Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 22 June 1937 — Page 6

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New Play Policy Board of \deral Theater Offers

provement Hope

, Little Im

Reviey er Expects Consolidation to Effect Few

Changes in Noticeable Faults of Project in

Past: 'Unusual

' Dramas Asked.

By JAMES THRASHER

Today’s mail brings an

announcement from John K.

detiritings, Indiana WPA director, that a new Play Policy Board for the Federal Theater project has been established.

Since the great fault of

the Indianapolis WPA drama

has been a dearth of good plays, the message seemed to have a hopeful ring. But a further look disclosed that little, if

anything, has been changed:

over the previous setup. The new Board, according to the official communication, is to act as a clearing house for proposed Federal Theater productions, giving or withholding approval and centralizing control over royalty contracts and licenses. Functions of the new board are listed under five heads, which, summarized briefly, are as follows: (1) to receive all scripts recommended for production by the various project units; (2) to register these titles and to transmit the Board’s approval or disapproval; (3) to sign all contracts for rental of all copyrighted material; (4) available lists of ‘published and manuscript plays recommended or produced successfully by other units, and (5) to co-operate with project units in rewriting promising scripts on which further work is required. No New

This new board apparently is a consolidation of other similar groups, for none of these functions is new. Rather than making any forward steps, the new Board seems equipped to perpetuate some of the Federal Theater's noticeable and existing evils. The WPA Federal Theater project was designated as a relief measure for unemployed professionals. With few exceptions the local units are directed by persons of professional experience. Over a period of time, it seems obvious that they should be able to judge what type of play “takes best” with their audiences, as well as to decide what type of experimental drama might be launched. Yet we have seen in Indianapolis many instances where these suggestion? were overruled in what appeared to be an arbitrary and pointless manner. Furthermore, these final decisions have rested with persons having no important history of theatrical experienc achievement behind them. Unusual Plays Awaited

Since the Federal Theater came into being, I, for one, have waited with diminishing hope for worthy plays produced by the Federal Writing Project or unusual dramas unavailable in the regular theater. These things have been done,| but the activity has been confined largely to New York. A glance at the recently issued list of plays produced during the Indianapolis WPA Theater's [first year is rather a dreary vista. | The list is packed with plays of passing popularity, hopelessly .dated re-

Mauch Twins’

Functions

to make |

minders of the “bootleg era” which most of us are willing to forget. Such things as “The Fool,” “Penny Arcade,” “The Barker,” “The Brat,” “Criminal at Large” and a host of others are hard put to find an excuse for their resurrection. There were a few memorable weeks: “Within These Walls” was a sincere and moving production, and there was much of iMterest in the all-Negro importation, “Macbeth,” and in “It Can't Happen Here,’ “Laughing Boy,” “No More Peace” and a few others. I don’t say these latter plays were uniformly good, but they did have the virtues. of newness and sincerity. Policy Mysterious Meanwhile, the basis of the Play Policy Board's censorship has been cryptic. It can not be entirely normalistic, for plays like “They Knew What They Wanted” (the Pulitzer Prize notwithstanding) are not what the movies call “family entertainment.” Nor is it toryism, for some of the New York K Federal Theater productions have been pink, to say the least. For those of us who regard the theater as a medium of artistic expression more than mere entertainment, the Federal Theater seems to be missing a golden opportunity. Removed from absolute dependence on public patronage, it might have given us new works of historical, sociological or technical significance. These things have been attempted—again in New York—with such things as Marlowe's “Dr. Faustus” and the one-evening trilogy of 1830-70 American plays by John Howard Payne, Dion Bouccicault and another half-forgotten

author whose name I don’t recall.

But our concern is with Indianapolis, and it has begun to look as though we could say, with the title of Mr. Lewis’ Dlay='1f can’t happen here.” If anyone should see fit to defend the Governing Board's choice of plays seen here, it probably would be on the excuse that Midwestern audiences won't tolerate the sort of unusual or experimental drama that is presented to New Yorkers. But that argument doesn’t hold water. : The response to radio’s presentation of serious music and plays, if nothing else, would show that. Maurice Evans’ coming tour with “Richard II,” which will visit “tank towns” innocent of the drama for more than a decade, is another proof. Give the public plays done seriously, carefully and artistically, and even the fact that they're “great” won't entirely kill them at the box-office.

Inventions

Threaten Patent Experts

Times Special

HOLLYWOOD, June

22.—Billy and Bobby

Mauch, Hollywood's

identical twins, probably have become the country’s youngest inventors with the announcement they would soon seek patents on three new devices, including one which they hope will. tum ordinary photographs

into X-ray plates.

Although the boys admitted their new contrivances may not work, they place great faith in the “Joann recorder” and the “Delinkalator.” The recorder is supposed to tell when apd where earthquakes will occur,

while the “delinkalator” eliminates static through the use of a large number of gadgets, including a cigar box. . Ever since the 12-year-old boys invented a spot remover which failed to remove large blobs of ketchup and ink which Billy and Bobby doused on their mother’s ~best bedspread, they have been hesitant about premature announcements concerning their new appliances. This time, however, the twin motion picture stars are more. confident. “The ‘delinkalator’ is made of 14 coils of wire in a cigar box,” Billy said. “The whole thing is about 12 feet long and sure makes a mess in the living room. The wires run to a lead pole which has an electric train transformer on it. Then the wires run through a crystal radio set to another cigar box. Thege are four different switches. You hook it all to the radio aerial and plug it into the radio and throw the switches, and it delinks the static.” The “Joann recorder” more complicated. “Until our patents are granted,” said Bobby mysteriously, “we can’t

is even

Where the Crowds Go

South of Beech Grove Shops

DANCE TONITE

Park Plan—9 to Midnite DUTCH HOLTS AND HIS BAND No Admission—No Table Charge

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EY ITER TAT

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THE CARS

SHERRY WATSON ORCH. STEAK—CHICKEN DINNERS IR-0061.

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fever just how the recorder works. But [it is something like this—air disturbances and ether waves strike an aerial post, run through a mass of wires, gadgets and .a glass jar filled) with a secret chemical, and move a needle that will point to the longitude and latitude at which the earthquake is to occur. At the same time the waves will ring a bell.” The boys then explained that their X-ray process, although as yet not fully perfected, involves the use of a rare combination of acids. “You rub the solution on an ordinary photograph and it brings out all the bones and makes the picture look like an X-ray picture,” they said. The twins are using great care in their acid formula, however. The last time they invented an acid it ate the bottom out of a dozen milk containers their mother had saved to return.to the grocery store. Mrs. Mauch is hopeful the patent office will turn a cold eye on her sons’ ideas.

HOUSECLEANING FUN FOR HER

Housecleaning may hold few thrills for grownups, but - Shirley Temple, whose newest picture, “Wee Willie Winkie,” is on the Apollo's

list of coming attractions, seems to enjoy it.

The young star is shown

on the patio of her glass playhouse, 20 feet wide, 12 feet deep and six

feet high, built for her behind the Temples: swimming pool.

Made of

translucent glass bricks, the little dwelling features a living room,

miniature kitchen and doll bedroom.

SHORT TAKES

By PAUL HARRISON HOLLYWOOD, June 22 (NEA).— For three weeks the Gold Coast has been damp, chilly and almost sunless, and it’s getting on George Jessel’s nerves. He says it’s the only place in the world where a guy has to wear red flannels under a white linen suit. ” ” ”

So many letters. protesting the

appearance in a picture of Gypsy Rose Lee are pouring into thé studio that a placating form letter has been composed to answer them. The response begs that she be judged on her merits as a dra.matic actress and not as a former burlesque stripper. It might have mentioned—but doesn’t—the names of several celebrated screen players came up from the slums of the entertainment world—burlesque. = ® ” Funny thing, but until July 20, Melvyn Douglas and his wife legally will have different names. A judge approved her petition to become Helen Gahagan Douglas, but he couldn’t appear that day and his petition wasn't acted upon. He'll remain Melvyn Hesselberg until the next session of court. Speaking of names—Mrs. George Brent now is known on the screen as Constance Worth. But originally she was [Jocelyn Howarth and appeared in Australian films as Joy Howarth. o bid u Leslie Howard still spends most of his time working crossword puzzles. By the way, he thinks his best picture = was “The Scarlet Pimpernel.” » 8 ”

Sonja Henie got a ticket for improper parking, and was so scared she hired an expensive lawyer to handle the case. 2 o ” No major studio will make more than 80 features during the 1937-38 season. Yet Metro has 110 writers on its payroll—so many that some are working in tents on the lot, others at home. A new building is being rushed for them. £4 ® ”

Only notably successful father-and-son combination in talkie-town is J. C. and Elliott Nugent. They acted together, wrote 14 plays to-

gether, and now Elliott is directing

“Thanks for Nothing,” in which his pappy has a featured role.

a iAH P.M

SWIM - DANCE WESTLAKE

PAUL COLLINS’ ORCHESTRA Every evening except Monday

AFTER og

who |

“DELICIOUS SHREDDED WHEAT BISCUITS EVERY MORNING, FOLKS ~ THAT'S THE SECRET!”

Crisp, golden-brown . Shredded Wheat with luscious strawberries is the winner of the season! Look for the package showing the picture of Niagara Falls and the red N.B.C. seal.

MORE TH

SMA Product of NATIONAL BISCUIT COMPANY

i A BILLION SHREDDED WHEAT BISCUITS SOLD E\

WHAT, WHEN, WHERE

: APOLLO ‘Sing and Be Happy.” with Al

thony Martin and Leah Ray, at 12:53, 2:46, 4:29, 6:12, 8:05 and 9:38:

CIRCLE

‘Mountain Music,” with Bob Bums

LOEW'S

“Captains Courageous,’ with Spencer Tracy, Freddie Bartholomew and Lionel Barrymore, at 11, 1: 145, 4:30, 7:15 and 10. Walt Disney's “Cartoon at 12:55, 3:40, 6:25 and 9:10.

LYRIC Lid Away, Baby,”

Revue”

with Glenda yy. 18 . (on Ena) at 1:06, 3:48. 6:39 and 9:30.

OHIO

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

AMBASSADOR

Ene yomEn I no, tlh Paul Mun Miria s. Also “The Good Old Tak opkin Wallace Beery

‘Here

ALAMO

with Dick Foran.

‘Blazing Sixes,” To with Jim-

Also 2315 Hours Leave.” my Ellison, :

JUNIOR PIANISTS TO GIVE RECITAL

Junior section piano students of Sue Carolyn are to be presented in recital at 3 p. m. Thursday in the William H. Block Co. auditorium. The program will consist of piano solos, duets and two piano selections, accordion and vocal solos, readings by Miss Patricia Kerch and a dance ensemble from the Stockman Studios. Assisting on the program- will be George Madden and Mesdames A. W. Joy, Raymond Silverman, Earl Rich, Charles Kuntz and Earl Friend. Forty-one students are to take part, and the public is invited to attend.

THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES

Disney Calls

Cartooning

500-Man Job

Big Staff Needed to Make

Each Short Feature, He Reveals.

~~ With the release of the “Walt . Disney Academy Award Revue,” now showing at Loew’s, Mr. Disney wants it known that he isn’t quite the clever fellow that some

people think him. It appears that a great many movie fans are under the impression that Mr. Disney, single-handed, creates the 18 “Mickeys” and “Sil-

lies” that come from the Disney workshop each year. To the uninitiated, it might seem that a cartoon feature of eight and a half minutes length might be a oneman job. The truth is that a year-round staff of 500 is kept busy turning out these popular animated pictures. One man, working by himself, would need several years to complete one of them, and it has been estimated that six months would be required for a single cameraman to handle all the complicated photographic processes. One Disney feature requires the drawing of between 10 and 15 thousand frames. A frame is a single photographic shot. Each is slightly different from its predecessor and has to be photographed separately. And it’s even more complicated than that since the studio, before photographing one of these frames, needs as many as four separate drawings on celluloid superimposed on a paper background, to form a composite picture.

Paid for Schooling

This, then, accounts for the large working staff. There are the artists, copyists, writers, “gagmen,” technicians, musicians and the office force. More than half of the Disney employes were trained

in his school for student animators —and got paid in the process of education. Prospective pupils are examined by mail, and, if accepted, learn the whole complicated process of movie-cartoon production. The most clever and adaptable are given permanent positions upon fgraduee tion.” Dr. Disney, who is 35, came to Hollywood 14 years ago after a brief career as cartoonist for farm newspapers. He is the only person ever to win the Motion Picture Academy award five times, and he has done this in consecutive years since the Academy decided to honor the year’s best cartoon feature. One of his most imortant techni-

James Cagney—Pat 0’Brien “HERE COMES THE NAVY” PLUS "Her Husband's Secretary"

Tomorrow—Grace Moore “WHEN YOU'RE IN LOVE”

TUESDAY, JUNE 22, 1937

BOB BURNS JR. VISITS MOVIE SET

Poggiani Pupils

HOTEL - SEVERIN «

TONITE To the Sweet Swing Rhythms of

AMOS OSTOT nimi

Presenting Bob Burns Jr.

comedy is young Bob’s forte.

in his first publicity still. The studio photographer caught the shy young man with his dad on the set of “Mountain Music,” now at the Circle. He visited the studio not to ‘see his father cut up before the camera, Struss about chemical formulas used in photography.

To Give Recital

Thomas Poggiani, violin instructor at the Arthur Jordan Conservatory of Music, will present a group of

his students in recital at 8:15 o'clock tonight in the Odeon Hall.

Those taking part are Elizabeth Ann Woody, Marlou Hyatt, Mary Ellen Gingrich, Donald Percival, Marie Harris, Arthur Bell, Louise King, Judith Wright, Carl Dawson, Harry Schutte, Harold Kottlowski, Mary Elizabeth Miller and Magda« line Burk. Miss: Burk, Alice Rayburn, Imogene Pierson, H. Otis Pruitt and Rosaline Petrovich will be the nccompahisis,

SWASTIKA BURNS ‘AT FILM STUDIOS

By United Press : HOLLYWOOD, June 22.—The burning of a 25-foot swastika on a hilltop overlooking the movie studios was attributed to pro-Nazi demonstrators by police today. Its fire fed by 25 one-gallon cans of crankcase oil, the emblem flared for 40 minutes before being extine

However, chemistry and not

but to talk to Cameraman Karl

Fight Report

Results of tonight's Brad-dock-Louis fight will be announced from the Lyric stage by Bob Newhall, sports commentator appearing with the “WLW All-Star Radio Revue.” Mr. Newhall is to receive an account of the championship bout backstage by special wire, and as soon as the fight is over, he is to give the results and a summary of the action.

cal contributions has been in the field of technicolor. The present “Revue” shows the advances that have been made in each of the five prize-winning animations. And having brought color pictures thus far, besides creating some of the screen’s most beloved characters, many are wondering what Walt Disney will do next. At present Mr. Disney, instead of signing for more worlds to conquer, is busy upon his first full-length feature. It will have human, instead of animal cartoons; will be in colof, of course, and will introduce three-dimensional pictures to the cartoon field.

GIVES $280,000 FOR RARE FOLIO

By United Press LONDON, June 22.—A rare FirstFolio Shakespeare was sold at auction at Sotheby's today for £56,000 ($280,000) to Gabriel Wells of New York. Dr. A. S. W. Rosenbach of Philadeiphia bought a Gutenberg Bible for £8000 ($40,000.)

MEN'S MIGHTY SUCCESSOR % 10 “MUTINY ON THE BOUNTY" NOW THRILLING THOUSANDS WITH TERRIFIC DRAMA!

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FREDDIE BARTHOLOMEW SPENCER TRACY LIONEL BARRYMORE

ADDED!

DISNEY CARTOON REVIEW

Orchestra Cover 40c

Safe Water delivered day and night COSTS LESS than anything else you buy:

INDIANAPOLIS WATER

COMPANY

‘Hedrick Stickrod, insurance broker.

[UDELL

guished by the fire department, called by excited residents.

Actress Weds Modern Alden

By United Press § HOLLYWOOD, June 22 —Nancy Chaplin, movie actress, has revealed she married the man who came to

patch up her quarrel with a former AST 3 DAYS A | fiance. - ““preatest a g LR 2 iy

The modern John Alden is C. Ever In A

MI LW

Including: __— it and i

RL oA D Harmonica Lads

and Many Cthers

Fight Results Tonight! | BOB NEWHALL

Today's Guest Star

Their marriage was reveaied when he visited her on a film set. Miss Chaplin came to Hollywood ‘from Kansas City. She is acting in “Ebb Tide” at Paramount Studio. “There was nothing to patch up, for the affair was over,” she explained. “But Hedrick was nice company. Three months later we were married.”

JUNIOR LEAGUER

Jack Oakie’s first opportunity to be a comedian came with a comedy role in the Junior League Follies and continued in a stage partnerslip with Lulu McConnell. Currently, he plays the lead of “Super Sleuth,” opposite Ann Sothern.

ETARTING

AUST ON 2 |

AY GLENDA FARRELL RAY

OZONIZED AIR

SHE YIELDED IN A KISS OF ETERNAL UNION... Even Though Death Grimaced Aboard. Their Honeymoon Ship of Thrills!

Warrier

BAXTER 'BEERY SLAVE SHIP

WITH ELIZABETH ALLAN MICKEY ROONEY

Forced to Spend Their Honeymoon on an African Slave Ship . . . A Powerful Tale of Man Against the Sea . . . Man Against Man!

Tonight’s Presentations at Your

Neighborhood Theaters

NORTH SIDE

(TALBOTT Secchi feature “INTERNES CAN'T TAKE MONEY “LE ers GET MARRIED REX

50th at NoriEwesierg u “READY, Wise AND AB Jane Withers “HOLY TERROR" __

WEST SIDE _ 2702 W.

10th St.

“THE MIGHTY TREVE” Comedy—Cartoon

BELMONT W. Wash. & Belmont

Double Feature Wa llace Beery “GOOD OLD SOAK” ____- _ “rLEPHANT BOY”

DAISY "2540 W. Mich. St.

HOWARD Howard & Blaine SRL

Tonight's Feature NANCY STEELE Fister" M E c Cc A Brice ce Cabot? . SING’ “LE I Short Subjects SION vor TERR IR’

LDAQrL YELLOW CARGO” = SOUTH SIDE St ia raifor d 19th & College +

Double Feature Calor

ree a So SHB Double Feature S. East at Lincoln " LINCOLN Double Feature Ralph Bent By “SWING HIGH, SWING LOW” DRE on ara, 3 - “CLA A M ion \, Bing C b FOUNTAIN SQUARE WEDDING” Lo “YOU LIVE ONLY ONCE” Keeps You Comfortably Cool Always R 1 T Z Beate and 3ith Double *oon : Wallace Beery Wallace Beery “PRA E Ao ry G NS Le At Fountain Square EAST SIDE Lynne Overma “THREE MARRIED MEN” n STRAND | Dpuble Feature - Ann Dvorak “RACING LADY” “ ‘WOMAN IN DISTRESS” Double Feature Vas “TARZAN EsdapSissmuller Paramount Gra _____ “YOU LIVE ONLY ONCE” “ROMANCE AND RICHES”

6“ ble Fea bara COUNTERFEIT LADY” Roscoe Karns “CLARENCE” 3 Double Feature “WAIKIKI Our New Cooling System ouble Feature bh SOAK” “GOO “WITH LOVE AND KISSES” SANDERS Double Feature ©1332 E. Wash, St “WE HAVE OUR MOMENTS” AVALON = "ous Feature" | 5 ESCAPES” ——————e ____ Comedy—Novelty—Cartoon ur rness

ORIENTAL |B JOU 114 E. Washington

Double Feature AIR Tala Birell MYSTERIONE CROSSING” “SHE’ S DANGEROUS" rr . 2203 Shelby St. LAW AND LEAD”

GARFIELD Double Feature _____ ‘Phantom Empire’ ye "3

i roby 3155 loth “WAIKIKI WEDDING" D “NANCY STEELE IS MISSING” RI y OL 2S Sse clrea—pBarbara aAnwy

SING. J Comfortably coo NORTH SIDE “INTERNES, CAN'T ATAKE MONEY” “CALL IT A

Hollywood TACOMA ix

1105 S. Meridian Double Feature Betty JF

1500 Roosevelt Ave

Powell Simon

ner ‘Wash. St. BOL Teme fen Bm, | en wip coe CHORUS GIRL” “LET'S GET MARRIED” “OFF_TO THE RACES” Central at Fall Creek 4020 E. New York ZARING “Vai Fahee™ TUXEDO “Boshi Fore au u > S “THE WOMAN 1 LOVE” “WAIKIKI WEDDING” ___ Jane Withers HOLY TERROR” “COUNTERFEIT LADY” 16th & Delawar 5507 E. Wash. St. CINEMA = ‘Bah 3oi [IRVING “Hodbie Feats 1c imone “ON _THE AVENUE” “SEVENTH HEAVEN” Jo EENEGY AND SAMY “PERSONAL PROPERTY” ontinuons ows from - 4630 E. 10th "1 42nd_& College Comfortably cooL UPTOWN | Boule Feainte EMERSON i Mun an ar “HELL'S ANGELS” “TROUBLE IN' MOROCCO” “KILLERS fof ' THE SEA” 3 “3 DUMB CLUCKS” 'St. Cl. & Ft. Wayne 6116 E. Wash. St, ST. CLAIR Double Feature GOLDEN Special Feature n YTIME ld—John Ba “you CAN'T. M; T AWAY WITH IT” Jeanette MacDoyua Ll n rrymore Udell at Clifton 2116 E. 10th St. Sihdrales (HAMILTON “bei festa “PERSONA OPE al VA

“JOHN F