Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 15 April 1939 — Page 8

“Masque of

Kings~ Gives Civic a Test

Cast Moves in Unfamiliar Realm of Verse, but Gracefully Seo.

The Civic Theater has paid homage to Maxwell Anderson this season by giving its most elaborate productions to two of his plays. Following that ‘ponderous confir-

sion of symbolism and slapstick, “High Tor,” earlier in the year,

Director Edward Steinmetz Jr. and his players now give us “The Masque of Kings,” which will be shown nightly through Wednesday. The current offering is vastly better than its predecessor. It is

By JAMES THRASHER

more direct in approach, more telling in effect. Based on one of modern history's most dramatic in-| cidents, it also serves as a vehicle | for Mr. Anderson's observations on | statecraft. : For those who saw the movie “Maverling,” it is interesting to see! what is done with the same story in “The Masque of Kings.” That story, of course, is of the Austrian MOVIES Archduke Rudolph and the Baroness Vetsera, and their mysterious deaths. Love Affair Incidental | “Maverling.” though a very good CIRCLE—Vaudeville, with Joan Davis and Si Willis; Romo movie, was aimed at the matinee) ra . . mon ’ . it a. toate. It Gwelt almost solely upon| _VIMCents Jack Powell; Helen Reynolds’ Skaters; the Six the prince's ‘hopeless love for the| Grays. pretty underling, Mr. Anderson has “The Saint Strikes Back,” with George Sanders, made the affair but one incident of . : : a \ many, and no doubt rightly so. | Wendy Barrie, Barry Fitzgerald, Jonathan Hale. Rudolph had seen what happened 3 . . ¢ : ' to his democratic mother when she INDIANA—“I’'m From Missouri,” with Bob Burns, Gladys or & more liberal and] ~ : 3) d ey over He had been | George, Gene Lockhart. "oa wo : taken from her in his boyhood vears. | “Back Door to Heaven,” with Patricia Ellis, Stuart or hie compentent suppty| Erwin, Aline MacMahon. {DIS Xk Nor It nV S 3 of worldly pleasures blinded yo ORK = — vo . Rudolph to the injustices of the LOEW’S— ‘Wuthering Heights, with Merle Oberon, Lau Hapsburg political philosophy, nor rence Olivier, David Niven, Geraldine Fitzgerald. tows WHE Were Ye “Blondie Meets the Boss,” with Penny Singleton, Belittled, haunted and hounded! Arthur Lake. bv his Tather’s spies, Rudolph all ; SN : ; ‘ a | ie APOLLO—"Dodge City,” with Errol Flynn, Olivia de el 1 ery s ¢ . ~ : 5 to the playwright, he learned that Havilland, Ann Sheridan, Bruce Cabot. (Holdover.) his dream of justice and democracy : . was empty AMBASSADOR—"The Mystery of Mr. Wong,” with Boris For there were enemies who must be killed before his rule was safe; | there was a press which must be| controlled until the crisis was passed. In short, to secure his new order, he must indulge in the old iron-handed practices from which there was no turning back. | Third Act of Clarifying { With this (again according to Mr. | Anderson) he also discovered that Marie Vetsera originally had come to him as one of his father's spies, and that love came later. Only with her suicide is he convinced of her nobility and honesty. And with her goes his last vestige of faith. The playwright has recreated the opposing beliefs of Rudolph. and Franz Josef excellently, has invented a credible train of thought which

Si - SIN BR her popularity an admiration for homespun entertainment, down-to- | clothed these thoughts ih blank the ‘courtesy that brought her t0learth dialog and good “cracks.”

verse which is frequently arresting and delightful in its expression. Why then, one wonders, was the play only a haps because audiences demand all these component parts a more definite conclusion than futility. { Verse Slows Start Certainly a discouraging factor is a first act that threshes out the plot's exposition until the air is stifling with & chaff of words. In last night's opening the players

realms of verse,

so much of poise and rhythm, such 8 Well. Mr. Wills feeds the gags, bringing about & revival of the mule citing. important plays the guitar and generally com- market. matters and such variety of vocal POrts himself as if stooging for the! The Bliss family and Samson set | color and timbre as to tax the pro- little Woman was a genuine labor of sail. Mrs. Bliss

bright of

illumination

fessional. As it is, the Civic cast's admirable under the cir-| cumstances

As Rudolph. Sitnev Sanner does a

grace IS

Steiner is the Vetsera, and one who

Karloff.

CIRCLE |

Joan Davis, the screen comedienne, cold and a hearty ovation at the, Circle's opening stage show terday. ! Due to her respiratory indisposition. the red-haired Miss Davis presented the audience not only with a feminine version of Leon Errol's knees, but of Andy Devines voice as well. vervthing she did seemed to please the patrons. Tt may be

the footlights when she couldn't wy, Burns, as Sweeney Bliss, a WMis- | possibly have felt like being funny. 'souri farmer. remarks to a British | | The way movie stars get about visitor that he could never under- | moderate success? Per-| these days, almost anyone can take stand why Uncle Sam wore such a of 8 glamour girls personal appear- big hat until he started passing it | The Missouri mule market goes dering about the stage like a ship| haywire when England stops buying without a rudder, getting her feet Mules and starts talking tractors. tangled up with the curtain right Sweeney flies his mule to Kansas

ance in his stride. But when an! attractive young woman goes floun-|

® » »

INDIANA

From Missouri.”

limber-limbed Bob Burns and his mule, Samp-| had a severe son, bring back nostalgic memories | “State Fair’ in the feature pic-| ves- ture this week at the Indiana, “I'm

Will Rogers’ prize-winning hog,

Blue Boy, and the Missouri army

mule are woven from the same piece

in a slightly different pattern. The plots of the two shows are differ-| revolve about

ent, but they both prize pieces of livestock,

s ; | “I'm From Missouri’ is reminissurmised that there was added tO cent also of “State Fair”

around.

in its

in the midst of the Limpy-Dimp— City for a livestock’ show after hear-

well, that's something else again. Assisting Miss Davis in her turn

the mules.

(ing that a representative from the {British Embassy will be ' : : : look over moved as strangers in the unfamiliar 1S Si Wills, her husband, longtime gyntley, as Capt.

there to George P.

Brooks-Bowen,

vaudeville partner and, 1 suppose, yrges Sweeney to bring his mule to Poetry upon the stage demands her best friend and severest Critic | England to further his interests in

ove.

(Gladys George) | {does her utmost to break into Lon- |

Judging from the applause, the don society but Sweeney's Missouri

was Jack Powell

with a pair of educated drumsticks,

One of

the highpoints

(real hero of the occasion, however, Personality is the thing that puts) Mr. Powell does across the mule deal and the social

serious and painstaking job. Maxine 3 blackface drumming act, finding. life.

occurs

rises th the occasion ih the third blentv of rhythm in chairs, utensils, ¥heh Mr. Burns ant Samson wan-

act to leave a splendid last impression Norman Green. that seasoned vet- | eran of many Civic campaigns, cre- | ates 8&n excellent character portrait of Franz Josef, impelling one to understand and forgive the

ning his principles. As regards the physical portrait, there is less satisfaction. The same fault is found here as in “Maver-! ling’; Franz Josef is too old. course, the bald pate and the eclegant white whiskers are a tempta-

the floor, proscenium arch or anvthing else within striking distance. Romo Vincent acts as master ceremonies. tells some stories and does a right good imitation of] Charles Laughton as Capt. Bligh. ' Being built along the Laughton

in which he opines that Have Been a Beautiful Baby.”

dance offering complete & generous! hour of variety.

der into a Turkish bath

from & pea

soup fog and notice nothing except

that the temperature

has risen.

Of Samson disrupts the Turkish bath-

ers and Sweeney is arrested. A heavy dose of British accent Is oughness. In his account of how he |

supplied by E. E. Clive and Doris tracked down the murderer (they Holden, Cecilia Parker and Sara |

’

of its stage show.

diana.

Ann Sheridan adds a bit of a kick to rugged {frontier life in “Dodge City,” playing its second downtown week at the Apollo.

uncluttered by complications. It's lall in technicolor and all quite ex-

AMBASSADOR |

at the Ambassador) and does a crafty job of unraveling ih a slightly

petter-than-average mystery yarn, | Hardy Gets Spring Fever,” is schedMr. Karloff, long known as ona of uled the screen's ace “horror meh,” plays month with W. S. Van Dyke direct.

his role as a Chinese detective with [Charlie Chan-ish dignity and thor-|

: ; : Lloyd as the Duke and Duchess | i i stalwart monarch, even while shun- lines, Mr. Vincent makes the most Cricklewood Who are ARR i ya

of the fact, including & song parody cognito, on the Bliss farm and think

“I Must Missouri and the Blisses are fine.

; Later, they come to the rescue of An exceedingly clever and agile Mrs. Bliss’ social aspirations under

Or roller-skating turn and a song-and- | their true names.

The accompanying “Back Door to Heaven.”

picture is with Patri-

I police on the case), one might think he employed supernatural aid. A lot is left to the imagination.

“The Mystery of Mr. Wong” lays —

more emphasis on unraveling the

mystery and less on the gory side— |

two murders and one blackjacking, all three of which are executed on

ion. but they create a picture of | On the Circle screen. Lesli .. cia Ellis. Wallace Pord. Stuart Erwi : i t : J sel . Leslie Char- . y Wl n . h lass e the Bmperor in the World War teris 20th Century Robin Hooda, 20d Aline McMahon. —(E. J.) I a ig rT Chinese ves re £4 oy . " i .s 3 | " ye ot ne Lehi USE? re Swing” 5th tw \wineti, [treasures is murdered and a Russian only 58 at the time of the play, protagonist in George Sanders. The ‘maid is done away With by means with 27 vigorous vears siill remain- tall, suave Britisher, who has been | APO LLO of a poisoned cigaret, Mr Wong

ing to him. It's a safe bet that in 1889 he didn't dodder, as Mr. Green has him doing However, that's quarreling unduly with a performance that deserves

traval of the Empress Elizabeth

WHEN DOES IT START?

APOLLO

15 “Back Door te Heaven.” with Patricia lis end Wallace Ford. at 11:33, 2 5:44 and 8:50.

LOEW'S “Wuthering Heights.”

Oberon, Niven

with Merle Laurence Olivier and David 12:15 3:35 and 10. Meets the Boss,” with Ar Lake and

, 2:20, 5:35 and * Every Sat, Lieske {

7S KRY SE. HARBOR |

Sat., 5c Couple Before 9:30; %0c Couple at 9:30 Rednrced 3c

al “Blondie Penny Singleton, Lally Simms, st

Dane Mildred

knocking ahout Hollywood for some | time without much luck, fits nicely | into the part of the crook-turned-policeman

The present film, | Francisco setting and concerns it{self with corruption within the po- | lice department and a girl's efforts | to clear her father's name. :

and a leading criminologist work to-

Moving from the Circle to the gether with the police (the latter in

Apollo for

Al a second week, “Dodge their bungling movie-versioh man- | City” should continue to delight the ner) ahd the murderer turhs out to ys ! ! called “The patrons who like their action fast, be—, praise, as does Alma Meyer's por- Saint Strikes Back,” has a San their heroes fearless and their plots |

No, you'd never suspect, B,J)

Production of

NOW! BALCONY 3c AFTER 6

“Dodge City,” with Errol Flynn, LOEW'S Olivia de Havilland and Ann Sheri1 11, 1:0%, 3:21, 5:35. 7:40 mn { CIRCLE “Wuthering Heights,” reviewed | Sire Sera. Had with here yesterday, presents the Emily | - . 1 ~ 3 ‘Senders and Wendy Barrie, | Bronte movel in a truthful ana Sai. 8.55. 3-45 ana Js. beautiful screen translation. The an avis a) « Wl S \ v i Trav Revrolds: Soaters Jack theme's somber nature will not en- | 3 no \ incent_nhd the, Six dear the film to all classes of audi-| \ ira > BIE ences, but those who ‘prefer fine] SE CIVIC acting and artistic integrity to LS I SSS SERENE The Masare of Kings,” hv Max- happy endings shouldn't dream of SE ON TO TOO h we Anderson Presented the ES Fe AP i ! : L v Ton. Br Se Rs missing this one ‘ ADDED! HILARIOUS COMEDY! St tion Engagement ee ee ee — | BL h rtain at 8:30 0 Curtain at 8 DANCE TONIGHT PENNY SINGLETON INDIANA | prom wisoun © win nen | AMOS Otstol Orchestra] By Gladvs Georze and Gene i 3 DAYS L: 2:57. 403." 708 “ana ADMISSION 40c

ENGLISH Beginning Monday Night, April 17, ut 8:30

Matinee,

) ¥ « >) yy Ex 15 Min. ta © 2:30, Lh Ore Boer Ronen tanieipal Airport: Amphitryon 38 | Wed, Matinee mnf Night, April 19, 2 an. ote! MN ny 3 - Sun,, 3 Couvle wefore 8:30; Noe Mon. and Tues, Eves, | arash Rn) Wate Ov. Every vs Druple ut L308. Reduced Se well 13-18 | Annear in Both Plays. ° 5 ites ta Ne 2a r | rices: Foes, Rh, 30; + 4 i .? One Block South Municipal Airport! §! a $0.18 NE a Ea RL SRL Ge, nh». Well. Wnt

w ALFRED LUNT YAN FONTANNE AMPHITRYON 38

"To miss "Wuthering Heights’ is fo forego one of the season's rar es! treats.”

H. K.—NEWS

‘i ARTAUR LAKE

Wednesday—2:30

SN BERMAN

“The SEA GULL”

Stars and scenes from the current downtown film attractions: Merle Oberon and Laurehce Olivier are featured in Samuel Goldwyn's new picture, “Wuthering Heights,” The Circle has Joan Davis, favorite comedienne, as the headliner

Bob Burns is the rustic hero of “I'm from Missouri,” at the In-

"SPRING FEVER'

| HMardy, the movies ideal All-Amer-Boris Karloff tries his hand at joan boy, turns playwright and star detecting ih “The Mystery of Mr. gator of his school play in the next, Wong,” (showing through Monday jygge Hardy family picture. I

| | | {

{ | |

| |

at Loew's. Geraldine

{three erates

Fitzgerald of cacti

a —— Si ———

Except Monday.

SNARES HARDY

Times Special

HOLLYWOOD, April 15.—Andy

The film, tentatively titled “Andy

| to go into production this ing the group for the first time. |

Lewis Stone, Mickey Rooney, Pay |

Haden carry on as the Hardys with | Ann Rutherford again Andy's girl friend. 4

CIRCLE y 4 Kk

NANCY KELLY

OF LOVELY

wien CHORUS

CONTINUOUS ON SUNDAY

Homer Rodeheaver in two concerts sponsored by

Sahara Grotto

at Cadle Tabernacle, April 22-23 Tickets on Sale at Grotto Clubhouse 13th and Park—Only 25c—Call Ri. 4221,

* fg. Sv

HO Featured With

MELODY MAIDS

GIRLS

MATINEE 2:15--TWO SHOWS AT NIGHT, " AND 8 P. M.

has

DANCE TILL TWO

Adm,

BANDWAGON

Southeastern and Emerson HAL BAILEY'S ORCHESTRA

. he

sis anand

Ww!

STUCK WITH THEM went | from Palm | Springs to be planted in a garden Syp,, Mon., Tue., Wed. beside her dressing room. 2 Y

“BACK DOOR TO HEAVEN” With Patricia Elis

25¢ Till 6 \

os a

EDELWEISS CLUB

at the Athenaeum tonight. Lillian Evans Adams,

ble will be assisting artists, Mrs. Adams solos will

| | “TATLSPIN?

voce poco fa” from Rossini's “Barber of Seville.” Mr. Dora will play the Concerto in A Minor by Accolay,

| McDowell and Schumann,

CAGNEY LIKES SKATING is taking skating | |Jessons from Jack Kelly, former

James Cagney

| figure-skating champ.

Daughter of To Be Bride

Patricia Ziegfeld to Marry Hotel Dance Instructor In June.

HOLLYWOOD, April 15 (U. P), patricia Ziegfeld, 22-year-old daughter of Billie Burke and tha late Florenz Ziegfield, today had announced she will become a June bride. She is to marry William C. Steph enson, 26, a dance Instructor at a Beverly Hills hotel. The date has not been set. The match has tha blessing of Miss Burke, who smiling ly confirmed that she knew all ‘about it. The actress is still eon= fined to her home, recovering from a broken ankle, Mr. Stephenson, a graduate of the University of Norfolk and Colum= bia, is the son of Mr, and Mrs. C, E. Stephenson of Beverly Hills,

To Give Recital

J. Kelton Whetstine, Indianapolis piano teacher and graduate musis student at Indiana University, will give a piano ‘recital at 4:15 tomor= row in the university school of music's Recital Hall, Mr, Whetstine played his grads uation recital in the Bloomington auditorium last June. His program tomorrow embraces the following compositions:

1 Fantasie and Fugue in G Minor Bach-Lis#t

TO GIVE CONCERT

The Edelweiss Gesangverein will |, Les collines d Anacapri” give its second concert of the season - Mrs, | mess s0prano; John Dora, violinist, and the Jordan Conservatory string ensem- |

include | songs by Bizet and Scott, and “Una |

and the string offering’s selections | will include music by Strauss, Dont, |

Sonata, Opus 53 (Waldstein) .,.. Beethoven J Etude de Concert... ...vvivvvvn Lis7é Etude, Opus 25, No. 5 vv Chopin BOHErz0, ‘Opus 39 .. ... vv Chopin

| IT | “Voiles' vere Debs Debtissy

VERRY Debirxsy

FYLLERRLLT

Ama

L'Isle Joveuse’

Alles Constance Nancy { TAYE ® BENNETT » KELLY ren C“TAILSPIN

First Wigh==Boris Karloff CHEE MYSTERY OF MR, WONG"

® First Indirbapolls Showing ® Wm. Boyd § George Hayes 9 Riuwwell Hayden “SUNSET TRAN” ¥. Fdgar Hoover's Thrilling Ntory CPERNSONS IN HIDING” With J. Carroll Naish, Lynn Overmin YLONE RANGER RIDER AGAIN"

| | |

| | FAST STORE

Ty / 3 5 ¥. ry » Nt, RIVOLI™ " Saws James Dunh Rochelle Hudson “PRIDE OF THE NAVY” “MY SON IS A CRIMINAL”

Chas. Chase “PTE A LA MAID" EXTRA! Added th Laxt Shaw Tonight! Ginger Rogers—Jaex Stewart

“VIVACTOUS LADY”

Alice Faye==Nahcy Xelly Constance Benhett==Joan Davis

“PARDON OUR NERVE"

“FIRST SHOWING EAST” 1=Lloyd Nolan “AMBUSH” . 2 NANCY DREW, REPORTER 3. “HOME ON THE RANGE” Stn. Thin Wed. =Tyrone Power Nancy Kelly "JESSE JAMES . . Lamour “ST. LOUFS BLUES” hI LVI

LTRS 20

Kay Franelx

Humphrey Rogar

LIN

n Ix O'Keefe—Cecelia Parker . HORN EM UP O'CONNO

nny-—Douis Hayward=Tom Brown “DURE OF WEST POINT”

John Garfield-—Anh Sheridan

| “PREY MADE ME A CRYMINAL"

. 40% FB. New York { Tyrone Power TUXEDO Ney Kelly WL REY | "ST LOUIR BLUES” RV Peter Lorre MYSTERIOUS MR, MOTO” “BREAKING THE TCE" Bundavelouis Hayward—Tom Rrowh

“DUKE OF WEST POINT” “PARTS HONEYMOON"

Pp t Jn x Wan, Aramount , oner one Gail Patrick=<0tte Krieger “DISBARRED” at 7:25 and 10:13 Chay, Starr

ett WEST OF CHEYENNE,” 6:30-5:30

Strand 1332 E. WASH,

Saturday and Sunday Constance Bennett=Alice Faye Nancy Xelly=-Joan Davis

“TAILSPIN”

WEST STDE June Withers

Speedway in Ho

“I'HE ARIZONA WILDCAT" “SHADOWS OVER SHRANGHAT"

NL IN a JW Michizan St New Daisy « rn “1 COVER THE WATERFRONT” “KING OF THE ARENA" SOUTH SIDE edo, At Fountain Sve Sanders © iw hen “BREAKING THIN ICE” Gene Autry “Western Jamboree” Buhfay=-Jennette MacDonnld=-Nelson Eddy

“SWEETHEARTS” Paul Kelly “JUVENILE COURT”

Jane With

J . 1 Orien tal Teo Carillo “ARIZONA WILDCAT” Raymond Massey “DRUMS” Bunduy=-"Tyrone Power—HWenry Fonde

“JESSE JAMES" “THE LAST WARNING”

New Garfield Bary Dames

Sheedway City

05 N. Meridian St. ers

| “RING OF UNDERWORLD”

530% ¥. Wanh, St. N % Last Times Tonight |

| | |

y. SOUTR SIDE 15¢ »

SR. a paV0 DUAR E

Stage, Radio and Sereen Stars

Fxira Fuh A DAY AT THE

XY MAT. TODAY \/ M.

1045 VIRGINIA AVE, TONIGHT AND SUNDAY ALICE CONSTANCE NANCY

FAYE "BENNETT KELLY

Fxtra Hit=Michuel “Pardon Our : "Pros. & Ohurchman Jeanette MucDonnl@ : Nelson Eddy “SWEETHEARTS” Comedy and Serial Sundny=Boris Karloft=Beia Tugosl “SON OF FRANKENSTEIN” Pat O'Brien “OFF THE RECORD”

Plus a Comedy !

~ NORTH SIDE ~~

Whalen erve’’

(Toe Za r : ng Oharlie MeCarthy “You Can't Cheat an Honest Man” “WINGS OF THE NAVY” Sunfay=-Cary Grant=Victer MelLaglen “GUNGA DIN” Donald Duck-=Riuss Morgan's Oreh, College ut #38 Free Parking orothy Lamoui Lloyd Nolan “ST. LOUIS BLUES” Jane Withers “Arizona Wildoat”

Sundny=<Frefric Maroh=-Joan Bennett “TRADE WINDS”

Don Ameche=Rity, drow,

- “THREE MUSKETEERS” . 18th & Delaware Cinema

John Garfield Ann Sheridan “THEY MADE ME A CRIMINAL” “THERE'S THAT WOMAN AGAIN"

Sunday=Clark Gable=-Norma Shearer ‘IDIOT'S DELIGHT” “ARIZONA WILDCAT"

Continvou= Daily From 1:30

REX 31%t _& Northwestern George Raft Dorothy Lamnre “SPAWN OF THE NORTH" Pat O'Brien “OFF THE RECORD” Sun. “They Made Me a Oriminal” ‘PUKE OF WEST POINT”

= - S4h nna Tino R 12 Chas. Laughton Elsa Lanchester "“T'HE BEACHCOMBER" “MR. MOTO’S LAST WARNING”

Sunday=Alfre Fave==Onnxtanre Bennet)

“TATLSPIN” “PARDON OUR NERVE" T Tm trctrom o 4300 wna Onlioxs = Uptown hig fei ‘PYGMALION”

‘Peck’s Bad Boy at the Circus”

N O STAGE NITERBUG. JAMBOREE Contest Sundny=-Eleanor Powell=Rohert Young

“HONOLULU” “THE GIRL DOWNSTATRS”

8 Hy te Ft. Wavhe & St, Oinie t. Q | r Tonight, Tomorrow Alfre Paye—Constance Bennett

Two Big Hits “TATLSPIN®

Teslte Foward in Gen, Bernnrd Shaw's

i a

fi hi

Billie Burke