Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 11 April 1939 — Page 11
TUESDAY, APRIL 11
Gable Says Pastor Star
OfWedding
Now It Can Be Told That Clark Stuttered and Carole Cried.
HOLLYWOOD, April 11 (NEA) — The honeymoon is over. Clark Gable has gone back to his task of making love scenes with Vivien Leigh, and Carole Lombard is puttering around the Encino house in the role of a ranch wife, not having a picture to do just yet. But now that it’s all over, maybe you'd like to know something of what happened on the day of that costarring marriage, because it shows just how and why movie weddings are planned as they are. Most movie elopers skip out of the state to avoid the California law requiring the previous filing of intention to wed. Of course, everybody knew the eventual intention of Mr. Gable and Miss Lombard, but you can imagine what would have followed any formal statement—they would have been pestered unmercifully.
Press Agent in Reverse
As it was, nobody else knew of their definite plan except a mutual intimate friend—Otto Winkler, Metro publicist and former ace newspaper reporter. They drove to his house at sunup one morning, left Mr. Gables car in his garage and started for Arizona in Mr. Winkler’s coupe, Mr. Winkler driving. Mr. Gable wore whipcord slacks, an old brown jacket, a green hat and whitish, opaque glasses. When stops were made for gasoline, hed keep a hand on his forehead like a man with a headache. d Miss Lombard wore a very plain brown suit, no trace of makeup, and had her hair tight to her head. Their luggage contained fresh clothing for the ceremony.
Bride Made Sandwiches
Neither had brought any food. Just before starting, Mr. Winkler raided his own refrigerator and brought out some remnants of turkey and a loaf of bread. That was all they had to eat on the long drive. Picture people often are criti-
cized for these furtive, hasty mar-|«
riages, which improperly are called elopements. Sentimentalists wonder why they don’t prefer more formal ceremonies, with a religious note plus guests and flowers and all the fixings. Trouble is, though, that no stars «an be married in Hollywood merely as a couple of people in love. With the mobs, cops and photographers, the occasion becomes a cross between a carnival and a riot 1 Union Square.
Complete With Music
Carole and Clark skipped Yuma because it has become something of a marriage mill. They went to Kingman instead, and were married by a minister in a Methodist church, complete with wedding march from a pint-size organ pumped and played by the preacher's wife. When they went to the Court House to get the license, the young woman clerk was so excited that she splashed ink on the ledger page. Since this occurred in midafternoon, Mr. Winkler avoided the possibility of a tipoff by inviting the cierk to the wedding. They all went to the home of the Rev. Kenneth Engle and talked for two hours with his pretty wife before he came home loaded with groceries.
Parson’s Prize Performance
The three original members of the wedding party borrowed the Engles’ bedroom to change to their more formal attire. Then they all started for the church, a little frame structure a few doors down the street. Mr. Gable, who has been married many times on the screen, had been coached about what to do. At that, he stuttered on his first line. Miss Lombard cried, but responded clear-
J. , As for Dr. Engle, who is 27 and occupying his first pastorate, he gave what Mr. Gable judged was “an Academy Award performance.”
, 1980
1. Merle Oberen, star of “Wuthering Heights,” takes a bath in the old-fashioned tub. It’s Flora Robson who's pouring. 2. Laurence Olivier and Geraldine Fitzgerald in a scene from the new Goldwyn picture which opens at Loew’s Thursday night. 3. Miss Oberon and Mr. Olivier on the moors of Yorkshire.
‘Premiere’ At Loew's
‘Wuthering Heights' Will Get Special Showing.
Loew’s Theater today announced a “Hollywood Premiere,” for 8:30 o'clock Thursday night when it gives the first . Indianapolis showing of “Wuthering Heights,” Samuel Goldwyn’s newest production. The premiere of the picture in Hollywood last week was marked by the presence of Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt and Alexander Woolcott.
Starred on Stage Here
The picture stars Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier. Mr. Olivier appeared here recently with Katharine Cornell in “No Time for Comedy” at English’s. “Wuthering Heights” is the story of a strange three-cornered love affair unfolding on the wild and desolate moors of Yorkshire. David Niven plays the role of the rich and well-born suitor for the hand of high-spirited, quick-tem-pered Cathy. Mr. Olivier takes the part of Heathcote, half-gypsy, halfgentleman. Included in the supporting cast are Geraldine Fitzgerald of the Irish Abbey players; Hugh Williams, Flora Robson, Donald Crisp, Miles Mander and Cecil Kellaway.
Seats Not Reserved
Seats at Thursday night's performance will not be reserved and regular prices will prevail, announced Ward Farrar, Loew’s manager. The last showing of “Broadway Serenade” will begin at 5:55 p. m. and the theater will be closed at 7:50 in preparation for the “Wuthering Heights” presentation. The companion feature to be shown with the Goldwyn picture will be “Blondie Meets the Boss,” starring Arthur Lake, Penny Singleton and Larry Simms. The regular engagement of the two new pictures
will begin Friday.
MUSIC
By JAMES THRASHER
1 = is nothing like a few statistics to top off a heavy musical season. So, with the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra already pointing to 1939-40, we might take leave of its lately completed concert series with a demitasse of facts and figures. Fabien Sevitzky and his players made progress in all directions.
Both musically and geographically, And in the matter of performance, there was a marked improvement, though naturally it cannot be proved by numerical tabulation. This year the orchestra made two out-of-state appearances in Chicago and Champaign, Iil, and increased its concerts on tour to nine, three more than the previous season. Six jopular concerts were played, as against five last year, and the tota. performances were swelled by 18 network broadcasts. These included a single “Magic Key” concert and 18 on the Columbia network. The number of subscriptions, children’s and school concerts remained the same, making 59 concerts this seasoi: to 36 in 1937-38. tJ ” 2 HE symphony played 147 compositions this past year, “An increase of 59. The Symphonic ¢ ‘10ir appeared in nine numbers, ‘against three last year. Ameri.n music took a big jump ahead, rom 14 representations to 37. Miscellaneous compositions and suites increased from 33 to 50; overtures from eight to 22, and symphonies from 10 to 11. with the figures totted up, the conclusion is, of course, that Mr. Sevitzky and the orchestra have given an increasing amount of good music, with steadily better performance, to a larger public. But there is a less encouraging note in the background. The next season is the last one in the orchestra’s present contract. It is unfortunately true that public response has not kept pace with orchestral progress. The 1939-40 season may very well be a “crucial” one.
their field of activity was extended.
State Symphony Society, the conductor and the orchestra have done in two seasons. But those in the audience, or perhaps more particularly, those who don’t attend the performances, are inclined to take an orchestra's existence for granted. A symphony orchestra is a big business venture, as well as an artistic one. Innumerable be-hind-the-scenes details must be ironed out before a note can be played. And, like any business, the public must buy its goods, or existence becomes impossible. It is too bad that wand-waving is the visual symbol of an orchestra’s performance. For it is the combination of general support and hard work, not temperamental magic, that really does the trick.
'KNIGHT AND LADY" TO START MAY |
Times Special HOLLYWOOD, April 11.—May 1 has been set hy Warner Bros. as the production starting date on “The Knight and the Lady,” in which Errol Flynn and Bette Davis will costar. Claude Rains has been cast for the role of Sir Fancis Bacon in the film.
PAGE 11
i
The Gallup Poll
Is Swing Music Swinging Out of Favor? Survey Shows It Is Slipping With Young Folk.
By DR. GEORGE H. GALLUP = Director Institute of Public Opinion. EW YORK, April 11.—In spite of the sounds you've been hearing on your radio, there are some important signs today that “swing” music has passed its peak popularity with the American public and is
beginning the inevitable decline.
This does not mean, however, that “swing” music has suddenly
become unpopular.
In an excursion into popular tastes, a new American Institute of
Public Opinion survey shows that a majority of persons still like the jitterbug rhythms that have been poured over the air for almost two years. But two years is a long time for any dance fad, and the Institute’s survey
reveals that the n 0 ns wingers and other dissenters are a little more numerous today than they were in a previous checkup last August. Fifty-six persons in a hundred in today’s survey say that they like “swing,” as compared with 62 in every hundred eight months ago. The percentage vote:
“Do You Like Swing Music?” AUGUST
YS oiieies versace 56% NO coiviise savivasns vee U9 » 2 2
WING music, with its whirling dervish tempos, was never designed to appeal to the oldsters, but today’s survey shows that swing has slipped a little even with the younger folks. Last year four persons in every five (83%) in the age group from 18 to 30 said they liked swing, while now Sree out of four (74%) approve of it. Some of the larger music dealers have noticed signs of lessening demand for swing. A large New York dealer says that while the big swing bands are still very popular with music buyers, there has been an increase in the popularity of “sweet” tunes as compared with swing. ‘The music maestros are also watching for the possible effects of the latest Ginger Rogers-Fred
1 DIANA
o ORIEN \ A AND §
WR \ 2 LAA ra AA Sa
Ms MARCH HM
Astaire musical, which turns back to the more leisurely tempos of prewar days for its dance routines. Public tastes have been tipped more than once by the influence of their screen dancing. City people are the biggest boosters for swing, but even a majority of the farm and smalltown people are in favor of it, in today’s survey. The sharpest differences are between younger and older people: Like Dislike Swing It Persons Under 30 74% 26% Persons 30 to 49 56 44 Persons 50 and over 36 65
The average swing. enthusiast finds it hard to express just what he" likes about it in words, but their most frequent comments are that it makes them want to dance, that it expresses their feelings when they want to have a good time, and that “it just takes hold of you.” 8 8 2 T expresses American youthfulness,” comments a Wisconsin man of 30. The opposition complain that “it just isn’t music,” or that it lacks melody. A typical oldster complains: “It was all right until they began swinging ‘Annie Laurie,’ and the rest of the old songs. Next thing you know they'll be swinging the Hymnal.” Southerners, 63 per cent in favor of swing, are more enthusiastic than the rest of the country.
E. C. MIDDLETON DIES
LONDON, April 11 (U, P.).—Edgar ©. Middleton, 44, author and
playwright, who had been writing|
a biography of Queen Mary for the movies, died last night. His best known play was “Potiphar’s Wife.”
AR Lombard - Cary Grant . LI RTH RTT
THE EAGLE wo THE HAWK
AS T [1s Tn on # b » Ss hi
Fredric March Cara
Leif Evilivon
one third
80 WPA Players Swing Off Relief
NEW YORK, April 11 (U. P).— The cast of “The Swing Mikado,” the WPA Federal Theater's jazz treatment of the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, will choose today among three commercial offers and leave the Government relief rolls. One offer was made by Michael Todd, producer of “The Hot Mikado,” with which the WPA project has been competing. There are 80 Negro actors in “The Swing Mikado,” recruited from the Chicago relief rolls. They prabably will have to take a cut in salary under private management. As Government workers, they earned $23.60 a week plus $3 daily subsistence fee, since they were away from their home city. Commercial actors earn $40 a week minimum and must join Actors Equity which requires $50 initiation fee and dues. Paul Edwards, administrator of Federal art projects here, said a cast committee would negotiate With commercial producers today and make a decision. Erik Charell, representing a New York group, and Bernard Ulrich and Marvin Ericson of Chicago, were the other bidders. The show opened at the New Yorker Theater March 1. Its top price was $1.10, in contrast with a $3.30 top for “The Hot Mikado.”
PIDGEON HUNTS LION
Walter Pidgeon has accepted an invitation to hunt mountain lions on Leo Carillo’s 3000-acre Rancho de Los Quitos for several days.
Odets Hurt In Accident
Swerves Car to Avoid Crash, Hits Pole.
MEXICO CITY, April 11 (U. BP). —Clifford Odets, young American playwright, escaped with slight cuts last night when his automobile crashed into a utility pole as he swerved to avoid collision with a motor car driven by an intoxicated man, Mr. Odets has been visiting here for several days, presumably working on a new play for the Group Theater of New York. The organization has produced all of his works, including “Awake and Sing” and “Rocket to the Moon.” The former is running in New York now as a revival and the latter just closed. Mr. Odets is the husband of the actress, Luise Rainer.
CLAIMS FAY AND HUSBAND OWE $116
HOLLYWOOD, April 11 (U. PJ). —Fay Wray, film actress, and her husband, John Monk Saunders, writer, will find their bank account $116 shy when they return to Hollywood from a visit East. This amount was attached in Municipal Court by a Hollywood drug store for a bill allegedly long overdue.
WHEN DOES IT START?
APOLLO
“One Third of a Nation, with o1yie, Sidney 1°03) Lez Erikson, at an “The Eagle and the Hawk,” with Fredric Match, Carole Lombard, Cat ory Grant and Jack Jake, at 11, 4:38, 7:27 and 1
CIRCLE
oiPRSs Siac In, THER: via de Havilland an - dan, at 11, 1:05, 3:20, 5:35 7:45
0 Rafil INDIANA
of Vernon and Jrene May ¢ Astaire, Ginger ha 1171 and Wal Brennan, at 3:25
. 5 36, 7:45 and 9: ve. March of 3 one, at 12:56, 3:07, 5:10,
7:20 and 8 LOEW'S
“Broadway Serenade,” with Jeanette MacDonald, Ww yres, Ian Hunter and Frank Morgan. at 11:20, 2: 50, 6:20 anda “The Lone Wolf Spy Hunt.” with Warren William, lda Lupino and Ralph Morgan, at 1:25, 4:55 and 8:25.
“The Stor Castle,” wit Rogers, Edna
HOLLYWOOD
(mmm
By PAUL HARRISON
HC: kxvoon April 11.—Short takes: needs a firm hand, is due for a double dose of discipline. .
MICKEY ROONEY, who . W.
S. VAN DYKE, who tolerates no foolishness, will direct the next Hardy
flicker after the current “The Hardys Ride High.” Mickey's next boss then will be stern BUSBY BERKELEY in a pic-
ture not a Hardy. . own pater, JOE YULE . . and the reason—Metro wants Yule to have a more dignified job . . . he’s a comedian in a Los Angeles burlesque house. And, incidentally, the Hardy series hasn't slumped under GEORGE SEITZ . . . studio execs hope Van Dyke will ‘give it some of his high-powered, fast-shoot-ing change of pace. 8 8 = Warning to all. Hollywood cuties! CHARLIE M’CARTHY is being fitted for a mechanism that will permit him to move his arms and hands. . . . He'll be able to adjust his monocle . . . or pinch a passing parcel of pulchritude. . + « But the little guy’ll never walk. . . . His trouble is acorns.
2 2 ” ADELEINE CARROLL, whose husband is in England most of the time, is starring in a picture called “Are Husbands Nececssary?” . . . RUDY VALLEE is concentrating his attentions on BARBARA BREWSTER, though he’s never quite sure that he isn’t out with her twin sister, GLORIA. . . . There won’t be a TYRONE POWER and ANNA-
BELLA wedding unless special.
permission can be obtained from the Catholic church, She's a divorcee. . . . As an expectant father in “Give Me a Child,” JOHNNY DAVIS is turning in some realistic performances these days.
. In that one the boy’s father may be played by his
He'll really become a papa in the next fortnight. ” ” J E==nny her studio has decided it's no use trying to make a glamour-gal of MARTHA RAYE. . . . Her next is a football thriller costarring JOE .E. BROWN. . . . Metro's all-woman cast for “The Women” is to be headed by NORMA SHEARER, JOAN CRAWFORD, ROSALIND RUSSELL and INA CLAIRE , .. it should be a final test of the star system. . . . FREDDIE BARTHOLOMEW finally got rid of his over-long locks. . . . He told his AUNT CISSIE that he had to have them cropped for a picture. . « « The barber almost shaved his head. . . . Too late, horrified Aunt Cissie learned that the picture doesn’t start for three
months. 3 DAYS
ENGLISH April 17-18-19 The Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne Productions
“AMPHITRYON 38”
Mon. and Tues., April 17-18
“THE SEA GULL”
Wed. Mat. and Night, April 19
nN 108s: Eves., Orch., $3.30; Balc., $2. 235 $1.65; Gal, $1.10. Wed. Ma Oren, . $2.75; Bale, $2.20, $1. 65; Cai vy $1.10, inc. tax. SEATS NOW!
Last Days
JEANET
MACDONALD “BROADWAY SERENADE”
25¢c to 6
Plus “Lone Wolf”
EAST SIDE
WEST SIDE
RIVOLI ngs EB Jo 15¢ Cae SpiD, Tu i"
“GUNGA DIN” George Brent—Olivia De Havilland
“WINGS OF THE NAVY” EMERSON 4630 E. 10h 16.
5:45 to 6. John Said & End” A
A CRIMIN Jans Jyithers “ARIZONA WILDCAT"
Three Stooges Comedy gy (WL M /. he a iy 20:
“STAND UB AND FIGHT”
Lew Ayres “SPRING MADNESS”
IRVING 5507 E. Wash, St.
Clark “IDIOT’S_D! Jane Withers “ARIZONA WILDCAT"
N. Je Paramount day’
“tuesday. Wednorday at Sorell. SONG PLACES
an beson-Roland id SOLOMON os MINES: af, 8:88 Raed Fox IR _
WEST SIDE
NEW DAISY 'Eiettie®
Frederic M Boy Vir, nls hy uce “THERE GOES MY Y HEA
“TOM SAWYER DETECTIVE" SOUTH SIDE
New Garfield Walitet, Beers
“STAND UP AND FIG Lew Ayres—‘'‘SPRING MADNESS”
Final Night
[FOUNTAIN SQUARE] SY0]10):Y34 3
Cary Grant Douglas Fairbanks, Jr.
Plus “Titans of the Deep”
and Donald Duck Cartoon
SANDERS Li pel B, Frymore
Anne Shirley GIRLS’ SCHOOL” _ NORTH SIDE
at Fountain St Square
love stories.
7 THESE WORDS SPOKEN FROM THE SCREEN. .
+ « you will know that Hollywood’s master producer has achieved the strangest, the most soul-stirring of al
“I “want to crawl at your feet for lov. ing you.. for needing you ..for belong. ing to you!”
MERLE OBERON -
SAMUEL GOLDWYN presents
WUTHERING HEIGHTS
co-stayring LAURENCE OLIVIER « DAVID NIVEN -with FLORA ROBSON « DONALD CRISP « GERALDINE FITZGERALD Screenplay by BEN HECHT and CHARLES MacARTHUR Directed by WILLIAM WYLER ¢ From the World Famous Novel by Emily Bronté, Read by Millions Released thru UNITED ARTISTS
“If everything in the world died and you remained, life would still be full for me!”
Plus! “Blondie Meets the Boss”
SPECIAL PREMIERE THURSSAY EVE, 8:30}
‘Reserved!