Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 February 1940 — Page 14
THE STAGE
Helen Hayes Discards Brocades and Silks For Current Visit to English's Theater
By JAMES THRASHER
AFTER A H brocades and wa
DOZEN strenuous, brilliant years in the stiff ed silks of Scotland's Mary and England's Vic-
toria, Helen Hayes returned to English’s last night in something quite
different.
Nothing more glamorous, in fact, than the modern frocks
of a girl called Terry Scott in “Ladies and Gentlemen.” This is a humorous and sentimental little piece which can, with-
out rancor, be called inconsequential. ~ The authors are Ben Hecht and Charles MacArthur. And only the very young or the very indifferent need be told that Mr. MacArthur is Miss Hayes’ husband, or that as a team these versatile gentlemen have done remarkably well. Back in the Roaring Twenties they were the Katzenjammer Kids who wrote “The Front Page.” And, as the Forties dawned, they found themselves widely and deservedly hailed for their screen adaptation of “Wuthering Heights.” But right now they are the authors of “Ladies and Gentlemen.” It might be charged by the more captious that their play is an unworthy vehicle for Miss Hayes’ magnificent gifts. However I refuse to point the accusing and scornful finger. In the first place I confess to an oczasional weakness for second-rate art done in a first-rate manner. And sccondly it would be untair to deny Miss Hayes a respite frm her arduous and unforcettable interpretations of recent years. Six evenings a week (with matinees. Wednesday and Saturday) of going to the block 0° wearing the apple-stuffad cheeks of the senile Victoria must pall eventually— even if one De Helen Hayes. » » BESIDES, THERE JS ample cause for rejoicing in: Miss Hayes’ Terry Scott. For she cannot step inside a character without illuminating it. Even if it be only the sensible, sensitive, warm-hearted and clear-headed young woman juror of “Ladies and Gentlemen,” Miss Hayes pours into it the full measure of her art. There is grace and charm inall she does, but that’s rather a trite way of putting it. It mignt tetter be said that her perforrmance has those shining identifications of all of Miss Hayes’ characterizations, qualities devoid of mannerism and affectation, perfectly sincere yet unique. The play, a “Grand Hotel” of the jury. room, presents a triumph of tolerance through Terry’s shining example. She is a
der to free himself for another love. Most of the jurymen' and one jurywoman are trying infidelity rather than the defenoant. And prejudices have stacked the cards. » » »
ONE OF THOSE most stoutly biased is an intelligent and straight-laced architect of 44. (Some day some one is going to find out why architecture is the playwright’s favorite heroic profession.) But he falls in love with Terry, finds his predicament paralleling the defendant’s, falls in line with her thinking and the two of them almost swing the jury to acquittal. But after three days’ deliberation, one man remains as bitter as he is adamant. To round up the lone wanderer, Messrs. Hecht and MacArthur bring in a birthday cake, a shining example of the sanctity of the home. It is a present from the architect’s wife and children. Terry toasts wife, children and beloved in soft drinks. Then comes the final renunciation “scene, with the hero finally convinced of the hopelessness of his extramarital love. Fortunately the obdurate juror has eavesdropped from the balcony, so the final verdict is “Not guilty.” Fortunately there is more of the “Front Page” Hecht and MacArthur than sugary icing in “Ladies and Gentlemen.” There are plenty of keen, sharp lines and timely, rowdy witticisms. Not enough to produce an uproarious evening, but ample to lift the play into the higher: brackets of that somewhat odious form known as the “comedy drama.” Philip Merivale, as the architect, gives a quiet, warm and wholly appealing portrayal. The rest of the play is admirably cast, and Evelyn Varden, Connie Gilchrist, Frank Conlan, George Watts and Joseph Sweeney, to name only part of the panel, lend added flavor to some richly farcical characters. To the. wavering prospective patron, Miss Hayes tips the scale definitely in favor of “Ladies and Gentlemen.” Actresses of her
Here is Thomas Hart Benton’s preview of “The Grapes of Wrath,” film version of John Steinbeck’s controversial best-seller which opens at the Indiana March 1. Above is a setting of the picture, and below, left to right, are the famous American artist's conceptions of Tom Joad, Casey, the preacher, and Ma and Pa Joad. Mr. Benton is the man who did the Indiana murals for the Chicago World’s Fair. age in Chicago, the murals are to have a permanent home in the Indiana University auditorium, now nearing completion.
Now in stor-
BUNDY IS BOOKED FOR MUSIC HALL
Rudy Bundy and his orcadira
War's On
The Civil War and World War are fighting it out for a downtown endurance record in
AWARDED PRIZE
FOR LINCOLN PLAY
BOONVILLE rad. = Ind., Feb. 9 (U. P).
Raymond V. Najarian of Evanston,
Ill, and “Abe Lincoln Grew Up in Indiana” by Mrs. Leona Day Nunn of Indianapolis.
HOBBY BECOMES VOCATION CLEVELAND, O., Feb. 9 (U. P.).—
Studios Ask About Play
Authors’ Agencies Also Query on ‘Sheltered.’
Two major film studios, a leading New York producing firm and several authors’ agencies have expressed an interest in “The Sheltered,” the drama by 21-year-old Robert E. Johnson of Indiana University which opens tonight at the
Civic Theater. Mr. Johnson will make his first
oficial appearance at the theater
tonight. He was scheduled to speak at the Theater Affairs Committee this morning but was ordered to
rest until the evening performance,
He has been ill of infleunza. The Civic office has received lete ters from the Theater Guild, 20th Century-Fox ‘and Metro-Goldwyne Mayer Studios, Allied Authors, Wal« ter Baker, Leah Salisbury, Leland Hayward and Alice Kauser, Besides receiving a $500 award from ‘the Civic Theater, Mr. Johne son retains the performance rights for his work. Edward Steinmetz Jr. had directed “The Sheltered.” It will be presented tonight by the follow ing players: Ricca Scott Titus, Bete ty Crandall Drewry, George Palme er, John Connor, Richard Roses bush and Gertrude Brooks.
GORREGT GLASSES
On Very Easy
GREDIT TERMS!
ple suffer the tragedy st poo: Teresighi unknowingly. Dizzines daches, alse and many other ills are often caused by poor vision. Have Dr." Manker check up on your eyes tomorrow!
DR. FOLEY
Registered Optometrist With Offices at
ee ILL IE
local theaters. With “Gone With the Wind” still breezing along at Loew's, “The Fighting 69th” kept pace today by beginning its third downtown. week and second week at the Apollo. : The Apollo has added new short subjects for the current week's engagement.
'THE GREEN STICK" PARTS TO BE CAST
Charles Bruce Millholland will cast parts for his play, “The Green Stick,” from 2 to 4 p. m. Sunday in the Cropsey Auditorium of Central Public Library. Anyone who has acted professionally, or who has had experience in amateur or school productions, is. invited to, attend and read for the author.
—Mrs. Francesca Falk Miller of Chicago won: the $1000 award for the best play based on the life of Abraham Lincoln in Indiana, officials of the contest said today.
will return to Tom Devine’s Music Hall this evening to provide Lo week-end’s dance music. The Bundy band played a one-night stand last Sunday. Announcement of future Music Hall events include the booking of Little Jack Little for the night of Feb. 18, and of Jimmy James and
his music for Feb. 24 and 25. For next Friday and Saturday nights Mr. Devine has engaged George Wald and his orchestra, now at the Brown Hotel in Louisville.
PERT KELTON ‘BROKE
NEW YORK, Feb. 9 (U. P.).— Pert - Kelton, stage and screen actress, filed a voluntary petition in bankruptcy in Federal Court today listing liabilities of $8,076 and
caliber come among us too seldom to be missed, even when the play is of no sky-shaking dimensions. “Ladies and Gentlemen” will be with us tonight and for two performances tomorrow.
For 30 years, while working at his trade of carpenter, Michael Hylan followed his hobby of royal embroidery. Now his hobby makes him
Mrs. Miller was guest of honor 2 Ine: ne he can’t find’ work at a meeting of the Southwestern :
Indiana Civic Association last night|[ at which prize winners were Zn FN] ASSADOR 5 nounced. Her play was e “Marked Corners,” and it was un-|| Jag Sisters, J. Garfield, Jeffr ki derstood that it would be produced Douglas, “Amazing Mr. William shortly. Honorable mention was awarded to “He Grew Older in Indiana” by William E. Wilson of Providence, BR 1. "And the Child Grew’ by
APOLLO
Rough . . . Tough and Terrific!
A picture as unbeatable as the regiment whose name it hears!
movie executive’s secretary who embraces service on a murder jury ‘as her first chance for a vacation in five years. The defendant is charged with pushing his wife off a cliff in or-
HOLLYWOOD
Stars to Smile on Vivien Leigh, Says Movie Colony's Horoscoper
By PAUL HARRISON
ce of know aboyt thorn J
OPE 9:45; m]50e TH 6 p. m. t- Indiana
ole Ent, Bill Elliot “TAMI ST Chas. Bickford— Sr MacLane “MUTINY IN THE BIG HOUSE”
HOLLYWOOD, Feb. 9.—Vivien Leigh may not know it yet, but her life and future have been the subject of considerable astro-psychic research by Hollywood's head horoscoper, Mabel Walrath Smith. The findings are encouraging, too; it seems that the British star is in conjunction with Mercury and under the beneficient influence of Uranus,
Jupiter, David Selznick, Venus and I don’t know what all.
The other day at Paramount I met the astrologer after a special showing of ‘“The Sidewalks of London” (made in 1938 but only now to be released in this country). I thought the picture excellent and Charles Laughton’s performance his hest. Mrs. Smith, though, hadn't noticed those things because she had been so busy watching the co-star, Miss Leigh. In this increasingly practical age the movie colony is a little shy about acknowledging faith in the mystic arts or claimed sciences. Yet a lot of prominent people consult and praise Mabel Smith, a brisk and amusing blond whose claim of 58 years is less credible than her wildest forecasts. Non-professionally she’s a great favorite at parties, and her skill at poker is sufficient to convince ‘almost any materialist that there's such a thing as occult power. IS ” tJ
~ SOME HOLLYWOODSMEN, like George Brent, say “Smithy, you're a witch! I don’t believe in astrology, but you must get this stuff from somewhere.” Another who
ADMISSION SEATS $1.10 [ar
Incl On Sale 7:15 Each Night for
SONJA HENIE'S Hollywood Ice Revue
COLISEUM Tonight & Saturday
Boxes $2.75—-Tax Included il 1
1 500 GENERAL
GOOD SEATS TONIGHT!
SEE IT TODAY!
; SRD SMASH WEEK!
Weekday matinees are continuous—not reserved. Come any time up to 2:45 P. M. and see a complete show. - Doors open 9 A. M.
BUY RESERVED SEATS NOW
GOOD SEATS AVAILABLE 'ANY NIGHT UP TO FEB. 15.
NIGHTS § p. m. (Reserved) $110 jad. tus SUN. MAT. 2p. m. (Reserved) S| SL 1 incl. tax
WEEKDAY MATS. (Not A 7% 1 nel iw EXCEPT LOGES See i2 in its entirety, exactly the same as Atlanta & B'way premieres! THIS PRODUCTION WILL NOT BE SHOWN Al EXCEPT AT AD YANczD PRICES —~AT LEAST UNTIL 1940.
says that is Eddie Mannix, Metro bigwig, who was impressed by her predictions of a domestic split, ‘a fire in his house, and the outcome of an oil deal. A third person is Charlie Chaplin. The comedian was one of about 38 people at a party who heard Mrs. Smith give warning of the probable circumstances of the death of the wife of Dr. Cecil Reynolds, Chaplin’s physician. It worked out to the last tragic detail—tropics, car trouble, aquatic demise—and the apparently wellauthenticated case became a world sensation in Sunday supplements and hocus-pocus journals. - Mrs. Smith frequently gives out with bunchesN\of predictions for publication, it is supposed to be a matter of record that she accurately forecast the beginning of the war, the Soviet-Nazi pact, the deaths of John Gilbert and the elder Douglas Fairbanks, and innumerable other great and small events. She says the man next inaugurated President of the United States will die in office. Also that Hitler, betwen now and April 21, will: become very ill and will lose his dominance in Germany. Next year will be a bad one for England; the ‘war will last five years, and we will be drawn into it. » 2 »
OF LESSER MOMENT: Ronald Coleman’s last big year is 1940; Madeleine Carroll is headed for a new romance and last marriage; Cecil DeMille is likely to be very ill next August or September. About Vivien Leigh: She’ll become a truly great star. She must guard her eyesight and should be careful about airplanes and ‘horses. Unexpectedly she will recover some lost money or jewelry. Shell win an Academy Award, will make a lot of money, and will become an American citizen. In all, she’ll marry four times, and will have another child. Within a couple of years, probably in the summer of 1941, she will encounter and surmount .a serious difficulty. Personally, I'll take all these predictions with a few grains of stardust. But for a laugh—or maybe for a gasp of astonishment —1I think I'll file ’em for a future check with facts.
ENGLISH <roiomean®; 5% 50 a MILLER —
HAYES: « MERIVALE “LADIES ao GENTLEMEN"
By CHARLES MacARTHUR & BEN HECHT Based on o ploy THUR 8 SEN Ie
MON., TUE. EVES,, FEB. 12-13
Maurice EVANS
“uy AMLET” IN ITS
~ ENTIRETY MADY CHRISTIANS
HENRY EDWARDS CURTAIN 7:30 P. M.
5; $8.30, Incl, Tax, SEATS NOW |
assets of only $200.. Listed among the liabilities were $350 owed various beauty shops and other general household and personal bills.
with the life of Tolstoy, réceived honorable mention in the Civic Theater’s recent playwriting contest.
i [
WHEN DOES IT START?
APOLLO t ob 69th,” with James rien, Qeorge Brent, : 04 and 5. “ih Man 3 Woe Wouldn't Talk,” with Lioyd Nolan. at 11:31, 2:42, 5:53
and 9 CIRCLE ' “Vigil In the Night,”” with Carole Lombard, Brian Aherne, Anne Shire ley, at 11, 1:45, 4:30, 7:15 and 10. “Married and in Love,” with Alan Marshall, Barbara Read, at 12:45, 3:30, 6:15 and 9:05. CIVIC
“The Sheltered,” a new play by Robert E. Johnson, presented by a Civic Theater cast under Edward Steinmetz’ direction. Zngagerment through Wednesday; curtain at 8:30, ENGLISH’S ‘Ladies and Gentlemen,” a pla ay by by en Hecht and Charles MacArth arring Helen Hayes and with Philip orivale in the cast. Engagement hrough Saturday; curtain at 8:30; aturday matinee at 2:30. INDIANA ‘Little Old New York,’ with Alice Faye, Pred MacMurray, Richard Greene, at 12:35, 3:43, 6:51 and 9:59. : “Young as You Feel,” with the “Jones Family,” at 11: 36, 2:44, 5:52
an LOEW'S “Gone With the Wind,” with Clark Gable, Vivien Lesh, Leslie Howard, Olivia de Havilland; continuous week-day matinees from i0 a.. m.; evening performances at 8 p. m.; Sunday matinee, 2 p. m. LYRIC Dick Powell, other yaudesille, stage. ‘The Return of Dr. Wayne Morris, Rosemary Sans, Humphrey Bogart, on screen. No schedule available.
on with
“The Green Stick,” which deals
Greatest Show Value in a] John Trent, “STUNT PILOT”
Basil Rathbone, “R10”
“JUDGE HAR. HARDY AND SON” Alice Faye, “BARRICADE”
Tae Opa “Indianapolis Speedway’’ hn Payne, “Kid Nightingale’
JAMES
CAGNEY
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GEORGE
JEFFREY LYNN - ALAN HALE - FRANK
25¢ UNTIL 6
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RichARD CLARKE « ERIC BLORE..
Joe E. Brown, rCaewate of Spooks’ Charlie Chan, “City of Darkness”
IVY Rs LYN TRE ele
Joan Blondell, ‘‘Amazing Mr. Williams” Frank Morgan, ‘‘Henry Goes Arizona”
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A mad genius whose un holy power came from science’s hidden mysteries! WAYNE ROSEMARY
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THE PRESIDENT” Claudette Foopert “PRUMS ALONG T U TUESDAY Jeffry Lynn—] ; «SMASHING THE MONEY RING” Soares, Murphy _ College 3 pe Stratford “DEATH RIDES THE FANGE Adults. 15c—Children, 10¢ Before 6 " Wm. Henry “TE 31st & Northwestern T A Orrin Tucker & Band 2540 W. Mich. St. te: 20,000 MEN A YEaR CUT 2 Paulett SeRdard e x AN. YY”? Speedway Speedway J. Mack Brown FOkiahoms Frontier” UR WIVESS irs ge a “SCANDAL SHEET” EEE ST a — Sat.-Sun. =Dick Fo RE "DETECT
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.Last Times Tonight Joan _Blondell—Mel Douglas “A NG MR. LLIAMS” “OUTPOST OF THE MOUNTIES”
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John Trent “DANGER FLIGHT” "SANTA FE STAMPEDE"
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Warner Baxter “BARRICADE”
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