Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 December 1937 — Page 20
Symphonic Ballet Music Is Debated
Reviewer Answhrs Dance
Lover's Defense of Lilias Courtney.
By JAMES THRASHER One of our growing group of en-
- thusiastic and militantly loyal dance |
lovers, Miss Rosalie Luberman, has ‘taken me to task for a review of the ~ Lilias Courtney Ballet of Louisville, - which ‘danced at the Civic Theater . some time ago. f
Miss Luberman is of the opinion |
~ that bh “like most music critics,” ob3 to having ballets with symsettings. Assuming that the “musical brethren generally are “ “agin” all such things, her letter states, by way of expigngtion: * “Thg choreographer who attempts to set a ballet to a symphony is not - frying to improve on the musical work, or even trying to say his interpretation is the only one. He is merely trying to give his ballet the best ble background. I see
nothing (even to the most fanatical !
music lover) sacrilegious in that. Claims Bouquets Deserved + T do see something rather too
_brittle, th8ugh” Miss Luberman |
* continues, “in the attitude of a critic who does not give encourage-
ent to a group with as much tal-
it as Miss Courtneys. It is a young organization, but the talent is _ obvious, “I have seen the Ballet Russe, the Jooss Ballet, the American Ballet— - all a number of times. I still think Miss Couriney’s performance deserves a few bouquets in with the .. bombs.” | As regards the bomb-throwing, I _2:feel as innocent as would a good Baptist accused of bolshevism. For e review stated, among other ings, that “considered as student ncing, the exhibition by Miss Courtney's pupils promises much for rican ballet of the future.” Nor the article fail to reflect the tator's enjoyment of the work Dorothy Etheridge, a particularly young dancer; Kevin Harve Smith, Donnie 'Weismueller ind Miss Courtney herself.
. Fifth Symphony Issue
My ‘chief quarrel with the performance and apparently Miss Lurman’s chief quarrel with me, cenrs around Miss Courtney's intertation of the Beethoven Fifth -Symphony in a ballet called “Tran- . scedence.” {In this regard, the review said: “It is a moot point to quarrel with ‘anyone's reaction to a nonprogramtic piece of music, or for -that atter, its interpretation in motion. composition being what it is, however, its only conceivable excuse as a ballet would be to heighten and clarify the spectator's ap-, preciation. » | That, I think, is giving Miss ‘Courtney's intentions a much better
break than Miss Luberman does. If |
she is a serious choreographer, sureshe was intent on doing something more with the symphony than using it for a “good background.” . Dancers, per se, would be no ore my target than conductors, for eir function is primarily the me. The conductor, if he be singere, will attempt to seek out the composer’s intention and project it without distortion. And the choreographer, if he is not a bad artist, “will do the same. There probably have been more gables about the meaning of Bee- . thoven’s music than that of any ‘other composer. So it is a double risk to insist upon an exact definition of his. meaning. Too many have tried it and have been laughed at for their pains.
Objects to Distortion
Yet study and repeated hearings og Beethoven's work reveal certain|._ of tonality, mode and figurafm | in various compositions to exthe same general ‘emotion. Rod anyone with the least musical
eveptivenes would be hard put}!
find in the triumphant burst of finale’ s opening theme, after the lous, mystic interlude following the Scherzo, a triumph of Death. [ “That, however, is what Miss Courtney did. Furtl'ermore, she indulged B® “considerable phrase distortion to her c necessity. res orchestra conductor who pursued the same cs would be in line for the same ribbing. Miss Courtney's choreography also exhibited an uncertainty of technique. But this lack of definite style and projection is inevitable in an immature artist or group. The Courtney Ballet review ended with the guess that, the advent of more prescient and inspired choreography, it mighi be well to leave the Fifth Symph. = y -the concert hall
We = I want ‘Miss Luberman w know that when soméone comes along with the dance interpretation of this symphony t does not violate a sensitive 's emotional there will be no carping from this department | against +ballets with symphonic settings.” My only objections are to bad art.
SONJA RECEIVES DEED FOR LAND
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14 (U. P).—}
Sonja Henie's studio said today she received a deed to a lot in Atlantic
LIFE WILL
1 | 3 +
NOT BE PLEASANT
This extracurricular scene of tiagendiric torture is from “Brother Rat,” the John Monks Jr.-Fred FinklehofTe comedy of military school life which:
Gary Merrill.
‘IN NEW YOR K—s GEORGE ROSS
Who Is This Follow Robert Reud? Why, He's
EW YORK, Dec. 14—Who is this felloy Robert Reud who was privileged to share, tro Leopold Stokowski, Greta Garbo’s last moments before she sailed for home? To most of the great Greta’s ad-
mirers' Reud’s name is new. But investigation revealed that he is an “old friend, ” Anyhow. only Mr. Reud seemed to know reticent Greta’s traveling plans in advance.
Reud is well known about town
as a play and hotel publicist. And it isn’t his fault if his chief claim to fame rests upon the mutual attachment between Garbo and himself. He has enjoyed the Garbo confidence for a long time, having known the lady before: she was cat+ apulted into the uppermost ‘Tanks of stardom. Over the yehrs, they have corresponded freely. And though Greta
has fortified herself against all vis-
itors during her stopovers in Man-
ready audience. ‘He does not exploit the intimacy. Though fan magazines have offered him princely sums for pen portraits of his girl friend, he has steadfastly declined. And out of deference to
FRENCH ACTRESS
ASKS 'FREEDOM'|
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14 (U. P.) — Francine Bordeaux, blond French
actress, was plaintiff today in a law-
suit demanding freedom. Defendants were Robert Mack and Sarah Parsons, dramatic coaches. Under a contract she signed four months ago, Miss Bordeaux said she
agreed to appear in public only
when [the coaches told her to; read everything they ordered and noth
only the clothing Miss Parsons approved; associate with no one without their consent. She ‘is given in return, all expenses, a chaperon, and an apartment. In her suit, the actress sought te win back a little of her own life. She asked” modification of the con< tract so she may choose her ow friends, have “greater emotional freedom, ” and practice . sculpture.
her wishes, he is stubbornly silent,
ing they disapproved; buy and wear
An Old and Trusted Friend of Garbo.
when questioned, about any Garbo ‘activities or plans. Yet he is Garbo’s
with Maes- | Only liaison officer during her hasty
| sojourns in New York.
8 # HIS is about the best time of the year to be telling you about | Charles De Zemler, who runs the barbershop in the basement of the RCA Building in Radio City. No ordinary looking barber is this tonsorial artist. For he could pass as a banker in anybody's drawing room. : The folk whose hair he trims and whose faces he shaves are celebrities. They include the Rockefellers, David Sarnoff, Lowell Thomas, NBC stars- and most movie celebrities who are passing through. But here’s the reason for the appropriate mention dat the moment: Right now, Barber Zemler is sending out engraved invitations, as is his annual custom, for his Christ-
hattan, Reud always has gained a as party. It is to be held in the
shop. Canapes and cocktails /served by the Rainbow Room! And there is nothing to prevent a guest from calling for a cool highball and a close shave at the same time. vol \ N apartment house dweller in what is now considered the Betfer Part of town, relates this one: The youth who runs the daar in his house, he says, is a fairly handsome fellow, with amiable .disposition and loquacious nature. And he seems to be well up on the lates’ gossip: of the town. This employee knocks off work at
'|about 1 a, m.,, and our informant
saw him departing the other night. not in civilian clothes, but in.a natty get-out, complete to the high hat and chesterfield double-breast-ed coat. Our source says he picked up enough courage the next day to ask
comes" to English’s Thursday night. are Reese Allsop, Eddie Bracken, Robert Scott and
Left to right
Movies Planning
Racket Pictures;
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14 (U. P)— Since Thomas Dewey, New York's
district attorney-elect, ignored a movie offer, the motion pictures set out today to film his racket war without him. ‘Two studios were rushing scenarios to cash in on the publicity of Dewey’s fight. Columbia Studio will start filming “Special Investigator,” and RKO is bringing. to the screen an article on Dewey, by Forrest Davis, newspaperman. The studio that offered Dewey a job, made an alternate offer to J. Edgar ‘Hoover.
Blue Wa med Of Hospitality
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14 (U. P.).— Ben Blue, movie comedian, who lost his wife in divorce court, pondered today the judge's ‘warning that he is headed for the poorhouse unless he quits trying to “entertain everybody in Hollywood.” ; Judge Edward Brand granted Mrs. Mary Blue a divorce yesterday. She testified that the actor left her Sept. 13 after striking her in the face when she remonstrated at his gambling. The judge cut her requested alimony from $1067 to $600 a month, and added to Mr. Blue: | “1 don’t propose to tell people how they ought’ to live, but it appears that after working the last year at $600 a week, you had a deficit of several thousand dollars. - If you don’t stop trying to entertain everybody in the film colony, there will be only bills to show the result of your work and earnings.”
HOOSIER TABLET TO HONOR CAROLE
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14 (U. P).— Selznick * Studio announced today that Ft. Wayne, Ind., will dedicate a bronze tablet Jan. 1 at the house where Carole Lombard was born in 1908. The house i$ at 704 Rockhill
about it, and this elevator runner |St.
told him that he liked the night life well enough to splurge several times a week. And that running an elevator was as convenient a way as any for paying his minimums and cover: ch 2 “My name appears pretty often in the chatter eolumps,” he added | proudly.
Closeup and Comedy
ERSKINE Bn SCARBO
(LveR HARDY. , HEIGHT, FEET, INCH, WEIGHT; 205 POUNDS BLACK HAIR.BRoWN EYER 30RN, ATLANTA, GA, JAN. IS, 1992. QEAL NAME, OLIVER. ‘NORVELLE HARDY. MATRIMONIAL. SCORE © ONE MARRIAGE ~~~~T0O
| RE CRIMINAL LAWYER,
The studio said this was the first time such a permanent inscription had been erected for a film star.
WHAT, WHEN, WHERE
APOLLO -
bb Tid ; e,” with Oscar Homolka and . France, . a Be 20d 10:0 re at -12:38, 3:48. Groom,” with
3 Meredith a nd Ann Soth EUR MEET hd A Boe.
2:43, 5:33 and 9:03. CIRCLE “Manhattan Merry with Ted Lewis. Cab Calloway, Phil Xe an and
o, at 1 bandh 3:43,
d 10:13. 3 borita on Trial,” with Walter Abel
and Frieda Inescourt, at 11: 5:48 and 8:58. =,
INDIANA
Door,” with Kacharine H Dues: anger Rogers, Adolphe Mone i drea, Leeds nd Ga patrick, at 11:15 1:28, 3:40, 5:50, 8, 1 10 arch of ime, * at 11, 1:06, 4:12,
8:10 1:56. 9:30 KEITH'S : Vaudeville, with , tra, on stage at 1 fhcpoges ad 930. Fs {lar and Mary Lou 3
83:00 nas Lender, at 13, 2:30, LOEW'S
66
Go - Round,”
Hun 0, at 11:09, 3:18, gies she
LYRIC “Pla 9” 6:48 lay Girls" on stage at 1:05, 3:50, ve Husbands,” with Bevy
and Pi c Knowl 100 0s and 10.300
OHIO
Chars Brerriagy
thers.
AMBASSADOR
Doctor and Nurse,” X erste” Young. Also “London” by
ALAMO « »” witaeh ohuike StOgls:” Sih Job
11%, 2:24, 5:
“You the A
[TIN HELD OVER
, ROGERS HEPBURN,
Iethel Needs
Caretaker For Money
Wants Father to Help Out, But He Likes His
Calico.
By FREDERICK C, OTHMAN HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14 (U. P.).— Ethel Merman, who makes so much money she can’t take care of it all— poor girl—headed for New York to-
| day to hire a caretaker for her cash.
The salary will be good, but the work hard, because of all these thousands of dollars not only have to be counted, which is bad, but they've also got to be invested, | which is enough to turn a girl's head gray. - First she’ll try to hire her father. She knows he'd do, because he’s an accountant, with a good position in
1a wholesale drygoods house. The
trouble seems to be that his name is Edward Zimmerman, and hell be hanged if he'll give up his position and come to work for a daughter who's amputated the first sylla‘ble off the family’s name,
Father Reluctant
That, at least, is what Miss Merman said. She’s intending to give him a big selling talk, though, about the pleasures of living in sunny California (the weather man reports that about two inches of rain
has fallen here 'in the last two days), but that if he still refuses to leave his calicoes, she’ll consider somebody else. (If you have dn honest Tacs odd ate a Hoban calculator, you might drop in on her. She’ll be staying in her apartment on Central Park West over the holidays.) Miss Merman, who's been living here in Clark Gable’s old apartment at the Beverly-Wilshire Hotel, started her career in 1929 as a stenographer for a brake maker in Long Island City, N. ¥. He paid her $30 a week, but she made another hundred after dark, singing in night clubs. She also held a Warner Brothers’ contract at $200 a week. “I was under contract to them for a year,” she said, “but they never asked me to do any work. It was a little embarrassing, the yay that paycheck kept coming in.” In 1930 she went to Miami at $300 a week as a singer, then returned to New York and took a part in “Girl Crazy” _at $375'a week. Government Takes Share “Buf that wasn’t. all,” she lamented. “I was singing at night at the old Central Park Casino for $1500 a week at the same time and doing some radio work in addition. I don’t really remember how many more hundreds the radio gave me.”
Since then she’s been in one show after another, radio performances without end, and movies up to her | pretty neck. Right now she’s working for 20th Century-Fox, under a Strack whose terms she’s a little cagey about revealing, because she doesn’t want to hurt the financial feelings of the other‘ actresses there. Last year, though, the movies were giving her $2,000 a week. Now they're paying her more than twice that much, while every time she sings on the radio, she gets another one of those dratted checks. “I've been giving a lot of money to the Government in taxes,” she said, nibbling on a chocolate drop, while she packed her trunks. “I've spent a lot of it keeping up a front, and I've invested the rest in the stock market. I haven't lost a cent speculating, either, but this money I'm making is such a bother. I've just got to get somebody to take care of it, because it’s getting me do “1 hope I can persuade my father to come out here with his adding machines, but I don’t know. He’s in love with his old drygoods business. He doesn’t seem to realize how hard all this money can be on a girl. ”
ASKS PROFITS. OF ‘MODERN TIMES’
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14 ©. P)— All profits from Charlie Chaplin's last picture, “Modern Times,” were demanded today by Michael I. Kustoff, scion of . Russian nobility. He filed a suit charging that the picture was plagiarized from Kustofi’s book called “Against Grey Walls, or Lawyers’ Dramatic Episodes.” He said the manuscript was submitted to Chaplin in 1934, but
The romantic idol, Nelson Eddy, seems to be getting a kick out of his new assignment as a football-playing cadet in “Rosalie, ” which will be Loew’s Christmas attraction, ;
be extra gracious and co-operafive
snickety, and others kick like a bay
have a list of favorites very difierent from the preferences of most groups who come in soning with the stars,
Katharine Hepburn, for instance, i= a photographer’s delight. Her angular features offer chances for arty effects. She poses gracefully and patiently. And she keeps appointments on the dot. Sylvia Sidney, on the other hand, may be a favorite of the correspondents, but she’s a headache to the camera boys. They're the ones on whom she pours whatever pentup fury she happens to be hoarding. Nobody, perhaps even Miss Sicney herself, knows the reason for this antipathy. Ginger Rogers, an. agreeable and flexible personality in most ways,
is another troublesome subject. For
one thing she’s very difficult to light advantageously. For another, she refuses to follow photographers’ direction and attempts to pose herself. Has a large mirror placed next to the camera and believes the lens will see her as she sees herself. Wrong, of course. Marlene Dietrich and Claudette Colbert have the same trick. The latter will allow only the left sicle of
‘her face to be photographed, and
that adds to the complications. One Is Independent
Most still photographers are very reticent about discussing their subjects, but Bob Coburn, head of Samuel” Goldwyn’s still department, ‘is such a skillful and sought-after picture maker that he can afford to be outspoken. Also by refusing to play stooge for the whims and tantrums of stars he has won respect and special requests for his services. Miss Sidney asked for him. Constance Bennett used to have a trick of telling still men: “I'll give you just 10 seconds to inake your picture.” Then she'd ridicule them while they fumbled their equipment in an effort to ge! set up and shoot in such a short time. When she gave Mr. Coburn her 10-second ultimatum he picked up his camera and walked away. For three years thereafter he was the
pose. And he always took his time, Mr. Coburn, 34, has been in Holly=wood 17 years and is a former cinematographer who returned fc his first love, difficult subjects he recalls in his
Jtime were Clara Bow, who seldom
kept an Sppoisiment and clowned
Some Movie Stars Have Phobias ¢ of Stil Still Cameras
By PAUL HARRISON HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14 (NEA)—You'd think the movie stars would
with studio still photographers, for
certainly the pictures printed in newspapers and magazines are the most unvarying favorable publicity that players can receive. Well, some of em are very nice indeed. Many are painfully per-
steer at the mere mention of posing
for portraits. Hollywood’s still men ¢
only photographer .for whom she'd |
59 still camera. Most |
jBtJOU
B [RivolLl |TACOMA
IRVING
| BELMONT |IDAISY
| through those she did keen, and Ricardo Cortez. . The latter was sarcastic and just plain ornery.
- Some Are Helpful
‘Joan Bennett wears only the faintest of halos in most Hollywood eyes, but Mr. Coburn is enthusiastic about her. Once, too busy for a studio sitting, she had him come to her house in the evening. He
arrived at 10 o'clock and they worked until 2 a. m.
Merle Oberon is another who's very patient and helpful. Miriam Hopkins is hard to pin down to ‘an appointment, but she keeps those she makes, Also she offers good suggestions,
Irene Dunne is one who becomes self-conscious before the still camera, and would rather visit a dentist than sit for Mr. Coburn. He admires her a great deal. Most men are self-conscious about posing with women, especially in kissing scenes.” William Powell and’ Richard Dix are two notable exceptions, the photographer says. . When a tight clinch is suggested, they grab the girl in a way that almost melts the emul. sion on the film. : Gary Cooper is putty in a still man’s hands. Cooper doesn't know ‘how to pose, and realizes it, so he allows a photographer to tell him exactly what to do. That makes him a perfect subject,
Tonight. ENRY BIA-GINI
and His Oreesti
1c ve.
Gentlemen = \ Nexk Sat.
6 Symphony
Artists Due For Recital
Quartet Harpist. and Oboist to Perform
Tomorrow.
Six members of the Indianapolis
Symphony Orchestra, all teachers
at the Jordan Conservatory of Mue sic, are to be featured in the Week» ly faculty program at 8:30 p tomorrow in the Odeon, 106 E. North, St. Miss Marjorie Call, harpist, will be heard in three solo groups and
‘as accompanist for Arno Mariotti
in the Oboe Concerto in G Minor by Handel. Her solos will include compositions by Haydn, Gluck, Core elli, Palmgren and Salzedo. The Indianapolis Symphony String Quartet, composed of Boris Schwartz , and Avram Weiss, : violins; Jules Salkin, viola, and Paulo Gruppe, cello, will play a Quartet in D Minor by Haydn. s. 8 2 The second community concert of the month, presented by the ‘Fede eral Music Project, will be given at 8\p.m. tonight in School 43, 150 W. 40th St. A feature will be the singing of Kountz’s Christmas cantata, “The Wondrous Story,” by a massed ‘women’s chorus made up of the Roosevelt Temple Church Choir, the American Legion Auxiliary Glee Club, and Mothers’ Choruses from Schools 18, 20, 43, '54 and 69, and from Edgewood. Ruby Kerr is to direct the chorus, with Halcy Harold as accompanist. In addition to the cantata, there are’ to be two groups played by the WPA Concert Band, with Paul Fide lar conducting. Selections are to ine clude the “Rosamunde” Overture of Schubert; “Poeme” by Fibich; Brahms’ Hungarian Dance No. 5; the Strauss “Blue Danube” Waltzes; a Slavonic Dance by Dvorak; Drigo’'s “Serenade,” and marches by Lithe gow and.Sousa. ; The concert will end with come munity singing, and there is to be no admission charge.
LLOYD'S PAIR OF GLASSES INSURED
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 14 (U. P.).~ Harold: Lloyd's celluloid spectacle frames were insured by Lloyd’s. of London for $25,000: today. Lloyd paid 10 cents for them 22 years ago. The premium for insuring them against damage “anywhere .in the world” was $531. The frames are his “lucky” anes, he explained. He keeps them in a special humidor locked in his bank vault and wears them only for the first scene in each picture. Upon retiring, he plans to offer them to the Smithsonian Institution. - Lloyd does not need glasses, and has always worn the frames as “prop.”
(411,34
Coie a
{TANGINI
A ONE AY CIRCUS
SouNTy Fan
Tonight's Presentation at Your
‘Neighborhood Theaters
EAST SIDE
: SOUTH SIDE
HAMILTON 2116 E. 10th St.
Double Satur ‘ “PRISONER OF ENA man Dick Powell yin Saow.
[lof STRAND Takis Loren
“CHAN ‘On BROADWAY”
; 411 E. Wash. Paramount
“CONFESS. Jungle Menace No. 11
114 E Double Fo Noe
“NATION AFLAME” .
SIX “Shadows of Chinatown” No. ¢
3155 Bo 10th St. Doors Open 5:45
L
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WEDDING” “COUNSEL FOR CRIME” IME" 2442 E. s tur ee ation WITHOUT ARMOR"
4020 E. New ao
TUXEDO “alias Ges Kbbee Bia sof a= St.
Double Bala Colman
“PRISONER OF SENDA .__ “LIFE BI oe IN COLLEG E”
EMERSON Feature
4636 E. 10th . Dogble Feature IGINS Lr Pg
“ENIG
IN CO! GI “DEAD END”
ooo WEST SIDE Pre
STATE smal dian
Stanwyek “INTERNES CAN'T TARE pr
WW. Wash. | 5 Double, fr “LOVE 1S « ;
Powell-Loy Lov “DOUBI
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GROVE posible, Feature
‘Stanwyck “STELLA DALLAS” Spencer Tracy “BIG CITY”
© |AY ALON Pros. & Ch Churchmas
Dou eature Marx Bros, “A DAY AT THE RACES” Paul Kelly “FRAMEUP” 1105 S. Meridian Double Feature Joan Blon ndell'
East at Te
“BACK IN “A MAN BET Rouble fine romwell
LINCOLN atichard,
ROAD __ Johnny Pos “BLONDE E Tho
New Garfield pewble Ft “MAREIED ) D one BEERRPAST
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UPTOWN rE ? "WIFE, DOCTOR AND
ON_BROADWA
ST. CLAIR * uf It Warns ST. CLAIR * Sul S55
“WINE, WOMEN AND __ Dick Powell “VARSITY SHOW”.
TALBOTT - ‘a ph
“PRISONER OF FENDA “WALLABY JIM OF THE ISLANDS”
30th at Northwesters Double Feature
“THINK FAST. MR. MOTO” Sonja Henie “THEN TOE~
GARRICK “Bou raster “MR DEEPA BS GOES TO OWN” = MECCA "Dgubie Fosture