Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 28 November 1939 — Page 16
sta Still Holds Public After 14 Years of Stardom: Popularity Seems Unaffected Even by td Sound, Color or 'Oomph.’
“Ninotchka,” which opens at Loew's Friday. is Greta Garbo's. 24th Toni since she first stepped onto a Hollywood set 14 years ago this
> " Fourteen years is a long stretch
of stardom in the film capital. Time
1. In 1925, a 19-year-old Swedish actress named Greta Garbo, brought to this country by M-G-M, -made her first Hollywood appearance in a picture called “The Torrent.” 2. Two years later her name was linked romantically with that of John Gilbert, who co-starred with her in “Love,” an adaptation of “Anna Karenina.” When talkies arrived, Garbo remade the picture with Fredric March, 3. “Garbo Talks!” Thus the ad-
THE STAGE
To Ethel Waters Go Laurels
Of
By JAMES THRASHER
‘Great’ in English's Play
IF ETHEL WATERS should never play another part, her perform
Local Trio Cast in Play
Indiana Central Production
Set for Friday Night.
i a
ICHURCHES GIVE =~ 1 MUSIC PROGRAM
The Union Congres Congregational ‘and’ Christian Church Choir is to spone sor a musical program at 8 o'clogk tonight in the church auditorium, 17th and Rembrandt Sts. The program will include vocal and instrumental music by members of the host churches and other
WHEN DOES IT START?
APOLLO
“First Love,” with Desa i Loin, i VE Bet IRCLE
Martha Sith other vaudev le =. stage. at 1:10, 3:55, 6:40 a “On Dress Parade,” with 5 at 11:50, 2:35, and 10:
ENGLISH'S “Mamba’s Daughters,” Dorot
ne Be nt
churches in the City. ‘Hugh Mason is ‘director of music. Mrs. Gus H. [{'Nees, choir chairman, has charge of tonight's entertainment.
ance of Hagar in “Mamba’s Daughters,” now at English’s, would place her undisputedly among the great actresses of our time. That is a large statement to make about an actress who, almost unbelievably, is doing her first dramatic role. If it were the crowning portrayal of a long and distinguished career, Miss Waters’ Hagar would be something to enshrine in our theatrical memories. But to reach
to move as swiftly as production on a Class B horse opera, and public fancy changes over night. Yet somehow Greta Garbo has ined her popularity, unaffected “by sound, technicolor, glamotr, “oomph” or Shirley Temple.
Her stardom has survived with-
Three Indianapolis students are to appear in the Indiana Central College production of George Kelley’s play, “Craig's Wife,” Friday night at Kephart Memorial Audi-
vertisement heralded Garbo’s first talking picture, “Anna Christie.” Made in 1930, the Eugene O’Neill classic also started the late Marie Dressler on the last and greatest chapter of her film career.
3nd DuBose Heyward's, play Sarin . Saal Waters, Fin a t ineludin i
br a Sap ania thiough ain at 8:30 Wednese matinee at en
Ei A
. “That's Right~You’ve Wrong,” with abs Rant Adolphe’ Men on Ma
isfactory story was found in “Ni- “W notchka,” which tells of the serious day young lady from Soviet Russia who
REE BIG ST. REGULAR PRICEST
out benefit of cooked-up publicity.
a
“Her romance with John Gilbert, a ‘dozen years ago, provided millions
‘carious thrills. But when it was all over, the Garbo eminence re- ~ mained ‘unaffected, while Mr. Gil- _ pert quickly dropped from movie ~ prominence. Naturally quiet and reserved, Gar‘bo has learned that silence is gold-
~ en. An interview with her is re-
Fie ste i x
Lg
‘garded as a major journalistic feat, and her infrequent public statements are treasured and repeated ‘as eagerly as the latest Goldwynism. An awe-struck public long ‘since abandoned her first name ‘When speaking of her—as sure a sign of esteem as in the cases of Bernhardt, Duse, Paderewski or
Toscanini. The 19-year-old Greta Garbo had two film appearances to her credit
* when she came to America in June,
11925 with her “discoverer” and diE pector. Mauritz Stiller. As Greta Gustaisson, she had stopped school ~ when she was 14 to help support a
- § widowed mother and an invalid sis- . ter. She had worked in a barber . shop and in a department store.
She had made her movie debut in 8 yn eretal picture, clad in a costume several sizes too
§ fing for her. Later she won a scholarship at
~ the Royal Dramatic School. Stiller,
‘ = impressed by a screen test, signed
~ her for the lead in “The Atone-
= = ent of Gosta Berling.” The picture
was a tremendous success in Sweden | later in Berlin, where the young : Gustafsson went for the open“Ine, and where she adopted her E professional name of Garbo. “Gosta ~ Berling” also attracted the attention of Louis B. Mayer, who persuaded | ‘both star and director to come to ~ Hollywood. America’s reigning film favorites 4 were Valentino, Douglas Fairbanks “Sr. the Gish sisters, Lillian and Dorothy, Norma Talmadge and Lon “Chaney when Garbo's first picture . appeared. Failing to conform to the, rian standard of beauty, she : all but shipped back home til Stiller supervised a second screen test and convinced her new Jemployers of her possibilities. - When “Tne Torrent” finally was released, however, the American ‘public “went overboard” for the mew star. The succession of pictures which followed assured Garbo a place as the foremost tragedienne of the screen. As Anna Karenina, Hari, Anna Christie, Camille, Queen Christina, she pursued a
2 tragic and tearful path of triumph.
There was talk of a Garbo comedy
for years. The star wanted a less
comes to Paris and, enamored of a charming and very tory gentleman, goes in for champagne, perfume, stylish gowns and laughter.
should be a surprise tc: everyone except, possibly, Garbo herself. . For the sad-eyed Swedish siren probably can remember her first professional screen assignment, which was in a comedy called “Peter the Tramp.” It was a Scandinavian counterpart of the Mack Sennett two-reel-er. And Miss Garbo's chief dramatic contribution was to slap a fellow actor with a large and very dead fish.
AS HORSE BUCKS
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28 (U. P.).— Gary Cooper was in a sanitarium at Tucson, Ariz., today with a knee injury suffered when he was thrown
shoot up a town before the movie cameras. The injury occurred at Goldwin,
film set town on the desert 38 miles from Tucson. Mr. Cooper had to be driven 11 miles over studio-built mountain trails to reach a highway and an ambulance.
ROOSEVELT'S IDEA BASIS FOR MOVIE
training civilian pilots and today
20th Century-Fox capitalized on it
by making a motion picture based {on the idea. The plan provides
under the Civil Aeronautics Author-
| structor.
WALLACE BEERY TO ADOPT CHILD.
Wallace Beery announced toaay he is adopting a second daughter— “just a good start toward a family of four or five children I hope to! have some day.” The blue-eyed, blond girl, 17 months old, is the daughter of a Los Angeles couple and “Mr. Beery
So finally, “Garbo laughs.” which
COOPER INJURED
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28 (U. P.).— President Roosevelt had a plan for
: training of 20,000 college students each year
‘ity. In the movie Randolph Scott | will play the part of a flying in-
4. And now, “Garbo Laughs!” The “new slogan applies to “Ninotchka,” Garbo’s first Hollywood comedy, which opens Frio day at Loew’s with Melvyn Douglas appearing opposite the star.
Hunt Riches With Gadget
Doodlebug Machine Jitters; Treasure? $! Watch,
By FREDERICK C. OTHMAN United Press Hollywood Correspondent . HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28. — If it hadn’t been for the presence of three newsreel camera crews, Six reporters and 75 excited fans, the world might never have known what treasure the doodlebug turned u Hollywood Bowl the first day of its
from a horse while galloping to hunt
The doodlebug is a sort of seismograph, converted to detect earth treasures. Modern prospectors use them to find, they say, gold and other metals. Even oil prospectors use them. Their latest use has been in hunts for buried treasure.
Treasures, They Say
Henry Jones, an Alaskan mining engineer, and Ray Johnson, movie stunt ‘man, brought one to the Hollywood Bowl where for years wthere have been tall tales of fabulous treasures buried by the brigands of Juarez. It is said that ‘Gen. Placido Vega brought the treasure to San Francisco to buy guns which Juarez needed to 'drive Emperor Maxmilian out. of Mexico. A sheepherder saw the General bury the cache, stole it and reburied it—yes, by golly—In Cahuega Pass, now the site: of Hollywood Bowl. It turned out, the legend says, that everybody that touched the treasure, eight men in all, died, prematurely. . Since the bowl was built, hundreds of searchers for thé treasure have
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28 (U. P.).—.
dug to no avail. But that didn’t phase ‘Johnson and Jones. They { took their doodlebug there yesterday and carefully walked with it
over a large area.
Doodlebug Goes Crazy As luck would have it, the deli-
cate, electrically controlled needle
began to jitter over the only spot that had not béen dug previously. It went wild, at a point just 100
such an eminence after no sterner school than Negro musical comedy makes it truly one of the world’s wonders. ‘The only explanation of this dramatic phenomenon lies in recourse to trite and carelessly used statements.- But, as so rarely happens in this world, Ethel Waters is a born actress, and she actually lives the life of Hagar in those hours upon the stage. Last night her weariness and suffering and meager happiness were real, and ‘they were real tears which filled her eyes. And this rather harrowing emotional experience must have been repeated on each of the nearly 250 times that she has played the part. There is no other way to account for the almost hypnotic power with which she invests this powerful, slow-witted, illiterate, great-hearted Negress of Dorothy and DuBosé Heyward'’s imagination. ® #8
WE EXPECT to find such acting only in those with great natural gifts and a masterly technique acquired through difficult years of learning. But Miss Waters’ creation of Hagar springs from a perception that is so-sym-pathetic, so absorbing and penetrating that it even transcends the -actor’s craft. There remains only Hagar, a great black Amazon capable of no deep thought or eloquent expression, but blessed with the gift ‘of song, the strength of a man and the primitive, pervading instinct of maternal love. ‘We follow Hagar, her daughter, Lissa, and her mother, Mamba, through 20 years of their life. We meet them in a Charleston court room. Hagar is paroled for five years to an island plantation supervisor after she unwittingly has nearly choked the life out .of a man. Mamba, somewhat ashamed of her stupid daughter, rears Hagar’s bright-skinned baby in a different way. And as the years go by, Hagar does a man’s work to support the child, her devotion rewarded by only occasional visits. Near the end of her parole period. Hagar takes a wounded man- across the river to a hospital and is sent to serve her five years in prison. Thé man whose life she saved is a petty crook, cordially hated by all the island's other Gullah Negroes, who eventually repays her by nearly destroying the fruits of her life's
| singing.
ing from beginning to. end. Georgia Burke, as Mamba, is a splendid matriarchal figure. The supporting cast, too large for deserved individual mention, is a tribute to. Guthrie McClintic’s direction, to a profusion of talent and a uniform sincerity of performance. And what has been said of the acting may be said of the play itself. The fact that the audience becomes much too absorbed to weigh and analyze is considerable tribute in itself. But in spite of the other virtues, Miss Waters’ Hagar dominates and overshadows all else. It is unlike anything you may hope to find in a decade of play-going; it is something to be seen and seen again.
Susanna Sick, Misses Opening
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28 (U. P.) ~~ A Hollywood Cinderella story went awry and 14-year-old Susanna FosLter was in a hospital with bronchitis last night when’ she expected to be trilling her B flat above high C for an admiring premiere crowd. The girl singer was discovered by the movies a few months ago, an hired by Paramount Studio at a salary which lifted her family from a state of actual want. In her first picture, “The Great Victor Her-| bert,” she sang such a high note the studio executives feared that it might be doubted that she did the
So a party was arranged for Monday night to follow the premiere of the picture. Susanna was to sing her high note. Rudy Vallee was to lead the orchestra, and music critics were to be present. Susanna’s party dress was ready. Then she was stricken with bronchitis, and could hardly talk. She was placed in Good Samaritan Hospital for special treatment.
HEDY AND STUDIO AGREE ON SALARY || MANDA
HOLLYWOOD, Nov. 28 (U. P).— Hedy Lamarr had made peace with her studio in a wage squabble today and agreed to resume her movie career, which began in Vienna. - Miss Lamarr walked off the M.-G.-M. lot a few weeks ago, charging the studio was not paying her enough. She tried to go on he stage in “Salome” but the studio went to court to stop her.
Comer Ave.; University St., 1310 Edwards Ave. parts will be taken by Eleanor Phillips, Central Square, N. Y., and David Livengood of Warsaw.
torium. -
ey are Delores Stickney, 1204 Juanita Smith, 5751 and . Ralph Davis, The leading
The play is being presented by
Alpha Psi Omega, national Mn ary dramatic society.
‘Bugs’ to Kick Heels at ‘Jam’
Three hours of nightly, beginning Thursday, has
traction at the Manufacturers’ Building, State Fair Grounds, when
the “Jitterbug Jamboree of 1040” gets under way. ‘fhe show, advertised for an indefinite run, is being presented by R. M. Edwards, “walkathon” impresario and former Indianapolis resident. The shows will be held from 8 to 11 p. m, and no less than five masters of ceremonies will preside. The doors will be open from 7:30 p. 1m... Mr. Edwards announces that: jit=
ity will be selected to represent Indianapolis in a national championship competition in Madison Square Garden, New York, at a later date. Vaudeville acts are to be. presented as an added feature of the dance contests .
ENGLISH
BARGAIN MAT. WED,, = n Seats at Box Office Now ETHEL i BA fit
“sy THT, i 8
Bo ; bist : Wed Sie to 1.08
BE x Rabon. Lugtle Ball, at 12:43, 3:47, ” LOEW'S “Another Thin Man, Jot William
Powe Mytna Lo rey, TRNST, at 13%0. 3 3: Bo: nig. :85 and
“Bad Little An el Ti Virginia Weidler, Gene He Feynol ds, > She 2:35, 5:35 and 8:5 ? LYRIC
25¢ UNTIL SP.M, |
Jack Haley, Mary Carlisle, Jack Teagardeh ae, bis © orchestra on stage,
134. 0 sawyer,’ ‘with Edyaa Ellis and uise, at 11:40, 2:23, 5:16, 8:09 and 10: 31,
“rug-cutting” |
been announced as a feature -at-|.
terbugging teams from this vicin-|
NOW—280 Until 6
CL & ng Wid,
NLT eg La
~witic Edward Ellis « A Malis,
Next Fri.—Lum a"0 (Shnee—Shep |
Garbo in a spicy Emst Lubitsch love affair of Paris in those wonder- ' * ful days when a siren ‘was a brunette-and ‘not.an alarm—and if a “Frenchman turned out the light it was not on account of an air raid! ‘She's marvelous in
“Ninotchka” ~that 'M-G-M picture with ‘the Lubitsch, “touch’’s
yards off Cahuega Boulevard. But| hope ‘and privation and love.
b'§ LOEV
An “agreement” was reached over Ite
Serious vehicle, but the proper script | said he agreed to give her back at
Was not forthcoming. Finally a sat-'
any time the mother desires.
AMOUS D
Painful
RELI FYE Symptoms of
IRECTIONS
‘
COLDS FAST
Note Eady Steps in Pictured...
nfo aches, or Aspirin Ts Tablets and drink iD . Repeat Pain, rawne Sas a hn.
sass So, water Pita
rgle. SS are eased in a remarkably short time. pain is i ot ot icky he
from cold, 3. cn
pirin Tablets have 2 8 Svar and |
Sore throat from colds eased in a hurry! No strong medicines to upset system.
’t wait if you even suspect you I catchi a cold. At the first sign, plow the directions in Bos above—the simplest “among the most effective ethod is known to modern science. se Your Doctor. Even though a Bayer wholeheartedly approve Aspirin to relieve painil sym kag you should not fail 2 your family physician, be- _ many colds may lead to s consequences. Largely with A i a this simple, scien~ of relief has taken the old-fashie has “shot-gun” dicine for is, which may e the system. Literally millions “it. i it. will say it is un-
ARE
WHY BAYER ASPIRIN STARTS TO WORK SO FAST Drop a genuine Bayer Aspirin Tablet in water.
Almost instantly it aris to disintegra ready
te—is to go to work. Make ot, and See for yourself y Bayer acts 80 quickly!
Aspi
‘of hoary age,
this spot was covered with pave-
ment. : - Hurriedly they sent for an air‘hammer, and, as the cameras began ‘to grind, they broke open the asphalt. They saved the pieces care- | fully, for the County said they'd | have to reconstruct all damage. The doodlebug needle went frantic until the shovels reached five feet. There it quit. “Sewer pipes,” explained the doodlebug manipulator. . Down went the shovels. At six feet the doodlebug came alive again, and a moment later the needle went completely berserk. So did every-
body around the hole.
Eureka! The Spanish doubloons! As Cameras Whirred
A man with a shovel bent over. His hand came up holding something rust-caked. Jones grabbed it while the cameras whirred. He took one look then with a nasty look at the doodlebug announced: “We'll quit for the day,
(boys. We've turned up a watch, a
tin Ingersoll of the dollar variety.” That meant, of course, that the county had a half interest in a 10-year-old tin watch, The doediebug-
igers’ contract says they must give
half their treasure to the county. “We're not discouraged,” said Mr. Jones. “The treasure may be 15
feet deeper.” The digging wes resumed today.
GABLE GETS LEAVE So ‘that Clark Gable may attend the world premiere of “Gane With the Wind” at Atlanta, Ga., Dec. 15, production schedules for M-G-M'’s “Strange Cargo” arranged. A special plane will be used to make the trip Wo Atlanta
and return,
Ask for Bayer As name, not for jus see that you get it.
Spisin by the full “aspirin”, And
ed, we are sure. When you
sure you get the
Ver, be yer product you want.
Sa
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are being re-|
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FOR WHEN LISSA is grown and on the threshold of a promising musical career, it is the same Gilly Bluton who seduces her. Then he extorts money from Mamba and Hagar by threatening to tell that they have buried Lissa’s dead baby without reporting to the authorities. Hagar’s full _ vengeance {is achieved at last in a tragic denouement of tremendous power. Miss Waters’ playing rises to a climax which leaves one chilled and shaken with its intensity. And, as if that were not enough, the heart must be wrung again after the final curtain as Miss Waters stands, an eloquent and unaffected figure of tragedy, unable to respond to the thundergus 8 applause with the traditional
From first to last, Miss Waters’ playing is such as to render any description inadequate, one might “wish tbo heap praise upon praise. It is better to correct the impression the' reader may have received that her perform. ancé is the beginning and end of Mamba’s Daughters.” On the contrary, the entire production is of highest ‘caliber. Fredi Washington's Lissa is an admirable portrayal. And ticular mention should be made of her splendid playing in a difficult scene which requires hysterical and unremittant -weep-
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| “Balalaika,” costarring Nelson Eddy
much as.
her salary demands, it was announced, but the terms were not disclosed.
FRANTZ SIGNED AGAIN Dalies Frantz, handsome ana popular young concert pianist, has been signed to a new long-term contract, as a result of his work
in| FLAS
‘MEET “NINOTCHKA™ PLUS DAMON RUNYON'S HILARIOUS STORY "JOE AND ETHEL TURP CALL ON THE PRESIDENT®
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IRVING 15¢
Bette Davis “THE OLD MAID”
8to 11 P. M. NIGHTLY ‘ Starting _ THURSDAY, Nov. 0
HRT BLDG.
: , Jackie Cooper “2 BRIGHT BOYS”
state Fi ATR r GROUNDS
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Lombard—Cary ‘Grant
“UiN NAME ONLY” Richard Dix “Man of Conquest”
‘Mat. Daily bela?
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