Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 December 1938 — Page 32
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School Days|
Live Again in
‘What a Life’
Nor Are They Happy
. Ones but Embarrassing
And Actual.
By JAMES THRASHER
When Clifford Goldsmith wrote “What a Life,” he not only turned
cut a truly funny play, but he
showed up, once and for all, those
7
New Garfield
tiresome people who have patted all _ of us on the head and said, with * sentimental smugness: “Remember,
my boy, your school days are the}
happiest days of your life.” Mr. Goldsmith’s strictly curricular farce took up its week-end stand at English’s last night and unfolded
our high school years in all their| 5%
embarrassing actuality. If you can look at Henry Aldrich, arraigned before the principal’s bar of justice, charged with pawning the school’s band instruments, suspended for cribbing an examination in Roman history, barred from taking his best girl to the junior dance, flanked by an irate mother—if- you can do this and not suffer vicarious torture, b you're either a grownup teacher's pet or an amnesia victim. Yet the play's humor is not as + sadistic as one finds in most plays and stories of adolescence. Mr. Goldsmith, a former high school lecturer (and surely a former student), has written of the things he knows. His wit is keen, and his laughs are
drawn logically from the characters|”
and surroundings. Puppy Love Unnecessary
Long-suffering puppy love is not called upon here to bear the farcical brunt. The author has found plenty of risible material in the hidebound discipline, the fussy and astigmatic faculty, Latin and locker rooms, chapel exercises and office efficiency, teen-age vanity, bewilderment and inefficiency. There is, too, a merited slap at certain educational methods. And the doting, selfish parent which refuses to concede its offspring any mental independence whatsoever also comes in for a few jolts. But we mustn't be too serious about it. “What a Life” doesn’t pretend to solve any problems. Its purpose is to be fast, furious and funny—and to introduce you to Henry. You can’t help liking Henry, especially as Eddie Bracken plays him. Henry is quick-witted but slightly thick-skulled. At home he is hampered by reminders that he is an Aldrich, that his father made Phi Beta Kappa, and that the family is making every sacrifice to send him to Princeton. At school neither his remarkable bent for getting into trouble nor his skill at caricaturing the teachers are quite appreciated,
Bracken Scores Again
Of course, there is a nasty classmate who shifts his own wrongdoings onto Henry, and one understanding teacher who finally gives him spunk enough to demand a transfer to the South Side trade school where he can take up art. And there are side plots without ‘much claim to attention here. The play’s third act does a “shuffle off to Buffalo” and everyth:ng is patched up in a rather alarming apple-pie order. But the first two acts are uproarious, and the last act’s curtain speech is funny enough . to absolve anything that has gone before. Young Mr. Bracken does Henry
with such spirit and captivating
‘fidelity as to make you forget how much of the comedian’s art he has captured so early in the game. He's the same Eddie Bracken who was a hit in last year’s “Brother Rat,” and he gives promise of going places in his particular line. The rest of the cast is excellent, as George Abbott's casts have a way of being. And the whole production breezes ong in the best Abbott manner, ‘dancing on the edge of broad farce, but never taking that discouraging plunge into slapstick. —— ee ————
DEPAUW TO GIVE 'MESSIAH' DEC. 18
A performance of Handel’ “Messiah” will be given in Greencastle Sunday night, Dec. 18, under auspices of the DePauw University School of Music. Soloists will be Carmen Siewart, soprano; Edna Tyne Bowles, contralto; Perry Rush, tenor, and Edmond Jarvis, baritone. The DePauw Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Herman Berg, will accompany.
STILL IN FAMILY
Twenty years ago Arthur Treacher was a “super” in the London production of “The Man Who Came Back,” starring Mary Nash. Now, in Shirley Temple's “The Little Princess” Treacher plays Mary Nash's brother.
at the Indiana tonight. And here
“Thanks - for Everything,” which glorifies the “average man,” will; have its official world premiere
is a serious mo-
ment from the new farce, with Jack Haley (seated) viewing with alarm. His fellow worriers are Jack Oakie Adolph Menjou and Binnie Barnes.
The eternal triangle, and a blond one at that, keeps the interest at concert pitch in “The Road to Reno,” opening today at the Ambassador.
Left to
right are Glenda Farrell, Randolph Scott and Hope Hampton. This is Miss Hampton's first movie since she deserted Hollywood for opera several years ago,
Mayor May Fire
Movie ‘Firemen’
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 8 (U. P.).— Hollywood movie stars were in danger today of losing their shiniest
: |badges, as Los Angeles prepared
to eliminate its ey fire department of 1500 members—all chiefs. Fletcher Bowron, the new ‘re-
. {form” mayor, checking up on honors
passed out by the hundreds uncer past administrations, found enough honorary fire chiefs among the movie studios to staff the depart
¢ |ment.
: | Temple,
Among the chiefs ure Shirley Walt Disney, Al Jolson,
: |Hoot Gibson, Ken Murray, Claire i | Trevor, Leo Carillo and Franchot
Tone, It was recommended by Chief Ralph Scott, the only one who works at his job, that all the rest be eliminated by adoption of a new style badge.
| BEN DAVIS HIGH
PLAYS TONIGHT
The Mask and Gavel Club of Ben Davis High School will present three one-act plays tonight in the new high school building. Twenty-three Shortridge. - High School seniors have been selected for parts in their class play, after
|a two-weeks tryout period. The
play, “First Lady,” will be given April 14. Misses Eleanor Dee Theek and Nora“ Thomas had charge of the auditions.
Plot Old, but
Loew’s new movie, “The Young its principal characters: Since it is given for not being good.
banks Jr., Roland Young and Billie
Characters
Charm ‘Young in Heart’
in Heart,” has this in common with clever and charming, it can be for-
Responsible for the charm and cleverness are David O. Selznick, the producer; Richard Wallace, the director; Janet Gaynor, Douglas Fair-
Burke, who play the principal char-
acters referred to; Paul Osborn, who wrote the screen play, and Franz Waxman, who provided about the most amusing musical score since “Snow White.” Perhaps Mr. Osborn should share praise and blame with I. A. R. Wylie, from whose novel, “The Gay Banditti,” the film was made. Certainly Miss Wylie’s plot is not. only ancient but slightly annoying; it’s the one about the rogue (in this case, four of them) who is about to filch the dear old lady’s money, but succumbs to sweetness and light at the end of the accompaniment of tears and hangdog looks.
A Bit Tarnished
There's no telling how often these adventures have been detailed on stage and screen. But Mr. Selznick proved to us in “The Prisoner of Zenda” that he could take a dusty chrome and make it shine. Here again he has exactly the right combination working to produce one of the waning year’s most graceful comedies.
You'll want to see and remember the Carletons, so here they are. Mr. Young plays Col. Anthony “Sahib” Carleton, late of the Bengal Lancers. Of course, he’s really a Canadian named Higgins, who adopted the character from one he once played in stock. And of course he’s never been near India. Then there are “Marmy,” his wife (Miss Burke), and the children, George-Anne and Richard, played by Miss Gaynor and Mr. Fairbanks. We meet them as they are being run off the reservation at the Riviera, having just about hooked a Georgia Senator’s fortune by marrying off Richard to his fat, bespectacled daughter. Given tickets to London, they meet a kindly, wealthy and lonesome old lady en route. The train is wrecked and they save her life. So she invites them to be guests in her London home,
They Go to Work
To keep up appearances Sahib and Richard make the ultimate sacrifice. They go to work -for the first time in their lives. Sahib sells automobiles, and his son gets a 2-pounds-a-week job in an engineering office. There he falls in love with his boss, a Miss Leslie Saunders (Paulette Goddard). George-Anne meanwhile is having her own love troubles with Duncan McCrae, a hard-headed, tight-fisted and strictly moral young Scot. Eventually, of course, the men begin to like their work in spite of themselves. When old Miss Fortune falls ill, after having made the Carletons her heirs, the quartet is conscience-stricken. And when she recovers and finds her fortune gone; they take her into their own home
m TONIGHT
Phi! Emerton
and HIS DIAMONDS
4 Hrs. crerinmen
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(their first). The children are married and everyone lives happily ever after. You get no idea of the picture’s merits from this. For you must go and see Mr. Young at his best form in many years; Mr. Fairbanks being ultracharming and amusing; Miss Gaynor showing up as an excellent comedienne; Miss. Burke being her delightful, inimitable self.
Miss Goddard does an. entirely creditable job of her small role, though she scarcely could be expected to live up to her extracinematic fame. Richard Carlson, a newcomer, makes an excellent impression as McCrae, and brings to the screen as fine a Scottish burr as ever came out of Albert Lea, Minn, by way of the Broadway stage. Another Broadway player making her first film appearance is the veteran Minnie Dupree, who is seen as the Carletons’ aged benefactress. Her dramatic material is pretty sweet and sticky, but she gives it a note of sincerity. . The picture also contains one of the few standout comedy scenes of recent memory. That is the one where ‘Sahib and Richard, out job hunting, stop to watch some excavation work. Their comments are indescribably funny, so you'll just have to go and see the scenes for yourself. This and other vastly amusing sequences leave one ready to forgive anything. The whole film is done with such freshness of conception, direction and performance that you scarcely can fail to have a good time. Loews’ other picture, “Listen Darling,” likewise has its enjoyabls moments. It's about a beautiful young widow who is “kidnaped” by her young son, slightly older daughter and the daughter's helpful teenage boy friend, to save her from marrying a stodgy, wealthy banker. Mary Astor is the widow, and Walter Pidgeon the impractical charmer who finally wins her. The children are Freddie Bartholomew (right in the midst of awkward adolescence, poor lad); ‘Judy Garland, chubby and appealing, and
little Scotty Beckett.—J. T.
WHAT, WHEN, WHERE APOLLO
“Peck’s Bad Boy With the Circus,” .with Tommy Kelly, Ann Gillis, Edgar Kenn d. at 12:09, 2:42, 5: 15, 7:48 an “His Exciting Night,”” with Charlie Ruggles, Ona Munson,’ Maxie Rosenbisom, at 11:09, 1:42, 4:15, 6:48 and CIVIC
“High Tor,” by Maxwell Anderson. Presented by Civic Theater players under Edward Stenmetz’ direction. Engagement through Wednesday; curtain at 8:30.
ENGLISH’S
“What a Life,” a coriiedy by Clifford Goldsmith, presented by George Abbott and featuring Eddie Bracken. Curtain at 8:30. Matinee Saturday, INDIANA
“Thanks for Everything, with Jack Haley, 12 dolpne Men Br Jack Oaki e, at 4:44, 7: 36 and
“Tarnished Angel,” © with Sally Eilers, an Miller, at 12:44, 3:36, 6:23
LOEW'S
“The Young in fleart,” with Janet Gaynor, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., Paulette Goddard, Roland Young, Billie Butke., at 11: 00, 1:60, 4:40, 1: 30 and
“Listen Darling, with Freddie Bartholomew, Ju ry Garland, Mary Astor, at 6:15, 9:10, 3:25 and 12:30. 9:10, 3:25 LYRIC
- Hal Kemp's Band (on stage) at 1:09, 3:53, 6:47 and 9:41. “Road Demon’’ (on the screen) with Henry Armetta and Joan Valerie at 11:39, 2:23, 5:17, 8:11 and 10:36.
MOVIES WILL USE MONROE DOCTRINE
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 9 (U. P.)— The development and signing of the Monroe Doctrine—in: English and in Spanish—will be filmed in a color movie, it was announced today. Two separate casts will be used by Warner Brothers, one having President James Monroe portrayed by John Litel for English-speaking audiences, and the other with a Spanish-speaking actor playing the President. The same studio has filmed the “Declaration of Independence,” with Mr. Litel starring as Thomas Jefferson, and other similar historical subjects.
ENGAGES AGENT, GETS ENGAGED
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 9 (U. P).— Lynn Bari, young movie starlet from Roanoke, Va. who hired Walter Kane as an agent eight months ago, agreed today to make the contract more binding. Miss Bari, 18, and Mr. Kane, 36, applied for a marriage license. They will be wed ‘“soon” and honeymoon in New York.
NOW!
BALCONY 30c AFTER 6
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IRVING
a TETRIS
‘High Tor’ at Civic Tonight
Ned Lefevre in Leading Role As Van Dorn.
Maxwell Anderson’s “High Tor” will be presented for the first time in Indianapolis tonight by the Civic Theater. Edward Steinmetz Jr. is staging
theater’s season of eight. Ned Lefevre is cast in the role of Van Van Dorn, a young man who has inherited a mountain. He appreciates the wild beauty of “High Tor” and resents the encroachments of businessmen eager to buy it and deface it for the ores and minerals it contains. Into the story of the play come spirits of ancient Dutch explorers waiting on the mountain top for the return of their ship. They take an active part in assisting Van Dorn defeat the would-be buyers. Other members of the cast are Sidney Sanner, Lillian Wilbur, Eugene McManamon, Henry Jacoby, Nellie McCaslin, Ronald S. Skyrme, Charles McCotter, David Milligan, Eli Messenger, Hal Hawkes, Robert Smock, Wilson Cronewett, C. James McLemore, Walter Craigle, John Wildhack, Kenneth Rothschild, Jack Helm and Jay Crackel.
"HONEST JACK' OAKIE
When J. Anthony Hughes worked in “Tail Spin” at the same time Jack Oakie was on the lot in “Thanks for Everything,” Oakie returned a tie he had borrowed from Hughes in New York 10 years ago.
the production, the third in the]:
HERE'S A DIG AT MOVIE MAKERS
Times Special HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 9— Steam shovels working on the site of a new Hollywood department store are drawing even greater crowds than usual with. the following sign: “Excavations Are Your Best Entertainment.”
| busybody wife who always says the
WANTS PREMIERE IN 'HOME TOWN'
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 9 (U. P.).— Director William K. Howard, a native of St. Mary's, O, asked his studio today to let him premiere his latest picture in his home town. You guessed it—the title is “Home Town.” Mr. Howard wrote the scenario for the film around incidents occurring in St. Mary’s during his boyhood. If the premiere is held there, Mr. Howard will invite Jim Tully, the
‘author, to attend. Mr. Tully lived
“across the tracks” from Mr. How-
ard in St. Mary's. : One schoolmate, represented in the film, will not attend. He was Charles Makley, member of the Dillinger gang who was shot to death in an attempt to escape prison.
Shop Early; Then See a Swell hd
Bette Davis—Lewis Stone “Bureau of Missing Persons” Plus “The Death Kiss”
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MOVIES PLAN TO FILM BuLCy
Times Rpecial HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 9.—“Duley,” the George S. Kaufman and Mark Connelly play about the young
wrong thing, is to be filmed by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer during the
coming season, the studio announc-|!
es. Lynn Fontanne starred in the play on Broadway in the 1921-22 season and the comedy was chosen
as one of the best plays of that
year. Marion Davies starred in a film
NOW 15¢ ¥ CEEEELELLEL
Wallace. ike Rooney Randolph Scott “ROAD TO RENO”
NOW 15
Roy Rogers “COME ON RANGERS” Richard Cromwell “STORM OVER BENGAL” “SPIDER’S WEB” — News . Tomorrow
ENGLISH fore:
A “Wi TAIT
Me
wa EDDIE BRACKEN ‘Brother Rat” Fame
; hy $1.10, $1.65, $2.20 THOR
TONITE
version of this play in 1930.
.
+s 85¢, $1.10, $1.65 ——
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