Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 21 June 1937 — Page 16

"PAGE 16 __

TM IT @®

Gordon Is Backer of New Firm

'The Women' Is First Play Scheduled for Movies By Corporation.

By JAMES THRASHER A new corporation was ‘formed in New York the other day. Its title is enough to bring joy to those with a genuine interest in; the theater and the cinema. It 1s called the Max Gordon Plays & Pictures Corp. Now, there hasn't been a | company with that, sort of a title in all the years since motion pictures began running competition to the stage —at least none with as important a name as Max Gordon connected with. it. To be sure in the olden days there was a movie company called the Daniel Frohman Famous * Players, but that had nothing to do with the theater. Nor with Mr. Frohman, except that he got paid for the use of his name, The implication of the doesn’t need much added explanation. | Mr. Gordon, famous Broadway producer, has made arrangements to convert his stage hits into

‘films! The first of these will be “The! Women,” much-discussed,

"critically panned but highly suc-

cessful play by Clare Boothe. . “The Women" is entrenched, with air-conditioning, for the summer at the Ethel Barrymore Theater in New York, and will take to (he road on Sept. 9. Indianapolis. as

vou doubtless know by now. is in-

cluded in the tour's itinerary. Discuss Release Problems

The Plays & Pictures Corp. will move into Hollywood studios in Qctober. At present corporation officials are discussing -national and world release of their products with several major distributing companies. It is evident that aren't in the business to make

“quickies,” for they are planning no |

releases before the 1928-39 season. and only three pictures are booked for that year. This, as I have hinted earlier, is the first time a big-name producer has started out to transfer his stage

productions to celluloid. It is a step | that appears to be the answer to | prayers by persons who have heen | with |

viewing both our seaboards alarm for a number of years. Among those who should breathe easier are Arthur Hopkins. another Broadway producer, and Judson Langill of our own Federal Theater company. Mr. Hopkins. in a recent magazine article, did some very justifiable scolding of himself and his colleagues for letting motion pictures, in the early days. steal the theater's players, authors ad audiences. Mr. Langill, in a conversation the other dav, told me that the theater's great need today was a batch of good new plays by authors who could write for the stage and still make a living.

Dramatists May Return

Mr. Gordon voices the same opinion when he says, “I believe that the day is not far off when more legitimate producers will see their way clear to produce both stage and screen versions of plays. This, I think, will have the salutary effect of bringing back to the legitimate some of our leading dramatists who have almost completely forsaken the living theater for the greater security of Hollywood.” Continuing, the producer states: “A closer union between the stage and screen has become increasingly inevitable with the years. I have long held to the opinion that stage plays which have won critical and audience approval should be translated into talking pictures by the sponsors who originally saw them come to life in the theater.” "These producers, after all, selecied the script, noted |its possibilities anc Lo the best of their artistic capacities, .projected it across the footlights. It is to be expected, therefore, that they will just as carefully treat the film version of their own plays.” | Movie Directors Needed

This course should help mightily in the growing revival of interest and popularity of the theater throughout the country. . It also should offset, to some extent, the habit that Broadway plays have of “going Hollywood”—often with disastrous results—once they are put before the camera.

“But it 1s to -be hoped that Mr.

Gordon, after protecting the spirit

- 2nd content of his legitimate suc-

cesses, Will put their actual screen production in the hands of an experienced motion picture director and staff. After all, it has been demontrated often enough that a play and a movie can’t be built with the came directorial technique.

CALIFORNIA BOY

WINS FINN ROLE

ty United Press HOLLYWOOD, June 21.—A 13-year-old boy from nearby Alhambra, Cal.,, was chosen today for the role of Huck Finn in the movie version of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.” 5 He is Ted~Limes, who won the part after scouts. searched the country. Filming of the Mark Twain ep.c starts next week at Selznick International Studio.

Hillbilly § Hilarity! i

a SEY LEITH MARTHA RAYE

mm MOUNTAIN

title |

they |

_ THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

BROADWAY PRODUCER TO MAKE FILMS OF OWN STAGE HITS |

FILM TELLS TALE OF ‘SLAVE SHIP

| |

5 | 8 B

from Africa to America

Times Spedial

career.

A story of the last boat to carrv human cargo is told in » which is booked for the Apollo Theater on Friday.

Joan Bennett Plans Wider heatrical Career in East

HOLLYWOOD, June 21.—You would think that a young lady of 27, who in so brief a period of life had had two children and had ridden to top heights as a movie star, might be beyond trying new experiments. But not Joan Bennett, the baby of the three Bennett girls. Having got rid of the chicken pox, which she caught from her two daughters, Miss Bennett is now about to embark upon a new theatrical |

beth Allan and picture above.

“Slave Ship,

Her recently completed vehicle, ¢ “Walter Wanger’s Vogues of 1938," will open soon on Broadway. Then as soon as she finishes her next | film, “Summer Lightning,” which | goes into production next week at the Walter Wanger studios under the tentative title of ‘“Carelessly,” Miss ‘Bennett will go East and ap- | pear either in “The Secret Heart,” or in “Liliom,” at

{at Newport, Dennis. ° | - If Miss Bennett were British, she { would probably be considered a typ- | ical blond beauty. Being an American (born Feb. 27, 1910, in Pali- | sades, N. J.) she is rated an ex-| | tremely good looking girl, who has | | made the most of her exceptional |

Married at 16

When she was 15 her mother and | | father decided to send her to a fin- | | ishing school in Versailles, France. | On shipboard she met John Martin | | Fox, a member of a prominent | Seattle family, and married him a | year later. One child, a girl, Diana, was born before this youthful marriage ended in divorce. The next chapter in Miss Bennett’s life is not generally known. Refusing to trade on the Bennett name, Joan and her baby moved to Los Angeles, wherg Joan obtained works as an .extra fat the various studios. But by this time her father decided that she had had enough independence, brought her back to New York and gave her a small part in “Jarnegan,” in which he was starring. Movie talent scouts spotted her blond beauty and before she knew it she was back in Hollywood. but this time to play opposite Ronald Colman in “Bulldog Drummond.” Miss Bennett now had her two dainty feet firmly planted on the escalator to movie success and kept on going upward—by the simple process of looking sweet and demure and not trying to act. That seemed to be the right formula, and she was cast in many important films opposite many prominent leading men. ; Shows Dramatic Talent

Then in “Private Worlds,” Walter Wanger's psychological love drama costarring Claudette Colbert and Charles Boyer, Miss Bennett surprised everyone by giving a performance that indicated a latent dramatic talent. But after that nothing much happened. She reverted back to a lovely, capable leading lady. She knows. it, because what she is now after is acting experience, and although one summer production is not likely ta give her much of it, it is at ledst a step in. the right direction. Her greatest handicaps so far, perhaps, have been a certain lack of animation in her face—it is pretty, but frequently expressionless—and a definite lack oi acting experience. Her greatest assets have been and are poise, style, charm and an unusual naturalness in speech and comportment. She likes to read a great. deal, cannot see very well without glasses, loves to ride horseback, because of which sport, in 1931, she suffered a broken hip bone, is definitely superstitious and admits that there are times when she is temperamental but doesn’t mean to be.

BING HAS AMBITION

Before he entered the entertainment field, Bing Crosby, now starring in “Double or Nothing,” dreamed of becoming a lawyer, and studied Blackstone at Spokane,

Comedy Romance Gay Songs

FNS 83

Band Clinic | Opens Here

All-State Concert Sunday Is. to Climax Course. | Serpe

by Lee Lockhart. head of instru-

| mental music in the Pittsburgh pub- |

lic schools. Mr. Dvorak is a na-| tionally known authority on band | methods and the author of several books on the subject. Indiana band directors and music supervisors arrived in the city today for a series of discussions of new methods and procedure. Many high school students from throughout the state also are present to take special instruction during the clinic. Two scholarships, one at the Jordan Conservatory and the other with “a private instructor, will be awarded outstanding students.

Actress’ Family ~All of Theater

Times Special ~ HOLLYWOOD, June 21.—Helen Broderick, stage and screen comedienne who currently is featured with Victor Moore in “Meet the Missus,” is a member of a 100 per cent theatrical family. i Her father and mother were stage players. Her hushand, Lester Crawford, is an actor, and their son, Broderick Crawford, is carving out a successful career on the New York stage. In addition, Miss Broderick has three uncles and two aunts on the stage. Miss Broderick began her stage career as a chorus girl when she was only 14, and was picked -up by the late Florenz Ziegfeld for his famous “Follies.” Later she went into a show called “Jumping Jupiter” and it was here that she attracted the attention of the leading man, Lester Crawford. He was so impressed by her wit that he induced her to give up the chorus and try to play comedy. A few months later the two were married and the union has endured more than 25 years.

DIRECTOR SIGNED

Paramount today signed Andrew Stone, a director, who recently completed the widely praised “The Girl Said No” for Grand National Productions. Mr. Stone's first assignment under his new contract has not yet been set. ~

qucist BOB NEWHALL

Array of Radio

Greatest Theater!

: iTalent Ever in Any

garmonica Lads

FREED BROWN COUNTY REVELERS TOMMY & BETTY __ MARY PHIL PAXTON @ DAVIS

and Many "Others

Toe

y NZ FARRELL B ” BARTON Macl ANE # al En IZ

Warner Baxter, who plays the ship's captain,’ Eliza-

Mickey Rooney are’shown in the

WHAT, WHEN, WHERE

APOLLO ¥

“Sing and Be Happy.’ with Anthony Martin and Leah Ray, at 11, 12:53, 2:46, 4.29, 6:12, 8.05 and 9:58.

CIRCLE

“Mountain Music.” with Bob Burns and Martha Raye, at 11:48. 1:53, 3:58, 6:03. 8:08 and 10:13. ' “March of Time,’ at 11:30, 1:35, 3:40, 5:45, 7:50 and 9:55.

LOEW'S

‘Captains Courageous,’ with Spencer Tracy. Freddie Bartholomew and Lionel Barrymore, at 11, 1:45, 4:30, 7:15 and 10. Wait Disney’s ‘‘Cartoon Revuz” at 12:55. 3:40. 6:23 and 9:10.

LYRIC

Baby,” with Glenda Barton MacLane. at : and 10:30. fon stage), at 1:06, 3:48, 6:39 and 9:30.

OHIO

“Here Comes The Navy,” with Warren Hull and Beverly Roberts, Also, "Her Husband's Secretary.”

AMBASSADOR

“The Woman I Love.” with Paul Muni and Miriam Hopkins. Also RID Good: Old Soak,” ‘with Wallace eery

ALAMO “Blazing Sixes,” with Dick Foran,

Also ‘'23'> Hours Leave.” with Jimmy Ellison. -

Lina Basquette Reveals Wedding

By United Press HOLLYWOOD, June 21. — Lina Basquette, the actress, revealed today that she has been married secretly for three months to Henry Mollison, noted English actor. “We fell in love when he came to Hollywood for film work,” said the brunet actress. “When he was called back for a British picture, I followed him and we were married in London.” Canceling a projected South Seas honeymoon, they returned to Hollywood so Miss Basquette could fill a film role. It is the 28-year-old actress’ fourth marriage. Her first husband, Producer Sam Warner, died. She divorced Teddy Hayes, trainer of Jack Dempsey, and Peverell Marley, cameraman.

1 harp,

professional musicians.

violent contortions.

0 SEE—

Puppets Are Feature of New Picture

Musical Instruments Seem

Quiet, Please

By United Press HOLLYWOOD, June 21.— . The mystery of the “phantom bell” that disturbed talkie recording ‘at 20th Century-Fox © Studios, was solved today. It was discovered to be a wigwag at a crossing trolley track beside the studio. The City Council agreed to move the crossing some 3000 feet, taking the bell out of rarige of the sound stages.

To Play Alone—lt's Done With Wires.

HOLLYWOOD, June 21 (NEA). —For one sequence in “Artists and Models,” the camera will enter what seems to be a huge theater and will approach the stage as the orchestra begins the overture and the pit rises majestically, to the level of the stage. The leader, at least by his motions and his mop of hair, looks like Leopold Stokowski. : But as the camera nears. the stage it shows that the instruments in the orchestra seem to he playing themselves. The violins, bass viols, horns, pianos, banjos and drums have arms and legs. They wield their own hows, finger their own keys and strings, and beat themselves with gdrumsticka. By the time this is evident, it also can be seen thai the leader is not Stokowski, but a puppet. The whole thing's in miniature, a spectacular trick of illusion. The proscenium arch is only about six feet high at the center. It all has been done by Russell Patterson, the artist whose New York friends used to think he was crazy for dabbling with animated dolls. But his work has won him a nice contract now—as advisory assistant to Producer William Le Baron. For rehearsals of the disembodied symphony, Patterson first had a bunch of property men yanking the strings leading to the instruments. But the flesh-and-blood conductor, Phil Boutelje, couldn’t synchronize them. So now the puppeteers are

There are 14 of them. Violinists operate the cords which work the fiddle bows. Able drummers, by remote control, beat the bass and kettle drums. A competent leader puts the puppet Stokowski- through’ his

Work From Score Thesé operators work from a regular orchestral score, and they also watch the direction of Boutelje, | who stands out of sight of the camera# Of course the instruments are dummies, timed with a recorded score. But they look real enough. Following the overture, the curtain rises on a marionette revue. Patterson made the puppets to look | like movie stars—W. C. Fields, Mar- |

YOU MIGHT AS WELL GO NOW—FOR YOU'LL HAVE

Rudyard Kipling’s

Captains Courageous

The Titan of All Film Plays!

PLUS THAT GRAND REVIEW OF WALT DISNEY CARTOONS.

Tonight’s Presentations at Your

Neighborhood Theaters

WEST SIDE

2702 W. 10th St. S TY A T i Double Feature Ann Sothern “FIFTY ROADS TO TOWN” “MAMA STEPS OUT”

W. Wash. & Belmont BELMONT Double Feature . Wallace Beery “GOOD OLD SOAK” “ELEPHANT BOY" L 2540 W. Mich. St. Double Feature

D A | S Y George Brent

/ “MOUNTAIN JUSTICE” “CALL IT A DAY”

HOWARD Howard & Blaine

Double Feature EAN HARL

Robert Taylor J OW “PERSONAL PROPERTY” “DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND” SOUTH SIDE S. East at Lincoln Double Feature arole Lombard SWING LOW” Roscoe Karns CLARENCE"

FOUNTAIN SQUARE

Our New Cooling System 3 Keeps You Comfortably Cool Always

Double Feature Wallace Beery ‘“ D OLD SOAK” . “THAT MAN'S HERE AGAIN” At Fountain Square Double Feature e

SANDERS Lh

“MORE THAN A SECRETARY” “ONE WAY PASSAGE”

AVALON ™%

Double Feature . Weissmuller “TARZAN ESCAPES” “YOU LIVE ONLY ONCE”

ORIENTAL ‘Bouse

er ———

LINCOLN

“SWING HIGH,

1105 S. Meridian Double Feature Jame n “WE HAVE OUR MOMENTS" “WHEN’S YOUR BIRTHDAY” 2203 Shelby St. GARFI ELD Double Ceature > rosby ‘WAIKIKI WEDDING” “NANCY STEELE 1S MISSING” NORTH SIDE Hollywood : cia! Feature—Nelson Eddy

4500. Roosevelt Ave

¢ Ss Jeanette MacDonald—John Barrymore “MAYTIME" ul

ZARING Double Feature Muni Jane Withers “HOLY TERROR” CINEMA 3 Double Feature ick ,, Powell “PENROD AND SAM” Continuous from 1:30 Double Feature Jean Harlow “HELL'S ANGELS” “KILLERS OF THE SEA” Double Feature ST. CLAIR ** suk Feat : © Udell at_ Clifton U D E L L Double Feature al “JOHN MEADE’S WOMAN" BOY:

Central at Fall Creek “THE. WOMAN 1 LOVE” 16th & Delaware “ON THE AVENUE UPTO A 'N 42nd & College RI St. Cl. & Ft. Wayne ‘MAYT _ “YOU CAN'T GET AWAY WITH IT” nold omy “GIRL. LOYES 1

& Churchman |°

| HAMILTON

NORTH SIDE

Talbott & 22nd TALBOTT Special Feature : bara Stanwyck “INTERNES CAN'T TAKE MONEY” “LET'S GET MARRIED” " 30th at Northwestern | R E X Double Feature { Ruby Keeler i “READY, WILLING AND ABLE” Jane Withers “HOLY TERROR” | 30th and Illinois GARRICK Double Feature Billy Mauch ‘“PENROD AND SAM” ____ “WE HAVE OUR MOMENTS" Noble & Mass. Double Feature Pat O’Brien

MECCA

“THE GREAT O'MALLEY” © "ONCE A DOCTOR”

r 19th & College Stratford Double Xeature s ean uir “HER HUSBAND'S SECRETARY” All-Star Cast “WINTERSET"

§ 2361 Station St. DREAM Bit

B “WAIKIKI WEDDING

i “YOU LIVE ONLY ONCE” Illinois and 34th ° R | T Z Double Feature

Wallace B “GOOD OLD SOAK" tery “WITH LOVE AND KISSES"

EAST SIDE Double Feature

STRAND 5 To

“WE HAVE OUR MOMENT “WOMAN IN DISTR sn

Pa ra mount 411 E. Wash.

Double Feature uby Keeler “READY, WILLING AN! pt “LOVE IS Sows» ABLE

BIJOU bom ramime RIVOLI 3155 E. 10th mereeniS SH mover Double Feature : 11 THE RACES” TUXEDO Feat R Y N G Sim Simon EMERSON 4630 E. 10th “TROUBLE IN MOROCCO’ GOLDEN 6116 E. Wash. St.

“CHARLIE CHAN AT THE OP Doors Open 5:45 Barbara TACOMA “Habitat 4020 E. New York “WAIKIKI WEDDING” 5507 E. Wash. St. “SEVENTH HEAVEN” Comfortably CQOL Sy au u “WOMAN I LOVE” 3 Stooges—“3 DUMB CLUCKS” Special Feature Jeanette MacDonald—J = “MAY TIMES Barrymore

STOLEN SWEETS” Comfortably COOL 2412 E. Wash. St. “KING AND THE > “OFF ro CHORUS GIRL Double Feature “COUNTERFEIT LADY” Double Feature “PERSONAL PROPERTY” [of Muni ddy

2116 E. 10th St.

tha Raye, Marlene Dietrich and others. And the actual voices of these players will be used—sections of sound track from previous pigtures will be dubbed into the action. Just now theyre having a little trouble with the Dietrich puppet; a touch of temperament or something. .

Harlow Film Still Puzzle

Decision Is to Be Made On * Unfinished Picture.

By United Press HOLLYWOOD, June 21.—Whether Jean Harlow will be seen: paosthumously on the screen in her:last unfinished picture will be: decided shortly, Louis B. Mayer said today.

Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studios i$ considering a plan to release “Saratoga,” on which Miss Harlow was at ‘work with Clark Gable before she died, with another actress. finishing up the late star’s part. The alternative is to scrap the

film -shot so far at a cost of

$500,000 and start again with ane other star replacing Miss Harlow throughout. ry “Miss Harlow had one of the greatest fan followings in motion pictures,” explained Mr. Mayer. “She received thousands cf letters weekly. These fans, along with thousands of others, are urging us to give them the opportunity of viewing ‘Saratoga.’ ” Theater operators 1eport they are flooded with requests for the picture with Miss Harlow’s scenes intact, the studio said. Some newspaper editors are conducting polls.

James Cagney—Pat “HERE COMES THE NAVY” Warren . Hull—Beverly Roberts “HER HUSBAND'S SECRETARY”

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