Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 18 March 1938 — Page 23

- sdic that David O. Selznick’s : Loew's, has not in any way violated the spirit of the original. . the film has captured the essence of ©

7, MARI

18,1938

“om Sawyer’ Captures piri of Mark Twain's ‘Wit and Understanding

R bins Boyhood Dialogs Only Omission in Story Told at Loew's; Tommy Kelly Thoroughly At Home in Lead Role.

; The very. best-that eould be said of a motion picture based on Mark

Twain's

“The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” is that it was true to the | spirit the great American humorist breathed into his story.

. And so, unless the: true interpretation is yet to come, it can be

the author’s gentle humor and his

_ kindly understanding of human na1 ture by simply reframing a portion

, of it and flooding it with the light “of the’ technicolor camera. . 2 Br “a portion,” it is meant that the screen version is two-thirds of an accurate reproduction. The atmosphere as represented by Mark Twain's descriptions of his characters and of their surroundings is pdrivayed with honesty and sinoerity. And the story—the “he did this and then she did that’"— ther= in toto.

Dialog Is One Omission The one omission is of dialog.

And that, though it sometimes seems

shame, must be forgiven. A novel a novel, and a screen play is cthing else. Obviously no audice would sit through those magpific: nt boyish conversations, those rambling stream - of - consciousness

. monologs that make the reader remember—and almost blush. In

thos-. presumably, Mark Twain conveye: to his friends ‘so: much of . boyb -od —his boyhood — that. he coulc make known in no other way. Though one may regret its absence in the screen version of “The . Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” that abserce must, lend new value to the volure itself. If also must emphasize ‘he fact that print can be warmer than the throatiest voice and ‘he deepest color. The au“thors boyhood was not as. idyllic ‘as this, but, looking back on it, he

* thought it was and, in his genius, ME

expressed himself accordingly. Per aps the most outstanding bit of tr:nslation the picture people have Jone is with Mark Twain’s pathe!ically humorous treatment of the sc2ne in which Tom imagines the w: rid working against him. You may ‘cmember how he was chastised "vy Aunt Polly and Sid let off - scot f: se—both for the same offense; and J ow Tom was punished for Sid’s offenses. And you probably remer ber how Tom built up a case for bh mself and decided to run

away. Entire Episode Intact

Thi: entire episode is intact in the fim and it is a tribute to the movie makers’ artistic integrity and wisdor. ' Mr. Selznick and his associates could not have been more carefu! and understanding. As regards the acting personnel of the film, the producers have fared zlmost as well. Tommy Kelly is- most certainly the boy to play

“Tom Sawyer,”

which opens today at Rather

Tom, whether or not he was chosen from among 25,000 possibilities—an unnecessary and blatant publicity yarn. And to say that Master Kelly is a ‘great actor would’ be just as unnecessary ‘and just as silly. The boy quite obviously could not have a complete comprehension of the part. Mark Twain himself didn’t when he was the original Tom.

One thing, however, can be said |: for Tommy Kelly: He must be an |:

obedient as well as an intelligent child. There is not a moment in the picture when he is not Tom Sawyer and perfectly at home in his surroundings. The teamwork that must have existed between the “poy from the Bronx” and Norman Taurog, the director, is everywhere evident and speaks words of great praise for them both. You will find May Robson the Aunt Polly you remember from reading the book. Miss Robson plays the part without stealing anything from her “nephew,” and yet is the important old lady in Tom’s

life. Play Well Directed - The producers -might have been a little more fortunate in their selection of a boy for the part of Huck Finn. They evidently devoted all “their. time to Tom, which is most certainly a mistake. For while most boys think of themselves as Tom at one time or another, it is Huck who is the most highly romantic character of the story, and it is Huck whom the boys look up to and envy—just as Tom did. Jackie oran is adequate, but he should have been so much better. Most of the other characters are important only as background. and atmosphere. They have been well directed- by Norman Taurog, however, and manage to perform their function with distinction. Walter Brennan as Muff Potter, Victor Jory as Injun Joe, and David Holt as Sid are particularly outstanding. | The current version of “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” is certainly an adventure in a moving picture palace—and an exciting one. Life must, have been exciting during Tom'’s boyhood, although he lived in a‘ sleepy little river town and didn’t know anything about the things that are exciting today. At: least the way Mark Twain wrote about those days they seem exciting; with the river boats and the lazv old Mississippi rolling by. Yes, sir. Sam’l Clemens ought to be mighty pleased with the way they've handled his book. = L.E.H.

Ci vic Offering Portrays

Life in Jesuit Monastery],

Ww en wpirst Legion” opened in New York, a lisse Broadway firstnight sudience discovered there was real and. exciting “theater” in the story ‘of “life in a Jesuit monastery. Tonight and for the next five eve-

nings,

the Civic Theater is certain its patrons will make the same

< discovery “Firs: Legion” is being offered by

the Civie as its season’s outstanding dramatic attraction. For several years the organization has included in its program one play of recognized outstanding merit. So they have given audiences such things 2s “He Who Gets Slapped,” “If This Be Treason, » “Both Your

Houses and other important theattical events. This year Emmet’ -Lavery's

play about the Jesuit House of St. Gregory has been appointed their successor. Fether Sierra, who has been an invalid for more than three years, suddenly recovers completely. The circums’ ances under which the return tc health is effected are so unusual that priests are led to be-

lieve the recovery is a modern mir-

acle. Father Sierra's agnostic physicilan is unable or, un make a scientific explanation of the ¢ure anc his actions encourage the ~ Jesuits in their belief. All except one are convinced of

‘the validity- of the miracle and a|, “ “movement is started to have the “= founder of the House of St. Gregory

“eafionized on the basis of the mar-

i iwelous cure,

. The one priest who is in doubt,

Father Ahern, is appointed as postulator for the cause. His only choice in the matter is to plead a cause in which he has no faith, or to decline to accept the command and resign from the order. Young. and. an idealist, the first alternative is. out of the question. It is Father Ahearn’s problem with which the story chiefly is concerned. Appearing in principal roles are Sidney ‘Sanner, ' David Milligan, Harold Arnholter, Kenneth Badger, James Muller, Thomas Sinclair, Jac Broderick, Hal Hawkes, Eugene McManamon, Clifford Courtney : and Eldon Nyhart. In smaller roles will be Jay Crackel, Jack Helm, Billy Coffin, Don Sharp, John Wildhack and Richard Thomas. The play is directed by Alfred Etcheverry, who also has designed

to | the settings used in the 11 scénes.

DAY—TOMORROW HOPALONS CASAINY Tro=d AGAIN WILL BOYD

Plus! “EASY TO TAKE” MARSHA HUNT MIDNIGHT. SHOW. SATURDAY .

Se a SAE A GOOD SHOW NHN

EXCITING AS BROADWAY ITSELF

fection.

- Action, comedy and romance, film entertainment’s vital ingredients, are all contained in “Snow . White and the Seven Dwarfs,” as the above pictures

B | ever, there is time for a few more

attest. The Walt Disney full-length, color picture returned to the Apollo today, after a week’s absence, to begin its fifth Indianapolis week.

String Quartet Praised in Beethoven-Borodin Program

Two of music’s busy B’s: Beethoven, one of the great triumvirate, and Borodin, of somewhat lesser stature, provided the material for yesterday’s concert by the Indianapolis Symphony String Quartet, at Miss Lucy Taggart’s residence, 1331 N. Delaware St. This was the second of three appearances which are serving to introduce the new ensemble to

chamber music lovers. Beethoven was represented by the

first. of the Rasumovsky Quartets

(Opus 59), that in F major. This work is so well known and its beauties haxe been extolled so often that it is idle to attempt anything more

-here. Its craftsmanship, its eloquent

message .and boundless delights to the hearer place it unquestionably among music’s great masterpieces.

Yet the opportunities to hear such works at first hand continue to be rare in the Middle West. The reasons are obvious. First, we must have skilled musicians with a love of quartet playing willing to undertake the prodigious labors toward perThis. means, too, many hours available for rehearsal. Then there are many whose taste has not been stimulated to the enjoyment of chamber music, though radio and records are ‘helping to remove this deficiency.

Borodin’s Quartet Played

At any rate, we have heard so much this season. And surely as the orchestra becomes more a part of our life, its players will continue to give us more good things, as ‘Messrs. Boris ‘Schwarz, Avram Weiss, Jules

DE MILLE A 'RED,' GERMANY FEARS.

HOLLYWOOD, March. 18 (U. P.) —Paramount Studios foreign office announced. today that Cecil B. De Mille’s “The Plainsman” had -been . barred from Germany. because of a cablegram De ‘Mille once' sent to Russia. The German Propaganda Ministry, Paramount said, suspected Mr. De Mille of consorting with the Soviets. « The studio, ransacking Mr. De Milles files, found a cablegram dictated in 1935 to Boris Shumiatsky, then ‘head of the . Soviet film industry. It read: “Season’s Greetings.” Shumiatsky a week earlier

blegram: “Merry Christmas.” Since then, Shumigtsky has been “liquidated,” but Mr. De Mille still is a pillar of the Republican Party. :

had sent Mr. De Mille this ca-

, | Salkin and Paulo Gruppe are doing at present. Besides the Beethoven quartet, the symphony players (they are concertmaster, assistant concertmaster, principal viola and cello of the orchestra) also played Borodin’s Quartet in D Major, No. 2. This is the quartet with the “Nottwrno” whose swooning phrases are so popular. The whole quartet's enjoyment is less exacting for interpreters and listeners alike, and fared somewhat better than the Beethoven at yesterday’s concert. The - occasion disclosed sevenleague strides of improvement among the players. Naturally their attainments are still short of Olympian, but there is a growing tonal balance and accord of interpretation. Individual tone quality also sounded much better, though there were still frequent intonation difficulties. On March 31 the final concert of the series will be given at the J. A. Goodman home on Kessler Blvd. The hour is 4:45 p. m. and tickets will be available at the door. J.

FRANK MONEYHUN | STILL IN HOSPITAL |

; ” Frank Moneyhun, former Greater |

| Indianapolis Amusement Co. advertising. manager,’ remains in 81

critical condition in. St. John’s

‘Hospital, : Anderson, ‘A.W. Baker,

Cirele manager, said today. . Mr. Moneyhun was injured when

his car. overtutned near’ Anderson |:

last week. His brother,’ who was

riding with him, is reported re- :

covering.

DENISON "BUFFET Finest Cocktails and. Lunches

REASONABLE PRICES Cocktail Hour 4 to 6

131 N. Pennsylvania Mildred Morgan, Mgr.

BALCONY 30¢ AFTER 6

TODAY!

«+ » Grand Movie. ; Walter Winchell.

Supremely and Gloriously Funny and Exciting. N. Y. World-Telegram.

MARK: TWAIN'S GREATEST... 5k Fil Yoo Heart With Laughter - Dampen Your Eyes With Tears!

LAUGH when Tom ‘and his Becky get *‘engaged”!

SOB when Tom and Huck Finn runaway from home!

CHEER when he risks death to jail 9 savage killer!

THRILL in grave yards at midnight! Lost in caves®

LIVE AGAIN for two joyous hours those happy days of long fige that can never come back. You and your first ~ sweetheart: She chrill of Shak frst kiss n barefoot days’

IN TECHNICOLOR

‘With Real Kids Playing the Parts ~ TOMMY KELLY ANN Gillis . May Robson . Huge Stat Cast

AVID O

ENICHK PROUD

IC 1 {ON

WHAT, WHEN, WHERE

‘APOLLO

“Snow = White and the Seven Dwarfs,’ at 11:43, 1:49, 3:55, 6: 01, 8:07 and 10:13.

CIRCLE

She ep Fields and his Orchestra, stage at 13:49, 3:42, 6:35 and, Tg man Dark,” with Gladys Swarthout snd John Barty more, on screen at 11:10, 2:04, 4: 7:50 and 10:34.

First on: aa Hi Legion: Es “Mad About Musie,” with De Durbin and ye There, Marshall, 3 at

12:42, 3:48, 0 and ith Nan Gra 3 an Gr ole 1:36, 3:40,

“The Blac 3 “LoEW's

and Donald “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,” with Tommy Kelly and May Robson, at 12:40, 5:45, 5 and 10:05. “Start Cheering”. with Jiminy DuJujite and Wal ars Connolly, at 11:15,

, 5:30 an ‘LYRIC Vaudeville, with Borrah Minevich’s

Harmonica Ras 0s and sta e at 1:05, 3: $

by Emmet

OHIO

“Hop-A- Long Cassidy with William Boyd. Take,” with Marsha H

ALAMO LL Locked Book il ith Earbats

Als isin Fred Aan .

AMBASSADUR “Lives. of a Bengal Lancer,” with Gary Cooper. Also. “You' u’re a Sweetheart,” with Alice Faye.

o Returns 1” Easy to

land finds it is an advertisement for

J Smm——onight! sm D

: RUDY BUNDY

- AND HIS ORCHESTRA ‘Admission, 40c’

EEN

ITE

LT

Entértainment a

Except. Sunday"

day ‘rom 7 ol A. M,

“ART PRunA BERRY

and His Band Featuring EDYTHE ‘BROWN .

Comedienne

‘Mad About Music’ Hailed | As Greatest Picture of rbin’s Career|

Herbert Marshall Gives Effective Performance as Mythical Father; Cappy Barra Band

Deanna Du

Rounds Out

By JAMES THRASHER

° Time marches on; there’s no use trying to dispute - it at this late date. But, in Deanna Durbin’s case, we moviegoers

to wish it didn’t.

This 15-year-old miss is growing up, alas, and before we know it

she will have been graduated into She will become an aspiring: young

Indiana Bill. |

have good cause

the stereotyped “filmusical” roles. singer, torn between love and an

opera career. Later, she will be seen? as a prima donna, torn between the same things. Meanwhile, how-

such delightful pictures as “Mad About Music,” now at the Indiana. Miss Durbin has made three pictures for Universal, and all have been fresh, tuneful and wholesome entertainment. The present one is, in many ways, the best of the lot. If, as has been said, this young star is the- studio’s only money maker, then the producers deserve all they can get and more power to them. For they have shown the rest of the industry that songs can be put into a picture without making it ponderously dull. The fact that the hint hasn’t been taken does not suffract any credit.

Engaging Narrative

“Mad About Music” tells the sad but amusing story of an imaginative youngster in a Swiss girs school, and tells it in an engaging, credible fashion. Gloria Harkinson’s mother (Gail Patrick) is Gwen Taylor, a Hollywood “glamour girl.” Her father, a former Navy flier, is dead. Gloria (Miss Durbin) is left out of her schoolmates’ conversations, because she is sworn to secrecy concerning her mother’s identity. It would never do, of course, to have the public find out their . screen favorite had a ‘14-year-old daughter. So Gloria invents a father. He is an explorer and big game hunter. Her mother supplies her with “trophies,” and she manages to obtain some African animal pictures, with the hunter’s back to the camera. Felice, one of Gloria’s catty little chums, discovers that “Mr. Harkinson’s” letters are in Giloria’s handwriting. She also takes one of “Daddy’s” pictures out of the frame,

Jumbo Cheese.

So Gloria is hard put. In fact, she gets to the point where she says

STARTS TODAY |

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MARSHALL

HA bin lig J

rs

Drama and

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Todd is persuaded into playing ball

|TALBOTT

MECCA

her father is arriving on the afternoon train. The school follows her to the station, en masse. There is nothing to do but grab the first likely looking man who gets off. The candidate is an English song composer, Richard Todd (Herbert Marshall). Finally: the reluctant Mr. with the idea, thanks to his charming new daughter, Mr. Todd helps Gloria to get around her mother’s manager and efféct a reunion when the actress comes to Paris. And of course, Mr. Tadd likes the idea of being Gloria's father so well that he takes it on as a full-time job. The picture's chief selling point is Deanna’s winning and unaffected manner and, of course, her exceptional voice. The singing, by: the way, isn’t overdone, nor is the young

PAGE

~ 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 19.

“Ave Maria,” with the help of the Vienna Choir Boys, and three pope ular songs. : There are several side attractions as well, Mr.. Marshall is just the man for the part. Miss Patrick and William Frawley, as‘ her manager, are excellent. As the hero’s guide, philosopher and friend, as well as butler, Arthur Treacher does his usual enjoyable job. Jackie Moran draws the assign ment of being Miss Durbin’s first cinema beau, and.the Cappy Barra . Harmonica Band, recently on the Lyric stage, also is present. Seeing “Mad About Music” and, recently, “A Slight Case of Murder,” one’s hope is aroused. that the nite wit comedy’s day is passing. The Indiana’s feature presents situation comedy in the best sense of the word. It’s a joy to see it.

SLL DLT 11] ys

F NOW! oui Sweeothes yn “Lives of a

Gary

star forced into music beyond her present ability. She does the Gounod

Cooper BENGAL ZaNCERL

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Tonight's Presentation at Your

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