugh

“THREE MEN ON A HORSE” “WITHOUT ORDERS” Double Feature

UPTOWN Eleanor Powell

“BORN TO DANCE’ Brian Donlevy “CRACKUP” Special Attraciicn

GARRICK swhal™utie

Myrna Loyv-Fannie Brice “THE GREAT ZIEGFELD”

ST. CLAIR Joan Crawford

LOVE ON THE RUN" “FOLLOW YOUR HEART” Udell at Clifton Tonight's Feature

UDELL Neinen Eady

Jeanette McDonald “ROSE MARIE”

Selected Shorts Double Feature

42d & College

30th and Illinois

Cl. & Ft. Wayne Double Feature

St.

Talbott & 22nd TALBOTT Jack Benny “MURDER WITH PICTURES” 30th & Northw't'n, R E X Clark Gable “LOVE ON THE RUN” Stratford Double Feature

“THE BIC BROADCAST OF 1937" Double Feature “THE CAPTAIN'S KID” “KING

“BABBITT" OF THE DAMNED" Noble & Mass, M bE 5 ic A Double Feature { L Avres “PANIC ON THE AIR” “RIDE EM COWBOY"

DREAM

FUNTION "co WEST YOUNG MAN”

Holly wood Jack Benny

oy BIG BROADCAST OF 1933" | “COME AND GET IT”

"WEST SIDE James Dunn

STA T E Jean Rogers

“MYSTERIOUS CROSSING” Comedy-Cartoon

BELMONT W. Wash. & Belmont

Double Feature Laurel-Hardy “OUR RELATIONS” Chas. Laughton “REMBRANDT”

D A S Y 2549 W. Mich. St.

Double Feature Chas. Ruggles “WIVES NEVER KNOW” __"SINS OF THE CHILDREN

HOWARD Ian Keith

“THE WHITE LEGION” Comedy—Novelties

2361 Station St. Double Feature

Dirnne Quintuplets |

i500 Roosevelt Ave. | Double Feature |

—

2702 W. 10th St,

Howard & Blaine Today's ature

‘SANDERS

RIVOLI

TUXEDO

IRVING

‘HAMILTON

SOUTH SIDE

FOUNTAIN SQUARE

Double Feature nn Sothern “SMARTEST GIRL N TOWN” Joe E. Brown “POLO JOE”

At Fountain Square Double Feature Jean Arthur “ADVENTURE IN MANHATTAN”

Dick Powell “STAGE STRUCK” Pras. at Churchman AVA LON Double Feature Jack Benny “THE BIG BROADCAST” June Travis "THE BIG GAME” ‘ 1105 NS. Meridian St, ORIENTAL Double Feature Valerie Hobson “TUGBOAT PRINCESS “DON'T TURN EM LOOSE” 2203 Shelby St, GARFIELD Double Feature Joan Srawtord “LOVE ON THE RU “THE CAPTAIN'S A S. East at Lincoln LINCOLN Double Feature Tom Brown “I'D GIVE MY LIFE" Dick Powell "STAGE STRUCK” EAST SIDE

3155 E. 10th Double Feature Jack Renny COLLEGE HOLIDAY” “FUGITIVE IN THE SKY”

TACOMA 2412 E. Wash. St.

Cary Feature “LOVE ON THE

Gable Dionne Quintuplets A NITION” 4020

E. New York Double Feature Martha Raye “HIDEAW AY GIRL’ Huston “"DODSWORTH” 5547 E. Wash. St Double Feature oan Blondel ' ‘THREE MEN ON p\ HORSE” “HIDEAWAY GIRL”

4630 E. Return EMERSON retin ’y ‘BORN TO DANCE" “MAD HOLIDAY" 2116 E. 10th St Double Feature Clark Gable “CAIN

& MAB “ALL-AMERICAN CHUMP” Te Doubre Feature

P A R K E R Johnny GH ne

“TARZAN ESCAPE “KELLY THE SECOND’ 3

STRAND _“boubie Feature -

“Double We anky McFarland GENERAL § Ss (First Showine)

SPANKY” Laurel and Ha “OUR RELATIONS” a: (rirst Run East) am E. Wash. Chick Sale

Paramount Michael. Whalen

“THE MAN I MARRY” Color Cartoon

BlJ 1JO u 114 E. Wash. St.

Lew Ayres SHAKEDOWN “ROMANCE RIDES THE RANGE" Buck Jones—' PHANTOM RIDER” No. 11

Walter

10th St. Powell

. 10th St.

Engagement |

| comedy stunts.

®

Menjou Has Fear of Roles In Comedies

Threatens Competition in Suavity With William

Powell.

| By United Press HOLLYWOOD, Cal, Feb. 9.—Once-suave Adolphe Men-

‘Jou, who turned to comedy ‘and achieved some of his greatest

successes, taboos funny business except for once every 18 months for

fear he'll “be typed as a come- | | dian.”

Although William Powell virtually has a monopoly on suave stuff, Menjou is threatening competition in such roles, his former specialty, because he is afraid | audiences will laugh at him at the wrong time. “The public learns to anticipate what you are going to do,” explained. “An unconscious of your hand while playing a serious part may recall one of your And the next thing |

| in laughter. Cites Zasu Pitts

| “I expect to play in other comedy roles, but will definitely number. I certainly have no intention of spending the remainder of my screen career enacting any one type.

Menjou, who plays the part of parts,

a sympathetic motion picture producer in “A Star Is Born,” case of Zasu Pitts as an example of screen “typing.” the top as a comedienne, Miss Pitts

2 .

| |

i | now | the

Menjou | move |

COMEDIANS THREATEN JUSTICE

It looks as though the scales of justice might be tipping the wrong

way

in this scene from “We're on the Jury,”

which features Victor

Moore and Helen Broderick. The currentlv starred radio team are to

be seen at the Circle Friday in their first film duo.

“Outcast,”

picture is to be

COURT SANCTIONS

MOVIE CONTRACT

By United Press

HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 9.—Rochelle you know the audience breaks out | Hudson has been

in pictures for

| seven years but still has to have { court approval of her contracts be-

cited the | Milky Way,’

After reaching |

essayed the serious role of a mother |

in “All Quiet On Front,” but was laughed out of the part after making a few scenes. | Menjou gained fame as a man- | about-town. His salary rose 7000 a week. The public tired of

to |

| sophistication in 1929 and Menjou, |

| all but forgotten by

LET'S DANCE TONIGHT!

LADIES FREE The CASINO

3547 E. Washington St. HAL BAILEY'S ORCH.

the public, | turned to character and dramatic |

cause she is a minor. She will be

limit the 21 on March 6, so her new 12-month

contract with Twentieth CenturyFox required a judicial sanction.

Later he astonished critics with mirth- provoking roles in “The “Sing, Baby, Sing” and “One in a Million.” I intend to devote the next year or year and a half to serious parts,”

the Western | declared Menjou. “A change of pace

is a good thing, both for the actor and the movie fan.”

samme FREDDIE BARTHOLOMEW = won CARROLL

SIR GUY STANDING?” TYRONE POWER

KNOCK HASN'T A CHANCE WITH YOU ON THE JOB!

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children Prefer Ginger Rogers

Times Special

NEW YORK, Feb. '9.—Ginger

Rogers tops the popularity list in| : 2 . i returns from a movie questionnaire |

circulated by the Children's Aid

Society among 10,000 boys and girls | attending its seven Children’s Cen- | The ages of the |

girls who filled out the | frem 10 to 17. | All are members of boys’ and girls’ | clubs at the society's children’s cen- |

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ONE NIGHT ONLY

NEXT SAT.

(Feb. 13th)

PAUL WHITEMAN "Mr.P. WS And His Entire Radio Troupe

28—ARTISTS—28 Tickets * Now on Sales, Indiana Theatre Magazine Shop, $1 incl. tax.

ORDA NA

BALLROOM

| many ~ | movie-goers.

OF

Mitchell-Durant Revue, On Way to Coronation, Will Pay Visit to Lyric

‘Greenwich Village Scandals’ to Arrive Here Friday; Combines Features From Broadway and Hollywood Shows.

Indianapolis might amplify its civic slogan to read “The Theatrical Crossroads of America,” with the Lyric as its way station. Not long ago the A. B. Marcus show played the local vaudeville house on its way to the Orient and secured passports here. Now the Lyric is to be host to the Mitchell and | Durant “Greenwich Village Scandals,” en route to the Palla‘dium Theater in London to provide American entertain‘ment for the British coronation in May. The new show, which®

mov es in {or a week begin- | They'll be doing the same sort of | work on the Lyric stage. Another

‘ning Friday, will contain | ; f ili to! { member of the “Greenwich Village names ami ar 0 Scandals” company who has Holly= Mitchell and | wood connections is Harry Pollard. Durant have not been seen a here in person for several years,

but they should be remembered BR pl

for several screen performances. ALWAYS A GOOD SHOW

| Among their films were “Stand Up 3 Last Days |

| and Cheer,” “365 Nights in HollyMAJOR BOWES NG BAND i

wood,” “Music Is Magic,” “Spring | Tonic,” “She Learned About Sail- : ; With 3 ELAINE DOWLING

ors” and “The Singing Kid.” Plus Sl 3s 35

| you heard it—you probably recall a-cin

| Harry King and the Sinclair Twins, who did some rhythm singing.

If you saw “The Music Goes | 'Round and Around”—and certainly TALENTED BEAUTIES

IN A

HUMPHREY,

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