Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 24 February 1938 — Page 15

~ Play Setting New Records For Theater

"Bebacco Road' Blazes ~ Trail for Legit in Hinterland.

By JAMES THRASHER “Tobacco Road,” disparage it as we may, has at least one shining star to its credit. For its rough and ‘bawdy annals of the poor are serving as the alarm to reawaken small‘town America’s interest in the living

*. When the Erskine Caldwell-Jack

Kirkland saga of the share-croppers returns to English’s for four days on March 7, it will have added many pages to its impressive record. In the light of this record, the play's five-year run in New York seems less important. The remarkable fact is that 176 cities in 35 states ‘ have seen it during three years of touring. : «Such a widespread renaissance deserves an army with banners to proclaim it. But the only herald 1s Carlton Miles, armed with threesheets, press material, worries and a faculty of overcoming obstacles. In

three years, Mr. Miles has shepherd- | &

ed his stalwart knights and ladies of “the)road” into towns that had forgottén their last professional stage engagement. He has brought living actors to a new generation that scarcely knew they existed.

Public “Stage Hungry”

Only the “deep” Southeast, some of the North Central states" and New England above Massachusetts have failed to see “Tobacco Road,” Mr. «Miles said this week on his third professional visit to Indianapolis in as many seasons. He has played the cotton country, the Ozarks, mining towns and cow towns and Midwestern hamlets. Everywhere he has found the people “stage hungry.” And the fact has been compensation for many tribulations. Of course, there have been easier times. “Tobacco Road” has played 16 weeks in Los Angeles; 12 weeks at | Philadelphia in five engagements; seven weeks in Chicago and San Francisco; five in Boston; a month in Washington, and several weeks in other large cities. ‘Then there have been repeat engagements in many of the smaller places. Despite the difficulties, however, Mr. Miles dwelt upon the one-night stands with greatest enthusiasm. Kokomo, he said, hadn't had a “legitimate” attraction in the oldest citizen’s memory. Richmond hadn't seen a play in 12 years. New Philadelphia, O., saw its last professional actors in “Rain,” back in 1925.

Success in Hinterland

“But the trail-blazing is bringing results,” he continued. “Two years ago there were four companies making extended tours. Last year there were 10, this season has 13, and there should be 20 by next year.” Mr. Miles recalled that 20 years ago no one thought it much of a job to take a successful play on tour. Today the undertaking is immeasurably harder. Legitimate theaters .are few. Some have been closed or torn down, and many have been converted into motion-picture houses. So the current producer and his representatives book most of their engagemenst in film theaters, civic | auditoriums, schoolhouses or whatever they can find.

Through bookings on railroads |-

are another problem. Many branch roads have been discontinued, and the “jumps” today constitute one long technical problem. “Two years ago,” Mr. Miles said, “we leaped from Tulsa, Okla. to Amarillo, Tex. We arrived at 7:30 p. m. and accomplished the feat of taking up the curtain at 9:15, although it’s ordinarily a four-hour job to set the stage. We had our reward, though—a box-office record of $3600 for one performance.”

Long Jumps Common Again, in California, the scenery was transported 60 miles by truck,

and the players traveled in chartered busses. And another time

Spokane, Wash., to Columbus, -O., a matter of 2232 miles. Mr. Miles flashed a few figures to prove that the drama still has drawing power. One Toledo. performance brought $7000. A twoweek tour of Texas this year, playing large towns and small, grossed $39,000. And last season in Muncie, disappointed customers who failed to get seats for the matinee and evening performances were granted an extra show which began at 11:15 p. m. Of course, there have been plenty of amusing experiences along with the satisfaction of missionary zeal to make the load a little lighter. For instance: “We struck a theater in Pocatello, Ida.” Mr. Miles recalled, “which is devoted exclusively to wrestling matches. insisted that the ‘divans’ should be scaled at the highest price. “A little confused, I investigated, and found all the orchestra seats were wooden except those in the 10th row. These boasted leather covers and were known to the customers by the deep and comfortable title of ‘divans.’” - Arrive for “Second Show” In smaller cities, Hugo Schaaf, company manager, assures Mr. Miles that a cordon of cinema-conscious customers usually arrives at 9:30 p. m. for the “second show.” But the company’s favorite story, their advance agent said, is set in Cumberland, Md. Toward the end of the first act the -disconcerted players saw about one-third of the audience flle out of the theater. They were pleased, but still puzzled, to see them all back in their places when Act II began. Then a local stage-hand solved the mystery. Cumberland has a parking-meter system, and the economical customers, regardless of dramatic proceedings, had rushed into the street to put. more nickels in the slot before their cars were hauled to the City garage. .

GLORIA SWANSON

HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 24 (U. P.)— Republic Studio said today that Gloria Swanson, high paid “vamp” star of silent pictures, will return to the screen in -a- series of films. The actress will return from a New York visit in time to start work June 1 on the first of the series, “Ex-Love.”

Visit BROWN COUNTY in Winter Good Roads—Picturesque Country

The NASHVILLE HOUSE Is

Open ear Steam Heated Modern Hotel Chicken Dinners, Mon. & Wed. : Special Parties Arranged Call or Write Miss Basteland, Mer. Nashville, Ind., for arrangements.

This beaming foursome is featured in “Gold Is Where You Find It,” which will be found at the Circle beginning tomorrow. Left to right, you should

The manager.

IN COMEBACK TRY

recognize George

WHAT, WHEN, WHERE

APOLLO

“Checkers,” with Jane Withers Stuart Erwin and Una Merkel, at 11:04, 1:50, 4:37, 7:24 and 10:11. “Non-Stop New York,” with Anna Lee and John Loder at 12:40, 3:27, 6:14 and 9:01. :

CIRCLE

Fred Waring and His Pennsylvane Japs, on stage at 1, 3:50, 6:45 and

“Scandal Street,” with Lew Ayres and Louise Campbell, at 11, 1:23, 3:46, 6:09, 8:25 and 10:41. CIVIC THEATER

“Dollars to Doughnuts,” a musical fell by Charles Gaynor, Curtain at

INDIANA

“Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” first feature-length animated color cartoon, from the Grimm Brothers’ fairy tale, at 11:39, 1:42, 3:45, 5:48, 7:51, and 9:54.

LOEW'S

“The Goldwyn Follies,” with Adolphe Menjou, Ritz Brothers and - Zorina, at 11:45, 2:15, 4:50, 7:25

LYRIC “A Ton of Fun,” on stage with Johnny Perkins, Chaz Chase and others. at 1:07, 3:48, 6:49 and 9:30. “International Settlement,” with Dolores Del Rio and George Sanders, * at 11:28. 2:09, 5:10, 7:51 and 10:32.

OHIO “Street Scene,” with Sylvia Sidney. Also “Dangerously Yours,’ with Cesar Romero. + ALAMO

“She Asked For It,” with William Gargan. Also “The Game That Kills,” - with Charles Quigley.

* AMBASSADOR

“Manhaitan Merry - Go - Round,” with Ted Lewis. Also “Under Suspieign,”. with Jack Holt. ; 4

PROFESSOR BURNS

Bob Burns went straight from the set of “Tropic Holiday” the other day to the University of Southern California to lecture university and high school teachers on

Havilland without much trouble. on the right is Tim Holt, Jack Holt’s 18-year-old son.

the art of getting a laugh.

Brent, Claude Rains and Olivia De The newcomer

VICKI LESTER WINS FIRST MAJOR PART

HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 24—Vicki Lester, former New York artists’ model, ° won her first. important screen part today in RKO-Radio’s “Certified,” in which Joan Fontaine and Allan Lane have the leading roles. . Miss Lester was one of 10 professional models brought to Hollywood some months ago for ‘“Vogues of 1938.” Following this she played a minor role in “Patient in Room 18.” Then came the assignment in “Certified.” :

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Carey, will be the first-run attraction at-the Emerson for three days beginning today. - - -

East at Lincoln Double Feature Paul Muni ZOLA”

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SAID Jean Parker “THE BARR!

19th & College Double Feature Sylvia Sidney

2351 Station St. Double Feature Robt. Armsirong NO” IER”

LIFE OF EMILE | * Paul Kelly “FRAMEUP”

The bill also will include “StandIn,” with Leslie Howard and Joan Blondell, and a Mickey Mouse cartoon.

New Garfiel

2203 elby Double Feature Fred Astaire “DAMSEL IN DISTRESS”

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Illinois and 34th Doyple Feature Chas. - Q igley

GAME THAT Gladys George “MADAME X”

John Beal “BORDER CAFE”

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Alan Jones has one of the largest

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Double Feature “TRAPPE

Jack Holt BY G-MEN” “ON AGAIN, OFF AGAIN”

collections of Mexican shoes in Hol-

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studio has numerous racks on which the handmade footwear are stacked.

At Fountain Square Double Feature Buck Jones “BLACK ACES” | “THAT'S MY STORY”

GROVE

Jeanette MacDonald “FIREFLY”

Beech Grove Double Feature . Cesar Romero “DANGEROUSLY YCURS”

LAST DAY!

SYLVIA SIDNEY “SEIREET

SCENE” \ Plus! “Dangerously Yours” Star Cast

AVALON

| “COUNSEL FOR CRIME”

Pros. & Churchman Double Feature James Ellison “ANNAPOLIS SALUTE”

NORTH SIDE

An Added Attraction at the

Russian lzba

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‘ ING Ginger Rogers “STAGE DOOR” TONIGHT 1IS* DISH NIGHT!

ZARING

“ON AIN- F Jane Withers “45 FATHERS”

CINEMA

“BREAKFAST FOR TWO «Kay Francis “FIRST LADY"

UPTOWN

“BETWEEN TWO WOMEN Kenny Baker “52ND STREET”

ST. CLAIR

WESTLAND “LADY FIGHTS BACK” EAST SIDE

1500 Roosevelt Double Feature . Roger Pryor GIRLS”

Central at Fall Creek Double Feature Wheeler & Woolsey —OFF AGAIN”

16th & Delaware Double Featare

Barbara Stanwyck

42nd and College Double Feature Franchot Tone

St. Cl. & Ft. Wayne Double Feature Preston Foster CASE” x

Talbott Double Feature

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30th at Northwestern Special Feature Jeanette MacDonald Warren William—Allan Jones “THE FIREFLY”

Tea-Leaf reading an iit extra charge STEAK 50 CHICKEN DINNERS € DINNERS

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30th and Illinois Double Feature Bobby Bree “LET’S SING AGAIN” “LAST OUTLAW”

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UNDER FIR “ONE MAN JUSTICE”

4630 E. 10th Double Feature Sally Eilers

Showing) “STAND-IN”

1332 £. Wash. St. Last Times Tonight Wheeler & Woolsey YERS” Showing) 411 E, Wash. Bette Davis Leslie Howard

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IRVING

— EAST SIDE 2930 E. 10th SG Double Feature John Arledge “COUNTY FAIR” John King “ROAD BACK”

3155 E. 10th St. RIVOLI | "fis Hit Show 1—Wheeler & Woolsey “HIGH FLYE 2-—John Boles “She Married An Arti 3—Laurel & Hardy ‘BEAU HUNKS”

TACOMA \(ggatic Fittirs “BORROWING OUBLE” Greta Garbo “CONQUEST” TUXEDO = “Bofic¥en™ Paul Muni “LIFE OF EMILE ZOLA” “LOVE IS IN THE AIR”

5507 E. Wash. St. Double Feature Ian Hunter “FIFTY-SECOND STREET” Frances Farmer “EBB TIDE”

HH AMILTO 2116 E. 10th St.

Double Feature - Karen Morley “ON SUCH A NIGHT” : Leslie Howard “STAND-IN”

GOLDEN 6116 E. Wash.

Double Yeature Robt. Taylor “HIS BROTHER'S WIFE” “MY DEAR MISS ALDRICH”

WEST SIDE

2702 W. 10th St. S 1 A T Double Feature aren Morley “GIRL FROM SCOTLAND YARD" “IDOL. OF THE CROWDS”

BELM ONT W. Wash. & Belmont

Double Feature Dick Foran “SHE LOVED A FIREMAN” “HOLLYWOOD ROUNDUP” 2540 W. Mich. St. D A | S Y Double Feature i Jean Parker

“LIFE GINS WITH LOVE “MURDER IN GREENWICH VILLAGE”

SPEEDWAY Feature

Speedw! Double Feature “A GIRL WITH IDEAS”

Wendy Barrie “MERRY-GO-ROUND OF 1938”

114 E. Washington Double Feature Loretta Young

HOW ARD Howard & Blaine

Double Feature Glenda Farrell “ADVENTUROUS BLONDE” “MAN WHO CRIED WOLF”

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