Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 March 1938 — Page 4

early

Goal Set for Roach Movie

"Merrily We Live' Seeks To Recapture Farce

Of Earlier Hit.

The delightful but archaic practice of subtitling plays went out with the bustle. Except for the stage success of a couple years ago, “Personal Appearance, or How Far Is the Barn,” an added line of title has been practically foreign: to this century.

If, however, the custom were in vogue, Loew’s marquee next Friday doubtless would announce “Merrily We Live, or Topping Topper.” For Sue l2st two words would seem an ccurate description of what the as producers were trying to do. > Of course you remember “Topper,” that delightful comedy of early winter wherein Death took a most engaging holiday. Well, “Merrily We Live” has the same producer, the same director, coauthors and three of the same players in Constance Bennett, Billie Burke and Alan Mowbray. ;

McLeod Building Name

Norman McLeod is the director and, if he keeps on, he bids fair to become a “name attraction” among the megaphoners. Not only did he gr 5 “Topper,” “Pennies From aven,” “If I Had a Million” and two Marx Brothers pictures, plus a lot more, but he also drew those line cartoons that decorated “Topper’s’ credits at the start of the picture. If your memory goes back a dozen years, you should recall those little cartoon characters that graced Christie Comedy sibtitles. Mr. McLeod did those, too. ‘When Hal Roach entered the feature picture production field, it wasn’t strange that he should have thought of his former rival's employee, Mr. McLeod. So he tagged him for “Topper.” A peek at the gross receipts on that one and Mr. Roach started looking around for Smsthine more for his new director do. The lovely part of Mr. McLeod’s gift is that it’s a big help to himsin directing. Instead of spending hours telling his actors exactly what they should do, he simply skeiches out some of those old Christie characters. That way the perio s know where to move, and they also can get a rough idea of the basic emotion required. For Mr. McLeod’s drawings certainly are cloquent, though starkly simple. Perhaps it might lend some enjoyment to the prospective patron to know that Alan Mowbray, that perfect butler, will be taking care of the Kilbourne household in “Merrily We Live”; that Billie Burke once more wanders through a ricture in delightful confusion anc amiable insanity, and that Bricn Aherne is the important young man in the case.

|Jean Hersholt Is Honored

In Celebration at Studio

By FRE HOLLYWOOD, March 9

ICK C. OTHMAN ! . P.)—With a bow to the Copenhagen tailor whose skill started him on his career, Jean Hersholt drained a bowl of bologna soup and began his 26th uninterrupted year today as a movie

star.

town can claim’ any comparable record. Only Charlie Chaplin, Har=old Lloyd, Wallace Beery and Slim Summerville, of all the celebrities who worked with him in the incredible Hollywood of 1913, still survive. They all were subject to long layoffs and hectic ups and downs. Mr. Hersholt alone of the galaxy of Arbuckles, Reids, Normands, Farnums.and the others whose names meant headlines two decades ago, worked steadily on to make a total of 440 pictures.

In commemoration of his 25 years before the cameras, 20th Century Fox Studios held a luncheon at which the curly-headed, twink-ly-eyed Hersholt was honor guest. He felt embarrassed. He cracked a joke about the pea soup with the sausage in it and predicted that the next course would be ham. When it turned out to be squab, he was delighted. At his right was his wife (their 24 married years may make another Hollywood record) and at his left, his san, Allan, who is now a newspaperman, covering Hollywood for a string of Scandinavian papers. In Mr. Hersholt’s hand was a file

of congratulatory telegrams and

CONSTANT BENDING FAILS 7O TIRE GRANDMA LESTER

By JAMES THRASHER “ZL should have worn a red rose so you would know me;” said Miss Lillian Ardell as she stepped out of the elevator at the Hotel English. Though Miss Ardell is'no stranger her e, it was a pertinent observation. Seeing her on the stage the past three seasons is no help toward recognition. For Miss Ardell plays Grandma Lester in “Tobacco Road.” Shorn of Grandmas tattered raiment and burlap boots, the actress turned out to be slender and sprightly, with gray hair and snapping dark? eyes. She doesn’t know how many times she has visited Indianapolis, in vaudeville or dramatic. productions, but she won't forgeh the city, for she was married here. ; Once a Dancer

Miss Ardell said people always wanted to know if the constantlystooping posture of her present role fatigued her, and what she thought about during the performance, in which she never speaks a word. “There’s nothing tiring abott the part. All I do is bend over like this,” she explained, with illustrations. “You see, I used to be an acrobatic dancer. First with my sister and later, after she married, with three men in an act called The Four Thoroughbreds. And I could still go out and do a dance rou-

tine.” As to the second question: “Well,

there isn’t a great deal to think about. So I just listen to the lines. |

I've been doing it for three years, and I still enjoy the play.”

' Fond of Jeeter

Miss Ardell is enjoying the present tour especially, because she is very fond of the present: Jeeter, John Barton, and Mrs. Barton, who is fraveling with the company. The Bartons are veteran vaudevillians, too. They toured this Binion and n and

Furope for years as Ashley. Grandma Lester is only one phase of Miss Ardell’s varied career. She once worked for two years as a reporter on the Boston Herald—and loved it, she says. Her first dra-

matic experience was with her

father, a Shakespearean actor, who

ENGLISH

s “Henig, 3: [7 $1.10

TOBACCO ROAD?

with JOHN BARTON

RTO i Fra 2,20, 2.718. 1.10, Leas ax ine. Mat, Boe d NOW ON SAL

took his daughters touring with the Robert -Mantell company. She has appeared with many noted actors and plays and her engagements of recent memory include the New York runs of “The Good Earth” and “Lysistrata.” There was movie experience, too, with the old Biograph studios in New York and, later, 11 months in Hollywood. As for next year—well, Miss Ardell thinks she’ll still be playing Grandma Lester in “Tobacco Road.”

COUNTY CLAIMS CINEMA JUNGLE

HOLLYWOOD, March 9 (U. P.).— —Columbia Pictures’ jungle, where heroes clad in leopard skins have rescued jungle sirens from movie beasts and villains, will become a river bottom. The County Flood Control Authority said it needed the jungle, which is located in an old channel of the Los Angeles River about an hour from Hollywood Blvd. Another jungle is being -grown to replace it.

0), | [0 [58

TODAY-—-TOMORROW!

“ROAD BACK” John King Also “OVER THE GOAL” Johnny Davis

No other actor in this turbulent

cables. One was from his tailor in Copenhagen. “He of all men is responsible for my start in Hollywood,” Mr. Hersholt said. “When I came over here as an actor from Denmark, I rode to the end of the streetcar line to the Ince Studios near Santa Monica. Then I walked the rest of the way through the sand. It was hard going, because I was dressed in a morning coat and striped trousers and an ascot tie and patent leather shoes. I was trying to make a good impression. “I asked to see Mr. Ince but he didn’t see me; all he saw was my clothes. There had never been such a rig as that in Hollywood and he hired me at $15 a week. A couple of weeks later I was playing cowboy and Indian. I'd be the cowboy, taking potshots at the Indians. Then I'd quickly change my clothes and be an Indian. In one scene I was wounded and I did such a fine job of groveling in the dust that they gave me a raise. ‘My new salary was $18 a week.” With prospefity at hand, he sent to Montreal for Miss Via Anderson, the girl he: loved, and married her here. For several years he played villains, comedians, Indians and whatnot for Ince. With his salary at $40 a week and production at a

"halt, he went to another studio to

seek work. “I went inside to ask for a job,” he said, “but I couldn’t steel myself to say the words. Then ‘I noticed Mother outside, wheeling Allan in his buggy. I got the job.” Having played as leading man for virtually every studio here, Mr. Hersholt now is a little grayer, a little plumper, and a little busier than ever before. He's working now in “Alexander’s Ragtime Band.” He goes immediately into “Censored” and his contract calls for continued work for many years to come. He lives comfortably in his home in Beverly Hills. He has one of the finest libraries here and a Danish bar in his cellar, where he serves schnapps to his friends. He's found time to philosophize on the vagaries of earning a steady living in Hollywood. “It really is very simple,” he said. “I get to work on time every morning and I presume that thé director and producer know their jobs as well as I do mine. I don’t try to tell them what to do and when they tell me, I listen. When night comes, I go home and stay out of trouble and that’s all there is to it.”

RRP TOI @

WHAT, WHEN, WHERE

APOLLO “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” first Disney fesiure lone animated color cartoon from the Grimm Broth. ers’ fairy tale, at 11:40, 1:43, 3:4 5:49. 7:52 and 9:55. CIRCLE ers and Sihars on stage a 12: fay 3: BoE d 9:28.

6:36 a Family. g “Love on

at 11:18, 2:10, 5:02, 07:58 " ENGLISH’S

“Tobacco Road,” with John Bare n. Curtain at 2:30 and 8:30.

INDIANA

plese and Mary,” with Alice Faye, Martin, Fred Allen and Marjorie saver, oY 11, 1:09, 3:19, 5:29, 7:39 and 9:4

Low's

“Eve Sin, with Fanny Price. Jody Gerjan and len Jones,

nN a ¥ith Walter Cone

nolly,” John Howard, Jean Parker and Robert Barrat, at 11:15, 2:25, 5:35

and 8:45. LYRIC “A Slight Case of Murder,” in ward G. n Jane Bry: Allen. Jenkins, Ruth Donnelly and Savard FISHY. at 1:22, 2:04, 5 086, Vaudeville, with Art Frank, Vivian Peterson and others, at 1:01, 3:43,

6:45 and 9:27. OHIO ‘The Road Back.” with John King. Ae” the Goal,” with June ravis

ALAMO

waldyenture: s End” with yne. als “13th Man,” Hear Angel.

AMBASSADOR

“Portia on Trial,” with PFreida Inescourt. Also “Trader Horn.”

ROGERS TO FILM STORY OF SCOUTS

HOLLYWOOD, March 9 (U.P.).— The story of the Boy Scouts of America will be filmed. Charles R. Rogers, Universal Studio producer, completed negotiations with the organization today to sponsor and co-operate in making the film. The original story is being

drafted by Irving Crump, editor of the Scouts’ official publication, “Boys’ Life.”

ROBOT CAPTAIN

Errol Flynn is installing an automatic steering device on his new yacht, the Sirocco, which he plans soon to sail from Florida to California via the Panama Canal.

INDIANA

The Jones Budget,” and 10:46

John Sith

jorle Wesves, Joan avis

It's the Funniest Ten Pictures of the Year Rolled Into Onel

(RITA) stace poor HEPBURN

731s TBab,

EAST SIDE '

bd AMILTO 2116 E. 10th St.

Buble Feature

e West “EVERY DAY'S A goLipay” “THRILL OF A LIFETIME” 6116 E.

GOLDEN Double Featurs

BIG H Heh ase Beery ____“WE HAVE OUR Mou ot

EMERSON ast} $times : Tonignt

$4 CARPACE" George Ka Ran, “8 oF”

STRAND “Rd Sir

a CRIPTION FOR RO hig Arliss “BR. SON

sake Beet Bett y ; Grable

EASE”

Paramount I AX Jartoon nD

BIJOU "Feature RIAA PARKER "fa EF

«WINGS ‘OVER HONOLULU"

RIVOLI $1586 E. 10th St.

Alice Faye—Ken a rn ae $ irs he Ail” TACOMA “Po MBenmie Pebture

Gladys. Ges osree: Ni AME —

TUXEDO 4020 E. New York

Double Feature en: “A G WITH “IDOL OF THE CROWDS"

IRVING ®k uo

“ BE for Two

200 fo S WITH LOVE “SHE LOVED A FIREMAN" WEST SIDE

Poe way tess SPEEDWAY Bits

“TALK 0 Fred Stone Binns abit MONEY”

HOWARD Berns & fies

ble “Featur

Jack Holt “NORTH OF NOME THIEF MEETS THIEF” 2702 W. 10th St. Double Feature

STATE 'm. Gargan

Wi “SHE ASKED “THE WES TLAND BAe

BE LMONT Double Featiire

“SERGEANT MU PH 320 Harry Carey TRADER HORN”

. 2540 W. Mich. D A | S Y Dugble Feature & “MERRY-GO-ROUND OF 19385 Dolores Del Rio “LANCER SPY”

SOUTH SIDE

Gc R OVE Beech Grove:

Double Seature

“MR. DEEDS GOES T wr _ “BEG, BORROW y 10, TOWN

AV ALON Pros. & Churchman

Double Feature Fred Ast:

aire DAMSEL IN DIS 3 “ONE MILE FROM HEAVEN"

ORIENTAL ere

“KING SOLOMON’S “EXPENSIVE RUSBANDS®

LINCOLN "tht siitee

:Regan “LOVE IS ON vo Chas. Boyer “CONQUEST”

New Garfield 0 Bu

Double Feature Che Jones Family “BORROWING TROUB : “BEHIND THE HEADLINES”

FOUNTAIN SQUARE

HE LAST GANGSTERS neon Joan Bionden “STAND-IN®

SANDERS Double Feature"

Bee Heats

tects erst ates W. Wash. & Belmont

1105 8. Meridi Dod le Feature Rolan

East a

‘WINE, WOMEN" & HORSES” nT HAPPENED IN- HOLLYWOOD"

NORTH SIDE

u PT OWN 42nd and College

Double Feature Bol

“SHE MARRIED A a “THANK YOU, ME. ARTIST

ST. CLAIR Bh Boule Feature “BEG, BORROW iy STEAL Ld ‘THAT'S MY STOR TALBOTT Tots of Jin “BEG, BORROW oi STEAL’ Myrna Loy, “MANPROOF” 30th at Northwestern R E X Doule | Featuty THE kim 0 “BORROWING ROUBLE" GARRICK *Bouiis’reatare” . HRA Noble & Mass. MECCA Double Feature . . 3 Wallace Ford YOU'RE IN THE ARMY Harry Carey “LAST OUTLAW” 19th & College Stratford pais fash “HEAD OVER HEELS IN LOVE” Richard Dix “YELLOW DUST” 2351 Station S86 D BR E A M Double Feature Clark Gable

“MANHATTAN MERRY GO-ROUND

“OVER THE Double Feature Robins

RITZ b: GANGSTER”

“THE LAST Joan Blondell Sos nd

Hellvwood “MANHATTAN “ARTISTS AND MODELS TONIGHT 58 DISH NIGHT! X [ Central at Fall Creek ZARING: "Double an “BULLDOG DRUMMOND GOMES BACK”

CINEMA

Illinois and 84th

> Fine goings on here, with Cary Grant and Katharine Hepburn all dolled up in outlandish clothes and digging with the dog for bones.

Civic Theater Anticipates ‘Trend to Religious Plays

Director Alfred Etcheverry and his aids at the Civic Theater may be credited with having anticipated the current Broadway dramatic trend. When they scheduled “The First ” for production at the beginning of the season, they called the turn on a series of religious plays now proshering in New York. @ “The First Legion” was a Gotham success three seasons ago. The cast is entirely male, and all but three of the characters are Jesuit priests. Bert Lytell was the producer and £2 | star of the original production. His {part will be taken in the Civic production by Sidney Sanner, last seen as a gangster in “Night of January 16.” As proof that they have anticipated the trend, the Civic may cite such present New York hits as “Shadow and Substance,” “Father Malachy’s Miracle,” “Susan and God, ? “On Borrowed Time” and “Many Mansions.” Among other prominent Civic cast members will be David Milligan, re- ]

Civic dance productions, will make one of his infrequent appearances

as an actor. Others to appear are Kenneth Badger, Harold Arnholter, Clifford Courtney, Hal Hawkes, James Mule ler, Thomas Sinclair, Eugene McManamon and Eldon Nyhart. “The First Legion” opens at the Civic Playhouse Friday, March 18, for six performances.

AEDS IE

SNOW Kaas ike

AIL ar Ea pS

TILT

membered for his effective part in the recent “Excursion.” Jac Brod- | erick, well known as director of

Walter Renamed Opera Director]

VIENNA, March 9 (U. P.).—The Vienna State Opera Administration renewed its contract with Bruno Walter as State Opera Director and artistic adviser today for three years. It was learned that Mr. Walter will cable Arturo Toscanini in New|" York, urging him to reconsider his decision not to direct the Salzburg 1estival because of the change of re- |‘ B gime in Austria.

SPANISH EXPERT

Ann Sheridan, who speaks Spanish fluently, and reads and writes it, handles her own Spanish fan mail, which is heavy in volume.

“Hl 2 LAST DAYS! |

Ebb

Funniest Picture” in Yours Hollywood Reporter.

EDWARD G.

obinson a A

part of the hilarious doings in “Pringing Up Baby,” Miss Hepburn’s first farce attempt, which opens But it’s only | Friday at the Indiana. ; i " ON THE STAGE AT

12:50, 3:45, 6:30, 9:30! §

Marx Brothers Freed From Suit

HOLLYWOOD, March 9 (U. P). —The three Marx Brothers were free today of a $75,000 plagiarism suit brought over .their latest picture, “A Day At The Races.” Henry Barsha and David Weissman, writers, said in the suit that they submitted a scenario entitled, “High Fever,” three years ago, and it was turned down by the studio. They said the story later was used with little change for “A Day At The Races.” As the suit went to trial in Superior Court, attorneys agreed to eliminate the Marx Brothers as defendants. Also eliminated were three scenarists.

Hollywood—As Pyle Sees It

Ernie Pyle, the Vagabond from Indiana, is in Hollywood again. For breezy, informative chat- . ter about the goings-on in the film capital, follow Ernie daily in The Times. His Column today is on Page Nine.

THE ACADEMY AWARD STAGE SHOW OF 1938 ER EET 0 BT 15 BIG SCENES! 36 HOLLYWOOD STARKLY!

Fe Jac

JUDY GARLAND - ALLAN JONES

THE FLIRTATIOUS HEIRESS THE HANDSOME TRAMP [sm THE MADCAP KILBOURNE FAMILY -

THE LAUGHS OF A LIFETIME starts FRIDAY!

A HAL ROACH

dil 5 Lr ud Presentation me Coin! BENNETT 4... AHERNE wih ALAN MOWBRAY - BILLIE BURKE - PATSY KELLY - ANN DVORAK TOM BROWN - BONITA GRANVILLE - MARJORIE RAMBEAU

Scraen Play by Eddie Moran and Jack Jevne « Directed by NORMAN Z. McLEOD MILTON H. BREN. Executive Producer A Metro- Galdvys -Mayer Picture

VIRGINIA BRUCE MELYYN DOUGLAS ~~ WARREN WILLIAM