Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 29 December 1938 — Page 15
RSDAY, DEC. 2, 8 Movie
nu Rates:
Ideas | “Sprinkle With Too Mery Stars.
: By PAUL HARRISON
HOLLYWOOD, Dec. 209 — Even Movietown admits that was a year of undistinguished pictures. It was a time for marking time, _a period of discouragement and confusion and budget slashing. War _ Scares
than the public which grumbled that it was . tired of seeing the same old stories in ‘new rather stay home and play checkers.
The Academy of Motion Picture]
Arts and Sciences—if that organization is not destroyed by dissensidn within the industry—will have little - difficulty in selecting the outstanding pictures when it gets around to making its awards. Because, from the critical considerations of stories, treatment, direction, casting, production and performance, there were not 10 distinguished motion pictures made in 1938.
Inspiration Famine ‘Nobody made, or even attempted, a “Night Must Fall,” or a “Fury,” po a “Make Way for Tomorrow,” or even a “Good Earth.” Nobody thought of a good idea for a musical. Comedy was considered the best vehicle for love, and casts were sprinkled too liberally with stars, ~ many of whom profitably could have been replaced by actors better fitted by appearance or age. ' Union | troubles, Communist and domestic| economies were shunned subjects. | Stories relating to touchy foreign situations were emasculated in fear of embargoes on American films. “Elockade” was so delicately juggled that nobody knew for sure who was on what side. ! And Robert Taylor, on the set of “Three Comrades,” complained to me one clay: “They've taken all the guts out |of it, and even the reason for it. Audiences won’t even know what the shooting’s all about.” Taken | from the National Box Office Digest, which endeavors to report the draw of all major features released during the year, here is a list) of the 10 best businessgetters in the Class A bracket: “Alexander's Ragtime Band,” doing 227 per cent of nominal business; “Snow White, » 225 per cent; “Test Pilot,” 187 per cent; “In Old Chicago,” 181 per cent; “Boy’s Town,” 174 per cent; “Adventures of Robin Hood,” 173 per cent; “You Can't Take It (With You,” 162 per cent; “Marie Antoinette,” 153 per cent; “Happy Landing, »” 152 per cent; “Too Hot to Handle,” 146 per cent. History Is Hashed ¥ “Alexander” is a flicker phenomenon with a sure-fire title, and the nostalgic appeal of many old Irving Berlin tunes, and the unforgettable sequence in which the cast of the soldiers’ show march out of the theater to sail for France. But the story merely fills in the gaps. “Chicago” is two pictures in one, with Tyrone Fower miscast, as usual. « “Marie Antoinette’’ is historic hash with $2,000,000 worth of fancy dressing. The very pretention of such a flicker makes one resent its essential triviality. “Happy Landing” is routine Sonja Henie with a better-than-average story. “Too Hot to Handle” is well-staged hokum. "As further evidence of the unhappy lot of moviegoers during the last year, here are some other pictures which are well up in the boxpffice ‘scale: “Girl of the Golden West,” “Suez,” “Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm,” “Mannequin” (actually), and “Hollywood Hotel.” | However, down near the bottom, where they belong, are “Kidnaped,” surely the most atrocious screen treatment, ever accorded a fiction - classic; “Toy Wife,”, ham-on-rye, even if it does star an Academy prize winner, Luise Rainer; and “Fools for Scandal,” which I still believe was the worst picture ever made, Eopsitene the talent it contained.
CARLILE STUDIOS TO BEGIN NEW TERM
Following a busy holiday fortnight of student performancess the Carlile Dance Studios will begin the 938-39 season’s second term Wednes-
ay. . Carlile students presented profor the Clermont Girls’ School, the Marion County Juvenile ‘Detention, Home, the Children’s Museum, the P. R. Mallory children’s party, and for several charitable institutions,
| WHAT, WHEN, WHERE | APOLLO ’ : “Slave Ship, with Mickey Rooney, Warner | Baxter, Wallace Beer: ot 11:31, 1:34, 3:37. 5:49, 7:43 and 9 CIRCLE
Patrol,” with Errol Flynn, ey David Niven, at
5. Time I Marry» with Lucille nes llison, at 11:20, 2:30, and 8:50. ENGLISH’S
bacco Road,” with John Barton. HR at 8:30. Matinee Saturday,
| INDIANA
a “Kentiicky,” with | Loretta Youn \ CTE. \Sreens. nd 5 Brennan, 5
and e ,' with “The
‘ “Down on the F 4 Jones Family, at 11:3 i, 2:43, 5:49 and
Rr LOEW rs co “Sweethearts,” Jeanette Mac-. ald, Nelson Edd; Frank Morgan,
Pn Mise 8 gd uer. at 11:35, 0, 4:45, 7:15 and 9 2 i SNR
z Vaudeville, with Lola Lane, Bert Walton, B Stor W t on stage at
: i ; rth,” with Dick Foran, jioria Dickson. on screen at (11:35, 73; 13 5:02; 7:51 and 10:30,
“Dawn
ant Praise
Lacking and Casts 9
1938
nd the collapse of foreign . markets | were no more alarming]: e apathy of an American|
locales and that it would|
1938
THE INDIANAPOLIS TIMES
BUCK BENNY TO RIDE NEW YEAR'S WHILE ERROL PATROLS Dr
Here are scenes from movies in downtown houses for the coming week, booked with an eye to assisting you in welcoming the new year with proper festivity. Above, Jack (Buick) Benny returns to town with a couple of charming hitchhikers, in the Indiana’s “Artists and Models Abroad,” opening tomorrow. At the right is a tense moment from “Dawn Patrol,” which moves tomorrow from the Circle to the Apollo. Basil Rathbone, David Niven and Errol Flynn (left to right) are the players shown. The Circle, meanwhile, will get “Kentucky” from the Indiana for a second week.
Opening Today
Loew’s
“SWEETHEARTS” —Jeanette MacDonald, Nelson Eddy, Frank Morgan, Florence Rice, Mischa Auer, Herman Bing. Directed by W. S. Van Dyke; based on the Victor Herbert operetta, “Sweethearts”; screen play by Dorothy Parker and Alan Campbell. The team of Gwen Marlowe and Ernest Lane, whose six years of married life have coincided with their six costarring years in an operetta, decide to chuck performances, broadcasts, benefits, managér and sponging family, and go to Hollywood. The manager’s means of keeping stars away from the West Coast forms the.plot’s climax. There is, of course, plenty of singing, and the photography is in color. :
Opening Tomorrow
Alamo “SHADOWS OVER SHANGHAI”—James Dunn, Ralph Morgan, Linda Gray. Directed by Charles Lamont. All about the struggle for a valuable amulet. “WESTERN JAMBOREE”—Gene Autry, Smiley Burnette, Rouverol. Directed by Ralph Staub. A search for helium on the range, with a little dude ranching, romancing and music on the side.
Jean
Apollo (Second Downtown Week)
“DAWN PATROL”—Errol Flynn, Basil Rathbone, David Niven, Donald Crisp. Directed by Edmund Goulding; from a story by John Monk Saunders. A World War story of the Royal Flying Corps, in which a friendship is broken up through an officer’s necessity of sending his pal’s brother into danger and. death. The officer’s act of heroism ends the bitterness. “NEXT TIME I MARRY”—Lucille Ball, James Ellison, Lee Bowman. Produced by Lee Marcus. About a WPA worker who agrees to marry an heiress 50 she can get her fortune, then divorce her to let her marry a foreigner, which tie will forbids. The results are. what might be expected. Circle (Second Downtown Week) “KENTUCKY”—Loretta Young, Richard Greene, Walter Erennan, Karen Morley. Directed by David Butler; from the story. “The Look of Eagles,” by John Taintor Foote. How the Kentucky Derby settles a feud that began in Civil War time and, incidentally, cements a romance. THE JONES FAMILY “DOWN ON THE FARM”—Jed Prouty, Spring Byington, Louise Fazenda, Russell Gleason. Directed by Macolm St. Clair. The Joneses go in for corn husking and politics, with Dad Jones winding up a champion husker and the senatorial nominee.
Indiana “ARTISTS AND MODELS ABROAD”—Jack Benny, Joan Bennett, Mary Boland, the Yacht Club Boys. Directed by Mitchell Leisen; screen play by Howard Lindsay and Russell Crouse. What happens when the manager of a show troupe, stranded in Paris, hires a new chorine who turns out to be a millionaire’s daughter. With music. “THE LAST WARNING”—Preston Foster, Frank Jenks, Joyce Compton. Directed by Al Rogell; from James Latimer’s novel, “The Dead Don’t Care.” Another in the Crime Club series, with a shooting, a | stabbing and a kidnaping up for solution. Lyric “SWING SCHOOL” (on stage)—Maj. Bowes unit, with the Eight Jitterbugs; Three Smart Girls, knockabout comics; Herbert Tauber, “oneman jam band”; Jack Murray, imitator, and others. Ted Mack, master of ceremonies. “WHILE NEW YORK SLEEPS” (on screen) —Michael Whalen, Jean Rogers, Chick Chandler. A reporter and photographer go a-sleuthing.
Local Conservatory Plans Opening of Radio Course
With the beginning of the new year, the Jordan Conservatory of Music is adding’ to its curriculum a night course in radio broadcasting. Blanche Young, formerly associated with the New York Radio Workshop and producer of NBC features, is director. The first class will meet at 6 p. m. Wednesday, and two-hour ses-
"FINAL DAYI!
IL IT);
sions will be held at the same time each Wednésday over a nine-weeks
: | flirtatious young wife, ® | pretty hair attracts his giant hands.
kt [to shoot his companion to save him
_Hedy Lamarr
EW YORK, Dec. 29 (U. P.).—
A jury of glamour experts looked over the news and views today and gave the nod to 11 “Glamour Kings and Queens of 1938.” The selections ranged from Brenda Frazier, who made her glittering debut night before last, to Orson Welles, who made his in a Martian ‘radio broadcast two months ago. ° The list also included the Duke of Windsor because “he has given
dignity to the always. slightly ri-/
diculous picture of a man head over heels in love.” Hedy LaMarr, movie -actress, who has been acclaimed by others, found favor with the glamour jury because she has made blonds take a back seat. Zorina, star of “I Married An Angel,” was among the chosen few because “her wellcovered lithe body has brought curves back without encouraging fat.” > Glamour, according to these experts, encompasses three wellknown Britishers but passes American men hy. In addition to Windsor the experts selected Prime Minister Chamberlain and Anthony Eden, ‘but for different qualifications. The jury demonstrated that it followed the news carefully with its inclusion in the glamour file of Alice Marble, Barbara Hutton Reventlow, Danielle Darrieux and Bette Davis. The experts were Elsa Maxwell, society’s favorite hostess; the Grand Duchess Marie of Russia, Tobe Coller Davis, style counsellor; Gloria Bristol, beauty author-
Alice Marble
ity; Toni Frissell and Horst, society photographers; Veronica Dangel, feminine psychologist;
Lilly Dache and Paul Ganz, fash- .
ion designers; Dorothy Shaver, department store executive, and Julia Coburn, president of a fashion school. Glancing ahead into 1939, the jury decided that South America would make its mark on next year’s glamour crop. On its honors list will be, in all probability, Jose. Mario Cantilo, foreign minister of Argentina.
2 a =»
HE jury Ici it be known with=-
out too much questioning that Queen Elizabeth- is being considered for next year’s list because “she will make the wild-rose type of beauty popular and the blush and bangs fashionable;” and that Clark Gable will have a chance because “it would take more than a year for anyone to cut in on his popularity with men and women.”
A few of the 1938 tributes:
Brenda Frazier—because she has
made the American debutante the most attractive young woman alive. Hedy Lamarr—because she has established sex appeal as a silent asset.
Alice Marble—Because in a year
“THE SINGING |
DICK POWELL RINE" -
FIUS! “ARSON RACKET SQUAD”
Mouse at 11:30 3:10
Danielle Darrieux of hothouse sophistication she has kept the freshness of the athletic girl before the public mind. Barbara Hutton Reventlow—Because she encompasses the three greatest glamour angles—the allure of great wealth, great beauty and great sadness. | j
Danielle Darrieux—Because she proved that high hair was becom=ing. Bette i she had the courage to look beautiful half the time and ugly the other half. Orson Welles—Because his cleancut ugliness created a new standard for masculine at} raction.
N 70 THE MU
y Bundy’s § oRCH. py Bir 5% Tickets on Incl.
yzine shop
about to give us .a second successiv
which opens at English’s Monday
PAGE 15
Of Mice and Mer to Oper}
The local theatrical season, which began with two revues, new 5 and Scsessiul example of that ) rather scarce article, the American “ folk play.” After the current “Tobacco ge Phi) come “Of Mice and Men,” t pictures of the underprivileged; the former of the Georgia sharecropper,
Both are. frank and bitter
farm worker, . Both are tragedies a sociological nature, made for theatrical purposes,
Readers of John Steinbeck’s novel know what “Of Mice and Men” is all about. For Mr. Steinbeck wrote in such a way that his story almost could be put on the stage simply -by eliminating the “he saids” and “she saids.” : .
Tells Story of Farm 3Mands
~The story is of two wandering farmhands, George and Lennie; George, small, smart and alert; Lennie, a great hulk of a man with the mind of a child, who clings to George for mental support. It is Lennie’s pathetic desire to stroke: the things he likes that leads to the play's tragic climax. Usually he unwittingly kills these things—field mice, rabbits and other
animals. But he meets a rancher’s and her
She, too, is killed, and George has
from a posse. George Kaufman has staged the play, which last year won the New York Drama Critics’ Circle prize. The cast is headed by Clairs Luce and Guy Robertson, both former stars of the musical stage. Miss Luce plays the role she created in the New York production. She is a Ziegfeld alumnae and a former dancing partner of Fred Astaire. Mr. Robertson’s last Indianapolis appearance was as star of “The Great Waltz.” The play's engagement is for three nights, with a Wednesday matinee.
the latter of the California itinerant ®+—
BEERY PLAYS COP
| Wallace Beery, son of a Kansas City policeman, will appear as a veteran New York police sergeant, is first such role, in “Sergeant Madden. moa
CHAMPION IN FILM
Louis Mayer, who is.driving his own car in “Burn ‘Em Up O’Connor,” as won uss Iifanepols races and placed in fourjothers.
ENGLISH 3
FRI, SAT, AT Mat. Sat. 2:30—Best Seats $1.10
8:30 SPECIAL MIDNIGHT SHOW NEW YEAR'S EVE AT 11:15
STAGE SUCCESS OF THE CENTURY
Torts
JOHN BARTON HOLIDAY BARGAIN PRICES!
Eves.: 55¢, $1.10, $1.65. Sat. Mat.: 55¢, 83c, $1.10 +" (Tax Inc.)
NEXT MON., TUES., WED. MATINEE WEDNESDAY
| SAM HW. MARRIS presents
f MICE and MEN
with CLAIRE LUCE == GUY ROBERTSON|
Eves: 55¢ to $2.76. Wed, Mat., Sie to $1.65, Incl, Tax. Now on Sale.
romance .
JEANETTE
FLORENCE RICE
HERMAN BI 84-G-M Musical Gem Dissected
a [Loe ow AND NG TO
wwOODEN 3 noES® other = melodies! Her Spectacular
1 dance epsel embles
“MIDNIGHT SHOW NEW YEAR'S EVE (SATURDAY) AT ews
ay TOD AY
FOR THE FIRST TIME sweethearts of “Naughty nL Marie” > a3 modern musical .. and all in TECHNICOLOR!
Masietta”
MicDONAL D NELSON E EDDY
IN VICTOR
'HERBE RT'S 4
AY BOLGER o MISCHA AUER
NG by
W. 8. VAN DYKE
‘PLUS
DONALD \ - DUCK
Balcony 30c After @
Tonight's Presentation at Your
SOUTH SIDE
Neighborhood Theaters
| NORTH SIDE.
LINCOLN East at Lincoln
James Cagney OY MEETS Marion Riarsh “PRISON NURSE”
period. Classes will be held in the new radio studio and workshop .on the third floor of the school’s main building, 1204 N. Delaware St. Microphones and a recording machine are included in the equipment. The course will include. lectures, auditions, class discussions and laboratory practice in all phases of broadcasting. Special training will be given speakers in interpretation, ‘enunciation and tempo, it has been announced. The enrollment is not restricted to conservatory students. A year-end roundup by the conservatory department discloses that the school is entering 1939 with the largest faculty in its history. The teaching staff of 82 includes about 20 members of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. :
RED GABLES ‘BELMONT 1246
BEER GALA NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY ART BERRY'S ORCHESTRA
2—EXTRA FINE FLOOR SHOWS—2 LUXURIOUS FAVORS FOR EVERY ONE No Advance | in Food or Drink Prices
LAST TIMES TODAY!
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JARS t IRIAN
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Midnight Show New Year's Eve!
: “AFF EL” ; th Side Theater. Yarticipating in omy Nor OVIE Q CONTEST
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Pat O’Brien FOUNTAIN SQUARE Olivia De Ea lan ick Powell Ann Shirley “GIRL’S SCHOOL”
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foe Penner . ‘I 'M FROM T H » INTERNATIONAL Gh
At Fountai SANDERS ‘hiiifaista: “STRANGERS OF THE EVEN ING Bela Lugosi “DEATH KISS”
G R Oo v E Ethel Merman
“STRAIGHT, PLACE AND SHOW” “SHADOWS OVER SHANGHAI” Victor McLaglen
AYA LON Brian Donlevy
“BATTLE OF BROADWA Richard Dix “SKY GIANT”
ORIENTAL 185 S. Jisrdian
nna Durb Dine Cooper “THAT CERTAIN AGE” Lloyd - Nolan “HUNTED MEN” NORTH SIDE
1500 Roosevelt Harry Carey udit!
Beech Grove Ritz Bros.
Pros. & Churchman
Hollywood
en ORT OF MISSING GIRLS” / “MYSTERIOU S MR. HIOTO Dishes to the Sadics Tonight!
ST. CLAIR St. Cl. & Ft. Wavne
Doors Open 6:45 F d Gi £ GREAT. WALTZ” ‘ernan ravet “FLIGHT TO FLAME UPTOWN Sith Seca Deanna Durbin «THAT CERTAIN AGE’ ” “JUST AROUND THE CORNER” 22nd Giant Dehn e Feature
TALBOTT Two Contest Pictures
Arthur-Licns] Bare smote “yO CANT TAKE I YOU” Jack QuileLaeie Ball
42nd & College 6:45
UlZ
80th at Northwestern Cagney
R E X Mona Barrie
. METHING TO SING ABOUT” SOMETHI WOLF IN PARIS” Dick powalr
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Mickey Eaoney Swlince
DREAM
“AFFAIRS ELLE “WIFE OF GENERAL LING” tilinois and 34th Doors Open 6:4%
College as 63rd Free
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