Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 August 1938 — Page 11

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" Mohawk Drama Festival

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Makes Its 3d Stand at Beautiful Union College

School Is the Scene of What Is Believed to Have

Been America's First University Play; President . Skilfully Upholds Tradition.

By JAMES THRASHER Times Staff Writer ; SCHENECTADY, N. Y., Aug. 8—America on wheels may find in This vicinity three fairly new but already distinguished summer fes-

Forty miles to the east is the Bennington Festival of the Dance, at Bennington, Vt. A like distance to the southeast is found the Berkshire Festival, presented by the Boston Symphony Orchestra, at

- Stockbridge, Mass. The angle’s vertex is here on the campus of 143-year-old Union College, where the, Mohawk Drama Festival has taken its stand for the third successive summer.

Union College has a dramatic tra dition, a theater-loving president and a beautiful campus, three factors which combined to make the festival possible. Besides being the alma mater of John Howard Payne —he wrote plays as well as “Home Sweet Home”—it was the scene, in 1814, of what is believed to have been America’s first college produced play. In the ensuing 120 years, both the college and its drama department had their ups and downs until the arrival of President Dixon Ryan Fox. Dr. Fox found that the col-

- lege’s spacious grounds and ancient

buildings were closed in the summer, nearly forgotten by the townspeople

- and unseen by tourists.

Plans Summer Plays

And because he had engaged in faculty theatricals at Columbia, boasted a membership in the Players Club and was an ardent

stage devotee, he planned a series of summer plays to indulge his old love and a pride in his new home’s beauty. ; For professional assistants, Dr. Fox chose Mr. and Mrs. Charles Coburn. Mrs. Coburn died last year, but Mr. Coburn, now nationally famous after 40 years in the theater, is continuing the festival's direction. The movie-going public saw Mr. Coburn first as Dr. Shingle in “Of Human Hearts.” They saw him again gs the Scotch doctor in “Yellow Jack”; the college president in “Vivacious Lady,” and as the head of the seaman’s training school in “Lord Jeff.” They remembered him, not only because he is an excellent actor, but because he’s the only American who can wear a monocle and get away with it. Mr. Coburn’s monocle is no affectation. It performs a corrective function, and gives way only to a pair of spectacles for reading, or to the Yankee necessities of such roles as David Harum or Maverick Brander in Hoyt’s 1890-model farce, “The Texas Steer.” Mention of these two parts high-

lights the Mohawk Festival's accent | /

on Americana. Productions are varied, and include Shakespeare and Sheridan and, occasionally, a new play. But it emphasizes the best

"works in the native tradition, as do

the great English festivals at Malvern and Stratford. The Schenectady group really is more - than the usual summer theater. It is called, properly, the Mohawk Drama Festival and Institute of the Theater. That is a high sounding title which might mean almost anything. Actually it means that the festival functions both as public entertainment and in an educational capacity.

Has Guest Stars

Like the usual summer theater, it has its guest stars and a limited quota of “student apprentices.” But it also has a Carnegie Corp. grant, a charter from the New York Board of Regents and full co-operation of the college. Most college drama departments are years behind the times though largely through unavoidable ¢ircumstances. In other fields they have offered students practical, vocational training. They have hired noted research workers for their science departments, distinguished teachers for their music schools, and famous

" historians, novelists and poets.

The theater, however, claimed the best actors during the college year. Instruction was left to the theoretician or the theatrically unsuccessful. Tricks of the trade had to be learned later, if the ambitious young thespian was lucky enough ‘to get a walk-on part. The Mohawk Institufe, as separate from the festival, boasts of 40 Broadway professionals. Most of them teach morning classes. There are lectures by guest stars, techniclans, critics and “dramaologists” like Elliott Norton of the Boston Post and Sheldon Cheney. In reality, however, there is no separation between festival and institute. Liberated from the dog-eat-dog, bread-and-butfer existence of the professional theater, the Broadway actors give freely of their knowledge and advice. Students and professionals eat in a common dining room. There is a “Dutch Treat Club” in one of the college buildings where there is a general “post-mortem” discussion after each evening's performance. The normal student doubtless rather would know how to steal a scene than what Plato thought of Aristophanes. .

Other Theaters on Itinerary

Since we were proceeding toward other summer theaters under forced draft, no time remained to stay over for a performance of “The Texas Steer.” But rehearsals are more fun anyway, even when they are in an outdoor theater under a broiling sun. Many nights of theater-going will fail to reveal Charles Coburn playing a Texas politician in cork helhet and eye glass. Or James Kirkwood, the former stage and screen matinee idol, doing a Negro servant

- in a pair of shorts and a beautiful

coat of tan. Or Lyster Chambers, on a summer vacation of the New York revival of Shaws’ “On the Rocks,” attempting pompous dignity

. in a bathing suit

The rehearsal’ stage director was Percival Vivian, the English Shakespearean who introduced me to the Bard, within the flapping

TTC 5% Mansi CARROLL- LL HENRY FONDA

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confines of a chautauqua tent some

20 years ago.

Lurking somewhere in = modest:

anonymity was William Post Jr. harrassed young parent in “The Birth of a Baby.” There was a credible rumor among the Mohawk players that Mr. Post is not one of our prouder vicarious parents, and that he’d be happy to have his entire dramatic contribution to that film forgotten speedily. As for Mr. Coburn, he will return to Hollywood in the fall. He capitulated to the movies’ blandishments only after several years, and on the condition that he be allowed to choose his own parts. His next role promises to be another “fat” one—that of the German scientist in Robert E. Sherwood’s “Idiot’s Delight.”

Surprise—500 Drink on Gable

Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 8.—Clark Gable had been treating the company to soft drinks. He thought it about time that Jack Conway, the director, should dig into his pockets. Mr. Conway took a look around the “Too Hot to Handle” set, then insisted on “treating the house” to four cases of soft drinks. There were no more than fifty persons working on the stage.

The entire company thanked Mr.

.Gable, instead of Mr. Conway, and

the former retorted: “I might as well take credit for it . . . You're taking credit for all my acting.” But Mr. Conway had the last laugh. He obtained Mr. Gable’s promise to buy on the following day. Mr, Gable didn’t know it, but Mr. Conway had ordered 500 extras for the next day’s shooting.

[LOOKS PART

Guest of Local Man.

.Abraham Lincoln walked the streets of Indianapolis today! Of couse, not the Great Emancipator, but a man whose resemblance to the 16th President has been called “remarkable.” He is Judge Charles E. Bull, movie star and actor, who is visiting Edd W. Beard, 1327 N. Talbott St. Judge Bull, who was born in a

looked like “Honest Abe” and followed in his footsteps by becoming a lawyer. He was elected judge in Reno, Nev. He also is a student of Lincolniana, having a library of 500 volumes on Lincoln. He has appeared in two motion pictures, “The Iron Horse” and “The Heart of Maryland,” and has written a Lincoln sketch in which he appears.. Nearing completion is his anthology of Lincoln stories. During the Century of Progress in Chicago he took part in the Lincoln Village episodes. He will leave shortly for New “York to appear in their 1939 World’s Fair.

Cap. Louis Van Den Ecker, technical adviser on “Devil’s Island,” underwent. 23 different operations for shrapnel wounds received dur-

ing the World War.

Password

By PAUL HARRISON HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 8.—(NEA)—Short takes:

Colossal’ Once Again Is

in Hollywood

A visitor on the sets

commented about the numbr of famous actresses he had seen knitting

as they sat around between scenes.

“Yeah,” said a dour press agent, “it

gives ’em something to think about while they're talking.” Still demonstrating that the Rand is quicker than the eye, Sally is ap-

pearing at a local theater with her fans and bubbles. program with Charlie McCarthy, ©

For the radio

there was talk of equipping Miss Rand with a set of Venetian blinds. But as the star of a picture, called “Murder on Sunset Boulevard,” she’ll be decorously dressed. Georges Rigaud, “French” actor from the Argentine, leaves Paramount after a' year with a fair knowledge of English and the substantial remains of a $100,000 salary. But he didn’t make any pictures because he still has too heavy an accent. : Doing It Big

After eight months of panic and penury, talkietown is beginning to use the terms “colossal” and “terrific” again. Metro budgeted $112,000 for a single sequence, a ship burning, in “Too Hot to Handle.” One of its back lots, a 30-acre tract, is covered with a set for “The Great Waltz’—a town with a street a quarter of a mile long... .Warners will spend $200,000 on their technical version of the San Francisco earthquake in “The Sisters.” . An RKO company will live and work for two months on a mountain location for “Gunga Din.” Five hundred carpenters are preparing sets and quarters for them now. . . David Selznick will produce pio tanic” and Walter Wanger may do “Leviathan.” ... And in a few weeks Hollywood production should reach an all-time high, with about 70 flickers rolling from the cameras. As usual, however, quickie producers are still starving. One of

WHAT, WHEN, WHERE

APOLLO’

“Little Tough Guy,” with Dead End Kids, Jac 4 Sear], Billy Halo! at 11:03, 1:54. 4:45 17:26. and 10:07, “Ladies in Distress. * with Alison Skipworth, Po Moran, Robert Biv gston. at 12: 47. 3:38. 6:19, and

CIRCLE

“The Texans.’ with Joan Bennats, prandolpn, Se Scott, May Robson, 4:35, 7:20 and 10:05. dog Drummond. * with John J. Carroll Naish, Beather at 12:45. 3:25. 6:10, and 8:50.

LOEW'S

“Algiers,” with Charles Boyer. Hedy Lamar, rd Gurie. at 12:44.

3:45, 6:50 Tonk p iin Edith Fel

Angel,

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Leo Carrillo, T 17%. 5°35 C475, Tommy Bond.

LYRIC

“My Bil, * with Kay Francis, Dick Moore. Bonita 11:44, 2: 2% 5:24, 8:14, y, oan vio% +35. st Vaudeville with Phil anise chestra, Nick Lucas, 2 Ruth Ro

in. % 1:05; 3:55, 6:45, an

them was seen knocking at the wolf’s door. Bing Crosby and Paramount really are battling over the title of his new picture, First it was “Sing, You Sinners”; now it’s “The Unholy Beebes.” His indignation—so great that he refused to show up for work the other day—isn’t merely over an inept title, but because his music publishing company printed all the sheet music with the original tag and now may have to scrap it.

Finish Two Scripts

Charlie Chaplin and Tim Durant say they’ve finished the scripts of two pictures—one for Chaplin himself and one for Paulette Goddard —maybe. . . . Gary Cooper will portray an officer under General Custer in “Seventh Cavalry,” and Custer’s last stand is to be filmed at its actual location on the Little Big Horn. Condolences already are in order for Producer Goldwyn and Writers Howard Estabrook and William Rankin; they're sure to be rapped for inaccuracies because there are half a dozen theories of what actually happened at the Little Big Horn. And nobdy really knows. Classified ad in the Hollywood Reporter: “I want a position—not a job. . . . Young single man, 22 years old, no references, lazy, incompetent and very shiftless. Seeking good steady employment starting at $30 a week. Will consider more. Call me at GL-1492, but not before 10 a. m. (IT sleep late).”

The guy wants to be a producer! Queried about her intellectual interests, a race-mad actress replied: “I belong to a Bookie-of-the-Month Club.” Lupe Velez has taken over the old Jack Dempsey house across the Mexican border and will settle down there with Johnny Weissmuller. Or will settle him down there. He won’t even have aswimming pool. Property men were scurrying around looking for a telephone to place on a set. “I'll bring you mine,” offered a wistful little extra girl. “It hasn’t rung in three years”

* NOT ON THE SQUARE

George Brent has ordered a special round bed seven feet in diameter because he tosses so much in his sleep.

CARRIES SPARE CAR

gas so often he carries a small motor scooter in the rear of his car.

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Howe Joe Cool.C

AIFS PIVEY

LOEWS

HAVE YOU RH-E-A-R-D ABOUT HEDY?

CHARLES JSOYER LAMAR R

. LIES :

“Abe Lincoln” Visits Here|

Great Emancipator's Double

Texas log cabin, early noted he.

FOR CONVERSATION—

Anthony Averill has run out of | i

® The audience refused to pick a winner from this group of “amateurs” when they competed in Tommy Dorsey’s Swing Contest, so the $75 prize was given to the Community Chest. Left to right, the “novices”

Murray, clarinet; trombone.

are: Jack Benny, violin; Dick Powel], cornet; Ken

; Bing Crosby, drums; Shirley Ross,

‘piano, and Tommy Dorsey, the contest director,

‘ Hollywood notebook.

IN NEW YORK —s core ross

Polo Attracts Hollywood Stars in Droves; Shirley Temple's Big-Brother on Lot. EW YORK, Aug. 8—More leaves from a Manhattan columnist’s

The Uplifters’ Ranch, about 15 minutes from Beverly Hills, is the site of the Will Rogers Memorial Polo Field, where most of Holjywood’s equestrian activity takes place. Darryl Zanuck rides that green turf at least three times a week and many he film colonists follow suit.

We journeyed out there on a® recent afternoon to watch a polo game between teams sponsored by Ginger Rogers and Joan Bennett for the benefit of the Motion Picture Relief Fund. Blond Ginger’'s team won and the vivacious little lady made a pretty speech felicitating Spencer Tracy, Walter Wagner, Sharlie Farrell and the

participated in the game. Miss Bennett, hiding beneath a sunbonnet, the brim of which blocked the view for yards around, remained mum, Polo in those parts brings out the stars in droves. These are the movie folk we saw in the grandstands: Frank and Ralph Morgan, Joan Crawford and Franchot Tone (they announced their ‘separation two hours afterward), Nancy Carroll, Jean Hersholt, Boris Karloff (sporting a scraggly beard for his role in “Devil's Island”), Robert Montgomery, Loretta Young, Pat O’Brien, Betty Warner, Frank = Borzage, Kay Prancis. 8 8 =

NE of the popular and most amiable toilers at the 20th Century-Fox studios is Jack Temple. His official title is assistant director. And his claim to fame is his kid sister, Shirley. He is tall, slim and has a gawky way of

lutely no resemblance between him and the blond little member of his family. He is no novice to the film studios, for he was gaining experience on the lot long before Shirley became America’s diminutive sweetheart.

We crossed his path in Hollywood the day Shirley with her parents left New York for a restful voyage:to Bermuda. He asked for news. Did the mobs make life uncomfortable for the Temples in Manhattan? Did they have a nice suite at the Waldorf? Did we see Shirley? Did the newspapermen like her? And so forth. He had just spoken to his mother on the long-distance telephone and it seemed to him that she sounded tired. Would they get a few days of peace in Bermuda? We didn’t know. ~ Shirley’s big brother wore a broad smile... Well, he was glad to talk to someone who had just someone who had seen Shirley New

York. 2 ” 2

BROADWAY expatriate who seems to have become one of

Hollywood's endearing citizens is none other than our own, familiar Prince Mike Romanoft.

Prince Mike has been doing all right for himself around there, finding jobs not scarce; and probably the best proof of his success is the sworn testimony that he has been observed paying for a round of drinks at one of the tonier bars. But try to make some of Prince Mike’s old friends in New York believe that! Anyway, the Prince has slipped in and out of many a picture, mainly on the 20th Century-Fox lot because Darryl Zanuck is fond of the engaging imposter. - He has a part in the forthcoming “Ellis Island,” but the role had to be changed at the last minute. It seems they were going to ask him to impersonate Prince Mike Romanoff in the picture. The tests showed that he didn’t look the type.

OLYMPE RECOVERING

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 8 (U. P.).— Olympe Bradna, actress, was recovering today from a sunstroke suffered while playing badminton in 113-degree weather. She was ordered to remain in bed several days.

COOL OZONIZED AIR

24:3 [e

4 AST DAYS!

THE a) HOUR STAR

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and Hic

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other poloists of the screen who

moving around. There is abso-

| SANDERS

Claims Van Dyke Is Like Dentist

Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 8—Working with W. S. Van Dyke is exactly the same experience as taking gas at the dentist’s, declared Herman Bing as he completed his role in “Sweet-

hearts,” the first picture in which he has appeared with this director. “You step before the camera, just as if you were stepping up to the dentist’s chair,” explained the comedian. “Van Dyke hypnotizes you and you don’t know a thing that has happened until you come to, just as though you were coming out of the anesthetic. In the case of the dentist's office, the tooth is out. In the case of Van Dyke, the scene for this Jeanette MacDonald-Nelson Eddy musical is shot. “The only difference between Van and the dentist is that the latter's parting words are ‘I'll mail you the bill’ Van Dyke just says ‘Print it.’”

Shirley Is Back In Hollywood

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 8 (U. P.).— Shirley Temple and Eddie Cantor were back in Hollywood today. Cantor, for one of the few times in his life, was forced to stand aside while the juvenile star captured the attention of a large crowd when they disembarked from the train. Several hundred persons jammed the Pasadena Railroad Station to witness the arrival of Shirley. Mr. Cantor quietly left the train and was almost putside before he was recognized. Shirley was returning from a tour of the country while Mr. Cantor and his wife arrived from a European trip during which they helped raise $500,000 for Jewish refugees to build homes in Palestine.

Bogart to Take His Third Bride

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 8 (U. P.)— Humphrey Bogart, actor, today announced his marriage to Mayo

| Methot, screen actress, would take

place Aug. 20 in Beverly Hills. Following the ceremony, Mr. Bogart said, they will leave for a honeymoon trip to Seattle. It will be his third marriage and the second for Miss Methot.

~ WRITING HABIT Olivia de Havilland corresponds

‘regularly with 23 friends, seven of

whom are fans she has never met.

Film Cast in Curious Way

Mr. Moto i in Egypt’ Actors “Are Strange Mixture.

Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 8.—Breaking into ‘motion pictures was accomplished by strange methods by most of the members of the “Mr. Moto in Egypt” cast. Success for John Carradine came as he paraded down Hollywood Boulevard reciting Shakespeare. Ceci] B. DeMille paid little attention to the eccentricity of his actions but did notice his deep baritone voice. Virginia Field's opportimity came while strolling in Vienna. A stranger seized her, dragged her to a sidewalk cafe and asked if she wanted to go on the stage. The man was Dr. George Martin, Viennese impressario, who gave her a role in “All's Well That Ends Well.”

Screen Test by Accident

Coming to New York Miss Field read lines for an actor who was making a screen test. Darryl Zanuck saw the test, was unimpressed by the young man but offered her a contract. From fourteen tons of photographs, “Margaret Irving, was selected as the winner of a worldwide beauty contest in which there were nearly 50 million entries. The producer, C. B. Dillingham, saw her picture, placed her in a show and two weeks later she played the lead after the star eloped. Little Joan Carol, 6, was among the children trying for a role in “The First Baby.” She was too old for the part but Director Lewis

charm and" personality he had a part written for her.

Jack Long, Film Stunt Man, Dies

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 8 (U. P.).— Jack Long, film stunt man, died yesterday from injuries received while riding a motorcycle. He was taking his “day off” from hazardous movie stunts. Mr. Long’s leg was crushed in a traffic collision and had to be amputated. He had several blood transfusions.

SHOOTS THE WORKS

Errol Flynn, an amateur camera enthusiast, recenfly spent $1500 for a special-order telephoto lens turret.

Seiler was so impressed with her

star Aids

Secretary's

Miss Lamour Arranges

Bridegroom's Leave From Work.

HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 8 (U.P).— Knoles Smith Jr., 24, secretary of

lac, Mich, arrived here today and will be married tonight in Beverly Hills—thanks to Dorothy Lamour. Mr. Smith’s bride will be Charlo

‘Holden, 23, secretary to Miss La‘mour.

The couple was in despair Vensiise Mr. Smith couldn’t get time off to leave Cadillac, and Miss Holden's stepfather, a movie worker, couldn't go to Cadillac to witness the ceremony. Miss Lamour straightened things out by interceding with the Chamber to give Mr. Smith time off for

his marriage, guaranteeing his salary would continue and arranging

not be able to witness the ceremony because she is recuperating

performed a week ago.

Catholic Cleric Porirays Self

Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Aug. 8—The Rt. Rev. Msgr. Edward J. Flanagan, founder of Boys Town, Neb. became a motion picture actor in Hollywood when he portrayed himself. The film was “City of Little Men,” a short subject which deals with the community that Msgr. Flanagan founded 25 years.ago, and where he has cared for 4500 boys. ‘When the Monsignor arrived on the set, he found Robert Taylor's dressing room, with the actor's name crossed out, and his in place. There was also a director's chair with his name painted on the back. During the morning, he worked in two “takes” and then went to lunch with Director William Thiele. During lunch, Msgr. Flanagan turned to the director and said, laughingly: “I think I'll go Hollywood.” Later in the day, Spencer Tracy visited the set and asked Msgr. Flanagan for pointers on how to portray himself on the screen, for Tracy is portraying Msgr. Flanagan in “Boys Town.”

JOB PETITELY SAFE

Janet Gaynor, costarred with Robert Montgomery in “Three Loves Has Nancy,” acted as bank messenger for a shoe store because she looked so tiny and unsophisticated no one would suspect her of carrying thousands of dollars.

2] | [VI

2 DAYS ™ 3 yr, SHOW “BR. RHYTHM”

Loretta Young “Four Men and a Prayer”

a 0 RN EE DRUMMOND

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INDIANAPOLIS GREATEST AIR SHOW

NEXT SUNDAY—AUGUST 14 MUNICIPAL AIRPORT

ADMISSION 50c

Tickets Now on Sale at ALL LINCO STATIONS TWA OFFICE—CLAYPOOL HOTEL

Tonight's Presentations

At Your Neighborhood Theater

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Dead End Kids * JMogNeEmEr. |

WEST SIDE

Nuptial Plan|

the Chamber of Commerce of Cadil- |

for the wedding. The actress will |

YOUR VACATION

from an emergency appendectomy WE

Be Sure to Have The Times Mailed to You. Phone

RI-555],

Indianapolis