Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 May 1941 — Page 17

AS WE WERE saying yesterday before the whistle blew, when Jack Oakie expands in the mid-regions his stature as a comedian, nav, as an actor. bulges likewise. Whether it’s a song and dance, a serious sequence or just plain hamming, Mr. Oakie is becoming one of the most notorious picture stealers now at large in Hollywood. hve works his thievery to hilarious advantage in “The Great American Brogdcast,” currently on the Indiana screen. The story of this movie is about a telephone mechanic who fiddles around with a crystal set back in 1919 and how his aviator pal dreams up the idea of broadcasting music and big sporting events. There is the usual

misunderstanding between Hero (John Pavne) and Heroine (Alice Fave), but the mechanic (Mr. Oakie) fixes that up, too. The whols affair ends in a triumphal, nation-wide broadcast. That's the story. But don’t let Worry you. Wnat's important is that “The Great American Broadcast” is one of the lightest, most diverting musical comedies to escape irom Hollywood dullery in a long time. 8

role. Doing the song that made them famous and several new ones, too, the Ink lads make big capital .of their first picture. The Nicholas Bros. follow up with a neat dance routine or two and the Wiere Bros. supply the straight comedy. Despite a story that creaks and groans and occasionally mires up, Director Archie Mayo has made “The Great American Broadcast” a zippy show. He should be given some sort of a prize. He and that Mr. Oakie.

» =

Oakie All the Way

WHEN MR. OAKIE does a song dance) over the crystal set the edification of his friend the next room, he is at his terbest. When he chimes in ith his new-mown tenor in the nuch-burlesqued Sextet from La he’s still at his best. What I'm trying humbly to say {s that Mr. Oakie is good. And the same goes for the sultry Miss Fave, who still is one of the greatest reasons the male species goes to the movies. Maybe you remember ‘way back when she Oh, You Nasty Man.” Well, this one she does “I Take to nu” and “Long Ago Last Night” similar vein, which you should inly see is saying something. Romero is his old slick the millionaire playboy who's out to steal the hero's wife meantime pouring his money into the various broadcasting ventures. Mr. Payne as the fair,

= Clarions for Clive

ANY SCENIC designer has a right to over-expand his chest when an audience applauds the first sight of one of his sets, even before an actor setg foot on stage. This was the position Clive Rickabaugh found himself in when the curtain parted on the Act II of “George Washington Slept Here,” Keith's opening presentation. With hammer and paintbrush, Mr. Rickabaugh converted the tumble-down Act I set into a comfortable room for Act II, maintaining, of course, the rudiments of the original scenery. And that, I think, is no mean trick. Mr. Rickabaugh has been at this sort” of thing for some time now, working for Ruth Page, Katherine Dunham and Burgess Meredith. He attended the Chicago Art Institute for three years and then broke into the business in the Windy City. Since “George Washington Slept Here” concerns the tribulations of remodeling a dilapidated house, Mr. Rickabaugh found himself somewhat at home. A few years ago he bought an old garage 15 blocks from Chicago's Loop and started making a home for himself. A lot of trouble and work, but you should see it now.

(and

w » I t A

cia,”

sung sung Yo in pla Cesar

self as

hero is

Jim, Jam and Jump

ADDED specialties in the Indiana's screen fare carry through in high fashion. . Ever since the Four Ink Spots recorded “If I Didn't Care,” many a jukebox customer has been waitng their Hollvwood debut. “The Great American Broadcast” and they're given a sizable

“CLI RCLE

TODAY!

The Grandest ComedyRomance of the Year! Roaring Laughter! Thrilling Adventure! ® Three Great Kids Find Their Way te Love and Happiness!

JOEL McCREA ELLEN DREW

for

with

Papa is Cary Grant. Mamma is Irene Dunne. The movie is “Penny Serenade” and it opens today at Loew's.

The baby is a baby.

Winning

came in fourth on the Big 10 Star

500 fan letters a week. the bulk of Mr. Autry’s mail mentions her, mostly as “ . .. and I like Mary Lee very much.” Leading ladies usually are switched on Western stars faster than a headwaiter can change a $20 bill, but Mary Lee has been in nine of Mr. Autry’s film¢ and is the only female who ever has won his heart on celluloid. In all of them she has been Patsy, an orphan who is befriended by him, now is his A good many think she really has been

“I don’t believe you're just

Mary Lee is currently playing on the Ambassador screen with Gene Autry in “The Singing Hill.” The movie was held over and will run through tomorrow.

Actually, she’s 16 going on 17, but neither looks nor acts it. Just now she has more bounce than umph, | still is round-faced and fond of mugging. (Mr. Autry warns her she'll have to correct that bad habit of sticking out her tongue at people.) Between her big brown eyes and fine singing voice, however, she has all the makings of a glamour vocalist in a year or so. Canny Psychology There's canny phychology behind the age reduction, because fans don’t resent her as a romantic threat. As Miss Lee outlines her character, “I'm always for Mr. Autry and back him up in whatever he wants to do in the plot.

Mary Lee Breaks Rule by ing Autry’'s Heart

So it may be some time before she’s recognized locally, though after just a year and a half on the screen she is receiving more than

The Girl always opposes him. I'm no love-interest, though I'm| always asking him to wait until I} grow up, so I can marry him.” | Mary Lee got her first job with Ted Weems’ band, when she was] 12—a small-town Illinois youngster | with a fresh, untrained voice and! lots of personality. When the band!

As Patsy, the Orphan, She's Captured Many Fans; In Nine Films With Cowboy Hero.

HOLLYWOOD. May 9.—The name, Mary Lee, doesn’t mean much to Hollywood, but neither did Gene Autry’s until the singing cowboy

list, just behind Clark Gable.

«NES

Music Event Is Acclaimed

Full House Applauds Jordan Festival.

A packed house and a stage even more packed with musicians brought | the Jordan Conservatory’s second American Music Festival to a rous-

‘Kiss the Boys'

Tonight's opening performance of “Kiss the Boys Goodbye,” the Civic Theater's final production of the season, is being sponsored by the Nu Zeta chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota, professional music sorority. Curtain time is 8:30 o'clock. The Clare Boothe comedy will run nightly through next Wednesday, and tickets are available at the Playhouse, 1847 N. Alabama St.

ing close last night at the Murat. Though tickets were complimentary, all seats were reserved and had to be asked for. Thus the size of the audience probably was an indication of Indianapolis’ response to free music vigorously played. For the many who have ‘been laboring long under Fabien Sevitzky's direction toward this highlight of our city’s observancé of Na-| tional Music Week, last night must have been somewhat of a triumph.

Agatha Lewis Sings

Following the national anthem, the program opened with McDonald’s Symphony No. 3 for orchestra, chorus and soprano, the latter role being taken by Agatha Lewis of Chicago. This pretentious symphony was written as a setting for some Chinese poems by Fu Hsuan

tone of tragedy. Though Miss Lewis had to fight a stubborn tremolo occasionally, the net result was some creditable music by the Jordan Orchestra and the Jordan-Butler Choir. David Van Vactor then took over the podium to direct his Overture to a Comedy No. 2, premiered here last season by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra. Not every time is a composer the logical director of is own music, but Mr. Van Vactor is, so it developed. The orchestra gave him a fast-paced and mirthful performance.

Miss Zorn A Star

Star of the evening, perhaps, was Marie Zorn, member of the Jordan faculty who was heard in Converse’'s

Actually, she’s getting many more because; ttle Miss Zorn tore into this piece

picture, but she counts “South of the Border” as her first real screen] appearance. That was another snap-hiring job. Mr. Autry and] Republic's head, Herbert Yates, | heard her singing with the band in| a New York night club and signed | her for a picture. Girls of Own Age Write

Now the studio has several solo scripts in mind for its singing orphan with the heart of gold— notably a Mary Pickford favorite, “From Rags to Riches.” Most satisfying proof of Mary's popularity is the increasing volume of letters from moviegoers, especially of her own age. | An 11-year-old has formed “The Fans of Mary Lee” club (dues five cents a week). Final proof is in letters from young gents of 12 to 15 who write, “In all your pictures with Gene Autry, Mary Lee, I think you have stole the picture.” Invariably, they're much erased at that point, showing it has been a! tough struggle to admit anybody is better than the cowboy idol.

STARS OF FUTURE

Director Erle C. Kenton estimates

among the 32 youths seen in “Naval Academy.”

WHEN DOES IT START?

CIRCLE

“Reaching for the Sun,” with Joel JcCres ana Ellen Drew, at 12:40,

50 10.1 . Nights,” with Tommy

“Las Ve To! Dorsey SF pd Sag at 11:14, 2:45, 3:51, 6:57

2:24, and 10: a. w Nights® ta 2:25 5:30 and

civic “Kiss the Bovs Goodby” ron st ) by Clare Boothe. Directed bv 5 Rich. ard Hoover. Evelyn Steffen in the Cindy Lou role. Nightly through Wednesday at 8:30.

land technically adept. aN Concluding were two very Amer-| 3

| there are at least five future stars Lorrow evening and Sunday after-

Concertino for Piano and Orchestra.

with a will and came through handily. She is what is known in the trade as a “performer,”

|jcan works, Sheperd’s Lone Prairie {movement from the “Horizons” | suite and Arcady Dubensky's blend-| ing of several of Stephen Foster's | favored melodies. The latter is familiar to Mr. Sevitzky’s wintertime | customers, but I don’t believe they had heard it with color.

Schricker Speaks

The Jordan-Butler vocal embellishments put even more sweep in| Foster and naturally the audience “went for it.” Governor Schricker made a con-| gratulary speech, Mr, Sevitzky | made an appeal for funds to es-| tablish a Jordan Festival scholarship and then the folks were sent Stars and Striping homeward. It was a happy night —F. P.

38th Season for Riverside to Open

Riverside Amusement Park will formally open its 38th season to-

noon. A total of one hour of free rides Sunday afternoon will feature the opening. On display for the first time will be a new “star” fountain at the main entrance. Riverside will be open every evening throughout the summer,

DICK JURGENS AT THE 'RECORD SPOT

Dick Jurgens, whose band is the current attraction on the Lyric stage, will be at the Strauss “Record Spot” at 11:15 o'clock tomorrow

INDIANA

“The Great American with Alice Fave, Jack Oakie. John

Broadcast,” |

morning for interviews and an in- | formal reception. Mr, Jurgens is reported to be an

‘Give Benefit

and carries a strong and somber 9

cool, steady |

Of Humane Award

| | will be presented to Mr. Robinson

Here Sunday

Local Artists Play for Paderewski.

A testimonial fund concert for Patierewsk will be given by a half-

dozen of Indianapolis’ prominent musicians at 5 p. m. Sunday at the Woodstock Club. Performing artists will be Maria Koussevitzky, lyric soprano; Louise Essex, ‘cello; Leon Zawisza, violin; Bomar Cramer, piano; James HosMiss Koussevitzky mer, flute, and Walter Whitworth, accompanist. Mr. Cramer has made his reputa-

tion in large part through his inter-| :

pretations of Chopin and for his contribution Sunday Mr.

sonata. Mr. Zawisza will be heard in Wieniawski's Polonaise Brilliante, D Major. Miss Koussevitzky will sing two groups of songs, taken fromr the music of composers

seldom heard in|:

‘this city, among them Karlowicz and Niewiadomski and also Tschaikowsky (“Romance.”) The

SPALDING PUPILS TO GIVE RECITAL

Miss Mary Spalding will present her ‘piano students in ,an informal recital this evening in, her home, 426 E. Fall Creek Blvd. Participating will be Helen and Susan Dunlop, Margaret Richards, Kevin Johnston, Sandy Feeney, Evangeline and Behjamin Andrews, Ann Spalding, Jack Werner and Joanne Fischer,

_ FRIDAY, MAY 9, 1041

HAVEN'T MET YET

Although he has a full-length part in “I Wanted Wings,” in which Veronica Lake stars, Brian Donlevy hasn't yet met the honey-haired actress. They had no scenes together.

HARD ON CLOTHES

A single fight scene in “I Was a Prisoner on Devil's Island,” featuring Donald Woods, caused Woods to ruin. three suits.

(ge

0] DIANA

MARCH of TIME

MEN OF THE F. B. 1.—194|

Cramer £ will play that composer's Op. 35] §

conclud-| : ing numbers will |: be Blas de Laser-| :

na’s “El Filgue-|: i

rito con Pico d’ 3 Oro” by Blas de Laserna, and Mr. Zawisza “Kiedy RanneWtisasa Zbrze” (Rosy Dawn Arises). These were arranged for voice, violin, ‘cello, flute and piano by Fabien Sevitzky, director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.

‘Robinson Winner

ALBANY, N. Y., May 9 (U. P.).— Actor Edward G. Robinson will receive the American Humane Asso-

ciation’s gold medal May 21 for “outstanding service in the interest of children and animals,” the Society has announced. The asscciation said the medal

at Hollywood in connection with the 35th anniversary of the founding of the Boys Clubs of America. The award commended ‘the actor for promoting kindness and under-

in his broadcast plays.

CLLSTON]

S| Feng AUTRY, anapells BURNETTH

‘‘The Singing pom

Anita Louise, ‘Phantom Submarine

fa \ a Open 0 15°

John Mack Brown, ‘Boss of Baillion 2 Marjorie Reynolds, ‘‘Secret Evidence’ “Adv. of Captain Marvel”-—Late News

standing of children and animals

This grand love story has “heart” to spare!

IRENE

Starts TODAY

' 1,200 Seats After 8 (Plus Tax)

CARY

DUNNE JH 1 1h}

(eos Pu levers

ld DA

SERENADE Beulah TAN J Doran

PLUS! RALPH BELL

AMY

“ELLERY QUEEN'S PENTHOUSE MYSTERY”

EDDIE BRACKEN LILI EE CIA ICILY

played a local engagement, she] sang one song for Mr. Weems and | was hired on the spot. (While with] Mr. Weems she played the Lyric in Indianapolis.) In 1938, she made one film, playing a brat in a Bonita Granville

Payne, Cesar Romero, the Wiere Brothers and the Four Ink a at 12; % 2:30. 4:58. 7:26 and 9 e March of Time, dealing with the Tare ha aRanst fifth columnsts. at 2:09, 4:37, 7:05 and

0. 3:21, March of Time and 9:33.

KErTH: S

“George Wasainglon Slept Here” {on stage), a medv by George Kaufman and Moss Hart and produced by Martin Burton and James Daggett. Cast, directed by Edward Shugrue, includes Whitner i Katherine Meskill, Betty Goodrich and William Roerich. Tonight at 8:30 with final pertormances tomorrow at 2:30 and 0

| expert in sound recording, which is a tip we're passing on free to the | reporters on hand.

WALLET LLL Ee

AIA TH

NORTH SIDE gA 16th & Open , Daily -

CIN EMA Dela. at 1: p.

Adults 20c—Children 10c—Before Aint Katherine Hepburn—Cary Grant

“PHILADELPHIA STORY”

PLUS SELECTED SHORTS

TO NI IITA a

indayv—“Broadeast” at 1: 5-52 7:43 and Ti Se Bh 5 at 3:00, 5:11.

SOUTH SIDE

HRS _—SOUARE

LAST TIMES TONITE!

GENE AUTRY

“BACK IN THE SADDLE” PLUS

“Devil Commands” New seriar “Capt. Marvel”

Free Ice Cream to First 500 Kids Tonight Starts Sat. Mat. “COME LIVE WITH ME” and “TRIAL OF MARY DUGAN"

Chas. Boy er

Matg, Suiavan “BACK STREET”

George Brent—Ann Sheridan

“HONEYMOON FOR THREE” D BIGGEST BEST

LOEW'S “Penny Serenade,” with Dunne and Carv_ Grant, 2:45. 3:3 ard 3.55, .- Queen’s Penthouse Mysa we with bh Baioh Bellamy, at 1:20,

“Serenade” at 2:30. 6.05 sey Queen” at 1:10.

Irene at 11:10,

burn op the an outing romance!

PRE

ELL LES LAI

with heir

HELD OVER! BETTE DAVIS Frinchet

“DANGEROUS” Aired $The Lady Vanishes’

Hitchcock's MAT. TOMORROW-2 to 6 P. M.—20¢

nay and 9:45. 4:45 and

MA, 4877 Tonite, nite, 8130 Daggett

Martin Burton and James ay A She J the og

GEORGE E WASHINGTON SLEPT HERE

By Geo. 8. Kauffman and Moss Hart ith a Distinguished Broadway Cast

3 & Bat. Evening, RL 3381 ave . Wed. Inciuded Next Weokes"Parsgit of Happiness”

w/ JET tel PARK

OPEN FOR THE SEASON One Hour of Free Rides ? ? SUNDAY AFTERNOON

+ INDIANA'S LARGEST AMUSEMENT CENTER *

You'll Have to See Him to Believe It

MYRUS

The Wizard of Mental Telepathy -

Boris LYRIC Karloff Dick Jurgens and his o stage) with Rita and ob Neller and the Lane Bros. 1:04 3:55, 8.55 and 9:37. “Ri Parade’ (on screen) Crosby, Ruth Terrv ahd Jr. at 11:24, 2:15, 5:08

ortow Stare | Show at 12:32 Bn) 5: Ine 9:41. Movie at 8: GE) 8:28 a 10:41. Sides Stars show at 12:45, 3:00. 8:15. §: and 9:45. Mie’ at) Az 00. 1:47, 4:02, 6:17. 8:32 and 10:45

Tonight, 5:45

Bat. & Sun. 20¢ 6 Jas, Stewart &4

Li 9" Hedy Lamarr COME With ME “Girl, Guy °° Gob

99 Lucille Ball Geo. Murphy AND! Freddie Martin Orchestra MAT. TOMORROW—12:45 to 6—200 "dehy. & 5:45. oy

EMERSON “5, % 20c

FIRST EAST SIDE SHOWINGS 1M. Weaver “Murder Among Friends” 2--Eddie Albert “GREAT MR. NOBODY” 3—“So Long Mr. Chump” 3 Stooges 4—Dick Foran-Leo Carrillo Buck Jones-Chas., Bickford

“a REDERS OF DEATH VALLEY B SHERIDAN © G!1 6 E. Wash.

hestra ( fon hm

oe it at

PRR LLL RETTY BREWER LIL

FLY)

045 VIRGINIA AVE.

Tonight Topight, Adults Thru ten. @ 5:45 to 6 20¢

A GIRL, A GUY and a GOB Guy Kibbee ‘SCATTERGOOD BAINES’ Early Show Sat. Eve. 5 to 6 P. M.—20¢

1a], Rp SE

AL Al Rs

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=LYRIC

HOME OWNED

PURE OZONIZED AIR

HOME OPERATED Heros that

DICK

RGENS | Ju CHESTRA 8

* HARRY COOL #¢ C*ONOURSCREEN® * BUDDY MORENO KEEP IN STEP WITH THE ARMY! * CARL BRANDT oie the un, pura Vat wll hve

* LOU QUADLING you longhing in dovble fime . . ..

min sont | ROOKIES Vii PARADE _}!

* LANE BROTHERS * BUB WELLER BOB ¢ Chossy RUTH TERRY

* EVELYN TONERG = Hoosier Talent Perode 7s CERTRUDE NIESEN Wi EDDIE FOV. IR.

ARIE Witson CLIFF RAZARRS

LONE RANGER RIDES

20¢ AGAIN—ONCE AT 7 P. M. “BACK IN

GENE AUTRY THE SADDLE”

“SAINT IN PALM SPRINGS”

WATCH FOR YOUR NAME FO

R FREE ADMISSION

PARKER 5.0 Soe’ Sis

Doors Open at 6:45 Jas, Cagney “STRAWBERRY BLONDE” Burg. Meredith ‘SAN

FRANCISCO DOCKS’ | 20cCto 6 1300 E. WASHINGTON + FREE PARKING s Stewari—Hedy Lamarr

“COME LIVE WITH ME”

Lucille Ball—George Murphy

“A GIRL, A GUY AND A GOB” 0 L500 20¢ to 6

IVICA -

ames Stewari—Hedy Lamarr

“COME LIVE WITH ME”

Lucille Ball—George Murphy

“A GIRL, A GUY AND A GOB”

TATA

steatford ‘Tho 20

College pov Richard Arlen “LUCK VIL Range Busters “KID’S LAST RIDE”

Talbott at | 22nd TALBOT T Wm. Lundigan aris Wixon “CASE OF THE BLACK PARROT” _. Paul _ Muni “HUDSON'S BAY”

LPI: ow UpT =

Ann wilh Ayres

“Maisie Was a Lady”

Rita Qu E, KELLY, RID ‘RIDE

“RIDE

ADULTS Orrin Tucker “YOU'RE THE ONE”

“TALL, DARK & HANDSOME"

SANDERS, 1% A seat

10¢ Boris Karloff “THE APE” Keye Luke “PHANTOM OF CHINATOWN"

WEST SIDE

2440 Anita Louise

DAIS Rg Rich. Cromwell

“VILLAIN STILL PURSUED HER” Johnny Mack Brown “PONY POST” 2702

STATE {iu 20C "Min.

Jack Holi “GREAT PLANE ROBBERY” Ken Maynard “PHANTOM RANCHER"

os Ssde 9 ASK MYRUS

TWO SHOWS NITELY SRM LEM

Music by the Famous Biltmore Boys And Their Orchestra Featuring NANCY EVANS, Vocalist

DELICIOUS DINNERS TSE,

Never a Cover Charge

HOTEL SMSTRGTON

——————————— “T==1 College at 63rd Free Parking Let night Thru Saturday «VIRGINT A” in Technicolor Dead End Kids “GIVE US WIN

GS” REX ,.i%.2 No

Speedway Cit SPEEDWAY Spivey ov Una Merkel “SANDY GETS HER MAN Wm. Boyd “3 MEN FROM TEXAS”

Robt. Young

BELMONT Laraine Day

“TRIAL OF MARY DUGAN” “A GIRL, A GUY AND A GOB”

deimont = Wash. Any rthwestern 20¢C

“THIEF OF BAGHDAD” In Cola “g Lessons from Madame LaZonga”

EAST “SIDE

HH HAMILTON 2116 E. 10th

THRU BAL Grant—Katherine Hepbu

“PHILADELPHIA STORY":

“CASE OF THE BLACK PARROT” ! #

Matinee Tomorrow—200 to 8

Gghe Autry “RIDE, TENDEREOOL, RIDE” onder of Comics “LI'L ABNER" "RING OF _THE ROYAL _MOUNTED"

TUXEDO "5, 20C. 4%

ew York “Time Arlen and Devine

READ THIS COLUMN DAILY

he Thrilli LSRYOr. pEvRLS" The rilling ** AND! ‘SKY RAIDERS”