Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 9 January 1949 — Page 34

‘Rudy Vallee’ Croons Again

Singer Recalls 20 Years o Of Grapefruit and Limelight

that Rudy Vallee became a national sensation — or a national pain in the neck. A _ The other night, looking 37, instead of 47, ruddy Rudy relived that triumph—and told off a few people. We had dinner, and over the stringbeans, of which he had two helpings, he de“scribed the scene: the 81st St. Earl's Pearls Theatre: time, 1029 Monte Proser, the Copacabana » » . producer, uttered : “The manager of the theater,” a great truth gE (unintentionally)’

when discussing his own tele-

who had heard us 24 times a vision show. week on the radio. “I didn't know 5 " = = you knew any“VALLEE”~he shifted into the thing about tele-

Mr. Proser riend. : “Aré you kiddin'?” sald Mr. Proger. “I'm a television veteran. I've been in television over two weeks.” : 3

third person — “who had this # Yankee voice like Coolidge. . « nif "Yell, they -stood up and they ye-e-elllled!” : “Who got more adulation: You, Valentino or Sinatra?’ I asked. “©h, Valentino! I. think my adulation was more honest and not ‘as ‘confined to kids as Sinatra's. My fans were from 22 up to 40 ‘and 50. “But Valentino. . , ..Now, what puts George Raft over? x | Ba - “HIS ONLY claim to fame— he stinks as an actor and I'll tell him so to his face—is his resemblance to Valentino. “At one time,”

“Did your voice change much) over 20 years?” “Mine, unfortunately, didn’t. I used to chase keys 'way beyond my range. Being tired, I couldn't reach them. . “I don’t wonder they threw grapefruit at me.” Rudy carries a picture of Hollywood starlet Mary. Ann Nyberg with him but he describes himself as “Vallee the Bachelor.” . » r ” “VALLEE is In essence a bachelor,” he said. “I can’t be one’ of these guys that gets married and fools around afterward.” 80 you girls who are hanging around, getting his autograph, flirting with him, I don’t think it'll do you any good. “Even when the bombshell burst for Vallee in 1929 and 1 was so big, I don’t think they cared for me,” he sald. “You see, they've got to have somebody to follow around, to attract attention to themselves.” » . » . The Midnight Earl “1 MIAMI MEMO: Barry Gray,| whose throne room at the Copa City is the packed HQ for: all

years , took his glasses off, local and national arguments; is and , ‘Ever think of 80Ingidue soon to discuss a new radio into Joifticey be sald. ‘Youiqeal ., . Seven Miami hotels are| ught to, . up for sale—3 clubs are bidding) “Some day,” he added, “I'd like tor Lena Horne—and everyone's to be mayor of Los Angeles Of gaping at two magnificent new Chief of Ponies... . structures, Mammy's restaurant a and the huge Saxony Hotel. . . . “Pd stop all bookmakers, I'd |r town is set for a season of

all-out gambling. ” ¥ . TODAY'S BEST LAUGH: Max .|Asnas, the restaurateur; says a customer ordered a steak, then decided he wouldn't have time to wait for it, so the waiter told the short order cook, “Hold that steak.” Twenty minutes later the cook come into the dining room with the steak in his hands and . (demanded, “What do you want me to do with this steak? I've held it as long as I can!” . - » PETER: DONALD tells of the card shark who wore white gloves while playing. When asked ‘why, he explained, “On my mother's death-bed I promised never to touch a deck of cards again—I'm,

NEW YORK, Jan. 8—It was 20 years ago this month;

vision,” said a fi

Movie Preview:

another patient (Celeste Holm)

mission to Juniper Hill Hospital.

riage fo Robert Cunningham (Mark Stevens) has intensi- | the mental upsets she has suffered for some years.

Virginia improves repeatedly,

make her hysterical again. Here,

(Katherine Locke) fixes sher hair,

supporting cast. nse Despite critical acclaim Olivia

Miss de Havilland has all the resources of directing and camera work to aid her in portraying Virginia Cunningham, the mentally ill heroine, Without the wonderful human background of bit players and extras, especially in the gruesome sequence in the asylum’s “worst” ward, Miss de Havilland’'s hysterics would seém like any other screen hysterics. : Rs THE FILM has had tremendous| advance publicity, and needs no summary here. Critics elsewhere have complained that the picture and the book are two different stories. That fact was evident in last week's local press preview of

Olivia de Havilland, right, as Virginia Cunningham, mentally ill heroine of “The Snake Pit," is escorted by

head nurse (Minna Gombell) shortly after Virginia's ad-

afoul of jealousy or silly, arbitrary regulations that

mournfully at little souvenirs: of her life outside

the hospital. Before she recovers, Virginia has one very sick spell has to go to the "snake pit."

Olivia de Havilland Plays Star Role in Film Scheduled to Open at Circle, Feb. 3

By HENRY BUTLER

THE BEST THING in “The Snake Pit.” tentatively scheduled Ward, to open at the Circle Feb. 3, is the magnificent acting by the

ing role of the 20th Century-Fox adaptation of Hoosier Mary Jane Ward's best seller, her performance alone couldn’t make the picture.

oy ad

hy a

‘The Snake Pi

i Sb ma Epa aL

a Ly - ie »

Valerie (Ann Doran), keeps demanding past the domineering

Virginia's recent ‘mar-

dowdy clothes.

, only to run At a hospital dance Virginia is sitting with H

while Margaret Virginia looks

Jane Ward's best seller.

¥ Is Cloaked In

ets from Virginia as the price of a rag doll Virginia asked her for, Later Valerie accuses Virginia of stealing the doll and thus makes trouble. all the other patients depicted in the film due at the Circle Feb, 3, Valerie and Virginia whar

Blair), a patient unable to talk until Virginia's persistent kindness relieves her hysterical condition. Standing are Miss Vance (Esther Sommers), Dr. Kik (Leo Genn) and “the Visor," one of the male patients (Syd Saylor). In frowsy costume, the well-chosen cast of patients give a depressingly realistic asylum background for Mary

Can

Like attention shown Virginia

ester, loft (Betsy numerous as her

trouble, she can

Virginia shows terror when Mrs. Grier (Beulah Bondi), who imagines herself a millionaire society matron, tells her she's in for a lot of trouble. Waiting outside the door is Miss Davis (Helen Craig), who jealously resents the

prycateint.. Miss Davis bullies and frightens Virginia into

helps her to discover in her past the fears that produced her illness. Knowing the cause of her

¥ ia Tf

by Dr. Kik, the hospital's best

slow recovery progresses. Dr. Kik

accomplish her own cure. a

a child, in a moment of vexed frustration she unconsciously wished her father would die. When he did die shortly aftershe developed powerful guilt feelings, which later in life bad much to do with her breakdown. » This stuff is standard equipment in current psychiatry. There may be danger in putting it on Virginia began to get well when|the screen. After all, who among she got interested in trying to|us, at some point in childhood, help others get well. didn’t want to at least clout the But Hollywood has to explain|0ld man? If that “unconscious everything (possibly so studio ex-|death wish” is the foundation

de. Havilland has won in the lead-

ecutives can dope out the story).|for insanity, we're all crazy as oons.

‘The film doesn’t bring out what Miss Ward's book, I believe, did: An important part of ess is the patient's desire to be ill. As other writers on psychiatry have stated, the patient manufactures his own

So in “The Snake Pit,” a whole) new ‘background is invented for Virginia's breakdown. With the ald and blessing of consulting psychiatrists, a “perfect” case from cause, through illness to cure—has been rigged up. ; It seems when Virginia was

mental illness

Dance

J ONIGHT

the film . If you remember the book, you'll recall that Miss Ward laid more. stress on Virginia Cunning-

only keeping my promige.” . . . That's Earl, brother, - ee

SELECT

uN Cockladds Suvréme

Dutfon” in the famous Penthouse Room . . . Two Floor SIPPING Shows Nitely ais FABIEN SEVITZKY be 0” Conducting the . INDIANAPOLIS SYMPHONY Murat Theater |

TODAY, 3 P.M.

\ demas Solaist, Baritone !

SINGHER |

Vocal: Ariane & {Bongs by Dupare, Ravel, Berlios, meay, Orchestral: Works by Bizet, Griffes, Ravel

ON SALE MURAT |

RI-0508, af 11 A. M.

¥ H2T1I N PENN

(AARC S.

TWO KINDS OF

MARGAREY

‘SULLAVAN

DOIN IY

N THE HEART OF INDIANAPOLIS" AMUSEMENT DISTRICT

A WOMAN LIVING

ham'’s self-made recovery than on the causes of her mental illness.

ATMOSPHERE

LOVE!

neurosis or psychosis as an escape from -unbearable reality.

» » o MAYBE SEEING too many psychiatric movies might be as unhealthy as reading too many articles about stomach ulcers. Maybe it wouldn't be a bad idea for Hollywood to declare a moratorium on such stories. Unlike Miss Ward's book, the film stresses the overcrowded and understaffed hospital problem

only incidentally. Yet that's the most important préoblem of all— certainly in a state like Indiana. Critics have remarked that the film is nowhere near grim enough. Its Juniper Hill Hospital certainly is crowded in most scenes, but the hospital plant is palatial by contrast with the obsolete firetraps investigators find toq often

in Hoosierland. ig

J Judea pe i w No ______ SUNDAY, JAN. 9, 149

Nt *,

® A pee LI

a lot of us have kept the candle burning. in the window. It looks

like jazz is about jo return.” Not everybody. can’ qualify for this what Mr. Miller calls an “advanced, not retarded” swing fan, Bing Crosby is, with’ Mr. Miller, a co-leader. They've converted Ann Blyth and Barry Fitzgerald, Mr. Crosby and Mr. Miller take time some even to rhapsodize about the jazz items in. the huge record libraries they both own. Other times they get together to listen to jazz stars and groups at theaters and jam sessions. Must Be Good The trouble with jazz is, Mr, Miller said, it’s got to be good. “Even in its heyday, jazz was something ‘only a few musicians could play perfectly,” he .said. “That's one of the things that hurt it. Thousands of people tried it and never got anything. but

Enjoying a quiet litle picnic with Robert in [noise . the hospital grounds, Virginia has one of the clear-minded spells that grow longer and more

“The few really good jazz players are getting to be the idols of the few real fans who have the taste to appreciate them.” 4

Gene Autry to Bring Troupe Here Feb. 2

Gene Autry will bring his west~ Murat Theater for, two two-hour

. Mm. P The show, complete with Gene's popular horse, Champion, includes radid stars Ruf Davis and Pat. Buttram, Special half price rates for chile dren will be offered for the after noon. matinee.

MURAT

PIP (or me

5'2 DAYS BEG. MON. EVE., JAN. 24 Three Matinees— Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday :

Ne. 1 BROADWAY CAST AND PRODUCTION WITH ITS FAMOUS STAGE ENSEMBLE

14 STARS

Deadwood City!

lei

neunt a tas!

Joan Fontaine "You Gotta STARTS CEM

22 SONGS

Stay Happy’ 9 gay PRY

+ James Stewart

MON JAN. 3

MURAT

YES—-THE BROADWAY CAST!

NIGHTS: Main Peer, 1st 20 Rows, $4.20: Last 14 Rows, 33.80. Balctny, 1st 3 Bows, $3.60; 5 Rows, $3.00; 4 Rows, $2.40; 4 Rows, 81.00.

MATINEES: Mala Weer, Tél 20 Rows; $3.00; Last 14 Bows; $5:00 Balcony, 1st 8 Rows, $2.40; 4.Rows, $1.50; 4 Rows, $1.20, Ine. Tax

NOTE: NO BALOONY SEATS LEFT FOR SAT.

| BOX OFFICE OPENS THIS WED. BUT »~

TICKETS AT MURAT.AND H. P. WASSON & OO.

Enclose self-addressed, stamped envelope with mail erders. ONPOK OB MONEY ORDES PAYABLE TO MURBAY THEATRE

/MAGRICE EVANS

EVES. $1.60, 53.00, 52.40, S100, S120 TUES. MAT—$3.00, $52.40, $1.00, 51.20, bc

« TUE. 1, FEB.

2 DAYS

2 A |

FOX furlosh BLAZE FURY

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, naturally, can’, cult. It takes’

ern troupe to the stage of the

shows on Feb, 2 at 4 and 8:30 :

man farmer, million dolla Fernando V

ing about those Asta! to cash in 0 gether In} leys of Bro

CARL BJ song star, | Coconut Gra the time he Hollywood Vanities.” H Freddie Bris his “brother married to own product soon film ps

VISITORS wyck's sets about her Barbara ma ceal. “And she eraman Rui photographi Gambles.” graphs more other color.

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A cal heard in V Ensemble Milt wn Ka violin, wit| A

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