Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 4 May 1937 — Page 13
TUESDAY, MAY 4, 1037", A
“DEAD END’ CALLED STUFF OF WHICH HUMAN TRAGEDY IS MADE"
rm ————
irae s Opus Now At English’ S
Stery of Street Urchins, Gangsters and Dreary Love.
By JAMES THRASHER
When a playwright sets out to’‘compose upon a sociological theme, he is confronted with the problem of propaganda - versus “theater.” He may drive home his points at the expense of other considerations, or he may let them trail along: in the wake of dramatic interest. In “Dead End,” now at English’s, Sidney Kingsley chose the later course. It is doubtful that Mr.
Kingsley's play would be completing its second New York season othery wise. There is no conscious glorification of the underprivileged, no
@
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES _,
PAGE 13"
TUDOR HALL PIANISTS
painting of capitalism in black and | gd
villainous hues, nor any proposal solution to an urgent problem. “Dead End” is memorable as a melodrama. . It is bitter, truthful, rather depressing. And its social aspects are more the play's accessories than its reason for being. All of which boosts the play’s entertainment value considerably.
Set Is Striking »
~ As much a part of the drama as its lines is the striking set by Norman Bel Geddes. The curtain rises upon a squalid dead-end street which runs down to the East River in New York. A wooden bulkhead projects over the orchestra pit. On .one side rises a great apartment building whose back gate opens upon the tenement-lined street. Here we find a crowd of urchins, potential gangsters, reared in pcverty and filth, whose code is of the jungle and whose only escape from their environment is an occasional * trip to the reform school. We also meet Gimpty, a crippled, ambitious architect; Drina, rebellious orphan and sister of one of the street urchins, who has been on
strike for weeks in the hope of more"
money which can take her brother from his surroundings; Kay, mistress of a wealthy apartment dweller, sympathetically if not too coursgeously in love with Gimpty, and “Babyface” Martin, notorious killer. There are three main threads in the skein. Martin, impelled by a “soft” streak in his nature, has returned to see his mother a his boyhood sweetheart again. is appearance changed by facial surgery, he remains in the old neighbgrhood unrecognized. His mother, however, strikes him and wishes him dead. The former sweetheart is now a prostitute. + He beats the crippled Gimptys and Gimpty gives him up to the police more for the reward on Martin’s head than from a|sense of civic duty. So Martin is shot
down Wealthy Boy Beaten |
The second theme concerns Tommy, Drina’s brother. The gang has beaten a wealthy boy from within the apartment jate, and when the _boy’s father catches Tommy, Tommy stabs him with a penknife. The play ends with the lad giving himself up, and Gimpty’s wmnavailing plea for the injured man to forgive him, rather than condemn him| to the prison that had made a criminal out of “Babyface” Martin and SO many of his kind. Gimpty’s quiet love for Kay also has its part. She leaves him| with
the assurance that nothing but a
miracle could make them happy now, that perhaps the reward money, a new start and a year might tell a different story. Intentionally or not, it is one of the play’s unconvincing portions. It seems likely that “Dead End's” fatalism and impotent 6utcome are deliberate. It is a play of people, not reform. A greater playwright might have ended on’ a note of heroic resolution or more bitter denunciation. Mr. Kingsley seems to have said, “Here is how it is. | The ‘environment, th: people, the situations are real. This is the stuff of
ENGLISH ay
Eventi America’s Biggest Dramatic Hit}
BEL GEDDES THE SENSATIONAL NEW YORK SUCCESS E 4 SIONEY ay Ep WITH A BROADWAY
Fves.—55¢c to $2.75. (Ph. LI. 6334) Pop. Mat. “Tomorrow — 55¢ to. $.i.68
NEXT FRIDAY!
Stars From Everywhere
MAJOR BOWES INTERNATIONAL REVUE
Best Unit Ever on Tour
Times Photo.
Miss Elizapeth Stigall (left) ;and Mrs. Dorothy Merrill Ritter will present a two- Piano recital Wednesday evening, May 12, in the Ameri-
can United Life Insurance Building.
Proceeds will gto the Tudor
Hall undergraduate scholarship fund. Both pianists are members of
the Tudor .Hall music faculty.
which human tragedy is made, and nothing for which I can offer a solution.” The performance—not, icin tally. by the New York -cast—is superb. Chief honors are to the waterfront gamins. They are Donald Sharpe, Robert Mayors, Charles Powers, Morton Tuller, Leslie Duchon and Perry Meyer. No mature artists ever achieved more perfect realism. They were these actual youngsters, filthy, vulgar, dishonest yet appealing in their latent enthusiasm, intelligence and Jour ful spirituality.
In fact Mr. Kingsley, who direct-
ed his play, has chosen the present |
cast with a rare discernment. War-
ren Ashes Gimpty and Vincent | Sherman's Martin are wholly excel- | The other principils, whose | work must be lumped into a single |
word of praise, are Juliana Taberna, | Greta |
lent.
Ruth Hussey, Ben Roberts, Granstedt and Antoinette Rochte. “Dead End” pulls no punches. It is bitter realism that needs all the bold colors in Mr./Kingsley's palette to convey its’ story. It ‘has no “message” in the word's usual sense, anymore than “Tobacco Road” has. Its chief interest probably is for a New York audience, But it may set us to thinking a little more seriously about the shortcomings of our present penal system. In that case it will have served a double purpose for, in spite of an anticlimactic ending, it is corking theatrical fare.
SCREEN TEST IS HONESTY REWARD
By United Press HOLLYWOOD, May 4.—A film test, and the chance of screen work, was pretty 18-year-old Margaret Young's. reward for honesty today. She found in a department store washroom a diamond solitaire and
a wedding ring lost by Mrs. Joseph | Pasternak, wife of a Universal Pic- |
“THAT GIRL FROM PARIS”
| Gene Raymond- Lily Pons
| “HAVANA WIDOWS” Joan Blondell-Glenda Farrell
21,000 People Have Seen It to Date
INDIANA
25¢ UNTIL 6 ALLL
Indianapolis—2 Days SUN. @ MON. 4 may 9-wmay 10
AT SOUTHEASTERN AND KEYSTONE AVES.
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ORIGINATING AND STUPENDOUSLY PRESENTING ALL NATION'S BIGGEST CIRCUS ATURES
TWICE DAILY 2 &8P MN
Reserved and Admission Tickets on Sale Circus Day HAAG’S CLAYPOOL DRUG A TORE
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| WHAT, WHEN, WHERE
" APOLLO
“Wake Up and Live,” with Walter Winchell. Ben Bernie. Alice Faye. Patsy Rely, at 11:29, 1:23, 3:29,
7:29 and 9 ‘CIRCLE “The Woman I Love.” with Paul Muti and Miriam Hopkins, at 12:40, 3:50, 7 and- 10:15. Also ‘Her usband Lies,” with Ricardo Cortez, at 11:25, 2:35. 5:50 and 9 ENGLISH'S ‘Dead Bnd.” ‘presented by Norman Bel Geddes, directed oF Sidney Kingsley. * Curtain. at 8:3 INDIANA “Smashing the Vice Trust.” ‘based on Charles (Lucky) Luciano’s trial. Also “High School Girl. KEITH'S “Said Pasha. '' musical comedy preSeney by Federal Players. Curtain a
LOEW'S “The Good Old Soak.’ lace Beerv. at 11, 1:49. 4: 38 7:27 2nd 10:16. = Also “Elephant Boy." with Sabu, at 12:24, 3:13, 6:02 and 8:15.
LYRIC “Night Kev.” with Borisy Karloff, at-11:42, 2:30, 5:18, 8:06 and 10:25. Fats Waller and troupe on stage, at 1:06, 3:54, 6:42 and 9:30. OHIO “That Girl From Paris,” with Gene Raymond and Lily Pons. Also ‘“Havana Widows,” with Joan Blondell. AMBASSADOR ‘“Pamily’ Affair.” with Lionel Dan rymore. Iso ‘Penrod and Sam with Billy, Mauch, ALAMO ‘Devil's Playground.” ard Dix. Also * ‘The Duggans and the Flannegans,” with Lose Fazenda and Maude Bburne.
with \"al-
with Rich-
tures producer, whose husband arranged a studio interview and screen
|
* WINCHELL: BERNIE: FAVE ¥ KELLY - SPARKS - HALEY
‘Said Pasha’
Excellent —At Times
Federals Present Light Comedy of Harem Love Tangles.
The Federals” most pretentious undertaking, the musical comedy “Said Pasha,” was set up~at Keith’s last night, where it may be seen through the week.
In a few words, the initial performance - was excellent at times, pleasingly good much of the time, and very unpleasant frequently when a portion of the cast forgot their opus is light comedy and as is their custom, tried to be farcical. The unit is augmented for “Said Pasha” to include some 60 persons, and is replete with dancing and singing ensembles, and several very capable guest players in leading roles. It is brilliantly and beautifully costumed, and while staged simply, is set up in very attractive manner. Only two sets are used, one the Said Pasha’s garden, the second an Indian Rajah’s palace.
Singing Enjoyable
Music, with Kathleen Somers, Ethelwyne Arnholter, Jess Gasaway, James Gilbreath and Ben Constable in leading singing roles, was enjoyable throughout, and the solosists were assisted capably enough by an ensemble directed by Jane Johnson Burroughs and Edith Jane Fish. Outstanding in the entire performance last evening were two duets, “At Last We Are Alone,” sung by Miss Arnholter and Mr. Gilbreath, and “Kiss Me Once Again,” sung by Miss Somers and Mr. Gasaway. Both Miss Somers and Miss Arnholter sang with assurance and with stage presence which set their performances apart. The men, while appearing less sure of their music, likewise did creditable work, and doubtless they will be more at ease after the initial presentation. “Said Pasha” is typical of musical comedy in plot, which hardly needs mentioning. The romantically inclined Said Pasha leaves his pleasant harem, in which we see him in the first act, for a pleasure cruise to India. Several unusual companions get on board, including a couple of British army deserters, and in the second act, we find them in the Indian Rajah’s palace, all involved in love tangles. The genial Said
Pasha untangles everyone's problems, and all the boys end up with | the right girls. And there you are.
Roles Overdone
For playing a wide variety of roles and playing them with enthusiasm that audiences invariably share, I think Jack Duval deserves some special mention. Time and again he has been the bulwark of Federal drama at Keith's, and nearly always happily so. Last night's audience was particularly fortunate in having him as the Said Pasha, a light comedy part which he played with good humor and restraint. His comedy though could not
3 LAST DAYS!
PAUL MUNI »- MIRIAM HOPKINS
FRED ASTAIRE Zins ROGERS - [STINT WE DANCE
=
Tonight’s Presentations at Your
Neighborhood Theaters
NORTH SIDE
30th and Illinois GARRICK . Double Feature Deanna Durbin i “THREE SMART GIRLS” “THE PLOT THICKENS” Stratford Chester Morris T IN A TAXI”
19th & College Double Feature “THEY ME 3 _ "LOVE LETTERS OF A STAR”
HOSTESS” DRE R E A M 2361 Station St. Illinois and 34th Edmund Lowe “ESPIONAGE”. Fred LlisMurray ZARING Central and Fall Crk. 42d & College “WINGS OF THE MOR Tvrone Power “DANGEROUS NUMBER" Dou eature “JUNGLE PRINCESS” Double Feature “DANGEROUS NUMBER” Double Feature WEST SIDE Fred MacMurray Selected Shorts 10th St. —_ ___ Comedy—Cart oon FAIR” D A ! S Y 2540 W. Mich St.
Noble & Mass. MECCA Double Feature “GOD'S COUNTRY AND THE Double Feature 1500 Roosevelt Ave. Hollywood JAL Double Feature “READY, WILLING Double Feature _ “DANGEROUS “NUMBER” —O ifton up D E L L Ginger Rogers TALBOTT oan Crawford R E X "oa Henie ; “ONE IN A MULLION’ Howard & Blaine HOWARD 2702 W. STATE W. Wash. & Belmont BELMONT Double Feature “ANFHONY A SK GIRL IN
Double Feature “FLYING George rout James Cagney “GREAT GUY” Lionel Barrymore Double Feature “CHAMPAGNE W __ “HER X HUSBAND'S SECRETARY” ST Cl AIR st. CI. & Ft. Wayne ° - Double Feature “A FAMILY A Fredrir March D = “LUCKIE
ms Gargan “THE TE ACKMAILER' » WOMAN” AMILY A FFAIR’’ “DANGEROUS NUMBER” UPTO Vy N ohn My mack NG” Double Feature “LOVE IS NEWS” “SITTING PRETTY” Talbott & 22d “LAST OF MRS. CHEYNEY” 30th at Northw’t'n “THE GREAT ¢ 0 MALLE EY” Clandette Colbert “MAID OF SALEM” “MIND YOUR OWN BUSINES ss” Yo Barrymore “WE'RE IN THE LEGION NOW” WORLD” .
|SANDERS
JRVING
SOUTH SIDE
At Fountain Square Double Feature Ann § “SMARTEST GIRL IN TOWN” _ “THE MAN WHO LIVED TWICE”
AVALON "Pros. . Churchman
Double Feature Walter Huston Ann 1 Dror
WOR PIRACING LADY” 1105 S. Meridian St. ORIENTAL Double Feature Cook LLIS ISLAND” Amn Ann Dyess “RACING LADY” 2203 Shelby St. GARFIELD Double Feature ‘“GOD’S COUNTRY AND THE WOMAN “LUCKIEST GIRL" IN THE WORLD” S. East at Lincoln LINCOLN *sititais ac - LLEGE HOLIDAY» BULLDOG DRUMMOND ESCAPES”
FOUNTAIN SQUARE
Double Feature Ruby Keeler “READY. WILLING AND ABLE’ Victer McLaglen “SEA DEVILS”
EAST ST SIDE
Dols Feature Po well “GOLD DIGGERS 3K Xap “PLOUGH AND THE STARS”
HAMILTON 2116 E. 0th St.
None. Feature oan Crawfor “THE LAST OF MRS. ENEY” a “DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND”
STRAND 1332 E. Wash. St.
Double Feature “DON’T TELL THE
u mayree Paul Kelly “PAROLE * RACKET”
Pa ramou nt wit — ‘“OUTCAS
Lewis Stone Buster Keaton Comedy
B I J 0 U 111 E. Washington
Double Reature ruce 0 nul ESIoN oF TERRGRD uck ones se RORY OF RED DOG”—Ne. 9
RIVOLI 3155 E. 10th
Last Times Jonizht by Keeler
“READY, sul NG AND ABLE” "Wan OVE IS YOUNG” Nn ing A uorroy Errol it ynn “GREEN LIGHT” . __ Glaria Stuart “GIRL OVERBOARD”
TACOMA 2442 E. Wash. St.
Nonble Featufe eorge Sesat “GOD'S COUNTRY AND THE “LUCKIEST GIRL IN THE WORLD"
OMAN" 4020 E. New York TUXEDO Joutle FTeatwe eanor ow wri: BORN TO DANCE” : THE GREAT O'MALLEY” 5507 E. Wash. St. > Double feature Francis
LEN TRE
LEADS OFF THREE BIG WEEKS
Count Berni Vici (above) with his “Spices of 1937” revue, heads a trio of outstanding entertainers who will appear at the Indiana in
three successive weeks, beginning Friday.
Count Berni Vici’s show,
which reopens the Indiana under Tom Devine’s management for stage and screen offerings, will be followed by Jan Garber and his band on ‘May 14, and by the Fletcher Henderson troupe of May 21.
completely offset the very unnecessary farce attempted by Ira B. Klein, as Knocky, and Judson Langill as Haddad, the two army deserters who wandered into Said Pasha’s garden. Of the two, Mr. Langill last night was far more acceptable, but both roles were overdone to the point of distraction. Besides singers and the singing ensemble, the Federals are assisted in “Said, Pasha” by a ballet dance ensemble and two solo dancers not identified in the program, in dances
created and staged by. Jac Brode- J
rick. Their contribution last night was far from excellent. “Said, Para” is presented under John Cameron’s direction, and musical numbers are accompanied by the WPA concert orchestra under direction of Herman Arndt. Book and lyrics of “Said Pasha” are by Scott Marble, and Richard Stahl composed the musical score. An audience large for the Federals’ opening night accepted the initial presentation with enthusiasm. (By R. NJ)
VETERANS GET JOBS
Crippled soldiers seen in the French war aviation film, Woman I Love,” costarring Paul Muni and Miriam Hopkins, were conscripted from Los Angeles. Many were war veterans unable to obtain jobs.
“The | B
AFTER BIG FISH
Gary Cooper has taken advantage of a temporary closing of production of “Souls at Sea,” to go after pig game fish off the Bermur-
Starting Friday
ON THE STAGE - YOUR HIT SHOW ALL NEW IN ITS ENTIRETY
COUNT BERN! VICI
15—Transatlantic Swingettes—15 | 50—All New Cast—50 _35—Glamorous Girls—35
25—Mammoth Scenes—25
Giant Revolving Stage
RRR
Dolores Del Rio Douglas Fairbanks Jr.
United Y Ttists
ise Suit ls Continued
Plea of Loss to Studio Wins Delay for Actress.
By United Press
David Schratter’s suit for $10,500 against Greta Garbo yesterday was ordered continued until June 21 when attorneys for the Swedish
actress declared that her appearance in the case Would result in heavy losses to her studio.
Attorney James J. McCarthy, rep-
the case, opposed the continuance on grounds “Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Stydio is not a party to this action.” iss Garbo is not in good standing in this court,” MecCarthy informed Judge Fletcher Bowron. “She has been served with a subpena. She is in contempt of this court. Yet she asks for a confinuance. “If she can ignore the court this time, she can ignore it another time. She is not even a citizen of the United States. Yet she goes around ignoring courts. I'd like to know how she does it. It cost $50 to serve her with a subpena.”
LOS ANGELES, May 4.—Trial of
resenting assignees for Schratter in
List New Course “At Music School
Edith Jane Fish of the Bure roughs School of Music has ane nounced a course in voice classes and individual instruction for high school pupils to start May 15. Miss Fish formerly was in charge of the. voice department of Guy Park College at Gulfport, Miss., and also taught three years at Greene brier College, Lewisburg, W. Va. A girls’ chorus. the *“Arri nnas,” under her direction is the nucleus of the “Said Pasha” chorus this week at Keith's.
‘THE GOOD OLD SOAK
WALLACE BEERY Una Merkel - Ted Healy -—PLUS—] | ¢ Smashing Adventure
starts FRIDAY LOEW'S -
Plus Hilarious Comedy, “Nobody’s Baby”
LONDON
Security
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