Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 16 June 1937 — Page 15
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16, 1937
FILM OPPORTUNITY PRACTICALLY KNOCKED FEDERAL ACTOR
FREDDIE GRINS, WORKS AND DREAMS IN ‘CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS!
But Movies Were Taken Lightly Then
Judson Langill Directed And Was Own Yes-Man For $60 a Week.
3 By JAMES THRASHER
If Judson Langill hadnt been so artistically rugged some 25 years agn, he prob-
ably would not be in the In-}
dianapolis Federal Theater company today. The fact is, Mr. Langill
says, opportunity to enter the
infant film industry practical
ly knocked him flat. But in those days a reputable actor didn’t consider pictures as anything more serious than a
stopgap during the summer months. That's the way Mr. Langill first met the cinema. | He and Marshall Farnum had been on the road in a piece called “The Littlest Rebel,” done recently by a Miss Shirley Temple. It was a banner year for little rebels, since the three famous Farnums, William, Dustin and Marshall, all had been playing it in the provinces. Mary Miles Minter had Miss Temple’s role in one of the companies. Anyway, Messrs. Langill and Farnum thought they would while away the sultry season by directing pictures for William Fox, who until recently had been running a Penny Arcade. Having proved his worth by directing one picture for nothing, Mr. Langill went to work under the Fox banner. He was paid $60 a week to make one and two-reelers.
‘Big Money’ Then
“That was big ‘money in those
days,” Mr. Langill says. “Such stars as Pearl White and Theda Bara, at the top of the profession, were
drawing down about $75 a week. Most actors got $5 a day. Picture people would see an actor on the street, beckon to him and ask him, ‘How'd you like to make $10 vworking in a picture?’ ” It used to take about four days to make a one-reeler, the actor explained, on a budget of around $1000. Most of the scenes were exteriors. When an interior shot was needed, . they simply put up three walls and played it in the sunlight. “In those days a director didn’t have a corps of assistants,” Mr. Langill recalled. “I was my own continuity director. script girl, property man and costumer. I even had to be my own yes-man.
Cast Believed Rebels
“I went to Cuba once with 300 men to make a ‘Filipino’ picture. We arrived at Havana with 300 old Springfield rifles and a few rounds
of ammunition. I had to interview everyone from the vice president to Cuba and the mayor of Havana on down before I was permitted to land. They were sure we were going to start a revolution.” So after about three years with the flickers, Mr. Langill went back to ‘the theater. About the same time some of the smaller studios started deserting their livery-stable headquarters in Manhattan for California. Seelig and Essenay went west, starting an exodus that eventually led the large companies to Hollywood. “I made a mistake in not sticking,” is Mr. Langill’s rueful conclusion. “William Fox thought a lot of me—but I guess none of us in the theater could see the movie's future then.” Played City Before
When Mr. Langill joined the Federals here last December, it wasn’t his first Indianapolis appearance. He had played the Murat several times, and was with the “Broadway” company that played English’s. \ His experience includes tours as actor and director with Olga Petrova, who married an Indianapolis physician. He was two years in William A. Brady's “Way Down East” company; was stage manager for the late William Hodge, and appeared with the Farnums, Frank Morgan, Margaret Illington (Maj. Bowes’ wife) and Marjorie Rambeau. He also played with James Gleason and Robert Armstrong in ‘Is Zat So,” a smash hit in New York, Chicago, London and Australia and the play that took these two actors to Hollywood. Despite missing out on a future with “ the Fox organization, Mr. Langill isn’t too filled with regrets.
‘DICK POWELL ~riRTATION
Claire Trevor—Michael Whalen “TIME OUT FOR ROMANCE”
Coming FRIDAY WLW All-Star Radio Revue
Stage LAST 2 DAYS! |
| | | | 1
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
PAGE. 15
FLAT
Euild Seeks
Times Special
not equipped to evaluate him. Observing Tone on the “Between Two Women” set one can see what misleads his critics. Between takes” he usually is secluded in his dressing room reading. A student of philosophy, economy and history, Tone seems to prefer the development of his mind to other pursuits. Tone is slow to make friends but never loses one. Not gifted for burlesque, back-slapping repartee, he never is seen in hilariously laughing groups. When he indulges in humor it is subtle. His wry witticisms can convulse others but when he laughs himself it is merely a sort of suppressed chuckle.
Friends come to Tone for advice on ‘personal and financial matters. He counsels his stand-in, Bob Davis, on money matters and is coaching him to act. Recently, he persuaded George Seitz, director of his current picture, which also features Virginia Bruce and Maureen O’Sullivan; to give Davis a speaking role and also found a job for Robert Young’s stand-in, Chalkie Williams. The son of the Carborundum Co. of America’s vice president, Tone’s
He has great faith in the theater
and its ultimate renascence.
“This last year was the most successful the theater has known since 1929; it’s surely coming back. And the Federal Theater is helping in this comeback by bringing the drama to a new generation which has grown up with the movies. “What we need now is new plays. Too many of our best writers are working in Hollywood at present with an attitude of ‘Why. bother writing a new play when I can eat regularly here?’ The theater needs some new playwrights whose servIces can be secured exclusively over a period of years.”
SWIM-DANCE
WEST LAKE
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icLAGLEN
APOLLO TO) \ | 25¢ TILL 6 40c AFTER 6 oo
STARTS FRIDAY
A Gay, Romantic Story Set to gay, Romantic Tunes!
A od) n>
Tone Most Misunderstood Man in Hollywood, Claim
HOLLYWOOD, June 16.—The most misunderstood man in Hollywood | —Franchot Tone—is the best understood person in town by his friends. A quiet, serious actor, he is. more than actor, friends say. Hollywood is so full of hail-fellows-well-met that, they say, the spectacle of a student plunked down in their midst naturally precipitates speculation regarding the man. And most of the speculation has been
wrong because the hail-fellows are’
tastes lean toward good music and tomes on philosophy. He would rather spend an evening discussing
politics ‘or economy than visit gay |
Hollywood night spots. He dresses neatly but unostentatiously. Tone’s greatest ambition since coming to Hollywood is to return to New York to do a stage play with his wife, Joan Crawiord. Not that he dislikes picture work, but he feels that a screen actor should do an occasional stage job to regain the “feel of an audience.” Tone dislikes questions that pry into his private life, because he feels he is quite human and a 100 per cent normal. He does as other people do—plays tennis when the chance aifords, swims occasionaily, eats three meals a day and goes to bed when he’s tired. His greatest fault is that he chews too much gum, often forgetting to dispose of it until he is before the camera.
STARLET HOME AGAIN®*
Charlene Wyatt, 7-year-old starlet, with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ray E. Wyatt, today returned to Hollywood from a motor trip to Tulsa, Okla. where they went to visit Mrs. Wyatt’s parents.
NOW 25¢ to § CLARK GABLE | MYRNA LOY:
In Metro-Goldwyn-Mayes's
PARNELL
EDNA MAY OLIVER « BILLIE BURKE
Plus! Thrilling Mystery
13th CHAIR 5
CAST!
LILI]
INDIANA'S SMARTEST SUPPER CLUB
Presents The Sparkling Rhythms of
LOU BLAKE
AND HIS ARISTOCRATS OF MUSIC With a FLOOR SHOW of Continental Splendor
—Including—
Bob & Fleurette Gilbert, Ruth Brent, Alan Rogers,
The Two Eileens Harriet Smith's Lovely Ladies
2 Shows Nightly, 9:15 P. M., 12:45 A. M. No Cover Charge.
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WHAT, WHEN, WHERE
APOLLO
“This Is My Affair,” with Robert Tylor and Barbara Stanwyck, at 11:26, 1:30, 3:34, 5:38. 7:42 and 9:46.
CIRCLE ‘There Qe My Girl" with Gene
casts of Poker Flat. wm Eyger and Jean Muir, at 12:41, 6:21 and 9:11.
LOEW'S
with Clark Gable and Myrna Loy, at 11:15. 2:35, 6:15 and Also “The 13th Chair,” with Whitty and Madge Evans, at 1:30, 5 and 8:30.
LYRIC
“Slim.” with Pat O'Brien Henry onde, at 11:250 2:12, 159, 7:46 nd 10:23. Vaudeville 458 Rat 1:04, 3:51, 6:33 and 9
OHIO “Her Husband's Secretary,” with
Jean Muir. Also ‘‘Time Out ior Romance,” with Michael Whalen.
AMBASSADOR
“Romeo. dnd Juliet,” with Norma Shearer and Leslie Howard.
ALAMO
“Crime . Nobody Saw,” with Lew Ayres. Also “Romance and Riches,” with Cary Grant.
“Parnell.”
and 4:59
stage),
LOUISIANA 'SWING GIRL' IN MOVIES
By United Press. | HOLLYWOOD, June 16.—Katherine (Sugar) Kane, Louisiana's choice for the 1937 “Swing Girl,” was at work in the movies today under a contract paying $200_.to $1000 a week. The contract was Superior Court because Miss Kane is 17, a minor. Her real name is Annablanehe Honness. Her first role probably will be in “Love on Toast.”
approved in |
CLARETTE ELLIS TO DESERT FILMS
By United Press HOLLYWOOD, June 16.—Clarette Ellis, black-eyed Tulsa, Okla., dancer who won a movie contract a fortnight after arriving in Hollywood two years ago, will leave the screen to marry Sam White, - producerdirector. Miss Ellis and White announced they will be married this week and live in Beverly Hills.
NEW THEME FOR FILM
Wesley Ruggles will produce and direct a new-type college musical for Paramount, the screen play to be based on George Fitch's recently acquired “Siwash” stories: “At Old Siwash,” “Big Strike at Siwash,” and “Petey Simmons at Siwash.”
Recognition
NLRB Scans Writers Request: To Be Bargain Agent.
By United Press HOLLYWOOD, June 16.—A pe=
tition by the Screen Writers’ Guild for recognition as sole bargaining agency for apprbximately .5000 screen writers was before National Labor Relations Board representatives here today. Dudley Nichols, president, charged
. | jority of the screen writers enrolled, the studios have refused to grant recognition. The petitio said Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer refused recs ‘ognition to 400 writers of its staff, A hearing will be called. -
Comedy Trio Cast For New Picture
1. Spencer Tracy, Freddie Bartholomew and Lionel Barrymore, stars of “Captains Courageous,” film version of’ Ripling's famous sea story
coming to Loew's on Friday.
2. The good ship “We're Here,” fishing schooner which carries Cap'n Disko and his crew to the Newfoundland Grand Banks, where ‘most of the picture’s action takes place. 3. Harvey Cheyne, spoiled and pampered boy who is picked up after falling overboard from a Europe-bound liner, learns a rougher side
of life aboard the “We're Here.”
4, A “regular fellow” after three months aboard the schooner, Harvey dreams of the day when he will be a great fisherman like his idol, Manuel, the Portugese seaman, who fished him out of the water.
Times Special HOLLYWOOD, June 16.—Robertf Benchley, Una Merkel and Mickey Rooney today were cast as a comedy frio to join Robert Montgomery in his next starring film, “Live, Love and Learn.” This production, expected to go before the cameras
known as “Wedding Dress.” The film is based on a magazine story by Helen Grace Carlisle and will be directed by George Fitz~ maurice, work on “The Emperor's Candlesticks,” starring William Powell and Luise Rainer.
25¢ Until 6 P. M. - GENE RAYMOND
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3155 E. 10th RIVOLI Doors Open 5:45 Comtactable CooL Doris Nolan “TOP OF THE TOWN" Geo. Brent “MOUNTAIN JUSTICE”
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42d & College UPTOWN Double Feature Jean Harlow “PERSONAL PROPERTY” “WE HAVE OUR MOMENTS”
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TALBOTT Talbott & 22d
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Noble & Mass, MECCA Bab fede: Ra alph Bellamy “MAN WHO LIVED TWICE” “THREE MESQUITEERS”
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“CAPTAIN CALAMITY” “KILLER AT LARGE” 2361 Station St. Double Feature (Mia Disirich
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TUXEDO “Shafi ffuie™ “BULLDOG DRUMMOND “ESCAPES” “THE MIGHTY TREVE” 5507 E. Wash. St IRVING neuter FE “AMATEUR GENTLEMAN” “MIDNIGHT OS EMERSON _cesienubic, Sor
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6116 E. Wash. GOLDEN Double Feature Robert Montgomery “PETTICOAT FEVER” “LADY FROM NOWHERE”
HAMILTON “if ih
“SEVENTH HE AVE “THEY WANTED T TO MARRY”
STRAND 1332 E. Wash. St. .
Double Feature George Bancroft “RACKETEERS IN “WHEN LOVE IS YOUNG”
EXILE” WEST SIDE
BELMONT W. Wash. & Belmont
Double Feature May Robson “WOMAN IN DISTRESS” “TROUBLE IN MOROCCO” 2540 W. Mich. St.
D A | S Y Bolan: Feature
d woul “THE MAN WHO COULD RE. TRACLES “MORE THAN A SECRETARY”
{HOWARD
Howard & Blaine Warner Baxter Lionel Barrymore “THE ROAD TO GLORY” Selected Shorts
S T A T E 2702 Ww. 10th be
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IT TAKES TO id THE BEST
PICTURE 0
3 Three years of over-sea egotiationsto obtain L to Kipling's novel
: eed Direction by | Victor Fleming. a oca3. 20,000 miles © ; trips, covering antic wees oft the Cand es ’ Basis Keys and Mexico.
£ tright purchase © . or fishing fleet, with
full crews. 5. 2,000 actors and technicians. Wasearls?
Interpretive So musical score by
Franz Waxman, Viennese composer. : _ € orman Br ie Bartholomew, ” Ligne Melvyn arrymore, Douglas and others.
§ An Unforgettable Picture!....
Superbly acted...Bartholomew’s | 3 performance is nothing short’ of remarkable. Tracy’s por- § trayal completely believable § and real. Decidedly worth seeing.” ~ ROSE PELSWICK,
New York Evening Journal
“The Perfect Movie!... 1t has might and sweetness, mirth and horror, brutality and tenderness, making you laugh and glow. Majestic, thrilling and ‘stirring.” —BLAND JOMAN New York Daily
“One of the Greatest... Destined to become known as one of the greatest pictures of the year...Great beauty, pathos and truly stirring moments.”
= LOUELLA PARSONS, Famed columnist and radio commentator
“Inispiring Film... The acting is in the best tradition of the screen. Fresh laurels will adorn the brow of Freddie Bartholomew. Spencer Tracy's performance admirable.”
—KATE CAMERON, New York Daily News
RUDYARD KIPLING’'S
BARTASL MEW. TRACY BARRYMORE - DOUGLAS
a VICTOR FLEMING Production
"An M.-C -M Picture
Prodosed by LOUIS D. LIGHTON TTT, .
Last summer w
to us now. . . mightiest of them all!
Another Smash Hit For Loew's Greaiest\Summer Season
ashed records whith Sits like “Sa cisco’ in spite of torrid heat. why we to convince the producers fo’ release Thats greatest a Hits like ‘CAPTAINS COURAGEO And watch for Marx Bros. * Candlesticks” . . . “B
Races,” “T He Emperor's of v Earth” . . . and many
Good E
Starts
FRIDAY
ST PN
that though the Guild has a ma-
next week, has heretofore been -
who has just completed’
A
AR